So Suzy Podcast

We're BACK!  Well, sort of, I actually have my snarkleganger filling in for me as I am STILL not 100%.  I can certainly tell you that I miss laughing A LOT.  On today's podcast, I have Chris O'Hearn from the Strong Within Daily Affirmation podcast helping out with a special episode for you.     Today, Chris talks about how to be Strong Within Your Creativity.         SHOW NOTES Being confident In your creativity Moving past comparing ourselves to others You are meant to change your world Share your artistic beauty   Links Referenced  www.strongwithin.com/sosuzy Strong Within Daily Affirmation Podcast Chris O'Hearn Instagram Chris O'Hearn Facebook

Now that Creativation is over, what to do you do now?  How do you process?  Should you follow up with those you met?  How do you move past some of the heart aches?  What do you do with all of the information you obtained, the friends you made, the memories you have and the connections you created?   In today's podcast, we talk about the show, what you should be doing now that life is back to normal and identifying your focus.     SHOW NOTES   "The more you know why you are doing something, then the more you will stay connected and motivated to the thing you pursue." - Chris O'Hearn, Strong Within Podcast, Episode 383: I Focus on the End to Know Where to Begin

We are just a few days away from the Creative Event of the Year!!!  AFCI’s Creativation starts this coming week, where thousands of creative geniuses will descend upon the Phoenix Civic Center in my home town of sunny Arizona for a week long creative fun fest.  Full of learning, new products, friends, laughter and Javi Hours. Plus, yours truly will be speaking at 3 of their education workshops on Thursday and Friday, which I am quite excited about.  If you are going to Creativation this year, you definitely need to let me know so we can plan a fun meet up!  I am already working on Lesley’s Junior Mint Stash and Miss Laura from Crafty Not Shifty is totally hooking me up with Galaxy Hot Chocolate!  I just love my crafty British friends. My favorite part of Creativation is being able to actually hug the incredible people I have interacted with on social media over the years.  It always surprises me that I actually have never MET them, because it feels like we have been friends for ages.  It truly is a surrea

Hey everyone!  It’s Suzanne and I want to thank you for joining us for the So Suzy Podcast where we help you build a business out of the hobby you love.  You will also be able to get the show notes and the links we reference by visiting us at SoSuzyPodcast.com    Over the past 6 months or so, I have been listening to the Strong Within Podcast from Chris O’Hearn.  It’s a quick 7 to 11-minute podcast that focuses on, essentially, the power of YOU.  Every day Chris has a Daily Affirmation podcast that 9 out of 10 times totally hits home and leaves me asking a ton of questions and gets my mind going a million miles a minute. One of his podcasts, number 338, I Bring Joy to Whatever I Do, left me thinking about my craft life; making cards, painting galaxies, coloring the latest Kit and Clowder monthly class and the joy it brings…until I think about the picture and posting process.  Getting the right light, posting it in my favorite Facebook Groups or Instagram.  Do I blog about it or just post it? So many times, I

Welcome to Made It Happen Monday with Lesley Oman from Heffy Doodle Stamps!  I am so excited to have Lesley on today's show and talk to her about Heffy Doodle AND how she launched her stamp company via a Kickstarter.  Find out more about Heffy Doodle AND the amazing prizes she is giving away this week on today's show!  

Today we have the incredible Justine Hovey on the podcast talking about her annual 12 Days of Christmas celebration, where she provides us with holiday inspiration!  Hear how the 12 Days of Christmas got started, how it evolved and the incredible prizes and cards she is featuring starting TODAY!       SHOW NOTES   12 Day of Christmas   Social Media YouTube Facebook Blog Instagram    

If you are new to card making or are on a tight budget, making your crafting dollar go as far as possible is essential!  Today, I am going to give you some crafty buying secrets on how you can save money and get started building your card making stash.         SHOW NOTES Special Coupon Code and Link for 15% off all items on Gina K Designs for today (10/20/17) only! Use coupon code SOSUZY15   Perfect Starter Kit from Gina K Designs - Sentimental Bouquet Mini Kit       Pick up a MISTI using the 15% off coupon from Gina K Designs       Making the Most of Your Craft Dollar  Garage Sales Craiglist in your area Purchase individual stamps versus sets  Consider ordering Digital Stamps from your favorite companies or on Etsy Buy AMAZING paper - Heavy Weight Card Stock from Gina K Focus on inks that match your style and buy the mini ink pads versus larger ones Gina K Mini Inks - Don't forget to use coupon code! SOSUZY15 The Ton Mini Inks Pick up Memento Tuxedo Black Ink Paper Cutter Foam Vinyl Placemat Scotch 3M

This week, we have the amazing Bonnie Krebs on the podcast from Art Impressions.  We talk about how she got her start in the crafting industry, her over 8000 images she has designed, the evolution of Art Impressions and how she finds her inspiration!       SHOW NOTES   Stamp Styles TryFolds Watercolor Wobbles Front and Backs Windows to the World Golden Oldies Girlfriends Girlfriend Skin Tones Video       Bonnie's Recommendations Marvy Markers #4 Watercolor Brush Staz-On Ink Palette  Strathmore Cold Press 140lb Canson Cold Press 140lb   Where to Find Art Impressions   Website Facebook YouTube Instagram Blog Classes and Shows   Here is the lady who I love on Instagram!   Her name is Dot and she is incredible!

