I had mentioned in my last post that I have a first- time offered class that is the Cardinal Print Shop. Last Semester I had a first-time offered class of Video Game Design. I have a lot that I did with that class and what I want to do with both of them, is blog what I did with the classes so if you want to do it with your class, you will have some of my information as well as see some things that I crashed on. Each group reacts differently and what works or doesn't with one group may not or may, work with another. The Video Game Design Class I will blog about probably during the Summer when I have more time. This one is about the Cardinal Print Shop.
Cardinal Print Shop - This was set up as the vision of the previous Art Teacher and the Shop Teacher. Mr C. Mr C. has successfully set-up and established Cardinal Manufacturing. It involves the whole department where students learn skills (and positive behaviors) through their Middle and High School classes and in their Junior year can apply to be in the program the following year. Students in the program create and repair things for the school and community and distinguish themselves with their attitudes and skills so whatever they go into, the program listed on their resume gives them a plus. Even if they do not go into manufacturing, they are positive, responsible workers and leaders. With Cardinal Manufacturing built up as much as it has there are even scholarships for the students involved. The Print Shop is being set-up to be similar in perspective with helping the students develop some printing skills but also positive attitudes and hopefully scholarships in the future.
So, this is where I come in. I was asked to take the Art Teacher position right before school started. The Art teacher had gotten another position. He was just setting up this class and most of the information about this class came from Mr. C. I had subbed for the previous Art Teacher and he lives close to me so I am able to email or call him with questions. My background is that I have done silk-screen printing - which right now is what most of the class will be for now. I learned how when I took a class at a quilt shop and used it for quilting and cards. At one long-term position, I built some silk screen frames from heavy-duty unused meat trays and have taught silk screen printing to 5th graders at 4 schools. I have taken college classes with printmaking so I feel very comfortable teaching this. The other part is that I have had several businesses - selling honey, crafts, paintings with online sales from 3 stores. This initial class will be researching and setting up the details and starting to print. I am having the students research and report information back and we will make decisions as a group. Even purchases will need to be made on a vote basis.
I have set aside $2000 from my budget for materials and equipment for this class. What I have in my backroom already are stretcher bars and a roll of screen material. There were quite a few silk screen frames without the screen in an upper storage area, but they look like something I may use for a different project and start this class with fresh stuff. There also is quite a bit of fabric and other silk screen ink. On one of the carts in the room, was a machine. When I researched it, it turned out to be a thermal printer from the late 1950s early 1960's. The way it makes silkscreens is pretty slick. When I asked the past Art Teacher about it, he said that it needs refurbishing. I had also found out that the prepared screen material is quite high and often in the US, it is out of stock for a long time. I found a roll in the upper storage room still in the package. One of the things the students will need to decide is if it is worth the cost of refurbishing and the purchase of materials to make the screens. If not, should I list it on ebay and then put the money from it back into the class funds. This is less mess and you are not dealing with painting on the emulsion on screens before developing with light.
Second Semester - first day of class, started on Tuesday.
1) I did the regular intro about what the class is about, rules, goals. I will be having the tech dept send them links to download the Adobe suite. It told them they need to share their resources - each know something different computer and otherwise, and if they can help somebody out, then they should.
2). I divided the groups into teams of 4 and had them research different places to have t-shirts printed, the methods and the costs. They had to choose 2 local and 2 online POD. There was quite a range of prices and costs. I then had them report to the class what they found out. It seems like many of them are more of an iron process vs the silk screen method, so we will have to explore that more.
3) Michaels had a one day sale on buy one, get one free on the t shirts so they were $1.99 each. I had the students vote if we should spend the money on a shirt for each student in the class and they said "yes". I went out and got the shirts. Part of the shirt deal is that they will be able to print their own shirt but also evaluate the shirt and ink, how it holds up with washing probably the right way and wrong way. We will need to see if it needs to be heat set and then vote on heating machine/ iron if it does.
4) I gave each group a three-ring binder to put their information in. With their initial research, I had them each do one company and put their name on the evaluation sheet. I don't have dividers for them, but that may come or they will have to make their own.
5) After spending the money on the shirt, I wanted to have a treasurer to keep track of outgoing and incoming money. We may be buying shirts and then getting paid back for materials and shirts later. I want the bookkeeping to be something that the whole group learns about. The treasurer position was taken on by a group of Seniors with them knowing it was not just one person, but rather that any can do it and step in if the main one was gone. They needed to find and download the ledger paper and set up their books.
6) Assigned a group as Secretary - the same as above. We need somebody/group to keep track of the decisions and activities of the group. These positions can be like a club also or like a business.
7) Orders - a third binder and group for orders We already have a few orders that I will be doing this week so we need to have a binder and sheet made up for the information. They were tasked with creating an order form. It has to have the date, who wants it, quantity, colors, sizes, if they are providing the shirts or if we are etc. The orders we have already are - The Spanish Club, MS Robotics Club, the Model RR Club, the History Club, and I think maybe one more at this point. We are starting this class in the Spring Semester so there may have been more orders in the fall, but this year, they can set things up for another time.
