Krissi's Art Studio

Happy Solstice and Festive Yule to you!

2011-12-21T17:36:00.001-08:00

Happy Solstice and Festive Yule to you!, originally uploaded by Skelekitty (Krissi Sandvik).

What I'm working on:

Via Flickr:
Large Tree of Life painting in the works: just pencil on wood for now - not even sure if this is going to be the final image - I might tweak it some more.

Marketing Tidbit: Give Presents Just Because

2011-12-20T16:26:00.000-08:00

Every now and then I like to make special items available for free. From a marketing standpoint, it's good publicity. From a human standpoint, it's just good.

So for the 2011 holiday season, I'm bringing back the FREE non-denominational Skelekitty gift tags/stickers!

Just click on the image you would like (yep, you can have both - nobody is keeping track). Then, from my Flickr page, click "Download original size of this photo" to save the full sheet of tags to your computer. Print them out, cut them and attach them to gifts (handmade, of course)!

Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, Blessed Solstice, Happy Festivus and/or Positive Mid-Winter Celebratory Greetings to you all, however you acknowledge these cold and short days indoors.

Love, Krissi and Skelekitty

Marketing Tidbit: That's Not My Name

2011-12-12T17:43:00.000-08:00

This was posted in a private group today by one of my colleagues who is also a seller of handmade goods:

Am I wrong for being offended that a seller sent me an email starting with "Dear Customer?" A "Hey there" and no name would be OK, or look at my paypal and use my name. But don't use "customer" as my name.

Short answer, NO. You are NEVER wrong for being offended by something as impersonal as that. One of the reasons people shop handmade and small businesses is to get that small-town, everyone-gets-personal-attention feeling. Part of that feeling comes from the customer service that the vendor offers.

But, just for a minute, let's say you're an individual shop owner who receives HUNDREDS of orders a day. Maybe one of your suppliers didn't come through and you need to notify a large number of customers. In this case, you may choose to send out a blanket message.** There are ways to do this without making your customers feel like they've been hit by a spambot:

Instead of saying 'Dear Customers' say something like 'Happy Holidays,' or 'Hi there!'
Admit that your message is a blanket e-mail, and of course, bcc all your recipients - never allow
anyone to see contact information for other customers!
You could say, "I am sending out a blanket e-mail to (who you're targeting) everyone who ordered after the 15th because (why you are contacting them) ACME glue factory blew up and it will be a week before I can obtain supplies from another supplier. (What options they have) All orders will be delayed one week unless I am notified before end of business on the 20th that you wish to cancel.

NEVER USE BLANKET E-MAILS FOR ANY TYPE OF MARKETING! If you want to notify your customers of sales or offers, set up a mailing list that they must opt into. Don't know how? No worries, luckily there's this handy new gizmo called Google.com out there.

However, if you are sending an individual e-mail to a single customer about their order, then for pity's sake, take the time to look at the invoice and the PayPal and find out what their name is. If you're totally unwilling or unable to do that, or if their contact information is inconsistent, then at least try a "Hi there!"

Little things like this really matter. What takes 90 seconds for you could end up making your customer feel insignificant. A feeling which is likely to result in the loss of that customer and perhaps all of his/her friends.

If you're a small business, what do YOU do to give a personal touch to your customer service? What has a company done well that has stuck with you? I'd love to have some of you post comments here on the blog so that my Google+ friends and Facebook pals can meet each other - you guys are ALL so cool.

The Glitter Bitches didn't disband...

2011-12-09T14:49:00.001-08:00

The Glitter-Bitches didn't disband.

But we did RE-BRAND!

After months of discussion, bandying about of names and then logo ideas, the group known as Glitter-Bitches Handmade is no longer. LONG LIVE CORPORATE REJECTS!

Come visit ALL of us at our new blog and facebook page.
While you're there, congratulate our former "affiliates" who are now full members,
Kit Cameo, Scott Krichau, Mara Franklin and AmyLynn Field!

This is Not A Tutorial (Glass & Resin Jewelry)

2011-12-08T12:59:00.000-08:00

"Inchie" pendant (1" square)

People ask me what procedure and techniques I use to make my glass tile and resin jewelry all the time. The reason I haven't done a tutorial isn't that I am playing my pendants close to my chest, as it were. It's just a VERY involved process and I've never stopped to photograph each step as I go.

However, since this question has popped up again recently, I'll give you the 30-second version (sorry, no bunnies).

* print art and titles for backs
* spray art with fixative

Seriously, the resin has to be
EXACTLY 50/50

* cut art and title pieces into itty bitty squares
*  glue art to glass tile (reverse side)
*  glue title to back of art
*  seal title piece AND EDGES with silicone sealant

* wait for dry time

* clean edges of glass

* mix resin PERFECTLY
* run resin around edges

Pendant back (old version,
without title) showing
sterlin plated heart bail

* wait for set/cure time (1 hour to overnight)

* resin entire back
* stare at pieces for 48 hours to a week, depending on temperature and humidity

* quality check (toss or send back to "resin edges" stage)

* clean and polish
*  glue on bail
*  package in box with chain, care instructions and goodies
*  pack

* mail
* pray that the USPS comes through

fin

Spammy McSneakerton!

