SALE!!

I'm having a massive sale over on DaWanda... many items are more than half price!!

Here's the link and a taste of what you can buy

http://en.dawanda.com/shop/SarasTextureCrafts/6936-SALE

Spotlight Feature #24 - Annette Bauer

Today's feature is all about colour and print as a form of texture and so I would like to introduce Annette Bauer...

1. Tell me a bit about your background and how long you have been an artist/crafter.

I would describe myself first as a New Yorker. Although I have not lived in that city now for many years, it is my home. It is a city with a pulse like no other and it is there that I feel most "myself". I was raised in a bi-lingual home (German/English) by German parents who came to New York for an intended brief stay, but never left!

According to my mother, as a child I was never bored; always busy with some little project. I have, as long as I can remember, loved making things. Collage, photography, drawing, knitting, embroidery, linoleum block printing have all been things I have enjoyed. `I grew up in a very aesthetically aware environment. My parents appreciate and collect art, books, beautiful things and I think this also had a huge impact on me. I was taught to value the creative process and the rewards it brings.

2. Where do you find your inspiration?

I am fortunate to have a rather adventurous husband who has taken us to the far corners of the world. Spending two years in Italy, then three years in Central Asia and another three in Morocco has fuelled a fascination with combining elements from different cultures to make beautiful things. I am so taken by the arts and handicrafts traditions in these places. Felt rugs in Kyrgyzstan, the embroidered Suzani of Uzbekistan for example, or the ceramics and metal-work of Morocco...all are so inspiring! So, I do not have to look far for inspiration! It is all around me. Imagine a walk through the Moroccan medina... the colors, the smells, the faces...this is a routine part of my life!

My children are also a great source of inspiration for me. They are funny and beautiful and creative and remind me of what is important in life.

3. Do you sell your work, or is it purely for pleasure?

I sell my work on the internet and here in Rabat. When I discovered the Etsy site last year it was a bit of a revelation. I had wanted for some time to design clothing for little girls and boys and sell it somehow. I just couldn't quite figure out how. The internet has been an amazing venue for me. Every time I ship a tunic to Australia, a dress to Cyprus, or a basket to Alaska I am thrilled! The fact that I can connect with people who live all over the globe never ceases to amaze me! My Etsy shop is under the name "HappyExpat" although my business is actually called Mimosa Designs.

The shop url is: http://happyexpat.etsy.com/

I design clothing for little girls and make things for the home. In addition I have great fun finding things here in Morocco and making them new and different. Wonderful baskets and traditional slippers come alive in new ways when felt flowers, ribbon, fabric, etc. are added. I have discovered many fun sources for things like passementerie beads, hand-crocheted buttons, tassels, felt beads, etc. I love going into the medina and seeking out a craftsperson, commissioning them to make exactly what I am dreaming of and then using that material in fun ways.


4. If someone was looking to take up this craft should they have any related experience before they start?

I suppose it would help but...I myself have absolutely no experience in the production of children's clothing. Rather, I think, I have a good eye for fabrics, color, textures and design. And I have been extremely lucky that people have discovered my wares and seem to like them!

5. What would be your top 5 tips for a beginner?

• Believe that your vision can become reality
• Work hard...VERY hard!
• Use the people you know who have experience and information to help you attain your goals...don't be shy to ask questions
• Invest as much money as you can possibly come up with in the first year of your venture
• Teach your family to eat/enjoy pasta at least three nights a week. hee hee!

6. What would be your top 5 items of essential equipment?

• My Apple Mac... Nothing would have happened without it
• My eyes
• Scissors, Pencils, Rulers, Fabric, Needles and thread
• My car which takes me to all kinds of fun places - the medina, the fabric market, etc...
• A supportive partner who tells you how proud he is of what you are doing
  
  
  7. Can you recommend a technique or ‘tips’ book ideal for a beginner?
  
  Hmmm...not really. I have found most of my information on the web.
  
  8. Can you recommend any brands to look out for, when buying equipment or kit?
  
  Favorite fabric sources: http://www.reprodepot.com/, http://www.contemporarycloth.com/, http://www.purlsoho.com/, JCaroline Creative shop, to name a few...

