Win A Rainstick Necklace From Giftbearer!

The old adage "Time Is Money" is often true, and if you've ever wanted a Rainstick Necklace but just couldn't come up with the $265.00 in cash or credit to make the purchase here is your chance to obtain one just by putting in some time and ingenuity!

If you pride yourself on your marketing prowess or would just like to challenge yourself and give this a shot then here is how;

Rules For Rainstick Necklace Giveaway

1) Participants (referrers) must first PM me their full name and email address via either Youtube or Etsy.

2) Send buyers to Giftbearer.etsy.com Instruct them to include your full name in buyer's note upon checkout to let me know you were the one who referred them. (I'll be keeping a tally of how much money each referrer brings me).

3) The goal is $2,000. Once this promotion brings in or exceeds $2,000, the one who has brought in the highest total dollar amount through their referrals will win their choice of Rainstick Necklace from those available at that time in my Etsy store. I'll then do another Youtube video and blog post at artlifenewsblog.blogspot.com announcing the winner.

4) To be eligible to win you must be subscribed to my Youtube channel http://www.youtube.com/user/IAMGiftbearer . Make sure your email settings are set to receive all updates so you won't miss it!

5) Winner will be emailed and must provide a reliable mailing address and make selection of chosen Rainstick Necklace from my Etsy shop within 7 days to receive prize.

6) In the event the winner doesn't complete the process required, on the 8th day the next highest dollar amount referrer will be emailed of winning and will have 7 days to do the same.

7) Contest open to US and Canada residents only.

Watch the video here ---> 

To purchase jewelry go to:

http://Giftbearer.etsy.com

Music: "Rattlesnake"

by Greg Reiter

http://gregreiter.com/

Building Virtual Artist Communities That Work

If you have a shop on Etsy you probably know that one of the features available to artists is a plethora of teams of individuals aligned for a variety of common goals. I've had the opportunity to be a part of a number of teams on Etsy over the past several years. Each has its own particular operations and focus, but all act as a sort of watering hole to artists; a central hub around which to focus group effort and mutual support.

What do teams do and what is the demographic make-up of them?

Some of these teams are based on a particular medium, and others focus on a common interest apart from Etsy, yet still act as a means through which to facilitate one's art-based business, while still others focus on a broader grouping of people and their handmade items. Still others are defined by a particular type of marketing, be that advertising on Facebook, other websites, or in magazines, or on social media sites. Some have even excommunicated themselves from Etsy and have opened up independent forums and e-commerce sites.

Teams as trend;

I was amazed recently to find how many more Native American Etsy teams and teams made up of artists who love and care for animals have sprung up since the first one or two began, and now that teams are given a space to create their own forums on Etsy's website it seems the number of total teams has grown exponentially!

What Works, What Doesn't;

Having been on several teams and having run one a few years ago I have learned a little more each time about what works and what doesn't, and that is always a work in progress. Initially I think many teams took the approach that more hours spent on promotion equaled better visibility thus more sales to each shop participating. That isn't necessarily true. For instance; posting more links of your work on social media sites will get shops seen by a larger number of people, but that in and of itself doesn't guarantee sales because it's like shooting bullets blindly into the night versus aiming and shooting at a target. You may hit a few targets by chance, but the momentum and energy expended is often lost in the noise. While you are promoting your team members many other teams are doing the same with their members. With all those links flying around in cyberspace and at top speed alot of it will be missed by many of your followers and ignored by others. Viewers become desensitized after awhile and stop reading what comes across their screen because there's so much of it that it's overwhelming. You only have a short window with which to grab the attention of serious buyers who really want what you have for sale.

Speak Directly To Your Market;

In the sea of links listed on social media sites I've found by trial and error that it isn't enough to be seen; you have to also be heard, not by just anybody, but by those who believe your work is exactly what they want and need.

While posting on Twitter I found that sometimes what works best is to ask your target buyer a direct question. Doing this separates those who aren't interested in what you're selling from those who are. 

For instance; instead of simply saying "Blue, Silk Scarf" you might want to say "Brides; Need Something blue? Wear this Blue Silk Scarf and be elegant".  If brides are one of the demographics you seek to attract their ears will suddenly perk up. In just a few words you have sent an effective message to someone looking for your product; someone who wants to be elegant on their wedding day and has been looking for something blue.

Spread the Word Through Treasuries;

For those reading this who do not have an Etsy store treasuries are online gallery pages; a grid of 16 items that can be created around a theme. Creating a treasury has the dual effect of promoting the shops from which you draw items, and promoting your own shop. There are a number of ways you can speak to your target customer through treasuries.

