My friend and mentor Barbara Lewis is offering on line tutorials for all of us who just can't get to one of her classes. She is funny and talented and generous to share all her knowledge with us. Knowing her has changed my artwork forever and I appreciate all her support over the last year. SO GO WATCH THE VIDEO! The video shows her shop set up..we would all love to have one like this. A whole giant room...vs a corner in the basement! I'd be like a kid in a candy store if I got in there. She would have to check my pockets to make sure stuff didn't magically disappear when I left. hee hee
Barbara Lewis - Painting with Fire Artwear: eCourse Introduction: Studio Walkthrough: Over the past year, I've received requests to teach Painting with Fire Workshops from so many nice people across the country. I wish I coul...
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
What it is like to sell handmade on line....
I'm in a few groups on line and everyone always gets frustrated about why nothing is moving from their shops. You get lots of traffic and views but almost no sales. This doesn't mean what you make isn't nice/pretty/well made etc. As I thought about it I came up with this:
That is what selling on line is like too, but multiplied by thousands of other booths!
So don't get discouraged. When I first started to make and sell things I was one of a few now I am one of many. I RARELY get a sale in my stores. My best customers love to pick up, try on, touch and talk to me about the pieces I make. Once I do sell on line to someone they will buy again, but getting that first sale is the hardest thing to do. Think of what you are trying to do like the tortoise and the hare..guess what we are all the tortoise!
And as Dori the fish said...Just keep swimming!
If
you've ever done a show think about how many people walk right by your
booth and don't stop...they see you but don't want what you sell...then
there are the ones who stop look at your stuff and act like it is poison
and burns their eyes..then there is the
one who stops and looks at everything you have and shows you a stretchy
crystal bracelet she bought for $2 at the Dollar Store and wants to
know if you have anything like it...then the next one looks at and tries
on everything and walks away or buys the one pair of $5 earrings you
marked on sale. If you are lucky a few people come in, love your stuff
and buy a few things and then goes to get a friend and she buys some
stuff too. And maybe, MAYBE they look for you at the next show and
bring another friend who loves what you make too ....if they don't get
sidetracked at another booth first and spend all their money.
That is what selling on line is like too, but multiplied by thousands of other booths!
So don't get discouraged. When I first started to make and sell things I was one of a few now I am one of many. I RARELY get a sale in my stores. My best customers love to pick up, try on, touch and talk to me about the pieces I make. Once I do sell on line to someone they will buy again, but getting that first sale is the hardest thing to do. Think of what you are trying to do like the tortoise and the hare..guess what we are all the tortoise!
And as Dori the fish said...Just keep swimming!
Monday, February 13, 2012
What's Happening
So, I have made a few things out of my bead soup beads, but you won't get even a hint here about what. You will have to check back on reveal day. I challenged myself and did a new technique with some of it.
Yesterday I had two really great things happen. I woke up to get ready to go to breakfast and an antique show with my friend Paula Provenzano. We were having breakfast at First Watch then up to the Cintas Center at Xavier University for the first Cincinnati Indoor Antique Market. I got a few bargains and found a jewelry box to use as part of my display at shows. I have been looking for unique items for jewelry display and loved the way this one opens to reveal several levels and drawers. It will make it easy for me to do a mini trunk show at the salon I work at as well. Just open it up and show off jewelry to potential customers. I love poking around and looking in all the booths and bins for bits and pieces to add to my jewelry designs as well.
Like I always do, I opened up my email while I drank my first giant cup of coffee to see that I was featured on a blog by Barbara Lewis of Painting with Fire. She had sent an email with some questions awhile ago and life got a bit too busy for me to respond. I sent her an apology and once the first of the year hit I sat down to answer her back. I was really honored and surprised to be asked. I mean, I'm just Lynnea in Cincinnati making stuff...who'd want to read about me? But, I answered the questions and as I did I realized there are people like me all over. Making stuff....not sure where they are headed. So I had to say....Why not me?