2011-12-07T14:02:00.001-08:00

These are the kinds of things that crack me up. I received a comment today on one of my most popular blog posts, You Stole My Idea! ... Or Did You? (aka Copyright 101). At first glance, it seemed nice.

Good post! I was actually doing research online on Intellectual Property Law when I came across your very informative blog.

Of course, as soon as I looked at the link he tucked into "Intellectual Property Law" (by hovering over it), I saw that it was a law firm. Smooth move, Ex-Lax.

Yeah, I know I could have deleted it permanently, leaving no trace of "Mr. Marti," but this was more fun.

Yesterday's Progress - photo blog (is that, like, a "flog?")

2011-12-06T15:25:00.001-08:00

Well, first:

This doesn't look like the results of an entire afternoon of printing,
sealing and trimming, but it is. Next step,
what I do best: "gluing shit to other shit."

OK. Now I have glass tiles with little
pictures glued to them.

Here's what they look like dry - these still need the backs glued on
and then have the sides and back sealed with resin

These are all finished - they just need final polishing and bails, then
they'll be going to new homes (or joining me at Art Bazaar & Bizarre Art in
Midtown Sacramento on Saturday night!)

But then:

Hey! This is new! 1" rings!

So you take your glass tile with awesome art glued to the back...

... and you pop it in (with the help of a little E6000 adhesive).
These little goodies will be premiering on at Art Bazaar & Bizarre Art
on December 10th (5-8pm) in Midtown Sacrament OR you can order
them from my ArtFire shop (contact me for a custom listing for now).

And just because:

YAY!!!! HANK IS HOME!

Shipping and Order Status Information

2011-12-05T10:30:00.001-08:00

"I'm too pretty to work." ~Skelekitty

Hi everyone! Things are much busier than usual here in my studio, but as usual, Skelekitty is being a lazy bum, moving from sun spot to sun spot without lifting one bony paw to help! Darned cat. I've been so overwhelmed with orders for the Help Hank fund that I'm running a little more behind than usual. Mind you, I am NOT complaining! My heart is absolutely full to bursting with how people have come together for that dog.

So. Updates. I haz dem:

SHIPPING PROCEDURE:

When I print your mailing label, you will receive a notification e-mail from USPS tracking, however, there is usually some lag time between when I print the label to pack your order and when the package is picked up by my super-awesome mail carrier. When the package actually goes out the door, you will receive an e-mail from ArtFire* saying that your package shipped, and one with your shipping confirmation number again. Oh, and shipping on original art and pendants ALWAYS includes insurance, so if you have any difficulty with your package, we've got it covered.

* if your order ships in separate packages, you will received the ArtFire "shipped" confirmation only after all items have shipped.

ORDER UPDATES:

Prints: All prints in orders placed before December first have been packed & shipped, and USPS Track & Confirm notices have been sent. These shipments include orders for prints placed with jewelry or original art (prints and jewelry/small art ordered together always ship separately because of the different shapes and sizes). Print orders placed after 12/1 will ship later this week - probably Thursday, maybe earlier if I stay focused!

Jewelry: Turnaround time for jewelry orders is usually 7-14 days. Yep, it takes that long for me to make them since they involve lots of little steps with 12-hour drying times in between. With the increased number of orders (and my aforementioned alter ego being a bum), I'm estimating a minimum of 14 days for jewelry now, just to be on the safe side. Anyway, since the prints are out the door, I am spending today working on finishing up earring and pendant orders and making some extras for the show Allyson and I are doing on the 10th in Sacramento.

My sincere apologies for the extra wait time. All orders already placed WILL be to you well before Christmas! I promise. And if anyone has some extra elves they want to send my way, I wouldn't refuse 'em!

Do you have a question that wasn't answered in this post? The fastest way to get a response is to e-mail krissisandvik@gmail.com. Facebook posts/tags/PMs, ArtFire messages and other contact methods are hit and miss at best.

Thank you again for the awesome response to the Help Hank fund! I do still have some in-stock and ready to ship pendants, so if you're in a hurry for a gift, check 'em out. More will be added on December 11th.

Operation Help Hank (he has his own page now)

2011-12-04T13:39:00.001-08:00

It was getting confusing with the health updates and the how-to-help posts in so many different places, so I've attempted to gather information an links (including links to all of Allyson's posts on Hank's health) in one spot.

Please join us over on Hank's page. And if you like, leave a comment (Al reads all of them to Hank when she visits).

Lots of love,

Krissi

New Look & Call For YOUR Questions

2011-11-28T14:25:00.001-08:00

Howdy all! I hope you were all able to find something to be thankful for last week (well, every day would be even better).

Hand turkey art by my friend Wenchkin,
for whose friendship and creativity I am constantly thankful

Aside from some breaks to walk Abby or spend time with friends and neighbors, I've been nose-down in the studio raising funds for my friend Allyson's dog Hank who contracted Leptospirosis (he was a stray who Al stalked, lured, caught and then fell in love with). Hank does seem to be improving, but there is a lot of creation, packing and mailing to do before the day is out. Then some more fundraising.

