Monday, July 28, 2008

Princess Bracelet Giveaway!


It's Bloggy Giveaway time! I'm so excited, because this is my first ever bloggy giveaway!

The winner will recieve a personalized Princess Bracelet!

To enter: All you have to do is visit my FLICKER page and WEBSITE (I have a second giveway on this site) and give me any advice on how I should go about getting discovered. Make sure you leave a comment with a valid email address. Duplicate comments will be deleted. On August 2nd, I will have my daughter draw a comment to determine the winner! If I don't hear back from the winner within three days, I will choose another. Good luck!

Thank you so much! I'm looking forward to visiting all the other giveaways - This is going to be fun!

For more great giveaways, visit Bloggy Giveaways. Where you can join in the carnival too!

Now, leave a comment HERE for your chance to win!

57 comments:

Baby said...

Hi! Beautiful bracelets. I've visited both your other websites - now, for how to go about getting "discovered"? I think getting discovered takes a lot of work...this coming from a freelance writer :). You have to first find a niche for yourself - what are you best at? Illustrations? The portraits? Then get as good as possible at that specific task and market the hell out of yourself. That's all I can think of! Best of luck!

Jennifer said...

Those are so beautiful!!!

As for getting discovered....tell all your friends and family. Word of mouth goes a long way!!!! Or you could get on the new crazy...Myspace. There's a LOT of people on there!!!!!

I wish you luck!!!


jennifer@smbcomputers.net

Annie1 said...

You really make such adorable bracelets!

Regarding getting disovered......I think having the contest/s will get you a ton of new traffic and a lot of new fans!

Good luck to you!!

nancyrobster@gmail.com

Jenny said...

I already entered the one on your other site and here is my other piece of advice for getting discovered: Try and get your bracelets into some local boutiques. This is free marketing. All you have to do is put on a nice outfit and carry some samples of your bracelets around. I work in a mom-baby boutique and people are into this stuff--particularly newborn-sized ones! You probably know this, but be prepared to offer a wholesale cost of 35-50% off your retail. The bonus is you can request they purchase a minimum order of, say, 10 bracelets. Also, you will probably hear 'no' a lot. People working in shops can't always say yes, even when they want to (happens to us a lot!)--but it will get your name out there and maybe you will end up with an outlet for your work. Good luck!

the_other_alice_ (at) yahoo.com

Heidi Zawisza said...

What cute stuff! Hopefully this giveaway will get you discovered....but you should just get VERY involved in blog world!!

Mrs. Sara said...

About getting discovered, I'd say that market saturation is a good thing. Get your work out there! Put it up on Ebay, Etsy, and any other sites like that... visit local craft or arts stores with samples of your work and see if they'll put up an ad for you or hang samples of your work in their shops. Good luck! And thanks for the giveaway! If I won, I'd get a bracelet for my niece, Lucie.

Unknown said...

What beautiful bracelets! As far as being discovered. Put a link to your web site at the bottom of EVERY email you send out. Do you sell on Esty? I have a few friends who do that and seem to do well. Tell everyone you know about them, show them off. If you have the chance, enter a craft fair. What about message boards? Do you use any of those? Tell your friends there to tell their friends. Word of mouth is HUGE!

Kristan said...

this probably goes a long way towards getting discovered. post a link to your website whenever you comment on another blog...and do that frequently. etsy is a good idea, too.
andrewandkristan(at)hotmail(dot)com

phxbne said...

You are so talented! How about giveaways that you advertise on Prizey?

Qtpies7 said...

I LOVE that you will do the jewelry in gold or silver! So many people only do silver, and that frustrates me because I never wear it.

I'm going to give advice on both your giveaways, so it will be a duplicate to you, lol.

One of the quickest ways to get discovered is to do free work for several bloggers and offer giveaways on their blogs. You could also put up pictures and write an informative drawing post on a Hub.

kamewh said...

I would say etsy and once you set up a great etsy store offer a prize on various different blogs as a way to get people to visit your store. This is a great way to get your designs out there! Thank you for the giveaway!

Nikki said...

Wow your drawings are amazing. I just love them. I have a few ideas for you but cant promise they work since I am a stuggling artist as well. lol

Try doing a few freebies for prominate locals. Try an arts gallery a local small time set up first.

Hope some of this helps.
Please enter me.
Nikki
Homeschooling mom of 6
Angelheart135@aol.com

come enter my contest I am giving away my lesson plans on apples, election 2008 or math games great math ideas for all.

www.homeschoolblogger.com/Angelheart/

Kristofer said...

thanks for offering your adorable bracelets! i would say word of mouth and maybe find a local botique or craft type fair? good luck! thanks, kristen

ryankristenwilson(at)msn(dot)com

Joy said...

Well I left a comment on your other website. I don't really know much about business! I would just suggest visiting as many blogs as you can, hosting giveaways, etc.

Anonymous said...

I left a comment on the other website too. What about a small boutique? Some of these will sell local jewelry or crafts. Is there a store in your area that sells handmade local items? I have been to some of these on vacation and they are great. Thank you.

FaithfulMommy said...

I think being apart of this giveaway will bring lots of traffic your way. Maybe you could bookmark a few places to leave comments on other blogs. The bracelet is sweet.

Unknown said...

Beautiful bracelets! I would love to win your great giveaway!

This giveaway should go a long way toward being "discovered"! Put your link on all of the other blogs that you visit and on every email that you send. Good Luck!

proudyaya04[at]yahoo[dot]com

Ginny said...

