OH, MAN! Sorry, Kate! It just took me til this morning to notice that your web address in my last post was missing the E in kate! MY BAD! SO SORRY! THIS is the correct one - http://www.katemckinnon.wordpress.com/
And as long as I'm here - do any of my fellow beading readers have Artfire shops? How do you like it? Does it work for you? Is it easy to navigate when setting up and listing? I'm considering opening both a bead shop and a jewelry shop. I HAD one from them a long, long time ago when they first came on the scene - never sold a thing, but didn't know much about the whole concept then, and of course, they were just starting out too. Thinking about round 2 - but want some input if I can get it. I did start a website as some suggested - but that's been harder to get up and running and maintain than I expected, and although I'll have the domain name for awhile, I'm just not sure I'll get the exposure from it that might get from a more public site. My Etsy sales are slow, slow, slllllloooow. Just wondering what to expect from Artfire...
Bead happy, everyone. I'll be out and about all day, without internet access (HORRORS!) - so I'll be excited to check my replies when I get home tonight. Thanks a million!
TTFN
Friday, March 18, 2011
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Splurge!
Since this has been a pretty profitable week, I decided to splurge on something I've been wanting for awhile - and managed to get them on sale as a bonus -- a kit and workbook from the great Kate McKinnon. She's having a sale over on her website - head to her blog http://www.katmckinnon.wordpress.com/ for the link if you want to get a great mix of seed beads AND your choice of books or patterns from her shop, all at a wonderfully reduced price. Seems I'm always anxiously awaiting the mail - whether it be for art gallery commission checks, bead magazines, or bead orders. Got the bead magazine on Monday, the art gallery commission check TODAY, and now, next week I can anticipate not just my order for Kate, but also an order from Etsy! So a few more Etsy sales wouldn't hurt, and I'm crossing my fingers that all 4 folks show up for class on Saturday (the bookstore where I'm teaching does not request prepay sign ups).
I've also had a pretty good week at Coyote. Connie has presented me with TWO sales checks, one of which is for beads! We were hoping that I would start selling those right away - it took a couple of weeks, actually. So hopefully as people start passing the word, we add some info to their website, and start shouting more on Facebook and blogs, they will become as regular as book and gift sales. She and I decided that because that is the goal (to have super regular sales) that she will only have to pay me for them once a month. Although the extra cash has been nice this week, it only seems fair. Besides - see what I do when I get too much extra money in my hand all at once. SPLURGE!
Can't wait for my order, Kate. I bet it's simply smashing!
TTFN
I've also had a pretty good week at Coyote. Connie has presented me with TWO sales checks, one of which is for beads! We were hoping that I would start selling those right away - it took a couple of weeks, actually. So hopefully as people start passing the word, we add some info to their website, and start shouting more on Facebook and blogs, they will become as regular as book and gift sales. She and I decided that because that is the goal (to have super regular sales) that she will only have to pay me for them once a month. Although the extra cash has been nice this week, it only seems fair. Besides - see what I do when I get too much extra money in my hand all at once. SPLURGE!
Can't wait for my order, Kate. I bet it's simply smashing!
TTFN
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Flickring 2
Well, I added my photos to the Flickr site and sent them to the group feed for Bead Table Wednesday. I just can't figure out how to share it here or on Facebook...anybody out there that can tell me how - thanks! So for now, I'll just post the photos here:
This one is the finished Vinery pieces and rings and notes for the Art Gallery, and on the right is "Spring Rain Fairy" all ready to get started.
Flickring
As I strolled through my favorites list of blogs in the wee hours again this morning, I came across what I hope will be a fun group over on Flickr called Bead Table Wednesday. So I joined. I hope. I have a hard time maintaining that kind of stuff - but it looks like a good way to get more exposure out there - so I'm going to give it a whirl. And since it IS Wednesday, as soon as it's light enough outside to get that photo - I'll be posting my Bead Table Wednesday photos. Not much on it right now - it's all in my travel bag from yesterday. But I hope to have a few hours of bead time today (maybe get that spring fairy started) so I'll be getting it all back out of the bag - and the table will runneth over....
