The Creative Connection

After throwing such a huge event, it’s always a pleasure to hear from people who attended.  This is our reward.  This note made Jo’s day.   This note is also a great reminder that hand written notes on self generated art is always a gift.

Another wonderful item we want to share is Jo’s new book. 

Where Women Cook! 

It’s being released this week!  Jo writes fabulous books!  I was just thumbing through my own copy of Where Women Create yesterday.  She has an eye for delight, that’s for sure.  Lark Crafts did a wonderful write up we think you’ll enjoy.

What are you cooking or creating today?

Written by Kim Demmon~ Today’s Creative Blog

We’re still receiving emails and notes about the wonderful experience that was had by attending TCC.  The affects, the afterglow of being around people who “get” you, people who inspire you…….it’s lasting.

I had the opportunity to spend a little time with Becky Higgins.  I rode the bus with her and her husband on the way to the Crocus Hill Cooking school.  What a delight.  She is so passionate about documenting your life and has many great products to make it simple for all kinds of people.  It’s not secret I’ve been a big fan of Becky’s for many years.  I still carry around her sketch books for my scrapbook weekends.  It’s attending TCC that makes it possible to meet your “creative crushes”. 

Becky did a wonderful video of the event.  She really captured the energy and feel. 

Enjoy!

(if you attended and you’ve blogged a re-cap of your experience, we’d love for you to link it up)

This post written by Kim Demmon ~ Today’s Creative Blog

 THE CREATIVE CONNECTION … it was an event that was created for women to share their knowledge, their skills, their perceptions and sensibilities, their accomplishments, and yes, even some of their secrets. What actually  happened was an “experience” where women gave to each other “everything” they had to give. 

At the Crowne Plaza in St. Paul, September 15-17, 2011,  the women who came created a “shelter in the storm” where dreams were confessed, hopes were repeated out loud, problems and setbacks were worn as a badge of courage, knowledge and experience were given freely, and confidence was entrusted to all of us, by each of us, without hesitation and with elegance, polish, and sincerity. 

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being such an important part of my dream and proving that anything is possible … we simply need to believe in ourselves, in each other, and quiet those on the outside who profess their skepticism, hesitation, and distrust. 

If I had but one wish for each of you (besides a Marcus Leaver in your life), it would be that you receive what you so freely give.

Much love always
Jo

Did you make THE CREATIVE CONNECTION? If so, we want to hear from you! Please share the link to your TCC blog post below by clicking on “Mr. Linky”. We can’t wait read all about your experiences! If you didn’t make it to the event, don’t fret! We’ve got a TCC swag bag (worth $200!) for TWO lucky commenters!

Simply leave your comment below and you’re entered!  We’ll leave the comments open until Tuesday, September 29th at Midnight (MST), so get your comments in by then. GOOD LUCK! 

McDonald’s® to Engage with Crafting Bloggers and Entrepreneurs as Lead Sponsor of BlogHer Handmade and The Creative Connection

BlogHer Handmade launches as part of second annual The Creative Connection, a conference for women turning their passions into full-fledged entrepreneurial ventures

Belmont, CA, September 13, 2011 – BlogHer, Inc., the premium cross-platform media network and publisher for women, today announced that  McDonald’s is the lead, Platinum-level sponsor of BlogHer Handmade and The Creative Connection, a national conference and marketplace celebrating creative women and entrepreneurs, September 15-17 in St. Paul, MN.

 “BlogHer has joined forces with The Creative Connection to empower the women in our community to realize the entrepreneurial opportunity presented by their own work and substantial social media profiles,” said Elisa Camahort Page, Co-founder and COO of BlogHer, Inc. “Kudos to McDonald’s for leading the way, and engaging in authentic dialog with one of the fastest growing segments of our community.”

 Platinum Sponsor McDonald’s will sponsor Saturday’s Women Entrepreneurs VIP Breakfast , featuring McDonald’s wholesome Fruit & Maple Oatmeal and Fruit & Walnut Salad.  The company will also participate in a workshop for attendees titled “Working with a Sponsor: What Does It Mean and How Do You Find One”. As the country’s leading foodservice provider  with more than 14,000 U.S. locations, more than 90% of McDonald’s restaurants nationwide are owned and operated by independent local men and women.

