Art Loop First Friday May 2013

Check out my new blog post on my Marsha Neal Studio WordPress blog for the May 3, 2013 Wilmington, DE Art Loop opening at Bellefonte Arts!

Marsha Neal Studio Small Scale Terrarium Sculptures

And over on AWETeam (Art Walk Etsy Team) blog, it's First Friday Art Walk Weekend!

Make sure to check out all the really cool art work offered by Etsians through this monthly blog hop event!

Location Teams (like the Delaware Etsy Street Team), Theme Teams, and the AWETeam.

PS - I only post here to remind you to hop over to my new blog.
This one just has lots of links established...

Happy First Friday!
Hope you get out and see some Art this weekend!!!

First Friday And Where I'm At

In January 2013, I picked up being Captain of the Art Walk Etsy Team.

Our team, the AWETeam hosts First Friday Art Walk over the First Friday of the month.

It's a virtual blog hop of artwork for sale on Etsy.com

Click HERE to check out the March Blog hop.

Like many teams (in my experience) things seem to have died off quite a bit in the last couple of years.

Life happens, people change direction, changes take place that people are not thrilled about, and they move on...

And right now I'm standing here, getting ready for the March First Friday Art Walk, and I'm a bit wondering how it is I got HERE...

As 2012 was ending, I was really looking at where my work, my life, my time spent on 4 heavy volunteer group commitments were all going.

I was looking forward to some changes in direction, and moving on with my focus to make new work, and really get my website, Etsy shop and blog all put together.

New work is really starting to trickle out of my studio (now just to get it listed for sale!)

In the fall of 2012, I was asked to join as a blog contributor to Love My Art Jewelry Blog (to which I said, I'm a bit full at the moment, would 1 post a month be ok? Yes, it is).

I was asked to move into Captain of the Art Walk Etsy Team (my brain said No, gut said "YES")

I moved into a Chair position for the NCCMG's for the Programs Committee for this year to help better organize things for arranging trips and speakers for our group - along with the help of all my MG friends (I love my garden friends!)

We have some ambitious new members on the DE Team, and with my level quickly approaching burn out, I happily stepped down as Captain of the Delaware Etsy Team into a supporting Leader position.

And my commitments with the ceramic bead makers group was suddenly gone. Totally unexpected and unplanned. Woke up to an email and blocked out of everything. At first I was confused, but after a couple of days it became not a huge deal since I am still doing what I have always done, but now, there is more time for me. It was time for a change for me within that group, and I guess that decision was put right there for me, seemingly made for me, and I just walked on.

I knew my 2013 was going to be a busy one.

And I hope that with all of this reorganization of all of these volunteer commitments, that by mid-March, my time will once again become mine. 

And I can get back on track for the goals I had for my business.

PS - All of these brand new headpins are making their way to Darlene of D7Studio this weekend at the Berks Bead Bazaar. She is still traveling around to sell my work, other artist work, and jewelry making supplies here in the Northeast US.

I had SO much fun making them, and will be making more ASAP to list for sale in my Etsy shop.

First Friday Art Walk Weekend on Etsy.com

It's First Friday Art Walk Weekend on Etsy.com!
And the AWETeam (Art Walk Etsy Team) is hosting this monthly weekend long event of artwork on Etsy by AWETeam members.

So I'm going to quick show off some of my work that is over in my MarshaNealStudio Etsy Shop, something I should have done back in December. Some work is new, some is from December.

Marsha Neal Studio Line Curls Crescent Earrings

Marsha Neal Studio Porcelain Clay with Patina Glaze Disc Bead

Marsha Neal Studio Chocolate Clay Crescent Spiral Textured Beads

And realizing that my OOAK random 2mm silk strand color palettes were down to a couple,

I spend an afternoon relaxing with the kids watching some movies, and pulled a bunch of new palettes and then listed them in my Etsy shop.

This is one of those things that happens 2, maybe 3 times a year.

So grab some while they are fresh!

Marsha Neal Studio offers 2mm Hand Painted Silk Cords

Marsha Neal Studio offers 2mm Hand Painted Silk Cords

Marsha Neal Studio offers 2mm Hand Painted Silk Cords

Marsha Neal Studio offers 2mm Hand Painted Silk Cords

Which now makes me think. Darn. I just reshot a bunch of the ones I keep in stock and have multiples of. Do I need to re-shoot them too? Eh. Not right now...

