Archive for August, 2011
Usually Mondays are really productive for me, especially when I am able to get away from work over the weekend. Unfortunately, this Monday in particular is not going to be terribly productive because I am still in California. I’ll be back tomorrow morning. Just finished up CCE and Fizz & Frills over the weekend and both were fantatsic. So much fun (more on that later in the week- I hope).
But for now, I wanted to share a really cool project from Strawberry-Chic: a turquoise desk made completely from scratch. Anything that requires a drill and hardware generally impresses me, but this diy desk is beyond. You’ll have to check it out.
Hope you had a great weekend. I’ll be back a little after 5pm today with something neat that inspires me to write.
I’m not sure I’ve mentioned this lately, but I’ve been in a bit of a pillow daze (or maybe the better word for it is craze) for the last few months and I am adding these to my list…
Pillows from Orientina
Each pillow cover is handmade using the Turkish decorative art of Kilim (something I knew nothing about before finding Orientina). Here’s a little more info…
Kilim is one of the key components of Turkish and Anatolian decorative arts. It is estimated that the Turkish kilims, all of which are regarded as a piece of art, have a history dating back to 3,000 BC. Kilims are made up of wool and are woven without nap, using a special technique. They are used as floor kilims, pillows or divans. Due to their light-weight and movability, they are known as an indispensable part of nomadic life.
Visit Orientina now to browse around and discover your own favorites.
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That’s gonna wrap things up for me for the week. I’m out of town for the rest of the weekend speaking at CCE and Fizz & Frills. I’ll be back Tuesday, but I have posts scheduled for Monday, so everything will appear “normal”. Have a great weekend.
These days, artists, designers, bloggers, and small business owners alike are practically stumbling over themselves to be featured in print magazines, but many still do not realize the full potential that online resources can have on their product lines, business ventures, and more.
Print features are amazing for social proof and they definitely bring more awareness to your brand, reaching a large audience across the country and sometimes around the world. BUT print is not the end all-be all of your marketing strategy, especially in the digital age.
Print is not growing leaps and bounds like digital content is, and as someone with something to promote, you need to be aware of that. Success for your business is all about how well you can adapt to change and work through problems and issues. Things are not what they were ten years ago (or even five years ago)…
“So are you saying that print is dead?”
Nope. Print is not dead, but its certainly not on an upswing at the moment.
If you don’t believe me, all you need to do is think back to just about a month and a half ago when ReadyMade announced the magazine would be shutting down immediately: closing of ReadyMade magazine.
The magazine was loved by many, especially in our community of artists, designers, and DIYers. BUT ultimately, it wasn’t enough to keep the magazine going.
Nope. Print is definitely not on an upswing, but…digital content is.
“Digital content is most definitely in an upswing.”
I remember the days when people relied more on the morning paper for news of the day than CNN.com and The Huffington Post. Hell, even just eight or nine years ago, I hardly used the internet outside of school. And now, almost ten years later my entire career revolves around a (relatively) thin screen and a wireless keyboard.
Times they are a changin’. Good or bad. We are living in an age where more of us hear about Bin Laden’s death on twitter than via any other source (according to a recent Mashable poll). We get our news on our iPhones and Blackberries, spend hours on YouTube for entertainment, and even take classes online.
We are living in a technology driven society. So, whether you use your phone, iPad, laptop, netbook, or home computer, digital content is here to stay.
It’s the reason why people like Michelle Adams are leaving the print magazine industry to start up digital publications that quickly reach tens of thousands of readers (Michele Adams worked at Domino magazine as an assistant. And when the company folded, she created the popular online shelter mag, Lonny).
It’s the reason why just over a year ago, Amazon announced that Kindle books were outselling Hardcover books on their site by huge percentages.
And it’s the reason why authors like Seth Godin are ditching traditional book deals and going straight to self-published electronic books and other creative ventures (well Seth has some other reasons too, but you get the point).
So, here’s my question to you…
What are you doing right now with your marketing strategy that is in line with the digital age of content?
Leave your response in the comments below.
…photographs from Creatocrat.
The compositions in Michelle’s photos are dynamic and the lighting is beautiful!
It’s honestly hard to pick favorites, but if I had to select just a couple, I’d say pieces like Metamorphosis and Pink Shoes Green Bench are my number one and two.
What do you think?
Head on over to Creatocrat and then let me know what your favorites are.
I have the privilege of knowing Natalie Jost at the beginning stages of her craft supplies and handmade goods shop, Olive Manna. Since I first “met” her online, she has taken off! Olive Manna has been featured in Food and Wine Magazine and popular sites like BHLDN (a favorite amongst brides who also like Anthropologie).
I just couldn’t be more thrilled for her.
Aside from having a healthy list of merchants and press mentions however, somehow Natalie manages to find the time to continuously add new products to her shop. And most recently has added home decor and furniture to her already well-stocked shop of craft and packaging supplies.
Take a look at some of her current inventory (I’ll try not to drool all over the keyboard if you make the effort too)…
Get your discount: Take 15% OFF with code PAPERNSTITCH
Visit Olive Manna now to take advantage of 15% off your order.
Lately, I’ve been meeting up with people in person a lot more to say hi and talk business. It’s been completely energizing and so much fun (I get a kick out of the little things- most of the day I am working by myself and only have my pets to talk to).
So, anyway, I’m super excited because this weekend I am certain I’ll be meeting a lot of people.
That’s because I’ll be speaking at CCE this Friday in San Francisco: Conference of Creative Entrepreneurs. My panel is on the art of publicity and I am in very good company with three other wonderful ladies. Tickets are still available right here and full 3day passes as well as individual one day passes can be purchased.
And then on Sunday, I’d love for you to join me at the Fizz & Frills wedding marketplace event, which is going on August 6th and 7th at Blu Bungalow (also in San Fran). I’ll be doing a live demonstration from 2-3pm on Sunday the 7th for Fizz & Frills, where I’ll share two do-it-yourself wedding projects (how to make a beautiful wedding bouquet and a handmade keepsake for your bridal party) that anyone can complete. One day and two day tickets are available and start at just $15! To purchase a ticket for Fizz & Frills click here.
So, if you’ll be in San Francisco, I’d be thrilled to meet you in person at either event. Hope to see you there!
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