1) If you have a supply shop add items from shops who are likely to use the supplies you offer. Sometimes this results in sales when those featured get curious and look at your shop.

2) Include shops in your treasury that sell the same type of product as you do. This can have its pros and cons. On one hand those featured are in a sense competitors, but on the other hand each of these 16 sellers and you bring with you a following, and since you have the same market this multiplies the chances for all 16 plus you to have a serious buyer find what they're looking for in your shops.

3) Choose your treasury items by style, taste, and even color that matches yours. Some buyers may go on a search for these features. 

4) Make the title of your treasury a question to your target customer. I've seen instances in which the title shows up on Google and several people in the treasury make sales from it (especially if the treasury comes up in the first few pages).

5) If you have more than one shop add the treasury to all shops' activity streams. Although this may gain exposure from some who are not your target customers it will also draw those who are your target customer and those will zero in on it.

Ask for Sales;

Creating a BNS (Buy and Stay) treasury is one of the quickest and most direct ways to bring in sales. These have a fairly large following on Etsy and not only are they fun and exciting, but often attract lots more buyers than a normal treasury will. Although the buyers are other sellers these special treasuries can grease the wheels and get stalled sales moving again, and increase your visibility in Etsy search.

Work Smarter, Not Harder;

It's easy to wear yourself out by spending too many hours without enough reach. Anytime you can make your efforts do double-duty you should. Look for ways to divide work between a larger number of people.

Here are some suggestions;

1) Collaborate with other teams in ways you already do with your own team such as dividing up the treasuries, 8 members from your team and 8 members from another team, then have both teams promote them. 

2) Create mutually beneficial arrangements to re-tweet either with other teams and/or individuals, or provide incentives like a giveaway drawing which requires entrants to re-tweet, post on their blogs, or re-pin items being promoted.

Follow these suggestions and your Etsy team experience is bound to be a beneficial one!

Thinking Outside The Box; Reaching New Markets and Stimulating the US Economy

 

Starting today; November 1st, I am trying something new as a means to bring in business from countries outside the US. Each month over the next several months I will feature a different country in each of my Etsy shops to offer that country a special deal.

 

This month in my finished jewelry shop; Giftbearer, I am offering Chinese buyers 20% off on a purchase of $65.00 or more (total can be one item, or several less expensive items which add up to at least $65.00 in the same order). Please enter the coupon code; CHINA65 while checking out in the box allowed for special discounts.

 

Canadian buyers are offered the same deal but in my supply shop; GiftbearerSupply. Please enter the coupon code; CANDO65 in checkout.

 

I welcome my fellow Chinese and Canadians throughout November to see what wonderful things can be obtained here. Purchase something very special for yourself or for your friends or family. Feel free to use this offer as many times as you'd like during the month of November and send people you know who also live in your country.

 

Not only will you discover some great treasures, but you'll also help stimulate the US economy in the process! What better way to spread the love!

Groping Around in the dark

It has been several months now since any of my jewelry has sold on Etsy and I'm not sure what gives. I feel as though I'm groping around in the dark trying to find a foothold. Tonight I watched American Idol and noticed that a number of the singers were having the same problem. What they thought would appeal to people seemed to miss the mark with the judges in some vital way in many cases. Only one or two seemed to hit the nail on the head in enough areas to get that unhesitating "Yes!" response that all artists strive for, the kind of response in which the beholder doesn't have to think consciously about what worked, but knew unequivically that it did. Even after polishing their act taking into account all the feedback they'd been given, still several of them were told that they veered left when they should have veered right, or that they'd gone too far in one direction that they'd been told to go in the previous week and over-corrected.

I thought about how visual art is similar. It's like that game "pin the tail on the donkey where you're blindfolded and have to rely on often ambiguous cues and instructions as to when you're getting "hot" and when you're getting "cold".

As artists it seems that often we come kind of close (and someone may like something we've made enough to compliment but maybe not heart it), or at times very close (and then somebody will heart it but not buy it), then on those lucky occasions when all the conditions are right... bingo! (Somebody buys).

Those moments to an artist are like a juicy steak set down in front of you at the end of a long day, but what are they made of? Better yet; we all wonder how we can repeat them, yet the formula seems to elude us and remains a moving target.
Sometimes it seems as though an art-based business is more like trying to win the lottery than other jobs in which you can be sure your pay is going to continue week after week. Althought ironically with all the recent lay-offs the two might be more on a par with each other now more than ever.

It is alot like going fishing. You choose where you think is a good fishing spot, attach the worm (choose types and decide on your methods of promotion), then drop your line in the water and see if there are any fish around to see it, and whether they are interested (is your demographic where you're advertising and do they want what you have to offer on this day?)

