Studio Update.

Lots going on in my world right now. I'm winding down 2008 by planning my strategy for 2009. That strategy entails stretching myself out a good bit. I've opened 3 new shops and will be closing another come January. Depending on how 2009 goes for me, I will be closing others come 2010.

-I now have a studio on Art Fire. I opened it just a week or two ago, and there are currently not many items listed, but I am happy with what is there. My plan for the Art Fire shop is to focus on my bags and jewelry. I like the 1-page listing process very much. It's much quicker to get items listed. I also like how responsive the staff have been to everyone's concerns. (Hint: Fastest way to get a response from them is to Tweet at them!) I have not sold anything yet, but it's only been a week or two. The feel of the place is great!

-I was accepted to Lollishops as a vintage seller and managed to get my shop set up on Sunday. The listing process on Lollishops is also quick, and it also entails a 1-page listing format. Very nice. The woman who runs the site is very responsive, and they also tend to respond and fix bugs quickly. Again-no sales yet, but considering it took me over a year to get my first sale on Etsy, I'm not worried. Plus, I'll be honest: Being accepted to a juried site felt really good. I've been turned down by a couple. ;)

-I have opened a shop on Redbubble, too. It is similar to CafePress, but they focus more on art prints, other paper goods, and T-shirts and do not have the range of products that CafePress has. That said, I am very impressed with their community features (groups, forums, challengees, etc.) and with the quality of the work being sold there. It's a really nice site, and I'm glad to be there. I need to get more of my photos listed, but along with everything else, that will have to wait until after the holidays.

-The shop that will be going away come the new year is my CafePress shop. I have had it for about a year, and nothing at all has happened with it. Nothing. Granted, you get more (as with other sites) if you are a paying member, but I just have not felt really drawn to or connected with CP. I don't think it's the right venue for me.

-Come the new year, I will be opening a 2nd Etsy shop. I have been advised--and had come to realize myself--that splitting off my photography and paper goods into their own shop will create more cohesion in both shops. I think this is correct. Drag'n Rags will remain handmade items, mostly mixed media items, like my decorated boxes and such. Furthermore, the photography shop may well end up being a joint venture with my boyfriend. Stay tuned! ;)

So all of this leaves me having 5 shops altogether. This is a lot to manage, but it is not costing me much at all. Plus-as I've said--I will not be keeping all of them come 2010. What I'm trying to do is find out what works for me and what does not. I have no particular desire to leave any particular venue (except for CafePress,) but I do want to get my products out there and see what works best.

BTW, I am also now on Facebook and have a business page there, as well. Just search for "JenniferLynn Productions." Maybe I'll see you there!

What are your plans for the new year?

Featured Shop: Doreen Bates Art

Doreen Bates' work is striking and eclectic. She has lived and worked all over the place, and this wide range of experiences and flavors is reflected beautifully in her work. The art in this shop is colorful and varied and of very, very good quality.

This shop will appeal to many different aesthetics.

Featured Shop: Vixenware

The best way I can describe VixenWare is to call it "sculpture for your body." It's jewelry. Beautiful, classy jewelry!

Featured Shop: Lynnie B Bags

Lynnie B Bags is a wonderful shop that, for me, would feed 2 hungers: My love of bags and purses, and my love of art. The materials and designs are beautiful and eclectic. They range from earthy to chic to just very, very fun.

I also really love her use of color and pattern!

Publishing Credit: T and T News!

"Holiday Party How-To: This Season, Be the Host with the Most" is the first article I have had published in a long time. I'm very glad to have had the opportunity to share my skills with T and T News, and I hope to write for them again in the future.

Enjoy!

Featured Shop: Bon a Tirer Fine Art Editions

Bon a Tirer Fine Art Editions is a gorgeous, eclectic shop. They are a husband and wife team in Illinois (he the artist, she the shopkeeper, as it were.)

"Nature captures our hearts and buoys our souls. We’re privileged to highlight the simple wonders of this world, which then joyfully connects us to others’ paths."

Through the use of color and the images in their pieces, one can see that this is very true.

In a word: GORGEOUS!

Sale! 1st Annual HMD WInter Craft Festival.

I will be selling at this event for its entire duration. (Unless, of course, I get lucky and sell everything on Saturday!) If you are from this area, please stop by. It's sure to be a good event.

First annuals are always a gamble, but this organization has been around since the 1970s, and the coordinator is super-nice and seems to be well on top of things. She was able to answer my question about "resellers" very quickly. It is also a small show, and it is juried. I have no doubt I will be in great company.

I will probably be exhausted come Sunday night, but it's my last show of the season, and I think it will be worth it!

Plus, it means my boyfriend will have the car all weekend! LOL! What's not to love? ;)

Featured Shop: ...Crostini!

...Crostini! is a shop about color and texture. Her designs are fun, and all of her jewelry items are based on her original works of art.

These items are funky and fun, and her original works are full of texture, drawing us in to enjoy them for a long time.

Featured Shop: Gaia Trove Chicago

Gaia Trove Chicago does accessories, mostly headwear, with a focus on feathers. These unique items are exotic, glamourous, fun. These pieces are very colorful and would work equally well in costuming and evening wear--or even just for a splash of color!