Social Networking Karma - Your Responses

I have a lot more I'd like to talk about with Social Networking Karma - but your responses to the first post  were so wonderful that I need to dedicate this post to you guys and what you said! So from the mouth of my readers:

Dr. Suess Hair Clips

"I absolutely believe in it!! Thats why I do http://dailyhandmadepicks.blogspot.com to feature a cool artisan every day!!! Self promotion does NOTHING if you don't reciprocate! :)" ~ MamasLittleMonkeys

Carnival - Bead Embroidered Cuff

"Your comments are right on. When I opened your ArtFire message this morning that you had featured my cuff, I was delightfully surprised. I've been in a slump lately thinking my work will never be good enough to be noticed and now you've given me a little ray of hope. Thank you so much!" ~ beadsandblooms

Sierra Earrings

"I always feature 4 or 5 artists every Friday on my blog and it's so fun getting the responses from them and my readers too!" ~ Beaded Tail

I just want to finish up with a big thank you to everyone for all the comments you leave on my blog! I've been having a lot of fun working on building traffic to my blog and I really appreciate each and everyone of you who visit and join the discussion :)

Mama's Little Monkeys Giveaway Winner!

I love getting to announce the winner each week! The only thing that makes me sad is that I can't give something to each and everyone one of you! All I can say is keep checking back each week for that week's giveaway :) So what does the random generator have for us this week?

.

And that is...

Congrats Abby!!!

Abby is a reviewer and her site is Reviews by Abby.

Check back on Monday for a Giveaway from lil 'ole me!

Giveaway Feature - Mama's Little Monkeys

This post has been closed.

Check back on Monday for the next one!

This week's feature is on Amy, of Mama's Little Monkeys, but I always call her Mama. She's a wonderful artist, a dedicated Mom, and a great friend :)

1. Where can we find your work and what do you create?

Fabric Button Badge Reels at http://www.badgereels.etsy.com
www.badgereels.artfire.com
Handmade baby toys, gifts, and more at http://www.mamaslittlemonkeys.etsy.com
www.mamaslittlemonkeys.artfire.com
Fabric Destash at http://www.destashcity.etsy.com
www.destashcity.artfire.com
Nap Mat Covers at: http://www.napmatcovers.etsy.com
Eco Friendly Cleaning Items at http://www.MicroMops.etsy.com
www.micromops.artfire.com

Proud Founder of http://www.handmadelouisiana.etsy.com

2. What's your favorite part about being an independent artist?
The flexibility to create what I want when I want...to a point. I love the fact that if I need to run my sons to school, or take them outside to swing, I can put work on hold and do that!!


Whew she's busy! I've always found that inspiring :) 

3. Where do you find your inspiration?
Generally my children. Much of what i create was made because of them, they wanted it, or it was something to make life as a mom easier! Also, I tend to buy fabric because I love it, then later decide what to make with it!

4. What advice would you give to other artists?
DO NOT GIVE UP! It took me at least 18 months to find my niche (the badge reels and eco friendly cleaning supplies). It takes years sometimes to get into a good groove of creating, business, bookkeeping, and yes, actually turning a profit! Keep trying, keep networking and keep LEARNING!

Isn't She Great?

Here's What You Can Win:

Business Card Holder

Michael Miller Business Card Wallet

Keep your business cards and more safe and handy in this adorable business card wallet 

made from Michael Miller 3-D Zoo designer fabric.

You can either win the one shown above, pick another business card holder,

or receive a $10 gift certificate! Don't you just love the options?

So how can you win?

1. Comment on this entry
2. Share your favorite item from her shops (scroll up for links)
3. Plurk or twitter about it and leave a comment with link.

4. Promote the item on Facebook.
5. Blog about it and leave a comment with link
6. Purchase an item from her shop (for 5 entries) (link above)

Important: All entries must be submitted by comments on this blog post.

I'm keeping track of the entries, so telling Mama about them won't help :P

Giveaway Ends Saturday 4/2

Interested in doing an artist feature/giveaway on this blog? Just let me know!

What's coming up? Tomorrow - Networking Karma! Wednesday - Etsy Versus Artfire

Tuesday's Tips #7

A Sock Monkey Named Huff

Today I want to talk about inspiration. Where do I find it? Where do you find it? What do you do when the well runs dry and you have NO IDEAS???

