Photo courtesy of Sandi Henderson of Portabellopixie

When I first stumbled across designer Sandi Henderson’s site, Portabellopixie, I instantly fell in love with the vibrant colors of her fabric collection and the fabulous music that played during my visit. Over time, I discovered that Sandi is not only a talented designer but she is also a friendly, down-to-Earth woman with a great sense of humor. When I recently caught up with Sandi, who had just unveiled Farmer’s Market, a striking, new fabric line, she shared her thoughts about music, starting a business and balancing work and family.

CN: You are the creative mastermind behind, Portabellopixie, a fun, colorful site that’s always filled with music. It’s clear you love music, if you had a theme song for your life what would it be?

Sandi: Oh, can we just do an entire post on this one topic?!  Yes I love music-it was my first creative endeavor.  I have played the piano for pretty much as long as I can remember.  Learning how to read music through playing the piano made it simple to learn other instruments in a day.  Once you have the fingering down-you already know everything else!  I can play 6 different instruments even though I have only studied one extensively.  Music is a huge part of our household and we play/listen to everything (which is probably evident by the broad spectrum of music I play on my blog.)  Except for the angry stuff-that doesn’t make the cut.    I find it incredibly hard to design or work without music playing.  I pretty much always have a song that is my favorite at the moment, right now (don’t laugh!) it’s “Lost Highway” by Bon Jovi.  It gets me up and moving.  Another thing I love, books on tape.  Listening to Harry Potter at the moment-I love them because they are so long that it’s hard to feel like you’re ever listening to the same thing over and over.

CN: What is your first memory of creating a piece of artwork you love?

Sandi: The first craft that I became addicted to was scrapbooking.  I remember how incredibly excited I was when I discovered it!  I scrapped one 12 by 12 page with about 20 pictures on it (trying to get the most bang for my buck-I was a sophomore in high school).  I was in love with paper crafting!  Now when I look at that page, I realize how rather pitiful it is, but I still love it.
 

CN: Tell us a little about your children. Do you involve them in your creative process? Do you try to foster creativity in your children’s lives? If so, how?

Sandi: My kids are amazing.  Hands down the funniest kids I’ve ever known.    My daughter is truly the reason I am where I am.  Before she was born, I was a phlebotomist.  I fully intended on returning to work after she was born, but the second I saw her I knew there was no chance of that happening.  I have always sewn, and when she was born I started making her little dresses and hair bows.  It is truly one of the happiest times that I can remember-having nothing else to do but hang with my kid all day and craft for her.  The first few months of her life during all the crafting heaven, I kept researching ways to add to our income from home.  My husband was in school, not bringing in money wasn’t an option.  I stumbled upon eBay and found that mothers like myself were selling their children’s clothing for big bucks (in my eyes at the time, now I truly see how underpaid these wonder women are!). The search for a brand name started. I wanted something that was a completely new word to avoid copycats.  I have always had a soft spot for Portobello Road which is where the root of my name came from.  I changed the spelling to make it my own and added “pixie” to add a fun element to it.  Portabellopixie was born.  That venture introduced me to designer fabrics and the rest, as they say, is history.  If I had a boy first, I am 100% positive that I wouldn’t be here now.
 
My son is every bit as inspiring as my daughter.  When I designed Ginger Blossom, I thought I had finished and realized that there was nothing that I could use for my son!  Tortoise Plaid was born.  He is also the inspiration for a collection of boy projects and patterns I am working on.  It has been a fun to switch gears and design for boys!  Stay tuned…

CN: Do you ever have those days where you just want to stay in bed with a good book or a pint of ice cream and a good movie? What motivates you to get up each day and get back to work?

Sandi: Yes.  And I take them!  A lot of people have the view that I must be going on 3 hours of sleep each night but I can assure you that is not the case.  I am not the kind of person that can do that-occasionally the late nighter will occur but generally I am a bear if I don’t get 8 hours of sleep each night.  So that’s pretty much the key to my getting up and keeping going-decent amounts of sleep.  But even still, those lay around days still happen and I relish in them and never feel guilty.

 Featured in this photo is the new line, Farmer’s Market. 

Photo courtesy of Sandi Henderson of Portabellopixie

CN: How do you know when you are finished with a design and it’s time to let it go?

