Wow, what a fun weekend. Yesterday I taught a workshop in my home on selling art on the web and more specifically on Etsy. Lately I have been thinking a lot about "inspiration". I realized this weekend that I get my batteries charged and get inspired more by talking with other artists than any other thing. I would love to be the sort of artist that can write poetically about the sound of rain as it hits the tin roof of an urban loft. I would love to be more zen about life and in touch with the passing seasons. Yes, it would be cool to live by the ocean perhaps and allow the warm hues of sunset to dance across my studio floor and show up on my canvases. None of that lovely stuff really does it for me and in reality nothing jazzes me more than talking with other working artists. Yep that is what makes my brain click, the electric energy in a room full of creatives.
Where was I, oh yes the workshop ...
So at the urging of a couple of pals I spent a few hours last week creating a workshop and presented it to a group of 5 local artists. Once they have their Etsy shops on-line I will be sharing those links with you guys so you can support them. I worked with 2 metal artists, a photographer, a painter, and a mosaic artist; all fabulously creative women!
I dressed up for the occasion. I wanted to feel professional even though I was doing this from my home. I am serious about business. It is something to enjoy and respect. I really loved using my hubby's large screen TV to do the presentation. It is not one of my favorite things, but yesterday it was perfect. I hooked it up to my laptop and we got on-line to work through the process of listing an item. Then we looked around Etsy, discussing what some sellers were doing very well and what others ( including myself) needed to work on. I find there is no better way to teach than admitting some of my own foibles, then showing how I learned from my mistakes. This often gives confidence to people just starting out. I think everyone got a lot out of the exchange, some of the women are already off to a great start. I am really excited that it turned out so well, even the cookies rocked! I hope to do more workshops in the future. I think this could be something I will enjoy doing again and again!
This week I am going to get back to the discipline of blogging and I will be talking about inspiration for the remainder of the month.
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6 comments:
That sounds like a terrific workshop Rebecca! Make it an online class and I'll take it girlfriend!! I could use some help!
Yep, that is what I would love to do next, a more general course about how to build a very strong on-line presence in a larger number of places. I had a couple of beginner girlfriends that were eager to get on Etsy. The interesting thing is that everyone was at different levels of comfort with the web. I had two ladies that should have been in a more advanced class. If I do this much in the next 5 years I will develop a range of course offerings. We were a small group so it worked out fine with all skill levels this time. Oh, and I would love to get to meet you girl, so yes I will let you know if I offer more this summer.
Manon- Ah, I see, you mean on-line like on-line teaching. I have thought of that too. I think I am a year or more out from that. I need to develop more written teaching tools, and better video tutorial skills, but yes I could reach a wider audience that way. I may go there some day.I would have to get to a point where I feel I have something different to give and a different way of on-line delivery than some some of my favorite people that are teaching art coaching on-line. I would love to do something like that and teach it team style, where I ask people like you to share your experience with video and blogging or Melissa L. and her experience with selling a huge range of gift items. I know so many people that do so many things well.
Sign me up too....I need help with my Etsy store as well!
Sounds like a great class, Rebecca! Wish I could have participated as well. Would be lots of fun to meet you!
Hi Rebecca!
oh i sooo wish i lived closer! i would have love to attend your workshop!
you are such a inspiring, supportive and generous person!
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