Inside view of An Autumn Nature Journal 

An Autumn Nature Journal I created today. 

The ART of Self-Promotion and Marketing

I've spent the majority of the last week working on supply list for submission to a major magazine only to realize just how much of an art it is to self-promote and market my artwork! Doing this has really opened my eyes on just how much actually goes into the submissions process, from supply lists, to writing brief instructional how to's, and preparing a submission accurately to even be considered.

I learned that not only do I need to be creating artwork worthy of publication, that I need to establish a system to assist me with the process. I also am purchasing an all in one calendar in which I can list calls for art, magazine info re: submissions, a calendar for to do lists, goals, and time management. I realized that I NEED to plan more time for the business side of my art, so I created a Marketing journal today and listed my resources, obstacles, and anything that threatens or inhibits me from obtaining my dreams. What an eye-opening experience! I became aware of the "minute" stealers ---- procrastination and interference. I decided I will have some of them, that there is no getting around them, and I will simply have to figure out a way to deal with them.... even if it means getting a little more serious and apologizing, saying I'm sorry, now is not a good time for me, can I call, email, IM, or whatever the distraction is, at a later time? Now, the hard part, procrastination! I really will have to raise my awareness on that one. Knowing putting it {whatever IT may be} won't get done IF I Don't do it! I've discovered it isn't so bad as long as I simply get started, once I begin I'm fine and yes, even enjoy the process. Who knew?

Prototype for my Artist Business Card. This is the first one; I've since revised it with all bold type. Image from A Stamp In The Hand; Judi-Kins Marble stamped on acetate overlay. Background adhered to a magnetic business card, overlay added, and sealed with copper tape! I'm lovin' it!  

Cover for Nature Journal. Stamp by Stamps Happen; stamped on parchment paper; stipple brushed Colorbox Chalks Burnt Sienna, Amber Clay, Yellow Ouchre. Images colored with above inks, colored pencil, and ink. 

Reverse side of the last flap in the book. 

Pages 5 and 6 on reverse side of book. 

Pages 3 and 4 on reverse side of book. 

First and second pages on the reverse side of the envelope book. 

Reverse side of flap with page 6. 

Reverse side of flap with page 5. 

Reverse side of flap with page 4. 

Reverse side of flap with page 3. 

Reverse side of the flap with page 2. 

This is the first page you see when you open the envelope book. 

This is the flap that you see on the outside front of the Family Roots Envelope Book. 

Family Roots Envelope Book

I finally found some time to scan in the Family Roots Envelope Book that I created in a book class on National Scrapbook Day at a 39 hr. crop. Others attending the crop were amazed at the amount of work that Chris, Debbie, Jackie, and I put into decorating our books and instantly fell in love with them! Not having a large amount of my own family photographs to use, I found some "Instant Ancestors" on the internet to print out for use in another project but happened to have them with me. Other images are rubber stamps that I used and some transparencies. There is a ton of embellishments on these pages --- too many to list by manufacturer! The envelope itself is an Accu-Cut template with the side flaps removed and is attached in an accordian fashion by attaching the bottom flap of one envelope to the top of the next envy. In the event that I would ever re-create this envelope book I'd probably add one more envelope to the structure and remove the bottom flap so that once closed accordian style the book structure itself would have one complete full envelope on the cover and one flap at the top. Doing this would make for an awesome "box" appearance that possibly a book clasp could be added to the book for a unique closure.