Have you ever had something happen to you that is wonderful, perfect, right up your ally and yet would never have occurred to you that it would be all of those things in a MILLION FREAKING YEARS?
Hi, my name is Loralee and I am now employed.
Let me repeat that in case you weren’t listening.
I HAVE A JOB, PEOPLE!
A job that includes an amazing array of things like wearing a totally over-the-top and fabulous tutu for a 5k in New York City during BlogHer to represent, and made on behalf of, my employers brand, writing content, giving input on website design and monetization, social media planning, going back to The Pioneer Woman’s ranch this week for a cover photo shoot for the launch of an incredible magazine in December called, Where Women Cook, and has thrust me in the heart of all things “craft and handmade”.
(I know, right?)
Let me explain.
Wait…in the words of Inigo Montoya…no, there is too much. Let me sum up.
Back in May I was speaking at a conference and I was approached by a women as I was hurrying out to lunch. She told me that she was the creator and Editor in Chief of the quarterly magazine Where Women Create.
It’s a beautiful magazine that features women artists and the spaces they create in. She wanted me to be featured in the magazine and also to come and speak about blogging and social media at a conference she was putting on in Minneapolis in September called The Creative Connection.
After I clarified that, “Uhhh…you realize I am my own product, a non-crafter and pretty much just write about things like my boobs online, right?” I told her I’d be thrilled to participate. The more I learned about her, her magazines, her company, and conference, the more impressed I became.
As we kept talking I realized a couple of things.
One, that despite it not being focused on what I do, THIS CONFERENCE WAS GOING TO BE FREAKING AMAZING. Seriously, it is. It’s one of the best put together conferences I have participated in and you cannot BEAT it for the aesthetics, people.
To quote the website, “If you are a crafter, artist, DIY person, passionate about handmade, an entrepreneur or “mompreneur” it is a must attend..”
And I AGREE.
(And if you missed it, here is an opportunity to win one of 3 fully paid trips to attend The Creative Connection).
Another thing I realized as we talked about where she saw her conference and magazine going is that I was talking to one very smart lady with killer instincts.
This is her.
Her name is Jo Packham and she is just wonderful.
I ADORE HER TO BITS.
She and I spent a lot of time talking about each other’s professions. I told her about my blog and believe I said something like, “I’ve been doing this for over 5-years, which is a fairly long time.”. Then she filled me in on her life and that she’d been in publishing for 35 years. (By the way, if you want to feel like an utter TOOL, tell someone that 5 years at any job is a long time and then find out they’ve been in publishing for 35.)
Somehow, we went from me speaking about using social media at her conference to me working for her and with her fabulous Internet Marketing Manager, Paige, as Director of Internet Operations for Where Women Create and Where Women Cook , overseeing social media of The Creative Connection ‘10 and designing the internet portion and panels of her conference for next year.
I’m so excited about the work. I love the thought of helping such a fabulous community of women get and grow online and to help get these beautiful magazines into people’s hands. I am also pretty dang excited about the office I’ll be working out of a couple of times a week. It’s in a historic building and it’s this magical-holy-cow-every-inch-of-this-place-looks-like-some-amazing-design-and-crafting-antique-fairy-of-AWESOME-barfed-on-it.
I MEAN LOOK AT IT, PEOPLE!
It’s like freaking Disneyland in there.
I have NO IDEA what I would do with most of that stuff but it sure is pretty to look at.
See…er…I am not exactly “Craft Talented”. You are talking to the girl that tried to make an etched mirror with the words “I LOVE TO SING” on it for a church youth group activity that was to show off our talent. Only the “G” didn’t etch the glass and I ended up going home with a mirror that said, “I LOVE TO SIN” on it instead.
It all went downhill from there, I’m afraid. Here are some examples of “LORALEE’S CRAFT PROJECTS”:
“The Remains of the Day lunchbox” (Ala “Waiting for Guffman”. Totally wish I had one as a kid.)
