WOW Wednesday

WOW Wednesdays with the Cross Marketing Gurus...

by Cindy Wilson, Mommy's Dream Creations

Grab a cup of coffee and take a minute to relax as you meet this week's featured Cross Marketing Guru artist Jennifer from Jennifer Lynn Productions. 

How did you get started with your craft/art?

I've been artistic all of my life. From the time I could hold a pencil or crayon, I've been writing and creating. As an adult, I started to get serious about selling my work in the late 90s. For a while, I worked with a friend, but in 2007, I struck out on my own.

Chairs 10x12 Print

What prompted you to set up a home-based business?

I like to make things, paint things, decorate things, etc. I find you can only keep so much of your own art, and you can only give so much of it as gifts to your closest friends and family. LOL! I also want to find away to scale back my involvement in the corporate world. If I can even reduce my work for others to part-time, I'll be a very happy camper. I am my favorite boss. ;) Mind you, I don't only make art for money. I get a deep joy from it, and there are pieces that I have created that are not for sale and may never be.

What part of your craft is your favorite?


First of all, I love custom orders! I love helping someone else tell their story or send a message to someone who is special to them. The other aspect of the process that is my favorite is that transition point where the materials I've gathered start to come together and the piece starts to take shape. There is a lot of magic in those in-between places!

I'm Game Upcycled Tin

How have you changed since starting your business? How has this impacted your craft?

I think that I have become a little more outgoing and a little more confident. I'm not sure that it has directly impacted my craft. Another thing about me that has changed is--I think--that I am able to look at my work more objectively. I'm better able to step back and take a customer's eye view of what I am doing and to analyze whether a concept is really going to work or not.

What is the most challenging aspect of running your business?

The most challenging aspect, for me, is stepping away from the studio to do the work that actually pays my bills. I am much happier when I am in flow, but I have a mortgage to pay, and JLP is not quite profitable enough for that, yet!

Tilghman Lady Notecard

How did you come up with your shop name?

Jennifer Lynn are my first and middle names. When I was a little girl and I was in trouble, my mom would say, firmly, "Jennifer Lynn..." and I knew she meant business. I also just like the way the name sounds. The "productions" part comes from the fact that I offer services as well as goods. Ultimately, it is a media company, though for now the art and hand crafts are my focus. I was playing around with names, and "JenniferLynn Productions" just kind of came together and felt right.

But a Dream Ornament

Where do you see yourself in five years? Where do you see your business?

Hopefully, I will be working only part time in the corporate world and able to make up the difference via JLP. If I am doing enough business to pay myself a salary, that will be a bonus! Also within five years, I hope that my boyfriend and I will be at least thinking about moving into a larger, more rural home. It's just the two of us and some cats, but we need more space. We currently share a studio, and that studio also serves as our guest room, so 2-3 extra rooms would be sweet!

How do you keep a balance between home and business responsibilities?

Since we are both very focused on our chosen art forms, we set our own hours around it. I work in the evenings and on weekends. He works full-time on his music. If there is something pressing to be done away from the studio, it gets done. When I'm home, a lot of times, I will bounce between projects and housework or errands. He does the same thing. When you are doing what you love and what you feel you were meant to do in life, everything just seems to come together.

Day Lilies Note Cards - Set of 4

If you could give one piece of advice to others who are just getting started with their businesses, what would it be?

Don't cheap out! If you can't afford to go through with some aspect of a project, then put that situation aside until you can. I had a (very minor) incident this spring that drove this home for me. Luckily, it was easily fixed. There is likely nothing worse than selling something to someone and having it fall apart within days! (That is not what happened to me, thank goodness!)

Lonely Island Pin

Can you give us some links to be able to follow you?
Links to all of my online shops can be found at http://dragnrags.blogspot.com/  .

My art and photography: http://jenniferlynnproductions.artfire.com/
My vintage shop: http://jenniferlynnsfinds.artfire.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jlynnpro
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/jlynnpro
Tumblr: http://jenniferlynnproductions.tumblr.com/

WOW Wednesday

WOW Wednesdays with the Cross Marketing Gurus...
by Cindy Wilson, Mommy's Dream Creations


This week's featured artist is Kim from VaBeachQuilter. 

Kim has been featured in a USA Today - Sports Edition article by Seth Livingstone for her custom work for Yvonne Upton.  Yvonne's son, BJ, plays (MLB) for the Tampa Bay Rays and her other son, Justin, plays (MLB) for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

MLB Appliqued Quilt - Custom Order

How did you get started with your craft/art?

