Branding for Artists

"...branding is important because it allows your art, your lifestyle, and your passions to be displayed as a uniform strategy. It is a "holistic" approach to your art that allows a symbiosis between your personality and your artistic expression."  from How to Create an Artist's Brand 

How to Create an Artist's Brand - Kelley Stevens
http://www.nowpublic.com/style/how-create-artists-brand

Branding 101 for Artists: How to Create a Strong Brand for Yourself and Your Art - Gregory Peters
http://emptyeasel.com/2009/03/02/branding-101-for-artists-how-to-create-a-strong-brand-for-yourself-and-your-art/

Branding: The Importance of Name Recognition - Jennifer Walling
http://artcafe.net/?p=174

Is Branding Important for Artists? - Olga Slavkina
http://www.schmoozyfox.com/2009/10/is-branding-important-for-artists/

What Do We Have to Say? - Barrett Yeretsian
http://artistempowerment.com/what-do-we-have-to-say/

Diving Deeper in the Ocean of Your Brand - Barrett Yeretsian
http://artistempowerment.com/diving-deeper-into-the-ocean-of-your-brand/

The Artist and the Brand - Jonathan E. Schroeder (This is an abstract of a paper in the European Journal of Marketing - click the "One-Click Download" link at the top of the page to download the full article to your Adobe pdf reader).
http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=690270

Social Media Branding for Artists - George Aiello

Part 1
http://www.artistpresentations.com/blogs/george/616/social-media-branding-artists-part-1

Part 2
http://www.artistpresentations.com/blogs/george/788/social-media-branding-artists-part-2

Brand Yourself as an Artist on Twitter - Lori McNee
http://www.finearttips.com/?p=1809

Print Your Own Fabric Resources

Textile artists have long bemoaned not being able to find just "the right fabric design" or "the right color" to suit what's in their "mind's eye" for their art. An increasing number of companies are using newly available technology to address these needs.

From swatch size to yardage up to 20 yards or more, having your own designs printed onto your choice of fabric is now a reality without the size, color, equipment expense and other limitations (or hassles) often associated trying to do this using home-based printers.

The choices for the type (as well as weight) of fabric on which your design can be printed are many, including cotton, linen, silk, polyester, rayon, suede, ramie, hemp and wool. Organic cottons, bamboo & cotton knits also are available.

Certainly its not inexpensive ($16.25 - $33.00/yard), but these costs are no higher than the hand-dyed and other specialty fabrics we often purchase. With exception of some of the specialty fabics (e.g., 100%bamboo and 100% organic cottons), there are no mininum yardage purchase requirements.

Following are the three companies of which I am aware that currently offer these services:

Fabric on Demand
http://fabricondemand.com/

Karmakraft
http://karmakraft.com/

Spoonflower - This is the first company to get into the field (in October 2008)
http://www.spoonflower.com/welcome

Textile Related Tutorials - Part 5

Despite my hiatus from blogging for the past few months, textile artists have continued to freely share their ideas, inspirations and techniques. So my return to the blogosphere begins with some great additional tutorial resources.

    Previously posted tutorials made available through the generosity of textile artists               Textile Related Tutorials - Part 4  
               Textile Related Tutorials - Part 3
               Textile Related Tutorials - Part 2
               Textile Related Tutorials - Part 1
 
Texture Magic Demo Book - Superior Threads has produced a 14 page tutorial on how to use the Texture Magic product (Texture Magic is sewn to the fabric of your choice. When steam is applied, the Texture Magic shrinks about 30% in all directions, causing your fabric to change into a textured material.
http://www.buffalums.com/Texture-Magic-Demo.pdf

Texture Magic Videos - in a 3-part series of demos (approximately 9 minutes each), Patsy Thompson shows how to use Texture Magic to create dimension in fabrics.
http://www.quilt-video.com/2009/10/16/texture-magic/

Water Soluble Fabric & Machine Embroidery - 24:14 minute video with Anne Griffiths - shows both general and in-depth information about her process with many examples of her techniques.
http://www.countrychannel.tv/player.php/?player=TheNewCountryChannel&ct=1&ids=299054

Landscapes Using Foils & Velvets - 24:53 minute video with Angie Hughes about creating landscapes using velvets and foils - shows both general and in-depth information about her process with many examples of her techniques.
http://www.countrychannel.tv/player.php/?player=TheNewCountryChannel&ct=1&ids=299153

Free Machine Embroidery - 24:40 minute video with Linda Miller - shows both general and in-depth information about her process with many examples of her techniques.
http://www.countrychannel.tv/player.php?channel=countrychannel&program=298305

