Monday, February 23, 2015

February 23, 2015

I found a beautiful mannequin, I'm calling her Molly,  just waiting for me in an antique store this weekend.  She is so beautiful all dressed in white lace and is no bigger than a size 4.  What a difference she makes when photographing some of my hard to photograph items. 

Here are a few samples of already seen items being worn by Molly.  Doesn't she just set them off.  I think you will be seeing a lot more of her on Artfully Ann's.  So glad I found her hiding under a dusty old coat.










Now....don't you think she makes a difference?  I'm so glad I found Molly.  Hopefully it will make a difference in how my product looks over all.  Little by little Artfully Ann's will continue to mature.  This is just another step in the process.

Time to go to bed.  Take care and sleep tight!!

Carol Ann
February 23, 2015

During my recent trip to Hawaii I enjoyed the company of many talented knitters and crocheters. Here are just a few pictures of some of the lovely ladies I met and their extraordinary art. Thanks Paula for passing your pictures on since I didn't bring my camera up to our knitting group. Go figure!!























How I enjoy getting to know new people on a ship by knitting every morning we are at sea.  It is one of the best parts of a journey.  Thank you lovely ladies for making this trip special!

Keep on knitting!!

Carol Ann

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

February 18, 2014

Screen Shot 2015-02-15 at 12.05.14 PM




http://indieuntangled.com/make-1m-year-selling-knitting-successful-etsy-importer/

 


This article is a true story, but she is a scam. It is worth reading, if nothing else but to understand what this world is coming to.

 

How sad to see Etsy coming to this. The article just confirms what many of us already know. When I saw that Etsy changed their categories listing the other day it became apparent that “handmade” is no longer one of their core values. There is no reference at all to handmade items. The listings take most of the key words out for those of us who want to drive the customers to our shops using words that describe our home made, handmade, one-of-a-kind products. 

 

Etsy is stepping on the folks that made their website successful in lieu of assisting those who buy cheap goods, touch them by repackaging them and placing their label on them and calling them “Made in America” or “Handmade”. Even Etsy’s new promotional settings is just set up to making them more money, and our return on investment is nil. As a small business I take offense to this. Etsy is not in the business of assisting small, struggling art and crafts type businesses as it once was. Eventually I can see them setting up an IPO on the stock market. It is just a matter of time.  Actually it has come to light that and IPO is going to be offered in the near future.  The small handmade craft business has been left out in the cold to allow a select few people to make some big money.   Hummmm something sounds so familiar here.  History does repeat itself!


Those of us who actually make our product really need to find another venue. One that cares about the small art and craft business people. I’m so very sad, because this is the way the whole world seems to be headed. Quality and price do not seem to have anything to do with each other. Art is not in the eye of many in the general population these days. True artists will continue to create just because it is in our soul, but trying to find a venue to sell it will continue to be a challenge.

:-( ……..

 

Here are some sites that have been recommended to me from various sources.  I'm going to check them out!

 

https://handmadeartists.com 

http://www.thecraftstar.com 

http://www.deviantart.com

https://festivalnet.com

 

All of these sites have the systems available for artists and hand crafter's to sell their handmade art.  They are not as widely known as Etsy, but with time one of these will probably take over where Etsy is leaving off.

 

Stay tuned....I'm sure the saga will continue!!

 

 Sleep tight!

 

 Carol Ann


 

 

Monday, February 16, 2015

February 15, 2015

Spring has arrived in Seattle quite early this year.  It is hard to watch the weather on TV and realize that so many are suffering under such difficult weather conditions while we are enjoying unseasonably warm weather.

This afternoon I took a number of picture of the flowers blooming in my front yard.  I thought I would share a few with you.






Enjoy the pictures and keep them in your dreams.  It will be spring soon!!

Good night!

Carol Ann

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

February 10, 2015

Serious about ART, what is it's VALUE?

On occasion I find a blog with an interesting and provocative topic I feel passionate about and I have to comment. founder and editor of ArtsJournal has written a blog piece regarding the value of art and Artist's in today's environment. This piece is based on review of Scott Timberg’s book Culture Crash and William Giraldi review of the book in The New Republic.   The Art Journal was founded in September 1999 and aggregates arts and culture news from all over the internet.  The blog piece can be found at http://www.artsjournal.com/diacritical/2015/02/too-many-artists-or-not-enough-value.html.