“Wilbur’s Scarlett Letter collar” (Dude. My cat is totally slutty. It is completely fitting that she have a Scarlett Letter “A” collar.)
And who could POSSIBLY FORGET The 2005 holiday gingerbread bed of depression?
Considering my tactile (non) talents, this whole “I work for a company that features people who create amazing things with their hands” is just delicious irony, no?
So, yes.
I admit that I totally have no idea what I am doing in the craft world but THANK THE HEAVENS Jo doesn’t want me for that!
She wants me for the experience and connections that 6 years of having fun faffing about on the Internet has brought me.
And THAT I can totally do.
And in my book, when you wake up in the morning excited about what you’re going to work at in the day?
It just don’t get better than that.
Filed under: 
Woot Woot! Congratulations and good luck! this is SO exciting and I can’t wait to see where this takes you!
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Loralee, LIsa Fields & Asso.. LIsa Fields & Asso. said: RT @looneytunes: MY NEW JOB:Somehow 5 yrs of faffing about & having fun online has lead to me getting the dream job I never knew I wanted http://ht.ly/2deWG [...]
This is SUCH exciting news!!! I’m so over the top thrilled for you! And that office? OMG- that looks like heaven. Wow. What an amazing opportunity- I can’t wait to hear more about it. A million congrats!!
Oh WOW. That really is amazing. What a magnificent space to work in. Congratulations so much, you truly deserve it.
You know what I love about that lunchbox? Your printer ink starting to run out halfway through. Craft FTW!
Wow, Loralee! I’m so happy for you. This job sounds perfect for you and I’m so glad that destiny brought you and your new company to cross paths and connect! Best of luck… rock on, honey!
Congratulations! What a beautiful space you’ll be creating in, too! I just love hearing about traditionally successful entrepreneurs who truly get the importance of blending and investing in new media. Sounds like a lovely fit. Have so much fun!
Isn’t it amazing the twists life takes? How wonderful that such a fantastic twist happened to you! You’ll be awesome!
Omigosh!!! Congrats!!! That is so awesome and I am so excited for a proud of you!!! And that office? Totally fantastic!!!
(if she ever needs someone who uses too many !!!! I’m her girl!!!)
:)
Congratulations! I’m facinated by the office/creative space. Please find out who designedit & even more importantly, who stocks, maintains & cleans it, will you? It just has “the look” I wish you luck & joy, but I’m truth, I allways did!
Loralee – THIS. SOUNDS. AWESOME. And you know if you ever need advice on living in the crafting world I can always give you a few knitting lessons! hehe
Congratulations, Loralee! That sounds amazing, and nobody deserves it more than you!
Congrats! So is the office based in your city? What a cool space. and what an awesome opportunity!
Congrats! And is lifts me to no end to see that you have been given a great opportunity because of your amazing talent. The talent of reaching people, sharing your life, and being a shining force in our blogging community.
We can’t WAIT this journey – and will be walking it right along side you.
You are lucky- but most importantly, they are lucky to have you.
Wow. This whole thing makes me wish I had boobs and a vuvuzela (vuvuzela = the new slang word, on the African Continent, for vee-jay-jay). But lucky you – and lucky them for finding you and recognizing the very specialness of you. Of course, you do realize that the whole reason they were attracted to you was the head shot, right?
Congratulations, Loralee. Congratulations, Jo Packham. You’ve made a brilliant choice.
Congratulations Loralee! You will be great at your new job!
Woo Hoo! Congratulations, Loralee. That office looks like so much fun. I love crafty bits and pieces (I have my own collection), and love looking at and buying and storing and maybe using them for stuff.
There is simply something magical about women and their innate ability to create and craft something beautiful (and don’t underestimate you own abilities with this here blog, missy)!
Congratulations! This is wonderful news.
Congratulations!! What a wonderful opportunity.
OMG Loralee! How awesome for you! Just please…don’t tell her about that website I own with Sam, k? Awkward!
I’m so thrilled for you! Congratulations and best of luck in this endeavor!
