enJOY it

an archived personal and craft blog from Elise Blaha Cripe.

5065278100_92f84dcef0

I am really excited to do something different with my posts this month.

In addition to some "normal" posts, I am going to be telling my small business story in 500-1000 word parts. Consider it my "blemoir" which is when a blog and a memoir have a baby and nobody wants to raise, edit or publish it except the blogger.

I'm doing this for three reasons and since my favorite thing to do is over-explain, I will now detail them.

First because I LOVE THIS STUFF. When people that I find interesting tell their story I read it with hearts in my eyes like a real life emoji. (Some of my faves from the top of my head…Bri's Creative Morning talk, basically anything Emma & Elsie share in Blog Life, Joy Cho's keynote at Alt, Mindy Kahling's book, Ree's Black Heels to Tractor Wheels – when it was still in blog post form).

It makes me giddy to hear people talk about their path, what they did, why they did it and what they learned. I love to watch people weave threads through many years. I love when my own lightbulb goes off along with someone else's. And so it's probably no surprise that I also love to write these stories. My four part WDS series (part four coming as soon as the talk is released online) was some of my favorite writing from the past year.

Second because I get a lot of emails asking me "why did you…?" and "how did you…?" and "what would you do if…?" I can't always give individual advice when I know just one piece of the puzzle, but I can share in detail my story, my regrets, my wins and my mistakes. I have shared (many) bits here and there as I have tried and accomplished various things, but never have I discussed how all these steps relate to each other and never had I had enough time (read: real perspective) to note why something worked or why it didn't. This series will answer all the questions. Think of it as a Women Tell All episode of The Bachelor but with less hair extensions and more paypal fees.

Third because the concept of "overnight success" is complete crap and I am one example of that. Don't worry, guys, I get it : I don't have a wikipedia or IMDB page. I don't net a million a year. I am not remotely close to a household name (though I imagine in a few houses I'm "you know that blogger who's husband was deployed/with the cute baby with the thing by her eye/who's always making something/who lives in that house with the cool ceilings?"*).

But though the definition is flexible, I have found "success" for me because I currently make decent money working my dream job. Sometimes accidentally and sometimes deliberately, I have built this career over the course of many (many) overnights.

I am excited to share my story this month and I hope you'll follow along!

*I mean come on! We all do this. Paul knows every blogger I follow by the most random descriptions.

Dottedline

Today on ELISE GETS CRAFTY I am chatting with best-selling author, Scott Berkun, about creativity and business myths. Click here to subscribe or stream the episode from your computer here.

Posted in ,

80 responses to “I’m telling my story this month.”

  1. Andrea Leda Wilborn Avatar

    I wish more people would share their stories behind their hard work. Today more than ever, thanks to media, we see pretty, glossy, storybook versions of the creative person’s life. But the heart behind it all is the best part! Can’t wait to read you story, bit by bit…
    Andrea Leda

    Like

  2. Mel Avatar

    ‘you know the one who lives in San Diego…..’ We are brits but love California so he always remembers you! And I love your blog. Even though I’ve been here a while still looking forward to you posts this month. You’re writing is so engaging.

    Like

  3. Jess Avatar
    Jess

    YES. I love these things because I’m nosey, and also because I’m having a life crisis and need all the inspiration I can get. Looking forward to hearing your story!

    Like

  4. Vivid Avatar
    Vivid

    Hearts in eyes for sure, I can’t wait to read it! I literally laughed out loud at your description of how you might be referred to by your readers! Slightly embarrassing but I always refer to you as, “you know the blogger I read that I think we could be friends in real life?” I’m from San Diego, went to college in nor cal, was in a sorority, married to someone in the military, a crafting machine, love taking photos of my kids and cooking tasty meals. So naturally, based on your blog posts, we’d be best friends. Sorry for the slightly creepy nature of this comment. I’m sure you get them all the time!

    Like

  5. Melissa Liv Avatar

    I love this idea, Elise! And, can’t wait to read along. “Blemoir” is catchy too. I might have to borrow that!

    Like

  6. Teri Avatar

    Great idea, Elise. And I bet that you will learn even more about yourself as you work through such a deliberate, reflective process. process

    Like

  7. Christine Avatar
    Christine

    I teach a religion class to high school juniors at my church. It’s a stressful time. Trying to decide what to be. What college. Will I marry. Who. And am I wearing the right clothes. You know. I’m always trying to show them examples of how life is not to be planned from birth to grave. I’m sure I will be sharing some of your story as an example. Thanks for over explaining and sharing so much.

    Like

  8. shakti Avatar

    I too am looking forward to this series! And just so you know, I refer to you as “my bloggy-friend, Elise” whenever I talk about your happenings to my husbo.

    Like

  9. Gina Avatar
    Gina

    I’m so looking forward to this, and thank you in advance (and in retrospect) for all that you put out there and share regarding your life, your business, your home, your struggles, and your sweet sweet little girl (as a sidenote, the pics of her are the highlight of my Instagram feed and we’ve never even met!). I appreciate the intent you have in tackling the “overnight success” aspect, because as someone who is tip-toeing very hesitantly towards more of a make-things-I-love-and-hope-others-love-them-too life, seeing others have that apparent overnight success makes me feel like a failure before I’ve even started!
    Thank you for all that you do and make and write. I look forward to your insights on everything on a daily basis.

    Like

  10. Laura Avatar
    Laura

    At my house you’re “Elise of mini books”. Looking forward to reading (more of) your story!

