Another Visit

Back in the day I used to sell art work on Ebay. It was mucho fun and I made many friends in the Ebay group chat rooms (some of whom I have met in real life and remain friendly with to this day). Every month a NibbleFest Art Contest was held. Artists would post auction pieces for a week and - get this - the starting bid was only 99 cents. This was a contest where the winner could certainly be the buyer! Anyhow, this contest is still running and the next one begins on 7/20. I plan to put this mixed media collage ACEO (look it up if you don't know what these darlings of the Ebay world are) up for auction. If you're interested in seeing what NibbleFest art work is up for auction (some of which will be good) go to Ebay later in the day on 7/20 and type in NFAC in the search bar. Also, keep checking back daily for additions because - remember - these are artists posting the auctions....we aren't always the best at organizing ourselves to meet deadlines so listings will continue to be posted throughout the week.

The Strike is Working!

According to the Powersellers.com website Ebay listings are down almost 13% from 2 days ago! This is amazing when you realize that this translates into well over A MILLION listings! Well over A MILLION listings translates into a whole big bunch of money. There are not figures available that are tracking the number of buyers NOT buying but it is known that buyers are also joining in the strike with their sellers as well. Many sellers on eBay have loyal repeat customers who are appalled at eBay's latest policies.

If you care to find out what all the outrage is about please read the following essay in this blog's 2/19 entry (just below today's entry)
http://mousewords.wordpress.com/

I am usually politically quiet. I have my beliefs but do try to keep an open mind when presented with new knowledge or opinions. I have kept an open mind about eBay and the proposed changes. They are a corporation after all and have a board of directors and stockholders to please and make money for....but...still....I can't help but feel the excitement of an idealistic movement having an impact. It does my heart good! Makes me proud to be an American and able to protest - even in the internet world of the year 2008!

Art and Craft Auctions DOT com and an INCREDIBLE article about Ebay

There is a new artist's auction selling site that opened it's internet doors yesterday. Some of the artists on the site are fantastic. This site is still in the infancy stage but the creators hope it becomes a viable option for those who sell and collect art. If you're able please stop by and browse some of the listings.
http://www.artandcraftauctions.com/

Many of the sellers on Art&Auction are Ebay refugees. A fellow artist has written an incredibly insightful and thought provoking essay on the current state of affairs with Ebay. http://mousewords.wordpress.com/
Ebay was founded by a man who believed that auctions provide sellers and buyers with the opportunity to conduct business while creating a social community. How many of us have attended (or do attend) auctions not only to see what is being sold but for the social and entertainment value these venues offer? The new Ebay CEO is steering the auction to become just another Wally Mart - offering little in the way of unique, innovative or quality merchandise. Even on the internet Main Street is dying.

The piece above is painted cloth, painted and stamped stabilizer, altered paper hearts, beads, vintage sequins, silk ribbon and embroidery fibers. Let's raise a toast to ART, CREATIVITY and INDIVIDUALISM!

Seeking the Yellow Brick Road

I haven't been feeling well so the last day and a half saw me camped out on my sofa watching movies and bad t.v. Yesterday while watching 3:10 to Yuma (good, good, good) and Elizabeth (good, good, good) I stitched this 4x6'er.

Friday afternoon I finished binding Ruby Slippers. Believe it or not, this one has turned out to be one of my husband's favorites. I think he's responding to the folk arty feeling of the piece. This is listed on Ebay but will - probably - be one of the last pieces I offer on this site. Ebay is making all sorts of changes that will hurt small time art sellers. Ebay use to offer an opportunity for lesser known (but less known by no means implies less quality) artists to have a viable marketing venue. Those days seem to be over.

Stars in Alignment

You know those days that are filled with all good vibes and karma? You know, the ones that make the Everything is Going Wrong days seem even worse than they probably are? Well, yesterday was a day filled with good tidings for me. Here’s a quick run down (and remind me of this day when I’m moaning and groaning when things aren’t feeling so great):

Went out to dinner with a forever friend who I’ve known since 8th grade.

Came home to these most wonderful, the greatest trades from Annica in Sweden. Annica, I bow to your skills! Anyone who makes art like this, lives in Sweden and knows who The Mammals are and has seen them perform is The Best in my book. Check out her blog for more info about her tasty work:http://fabthreads.blogspot.com/

Opened up my emails to discover that an art quilt had sold on Etsy.

Opened up ebay to check the art quilt I have listed and – whoa – that has a bid too!

Opened up another email from a publication asking me to submit my ‘press kit’ (uh huh, what the heck is this? and I’m pretty sure I don’t have one) for their consideration.

Have a great journey today and I wish all of you a #1 Rock Star Day!

Give Them What They Want

I finished this yesterday and listed it for sale in Etsy. What is it about this word - and other popular internet site names - that bugs me? Amazon, Ebay, My Space, even the word blog....they all sound like venues for gum smacking, never read a book individuals who are more interested in the doings of Paris Hilton then whether genocide is occurring any where in the world (no doubt they would think genocide is a new drug of some sort). Is this part of the dumbing of America? Don't get me wrong, I love the internet and still find it amazing how small the world has become as a result of its capabilities but it bothers me that so much of it is pop culture. I guess it is the our century's version of an old fashioned book store. There are the romance novels and then there are the Edith Wharton treasures tucked away in the back corners.