8) Because a girl whined about wanting to make something and my goal is to take them through the silk screen process, I got out my small silkscreens and demonstrated that and how to use paper patterns to demonstrate it. I have different plastics in the room already and xacto knives to have them learn to cut stencils and use that method also. I want them to try out, research, evaluate the different ways to get at what they want to do. I am trying to take them step-by-step through the process and not let them push me faster than I want to teach them. I also have a little bottle of diazo to try and some screen filler. I bought my own Cricut because there was a sale and the one at school didn't connect to my computer. I have cut some stencils from home. I will be testing the History club screen with that stencil. For now, the History Club is the only stencil I have to make. The other ones were made by the previous Art Teacher.
One of their research projects - once they have hand-cut some stencils - is to research and decide on the different cutters and plotters that we should research. They will evaluate the home ones such as the Silouette, Cricut and Brother machine as well as plotters.
I have to consider grading issues and with the research and groups, I don't want to give the same grade to a student that just sits and does nothing. I am designing it so they have work they need to do as an individual and then discuss it as a group. I have a sitter already that I need to talk to. With the research they did, I had them put their name on it so I can give them credit for what they have done. I know I have some shy ones and if it is ok with their group, another student can present the research that the other one did. They will be evaluated on their stencils, projects and prints.
Looking ahead to this second week, this is what I am planning on. I know things may flex and change, but that is how it goes.
M - I have a premade stencil for the Robotics Club. When I tested it because it looked funny, there were some areas that printed that shouldn't have. I will be demonstrating how the block filler works, et it dry and then print the stencil again. They will be working on their silk screen print with the paper block-out/stencil.
T - May let them test print. If they want to try another thing, that is good. I have to work out the Spanish Club stencil with the president who is in our class and did some silk screen printing with the past Art Teacher. There is one premade stencil of the logo, there will be separate stencils for the letters. She is having the shirt printed front and back. I will need to buy the t shirts for this one and get reinbursed. I have a stencil cut on the Cricut for the History Club so will show the student how to weed the letters. I cut it on Oracel. I hope it sticks on the screen permanently. I put it on the outside of the screen instead of the inside. This will be out test of the material.
W- The advisor for the Robotics Club is coming with her shirts to print. I will be doing it after school so if they want to come they can. . They can work on their test prints. If they want to make cards or something from their prints, that is fine.
Th/F - pretty much printing. If they finish, I can go over making a blockout stencil from clear contact paper. Discuss the reversal of the letters.
I will be reporting on how it went issues that came up, problem-solving etc.
Saturday, January 26, 2019
The Second Round
I haven't been on here for awhile. I have been busy. I am still doing my long-term Art Teacher position for Middle School and High School Art. It is not as idylic as it sounds. It is amazing to see the behavior of students - like they think it is acceptable to yell in your face or at you, not do their work, throw markers across the room. I have had Middle School Lunchroom duty also which included gym time afterwards. I was hit in the head by a basket ball once and in my upper, sensitive part of my torso another time. With all the balls flying, I am lucky I didn't develop PSTD. I don't know how the kids do it, but maybe they are oblivious. With the semester change, I now have High School lunch duty. Things are not as loud and calmer in both the commons and the gym. I had the opportunity to see kindness and including others in their game which really blessed my soul!
The semester change brings different classes and different prep. I now have 7th graders which actually after a couple of days have been better behaved than the 8th graders, but will need to stay firm to keep it from getting out of control. There may be a lot of talking, but they seem to have different abilities and like art more. I had a boy ask if they were going to get to do airbrush. I didn't know how he knew that we had the equipment, but no, it will be in high school. I think these two groups will be fun.
My Senior High classes are -
Crafts - I was disappointed this was on the menu because it does not seem like Art, however, students are looking to make things and probably feel uncomfortable in Art. Things that in the past were considered crafts have made it into an Art form so, hopefully they will find something they enjoy doing from my class. I have a vast range of skills that are considered crafts and I have quite a few that want to learn crocheting and knitting so, this may be fun. The semester switch was just this week so I wanted to start them out with a bang. We did marble painting, shave cream marbling, and water color paint effects - washes, salt etc. I think we will next do perhaps paste paper and then with this make collages and cards. It has been nice to see them so eager to learn things and also they are good at cleaning up after themselves!
Next, I have the Print Shop. Our school has built up their regular Shop Classes into a big deal. The district has allowed the Shop Teacher to expand his vision on what the shop is. They build and construct things for people and businesses in the area. His senior group is hand picked by their behavior, working skills, ethics and they are able to earn scholorships. Locally based companies that have a global outreach have helped support and sponcer them. He has set it up as a business and people come from all over the country to see his set-up. His goal is to train students to be good,responsible workers for the manufacturing industry if that is what they choose to go into. It is nice if they have good skills, but he is also looking for good attitudes, responsible students, so skills alone do not guarantee them an in. They have to apply to be accepted.
