Check out this shop!

Love to Stamp!

AFSneakers Ambushes Tigerpixie!

Take a look in this great shop! Tigerpixie is the AFSneakers un-sub tonight! check out afsneakers.ning.com to find out whats going on!

Sneak attack on BeadBugJewelry!

Check out this amazing Artist! Click on the image to connect to this great online store and see other great works by BeadBug Jewelry!

New ArtFire Studio widget!

I added a widget to my new ArtFire studio that shows my photography that I have in flickr! I will create custom orders from any photograph that is in my flickr account!

Any photograph that receives a lot of attention on flickr will end up in my shop once the test print has confirmed a quality print.

Just be aware I have not test printed all of the photographs in my flickr account and not all sizes are available. (it depends on the photograph chosen)

The Free Ride Program is BACK!!

The FREERIDE is back at Artfire. Sign up 12 friends and you AND a friend of your choosing get a free account for life.

Since I already have my free ride, I am trying to help my friends.
Sign up under one of my friends links and as soon as they verify that you joined under them I will add your name to my list of friends to help.

click on Register to signup or click the shop name to see the shop!

Register on ArtFire.com DortheaKing
Register on ArtFire.com VintageRain
Register on ArtFire.com Baciscreations
Register on ArtFire.com TheBeadedBranch
Register on ArtFire.com ElegancebyMode
Register on ArtFire.com LaDeDaCreation
Register on ArtFire.com Curiosities808
Register on ArtFire.com WhimsybyMari
Register on ArtFire.com CreativeCoveJewelryDesigns
Register on ArtFire.com HuckleberryArts
Register on ArtFire.com ChelseaLynnDesigns
Register on ArtFire.com ShadeJewelry
Register on ArtFire.com BirdysKnits
Register on ArtFire.com LiberTeas
Register on ArtFire.com inkwear99
Register on ArtFire.com BeadbugJewelry
Register on ArtFire.com dreamweaversculpts
Register on ArtFire.com Wilmothfarms
Register on ArtFire.com LiciaBeads
Register on ArtFire.com soopajdelux
Register on ArtFire.com BlockheadRadio
Register on ArtFire.com AllAboutTheBeads
Register on ArtFire.com handarbeitskram
Register on ArtFire.com Lovetostamp
Register on ArtFire.com JennuineCandles
Register on ArtFire.com WooleyCreek
Register on ArtFire.com DontKnowPub
Register on ArtFire.com smiss00
Register on ArtFire.com CandTDesigns

Here are the benefits of becoming a verified user...

• US $12.00 Monthly For life!!!!
• No Fees for Sales
• Sell Unlimited Items
• Make Your Own Categories
• Full Community Interaction
• Up to 10 Pictures Per Product
• Prefered Placement in Searches
• Shop Banner
• Forums
• Custom
• Google Analytics
• Global Shipping Profiles
• Social Media Promotion Tool
• Social Media Resource Library
• Real Time Statistics
• Instant Flagging
• Categories Displayed Randomly(No Relisting Needed)
• Fast, Clear Checkout Process
• Fast, Accurate Filtered Site Search
• One Button Relist
• One Button Vacation
• Sales Mode
• Education/Training
• Green Impact
• View Prices in Any Currency
• Google Base (Autofeed Every Item)
• Kudos
• Guilds
• Artisan Councils
• Artisan Profile with Photo
• Market Hub
• Site Participation Rewards (Artifacts)
• Automated Markdown Manager
• Rapid Cart

The Good and Bad about Artfire..

Ok I will give a rundown on some of the artfire things that in my personal opinion make things great for the seller:

Every item listed is automatically entered in googlebase search.
Customizable shop studios
One page listing process
Relevant searching on site
One monthly fee no matter how much you sell
Promotional sales with just one quick click
10 photos per listing
Customers do not need an account to buy
Links to all of your other selling sites in your studio
Everyone's items are on the front page
Rapid Cart no account purchase which you can put on any of your sites
Search results are random unless you choose to sort by price or listing date
Management takes time and listens to you
Management actively advertises the site and helps provide promoting tips
No need to re-list items
Areas like forums, etc will improve as the site grows
A free no fee Basic shop so you could sell and never pay fees
internal stats as well as google analytics
And many many more things.