My comments regarding Mr McLennan's perspectives and the value of art and artist's in the world today follows:  Art is in ones soul and a true artist lets it come out in their work with little regard for what others think or feel. One commenter sited Rod McKuen and Brittany Spears as being  examples of high quality art.  They may be good examples if you have a taste for their art. I’m sure they like the money, but there is a joy in the work they do. They are just lucky to have conformed to the tastes of the crowd. I’m sure given a choice they might sing or write it differently if just pleasing themselves.

History will continue to repeat itself. Great artists will, as Doug (another commenter) stated, continue to “do something different and stand out for people who have learned to value the difference”.  Eventually their work will be valued. Unfortunately, many will starve as they create their art and may only be recognized much later. Perhaps after they have passed. How many in the art world do we know who fall into that category?

I have had such instances where a customer has visited my booth, looked at my products and indicated that I am asking to little for the quality of the art or craft I am selling.  I have been paid twice what I have asked by some who really understand the time, effort and yes...some talent that goes in to some of the pieces I make.  It is when I create for myself and not when I am creating in hopes that someone will purchase it, or that it is trendy, that the true art is revealed.  Working from a pattern or a kit is a fine craft, but I would not consider it true art.

Art is an expression of being. That is why it is so important that we as humans learn to understand, appreciate and value art for it’s workmanship, mind-sight and value to humanity. Without this our humanity is lost. Producing copies upon copies of art, as so many do these days is humanity lost! And….so goes our country.

Saturday, February 7, 2015

February 7th, 2015

It has been a busy day adding new items to my Etsy page.  I have been so occupied making things that I've been putting off taking pictures and adding them to my store.  I just thought I'd let you know about the four items I added today.  There are more to come, but I'm still working on the descriptions.  Loading and keeping an Etsy page does take some time, but I enjoy the computer work just as much as I do the craft and art work.  It is a good thing!!

Here are some of my new additions.


Dragon wrist cuff

Salmon and purple knit purse
Embroidered wrist cuff

Rainbow knit scarf

Here is a sneak peek of some of the items to come.



4X5 stuffable waterproof mat
With Valentines Day just around the corner I hope that some of these goodies are gobbled up quickly!!
wire wrapped purple agate on gold chain
Princess Pink crocheted bowl

copper wire wrapped white agate on copper chain

Silver wire wrapped black and white agate on black chain
 Hope you are all having a wonderful weekend!  Sleep tight and we will chat again tomorrow.

Cheers,  Carol Ann
Gold wire wrapped unpolished agate on gold chain





Thursday, February 5, 2015

February 5, 2015

With a new year comes a time to reflect and a time to look forward.  For Artfully Ann's it is a time to re-brand and consider products that were successful, those that were not and those I would like to explore.  In the spirit of continual new beginnings and re-creation I have chosen a circular rainbow for my new logo.

 


Yes...my teddy bear has retired.  She still hangs around the shop, but she is just cooling her heels theses days.  She did her job well and I will miss her smiling face when I hand out my cards.

New business cards and post cards have been printed. The post card is shown at the top of this blog.  Soon my new shop signs will be prepared for my market booth.  I'm now planning the activities for the 2015 selling season.  I have a number of interesting and colorful items ready to add to my ETSY site.  I'm also planning on some different venues for selling to the general public.

I'm looking forward to seeing some of you as the year progresses.  I just can't believe that is it February already.  The time is just flying!! 

Stay tune as I will announce when new products are added and when I will be selling at a market near you.

Keep on planning, dreaming and creating!  I is the spice in life!!

Cheers,

Carol Ann

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

February 3, 2015

Here are a few pictures from my adventure to Hawaii.  I was on the water most of the time, but managed to take a few pictures.  Many days were spent resting and knitting with new friends in the Skywalker lounge.  Always my favorite part of a cruise!

Night we left San Francisco

Boys catching fish on Kauai shore
Chickens run wild in Kauai


Kauai water fall
beach in Kauai

Large tree in Maui town square


   We had a wonderful time!!
Sunset over Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, CA

February 3, 2015

Just back from my adventure and opened my shop.  First thing I heard from my smart phone was the cash register ring.  What a nice welcome home present!!

I just sold one of my favorite hat and scarf combos to John in PA.  This should be a nice Valentines Day present.   Hope it keeps the recipient nice and warm during all the cold winter days and nights. 

It is still snowing back East.  Looks like we are all in for about six more weeks of winter.  The ground hog is nice and warm back in his den.

I've made some new items while on my trip.  I'll  be adding them in the days to come.  Visit Artfully Ann's at www.etsy.com/shop/artfullyanns  There are more warm hats and scarfs where this came from!

Stay warm and safe!  Enjoy winter...it is one of our beautiful four seasons.

Sleep tight!

Carol Ann