Linda - GalleriaLinda

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4545364241175912610.post-71674678052317234472008-07-13T22:27:00.000-07:002008-07-15T10:00:39.094-07:002008-07-15T10:00:39.094-07:00Linda - GalleriaLinda<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_y57RSerg0pA/SHrpV-dvUsI/AAAAAAAAANA/-AVYSn3qwU4/s1600-h/E1081-1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222743281643770562" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 250px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 250px" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_y57RSerg0pA/SHrpV-dvUsI/AAAAAAAAANA/-AVYSn3qwU4/s200/E1081-1.jpg" border="0" /></a> Linda of GalleriaLinda is from Lakeland, Florida - way over there on the other side of the country from me. She creates very elegant jewelry that I can see myself wearing at work or on a night out on the town. Her earrings pictured on the left are my particular favorite. I love the organic yet sophisticated look of them. Here is more information about GalleriaLinda: Tell me about your shop. What will I find there? In my shop you will find a cozy and friendly virtual space where you can look around and just enjoy the sparkle and glamour! Each item has fun, creative descriptions to entertain. The basic categories that I work with include earrings, bracelets, and necklaces using beads of glass, crystal pearls, acrylic, and gemstone of all kinds; polymer clay; and silver wire. My aesthetic leans toward contemporary in style and I love to use large 12mm Swarovski crystal pearls in new ways. A new product line of hammered sterling silver wire pendants is nearly ready to be put in the shops. Pendants of polymer clay have been very popular with my in-person sales and I will be working on another group of them towards the end of the summer. There never seems to be enough time to make everything that is rolling around in my brain! How long have you been in business? I have created jewelry designs for many years for myself, family, and friends. In October 2006, I finally decided to sell my jewelry at the encouragement of my friends and family. Actually, it was from the gentle pushing of my kind neighbors that actually pushed me over the edge to sell!<?xml:namespace prefix = o /><o:p></o:p>Where do you sell your creations? Please provide link to your online shops).The best place to sell is in person to friends, family, and others. Seeing is believing and I travel to <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 /><st1:state><st1:place>Indiana</st1:place></st1:state> from <st1:state><st1:place>Florida</st1:place></st1:state> each year for a friend-hosted jewelry show with friends. I will be sending a good amount of my inventory to <st1:state><st1:place>Texas</st1:place></st1:state> later in the year for a proxy show (where I cannot attend). My shops online are with Etsy.com and iCraft.ca. Because of the one-of-a-kind nature of my work, you will find entirely different designs in each store. I also have a supply and vintage shop on Etsy. <a href="http://icraft.ca/gallerialinda" target="_blank">http://iCraft.ca/gallerialinda</a> <a href="http://gallerialinda.etsy.com/" target="_blank">http://gallerialinda.etsy.com/</a> <a href="http://gallerialindaloft.etsy.com/" target="_blank">http://gallerialindaloft.etsy.com/</a> Do you have a blog or web-site? I do! I started a blog about my jewelry business early in 2007 and enjoy working on it as a creative expression. Midway I put in a counter and have over 5000 views! I love going back and reading my posts as they show me how far I have come. I blog about my jewelry designs, technique successes and failures, excitement over new equipment, pretty beads, friends who encourage me, a couple of personal stories, and the sharing of techniques and tips. <a href="http://gallerialindashowcase.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://gallerialindashowcase.blogspot.com/</a> <o:p></o:p>A more recent project is my new marketing blog. By day, I am a strategic marketing communications consultant to small businesses (B&M businesses). So, I thought….why not!? With only a few posts, you will soon see more about how to market small businesses, including online stores. I have not yet decided whether to make it a generic small business marketing blog (B&M and online), a crafters marketing blog (for online stores), or a combination. Readers - what say you? <a href="http://marketyourworld.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://marketyourworld.blogspot.com/</a> My web site is the URL that I promote, as it will take a visitor to the shops mentioned: <a href="http://www.gallerialinda.com/" target="_blank">http://www.gallerialinda.com/</a> You can also find me on Facebook, MySpace, WebJam, EtsyLove.ning.com, MyHandmade.ning.com and LinkedIn.com. I am always looking for more places to share the story of GalleriaLinda. Who is your favorite crafts person/artisan or favorite web resource ? <o:p></o:p>Oh, that is a loaded question…..I love so many and have come across so many artists that have such powerful talent. I just plain love jewelry, so a lot of my favorites are in that category but I have a love of pottery, paper, clay, and other media. <ul type="disc" style="font-family:arial;"><li class="MsoNormal">I admire so much the organic shapes and metal uses of Cindy Smith's jewelry designs <a href="http://cindysmithdesigns.etsy.com/" target="_blank">http://cindysmithdesigns.etsy.com/</a> and the contemporary jewelry metalsmith Jane Gallagher <a href="http://janegallagher.etsy.com/" target="_blank">http://janegallagher.etsy.com/</a> <o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal">Some very unique mobiles can be found at <a href="http://spindesigns.etsy.com/" target="_blank">http://spindesigns.etsy.com/</a> <o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal">These origami creations are just fabulous <a href="http://clairigami.etsy.com/" target="_blank">http://clairigami.etsy.com/</a> <o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal">And, I am a sucker for whimsical pottery like <a href="http://jdwolfepottery.etsy.com/" target="_blank">http://jdwolfepottery.etsy.com/</a> and <a href="http://whitneysmith.etsy.com/" target="_blank">http://whitneysmith.etsy.com/</a> <o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal">This shop uses special DECO clay in a Japanese technique to produce gorgeous and delicate flower arrangements: <a href="http://debashri.etsy.com/" target="_blank">http://debashri.etsy.com/</a> <o:p></o:p></li></ul>There are so many more that I admire - all in my favorites in my shop on Etsy. These artists I have selected are all on Etsy but may be on other selling sites too. I am new to iCraft.ca and have not been able to explore the artists yet. Are there any upcoming craft fairs/art shows that you’ll be participating in this year? <o:p></o:p>At this time I do not participate in craft and art shows. My main avenue to exposing my product to potential customers is through word-of-mouth, personal jewelry showings, and online. Each of these require different promotions!<o:p></o:p>Dancing Monkey Jewelryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17773838450699121354noreply@blogger.com