Blog Tune Up

The inspiration continues and the ideas are flowing!
I've been tweaking the blog today to ease navigation, organize and de-clutter!

I've added new pages:  Nature Cards and Books, and renamed others.  What used to be the Mission Statement page is now simply called About New Pioneer, and NP Styles is now About NP Styles.  

This makes it easier for newcomers and general reference.

The Nature Cards page is a big deal!  I first took the best of my recent images and created a new gallery on my artist website at Fine Art America (you can view it here ).  These images are only available as greeting cards at this time.  If you are interested in enlargements please contact me.

Then I created the new Nature Cards page on the blog (view here ) which is the full collection with several links for purchasing.

I have been with Fine Art America for almost three years and they do beautiful printing, timely shipping, and secure purchasing.

The Books page was a terrific way to get them all in one place!  I have several photo collection books available through MagCloud;  great coffee table books or gifts.  I also have my second poetry book and the Backyard Bird Sighting booklet available.  You can view that page here .

I'm gathering recent poems for a third book, coming soon, and I plan to reprint the first book from 2004 in this new format on MagCloud - so stay tuned for that!

Additionally, I have cleaned up the side bars on the blog.  The images to the left under the first house photo are all available as greeting cards and click-able to that page.

On the right side bar under recent posts I have added easy access links to the pages as well.

Other new surprises coming soon will be a Nature Kit, The Shift oracle cards, and several new ideas for quick downloadable guides!!

Whew!  What a great day for cleaning blog house.

Thanks for being here!

Networking Via Guest Interviews

(imported from my former photo blog)
Recently I interviewed a dear friend and fellow blogger, Jennifer at Plushpussycat. about her adorable greeting cards and marketing tips.  

I really wanted to share another persons perspective on how to get started marketing their art on greeting cards.  It's such a rewarding process and perfect for those who are new to marketing.

What I didn't know when I wrote that post was how far reaching it would be and the reciprocal effects it would have on my own blog!  I have gained new followers and many page views - thank you!  

I guess it boils down to the power of networking.  If we are sincere about wanting to share our own strategies for success and also willing to invite our associates to share their strategies, then I believe we create a win-win situation.

The power of the guest interview is underestimated.  Two or more people putting their heads together and sharing twice as much information to an even greater audience.  Besides the new friends you make! 
Doesn't get much better than that.

My first post on marketing for beginners is here , and the interview is here .

Art Marketing Guest Interview

(imported from my former photo blog)
As a follow up to my post Art Marketing for Beginners , I was graciously allowed to interview my dear friend and blogger, Jennifer Rydell at Plushpussycat .  I asked Jennifer to tell us a little about herself, her product and how she is marketing them.  I think you will find this quite inspiring!

http://www.plushpussycat.com/

1)  Please tell us a little about yourself and what you do at Plushpussycat . 

Hi! I create whimsical photo stories, and greeting cards from them, using my own handmade plush characters, recycled and repurposed materials, and dollhouse miniatures. I also make miniatures and am working on several dollhouse projects.

2)  Why did you decide to create greeting cards from your photo stories?

I was making these little scenes, taking photos of them, and putting the stories on my blog. I printed some favorite photos on business cards, and within a few days time I'd had two people tell me that specific photos would make wonderful greeting cards. I took it as a sign and just went for it! I had my first greeting cards printed not long after that.

3)  How do you create the scenes for your cards?

First there's an idea that gets in my head and just won't go away! I start imagining characters, gathering supplies, and refining my ideas. Finally, a certain mood will strike me and I set up the scene and start taking photos. Sometimes I get just what I want the first time, and sometimes it takes days of photo shoots to get what I want. It may be months from initial idea to final product.

4)  How did you go about marketing your cards?

I started out blogging about what I was doing and gained a precious, dedicated following. I added an Etsy shop, a Facebook Page, and Twitter and Google+ accounts. I post regularly to all of the above, plus I frequently hold blog giveaways. I also give out my business cards, which have my images on them. The last business card I gave out helped me land my first brick and mortar location (a lovely bookstore called Green Bean Books) for selling my cards. I was also asked to do a diorama at Green Bean, which should hopefully introduce more people to my work. 

5)  What advice would you give someone who is just starting to market their cards?

Believe in yourself! Do what you love to do, and share about it with others. Start a blog--you can make wonderful friends, and it can open your world in so many ways!   


I found Jennifer's words and advice very inspiring, didn't you?  Please visit Jennifer's blog at Plushpussycat and see the wonderful images and stories she has been creating - as well as links to her sales venues.

Return of the Hand Written Note

(imported from my former photo blog)
The rebel in me wants to title this:  Ban E-Cards!  But I thought a more diplomatic approach might be best.  What I really want to say is "Please buy real holiday cards this year - preferably locally, and by artists".

I think this is one terrific way to stimulate the economy.  Look at how many people benefit (profit) from this gesture.  Paper suppliers, printing companies, the postal service, and most importantly the artists who created the images!

Just think, you buy the cards, use your own handwriting to communicate to family and friends, put a stamp on it and mail it yourself.  What a service!

We are all so automated these days;  texting, emailing, anything that will free up our time.  I get that, but what about the personalization of a real tangible card, hand written by you?  What does that say about you?  That you care enough to send the very best - or however that phrase goes.  You care enough to take that time for that person or business to say, hey, I'm thinking of you.

I also think this is a perfect holiday for real artist made cards.  Make them yourself!  Or buy from an artist you know.  I am using my own images this year, a great personal gift of my art, a 5x7 card that can be framed!  The gift of art with a personal message, not to mention a great marketing tool.