Sandi: I just “know.”  I usually try arranging art for one print in dozens of different ways and when it finally works, I have an “ah ha!” moment and smile, save it and move on.  I am usually going on a “feeling” I am working for and tinker my art until I find I have found that “feeling.”
 

CN: When you need to recharge your creative batteries, what do you do?

Sandi: Luckily I haven’t really experienced a creative block yet.  There is so much more to an art based business than just designing.  After I turn in the artwork, there is months of business work to do to promote the fabric so by the time I am ready to get started on a new collection, enough time has passed and my fingers are literally itching to get going again!  That’s where I am right now and my head is overflowing with ideas for the next line.  This probably seems funny because Farmer’s Market has just debuted, but I turned in the work on it about 7 months ago.
 

CN: When you get to the end of your life, what are the three creative goals you hope to have accomplished?

Sandi: Oh I’m pretty lucky.  I’d say I’ve accomplished 2 of them already.  Signing on with a fabric manufacturer, debuting a line of sewing patterns-both of which I have done!  The last goal would be difficult but wonderful to accomplish.  I would love to have my brand continue to benefit my family after I die.  If I were to die today, so would the business.  Look at Marimekko-when founder Armi Ratia died in 1979 the company didn’t flounder.  It is still going strong and very popular.  I’d love to see Portabellopixie or Sandi Henderson have longevity like that.
 

CN: Do you remember the moment you decided to pursue your dream to become a designer? Since that time, have you ever doubted yourself? If so, how do you fight those feelings?

Sandi: Yes, I remember.  Again it was an “ah ha!” moment.  I felt that I had found the way to turn my craft into a real source of income for my family and never looked back.  There are certainly times of doubt-starting a business is not easy and to be successful is based on much more that just your art.  Writing big checks is hard when you don’t have a lot to fall back on in the beginning.  Dustin and I have been very careful to only progress on what we could pay cash for though so if something doesn’t pan out the way we expect, we don’t have to worry about paying for a loan that we don’t have the income for.  Luckily, we’ve been very blessed so far and haven’t lost money.  I wouldn’t say that we’ve made much yet either though LOL, but that also comes with starting a business.  In a few more months, I think we’ll actually be able to keep some of the money coming in.
 
CN: Who has been the biggest creative influence in your life?

Sandi:  Oh boy…there are so many creative people that I admire.  But I would have to say that the one I am most impressed by is Amy Butler.  I read in her Midwest Modern book that her studio takes the stance that every person is worth the time to answer a question, email or call.  I know this to be true and not just words for a book.  When I was selling on eBay, I emailed with questions for her and always, always had a return answer.  I was a teeny person in regards to her, my fabric purchases made her personally about 50 cents, but they always saw that my questions were answered.  It is something that I have tried to apply to my business.  I always try to answer all questions that come my way.  Moreover on Amy, when I finally met her and her husband David in person, they remembered who I was which was huge to me.  So while I think my style is much different from hers, I have watched her trail with much admiration.  I hope that in 5 years people will look at me with a fraction of the respect I have earned for her, which is based absolutely not at all on her success but how she treats the people around her. 

CN: As a kid, I would draw on the walls; sometimes I still do, don’t tell anyone. Where is the craziest place you have ever sketched a design?

Sandi: Fun!  I draw on the walls too.    My bedroom has a big mural type thing that I started when we moved into this house and still haven’t finished.  The weirdest place is probably on myself.  When inspiration hits, I’ve got to get the idea down before it flees my short lived memory!  I’ve been known to have flowers or shapes sketched on my skin.
 

CN: If you were asked to create an original, specialty dish at your favorite restaurant, what would you create and what would you name it?

Sandi: Hmmm…I would probably do a sampler plate of my favorite foods.  If would definitely have Fresh Mozzarella, Fresh Basil and Fresh Tomatoes, Carmelized onions, Spicy Tuna Sushi, really good Chocolate, mango and really good bread.  Dried Apricots with a little sea salt on it (sounds very strange, but it’s so good!)  That’s my favorite kind of food!  Yum.  

CN: Nacho readers are a diverse, creative and inspiring group. Many are balancing full-time jobs, creative projects and/or families. For all those who are reading who may want to create their own fabric line, what advice would you give on how to balance running a business with raising a family?