Ok things you may not like about ArtFire:
Is in BETA at this time
Is about 6 months old
Still gaining the customer market
Things change and improve
Everyone gets on the front page
Search is not based on when you listed unless the customer wants it that way
No way to re-list items to make sure you are at the top of the list
Search is by default random
Management is active and accessible
You have to promote yourself just like any business
You will have to miss one night out to dinner to cover the monthly fee


Ok this is only my personal opinion and does not mean diddly.

If your going to make and sell art/handmade you have to promote yourself. If your going into business you have to be organized to an extent and make sure you promote and get your name and art/items known. If you limit yourself to only promoting one way then that way is the only way customers will find you.

So those who have tried artfire and gave up.. I have to ask... did you honestly really promote your artfire shop? did you really do what was needed to get seen? Please don't answer.. but honestly ask yourself, you are the only one who needs the real answer.

I have done everything I can to promote both my shops here and on artfire. I do not re-list on etsy. I have been on the frontpage on etsy. And I have to say over all I get more views from artfire. I get a lot of google search hits. On average since I joined artfire my artfire shop has had more then triple the amount of traffic that I get in etsy. My artfire shop gets about half of the traffic from outside sources. My etsy shop gets about 15% from outside. This means I either have to sit in a chatroom 24/7 or on the forums and generate traffic to my etsy shop.... I have a day job I have to work and I'd like a life besides sitting on the computer trying to get traffic to from chat or forums.

Again this is my personal view and opinion so please disregard if you don't like what I say.
The I know Nothing Seller named Rainwolf

AFSneaker Ambushed Artist of 26 May 2009!

Check out this wonderful handmade shop! I love these Booties! Visit Springtime on Artfire!!

I've been Ambushed! 19 May 2009

There I was waiting to find out who the "unsub" was so I could blog and twitter and help promote them.... Time comes around and click on the link and my jaw drops! Naw.. I must have clicked wrong... I go back and click again... Naw.. It can't be!.. I go to the AFSneakers ning and ask if I am seeing what I'm seeing?! and Then I get floored.. I was the ambushed "unsub"!!

I am amazed at all the wonderful people who have purchased, promoted and commented on my work! I want to thank each and every one of you! I will be creating and packing all items ordered tomorrow and hope to have them all at the Post Office by Thursday.

I am always willing to make special custom orders so if you see something you would like to have but it is in the wrong size please let me know! If I have a photo on my flickr account that you would like again Please tell me! I post many things on flickr and if I do not get any comments or replies to the photo I tend not to list it in the shop.

As I'm not the best writer on the net I thought this post explained AFSneakers best!

written and posted by JenniuneCandles

Who exactly are the "Artfire Sneakers"?
They are a group of Artfire Artisans that wanted to purchase from and promote Artfire sellers that had yet to receive many sales, but still remained positive. So, they decided to get a group together to try and bring sales and exposure to different sellers each week.
Every Tuesday at 8pm CST the "Un-sub" is announced on the Artfire Sneaker's website and then everyone who is able to purchase an item from the "unsub" can do so at that time. But, if purchasing is not an option, promotion is greatly appreciated and encouraged! With all of the social outlets available, promotion will likely lead to sales and broader exposure for the "unsub".

The bottom line is...the "Sneakers" hope that their efforts will help encourage sellers that may be discouraged with a lack of sales. What a great community!

Here's a couple of interesting tidbits too! The great thing about the "Sneakers" and Artfire is that you are not required to be a member of either in order to participate and/or purchase every week. It's a perfect match really.

How is the "unsub" chosen, you ask?
Well...they assign everyone in Artfire a number, put them in a hat, and....just kidding!

