If you are still interested in picking up an issue of the Somerset Studio Gallery Winter 2010 issue it is now available online and at local book stores.

Do not forget to check out my artwork and article.

 
For the first time, I am participating in an art market/fair. Not sure how many prints I should have or what other elements I should bring, but I am going to wing it. Participating in an art market/fair was a goal of mine for next year, not this year. But I think activity doing it this year, will help me prepare for the 2010.

So, if you are in the Charlotte, NC area on Dec. 16 & 17, stop by Booth #108.

Today I wanted to share 10 of my favorite Tips of on Staying Happy and Positive.  During the stuff times I have to often reflect on these tips to help me get through my day. We all have bad days, but what is important is how we handle those days so they don't become part of our everyday lives. Take some time and read over the following 10 Tips of Staying Happy and Positive.

1. Don't Put Yourself Down- It's important to recognize your weak areas, but it's not important to beat yourself up. Instead of thinking about your weaknesses, match them with strengths to help keep confidence levels high.

2. Stretch Away Toxins - During the winter months we sometimes neglect exercise. But still try to add some type of activity to your lives, even in the cold months. Try walking around the house, or doing yoga or pilates by video. Keep your body's circulation going and get rid of those winter blues.

3. Have a Tea Party - Simply going through the motions of making a cup of tea can reduce stress. There are four (black, green, white, & oolong) types of teas that have their own health- giving benefit.

4. Make it Moody- Put on your favorite piece of music. It can be something that reminds you of a pleasant memory like a happy holiday (Christmas music is my favorite) or your first romance. Then sit back in a comfortable chair, dim the lights and just listen. Music is said to appeal  directly to the primal part of the brain to calm and soothe.

5. Be Beautiful - Fill your home with things that give you the most pleasure. Do worry about conforming to others' perception of beauty; simply choose things that appeal to you and just sit around and enjoy your beautiful things.

6. Write it Down - Keep a pen and paper by your bedside. It can help you in two ways: first, write a list of things you need to tackle the next day; second writing it down allows you to let go of anything playing on your mind.

7. Bath before Bed- A warm bath will gently warm and relax you, and not only that, the reduction in your  body temperature mimics your body's natural sleep rhythms.

8. Learn for Another - Find a story about someone who has achieve greatness. Use their story to help you stay positive about your life and the opportunities you have.

9. Admire your Reflection- Make time each week to reflect on the decisions you have made and how they affected your life positively or negatively. Then make a promise to yourself to learn from your successes and failures.

10. Embrace Challenges- It's all too easy to be grateful for things like your house, family and loved ones, but remember to be grateful for life's challenges too. Often, it's facing challenges that helps uncover hidden strengths.

If you have any tips on how you stay happy and positive, please share them, I would love to add them to my list.-

 By the way if you have not subscribed to my blog- please do so, I wouldn't want you to miss a word of it.  Thanks - Alease Michelle

^{Excepts taken from 1001 Little Wellbeing Miracles}

If you guys love creating photo books from family photos or from your artwork, then this offer from Hoorray is just great! Hoorray has just released two amazing coupons just in time of the Holidays.

Use the quick links below and start promoting a free Soft Cover Photo Book valued at $18.49 and a 40% off Hardcover Photo Book. But you will have to hurry these coupons expire on 12/15/2009!

Get your FREE Photo Book From Hoorray

40% off Hardcover Photo Book from Hoorray

Vista Print is also wants to share a holiday special. If you are deciding on a holiday gift, then I suggest a photo calendar. Vista print is offering up to 50% off on their photo calendars.  Check them out if you are looking for something special.

Vista

Pictorial Webster's: Inspiration to Completion from John Carrera on Vimeo.

Check this video out. It is a wonderful piece of art. The actual start to end process of creating this book. Please watch it, especially if you have a love for books and book making & binding

Quoted from John site:The deluxe copy shown in the video is from an edition of 26 is $4600, but there is also the regular run of 100 books (doesn't have fingertabs) in $3200 binding, $2600, and $1800, and now from Chronicle Books a very splendid $35 version. Chronicle has a contest on their website where you can WIN the deluxe in the photo!