Marsha Neal Studio offers three kinds of silk cords/ribbons (2mm, Fairy, Silky Silks)

Also, I just purchased a self paced improve your photography class:
Photographing Fine Art & Craft by Brit Hammer
Which I found through an email I received from Susan Lomuto of  Daily Art Muse

So far, I read up through page 41 and I am digesting it all.
Letting my mind get around some of the basic concepts she puts forth and letting my mind settle in and relax a bit to be able to enjoy photographing my work instead of getting overwhelmed with it.
(I'm not to lighting yet - and that is the part that always frustrates the heck out of me - so we'll see...)

The new terrarium pieces are still being glazed and preparations are underway for them being photographed with this new state of photographing my work in place...

And don't you know... I got a summons from the State of DE for Jury Duty on Jan. 8 (figures!) so their arrival into the public realm will definitely be more mid-month than early.

Happy First Friday!
Hope you are out there seeing some amazing art (or if online, checking out some of the awesome work that is out there!)

First Friday Art Walk Weekend!

I love participating in AWETeam's First Friday Art Walk on Etsy.com.

AWETeam's First Friday Art Walk on Etsy.com Blog

It's like a monthly deadline that I have to get new work into my Etsy shop.

Not that I always get new things listed, and not that I stress about not getting things made and listed (who needs stress like that anyway right?!).

So if you make a purchase this weekend (Oct. 5 - 7, 2012) you can use my Etsy shop checkout coupon code: AWEFFAW for 10% off your order in my Marsha Neal Studio Etsy shop.

Marsha Neal Studio Porcelain Bat

This month, I made it a point to add a few bat pendants since Halloween is right around the corner.

Marsha Neal Studio Porcelain Bat

Not that bats have to be associated exclusively with Halloween.

We love watching them do arial acrobatics here around our wood lined yard in the summer.

Marsha Neal Studio Gnarly Spiral Porcelain Bat

 But there is something extra cool about wearing a bat necklace from summertime through the end of October.

And since things just keep compiling and getting complicated in my life, I figured I had better get them up there now, because if not, it would never happen (forget trying to schedule an update at an exact time!). 

I have a bunch of pendants to load up there as well,

photographed some,

want to add some to my website...

But will it ever happen - who knows...

I'm hoping at this point that Tuesday afternoon will be when I get most of the listings up there in my Marsha Neal Studio Etsy Shop.

SALE for First Friday Art Walk on Etsy.com

It is First Friday Art Walk Weekend on Etsy.com!

ON SALE! Marsha Neal Studio Cutout Hibiscus Flower in Pomegranate Glaze

This monthly event hosted by the AWE Team (Art Walk Etsy Team) is a whole weekend where Etsians show off new stuff in their shops, create treasury collections to celebrate the virtual art walk, and possibly run sales and specials...

ON SALE! Marsha Neal Studio Porcelain Pendants perfect for earrings!

From now through Sunday, August 5, 2012 (midnight EST) I have marked down and moved some of my clay items into a special "SALE" section of my Etsy shop.

ON SALE! Marsha Neal Studio Chocolate Clay Leaf Sets - You Pick the Color!

These items are 30% off retail prices!!!

And as a bonus

you can use checkout code:

BOCFFAW to get an additional 10% off your entire purchase!

This is my coupon code based on the Beads of Clay First Friday Art Walk Blog Post...

TWO ADDITIONAL GIVEAWAYS!!!

1. Help me spread the word about this First Friday Event Blog Post or any of my on sale items through social media outlets, then comment here and I'll pick a $25 gift certificate winner from the comments below (one comment for every action - so have at it!!!) on Monday, August 6, 2012.

2. Anyone making a purchase from now through Sunday in my Etsy shop will get entered (every item you buy gets you one entry) for a $25 gift certificate drawing to be held on Monday, August 6, 2012 as well!

Thanks for your continued support of my work!!!

Happy First Friday!

First Friday Art Walk Weekend and Coupon Code

It's First Friday!

And if you use my check-out coupon code: BOCFFAW you can get 10% off your retail purchase from my Marsha Neal Studio Etsy shop from now through Sunday, July 8, 2012 (midnight EST).

New Marsha Neal Studio Textured Disc Beads

Round 2 Silks Color Palette Challenge 2mm Silk Knot Bundles

Marsha Neal Studio Crescent Focal Bead and Small Earring Size Beads

Every month over the First Friday Weekend, 

I participate in the Art Walk Etsy Team's (AWETeam) First Friday Art Walk on Etsy.com.

