Forever and a day ago I provided Emily of From China Village the above image after she asked me for a small snapshot into what is inspiring me about Copenhagen for a newsletter for The Hive Conference late last year. This is what I said in the newsletter;

I'm inspired by the all the water that runs through Copenhagen and how the blue colour of this year's colours is the same colour as the water and the sky. I love all the boats with their little flags that line the foreshore and the multicoloured houses are just beautiful. I know my biggest challenge will be to use the colours together without them saying "4th July!"/ "Bastille Day!"/ "Team GB!" I should receive images of the venue at any moment, which I'm so very excited about as the venue is so important when designing decorations! And they may just inspire me in a whole other direction!

Since I have been supplied images of the stunning Scandic Sydhavnen, where the conference will take place, but my thoughts are still running along the lines of the sea, the harbour and maritime life, which I am SO excited about because I believe life should be lived like you are on a boat, always - cue a conference wardrobe FULL of stripy sweaters, calling it now.

I also told her that I would post credits to the images I sourced via Google Images in a post, well, because, the images aren’t mine and that’s how the internet should work. Running clockwise; bunting :: garland :: badges :: canal :: girl in street :: coloured houses :: map and bunting. Image created on the iPad via Procreate.

Tickets for The Hive 2014 are not yet sold out, head here for more info and to buy tickets. For my round up post on last year’s The Hive to hear more about it head - -> here.

xx

Decoing The Hive

#decoingthehive photos from Instagram, via Tagboard

Around this time last year I came across reports of the inaugural The Hive conference on two of my all-time favourite blogs, Pret-a-Voyager and The House that Lars Built. At this stage I didn't have a blog, I was just a 'lurker' - you know, one of those people that are obsessed with reading blogs, will start one "one day", never comments but always wants to (are YOU a lurker?! Don't be shy, come say hi!!). I then went on a Googling-spree to absorb as much information as I could about this wonderful weekend in Berlin and thought maybe, one day, I'd perhaps attend something like that, that maybe it could be fun. 

Fast-track to January, my baby of a blog still finding its footing, and the news of a second The Hive conference is announced. After weeks of "Oh, I really want to goooo!" Mr M flung his bank card at my forehead and told me that if I didn't buy the ticket then and there and shut up about it he'd just do it for me and I'd have no choice. So I did.

Two weeks later I was emailing Yvonne to ask if I could supply The Hive with decorations.

Yvonne and Peggy were not only so enthusiastic about what I had proposed they also asked me to create for them and The Hive a map of Europe for everyone to place their business card on, after seeing something similar at Mecca-of-all-blog-conferences Alt Summit.
Crafting the deco I had in mind for the conference, while extremely time consuming, was a no-brainer as I had proposed something that was within my realm of capabilities (read: comfort-zone!) The hundreds and hundreds - for fear of loosing my mind I never counted how many - little squares I had cut at the copy shop at the end of my street (angels on Earth, those Office Depot girls... The things I ask of them!) which I then hand-cut into hexagons using a template were sewed together to bring The Hive's 2013 motif to life and took over the Betahaus as the 200 odd bloggers did that weekend. Being the 'Hive' a few honeycomb balls had to be put into use also.

Image: The Hive Flickr

Image: The Hive Flickr

"The Map" on the other hand, went through several reincarnations in my head, all the while keeping to the brief that it had to be plain, so as to be able to be reused for future conferences, and be able to fit in my suitcase to be able to take it from Paris to Berlin. I wanted to make it really beautiful and give it a traditional European crafted feel, so, in the end, I went with what I know best - sewing - and bought some rustic French linen and created the borders with a cross-stitched effect in paint.

Because I have some geniuses for friends, one suggested that I film the process - so I did (the other is in the footage helping me).

(I wasn't quick enough to capture the map without any cards on it, so the lonely two at the end of the montage are my own and Elisa's! Thanks for being the first card on the map, lovely!!)

Thank you to Peggy and Yvonne for having me decorate The Hive. It was a blast. And thank you to everyone that said nice things about the map and the deco, you made me and my little hexagons blush bright magenta!

xx

Dietlind Wolf @ The Hive, Berlin

**This post was going to be part of my recap post back here but I just couldn't bring myself to lump it all together.**

As soon as I was able in the lead up to The Hive I signed up to join Dietlind Wolf's styling class as my chosen intensive workshop on the second day. I'm not a big consumer of European magazines - I've given up reading French monthlies and internationals are still quite expensive - so the extent of Dietlind's work that I'd seen was limited to what she posts on her blog and whatever a Google Image search conjured. But I had devoured and adored all the eclectic and creatively hand-made images I saw. And god knows I need help in the styling department. So I was thrilled that it was not yet full and I got a place.