I also took an hour out of my schedule today to update the look and feel of my blog - it had been really bothering me for the last few months. I hope you like the changes.

As the year comes to a close, I'd love to know what you would like to see from me here. As you know, I have been posting at the group blog, Modern Rosies, since it launched in September, and I will continue to post recipes and DIY household tips over there along with the Ask Krissi's Art Studio column.

As for this blog, I have every intention of diving back into the Marketing Tidbits as soon as I look up from my orders and projects - have no fear. So are there any particular marketing questions you'd like answered? Any tutorials that I haven't yet covered? Anything you'd like help with? Something you're just curious about? Please, take advantage of my years of trial and error and error and error. Clue me in on what you'd like help with by either leaving a comment on this post or dropping me an e-mail.

Thanks, as always, for reading and supporting my art and ramblings.

xo & <3

Krissi

Hank Fundraiser - background and update

2011-11-26T17:36:00.001-08:00

11/27 UPDATE!! THIS JUST IN!!!! Donation amounts from all "Help Hank" purchases made in my shop between NOW and 11:59PM on Monday night will be matched DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR by an anonymous donor!!! The love just keeps pouring in! (Just go to my shop and search HELPHANK or click on his happy photo!) http://skelekitty.artfire.com

If you are wondering what all this is about "Hank" the dog, let me plagiarize a friend (Paige Lettington)'s Facebook post:

To all my friends who love animals (as well as music and lifting heavy things)...Allyson Seconds was my first trainer at BodyTribe and she rescues animals. In fact, she was late to our first session because she was rescuing a squirrel. Her most recent rescue (that I know of) is Hank, a very sweet black lab whom she has had for about a year. He has come down with Leptospirosis, and has had some vet bills this past week that are tough for Al to handle. Her other dog, Lulu (also a rescue) had two vet incidents this month too, and Al makes her living making music and making people strong, so her financies are limited. There are a couple of ways to help. You can buy something (and support a local artist) from Krissi Sandvik through Monday, or donate directly to Al via PayPal. See both options here: http://krissisandvik.blogspot.com/2011/11/hank-dog-and-sale-update.html

Thanks to ALL OF YOU, I've been able to gather $130 from the sale of prints and pendants, and we still have two full days to go! Through donations and purchases, Allyson was able to obtain the diagnosis via an expensive 'senior blood panel." I cannot express just how much the purchases and notes I've received, both to me and on behalf of Hank, Allyson and Kevin Seconds, have done to restore my faith in humanity. For that alone, thank you.

I have a few newish pieces going up in the shop to help raise funds for Hank's vet bills. To find out which pieces will have all profits donated to Hank's vet fund, just click on the "Help Hank" picture in my shop or search "helphank" on ArtFire.com.

The HELP HANK sale has been extended INDEFINITELY

If you can only afford a couple of dollars or would prefer your entire donation go to Hank, you may also donate directly to Allyson via PayPal (her address is alnational1@gmail.com).

Thank you again for your caring, help, notes and for just being awesome.

You guys rock.

Hank the Dog and a Sale Update

2011-11-23T14:08:00.001-08:00

11/27 (2:00 pm PST) UPDATE:

THIS JUST IN!!!! Donation amounts from all "Help Hank" purchases made in my shop between NOW and 11:59PM on Monday night will be matched DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR by an anonymous donor!!! The love just keeps pouring in! (Just go to my shop and search HELPHANK or click on his happy photo!) http://skelekitty.artfire.com

Hank is a good-natured black Lab who was found last Thanksgiving on the Sacramento river by a local photographer, artist, musician, personal trainer and all-around awesome woman, Allyson Seconds. If you don't know Al, I can assure you that she gives to the community whenever and however she can. Now one of her rescued dogs needs more veterinary care than she can afford (following two medical incidents with her Lab/Border Collie cross, Lulu last month).

Therefore, I decided that in addition to my customer appreciation / un-occupy the malls sale this weekend (see below), I would donate all profits from select animal-themed prints & pendants to Hank's veterinary fund.

While the flyer says it starts tomorrow, I will honor any
Operation Help Hank purchases today. 'Cause I love that big galoot.

UPDATES ON HANK can be found here, on Allyson's facebook page.

Just click on the HELP HANK button here or in the Skelekitty & Friends shop to see which items are part of the benefit. I'm adding more each day. All you do is make a qualifying purchase before the clock chimes 12 midnight on Tuesday morning. You don't need to do anything else, I'll automatically donate the profits to Allyson for Hank. However, you're encouraged to send a little note with your purchase - I really like little notes and I'll pass those on to Al as well.

How to Help Hank:

BUY YOURSELF OR A FRIEND SOMETHING PRETTY

visit Krissi's Art Studio, home of Skelekitty & Friends and click on the HELP HANK photo
or
search helphank in ArtFire.com
or
click here to see which items will benefit Hank

As always, there is no account signup required to shop on the ArtFire online marketplace.

