Summertime Goals…
April 8, 2008 by blazedanielle
Good morning all!
As you probably know, I am going to do Etsy/blogging full-time this Summer. Since I have a year left of school, I want to test the waters of freelancing and being a full time artist before I graduate. I am so excited for what this time will bring, but I know that I need some goals to keep me on track and productive.
So! What do you guys think?! I want to hear everyone’s opinion, so I am going to leave this post up this week, in order to get maximum advice. Sneeky. ;)
Things to consider:
How often to blog
Shop updates
Kinds of illustrations/paintings
Different kinds of merchandise?
Studio time
New series?
Different subject matter?
etc.
(Be honest! What do YOU personally want to see?! Anything goes!)
Oh! First off, I’m so excited for you during this time! I think it’s great that you’re looking for ideas this early on, great, great idea!
Second, I would love to see you blog often simply because I’m selfish and love to see what you’re creating :)
Third, just as a thought, what about creating a series. Pick a theme you adore and do a series of three prints, like a triptych, and then offer them as postcards! You’d have an automatic customer here!
XO,
Jewels
Great for you, I’m glad that you are working towards your goals! :D
Personally, I like things that can be used v.s. just pictures. Some things are so pretty, that I would to just hate to leave them on the wall or on the table for asthetics. I want to bring them out!
Blog every day.
Just keep doing what you’re doing - it’s great!
I have been trying to figure out how to do an artist’s log on video, but that’s still up for debate, but I love watching them! Perhaps you could add some to your blog now and again and let people WATCH you create!
I agree - more purposeful things - practical things to add to your shop:
-Journals
-Pillows and textiles for children with your images on them (perhaps curtains, bedding, tees, onsies, etc.)
-Mugs
-Note Cards
-Thank you Cards
Best of luck!
Oh…and you’re probably a Hansen girl, aren’t you? (per your comment on my blog. :)
oh, how i envy you : P…
i think stationery would be a good idea
and perhaps another penny playlist?… i’m still loving the one you made, even my boys diego {almost six} and sebastian {almost 2} love it so much!
Hm…I think the best thing is to have frequent blog posts. :) Really.
I like reading about your inspirations, seeing the lovely work that you’re doing, and just hearing about the daily things in your life.
Good luck! :)
awww blazey! i am so proud of you! look how far you have come and how much further you are bound to go!
i think a series titled “ashley” would be the perfect addition jk ;)
i’m excited for what’s to come!
Yeah! A series on “My Mom and why she’s so cool!”
I think whatever you decide on will be wonderful! Just keep it easy, though. Don’t stress or get overwhelmed. Just enjoy :) And what is that picture of/from? *B
Congratulations on getting to Etsy full time! It’s so nice to be able to focus on your craft full time and you will be able to get so much done!
I would love to feature you on my blog for a “Take 5″ interview - check out the blog to see some examples at keepsakecouture.wordpress.com.
Good luck!
Gosh, I love everything that you do Blaze, but yes I think greeting cards would be excellent. Oh and thank you for your comments on my blog. You are a beautiful woman inside and out!
I really envy you! The wonder of Etsy and the Internet has given you this wonderful opportunity to think about such an idea and to actually carry it through. I totally support your decision and hope that you will do very well.
In terms of what to create, I think your art is lovely and I do like the idea of art for art’s sake. Please do keep painting. I think cards might be a good idea tho, if you wanted to be practical.
Sounds like a wonderful and exciting summer plan!
I think your prints are lovely, but the addition of cards or some little gift tags or something to your shop might be fun :)
Good luck with everything!
That’s exciting! Good luck with everything!
I too think that cards would be a great addition!
Enjoy this time, absorb every inspiration and experiment with your art in new ways. All of the suggestions here are wonderful ways to stretch yourself and your art. Blogging often is important, if I skip a day I notice a significant drop in visitors, also spending time researching ways of advertising yourself and your work. Listing often on Etsy helps tremendously, if no new work at the moment - relist, relist, relist :) Best of luck! I am so looking forward to seeing where this journey takes you!
Well I just LOVE your blog and store, and I can’t wait to see what you do with both of them. Personally, I’d like to see what other sort of crafty things you do apart from illustration. Also outfit posts are always fun, if you’re particularly into fashion.
I’m so excited for you! I would love to see things like prints of different sizes and most definitely postcards and maybe even stickers of your artwork offered in a pack of maybe 8 or so. I love the photo you included in this post. Did you create that?
BTW, I haven’t decided what I’m going to name my Siamese ty kitty yet, but I’m thinking about it. For now, I’m just enjoying looking at her!
Hey You, havn’t you been busy! Sorry I have not been by been sick, but better now, Pablo is coming tomorow!!!
As for your summertime plans, how exciting! Blog as often as you can/ want to. I love reading and seeing what you have been up to, you brighten up a rainy day in Paisley. And keep showing us little snippits of your work, it makes people wander to your shop to see what you have on offer.
I think cards,postcards, notelets and tags could be a good first step into widening your range. That way people with a small budget can buy a little bit of Blaze Creations. Then of course you can move onto small illustrated childrens books, which your drawings are soooo suited to, and I think you would be fab at it!!!
Really excited about CD too. Happy wednesday evening blog buddy :)
D — All of the Above. LOL, I love your blog, Blaze and I’m looking forward to seeing more as you keep on chugging through the summer!!
first off: you sound like you have some great ideas floating in your creative head, Blaze!! :) personally, I would love if you offered notecards and such with your artwork–or even postcards! I’m finding that my supply is starting to get depleted, and I’m always on the hunt for cute new stationary! :)
your artwork is so delicate and whimsical; I’ve always wondered what it would be like if you did a little series of pieces on “stills of life”. not “still life”, but mini scenes, objects, people, animals that you imbue with your sense of charm!! :)
but whatever you end up doing with this blog and your artwork this summer, I’m sure it’ll be grand!!! :)
Well, of course, I’d love for you to blog every day…I so enjoy reading your posts but with everything else you have put on your plate it might not be feasible.
As far as your illustrations…I love the ONLOOKER, that bear is adorable! I’d love to see more Woodland Creatures!
hmm what would i like to see?
i enjoy your blog how it is!
more photography maybe? your own and of photographers you admire!
oh goodness i go m-i-a for a week and I’m way behind in my blog reading! You have been a busy girl as of late! thats awesome! I would love some smaller postcard like works would be greats, and affordable too. I missed reading your blog! and Im so excited about what is to come! it inspires me!!
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