Dear Oprah,
Your business empire has excited and empowered women for many years. We appreciate your humble beginnings and your never-say-die attitude in making your way to the top. Whether harnessing your television audience, your crazy good business sense, or wide-reaching network, your big ideas and passion for change are a big inspiration to me and my community.
My community, you ask? That’s the very purpose of this letter!
My community is the creative thinkers, makers, and designers of the indie craft & design movement. And Oprah, we’re ready for you.
It’s time the lid is lifted off this goldmine of passionate, empowered, and assertive women (and dudes). It’s time that the world knows that China isn’t the only place that things are made. It’s time that consumers begin a love affair with the things they buy and not the quantity of stuff they buy.
And the makers & designers of the indie biz movement make great stuff. They produce beautiful products with engaging stories – original designs with innovative ideas – clever stuff with thoughtful details. You can shop in a variety of online venues – including my favorites Etsy and Supermarket – where you can buy directly from the maker. Many artists also run their own stores. Others sell at craft markets or in independent galleries & boutiques.
Although these women are working hard at promoting their wares & services, they are facing an uphill battle against big box stores, mass production, instant gratification, and a society that values quantity over quality. Oprah, these women need your help. They need your inspiration, your thumbs up, and your ability to shift the tide of American consumerism.
Your suggestion, word, or endorsement would do nothing less than change the lives of hundreds – thousands – of creative women (and dudes) who are seeking a more meaningful way of doing business, making a profit, and creating social change. It’s change we can believe in – the kind of change that lifts people up spiritually & financially and the kind of change that makes the world a more beautiful place.
We would be happy to open our community to you – and anyone who is interested in becoming more mindful of the things they consume and the way they spend their money. We want to share our stories & our passion with the world. We want to find a place in modern society for handcrafted, thoughtfully designed wares.
Thanks for your time and consideration.
A fan,
Tara Gentile
Scoutie Girl
owner, Scout Creative Media, llc
tara_gentile on Skype
images above from top-left, clockwise:
chicago skyline spoon ring by RiffRaffCrafts
my kind of town eco-felt pillow by DiffractionFiber
chicago flag bowls by CircaCeramics
[image of Oprah via oprah.com]
Tara Gentile is a business coach and blogger serving passion-driven entrepreneurs with fresh ideas about 
Tara I love the way you think! If we have big ideas, we need to reach big targets. I have long admired Oprah for these same qualities, and I have a feeling she’ll embrace your message.
thanks jess! it really seems like a perfect idea for her to get behind!
tara, i love it!
you have such a way with words, and i think your message will be received loud and clear. though i’m sure oprah will be happy to open her door to you (to us!), i’m so inspired seeing you kick down this door
i can’t wait to see what becomes of this… so exciting!
thanks, liz! i’ve got my toes crossed since i’m too busy with my fingers trying to get the word out!
Awesome! Thank you!
welcome!
If this were facebook, I would ‘like’ this a million times! Bravo, Tara dear!
thanks so much krista! there’s nothing we can do it we work towards it together.
(cliche… but true!)
Tara thank you! I have been thinking about this for months, one show on Oprah highlighting the indie community would give handmade the boost it needs. The community is in line with so much that she believes; following your passion, thoughtful consumption, and innovative products. I sincerely hope that before the Oprah show comes to an end the handmade community is featured.
yes! it’s long past time she gets involved. there is just nothing about this movement that doesn’t fit her ideals.
You couldn’t have said it better.
thanks, tina! i appreciate your help!
AMEN sister. This is what I’m talking about! YES!
thanks, evelyn! always appreciate your support!!
My one-year-old daughter Monet was sitting in bed with my husband and I, and as I read this aloud to him, inspiration in my voice, my daughter Monet started clapping. I think she knows that you are making changes for her, for the day she too is an artists in our society. Thank you, I too am giving you a standing ovation.
Thank you for this Tara! For standing up for us, inspiring us, and giving us a push when we start to get discouraged.
Can I publish this on my blog today and link back to you? I want to help spread your message, “this communities” message, and this beautiful letter you wrote! Please let me know if there is anything else I can do to help. Really, this is awesome!