I've been doing a lot of reorganizing and restructuring my webpages and blogs and stores as my work has evolved in the last year. I have a few close friends who insist I call what I do art, so I have in fact started to use that word more when I describe the creations I make. I was looking thru an old photobucket album and realizing that what I sold even 3 years ago is almost unrecognizable as my work today. My friend Paula said maybe that whack on the head in my car accident was a really good thing! I had to laugh, but could have really done without that whack thank you very much!
I really appreciate all the support I am receiving from my family and friends and the arts community both local and virtual. I never dreamed that I'd be doing what I do now and have anyone notice it, let alone someone who wrote a book know who I am! I'm looking forward to 2012 and seeing what I create and how my work continues to evolve.
As I said in my interview....there is no wrong in art! Make what you love.
Yesterday I had two really great things happen. I woke up to get ready to go to breakfast and an antique show with my friend Paula Provenzano. We were having breakfast at First Watch then up to the Cintas Center at Xavier University for the first Cincinnati Indoor Antique Market. I got a few bargains and found a jewelry box to use as part of my display at shows. I have been looking for unique items for jewelry display and loved the way this one opens to reveal several levels and drawers. It will make it easy for me to do a mini trunk show at the salon I work at as well. Just open it up and show off jewelry to potential customers. I love poking around and looking in all the booths and bins for bits and pieces to add to my jewelry designs as well.
Like I always do, I opened up my email while I drank my first giant cup of coffee to see that I was featured on a blog by Barbara Lewis of Painting with Fire. She had sent an email with some questions awhile ago and life got a bit too busy for me to respond. I sent her an apology and once the first of the year hit I sat down to answer her back. I was really honored and surprised to be asked. I mean, I'm just Lynnea in Cincinnati making stuff...who'd want to read about me? But, I answered the questions and as I did I realized there are people like me all over. Making stuff....not sure where they are headed. So I had to say....Why not me?
I've been doing a lot of reorganizing and restructuring my webpages and blogs and stores as my work has evolved in the last year. I have a few close friends who insist I call what I do art, so I have in fact started to use that word more when I describe the creations I make. I was looking thru an old photobucket album and realizing that what I sold even 3 years ago is almost unrecognizable as my work today. My friend Paula said maybe that whack on the head in my car accident was a really good thing! I had to laugh, but could have really done without that whack thank you very much!
I really appreciate all the support I am receiving from my family and friends and the arts community both local and virtual. I never dreamed that I'd be doing what I do now and have anyone notice it, let alone someone who wrote a book know who I am! I'm looking forward to 2012 and seeing what I create and how my work continues to evolve.
As I said in my interview....there is no wrong in art! Make what you love.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Is It Soup Yet?
Well, I got my bead soup ingredients the other day from my partner Mandi Ainsworth. We sent our beads out on Monday. Here is what I got:
A black and blue glass focal bead by Crystal Gilbert Lampwork Design, coordinating strands of beads and a dragonfly clasp (I happen to love dragonflys). She also sent me a beaded pen that she made.
I have been browsing thru my favorite inspiration sites to figure out what I want to do with my stash. Bracelet? Earrings? Necklace? All three? Guess you'll just have to check back and see on the Bead Soup Blog Reveal Day. If you want a sneak peak at what we all got..here is the list of participants:
Mandi is a fantastic seed bead artist, but I didn't send her any seed beads. If she is like me she has a large stash of them just waiting to be put to use. I did send her a lamp work heart focal bead with matching beads and an embossed key charm (I made all of them), assorted glass pearls and crystals and I added some copper chain and findings and sari silk. I can't wait to see what she comes up with!