Sandi: To make sure that your family is really on board.  It takes support from your loved ones to make it work!  Set priorities, realize you can’t do everything.  When you can afford it, hire help!  Don’t go into debt; only take on what you can realistically accomplish.  Over deliver when you can.  Find a niche that isn’t already being filled.  If it’s what you are truly passionate about, don’t ever give up!

Thanks for spending time with the Nachos, Sandi!

For information on how Sandi designs fabric or to view more of her work, visit http://portabellopixie.typepad.com/portabellopixie/.

 You did it!!!

Our experiment was a success! You have won my heart. Today, Friday, June 6th, 2008, CreativeNachos has its first short story written in cyberspace by a group of people, most of whom don’t know each other. I’m so proud of you for making this a reality.

You have inspired me to create. You’ve shown me that anything we can dream, we can bring to life. Your willingness to share, to unleash your imaginations on this playground is something I treasure. The fact that you all found a way to work together to see it through to the end is amazing.

Now, CreativeNachos proudly presents, It’s All Invented, a tale written by Bridget, Scott, Judy, Danielle, Rowena, Chris, Nicole, Claire and Lorrie.

Please feel free to share your reactions, thoughts, observations, and celebratory remarks in the comments section at the end of the story. Let us know how you liked the ending. Enjoy!

It’s All Invented

A Short Story written by Bridget, Scott, Judy, Danielle, Rowena, Chris, Nicole, Claire and Lorrie

   Lisa’s life was unraveling. On the one day that every single minute counted, Steve was already a half hour late. As she strode back and forth across the office floor, panic settled upon her. For a split second she thought of jumping out the window, hoping in her car and driving away. The thought held such appeal that she raced to window; that’s when she saw him.  Two stories below, Steve paced back and forth on a small patch of grass that separated parking spots, like a tiger trapped by water. Dressed only in boxers and a pair of black socks, he waved his hands in the air and muttered to himself like a mad man.

   In that moment, Lisa almost felt sad for Steve.  Of course, she was furious with him but he was a decent guy and knowing his history, the two years spent in the nudist colony after college, and recent loneliness, there was a part of her that couldn’t help but feel sad.  It had only been six months since leaving the colony and he was still adjusting to “life on the outside.” The fact was she couldn’t really understand why the basic concept of putting some clothes on before going out in public continued to escape his mind. More importantly she couldn’t understand how this man had become such an important part of her daily thoughts, of her life.

   Actually, it was her brother’s fault. When she admitted to him that she’d been working on an invention, she’d expected that others in the world might be thinking about the same thing but she never imagined he’d know someone who was building the exact same thing. His suggestion that she and Steve meet to discuss it had initially enraged her. For once in her life, she’d wanted something she could lay claim to, something she could call her own. She was willing to offer him money to stop building it when she met him. Granted it was money she did not yet have as she had sunk everything into this idea but she was desperate. However as they talked, she realized that he had answers to her obstacles and she had thought of things he hadn’t yet. It occurred to her then that they might be more effective together than separate.

   That night brought tears to her eyes. She’d been intoxicated by their ideas, by him, and by the endless drinks she consumed. It was as though they were celebrating a victory they had yet to attain. It continued at her house where their clothes evaporated as they walked through the door. As she watched him, she cursed that night.

   Now, weeks later, she knew that the pregnancy test she’d been carrying around for days would be positive; Steve was the father.  She feared that her unborn baby would suffer the same illness as Steve; a disease that caused one to crave nudist colonies and sleep with married men or women depending upon the baby’s sex.  There would be no way to hide this from her husband who was due back in a week.

  As she watched him, a funny thought occurred to her. Too often she’d wish she had become a school teacher like her mom but in this moment, she wished she’d been a therapist. She pictured Steve, a client, coming to her for years with the same problems. She’d try to help him but she imagined him making little progress, showing up late and half naked time and again.  Colleagues would take bets on when he would forget the boxers.  Steve’s never-ending case combined with the mundane normalcy of her life helping her kids with their homework, cooking dinner for her often absent husband and writing her seemingly endless case notes would cause her to lose it one day as Steve entered her office. “You really AREN’T too sexy for your shirt, Steve!” she shouted out loud. A moment later, she heard someone behind her clear their throat. Mortified that she’d screamed out loud while alone in her office, she slowly turned.

