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Tips From The Blogging Queen
Column 10 -
August
2007
*NOTE FROM
DEBBIE: I'm happy to have Linda Walsh (certified "The Blogging
Queen") offer a column here at Faithful Friends Online! Each
month we will feature and archive on the website her columns
regarding her blogging experiences. Thank-you so much Linda for
your wonderful writings for Work At Home Businesses!
Do You
Have Blogophobia?
Last month in my TFTBQ Column 9 our blog
definition was "Blogophobia."
"Blogophobia" is a fear of blogging. So, my
question to all of you is "Do You Have Blogophobia?"
I suspect some of you would answer "yes" to that
question while others of you have already jumped on the "blogging
wagon" and have written hundreds of posts already. If you are
the latter you have no doubt found out that "blogging" can be
contagious and one blogs begets another blog which begets
another.
If you fall into the first group and are afraid
of blogging I suspect it's because you are afraid that you have
to be a professional writer to blog or you feel you don't have
anything to say. I've got some good news for you. The beauty of
blogs is that you don't have to be a professional writer to have
a terrific blog. You don't have to be an expert on anything to
have a terrific blog. And, more importantly, you have more to
say about you and your business then you think.
If you are afraid of blogging because you think
it's too time-consuming then you need to give it a try and see
how quickly you can promote the latest news for your small
business, today's sales items, current events and happenings for
your business, the latest news for your field, or whatever you
want to tell your customer, etc. It's as easy as pie and less
time-consuming then traditional advertising methods,
newsletters, or flyer's.
If you're still worried about not having anything
to write about just think about all there is to know about you,
your business, your field of interest, and things you would like
your customers to know about your products.
Why would you want to do this? Quite simply -
blogs generate exposure for your craft business. They can
generate sales. They can tell your customers important things
that you want them to know about your small business and are an
exceptional advertising vehicle.
But, most importantly, they personalize you to
your customer. Through your blog your customers get to know you.
Personally, I like to do business with people I know and, I
suspect, most people feel the same. Through your blog you become
human to your customers. They start to learn about you and,
hopefully, start to like you. If they like you then they are
more likely to do business with you.
or a small business owner blogs can become
crucial to sharing your ideas with your customers. Allowing them
to share their ideas easily with you. Allowing them to comment
on your ideas or articles directly on your blog. In essence,
you're providing a forum for the exchange of ideas - yours and
theirs.
So, do you need to be a professional writer? The
answer is a resounding "no." Think about what you love and then
write down what you're thinking. Or, think about your business
and your products and write down what you want your customers to
know. Or, provide your customers with a little research on your
particular kind of products and their respective history. Give
your customers some ideas and suggestions as to the best uses of
your products. The possibilities are unlimited as to what you
can write about especially when you are writing about your
passion.
Just remember - there are no blog rules. There
are no blog police. Your blog is just that. It's your blog. It
can be whatever you want it to be whether it's about you or your
small business. There are no right ways and wrong ways in the
blogging community and you don't have to be a professional
writer. In fact, the real charm of blogs is that they are so
"personal" and so "human."
So, if you're afraid of blogging you shouldn't
be. It's time to get over your "blogophobia", get your feet wet
and join the "blogging" community.
"Tips From the Blogging Queen" Column 10
Definition - "Blogiday" - Getting fed up with your blog and
taking a holiday from blogging.
Be sure to tune in to my TFTBQ Column 11 on "Do
You Need a Blogiday?"
© 2007 - All Rights Reserved - Written
by Linda Walsh of
Linda
Walsh Originals
Linda Walsh Originals E-Patterns
Linda Walsh Originals DOLLS NEW Handmade Dolls & Craft Website
Linda Walsh Originals Dolls and
Linda's Blog
Linda is a doll maker and doll pattern designer.
http://lindawalshoriginals.com
Until next month...
Debbie
www.debbiesgiftshop.com
&
www.faithfulfriendsonline.com |
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Archived 2007
Newsletters can be viewed at the following links:
Jan ::
Feb ::
Mar ::
Apr ::
May ::
Jun ::
Jul ::
Aug :: Sep :: Oct :: Nov/Dec
View Past
Newsletters Spotlight Archives: 2004
::
2005 ::
2006
 I'm very
pleased to have
DigiScrap Kits by Trina Clark as the Business Spotlight this
month. Thank-you so much Trina!
Here are the Questions and Answers shared by
Trina:
1. Describe your
business: type of business, where you're located, how
long you have been in business, website URL's, etc.
I'm a Kentucky-based graphic artist and I sell digital
graphics (clip art). My artwork is not really primitive and not
really country, but a mixture of the two... so I call it prim
country. I've loved to draw for as long as I can remember, and I
also have a love for computers. So, when I bought my first copy
of Paint Shop Pro in 1999, it was the beginning of the most
fulfilling and rewarding artistic endeavor I've ever known. My
graphics can be found at
www.trinaclarkdesigns.com and
www.digiscrapkits.com.