1. Adlinah Kamsir (Kingdom of Bahrain) and Hajer Waheed (Singapore)
2. Adrienn Lukacs (Hungary) and Agata Grygiel (Poland)
3. Agi Kiss (Hungary) and Carolien Muller-Genger (the Netherlands)
4. Agnes Asztalos (Hungary) and B.R. Kuhlman
5. Alesha Conklin and Becki Mendivil
6. Alice Peterson and Carol Dillman
7. Alicia Marinache (Canada) and Dita Basu
9. Amanda Tibbetts and Andrea Trank
10. Amy Freeland and Kay Mallery
11. Andra Weber and Christine Murrow
12. Ann Sherwood and Diane Welte
13. Barbara Bechtel and Kerry Bogert
14. Barbara Lewis and Cat Pruitt
15. Bonnie Coursolle (Canada) and Fay Wolfenden (Canada)
16. Carmel McGinley (Australia) and Tracy Stillman (Australia)
17. Cassie Donlen and Deryn Mentock
18. Cathie Carroll and Janel Dudley
19. Cece Cormier and Morwyn Mullins
20. Charlene Jacka and Christina Hickman
21. Cheryl Brown (Canada) and Diana Ptaszynski
22. Christina Stofmeel (the Netherlands) and Eva Kovacs (Hungary)
23. Christine Damm and Deb Brooks
24. Cilla Watkins (Canada) and Elaine Robitaille (Canada)
25. Sabrina Straub (Switzerland) and Kathy Combs
27. Cory Celaya and Rhea Freitieg
28. Courtney Breul and Dana Hickey
29. Cynthia Abner and Jennifer Boreck
30. Cynthia Tucker and Jean Peter
31. Debbie Goering and Heidi Post
32. Dee Elgie (UK) and Joanne Lockwood (UK)
33. Dian Hierschel (Germany) and Eniko Fabian (Austria)
34. Diane Cook and Lyn Foley
35. Donna Bohler and Lisa Lodge
36. Donna Millard and Kiersten Giles
37. Doris Stumpf (Germany) and Eszter Czibulyas (Hungary)
38. Elisabeth Auld and Eva Sherman
39. Elke Leonhardt-Rath (Germany) and Marjolein Trewavas (UK)
40. Ema Kilroy and Laurie Keefe-Cecere
41. Erika Nooteboom (the Netherlands) and Giorgia Rossini (Italy)
42. Erin Grant and Jean Wells
43. Evelyn Duberry and Gaea Cannaday
44. Genea Crivello-Knable and Heather Powers
45. Ginger Bishop (military, Okinawa) and Martina Nagele (Germany)
46. Heidi Kingman and Lori Greenberg
47. Helen Kemp and Lisa Wangeman
48. Helene Goldberg (Australia) and Karen Vincent
49. Jamie Hogsett and Jeannie Dukic
50. Jeanette Ryan and Jelveh Jaferian
51. Jennifer Cameron and Tania Spivey
52. Jennifer Justman and Kari Carrigan
53. Jennifer Tough and Lorelei Eurto
54. Joanna Matuszczyk (Poland) and Julianna Kis (Hungary)
55. Joanne Tinley (UK) and Michaela Pabeschitz (Austria)
56. Julie Anne Leggett and Kelley Fogle
57. Karen Hess and Linda Landig
58. Karyn Bonfiglio and Kathleen Lange Klik
59. Kashmira Patel and Kat White
60. Kat Barron Miller and Kelly Morgan
61. Kathy Lindemer and Rose Binoya
62. Krafty Max and Sandra Miller
63. Kristen Latimer and Pam Ferrari
64. Kristie Roeder and Lea Avroch
65. Kristina Johansson (Sweden) and Penny Neville (Canada)
66. Krisztina Erlaki-Toth (Hungary) and Nicole Keller (Germany)
67. Lara Lutrick and Lisa Suver
68. Laura DeMoya and Lisa Hanna
69. Libby Leuchtman and Melanie Brooks
70. Linda Koch and Rosemarie Cowit
71. Lisa Chapman and Menka Gupta
72. Lisa Liddy and Marion Simmons
73. Lori Anderson and Marcie Abney
74. Lori Bowring-Michaud and Mary Govaars
75. Lori Dorrington and Maria Rosa Sharrow
76. Lori Finney (Canada) and Marie-Noel Voyer-Cramp (Canada)
77. Lynn Bennett and Mandi Ainsworth
78. Marta Kaczerowska (Poland) and Milla Starchik (Canada)
79. Mary Harding and Shannon LeVart
80. Mary Jane Dodd and Stacey Curry
81. Melinda Orr and Molly Alexander
83. Michelle Jensen (Canada) and Sandra Young (Canada)
84. Nan Emmett and Nicole Valentine-Rimmer (Canada)
85. Nancy Boylan and Suzette Bentley
86. Natasha Lutes and Patti Vanderbloemen
87. Pam Hurst and Rebekah Payne
88. Patty Miller and Sara Rhoades
89. Rebecca Anderson (UK) and Lori Anderson