Speaking of yesterday - a few delightful surprises in store at the store! Connie presented me with a commission check for not one - but TWO pieces sold in just the last week. YAY! AND....I now have FOUR students signed up for my Saturday stringing class. FOUR. Count them - FOUR. I know that seems a measley amount to many of you who teach classes of 20 or more at a time - but for me, four is huge. Especially lately. I've taught larger groups before, when working through other bead shops, but not in a long time. If you can't tell...I'm SOOOOOO happy. I just hope I live up to my own hype! LOL It's been awhile since I've taught, but as I commented to fellow beading blogger Lorelei just yesterday - when I teach, it's more like a big beading party. I share techniques and know how, provide hand outs and instruction, but we have fun and laugh at the same time. It's a great gig if you can get it - and since I'm planning to offer classes once a month, I'm hoping it's a regular gig with LOTS of students. The classroom holds about 15 people around the tables (we can get that many in Thursday morning prosperity group if we squeeze) - but for a beading group - that's probably too many all at once. Wouldn't THAT be great. I'd have to offer TWO sessions. I'm putting that thought out there for the Universe right now....15 people. Now THAT'S a gig!
Tune in later for the link to my Bead Table Wednesday group blog....
TTFN
Speaking of yesterday - a few delightful surprises in store at the store! Connie presented me with a commission check for not one - but TWO pieces sold in just the last week. YAY! AND....I now have FOUR students signed up for my Saturday stringing class. FOUR. Count them - FOUR. I know that seems a measley amount to many of you who teach classes of 20 or more at a time - but for me, four is huge. Especially lately. I've taught larger groups before, when working through other bead shops, but not in a long time. If you can't tell...I'm SOOOOOO happy. I just hope I live up to my own hype! LOL It's been awhile since I've taught, but as I commented to fellow beading blogger Lorelei just yesterday - when I teach, it's more like a big beading party. I share techniques and know how, provide hand outs and instruction, but we have fun and laugh at the same time. It's a great gig if you can get it - and since I'm planning to offer classes once a month, I'm hoping it's a regular gig with LOTS of students. The classroom holds about 15 people around the tables (we can get that many in Thursday morning prosperity group if we squeeze) - but for a beading group - that's probably too many all at once. Wouldn't THAT be great. I'd have to offer TWO sessions. I'm putting that thought out there for the Universe right now....15 people. Now THAT'S a gig!
Tune in later for the link to my Bead Table Wednesday group blog....
TTFN
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
More embroidery
Since I started the subject yesterday - here's another of my bead embroidery pieces that's been around awhile. It's rather unique in that it's reversible - faces on one side, desert jasper on the other. The necklace itself is rather long, and you know how long necklaces tend to sway and flip around - with this piece, it doesn't matter! This one took over a year to complete - and for some reason, I just got good photos of it yesterday.
The name of this piece is "Maiden Mother Crone". I think I will try to sell it at the Art Gallery next time I switch out pieces.
On a sort of related note - I'm thinking of opening an ArtFire shop. I had one when they first got up and running - with absolutely no results. But I didn't know much about it then, and I'm sure they've improved along with my knowledge. I have had no success with jewelry on Etsy though either - only selling beads there - so I really wonder how so many of you successfully sell jewelry through these sites. What are people looking for? I've noticed that it isn't necessarily that they want inexpensive pieces - many of the pieces that I've seen sold are quite detailed, seed bead laden time consuming pieces with hefty price tags. I think I fit in that category, and don't think my pricing is unfair. In fact, if you haven't read the marketing article in the newest Beadwork magazine, you really should. The paragraph regarding putting your own worth into your pricing really hit home for me, because it's how I feel about pricing my art - and it's an argument I've had with other artists. I've had both beaders and non beaders tell me artists shouldn't charge for their time if they truly love what they do, or that I should just want to sell it, no matter what the cost ($5.00 versus $50.) BUT - that is EXACTLY why they SHOULD! Never devalue yourself or what your know your work is worth - because if YOU do - the potential buyer will too.
This piece is priced at $150.00 - still a good price when you consider it's two necklaces in one.
Bead happy everyone.
TTFN
On a sort of related note - I'm thinking of opening an ArtFire shop. I had one when they first got up and running - with absolutely no results. But I didn't know much about it then, and I'm sure they've improved along with my knowledge. I have had no success with jewelry on Etsy though either - only selling beads there - so I really wonder how so many of you successfully sell jewelry through these sites. What are people looking for? I've noticed that it isn't necessarily that they want inexpensive pieces - many of the pieces that I've seen sold are quite detailed, seed bead laden time consuming pieces with hefty price tags. I think I fit in that category, and don't think my pricing is unfair. In fact, if you haven't read the marketing article in the newest Beadwork magazine, you really should. The paragraph regarding putting your own worth into your pricing really hit home for me, because it's how I feel about pricing my art - and it's an argument I've had with other artists. I've had both beaders and non beaders tell me artists shouldn't charge for their time if they truly love what they do, or that I should just want to sell it, no matter what the cost ($5.00 versus $50.) BUT - that is EXACTLY why they SHOULD! Never devalue yourself or what your know your work is worth - because if YOU do - the potential buyer will too.