This is the first time the Print Shop has been offered, so there is nothing for me to go on. They are hoping it will build up into a similar thing like the Shop has become with a separate work area and supervisor from the classroom. It may take ten years for it to get there. There is nothing for me to go on, so I am winging it as I go. I am setting it up with teams of students doing research, keeping the books, doing the work. The want the the Print shop to be able to print t shirts and other printed material, create logos etc. It will start out adressing the needs of the school and then maybe with other nearby schools and businesses. I was told there was a model in the Twin Cities which is about 100 miles to the west, so I may have to research and see if they have days that explain their process or a time to tour and ask questions. I started them out this week by having them research POD shirt companies and demonstrating silk screen printing. right now they want to jump in and make something. I also assigned a group as secretary and a separate one as bookkeeper. I have taken $2000 out of my budget to buy equipment and part of their job in this class is to research and decide as a group what equipment they want to spend the money on. I bought - with their approval - blank t-shirts for each of them at Michaels on sale and that was $40, so I think they will be surprised how fast it goes. I have also said that we are tapping into the experience of the students in the group so they need to share what knowledge they have. I know some are more technologically saavy than others, but they can share what they know. The school has just gotten the Adobe CC suite, so I will be having access to that sent to them so that will have it's own learning curve. I think this may be the class I will be blogging about mostly this spring.
I have Studio Art with about 10 students. This is where I am going to focus on the Elements and Principles of Art. I want them to learn good design skills. I also have Ceramics again. It is the same time and group that my Painting class was last semester so we all know each other and it should be fun.
With this job, I acquired the back storage room and an upstairs storage room that needed to be cleaned out. So, I have been doing lessons, making lessons up, grading, meetings and the full clean out. There is some vintage stuff from the past two teachers. Some is dust covered and when I am upstairs, I am aways afraid that I will put my hand in a box and find a tenant! I have found some treasures upstairs. I found an old printing press that I need to clean up and see if it works. There were three blankets for it still in plastic. There was quite a bit of linoleum blocks and paper to use also. There are tons of silk screen frames that have a wonderful patina of old age as well as paint on it that would be great for a project. I found something I can do with them - repaint and make as a birdfeeder, but now I wonder the type of ink - oil or water-based.
Anyway, it is a little daunting now with starting a new semester but it seems like I have some pretty good and eager students and that helps that I have a great team on this adventure.
The semester change brings different classes and different prep. I now have 7th graders which actually after a couple of days have been better behaved than the 8th graders, but will need to stay firm to keep it from getting out of control. There may be a lot of talking, but they seem to have different abilities and like art more. I had a boy ask if they were going to get to do airbrush. I didn't know how he knew that we had the equipment, but no, it will be in high school. I think these two groups will be fun.
My Senior High classes are -
Crafts - I was disappointed this was on the menu because it does not seem like Art, however, students are looking to make things and probably feel uncomfortable in Art. Things that in the past were considered crafts have made it into an Art form so, hopefully they will find something they enjoy doing from my class. I have a vast range of skills that are considered crafts and I have quite a few that want to learn crocheting and knitting so, this may be fun. The semester switch was just this week so I wanted to start them out with a bang. We did marble painting, shave cream marbling, and water color paint effects - washes, salt etc. I think we will next do perhaps paste paper and then with this make collages and cards. It has been nice to see them so eager to learn things and also they are good at cleaning up after themselves!
Next, I have the Print Shop. Our school has built up their regular Shop Classes into a big deal. The district has allowed the Shop Teacher to expand his vision on what the shop is. They build and construct things for people and businesses in the area. His senior group is hand picked by their behavior, working skills, ethics and they are able to earn scholorships. Locally based companies that have a global outreach have helped support and sponcer them. He has set it up as a business and people come from all over the country to see his set-up. His goal is to train students to be good,responsible workers for the manufacturing industry if that is what they choose to go into. It is nice if they have good skills, but he is also looking for good attitudes, responsible students, so skills alone do not guarantee them an in. They have to apply to be accepted.
This is the first time the Print Shop has been offered, so there is nothing for me to go on. They are hoping it will build up into a similar thing like the Shop has become with a separate work area and supervisor from the classroom. It may take ten years for it to get there. There is nothing for me to go on, so I am winging it as I go. I am setting it up with teams of students doing research, keeping the books, doing the work. The want the the Print shop to be able to print t shirts and other printed material, create logos etc. It will start out adressing the needs of the school and then maybe with other nearby schools and businesses. I was told there was a model in the Twin Cities which is about 100 miles to the west, so I may have to research and see if they have days that explain their process or a time to tour and ask questions. I started them out this week by having them research POD shirt companies and demonstrating silk screen printing. right now they want to jump in and make something. I also assigned a group as secretary and a separate one as bookkeeper. I have taken $2000 out of my budget to buy equipment and part of their job in this class is to research and decide as a group what equipment they want to spend the money on. I bought - with their approval - blank t-shirts for each of them at Michaels on sale and that was $40, so I think they will be surprised how fast it goes. I have also said that we are tapping into the experience of the students in the group so they need to share what knowledge they have. I know some are more technologically saavy than others, but they can share what they know. The school has just gotten the Adobe CC suite, so I will be having access to that sent to them so that will have it's own learning curve. I think this may be the class I will be blogging about mostly this spring.