CONGRATS- I know this is so thrilling and you are over the MOOOOOON! It is a fabulous dream job that I have no doubt you will rock! I am very proud of you- you my friend are a ROCKSTAR! xoxoxo
A wonderful opportunity for both you and them! I love it when companies see the value of the networking that takes place on the web and then maximizes their potential. Way to go, both of you!
Your office space is simply incredible and I’m inspired to go do something with my new office/den space in my house. It’s been the last thing I want to work on since I moved in June and it’s time – make it a crafty and inspiring place, Kelly! (That’s my new mantra, thank you very much) Hopefully, your new job and the magazine will give me more ideas as to how to make it mine. Because that kid I sent to college to get a degree in Interior Design SURE DOESN’T HAVE TIME FOR MOMMA TO HELP.
Best of luck, Loralee! You are going to love this new opportunity. I can tell.
xoxo
Whoot! That’s awesome, and I’m so, so excited for you! What a great fit for both of you!
I’m off to try to win one of those trips.
and send some of that great “job lands in your lap that is tailor made for you” juju this way – I desperately need it.
How exciting!! I love looking at people’s crafting spaces. It is so inspiring to me and that office of yours is so wonderful. I could spend hours just sitting there soaking it up!
Congrats on your new job! You’re going to ROCK it!
P.S. I’m leaving Utah for good in 18 days. Any chance we can get together and say goodbye? I know you’re busy…but if you’re going to be in town, let me know.
While I’m not “craft talented” either, I’m still drooling over that notebook you had at coffee. LOVELY. And may be worth the trip right there!
Any you? Will be AMAZING. And lovely. And wonderful! I’m so happy for you!
After knowing you for as long as I have (heh) and meeting Jo at EVO, I can see you two having a brilliant relationship together, much like my marriage, we really have nothing in common, but the fact that the other one is so strong where the other one needs work?
It works so well.
I’m so happy for you muffin.
(Does this mean we can have decoupage parties now?)
Congrats on the new job. It sounds amazing.
“I love to sin” that is priceless!
Congrats!!!
I knew you were the awesomest when you stood up at my BlogHer panel two years ago and Spoke The Truth. So great to see other people recognizing that. Congrats and love! xoxoxo
THIS is what karma looks like: a ridiculously talented woman with a great heart is noticed, appreciated and offered a position that is tailor made for her, working with people who recognize her skills and abilities. I am so over the moon proud of you, Loralee. You are a rock star, kiddo, and Jo just hit a home run by landing you.
You had me at “Boobs Online”. :)
What a perfect opportunity for you. I am continually amazed at how the female blog and social media community brings out the best in each other.
Kind of makes me secretly wish I was a girl.
For a day. :)
Congratulations Loralee! This is just absolutely awesome news. I’m so happy for you for this new job and for your new company, because they picked a hilariously great lady to hire!
So incredibly happy for you. xoxo
*swoons*
*dizzy spinning swoons*
Oh honey, you have been blessed! I’m dripping with envy, full-on coveting this insanely glorious job of yours. Mostly though, I’m just elated for you. Congrats, my love. You deserve all this, and more ~xo
Oh Loralee, I am so proud. Who would’ve thought?
You’re just the type to embrace something foreign and have a great time with it. And the stuff looks AWESOME – I think all the gals at work here will be looking it up, pretty cool stuff. My craft abilities are limited to skillsaws and tile cutters, not so good with damask and ribbon.
Congratulations on your new job. I know you’ll do fantastic.
I love it! That office makes me think I need I close the blog and go back to good old fashioned scrapbooking. I honestly miss it a tiny bit. The thing is, with fifteen children I always have something that needs scrapbooking, The problem however….. I have fifteen effing children and I can’t even get out a glue stick without them attacking me like seagulls.
damn kids-
I am so happy for you. I am going to call Emmy about this. She is the most talented/crafty person I know.
It thrills me to my toes to read this!! Congratulations. And you ARE CRAFTY! Your craft is your words and you are AMAZING at it! Can I come live in your office?