Sometimes they see it but stay where they are, not making a move forward. Other times one comes close and even takes a little nibble.

I remember when I was a kid out on the pier many summers waiting patiently to catch "the big one" and it did come around. It's presence massive, an impressive creature, fins glistening like polished silver, sunlight glancing off it as its muscular body maneuvered effortlessly through the water below. My heart seemed to stop for a moment in anticipation. I was afraid to breath for fear I might scare it away.

It was these fish that were hardest to catch, as they all seemeds to have grown to this size by narrowly escaping capture any number of times. Some even had remnants of hooks in their mouths which had partially healed over. These big granddaddy fish would glide up to my hook and appear to sniff around at the juicy morsel attached, assessing whether or not to go in and chomp down. More often than not they'd nibble around the edges, avoiding the hook inside as if they knew that there was a price to be paid for not controlling their hunger. Then they'd dart off if there were any sudden moves, or seem to get distracted while staring at it and lose interest, sailing up to, then beyond my offering, eyes focused forward.

I never could figure out what the determining factor was to their deciding to bite down solidly versus the other two responses. To this day it remains a mystery.

In my jewelry design process I have alot of versatility and often challenge myself to look at trends and then create my own twist on elements that seem to appeal to a number of people. I don't want my work to look like everybody else's but at the same time I often wonder if there is such a thing is going too far off the beaten path.

I have read that certain shapes such as circles appeal to most people and afford them a kind of security. Maybe there's something to be said for predictability in an increasingly unpredictable world. Sometimes I will look at work that does not seem very unique and see that nevertheless it is selling pretty regularly.

Two questions keeps raising their heads; "How plain should I go before the work becomes boring? How complex or unusual should I go before the work is too far afield for viewers to relate to it?

It is easy to go too far in either direction, but where that line in the sand exists is not well understood.

Tomorrow between 1 and 3 pm someone is coming to look at my poor kitchen floor that the other repairman tore while moving the refrigerator and Carmella continued to peel back.

I will be relieved to have that work done so that I can mop it without worrying that it will warp. I want to wash the floor with bleach as soon as I can in case Carmella's foot microbes re-deposit onto her while she's walking in there.

You can see when you look close-up that these torn areas trap hair, and stains, and all kinds of unwanted stuff. Yuck!

Carmella's second day wearing the cone has been touch and go. She has found ways to get around the thing now and then and either stick a back foot inside the cone or slide the cone down her neck toward her shoulders and then reach her front feet. I have to keep pushing it forward. I hope this infection gets better soon because I can't watch her every second of the day and keep re-adjusting that thing or I'll go nuts! Luckily she has fallen asleep on the chair in here in the computer room. I almost hate to wake her up to bring her into my room and put her onto the bed, but I can't leave her by herself to wander around the house unsupervised. There's no telling what sort of mischief she'd get into and how much it would cost me to replace whatever in here she might destroy with that deadly micro-snout of hers.

Goodnight to you all! Keep reading and commenting, and if you see any big fish be sure to send them my way! Minnows will work if you have enough of them but it's nice to have a big meaty Salmon at least once in awhile.
http://Giftbearer.etsy.com/

Tha Art of Business/The Business of Art

Fire Agate Lariat - $205.00

Phyllis Mufson of Personal Treasures is a jewelry artisan and a creative career and small business coach. She started making jewelry while directing the Locks Career Center at Moore College of Art & Design, an inspiring environment where she worked with wonderfully creative people. Now she works in her sunny living room where she talks with clients and has all of her jewelry equipment close at hand.

Peachy Destash Collection - $3.00

Her style is crisp, lively, and bright, and she chooses her palette from a container she refers to as her 23-story “bead condo” – clear, stacking sectioned boxes filled with organized, color-coordinated beads and findings; a cornucopia of gold, silver, gemstones and pearls.

Glittering Rock Crystal Plus Pearls - $3.00

Earlier in her life she was a textile artist for approximately 15 years, doing surface design and primarily hand-painted silk. She used embroidery techniques, did piece-work of various kinds, and air-brushed textiles. Phyllis had a line of one of a kind, hand painted scarves that she sold nationally, but also did art-to-wear that sold through galleries, custom work for interior and fashion designers and made wall pieces including some large architectural commissions.