I have Studio Art with about 10 students. This is where I am going to focus on the Elements and Principles of Art. I want them to learn good design skills. I also have Ceramics again. It is the same time and group that my Painting class was last semester so we all know each other and it should be fun.
With this job, I acquired the back storage room and an upstairs storage room that needed to be cleaned out. So, I have been doing lessons, making lessons up, grading, meetings and the full clean out. There is some vintage stuff from the past two teachers. Some is dust covered and when I am upstairs, I am aways afraid that I will put my hand in a box and find a tenant! I have found some treasures upstairs. I found an old printing press that I need to clean up and see if it works. There were three blankets for it still in plastic. There was quite a bit of linoleum blocks and paper to use also. There are tons of silk screen frames that have a wonderful patina of old age as well as paint on it that would be great for a project. I found something I can do with them - repaint and make as a birdfeeder, but now I wonder the type of ink - oil or water-based.
Anyway, it is a little daunting now with starting a new semester but it seems like I have some pretty good and eager students and that helps that I have a great team on this adventure.
Wednesday, October 3, 2018
October 2, 2018 and the teaching thing
So, I have completed the first month of Long Term Subbing Art 6-12. I like the school and teachers. It was the first school I began to sub at 11 years ago. I know most of the students also. It has been interesting.
I view this as my dementia protection. I keep learning new things like different computer programs I have to use as a teacher. and those "by the way' things. I am putting grades in one program, documenting behavior in a different one, learning mac, learning Photoshop to teach it and maybe learning Unity and Scratch in a little bit for my computer design class. I am working on how to keep my Middle School kids from coming in wild, talking loudly all through class and not interrupting.
My Digital Design class has been tough because the different abilities of the students but also by just having a boring book to go through with them (maybe it is just me making it boring). I was blessed when I found the Adobe Exchange with different things to do with them - like interesting projects to try. This class is the one that I am having to learn the most to teach.
With stepping in at the very last minute before school started, I have been working on getting meaningful lessons together too. Then there are the "surprises". I keep hearing about. The school has a fantastic shop program where people come to check it out and a big factory in the area is giving them a matching grant to expand and also do a Print Shop. That is where I come in. In the Spring Semester I will be teaching the basic print shop even though I have no information, equipment or space. It should be interesting too. I am working with students now to introduce the idea of the printmaking. I am starting my 8th graders on silk-screen printing and found a way to give my Digital Art students a fun project too by using the computer to do color separations so they can do the silk screen printing too. There project may be a little bit off for now.
My newest thing yesterday was finding out about Thermal silkscreen printing. He has the machine from like late 50's-60's that I am figuring out. I found a brochure and it is an interesting process. I can take a photocopy (needs to have carbon on it) or a print from a laser printer and put this mesh over it and it cuts/burns the stencil that is attached to the screen. Easy peasy. I went online and the mesh / is out of stock until the end of November when I could use it now for printing t-shirts. I saw something similar on Ebay that says mimeograph film which I think may be the same thing in a hold ya over state.
So, that is my life right now. I am hoping things will settle in and not be as time intensive but it is fun to see what different projects are out there. This is Homecoming week. Today the teachers are dressing up as "Where's Waldo". I have my red and white striped shirt and my glasses and red cap are at school. It should be fun!
I view this as my dementia protection. I keep learning new things like different computer programs I have to use as a teacher. and those "by the way' things. I am putting grades in one program, documenting behavior in a different one, learning mac, learning Photoshop to teach it and maybe learning Unity and Scratch in a little bit for my computer design class. I am working on how to keep my Middle School kids from coming in wild, talking loudly all through class and not interrupting.
My Digital Design class has been tough because the different abilities of the students but also by just having a boring book to go through with them (maybe it is just me making it boring). I was blessed when I found the Adobe Exchange with different things to do with them - like interesting projects to try. This class is the one that I am having to learn the most to teach.
With stepping in at the very last minute before school started, I have been working on getting meaningful lessons together too. Then there are the "surprises". I keep hearing about. The school has a fantastic shop program where people come to check it out and a big factory in the area is giving them a matching grant to expand and also do a Print Shop. That is where I come in. In the Spring Semester I will be teaching the basic print shop even though I have no information, equipment or space. It should be interesting too. I am working with students now to introduce the idea of the printmaking. I am starting my 8th graders on silk-screen printing and found a way to give my Digital Art students a fun project too by using the computer to do color separations so they can do the silk screen printing too. There project may be a little bit off for now.
My newest thing yesterday was finding out about Thermal silkscreen printing. He has the machine from like late 50's-60's that I am figuring out. I found a brochure and it is an interesting process. I can take a photocopy (needs to have carbon on it) or a print from a laser printer and put this mesh over it and it cuts/burns the stencil that is attached to the screen. Easy peasy. I went online and the mesh / is out of stock until the end of November when I could use it now for printing t-shirts. I saw something similar on Ebay that says mimeograph film which I think may be the same thing in a hold ya over state.
So, that is my life right now. I am hoping things will settle in and not be as time intensive but it is fun to see what different projects are out there. This is Homecoming week. Today the teachers are dressing up as "Where's Waldo". I have my red and white striped shirt and my glasses and red cap are at school. It should be fun!