Oh you know I am THRILLED for you!!! I am so glad that you have introduced me to Where Women Create. From the time I first saw this magazine (with you!) I have fallen in love. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for you my darling friend and this new venture.
You deserve this!
Congratulations sweetie! You have a knack for social media and I fully trust that Jo will find you to be a huge asset to her team. As you know I have a little something-something to do with the web for my real world job, and you are one of those people that recognize the power of this whole genre, a type of person I wish I could hire more of at work! Best of luck!
Wow wow wow wow wow. What I love about this is you make it exciting for all of us who are non-crafters but who still love to create!
Congrats love! Sounds like a perfect fit!
congrats. I still have to giggle that you are in the crafting world. I remember the t’shirts we made. Popsicle sticks are a craft waiting to happen for most but all you see is that the ice cream is off it and it needs to be thrown away. Of course you will write about the ice craam-less stick and make it all sound so funny. Good luck to you in this. Me
ps……please oh please may I go to the office? I have so many crafts in mind that could be made just looking at the pictures.
Loralee,
Let me add in my congratulations!! Sometimes the universe just drops what you need into your lap, and this is clearly one of those times. Hot damn, woman, you got a sweet gig! Can’t wait to meet you at Blogher. I’ll be on the lookout for the tutu.
Wow – that does sound like an interesting job, and looks like a fun place to work. Much better than boring cubicles. Congrats!!
I’ve heard about this magazine … super fancy elite lovely stuff! Love it. You’re gonna rock that world … what a perfect match.
I’ve heard of this magazine! So, first off, you get a big congrats, applause, and a little envy. Second of all, you get to know that the etched mirror made me spit-take. And that’s why you get god gigs, lady.
Seriously, you deserve this and I’m happy for you. x
Congratulations, Loralee! I’m totally envious of your new office. Wow.
You totally deserve this, friend. Happy for you! xoxo
i am so completely thrilled for you!! and jo is amazing. just do what you do best (be YOU!) and you are gonna rock the internet world. love ya!!
you will, you will rock it! And I would pay top dollar for that etched mirror.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Yeah, baby. YEAH.
xoxoxoxoxoxoox
YAY LORALE! So freakin’ excited for you! That is awesome! And I love, love, LOVE your new office space. Because although I am about as crafty as you are, I too adore looking at all pretty, crafty things – as long as I don’t have to actually touch them or do anything with them. Congratulations!
Oops… forgive the misspelling of your NAME. I do know how to spell your NAME. DUDE… Sorry ’bout that… LORALEE.
CONGRATULATIONS! This is awesome Loralee and I am so happy for you. Awesome, awesome, awesome (and they are lucky to have you.)
You, if anyone, are completely deserving of this incredible opportunity, lady.
I’m no crafter, but that office is a Wonderland (just like John Mayer wrote of me in the song about my body).
Congrats, m’lady. I’m proud to know you.
I am SO excited for you because:
A) That office has just blown all our minds with amazingness
B) You’re happy and you totally deserve to be
C) We’ll be able to find you more places, and more Loralee is always great
Woot!
So thrilled for you!
And seriously, that work space looks UH-mazing.
dear llc
all the years of hard work have paid off. good for you
Hey talented woman…
I love that you get to do this. What you have to understand is that NON-crafty does not mean NON-creative. You have one of the most CREATIVE minds that exsist and what this woman wants is for you to CREATE an internet image that matches her CREATIVITY. You are SO up to the task! I am proud of you and Know you will be amazing! She looks like a remarkable women and I hope to hear more about her! Hugs and kisses:)
How incredibly wonderful! The photos of that office make my heart go pitter-patter and make me want to loot the bins for all the fabulousness.
They couldn’t have picked a better loon…I mean person… for the job and I’m excited on two fronts: Getting to see how you get to bring the Internet to life for them and discovering a new website about crafting. (I’m also putting the Conference on my calendar for next year!)
Congrats!
