‘Peaceful Mountain River Two’
Acrylic on Canvas Board - 8″ x 10″

Another take on the Peaceful Mountain River, this time using bolder colors. I painted this on a canvas board as I wasn’t expecting to like it but I actually like it more than the first version I painted so now I regret not going larger! I also prefer my reflection of the colors in the sky into the water.

I submited this painting to DeviantArt and Zazzle today as a postcard and it won a ‘Today’s Best Award,’ making it my second ‘Today’s Best Award’ in two weeks! I certainly won’t complain about that!

The question is: do I sell this on Etsy or not? Since it’s an 8″ x10″ on canvas board as opposed to stretched canvas, i would imagine the interest would be even less. I also think it would have to be framed and I don’t have the money at the moment to frame it before I would try to sell it. What are the thoughts of my readers? Let me know!

Have you ever been looking at craft sites and come across a shop that was just filled with such potentially cute stuff but in the end you just couldn’t bring yourself to make a purchase? Sadly, there are a lot of sites out there that could do so much better in sales if only they took the same time that they use to make their creations so well and put it into their shops. I suffer from this as well and so in looking to write this review, a lot of what I am going to discuss applies to my shops as well. So let’s move on to the subject of today’s review: Bugs in Rugs on Etsy.com.

Read More

The ‘Daily Artisan Spotlight’ is a regular feature on Mindless Pursuits intended to provide insight and exposure to the tons of talented artisans working today. Please comment and give them some encouragement and check out their work! If you would like to be considered for the Spotlight, click on the ‘Free Press’ link in the site header!

What is your shop?
http://GalleriaLinda.etsy.com - handcrafted jewelry
http://GalleriaLindaLoft.etsy.com - vintage jewelry and supplies

What is your art/craft?
Contemporary beaded jewelry

Describe your style in 2 words:
Contemporary, modern

What is your favorite piece and why?
Oh, so hard to pick! I do love the Exotic Spice Necklace (http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9691530 )

It unfolded as an organic design process from a visit to a bead shop. These beads just glimmered in the sunlight in the shop. I took them home and the design just “happened.” This is a great piece to take you from jeans to business suits to dressy dresses - it is very rich in color and texture and is one of my favorites due to the finishes and depth of color.

What is the most memorable piece of advice you ever received?
Do what you are passionate about and it will be a success. I love creating jewelry - it never tires me.

What is the one piece of advice you’d give?
If you desire to sell your designs, decide how you want them to be perceived in the marketplace - who you would envision would buy them. That alone will drive your marketing and your pricing.