Thoughts on looking for a Scrapbook Mentor

This morning there was a thread over at 2Peas about 'What do you look for in a mentor'? The questions asked were these:

What do you look for in a mentor?
publishing experience?
winner of a major contest?
length of time in the industry?
position in the industry?
style of work similar to your own?
someone who can answer your questions?
someone who will critique your work?
total honesty rather than ego-stroking?
depends on what you are looking to achieve?
What makes a good mentor?
What makes a good mentee?

This was my answer:
I would like someone that has published experience (either mag. or DT). A style similar to my own, yes. Also understanding that I am trying to GROW within my own style and step outside my 'box'. A mentor has got to at least TRY to answer my questions. LOL Someone that would critique my work with TOTAL honesty. I don't need my ego stroked. I just want to improve my scrapping. What am I looking to achieve? Hmmmm, I've only just started submitting - so that is a tough one. Yes, I would like to be published or make an online DT. I doubt I have what it takes to make a Manf. DT.
My idea of a good mentor is all that above.
As a mentee, I should listen and be open to constructive criticism. Be willing to try new things. Be able to step outside my 'box'.

However, I really have NO idea about how to find a mentor. Everyone says to email someone and ask them. OK. However, I am not one of those scrappers that takes note of every person that is on a design team already or has publishing experience. I want someone that has a good eye for design and can help me grow. I don't want to make EVERY page I scrap into something that is 'publish worthy'. I still like my clean and simple style. However, with that said, I've been trying to stretch myself within my scrapping. An example would be the sketch challenge I completed. When I first looked at it I was taken aback thinking I can't do that! It did take some time and brain power to work out the details. Yet, it was fun, I learned I COULD do it and I have a page I am thrilled to put into my son's album. It didn't turn out to be that 'hard' after all. So I know I have it within me someWHERE, for this "old dog to learn new tricks". Plus I love learning new things and constantly challenging myself to grow within this hobby that I love.

So now onto the task of finding that mentor. That almost seems like a larger challenge than just scrapping a new page!