Winning submission announcement!
So we are now excited to unveil the winning designs, as voted in a secret ballot by the CWC board. These designs will be featured on new members cards sent out to all new members from early in the new year. Each of our board members said choosing their favourites was one of their toughest responsibilities yet! Next time, we think we will share the load and ask our members and followers to share!
There were so many diverse and excellent entries. Stay tuned for a post next week sharing the other finalists!
Claire Ritchie, print design and illustration.
Why I joined CWC: Martina Gemmola
Have you been meaning to join Creative Women’s Circle for a while? Well, now is the time to join us and reap the benefits. Our Mid-Year Membership Drive is on until June 30 – you can save 10% off the full price of membership, just in time for the end of the financial year (and it's tax deductible!).
There are a whole host of benefits, including the opportunity to join a Members-only Facebook group (launching in July!) to discuss the highs and lows of being a creative, entrepreneurial woman; the chance to attend and vote at the AGM in August; plus discounted event tickets, product discounts, and the chance to attend Member-only events.
Photographer Martina Gemmola has been part of CWC for several years, and credits the group for providing support and opportunities for her creative business. Here's her story...
Interior design project by Camilla Molders, photographed by Martina Gemmola.
Why did you join CWC?
I had returned to Melbourne after 6 years away and felt a little lost as how I should go about launching my freelance business, and how to connect with likeminded people. Having joined a 'networking' group overseas, and having felt the benefits of just being part of something, I decided to become a member of the Creative Women's Circle. I felt an instant connection and was warmly embraced by the creative community Melbourne is known for.
Floral & botanical design by Good Grace & Humour, photographed by Martina Gemmola.
What were your first impressions of CWC?
I felt such comfort! Knowing that I had 'found my people' - which is not something to be taken for granted in the sometimes competitive and 'cliquey' world of small creative business. Everyone was so welcoming, and so happy to share their knowledge. Plus they were just generally super to be around. It wasn't long before I was volunteering to help Tess at events and baking up a storm for our morning teas. It was nice to be able to give back to the community that gave so much to me.
What have been the biggest benefits or positives of CWC to your creative life and career?
I can't stress enough the positive effect it has had on my business. In the early days I asked a couple of CWC people on coffee dates and we started to collaborate on some folio projects. What resulted was a greater confidence in my work and in the direction it was going, the freedom to try new things, and refine some old skills. I started to feel a little more at home back in Melbourne, armed with an instant support network filled with absolutely rad women.
Kooyong House by Monique Woodward, WOWOWA, photographed by Martina Gemmola.
Have you connected with other CWC members?
I work a lot with the talented interior designer Camilla Molders, who was my first CWC crush, and she in turn has referred me left right and centre all over the design world, which I am eternally grateful for. She introduced me to Ruth Welsby, who has become my styling guru and dear friend. I've worked with our fabulous president Tess McCabe on several projects, and have had some of my best jobs referred from ladies of the CWC. I've shot some amazing architecture and interiors with fellow members Monique Woodward of WOWOWA and Samara Greenwood of SGArch. I've photographed a wall covered from top to bottom with flowers just for the hell of it with the Good Grace & Humour ladies. I've found myself in the most ridiculously stunning luxury accommodation in Port Fairy with Colleen Guiney, who found me through the CWC, and together we worked on an article that graced the pages of Vogue Living - total dream. It's been an amazing resource for word of mouth marketing (the only kind I do!). I've had the best of fun.
One thing I found at events was how easy it was to strike up a conversation with a stranger, and quickly find common ground. I've never really been one to put myself out there, but somehow the events I went to inspired me to give it a go. The daggy networking group I had been a part of overseas was much more corporate, and felt a little like everyone was out to take, take, take. The CWC was just the opposite and was all about giving. Everyone was so honest and real in the way they related to each other. Following up was always easy - a quick email, a good Melbourne coffee, and I always found myself in excellent company with lots of ideas to explore. What a treat.
Thanks, Marti! Find our more about our Mid-Year Membership Drive here.
The Artful Business Conference is coming to Melbourne (plus a discount!)
The Artful Business Conference hits Melbourne September 8 & 9 and it promises to be an inspiration-packed two days with many speakers and multiple small group workshops to get your creative business into gear.
There's speaker keynotes from the likes of Jess Van Den (How To Build Your Ideal Business) and Julia Bickerstaff (How To Make A Healthy Income From Your Home Based Business); and workshops that include: How To Charge Premium Prices; How To Run A Family And A Business Without Losing Your Mind; Successful Facebook Marketing Campaigns; PLUS a Q&A with publishing powerhouse Lisa Messenger.
It's sure to be massive!
CWC 'Captain' Tess McCabe will be giving a keynote speech as well as a Graphic Design Speak workshop, plus we'll have a stall selling books and sharing info about CWC and our Members.
Join us, won't you? If you're a CWC Member, you can get a 15% discount on tickets* (live or virtual) - simply log in and find the discount code here.
*This is an affiliate link, meaning we get a small $ amount if you purchase a ticket to the conference via this link. Thanks for supporting CWC this way!