Cold Water Dyeing - 24:51 minute video with Myfanwy Hart - shows both general and in-depth information about her process with many examples of her techniques.
http://www.countrychannel.tv/player.php/?player=TheNewCountryChannel&ct=1&ids=298898

Creating Surface Through Slashing - 23:36 minute video with Fay Maxwell - shows both general and in-depth information about her process with many examples of her techniques.
http://www.countrychannel.tv/player.php/?player=TheNewCountryChannel&ct=1&ids=297884

Melting/Fusing/Burning to Create New Surfaces - 24:31 minute video with Kim Thittachai - shows both general and in-depth information about her process with many examples of her techniques.
http://www.countrychannel.tv/player.php/?player=TheNewCountryChannel&ct=1&ids=297735

Creating Landscapes - 23:46 minute video with Gilda Baron - shows both general and in-depth information about her process with many examples of her techniques.
http://www.countrychannel.tv/player.php/?player=TheNewCountryChannel&ct=1&ids=296822

Silk Painting - 25:07 minute video with Jill Kennedy - shows both general and in-depth information about her process with many examples of her techniques.
http://www.countrychannel.tv/player.php/?player=TheNewCountryChannel&ct=1&ids=296704

Furoshiki Gift Wrapping - 2:44 minute video about how to wrap your presents in cloth which can be used again and again to avoid using wrapping paper which rarely can be recycled. Using it to wrap books, bottles, and a box of chocolates are demonstrated. Also demonstrated is how to create a no-sew carry-all bag.
http://vimeo.com/2321507

Textured Leaves - Carolyn Saxby - This is a step-by-step tutorial (with many close-up pictures) for creating very unique and interesting textured/dimensional leaves from mixed media including felt, fabric scraps, chiffon, organza, silk, plastic, carrier bags, metallic fabrics, etc. using machine and hand embroidery techniques.
http://carolynsaxby.blogspot.com/2009/07/mixed-media-textiles-tutorial-leaves.html

Making Beads with Tyvek, Cellophane, Angelina Fibres and Metallic Threads - Carolyn Saxby - step-by-step tutorial with close-up pictures
http://carolynsaxby.blogspot.com/2009/06/making-beads-with-tyvek-cellophane.html

Making Beads from Tyvek - Carolyn Saxby - step-by-step tutorials with close-up pictures
   
        Part I - http://carolynsaxby.blogspot.com/2009/04/tutorial-making-beads-from-tyvek.html
        Part II - This is the same method but shows how to add lustre & sheen
                      by incorporating metallic threads
                    http://carolynsaxby.blogspot.com/2009/04/this-post-follows-on-from-previous-post.html

Making Beads from Cello Sweet Wrappers, Angelina Fibres and Metallic Threads - Carolyn Saxby - step-by-step tutorial with close-up pictures
http://carolynsaxby.blogspot.com/2009/06/making-beads-from-cello-sweet-wrappers.html

Making Beads with Angelina Fibres - Carolyn Saxby
http://carolynsaxby.blogspot.com/2009/06/making-beads-with-angelina-fibres.html

Making Beads from Plastic Carrier Bags and Cellophane Sweet Wrappers - Carolyn Saxby - step-by-step tutorial with close-up pictures
http://carolynsaxby.blogspot.com/2009/06/making-beads-from-plastic-carrier-bags.html

Curved Binding - Sharon Schamber - video step-by-step instructions in 5-parts about how to apply difficult curved bindings.

Part I - 9 minutes
http://www.quiltstream.com/play/Sharon_Schamber_Videos/Curved_Binding_Part_1


Part II - 9:36 minutes
http://www.quiltstream.com/play/Sharon_Schamber_Videos/Curved_Binding_Part_2


Part III - 9:29 minutes
http://www.quiltstream.com/play/Sharon_Schamber_Videos/Curved_Binding_Part_3


Part IV - 9:49 minutes
http://www.quiltstream.com/play/Sharon_Schamber_Videos/Curved_Binding_Part_4


Part V - 4:36 minutes
http://www.quiltstream.com/play/Sharon_Schamber_Videos/Curved_Binding_Part_5

Beading by Machine - Terry White - This 9:12 minute video demonstrates her methods of machine beading
http://www.bonniemccaffery.com/wordpress1/?p=66

Lettering with Lisa Engelbrecht - This 10:06 minute video shows how Lisa adds beautiful lettering to fabrics
http://www.bonniemccaffery.com/wordpress1/?p=60

