Holy Moly Mackeroly! Reflections on the Business of Art and the Art of Life [Paperback]

Gloria Page (Author), Sharilyn Miller (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 17, 2002

Holy Moly Mackeroly is a big book with a clear and simple message: starting something new challenges you from the inside out and sharing stories with friends along the way helps in the process.

If you want a book with lots of technical advice about starting up a home-based art business, there are plenty of excellent books in print – this isn’t the one! If you are looking for a book that takes a different approach with a very personal, direct, conversational tone, consider this one. And even if you do not want to start a business, this book has many insights into the creative process as a general theme.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"... You don't have to be interested in a craft business to appreciate the little life lessons learned..." -- Somerset Studio - Kathryn Bold, Nov/Dec 2002

"...This isn't your typical 'How to Grow a Business Book' ...It is more like a personal journal..." -- Scrap & Stamp Arts - Suzanne Lamar, Nov. 2004

"...offers a laudable combination of practical business advice and inspiration... Informative and entertaining, it fills an important niche..." -- RubberStampMadness - Art Snyder, Sept/Oct 2002, pg. 97

"...walks readers through the real-life experiences of people who have made their dreams come true in the art business..." -- The Rubber Stamper, Limelight section, Sept/Oct 2002 Issue

"...what it FEELS like to have a small business... the disappointments and the joys..." -- Vamp Stamp News - Nancie Waterman, August 2002, pg. 14

From the Publisher

Holy Moly Mackeroly is a self-published memoir: a storytelling-style reflection about my process of creating a home-based art business and life experiences that I feel are connected to that journey.

It is all words with very few pictures, so if you want to see my artwork, thanks for your interest! You can learn about my carving and stamping techniques in my second book, published by North Light Books: Art Stamping Workshop is also available at Amazon.com.

I believed in writing Holy Moly Mackeroly that there was a place for such a book. That belief was based on my experiences of giving talks over the years on how I started with three rubber stamps, made 18 bookmarks (which my Mom sold for me in Santa Fe), and over time created a greeting card and art business that expanded exponentially. I have had an active card account at the Smithsonian since 1994 and have gone on to become a published artist and writer in major art and craft publications.

But more importantly to me, since this book was published in 2002, a community of artist-friends has emerged, beginning with the creation of an online group, started by a visionary reader. Our group is active in art and dedicated in friendships. We have gone way beyond the book as individuals and together in ways I never could have imagined possible when I began writing.

I believe in the value of storytelling. I believed enough in the value of what others have taught and given to me over the years that I gambled in a huge way to create this book – as author, publisher, distributor, cover artist, the works. The experience of immersing yourself in the entire process is incredibly rewarding.

I am grateful to people all over the world - they have read my book and shared their stories with me. If this is your kind of book, I hope you enjoy it! There is a Chinese Proverb that is my guiding principle: "A thousand mile journey begins with one step." Taking one step gets you to a whole new place. Are you ready?

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 280 pages
• Publisher: Mesa Point Publishing (June 17, 2002)
• ISBN-10: 0971890102
• ISBN-13: 978-0971890107
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #587,654 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

It is always interesting to be asked to "share a bit about yourself." When you are in your fifties, there's quite a bit to choose from!

What I want to share here and now is simply this: I believe that each person has gifts to share with the world. One of my gifts is a love for stories - listening to them, learning from them, creating stories with people, telling and writing them and living to make more.

When I was very young, I was given a Tom Thumb toy typewriter for Christmas. The moment I hit the keys and saw the printed word on the page, I knew I wanted to write a book someday. There were also arts and crafts influences in my childhood that inspired me to want to be an artist. The road was winding, long, unconventional and all mine. It was a process that jump started in 1993 with three rubber stamps, an idea, and the determination to take a dream and make it reality. My art business ImpressionsArt Designs was born.

Another decision became very clear at one point during my art business years: before turning 50, I was going to write a book, and so I did it. In order to get it published before wasting years getting turned down by the big publishers and wanting to see in print before turning 90, I self-published Holy Moly Mackeroly! That was a major commitment and risk, one that I never regretted. The book is all stories, an art-business memoir that I love for its honesty and for the ripple effects that I never could have imagined possible - this book changed my life and other lives, too.

A natural progression came soon after that - the opportunity to write another book, this one filled with artwork and crammed with as much fun and encouragement as I could pack into 128 pages! North Light Books offered me a contract, and Art Stamping Workshop is now available. It is an exciting time!

My favorite title is "Mom." My favorite way of life is to be free to be myself, to look for and open the next door.

What's next? ...this story to be continued...

Gloria Page

ART STAMPING WORKSHOP
Holy Moly Mackeroly!
www.impressionsart.com
www.vickieenkoff.com / Stamps by Gloria Page

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Practical and Inspirational!, October 12, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Holy Moly Mackeroly! Reflections on the Business of Art and the Art of Life (Paperback)

Holy Moly Mackeroly is the story of one woman's journey on the road to developing a successful art business. Gloria Page tells the stories of her life with equal parts fact and philosophy, so you get to know who she is as well as what she did. Starting with a few art supplies and a belief in possibilities, she accomplished what many of us only dream about.
This book will give you practical advice about creating an art business. More importantly, it will tell you how it feels to have an art business - to walk into a gallery and show your work to a buyer, to endure the cycles of too much work and not nearly enough, to be celebrated by some and rejected by others.
If you want to know what it's like to make your living with your art, if you want to believe that it's possible for you, you must buy this book. Gloria Page is an inspiration to everyone who dreams. Her book proves that dreams can come true.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Like a visit with an old friend, December 31, 2003

By 

Susan Reynolds (Loudoun County VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Holy Moly Mackeroly! Reflections on the Business of Art and the Art of Life (Paperback)

This book and the nurturing, empowering spirit it brings came into to my life in the fall of 2003 like a fortuitously timed visit with an old friend. In this soft back large format book that begs to be highlighted and have notes written in the margins (of course I have) artist, knowledge-seeker, mom, college lecturer and real-life woman Gloria Page shares tales of the everyday and the amazing with simplicity and grace.

Bringing to her subject matter - the art of life and a life in art - a spirit of sharing, Gloria lets us walk with her through short takes on time, obstacles, changes and multiple aspects of not only art and life but also the art and science of combining the two in ways that could actually prove sanity preserving.

The voice of honesty and experience that comes through on every page provides a candid and accurate reflection of what make making art or any sort of self-employment a daily journey that proves challenging, rewarding and well worth considering.

Be prepared for Gloria's tiny snapshot stories to sneak into your random thoughts well after you officially turn the last page. In my case, I pulled the book out so often it has crept stealthily into my studio and now found a home just an arm's reach from the comfy chair I curl up in when I need a dose of art-fellowship or an infusion of inspiration.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars INSPIRATION, IDEA'S & Creative ENERGY, December 6, 2002

By 

Jo-Tee Hagaman Shields (Casper, WY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Holy Moly Mackeroly! Reflections on the Business of Art and the Art of Life (Paperback)

Holy Moly Mackeroly by Gloria Page is a lovely book that gives excellent,inspiration, idea's & energy to get on with pursuing your own creativity. Plus helps you to decide do you or don't you want your own "card business."

Page is a down to earth creative lady who gives energy & real down to earth feelings in this book. Sharing this kind of information,plus writing about real life happenings made me feel that Page gives INSPIRATION, IDEA'S & Creative ENERGY from her heart & soul. Anyone interested in starting a "card business" or even "thinking about one" should read this book. Also would like to add that she autographed my book, sent me a wonderful lovely book mark.