   Caroline walked in the door. 

   “Hey, Lisa,” she said, pointing back over her shoulder.  “Did you know that guy who’s always panting around you is out in the parking lot waiting for the men in the white suits?”

   Lisa thought about explaining that he was really her brother’s friend who was crashing on her couch. She wanted to tell Caroline that she just remembered how she’d forgotten to flip the laundry in her haste this morning. All of Steve’ clothes remained in the washer as she rushed out the door leaving him asleep on the couch. She wanted to say that she hoped the power had gone out and that he had not woken wishing to start a clothing revolution. 

   Instead, all Lisa could say was, “I know.”  As she thought about the big interview, the one where they would promote their invention, she said, “I think I’ve made a big mistake.”

***

   As Steve paced back and forth uttering words of gibberish, the thoughts of having sex with Lisa wouldn’t leave his head. Yesterday, Steve would have said it was the best sex he’d ever had but now, the thought was horrifying. Early this morning, Steve received a phone call from his father telling him that he had wonderful news. As his father babbled on about some woman he met at an office retreat 27 years ago, Steve was trying to get dressed so he can go and meet the woman of his dreams. Then his father dropped the bomb. He said “Steve, you have a sister”.

   As the worst words Steve had ever heard replayed in his mind he couldn’t help but feel nauseous. He continued muttering to himself.

   “I mean ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? I spend all of these years in a nudist colony having random sex with hundreds of women and even some men without repercussion or even incident and its when I re-join the real world, start working towards a capitalist goal and find a woman who makes it all worth it that I become the star of the world’s worst Jerry Springer show?? How could this happen? What will I tell Lisa?”

   Lisa…saying her name out loud now brought Steve back to that night. To the many times he proclaimed her name in ecstasy.

   “Stop!” “Are you crazy? She is your SISTER! You will NEVER say her name out loud again!”

   The office parking lot was beginning to fill and as Steve’s voice started getting louder, he drew more and more attention.

   “Ohhhh, if you only knew, you smug drones! You have no idea!”

   For the first time, Steve felt jealous of the boring lives of these drones. They wake up, take out their business uniforms, stop by Starbucks for overpriced coffee and have a day just like the day before. What Steve would give for such monotony today. Who needs this type of excitement? Just as these thoughts passed through his head, he saw Lisa’s blonde hair shining through the front door of the building.

   “Oh GOD, she’s coming!” Steve was shaking.

    He wanted to run. Instead, he leaned over to straighten his left sock. Then he slowly stood, and met her eyes. Her glance flickered for an instant as she noticed the remote control in his hand.

   “We Must Begin Again,” he said, as his finger depressed the button and everything went white.

My husband likes to call me, Bo, after one of the characters in M. Night Shyamalan’s movie, Signs. He has bestowed this nickname upon me as a result of the numerous, unfinished glasses of water I leave all over the house just as Bo did in the film.

Once upon a time, I worked for a newspaper where my co-workers were entertained by the unfinished Pepsi cans I would leave behind me.  They would laugh as they followed can after can, with maybe a sip left, knowing that I would be at the end of that trail.

In the past, I was strictly a novel reading woman but lately, I’ve taken to reading essays and short stories. In fact, I’m currently in the middle of reading about three different books of essays. In doing so, I’ve broken my cardinal rule of reading one book all the way through to the end before beginning another one. What is all this?

I’ve come to the conclusion that I have a fear of finishing things due to my fear of failure which is equally as big as my fear of success. Time to call the Dr., this Mama’s got a big, ole bag o’ issues.

Don’t get me wrong there are things that I was happy to see come to an end like labor, root canal surgery and the last episode of Seinfeld. Despite my reluctance to see the things I enjoy come to an end, I do understand that most experiences have an expiration date so that new opportunities for growth can happen. I even get my fear of failure and believe most of you can relate. However, my fear of success has been quite puzzling.

For while, I believed that I did not deserve to be successful; that has changed.  Now, I think the fear is born from a worry that when I get to the end of a project, it won’t turn out the way I wanted. Or, to take it to the next level, it will turn out exactly the way I wanted and I will realize that it was not what I wanted at all. Does this make sense to you? Do you ever feel this way?

