Also… As promised, I am taking on some more commissioned painting for Valentine's day! Here are the details. I paint *girls only* with the hairstyle, colors and accessories of your choosing and a personal message on the edge. Paintings are $120 for an 8×10 and $150 for an 11×14. The commissions I accept this week will all ship in a few weeks (in time for Valentine's Day!). It's first come/first serve. I am only accepting 20 spots this time and two are already reserved. Here's an example of a painting I did recently of Alexandra….
Also, I want to congratulate and THANK Ally for winning my Haiti Relief Painting Auction! I'll be sure and post a photo of the personal message she chooses for her painting before it is mailed! Thank you, everyone, for your support and excitement about that little auction. I've never done anything like that before, but it was fun and for an important cause.
ps. coming this week, another Q&A post with tips for aspiring artists and indie businesses! If you have a question you'd like me to try to squeeze in, leave it here.
44 Comments
I’ve actually been wanting to ask you this question for a while…so thanks for this opportunity!
I love to craft, but at times I look at my supplies and don’t have a clue as to what to do with them…do you ever have “crafters block”, or just moments when you are burnt out on making things?
i also have a question:
did you go to college or any sort of trade school before going into business for yourself? i want to start my own business, but having dropped out of college, i feel really useless & that my goals arent realistic. im always afraid that people are judging or looking down on me for not getting a degree. did you encounter these feelings?
Can’t wait for the tips! Sounds fun! And that was really sweet to do a haiti relief auction! every bit helps so much!
Did you have a substantial amount of “start up” money when you began the RVA store?
Beautiful painting! That heart creates a nice effect.
I love this painting.
Two questions. 1) I have terrible light in my apartment. I notice a lot of your pics aren’t taken in direct light so how do you end up with nicely lit shots? 2) Shipping is a pain, especially big or odd shaped things. Any tips?
Thanks!
i second sissys question! i know u went to college but what was u studying and was u scared when u dropped out? did u know what u was guna do when u dropped out or did it take u a few months to figure it all out?
Also have u ever had a normal job in a shop or worked for someone else?
question: how long did it take for you to have a successful following?
i have another question
how did u find ur shop, like did u just find it and decide u wanted to open a shop or did u decide u wanted to open a shop and then look for a shop? how long did the whole process take. i so want to open my own little shop here in england!
I have a question along the lines of Jillian. How do you know how much money is enough to start a business? Is there even an answer to that? Thanks Elsie, you are great!
How many times do you renew items or list items in Etsy each day?
Love the painting…and sounds like you have a BUSY day!
Thanks for answering our questions.
Char
Ahhh what an adorable painting! One day I’ll get you to do one of Molly and me 🙂
Oh! Is a painting of 2 girls twice the price?
I have a comment – I love youuuuuuuuuu!!! 😉
can’t wait to have the painting and put it up in sofias new bed room {you’re so gonna love it}!!!!
{xoxo}
Whoopie! Id love to know about your schedule and how you fit everything in when you have so much to focus on… your website, the blogs, the shop, photography, painting, marketing, planning, accounts…finding pretty pictures for your blogs…as well as normal things like chores, seeing friends/boyfriend, etc. Do you have set times to do things?
How did you become someone who thinks of an idea and gets on and does it?! I mean, how are you so productive??!
I may think of more 🙂
I think that a lot of times, artists tend to follow trends or make art similar to other artists. I am always inspired by your art though because it seems to be uniquely you. I guess this is kind of a mulit-layer question: What things do you do when coming up with your own “trends”? What is the process of your creativity? How do you go about making it happen? Do you feel that your name already being out there so to speak contributes to your success?
hi!…I have a question…i hope it isn’t ambiguous, though…i see girls out there, creating beautiful things– like yourself;)– and i know that would make me like SUPER DUPER HAPPY:D…when you started (like literally your first day of being official), did you have a concrete plan…or did the variety of your creations evolve along with you?…i just don’t know exactly if a want to pick a direction..i.e., greeting cards or art prints…and only stick with that…is it okay to be a little fuzzy at the beginning of starting a creative business and then just let it blossom into whatever– or should you be more focused?…(I mean, i am focused…just not on one thing:)…
Lovin your painting girl! Cute cute, and good luck on all of your emails and to-do lists:-)
~Tamara Nicole~
ohhh i can;t wait to read your tips!!
