Archive for September, 2011
I recently asked Grace Kang from the New York specialty boutique, Pink Olive, to curate a gift guide for papernstitch. The keen eye that Grace has for buying items for her brick and mortar store definitely carried over into her picks on papernstitch and I am thrilled to share what she selected. View the gift guide now…
Here’s what Grace had to say about her selections…
For the girl who has everything. We all have that friend or family member who is impossible to shop for because she literally has everything she could ever want. The best bet would be to get something truly unique and inspiring – one that would tickle her whimsy. Find objects that remind the recipient of great memories you share, a vintage globe for your traveling partner or fabric napkins after a memorable dinner party, are a great way to show an appreciation for your relationship. Everyone has his or her own unique style, and gifts that build upon that style while inspiring happiness are the perfect gift to give anyone. Still not sure what to give for the gal who has it all? We hope you will enjoy this great, one-of-a-kind gift guide that will inspire giving and beautiful living.
Visit Grace’s gift guide now to see all 20 products that were selected.
More about Grace Kang: She is the founder & chief buyer for Pink Olive in NYC. Pink Olive is a whimsical boutique filled with beautiful gifts that make you smile. We make gifting super fun, easy and attainable for little ones to loved ones.
Grace is also the brilliant brain behind retailrecipes.com, a site dedicated to making your products retail-ready. You may remember Grace from my interview and podcast with her in August, where we chatted about the ins and outs of getting your products in retail shops.
This contributor post was written by Jamie of The Dancing Cat. This is Jamie’s first post as a contributor here on pns and I am super excited to have her aboard. She’ll be writing monthly business tips for you and your crafty business. Take it away Jamie…
I knew something was a foot when I heard a high pitched shrieking, (including doppler effect!), outside our window the other day and looked outside to see a small boy with a backpack bigger than himself careening down the hill outside our house! Whether it was his sheer excitement at returning to school or loathing of imprisonment at the hands of an evil task masker, think Matilda, one thing I knew for certain was school was back in session!
To make sure your back to school experience isn’t a bummer, or sheer terror! here are 5 tips for small business owners and artists who sell their work online to help you reconnect with your fellow ‘classmates’ and make new friends!
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Reconnect with your BFs!
Create a newsletter. Let fans and supporters know what you’ve been doing over the past several months, what’s new in your shop, or what might be coming up! The biggest supporters of your work are usually the ones who’ve already bought from you! They already love what you make and who you are, keep them informed and up to date on all your latest ventures.
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Join the chess team, sign up for lacrosse!
Join a team. Community is so important when selling your work online. Having a support system of not only buyers but also fellow sellers and other artists is huge! If you’re on Etsy, join an Etsy team that fits your shop, location, tastes or ideas. It is such a help to have a community of other artists that you can go to to ask questions, get support and cheer each other on. Knowing you’re not alone or the only one out there selling your work online, especially when everyone around you might not understand what you’re doing, is huge!
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Raise your hand.
Become a participant. This might sound strange at first but start buying and supporting other artists and things you love online! It helps tremendously to put yourself in the shoes of a buyer and go through the whole transaction process. Not only will you be supporting and connecting with people and art you love, you will realize how you can make your own transactions and shop experience more successful by finding out what it is you loved about your own buying experience! From e-mails to business cards and packaging you receive, you’ll discover what extra little details and small efforts made you smile or really made your buying experience special! Consider how you can make the buying experience unique and special for your own fans!
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Pass notes in class.
Links. Of course you probably already know you want to provide links to your other social media sites in your bio or about page but also consider adding links where one might not expect. For example, consider having one of your product views be an image that reminds viewers to become a fan on facebook (and even offer an incentive like a 10% discount for doing so!) Or putting a link to your blog in your banner or shop header. The more the word gets out about your shop the better, and discovering unique reminders to do so is a plus.
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Extracurriculum.
Take a course. This is especially pertinent if you’re not an Etsy seller. There are a number of great art courses online, both in art instruction and marketing, that create incredible support systems and communities amongst artists! I may have a slight bias in this tip since I teach a number of online art courses! ;D but in doing so I know first hand how strong a community it creates! Not only do you get critical feedback and peer input on what you’re making but also the support and connection to artists from around the world, which lasts long after the course has ended!