Congratulations! It sounds like an awesome job. And lady, if you were trying to convince me by showing me those three examples that you are NOT creative, you didn’t succeed. :-) Take it from someone who considers herself a crafter, you have plenty of creativity in you. Maybe you just have not found the right craft yet! But it sounds like this job is right up your alley and that you will be working with some awesome people to boot. Can’t get much better than that! I’m thrilled for you.
p.s. In the blogging world, five years is a LONG time!
p.p.s. I just the other day used that very line of Inigo Montoya’s for a post title. Were you in my head? Sorry if it was messy and dark in there. :-P
p.p.p.s. Ack! The multiple postscripts are catching! I’m getting outta here.
Seriously…how cool is this! I hope you much success! Say HI to Paige and Jo for us! xoxo
Wow, that does sound like the dream job. I want to go there!! :) Congrats, girl. You will be great.
What a smart lady to hire you. She could not have signed on a better helper. Sounds like a great place to work for and promote. Interested in the artsy stuff!
Yay! This job is perfect for you! And? Double yay for being *excited* about a job!
Way to go!
Congrats! I like the cake!! It looks like my daughter!! :-)
M
I am so, so proud of you! I know you will be successful, I’m so happy for you!
well this is why all women blog. We dream of being noticed by dream opportunities like this.
You deserve it…you will do great….
I think you will be perfect. Congrats on the new job. You owe me a phone call to tell me all the details or I promise I will make you look fat (very hard to do) in all your photos.
/heart
Bridge
AWESOME! Congratulations! I’m SO excited for you!
That’s really awesome! I’m super happy for you.
Holy cow! What a completely awesome opportunity. (P.S. The office is FANTASTIC with a capital F!) I’m so happy for you, sweetie.
I’m so excited for you! This sounds amazing and since I know you, I know how much effort and passion you will put into this. And, dude, I totally need to get moving on our scrapbook from our China trip with PunditGirl, so any “inside information” on making it look great would be MORE than welcome! ;)
xxoo
While you’re blogging skill are breathtaking, I fear nothing can surpass the Remains of the Day lunchbox. Simply legendary.
Loralee, I am soooo excited for you!! What an amazing opportunity! Hard work in the blogosphere and being a social media maven certainly paid off! :)
And that office? Incredible! Holy inspiring mama!! Congrats again!!
xo
Congrats! Sue sent me over! How super exciting!
Loralee! What a fantastic job! And what a fantastic job for YOU! I’m dying to go to that conference and am thrilled to hear you’re involved in it. At first, I was like, “What? LL doesn’t craft. I’m a tad confused.” But now I get it. And, good heavens, you don’t have to be super crafty yourself to recognize good work and write about it. I’m so excited for you in this new job. Congrats and hooray!
P.S. That place? Looks freaking amazing!
Oh, Loralee, I am so stinkin’, freakin’, ridiculously excited for you! This job sounds just too perfect for you. Oh, and that office! EEK! To die for. I’m swooning a little here. I’m a total crafting nut, so I’m super jealous besides. Though this year is a little tough for me to attend the CC conference, I’m going to keep it on my radar for 2011. And I might even drag my mom and sisters (all crafting fiends like me) with me! That would be too much fun. Thanks for turning us onto this mag. Didn’t know it was out there, and so excited to hear about it via awesome you! Congrats, my friend. So proud and so excited for you.
wow! i am so excited for you. i mean i wish it was me, but since i don’t live there and the commute would be a booger i’m glad it’s you! and you will be perfect for this job!
i think one of my most favorite things about blogging and the internet is the fact that things are constantly refreshing themselves. i love that there are always new and exciting opportunities in this crazy world wide web. there really is something for everyone, and what a great company to be involved with! the marriage of creativity and social media is an amazing thing.
What a wonderful place to work. Dreamy. I love all the ribbon everywhere.
dude! I’ve known you for long ass time and I’ve never known you to have a job. congrats!!! i heard Jo on the radio this afternoon and I felt inspired… but I’m sooooo not crafty . I want to be, though.