Wednesday, August 29, 2018
September - a new beginning
Art has been my life forever. I have been a subsititute teacher for years -beginning my 11th. I passed up an Art teacher postion this summer because it was just too far away especially in bad weather. I got a call yesterday for a long-term substitute position for 6-12 Art for the school year. I am pretty excited!
I went in today to find out the details. I have been subbing for this district since the beginning. I have subbed for the teacher I am replacing. One of my classes is Digital Art. Another one is Video Gaming. I am going to have to learn quickly what I should be teaching. The rest of the things I am good with. This will be a stretch:) I'll let you know my journey and sources as I find them.
I went in today to find out the details. I have been subbing for this district since the beginning. I have subbed for the teacher I am replacing. One of my classes is Digital Art. Another one is Video Gaming. I am going to have to learn quickly what I should be teaching. The rest of the things I am good with. This will be a stretch:) I'll let you know my journey and sources as I find them.
Tuesday, August 21, 2018
August 2018
I haven't written for awhile. Maybe I didn't think anything I had to share was important. Life just clicked on. I have been listing/selling my stuff on Ebay and Etsy but that has been slow too.
This whole year has been off. We have had hot, cold, dry weather and have had to work around it. I have bees and this year when it got to 90 degrees in the early spring, I had one hive swarm. I have been nursing the other one along and am ready to remove that honey. It will be interesting to see what is in there. My vegetable garden got a family of rabbits that ate my cole crops and there was still a baby in there so the only thing I planted was tomatoes and the rest went to weeds.The gate is open now. I am hoping the chickens will forage in there and perhaps clean it up. My other gardens have been hit and miss. Deer have found them and eaten on the hostas and the lilies, and the flower seeds I planted. I just gave up.
I have been looking for work and even though there are jobs out there, I don't want to be a truck driver, cna, not sure if I could handle factory and have had enough of retail. My sister gave me an option that I need to look into. I really don't want to sub again, but it pays better than many things. I finally did get a job offer for an art teacher but it was 45 miles away and I was thinking of winter with snow and ice on back country roads. There have been other teaching jobs pop up, but most are a distance similar to that. I have an interview today for a local one and that would be nice if I would get chosen. I spent a couple of weeks of hard, heavy, grueling work setting up a store and then not chosen to get a permanent hire - which I think ended up to be a good thing. I need to go in there and tell them that I quit. The hard part was with subbing, I was like a subcontractor and had freedom. Working in a store it would be odd hours - when they say jump, when and where you have to. It is hard to give up your life/freedom unless it is worth it.
I do my online sales, but it is hit or miss and usually summer is my busy time. This year it was not. I have listed more but my free listings fill up fast so I can't get everything on. I am thinking about other options. I have my Ebay store for paper dolls, sheet music and other misc (julesartstuff). I have another Ebay account for art, postcards and prints. (julespaints2). I am on Etsy (julesartstuff) but that can be hit or miss. I was on Daily Paintworks for 8 months and had one sale - a $5 ACEO so I cancelled it at the beginning of the month. I probably could have done better if I had gotten involved with the community. It was nice to see people actually looking at your work. I signed up for Truegether but haven't done the social media thing and nothing is happening there without it. I closed my Bonanza store because it was too much work for no sales. Everytime they did an update from Ebay, I would end up with duplicates (a lot!) to delete off. Somebody on Facebook was saying if you want to get your Ebay moving you need to make changes in the listing - like change the title, price, etc. When I did that, those ended up there along with the original listing so the whole thing was a mess. I think both Bonanza and Etsy now want more money to promote your items. I am not sure if it will help or not or if they are just padding their bottom line.
What I am thinking of is this -
1) Orangenius for my art. I know it is fairly new but they also help with copyright protection. I signed up but haven't put anything on it yet. I need to go the profile and everything. I think that will serve as my art portfolio/website.
2) Linkin - have had it for years but haven't done anything with it. I need to get it together.
3) Look at my sister's option and try that out.
4) Cancel Bonanza, Truegether (possibly)
5) POD - on Etsy. As an artist I already have plenty of designs.
6) Sub (If I don't get a teaching job) or look for something else where I have regular time off to plan my life. I can also get a pt job - even maybe an online one to suppliment my finances.
7) Get a tent. Sign up for both art and craft shows and do them.
8) Check with Artisan Forge and see if they still want my art or if they want to switch it out to something fresh.
9) Print sale is coming up again. I want to make some new ones to put in there. I was thinking of making some prints also ACEO size.
I always have plenty of ideas - I just need to find a way for this to pay - even on a part time basis. I have sold some art this year, which is nice, but it has been lower price. Just trying to get some strategies going. Everything takes time and money.
This whole year has been off. We have had hot, cold, dry weather and have had to work around it. I have bees and this year when it got to 90 degrees in the early spring, I had one hive swarm. I have been nursing the other one along and am ready to remove that honey. It will be interesting to see what is in there. My vegetable garden got a family of rabbits that ate my cole crops and there was still a baby in there so the only thing I planted was tomatoes and the rest went to weeds.The gate is open now. I am hoping the chickens will forage in there and perhaps clean it up. My other gardens have been hit and miss. Deer have found them and eaten on the hostas and the lilies, and the flower seeds I planted. I just gave up.
