Ning.com is very cool. The Ning architecture allows anyone to set up and customize blogging and social networking features to create a social network suited to their needs. It even includes built-in photo galleries with the option to sort images into albums.
This free resource should be ideal for an artist to set up a network and interact with consumers.
So why isn't it more popular?
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Monday, April 5, 2010
Another Way to Market a One of A Kind Item
This story about a $10,000 dollar Gund teddy bear caught my eye:
http://toyconversations.blogspot.com/2010/02/10000-bear-stirs-up-quite-buzz.html
In a nutshell, Gund has produced a Ultra-Deluxe model of it's popular Snuffles bear to auction for charity. The bear is made with white alpaca fur, black pearl eyes, and 10 Caret diamonds on his white gold hang tag.
The production of this special bear is in commemoration of the bears 30th birthday. What I find most intriguing in this article the way Gund has managed to use a high-end artisan piece to generate a buzz for their appearance at Toy Fair 2010.
I am also impressed with their use of a take-away for visitors. As convention-goers leave their booths, they are presented with "I hugged Snuffles" sticker. While this little token may not seem like much, it is an excellent way to generate good-feelings in a customer and instill brand loyalty.
In the same way record labels (http://www.touchandgorecords.com)and t-shirt designers (http://www.threadless.com/) include bonus stickers into every package, many crafters are tossing in small items like key-rings and hand-painted business cards with their big items. These smaller items are low-cost ways to keep the brand on the consumers mind.
http://toyconversations.blogspot.com/2010/02/10000-bear-stirs-up-quite-buzz.html
In a nutshell, Gund has produced a Ultra-Deluxe model of it's popular Snuffles bear to auction for charity. The bear is made with white alpaca fur, black pearl eyes, and 10 Caret diamonds on his white gold hang tag.
The production of this special bear is in commemoration of the bears 30th birthday. What I find most intriguing in this article the way Gund has managed to use a high-end artisan piece to generate a buzz for their appearance at Toy Fair 2010.
I am also impressed with their use of a take-away for visitors. As convention-goers leave their booths, they are presented with "I hugged Snuffles" sticker. While this little token may not seem like much, it is an excellent way to generate good-feelings in a customer and instill brand loyalty.
In the same way record labels (http://www.touchandgorecords.com)and t-shirt designers (http://www.threadless.com/) include bonus stickers into every package, many crafters are tossing in small items like key-rings and hand-painted business cards with their big items. These smaller items are low-cost ways to keep the brand on the consumers mind.
Is social networking best left to the Big Guys?
The Toy Industry of America has recently decided to close it's branded social networking site in favor of developing its presence on the more common (and more popular) social networks like Facebook and Twitter.
Toy Connections issued the following statement:
Keeping that in mind, I think it is a necessity that independent artist and designers remember to maintain a social network presence, and not just focus on their own website.
"The world of social media is constantly evolving and ToyConnections – an industry-specific networking website for the toy community – was no longer the convenient “go to” destination it was intended to be. Public websites such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube are where you are … and where the conversations and interaction that were happening on Toy Connections need to be as well.It appears to me that the business that have the most potential are the ones that can integrate within an established (and popular) venue rather than the ones that try to start fresh.
"Therefore, as of COB on Wednesday, March 31, “Toy Connections” closed its virtual doors. We are happy that you’ve been a part of our online community, and welcome our ongoing online connection as a “fan”, a “friend”, a “follower” or a “contact”:
Keeping that in mind, I think it is a necessity that independent artist and designers remember to maintain a social network presence, and not just focus on their own website.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
More Toy Tutorials
Excellent toy tutorial - starts with the sculpy and goes all the way to resin
http://www.figurepunk.co.uk/ - click diy
http://www.figurepunk.co.uk/ - click diy
Monday, February 15, 2010
Who wants a new toy?
In considering a new craft project based on the FREE / FREEMIUM concept, it is necessary to determine the potential appeal to different audiences.
Crafters
looking for new patterns
have a wide range of experience
generate interest based on the patterns
May be looking to sell finished products
Can use own fabric stash or recycle fabric
Open to creating their own versions
Collectors
interested in artist designs
may have limited sewing ability
less concerned with price
interested in Limited Editions
not so focused on recyling
More interested in completed designs
Children
Will be harder on the toys - actually "play"
Younger children will require safety considerations
May not be as interested in limited edition design
Up-cycling outgrown clothing allows for less waste
Adults
Toys may not be played with - may be display only
Do not have to worry about safety issues
May be more interested in specific artist designs
May also be interested in recycling
Crafters
looking for new patterns
have a wide range of experience
generate interest based on the patterns
May be looking to sell finished products
Can use own fabric stash or recycle fabric
Open to creating their own versions
Collectors
interested in artist designs
may have limited sewing ability
less concerned with price
interested in Limited Editions
not so focused on recyling
More interested in completed designs
Children
Will be harder on the toys - actually "play"
Younger children will require safety considerations
May not be as interested in limited edition design
Up-cycling outgrown clothing allows for less waste
Adults
Toys may not be played with - may be display only
Do not have to worry about safety issues
May be more interested in specific artist designs
May also be interested in recycling
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Food For Thought: printing on fabric
This looks to be a lot of work, but the idea of being able to have colorfast prints on ANY 100% cotton fabric is intriguing...
http://h20331.www2.hp.com/hho/cache/313-0-0-39-121.html
http://h20331.www2.hp.com/hho/cache/313-0-0-39-121.html
Monday, February 8, 2010
Promoting Designers to increase revenue
In the November issue of Playthings, Mary Couzin states that in the same way that actors, performers and even chefs can become celebrities (and develop their own following), toy designers can become marketable. commodities.
Properly marketed toy designers can develop their own followings in the same way that millions flock to read a favorite author's new book.
http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6704027.html
Keeping this in mind, it seems logical that finding ways to collaborate with other artists would be a great boon to the independent toy designer. By developing a basic concept similar to Kid Robots popular Do It Yourself Toys both parties will be able to benefit from increased market.
Properly marketed toy designers can develop their own followings in the same way that millions flock to read a favorite author's new book.
http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6704027.html
Keeping this in mind, it seems logical that finding ways to collaborate with other artists would be a great boon to the independent toy designer. By developing a basic concept similar to Kid Robots popular Do It Yourself Toys both parties will be able to benefit from increased market.
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