P.S. Did I mention I’m from IL. Chicago is amazing; full of fine food, culture, art, and recreation. It’s one of my absolute favorite cities in the whole US.
oh angela, that made me a little weepy!
you’re right – and i’m sorry to say i don’t even think about it that way… i’m very “now” focused as a human being. but these changes are for our children. they’re for a new generation of crafters & artists & creative people AND for a new generation of consumers.
of course you can republish it!!
thanks!
p.s. most of my “must see” cities are on the east coast or west coast but chicago is definitely up there. it really seems to offer a LOT!
Amen!
Well done! Go handmade & mindful consuming!
Yeah, Tara!! Go indie artists!
I’m not sure if you heard Oprah’s podcast/discussion on her Spirit Channel with Daniel Pink. He talks about how artistic, empathic skills are becoming more valued, and soon, professional success will belong to the right brainers! I strongly suggest his book “A Whole New Mind.” When I first decided I wanted to “be an artist” for a career, I got so much crap from people. “You’ll never make it…” “Oh, you want to be a STARVING artist??” These words only pushed me further to my success as an independent illustrator and designer.
Right now, I can honestly say that because of this whole shift with the indie/handmade movement (plus a lot of faith and hard work!) I can support myself on my art’s income alone.
We are at the brink of a new and amazing artistic awakening…
Go forth, indie crafters!!!
thanks for the book rec, katie!
yeah, i’ve taken that “crap” and turned it into ambition & power too. cliches suck. but, often, they’re unnecessarily true. we need to break ourselves out of this “poor artist” shell and embrace our skills for what they really are: something the vast majority of people WISH they had.
hello?! THAT’S MONEY!
and I agree, we’re at a tipping point with this. we need to push push push until we hit it and then reap the rewards. thanks for your support!
The time is ripe, Tara! Thank you so much for being a champion and knocking on Oprah’s door : D
Katie, I love the energy in your work! It reminds me so much of Amy Butler’s creations before she got into patterns and fabric.
tara, genius as always. i love this letter, and i hope oprah gets the chance to read it! let’s get it into her hands
bring the world over to handmade, it really is beautiful over here!
What a great idea! and, really well said. Thanks so much for doing this!
This is brilliant! So well written – thanks for putting this out there!
Love it! Wouldn’t it be great if she did a favorite things style show all about indie makers? Or searched Etsy for accessories to use in makeovers? Or both? Somebody needs to teach Oprah to knit. Now that would change the crafty world.
Thanks, Tara! Toes crossed here too!
What a great idea. It’s way past time that Oprah helped do for indie artists what she did for reading. This is an amazingly well-written letter too.
I wonder if Oprah has ever crafted? I would be interested to know!
Wonderfully well written and what a crazy amazingly big and brilliant idea! Love this!
-Kristen
This is a fabulous idea! Years ago I wanted to submit my porcelain candleholders to Oprahs favorite things!!!!!!!!!
Go indie!!!!!
Yay, you go girl! We all have to work together to get the word out, to educate people about the differences between massed produced by machines (most often outside of North America) and hand made with passion and love and care and attention right here on our own soil, stimulating the economy, helping moms to be able to stay at home and raise their children.
Bridget
oops! that should read *mass produced*
Bravo! Will spread the word. ;D
Fantastic Idea!!! This would be so amazing for crafters around America to be seen and heard! In these trying times small craft buisnesses needs to know that they have a chance to make it, and this is an amazing way to make that happen. Thanks so much for your support to all crafters and for putting this into writing so perfectly!!!
Mary
Tara, you’re brilliant! Your letter to Oprah is a remarkable and touching inspiration for all of us. Thank you for supporting our handmade movement. As artisans we can’t compete with China in price, but we’re certainly heads and shoulders above them in quality and thoughtfulness.
Love your blog. Keep it coming!
Wonderfully written, Tara! Thank you!!!
Hey Tara,
Just make sure you tell us when YOU’RE going to be on her show getting the word out!
Genius! What a fabulous letter. On behalf of all of us who sit quietly in our little corners, working to make the world a better and more beautiful place, thank you!! And a big hug, too!
Unbelievable! you are a genius, I would have never thought of doing this. Like you said “if anyone can promote this it’s Oprah” Thank you for speaking up for all of US!
Oh that is genius!!! And the letter is soooo well written!
I am off to spread the word:)
*applauds*
Whoooo! Yes!
I agree, and if Oprah will take notice of all of us crafty crafters, we might start a revolution!