I have been looking for work and even though there are jobs out there, I don't want to be a truck driver, cna, not sure if I could handle factory and have had enough of retail. My sister gave me an option that I need to look into. I really don't want to sub again, but it pays better than many things. I finally did get a job offer for an art teacher but it was 45 miles away and I was thinking of winter with snow and ice on back country roads. There have been other teaching jobs pop up, but most are a distance similar to that. I have an interview today for a local one and that would be nice if I would get chosen. I spent a couple of weeks of hard, heavy, grueling work setting up a store and then not chosen to get a permanent hire - which I think ended up to be a good thing. I need to go in there and tell them that I quit. The hard part was with subbing, I was like a subcontractor and had freedom. Working in a store it would be odd hours - when they say jump, when and where you have to. It is hard to give up your life/freedom unless it is worth it.
I do my online sales, but it is hit or miss and usually summer is my busy time. This year it was not. I have listed more but my free listings fill up fast so I can't get everything on. I am thinking about other options. I have my Ebay store for paper dolls, sheet music and other misc (julesartstuff). I have another Ebay account for art, postcards and prints. (julespaints2). I am on Etsy (julesartstuff) but that can be hit or miss. I was on Daily Paintworks for 8 months and had one sale - a $5 ACEO so I cancelled it at the beginning of the month. I probably could have done better if I had gotten involved with the community. It was nice to see people actually looking at your work. I signed up for Truegether but haven't done the social media thing and nothing is happening there without it. I closed my Bonanza store because it was too much work for no sales. Everytime they did an update from Ebay, I would end up with duplicates (a lot!) to delete off. Somebody on Facebook was saying if you want to get your Ebay moving you need to make changes in the listing - like change the title, price, etc. When I did that, those ended up there along with the original listing so the whole thing was a mess. I think both Bonanza and Etsy now want more money to promote your items. I am not sure if it will help or not or if they are just padding their bottom line.
What I am thinking of is this -
1) Orangenius for my art. I know it is fairly new but they also help with copyright protection. I signed up but haven't put anything on it yet. I need to go the profile and everything. I think that will serve as my art portfolio/website.
2) Linkin - have had it for years but haven't done anything with it. I need to get it together.
3) Look at my sister's option and try that out.
4) Cancel Bonanza, Truegether (possibly)
5) POD - on Etsy. As an artist I already have plenty of designs.
6) Sub (If I don't get a teaching job) or look for something else where I have regular time off to plan my life. I can also get a pt job - even maybe an online one to suppliment my finances.
7) Get a tent. Sign up for both art and craft shows and do them.
8) Check with Artisan Forge and see if they still want my art or if they want to switch it out to something fresh.
9) Print sale is coming up again. I want to make some new ones to put in there. I was thinking of making some prints also ACEO size.
I always have plenty of ideas - I just need to find a way for this to pay - even on a part time basis. I have sold some art this year, which is nice, but it has been lower price. Just trying to get some strategies going. Everything takes time and money.
Wednesday, July 11, 2018
2018 and My Art Journey
Last year, I had a lot of things going artwise and booking things. This year, with so much art in the house that didn't sell last year, I am trying to get my online "ducks in a row". I did have a website that I cancelled and they said they couldn't give me a prorated refund (Artspan) and had to stick it out until the end of the year. On their information page they gave rates for monthly and annual fees, but when I was signed up it only had the annual. I was upset when they wouldn't prorate my cancellation (even with taking out fees) so when they asked if I would be back, I said "no!". Why would I want to be back if that is their service. I had to let them know I was cancelling again when June came up because I didn't want them charging my charge card again for the year and domain name. I had chosen Artspan to have my things on because they had a gallery and people could order prints right from my webpage. I didn't sell anything in 6 months and didn't have time or a place to promote myself so I figured it wasn't worth it. Not sure if it is my fault - if there was more I should have/could have done or not.
My next forray into trying to sell my art was to sign up for DailyPaintworks.com. You can put your art on there with a monthly fee of about $12-13/month. They do have auctions so your work gets seen and you have a gallery page. I signed up at the beginning of the year and have posted paintings and prints. I have only sold 1 ACEO for $5 - so I am reconsidering my choice. I know they have other things and contests that I haven't explored as well as perhaps liking and commenting on other artists work. I am still on the fence on this one.
Ebay/Etsy - I have been on there mostly to sell vintage items - paper dolls, sheet music, other misc. I did put some prints and paintings on and have sold a couple. I have a couple of larger paintings on Etsy but have only sold one and that was several years ago. Sometimes they do not get any looks for a long time or ever so I do not know if they are even getting seen. Both have been slow,slow, slow this year. Summer is usually my big selling time next to Christmas but it has been crickets. I did set up a separate Ebay store for Postcards, Prints and Paintings. I have had a little action there and most of my small prints and painting and ACEO's are on there.
