Wednesday, March 5, 2008

You've Come a Long Way, Baby

Isn't the internet a wonderful thing?! And hasn't it come a LONG way?!

There were my first days of using our computer for only email. Then I discovered websites that helped us plan vacations. Oh, and eBay! At some point the internet had grown enough that it became my go-to for just about any question I had. And there was that first year that I did all of my Christmas shopping online.

But the most satisfying internet developments for me have been the ones where there is connection to other people. It was only a couple of years ago that I found myself invited to an eBay artists/sellers group. I really wasn't sure what it was all about but quickly experienced interaction with others who had many of the same interests as me. And they were all over the country!

Before too long, I stumbled onto, and joined, variaZioNE (or ZNE), a mixed media art group whose members are all over the WORLD! Imagine how many pieces of incredible art one can see without ever leaving home, not to mention the opportunities to meet new friends...ZNE members are a very caring, encouraging and generous bunch!

So then, last summer, I started reading artists' blogs, enjoyed them, and by the first of this year I decided I would jump in and give it a try too. Talk about connection, interaction, community...it's HUGE! In fact, it was in reading somebody's blog that I discovered another exciting internet development--the online workshop! Oh my gosh, who knew?!



I started a six week workshop with Karyn on Monday and I'm loving it already. There are 19 in our class and it has been a hoot! In addition to conversations about supplies, techniques, etc., this group also chats about the important issues of sitting on the back row, teacher's pet, detention, to name just a few. Education AND entertainment, all for one low price...right here on the internet!

Yes, a wonderful thing indeed!

Marilyn

2 comments:

craftswithcare said...

Hi Marilyn,

I just love visiting your blog again and again! You write so well!
Marilyn, I have given you an AWARD..I am sure you must have received the same from other bloggers too. Please go to my blog and take a look whenever you have the time!

Happy creating!
Mithua

Timaree said...

I agree about the internet. It kinda grows on a person. I just joined ZNE after being invited by someone I met on the One World One Heart event. I joined that because I joined the Bead Journal Project which required a blog which I started at that time. Yep, before last June the web was just email for me and now it's the world!