    Like

  11. Jessica Rodarte Avatar

    At my house it’s “the military wife? Remember? I’m just gonna start calling her Elise, okay?”
    I’m looking forward to your blemoir! Blemoir! Bah! πŸ™‚

    Like

  12. Tiffany B. Avatar

    I can’t wait. I love hearing the why’s, how’s and so on since I also own my small business and love it!

    Like

  13. Sarah Avatar

    Just wanted to let you know how you’ve been described in our family: first: ‘the girl who’s blog I read with the cool handmade wedding’ later: ‘the girl with the pizza project’ and ‘the girl who’s blog I read that is having a little girl too’ currently: ‘elise’. After 5.5 years of reading your blog and talking about it, you ARE a household name.

    Like

  14. lindsay Avatar

    I loved reading the comments from everyone showing how much you have impacted so many people’s lives, and which part of you they relate to most. Such a cool thing! You are totally an inspiration!

    Like

  15. Justine Avatar

    Nailed it again. Love this post. Can’t wait to read the installments.
    Smiled at the description of “blemoire”
    LAUGHED OUT LOUD: “I’m doing this for three reasons and since my favorite thing to do is over-explain, I will now detail them.”
    This is why I love your podcast
    In our house you are the “that girl whose blog I read that lives in San Diego in that cool house” (just said this last night
    Keep on rockin’!

    Like

  16. Justine Avatar

    Also, can I just say – this comment string has some awesome links to other people’s blogs. Yay for good writing on the web πŸ™‚

    Like

  17. Aubree Larsen Avatar

    My husband knows you as “the lady who does the Make29 thing.” 😍 Really excited for this series!!!

    Like

  18. Aggietha Avatar

    Elise you are inspiring.
    Your blog is my coffee morning daily read.
    Looking forward to reading your story!

    Like

  19. Shannon Avatar
    Shannon

    I love this idea!
    And, in my house you are known as the blogger who had a baby the same year I did and has really cool and creative ways for documenting her daughter’s life. I LOVE all of your Ellerie posts.
    And, I totally dig your other posts too πŸ™‚

    Like

  20. casie Avatar
    casie

    Laughing out loud at your self gauge description! I drive my husband nuts with those. He finally said “just tell me the person’s name, I can remember that easier” … and after about my 10th story of explaining putting a breathing tube into someone, he told me “just call it intubate – I got it!” πŸ™‚ LOL!!
    Cant wait to read this series and dive deep into the world of making Elise πŸ™‚

    Like

  21. alli Avatar
    alli

    i can’t wait for these posts — so excited!!!!! i kind of want to take the rest of the month off to just read and soak in the knowledge. hmmm…that sounds like a pretty solid plan;)

    Like

  22. btsoi Avatar

    I can’t wait to read your blemoir πŸ™‚ I love reading people’s real stories of how they got where they are now. And you’re totally a household name around here.. my husband knows who you are and I think he listens to your podcast when I’m catching up on episodes!

    Like

  23. Rachel Eliston Avatar

    AAHHHHH! I am sooooooo super stoked for this series Elise! As I am in my first year of setting up my little creative biz I am so so grateful to hear the words “success doesn’t happen overnight” – you have no idea how much of a sigh of relief that is. I am so inspired by you and and excited to hear all about it on here. I too love when I can mentally connect with a blogger through a post that she/he has written. I love when you get that “thank god I am not alone in this” moment and I love that when I read a post, it feels like you are writing about me or something I have thought and that is so so refreshing.
    Thank you Elise. I am forever grateful.
    p.s. you are soooo a household name in my house! My fiancΓ© is so aware of my fave bloggers πŸ™‚

    Like

  24. Roos Avatar
    Roos

    Ooh, very excited about this new ‘series’! My description of you to my BF is usually something along these lines: ‘you know, the make29 lady, Ellerie’s mama (the baby who loves to dance), lover of everything flamingo?” and “Yes, the one who writes about using a fitbit daily.”

    Like

  25. Elizabeth Avatar

    I am so excited for this, Elise!! Both because I know it’ll be fascinating and because for me right now, reading about the beginning will be so inspiring. I can’t wait! (And in my house it’s “remember that blogger who got me into scrapbooking? I used to buy mini book kits from her!”)

    Like

  26. Pam Baldwin Avatar
    Pam Baldwin

    Oh man, this is good stuff!!! I love hearing people’s stories too πŸ™‚ Thank you SO MUCH for sharing yours Elise!

    Like

  27. a touch of domesticity / katie sparrow Avatar

    Oh I can’t wait! You’ll get a very big welcome here, from one over-explainer to another! x

    Like

  28. jenn shurkus Avatar

    i.cannot.wait.for.this.series.

    Like

  29. Jessica A. Avatar
    Jessica A.

    Around here you are: “That blogger that I’ve been reading forever that convinced me we could do orange for our wedding!”
    OR
    “That blogger that convinced me that I could quilt!”
    OR
    “That blogger with the baby that has the super unique name and I love it!”
    I’ve been reading your blog since before you got married and I am so excited to read the entire business story!

    Like

  30. JC Avatar

    You are one of the few bloggers I don’t use a description for, when I talk about you with my fiance I use Elise. Maybe that just shows the depth of my creepiness. On a positive note. I’m stoked to read about your journey. I totally get those same heart eyes when I read others. Thank you so much for doing this!

    Like

Leave a comment