DIRECT DONATION

you may also make a PayPal donation to Allyson and Operation Help Hank (this donation goes directly to Al & doesn't pass through my account) **if you have difficulty with this link and are using a mobile device or tablet, just use your PayPal app and make a donation to alnational1@gmail.com. Thanks!

I have also added two more days to my UN-occupy the malls sale to thank all of my customers for their support over the years.

Just look for the "COUPON" banner on items starting at midnight tonight
then use the code for that day at checkout
p.s. The search feature is a little glitchy today, I'll have it fixed by tonight!

I'm finishing up a run of pendants to list in the shop for the sale, so I'd better get off this darned computer and start photographing and listing them!

And yes, any sales items that also fall into the Help Hank category will automatically have the profits donated to Al.

Holiday "Thank You" Sale

2011-11-11T11:43:00.001-08:00

To thank my customers for all of the support throughout this year (and previous ones), I've decided to run a pre-holiday sale at Krissi's Art Studio, home of Skelekitty & Friends.

Thanksgiving (11/24): 25% off all in-stock items (includes all prints, original art and ready-to-ship jewelry)* Coupon code: THANKYOU25

Black Friday (11/25): 20% off all in-stock items (includes all prints, original art and ready-to-ship jewelry)* Coupon code: THANKYOU20

JUST ADDED! (11/26 & 27) 15% off all in-stock items Coupon code: THANKYOU15

Cyber Monday (11/28): Buy One, Get One prints Coupon code: THANKYOUPRINTS

*Sales exclude all made-to-order items, i.e., made-to-order jewelry, painted mats and custom art. I won't be able to offer made-to-order jewelry (resin is tricky this time of year), so if there's a pendant you think should be in the shop, now's the time to drop me a note and tell me what size & image (don't forget the size!)

Please give handmade items this holiday season
and feel free to share Skelekitten's message
(but please don't remove my studio name)

And now, for an editorial.

I know many people participate in "boycott Black Friday" for various reasons - some because they feel the spirit of Christmas has been lost in a wave of consumerism; some because they don't approve of stores requiring employees to work over the holiday weekend; some because they believe Thanksgiving should be spent with family and friends; and some because they just don't want to support large corporations. As for me? I just hate the crowds and would rather go for a walk at the lake with my husband and dog.

It's not for me to pass judgement on anyone's stance on the boycott, no matter why they participate. As a long-time supporter of the Give Handmade movement, I decided to offer some discounts to my fans as a thank you, not so I could get myself 'in the black.' I don't rake in the bucks on sales (don't worry, I'm not undercutting myself either), but I know some people save up for months just to get a print or a pendant. That is the spirit in which I decided to have a Thanksgiving weekend sale.

So if you are one of the few who like to troll around looking for artists and indie shop-owners so you can publicly shame them for running a sale over Thanksgiving weekend, I request that you to keep your opinions to yourself. We put more of ourselves into our work than we could ever reflect in our prices. There are no employees being forced to work a holiday, and most of the money we do make goes back into our local community or to other handmade artisans. We do this because we love it, not to get rich.

Likewise, if you disagree with the entire idea of the boycott, this isn't the place to bring it up. Discussion is fine in the appropriate places. If you want to discuss it, make a post on your blog or facebook page and invite discussion - I did it over on my Google+ page before writing this post).

No matter what you think about the boycott, whether you celebrate American Thanksgiving or not, or how you decide to spend your holiday weekend, whether it is at the mall or at home, I hope you will spend some time to remember what you are thankful for this year.

Best Savings for the Rest of the Year. No kidding!

2011-11-01T15:22:00.000-07:00

The GB Handmade group "Skull Appreciation" sale is in full swing! With about a day and a half left to go, I thought I'd show you all a few of the things that are 30% off in my shop with the code BRAINCASE. FYI, if you want to see everything that's on sale, just click here. NOTE: none of these have never been 30% off before, and they sure won't be again before Christmas.

Each of these 5x5" plaques is regularly $25, but with your 30% coupon,
that's just $17.50 each!
Your choice of pink/hearts, lime/hearts & bone or purple/crossbones

My 2009 painting, La Llorona
photographed at an angle in bright sunlight to show the texture on original
7x9" acrylics, pencil and ink on wood plaque
(was priced at $76.95, with code BRAINCASE, it's just $53.87 - a steal and a half, since the price is going up to $90 after the sale!)

2 Sides of Skelekitty
Pair of Skelekitty Angel/Devil Paintings
11x14" acrylics, ink and mixed media on cradled hardwood artist panels
regularly $325; with code BRAINCASE, they are almost $100 OFF! (just $227.50)

And, of course, all of my prints and pendants (even the made-to orders and custom mats) with skulls, bones, skeletons or even exoskeletons are also 30% off with the sale code.

This all ends Wednesday night, so hop on it, 'cause I'm serious that you wont' see another sale with prices this low for at least another 3 months.

Marketing Tidbit: Make Packing/Shipping Easy

2011-10-31T09:00:00.000-07:00

Today's Marketing Tidbit is a 2fer since I've been gone for so long.