 “McDonald’s is committed to engaging in real two-way dialogue with the communities we serve,  including the growing blogger community,  and BlogHer Handmade and The Creative Connection provide the perfect opportunity to do just that,” said Jessica Rau, Manager of External Communications, McDonald’s USA.  “We are proud to be a part of this wonderful event, and I am honored to speak on behalf of McDonald’s to such an inspiring group of creative and savvy women.”

Jessica Rau, Manager of External Communications at McDonald’s USA, will participate in the “Working with a Sponsor” panel taking place at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, September 16^th. On the panel she will speak to the benefits of working with a sponsor, and offer tips on how to find the right one.   In Rau’s current role at McDonald’s, she is responsible for developing innovative public relations programs and strategies that support McDonald’s marketing campaigns and new product launches. Rau began her career at American Marketing and Publishing before joining McDonald’s in 2004. She has since assumed various positions throughout the company including Corporate Media Relations, U.S. Communications, and Public Relations. She is a founding member and co-chair of McDonald’s Young Professionals Network (YPN) which provides professional development and networking skills to McDonald’s future leaders. She is also a member of McDonald’s Women’s Leadership Network, and actively participates in Junior Achievement which is dedicated to educating students about workforce readiness and entrepreneurship. 

The Creative Connection, now in its second year, celebrates entrepreneurial artisans. The conference features both inspirational role models, such as Cristina Ferrare and Holly Becker, and practical hands-on workshops, to help attendees hone their craft and bolster how they market their craft.

“The Creative Connection 2011 will welcome over 600 women from every state in America, plus seven foreign countries including Australia, Taiwan, and Slovenia,” says Jo Packham, President of The Creative Connection. “We’re experiencing a resurgence in every age range and every income bracket. It’s going viral and being noticed!”

For more information, please visit http://www.blogher.com/blogher-handmade.

About BlogHer

Reaching more than 26 million women each month (Nielsen Site Census, August 2011), BlogHer is the leading cross-platform media network created by, for and with women social media leaders. BlogHer created and leads the marketplace with the most robust economic and networking opportunities for women in social media and brands seeking to engage in authentic and persuasive dialog with them. Founded in February 2005 by Elisa Camahort Page, Jory Des Jardins and Lisa Stone, BlogHer publishes and syndicates news, information, advice and recommendations to and from 2,500 premium blogs, delivers uniquely insightful research on women in social media across interest areas, hosts the world’s largest conferences for women in social media and curates a daily news service, BlogHer.com. BlogHer’s investors are Venrock, GE/NBC Universal’s Peacock Equity Fund, and Azure Capital Partners.

About McDonald’s

McDonald’s USA, LLC, is the leading foodservice provider in the United States serving a variety of wholesome food made from quality ingredients to more than 26 million customers every day. Nearly 90 percent of McDonald’s 14,000 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by local business men and women. Customers can now log online for free at any of the 11,000 participating Wi-Fi enabled McDonald’s U.S. restaurants. For more information, visit www.mcdonalds.com, or follow us on Twitter (@McDonalds) and Facebook (Facebook.com/McDonalds) for updates on our business, promotions and products.

About The Creative Connection

In 2010, The Creative Connection brought together industry leaders and passionate creative women and women entrepreneurs to learn, create and connect at their three-day conference in Minneapolis, MN. Co-founded by Nancy Soriano, former editor in chief of Country Living Magazine and Jo Packham, creator and editor in chief of Where Women Create and Where Women Cook, Nancy and Jo recognized the need and desire in the marketplace to bring together creative women and women entrepreneurs at various stages to learn, connect, share, and engage in an inspirational yet attainable format and environment.

Contact

BlogHer Inc.

Elaine Wu

650-551-1364, x 245

elaine.wu@blogher.com

We cannot express how excited we are for THE CREATIVE CONNECTION next week!  We are busy wrapping up all the details to make this event the most inspiring event for all of you!  Even if you can’t go, well be tweeting, blogging and posting on Facebook.  If you’re thinking of a last minute getaway, come on!  We have a few tickets still available!

Join our Twitter party Wednesday evening.  We’ll post the time soon.  Using hashtag #TCCE11, you’ll be able to find us quickly.

You can also check out our social media team and what they may be posting on their blogs during the conference. 

Shelly ~ House Of Smiths

Cindy ~ Skip To My Lou

Jen- Tatortots & Jello

Char ~ Crap I’ve made

Kari ~ UCreate

and ME!  ~ Today’s Creative Blog