This piece is priced at $150.00 - still a good price when you consider it's two necklaces in one.
Bead happy everyone.
TTFN
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Embroidery time
Finding time to DO bead embroidery when it's TIME to do bead embroidery is quite the feat. Now that I have everything gathered for my spring rain fairy - I just don't seem to have the time to get her started. I did find a surprise in one of my UFO boxes today, though - a partially finished set of fairy wings, beaded in the EXACT same colors that I plan to use for her. Thank you, Spirit! Now I'm at least a little bit ahead of the game.
This project has also got me thinking about the other pieces that I've embroidered - and where they ended up. Unfortunately in some ways - I still have most of them. Fortunately in some ways - I still have some of them. They are beautiful works of art that are worn, and admired. I still show and try to sell a few of them on occasion - this one will have it's second round at The Lansing Art Gallery http://www.lansingartgallery.org/ when I take the other vineyard pieces to them in April...
Maybe if she appears as a part of the whole theme, she'll find her new home. Looking forward to seeing how spring rain fairy emerges....that's part of the beauty of embroidery and freeform work - it tends to create itself (with a little help from the person holding the needle).
And as far as those dreams - never did get the nap, and now I think I'm going to go try to dream again - FOR REAL.
TTFN
This project has also got me thinking about the other pieces that I've embroidered - and where they ended up. Unfortunately in some ways - I still have most of them. Fortunately in some ways - I still have some of them. They are beautiful works of art that are worn, and admired. I still show and try to sell a few of them on occasion - this one will have it's second round at The Lansing Art Gallery http://www.lansingartgallery.org/ when I take the other vineyard pieces to them in April...
And as far as those dreams - never did get the nap, and now I think I'm going to go try to dream again - FOR REAL.
TTFN
A fairy tale
I think I have a plan for at least one of those floating head pieces I posted a few days ago....Since we're getting close to spring, and with April showers come May flowers, I'm thinking a spring 'fairy of the rain drops' kind of thing. I've attached the face to a piece of Lacy's Stiff Stuff, part of it a bit loose, so that I can 'lift' it away from the back and build the beads up a bit under that side - sort of a 3D affect. She will have hair, and more importantly - WINGS. Choosing colors was the hardest part so far (since I've barely started), but I think I'm going with teal, copper, bronze and a cool color of seed beads called "Rain". I really do have sooooo many other UFO's that I should do first, but I'm afraid if I don't start her soon she won't be done in time be considered a spring rain fairy, instead just hanging out in a box waiting to be heard.
So with the exception of the custom bracelet order and finishing up my class instruction and stuff for next Saturday (3 students WHAAAHOOOO!), and Etsy listings, of course - she may just become my priority for the next little while (like I need another priority!). I have a really cool book that was published by Rita Sova a few years back with nice wing patterns in it, so that will be the starting point. I hope. I'm still debating on whether or not to make it a large breast plate type necklace, or a smaller pendant AND pin combo. She will probably tell me herself once I get started on the embroidery. I didn't really attach her to a very large piece of Stiff Stuff, but I've been known to attach pieces together before, so who knows?
Bead happy, everyone - may all your bead dreams come true....and I only speak of dreams because that's what I really should be doing right now instead of blogging. Especially since we just lost that extra hour. Can you say Sunday afternoon NAP? I knew that you could!
TTFN
So with the exception of the custom bracelet order and finishing up my class instruction and stuff for next Saturday (3 students WHAAAHOOOO!), and Etsy listings, of course - she may just become my priority for the next little while (like I need another priority!). I have a really cool book that was published by Rita Sova a few years back with nice wing patterns in it, so that will be the starting point. I hope. I'm still debating on whether or not to make it a large breast plate type necklace, or a smaller pendant AND pin combo. She will probably tell me herself once I get started on the embroidery. I didn't really attach her to a very large piece of Stiff Stuff, but I've been known to attach pieces together before, so who knows?
Bead happy, everyone - may all your bead dreams come true....and I only speak of dreams because that's what I really should be doing right now instead of blogging. Especially since we just lost that extra hour. Can you say Sunday afternoon NAP? I knew that you could!
TTFN
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