Published!

Saturday's post brought my advance copy of Somerset Studio, full of all sorts of wonderful media media and collage art, including two pieces by your's truly! This is the first time I have been published in a national magazine. I am super excited! The theme of this edition was "Sisters." I sent in my Sisters of Mercy and Waiting to Grow assemblages. I found out they were selected a few months ago, but it finally hit home when the magazine arrived in my mailbox.

I also want to give a shout out to some of my Etsy artists friends, Nancy Lefko, Chrysti Hydeck, Alisa Nordholt-Dean, Glenda Bailey, Jodi Ohl, Kathi Maximo, and Pam Carriker who were also featured in the magazine this month!


Congrats, ladies on your article! And thank you Jenny Doh and the editors of Somerset Studio for featuring my work!

look for a new face and know-how

I'm making a huge push this year to develop a marketing strategy, clean up my branding (which means a major overhaul to my blog, shop banner, business cards and packaging) and get a little more savvy with the many tools available on the Internet for small businesses.

I have to take it on in little pieces, otherwise I will become completely overwhelmed. The task itself seems daunting to me. I haven't mapped out a marketing strategy since I was an undergrad in 1988. It's not like it is rocket science or brain surgery. But, it is work. Work that I need to find time and energy to do on top of my demanding day job, my familial obligations and my need for sleep.

I have joined Facebook. Originally, talked into this by an old high school friend, I have found that there is a huge DYI artist community on Facebook. Fan Pages help you market your product and promote your successes. Networking and connecting with people has it's advantages. I have been promoting my altered book classes on FB and it seems to have some tangible effects. Linkedin is another network that I am trying out. If anything, just to keep in touch with my professional connections.

Then there are the Google tools: Analytics and Webmaster tools- I have started both applications, but don't really know how to use either one. I probably should be using other tools but I have no idea what.

I have to get my marketing together which includes:
New Banner
New Business cards
Post cards
Press kit/release for teaching, art shows, etc.
Promotional materials.
Then there is collecting and organizing feedback.
I have to oganize my business plan and work environment,
and oh yeah, make more art!

If I could only find about 4 more hours in the day.