There has been a lot of heated conversations lately over the ever-growing infestation of knock off craft supplies.  Typically, when someone mentions knock offs in the crafting industry, most people immediately gravitate toward the MISTI copycats and the blatant patent infringements some companies thought were ok to violate to make a quick buck.  Foolishness, my friends, foolishness. However, stamping tools are not the only ones being raped by creatives in the industry.  Stamps, dies and other intellectual property are being stolen, brand names are being stripped from packaging and products are being sold at murderous rates. For those of you who would like to know how to avoid or spot a scam, this podcast is going to help you identify the offending stamps and respond when you THINK a company is out of line.

  Whether you are a business or a consumer, it's time to get your game face on and prepare for the holiday shopping frenzy!  On today's podcast, we not only give you 5 incredible tips on how you can score your favorite items during the releases and sales, but we also have Amit Mathradas from PayPal on the show.  Amit gives us some incredible ideas for not only boosting sales during the holiday season, but how you can maximize the global market as well!         SHOW NOTES   5 Tips to Score Your Favorite Items During Releases and Sales Join the company's FB Group and mailing list to get a heads up on sales, specials, coupons, sneak peek's and pre-launches Set your alarm for release times Get on your computer or sign up for PayPal One Touch to ensure speedy check out Make sure you have an account with the company AND you are logged in Have a PAYPAL ACCOUNT! Amit's Top Tips For businesses, make sure your site is optimized for mobile shopping Have a simply purchase path for your consumers Both businesses AND

Welcome to Day 3 of Snarktoberfest!  Today's guest is Suha Hazboun from Swedish House Crafts.  Not only is Suha the owner of Swedish House Crafts, she is also one of our incredible sponsors for the Snarktoberfest blog hop!   Hear all about Swedish House Crafts, Suha's love for snark AND how she has the lowest shipping rates in the UK!  That's right, my UK friends, Swedish House Crafts is on YOUR side of the world!

Welcome to Day 2 of Snarktoberfest and our interview with Donna Whiteman from The Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers.  Today, we continue with Snarktoberfest and interviewing one of the amazing lovers of snark, a snarky place to share your creations without fear of someone standing on their precious pansy soap boxes on how your card offends their delicate natures. I also threw down the gauntlet and issued a challenge to de-throne Miss Josefine Fouarge and her Snarky Queen Reign!  It's time to overthrow her snarky reign!

Welcome to Snarktoberfest!   *WARNING: Today's podcast has a few bad words that may not be appropriate for little ears or those of you who get easily offended.  Josefine and I talk about some of our favorite snarky sentiments and cards during the podcast, there are no F-bombs, but it may not seen as a family friendly show today.  Funny, but not geared for the little people.  If you get offended, don't complain to me, because I did warn you.  :)   First, thank you so much for your patience during my little hiatus.  I had several huge audiobook deadlines happening in September and I just didn't have time to put together the podcasts for the month.  BUT the podcast is BACK and I have a ton of great surprises in store for you this month.   The second being, Snarktoberfest!  Where the snarky soul sisters unite and create a month of snarky fun.     SHOW NOTES   Snarktoberfest Details When: October 2nd - October 5th  Where: The fun starts on Josefine's blog Bloghop Ends: October 5th Winners Announced: October 6th

Eeeek, I am so excited!  Creativation is just around the corner and the registration for the education program starts next week on September 12 at 11am EST!  Today, we have Keli Bell-Cole from AFCI on the podcast to talk about attending Creativation, the educational classes, key note speaker and so much more!  And Keli is kinda awesome!   PLUS, we try to talk Mark into letting her go to Greendale, WI to check out the Village!  Pretty sure she needs a chaperone...just sayin!   Check out the preview guide to write down your questions before class registration starts!   Registration starts on Tuesday, September 12th at 11am at the Creativation website.   If you have not registered for Creativation yet, head on out and do so!