Photos on Fabric with Maggie Grey - In this 10:07 minute video, Maggie demonstrates one of her techniques for transferring photos to fabric
http://www.bonniemccaffery.com/wordpress1/?p=61

Demo! Flour Paste Batik - Bridget Benton
http://eyesaflame.blogspot.com/2008/06/demo-flour-paste-batik.html

Mounting & Framing Tutorials - Lyric Kinard
http://www.lyrickinard.com/tutorials.html

Katazome & Nassen - Akemi Nakano Cohn (a pre-eminent Japanese textile printing/dyeing technique expert) has started a blog in which she answers questions and shares information about these techniques.
http://www.akeminakanocohn.blogspot.com/

Wholecloth Facing Quilt Finish - Brenda Gael Smith
http://serendipitypatchwork.com.au/blog/2008/02/02/wholecloth-facing-quilt-finish/

Continuous Binding Without Bulges - Brenda Gael Smith
http://serendipitypatchwork.com.au/blog/2008/04/01/continuous-binding-without-bulges/

Mitred Facing Tutorial - Brenda Gael Smith
http://serendipitypatchwork.com.au/blog/2008/05/27/mitred-facing-tutorial/

My Favorite Quilt Facing Finish - Brenda Gael Smith
http://serendipitypatchwork.com.au/blog/2009/01/13/my-favourite-quilt-facing-finish/

Facings for Quilts - Jeri Riggs
http://jeririggs.blogspot.com/2008/02/facings-for-quilts.html

Art Quilt Binding - Robin Ferrier
http://quiltantics.blogspot.com/2007/06/art-quilt-binding.html

Zigzagged Edge Finish instead of a Binding - Terry Grant
http://andsewitgoes.blogspot.com/2007_11_01_archive.html

Escape Hatch Finish - Melody Johnson
http://fibermania.blogspot.com/2009/02/escape-hatch-finish-i-had-request-from.html

Machine Quilting FAQ - Melody Johnson
http://fibermania.blogspot.com/2005/12/machine-quilting.html

FAQ on Fusing - Melody Johnson
http://fibermania.blogspot.com/2005/12/qa.html

Steps to fusing a Pattern - Melody Johnson
http://fibermania.blogspot.com/2005/08/fuchsias.html

Fusing a Design - Melody Johnson
http://fibermania.blogspot.com/2006/01/psst-two-new-workshops-are-now.html

Using Teflon Pressing Sheets for Fusible Applique - Valerie Hearder
http://www.valeriehearder.com/teflonprint.htm

Fusing with LiquidThread (formerly Liquifuse) - Terry Grant
http://andsewitgoes.blogspot.com/2006/04/my-fusing-method.html

Portable Design Wall - Melody Johnson
http://fibermania.blogspot.com/2005/03/portable-design-wall.html

Quilt Blocking: A Short Tutorial - Nadine
http://www.dreamweavers-quilts.com/quilt-epiphany/2008/11/16/quilt-blocking-a-short-tutorial/

Batik for Complete Beginners - Lois Parker
http://www.thetextiledirectory.com/newsarticle/Batik-for-complete-beginners/image/6/

Fun with Shaving Cream & Tsukineko Ink - 8 1/2 minute Youtube video - Trish Stuart
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJaFykdSL8A

How to Marble Fabric on Shaving Cream - 5 minute YouTube video - Mr. Marble shows how to use Tsukineko Inks on Shaving Cream to marble fabric and create original designs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhBJiQjn3zA

Machine Trapunto Part 1 (Preparing the Quilt Top for Trapunto) - 7 1/2 minute YouTube video - Pat Sern
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_wgE74Mro4

Machine Trapunto Part 2 (Machine Quilting & Embroidery) - 8 minute YouTube video - Pat Sern
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZracYi4ooI

How Not to Pack a Sewing Machine - Bob Bannen - This is a factual account (with pictures) of how an antique sewing machine he ordered had been packed.
http://www.sew2go.com/hownottopack.htm

Packing Sewing Machines to Arrive Safely - Bob Bannen - Instructions on how to pack antique and collectible sewing machines for shipment
http://www.sew2go.com/packingseries.htm

Safely Pack and Ship a Sewing Machine
http://www.instructables.com/id/Safely-pack-and-ship-a-sewing-machine./

Working with Difficult Threads - Linda Schmidt - Gives excellent information - Click on the "Filament Fantasy" link
http://home.comcast.net/~shortattn/filament_fantasy.htm