Chapter One... A Humble Beginning
In
early 1998, just as my first book was being published, I began an
online
group called "That's TOO Cute!" as a place for decorative painters to
meet and discuss all aspects of painting. It was a no-frills
email group with a monthly newsletter "for painters, by painters" with
content coming from group members who shared tips, ideas, book reviews,
etc. In each issue I would include a design for them to paint
along with instructions and a scanned line drawing. After a short
time it became apparent that there was a lot of "good stuff" flowing
through the list and newsletters, so I started reading up on the basics
of web design and built a very simple web site to house all of our
information. As we grew in number, (reaching 1,000 members at one
point!) we also grew in purpose, bringing in guest writers who were
knowledgeable in the painting field and having guest designers included
in interviews and projects. At the same time I was doing a lot of
teaching and design work and enjoying every aspect of my "job"... an
artist for a living, what a blessing!
Chapter Two... Burden Turned Blessing
Less than a year
later an unexpected health issue forced me to put the brakes on. I
was diagnosed with a pituitary tumor and started on a drug therapy regime aimed at shrinking the tumor. The treatment was
much less than pleasant, even in small doses I was very sick and I had
to stop teaching, even locally in my home studio.
There is a verse in the Bible that says in part: "all things work
togetherfor good"... for me this became reality when 45 days after
starting treatment, I learned I was pregnant! My husband and I had
been married for 14 years, after 14 years of dreaming of a family,
treatment of a very scary problem helped to bring about one of the
greatest joys of our lives!
Chapter Three... Putting the Puzzle Together
So, what does
this have to do with ToleTown? During my pregnancy, I knew that my
traveling would now be limited, I wouldn't want to sacrifice one moment
of my time with this little one! :) While continuing to build on the web
site, the "TOO Cute" list members were asking us to come up with a way
to offer interactive pattern packets that would be like taking a real
painting class... hmmm... a virtual studio? Suddenly the whole concept of ToleTown began to come together!
Chapter Four... Construction Begins
"Joyful Heart Studio"
was the first building to be constructed in the town. A virtual
classroom with HTML capabilities allow us to have live classes, complete
with step by step illustrations, with students painting and interacting
together! For students who have a schedule, making a live class
difficult to attend, materials are placed in an "e-packet". All
members are able to access, download and/or print out the complete
class and live class log which often includes lots of extra information
as students' questions are answered during class!
Of course, as a town there are a lot more buildings that just the
paint studio! That was part of the fun of pulling the
site together! We have a working Post Office, a Schoolhouse with a
Teacher's Resource Room, a Malt Shop (chat room) for visiting, a
Library, a Chapel which is the heart of our neighborhood Sunshine
Ministry, and so much more!
Chapter Five... The Neighbors Move In
Another beautiful thing about being a "town" is that members become neighbors, and here they
truly are in every sense of the word! This group of ladies (and
gentlemen) is the sweetest you'll ever meet... and as each new member
moves into town, they are welcomed with open arms and waving
paintbrushes! :o) I am proud of the community spirit that
has developed here, and thank our members for that friendliness that we
have become known for!
Chapter Six... Where Do We Go From Here
So, here we are,
four years and some 80 designs later... what's next? Well,
the great thing about a virtual town is that even though there is
construction going on, you don't have to deal with very much
noise or dust! Our streets are as cozy as ever, but there is
still
lots going on! Our latest project was the video clip library
which
came to life during the fall 2004. We began to provide technique
clips with the class materials right about the same time,
enabling students to watch segments of the class... we are excited
about
that! :o)
We also continue to save all of our affiliate earnings using the
funds to bring in guest teachers! This has been a great
opportunity to learn from some wonderful artists, all from the comfort
of your computer chair! We've already enjoyed classes with Jamie
Mills-Price, Kerry Trout, Cindy Trombley, Jill MacFarlane, Jan Fox, Jan
McCraw, Deb Malewski, and more!
Perhaps our greatest goal is simply that of bringing you super
classes, a variety of learning opportunities and fun destinations
for interaction packed into neat little picket lined streets in a town
that is a joy to call "home"!
Chapter Seven...The Mayor's Office Expands!
 In
September of 2004 the "Mayor's Office" was rennovated to accomodate a
second office! There are no words to express the joy in my
heart over the fact that designer/author/ teacher Susan Kelley has
joined me here at ToleTown! Lovingly
titled "Deputy Mayoress", Susan is a partner in every way.
She has quickly taken on duties, shares in site development and
maintenance, and of course, designs and teaches classes here each
month! Susan brings a whimsical style to ToleTown... probably best
known for her sweet candycane-nosed snowmen, she has a distinctive
style
that is a pure delight! She also brings her experience as a One
Stroke Certified Instructor and a Ken Brown Certified Calligrapher into
the classroom providing a real variety of designs! You can check
out Susan's books and packets at her website, Puddles of Paint.
Chapter Eight... Growing by Leaps 'n Bounds!
Nearly
200 designs and a few years later (almost half way through 2008), we
are
still growing by leaps and bounds. ToleTown is bursting at the
seams with new projects, new ideas, new things to do in Town, and lots
of new members. We have a wonderful Town that is filled with
friendly 'neighbors' who offer up support and encouragement to one
another each and every day. Our current Town projects include the
addition of more 'how-to' video clips for the Resource Schoolhouse,
more
crafty and traditional ideas in the Holiday House and the PaperCraft
Cafe, updating the Town Library to include a search engine to help
members find just the right project to paint, and adding more "member
to
member" get togethers in the Malt Shop where we sit-a-spell and paint
while we chat online.
|
Can a web site be a blessing? You bet!
I always tell folks that the site was a gift from above, just like my son, given as a way for me to stay at home with my little miracle baby, yet allowing me to continue teaching, design and sharing with others. I love everything about decorative painting and one of my greatest joys is still the thrill of passing along the tools of knowledge and techniques to my students.
Many members here have told me that this site has been a gift to them, allowing them to learn, and fellowship with other painters in such a unique way... the funny thing is, I often feel like I am the one who has received the greatest gift as this journey has "stretched" me as a designer and teacher, and has delivered to my desk top some of the best friends I have ever had.
............Lorrie Weber
|
|
For questions or more information please feel free to contact us by email, postal mail, or phone:
TOLL FREE 1-866-995-5835
|
|