2. How did you decide on your business name?
Originally, I began as Designs by Trina... ok,
wait, Trina's Dream (that was back in geocities, lol).
It's just who I am and what I do... not a lot of
creativity involved with it.
3. What were the first things you did to get your
business going?
It started as a hobby, and I did lots of graphics and
put them on the internet for free. A lady came along and
insisted that I should start charging for my work,
because she thought it was very nice. Through her
encouragement, and my husband's support and enthusiasm,
I began to create web sets and other web graphics. I
guess the first thing I did was learn how to create a
website, using FrontPage. Then, I learned how to make my
own graphics (purchased Paint Shop Pro). I've never
liked using things that I couldn't add my own "touch"
to, so maybe that's what spurred me to start drawing
graphics for my personal use.
4. How long did it take you from the time you decided to
open your business to your Grand Opening Day?
Ummmm, that's been a long time ago :) I don't think I
really had a grand opening day, I just started throwing
web pages up as they were finished.
5. What was the best thing you did to get your business
going?
Get a divorce!!! ROFL.
It's true. My first husband was so against my spending
time developing talents. He thought I should work at
some mindless job for a meager check each week, rather
that pursue my passion. When he divorced me, I was free
to create, create, create! Then, I met and married my
soul-mate and best friend. He is the most supportive,
wonderful man I've ever known. It's amazing what anyone
can accomplish when they know that someone believes in
them!
6. What was one thing that you did
that you would advise others not to do?
Hang
around with dream squashers.
7. How do you network? What do you find works
the best?
Most of my networking is done with customers. Many
of them possess amazing talents and have their own
successful websites. I love to see the things they
create with their hands (or computers). I keep mental
notes on who has what talent, and when someone asks me
for a certain product or service, I can usually direct
them to wonderfully capable people.
8. Do you advertise? If so, what type of advertising works
the best for your business? I advertise in so many
different ways. Most of it is through the work I do - when
others use it, they just give me credit for the work. But I
also advertise through Community Advertising's Solo Ads, on
websites such as Faithful Friends Online, Moon and Stars
Shops, and several others. I've also created ad layouts for
various business and as a side-benefit am noted as the
designer. One in particular is for Berry Country Crafts,
whose ad will be in Create and Decorate Magazine.
9. Do you have any
advice to give someone thinking of getting into their own
business?
Just DO it! You've thought it all out, crunched the numbers,
done the research. You're out of excuses, so c'mon, it's
time! My heart is especially for women who long to stay home
and earn an income doing something they LOVE to do. If you
have a passion for it, there's a reason WHY you have that
passion. It's what you were meant to do... it's the
God-given gift you possess. It's when we try to do something
else, in order to have "dependable" income, that we become
depressed, listless, stressed out, pulled in a thousand
directions, and just generally dissatisfied with life. But
when we turn loose of the idea that we have to do what is
expected by others, and just go with the talents we
naturally possess - there's JOY, FREEDOM, LIFE, PEACE,
SATISFACTION, and FULFILLMENT!
Didn't mean to ramble on
that one, but you found my soap box! If you haven't heard
enough, you can read about it on my blog:
http://trinaclark.blogspot.com/2007/05/its-all-about-passion-dreams-and.html
10. What type of products do you find are 'hot' right
now?
In my market, people still love crows, teddy bears,
hearts and stars, saltbox houses, willows, twigs and
berries, sheep, angels, raggedies, snowmen, and birdhouses.
Thank-you Trina for
sharing your spotlight with us! I wish you much continued
success!
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If you visit
DigiScrap Kits online - please tell Trina that you
found her site through Faithful Friends Online! Thank-you!
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Beneath The Willow Tree
A FREE Online Newsletter For Primitive Arts & Crafts
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I
need help - what's a copyright?
Go
here
for the latest copyright information. Search
records, get information, and find out about the
laws governing copyrights. |
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Kelle Arvay contacted me
awhile back regarding getting a group of businesses together to
"give" someone in need opportunity to have businesses like ours.
Faithful Friends Online is proud to be a sponsor in this
wonderful endeavor!
The
following is what Kelle says about this great endeavor:
The Giving
Project is a collaboration of various sponsors who would like to
give someone in need, the opportunity to help their business. It
is our way of giving back what we have been blessed with.
If you know someone that designs patterns, kits and/or sells
craft supplies that could really use a bit of help, please
consider nominating them through this form below. If you are
that person, don't hesitate to nominate yourself. We know there
are some businesses that are struggling and may not have the
financial means to afford these services and we want to help!