“I stopped doing textiles in the 70’s” says Phyllis, “because I wanted to do work that made an impact on people and at the time I didn’t see that connection with the textiles. I started making jewelry as a hobby a few years ago. So it wasn’t really a switch. I hadn’t been doing textiles for a long time. Jewelry is such an expensive hobby that it’s hard to keep doing it without starting to sell. So I started doing that last winter. But once I started, I found I really enjoyed the interaction with women around the jewelry. Most women love jewelry – I certainly do.”

Pink Morganite Necklace - $195.00

This previous background and experience working with cloth influenced her later jewelry designs. Phyllis pays close attention to how the jewelry drapes and moves with the body. She talks with her customers and potential buyers to learn what interests them, and gets an idea of which designs are particularly flattering for them to wear.

Garnet Ripples Necklace - $185.00

In addition to her ETSY stores she sells through private jewelry shows so she gets to observe how women respond to the jewelry.

If you like Personal Treasures but are looking for something more simple or casual, please visit the artist’s Mufi Jewels store at http://mufi.etsy.com/

Gold Biwa Pearl Earrings - $20.00
(available at Mufi Jewels)

Phyllis started on the path to becoming a business coach pretty much from the beginning of her working life through her own exploration into her artistic expression which developed into a natural progression to educating others, writing, leading workshops, and becoming a consultant to other creative people.

She has always been interested in the process of tapping deeper into one’s creativity, and how creative people traverse the market place. At times one area has been the focus, and sometimes another. She co-founded a textile school and gallery, conducted research into creativity to fulfill part of her Masters degree, and taught a creativity class at San Francisco State University.

“For more than 20 years I’ve been consulting with people about finding the venue” says Phyllis, “whether it’s a job or a business that will be their right livelihood."

Several years ago Phyllis officially trained as a business coach, got certified and did additional training in leadership development. Since then she has adopted an increasingly facilitative style, helping people find their own answers.

“I work with all kinds of people but find a lot of creative people attracted to work with me because I’ve lived many of their challenges” says Phyllis. In addition to helping others in the arts to find their voice she is equally able to help people with the technical, logistics side of their careers, using her own expertise as an artist as an asset.

Both drives; the artistic, and the entrepreneurial, are powerful parts of her nature, like two sides of the same coin; the yin and the yang.

Phyllis’s jewelry is currently for sale at the Suzanne Roberts Boutique in Center City, Philadelphia, and another gallery is in the works.

The artist also sells her work at jewelry parties and finds that it does really well in that kind of venue. She set up 5 last year and is planning several more this year. The hostesses are people who admire her work, and they offered to do the parties in their homes without even being asked. She really enjoys doing these and wants to do them more often in the future.

“My biggest sale night so far was at a holiday party for a group of women doctors. They bought for themselves and also gifts for each other. As an extra bonus, one called the next day and stopped by to pick up another 3 pieces.”

Her biggest-ticket items are necklaces in the $150 – 225 range. She has sold them at all of the venues she has mentioned above and also while walking around. “People comment on my jewelry,” says Phyllis, “so I usually carry a bag with a few pieces with me when I go out.”

Translucent Hemimorphite Nuggets - $155.00

To develop her skills further she is interested in learning more advanced wire-wrapping.

In preparation for holiday shoppers she plans to offer multi-strand necklaces, bracelets and sparkly earrings for the Personal Treasures Etsy shop, pendants and some fun stocking stuffers such as beaded hair scrunchies for the Mufi Jewels Etsy shop.

She bought a huge load of gemstones to get ready for the holidays and has several new pieces being made in her workshop, and ideas percolating for many more.

In terms of long-term goals for her business Phyllis is enjoying following her nose. “I’m entertaining a fantasy of taking the jewelry business and the coaching on the road” she says. “You might be surprised and find me in your neighborhood.”

Phyllis is open to selling wholesale. If you are the buyer for a store/gallery interested in carrying her work, or hosting a jewelry party, please contact her.

Luminous Prehnite Earrings - $80.00

Personal Treasures accepts PayPal, credit card, money orders and checks. If you are new to ETSY, or confused by the check-out process, no need to worry. When you click the “Buy Now” button to purchase her piece(s), detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to complete the transaction will automatically come by e-mail.

Phyllis offers shipping internationally.

To view and purchase more of her effervescent, original, one-of-a-kind and limited edition, jewelry hand-crafted from silver, gold, gemstones and pearls, please go to her website:
http://PersonalTreasures.etsy.com

For more casual items see
http://Mufi.etsy.com

To learn more about the artist’s creativity and other creative people, read her blog:
http://personaltreasures.blogspot.com/

For books the artist recommends and to read about those who have influenced her, (a list too long to cover here), please go to Phyllis’s business coaching practice website at http://phyllismufson.interfaceias.com