First, some organization: I've tried going off memory to make sure that everything I want to go into packages actually gets in there. I fail every time. - luckily, the item that usually gets left out is the invoice (annoying, but not critical). I think it's because I don't ship a high volume of stuff, so I haven't developed habits from constant repetition. I finally broke down and admitted I needed a system, so I made myself a checklist.

Click on the image to be taken to the Google Docs checklist.
Now you have a checklist too!

The "Linky Love" packet, for those of you who are wondering, is a little envelope of goodies and business cards from shops I buy from, work with and love. Cross promotion between shops is a FABULOUS idea, but don't just throw your friends' cards in the package, tell your customer why you are sending them. The wording on my note goes something like this:

There you go, two treats and no tricks! Happy Halloween, everyone!

See all the Marketing Tidbits

Sugar Skull Mask Tutorial!! Woo Hoo!

2011-10-28T16:59:00.000-07:00

A little over a week ago, I was lamenting the loss of my muse on Facebook and Google+ in the hopes that someone would say something to spark my imagination. Most of my artist friends were also dealing with creative blocks, so we figured that our muses all took off with the 'blue flu' (or whatever prompts inspirational goddesses to go AWOL for a day).

Luckily for me, my friend Betty called me with a request and challenge. Could I make her five Día de los Muertos style sugar skull masks. *LIGHT BULB!* I sure could!

I even took photos and wrote up a little tutorial for you over on the Modern Rosies blog, in plenty of time for you to whip one up before Halloween or Day of the Dead.

Clicky click the pic to see how easy these were to make!

Excuses, Tutorials and A BIG-ASS GROUP SALE!

2011-10-27T15:21:00.000-07:00

Have you been wondering where I was? Yeah. Me too. First, I survived "The Plague" (OK, it was really just strep & sinusitis) which seems to be going around with a vengeance this Autumn.

Second, I've been blogging every week over at Modern Rosies (and I have another really REALLY awesome Ask Krissi's Art Studio tutorial publishing tomorrow!).

Third, and this is the biggie, the GB Handmade team of creative types has been busy behind the scenes cooking up a GREAT pre-holiday sale for all of you! We're calling this our Skull Appreciation Sale 'cause it's that skully time of year and, let's face it, you'd look funny without your skull (not to mention several other non-cosmetic issues you'd have).

clicky-click for larger version

Here's what will be on sale starting Monday (Halloween!) and going through Wednesday (Día de los Muertos):

Wenchkin: 25% off sugar skull masks and custom muerto portraits
Krissi's Art Studio: 30% off items with skull/skeleton/bones images (including fine art)
Brooke Van Gory Designs: 20% off custom diaper bags using prints from her Skull Appreciation Fabrics Collection with coupon code; 10% off Fundamental, Expedient, and Upsized bags using other fabrics (no code needed).
Ant Farm Studio: 30% off everything skelly or ectoskelly-themed (includes ants, scorpions and crabs)
Madd Style Cosmetics: 20% off of everything
KissZombies: 20% off all skully/skeleton-themed items

Our affiliates are all taking part in this sale too!
Scott Krichau: 25% off all Tank-O-Lanterns and Chimineas
KitCameo: 15% off large, skull-themed art bottles and 25% off all other skull-themed items
Indiscretion: 50% off everything (in both Indiscretion and Haute Indiscretion Etsy shops)
Kittycrossbones: 50% off Halloween items
Sweets N Stuff: 15% off hair accessories - AND she'll be doing a giveaway on her facebook page!

Wow. That's a LOT of stuff to remember! Well, to make your shopping experience super easy, we will have our sale information in our shop announcements AND you can click this handy little widget, which you'll find in the right side bar of each of our ArtFire shops, which will take you directly to all of our sale items (ArtFire shops only).

October 31st through November 2nd
FIRST GBH SKULL APPRECIATION SALE!
Click skully for sale items from GB Handmade Members & Affiliates
when you use coupon code BRAINCASE.
Need more info? Visit GB Handmade on Blogger!

We hope to see you on Monday (but you can click on the skully for a sneak peek at some of the sale items now).

Handmade For The Holidays

2011-10-13T15:58:00.000-07:00

Folks, here's a little one-hand-washes-the-other action for you and me. Listen up.

ArtFire.com and Amazon.com have revamped their wish list integration. What that means:

you can add ANY ArtFire item to your Amazon wishlist with the click of a link (conveniently located right under the "Add To Cart" button, and
when you add an ArtFire item to you Amazon.com wish list, that item and the artisan's shop (let's say, oh, Krissi's Art Studio, home of Skelekitty & Friends) will get more hits!

How great is that for promoting handmade for the holidays? Pretty great, I think. I've already added all kinds to handmade goodies to my public wishlist!

What's in it for you? That's a fair question. I mean, I did promise some reciprocity. ;)

Well, starting this week and for the next 10 weeks, Amazon is giving away $2,500 Amazon.com Gift Cards to a lucky winner who has added goodies from another website to their Amazon wish list. You want $2,500 of free shopping money, doncha? Well then add at least one item to your wish-list every week! Week 1's contest ends on the 16th, so you still have time to get in there. (If you don't have an Amazon.com account yet, they're really no hassle to sign up for.) http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist

official rules here

Looking For A Few Good Bloggers

2011-10-07T17:46:00.000-07:00

I know, it's sort of cruel to get you hooked on a tutorial that's spread across six entries and then leave you hanging with nothing on a Friday.