Making a Mini Directory of Crafty Places!

You may have read previously about DIY City Guides, a great new resource site set up for artists and crafters. Well I'm very pleased to say that I've been asked to help with some London based resource information... you know like craft shops, fabric shops, craft shows and the like that you can physically visit. This is something that I have already been doing here under catagories;

Craft, Fabric and Haberdasheries
Shows,Fairs and Markets

So do keep an eye out for more information popping up over the next few months!

Here's my page over on DIY City Guides: http://diycityguides.ning.com/profile/SarasTextureCrafts

I would also love to provide the DIY City Guide with resource information in other cities and countries, so do send me your articles and if you are a seller, your shop links so that I can pass the information on at the time of publish... here's one a very talented friend has written for us already State Fair of Texas, Dallas by Guest Writer Tana Dixon

If you are interested in writing an article... here are the details A Call to Guest writers

Spotlight Feature #23 - Kelly Bedeian

Today's feature is someone who has inspired my passion for texture in a silver smithing form... Kelly Bedeian.

1. Tell me a bit about your background and how long you have been an artist/crafter.
I have been drawn to the arts since I was a child. I used to take great joy in drawing and was always encouraged by my family, peers, and friends. Throughout high school and college I explored many different mediums and eventually made my way to a metalsmithing class. I am the daughter of a jeweler so it has always been a part of my life, which is probably why it took me so long to recognize it as a creative outlet. I have been experimenting in metal for the past 15 years but finally got serious about establishing a line of jewelry about one year ago.

2. Where do you find your inspiration?
I find my inspiration through exploring the boundaries of metal. I like to explore the reflective qualities and create pieces that I could envision as a large sculpture. My ideas come to me at the strangest times...but most often while in the car...not an ideal time for sketching!

3. Do you sell your work, or is it purely for pleasure?
I began selling my work about 6 months ago. Since then 6 galleries have picked up my work and I have exhibited at 7 juried art fairs. In the beginning of August I started selling my work on Etsy http://www.ruralabandon.com/.

4. If someone was looking to take up this craft should they have any related experience before they start?
Metalsmithing requires a lot of equipment so it is not always the easiest hobby to pick up. As with any art or craft it takes time to develop your skills but if someone has the patience and commitment they can learn. Metalsmithing requires a technical mind but it is that along with creativity that makes a great jewelry artist.

5. What would be your top 5 tips for a beginner?

• Have patience...I have to remind myself of this often.
• Find a good mentor.
• Having the right tools makes all the difference.
• Be prepared to fail a few times before you get it right.
• Don't cut corners.

6. What would be your top 5 items of essential equipment?

• Torch
• Assortment of small files and sand papers
• Flex Shaft
• Polishing Wheel and Tumbler
• Jeweler's Saw

7. Can you recommend a technique or ‘tips’ book ideal for a beginner
The Complete Metalsmith by. Tim Mc Creight is a very comprehensive resource for beginners.

8. Can you recommend any brands to look out for, when buying equipment or kit?
Most of my equipment came from retiring jewelers so I would say ask around for what people are using and go with brand that have a long standing reputation.

Thank you Kelly for such a wonderful insight to your work and trade... I hope everyone will join me in popping over to your Etsy shop to check out your current offer.

Missing the DIY havens in Paris!

I used to travel every 6 months to Paris, when I was a full-time Fashion Designer in order to select fabrics at the major trade exhibition there - Premiere Vision. Now that I am freelance I don't often get to go with the teams I am working with (because of budgets) and now that I am planning to take Sara's Texture Crafts full time, it seems unlikely that regular visits will be possible at all... What's all the fuss about?!

During each visit, if I was lucky I would be able to steal myself enough time to stroll through Paris' shopping areas and pack into my trip a few of my favourite places - not just for Fashion, but for crafts too! Here are a few of those places... maybe if you get chance to go to Paris, you can enjoy them for me! Better still blog about them and send me the link, so that I can swoon over them!

Fashion

Colette - http://www.colette.fr/

213 rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris.

