Recently I’ve started participating in several Etsy seller groups. I’m learning that I can influence sales by using the right tags and titles for each of my items. It’s confusing and I won’t attempt to explain it here but it has made me more aware of the art of selling – something I’ve always considered myself rather good at. I’ve discovered that I have a lot to learn from these groups. But even more important is the confidence these groups inspire – I am doing many things right.

One of the moderators of a sales group targeting handmade business is Kateland Kelly of Copywriting for Creatives. She specializes in just that – writing copy for handmade items and other similar topics essential to the small business owner who creates and manufactures their inventory. She asked the question a few days ago, “What’s your word?” And then followed up with “I want everyone to think about their word for 2017. It should be something that inspires you, empowers you, and describes what your year will be.”

Choosing my word for 2017 was easy – fulfilled. To more fully describe…

Fulfilled – satisfied or happy because of fully developing one’s abilities or character

See, 2015 was my year of change. It was the year I chose to quit writing for a literary site 30-40 hours a week. It was the year I boldly started calling myself an artist and allowed myself the time to actually create art. In the ten previous years, my art studio had been a place I wandered to when I had the time. I loved spending time in my art studio. I loved planning my next art project. I loved reorganizing my wonderful studio. But as one of those people who is always busy, the time I spent actually creating art was much lower than I wanted to admit. So 2015 was the year I turned 10 hours of creating a month into 20 hours a week. Ten hours became eighty hours. A big transition – let me tell you – even though it was one I highly desired and I had a void to be filled.

2016 was all about balance. How much time did I allot to grandchildren, friends, my husband, and the drudgery of housework compared to creating my artwork? It was all about making my artwork a part of every day yet still allowing ample time for the other important aspects of my life. But to balance my life, I had to learn new skills to lessen the pressure of committing to new responsibilities for marketing my artwork.

So, in 2016, I learned photography – using my Canon Rebel for the first time and being thrilled with the results. I still have a long way to go but I can handle the basics for listing my art pieces. I’ve learned to turn my pictures into promotional pieces and collages. I’ve created a way to sign my work that doesn’t interfere with the design. I’ve developed banners and avatars for cards and stamps to easily carry my look beyond the digital world. I have the basics of packing and shipping down so I can enjoy delivering my art to buyers in a pleasant and creative manner. And I’m learning about those dang tags coordinating with titles. Some of my effort seemed to be wasted (although I learned – so no true waste!) when I spent hours creating a watermark (and adding to all my photos) only to discover that Amazon doesn’t allow watermarks and in general they limit your exposure online especially with the likes of Google Shopping. And I’ve learned so much more. But for the most part, I’m comfortable running my two shops – Etsy and Amazon Handmade as well as my website.

Looking back, I see 2015 as a time of confusion and a feeling of “Will I ever get it all done?” whereas 2016 was a time of marking those tasks/learning experiences off my list one by one. Many thanks go out to my sisters – first Mary for helping me build my website and second, Janey, who supports me from afar – reposting my Facebook posts, brainstorming with me, and even buying my product. I now understand that the twenty hours that I spend weekly on my art projects doesn’t necessarily mean I’ll be in the studio creating art that entire time. Part of that time will be used photographing items and then listing for sale. Part of that time is spent educating myself on this world of selling handmade products.  Many weeks, time dedicated to my handmade enterprise averages 30 hours or even more. But I love it all which leads to my 2017 word.

Fulfilled – that’s what I’m believing for 2017. It’s all about continuing to see my dream unfold.  Am I selling all the art I envisioned? Yes and no, but I’m on that road. I also have 2017 goals – some personal and others having to do with running my two little shops. But the anxiety of change – of the many steps required to move from my 2015 decision to where I’m at now – is a thing of the past.

Fulfilled doesn’t just mean reaping that which I’ve worked to obtain – it also contains a challenge. It’s a New Year’s resolution of sorts to remember that I am already fulfilled and living life as I always dreamed when faced with some difficulty in 2017. Worries or discouraging events wane when compared to the joy of my every day life. And my little handmade art endeavor adds yet another layer of joy to my foundation of family, friends, faith, and Mother Nature.