Except I didn't.

where empowered people get inspired

Every Friday, I publish an Ask Krissi's Art Studio column on Modern Rosies, a blog on September 1st, 2011 by bag designer Brooke Van Gory. Brooke wanted to bring all of her creative friends together in a single place where they could share DIY, art and handmade tips, tutorials, indie business information, product picks, recipes and more. And boy, oh boy, our first month has been great! So far our "Union Riveters" (the main behind-the-scenes collaborators) have published a recipe for "Chocolate Frogs," sewing tips & tutorials, a how-to on painting and modifying toys, an eye-opening article on animal products in cosmetics, some serious money-saving tips and plenty more awesome information.

We are also looking for articles from other members of the DIY community (that's where you come in). So ask yourself, what do you know how to do that would interest the majority of people who either make/buy handmade or are handy fix-it types? If it's:

Focused on the DIY/handmade movement
Instructive (tutorial/how-to, tips, techniques or product reviews)
Related to house & home, automotive, craft, art, indie business issues or computers

Write it up and send it (with photos attached) to us at modernrosies@gmail.com.

Well?

What are you waiting for??

Oh yeah, and go read today's tutorial from your's truly. It's how to upcycle a padded mailer with leftover scraps of paper.

The How-To on How-To's Part II (Writing Style)

2011-10-06T11:00:00.000-07:00

Here we are at part 2 of my how-to on how-tos. By breaking this tutorial-writing tutorial up into sections, you have a little more time to focus on each aspect of writing a good tutorial before I throw the next bunch of information at you.

Last time I covered the importance of using photos in your posts (feel free to review that before we go on, I'll wait), so that brings us to:

PART II: WRITE CLEAR, SIMPLE INSTRUCTIONS
Intro: The purpose of publishing tutorials is, in short, to help people. Admittedly, tutorials are also a great marketing tool with which to showcase your knowledge, writing style and/or craft, but if it doesn't teach people how to do something, then it has failed at being a tutorial. If you're writing for yourself, or if your audience is unable to understand you easily, your time would probably be better spent elsewhere. Harsh. I know, but there you have it.

Use a structured format. I dig literature. I have a love for Joyce's stream of consciousness literary style and the long, meandering story-telling of American writers from the Deep South. However, rambling in a tutorial makes me click away quicker than green grass through a goose. True story. Have you ever wondered why I use bullet points so often? Outline formatting is a habit I picked up from my years of writing licensing contracts and doing regulatory analysis. It works so well for instructional writing that I use it often in my posts.

An outline format:

is easy to read
stands out on the page - it says "here are the instructions!" and
makes referring back easy; your reader won't have to scan through long paragraphs to find information
serves as a checklist when printed out

Write simply. Don't plan on getting mileage out of your fancy vocabulary in a tutorial. Instructions are difficult enough to follow without making readers stop to look up words like "contiguous" (just say "next to each other"). If you choose the simplest, most concise words to describe what you're doing, your tutorials will reach a wider audience base. People will also make fewer mistakes (read that as "get less frustrated") which means your popularity as a tutorial writer will grow.

Be conversational. You aren't writing a scientific research paper for publication in the Journal of the American Medical Association, so you should feel free to engage your readers in conversation. Heck, use colloquialisms (well-known expressions or slang) or crack a joke every now and then; nobody is going to rap you on the knuckles with a ruler for goofing off in class.

Here is a trick I used in college when I was a writing tutor: try reading your instructions aloud. Do they make sense? If you find yourself tripping over sentences or words, revise those parts. Whenever I read my tutorials to my husband, I edit as I go.

Use proper grammar and punctuation. I cannot stress this enough.

Not sure about proper punctuation?
Periods and commas are
nothing to be ashamed of.

Colloquialisms and jokes are great, but never use LOLspeak, SMS or texting abbreviations, leetspeak or any other form of un-grammar in a tutorial (exception: if you are writing a tutorial on technology-based "grammar"). If you use any "txtese" in your tutorial,

Best case scenario: you exclude anyone who doesn't understand what you are saying. Why bother writing a tutorial if most people can't or won't read it?
Worst case: you come across as irritating, uneducated and/or too lazy to write a sentence. Yipes.
All the squiggly red lines under your abbreviations are going to distract you from the other spelling errors.

Spelling is pretty easy to check with a spell-checker, assuming you haven't used the wrong version of a word like "then" instead of "than." Common grammatical errors, I'm sorry to say, will also turn off many readers. If you are unsure about when to use "its" and "it's" (that's a confusing one, too), just do a quick search on Google.
My current pet peeve is misuse of the ellipsis (aka "dot dot dot"). These should be used only when something is left out of a quotation or is intentionally left unsaid. If you want to pause, try our old friend the comma or live wildly and start a new sentence.
Ellipsis have three (3) periods "..." (a fourth is optional, but only at the end of a sentence). Adding an extra 12 in a Facebook post might be cute, but in a tutorial, not so much.
Use a reference book. OK, this is for the hard-core of us out there, but it is an option. Most people have thrown Strunk & White to the wind in preference of On Writing Well, but my favorite is The Deluxe Transitive Vampire. It's funny, helpful and it makes a great conversation piece when people see it on your bookshelf. People ask me about that book more than they ask about my gigantic O.E.D. (acquired in ye olde pre-internet days).
And the simplest tip: have someone read your work or proof it the next day with fresh eyes.

