Potential from 2009 Curly Girl Calendar
The boys’ friend had his 11th birthday on 11/11/11. That was cool. Besides the Egyptians choosing to close down the Giza pyramids for “maintenance” yesterday, nothing changed in my world. What about yours?
But Change is in the air.
I see it in the generation born in the 70s and 80s. They believe in their creative talents and are living their bliss. Using technology, they are building new communities based on shared passions and generosity of Spirit.
One of these 30 somethings is artist Leigh Standley. Her Curly Girl Designs’ collages and witty wisdom captured my attention.
If you look at her website and blog, you will discover her world, where these artists, mainly women, are living their dream. Building upon what they love, they have transformed their thoughts into things they can share/sell.
But they are doing it to create the world THEY WANT to live in: A world where people generously share their knowledge. A world where they congratulate each other on their achievements. A world where they believe the more you give, the more you will receive.
Leigh is the soul sister I never knew I had. Like me she enjoys traveling, old movies, singing, yoga and her family. Because of all her good qualities, I don’t hold it against her that she prefers Snickers to Bounty and her dog Lucy to our dog Max.
She believes in education and magic – just like me.
And she is quite certain that given a cape and a nice tiara, she could save the world.
I love these fearless women who are smart enough to pick up a cute pair of shoes when they head out to change a few things.
Tales of Dragons, Rabbits and Roosters 
Nov 12, 2011 @ 16:55:21
Curly Girl beats Martha Stewart Living by a mile. The latter engenders anxiety about creating perfect holidays/table settings/bedroom decor etc., the former inspires joy. It’s refreshing to read quotes that aren’t dripping with ennui or enough irony to sink a battle ship.
Still, a nagging voice wonders about the business of creating things only affluent white women (did you see ladies of color in those designs? I didn’t) might enjoy. Perhaps that’s the knee jerk liberal in me talking. She never knows when to shut up.
Nov 12, 2011 @ 17:41:14
And I would not want her to stop making her point.
Perhaps all it would take is one email from a fan noting the omission.
One step at a time.
My view is that instead of being stuck in dead end jobs that do nothing for their soul, these women are taking the risk of being artists and supporting themselves with their art.
Secondly they are doing it together without creating a big hierarchical organization that requires a leader. Each does her thing while they help each other.
It is only a matter of time before these women are financially independent enough to be able to branch out and help or sell to others. I don’t doubt they will. I think they have the spirit. But they, like all women, need to be able to care for themselves first.
The idea is about building community with people you might not meet on your street. It won’t be long before these communities bleed into others as they find shared points of interest.
A quick search offered up a couple women of color’s alternatives.
http://mujeresdemaiz.ning.com/ They describe themselves as A grassroots, multimedia arts collective of women of color cultural & spiritual ARTivists.
http://www.mochabeauti.com/ which is very much about selling product and networking
I feel positive about it.
I would not expect you to quit noticing when our vision is too narrow. You always want to ensure all women are included. And that’s a positive thing too.