Interesting ideas for those wanting to use art as business: I just came across Arts and Crafts cooperative this evening. I was also told about hyena cart a few weeks ago. They offer "a collection of unique shops offering a variety of earth-, child- and family-friendly items".
Flickr has a number of etsy groups and vox also has some groups relating to etsy.

art as business: (not from the seminar I attended though information you might be interested in if you've not already been made aware of it). from the Country Living women entrepreneurs issue. Here are some links to check for information:

2006 women entreprenuers,

2007 women entrepreneurs

Too late for this year but something to watch for later this year if you think you might qualify. You probably do. "Send us your story"

More articles and links:

banking on your bliss,

ladies who launch,

blissguild

More of "art as business" later.

Hat completed: This is not the best picture of Cat but I took it before she left for school this morning. She wore the hat today. "Old man winter" has returned.

This is the picture on my Catherine Simpson calender for March. This is totally today - cold, windy, snowing lightly. If you need to talk with anyone from Saskatchewan today you might not expect them to be very cheerful.

I love Catherine's work. I have her plates for each of the seasons and also have a tiny little card of the image which appears when you first enter her web-site. Take time to peek at Catherine's paintings. It will be time well-spent.

I love knitting. I'm not certain what the next project will be. I'll start another hat with different wool because Cat really wants to learn to knit also. I'd started her with some cotton yarn but realized - NOT good for a beginner, especially. I might actually start a third hat as I'll be doing road trips before I can get directions for starting something else new - socks I think.

I have made a decision to try to get immersed in clean-up but also want to start the etsy shop. I hope my energy does not wane in the next couple of weeks. I will remain optimistic - huh - better remember to breathe occasionally too.

I will try to do first installment of "art as business" over next few days. I will talk about more than just the seminar.

Angels be with you.

Last day of February:

I have this thing about March. Maybe it has something to do with my Seasonal Affective Disorder. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that March can be one of our most stormy winter months. Maybe it has something to do with the spiritual connections I have and the fact that March always falls within the season of lent. Maybe it has something to do with the fact of - well - I just do not know what it is all about.

This year I have decided not to give up anything or take on extra because of it being lent. I guess I have decided to try to give something up - that would be worry. So far I'm not doing very well.

OK, I'll try this. I'll try to share with you an article from Issue 25 , February/March Quilting Arts magazine. I say I'll try this because I don't want to worry about my journal quilt which is supposed to be completed and submitted today. I have decided I want to do much hand stitching/embroidery on it and I am having some challenges with the blanket stitch. I will get it done because I really like all that it's about. I will most certainly not get it done today however.

Back to the article - as you wait for me to share more information from the Art as Business seminar I attended last week I'll tell you that I found the article"What price Art?How to objectively price your art quilts" by Jamie Fingal to have some good information about inventory and portfolio as well as general suggestions for things you need to be thinking about with pricing and the "business of art". If you've not had a chance to see this article and are interested in trying to sell your art, of any kind, I recommend checking this piece in Quilting Arts magazine.

Something else I'm trying not to worry about is - I have been very negligent in sharing the book I received in the mail on Monday as a part of the CaC book swap. Jennifer decided to send me From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg. Jennifer says "this is a very special book from my childhood". "I loved to imagine going on such an adventure!" I am trulty looking forward to reading this book - hopefully with Cat beside me. I don't think she's seen it and may really enjoy it also. Thanks Jennifer.

Please bear with me as I play with templates - "sew unsorted". Which one do you like for my blog (if you've seen the other ones lol - this, purple, parchment)?