Texas Artfire May 09 Newsletter

Texas Artfire Newsletter 5/09

Heather Mewis - ffmementos@yahoo.com

http://jinx1764.blogspot.com

To all our new members

Remember! If we all contribute our time and information to Texas Artfire then we can all benefit!

I will do my best to publish the monthly newsletter during the first week of every month so please get any new information that you would like published to me asap or it’ll have to wait to the next month’s issue.

Please feel free to contact me with any suggestions/articles you have and I will publish them in the monthly newsletter. My primary goal for Texas Artfire is local networking of our various members to increase the promotion of all Texas Artisans. No matter how much assistance an artisan is given ultimately you have to promote yourself and your studio to realize the increased business and long term success. I want to be a hub to facilitate that goal for all Texas Artisans.

If you have contests, promotions, etc that you would like to initiate and manage in the name of Texas Artfire - please do so! Promotion is very time consuming for each of us and if all of us contribute our time and energy then we can all find success!

I will be including an updated list of our current members, names, locations and type of shop in each newsletter. If your shop has limited information listed it is because I have yet to receive your completed questionnaire. If you would like more information to your studio name (such as email, blog) please contact me and I will add it. If you would prefer not to include additional info then I will keep your studio name as it is currently.

Also, if you have any articles, advice, fair information, etc to share please email it to me and I will include it in future newsletters. I would like to have a newsletter emailed out once a month but we’ll see how much information is required to be shared and I will adjust it according as the need arises. Also, if you are featured on other blogs, websites, or have articles published on Artfire or other sites please send the link to me and will send it out in a group email to all members.

If you are participating in an upcoming fair please send me the details and I’ll included it in the next newsletter.

I need all members’ participation in order to expand this newsletter. Currently only members in the immediate area of Houston and San Antonio have contributed promotional information to me. If you have any information that would assist other members in your local area please email me the information to be included here.

Tagging your items: please add - texasartfire - all one word as a tag so that all members can easily find and promote all Texas Artfire items and members. If the words are separate then it will bring up any shop that mentions Texas in any part of their listing.

Updates

We currently have 60 members, including my two shops. A few have downgraded their Artfire membership thereby losing guild member status. Below is an alphabetical list of the shop names, owner names, type of shop and their Texas location. If you have not turned in your guild questionnaire then I will not update further information.

Stop by the guild forums to participate in the discussions and contribute any ideas you have.

I’m currently dealing with some medical issues which should, hopefully, be resolved over the next couple of months; so any additional participation by guild members will be most appreciated!

I will be adding each month’s newsletter to the Texas Artfire Blog – http://txartfire.blogspot.com and just emailing out the notification that it’s posted. I you will like to be added to the blog team to contribute anything please contact me and I will add your email.

Please email me with any current/future promotions that you have accomplished or that you are running in your shop and I will post it in the next newsletter.

Promotions

I would like member’s opinion on running a Texas Artfire promotion similar to the Crazy Train Promotion that Picard started. Each week we would all use our social networks to promote a specific Texas Artfire shop; I suggest starting alphabetically.

The Easter Egg Hunt by Moonstone was a great success and the first place winner is currently deciding which shops to spend her $50!

James and Birdy of Birdy’s knits have set up Texas Artfire Features at you tube http://www.youtube.com/closetcreature, their blog http://www.birdysknits.com/blog/, and Byhand.me – Taste of Texas. Be sure to stop by their blog or shop and let them know how much their efforts are appreciated.

Artfire Stimulus Promotion - if you would like to participate add afsp or asp to your tags and announce the promotion on your personal blogs/sites and to your friends and family. This promotion is being done by numerous shops to help stimulate the economy. These shops are reducing their prices on certain items to encourage sales and help shoppers in need.

Artisan Achievements

James of Birdy’s Knits has added a great Texas Artfire Treasury to our blog, check it out!

My shop, http://jinx1764.artfire.com (Feathered Friends Mementos) was featured this month on About.com in the DIY Fashion section! Visit my blog listed in the heading for the link.

I’ve also been hired by Artfire to be a freelance columnist in the Art Daily: Just for Fun dept and will be required to submit two articles a week and one large feature a month. Please stop by and read all the great articles at Art Daily!

Birdy of Birdy’s Knits has been featured in the spring issue of Knitty . Her pattern is the Flit 'n Float pattern. Congratulations Birdy! Like they say: Any PR is good PR! Stop by and check out her feature. Her scarf is beautiful; I especially love the ruffled ends. Too bad I suck at knitting. I used to crochet but got burned out for now

Houston Area Fairs

Katy Farmer’s Market: www.FarmersMarketAtLaCenterra.com, contact Ro for application

Yale Street Market: www.FirstSaturdayArtMarket.com, contact Mitch, in the Houston Heights, Myself and my friend Diana (abstract oil painter) will be there May 2, 11-6pm

Greatwood Gifts Galore: giftsgaloreatgreatwood@yahoo.com, contact Christina Moreland with Greatwood Elementary in Sugarland Oct 2009

International Gem and Jewelry Show: http://www.intergem.net/ , in the Reliant Center in Houston