Happy New Year!

Vicky

Working in Assemblage and Mixed Media mediums means when I travel, I don’t fulfill my artistic cravings with a sketch pad and pencils or even a box of watercolors and brushes. Yes, there are those times when my art notebook must do, such as when we travel by air, but usually when I leave home, I’m headed for our cabin in the woods. And boy, do I come prepared!

Creating while at the cabin is a large part of my “getting away” experience. Of course, there is the natural beauty of the land to savor and the inspirational hiking trails but always, there’s the art just waiting to happen when I return. That means I bring an art room with me each and every time – rolling scrapbook cases packed to the hilt and baskets of supplies as well. I love preparing my art supplies for their travel as I can plan as I pack. I not only bring work in progress but supplies for whatever idea may come to me while I’m creating.

My rule – always bring more than you need. Always bring items that aren’t part of your next project or your work in progress. Allow for inspiration to hit. Nothing brings a project to a halt more quickly than “I need ____ to continue the project and it is at home.” If I have excess supplies all around me at the cabin, I’ll always find a way to continue creating and even complete the piece.

If I’m by myself or with my husband, I commandeer the dining room table although I have an area dedicated to art in the loft. I set everything out for easy reach and inspiration as I look to add the next element to my work. I’m always creating as I go so I usually don’t even know what that next element will be.

I keep organizational storage pieces at the cabin to fill when I arrive – a three tier round turntable, open segmented bins for organizing, and even small shelves for paint, embossing powder, and mica powders.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Keep creating!

Vicky

 

For the past month, I’ve been working on several new lines for Art Creations by Vicky. It started with a recent trip to one of my favorite spots – Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Tim and I stayed for a few days and sampled wonderful food as usual. I love this little town with all its eclectic vibes coming at you from every direction. But this time my purpose was specific – search out other artists and shops selling art to educate myself on trends and see what was selling in this very artsy community. I was more than a little inspired and returned with all sorts of plans. Problem is – I don’t have the time for all I’d love to do!

The Mini Art line is the first line for me to introduce. You’ll find my smallest works here with prices in the $18.00 – $25.00 neighborhood – usually. It includes Mini Assemblage Art on Canvas, Mini Assemblage Art on a variety of other surfaces, small shadow boxes, and more…that’s all still being developed. I’m starting with seven art pieces and have four more at my assemblage art station right now!

It’s still possible for a shipment to reach you before Christmas. Message me and we’ll discuss the specifics.

 

Mini Assemblage Art

 

Hold On to Your Dream

SOLD

Dimensions: 4.5″ x 3″ x .675″

Full Details

 

 

Time Flies

$34.95 – includes easel

Canvas dimensions: 3″ x 3″ x .625″

Full Details

 

 

 

 

 

Bird’s Lookout

SOLD

Dimensions: 5″ x 4.25″ x 1.25″

Full Details

 

 

 

 

 

Wings of a Blue Heart

SOLD – includes easel

Canvas dimensions: 3″ x 3″ x 1″

Full Details

 

 

 

 

 

A Hand of Luck

$29.95

Dimensions: 3.625″ x 2.625″ x .50″

Full Details

 

 

 

 

Owl’s Night Out

$34.95 – includes easel

Canvas Dimensions: 3″ x 3″ x 1″

Full Details

 

 

 

 

 

A Bird’s Day

$34.95 – includes easel

Canvas dimensions: 3″ x 3″ x .625″

Full Details

 

 

 

 

Next Up – Small Art

My Small Art line was almost ready to formally announce. I was listing pieces as I finished and then Christmas shopping hit and I sold five Small Art pieces over a two week period. A happy situation for sure – that is what is supposed to happen. But it also means officially launching the line at a later date once I add more inventory. Hope to have it ready to go soon!