Bonanza - they have an importer so my things on Ebay are on there - sometimes in duplicate. I haven't sold but one thing so I put them on vacation. With Ebay some advice is that you change something in the title or about the price or description to get it to hopefully look fresh and pop up somewhere. Every time I do that, it goes on Bonanza with the new listing without getting rid of the old one, so I spend a lot of time editing and looking for duplicates. now they have where you can pay a tiered membership to get more advertising and exposure. Not sure if I want to do that yet.
The next thing I am looking at is Orangenius. Still looking, not signed up yet. I also am considering POD. I did Truegether and did the Ebay download, but haven't had time to look it over much yet.
The thing is, I think there is something I am missing. When I watch these art promote videos, they talk about a mailing list - which I do not have. They talk about doing it on Facebook - which I am nervous about. I am on a Facebook Page that talks about how big copyright infringement is right now. I hate to have my creativity stolen and others make money off of it. There is talk about SEO. Google ads, Promoted listings. They talk about the POD sites where your designs might be stolen off of.
So, as an artist, what am I to do?
Outside sales and fairs - I go alone. It would be setting up a tent alone - if I had a tent. Not sure if my car would hold everything in one trip. If I get overheated I get sick (I know I sound like a baby with a lot of excuses), I use a tablet for taking charge cards but if there is no wifi in the field I am out of luck. I need to get a phone, but rarely use the cell I have now and with not working for the summer it is tight anyway without buying a new phone and service.
I guess I will have to look for indoor sales. Take a fan if there is electricity.
Online issues - I cancelled my webpage and have been using DailyPaintworks.com as my portfolio and a way to show my art. I feel pressured (by myself) to put my work on there and then am compelled all day long to see how many people looked at it, at my gallery and my blog. My options are to look it over and see what more I can get out of it. Maybe there are ways by their contests, or looking at and commenting on other artists work to network and encourage others. I know the numbers go by how many people a day are looking at the site and some days there are more than others. I think I will try to see if there is more I can to to use and enjoy it more before cancelling.
Etsy/Ebay - I am sure there are a glut of artists and artisans (besides everything else) that it is hard to be seen. I know there are creative ways to get known online and I might have to try some.
- Etsy - Jules Art Stuff - I think I will be moving my paper dolls off of Etsy. It seems like when I sell something it mostly pays off fees from listing and selling. My art doesn't seem to get seen. They charge a listing and selling fee(s) and now are having promotion and advertising fees. I may wean most of my art off of there and convert it over to a pod and have some prints. I think a lot of people are doing t -shirts right now so it is an option. They also have other ways to promote like collections or treasury that I haven't tried yet either.
Ebay - Jules Art Stuff - I have an awful lot of sheet music on there. I am marking down my paper dolls and hopefully by the first of the year be close to done with them. I enjoy selling the sheet music. I have a store and have been paying a raising fee so the goal would be to end the store subscription and just go on the free listings. They also have a collection you can set up that might help promote y sites.
Ebay - Jules Paintings, Prints and Postcards - for a new site, doing not too bad for the limited items. For having 50 free a month non-store, they give me plenty of extra listings so I am up to 200 listings. I have both hand pulled prints as well as prints of my paintings. I mostly my lower end paintings on there for now. I figure I would like about 100 ACEOs on there too in the future.
Artzok - I signed up with them to teach Painting, prints and ACEO's. New operation, waiting for a job.
Explore Orangenius and Truegether.
The thing is, nobody knows me. I have enjoyed Daily Paintworks because I know my work is getting seen even if sales are slow. Ebay and Etsy have disappointed me this Spring and Summer and this is not the first year with it. I want that whatever I do, I do it well. It has taken this half of the year to come to this point. I am thinking of a Weebly portfolio for free just to have some things out but will look to see what Orangenius has first. I am re-thinking about the big craft shows too if I am doing the local art.
I know a lot of this comes down to promotion. I am not on Instagram.I have a Linkin site just sitting there with my profile blank. I have lots to do, and it just doesn't end. I just want to create but I also want to get some of my art out of my house. Any good ideas - please let me know as I know this is a common problem with other artists right now.
My next forray into trying to sell my art was to sign up for DailyPaintworks.com. You can put your art on there with a monthly fee of about $12-13/month. They do have auctions so your work gets seen and you have a gallery page. I signed up at the beginning of the year and have posted paintings and prints. I have only sold 1 ACEO for $5 - so I am reconsidering my choice. I know they have other things and contests that I haven't explored as well as perhaps liking and commenting on other artists work. I am still on the fence on this one.
Ebay/Etsy - I have been on there mostly to sell vintage items - paper dolls, sheet music, other misc. I did put some prints and paintings on and have sold a couple. I have a couple of larger paintings on Etsy but have only sold one and that was several years ago. Sometimes they do not get any looks for a long time or ever so I do not know if they are even getting seen. Both have been slow,slow, slow this year. Summer is usually my big selling time next to Christmas but it has been crickets. I did set up a separate Ebay store for Postcards, Prints and Paintings. I have had a little action there and most of my small prints and painting and ACEO's are on there.
