Merry go Round - Is this what you expected?

It's time for another ride on the merry-go-round! Jump on and join a group of artists/crafts-women as they link around the world and tell you a little about their lives in art and craft.

This month's question that myself and other merry-go-rounders will answer is "Five years ago did you think you'd be doing what you are doing now (craft/selling)? What has surprised you the most?"

I know that 5 years ago I was just graduating with my master's degree in Health Psychology and prior to that I had been a research pharmacologist! Designing and selling jewelry was not in my head at all. I guess my only slight leaning to creating and selling at that time was that when I moved to California in 2003, I started knitting again on the car journey from FL to CA. I hadn't knitted in many years but the thought of a long car journey over a few days inspired me to try it again. When I arrived in CA, a gallery owner noticed the scarf I was wearing and asked where I got it from. When I told her I had made it - she asked if she could sell them for me....and so I went home and thought about it - and decided "why not" (this was before the big "scarf" influx!!!).

At that time, I still wore the same gold necklace, rings and bracelet everyday and just wasn't a jewelry person! And I never wore silver! Oh, how we change!!!

I think one of the things that did influence me around that time was that I went to Germany in the summer of 2005 on a singing tour - singing Bach where Bach lived and worked. When I was there, we'd find a little time to shop and I found myself so attracted to the German jewelry. I just loved it all - the style was just so "me". Just beautiful.

Fast forward 4 years and here I am making jewelry and my biggest customer base is Germany! Guess our styles are connected!!!

What has surprised me most is everything! 1) I never thought I'd do something like this, 2) I never thought I'd enjoy creating so much, 3) I never thought anyone would want to buy what I made 4) I never thought buyers/viewers would send such lovely comments on my websites, blog, etc and 5) I never thought I feel such a connection and friendship to so many people I "met" at an online marketplace! Everyday I'm surprised. Who knew that I could make little figures and sculpt clay? I never did! I never studied art!

Guess you never say never! and instead you say "anyone can....."


Please take at look at the 5 year review from other artists!:

*Jenny at Jenny Karlsson design http://designjennykarlsson.blogspot.com/
*Nikki at Beaded Zen http://beadedzen.blogspot.com
*Wendren at Wren http://thewrendesign.com/
Sara at Sara's Texture Crafts http://sarastexturecrafts.blogspot.com
Marian at Florcita http://florcitasart.blogspot.com
Agathe at Le Bar du Vent http://lebarduvent.blogspot.com
Fabienne at Easterya http://easterya.blogspot.com
Andreanna at Glamasaurus http://blog.glamasaurus.com
Ruth at Birdland Creations http://insidetheartisan.blogspot.com

Business Matters - Marketplaces - Boundless Gallery

As I've spent the first three months of this year writing about different "business matters" topics, I thought I'd go for a little change for the next few months - still about business - but each week I'll write a little about the different marketplaces that are available for us to sell our arts or crafts. I've tried quite a few and so obviously it will only by my personal opinions but it may encourage you to look at somewhere new...... And if you have experience of the marketplace I mention, please add your thoughts and comments too.

This week, the first one up is Boundless Gallery. I no longer sell on Boundless but I did for a little over a year. I really like it as a marketplace and if you haven't looked at it - you should.


It just has a good feel about. It's not too busy, it's really easy to upload items, their search is good, there are optional ways to pay a little extra for more exposure........ I just really liked it. There is no listing fee and different monthly rates that vary the commission you pay.

So why aren't I still selling there, you may ask? I just don't think it's a good place for jewelry. They have been selling jewelry there since they started but it really is predominantly paintings, photos and prints. There are other things like fiber art, sculptures, ceramics, glass art - but it really showcases paintings.
I stopped selling there a while ago so things may have changed - but it seems that it is the place for shoppers who want to buy paintings - so not quite the jewelry niche. If you are a painter, you may want to take a look.....

Next week I'll write about Mintd.