Please include why this person should be selected for this
giving project and be as detailed as possible. We will respect
each recipients privacy and will not publish any information
without their prior permission. All submissions are kept
strictly confidential. We are looking for someone that truly is
in need of these services and the more you tell us about them
and why, it will give us a better overview of their need. Be
sure and fill out all of the fields on the form. The recipient
will be chosen on October 15th, 2007.
Would you like to help spread the word about the Giving Project
or perhaps nominate someone in need? If so, click here:
The Giving Project
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The Making of a Craft Pattern
Let's say you've been creating
your own original finished crafts and selling them either online
or off.
Now your interested in creating
patterns of your designs and starting your own pattern business.
What is the first step you need to take to make that happen you
ask? Well, first of all you need to understand the actual make
up of a pattern.
The following are the basic components of creating a pattern:
Front Cover, Supply List, Instructions, Templates, and Back
Cover are the basics that make up a pattern.
Front Cover: This is where your banner, logo,
website and/or business address, copyright and picture of the
design will go.
Supply List: Using MS Word or Works, you'll
need to type a list of all the required supplies for making your
design. Be sure and include brand names if you used them. If
it's an item that can only be purchased certain places, be sure
and indicate that information. The supply list can go on the
back cover and this makes it easy for the customer to see what
is required without taking the pattern out of the bag.
Instructions: The best way to create
instructions is to take notes while your making the item. Type
them out using MS Word or Works. Be as detailed as possible
without writing War and Peace. Also remember to write your
instructions as if your instructing a beginner. What you and I
may take for granted as "a given", a new crafter may need to
know that information. When your finished it's very important to
proof read and use spell check. At the bottom of your
instructions it's important to include your copyright
information, information on the requirements you have for
customers who wish to sell the finished items (ie; no mass
production, give credit to the designer if selling online, etc.)
and also if the creation contains small parts it's important to
include that the finished item is intended for display and not
for children.
Templates: When you make your creation you
should make sure you trace out templates on cardstock. So this
way you can have them to trace onto paper again for the pattern.
If you have shapes like circles or need straight lines, use a
small glass, plate and a ruler. Trace your templates out on 8
1/2 x 11 paper. Make sure your drawings are accurate in size and
don't resemble being drawn by a 3 year old. There's nothing
worse than for a customer to get what they think is going to be
a great pattern only to find the templates distorted or poorly
drawn out. Be sure and put the name of the design along with
your business name and copyright symbol on each template page.
Back Cover: The back cover is the best place
for the supply list and any additional information like size of
the finished item or things you think are important for the
customer to know. As well as your contact information, website
address and copyright information.
Some of the other supplies you'll need to send patterns through
the mail is 6 x 9 pattern bags and 6 1/2 x 9 1/2 manila
envelopes. Once you've finished all these steps your ready to
scan your templates and save them on your computer or you can
take the original templates to a copier and make copies. If your
wanting to offer your patterns as e-patterns you'll need to
learn how to put all the elements of your patterns into a PDF.
There are many tutorials that can be found online for this
process or you can hire someone to do them for you. PDF's are
opened and read by Acrobat Adobe. E-patterns are a wonderful way
to offer your online customers a fast and easy way for your
customers to purchase your patterns and get them via e-mail.
Good luck in all your pattern endeavors and keep on crafting and
designing.
***********************
© 2007 Kelle Arvay is an business
owner, pattern designer and WAHM. She is also the founder and
developer of IPM™ (Instant Product Management), an online
service that enables individuals and business's to automate the
way they sell downloadable products from their websites, E-mail,
E-zines, Blogs, Message Boards, and Auction websites as instant
downloadable products.
http://www.IPMPro.com
http://epreneurs.blogspot.com/
You have permission to publish this article electronically, in
print, in your ebook or on your web site, free of charge, as
long as the author byline above is included. Copy and Paste the
article including authors byline to use this article.
© Copyright 2007
ECraftClasses.com
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CRAFTING TIPS FROM TWO OLD CROWS
(From Debbie of
http://www.2oldcrows.com/)
Painting Pumpkins
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Even though the weather is still hot and our time is filled with summer activities if we are going to be doing fall craft shows we are thinking about the fall season. A great craft project for fall shows is pumpkins and they are fun and easy to paint. I like to cut pumpkins out of 3/4 inch wide wood in various sizes and shapes that I draw on the board and then paint them by following the easy steps.
Supplies:
Delta paint colors : georgia clay, pumpkin, straw, spice brown , burnt sienna and burnt umber
Paint brushes : basecoating brush, angular 3/4 inch brush, scrubber brush.
