Showing posts with label art. Show all posts
Showing posts with label art. Show all posts
Gifts for Teenagers
Grandmothers and teenagers
At this time of year, one of the hardest people on anyone's list to buy for are teenagers. They are constantly changing their likes, interests, fashions and tastes that it is very difficult to buy gifts for them. What is a grandmother to do?
I hate going to the mall and especially at this time of year. I get so overwhelmed and can't seem to find anything, get frustrated and storm out with nothing. As I am an artisan I felt I was turning my back on everything handmade. I don't make what they like but I sure know where to go for those who do.
I have solved this little issue with Artfire. Artfire is full of artisans with something for everyone. Jewelry, geekery, steampunk, funky, and the list goes on and on. How could they not find something great. I make gift certificates for those kids and specify the amount and that it can only be spent on Artfire. What fun they have searching through all of the categories and finding the coolest things they have ever seen, each is one of a kind and utterly awesome.
Now I am the coolest grandma ever! They love what they get and can't wait to show it off to their friends. I feel better by supporting handmade and loving my new status with the kids. What more could a grandmother ask for!
By Jillysstuff
ArtFire LInk on Facebook
ArtFire LInk Group
On Google+
At this time of year, one of the hardest people on anyone's list to buy for are teenagers. They are constantly changing their likes, interests, fashions and tastes that it is very difficult to buy gifts for them. What is a grandmother to do?
I have solved this little issue with Artfire. Artfire is full of artisans with something for everyone. Jewelry, geekery, steampunk, funky, and the list goes on and on. How could they not find something great. I make gift certificates for those kids and specify the amount and that it can only be spent on Artfire. What fun they have searching through all of the categories and finding the coolest things they have ever seen, each is one of a kind and utterly awesome.
Now I am the coolest grandma ever! They love what they get and can't wait to show it off to their friends. I feel better by supporting handmade and loving my new status with the kids. What more could a grandmother ask for!
By Jillysstuff
ArtFire LInk on Facebook
ArtFire LInk Group
On Google+
Utterly Irrelevant
Scenario: You're walking down the mall corridor, you see an upscale designer clothing and jewelry store. You whip out your business cards and walk gracefully over to the store manager. "Hello, I'm a handmade artists. I would like to show you my art, would you like to buy any? They are on sale today for 25% off!"
Now, most of us won't do that. We know what the answer would be, most of the time. These retail stores might, by some broad chance, accept consignment, but for the most part, they are more interested in escorting you off the premises for soliciting.
Why would you do that with your jewelry 24/7? There is a lot to be said for supporting each other and soliciting each others' work in a community of artists, but we are still soliciting to people who are not interested in buying our hand crafted artwork. And what seems to be worse, when sales are slow or null, we solicit even more, spamming our friends with a multitude of post about sales, this item, that item. That usually causes them to "unsubscribe" to you.
You're work is worth far more than that. Don't sell out to low prices and networking in an audience that is irrelevant to your market. You might sell a couple of items, but only to your close friends that love your work because they love you.
In a tough economy, you want to seek out the right audience. The reason most poor neighborhoods lack good health food stores, is the market is bad, and not enough is sold to support the store. Poor neighborhoods are full of people who don't have the extra funds for extravagant high quality organic and imported foods. They are only interested in the cheapest deal they can fit into their tight family grocery budget. That is why the local Dollar store thrives in neighborhoods such as this.
Why solicit to other artists who are trying to sell their art also?
So here is my challenge to you: first, identify your market. Reducing your prices may not be the answer. That just invalidates your handmade work. We love to support each other, but it comes down to mingling and rubbing elbows with those who really want quality work and will buy it because the want it, not because they can afford it. A fashionable woman with no mind to the price, will see the low price and not even give it a glance. She knows the good stuff will be worth the price.
Here are a few questions to ask yourself:
1. Who would like my artwork?
Ex: art counnaisseurs and those who hate generic, dime store Chinese reproduced items. Possibly the middle and upper class. Fashion lovers, soap-opera gossipers, etc.
2. Where do they live? (demographics)
Ex: big cities, corporate areas, maybe the country and mountain communities, etc.
3. What is the targeted income levels of my ideal audience?
Ex: Middle and upper class
4. What other things would they be interested in?
Here are a few examples:
I know some of these ideas seem out of the ordinary, and odd, but it will bring in an audience relevant to your hand crafted items. You will find a new following with customers who will come back again and again.
Susan ~ ArtFire LInk
ArtFire LInk on Facebook
ArtFire LInk Group
On Google+
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| by HeartFeltGiver |
Now, most of us won't do that. We know what the answer would be, most of the time. These retail stores might, by some broad chance, accept consignment, but for the most part, they are more interested in escorting you off the premises for soliciting.