So just like a screaming little kid, whether with joy or loathing, get your shop back to school!
-Jamie
Jamie is an artist and owner of The Dancing Cat, an online shop which showcases her fine art and prints. In addition she teaches a number of online art courses at The Dancing Cat Art School which explore creative thinking and the joy of making. She loves drawing, fat cats, and finding a sense of the ridiculous in everyday life. She graduated from The Rhode Island School of Design in 2006.
These limited edition, screen printed posters and totes from Fifi du Vie are on my wishlist this week. I adore the quirky phrases and type-driven collection.
Here’s what the designer, Izabella, has to say about her shop…
I think life is all about the precious, fun, hilarious, wonderful, spectacular little moments. I try to make products that infuse a little romance, fun and sweetness into your home.
Well Izabella, this week… You are My Favorite!
Visit Fifi du Vie on Etsy now to view more of Izabella’s collection of prints, totes, and greeting cards.
There’s an inspirational recording from the fifties called “The Strangest Secret.” It’s old, yet remains relevant. I’ll cut the fat from it for you and reveal The Strangest Secret to success right now (though it’s a good listen, check it out if you can)!
The Strangest Secret to Accomplishing Your Dreams:
“We become what we think about.”
This means you must keep your dream on your thoughts at all times to succeed.
Action Step for Achieving Your Dream: Keep a card with your dream written on it in your pocket at all times. Check your “dream card” often if that’s what it takes to keep your dream on your mind. That’s it.
I know this sounds like intangible optimistic nonsense from a new-age guidance counselor, but this works! Let me tell you how it worked for me. I wrote a post on my blog about my Dream Shop, in it I painted a vivid picture of the Brick and Mortar shop I’d love to open. When I wrote that post my dream shop was a pipe dream, as impossible as high-fiving my hero, the autobot leader Optimus Prime. Now it’s a reality.
I talked to people about my dream, people read the post and resonated with it. Then I received both monetary and volunteer support to transform my shop from an ethereal fantasy to a brick and mortar reality! And it wouldn’t have happened if I didn’t broadcast my dreams.
Write about your dreams, tell your friends and family, and evangelize about your passions. We are what we think about; think about your dreams and failure will be impossible.
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.
After what seemed like a super short weekend, I am back in the groove this morning with a cup of coffee (yep, I drink coffee now) and a jewelry shop that I just adore: Found*ling.
Run by Betsy and Stephen Carr in their Asheville, NC studio, Found*ling combines modern design and smooth, clean lines with implied textures from retro fabrics and faded paper. The combination of these elements mixed with an important component, recycled silver, create the signature pieces their shop has become known for. Love!
If I still had my ears pierced, I would totally wear these earrings (and these too) everyday.
Visit Found*ling on Etsy now to explore Betsy and Stephen’s entire collection.
I am in a chipper mood this morning because a) it is Jeff’s birthday b) it is Friday c) and I am looking at these prints from Memphis surface designer, Jenean Morrison.
Oh my gosh! Can I just tell you how much I love these?
The colorful retro patterns and imagery that Jenean is known for are not only available in print form (which recently caught the attention of a major retailer) and on canvas, her patterns have now made their way onto iPhone and laptop cases as well.
AND if you are thinking that these designs would be perfect for your next sewing project, Jenean also have a line of fabric! Get your sewing machine ready.
She is one busy lady. Visit her shop on Society 6 now to browse the entire collection.
That’s going to wrap things up for me this week. Hope you have an amazing weekend! And if you’re looking for something juicy to read, check out Jeff’s interview on Oh Hello Friend for Danni’s column, The Handsome. He spills the beans on what he REALLY thinks of my career.
Victoria Corbett is a trained illustrator and fine artist that does a little bit of everything. After traveling for several years, she settled in Austin where her career took off when she sold out of her first t-shirt line at a local bazaar.
Now she sells traditional artwork and homeware but the hallmark of her studio is the successful women’s clothing line. My favorite is this unique pencil dress but I like everything from her line!
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.
