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Sunday, June 26, 2011
Watercolor
Friday, June 3, 2011
So...
I got an android the other day. Expect more posts since not only does android have a nifty ap for Etsy, but one for blogger as well. Plus I can add pics right from my phone! Got to love smart phones!
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Willow Tree
Browsing around Etsy today I discovered a shop that has done something that I have been trying to do for a while... and so simply too.
Willow Tree Minerals has a theme, and they stick to it. And since they sell hand made makeup that isn't as easy as you would think. How many ways are there to show a tube of chap stick or a bottle of foundation?
Their theme is nature. They took four things from nature: leaves, bugs, trees, flowers) and used them to create visually interesting setting to show their product. It is a great lesson in using abstract displays for your product.
It really is an amazing way to show off your work. I love it.
What's your theme?
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Keep the Creativity Alive
Some great tips by Pikaland about keeping your artistic creativity going.
Some of my favorites from her (paraphrased):
A couple of my own:
Some of my favorites from her (paraphrased):
- Fuel it with something new.
- Get a pattern going.
- Get some organization going.
- Keep lots of sketch/notebooks around for random thoughts.
- Pick something to focus on.
- Practice, practice, practice.
A couple of my own:
- Look at other peoples work to get fresh perspectives and ideas.
- Look at your old work and see how you can improve it now.
- Go for a walk down to the local shops and find something you can improve.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Blog Away
I've been so busy with school that Etsy has fallen by the wayside. Which is kind of terrible since I've actually had more ideas, more sketches/drawings, and more orders.
I have finished several more designs. I will need to post some items tonight.
Right now I'll give a teaser: squid, octipi, starfish.... think ocean!
I have finished several more designs. I will need to post some items tonight.
Right now I'll give a teaser: squid, octipi, starfish.... think ocean!
Monday, February 21, 2011
Etsy Interview
Cookalas House Of Cards is filled with beautiful jewelry, and collage artwork. I wanted to get an idea of how she gets her inspiration and how she works.
What inspires you?
Color. Nature. A field of flowers, the salt scented air of the ocean, icicles glinting in the sunlight. Anything beautiful or colorful speaks to me, and makes me want to capture its essence.
Where do you work?
In a small, 6x6 alcove in my bedroom. It’s difficult, and always an awful mess! But I make do. I have 2 walls and a window wall – one wall is stacked floor to ceiling with my art supplies, my worktable is against the opposite wall, more stuff is piled under the window wall. It’s hard for me to just create when the whim strikes. If I’m making jewelry, the table and floor is piled with supplies I need, which I keep in gallon zip baggies and content labeled boxes. If I want to switch to art, I have to put all the jewelry stuff away and then take out all the art supplies I need. The setup is definitely conducive to creating when the whim strikes, but it is what it is and I work around it as best I can.
How do you find time for your crafting?
Well, honestly, I haven’t been making art for some time because I can’t find the time. I do make jewelry often, though, to keep my shop filled so my customers have lots to choose from. Jewelry gets made faster than art – it’s just a question of putting together the different beads and findings, and then stinging them together.
Metalsmithing is a different ball of wax – I do that outside on a large wooden table on the patio when the weather is warm enough because of the noise it makes and because it involved fire and chemicals. (I’m upstairs, so it’s really annoying to the downstairs people.)
The artwork is harder to sit down and make because promoting my Etsy shop chews up a large part of my free time, though that is going to change. I am an artist before all else, and that part of my nature must out if I’m to have any peace. I have a deep need to always be creating something of beauty. Jewelry fulfills that need to an extent, but my heart really lies with my mixed media and assemblage creations. So I’ve just recently come to the decision that I am going to put the jewelry away, limit my time on-line promoting my shop, and make time to make art because I have neglected that part of my nature for far too long now – almost 6 months. It’s time to get back to it!
What’s your day job?
I retired in 2009 after 38 years as a public servant. When I retired I was a Network Administrator but did so much more than just that. I kept the servers running, supervised the help desk, did the major software and hardware troubleshooting and also created data base applications for my agency. You could say I was a Jill of all trades.
Best marketing tip?
Create a shop blog, and use the social media such as Twitter and Facebook to promote, promote, promote. Also, make it your business to have excellent quality photographs of what you’re selling.
What inspires you?
Color. Nature. A field of flowers, the salt scented air of the ocean, icicles glinting in the sunlight. Anything beautiful or colorful speaks to me, and makes me want to capture its essence.
Where do you work?
In a small, 6x6 alcove in my bedroom. It’s difficult, and always an awful mess! But I make do. I have 2 walls and a window wall – one wall is stacked floor to ceiling with my art supplies, my worktable is against the opposite wall, more stuff is piled under the window wall. It’s hard for me to just create when the whim strikes. If I’m making jewelry, the table and floor is piled with supplies I need, which I keep in gallon zip baggies and content labeled boxes. If I want to switch to art, I have to put all the jewelry stuff away and then take out all the art supplies I need. The setup is definitely conducive to creating when the whim strikes, but it is what it is and I work around it as best I can.
How do you find time for your crafting?
Well, honestly, I haven’t been making art for some time because I can’t find the time. I do make jewelry often, though, to keep my shop filled so my customers have lots to choose from. Jewelry gets made faster than art – it’s just a question of putting together the different beads and findings, and then stinging them together.
Metalsmithing is a different ball of wax – I do that outside on a large wooden table on the patio when the weather is warm enough because of the noise it makes and because it involved fire and chemicals. (I’m upstairs, so it’s really annoying to the downstairs people.)
The artwork is harder to sit down and make because promoting my Etsy shop chews up a large part of my free time, though that is going to change. I am an artist before all else, and that part of my nature must out if I’m to have any peace. I have a deep need to always be creating something of beauty. Jewelry fulfills that need to an extent, but my heart really lies with my mixed media and assemblage creations. So I’ve just recently come to the decision that I am going to put the jewelry away, limit my time on-line promoting my shop, and make time to make art because I have neglected that part of my nature for far too long now – almost 6 months. It’s time to get back to it!
What’s your day job?
I retired in 2009 after 38 years as a public servant. When I retired I was a Network Administrator but did so much more than just that. I kept the servers running, supervised the help desk, did the major software and hardware troubleshooting and also created data base applications for my agency. You could say I was a Jill of all trades.
Best marketing tip?
Create a shop blog, and use the social media such as Twitter and Facebook to promote, promote, promote. Also, make it your business to have excellent quality photographs of what you’re selling.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Would you like to be interviewed?
I'm curious how others get their artwork bought, sold, and marketed. I am really, REALLY curious how other people get noticed. So, to that end, I want to start doing a weekly interview with fellow crafters/artists/etsyians and anyone else who sells their own work.
I have a list of questions I'll be asking, and sending them via email. Maybe even a phone conversation or two. It really depends how things go.
This is new for me so I am sure it will be a learning experience also.
I have a list of questions I'll be asking, and sending them via email. Maybe even a phone conversation or two. It really depends how things go.
This is new for me so I am sure it will be a learning experience also.
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