 

Happy Holidays!

Vicky

Updated May 18, 2017

Original article updated Nov, 2017 to include current status – our Etsy shop sells all the inventory we can produce so our Amazon Handmade shop will close 12/31/17. It was a one year experiment and in the final analysis, Etsy’s selling platform completely fulfills our needs. A very good thing! Our Etsy Shop can be found here.

Although I’m still adding inventory, Art Creations by Vicky at Amazon Handmade is now open. Within 36 hours of my official open, I even sold a piece. I’m hoping that’s an indication of things to come!

Amazon’s Handmade page for each artist is classy. Beneath my own banner, next to my photo, Amazon quotes me as the artist, “I’m inspired by color and texture and little pieces (found objects). I love combining the three into works of art.”

Amazon Handmade provides me with ample room to tell about my Handmade shop, my production methods, and to showcase my studio or art in process through sizable photos. This all appears first – at the top of the Art Creations by Vicky homepage before viewing my inventory and I consider this upfront sales job on the artist a smart move. Convince the buyer that the artist knows their business and appeal for their artwork increases.

Of course, none of this matters all that much if an artist can’t draw attention to their shop. Will Amazon’s search engine adequately steer business to my little Handmade shop? From what I hear, they do support their artists in this manner. Now it’s my job to create the artwork, list it, and wait and see. But I’m enjoying the process!

Vicky

When looking at my last post, I was surprised to see it was dated 16 days ago! My intentions are to publish a post at least once a week but my lack of posting doesn’t mean I haven’t been busy with Art Creations. There is a lot going on behind the scenes so I thought I’d give you an update.

 

New Lines 

I’ve been working on two new lines – both of which are more affordably priced. I plan on having a selection of at least a half dozen works when I formally announce each line in the next week or two. Here’s a sneak peek:

 

 

 

Mini Art is the first new line. It offers even smaller works and they aren’t always on canvas. Assemblage art is still the primary element in each and every piece but the design is simpler. Prices usually run $29.95 – 44.95 although there will occasionally be exceptions – both lower and higher.

 

 

 

 

 

Small Assemblage Art on Canvas is the second new line. It consists of the same type of assemblage that you find on my larger works, it’s just smaller and therefore carries a smaller price tag as well – usually in the $59.95 – 79.95 range.

 

 

 

Selling Platforms – What to Do?

Analyzing data and looking at customer (and friends too) comments, I’ve been closely considering my selling options.

Etsy – As you know, I have a shop on Etsy – Art Creations by Vicky. I’ve been attempting to assess the effectiveness of this site and determine if it is the best place for the business of selling my artwork. It’s definitely a place for creative types – my question is, “Is it the place for non-creative types (those who won’t be creating their own art) to come and actually buy art?” Is my most likely customer a creative type (who usually has plans to create their own work) or the non-creative type who appreciates something different for their home? Although I have both types of customers, I haven’t settled yet on an answer to that but I’m leaning towards the appreciative non-creative customer.

Chances as a new vendor of being seen on Etsy search pages is quite a bit smaller than I envisioned. I have yet to see little, if any, help from Etsy when it comes to those searches or suggestions to a customer that my shop is similar to one of their favorites. New shops remain hidden among a myriad of other new shops. BUT, I’m not one to sit around and complain so I’ve been looking around for other options. I’m still not ready to take on selling in an actual local shop so what’s my next step?

 

Amazon Handmade – I’ve decided to keep my Etsy shop and sell on Amazon Handmade as well. It’s a relatively new market for the online giant but they definitely have the right customer base. IF the customer can figure out that there are actual handmade artists offering their wares. Here’s their byline:

Handmade at Amazon is a new store on Amazon.com for invited artisans to sell their unique, handcrafted goods to our hundreds of millions of customers worldwide.