Regardless of my feelings about success or failure, I know I absolutely have to continue moving forward with all the things I am working on. There have been times when I’ve let fear stop me from accomplishing my goals. I would freeze and my indecision would lead to the decision not to follow through on what I had started.

So, I am going to start to change my behavior. Today, I will finish what I am drinking before I pour a new glass or open a new bottle, especially if it’s alcohol. Hahahaha…I love entertaining myself!

In addition, I will color another section and write another line and keep going. Hopefully I’ll know the end when it approaches and when it does, I’ll cross the finish line.

I spend so much time planning my life that sometimes I forget to live it.  I blame it on “the back-up”.

“You want to be a writer? That’s great but so many people don’t succeed and it’s not a lucrative field so you need a backup in case you don’t make it.”

“You want to be an actress? That’s terrific but it’s a tough business and very few actually make it big so you should make sure you have a backup.”

“You want to be an artist? Fantastic but many people don’t hit it big until they’re dead so you better have a backup.”

My family beat me over the head with “the backup” baton each time I shared an artistic dream. In college, communications was my chosen field. I got all the usual jokes about how it was not a “real” major; I didn’t care. It covered a wide enough range of interesting possibilities by which I could support myself as I worked on my writing/art craft. However, I would work so hard at my backup that I’d lose sight of everything else. I’d forget that the job was only supposed to a source of income and suddenly, my art became “the thing on the side”. Fear of losing my job or a desire to be the best at whatever I was working on caused me to work harder on things I was less passionate about and before I knew it, I was lost.

In an effort to crawl out of my frustration hole and get back on track, I’d start planning. First, my plan was to get a job with a good salary, work hard, put in a ton of hours and eventually save enough to quit and just focus on my art. The salary would always start out ok but after awhile it didn’t seem like enough and then, it never seemed like the right time to jump ship. So, I revised my plan. I decided to just work the needed number of hours and then in the evening spend time doing what I love. But inevitably, I’d go overboard putting in too much time at the job and end up exhausted and unable to give my art, my all. Have you ever done this? Is it a control thing? Is it an excuse to keep from getting down to the real work? Is it a fear of failure? Or – even crazier – is it a fear of success?

I’m trying to plan less and “do” more now.  I’m striving to give everything I have to my dreams. I’m still working at and enjoying my day job but I’m just not working at it like my life depends on it.

John Lennon said, “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” I want to be immersed in that life, the life that happens while planning.

I’m starting by chucking plans out the window.  Any ideas on where to go from there?

My daughter plays on our living room floor in a space enclosed by gates that we put up and take down, as needed. It’s hard not to think of her as a zoo animal. Sometimes I want to wave, take pictures and throw bananas at my little monkey. The other night I was washing her bottles while she played. We do not live in a palatial mansion so it’s possible for me to watch her while I am doing things. She was standing at the gate making one of her dolls do the cha-cha-cha. I laughed and turned away for what may have been 2 – 3 minutes, if that, to put something away. When it became too quiet and I spun around to find her on the couch. She had climbed up, crawled over to one arm of the couch and was lifting her leg to mount the arm like a rider mounting a horse. I half expected her to whip out a cowboy hat while making large circles with a lasso above her head screaming, “Ride ‘em cowboy!” Never mind that this was the first time she had successfully made it onto the couch; my daughter was already a horse wrangler. For days, she had been trying to get up without success. Now, she stood before me with a smile from ear to ear and a sense of accomplishment that radiated from her very pores. 

As I placed her back down on the floor and tried to slow the pounding of my heart, I started to think about determination. It’s not something we learn but instead something we are born with as my daughter clearly illustrates each and every day. Think about it. Think about how hard you must have worked to learn how to walk. You were not discouraged by words like “no”. You wouldn’t have listened if you’d been told you could not do it – maybe you would not have understood the words but the “tone” that goes along with the words “no” or “cannot” is unmistakable – and despite being told that, you clearly forged ahead. Isn’t it a shame that later in life when we are said to “mature”, when we can fully understand people’s meanings we fall victim to others’ ridiculous words and beliefs that we ‘can’t” do things. 

Here are a few ways to keep determination alive in your life: 

1. Envision It – Just the way my daughter saw herself on top of that couch, so, too, should you see yourself standing at the top of whatever creative endeavor you want to tackle. Whether it’s a personal or professional goal, picture yourself accomplishing your dream. 