There is a lot that can be said about inspiration. In fact, I'm going to be spending the next couple of weeks of tips devoted to the topic. Well, more specifically challenges to you as an artist that might help you when need to find inspiration.

So where we find inspiration? Here's just a few ideas I had when I was thinking over the topic (in no particular order):

1. Books

2. Music

3. Art

4. Artists

5. Conversations

6. Nature

7. More Nature :P

8. Old Pieces we've created.

9. Children

10. Museums

11. Malls

13. Materials

14. Blogs

15. Dreams

I'm sure the list could go on and on! In fact - I'd like to hear you stories! Where do you find inspiration? Tell me something that's not on the list! I know I find ideas in the weirdest places sometimes. Like one time I was in class and I couldn't focus because the pattern on these girls shoes was calling out to be made into a bracelet...

The item I featured at the top of the post is a great example of finding inspiration. Amy, of Mama's Little Monkey's, started making sock monkeys for her shop a little while ago. Somewhere along the line (no idea where, but she just rocks, so that's that) she thought it would be fun to pattern some of them after her friends! The one at the top is the musician Chris Huff, who has some GREAT music :) Isn't that a cool idea?

And yes, I know, there aren't really any great "tips" you can pull out of this post, but I do hope it gets you thinking, and it gets the ground work laid for what I have planned in the next few weeks :)

So Many Pretties!

I have so many new things right now! It's like Christmas in April :) I know, I know, not your normal time for Christmas, but it all came at once therefore it feels like Christmas!

The first thing I got was a present from my brother in Nepal. This was supposed to be our Christmas box, but it got here just in time for April! Got to love transporting things from third world countries. Mom and I got similar shawls (mine's a little more purple) and we're pretty sure that they are cashmire! So incredibly soft. Mom and I both wore our shawls for Easter. With the peasants blouse I wore underneath it my dear hubby told me I should be out milking the yaks or something...

The next thing I got was PACKED box that's been awhile in the making! I was contacted awhile ago by Bird of KittyHawke to see if I wanted to do a trade. I loved the idea! So we started negotiating and I'm in LOVE with what I got! She even gave me presents in the box :)  Here's what I got :)

A bag full of glass stones.

Some funky fiber beads.

A box of totally random beds (a bunch of them wooden).

4 Cabochons - which I'm really excited about!

I've got lots of ideas and I've been wanting to learn to use them in beadweaving.

Funky Peace Charms.

14 strands of beads! (I've already used some).

A special pendant - just for me :D

And as if THAT wasn't enough...I won a bloggy contest from Mama's Little Monkey's, and the package came in the mail yesterday! I didn't get a shot of my own of the crayons I got for my neice, because I was out running errands I took them over as a present right away!

She also included several soap bars that I gave to Becca - because it was her birthday was on Easter! Becca is my nieces mom - an adopted sister :P

The below is some bath salts that are just for me!

I tried them out last night and they smell heavenly :)

Amy The Awesome of BlockHead Radio

Thursday night I had the privilege of sitting down with the Amy the Awesome and interviewing her live on the air! Many followers of BlockHead Radio are already familiar with Amy. This wonderful gal has a passion for life, and as a part of her passion she has done a lot to support BlockHead Radio! In fact, she's now on staff here, and doing a fantastic job of helping maintain the blog, and promoting BHR to the masses.

Amy is a stay at home Mom with two rambunctious boys. When I asked her why she had named her etsy shop "Mamas Little Monkeys" she told me it was because it sounded a lot better than calling them rascals! Sounds like normal little boys to me though, and she obviously loves them a lot.

On top of taking care of her boys and her work with the radio, you can find Amy doing lots of fun creative things and spreading that creative goodness all over the web! On etsy you can find her under MamasLittleMonkeys and FleurdeInk. She's also a faithful member of CafeMom and she sells on several other venues as well! Unfortunately I don't have every one of her links to share with you.

In her shops Amy sells childrens clothing, recycled crayons in fun shapes, photography, graphic design, toys, soaps, pretty pens, and whatever else her awesome mind comes up with! Do you have kids? Then Amy probably has exactly what your looking for!

Did I mention that Amy blogs as well? She does a lot of the blogs posts here on this BHR's blog, and she has her own blog! So head on over to it and learn even more about Amy! Plus you can get to know her better by tuning into her show, Mom's Cafe, Wednesday night at 9pm on www.blockheadradiolive.com.