Actually, each week a different member of the council is selected as the designated sneaker (they are chosen in order of when they joined the council - at this time they are not taking new council members). When searching for an un-sub the designated sneaker will be looking for:

* A Verified Artfire member that has been on Artfire for more than 2 months
* A studio with 2 or more pages of products/items
* A fully set-up and functional studio (banner, avatar, bio, etc. - it needs to look like they plan on sticking around for a while)
* A decent price range, preferably with a few items under the $10.00 range. (Occasionally a studio with higher priced products will be selected to make if fair for all un-subs, but studios with wide price ranges are needed in order for everyone to participate)
* A studio with 3 or less sales
* A studio that is not of the same genre as the 3 prior "unsubs" (in other words, a jewelry shop can't be picked 2 weeks in a row)
* and...a Verifed Artfire member that has been publicly optimistic about Artfire and their fellow Artisans.

There's one caveat though and it's most appropriate...
Artisans cannot volunteer to be "ambushed"

And, that's it. That's all there is to it! An absolutely awesome community effort to help each other out. You would think there would be alot of competition amongst the Artisans, especially among the Artisans that specialize in the same genre, but there isn't. Everyone pulls together and helps each other out and it's truly a pleasure to belong to not only the Artfire Sneakers, but to Artfire itself. "

Ambush on 12 May 2009

Check out these amazing handmade candles by jennuinecandles!!
http://www.artfire.com/users/jennuinecandles

05 May 2009 AFSneakers Ambush!

Tonights ambush is..... pelecypods2!!!
Great handmade items! come check it out!

28 April 2009

Tonights Ambush is www.DontKnowPub.artfire.com!!!!!

Come join the fun!

Help Make an AF Artisan's Day!
Come join us on AF Sneakers! We will "Ambush" a different Artfire Seller every Tuesday at 8pm CST (starting tonight!!!)

After chatting with some friends about wanting to purchase from Artfire sellers that had yet to receive any sales, but still remained positive, we decided to get a group together to try and bring sales and exposure to different Artfire sellers each week. Every Tuesday at 8pm CST the "Un-sub" will be announced and then everyone who is able to will go and purchase from their studio (you do not have to be a member of the ning or Artfire to participate--see all the ways you can participate on AFSneakers). We hope that our efforts will help encourage sellers that may be discouraged with their lack of sales.

I've set up a ning as a hangout for us its http://AFSneakers.ning.com you do NOT have to join the ning or Artfire to participate, you can just purchase from/promote the "Un-Sub"(selected Artisan) once they are announced at 8pm CST/ 9pm EST. They will be announced on the AFSneakers main page & forum so make sure to check in!!

If you have any questions or comments about it feel free to post here =)

-AJ
Posted by ¤~∙3zArt∙~¤ at 2:32:00 PM
http://3zart.blogspot.com/

Coach Possibilities

I am also going through my photographs of my trips to Lisbon Portugal Coach Museum. Here is one I like that is from 1716 it is the front of the Popes Embassy Coach. "The Lion is the Symbol of Royal Power" ... It is kind of telling... :)

Card Set Possibilities

I am currently working on creating sets of cards with a theme for my shop. Here is a example:

Ambush Tonight 8pm CST

Help Make an AF Artisan's Day!
Come join us on AF Sneakers! We will "Ambush" a different Artfire Seller every Tuesday at 8pm CST (starting tonight!!!)

After chatting with some friends about wanting to purchase from Artfire sellers that had yet to receive any sales, but still remained positive, we decided to get a group together to try and bring sales and exposure to different Artfire sellers each week. Every Tuesday at 8pm CST the "Un-sub" will be announced and then everyone who is able to will go and purchase from their studio (you do not have to be a member of the ning or Artfire to participate--see all the ways you can participate on AFSneakers). We hope that our efforts will help encourage sellers that may be discouraged with their lack of sales.

I've set up a ning as a hangout for us its http://AFSneakers.ning.com you do NOT have to join the ning or Artfire to participate, you can just purchase from/promote the "Un-Sub"(selected Artisan) once they are announced at 8pm CST/ 9pm EST. They will be announced on the AFSneakers main page & forum so make sure to check in!!