I started as a cross-stitcher. An aunt of mine had been trying for years to get me into quilting. I finally did with the intentions of putting my cross-stitch designs into quilts. Needless to say, after a class or two, I realized how much faster you could have a create something (compared to cross-stitching) that I never really returned to cross-stitching. I'm a quilter...through and through.

Baa Baa Wallhanging/Centerpiece

What prompted you to set up a home-based business?

I had a decent stash...then after working at a quilt shop for 3 years, my stash was out of control. I saw a CNN article on Etsy and thought that I had enough quilts and ideas of things to create, that I could give it a shot. I joined Etsy in Jan. 2009. At a craft show, that April, another vendor told me about Artfire. I've been on Artfire since April 2009 and it's my most popular store (though Etsy is doing "okay"). I sell on a variety of other sites, as well.

What part of your craft is your favorite? (Designing, creating the actual piece, working with custom orders, etc)

Creating is my favorite part of my craft...though quilting, and more specifically, APPLIQUE is my real passion. I just LOVE to machine applique and when I get custom orders for anything appliqued, I'm really in my element!

MLB/NBA/NHL/NFL Custom Order Table Topper

How have you changed since starting your business? How has this impacted your craft?

I've broadened my sewn items...I make so much more than quilts now. Until recently, I haven't sat down and actually sewn any quilts (other than baby quilts that were gifts or custom ordered). But I've been making new quilts for my 4 kids, so I've enjoyed getting back to basics.

What is the most challenging aspect of running your business?

Just juggling 2 blogs, a personal FB page, business FB page, running an Artfire guild, the guild FB page, the guild blog, and all of the endless promoting that I do (on a daily basis)

Giraffe Tote

How did you come up with your shop name?

Well...it's pretty self-explanatory...ROFL And I guess not very original, now that I look at it, but it's ME to a tee! VaBeach (Virginia Beach, VA) Quilter (ahem).... LOL VaBeachQuilter

Where do you see yourself in five years? Where do you see your business?

I was recently asked this, in another online interview, and I don't know...I don't see myself long-term....this is for FUN and I don't really look at it like a job. Though it was successful enough, last year, to pay for family day trips and completely paid for my family's Christmas, it's still for FUN. If it ever started to FEEL like a job and stopped being fun is when I'll close my shops' doors and quit the "business".

Watermelon Market Bag

How do you keep a balance between home and business responsibilities?

I'm pretty lucky that I'm a SAHM. My youngest kids (at home) are 12 and 14 year old boys. They're old enough not to want to be with MOM and old enough to fend for themselves. By this, I mean, if I don't feel like cooking dinner one night, they'll make their own. Right now, they're in school all day and I'm home alone. Come summer, they'll be hanging out with friends and at camps, etc. so I still have lots of time to myself.

What is the funniest/craziest/most touching thing that has happened while having a business?

I'd have to say the best experience I've had, in the past year that I've been online, is all the wonderful people and good friends that I've met.

Americana Wool Candle Mat

If you could give one piece of advice to others who are just getting started with their businesses, what would it be?

Promote, promote, promote. You have to do it tirelessly and endlessly. No one's going to promote you but yourself. I'd recommend starting a blog with a "theme" or "idea" or some sort. Start a Facebook fan page and join Twitter. Establish online friendships and networks. It's difficult and time consuming but well worth the effort when the sales start rolling in.

Can you give us some links to be able to follow you?

Artfire http://vabeachquilter.artfire.com/
Etsy http://vabeachquilter.etsy.com/
Made It Myself http://www.madeitmyself.com/user/vabeachquilter.aspx
Twitter www.twitter.com/vabeachquilter
VaBeachQuilter's Blog http://vabeachquilter.blogspot.com/
Facebook Fan Page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shops-With-Less-Sales-Artfire-Guild/147888917526?ref=ts

WOW Wednesday

by Cindy Wilson, Mommy's Dream Creations

Meet another member of the Cross Marketing Team...Lisa from jYoulry.  Her shops feature personalized photo items--great gift ideas for Father's Day!

How did you get started with your craft/art?

Several years ago I "discovered" photo jewelry... I had a necklace made with a photo of my twins which were 3 at the time. When I was pregnant with my baby, I contacted the woman that made it to order a new one when the baby was born. She was no longer making them, which of course turned into a great thing for me! I was really sad at the time because I loved my photo pendant of the boys and really wanted a new one of all three when the baby arrived. So I decided to make one myself! It didn't take long to realize I could not only make myself one, but I could sell them too. And that was the beginning of my new business endeavor...Now I am also adding a private collection of sterling silver photo jewelry I am designing myself!

