Goal this year.

I am kind of thrilled with myself. My main goal this year is to successfully sell in 7 different online shop/venues. I just spent countless minutes, maybe even hours going through some of my inventory and sorting/organizing it. I think I'm really going to reach as well as surpass this goal. After looking at my older pieces and my newer ones I'm getting so excited to create and make things work.

I have so much to photograph and list. Yay 2011! <3

Is it Fall Yet?

After many pleas and cries the sun finally decided to show itself in the Pacific Northwest, and after less than a week I am already hiding by the air conditioner and waiting for Fall to make an appearance. I don’t much care for hot weather and bright obnoxious light.

I am already thinking about the holidays and planning my inventory for them. I have a feeling that this year will be the best and most successful. I have lists of supplies to purchase, items to list in each of my three online shops, and random ideas that are waiting to be brought to life. If only I was a master of time management!

Thank you so much for reading. I hope you enjoy your Sunday.

<3
Christina

Fresh. Bring it on 2010.

Another decade is upon us, and since it is only January thoughts of resolutions and goals still cloud our heads. I have one main goal this year, and that is to successfully run __1337 Art so I do not have to work at a day job for someone else. Here are a few things I am working on:

Simple is Good - I have some left over necklaces (including new cameos, lockets, and masculine pendants) from a craft show. They are all very simple designs with a pendant on either suede, copper chain, silver ball chain, or gunmetal chain. Sometimes simple is good, and all you want to is wear something simple. I will have a few installments of this miniature series, and once these necklaces are gone they may not be available as part of my regular inventory.

Clean Studio - I never thought I had so many beads and supplies until I spent a day organizing them and still have a few containers to go! A clean, organized workspace is important, and now that I see that my tables have a clear surface I now feel a little less overwhelmed and a little more inspired. Starting off a new decade with a clean space is totally worth it. If I were you I would do it now. (!)

Masculine Pieces - I have three necklaces designed with men in mind waiting to be finished, photographed, edited, written about, and listed. You should see these available within a week or so. I would like to focus on more necklaces, bracelets, cuff links, and other accessories for men this year.

You can also expect more frequent postings to my blog and email newsletter. If you are not yet signed up for that you can subscribe in the box in the right hand column of this page.

Are you on Facebook? __1337 Art sure is:
http://www.facebook.com/1337art

Thank you for reading,

-
Christina

Back from Maui and Back to Work!

I recently got back from my Maui honeymoon...very adventurous to say the least. We had some good times.

It's time to get to work! Christmas and the other holidays are creeping up...and I am far from prepared.

I'm moving into my husband's house, and I'm getting my own studio!!! The progress is slow, but every little step is so exciting. At the moment I am beyond thrilled that there is enough space on the floor in there for me to sit down. I still need to work on my thank you cards from the reception, and once I lay out all of my papers and embellishments I hope it rekindles my desire for collage work.

My Goals:

1. Blog daily
2. Add new items weekly to my shops: Etsy and Artfire
3. Send out monthly email newsletters.
4. Organize/finish my studio area.
5. Make many new items!

I am going to go on a supply binge that will hopefully tide me over until after the Christmas season, but I do love my supplies...

(if there is something you are wanting to see more of, at all, or just as a general suggestion please let me know email or comment so I can plan for it. :] )

__1337 Art is taking custom orders again! You can note me or send an email to 1337art@gmail.com with your serious inquiry/request.

Coming Soon:

New Stud Earrings.
Champagne Rose Stud Earrings.
New Gemstone Rings.
Gemstone Chip earrings.
Themed Cameo necklaces. (think Hemingway & Victorian)
Gunmetal and Antiqued Copper Filigree Rings.
Gunmetal and Antiqued Copper Filigree Chandelier Earrings.
And more...(!)

Look forward to daily blog posts hopefully by next week and new items in my shops.

Enjoy your weekend!

-
Christina
__1337 Art

Time to Think Ahead.

I conducted a small survey with 160 participants regarding when they start shopping for Christmas gifts. If you take a look at this chart you'll notice that a majority wait until November and December.

These results have me thinking about my three shops (I recently opened one on Madeitmyself) and how to prepare them for the upcoming Christmas season.

I want over 200 items in my Etsy Shop, over 150 in my Artfire Shop, and at least 100 in my Madeitmyself Shop.