Whether it is art, music, fashion or style you are looking for Colette is one of the places to shop and be seen! Here is an article I found on Colette for you to read freshness-feature-colette ... everything you need to know!

Espace Kiliwatch

64th Tiquetonne Street, 75002 Paris & Rivoli Street, 75001 Paris.

Very fashionable Thrift Shopping and a great fashion, style and graphics book store too!

Crafts

La Droguerie - www.ladroguerie.com (books on-line only)

9-11 Rue du Jour, 75001 Paris.

This is DIY heaven! From buttons, beads and jewellery trimmings to yarns and knit products and cords and braids. There is even a lovely selection of DIY books too.

I have found an article with lots of lovely pictures for you to coo over... it's in French, but with product pictures like these, who needs to understand what's being said - just swoon! argone.over-blog.com

Books

Les Arts Decoratifs/Book Shop - www.lesartsdecoratifs.fr

107 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris.

From Fashion to Textiles and from pottery to fine carpentry... historical pieces in beautiful books! Don't forget to go into the museum and see the textiles!

Food!

Le Fumoir - Le Fumoir

6, Rue de L'Amiral-Coligny, 75001 Paris.

I recomend a table at the back of this swanky resturant. Surrounded by old books, you will enjoy the most perfect French cuisine!

Cafe Etienne Marcel

34, Rue Etienne Marcel, 75002.

Cool, arty and fun place to sit and have brunch.

Here is a great write up of places to eat www.bestrestaurantsparis.com

Don't forget to let me know if you visit!

Maybe I should do a guide for London??

Thank you for making me Artist of the week!

Wow, what a week it's been... yesterday I was made 'Artist of the Week' over at the wonderful blog Autonomous Artisans written by Lynne of skully.etsy.com

Thank you!!

Here's the link http://autonomousartisans.blogspot.com/2008/02/artisan-of-week-sara-from-saras-texture.html

Promotion on a Budget by Guest Writer Lynne of skully.etsy.com

Lets be honest, promotion is a topic many of us sigh at when we hear it mentioned. Most of us just want to get on with creating our goods because we love making them, otherwise why would we be doing this? I don't know many people that wake up in the morning and think "Yippeee! I get to spend a few hours on promotions today!" I know for one, if I had the cash, I would pay someone else to do it for me, but the nature of being someone that hand makes their goods and sells them, I don't make enough cash to do that..... yet!

So how do people on a tight budget promote themselves and their goods?

Today I'm going to list some ways of promoting that are free, by which I mean don't cost cash, but might cost time. This is in no way a definitive list, so if you come up with more ideas please feel free to add them in the feedback section and I'll be happy to add them to the main list. Now before you start reading this go get yourself a cup of tea or coffee.

Free Promotion

1. Networking-Never under estimate how effective word of mouth is. It is a very powerful promotional tool. Get out and about, on-line, as well as off-line. On-line, join social networking sites, such as Flickr, Facebook, Myspace, Bebo, etsy street teams, etc. Join forums relevant to your skills and be active on the forums. If site rules allow it, put a link in your signature, so every time you post people can link straight to your shop. Be vocal about your love of your work, start a blog in which you can enthuse passionately about your craft. Off-line, it's the same. Join local groups that are relevant to your skills, maybe offer to give evening classes in your local collage. Chat to people you meet in queues and let them know what you do. I spend lots of time in post office queues and as I'm often posting large hula hoops, people are only too ready to chat to me. If you go to pick up kids from school, stand and chat with all the others picking kids up. Basically get a buzz going around about what you make and where you sell them. Remember this is a very powerful tool so it can turn against you if you don't give good service to people that buy your goods. Don't let the chat turn sour. Give great service as well as wonderful products and the power of gossip won't turn against you!

2.Web Directories-submit your website to as many web directories as you can find. The more you are added to, the more traffic you are likely to get. Research and implement as many ways of getting your name pushed up the listing to the top. Each one maybe different so research each on you submit to. They are not the same as search engines. They work by categories rather than searching for keywords, so make sure they put you in the best category for you to get noticed.

