Networking success!

I've been very busy the last couple of months and I'm trying to keep all the balls in the air so a few things, like this blog, have been slightly neglected. Oops.

Anyhow, I've gotten our Guild invited to 2 different Terrace locations for this spring starting in Feb; the Clear lake and Sugar Land locations. I've also made a commitment with the Tanglewood location near downtown Houston for Guild members to teach basic craft classes to the residents. The verbal agreement consists of the manager paying for individual supplies and a separate $75 fee for 1 instructor for a class size of 5-15 for 1+ hours. The manager stated that we could sell our products during the class if wished but she wanted the residents to have more interactive activities.

Cctexan3 and I have committed to Dec 10 from 2-4pm for a basic jewelry making class for a Christmas bracelet and earrings to start up this new program. I've got another artistic friend who has committed to drawing classes starting in Jan.

While it's not going to be a huge money maker it is a networking opportunity and the manager stated that when new projects work well at one location the other Terrace managers are quick to join in. She stated that she would love to have a few classes a month if possible down the road. So if this works an instructor could teach a class every week for $75 each if it works out it would be an additional $300 a month for someone. Not too bad and who knows who else we might meet! And if other Terraces joined it than multiple classes at multiple locations for several instructors could be a decent money maker in the future!

I'm slowing building Texas Artfire's local foundation and I hope to have people calling us offering work someday!

Are you ready?

Black Friday is quickly approaching, less than 2 weeks away. Is your shop ready? Artfire pro shops have the ability to create coupon codes for their customers and if you haven't taken advantage of this great tool yet than now is the time! Nov 27~29 is the busiest shopping weekend of the year. It's called Black Friday because it's when retailers general start making a profit and their financial books switch from the Red of debt to the Black of profit. There's still time to get ready for Black Friday~don't miss this huge annual shopping opportunity!

Artfire forums

The Artfire forums are now moderated so be careful what you write because your thread might get deleted or you might get banned. There's new rules in town and I'm not sure where everything is going yet. When I know more about the future of AF or TA I will let you know.

Here's my personal opinion on the matter at my blog, Jinx1764

Good luck Texas Artfire members!

Link and post your reputation with this badge

Ever wonder if your potential customers have any idea what a great seller you are? Do they bother to check your feedback? And what if they don't know all your selling sites? Well, go to Repatoo and link your accounts/sites together and post a verified badge on all your selling sites. Right now they don't include Artfire in the verification but I suspect that will arrive in the new future. You can add links to your Repatoo profile to show all your sites when someone clicks your badge. And it's FREE!

A Punkin Card Company - Texas Artfire Promotion

A Punkin Card Company is paper, stationery, and life.
Started in February 2007 by Amie Needham, a Houston area artist and designer, the collection emerged as simple card creations to enhance one's life. Soon the collection rocked into the modern realm of bold colors and fun, retro patterns. All the while taking Amie Needham's designs to the next level.
A Punkin Card Company creates stationery to change lives, evoke style and stir creativity.
*All of A Punkin Card Company's cards are handmade from recycled materials using a flat printing process.

Amie is originally from Louisiana, where she began as a historian with a focus English studies. After realizing her dream of design and art, she opened her own stationery company in February 2007 and hasn't looked back. Soon after life took another turn and moved her young company to Houston, Texas.

She is also the author of A Punkin Card Company Blog, a design and trend blog featuring artists from all over the Indie world.

www.apunkincardcompanyblog.com

Questions or comments: apunkincardcompany@gmail.com

A Blond and A Torch - Texas Artfire Promotion

This week's featured studio is A Blond and A Torch. Jenn creates simply beautiful jewelry and loves custom orders.

A Blond And A Torch offers artisan crafted metal jewelry that is simple and organic, yet elegant. Each piece is designed and hand crafted by Jen Nixon in her home studio in Texas with an eye towards wearability. Working primarily in solid sterling silver , A Blond And A Torch creates earrings, bangle bracelets and necklaces in a variety of sizes and styles and welcomes custom orders.

http://ablondandatorch.blogspot.com

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennixon/

www.trunkt.org/ablondandatorch

Jinx1764 rides the Artfire Crazy Train

Jinx1764

Lucky me! It's my turn on the Artfire Crazy Train Promotion! While I haven't made any sales yet my views have jumped dramatically! Here's the link if you're interested in following the AF thread about my shop. Thanks to everyone, especially Texas Artfire members that have been participating in my ride!