{ when Oprah “discovered” Carol’s Daughter that business exploded! An interesting article “The Oprah Effect”: http://www.cnbc.com/id/29961298/ }
Thank you Tara! I hope Oprah reads your letter….. and yeah, let us know when to tune in! 8^)
~diana
Thanks for being such an inspiration and team cheerleader for the indie movement Tara! Great letter!
Awesome letter! I so hope that this comes to her table and she reads what movement that is happening around the world. I can say as a Canadian artist, this letter represents all the hard working artists that work so hard in our country. Together, we must stop the belief that all things in this world need to be made in China. Why is this world so held up in the con that having more is always better? Where did the passion go regarding what we value and love towards art that is made in our countries? I hope that our indie voices are heard and that the women and men of North America will come to appreciate all of the hard work that goes into our products. Awesome Tara…just awesome!!
Wow! Awesome! Way to go Tara! Your letter has such great energy and focus, getting the word out now!
Bravo!!!
I love the Indie world. It has inspired me so much. I have always wanted my own business……to be creative…….and break away from the bordom of corporate nonsense.
I found what I needed within the Indie world. The crafty creative people of this world have inspired me and I have learned so much from their blogs that I am thankful everyday for this world. It would be great if we were recognized on a different level.
Luv, luv your blog!
Wonderful Idea!!! Well done!
I love it! Oprah has the Midas touch. She needs to get behind the handmade movement…or at least give us a friendly nod.
Unbelievably brilliant! Thank you so much for all that you do to keep our world steadily moving along. This letter to Oprah is beautifully written and is so inspiring! If only Oprah and her people would get behind this I just know great things would happen!
Please keep up your great work. You inspire me every day to be better and go farther!
Wow Tara that’s an awesome letter! Took the words right out of our collective mouths. Thank you for saying what we’re all thinking!
xo
Amy
well said Tara.
You will get through.
If not this time then the next. Or the time after that. Or after that.
But you will get through.
I just want give you kudos again Tara, this letter is brilliant from all angles & my fingers are crossed for you, all of us.
I wish you great success in reaching oprah….She is amazing and so are you!! Namaste
So awesome that you sent this, and well said! Thanks so much for spreading the word about our community.
Huzzah!!!! Bravo!!!! Brilliantly said!!! I am off to retweet and help get the word out. Thank you, Tara, for giving all of us Indie biz women (and dudes) such a beautiful, articulate voice.
Wow, Tara, this gave me goosebumps! I hope you sent this to Oprah’s people!
Tara, a simple thank you isn’t enough. Know that I stand humbly yet powerfully next to you with these thoughts.
Thank you so much for writing this great letter. I hope that Oprah does get this, and gives our little corner of the world some exposure. I’m off to retweet this as well. xo
Well said!
Thank you for being a wonderful and positive voice for us!
Off to tweet this
THANK YOU!! This is long overdue. Yay for you!! I am also off to re-twitter.
Tara, I’ve crossed everything I can. X-D
(and I’d keep crossing my eyes if I could) lol
Great letter and very much to the point, well written, thanks. I hope you hear back!
It’s brave, it’s brazen, it’s good. Go girl!
Beautifully worded and spot on!! Thanks for being the voice of the brilliant & creative minds of the women (and dudes) of the world to the forefront!
Brava!!!
Every once in a while, somebody happens to have the appropriate drive, inspiration, and charisma to pull something like this off. A blessing on your head for writing this on our behalf, Tara, and for everything that you do for HaNdMaDe.
This is AWESOME Tara. You’ve taken the idea of marketing outside our niche to the extreme! Thanks for being the ambassador for all of us!
great letter!!! Go indie artists!
you go girl!
yay!
nice work tara! loving this letter
i gotta echo jessica – hoping you also submitted this directly on her site. i’ve heard that etsy has not been featured yet on oprah and i gotta say it’s time!!
crossing my fingers that a trip to chicago is in your near future with a lil stop by the harpo studios so you can represent for us all!
A++++ to you, Tara. What do you think of a letter writing campaign to Oprah? Was your letter e-mailed? Supposedly that’s how Martha Stewart started to notice Etsy sellers. I am concerned since Oprah is leaving the airwaves, isn’t she?
Regardless, thank YOU for your efforts.
Tara, I love the way you think! Tactful and passionate. Let’s do this!
Beautifully written! You are brilliant.
Yes yes yes yes YES!