90. Rebecca Sirevaag and Sharon Driscoll
91. Rochelle Brisson and Shannon Chomanczuk
92. Rosa Maria Cuevas (Mexico) and Tejae Floyde
93. Sabine Dittrich (Germany) and Sally Russick
94. Sandi Volpe and Sarah/Saturday Sequins
95. Shanti Johnson and Tracy Mok (Canada)
96. Skylar Brez and Theresa Buchle
97. Sonya Stille and Traci Zeller (Canada)
98. Stefanie Teufel (Germany) and Tania Hagen (New Zealand)
99. Stephanie LaRosa and Vonna Maslanka
Reveal day is March 3rd...
Mandi is a fantastic seed bead artist, but I didn't send her any seed beads. If she is like me she has a large stash of them just waiting to be put to use. I did send her a lamp work heart focal bead with matching beads and an embossed key charm (I made all of them), assorted glass pearls and crystals and I added some copper chain and findings and sari silk. I can't wait to see what she comes up with!
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Making Bead Soup!
So I was one of the lucky 200 that gets to be a part of the Bead Soup Blog Party put on by Lori Anderson. She had way more people sign up than spots available and we were chosen randomly and paired with another artist to exchange a package of "bead soup". I am paired with Mandi Ainsworth who does beautiful seed bead work. While I have done some seed bead work in the past, and I have a rather large stash of them, I only use them to make stuff for me. Those tiny little suckers can make an old lady go blind!
I spent today in my studio making glass beads, some of which will be mailed to Mandi in the next few days along with some other surprises. I can't wait to see what she puts together, and to see what she is sending me.
I have also been researching PMC3 and may add that to my growing list of crafty persuits. I admit to being fascinated with making some of my own charms and dangles for my jewelry. I was happy to see bronze clay and copper clay, but I'd need another kiln for that...Thanks to my friend Lisa Twombly I know where to get a small one at a great price Metal Clay Supply.
I'll be going to the IGBS with my friend Jody on Sunday. As usual, I will spend more than I thought I would and find some new treasures that I wasn't looking for. Looking forward to spending the day with her.
I spent today in my studio making glass beads, some of which will be mailed to Mandi in the next few days along with some other surprises. I can't wait to see what she puts together, and to see what she is sending me.
I have also been researching PMC3 and may add that to my growing list of crafty persuits. I admit to being fascinated with making some of my own charms and dangles for my jewelry. I was happy to see bronze clay and copper clay, but I'd need another kiln for that...Thanks to my friend Lisa Twombly I know where to get a small one at a great price Metal Clay Supply.
I'll be going to the IGBS with my friend Jody on Sunday. As usual, I will spend more than I thought I would and find some new treasures that I wasn't looking for. Looking forward to spending the day with her.
Friday, January 6, 2012
New Year/ New Shop
Whew! I am cross eyed! I have been spending the last week setting up 2 new shops on line, and will slowly fill them up with my current inventory. You can find my designs at Handmade Artist Shops Designs by Lynnea and Payvment which is on my Facebook Page just click the shop now tab on the right. I picked these venues for several reasons....
Payvment offers me a way to allow my current Facebook friends and followers to shop without having to log into an external site. And it is free! No fees other that Paypal are involved.
