Maker of Things, Baker of Cookies?

There's something you should know about me...

I'm obsessed with Martha Stewart.

We're not talking like, a John Hinckley Jr. kind of obsession here, but there's something about her level of craft OCD that I really relate to and admire. She makes me want to fold perfect hospital corners on my sheets and repurpose old suitcases into chic storage cabinets. I mean, for her Halloween special, the woman (and her amazing craft department) made cocktail glasses out of cored apples, complete with a decorative orange sugar rim.

AMAZING.

(On a side note, I also have respect for Martha for being one of the few celebrity jailbirds to serve her time with dignity.

Paris Hilton could learn a thing or two.)

So lately, the combination of my DVR episodes of Martha and the nip of Autumn on the New England air has filled me with a strange desire: I feel the need to bake.

Now you may be thinking "What's so odd about baking?" But for me, this is not normal behavior. My boyfriend Steve cooks about 99% of the meals we eat and when it's my turn to cook, usually we order out.

But I couldn't help myself. Martha beckoned. And so I made cookies that were SO delicious, even She would be proud. (Well, she would have been if they hadn't gotten ever so slightly burned. Fail.)

For anyone interested in a perfect Autumn afternoon tea cookie, you can find the recipe here. They're amazing Orange Cardamom Cookies that were featured in Gourmet magazine. (See how little I cook? I'm boasting about making amazing cookies by following someone else's recipe as if I re-invented the wheel).

A tasty diversion from craft show preparation, but now I'm back on track.

Next stop, TWIST!

Meet the Maker

My name's Kerri and I make things. LOTS of things.

I started making things, as most makers do, when I was a kid. Never one for sports, instead I spent my days on the important things like making clay bumblebees and drawing princesses, mostly with their hands behind their back (and trust me- if this method were still a viable option every person I drew would still have their hands behind their back 'cause you know what? Hands are hard).
When I grew up, I was going to write and illustrate childrens' books. I decided this pretty early on and so when it was time for college, I went and learned to do this:

When I graduated however, I didn't make children's books.

Instead I got full-time a job making custom signs for a grocery store. So then, I found myself making these:

After a few years of sign making (wherein I honed my abilities to both paint a multitude of foodstuffs and pun the jokiest huckster under the table) I decided that it was time to branch out a bit more.
This is where things start to get a little crazy.
I decided to start a jewelry business.
Why you might ask? Where did this heretofore unexplored genre of craftiness come in to play? I wish I had an answer for this but the best I can do is to say that I'm pretty sure it was largely due to a hidden desire to return to making clay bumblebees. So then I started making these:

You'd think that illustrator/sign-maker/jeweler would be enough crafty hats to wear but if you were me, you'd be wrong.
In moving to a new town I discovered this wonderful felt store. What would even compel me to go in? I don't felt....and yet....
So yeah. I went in. And now I make these:

So this is me. I make things.
I know that all you makers of things out there can relate to the feeling of being a plate spinner. Once you decide to turn what you make into a business, you just start stacking more plates onto the pile. You go from illustrator/sign-maker/jeweler/needle felter to photographer, designer, advertiser, marketing expert, bookkeeper, etc..

And with this post, we officially add blogger to the list.

Welcome to the journey of keeping the plates in motion.