Pitch Your Product Panelist

Jickie Torres Editor, Cottages & Bungalows Magazine

I am pleased to introduce Jickie Torres to you. She is the editor of Cottages & Bungalows Magazine and will be part of the panel on the "Pitch Your Home or Product" segment of Launch Your Creativity.

Tickets are still available www.LaunchYourCreativity.com

~Follow Your Creative BLISS~ 

Sharon

Martha Cook aka Martha's Favorites

Blogland is a very special places where friends meet and relationships are formed. We encourage our blog-sisters and are inspired and encouraged. Last April one of my friends from Blogland came to Launch Your Creativity. 
I'd never met a Blogland friend face to face so this was extra special. 
Here is Martha's story told in her own words:

January 1st, marked the beginning of my 3rd year of blogging. "Why do you blog?" I can't tell you how many people have asked me this, (well, maybe one or two) especially my family. I recently told my first daughter the number of people who actively follow my blog and you know what she said? Well, I will tell you. "Mom, you are not that interesting!" She is my encourager! Bless her heart, Lord! She lifts me up when I am down! Monique is the one who says, "Mom, if something happens to you, everything is going to be sold in a yard sale, so price it!" Monique taught me that "Pretty Vintage Things", are just that, pretty vintage things. Her bluntness has always served me well. 

I had been a "blogger peeping tom" for over a year.  These ladies looked like they were having a wonderful life. Dreams were coming true for them. On January 1, 2009, I started by blog, Martha's Favorites! Confessions of a Serial Collector. I blogged (Is that a word?) of a great sadness in my life and it helped. I was bluntly honest with myself (important). No one was reading my blog anyway, so who cared?   Slowly joy came, so did followers. People who loved me for just me. Not what I could do for them. Ladies who visit, just because! Weird huh? Today, my reason for blogging has not changed. The only difference now is, I am not sad. When I count my blessings, I count my friends in Blogland as part of them.

As long as I can remember I have wanted to own my own store.  An on line store, where I could sell my collections as my interests change. (Believe me, my interest change a lot!)  A place where I could share the wonderful things that I have found on my treasure hunting trips. There are so many wonderful stores in Blogland. I wanted to be one of them. I am a "Serial Collector", but not a hoarder (yet)!  My gift is treasure hunting. (I bet you did not know it was a "gift".)  Because of my blog, NBC's "It's Worth  What!?" came to my home to film some of my collections.

I met Sharon through my blog last year. She personally invited me to attend "Launch Your Creativity."  She was so nice to me I wanted to go just to meet her. I told her my dreams of having an on line store. She even told me to get business cards so I could network like everyone else.  My world was so small, I wanted so much to expand it. When I arrived to the tea, Sharon, came up to me and gave me a big hug. She instantly knew me because of my picture on my blog. I felt so welcomed.

 Launch Your Creativity, changed my life. During the event I took notes, I followed directions, I was encouraged. I felt with God's help,  that dreams could come true. On July 2011, I opened my store. "Pretty Vintage Things" by Martha's Favorites!

I have worked so hard at learning to manage it. I am still very new at it all.  I have a little card that was given out at that event.  The note reads: "Launch Your Creativity," "Follow Your Dreams, Anything IS Possible."  It sits on my desk so I can read it every day.

Sometimes my life feels like a fairy tale. Like a story, with a happy ending. Who would have thought all this could happen over tea?  

Hugs, Martha

~Follow Your Creative BLISS~ 

XO Sharon

Artist Johnny Petros

Artist Johnny Petros

 There was a small vintage print of a girl my mother had on her wall. I used to take it down once in a while and just stare at it. I was captivated by it wondering how someone could make something so beautiful.

Recognizing that beauty, during my youth is what fueled my passion to want to create something. I spent my young childhood drawing faces and figures. 

 After High School I had various jobs and began doing commissioned portraits on the side. I remember how I would work an 8 hour shift and come home and paint for hours. I believe when you're doing something you love there is an endless supply of energy that comes with it.

 I worked for 30 years and did commissioned artwork on the side, wishing and dreaming of the day when I could just paint.  Now I have my own site Salone Di Petros where I have my art gallery to showcase my original work. I sell my paintings through Ebay commerce. 

 At Fine Art America I am able to offer my prints as well as cards. I am currently working on Zazzle products- T-shirts, stationary and many items designed with my artwork, and in the process of working on an online store. 

 I didn't take art classes in high school or go to college I merely had an incredible passion to want to create, and to finally at 48 to be able to solely do what I love is an incredible experience. If there is one thing I believe is anyone, whatever their passion may be, they should try to make room for it in their life. To me a person's passion is what keeps their heart forever young. To believe in yourself and follow your heart with determination, any dream can become a reality and any passion can be turned into a business.

To contact Johnny visit: http://artgallerypetros.blogspot.com/

~Follow Your Creative BLISS~ 

XO Sharon

Launch Your Creativity II

Launch Your Creativity II

Sharon Hughes Creator of Launch Your Creativity

Do you have an idea for a product or service and

wonder how to start a business?


Launch Your Creativity is a seminar to teach women how to start a business.

A place to be Inspired, Encouraged and Learn how to start a business from the very beginning steps. From producing a product, finding a product rep or starting a service industry business we equip women with the basics so they can move forward.

Offering "Words of Wisdom" from those who have traveled the road of  launching their dream business, you will laugh, you will cry and you will see how you too can start the business of your dreams.

An amazing group of women will

inspire you
encourage you
teach you

Join us on this exciting journey to discover how you can

Launch Your Creativity!

Saturday, October 1st, 2011
  *The Launch Your Creativity seminar is $65.
Includes breakfast or lunch
 depending on which seating you attend
 *5 guest speakers including a
special appearance by Jenny Doh,
 *Meet and Greet with the editors of Romantic Homes, Victorian Homes, Cottages & Bungalows
*Pitch your product or home to the editors
 *gift bag, educational materials and door prizes
Buy tickets here

Jenelle Van de Mortel, Artist and  Designer 

Lydia Reza, author, Product Rep and Coach

Jenny Doh, Author, Editor, Life Coach and Founder of Cresendoh

Connie Gayhart, Business owner, philanthropist, Maven of Organization

Cheryl Turner, Owner Paris In A Cup

Jacqueline deMontravel Editor of Romantic Homes Magazine 

This is an amazing opportunity:

Meet and Greet with the editors of Romantic Homes, Victorian Homes, Cottages & Bungalows
Pitch your product or home to the editors.

I hope you will join us for this wonderful event!