Learn how to make amazing videos with Video Magic for Non Techies Artists and Crafters Edition

Many of you may not know that when I'm not making sculptures, cat toys, and other crafty things I'm making videos.  A few years ago I never would have believed that I would be able to make really cool videos (for some pretty big clients, too!).  I jumped in with both feet, even though I knew nothing about videos.  My mom taught me a lot, and some things we learned together.  She's very familiar with the craft world and has made stained glass, wooden decorations and toys, and pewter figures, which she sold at craft shows, flea markets, and renaissance fairs.  She's also spent 30 years teaching people all thing tech related, and let me tell you, she's one heck of a teacher!  She and I took all we learned about making videos and put together an 8 part course in video and PDF format to teach other crafters how to make their own awesome videos, without spending tons of money on video editing software.  Video Magic for Non Techies gives you The Who, What, Where, and Why of Video Marketing, the How of Making Videos, Gathering Images for Videos, Using an Online Video Creation Site, Using the Best Online Video Creation Site, Sound and Final Production, and Tips and Tricks to work around common problems.  This course was created specifically for crafters and artists, and is priced with the starving artist in mind.  For $9.95 you get everything you need, and nothing you don't need!  Some video courses have SO MUCH information and options, you just get completely lost.  We made it simple and included just the information you need, and put it in an easy to follow format that anyone can understand.  Remember, when I started making videos I was absolutely clueless- LOL!  So if I can do it, anyone can do it.  Just click on Video Magic for Non Techies, check out the page (we try to give you as much info as possible, so you know what you're getting) and click the Buy Now button at the bottom of the page to purchase this program.  You won't regret it!  And you'll be amazed at the awesome videos you can create.  Videos are one of the best ways to promote your work- Google loves video ;-)  There are also 3 sample videos I created on the page to give you some ideas of ways to use video, and just what can be done using these techniques.  And if you have any questions there's an email link at the bottom of the page and your emails will be answered promptly.  I'm so happy to be able to share what I've learned with my fellow artists and crafters!
-Michelle of CreativeCritters 

Kindness and generosity abounds on Artfire

Last week I lost almost $500 to Tonya Pendley from Jasper Alabama.  Apparently this woman preys on online artists, sending bad checks for handcrafted goods which she probably re-sells.  After I posted on the Artfire forums about what happened- mainly just to warn others about her, I got a huge response.  RockyCreekGems told me exactly what I needed to do in order to file charges, which I did, as well as posting on all my blogs and forums about this woman.  A few days later (my birthday, actually) when I went to check the Artfire forums I discovered that a Pass the Hat for Michelle campaign had been started.  OK, I admit it, I cried at the generosity of these wonderful artists.  Many of them aren't much better off than I am, financially, but they're willing to donate money from their sales to make up for what I lost.  Because of their generosity, the bills I mailed out right before receiving the returned check from the bank won't bounce.  Plus hopefully I'll be able to make enough new items to replace the one Tonya Pendley stole from me.  Now I want to do what I can to thank the people who have so selflessly helped me out.  These are wonderful people and amazing artists.  CCTexan3 along with RockyCreekGems (AKA CalicoCat) were the ones who got the Pass the Hat thing started (leave it to those Texans!).  So here are a few items from CCTexan3: Stop by and show her some love!

And a few pieces from RockyCreekGems: Gorgeous pieces from a wonderful individual!

ExquisiteStudios has also been incredibly supportive. Here's a taste of what she does. Pay her a visit and see everything she has to offer! So pretty, and VERY resonably priced!

This is only the beginning of my "thank yous".  I hope everyone who reads this will pay a visit to these shops and show these wonderful artists some love, cuz they sure do give it back!

-Michelle of CreativeCritters

It's my birthday!