Thanks for this letter… would like to see those of us who repurpose vintage items included by Oprah, too. We’re doing what we can to save beautiful vintage pieces AND the planet by giving them a second go at life.
Good job… best wishes!
Tara… thanks for this letter. I would like to see Oprah also include those of us Etsy sellers who repurpose and resell vintage items. We’re doing our part to give these treasures a second go at life… and save the planet in the process. Thanks again! Good luck… and best wishes!
Tara, you are so inspiring!!!
I have been following your blog for a while now and it has been such a blessing. There are days that I feel all alone in my way of thinking and then I read your post and it lifts up again.
A phrase that has become my mantra is to ‘LIVE Consciously’ and this I feel is what you are describing in your letter to Oprah. I make totes with that phrase on it and they have had such a great response by people in all walks of life… I think people are growing tired of the absent minded approach to living that we have gotten used to in our consumer driven society.
Thank you for speaking on behalf of indie crafters from all over the world… even all the way over here in Australia!
I love what you’ve written and you’ve addressed some really big problems with consumerism today, especially as it relates to the independent producer. I know that celebrity endorsement is a quick ticket to fame, but we, as producers, need to address the problem from a sustainable point of view that doesn’t require the quick fix of a famous person. Reeducating consumers about quality, and having all of society value individualism through purchasing and displaying one of a kind, or unique goods would be a start. We need to make having something original coveted as much as the mass produced designer hand bag.
How do we do that? By quitting our media driven addictions and desires to fit in by being the same as everyone else, perhaps.
Hi Roberta – I agree that celebrity endorsement is not the ticket to long-term growth & the reeducation of modern society. But Oprah isn’t just any celebrity. She has actually reeducated a large part of society. She’s taken things from trendy to normal.
Indie craft has done an amazing job of building a movement. But we’re at a tipping point – and we need someone mainstream to tip us over so that we can reach a new segment. Some people just won’t listen until they hear it out of the mouth of someone they trust.
I think Oprah is the perfect fit.
Such a clever and well written letter. I’m linking to this on Facebook. Thank you for being such a wonderful source of inspiration.
Are you familiar with the saying, ” from your lips to God’s ears?”
Well, ” from your pen to Oprah’s eyes!”
Warmly,
Grace
Brilliant!!!!!!!
Hi,
Brilliant idea and it will not just effect Indie designers in America, but all over the world. Oprah is huge everywhere and her Empire extends across the universe. If she took this idea on board imagine the ripples………
Thank you
Oh wow I was just thinking about this the other night while watching Oprah and there you are actually ding it! Well done you and thank you!
BTW I am a brit and it certainly would help all over the world, we just need to make handmade mainstream.
Big Box stores are struggling (exception would be Wallmart). But, as more and more people have the “Coach” products of the world ,the people who thought they were so elite being the only ones who could afford them are looking for originals. In smallish numbers now but the tide is turning to bespoken goods. Your wish just may come true and Oprah could be just the push the world needs! Bravo!
This is brilliant and about time too! Thank you for being such an inspiration to us all!
Tara, once again you are an inspiration to all of us indie designers and store owners. What a great, well written letter. Thank you so very much for always being a supporter!!
Hello, Tara,
I recently discovered your lovely blog – and I am 100% behind you on this! Not beeing from USA I hope you will post a follow up if there is any response from Oprah.
Handmade rules!
Way to think really big Tara! Thank goodness there are leaders out there to get us going in the right direction. Nice work!
http://theartistshouse.blogspot.com/2010/06/letter-to-oprah.html
Love you Tara! Thanks again!
what a nicely put, well written sentiment! you’re on to something there… we’ve already got Martha Stewart on our side! Did you see this month’s issue of MS Weddings? A whole page dedicated to etsy sellers. bravo!
well said, Tara!
Thanks for the letter to Oprah, Tara.
Personally, I’d like to have a studio day with Oprah! She’s so open minded to new experiences, i imagine she understands the passion behind indie creating! Making things with our own hands makes us appreciate hand made so much more, even that which isn’t our own medium.
Beautifully written to express my exact thoughts and emotions. Thank you Tara!!
[...] she wrote an open letter to Oprah yesterday, asking her to shine some light on the creative thinkers, makers, and designers of the [...]
AWESOME … bless you!
I went to Oprah’s website and wrote a letter about your letter
I figured it can’t hurt. Here is the link to their contact page if anyone is interested: http://www.oprah.com/contact_us.html.
