Making it happen

Sep 18, 2013 | Sparkly Love

2 years ago Chandler and I went down to Seattle to check out the School House Craft Conference. It was very exciting to go to an event that was devoted to educating crafters and makers to take their businesses to the next level. One of the highlights was hearing Kari Chapin who wrote The Handmade Marketplace, give the keynote speech. She was also kind enough to give Chandler and I a brief but awesome coaching session! When I watched Kari speak, I remember thinking to myself how cool it would be to someday be on that stage.

A few months ago, after releasing the Indiegogo campaign for Make It Happen: How to Succeed in the Handmade World, the organizer of School House Craft sent me an email to ask if I would like to give the keynote speech this year. I was incredibly flattered and immediately said yes. It’s so damn cool when you manifest your dreams!

Since Make It Happen was a project Neil and I were working on together, I have been reluctant to talk about it lately. It was uncomfortable because I didn’t know what would become of the project after we broke up. Neil and I decided a few weeks ago the best way to move forward would be for me to complete the documentary by myself. This is incredibly terrifying but also exciting.

When Chandler and I drove down to Seattle last Friday, I had butterflies in my stomach thinking about what I would say for my keynote. I am thrilled to be able to follow my heart and make a documentary about what it takes to succeed in the handmade world, but overwhelmed about the path that lies ahead. It’s also bittersweet because the idea for Make It Happen was one Neil and I shared just over a year ago when we were very happy and in love.

When I went up in front of the audience at School House Craft, I didn’t know exactly what I was going to say. I knew I would start with my story and eventually talk about the Make It Show and how that inspired the documentary. Prior I made an agreement with myself that I wouldn’t overthink my words and let my heart do the talking.

I have done quite a bit of public speaking in my life but I still get super nervous right before. For some reason talking about Make It Happen and the amazing women we interviewed (April, Natasha and Christina) I felt calm and peaceful. I also felt very connected to the audience and loved watching their faces light up as they watched the movie trailer. It ignited a new spark inside of me when I realized how important completing this film is for my community.

After my keynote, I had so many people come up to me and say how hearing about the film and watching the trailer inspired them to keep going for their dreams. This gave me so much validation that I am on the right path. Even though I am very scared to go at this new venture alone, that it will be so worth it in the end.

I am more determined and committed than ever to make a film that will inspire you to keep going for your dreams. It isn’t going to be easy because there is so much I need to learn, but I am willing to figure it out. Plus I plan to team up and collaborate with people who do know what they are doing. Make It Happen…will happen.

To new adventures!

Sparkly love,

Jenna

Meet Jenna

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