Dreaming Big

Dreaming Big 
An Artist's Ever-Evolving List on Having Dreams and Making Them a Reality
*Updated* (2/27/13) (4/17/13) (8/13/13) (9/21/13)




This is not a complete list, but rather a list of articles, links, and books that have inspired me and made me try to live a more artistic life.  Please let me know if any of these links do not work, or if they need to be updated.

If you have suggested links, please email them to me at:

ispywithmycraftyeyes@live.com



Publisher Submission Links


Interweave Press Submissions
Book Proposals
Cloth Paper Scissors and Cloth Paper Scissors Studios
Cloth Paper Scissors Readers Challenges
Interweave Knits
Interweave Crochet
Quilting Arts and Quilting Arts Gifts
Quilting Arts Readers Challenges
Stitch



Northridge Publishing Submissions
Including:
Bead Trends
Scrapbook Trends
Cricut (TM) Magazine
Create: Idea Books
Simply Handmade
Cards Magazine


Somerset Studios Submissions
Submission Guidelines
Calls and Challenges
Including:
Altered Couture
(apron*ology)
Art Doll Quarterly
Art Journaling
ArtQuiltingStudio
Artful Blogging
Belle Armoire
Belle Armoire Jewelry
GreenCraft
Haute Handbags
Jewelry Affaire
Mingle
Prims
Sew Somerset
Somerset Digital Studio
Somerset Holidays & Celebrations
Somerset Home
Somerset Life
Somerset Memories
Somerset Studio
Somerset Workshop
Stuffed
Take Ten
The Stampers' Sampler


Online Articles and Links

Writer's Digest 50 Simple Ways to Build your Platform in 5 Minutes a Day

Getting Published by Whip Up - Very in-depth with lots of good links!!
How to Get Your Craft Book Published Part 1 (Getting Started, Finding an Agent)
How to Get Your Craft Book Published Part 2 (Build a Platform, Write a Proposal)
How to Get Your Craft Book Published Part 3 (Negotiating a Contract, Writing a Book)


The Art of Setting Goals and FAQs on Being and Artist by Alisa Burke.  Her insight into setting and achieving goals on your way to become a professional artist.

Magazine Submissions for Beading Projects and Jewelry Designs helpful links and tips from Beading-Design-Jewelry.com

After Rejection by Rice Freeman-Zachery.  An article about moving forward after a proposal is rejected.

Top Ten Tips for Getting Published by Cassandra Cyr of Glue Meets Paper for you scrapbookers.

50 Submission Guidelines Pages from Freelance Writing Gigs

How to Get Published in a Jewelry or Bead Magazine by Laura Bracken of Laura Bracken Jewelry and Art.  Excellent information, lots of links to submissions pages.

Helpful Books

Creative Time and Space by Rice Freeman-Zachary
The Handmade Marketplace by Kari Chapin





E-Courses

Kelly Rae Roberts Learn/Take Flight
Flying Lessons - Tips and Tricks to Help Your Creative Biz Soar

Hello Soul. Hello Business.


Photographing Your Art

How to Make an Inexpensive Light Tent


Artist Endorsement

Also known as:

Pay for Publication

Artist Compensation

Publication Incentive Program

Product Development

Affiliates Program

Endorsement Program

Opportunities

Not making enough on articles?  Some companies offer publication incentive programs and will compensate you for using their product in an article featured in national magazines.  One I use often for projects is Sculpey. Every company is different, many have specific guidelines on how their product should be mentioned in the article for you to receive payment.  

Make sure you meet criteria!  Each company has their own guidelines that must be followed in order for you to receive compensation.  How terrible would it be to have a feature article with a product that offers incentive and miss it because you left something vital out?

Other tips:

Do not use competing materials.  

Make sure the product you use is a major element of your project. 

Polyform Designer Endorsement Program - Sculpey, Liquid Sculpey, etc.

Dick Blick Affiliates Program - Add a banner to your blog and get 10% commission off sales that originate from your site. 

Plaid Pay for Publication - Apple Barrel and Folk Art Paints, Mod Podge, Martha Stewart Crafts, etc.
iLoveToCreate - Scroll down to Endorsement Program to email them for more info.
Jacquard Products Opportunities - Endorsement Policy Guidelines and Request Form
Loew Cornell - Pay for Publication

Companies I have investigated that offer no incentives to date:
Ranger Ink - No incentives offered, but they do have a design team.

Eclectic Products, Inc. (E6000)



Nerd Stuff You May Need

How to make an image hyperlink - Hyperlinkcode.com
Share a PDF in Blogger - Staying Steyn
Hyperlink for Flickr
GardenBloggers - Add a GIF imaget to your header
Change the DPi of your photo
How to Start/Create Your Own Website: The Beginner's Guide A-Z by Christopher Heng of The Site Wizard.

Small Business and Marketing

The 10 Biggest Mistakes Artists and Creatives Make at Internet Marketing (and How to Fix Them) by Mark McGuinness of Lateral Action.  The article name says it all.
The U.S. Small Business Administration, also go HERE to find local assistance.
Kiva Zip, a branch of Kiva, a microfinancing non-profit organization committed to helping finance small business expenditures for people who would not otherwise have an opportunity.
The Business of Art: 4 Free Articles on Starting and Promoting Your Art Business a free PDF download offered by Cloth Paper Scissors online.


My Blog Posts on Submissions

Published in ArtTrader Magazine
New Linocut - Submission for Cloth Paper Scissors
Cloth Paper Scissors PAGES - My Art Published
Mini Books - New Set
My Art in Cloth Paper Scissors March/April 2012
Published in Cloth Paper Scissors PAGES 2012
Mailing it Out


Photos of My Submissions

My Submissions Flickr Set