Amazon Handmade differs from Etsy (although I’m sure they are eyeing the Etsy market) in a number of ways but it centers around an artist’s selection. One applies to sell on Amazon Handmade and the application process is not quick and easy. It has the feel of applying for a juried show of which I’ve participated in many throughout the years. After I submitted my application, my work was deemed acceptable a few days later (supposedly by the Handmade at Amazon team) and I was invited to join. It is more expensive to sell on Amazon Handmade but they are offering a ton of assistance to their vendors to assure a shop is set up in the very best way. I was shocked when I received a call from Amazon Handmade recently to answer in person a question that I had submitted via their Seller Central area. I had expected a mere printed response.

So, here goes. I’ve read the hype. I’ve read the comparisons and the pros and cons. Most of it comes from Etsy fans or sellers who were defending their turf around the time of Handmade’s launch around a year ago. I’m planning to find out for myself. BUT I have one thing encouraging me to continue – words from an artist friend who highly recommended Amazon Handmade over Etsy (she has shops on both sites) and stated that she sells more on Handmade. So – who knows?

This is definitely a case of “a smaller slice of a larger pie” but Handmade is in its earliest stages and their number of artists can only grow. I’ll try “being in” on the ground floor.

Anyway…all that takes time! I’ll be running an announcement here when my Handmade shop is ready to go.

 

And…Watermarks!

Edited to add – my watermarks were deemed unwise by many including Amazon and Google! 🙂  Now they’re all gone. Another learning experience. 

Watermarks are those stamps you place on photos of your designs that marks each as your own. I feel that watermarks solidify in the looker’s mind that the work belongs to the artist. My works are obviously unusual and unlikely to be reproduced for selling as prints (the usual case for a watermark) but there are other reasons – using my images on another site without permission or another artist actually copying the work. I’m hoping a watermark with discourage either action.

However, watermarks take time – more than I envisioned. So, much of the time I have reserved for art work has been used placing watermarks!

 

Now back to actually creating art work – not just the process surrounding it!

Vicky

Updated May 18, 2017

Dream Heart is simpler than most of my larger works and overall, it’s smaller too. I’m now offering a less expensive line of smaller Assemblage Art on Canvas that I’m calling Small Works. This 8″ x 8″ stretched canvas has multiple coats and spritzes of paint with embossed stamp designs as well as beaded stenciling which adds texture to the piece.

Metallic paint is hard to capture in photographs. The background of Dream Heart is a bit blue and a bit silver so I have included pictures that capture the differences in the paint color depending on the light.

Embellishments include a hanging snowflake, heart, dream charm, and tiny beads.

Dream Heart has an attached heart if you want to hang on the wall but it also looks good sitting on an easel. Although I prefer the no-frame look, this is also ready for framing. I occasionally frame an Assemblage Art piece and the end result can be stunning.

Dimensions: 8″ x 8″ x 1.50″

Original article updated Nov, 2017 to include current status – SOLD

Full Details

All Assemblage Art pieces sold at Art Creations by Vicky are original works from artist Vicky Hensley.

 

There’s no denying it. Steampunk is big. After enjoying at least a dozen years of mainstream popularity, the demand for steampunk only appears to be increasing. I often see proof of this not only in a multitude of new steampunk fictional releases and Mixed Media supplies but also in the search data from my Etsy shop.

So, it seemed like the perfect time to create another steampunk canvas and this one is appropriately named Someone Say Steampunk?. I’m not one who gets into the floating legs or hollow eyed doll faces one often sees in steampunk art; I prefer to concentrate instead on the industrial and Victorian aspects of this fascinating science fantasy sub-genre.

On a 12″ x 9″ stretched canvas, the depth of this piece is 1.5″. The background has multiple coats and spritzes of paint with stenciled textured designs and pieces of bias tape providing additional dimension. Embossed stamp designs add yet another element before the piece is further defined by multiple layers of embellishments.

Metallic paint is hard to capture in photographs. Even after photographing Someone Say Steampunk? three times in three different light settings, I still failed to capture its true colors in a full on shot. The picture at the top of the page is very close but the colors are actually a combination of all these pictures as the lighting changes slightly as you turn the picture one way and then another.