If you have any questions or comments about it feel free to post here =)

-AJ
Posted by ¤~∙3zArt∙~¤ at 2:32:00 PM
http://3zart.blogspot.com/


http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?mop=modload&name=Chatterbox&file=viewtopic&topic=9426&forum=11

Product Photography help/tips

Here is another link that has a ton of info about how to improve and create great product photography for your shops.
http://www.tabletopstudio.com/documents/HowTo_page.htm

Photography Lighting Tips Video.

I found these videos from ProPhotoLife awhile ago.. I thought I'd dig out my bookmarks are share these with you all..

Product Photography

Visit the Video library for a ton more tips on photography!

Tips..

Some threads I have read lately got me thinking, so I ran around the forums and collected information from many threads on what to do to help your shop with sales and with your promoting. All of the info below is from others who have posted tips/tricks/info to help shop sales. I take no credit for anything here and since many people say the same thing I just copied the ones I thought were written the best. - Rainwolf

Without a doubt getting your name out there is one of the biggest and most difficult parts of online selling. Try to get a daily checklist together of things you should do to promote. Just like any other business, an online shop takes time to grow. Be patient and don't give up. This is your dream right?

Questions you need to answer for yourself:
Who are you selling to? Better yet, who are you hoping to sell to? Figure out who your target market is. So you know where to promote.

Ideas:
Start a mailing list
Post to those posts asking for someone to blog about. That gains exposure.
Make a blog and feature someone else in it. That gains exposure for you and another artist.

Tips:
Have ONE address/site on all business cards, email signatures etc have this address on everything so no one gets confused and its easy to remember. Use your blog/website to promote and link all your venues. Then on every page have prominent links to the primary shops tell people that for more of my items please follow the links. Blogging about yourself and your creations works, but you generally you reach a limit of followers and those who have been following you already know what you have in your shop. By blogging about someone else they bring in new views, followers and buyers. Reply to atleast 3 other bloggers' posts, this gets your blog exposure. Team up with other sellers/guilds/teams to make joint promotions. If your friend makes and sells shoe polish and you sell shoes, join up together and spread the news. Divide up the promotions work and hit twice as many people in the same amount of time it would take you on your own.

The key to promotion is to do it regularly and to put as much effort into it as you do accounting or making an item to sell. Set aside time in your day to promote and work out a structured way of going about it, or you can find it will eat up all your time. Don't spend hours networking on one site and neglect everything else. Keep tabs on your efforts and work out which types of promotion work for you. Everyone is different and some forms of promotion work better for some than others. Focus on what works for you. Change and evolve as you go along or your audience and potential buyers will get bored and not visit your studio/site.

Keep a list of your customers. Send a postcard (no more then twice a year) letting them know you have a sale or that repeat customers have a discount. This reminds them of your store and adds a incentive to shop again.

Small craft fairs are not normally too expensive- and it is a great way to display some of your stuff- pass out business cards and just network, if you don't have a local craft show, try to start one. Word of mouth is the best way to promote. When someone asks you what you do -- instead of saying "homemaker" you should say "I am an artist. I work from home and my work is available at ... " and hand them a business card with your site and email on it. Toot your own horn when you win awards -- write up a news release and send it out.

If business cards are too expensive, make a flyer that you can post at local shops. Grocery stores, gas stations, and other places have bulletin boards for cards and flyers. Make flyer's with pictures of your creations and info about your business on your computer and print them, pass them around your neighbourhood

Send Customers a thank you and a shipping timeline. Its a nice gesture, also makes you stand out from all the other people they might purchase from online (this is a good time to link your shops and ask if they would like to sign-up for your mailing list.)

The rapid cart is likely the truly best display ad since it is also a cash register. you should be putting those up on all your blogs and sites.

One HUGE piece of advice: Do NOT spam other members! When you "write on someones wall" , "comment on their page" or "post in thier thread" talk to them, don't just say something to promote your shop.