I’d like to know how to keep your customers coming back AND how to find new customers? Building a business is super hard work BUT SO FUN!
xo.
Hope you got everything checked off your list!
How do you manage your time with your store, your art, style school, your blog AND have time to spend with family and friends? I think it’s amazing how you do so many things and you are a complete inspiration. I fall in love with everything you create. You are awesome!
I love that cutie pie painting, adorable!
I paint and I recently just got my artwork displayed at a gallery. Before you owned RVA what did you do to showcase your artwork? What would you suggest to other artist. Such as I would love do festivals, but do you have any other ideas. I guess what was the best way to showcase your art? I just made a website, but its just a free website (nothing fancy) ..I also have another question. When you paint something that you love, but want to sell how do you go about making a print of it. There are so many of my paintings that I want to keep, but of course I can’t. If I had a smaller version of them I could. I take pictures but they arent the same. I thought about taking them to Kinkos, but I just wasn’t sure.. Thanks and your such an inspiration!!!!!!!!!!
would love to see the fox collection 🙂
you’re always so inspiring!
These questions are great, I would love to see answers to all of them! Mostly about how you got people to pay attention to you and your work in the first place?
So this is not a question, but I saw this and thought you’d like it:
http://alisaburke.blogspot.com/2010/01/tuesday-in-studio.html
hi elsie!
did the ONLINE following of your work “just happen” (by chance)
or …
was it something you conciously did to market your business (blog, twitter, facebook, etc)?
ps: when are you coming out with a new CRAFT KIT?! i LOVE them! xo
– jen
That hat is awesome! That’s it! I have decided I need to start knitting. After looking at all the work & things you make with your little knitting needles, I have decided I need to get in on this too. Do you have any starter book/s you recommend??
the beanie is adorable! congrats on the Haiti auction piece
i personally don’t have any questions. actually, i just drop by to say that i really do adore you and love every blog post. each gives me such wonderful inspiration! 🙂 and now, i have started some crochet, because of you and rva, along with lots of lovely friends of yours! 🙂 many thanks..xoxo
Hey Elsie! I always start by saying how much I love reading your blog, but it’s nice to hear those kind of comments right? =)
Anyhoo, how did you begin to market RVA when it first started? I want to sell my own cards and maybe scrapbooks, but I realise practice makes perfect so I have set myself a little while to be able to make really good ones!
Also, is your painting style based on anyone or is it totally your own idea?
It would be so amazing to make and sell my own creations some day! Everyone sayd it is a lot of hard work but also fun! =D
xx
Oh! Also, do you find you have a market in the UK? I don’t seem to be able to find too many crafty people over here, it all seems to be happening in America! =S
xx
We have the same color hair, what a nice hat!
xx
Judith ^Hartje-Bloem^
sorry for my bad english…
Ah, Elsie this is such a cool post! I love all the questions posed so far. I’d like to know what your ‘tipping point’ moment was with your business – when did you realize it was definitely a success? Was there a particular trigger that did it? x
Hi Elsie,
Thank you for your lovely blog – it’s quickly become a daily destination for inspiration and motivation in my life.
I have to echo two questions that I’ve seen others ask:
1) Advice for getting a strong blog following/readership.
2) Time Management? It really does seem you can do it all – what’s the secret?
PS – I’m having a Valentine’s Day mixtape giveaway at my blog…see URL below.
Thanks again!
Tara
http://elanvitalanthology.blogspot.com
what a great idea 🙂
Hey Elsie.
I adore you, your crafts, photographs and passion.
My question is, what made you be so crafty and have your own shop? Is it something you have always wanted to do?
Actually, I was just wondering where you got your hat. I’ve been admiring all the cute hats I see around town lately, and yours is just wonderful!
I do have a question 🙂
I am a fashion design student and when I graduate I want to work on my Etsy full-time. When I can dedicate more money and time on it will I be able to support myself on just that?
Thanks for the oppurtunity! i’d love some photography tips, if you are willing to share 🙂
I love Patterns too…. Scrapbook paper has so many great uses. I am getting ready to redo my craft room… It’s unorganized. ARGh…. I love your blog too…. KEEP ON KEEPIN ON
This has been very helpful understanding a lot of things. I’m sure a lot of other people will agree with me.
Beautiful painting! That heart creates a nice effect.