3. Local traders websites-Search the internet for websites dedicated to promoting businesses in your area. There will be a "Submit your site" link, and it is this that you will want to fill out.

4.Newsletter-Start collecting together a list of people who have consented to being on an emailing list. Send these people regular newsletters about your business. Don't go crazy and send them letters every couple of days, because most people find that a turn off and will ask to be removed from the list. Once a month or quarterly is better. It reminds people you are there and lets them know about new products you are making or when you are running sales etc. without being too in their face about it. It can also make customers feel valued if you tip them off about up and coming events before anyone else knows, thus allowing them to be the first in the queue. In many coutnries, it is illegal to send people newsletters without their consent (it is considered spam), so make sure you have an "unsubscribe" link that allows them to stop receiving the newsletters if they wish.

5.New content- Adding new content and keeping your website up to date gets you a higher placement with Google. It also keeps your pages looking fresh and new, which entices people to keep coming back to check up on the changes.

6.Link exchanges-This is a way of increasing traffic to your site and other peoples sites. You gather together a group of people with sites that compliment each other, so for example lets say we have 3 people, one sells shoes, another sells shoe polish and the third sells polishing clothes. If each of these sites puts a link on their site to the other two it increases all three peoples sites viability. The more people involved in the exchange the more links each person get on the World Wide Web pointing to their site.

7.Local free ads- Get your name anywhere you can. Sign up/apply for a local newspaper free advert and get the message about what you do out there! There are also free classified web pages you can sign up to.

8.Be your own Billboard-If the items you make are wearable do it! Always put something on, that you made, when you go out. You'd be amazed how many people will admire it and ask you where you got it from. It's a good idea to always carry business cards with you so you can hand them out to interested people. Do you make home goods? Yes... then use them in your home. Anyone that comes to visit, make them a cup of coffee in your hand thrown mugs. Friends coming to dinner? Where did you put those table mats you made and that gorgeous tablecloth you embroidered? Do you make and sell soaps? Leave label wrapped sample bars in all your bathrooms so that visitors see them... Use what you make and let other people see you using them. I make and sell hula hoops. I love hooping. I could do it in my own back garden, but instead I go to the local park, because not only does it mean I have more space but it never fails to draw a crowd.

9.Local Newspaper article-Most local newspapers have slack weeks where they find it difficult to fill their pages. You can see when it happens because they will have some strange article on a pet rabbit that has learned to swim or how a stain on a wall in the local library looks like the Virgin Mary if you squint at it and turn your head to the right. Well, take up the slack. Send them in pre-written article about your craft with photographs to illustrate what you do or organise yourself to be at a local carnival and dress up in the most outrageous outfit you can find so they take a photo of you. Just be sure that when they name you, the photo credit says your name and mentions your business... "Skully, owner of Hyperloop Hoops". Most local papers are only too happy to feature local small businesses if you ask them in the right way or fit into a theme they are running. If you don't ring them up and ask you'll never know!

Aren't you glad I told you to make that drink now? More tips on promoting on a budget coming up soon. Keep checking back!

After reading this post AshleyBug directed me to a blog she has written about places to promote etsy. Most of them are good links to promote any website you have. Go take a look.

Written by Lynne of http://skully.etsy.com/
Blog: http://autonomousartisans.blogspot.com/

Yesterday's Feature...

A Valentine's Feature! Thank you DIY CITY MAG!

Thank you to http://www.diything.com/ for featuring me in their very first issue of the DIY CITY MAG over at http://diycitymag.com/ (page 142) I am thrilled to be a part of this fantastic new magazine!

Have you checked it out yet?

DIY team Deb and Wendy have worked very hard and have jam packed this issue full of indie designers, resources and supply shops. They plan to extend this with each issue concerntrating on a different city from around the world.

For all of you crafters there is also a special new community forum that DIYthing have set up for us to use and become an active part of... You can find them over at http://diycityguides.ning.com/. Here's my page http://diycityguides.ning.com/profile/SarasTextureCrafts... if you join, feel free to add me as a friend!