2. Be Open to Alternative Routes – When you first set out to accomplish your mission you may map out a clear route. However, there are always unseen pitfalls. My daughter could not see that climbing the couch head on would not work. After awhile, she learned to revise her plan; by turning sideways and throwing a leg on the cushion she found she could hoist herself up. 

3. Try, Try Again – No matter how many times you fall, get back up. Think about it. What would have happened if you had decided not to try to stand after that first time you feel on your arse? You’d still be crawling around on your hands and knees. Stand up after your falls. 

4. Allow yourself a Super-Freakout session – It’s hard to make things happen. Sometimes it can feel like you are trying and trying and getting no where. When that happens, allow yourself the room and space to yell, scream, and vent. Letting it out is healthy and sharing with others can always provide a new perspective. Once you’ve gotten it all out of her system, get back to work.  

5. Going, going – When you reach your goal, take a little time to celebrate yourself. Let that success be the fuel that moves you forward and onto the next challenge.  

No matter what you do, don’t give up. Easier said than done, I know, but a worthwhile goal all the same.            

Business entrepreneur and creative dynamo, Lorrie Veasey, started selling her unique ceramics pieces as a way to supplement her teacher’s salary in her early twenties. Since that time, she has created Our Name is Mud, a unique company that designs products that always feel as though they were created just for you. In this interview, this witty, self-proclaimed craftsperson talks about her beginning, her incredibly moving Tiles for America project, and how she balances running her own company while raising two, fabulously creative children.

CN: What was it like when you started out at the street fairs in NYC? What was the best part of that experience? What was the worst?

Lorrie: When I started on the streets in ‘87, street fairs were very different from what they are today.  It was a carnival atmosphere-full of artists–had someone told us that in 2008 booths would mostly be taken by people selling cheap sheets and nail clippers-we would not have believed it.  Back then, it was primarily people selling things they had made themselves: jewelry makers, potters, bakers, candle & soap makers, card makers, and clothing designers.  You would set up and break down with the same people; when you had to pee you knew who would watch your stuff.  We would show up hung-over, breakfast on grilled corn or fried dough, and break down at twilight together.  We were gypsies in fanny packs. 
 The best part about working on the street was also the worst thing: immediate feedback about what I’d made.  There is something so gratifying about selling a table full of wares, knowing each pot is going off to a life of it’s own; sitting unwashed in someone’s sink or given as a gift.  Then there were moments like this:
WOMAN: O honey, look–some of that pottery stuff.
MAN: We don’t need any more mugs.
WOMAN: O but look honey, isn’t this cute?  This one says “Everything tastes better with cat hair in it”
MAN: That’s not cute, it’s disgusting. We’re dog people.
WOMAN: Yes and it’s not blue.  I would buy it if it were blue.  And five dollars cheaper.  Can you tell the person who made this that it would look SO much nicer in periwinkle?  And cheaper?

CN:  Today, you are the creative force behind your business, Our Name is Mud. What is the hardest part of running the business?

Lorrie: Not “running the business” but letting it “run you.”

CN: Why do you do what you do?

Lorrie: Oh-I could write the answer about making my first pot on my mother’s knee at age 3–but really; I do what I do… because I can.  Anybody can do what I do–which is “craft” and not art– all it requires is that you cut your fingernails and roll your sleeves up.  My favorite quote is: Many were more talented than she, but few were more committed to being talented.

CN: What is your most favorite piece?

Lorrie: The one I am going to make tomorrow.  It always is.

CN: What inspires you to create?

Lorrie: Some strange compulsion–some addiction to joy–I’m sure if I went into therapy I would know for sure.  I only know that I must.  Every damn day.  And if I were attacked by a great white shark and all my limbs were bitten off, I know for certain I would hold a brush between my teeth. I would probably be printing “HELP ME” anywhere I could, but still….

CN: You have two children. How old are they? Tell us a little about them.