Bonanza - they have an importer so my things on Ebay are on there - sometimes in duplicate. I haven't sold but one thing so I put them on vacation. With Ebay some advice is that you change something in the title or about the price or description to get it to hopefully look fresh and pop up somewhere. Every time I do that, it goes on Bonanza with the new listing without getting rid of the old one, so I spend a lot of time editing and looking for duplicates. now they have where you can pay a tiered membership to get more advertising and exposure. Not sure if I want to do that yet.
The next thing I am looking at is Orangenius. Still looking, not signed up yet. I also am considering POD. I did Truegether and did the Ebay download, but haven't had time to look it over much yet.
The thing is, I think there is something I am missing. When I watch these art promote videos, they talk about a mailing list - which I do not have. They talk about doing it on Facebook - which I am nervous about. I am on a Facebook Page that talks about how big copyright infringement is right now. I hate to have my creativity stolen and others make money off of it. There is talk about SEO. Google ads, Promoted listings. They talk about the POD sites where your designs might be stolen off of.
So, as an artist, what am I to do?
Outside sales and fairs - I go alone. It would be setting up a tent alone - if I had a tent. Not sure if my car would hold everything in one trip. If I get overheated I get sick (I know I sound like a baby with a lot of excuses), I use a tablet for taking charge cards but if there is no wifi in the field I am out of luck. I need to get a phone, but rarely use the cell I have now and with not working for the summer it is tight anyway without buying a new phone and service.
I guess I will have to look for indoor sales. Take a fan if there is electricity.
Online issues - I cancelled my webpage and have been using DailyPaintworks.com as my portfolio and a way to show my art. I feel pressured (by myself) to put my work on there and then am compelled all day long to see how many people looked at it, at my gallery and my blog. My options are to look it over and see what more I can get out of it. Maybe there are ways by their contests, or looking at and commenting on other artists work to network and encourage others. I know the numbers go by how many people a day are looking at the site and some days there are more than others. I think I will try to see if there is more I can to to use and enjoy it more before cancelling.
Etsy/Ebay - I am sure there are a glut of artists and artisans (besides everything else) that it is hard to be seen. I know there are creative ways to get known online and I might have to try some.
- Etsy - Jules Art Stuff - I think I will be moving my paper dolls off of Etsy. It seems like when I sell something it mostly pays off fees from listing and selling. My art doesn't seem to get seen. They charge a listing and selling fee(s) and now are having promotion and advertising fees. I may wean most of my art off of there and convert it over to a pod and have some prints. I think a lot of people are doing t -shirts right now so it is an option. They also have other ways to promote like collections or treasury that I haven't tried yet either.
Ebay - Jules Art Stuff - I have an awful lot of sheet music on there. I am marking down my paper dolls and hopefully by the first of the year be close to done with them. I enjoy selling the sheet music. I have a store and have been paying a raising fee so the goal would be to end the store subscription and just go on the free listings. They also have a collection you can set up that might help promote y sites.
Ebay - Jules Paintings, Prints and Postcards - for a new site, doing not too bad for the limited items. For having 50 free a month non-store, they give me plenty of extra listings so I am up to 200 listings. I have both hand pulled prints as well as prints of my paintings. I mostly my lower end paintings on there for now. I figure I would like about 100 ACEOs on there too in the future.
Artzok - I signed up with them to teach Painting, prints and ACEO's. New operation, waiting for a job.
Explore Orangenius and Truegether.
The thing is, nobody knows me. I have enjoyed Daily Paintworks because I know my work is getting seen even if sales are slow. Ebay and Etsy have disappointed me this Spring and Summer and this is not the first year with it. I want that whatever I do, I do it well. It has taken this half of the year to come to this point. I am thinking of a Weebly portfolio for free just to have some things out but will look to see what Orangenius has first. I am re-thinking about the big craft shows too if I am doing the local art.
I know a lot of this comes down to promotion. I am not on Instagram.I have a Linkin site just sitting there with my profile blank. I have lots to do, and it just doesn't end. I just want to create but I also want to get some of my art out of my house. Any good ideas - please let me know as I know this is a common problem with other artists right now.
Wednesday, July 4, 2018
Artzok
While I do have a degree and could teach English on line or converse with people from around the world, I also would like to teach using my art. I just found Artzok - which was just launching today. I had seen it before in my art lesson search but just applied and got my things on yesterday. Today it is up and going.
Artzok is different than other art lessons. This is something where you can work on your art on your own and if you have a question or somethings is not right you can email a teacher in the speciality that you are in and they will respond with helpful lessons or information. Say you draw a face and something is not right you can have them look at it and they can help you out and get over that road block. I have chosen to teach 4 different things.
https://artzok.com/downloads/learn-acrylic-painting-with-julie-miscera/
This one is acrylic painting. I have been doing it for quite awhile, so if you want private lessons you can take a picture of your artwork and I can help you out. If you are struggling with materials or the subject I can help you out. It is on your time. You email me and I email back and answer. When you are ready, you can email me again. There are different mediums and teachers that you can choose from.
I also am teaching printmaking - without a press, ACEO's and those can be done in any medium, and I also have up for approval the Inktense and water-soluable pencil drawings. Please check out Artzok and see if there is something that you would like to do or if there is somebody in particular whose work you like that you would like to work with.
There is a free trial. Take advantage of it!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)