I selected Handmade Artist Shops after getting to know the owner/developer Andrew Kitchen. He started the Handmade Artists Forum and then went on to create the Handmade Artists Shops. As I've chatted with him in various online forums, I have come to see his vision of a small boutique site that doesn't strive to compete with the big names, but wants to offer both the consumer and the artist a truly hand made experience. I kind of got tired of getting lost in the mix on the bigger sites and the fees on top of fees that cut into the small profit I am trying to make. He also works hard to promote our items as we list them and feature us as much as possible. It is because of all the information he has given me that I now have a Twitter account @DesignsbyLynnea. It has been an experience linking everything together in a giant circle! But I hope by using all of his knowledge to continue on my artistic path this year. Thanks Andrew!
I also want to give a shout out to Susan Adams. She invited me to a group on Facebook called (originally) Artfire Link and also moderates It's Better Handmade. She has been so open with all the knowledge she has to everyone in the group. She changed the name to just Link group as some of us jumped off of Artfire to explore other options and didn't want to leave the group of people we have come to look to for feedback and support. Most days my mind is spinning just trying to keep up with it all.
Top that off with going thru all my online photo albums and deleting really old work (much of it sold) because I want to focus on what my current aesthetic is. Reworking my Facebook page/profiles was another thing since we now have timeline. And somehow I squeezed in a class in kiln formed glass..uh oh... And don't forget my new obsession Pinterest which strangely enough ties it all together too.!
So 2012 is going to be an interesting year, I actually will just do like I always do...be true to myself, make what I love and just keep swimming!
Payvment offers me a way to allow my current Facebook friends and followers to shop without having to log into an external site. And it is free! No fees other that Paypal are involved.
I selected Handmade Artist Shops after getting to know the owner/developer Andrew Kitchen. He started the Handmade Artists Forum and then went on to create the Handmade Artists Shops. As I've chatted with him in various online forums, I have come to see his vision of a small boutique site that doesn't strive to compete with the big names, but wants to offer both the consumer and the artist a truly hand made experience. I kind of got tired of getting lost in the mix on the bigger sites and the fees on top of fees that cut into the small profit I am trying to make. He also works hard to promote our items as we list them and feature us as much as possible. It is because of all the information he has given me that I now have a Twitter account @DesignsbyLynnea. It has been an experience linking everything together in a giant circle! But I hope by using all of his knowledge to continue on my artistic path this year. Thanks Andrew!
I also want to give a shout out to Susan Adams. She invited me to a group on Facebook called (originally) Artfire Link and also moderates It's Better Handmade. She has been so open with all the knowledge she has to everyone in the group. She changed the name to just Link group as some of us jumped off of Artfire to explore other options and didn't want to leave the group of people we have come to look to for feedback and support. Most days my mind is spinning just trying to keep up with it all.
Top that off with going thru all my online photo albums and deleting really old work (much of it sold) because I want to focus on what my current aesthetic is. Reworking my Facebook page/profiles was another thing since we now have timeline. And somehow I squeezed in a class in kiln formed glass..uh oh... And don't forget my new obsession Pinterest which strangely enough ties it all together too.!
So 2012 is going to be an interesting year, I actually will just do like I always do...be true to myself, make what I love and just keep swimming!
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Here I come 2012
So, I never dreamed I'd say this, but I closed my Artfire store. I did quite a bit of evaluation of costs vs sales and decided to try out another venue. It was difficult to let it go, I've had it for a long time (I was a beta tester). But, I looked at the overall picture and most of my sales are now either in person or from Face Book. That being said I will be opening a new store in the next day. I've found another site that specifically promotes handmade artisans and the owner does lots to promote the individual artists. I am excited to clean out the old stock and begin my store anew! I've added new features to my Face Book Page, such as a store that you can purchase from right on the site as well as links to my web page.
There have been a lot of changes in my personal and my professional life and I am looking forward to what is going to be happening artistically for me in 2012. I have gained a wonderful online community of artists and some local supporters that are helping me look at my artwork and business in a whole new way.
There have been a lot of changes in my personal and my professional life and I am looking forward to what is going to be happening artistically for me in 2012. I have gained a wonderful online community of artists and some local supporters that are helping me look at my artwork and business in a whole new way.
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