Tuesday, June 8, 2010

1000 Markets & Artfire report

Well, so far, I don't have much to report on my testing of the two above art/crafts venues, 1000 Markets and Artfire.  I've only listed a few items on each one and have gotten only what appears to be views from other people selling art or craft items on the sites.  I will continue to list more items, though, and report back. 

I don't want to judge either site at this point because on the surface, at least, they're nice looking.  I just don't know if they get enough traffic to generate much income.  (But that could change in the future, too.)  And although I do quite well on the biggie site, Etsy, and rather well on my own website, I would rather be able to sell more of my work online rather than primarily at art shows -- just easier.  Although I might add that an artist's presence at art shows is essential, too, even with a better sales volume online. 

All this being said, I am first an artist and next a person who has to pay her bills.  I have chosen to be an artist, and I love passionately what I do - but those darned bills still have to be paid.  And if I'm going to stay at home in my studio and paint all day, every day, I've got to pay the bills with the results of my fun but hard work - i.e., my paintings and prints.  More to follow . . .

Okay, I don't see the facebook page, so I'll try again by putting it in the body of the post

http://www.facebook.com/#!/LarkStudios

There, that should do it!

English Springer Spaniel enjoying a Yummy Toy


This is Lady.  She's an English Springer Spaniel, and she's May's winner of a monthly contest we started last March.  The winner of this entry, Missy Reynolds, Lady's mom, gets a free 8x10 print or a pendant, her choice.  Plus, she gets first choice at the purchase of the original 8x10 on wood paneling painting for $50 if she so chooses.  If she doesn't want the original, I'll make it available to the general public.  So, in other words, there's no requirement to buy anything at all if you enter the contest - in fact, you get something free if you win.  Also, if your entry didn't win in the month you entered, you have the option to contact me to say you're resubmitting for the following month.

To enter your pet's pic(s), send high-quality photos (at least three) of your pet.  We'll let you know at the end of each month if your pet was chosen.  We, the family members involved in my business, vote on our choice; then the winner from the final three of those choices is drawn from a hopper.  If you want more info on entering, just get in touch with me, dottie@wildwildthings.com, and either my daughter Lara or I will write you back with more info.  Also, there's a lot more info on the contest on our facebook page, listed I think above this posting -- well, somewhere on here, anyway; I'm not really sure where.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

What do you know about 1000 Markets?

This is a link to an online venue, "1000 Markets," that I'm giving a try.  If anyone out there has any experience, positive or negative with it, I would love to hear from you.