Old toothbrush
Palette paper
Paper towels
Directions:
1. Draw, cut out and sand wooden pumpkin shapes ( you can also buy these at craft shops), seal with wood sealer and resand lightly
2. Base coat the pumpkin in Georgia clay and the stem in spice brown
3. Transfer shading lines- these are the lines that divide the pumpkin into sections.
4. With angular brush and a bit of burnt sienna shade the left of the center section and then the right of the center section. Also add a bit to shading to the bottom of the pumpkin so that it will look like it is sitting instead of floating in mid air. You may need to apply this shading more than once to get the desired look
5. With a clean angular brush and a bit of pumpkin paint shade the outer edges of pumpkin and the inside edges of the center section. Remember this is highlighting and we always highlight where the light shines. Do this several times to get a nice soft highlight.
6. To further highlight dry brush with your scrubber brush a bit of straw paint at the center of the pumpkin and at the top of each section.
7. Taking some burnt umber on your angular brush had some shading around the circle at the top on the stem and also on to the stem where it goes into the pumpkin.
8. Let your piece dry and varnish.
To add a little more interest to your piece you can flyspeck with an old toothbrush. Simply dip you old toothbrush into some water tapping off excess and then dipping into a puddle of burnt umber paint. Holding the brush about ten inches above the piece pull your thumb over the bristles causing speckles of paint to release onto your pumpkin. When dry add another coat of varnish.
You can use these directions by adapting them a bit to paint pumpkins on gourds, fabric, and even glass.
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Crafting Tips and Techniques Blog
From the Crows Nest at Primitive Times Magazine
Two Old Crows Web Store
Written by Debbie Hainline
For
more great crafting tips and techniques visit us at Two Old
Crows (www.2oldcrows.com)
And Now...My personal
favorite
Online WAHM Resources and Networking Partners!
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Please Take the time
to visit our Sponsors: |
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Ewe N Me Printables
Ad Expiration: 4-30-08
We offer a wide
variety of vintage & primitive crafting printables
including - battlecap inserts, feedsack logos, note
sheets, hang tags & more. E-pattern design service is
also available. |
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Niki Jackson's Virtual Assistance
Ad Expiration:
8-31-07
Running a craft
business can be a tough balancing act between making
your crafts and doing the business side. If you would
like to spend more time doing your crafts, let Niki do
your business tasks for you! Services offered include:
website and blog maintenance, customization, graphics,
newsletter templates and more! QUOTE: DEBBIE and receive
20% off the hourly rate today! |
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Katie Newman Gifts and Home
Ad Expiration:
9-30-07
Chic and unique
treasures that will tickle you PINK! |
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**eCraft
Classes**
Why choose eCraft Classes?
As the internet gets bigger and smarter,
crafters are looking for more resources to assist them
in learning new techniques and crafts. There is a very
high demand for craft classes online. More and more
crafters are getting online daily and with their busy
schedules, they may not have the time to attend a class
locally. |
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**Instant
Printables**
Instant Printables is a online
resource for all types of digital crafting as well as other
types of printables such as scrapbook, altered art, business
templates, graphics and much more. All of the printable items
featured on
Instant Printables download instantly. We also have free
printables and give away a special printable item every other
week on our Freebie page.
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**Pattern
Mart**
If you like to sew or create patterns...This site is just what
you've been looking for!
For more
information please visit the following pages:
Ordering Info
Pattern Mart News
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DigiScrap Kits
Prim Country Graphics &
Scrapbook Resources
A Division of Designs by Trina
Providing premium quality primitive and country graphics
at affordable prices! |
**Sew
Cute Dolls & More**
We specialize in primitive /
country dolls, grubby candles and home decor products. |
**Sew
Primitive Ezine**
A great place to advertise,
get craft supplies, business advice, free craft projects and
download a free copy of our magazine "Sew Primitive Ezine"
(filled with craft show pointers & more). |
**Mulberry
Creek Mercantile**
We add your site to Search
Engines, Top Sites and exchange banners with other business
owners. I help you get the added exposure you need to get
traffic to your site. |
**Marketplace
Square**
A place where talented
crafters sell their products. You can rent a booth and sell you
products from the comfort of your home. There are prizes and
also special advertising discounts for new vendors. |
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PUT YOUR AD HERE!
ONLY $6.00 for one month of exposure in Faithful Friends
Online Newsletter! Lots of advertising for ONE LOW PRICE
to fit ALL BUDGETS!
********
We asked Jean of
Rustic Haven: "Why do you LOVE advertising with
Faithful Friends Online?" and she said:
The reason I LOVE to
advertise with FFO is that it is an amazingly
affordable, and simple way to promote my website. It
takes all of the pressure off of me, leaving me time to
do what I do best, Crafting! Debbie does a wonderful
job with the site, and offers many different promotional
packages, as well as a site that is professional and
easy to navigate. I would highly recommend FFO to
anyone just starting out, or anyone looking to promote
their site even further |
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GET YOUR FREEBIES HERE!
Each month we feature sites that offer FREEBIES on their
website! Send us your freebies and get listed here!
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