Links:
Put a link in ALL outgoing email (save it in your signature)
Put a link in your signatures on your forum post, blog post, etc
Put up the Rapid Cart in your blog or website

Business Cards:
Pass out business cards to people that you talk to ANYWHERE

Every time you go to a restaurant...leave your buisness card with your tip

Everytime you go to a book store...leave your buisness card on a coffee table

Eveytime you go to a coffee shop... leave a stack of cards at the counter (with permission of course)

Everytime you go to the grocery store...leave your buisness card on the cork board

Everytime you stop at a rest area (even if you live nearby)...leave your card where tourists may find it.

Visit your local florist and see if they would also like a stack of your cards

Make weather proof magnets of your buisness cards and neatly put a bunch on the back of your vehicle with one labled "please take one"

Everytime you leave the house Put some postcards and business cards in your bag and if the opportunity arises, you can put them in shops, the post office, cafes, art stores. Wherever you go.

Sites:
https://www.Deviantart.com
https://www.projectwonderful.com/
https://www.flickr.com
http://www.kaboodle.com
http://www.thisnext.com/
http://www.stylehive.com/
https://www.JoAnn.com
https://www.facebook.com
https://www.myspace.com
http://foundhandmade.com/
http://www.handmadeology.biz
https://adwords.google.com/select/KeywordToolExternal
http://plurk.com/

http://twitter.com/
Stop in and say "Hi!", talk to a few people, then if the timing is good drop a link. DO NOT just post links. That will just irritate people and most likely lose you friends/followers

http://www.stumbleupon.com/
Add a Artisan or Item--not your own! Not only is it just a nice thing to do, but bringing traffic to the site in general brings traffic to you.

http://www.indiepublic.com/
Welcome, compliment, or just say "Hi!" to 2-3 members. If you have photos try to upload a photo a day to your IndiePublic

http://1000markets.com/
Write on 2-3 other members' walls/blogs

http://byhand.me/
Join in atleast 1 forum thread, comment on a blog post, and comment on a spotlight. If time permits create a spotlight promoting other sellers

http://autonomousartisans.blogspot.com/2008/01/promotion-on-budget.html
Promotion on a budget articl

Key Words/Tags:
Using keywords excessively in your item descriptions is considered by google to be keyword padding. It will get your website blacklisted. (by google). You do need to use relevant keywords in your content. Just make it normal. don't overdo it.

Things like "Blue Morning," "Red River Rock". Giving your items pet names is fine. Just don't do it in your Title tags, leave it for your description area.

ArtFire!

You can join ArtFire for free with a basic account or chose a premium Verified account and list an unlimited number of items for just US $12.00 a month (regular US $20.00/month). Verified members can list unlimited items with never a listing or final value fee, just like on your own website, but with less hassle, and at a lower price. Full access to a whole host of management features, promotional tools, and enhanced functionality. Plus increased site exposure use of all new features for just US $12.00 per month.

Really, no listing fees, no final value fees, or renewing fees... Go ahead, list 500 items, list a thousand – sell a thousand, you still pay just a flat US $12.00 per month (no long-term commitments, cancel anytime).

What can be sold on ArtFire?

Handmade items assembled by you, handmade art, fine art, crafts and collectables. Supplies and vintage items that support handmade artists needs. Design and media items which the member/designer actively participated in the creative process.

How will ArtFire help me sell? Do you advertise?

ArtFire manages multiple robust and comprehensive marketing campaigns that include viral, social, traditional, and non-traditional efforts. ArtFire purchases display ads in national publications, broadcast networks, web ads, as well as over 150 million views of ArtFire ads on websites such as Facebook, Mother Jones, Google, various blog sites, "green" webzines, arts & crafts webzines, and many other channels.

Come Check it out!
Register Here!