In the magazine DIYthing choose to feature my 'Water Garden' embellished wristlet purse from my Etsy Boutique (Listing: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9556272)

Here's the feature link: http://diycitymag.com/themag/2008/02/13/saras-texture-crafts/

Cloth House... London

http://www.clothhouse.com/

This is another of my favourite fabric shops in London... they offer some really nice quality fabrics and have jaw dropping shops, that you could easily get lost in!

Cloth House tell us:

Cloth House was set up in 1984 and is now in its twentieth year. We have two large retail shops in Berwick Street, Soho and our head office is in Camden Town, London. Cloth House fabrics come from around the world although our main influences are European.We travel to many countries to source these fabrics, which enables us to supply many specialist fabrics which are not available elsewhere. By meeting the fabric producers in person it allows us to contribute to the final designs.

In our shops you can find many innovative fabrics from around the world including metal fabrics, paper/cotton, reflective material and latex rubber. The best place to experience all our fabrics is in one of our shops, however, to find out a bit more about us and the sort of cloth we stock please browse through our website.

Details:
47 Berwick Street, Soho, London, W1F 8SJ Tel: 020 7437 5155
Shop specialising in natural fabricsand vintage trimmings.

98 Berwick Street,Soho, London, W1F 0QJ Tel: 020 7287 1555

Shop specialising in jerseys,embroidered fabrics, innovative synthetic fabrics, leathers, wools, silks and felts.

Head Office 130 Royal College Street,London, NW1 0TA
Tel: 020 7485 6247

Fax: 020 7482 0999

Email: info@clothhouse.com

The DaWanda Photo Competition!

I just thought I would let you all kow that there is a great competition on over at DaWanda. Here's the flyer and the link....

Get purchasing!!

Link: http://blog-en.dawanda.com/2008/01/22/dawanda-photo-competition/

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This article will also be posted as part of the DaWanda Shop Directory's blog Carnival as part of their February Carnival Issue

DaWanda Sellers Blog Group - Update #11

Good Morning all! It's that time again!Here are the vitals;

Member List
DaWanda Sellers Blog Group - Application form.

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Today I have just one small quick announcement before I present our featured seller... Check out Facebook's business page application. This is a great way to promote your products! Here's the DaWanda Directory's article about it http://dawandashopdirectory.blogspot.com/2008/02/advertise-your-stores-on-facebook.html

Ok, now for our featured seller... ChiciBoulie!

1. Tell me a bit about your background and how long you have been an artist/crafter.

I am a work-at-home mother of 3 children aged 7 to 14 months. I have been drawing and crafting for as long as I can remember, but never really attempted to sell my work until about 3 years ago when I started on a whim. I haven't looked back since and the ideas are overwhelming at times, there is so much I would like to do. Unfortunately, time is at a premium at the moment.

2. Where do you find your inspiration?

Everywhere. Sometimes it's something I see in a magazine, colours or images that pass by, sometimes it's something I hear. Very often lately it comes from my children who, in my opinion, have fabulous imaginations. I wish I could illustrate so many of the things they say!

3. Do you sell your work?

Yes! I started selling at local fairs about 3 years ago. I then started my website and have since joined other sites. I hope to eventually use my website as a news only outlet and have my customers purchase through other sites. I also sell my items in local boutiques.
http://www.chichiboulie.com/
http://chichiboulie.etsy.com/
http://chichiboulie.dawanda.com/
www.notonthehighstreet.com/chichiboulie

4. You mentioned that you sell on DaWanda. How did you find out about the site and how long have you been selling there?

I started my boutique on DaWanda in September 2007. I had heard about it "through the grapevine" as you say and decided to check it out.

5. Tell me a bit about your current DaWanda collection.

I'm still adding to my DaWanda boutique, sometimes not as frequently as I would like. Currently I offer my original artwork (mainly watercolours although I will be added acrylics soon) as well as prints and cards made up from my originals.

One of my current favorites is titled "Les Friandises" or The Sweets in English. It is a set of 3 coordinating prints that would look gorgeous in a child's room or a kitchen. They represent a slightly different style for me while still being recognizable as a ChichiBoulie product.