Sure, you could go with Elements of Style, but
why would you want to? This is so much cooler!

I know, you're probably shouting, "Krissi! This post is chock full of rules to remember!" Well, don't get too panicky about them. Just work on communicating what you want to say in the simplest manner possible. Pretend you're having a conversation with someone and avoid the temptation to fancy up your language to "sound like writing" or to use punctuation you aren't sure about. After that, just proof it with fresh eyes (yours or someone else's) and go for it.

Next time: Links!

The How-To on How-To's Part I (Photos)

2011-10-05T14:02:00.000-07:00

I was recently named "best tutorialer on the web" by my friend Rachelle Rose. OK, so it's not a REAL award, but dang it, I think I do write tutorials pretty well. Once I finished patting myself on the back for that major award, I realized something. If I am so great at writing tutorials, I should probably write one on how to write tutorials. And so, here we are.

I've decided to turn this into a series, rather than throwing it all at you at once. This way, I can spend a little more time going through and fleshing out or editing the sections for you, and you get a little more time to focus on each aspect of this how-to how-to. Here's what you can expect me to cover (I may throw in other stuff as we go):

PART I. USE PLENTY OF PHOTOS

It doesn't matter whether you're writing about crafts or Photoshop basics, people need to actually see what you are doing. The trouble with blogs is that the written word often causes misunderstandings - the great thing about blogs is that you can embed pictures!

BONUS: I've had HUNDREDS of hits on my image transfer
tutorial as this photo keeps being "pinned"and "repinned!"

Document your process. Take photos (or screen shots) of each step, technique and process. If you have trouble identifying at which stage to take each photo, volunteer a friend and teach them how to use/make your product/project and every time you say "and now you..." have them take a photo. I also like to include a shot of supplies or the setup and a shot of the final piece.

"Tijuana Makeover" from woodburned outline
to finished mixed-media painting

Give a visual timeline. Consider editing your photos together into a collage to show your process. I've had great success with Mosaic Maker by BigHugeLabs using the photos I uploaded to my Flickr account, and I've also created my own using photo editing software. It's pretty easy and it REALLY helps people to see everything at once.

Point out the little things. Let your inner "John Madden" out - use your editing software to label details.

You may be able to pick out the details clearly, but
someone new to your process may not - help them out

Make use of the photo captions. Even if you're explaining everything in the text, pop a little something into the caption that will lead them back into the tutorial.

Now that you know how to use the photos in your post, here are a few tips to keep in mind when you are taking your photos:

make sure your lighting picks up the details you want to show (avoid the temptation to "white out" your photos with overexposure)
the area being photographed should be uncluttered (and free of pet hair, etc.)
use a solid color background to avoid distractions (and please, don't use your bedspread)
leave the artsy-fartsy stuff-on-books pictures for your Etsy listings; they have no place in a tutorial
crop your photos and adjust the brightness and contrast, if necessary, but don't give your photos an over-processed look or mess with the depth of field (see above)
take more pictures than you think you'll ever need, then take a few more

I hope this series becomes a helpful resource for you all.

If you have a question about writing tutorials, please post a comment here or in any future installments of this series.

Next time: writing style

We Apologize For This Brief Interruption In Service.... beeeeeeeeeeeeeep

2011-10-04T12:57:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! *cough* I still have plenty of marketing tidbits for all of... of... *AhhhCHOO!* ...you coming up in the very near future. *sniffle* I promise.

I hope to be back in the full swing of things by the end of this week or early next if the stuff the doctor gave me works on this nasty head-cold-turned-strep-throat thing I've got going. *cough*

Oh, and just ignore Brooke Van Gory if she tells you I have The Plague; I'm fairly certain that I don't. LOL.

My writing skills may have suffered, but at least I can still paint in between sneezing, coughing, washing my hands and complaining to my husband about how I'm sick.

8x10" owlets in progress
(yeah, they already have a home)

Marketing Tidbit: Make 'Em Put A Ring On It

2011-09-27T18:52:00.000-07:00

Winter art and craft festival time is FAST approaching, so this little tip is for those of you gearing up for the crazy weekends to come.

You've probably been there - you're at a festival or art/craft fair and a customer asks you to hold an item, ostensibly to find their husband/wife/holder of money. You want to make the sale, but you know there's a very good chance of them never returning. Festival-induced ADD is the main reasons I would never hold items for people. There's nothing more frustrating than turning down the next customer who wants that item - except maybe being the next customer who is turned away! Chances are you won't be seeing them again, either.

