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Morning Coffee with Martha Aleo

The Morning Coffee Interviews at Polka Dot Cottage Happy Monday morning, everyone!  I’m happy to present today’s Morning Coffee conversation.

Martha Aleo is the force behind the blog Ornamento, and was kind enough to answer the call when I asked for reader volunteers a few weeks ago. (Would you like to join her and see your interview here? Here’s how.)

Now grab a slice of coffee cake, have a seat, and let’s begin!

Morning Coffee with Martha Aleo, at Polka Dot Cottage

Ornamento

I’ve known Martha since around 2005. She’s a member of the Philadelphia Area Polymer Clay Guild, and dabbles in all kinds of arts in addition to polymer. Wirework, beading, thrifty pursuits, and travel adventures are just some of the topics you’ll find on her blog. Martha has been published in many popular magazines, including Step by Step Wire Jewelry and PolymerCAFE.

Q&A with Martha Aleo

Morning Coffee with Martha Aleo, at Polka Dot Cottage

Welcome, Martha! When and why did you start your blog?

I started the blog in 2007 for the reasons I give on the “About This Blog” page and the reasons are pretty much the same now as when I started. I have been keeping a journal since I was twelve and while I still write in it, the blog has taken over somewhat except I try to look at everything through the lens of creativity: how it’s informed by the world around us, our friends, family and experiences. I share stories about friends, acquaintances, people I meet, places I travel and my own artistic pursuits and projects. Some of the projects are not very pretty!

Has your blog evolved significantly since you began it, and if so, how?

I blog about what interests me. I have not tried to identify a target audience and I made the decision not to accept ads or use the blog to sell anything.

I have changed the blog layout a few times. I think it is due for another change.
I have some tutorials planned and I would like to do some more. I’d like to post a couple of video tutorials but that’s something I’ll have to work on. It is difficult to write clear concise instructions.

Morning Coffee with Martha Aleo, at Polka Dot Cottage

How does your blog fit in to your daily life?

I don’t have any blog related routines. I knew at the beginning that I was not going to post every day. I don’t do anything every day except eat, brush (and floss) my teeth and the sorts of things that no one wants to read about in a blog. But since the beginning I have been posting once a week and there always seems to be something to write about. I didn’t expect that when I started.

Is blogging something you can easily explain to your family and friends?

I think that if friends and family like to read the blog and enjoy it, that’s fine. At this point in my life, I really don’t care if someone doesn’t understand it. Sometimes I get compliments from people I meet in person. That’s always nice.

Morning Coffee with Martha Aleo, at Polka Dot Cottage

How important are reader comments to you?

If I write about someone or something, they might not leave a comment on the blog but I will usually get emails from them and their comments are important. I am not always writing about things that are part of my personal experience. If I am writing about another person’s creative process or creative journey it is encouraging to hear that I nailed it.

In what ways has blogging enhanced your life, if any?

I have a chronicle with pictures! Blogging is a way of sharing and I like that.

Morning Coffee with Martha Aleo, at Polka Dot Cottage

Thank you, Martha, for sharing your thoughts with us, and for letting me use your photos!

Want more?  You can find Martha in the following places:

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1 thought on “Morning Coffee with Martha Aleo

  1. Thanks Lisa!

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