I was going through yesterday's newspaper today and found this interesting article on the founder and creator of the cute shoe company Robeez. I am always looking for stories of just how do people (women) do it - heaving an idea off the ground, lugging it around, sweating for ages and sticking with it. I think the sticking with it is the main part. It has been 10 years for her to get where she is now. It is not always heaving and lugging - that just happens to be my mood lately. Sometimes it is a joy to work away at your own little sprout of an idea.
I am heartened by things like people "suddenly becoming known" after 15 years of hard work. Or even by people who decide to completley change their direction halfway through - that you don't have to do the same thing forever. That life can be a series of episodes. That "good enough IS good enough".
I don't know, I am rambling a bit!
I am feeling dull dull dull! Thinking all sorts of things like : " Should I change my illustration style to be more marketable? Do I even care? What's for dinner?"
I don't know if it's becasue I am a taurus, but I don't look to be "challenged" all the time. I'd prefer a nice cup of tea, not too much busy-ness and plenty of time for myself. So if I look at it that way, I am doing just fine.
Hmmm. I think I have written about this before...
:)
Pardon me, I tend to indulge in such thoughts every once in a while.
creative/professional ennui* c'est la vie! Lordy me!
I am also indulging in a little Favicon voyeurism. I still want to make one, and have that little handy tutorial from thimble bookmarked somewhere. Can't seem to find it now...
PS. thanks for all your funny comments about that crazy postal mishap. You all gave us a good laugh!
oh! I am a nanny and my charge has these shoes! Not this pattern but other kinds and they're so cute! She likes to pull her leg up and eat 'em! :D
On the illustration note- I struggled with my artistic style recently. I have spent years creating art for other people in a style that I thought they would like. I've recently decided to do what I like and what I think I am good at and if other's like it, great. I have to say, it makes art all the more enjoyable. In my own selfishness I say don't change your artistic style. You're one of my bigest inspirations. You have to do what's best for you..and makes you money! :D
Posted by: Joleen | April 21, 2005 at 06:07 PM
I love Robeez! They really look so yummy. I know nothing of what it takes to work in your business but I so admire what you do. I love your style so much. It is always amazing to me how much you are able to convey so much, even in a simple sketch you have doodled. Plus, I tend to think the business who become hugely popular over night also tend to crash pretty quickly while the ones who have been quietly building over a long period have the foundation in place to stick around.
Posted by: myra | April 21, 2005 at 06:22 PM
so cute!!!!!
Posted by: kristen | April 21, 2005 at 06:48 PM
adorable shoes - and good questions about lifes direction. if we didn't question and just accepted everything - our fate and position in the world - it would be more than dull.
Posted by: kathree | April 21, 2005 at 07:24 PM
do you think that they do this little shoes for adults? :D they´re super super cute.
btw, I love all your work... you're a very creative girl!
I read your blog everyday and I never wrote any comments here because my english is a little (very - I think) bad. :)
so, sorry if you don´t understand me.
***
Posted by: miriam | April 21, 2005 at 09:06 PM
Here is the tutorial http://www.thimble.ca/?p=122, so that's at least one thing I can help you with.
As for illustration, I wish so much that I had more (or any) ability in that area, and I think what you do is amazing. There's something wrong with the world if your kind of talent isn't "marketable"!
Posted by: Laural | April 21, 2005 at 09:34 PM
:)
ahhhh,
thanks!
i feel all sheepish and grateful - i so appreciate all your kind and helpful words!
Posted by: tania | April 21, 2005 at 09:52 PM
Just wanted to say thanks for the link to my favicon gallery...and what a great looking site! I wish I could make things that looked this great.
Posted by: Michael | April 21, 2005 at 11:23 PM
_hallo tania,
see? the thing is that we are telepathic!
i think something (my son has a pair of robeez shoes very cute) and the next day you post a message about it.
we definitly must be friend!! (we are already, i see)
_concerning philosophical issue i have to tell that me too i am thinking how to convert my job into something i like to do.
_i have been webdesigner for 10 years now... i have loved it! i have also had big chance to work with important customers like vatican radio, the italian national broadcast... but now i am fedup with virtual colors and electronic media.
_i need to manage manual things. i really would like to do as ms. wilson of robeez shoes did.
_as i am taurus too i think i can do it if i really want!! I will tell you more soon....
have a sunny day! sabrina
Posted by: sabrina |e| sara | April 22, 2005 at 03:09 AM
i'd be completely satisfied if i could just do it all. and do it perfectly. is that so much to ask? now, what's for breakfast...
Posted by: robiewankenobie | April 22, 2005 at 08:38 AM
even my sister has those little shoes for her little daughter. Stylin'! They really are too cute!
Posted by: Karina | April 22, 2005 at 01:52 PM
This is a neat website:
http://www.html-kit.com/e/favicon.cgi
It will generate the favicon for you!
Posted by: beastlysum | April 22, 2005 at 02:55 PM
Thanks for linking the Robeez article. Brynne has worn many pairs out, and she just got her latest pair in the next size up (monkeys, of course!). As for your philosophical questions, go where your heart tells you to go. I'm already on my third "career", and I know that more change is ahead. So, embrace change if that is what you yearn for, but I wouldn't do it for any other reason...
Posted by: kelly | April 22, 2005 at 04:34 PM
I love Robeez! I can't tell you how sad I was when my oldest grew out of their largest size. But I knew nothing of the company history--so thanks for that article link.
And I'm with everyone else--I adore your work, and I totally think you should keep going with the taurus thing--as long as you are loving what you do and how you do it--how much more "successful" can it get than that, really?
Posted by: amanda s | April 22, 2005 at 04:48 PM
you're feeling exactly how i'm feeling (same thoughts too--what's for dinner?!) :) i don't think you should change to suit others' ideas...if you do it for yourself that's different. ditto to amanda--i adore your work!
ps how cute are those shoes?! :)
Posted by: susanne | April 22, 2005 at 05:22 PM
My daughter has gone through two pairs of Robeez so far, and they are the exact ones you posted. She's currently in the cherries, which are cute, but I miss those fuchsia flowers!
Posted by: Kate | April 23, 2005 at 05:27 PM