Why would you do that with your jewelry 24/7? There is a lot to be said for supporting each other and soliciting each others' work in a community of artists, but we are still soliciting to people who are not interested in buying our hand crafted artwork. And what seems to be worse, when sales are slow or null, we solicit even more, spamming our friends with a multitude of post about sales, this item, that item. That usually causes them to "unsubscribe" to you.
You're work is worth far more than that. Don't sell out to low prices and networking in an audience that is irrelevant to your market. You might sell a couple of items, but only to your close friends that love your work because they love you.
In a tough economy, you want to seek out the right audience. The reason most poor neighborhoods lack good health food stores, is the market is bad, and not enough is sold to support the store. Poor neighborhoods are full of people who don't have the extra funds for extravagant high quality organic and imported foods. They are only interested in the cheapest deal they can fit into their tight family grocery budget. That is why the local Dollar store thrives in neighborhoods such as this.
Why solicit to other artists who are trying to sell their art also?
So here is my challenge to you: first, identify your market. Reducing your prices may not be the answer. That just invalidates your handmade work. We love to support each other, but it comes down to mingling and rubbing elbows with those who really want quality work and will buy it because the want it, not because they can afford it. A fashionable woman with no mind to the price, will see the low price and not even give it a glance. She knows the good stuff will be worth the price.
Here are a few questions to ask yourself:
1. Who would like my artwork?
Ex: art counnaisseurs and those who hate generic, dime store Chinese reproduced items. Possibly the middle and upper class. Fashion lovers, soap-opera gossipers, etc.
 |
| Swarovski crystal inlaid toilet |
2. Where do they live? (demographics)
Ex: big cities, corporate areas, maybe the country and mountain communities, etc.
3. What is the targeted income levels of my ideal audience?
Ex: Middle and upper class
4. What other things would they be interested in?
Here are a few examples:
- Ex: If you sell aprons, your audience loves recipes, children's toys, stories for kids, crafts, hobbies, cooking tools, home remedies, sewing etc.
- Ex: If you sell Stuffed animals, your audience might like kids crafts, home school lessons, baby items, story books, collectors facts, how to tutorials. Blog articles on what funny things my baby did today, health matters of an infant, fun online safe games for kids links, etc.
- Ex: If you sell art jewelry, your audience might be mothers, newlyweds, brides, teens, movie stars, beach lovers, fashion gurus. They would love romance novels, eccentricities(depending on the style of jewelry you make), fashion magazine, etc. Blog on an idea you read in a fashion magazine.
- Ex: If you sell candy, your audience will be just about any adult, but a good part would be men. Women will stop by their local bakery, or make it themselves. So blog on what women want most for Christmas. Tell your male audience what a woman loves about getting gifts from a man. Blog on sports.
If you have the mindset that any and all people would be interested in your hand crafted art, you need to reconfigure your perspective.
I know some of these ideas seem out of the ordinary, and odd, but it will bring in an audience relevant to your hand crafted items. You will find a new following with customers who will come back again and again.
Susan ~ ArtFire LInk
ArtFire LInk on Facebook
ArtFire LInk Group
On Google+
Black Friday Free Shipping Sales
It's Here! Thanksgiving is done and the Christmas Season is officially in full swing! Merchants have been preparing for several months for this season. Black Friday is the one biggest revenue day for most brick and mortar stores such as Kohls, Walmart, JC Penny and other large corporation retailers.
The doors open at midnight, the lines are long and the traffic is grueling. Some folks live for that adrenaline rush, looking for those once a year awesome deals. But there is a portion of the population that avoids that kind of hub-bub. Those that do, can benefit from some pretty incredible online sales.
Most of the deterants of buying online is shipping costs and the amount of time it takes to process your order and ship the item to you. Some merchants online offer incredible prices though sales..and then price gouge you with high shipping that costs more than the original non sale price of the item they want to buy? That makes me click away! No doubt. Who wants a great deal only to find they pay an arm, a leg and an eye for shipping.
There is one marketplace that is offering free shipping for a ton, and i mean a huge amount of high quality handmade and vintage unique gifts for just about anyone on your shopping list this season. The best gifts given are those that are unique, one of a kind type of handmade gifts. From jewelry, to accessories, designer clothing, home accessories, antiques, toys, and so much more!
What if you could get a one of a kind item, get it shipped in less than a week and at no extra cost for shipping? What if? You certainly can!
Here are just a few things you can find that are incredible finds for absolutely no extra shipping cost! But you better act fast, because its only for Black Friday deals..However! You might just find a few more great sales and deals in the upcoming Cyber Monday Specials! So stay tuned!