So today I turned 34, but that's OK, because a few days ago I got carded buying alcohol. And the cashier was really surprised when she saw how old I was. So I'm OK with 34. I'm also feeling incredibly thankful. If you read my last post, you know about the whole Tonya Pendley scam thing. I'm still working very hard to gather evidence against her and file charges with the Attorney Generals, FBI, and Post Office. I made sure she couldn't pass any more checks through any of the branches of my bank today. They said they couldn't do anything to get my money back, but hopefully I can protect others from her. I'm trying to notify every place I can think of. The administration on ArtFire has blocked her IP address and warned all the artists with pending sales from her, so ArtFire artists should be safer now. Anyway, since this all started I have received a phenomenal amount of support from my fellow artists. Joanne, of PurpleLilyDesigns, was also hit by Tonya Pendley. She was kind enough to send me copies of evidence against her. Lisa of Accesorizmecrafty, started a Pass the Hat sale to raise money for me (tears of gratitude in my eyes). Gayle, of ArtisanGoodsbyGayle, submitted an article to Handmade News about what happened, and about artists helping artists. I got a preview, and it's a very well written piece. Pink Clouds and Angels bought an item from my studio (my Melting Snowman Pen) in order to help me out. Exquisite Studios just made a very nice donation as well (more tears of gratitude!). To each of you I say thank you, from the bottom of my heart. And to every single person who has offered their kind thoughts, sympathy, and suggestions, I thank you as well. You really have re-affirmed my belief in human kindness. I never expected any of this. I just wanted to warn everyone about this thief, so they wouldn't fall prey to her as I did. And thanks to those who donated and purchased items, the checks I just wrote for my bills won't bounce. No seriously, right before I got the notice in the mail about Tonya's bad check I mailed out all my bills (hey, I figured I had an extra $500 in my account). Now I can breathe a little easier thanks to the generosity of some truly wonderful people. I knew joining Artfire was a good move, but I had no idea how many wonderful people I would find there. Thank you for making this a very happy birthday for me. Mere words can't express the depth of my gratitude for all your kindness.
-Michelle of CreativeCritters

Totally lovin' ArtFire!

I've been on ArtFire for a few months now, and I REALLY love the whole experience!  I've met so many new artists and learned a LOT about networking, promoting my work, and general computer stuff that turns out to be pretty simple (once you know what the heck you're doing).  Before joining ArtFire I was on another craft site, and while I did make a few small sales, the traffic through my studio was sluggish at best.  ArtFire offers so many different forms of marketing and networking.  They just added VoteHandmade.com, which is really fun.  The staff is constantly thinking up new ways to promote it's artists and showcase the site as a whole.  And if someone does have problems or questions, the staff is right there to help.  Then there are the forums- OMG, they can be a riot!  You can really get to know people if you hang out in the forums for a bit.  Actually, I sold my first item after someone saw it posted in the Item of the Day thread, so it's also a great way to show off your work.  I could spend hours looking at all the wonderful items people post.  There's a definite sense of community there.  Some of the threads can get pretty intense, emotionally.  I truly care about these people, and I believe they feel the same.  Many of the ArtFire artists have also become Facebook friends, allowing me to get to know them on more than one level.  The Crazy ArtFire Marketing Train has been another great way to get to know different artists.  Everybody who signs up gets 2 days where everyone else on the list promotes them (through Twitter, Facebook, blogs, whatever works for each person).  Quite a few sales have come out of this for the selected artists, plus that's just a huge amount of exposure in general.  I like researching the artists and drooling over everything in their shop.  For me, this has been a lot of fun, and exposed me to a variety of different artwork.  So, all in all, I just absolutley love ArtFire.  And ByHand.me as well, of course.  I never would have found ByHand if it hadn't been for a link in the ArtFire forums.  The same goes for BlogSpot.  I started a blog at creativecrittersblog.blogspot because I kept seeing links for other artists blogs there.  I joined 2 different groups on Flickr because of a link in the forums.  I've actually become quite social since joining ArtFire, and I'm much happier because of it.  For me, it's definitely the place to be!

-Michelle of CreativeCritters

My first ArtFire sale!

Well, I sold my first item on ArtFire today.  YAY!  Did I mention I love ArtFire?  I had a feeling I'd get a sale soon.  I've had a lot of traffic through my studio and I've been working very hard on promoting my work, as well as the work of other artists on the site.  The thing that's really awesome is that I just listed the doll, then put her on the forums as my item of the day.  I noticed I had a message, checked it, and got the good news.  So fast!  I've been bouncing off the walls today- can't help it, I'm just so happy.  Plus I joined the "Crazy Marketing Train" that was recently started in the forums.  The idea is that you sign up and agree to promote the artist whose turn it is for 2 days.  Every artist on the list gets a chance to be the one being promoted.  I think it's an awesome idea.  See, that's what I love about ArtFire.  The artists work really hard to help each other out and try to make sure everyone has the opportunity for sales.  I am SO glad I joined, especially while I was still able to get the $7.00 a month deal.  Although they only raised it to $12.00 instead of the usual $20.00.  Are these people great or what?  They truly want to see the artisans on their site be successful.  I'm in a very good place right now, but there's more work to be done, so I'm off for now!  Thanks for looking!

-Michelle

http://creativecritters.artfire.com