Archive for May, 2011
This shutter wall from Olive and Love has been on my diy ideas list for a month or two. I am pretty sure that I will never have the time or energy to make my own, but I couldn’t put off sharing it any longer.
This is the most clever accent wall idea I have seen this year. I can hardly imagine how much time and effort this must have taken, but the end result is absolutely insane! Totally amazing: looks straight out of a magazine. And makes a HUGE impact on the room.
How do you make it? If you would like to learn how to make your own shutter wall, read the full tutorial on Olive and Love here.
Selling your Art online without inspiring a conversation is exactly the same as setting up a physical art stand in the middle of a barren desert! No one will come, and your sales will languish! You have to move where the people are, and then you have to engage them in order to increase sales. This guide will teach you exactly how you can get the web talking about your art.
1. Actively Participate in Social Networks
You probably already have a blog and social networks like Facebook, Twitter, Etsy and Flickr, but do you really use them?
Take Action: Statically posting your updates isn’t enough to get people talking about your art. You have to join Facebook groups and leave comments, join Etsy circles and curate collections, and upload your photos to popular Flickr groups. Chat with people, make friends and interact, and people will return the favor and talk about your work, too.
2. Tell Your Story
Your art is all about your story. People want to know your process and your inspirations. They want to know your humble beginnings and successes. People buy handmade over mass produced items for the human element, so show how human you are and tell your story.
Take Action: Update your blog and social networks frequently with your process and the adventure that is creating your art line. It will resonate with people, and they will spread the word. (Especially if you get your readers involved in the process! Think of creative ways to make your fans a part of the story.)
3. Make Friends in the Community
Genuine networking in your niche is invaluable, not only for rapport and inspiration, but also for starting the conversation about your artwork.
Take Action: If you see artwork that speaks to you somewhere online, stop and follow that person on their social networks and send them an e-mail. Let them know that you appreciate what they create. Leave comments on your favorite blogs. Starting this conversation is how you create friends in the community. You’ll talk about their art, and they’ll talk about yours.
4. Ask People to Write About Your Art
This is the common-sense answer, and it’s one that few people try. Find a resource that you feel would be a good fit for your artwork, and kindly ask if they would publish a story about your work. Many publications ask for people to submit and appreciate the free content. Be creative, write helpful guest posts for blogs or tell your story in a magazine. Don’t by shy, just ask!
It’s up to you: With consistency and a little dedication, you can get people talking about your art and spread the word of your line and vision. Get out there and get them talking, it’s your job to spark the conversation about your art.
image above Hello World by Dear Machine
Vanessa wrote this post. She is a full time copywriter and webmarketer with a passion for art, creativity, and thrift. She writes about thrifting, creating, and saving money every weekday on her blog, Thrift Core.
Prolific graphic designer and artist Jenna Graviss generously spreads the creative wealth with her Etsy shop, Tucker Reece. Her artwork is filled with inspiring images and words. Her goal: “To promote and encourage a beautifully inspired creative life.”
The Tucker Reece shop was named after the maiden names of Jenna’s two grandmothers, who were artists themselves. These women always encouraged and inspired her talents. The shop is a beautiful memento to that creative spirit. Prints like My Cup Runneth Over and My Umbrella showcase the shop’s clean, graphic style and optimistic messages.
Tucker Reece artwork is perfect to hang in your office to keep inspired throughout the day- or to gift to a friend so you can spread the positive vibes.
Explore the large selection in the Tucker Reece Etsy shop.
Vanessa wrote this post. She is a full time copywriter and webmarketer with a passion for art, creativity, and thrift. She writes about thrifting, creating, and saving money every weekday on her blog, Thrift Core.
Hope you all are enjoying the long weekend. Just wanted to pop in and share a really groovy shop with you and a special Memorial Day sale (info below on the sale): Camp SmartyPants.
Love this Happy Camper greeting card especially. But I am also enjoying…
You’re a Straight Shooter Greeting Card
Exclusive papernstitch Memorial Day Weekend Sale! Friday, May 27-May 31 get 20% off your entire order! Just enter the code CSPAPER when you check out.
Visit Camp SmartyPants now to take advantage of this discount before time runs out.
Heading out for the weekend.
But like always, before I go, I wanted to share a few links with you. I have had diy on the brain a lot lately, so here are a few projects I am thinking of trying out this weekend. Enjoy!
2. A summer-striped beach tote diy
3. Masking Tape as Housewares Decoration
4. No-Sew Scallop Detail Clutch
Have a great (long) weekend!
Fellow cartoon and illustration fans will embrace the work of Derek Sullivan, a graphic designer and illustrator with a kitschy, animated approach to art.
I appreciate the sly, dark humor in some of his pieces. Sure, the Narwhal seems innocuous and cute enough, but his Xenophobia and Angry Mob pieces are wickedly funny.
To tell you the truth, I’m pretty tempted to buy his whole alphabet series, but you can also choose a favorite letter for a low price (starting at $5!).
Hunt through Derek’s affordable selection of art prints on Etsy.
Vanessa wrote this post. She is a full time copywriter and webmarketer with a passion for art, creativity, and thrift. She writes about thrifting, creating, and saving money every weekday on her blog, Thrift Core.
Two Pooch Paperie has unique cards for occasions you didn’t know existed. Customized invites, thank you notes, valentine cards, to let your friends know they’re cool, there really is a little bit of everything in the Two Pooch Paperie Etsy Shop.
Kellie of the Two Pooch Paperie shop is a prolific designer of stationary and invitations. She works professionally in the graphic design industry, but her Etsy Shop is where her heart is. You can see the dedication in each of her designs.
Make your next event quirky and unique by ordering custom invites from Pooch and Paperie. My favorite is this set of Crab Wedding Invitations, for the unique theme and color palate.
Vanessa wrote this post. She is a full time copywriter and webmarketer with a passion for art, creativity, and thrift. She writes about thrifting, creating, and saving money every weekday on her blog, Thrift Core.