Hoping, crossing fingers, and really inspired to think bigger than I normally think
-Kristen
Great sentiment, well said! Off to Tweet it!
Yeah, Oprah, Join us in the Handmade Revolution!!
Excellent post, Tara, as usual! I hope she reads this
Fabulous! Oprah is definitely a game changer and I can only imagine what would happen in the hand made/ indie biz world if she got behind it like she has texting & driving. Thanks for your boldness, Tara and taking us along with you on the ride!
[...] Mother/Daughter ‘Upcycle’ Queens of Magazine Street @ GoNOLA.com an open letter to oprah @ Scoutie Girl DIY Bottle Cap Earrings @ A Beautiful Mess Style Swap: The Cloud Skirt @ paper n [...]
Thank you for posting this, Tara! You’re right on about our consumer culture and valuing quantity over quality. When high profile folks like Oprah started changing the dialogue, that’s when the majority of folks are going to listen.
Scoutie Girl you ROCK!
xx
callie
OPRAH BABY! You want us! You really really want us! We are the indie spirit! We are the vibe of reality rushing through the world. Please look at us! We are shining here! We are instilling the entrepreneurial spirit in our children! We are saving the earth! We Love you woman! xoxoxox
http://www.littlealouette.etsy.com
xoxoxoxox as ever, Amy
I agree 100% that Oprah has an unprecedented ability to mold opinions and shape buying patterns! Been saying it for years, “when Oprah finds me”…but I’ve never tried to get her attention…good for YOU!
That was great! Very well written.
Here’s to quality over quantity and bringing the manufacturing/making of ourselves back home. Maybe Oprah will hear your call, I certainly hope so!
I have ALWAYS admired and respected Oprah. In my book she’s the tops.
Would love to see her reaction to our handmade movement.
This is fantastic and I could not agree more! My motto has always been to “support the locals” and that can reach from one side of the country to the other! As we have seen today with NateDay our design community can make things happen!
I LOVE this idea. I think all of us bloggers should write an open letter to Oprah and encourage her to explore independent businesses.
Indie businesses not only do so much for our local economies, but each has a unique and interesting story to share.
There are stories of hard work, stories of diligence, stories of creativity and responsibility, business tips to be shared, mentoring insights to be gained…it would be a win-win for Oprah as the sharing would be GREAT entertainment, information and advice for all her followers.
Huge applause, Tara! Quantity over quality has become such a huge part of today’s lifestyle. Why buy a well-made piece of clothing by someone treated fairly in my community when we could buy 5 that won’t last very long and were made by people treated horribly in a land far, far from where I live? Hmmm – WHY?
I would love to see this movement grow with such a beautiful, powerful woman!
Katie
Hear, hear!
How do you subscribe to your blog in a reader? Your site doesn’t come up under Google Reader’s “add a subscription.”
Cheers!
Tara – I hope to see you on one of Oprah’s lovely couches soon!! Very well done & thank you for being such an ambassador of the handmade community.
Beautifully written, Tara. Couldn’t have said it better myself
Good luck to you!
I agree! A beautifully written and thought out letter, Tara! I hope this letter reaches Oprah’s eyes and ears soon.
I had just read an article the other day about how men don’t “get” Etsy and handmade and don’t care where the product comes from. I think we all should start caring more about these things and people like you are making this happen, step by step. This is a wonderful initiative, I hope this letter will reach its target
[...] blog, Big Thinking for Small Businesses, or I’d never get to my day job today! I did read her open letter to Oprah, which brought me to my discovery – Supermarket! How I’ve managed to miss this online [...]
I’m so glad I found your blog Tara – it is truly inspiring! And this letter to Oprah is just what the creative community needs. Big thanks for championing this “cause”.
I think we also need to let her know that by promoting meaningful ways of consuming we’re also promoting the idea that each and every person can find ways to lead active creative lives. The craft community runs deep (from sellers to instructors to bloggers to mindful buyers) – let’s hope Oprah hears all our voices!
hi tara.
you are creative with words which makes them inspirating. this is also excellant because you did not pick a common topic. you are different.
i love you work and well done.
p.s. did you get a reply from oprah.
Glad I found your site Tara – some interesting articles.
I was just wondering – did you get a response to this letter? It would be good to have a response …
[...] Gentile’s open letter to Oprah (and pretty much every other thing she [...]