As we all piled into the room where the workshop was to happen Dietlind was busy laying out all her wonderful things collected whilst on journeys all over the world and her hand-made ceramic bowls (bottom image). When she finished and stood off the the side facing us the room quietened - you could've heard a pin drop on the carpet - everyone was completely captivated. Dietlind started by speaking of her education in visual communications and her early career in textile design in Milan. Disenchanted with the fashion industry producing "brothers and sisters" of more famous designs, she moved home to Germany and, at the advice of a friend, announced she was to be a prop stylist. Despite this announcement it took seven years before she felt she could actually call herself one. 

Then Dietlind shared the most heartbreaking stories of not receiving the right recognition and credit for her work. In those days, and sometimes even now, the "esteemed" photographer took all the stylists rights (read: and good chunk of money) away as soon as he hit the shutter button on his camera - "Click!" - and like that all the ownership of your hard work was gone and was now the property of the photographer. Her tales were so crushing to listen to.
But from hardship comes lessons learned, and now Dietlind is also an accomplished photographer (although she waited 13 years this time before she called herself one!) and primarily produces all shoots herself to be sure she is the rightful owner of her work.

After telling us her story she then went through her props, describing to us their different uses and value, how to hand-make "undergrounds" and piece them all together. She then asked her little, captivated audience if we'd like to break up into groups and do some styling of our own, or, watch while she put something together - unanimously everyone asked her to do it. A little thrill went through the air we all realised we were about to watch a magician perform magic, but with no smoke or mirrors; simply with just beautiful talent.

She showed us how she colour matches her props, how to build a scene and how to best capture it on camera. While her technique was easy to follow, you could tell that most of what she does comes from within, that every decision is done with feeling and while hanging onto every word and scribbling down everything that left her mouth can teach you the basics it can't teach you that flawless style that makes each stylist perfect in their own way. But, from now on, I'll try a little harder and cleverer. 

Danke schön Dietlind xx

Dietlind promised to finish the scene she created at the conference on her blog which she has posted here. She's now promised to finish the story, so stay tuned...

The Hive 2013, Berlin

**Warning - mammoth post and crappy iPhone pics ensue!**

If you follow my Instagram feed you'd know at the end of last month I was in Berlin attending The Hive, the European blog conference. 200+ bloggers from all around the world took over the incredible co-working space Betahaus to hear both online experts and blogging colleagues speak about what it takes to produce a great blog and to also connect in person with fellow bloggers - some already good friends, some only online acquaintances, some strangers. The two day conference was anchored by key note presentations by renowned companies such as Pantone and Canon and down times were spent making lipsalves with Etsy Germany and having our pictures taken with blog network Styebook BlogStars.

Calm before the storm. Betahaus | Café. Image: The Hive Flickr

'The Hive' was born from a text sent from Peggy to Yvonne back in November 2011. Both were bemoaning that there was nothing like the wildly-successful Alt Summit conference that happens a couple of times a year in the US. Taking on the notion that if you want something done you've got to do it yourself, Yvonne and Peggy sent out to create the first European-based blogging conference and launched last year to great reception. Now that the second is done and dusted they've just announced an offshoot conference, smaller and more hands-on, will be held later this year in Copenhagen.

 Yvonne and Peggy. Image: The Hive Instagram

The timetable was arranged so that, apart from the keynote speeches and the intensive workshop on the second day, there were multiple talks at the same time and you could float through the building to sit in on whichever struck your fancy. I had the privilege of hearing from some wonderful speakers and bloggers.

Day one started with Tiffany Muehlbauer talking us through how newsletters are useful to your blog and business, which I found particularly helpful as I really have trouble liking newsletters! We then listened to Tina Fussel, aka Travelling Mama, speak about blogging for the fun of it; this one put the biggest smile on my face, was so beautifully presented and so well shared. Tina is one funny lady! I then listened to Eleanor Mayhofer from e.m.papers speak about blogging for your business, which will come in handy soon - wink, wink - and then Google on the inner workings of Google Analytics. Pantone talked us through how Emerald was chosen to be put on its yearly pedestal and I caught the end of The Wednesday Chef Luisa Weiss' presentation on how to organise your on- and offline life and the benefits of an editorial calendar.
We then split into mini discussions and I joined Emily Meyer's group on how to find great and innovative content. Emily, co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of Tea Collection, a US-based clothing line for kids, talked us through her inspirations and how easily translatable they were for the blogging world; her passion for travel, creativity and people was infectiously delightful. She is one of the warmest people I have ever met, I was really very pleased to have had the opportunity. After this discussion I caught the end of museum maven Jenni Fuchs' presentation on niche blogging, which I'm go glad as she finished with a super cute video of her favourite museum.
We were then so very lucky to hear from Erin Loechner, creator of super-blog Design for Mankind, via Google Hangouts. The level of detail she went into describing her ups and downs and the amount of insight into her success that she was willing to share was so kind it blew me away. Listening to her keep it real was a definite highlight. To finish off that first day I listened to Kajta Hentschel from the successful travel site Travelettes talk travel blogging, from which I took away one of my favourite quotes from the weekend. 

Sunday opened with Kristen Jassies introducing us to blog networks, how they operate and how they benefit bloggers. A former mag girl, Kristen described her career from setting up online presences for her titles and then making the transition to the web; a path I easily related to!

