The Bridge Between Worlds – Helene Kwong
After a couple months waiting in anticipation, the Ignite Denver 11 videos are now up!
I admit, I immediately jumped to my presentation to see how it turned out. Not bad, although now I don’t even remember saying all that I did!
That’s what happens when nerves get to me. 😛
Tomorrow, back to regularly-scheduled Denver-love posts 🙂
If you follow me on Twitter, you probably wonder why I always mention Creative Density. This is another organization that I started to follow on Twitter before my big move to Denver. Coworking was a foreign thing to me early last year, but by now, I am so entrenched in the movement of shared office space.
Craig, the owner of Creative Density, is so awesome. Talk to him about any business topics, and he is quite knowledgable. I love going to Creative Density to see my regular crew: Craig, Jason R., Kevin M., and Pontus (when he’s here in the US and not in Sweden). I love the energy that flows through the whole space. This was where I launched TAOpivot, with the wonderful help of the support at Creative Density.
I feel that Creative Density has been my ticket to get into the Denver tech/startup community more easily. Everyone is just so helpful, approachable, and generally fun. Although my membership here has gone back and forth between part-timer and a regular, I will always go here to get away from the coffee shop atmosphere & my home office.
Check Creative Density out for a free day of coworking. You won’t regret it!
That was meant to be a rhyme.
Anyway, to start off the wonderful week and a half (or so) of my Denver Appreciation posts, here is Fabric Bliss.
When I was not yet out in Denver, I remember I started following several business owners/etc. on Twitter to infiltrate the crowd that way. I remember Aurora Sisneros, owner of Fabric Bliss, was one of those reciprocal to my following. I’d read each update about what all was happening with the new shop (not yet opened!) and anticipated visiting the store when I arrived in Denver.
I actually didn’t get to go to Fabric Bliss until earlier this year; it was at a First Friday Art Walk and I waltzed into the store, introducing myself to Aurora and the both of us nerding out to yarn, fabric, etc.!
The store is really a dream haven for anyone who sews, knits, crochets: lots of fabric along the left side of the store (and throughout the smaller shelves in the center right area); LOTS of yarn lining up close to the ceiling along the shelves on the right side. There are patterns, sewing/crochet/knit supplies, and then some locally-made goods as well.
On one First Friday, I sat at the front of the store (in one of the sofa chairs) and knitted while patrons were coming in and out of the shop. A few weeks ago, I finally was able to make it to the Sewing 101 class, where I got to make a double-sided tote bag. So fun! I really like the energy here. Aurora is so approachable & always willing to show a newbie the ropes. She taught me how to correctly cast-on for knitting; somehow I wasn’t doing it right these past few years!
Thanks to Aurora and her shop, though, I’ve been re-inspired to get back into my projects. Please, when you visit Fabric Bliss, say hi to Aurora if she’s there! She’s so friendly and helpful. Let her show you the ropes (no pun intended) on the different yarn weights, different sized needles/hooks, etc.
For the next few weeks (remainder of the month?), I will be highlighting awesome businesses/organizations that have really made a mark on my life in the past year. Why not? Also, through these organizations I’ve been able to make many new friends whom I hope will stay in my life for awhile!
Of course, just because certain businesses are NOT highlighted doesn’t mean that I don’t also appreciate them!
Here’s a list of all that I will cover (in no real particular order):
So…stay tuned for entries highlighting each organization! 😀
The past week or so have been jam-packed: been out almost every night doing some form of exercise, socializing, etc.
Last weekend, I celebrated with great Denver friends for my being in Denver for one year. Yesterday, August 2, was the actual day I landed in Denver last year; can’t believe it’s been one year already.
You may wonder why it’s such a big deal for me. Well, unlike my first year in San Francisco (2007-2008), I experienced a few low points in the past year; points where I nearly didn’t survive to the next day. But, I persevered, and I have survived many traumatic instances since.
Also, looking back at how I was last August compared to now: wow, I am not the same person anymore. Something broke inside of me last autumn, when things shifted so much during my first term at graduate school that…well, I ended 2011 as a completely different person than when I started that year.
And 2012 has proven to be just as much of a year of major change. Only in the past couple months (the summer, really), have I made big decisions impacting my life, both personal and professional.
Every day, since being here in Denver, I see why I was brought here. I see why my heart was shattered by San Francisco and renewed here in the Mile-High City. I can see myself settling down here, spending many more years (and having many more anniversary parties for my move to Denver).
Here’s to a Friday night and many more years to come here in Denver.