Welcome to Made It Happen Monday with Kim Evans from Emerald Creek!  Today, we are going to be talking to Kim about how she got her start in the stamping industry, her unique embossing powders, AFCI Canada (because we love our Canadian sisters!) and a few shout outs to some amazing menfolk in the industry!   PLUS!  Kim has GENEROUSLY offered a $50 prize pack to one lucky listener! OH YA, BABY!       SHOW NOTES   Kim's Favorites   Favorite part of running a business: Math...seriously, she SAID that...out loud!  Oh, and the people! Favorite embossing powder color: Charred Gold and Fractured Ice   Favorite craft item you can't live without: (as if any of us can name JUST one) Heat tool, craft mat, Ranger Emboss It Dabber   Super Secret Product Announcement! ATC Chipboard coming SOON!   Amazing Shout Outs to a Couple of Super Cool Guys   Seth Apter Ted from Stampers Anonymous   Where to Find Kim and AFCI Canada   Emerald Creek Website Emerald Creek Blog Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest   AFCI Canada  Website

**DISCLAIMER**   Skype was not behaving during the recording of our podcast so we had to use Zoom, needless to say, the quality is not as good as normal.  I do apologize and I PROMISE once you get used to the "bubbling abyss ocean sounds", you'll be fine!   It would be an extreme disservice to the crafting community if I did not have the bomdiggityshizznit of all crafters on the show to talk about her incredibly cool method of hosting card classes and retreats.  If you are considering starting a card class outside of the how or you are feeling like you want to branch out and start hosting retreats, this podcast is for you!   Lydia shares some of her million dollar secrets, talks about what it takes to host a successful retreat AND we also talk podcasts and serial killers...ya, we're an eclectic bunch!   SHOW NOTES   Hosting Classes Outside the Home   #1 piece of advice: Frequent a local establishment, find out when their slow times are and approach them with the idea of you teaching an art class during this

Today, we have Teresa DeWitt-Pierce from Whimsical Card Studio on the podcast sharing with us how she built and launched her creative dream of being on a design team.  PLUS, we have a special surprise for her that she had NO CLUE was coming!  Thanks to Justine Hovey and Vicky Briggs from So Suzy Stamps for allowing me to a part of the fun!   SHOW NOTES Teresa's Favorites   Favorite So Suzy Stamps Stamp - Fancy Butterfly Favorite Crafter - Justine Hovey and Jennifer McGuire Favorite Card Design to Make - Interactive   Where to Find Teresa   Blog Instagram Facebook YouTube Twitter   Links Reference   So Suzy Sessions How to Be on a Design Team   If you would like to congratulate Teresa on her new Design Team position, please leave her a special note in the comments section!  

This month, we are focusing on different ways to make extra money to support your craft habit.  Last week, we discussed craft fairs and launched our Craft Show 101 online class at SoSuzySessions.com This week, we are going to talk about card classes and how you can make extra money by hosting your own.   SHOW NOTES   If you are wanting to host classes, there are a few things to consider before you go all gang busters and start promoting. Where are you going to hold them? How many people is your ideal number? How many cards are you going to make? What will you charge? Where will you promote? What products will you use? How long will your class be? What type of class will you teach? How much time do you have to prepare? Instructions or no instructions? If you decide to host in your home, keep these things in mind: ALWAYS include if you have pets in your marketing and promo materials.  If you do have pets, the dog goes outside PERIOD.   Same goes for the cat.  Cat goes outside or in a room.   Kids are not all

We all need more money for crafting supplies and with the holidays fast approaching and new releases pending, new supplies are going to be essential for our well-being and our very existence.  Today, we are going to discuss 10 ways you can finagle some more money to buy the goodies you are dying to get!         SHOW NOTES   10 Ways to Finagle More Money   Sell items on Etsy or eBay Have a garage sale Affiliate links, YouTube or Design Teams Stampin' Up! Craigslist, Facebook Destash, eBay Bundle your stamps to sell vs individually Mystery Boxes >>> Tag @doubleclickconnect on Instagram! Friend Stamp Swap Sell your cards at Craft Shows Host Card Classes Links Referenced   My Sweet Petunia Gina K Designs So Suzy Stamps The Ton Stamps Kit and Clowder    Our Online Classes   How to Be on a Design Team Craft Show 101   Sponsored By   My Sweet Petunia

For those of you who plan to participate in a craft fair this year, today's podcast is all for you!  We are going to discuss: Supplies needed Decorating your booth Promotion for your crafts How to stand apart from the other crafters Type of cards to sell Pricing   Also, we just opened pre-registration for our Craft Show 101 Online Class!       Show Notes   Cash to Have on Hand 30 - $1's 10 - $5's 6 - $10's 2 - $20's   Accepting Credit Cards Options PayPal Here Square   Links Referenced Price. Market. Sell. Your Handmade Cards Pricing Calculator MISTI   Friday's Listener Tip   "Don't compare your work to other's.  Be inspired, motivated and thankful for the opportunity to learn from your crafting peers.  After all, you may inspire others with your style.  Be true to yourself.  Make what you love, not necessarily the new trend."  - Marci Snee            Sponsored By   My Sweet Petunia