Congratulations. What a wonderful job and such a fun work office. Best wishes on this new adventure for you. You will be amazing at it.
Wow – what a fantastic opportunity! Congratulations! I love the Where Women Create brand….am entering the contest to go to the CCE and look fwd to seeing your name pop up from time to time now that you are working there! And your description that the craft fairy came and barfed goodness all over that space was priceless! LOL Congratulations!
Your boss sounds great and that office is to die for. Does she know what a catch she got having you as an employee? You are a rock star and I hope she appreciates what good hands she is in with you guiding her through the blogging world. You are so loved people will love her just cause you do!
Awesome! Congrats on the new job!
I’m super late to this game, but… WOOT WOOT! So happy and excited for you! Couldn’t happen to a more deserving party. Best of luck to you in this new adventure — you’re going to shine! Lots of love.
CONGRATS BABE! :)
YAY Loralee!
Oh honey, I’m so excited for you! That’s absolutely amazing!!!
Congratulations honey, you truly deserve all the amazing things coming your way!
xxooxo
I’m laughing so hard I have tears…”I love to sin”…hahaha! That’s awesome! :) I need to write that one down for future reference!
That’s great news! Congrats on the new path :) I agree that it looks like Disneyland for crafters, I’m finding the sheer organization of so many things to be a little exciting myself.
So thrilled for you, Loralee! And Jo even looks like a fun and friendly woman in her photo. Yay! What a cool office, too. Wow. Yay, just YAY.
Wahoo! This is a fabulous opportunity and I’m so thrilled for you!
That “office” makes me all excited even though I wouldn’t have the first idea what to do with any of the things. Except maybe wrap lots of presents, using too much tape and getting paper cuts. But SO PRETTY!
You’ll be awesome at this and have all of us (and our networks) at your disposal. :)
How amazing! Congratulations!
First time commenter here! Your gingerbread bed of depression has me literally ROLLING around with laughter!! That is so hilarious…oh man. Wiping tears. Congrats on the new job!
It seems we’re living parallel lives. I just got my dream job at Canada’s best known parenting magazine. I LOVE the offices, my hours, the people. Insanity. Congratulations, my friend! See you at BlogHer! xoxo
I’m waiting for my dream job, but can REJOICE in yours! Wow, what a blessing Loralee! I will say a prayer for your success this very evening! Whooohooo!
Hellz to the YEAH!
Congrats sweetness, you will truly be an asset to their company.
Especially seeing you know such awesome people *cough* like me *cough*
MWAH!
drooling. at. your. workplace. oh. you. lucky. girl.
[...] just got the most amazing job and shares with us the [...]
Loralee,
Congratulations.
As to your office. Drool heaven. Boxes and more boxes in pretty colors. So incredible.
Congratulations! I bet you’re going to be amazing at this!! I am also NOT crafty. I can’t even begin to tell you how awful I am at anything even remotely requiring originality and glue or thread. I loathe school projects that require me to make something for my kid to wear or show off because I know he’s the worst dressed Abraham Lincoln in the school!
Wow! Congratulations! You are an inspiration and I know that you will do really well. I am excited for this new phase in your life, and I wish you all the best! I love your workplace by the way. If I work there, I’d be crafting all day haha!
How exciting! I love Where Women Create, it’s a great publication. I’m jealous that you have such a great job! Hopefully someday something wonderful can happen to all of us. Good luck!
Have I mentioned that I would be slipping office supplies in my purse on the way out the door if I had the luck to work there!
Holy cow woman! This is awesome!!!! Bummed I missed any possible entry to the contest, but so freaking excited for you!!!!! I love Where Women Create! Anyway, not sure if you remember me, I met you at the DEspicable Me Junket-I was the Indian woman there writing for Today’s Mama! You are inspiring, and I strive to be a strong writer like you! Have fun in your new digs!!! Looking forward to hearing all about it!
Crying over the scarlet letter. OMG! Too Funny!
Congrats sweetie, this is AWESOME!