Then, then!, it was time for what I had been looking forward to the most; Dietlind Wolf's styling workshop. (I got so much out of Dietlind's workshop that I'm going to save it all for another post. It deserves one).

I walked away to lunch, happily by chance chatting to Dietlind, so thankful for not only the practical skills she bestowed us with but also her stories and the really personal advice she shared. The final day ended with graphic designer Janna Krupinski talking us through how to "pretty up" our blog posts with use of simple graphics and motifs and then a heated discussion with the whole group on how to turn a blog into a brand.

Apart from Danielle, whom I'd briefly met the week before, and Anne, whose map making class I am enrolled in online, I knew no one at the conference, however some really lovely moments meeting some really lovely people stood out and these are what made the conference so special to me.

+ Erin, who along with her sister Emily above, were the first people I spoke to at the conference and set the tone for the whole weekend for me. They turned around, said hello and asked me where I was from. I was really put off guard as life in Paris doesn't prepare you for that kind of interaction, where everyone keeps to themselves. They helped me open right up straight away and I thank them for it.

+ Holly from Avenue Lifestyle I met right after Dietlind's workshop while I was taking some pics. As soon as she said "Oh, I'm sorry, was my foot in your shot?" I knew she was a lovely Australian! She now lives in picturesque Delft with her little, gorgeous family and takes beautiful pictures of really stunning houses.
+ Also at the end of Dietlind's workshop I mustered the courage to go say hello to Anne from Anne's Kitchen. I'd commented on a post saying I would do so, which was not only the first post of hers I read but was also a recap of the cover story she'd recently done for a magazine I'd just recently discovered and loved, The Simple Things. I was so happy to have come across her, her blog and the chance to say hi in person at the conference. Do yourself a favour and clear 2 and a half minutes to watch this gorgeous video of her preparing a macaron recipe post. She's currently self-producing a television series on eating and cooking in London for her home country Luxembourg which I love following 'behind-the-scenes' on her Instagram.
+ Bronwyn, who produces the cutest travel log book for mini travellers, sat next to me one session and of course quickly we worked out we were both Australian, also, and flew into a discussion comparing blogging reception in Europe to home. Her log books, 'Simply for Flying' were in everyone's goody bags so I luckily have one to give to my nephew.
+ Judith from Joelix.com mentioned me in a Tweet (as to why I won't mention now, but the tweet does give it  away) and I "thank-you" replied saying that I'd love to do it in person, so she invited me to look out for someone wearing pink glasses. She was someone I'd been following on Twitter for a while and had admired from afar so I was really nervous to approach her but she was so sweet I'm really glad I did.
+ Scrolling through the #hive13 tag on Instagram I came across this pic, which stopped me in my tracks! How could someone's notes be that awesome! I was so very embarrassed by my scribbles. And then, a little while later, I was sitting on some raised seating and I look down and there was more of the same amazing notes! So I poked the woman holding the pen and she happened to be Elise, a French woman living in Copenhagen and one really beautiful creative lady.
+ Waiting for Dietlind to start I sat next to the really sweet Giova from One Bunting Away, who had the most adorable sewing-machine stitched business card. While chatting to her, her friend beside her asked what my name was and after I gave it she said "Oh, we follow each other on Instagram! I'm Jillian in Italy!" She then gave me her fun button magnet "card". I'm still in awe at how brilliantly crafty these two women are and how (seemingly) easily they travel with their families!
+ As we waited for day two to start I sat next to a pretty girl in a hot pink blazer. I was wearing my cherry-red blazer and I told her that I liked how our blazers looked together. At the end of the day, when the conference was over, she sought me out and said she'd wanted to meet me (again, for a reason I won't delve into now) and that she didn't realise it was me sitting next to her that morning. Her name was Andreea, which is also my sister's name, and runs a very cute fashion and lifestyle blog, Stylish Dreams.
+ Lastly, Danielle and I had the pleasure of meeting Tobia from Craftaliciousme, a newby to blogging like me, but so friendly and enthusiastic. She was so kind, she helped Danielle and I around on the U-Bahn at the end of the conference so we could go play tourist without getting horribly lost.

Erin Loechner via Google Hangout

All the food you could fit into your stomach and as many bottles of yummy soda you could pop open were provided by the Betahaus team both days, and on the Saturday evening they called in reinforcements to put on a bbq dinner for those at the conference that wanted to spend more time connecting with each other. (What actually happened was that Anne, Danielle and I went for a margarita apéro and then, back at the dinner, Danielle and I sat in a corner talking each others ears off and gossiping. But, that in itself was really very fun.)

Never in all my life had I been in the presence of such a kind, inspiring and encouraging group of women. It astounded me how willing each attendee was to give up any snippet of knowledge they possessed to support the person sitting next to them and how easily well-known, established bloggers mixed and mingled with those just starting out. Nobody was too important or too established - everyone was there to have a great time and celebrate something that we all love to do - blog, share and be creative.

xx