Since the times are slow I need to take this time to really evaluate my shops, my items, my supplies, etc. to determine what steps I need to take to make this season a successful one. My first step, obviously, is to use this down time to create new designs. Step two: organize my studio. I'm not going to fret and worry about low views and sales at this point, and as a result I have been away from the Internet and all things social networking for the last couple of weeks.

After my Honeymoon/Vacation next month I'm going to look over my design/new idea books and hoard on supplies in August so I can spend August and September sitting in the middle of my bead mess and create until my fingers threaten to stop working. Until then I'm going to utilize the supplies I currently have and work hard to keep my shops inventory stocked (and update my blog more often!)

Thank you very much for reading. I hope this chart is helpful to your business. And good luck this holiday season!

-
Christina
1337 Art

__1337 Art Goals for 2009

It is that time when everyone is brooding over the things they can do to change their lives for the better this year. We should be thinking about these things a little everyday instead of rushing it all into one day. I have been musing over some 2009 goals both personally and for __1337 Art.

Here are some of the things I will accomplish by December 31st, 2009:

1. Reach 1,000 contacts on Myspace.
2. Make 100 Artfire Sales.
3. Make it to 250 Etsy Sales.
4. Finish personal website.
5. Research a third online selling venue.
6. Venture into at least two different art mediums (photography and crochet).
7. Blog daily.
8. Keep up on social networking sites.
9. Build a newsletter.
10. Monitor spending for new supplies.
11. Organize workspace.
12. Improve packaging and overall shop appearances.
13. Immediately file and keep track of 2009 expenses.
14. Make more collage/card type items.
15. Read and comment more blogs.
16. Set aside money for savings.
17. Spend less time online.
18. Utilize new planner.
19. Do at least one PIF and giveaway.
20. Have fun and make a lot of new items.

I wish everyone a happy, healthy, and successful New Year!!!

Thank you so much for reading,

-
Christina
CM Designs dba 1337 Art
http://1337art.etsy.com/
http://1337art.artfire.com
[Elite Art for the elite at heart.] Featuring jewelry for men and women, awareness items, bookmarks, brooches, cards, cell phone charms, clip on earrings, cuff links, hair accessories, wine charms, and more!

Goals for the Holiday Season.

October is half way over already! I have two upcoming craft shows next month that I need to prepare for as well as finding time to keep an online presence. Here are some of my goals that I hope to achieve before December 31st:

#1. Set up my first blog giveaway. I'm expecting this to be ready fairly soon...so check back for more information on this mysterious giveaway.

#2. Start up another blog. The theme/subject of this new blog is under wraps. I am still working out the kinks, and I will post more information when I have that blog up and running.

#3. Send out my first email newsletter. The pieces are slowly coming together on this.

#4. Have 300 items listed for sale. At least! I actually want to accomplish this before the end of November. Once I sit down to create it seems to come easy for me.

#5. List items not yet listed. This includes new surgical steel post earrings, hair accessories, and more.

#6. Advertising. This includes Deviant Art, craigslist, local newspapers, social networking websites, bulletin boards, and consignment inquiries.

#7. New items. There are new ideas and items I want to work with and offer for sale before the holiday rush. I also want to expand on my current items. More ribbon bookmarks, clip on earrings, necklaces, men's accessories, etc.

#8. Personal website. I want my personal website to be live as soon as possible. (a special thanks to my fiance for putting it together from scratch.) If I had two days I could have it up and running.

#9. Make gifts for friends/family. Saving money has become more critical than ever so I am making more of an effort this year to make gifts for all my friends and family. This includes jewelry, accessories, cards, etc.

#10. Run my business full time. I would love very much to be able to run 1337art full time. This holiday season will be a sort of test to see if I am ready to do it. There are so many things I would like to expand on, and I would strive best working for myself. I can do it!

There will definitely be time for relaxation too!

Thank you so much for your time,

-
Christina
CM Designs dba 1337 Art
http://1337art.etsy.com
Elite Art for the elite at heart. Featuring jewelry for men and women, art collage, awareness items, bookmarks, cell phone charms, hair accessories, key chains, kilt pin brooches, wine charms, and more.

Custom orders are accepted. Custom deadline is November 30th, 2008

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