Lorrie: Jesse is 6–he is complicated and difficult and the sides of his palms are always covered in marker.  I have a hard time trying to figure out where the boundaries of his creativity should lie: when he removes the legs of an action figure to create new ones out of modeling clay-I applaud.  When he experiments with different drawings with Sharpies on the top of Mommy’s coffee table…well, not so much. Annie is 4 and she is all girlie girl and Mother Earth and seriousness; ”I shall draw pink flowers.  And I shall only draw pink flowers for the next four months until I have adequately explored the boundaries of pink flower drawing.  Then, perhaps, I shall draw a pink kitten.”
Both of my children have grown up steeped in creativity.  We have great pictures of them both in diapers, sitting in the middle of a huge white sheet of paper rolled out on the kitchen floor, covered head to toe in paint.  I am sure they will grow up to be accountants.

CN: What is the toughest part of being a CEO – Creative Everything Officer? How do you balance being a Mom and being the creative force behind Our Name is Mud?

Lorrie: I balance everything by using a series of carefully crafted rationalizations; “No honey, I cannot play ‘go fish’ with you today because I have to go to work because if I didn’t we would all have to ‘go fish” in the East River as there would be NOTHING FOR DINNER, ok?”

CN: What do you do when it feels like it’s all gotten to be too much?

Lorrie: I count my blessings.  Practicing gratitude is the greatest remedy I know for feeling overwhelmed. A bottle of wine and the ability to laugh at things…ain’t life grand?

CN: What keeps you motivated day after day? Lorrie: Lipton tea.  About 12 cups a day.  With milk.  Seriously.CN: You are the original creator behind Tiles for America – an amazingly beautiful project. What made you start it? How do you celebrate it each year? Is it still growing?Lorrie: Tiles for America started because my hands could not do what everybody wanted to do on 9/11–which was dig.  Because if I could have dug, I would have dug.  But since I could not dig–I worked with clay.  I fashioned almost 500 angels on 9/12–inscribed them with messages of hope and good will.  By 9/15 almost 400 of them were gone, and so I asked for help from other ceramic studios across the country.  And people responded in such a generous way.People ask all the time if I resent when people take things from the memorial.  The answer is No.  The greatest gift a craftsperson can have is the ability to make something that is needed.  When people took items from the fence, I always thought they needed them, and I was grateful for the ability to provide something for them.Tiles for America came out of the worst day of my life.  I didn’t personally know anyone who died on that day.  I only knew the death of my own innocence and the birth of pervasive fear.  The only weapon against terror is love.Tiles for America became that–an outpouring of love and sympathy and creativity and anger-and a voice. A voice that I think still is clear; a song of hope that you can hear if you listen to the chime of ceramic banging against the metal fence in the wind.Tiles for America is probably one of the best things I have done in my life–it has touched families and strangers, it has brought me new friends and publicity-and only really wonderful things.  I struggle with the fact that I have so many blessings as a result of so much tragedy.  I think about it often.  This irony is a responsibility.

Tiles for America soldiers on-tiles break, they are replaced–they break again.  For me the whole memorial is a metaphor for loss.  I love how people “stumble upon” the memorial on their way to a fun shopping spree in the Village-how it steals up on them and overtakes them-because I know this is how grief is.  I love how we endure-we shatter, we crack, we break-we are created anew. 

(The New York Memorial is located at 11th Street and Seventh Avenue.)

CN: Do you ever worry that you just used your last creative idea? Do you worry that you will never have another idea again?

Lorrie: Having ideas is SO EASY.  Having Good Ideas….that’s hard. 
I always tell people that creativity is just a muscle like any other.  Use it daily, build it, flex it, and it will only grow.  And when you do that you can trust it…  Like crazy glue on the top of a hard hat when you are hanging from a beam.

CN: What is your ultimate creative dream?

Lorrie: I’m not really sure, but I know it probably involves George Clooney.

CN: If you walked around with a bumper sticker on your back everyday, what would it read?

Lorrie: Caution: wide turns.

CN: If you had a theme song that played as you lived each day what would it be?

Lorrie: “And you wonder where we’re going where’s the Rhyme, where’s the Reason: and if you could just accept it is here we must begin to seek the wisdom of the children and the gentle way of flowers in the wind”Of course, John Denver was probably Rocky Mountain High when he wrote it.

CN: What advice would you give to people who are looking to launch a creative business while balancing a job to pay the bills and/or raising a family?

Lorrie: Life is too damn short — do something that makes you happy.  If you are willing to roll your sleeves up and do the necessary work, success is sure to follow.  Don’t use money as an excuse to hide a fear of failure.                                      For more information visit: http://www.ournameismud.com/