June Membership offer: Free $10 Moo.com voucher + win $250 to spend at Moo!
Thanks to the awesome folk at MOO.com, for the month of June 2014, CWC Members can get a US$10 voucher to use on any of their fantastic products! Need new business cards, postcards stickers, swing tags or greeting cards? MOO can deliver full-colour printed loveliness in small or large quantities.
Current CWC Members can also go in the running to win a US$250 voucher to spend at Moo.com. Wow - that'd be your business printing needs sorted.
Find out more about the voucher code and read the terms here. If you're not a current Member, join or renew here.
Thanks, MOO!
May Membership offer: 2-for-1 movie passes to Grace of Monaco
Thanks to our friends at Entertainment One we have complimentary 2-for-1 passes to the new film Grace of Monaco for members who join or renew their membership during May 2014.
Current members can also go in the draw to win one of 25 passes to the film, starring Nicole Kidman in the role of screen icon Grace Kelly.
Click here to see the giveaway terms and to take advantage of this special offer!
Or watch the film's trailer below.
Book review (and member giveaway): Taking Back Retail
For almost every creative with products to sell, having an online commerce option is essential. Even if your sales are mostly through your bricks and mortar store, or your market stall, or wholesale orders, no-one can deny that these days, customers expect that you also sell your wares via your own website or a third-party online marketplace.
The argument for having an online retail presence is at the heart of Taking Back Retail, written and released byPortable founders Andrew Apostola and Simon Goodrich last year. But this easy to digest, information-heavy handbook has lots to offer those looking to succeed in any aspect of the online space - whether it be devising a new website design; figuring out the easiest and more effective social media platform to work for your business; conceiving of new ways to promote your product range; or simply analysing how you're current modes of online selling and marketing are working for you.
Overall, the book hammers home where best to spend your 'business development' budget (which they acknowledge is often limited) to get the best return. This is advice that, as creatives, we often don't get to hear. The team at Portable have made their mistakes along the way in the growth of their own business and side projects, and they are happy to share what they have learned so that we can all benefit.
Taking Back Retail is primarily aimed at those in the fashion industry (to whom Portable's own online shop software is targeted), and many of the case studies within its pages relate to this field. However, in my opinion, retailers, makers and designers of any creative sort will likely benefit from the advice in its pages. Personally, I was surprised I found much of its advice relevant to my own business - the tips on creating interesting blog content, organising and managing an online shop, and making the most of a enewsletter and mailing list database were particularly helpful and prompted me to think about CWC's online presence in a fresh way.
It's an easy read that could potentially have a big impact for you and the future of your creative work.
Lucky for us, the generous folk at Portable have offered 10 paperback copies of Taking Back Retail to CWC members this month. Join CWC before February 28, 2014 to be in the running for a copy, or current CWC members can log in and enter the giveaway here. Winners will be drawn on 1 March and notified shortly after.
Or, if you just want to get your hands on a copy of the book, you can do so in digital or paperback format at the Portable website.
Our book launch raffle prize pack. Wowsers.
If you follow CWC on social media, you're probably well aware of this by now. But it begs repeating: tomorrow night we officially launch Conversations with Creative Women: Volume Two! It's shaping up to be a fun night to mingle with the local creative community and celebrate the work of the 30 women involved in the book.
I've been overwhelmed by the response to my call out for donations to the raffle which will be held on the night, profits of which will go to an fantastic not-for-profit organisation called Seven Women.
There will be three prize packs comprising a selection of the following...
One ticket to Unleash Creative Melbourne --- Stationery package from The Hungry Workshop ---Ceramic set by Cone 11 Ceramics --- Greeting card set by Gabby Malpas --- Lunch for two at Miss Jackson cafe --- Photo print by Kirsten Bresciani --- Cygnet Tunic by Jack of Diamonds --- Earrings by Liz Ickiewicz --- Framed art print by Jasmine Mansbridge --- Necklace by Shuh Lee --- Stools by Gratton Design --- Tea towel by Pinch River --- Earrings by Maryann Talia Pau --- Lamp by Reduxr --- Necklace by Tote --- Ceramic vessel by Ichimu --- Two cushions by Unearth Co ---Personal styling session with Sarah Egan --- Interior design consultation with Siobhan Donoghue --- Scented candle by Murphy & Daughters --- Two cushions by Balala --- Handmade journal by Kitty Baroque --- Earrings by Polli --- Subscription to The Owner Builder Magazine
Thank you so much to everyone who generously donated!
We will also have books for sale at the launch, packaged in the limited edition Frankie & Swiss/Emily Green/Catherine Campbell/Lara Cameron fabric wraps. It will be your last chance to get one of these, if you missed the pre-order special offer. Note though that all sales will be cash only!
Here are the details for the launch again:
Friday 15 November 6-8pm 87-89 Albert Street, Brunswick (entry via laneway)
So bring your friends and partners, and if you have a spare minute, please RSVP.
See you there!
Extra thanks to our awesome book launch sponsors: Ben Haines Wine, Two Birds Brewing, Sweet Valentyne, Good Grace & Humour, Gratton Design, The Public Studio and Tribe Communications.