Susan ~ ArtFire LInk
ArtFire LInk on Facebook
ArtFire LInk Group
On Google+
The doors open at midnight, the lines are long and the traffic is grueling. Some folks live for that adrenaline rush, looking for those once a year awesome deals. But there is a portion of the population that avoids that kind of hub-bub. Those that do, can benefit from some pretty incredible online sales.
Most of the deterants of buying online is shipping costs and the amount of time it takes to process your order and ship the item to you. Some merchants online offer incredible prices though sales..and then price gouge you with high shipping that costs more than the original non sale price of the item they want to buy? That makes me click away! No doubt. Who wants a great deal only to find they pay an arm, a leg and an eye for shipping.
There is one marketplace that is offering free shipping for a ton, and i mean a huge amount of high quality handmade and vintage unique gifts for just about anyone on your shopping list this season. The best gifts given are those that are unique, one of a kind type of handmade gifts. From jewelry, to accessories, designer clothing, home accessories, antiques, toys, and so much more!
What if you could get a one of a kind item, get it shipped in less than a week and at no extra cost for shipping? What if? You certainly can!
Here are just a few things you can find that are incredible finds for absolutely no extra shipping cost! But you better act fast, because its only for Black Friday deals..However! You might just find a few more great sales and deals in the upcoming Cyber Monday Specials! So stay tuned!
Susan ~ ArtFire LInk
ArtFire LInk on Facebook
ArtFire LInk Group
On Google+
Viral Sharing on Facebook
Sharing on Facebook has been one of the most effective ways to promote and virally get the word out on links, sites and content on the internet. When security was breached..Facebook took some action in removing the "share" bookmarklet under posts accept for just links..
So when you post an external link..you create an option to allow all who see it to "share" it. Groups don't have this 0ption as they are secure. Our original group page..before they switched over, made it easy to "share". The the current format of groups on Facebook only allows individuals to "subscribe" to the individual posts. This really only shows up on your private newsfeed for you..not for others from you or about you.
SO! Here is what I propose, to make It's Better Handmade more viral like it once was..is to switch us over to a Community page..and out of the group format! The links we are all adding to the group page is only allowing members to see, and not our friends..and friends of friends..unless they join the group.
Many of us only network in our venue..meaning, we add friends who are artists like us..we need that support from others who do what we do. We will keep the group for encouragement, learning, tips and tricks primarily. The new community page will be where the "share" bookmarklet will exist for external links and thus re-establish the viral sharing.
Handmade Saturday! "Color Me Purple"
It's that time again!
Come and post your Purple Handmade Art at our Group wall on Facebook! Next week will be at our Social Network! But for now, we are enjoying each other's company and shares at Facebook.
This collection and treasury is made from our guild members.
'Handmade Saturday! Color Me Purple' by MyFathersGifts
"Gorgeous collection of Purples in honor of our weekly event "Handmade Saturday" at It's Better Handmade! Event takes place at our Group on Facebook today!
Evening Splendor Hand K...
$40.00
Braided Purple Necklace
$21.00
Artisan Pendant & Gemst...
$135.00
Faceted Amethyst Bracel...
$32.00
Saphire Dichroic Glass ...
$15.00
Lavender Dream Hand Kni...
$45.00
SHIPS FREE - Heliotrope...
$38.00
Hand Crocheted Multi-Co...
$30.00
SHIPS FREE - Swarovski ...
$23.00
Lampwork Art Glass Hear...
$28.00
Amethyst and Sterling E...
$22.00
Purple Majesty Hand Kni...
$40.00
Murano Amethyst Blossom...
$6.00
Blueberry Frappe Hand K...
$50.00
Tanzanite AB Faceted Ro...
$1.85
Black Purple Black Purp...
$24.00
Evening Splendor Hand K...
$40.00
Braided Purple Necklace
$21.00
Artisan Pendant & Gemst...
$135.00
Faceted Amethyst Bracel...
$32.00
Saphire Dichroic Glass ...
$15.00
Lavender Dream Hand Kni...
$45.00
SHIPS FREE - Heliotrope...
$38.00
Hand Crocheted Multi-Co...
$30.00
SHIPS FREE - Swarovski ...
$23.00
Lampwork Art Glass Hear...
$28.00
Amethyst and Sterling E...
$22.00
Purple Majesty Hand Kni...
$40.00
Murano Amethyst Blossom...
$6.00
Blueberry Frappe Hand K...
$50.00
Tanzanite AB Faceted Ro...
$1.85
Black Purple Black Purp...
$24.00
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