Custom Photo Business Card Case

What prompted you to set up a home-based business?

I’ve worked from home since I found out I had a high risk pregnancy over 7 years ago. I love it. I get the best of both worlds, I can work, be creative, earn a living and also be home with my kids!

Custom Photo Keychain Polished Chrome

Tell us a little about the artist behind the art?

Well most importantly I am a mother of 3 beautiful boys! My twins are almost 7 and my baby just turned 1. Of course I love to show them off, hence the photo jewelry, LOL. I am also an interior designer. Before relocating to Panama, yes the country, I lived in sunny SW Florida and had a very successful design firm. Unfortunately with the economy the way that it is... we decided to close the firm and move to Panama, where my husband is originally from. Because of the language barrier, my Spanish is not that great, I decided not to continue to design here. Although 3 boys keep my life spinning in circles, I needed something creative to do, so when the opportunity to make and sell the photo jewelry presented itself... I took it. Now of course the designer in me just had to come out sometime and that's when I created the "jYOUlry Signature Collection" a line of sterling silver photo jewelry designed by me (more to come).

Sterling Silver Photo Bracelet

What part of your craft is your favorite?

DESIGNING, hands down! It’s what I do, I am a designer. If I had someone else to do all the other stuff I’d let them. I love designing and creating new and beautiful things. That’s what I am working on now… designing a custom collection of quality photo jewelry you won’t find anything like it anywhere else!

What is the most challenging aspect of running your business?

Although they are my inspiration, my family also plays the most challenging part in my art. With three boys it is difficult to find time to myself to do the research of new products, to market my shop and to actually make my art. I am up a lot of late nights when the house is finally quiet. But in the end it is worth it to be home and watch my boys grow as well as have a fulfilling art hobby that brings me so much joy.

Custom Photo Pendant and Necklace

How did you come up with your shop name?

I sat with my laptop and just wrote down words, like picture, photo, design, etc... and played around with them trying to come up with something creative, something that wasn't already used. I was also playing with combining words and had inadvertently come up with more of a tag line, like "photo jewelry, where the jewel is you" and suddenly it hit me, the jewel is you... jYOUlry! I loved it instantly. I googled it and checked it out on etsy and no one was using it!!! So yeah, I found something unique, creative and describes what it is I do, at least I think it does, LOL.

Personalized Glass 4x6 Photo Frame

Where do you see yourself in five years? Where do you see your business?

Actually as I said my favorite part is designing and right now I am trying to grow my wholesale program so others can handle the selling and I can concentrate on designing new and unique pieces of photo jewelry. I want jYOUlry to become a brand of photo jewelry people look for, not just an online store to shop in. I would love for it to be sold in boutiques internationally and worn by Hollywood’s best moms and dads!

Custom Photo Wine Charms

How do you keep a balance between home and business responsibilities?

What balance…Was I supposed to be balanced? Honestly I don’t know. Most days I get my online stuff done when the baby is napping and make my orders at night once all the kids are sleeping. Other times I am up all night catching up and begging hubby to help me with the kids on Saturday so I can work. I guess it just depends on the work load at the time.

Custom Photo Pendant on Murano Rainbow Millefiori Necklace

What is the funniest/craziest/most touching thing that has happened while having a business?

Well, because what I do is so personal. I mean complete strangers are sending me photos of their most precious possessions, their kids, we usually tend to get very close. It may be for a short while and only via email but when they receive their orders, even though they knew the item and the photo they are always blown away. It is so touching to be trusted with their gifts and to read some of the feedback I get once they’ve received their items. Lots of letters have left me in tears. I have done a lot of memorial pieces too, meaning with photos of a loved one passed away. To see the joyous tears on the face of the receiver is just so touching, that I could help to make a memory come alive for that person. It's truly humbling.

Can you give us some links to be able to follow you?

http://www.jyoulry.etsy.com/

http://www.jyoulry.artfire.com/

www.twitter.com/jYOUlry

www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=107975565894851&ref=ts

WOW Wednesday

WOW Wednesday with the Cross Marketing Gurus...
by Cindy Wilson, Mommys Dream Creations

This week's featured artist is Taryn L. McCracken, whose shops specialize in great gifts for those special occasions featuring personal photos and personalized engraving.  With Father's Day just around the corner, you're sure to find a perfect gift for that special man in your life!

Part of the profits from her company, PictureIt Creations are donated to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Double Matted Frame

How did you get started with your craft/art?