My new-found collague, Kattaztrophe Arts' has a simple, but brilliant solution: include a small deposit in your hold policy. Base it on a small percentage of the price of the item, which is refunded/applied toward the final cost. With a deposit in your coffers, you don't completely lose out if the person doesn't return. I think you'll find that anyone who refuses to pay a deposit wasn't really interested and those who do will come back more times than not. If they don't have cash on them and they really want the item, they'll move pretty quickly to find their other half!

Here are some extra Krissi-tips on the side:

post your hold policy and deposit requirement (with amount or %) - never make people ask
remove any item on hold from public display immediately (don't tease customers with what they can't have)
keep order forms on hand and have a proper system for accepting customer orders (with payment or a deposit, of course)

Marketing Tidbit: BE THE PARTY, Don't Just Wait For An Invitation

2011-09-21T10:00:00.000-07:00

It's pretty well universally understood that sitting at home waiting for the phone to ring isn't going to get you any dates, and that if you want a social life, you need to go make one. You know, meet people, talk, invite people over, stuff like that. Likewise, if you don't send out invitations, it's a good bet nobody is going to show up for your parties.

So why, when it comes to business, do people forget everything they know?

Several people have told me over the last few weeks that they "don't get enough sales/walk-ins [in their online shop]" so they don't bother to put any time into it or refer customers there. Seriously, how can anyone call/show up to your party if they don't have the number or know there's a shindig going down at your crib?

Here's the breakdown of one of these very candid back and forths (I've had about five in the last month, but this one was the easiest to find and copy/paste):

[SCENE: a group discussion about glitchiness of Facebook notifications]

Artist: Most of the people who buy from me do so through Facebook, and it was getting very frustrating and stressful.

Krissi: Why don't you send them over to ArtFire? [note: ArtFire was suggested in this case since this artist has both ArtFire and Etsy shops and using ArtFire would save on fees.]

Artist: I have a hard time diving in completely on ArtFire because I've never gotten a "walk-in" sale from that site. I can send artists there like crazy to set up shops, but I don't spend a lot of time on the site because even when I post new links to items in that shop, I still don't get sales there.

Krissi: The more people I send over to purchase through ArtFire, the more drop ins I get. People go there, look through the shop and tell their friends about it. So even if I have a 'sale' on facebook, I set the listing up on ArtFire and have the person purchase through there. Then they know the shop is there and they go back and browse.

Artist: I get walk-ins from time to time on Etsy, most especially because of [a collaboration shop] and [a popular blog]. Because of those two things, most of my fans are just used to Etsy.

Krissi: People will shop where your stuff is. There's nothing magic about Etsy - it's just a tarted up online shopping cart with name recognition. Keep Etsy for the walk-ins, but ask your facebook fans, friends and repeat customers to go through ArtFire to save your fees. You can even increase the prices by $1 or so on Etsy to compensate for their listing fees and people will probably start 'getting used to' ArtFire pretty darned quickly. If you don't want to increase your prices on Etsy, you can hold "ArtFire only" sales to introduce people to it.

Artist: I have to tell you, though, I don't get the bulk of my sales through my inventory at all. If I relied on either shop to pay my bills, I'd be even worse off than I am now. Most people just contact me on Facebook about custom orders, and I set them up with a Paypal invoice.

Krissi: I don't get very many drop-ins either since most of my customers come from Facebook, but I do have more than I used to AND hear from people who say they've been 'stalking' my shop for months before they actually buy something. I've learned that most people want the freedom to look around at items with prices and without a sales clerk following them. If they need to contact someone to ask the price, a good number of them probably won't. Providing a fully stocked online shop with full descriptions to allow potential customers to browse at their leisure is critical. It's kinda like me walking past Crate & Barrel every day at lunch and then one day wandering in to buy that vase I've been looking at for a week.

Here's a visual. Look at the difference by clicking on my Facebook fan page. Can you immediately tell what I have available for sale, what my prices are and whether I take custom orders?

Now click on my ArtFire shop. See a difference?

[at this point the conversation went off on another tangent about programming shop widgets and tagging, which will be addressed in separate Marketing Tidbits]

Don't be the sad pug. Make your shop accessible and invite your customers over. This advice has already started working for one of the Glitter Bitches Handmade Affiliates (aka the Glitterati), AmyLynn of Kittycrossbones Custom Promotionals, who recently reopened her custom promotionals business after a 7 month hiatus. Not only has she successfully moved her customers from Etsy to ArtFire, but she is quickly regaining her entire customer base at the same time. Go AmyLynn!

And GO YOU! I know you can do it!

Marketing Tidbit: Play A Little

2011-09-20T19:58:00.000-07:00

Have some fun with your customers - invite them over to play once in a while. Laugh a little. There doesn't need to be a payoff, a prize or a giveaway for them every time they come to visit. Sometimes, it's enough just to hang out with you and goof off for a while.

Halloween-themed free downloadable coloring page
from Kittycrossbones over on Facebook
for you, your kids, your friends, whatever

Some marketing isn't going to have an immediate and direct effect on your bottom line, but it does build up your likeability, which is a huge part of what handmade is all about. Besides, even if nothing comes of your evil plan for world domination through free coloring pages, it's worth doing for the smiles.