Having an Etsy shop is more than just a place to sell online.

And if you use all the tools Etsy provides you, it is a great place to market your work.

And if you become involved with various Teams on Etsy,

it's like you have an extended family-like group of support.

Sometimes there are fun events like this to work towards and to make sure you try to keep your shop updated.

I hope you get out and see some Art this weekend!

Delaware Etsy Street Team

Beads of Clay Professional Artist Team

The First Friday Art Walk On Etsy

There is this thing that happens every month...

Hosted by the AWETEam...

There is just something delightful about having a common promotional goal to work towards with a bunch of other artists running shops selling their wares on Etsy.com.

You meet a bunch of other artists...

And gain new friends...

You see some great work...

Maybe even buy some...

New people (potential customers) see your work...

Might even sell some items...

Treasuries are created...

Work is featured...

It is a lot of fun!

If you sell stuff on Etsy, you should look into joining in on the promotional fun and have this monthly goal to work towards to feature some of your best items...

And for this Art Walk weekend, I'm offering 10% off items in both of my Etsy shops:

Type in coupon code: AWEFFAW when checking out to get the discount.

Marsha Neal Studio

MyMomPattie

First Friday Art Walk

I've been a bit busy in the last month, and have a lot to blog about.

Chocolate Clay Bead Set

But for right now it is just about First Friday Art Walk time!

First Friday Art Walk on Etsy.com is hosted every month by the AWE Team.

It is a celebration of Art.

Locally there are a lot of Art Loops and Gallery Openings that happen on the First Friday of the month or sometime during the First Friday weekend.

So go on over and check out the updated AWE Team Blog for FFAW.

See some of the AWE Team Member Shops (these are the individual artists that continually support FFAW)

Take a tour of some of the Location Based Teams from all over the world, that can be found on Etsy.com through this FFAW event.

And check out some interesting Themed Based Teams through FFAW as well.

You're bound to find something that peaks your interest.

And if you aren't able to get out to see art locally on First Friday,

You can plan on this event every First Friday Weekend throughout the year…

If you've got an Etsy shop, why don't you join in too?

If you are part of a team, suggest that they get involved too…

The more the merrier to this monthly party!

Help spread the word about First Friday Art Walk on Etsy.com

For 10% off your retail purchase in my Etsy shop from now through Sunday, Oct. 9, 2011,

Use any of these team coupon codes:

DESTFF10 (from the Delaware Etsy Street Team)

BOCFFAW (from the Beads of Clay Team)

AWEFFAW (from the AWE Team)

Happy First Friday!

Thanks for stopping by...

Weekend Happenings And A Little Caterpillar Humor...

This weekend is lining up to be a lot of fun!

The busy arts & friends kind...

Especially when thinking that last week at this time we were in full Hurricane Irene prepare for the worst, hope for the best mode…

And by the looks of it, this monarch caterpillar is enjoying a nice margarita to celebrate Labor day...

Oh the things that show up in my iPhone photo import after Chloe has it to fiddle with.

I did manage to eek in some time to play with some chocolate clay this week.

I need to build up a little stock for some fall items in my Etsy shop.

Oh, and Coupon Codes BOCFFAW or DESTFF10 will get you 10% off your retail order in my MarshaNealStudio Etsy shop for Friday, September 2, 2011.

I think I'm going to work in small batches just to have some at the ready for orders that may come in over the weekend.

This weekend is the First Friday Art Walk on Etsy.com which is hosted by the AWETeam.

I've just recently joined the ranks on the AWETeam as leader, and will be helping rally the troops and help write blog posts for the group. Just to lend a helping hand to get it back up and running. Seeing as how it is just like most teams - it is all upon the shoulders of the team members, and all non-paid. So it takes a TON of time, brain power, and effort by the leaders to pull off organizing events. The members of the team create the positive environment that makes the team what it is.

I'm going to hop on over to the AWETeam Blog to create a post for this month. Also to the Delaware Etsy Street Team Blog and The Beads of Clay Blog. All of which I am a member of and want all of the members to get a bit of extra exposure for this once a month event. 

Being part of the team helps to bring it all together for us as shop owners to build our online community. And it gives people shopping for items a tour of different Art Walks around the world - all from their computer. Better save all that for the AWETeam blog…

So when you have a chance, swing by the AWETeam Blog and check out some of the great shops and teams participating in the monthly event!

Hope you have a great weekend!