Sienna Plantation Garage Sale and Craft Fair, Oct 09

Sienna Plantation Gingerbread Market - Dec 09

Member List

1) 3zart: Alexandria “AJ” McCormick (guild master of Artfire Decor) - Amarillo [Fun and funky décor items]

2) ABlondandatorch: Jen Nixon - China [Simple sterling silver and gold filled jewelry]

3) Andreadesigns: Andrea Wagner - Austin [Crocheted scarves and items]

4) Aprisha: Lewisville

5) Apunkincardcompany: Amie Needham - Montgomery [stationary and cards]

6) Bagsandbeads4u2: Lisa Kripps - Cleburne [Classic and quirky accessories]

7) Beachcomberscove: Norma Gafford - Corpus Christi [Tropical jewelry and art]

8) BigPikaChica: Heather Larsen - Bedford [General crafter]

9) Birdysknits: Birdy and James Coffman - San Antonio [Knitted items] http://www.birdysknits.com/blog

10) BlueBonnetJewelryDesigns: Yvonne Cornelius - Killeen [Beadweaving and bead embroidery]

11) BohemianRose: Jenn Carpenter - Mansfield [Soaps, lip balms and sugar scrubs]

12) BonnyCornerLampworkBeads: Bonny Corner - Dickenson [lampwork beads]

13) BoutiqueLozano: Lynn Lozano - Plano [ handmade kids crochet and knits]

14) BrokenHallelujah: Lubbock

15) CandleBoulevard: Houston [Fun candles]

16) Cctexan3: - Houston [Upscale jewelry]

17) Cedarjunction: Teresa Yates - Kingsville [Collage and mixed media vintage]

18) Claytiger: Glenn Ray Hall - Westlaco [Funky items from polyclay, copper and brass]

19) CountryLady: Betty Lee - Schertz

20) CreatedWithFire: Katy

21) Chucklebunnieuk: Elizabeth Mills - Honey Grove [all styles handcrafted artisan jewelry]

22) Dulciquilt: Lubbock

23) ElephantDreams: Houston

24) ElisaAlvarado: Elisa Alvarado - Round Rock [Contemporary bright figurative art]

25) FFMsupplies: Heather Mewis – Guild master – Missouri City [Vintage and destash]

26) FireFossil: Daniel Bresien - Bryan [lapidary – handcut designer cabochons]

27) GemsbyJerri: Jerri Chatham - Comfort [Jewelry for everyday wear]

28) GypsyGoods: Leander

29) HandmadeWithLove: Susan Griggs Peterman - Houston [Quilting]

30) Hosslassart: Connie Owens - Burleson [Watercolor artist of nature themes]

31) Illumestudio: Sylvia McDougald Holmes - Warren [Fused glass jewelry]

32) JanuaryGirlDesigns: Copperas Cove

33) Jellybeanz: Erica Christensen - Midland [Boutique shop for children, bath and paper goods]

34) Jinx1764 (Feathered Friends Mementos): Heather Mewis – Guild master Missouri City [Feather jewelry and items inspired by birds and nature]

35) KatherineKouture: Dallas

36) Kathiskreations: Katherine Price - Frisco [Quilting, sewing and knitting]

37) LBCDesigns: Lorraine King, Barbara Terry, Cynthia Jones - Houston [Eclectic jewelry and accessories]

38) Lifeisbutacharm: Yvonne Cornleius - Killeen [Mixed media, tile and glass pendants]

39) MagicWeaver: Mesquite

40) MeBirdDesigns: Robin Berri - Longview [Art jewelry using vintage and found items]

41) NancyMedinaArt: Nancy Medina - Flower Mound [Oil and watercolor art of nature and pets]

42) Newusesforoldclothes: Columbus

43) Omaleinert: Jutta Cuttingham - Garland

44) OntheLlanoStudio: Hilton Mclaurin - Lubbock [Pewter pendant foundary]

45) Pathea: Pattie Panuccio - Bronte [Wire jewelry with natural stones and vintage]

46) Pollywawgs: Jenny Lynch - Amarillo [Sew anything: dolls, blankets and embroiders]

47) RockyCreekGems: Linda Mcmurry - Elgin [Gemstone jewelry, knitting and quilting]

48) Ruthbl: Ruth Blake La Porte [Handmade glass beads, resin and metal jewelry]

49) SacredTreasures: Houston

50) Snowbabyscreations: Petra Harding – Lubbock [Knit and crochet for baby and children, home décor]

51) Studio219: Cara Ellison - Spring

52) StudioDesigns: Celinda Barrett - Amarillo [Affordable handmade jewelry]

53) SylettSoap: Sylett Strickland - Dallas [Soap products]

54) SubearthenCottage: Haltom City

55) SweetTreatMaryAnn: Maryann Richards - Keller [Chocolate and sweets]

56) SweetWolf: Austin

57) TheJeweledFlamingo: Bonnie Saxton - Buda [Vintage and custom costume jewelry]

58) TheSacredOak: Willow Forrestall - Diboll [Historical costuming, pagan, occult, spiritual curios shop]

59) Treschicdesigns: Sharon Hightower - Katy [OOAK and limited edition jewelry]

60) Upstairs-Studio: Carolyn Huie – Campbell [Eclectic artist and jewelry maker]