...and Continues.

Making time to paint lately, it helps me stay sane...at least at the level of sanily/insanity I'm at already.   G and I drove up Hwy 62 this afternoon and stopped at about 5-6 pet stores/groomers.  Really good response to my pet jewelry and tags.  One new client and the rest are all interested, just need to follow up with the management.  Course, the first step is getting them in the stores, the 2nd is getting clients to purchase them.

Working on the Immys

I have six of them done.  Finally!!  I just need the pet tags, which might be here tomorrow.  Then I will package them, hang a few on the collar and take them to my retailers.  Happy, happy!

Trying to think of everything needed, I made a little box for the back of the display to hold the order forms for personalized tags.  I also put a little bit of information about "Where's Immy?"

Immy after Immy

Still working on the prototype but I think I'm getting closer.  I like the size of this one.  I like using an actual photo of Immy rather than just the silhouette.  I think I'm going to paint the bowl silver.  Once I get this figured out, then I will need to start making them, Immy after Immy after Immy.  I wonder if I will get all Immy'd out?

I also made a big change to my marketing plans.  I'm going to market the pet tags and any future pet products under the Where's Immy? name.  What can I say, people are more drawn to Immy than my art.  ;)  So, I will combine the two.  Maybe cammydavis.com for Where's Immy?  Hmm...awkward.  I'll figure it out.  No wonder I feel like my brain is spinning all the time and I can't remember anything.  It really is.

Building a Display for my Pet Tags

I'm working on a way to display my pet tags because I think it will help sell the product.  I figured otherwise they are small and will get lose on the shelves.  Hopefully this way retailers will consider placing them on the counter or someplace where they will get noticed.  So...I've been turning the ideas around in my head for about a week and it's finally coming together.  Can't wait to see how it looks when it's finished.

Of course I had to add texture...because, well...I just HAD to!  Figuring out the dog bowl was the most difficult.  Wood that bends?  Not so easy.  After Home Depot snapped a bunch of thin wood trying to find something that would make that tight of a bend, I gave up and went to the pet store.  Chopped some doggy bowls in portions and tried that.  Had the right look, but didn't attache very well and looked kinda "crafty"...which is something I try to avoid.  So after wandering through store after store, I finally decided to try the round tubes that you use for pouring concrete posts.  It's working!

Course I have to modpodge it to get it smooth.

And be patient while it dries (never been my strong suit), then I will paint the entire thing silver (of course) and put black webbing for the collar and finally attach a bunch of the pet tags and jewelry.  Oh, I also need to put something on the back of the display that will hold the post card order forms for personalization and also something "about the artist" so the retailer/staff will be familiar with the fact that these are tags made with art.

Well, not as happy after painting the silver.  It shows all the textural differences.  I'm thinking of getting silica sand to add to the paint and I might end up changing the color to black.

I do like the way it's turning out, if I can solve the textural issues.  I want it to look artistic but not craftey and handmade.  Ugh.  Of course, once I get it figured out, then I get to make one for every retailer that will be selling my product.  Forget painting, no time to create!

The Heron

I started out my morning by dropping off Elvis necklaces at one of my new retailers, Apparel For Two, in downtown Medford.  The Elvis impersonator was making an appearance at 4:30 so she wanted to set up a display.  I spent the rest of the day at Art du Jour Gallery, putting in my one day per month sitting at the gallery.  I made a few sales, including one of my necklace and card sets, so that was good.  I also FINALLY drew a heron for my oldest daughter, Tera.  She's been asking me to do this for her probably for at least a year.  She wants a heron tattoo because she used to fish with my parents, who were commercial fishermen, so it's sentimental to her.

I talked to my printer about the possibility of personalizing the pet tags and this is what he came up with.  He said the font is really small, it's 6, but that they are readable.  I like them.  It's an option for my retailers, so I'm going to work on an order form.  I also dropped some samples off at a pet store I'm hoping to work with.  Wish me luck!!  Tonight, glue, glue, glue, package, package, package Valentines necklace and card sets.

Two New Retailers

Today I went to a few stores to place my Valentine necklace and card sets and take orders for the pet tags.  I've been taking this part of my growth fairly slow, trying to determine which stores I want to be associated with, how to place my product where I get exposure but don't over-saturate the small town market.  I'm happy with how the day went.  My two new retailers are The Crown Jewel in Jacksonville, who will be carrying my Valentine sets and a collection of my pet tags.  They have a really cute shop-dog who will probably sell them for me.  :)  Apparel For Two is the other store I will be working with.  Adorable store in downtown Medford with a great collection of vintage and designer clothing.  When I was visiting with the owner, Kim, I mentioned I had just come from Rogue Gallery and met the Elvis impersonator.  Turns out, he's going to be at her store on Thursday.  So I quickly pointed out the Elvis necklace I was wearing and offered to bring some to her store prior to Elvis' visit.  Now I just need to make them by tomorrow.  ;)

Immy Hearts Art

Immy posing in her new pet tag.  I will be taking her around town tomorrow to model the new art pet tags, with samples and order forms.  Wish me luck!  I will also need to pose Immy and get some good shots for the etsy site.  This picture cracks me up because I plucked her off of G's bed and made her model for me.  Although she still posed when she saw the camera, you can tell she's sleepy and even modeling is not worth waking up for.  What is that model quote from back in the 90's?  Something like, "I don't get out of bed for less than $10.000".  Maybe Immy will start coming up with demands.  ;)