05 December 2008

Day 2 - Handcrafted By LaMar

This Giveaway is now closed. Thank you to all who participated. You may continue to leave comments for the artist, however they will not be entered into the draw. Still, why not show some love. ;-)




Tell us a little about yourself
Well I am 30 something from NYC. I got into cards by way of poetry. I started writing poetry back in 2002/2003 and wanted to get seen but was too shy for open mic (not anymore) and then thought the best way to do this to get my poems into cards.  But I figured why not be the top boss and draw the cards myself or buy images from people then put my words to the image... That lasted for a little while because I was laid off from my job. I did however purchase 3 images from 1 person inwhich sold 6 times this year. Anyway when I began to look for images to buy I found out about handcrafted cards and said this a better deal for me. Well 2 years later and 100+ sales I am still here. The trick is the sophmore year...

How long have you been crafting and what made you decide to sell? 
I started in 2006, because to me it was the better choice between hand drawing new designs and craeting new designs from paper and ribbon. Plus you have stamps and embellishments, and I am not a great artist either.

How do you promote your work and where can we find it? 
I promote everywhere. LOL Seriously.I have done  craiglist, Florida Pennysavers, Free Classifieds, Canada ads, you name I have tried it at least once. I also have 2 blogs (craftedgreetings.blogspot.com smlbiztlk.blogspot.com), and I do Craft Shows in NYS (soon to be in a state near you-the 2009 Handcrafted by LaMar USA Craft Tour) I have began to do newsletters from my new boutique and I chat and post threads on Etsy.com

What inspires you to create? 
When I first started it was pure talent and artistic skill, but now its more a business to me so what drives me now is the need please my audience, customers and to grow my business.

How do you organize your time? 
Is this a trick question? LOL! Funny you ask b/c I don't or atleast I wasnt until today. See After being home for a year I found a job which was part-time and good so I can do both but that job turned full time and in a nearby state. So now I am up and out by 6am and home by 730-8pm Mon-Fri. So time is scarce when I get home b/c I spend playtime with my son before he goes to bed and my girlfriend is not much of one to say 'Hey baby you got work to do or not?' But I did manage to come up with a system and lucky for me some things like blog and advertise I can do at work....But I try to do 1 project a night and the bulk of things on the weekends, so I really work like 100 to 130 hours every two weeks, especially when a shows coming up (but havent gotten to that point yet just started this new position and first show is 12/20)!

What is your favorite item that you create?
my favorite? Hard say b/c I love them all. First hand draw card: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=13624243 First handcrafted card: http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=11602479 and then theres this card b/c it sold the most:http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=10288099

What are your business plans going into 2009?
Well I hope to get into some shops, do craft shows along the east coast, finally get my catalog out there, get more traffic to my official boutique/website, exp and my newsletter subscriptions, make double the sales I did in 2008, open an online store front on every selling venue on the web and get my blogs so busy that people will want to pay to advertise...BIG Dreams huh?

Thank you LaMar for taking the time to do this feature.  And now to the fun stuff! The winner of this giveaway will receive 2 Christmas cards made by Handcrafted By LaMar along with a Pomander scented holiday room spray by Blossoming Tree.

The rules are simple: 
1)To enter visit the featured artist's website or other online shop and look around. Come back here and comment on an item you'd like to have.  

2)Winners will be selected using random.org and announced on Dec 17. Start Dec 5 at 12:01 AM and ends Dec 7 at 11:59 PM.  

3)One entry per person. Duplicates will be discarded.  

4)International guests are welcome to enter, however I reserve the right to exchange any item that is restricted by or may cause a delay in customs.  

5)You must leave a way for me to contact you be it an email address, blog, twitter id, website or online shop (Etsy, DaWanda, Artfire, Silkfair,etc). The winner will have 48 hrs to respond otherwise an alternate will be selected.

6 comments:

Digital Misfit said...

I love the LOVE card http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16582098

I am not into flowery sweet cards, so this one is perfect and so chic.

heidig@gmail.com

april said...

I'm lovin the cupcake birthday card! Cute stuff!

Araya said...

Love all your cards - they are gorgeous. Would love to win Pink Rose Bud Note Card Collection.
Thank you for a great contest!
tonya@stabledays.net

Taleah said...

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16582098
This french love card is just what I'd want my husband to send to me!

schneiderlakepaper.etsy.com

ps: I'm marking it to show him ;)

artcsara said...

I like the cupcake birthday card..
I think the texture is great!!

http://artcsara.etsy.com

artcsara@gmail.com

La-Mar said...

Thank You Lisa for the shine on your blog...