For those of you who sell your work online, I want to share an excellent Etsy blog post about the ins and outs of promoting your work. Essentially, this article is geared toward Etsy sellers, but some of the basic tips about blogging, social networking and photo sharing can be easily applied to any online shop. What’s great about this piece, written by Daniellexo, is that it contains lists of the best resources for online self-promotion and drives home the point that more is more when selling online. In other words, it’s necessary to take a multi-pronged approach to sharing your work and your world.

(Image courtesy of Etsy).

Posted by Christy Zuccarini at 10:09 AM in Tips | Permalink | Comments (0)
                       

I’m excited and anxious over the fact that I will be moving in March. I got lucky – the apartment I found is just across the street from where I live now. But there’s a lot of work to be done, like re-painting the entire space which is currently red and chartreuse (I’m a fan of neutral colors).

During my search through design books, magazines and blogs, I have amassed a ton of DIY project ideas for my new place. I have a folder on my laptop of inspirational images, lists of things to buy, and primitive looking blueprints of my soon-to-be kitchen, living room, bedroom and craft space.

Of all the resources I’ve found, the best by far is a web site called Apartment Therapy. Before I go on, I have to say that I am a habitual mover. I’ve lived in Baltimore for almost six years and have moved four times. I’ve never really made my living space special. In fact, I could easily part with most of my crappy furniture and housewares without feeling any remorse. But Apartment Therapy has rocked my world and totally transformed my outlook on interior design with its mantra: “Nothing you do for your home is ever wasted.”

Seven years ago, Apartment Therapy founder Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan began an interior design service in New York City, helping people transform their homes with a do-it-yourself attitude and modest budget. “I listened to why people didn’t love their homes and then did whatever I could to make them happy,” he says. “By taking care of your home, you are taking care of yourself. Although professional psychotherapy can take years to bring about change, improving your home has an instant therapeutic effect.” I couldn’t agree more.

Simply put, Apartment Therapy presents us with “real design solutions for real people.” Can we all say the word “real” together? The site offers helpful tips, things to avoid, shopping guides, house tours and crafty projects. I’ve never felt so full of crafty inspiration in my life! I want to paint, polish, staple and cut until my fingers fall off (or at least until my new space is precisely what I want it to be).

Paint your own wall mural (left), Make a bubble chandelier (center), Candle sconces from silver plates (right).

(Images courtesy of Apartment Therapy)

Posted by Christy Zuccarini at 11:47 PM in Tips | Permalink | Comments (2)
                       

Local crafter Jen Menkhaus.

On Jan. 25, the Baltimore Etsy Street Team (BEST) will host its first business meetup at the Creative Alliance. The meetup will feature roundtable discussions led by Cynthia Blake Sanders, MD Lawyers for the Arts; Rebecca Cason, former director of the Buyer's Market of American Craft; Jen Menkhaus, working crafter and one of the founders of the Baltimore Street Team; Nita Gale, web designer; Ariella Levin of Baltimore's Best Bookkeeper; and Thomas Wynn, professional photographer. Topics include legal and accounting basics, marketing, product pricing, photography and web design. Lunch will be provided. Hours are 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Advanced registration (recommended): $25
Creative Alliance and BEST members: $20
At the door: $30 nonmembers/$25 members

Register here.

(Image courtesy of Jen Menkhaus)

Posted by Christy Zuccarini at 1:48 PM in Tips | Permalink | Comments (0)
                       

As a crafter, I regularly photograph my work. I post my pictures online, share them with friends, and I even scrapbook some of my favorites. But I always wonder if there is something more I could be doing with my photography, especially since it is such an important part of my work.

While perusing some local crafter blogs this week, I came across Val Lucas of Bowerbox Press. Last year, she responded to a call for entries from Lark Books, a small but prolific publishing company that produces a gorgeous selection of books about almost every craft imaginable. The company was looking for images of handmade books, so Val dug through her slides from college and sent in photographs of her book, “Plans d’Aix.”

She says, "The publication process was easy for me, as I just had to send in my slides and cross my fingers. I heard back a few months later that my images had been accepted and that the book would be published in May 2007. It finally came out in July 2008 – well worth the wait!"

Val Lucas' "Plans d'Aix" - back and front view.

If you get a chance, visit Lark’s web site. Their books are loaded with stunning photographs of some really incredible craftwork and it’s evident that they pick only the best images for publication. "I have learned that impeccable photos are essential,” says Val. “Only one of my photos made the final cut even though both were accepted. Having an up-to-date cache of photos is the first step in applying for books or shows."

Lark is always accepting artist submissions and book proposals. I think I might send something in and you should too! After all, wouldn’t it be neat to see images your work printed on the glossy pages of a beautifully bound book instead of always on the computer screen? I think so.

Posted by Christy Zuccarini at 10:20 AM in Tips | Permalink | Comments (0)
                       

Have you heard of Raverly? It’s an online knit and crochet community of more than 160,000 people worldwide, and it’s full of interesting resources and features. Membership is free but you have to request an invitation to join.

If you become a member, Ravelry will give you a profile page and your own personal "notebook" where you can bookmark you favorite projects, patterns and products. They have a library of knit and crochet books that you can browse for ideas. There are also groups that you can join, as well as knitting swaps, contests, a help forum and a mini-mart that’s loaded with cool things to buy.

Right now, Ravelry is running its Ravelympics contest. Check out their blog, Unraveled, for more information.

(Image courtesy of Ravelry user annypurls)

Posted by Christy Zuccarini at 8:50 PM in Tips | Permalink | Comments (9)
                       

I’m promoting promotion again only because I’ve found another awesome opportunity for you to get your work out there and/or sample some wonderful products.

The Little Black Box is a site that collects and sells samples of handmade goods. Each month, they mail out more than 150 promo boxes that contain a handful of promotional and full size items sent in from independent crafters and artists (all profits go towards maintaining the site). With a mailing list of over 8,000 people, Little Black Box is basically a vehicle for free advertising. It works particularly well for artists who have online shops and rely solely on photos and product descriptions to sell their work.

It’s easy to sign up, though there are monthly deadlines. Simply send an email expressing your interest along with a banner ad which will be displayed during the month that you are participating. You choose the number of samples to send and from what I’ve seen they can be just about anything from bath and beauty products to magnets or postcards. Of course, the more you send, the better your chances of gaining some business. I can't speak from personal experience, but the site guarantees that if your samples really WOW the box buyers you are guaranteed sales.

You can see Who’s in the Box this month or visit their FAQ page for more information. Also visit their blog for Black Box Reviews by customers.

Posted by Christy Zuccarini at 11:22 PM in Tips | Permalink | Comments (3)