Looking for a Little Inspiration?
by Lindee Goodall
Everyone needs a little imagination boost now and then. In the past, I used to flip through magazines, my iPhoto library of digital images, or my file folder stash of tear sheets. Now my first option is to log into my favorite embroidery community and see what the other members have been up to.
And not only can you get inspiration, you can provide it. When you finish your latest master piece, who do you want to show it to? Someone who can really appreciate your effort, your attention to detail, your excellent eye for color and your amazing ability for composition, right? And who can do that better than another embroiderer?
Sure, you could run over to your friend's house and show her. Or send an email with a photo to your embroidery friends. But why not post it on a website with a brief description? A website specifically designed for embroiderers? That is frequented by embroiderers? Then just send a link to your friends about your latest post and bring them to the community.
Communities on the web are a great place to share inspiration, make new friends, and get and give help. You can share photos and ideas with just a few mouse clicks. There are general communities like Facebook and Flickr and there are topic-specific communities. My favorite embroidery community is Echidna Club at echidnaclub.com
Barely 3 months into into it's launch, it has over 800 members who actively participate. Just like any real-world community or town, virtual communities depend on activity. Active communities are more interesting and more interesting communities are more active.
If you're shy, "lurk" for a while. Lurkers are on-lookers who simply watch. But please don't stay that way! Its rather good in the beginning to lurk for a bit, it helps you get a sense of what's going on and how things work but please jump and join in the activities! I personally feel lurking is important even if you are an active participant; it gives other people a chance to shine.
Many communities are free or start out that way. Over time, features are added and premium features may require a subscription fee. Communities take a lot of work to manage, maintain, and develop so to cover those costs there may be a charge. As we all seem to get busier and busier, web-based communities offer a way to stay in touch with those who share a common interest no matter where they live.
A Few Community Dos & Don'ts:
- Do post a real picture of yourself. People are more likely to trust you and want to get to know you if there is a picture of a real person.
- Do provide a little bio. You don't need to share your whole life and its probably better that you don't. But tell us what part of the world you live in, maybe what kind of embroidery you like, how you got started, and what kind of machine(s) you use. Inquiring minds want to know!
- Share ideas and projects. Don't worry if you are new to embroidery. There is probably someone else with less experience who would like to know how to get started herself.
- Pace yourself. Don't try to comment on every one's projects. Don't mass upload every project you've ever done at one time. Spread them out. If you upload 20 things, then the person who uploaded just before you will scroll off the page and be lost.
- Watch what you say! You never know who will see it. If you wouldn't want your mother, your grandmother, your boss, or your small child to hear it, think twice about posting it.
- Have fun!
Give it a Try!
You can join Echidna Club for free by creating an account. You can see what I've posted by searching for my user name, LindeeG. |