When I had my son and we decided that it’d be beneficial for me to stay home, I wanted to explore the more creative side I had when I was younger. It started off with photo editing and making creative gifts with pictures. Shortly after getting started with it, my husband and I started researching photo engraving machines. Since then, business has really taken off and now that creative gene I ignored for so many years is in full bloom.

What prompted you to set up a home-based business?

My family and husband encouraged me to start selling my photo editing. I knew selling online would be ideal since I was staying home with my son. My husband also owns a company so we were familiar with the paperwork and legal aspects of owning a business.

Stainless Steel Travel Mug with Lid

What part of your craft is your favorite? (Designing, creating the actual piece, working with custom orders, etc)

I love every part of my business. But, I think my favorite would have to be working with the customer to help them create the “Perfect gift”.

How have you changed since starting your business? How has this impacted your craft?

I’ve changed quite a bit since the start of PictureIt Creations. I started off working with photos, editing them, making collages, etc and it’s evolved into putting photos on several different pieces. I do a lot of personalization as far as just adding a name or a phrase to things as well, but I still base the business around pictures. When I began expanding the business, I learned to open my mind to new things. Now, I’m constantly thinking of what else I can create or where else I can put a photo.

Black Marble Tile Square

What is the most challenging aspect of running your business?

I think keeping a good balance between crafting and doing the business side of it (i.e. web design, networking, bookkeeping, research, etc.) I have an Accounting degree and a lot of business experience so I enjoy both aspects. But, I can’t let myself get wrapped up too much into one or the other. And doing everything myself, it makes it even harder to keep this balance because I can’t delegate tasks. I just try to keep focused the best I can, don’t get behind on orders and keep on top of the emails.

Golf Divot Tool and Marker Keychain

How did you come up with your shop name?

When I started, I was strictly working with photos and working with customers to create the gift items THEY think of. So, I called it PictureIt Creations. My first motto was “If you can PictureIt, we can Create it”.

Where do you see yourself in five years? Where do you see your business?

I thought for a long time, that PictureIt Creations was a small, part-time kind of job or hobby. But, PictureIt and I have grown so much in the last few months that I can honestly see myself staying home after the kids are in school and running it full time instead of having to go back to work for someone else. I am also a photography student. Another goal I’d like for PictureIt, is to combine my photography skills/studio with the gift items of PictureIt.

Rosewood SpotOn Hunting Knife

How do you keep a balance between home and business responsibilities?

This is a tough one! Being home with 3 small kids, I am basically a mom during the day. I do check emails and run a few orders while everyone is awake and running around. But, basically, my job as a business owner starts as soon as they are in bed either for a nap or for the night. I also get a tremendous amount of help with my family. I have family that will step with the kids if I need to work on catching up and my husband is great at staying up late with me to help fill orders and figure out any problems that might come up.

Multi Tool LED Keychain

What is the funniest/craziest/most touching thing that has happened while having a business?

I haven’t told anyone this in a long time. But, when I first started, people would send me their images or tell me what they are looking for and I’d help design the item…just as I do today. Well, this particular client was a business owner. And when she came to me with her ideas, she wouldn’t really tell me what it was for except for it was a charm for some sort of jewelry or accessory that she makes. In going back and forth in emails, we did finally come up with what she was looking for but my curiosity got me to ask what it was for (assuming we’d be partnered up in the future for me to create her store charms). It ended up being for an adult only online gift shop (I’ll leave it at that). I’ve learned since then, I don’t ask what the customer doesn’t offer to tell me. Just do it. LOL

Wood Tape Measure Keychain

If you could give one piece of advice to others who are just getting started with their businesses, what would it be?

Network. Use twitter, Facebook, Myspace…there are so many different ways to network. It’ll help get your name out there and put your craft where people can see it. But, also meeting new people is so important. Anybody met through these networking sites could end up being anything from a customer to a huge inspiration or mentor. I have joined a few forums and handmade communities and although, we’ve only “met” online, it feels almost like some of them we’ve been friends for years. It’s great to be able to bounce ideas off of someone or gain a little insight or knowledge on a particular subject from someone that shares your interests.

Can you give us some links to be able to follow you?

Shop Online:

http://www.pictureitcreations.com/

http://www.pictureitcreations.etsy.com/

http://www.pictureitcreations.artfire.com/

http://www.zibbet.com/pictureitcreations.com

Network:

http://www.facebook.com/pictureitcreations

http://www.twitter.com/Justpictureit

http://www.pictureitcreations.blogspot.com/