Friday was my Creative Collage Workshop on Story Telling Through Collage. 10 creative souls attended the workshop and I must say I have a blast and the participants all seem to enjoyed the workshop as well.

Below are photos from the workshop.

Setting up for my collage workshop this evening. I've checked my list over and over again to make sure I have everything. I'm so excited to be able to conduct another workshop at AiCharlotte. I have another plan for Feb. 5th, 2010 on Image Printing without a Press. Will post pics soon after the event.



Peace and More Love, Alease Michelle



I

Preparing myself for making a few holiday sales this season. So, I decided to create an email marketing campaign. I've read alot about the benefits of email marketing and I have worked a little with it in the past, but not until now did I really see the benefit of creating an email marketing campaign.

Yesterday sent out my email newsletter to 160 friends and family on my email list. I got a few responses back saying I love your newsletter, and great marketing.  I just waiting to see if I get more responses from the items I have for sell.

I've posted it on my facebook and fan page and plan to post it on other social networks I've joined.

If you would like to see my Holiday Sales Email Marketing Campaign - You can check it out here: News from Alease Michelle, Mixed Media Artist- Holiday Art Sale

"The most important thing about goals is having one." Geoffry F. Abert

Currently I am planning my 2010 goals but I was wondering if any of you were thinking about your 2010 goals. So I am asking,

What are your 2010 goals?

Here are a few of my 2009 goals, part of my plans are to review over my last years goals, check off what was completed, move those I did not complete and cross out entirely those I plan to never to complete.

Internet Goals for 2009

Commitment Plans for 2009

What's the best way to build your company brand? Should you focus on your website, direct mail, print ads, advertising specialties, electronic newsletter or social networking? What is the magic bullet that will build your brand?

There is, of course, no magic bullet. Effective marketing requires a variety of targeted communication tools with a strong marketing message. Think of this approach as building a marketing portfolio, a mix of marketing strategies that ensures that your message reaches your customers and prospects consistently and continually. Whether you have a shoestring marketing budget or a more sizable one, you can develop a powerful marketing portfolio. Here's how.

• Understand your customers. Effective marketing is always customer-centered. It focuses on the needs of your customers, not your products and services. Thus, the more you know about your customers and prospects, the easier it is to convince them to do business with you. Begin by looking at who your customers are and who you want them to be. Understand the pain points or needs that drive them to purchase your products or services. Find out how your customers get information when they make a decision about a purchase. If you aren't sure of the answers, talk to your customers. Conduct an informal or online survey. If your budget allows, consider a focus group. Review over Building a Foundation for Artist Career: Why People Buy
• Develop a strong marketing message. Now that you understand who your customers are, you need to develop a concise marketing message that captures your customers' pain points, your solution and what makes you different. This message should be a succinct, memorable statement of 25 words or less and should be included in every marketing strategy you use.
• Plan. Armed with information about your customers and prospects, develop a marketing plan that includes a variety of marketing strategies. Focus on those strategies that are most important to your customers. Ensure that you are in contact with customers and prospects on a regular basis. Include a timeline and assign responsibility for each task to hold yourself and your staff accountable. Think of your marketing plan as your roadmap to branding success.
• Execute your plan consistently. Once you have developed your plan, execute it consistently. Refresh your website on a regular basis by making it copy rich. Distribute your newsletter at regular intervals. Take part in networking opportunities. Use social networking tools as yet another avenue for reaching people.
• Evaluate and adjust. Closely monitor the results you receive from each strategy over a period of time. If one strategy is not giving you the results you anticipated, consider adjusting your plan.

Build your marketing portfolio consistently and continually and watch your brand grow!

_{Written By: Joan B. Marcus, president of Joan B. Marcus Communications LLC, helps small businesses and nonprofit organizations build their brand through the power of words. Sign up for a free newsletter that offers practical and low-cost strategies to market your business at http://joanbmarcuscommunications.com. Services include branding and marketing message development; communications audits; marketing communications planning; implementation of marketing tools including websites, electronic newsletters and brochures; writing coaching; and grant development.}