I Did Part II

Today's snow was a perfect excuse to work on all my business things that have fallen by the wayside.

My website had outdated links, and needed some slight alterations. I bought web space from Go Daddy for my new website, and so far the customer service has been excellent.

I wish I knew how to use Dreamweaver well. I am going to research some sites that I like so that I have an idea of how I might set up my new website. I need to make a temporary site to put some of the cards up, and it will grow as I grow. I am so excited to put them out into the world. I think there is a need for cards that address weddings and love notes for lovers of all types. And, it will have a section for my cards that are just a little bit edgy.

Now I have to install Illustrator as I also have to learn that.

Tonight's artwork is an old real photo postcard that I sewed onto an oil monotype that I did. I might paint or work into it more, but for today she is perfect as she is.

Here is to prosperity, inspiration, and success in the New Year!
Patti

I DID

Today I did step one of my new marketing plan. I bought the domain WEDOGREETINGCARDS.COM. WEDO, and WEDOCARDS were all taken, and I thought this was fairly straight forward as it contained the words WE DO, and the product, GREETING CARDS in it. Cards with an edge, and as my friend pointed out, all cards have an edge, haha. Mine just happen to have a bit more of an edge than most.

I plan on carrying more than just greeting cards, but for starters the cards are fine. Now I have to get design No.1 printed, and start to work on more designs.

I decided to give these cards a domain of their own, and separate them from my website. I need to design an "under construction" page and upload it as soon as I find a place to host my website. I bought my domain through Go Daddy, and am not sure how much they charge for web space. I have a few options, and hopefully will have web space AND a page up soon.

I know I am going to have to learn more about all of this, and I am not thrilled with it, but in order to be able to manage and control my website, I am going to have to become even geekier than ever.

Off to geek land, Patti
PS. For you readers out there, Larry said GEEK LOVE is a very good read.

T

OK so I found a home for the I card!!!! One of my best friends from High School lives in Louisianna, and her ex 's name starts with an I and she wanted the card. Au Revoir!

Here is I's counterpart---- T.

Tom
Theresa
Tim
Teesha
Terrance

and so forth. Another freebe, just drop me an email or a comment on the blog.

Off to bed. Been working in the workshop 24/7. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZz

Another PIF

Well here is round 2. Two small cards made with vintage Slap Jack cards, or some other game cards. These are prototypes, and I am not going to make any more, so I am offering them for FREE. YESIREEEEE FREE. And, I will ship!

I am still looking for the T card. It is somewhere in this mess.

Back out to the studio to work on xmas gifts and such. It is a sleety, rainy, icy, snowy day here at the bottom of the Catskills, not good for much else!

Back later, Patti

Inquiries

Will be on later to edit my post and put up another card for free. I guess no one knows anyone whose name begins with an I, lol...so here it still sits. The next one is a T. Maybe that will fare better.

I recently got an inquiry about a boxer dog card from Lori on my blog. Unfortunately, since no email addy was attached, or the link to the blogger site did not have any way to get in touch with you, I have to answer here.

I am not sure what other antique papers I have, but if you leave me a way to get in touch with you, I can let you know when/if I find one and make a card out of it :).

I have a snow day and am being lazy this morning, but that is because I am gearing up for a day of finishing gifts in the studio, cleaning, wrapping, etc. It is the PERFECT day for those kind of things, and after having worked so hard for so long, I need this kind of a day.

Will be back in a bit to post a pic of the next PIF card! Patti

PIF (Pay It Forward)

So the first person who sends me a request for this card gets it. It is really quite lovely....for someone whose name begins with an I.

Isabel
Isadora
Ignatius
Ingrid
Icarus
Ichabod
Iman
Imogen
Ingmar
Isaiah
Ishmael
Isis
Ivy

Have fun and hopefully someone will grab this up!!!!

Chuckling, Patti

THE FRA

The Magazine is one of the pieces I have in my Pre-Raphaelite/Arts and Crafts collection of books, magazines, prints, etc.

It was published by Elbert Hubbard, the founder of the Roycroft business in East Aurora, New York. The art is done in the arts and crafts style, and this magazine is a historical catalog of the decorative arts which they produced, as well as musings by Hubbard, his wife, William Morris, and famous writers and thinkers of the time.

Chock full of ads, photographs, drawings and musings, it is a fabulous item for any collector or artist who may use this in their work.

You can find it on Ebay, link provided.

I also spent some time listing items on Etsy, some which are at a discounted price.

Tomorrow I will list a card or two which I will send for FREE...as part of my pay-it-forward to the universe. I believe in giving things away as well as selling. It is good karma and besides, I love to do it.

So keep coming back, as you never know WHAT might show up here!

Patti

Ornaments

This is one of three ornaments on sale at my Etsy shop. I have them half price as they are the last ones left over from my craft fair.

They are made with Victorian paper, Painted wood, sealed with an acrylic resin. I add a chain, Indian bead, and make a fun hook so that you can hang it on a nail, curtain, tree, whatever needs a little embellishment!

This week has been busy exchanging cards in the shop that I sell to, getting another order ready for my client, and I may spend some time making a few more ornaments as some people are interested in them. If I get a day off due to the graciousness of an ice storm, maybe I will try. 'Tis the season, and I have to keep the studio heated....and need to make the money!!!!

Off to do some shopping on Etsy....patti

NO Never Means Yes

I am just starting to unwind from the intense month of production work after an 8 hour day.

This weekend I did the Unison Center craft fair, the ONLY craft fair that I do all year. I did well, perhaps better than I have ever done, which is amazing considering I did not have much inventory. I sold several collages and one mixed media piece as well as cards and ornaments. I have a following of clients and customers who are wonderful, and LOVE what I do; they appreciate my art and for that I am completed.

I also delivered my order to Jen at Earth Angel Toys, which is a fascinating site to check out. Jen is a dynamo, and a very successful business woman in the world of folk art/art.

One of my clients bought the artwork titled NO on tonight's blog. (6 x 6 on raised wood panel. Acrylic and collage.) It is often difficult letting go of my art which is so personal. Often these pieces are born out of times of great pain and/or growth. I feel vulnerable letting them out into the world, yet honored that its meaning is embraced by another.

I could tell the stories behind the artworks, and perhaps I will save that for my personal blog rather than this. I don't know how I will ever have my show "Telling Stories" if I keep selling the artwork. Perhaps I will have to borrow them...and then will have the silly honors of putting NFS...from the collection of.....

So I am content, tired, and the only art I am going to make for a bit is some gifts for friends. I need to make my house into an installation piece for the holiday, and it will take a bit of excavation and cleaning to get it ready!!!!!

patti