The vintage elements in Someone Say Steampunk? include rhinestone buttons, various other buttons, seed beaded necklace segments, a chandelier piece, lace, and chain. Newer pieces provide its pure steampunk look with such items as a propeller, a high-wheeler bicycle, clock, riveted heart, gears, word plaque, Victorian hand, winged heart, crown, and blackbird. Also you’ll find flower cabochons, bark, and many assorted metal embellishments and beads.

I suggest hanging as is (utilizing canvas framework) but will include a sawtooth hanger for installation in case you desire a separate hanger. Although I prefer the no-frame look, this is ready for framing. I occasionally frame an  Assemblage Art piece and the end result can be stunning.

Dimensions: 12″ x 9″ x 1.50″

Original article updated Nov, 2017 to include current status – SOLD

All Assemblage Art pieces sold at Art Creations by Vicky are original works from artist Vicky Hensley.

 

Another new Assemblage Art creation – Harlequin Heart.

A large hand fashioned polymer clay heart provides the focal point and a string of pennants add the finishing touch. Both the heart and pennants are original – made by yours truly (with no use of molds). The 12″ x 12″ stretched canvas has multiple coats and spritzes of paint with texture past stenciled on the background. Its depth is 1.5″.

There are two uses of vintage items in this piece – the center octagon is actually a lightweight metal hot pad and along the bottom, you’ll find old buttons. New items include flat discs, floral embellishments and red beads.

I suggest hanging as is (utilizing canvas framework) but will include a sawtooth hanger for installation in case you desire a separate hanger. Although I prefer the no-frame look, this is ready for framing. I occasionally frame an Assemblage Art piece and the end result can be stunning.

Dimensions: 12” x 12” x 1.5″

Original article updated Nov, 2017 to include current status  – SOLD

All Assemblage Art pieces sold at Art Creations by Vicky are original works from artist Vicky Hensley.

Thanks for checking in!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vicky

One of my latest works, it is also my most intricate to date.

Two Sides of One is a “two canvases makes one piece” work of art. On two 11″ x 14″ stretched canvases, overall measurements of the work (when you include a 1″ space between the two canvases) is 23″ wide by 14″ high. The background has multiple coats and spritzes of paint with stenciled textured designs, and pieces of a beaded purse strap and bias tape with an overall depth of 1.75″. It is sold as a pair.

It seems that I love tiny details and Two Sides of One proves that point. When I finished this work, I knew I had included many pieces but had no idea it contained over 420 embellishments! And that’s not including all the tiny beads you see throughout the work. Listing all those pieces would be tedious for both you and me but here are the highlights…

Let’s start with the vintage found objects. The center of the two canvases features a split paper milk cap from decades ago to simulate the opening of doors into this wonderland. Other vintage pieces include plastic straw hat, bird from a mobile, pearl purse section, beaded purse sections, chandelier plaster pieces, brass lures, old buttons, tin belt pieces, and jewelry pieces such as beads, earrings, bracelet sections, and brooches – all considered vintage.

The new charms/embellishments/found objects include resin cabochons, paper flowers, gears, leaves, wings, word charms, beaded buttons, feather, heart, crowns, rabbit head, Sandra Everston craft blank (doll head), key, brass findings, filigreed round findings and much more. You’ll also find two handmade polymer clay pieces made by yours truly – a clock and scripted heart.

I suggest hanging as is (utilizing canvas frameworks) but will include two sawtooth hangers for installation in case you desire a separate hanger.  Although most of my Assemblage Art pieces can be framed, I don’t suggest framing Two Sides of One. Embellishments hang over the edges as part of the intricate design.

Dimensions: Hung as a pair as shown 23″ x 14″ x 1.75″. Hung separately 14″ x 11″ x 1.75″

Original article updated Nov, 2017 to include current status – SOLD

All Assemblage Art pieces sold at Art Creations by Vicky are original works from artist Vicky Hensley.