Masterpiece Chai Spiced Black Tea Blend

Masterpiece Chai Spiced Black Tea Blend
Originally uploaded by Rainwolf Studios

Been working on some Product photography for LiberTeas.artfire.com / EccentricPastiche.etsy.com

Humpback Whale Breaching II

Humpback Whale Breaching II
Originally uploaded by Rainwolf Studios

We were driving around Hawaii and saw Maui in the distance. We made our way down to the beach from the highway and found that not only could we see Maui in the distance but we could see the Humpback whales! This was the first time I've ever seen whales (except on tv). I was very happy to get 2 good photos of these giant creatures flying out of the water. I did get many many photos of the splashes tho ;)

Dry Side Grass on Hawaii

Dry Side Grass on Hawaii
Originally uploaded by Rainwolf Studios

I never knew Hawaii had a dry side of the island.. almost desert like with all the lava flows and grass..

African Watusi in Hawaii???

African Watusi in Hawaii
Originally uploaded by Rainwolf Studios

This was the biggest horns I've ever seen and on a massive bull! The fence is about 7' tall to give a idea..

This farm had 20 Watusi and a Zebra... Sure made traffic stop and go look! They should have opened a roadside stand!

Green Sea Turtles

Green Sea Turtles
Originally uploaded by Rainwolf Studios

Back Home

HI Everyone!
I am now back home from the Big Island of Hawaii. I have many many photographs to look through but I'm sure I will have many online for you to see soon!

Monster in the sky!

IMGP9769
Originally uploaded by Rainwolf Studios

I love this shot! to me it looks like a monster about to gobble things up!

Ok so now....

I am now online with many places..
www.rainwolf.artfire.com
www.rainwolf.etsy.com
www.rainwolfcrafts.etsy.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rainwolf/
http://plurk.com/Rainwolf/invite
www.rainwolf.net
http://rainwolfstudios.stumbleupon.com/
http://twitter.com/RainwolfStudios (don't check often)
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1349199546 (don't check often)
http://www.myspace.com/rainwolfstudios (don't check often)
http://www.indiepublic.com/profile/Rainwolf (don't check often)

add me as a friend!

Handmadeology!

Check it out!
http://www.handmadeology.biz
Handmadeology exists for the purpose of teaching artists how to successfully sell their handmade goods online. Through articles, blogs, video and screen shot tutorials, and Q & A dialogue between Timothy Adam and followers of his work, the formula for selling handmade goods online can be learned.


Also check out..
http://www.handmadeology.biz/home/archives/495

Rambutan

Rambutan
Originally uploaded by Rainwolf Studios

These are very yummy! very much like liche (sp)

Ok now Myspace

ok now I've joined myspace..
any friends out there?
http://www.myspace.com/rainwolfstudios

I just joined Indiepublic.com

come check it out!
http://www.indiepublic.com/profile/Rainwolf


Find more photos like this on Indiepublic

Light Show

Light Show
Originally uploaded by Rainwolf Studios

coconut tree

coconut tree
Originally uploaded by Rainwolf Studios

I love coconuts and have been peeling the husk off the one's i find and enjoying the nut meat inside! wishing I could climb the tree for the sweet milk in the green nuts!

Sun Rays

Sun Rays
Originally uploaded by Rainwolf Studios

before sunset Kauai Hawaii 18 jan 2009

Sunset on Baby Beach

Sunset on Baby Beach
Originally uploaded by Rainwolf Studios

Kauai!

I was able to find a place to stay in Kauai Hawaii!
I'm hoping to get some great photos of the beach and tropical plants while there..
Anyone have any suggestions about Kauai?

Where should I go???

I have a week and a half off.. last minute run... where should I go?
I have January 11-21 off work and want to go someplace warm. As always I've got to go on the cheap for a place to stay. Any suggestions? We were thinking of Samoa or Tahiti...

Plans got changed and I'll be going to Hawaii in February instead of this week which is why the last minute dash for a place to visit. Otherwise I'll be stuck at home in the cold for my birthday. :/

Remember warm place to visit! I'm tired of the cold..

Snowing!

Hello everyone!
I just thought I'd share the news that it is again snowing in Seattle! I might get some new snow photos if it hangs out until I get home tonight or even better tomorrow during the daylight. :}

Have fun! Enjoy life! Sleep well and dream big!

New Year Red Smoke II

New Year Red Smoke II
Originally uploaded by Rainwolf Studios

Love the way the smoke swirled in this shot... what do you think?