I am also personally quite fond of my "Fancy Kittens" prints mainly because they are so simple and silly. I've had a good response to them so far, so maybe I'll do some Dapper Doggies sometime too. Hmmmm... that's actually a good idea!

Hopefully I'll be able to squeeze some more time in the day to add more items to my shops as well as create some new products. There are so many techniques I'd like to try out!

Be sure to check out ChichiBoulie!
See you next time,
Sara x

Find me on Facebook!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Saras-Texture-Crafts/8561416324

Would love to meet more of you!
Sara x

The Diary of a Textile Crafter: The Exhibition - Part 7

I've been flat out the last few weeks, pulling 14-15 hour days... so forgive me if today's post is short and sweet... I am however making good progress - yipee!

My box is now half full and I have ordered my wholesale craft items too.

So what can you expect to see when you get to my stand? Well, I will have;

• jewellery, accessories and bags worked into 3 themes... and based on day, evening and occassion looks. This is my Boutique range and on-line you can buy items through DaWanda and Etsy.
• home decorations, which is new for me... so watch this space! I will begin to sell these through my boutique stores soon.
• postcards of my textile art
• my texture packs (from my Craft Store, you can also buy them through my Etsy and DaWanda stores too)
• my mini kits, which is a new idea I hope to really expand into this year and is great for beginners and kids.
• Texere products, from fancy threads to felt making kits again from my Craft Store

I've just heard the door go... must be the postman, I'm hoping that's my new business cards!

I'lll update again soon,

Sara x

A new way to find craft shops!

Not so long ago I decided to open a new blog dedicated to Etsy shopping. I spend a lot of time there with my shop and searching for new purchases, so I thought I ought to share some of those finds with you...

Etsy Profiles

What is Etsy Profiles all about?

I have always enjoyed reading Artists' Bios and on Etsy it is no different... I will always take a look at someone's profile if I admire their work. 'Why?', you ask... It's simple, by learning about someone's background I feel I get an insight to their creative style and gain an understanding of their carefully planned shop and product range. You see, I come from a long line of crafty women in my family, who each love a craft fair and enjoy chatting to fellow artists about their work... it's often what makes me buy and I'm sure I'm not the only one.

This blog has also become a bit of a shopping guide to Etsy Products and over time will feature a number of different artists from around the world. Do pop over and take a look!

You can also check out my favourite items at www.sarastexturecrafts.etsy.com

Bead Aura, Covent Garden. London.

Here's another great little bead shop... Bead Aura! In fact I love it so much that I've been getting supplies here for my exhibition... I will be popping in tomorrow in fact, so if you notice a red haird woman, in jeans looking very tired and crazily pouring beads into small plastic bags... do say 'Hi'... I won't fall over, I promise!

http://www.beadaura.co.uk/

Find everything you need under one roof here and stocked from all over the world the beads are truely inspirational. There's something for the kids in cute plastics and plenty for adults, including a lovely selection of semi-precious stones.

The other great thing about Bead Aura is that they provide mail order too... Mail Order Page.

If you are new to beading or want to brush up on techniques, why not try a class Bead Aura Classes. They tell me;

Classes are held in Bead Aura. All equipment and beads are supplied in the
shop however you can always bring along your own supplies if you wish. Classes
are an hour long. It is 22 pounds for a one-one class and 18 pounds per person
if you bring a friend along for a group class. A deposit of 10 pounds is
required to secure a class booking and the remainder of the fee is usually paid
one the day of the class.

Apart from the topics below, classes
can be quite flexible. If you know most of the basics, then more advanced ideas
and techniques will be taught during the class. If you have made anything
before, it may be a good idea to bring them along.

And if you can't get to a class why not try one of their great projects Cool Projects

Opening Times:
Monday - Saturday 10:00 - 19:00
Sunday 12:00 - 18:00
*We are open as normal on bank holidays.

Address:
Neal's Yard
Covent Garden
London
WC2H 9DP

Tel: 0207 836 3002
Email: beadaura@gmail.com

How to find them: Directions and maps
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