I tried to paint a little last night and my hands just wouldn't do what my mind and heart wanted!
I'll try again tonight and hopefully have something to share again.
I had a sale over the weekend on Etsy. 25% off and got nuttin'. I hope it's not because what I love painting really sucks.
I hear more and more that many sellers (items) get lost in Etsy with the thousands of shops and after this weekend my head is really trying to crank out something that can be functional and still allow me the fun and joy I get from painting.
If people buy washable menstrual pads.......why can't I think of something to sell :)
Tonight I'm going to practice painting realistic (let's hope) birds. I have so many local requests to paint wildlife and maybe if I give it a try, I'll find I like it. I don't know. I love how painting funky, whimsical girls allows ME the option of how they are going to look. Painting animals might be too restrictive in order to get them to look nice. We'll see.
I'd also like to paint some things that I can have printed into greeting cards to sell. Does anyone have suggestions on how to print them myself or an online printer they can recommend?
Just had to stop in and let you know I'm still here and I hope you are too♥
Darla
14 comments:
Darla, You would be brilliant at painting birds. They are a favorite to collect. The printer I bought which is really good is canon ip4600
Really gives excellent prints. Just haven't been to popular yet in selling them. Do love the prints that come out.
Wish you all the best with your new paintings. Have you tried making dolls, these seem to be popular?
Keep my fingers crossed for you!
Julie
I'm still here! I'm glad you are too ;)
Have you tried putting your art onto a site called 'craftgawker' it's free to submit piccies and the moderater? chooses the piccies for the whole day, they get linked to your etsy shop too! I first heard about it via Autumnrae's blog and have been submitting piccies ever since! I have had more traffic to my etsy shop lately too, not sure whether it's because of craftgawker or not, but it's worth a try isn't it?
Hugs Micki x
One creative lady (http://anotherpaintingblog.blogspot.com) recently blogged about giving Vista Prints a try.
Darla, I can't wait to see your bird paintings, I'm sure they'll be fab like the rest of you work!
Good luck with your etsy too, all the best :-)
I'm sure you would do well at painting birds, Darla. OH, and don't beat yourself up over your ETSY sale....your work IS lovely! Maybe people are just watching their pennies at the moment and you made a good point, ETSY can be overwhelming!
I'm the opposite to you because I'm more at home painting realistic animals than I am painting whimsical and yet I love the whimsical stuff too....just not good at creating it.
I am not selling anything there either... I have had better luck with ArtFire, but I have been there longer. I don't know if people are selling a lot right now anyway... seems like a lot of people are saying they aren't selling. SO... it has nothing to do with your talent!! I am interested to hear if/when you get a printer and make greeting cards. I have been thinking about doing that too! ;)
I love your work already . I don't think you should change your style maybe just the venue. I think it's hard for alot of people right now. I wish I couls buy more than I do .
I think you should stay true to what you love..
I have had a very slow month on Etsy, I was feeling like you too, but just hang in there and continue what you're doing, cause your painting are beautiful!
Come on Girls - let's keep her going!
Darla must not stop, Darla must not stop, Darla must not stop! Please, please, please don't stop Darla! You are doing something that you love - so please keep on doing it! =)
♥Lori
You are all so kind! I'm going to check out Craftgawker Micki! Thanks!
Jo, I've ordered business cards from Vista Prints and I love them so will check what they can do for cards too, thanks!
I painted a cardinal tonight so will go post it now :)
Hugs to you all! Thanks again :)
Darla♥
awww darla... i really dun think it's becos of your paintings. it's probably just luck. and i can relate to the "too many shops" in etsy ... it is getting really big. some self promotion is needed just to let ppl know we exist :) facebook and twitter seems to work well for a lot of ppl. if you register a profile on facebook (fb) you can actually create a fanpage for your art. have you tried fb? i'll leave you 2 links on 2 fanpages ...
this first one is mine :
http://www.facebook.com/winnie.luthien.thye?ref=name#/pages/pimppaint/103060024492?ref=sgm
and this one is a grp i belong to called inspiration avenue :
http://www.facebook.com/winnie.luthien.thye?ref=name#/pages/Inspiration-Avenue/149888995269?ref=sgm
take a look at them ... they are both fanpages. we get lot of views and "fans" from here. most ppl are on fb now and they are not necessarily on blogs. so we're reaching out to a wider, yuppy audience. i think your art will do well with this new generation audience. if you need any help on facebook just gimme a buzz ok:)) my email is happypimping@gmail.com ... if ever you need to talk :)
printers : apparently there is an inkjet printer from epson that prints on permanent ink. many card artists use it. it costs way less than a laser printer and all other inkjets run on non permanent inks. so this is a good choice. if you want to do cards ... maybe you should research on this epson make.
your paintings are beautiful! ... dun let a little disappointment like this make you think otherwise :) and yes ... many ppl love wildlife :) you can make them whimsical too :))
Hey you...you sounded a little down. I hope you aren't. Your work is lovely and we all get that "block" every now and then. I've heard that Etsy is pretty hard to sell on, and I think I've done well because all my friends are so super sweet, and I've been posting my things on my facebook page, so part of it is finding an audience. Actually, I think that is the biggest jpart, considering how many artists are on Etsy now! I can't wait to see some of your birds-I know they will be darling like you! Hang in there girlfriend!
I understand completely how you feel and my husband always says it's just a matter of the right people seeing our work. I do believe that and honestly I wouldn't change a thing if I were you. To be perfectly honest I'd snatch up much of what's in your shop if this darned economy would turn around.
I often consider creating what's popular but my heart just can't seem to give up what I love so personally I say, paint what you love and the rest will fall into place - have faith!♥
I think your work is wonderful Darla. I know how you feel though. I am not selling anything in my etsy store and it bums me out all the time. I am not giving up though cause I love art so much. I am going to try some of these places that a few commenters have suggested too. Cross fingers for both of us.
I have the same printer as Julie-ann and it is great! Not too expensive either.
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