Word of mouth seems one of the best ways, tell everyone you know. Keep blogging, commenting, maybe have some blogs do personal reviews or giveaways. There are tons of review bloggers & it seems to really get the word out. Good luck!

Kathie B. said...

Put your information in your email signature. Thanks for the chance. Visit me at www.mypreppypurse.blogspot.com

Trish said...

Nice work! Have you thought of opening an etsy shop? Or how about advertising in craigslist or any other local classifieds? That is what I do for my small business selling homemade goods. Thanks for the giveaway. My daughter would love the bracelet. trishblack(at)juno(dot)com

Unknown said...

Please enter me and thank you. Great for my littlest princess :)

silverhartgirl said...

You are very talented.Very beautiful bracelets.

John said...

Uniquely, thanks for commenting for my giveaway!

And you might want to try opening an Etsy shop. I've noticed a lot of them doing quite well with this type of exposure.

Fedora said...

Very lovely work! I'd encourage what others have mentioned about running some promotions for a free illustration in exchange for publicity or something along those lines. And definitely taking advantage of any contacts and using the newer ways of connecting--Linked In, Plaxo, Facebook, etc. Whatever gets your name out there with whoever remembers it will be a good thing! And best wishes!

f dot chen at comcast dot net

Kimberly said...

I had to enter this contest. My daughter's name is Kaylee and it's spelled the same way!!!!

You can join Mom Pack (www.Mompack.com). There are over 8,000+ members you could market to for free.

Have someone write a press release.

Write articles and submit them and link to your site.

Good luck!!!! I wish you much success.

HunnyV "at" Optonline "dot" net

AudreyO said...

You asked for comments on your website. I love the banner/header. I'd add just a tad of color to the white page. The white page is just too white. Add a very very pale color. I think it would add a lot to the site.

Julie Donahue said...

I have no idea how to be discovered. I'm still trying to be discovered myself!

Anonymous said...

You might try and sell your bracelets on ebay.

pierce said...

I like the bracelets :)

To get more exposure you should try finding flicker groups that you have things in common with and share your link with them. Also you could share your link on flickr forums.

Good luck!

Anonymous said...

Cute!!!
I have a little princess who whould LOVE this!!!

Jon and Sarah said...

I would try ebay, etsy, or have you read the book "Gorilla Marketing"? It may have some good ideas for you.

Elizabeth said...

Thanks for your comment on my blog, http://sixgoldencoins.blogspot.com/.
I agree that word of mouth is best. But how to get it out there? Get people to wear the bracelets!Then others see them and comment and want one too. And do some of your drawings and paintings and give them to people at cost (or free) so they display them and others see them and want to buy one.
Also check to see if you can put flyers at your pediatrician's office, or maybe at a preschool or Parents Day Out program nearby. Boutiques are good too.
A friend of mine is an artist and I referred her to the Parents Day Out program (where I am president of the board) and she did some great murals in the building. You could also do murals in churches, doctor's offices, business offices, etc. Sell some framed prints to your friends for their offices, so more people will see them and ask to buy one.
Try posting something on Craig's List too, for people who might want a mural or painting for their baby's room.
Team up with a wedding photographer in your town, and offer your services to newlyweds - you can do paintings and drawings of them for their weddings.
Offer your talents to bloggers too. You could do a pencil drawing of something for someone, and the blogger could make it their background.
Hope these ideas help! Let me know what you think. Good luck!

Unknown said...

The best waay to get discovered is to have more cool contests like this one! this will bring the advervisers in!

Teri said...

Your stuff is very beautiful! Have you done art shows and ebay yet? Thanks so much

Joanna said...

Super cute! I would love to win one for my toddler.

I also love your art. You are so talented.

Getting discovered...Etsy, Myspace, adding your links to all your signatures on your emails as well as commenting tons of blogs and leaving your link. I always try and at least visit the people's blogs that comment on mine. Giveaways. You can list your shop at 5 Minutes for Mom as well as Little Window Shoppe. I hope this helps!

eetomost said...

Your bracelets are so pretty:)

You have gotten some great advice already and I'm just getting started with my business as well, so these comments were great! I'm betting on word of mouth and putting your web addy on everything. Email me at acer4u73 @ yahoo dot com! We'll talk!

Leigh - NC
BowzArt dot blogspot dot com

Millie said...

Oh you have such a great talent! Word of mouth and giving your work away for free.. it takes money to make money
cadewill14[at]yahoo[dot]com

Positively Peaches said...

Wow beautiful stuff...I am having the same problem. I love making hairbows for my little girl and thought I could go about selling them. I have no idea what to do. I think it is because I am overwhelmed. I wish I would have done the giveaway, but I am not prepared. However, other things I am trying are craigslist, small boutiques, we have the saturday markets, and word of mouth. Good Luck

Karen Coutu said...

For your artwork I think you should open a Cafe Press store where you can have them printed on posters, framed tiles, coasters, tote bags, almost anything.

For your bracelets, you should open an Etsy store. You should also list your blog or boutique on MomDot.com which focuses on mom bloggers and moms who own online stores. This site is new, but is huge already. Tell them Karen of Sillymonkeez sent you. I can't guarantee you will get your blog listed more quickly, but it's worth a try. LOL!! They even have a whole forum where mommy bloggers with businesses can support each other.

Sorry! Didn't mean to ramble on. Thanks for the fun giveaway!!

3janbabies[at]gmail[dot]com

Fifi Flowers said...

Oh FUN... F I F I... that's what my bracelet should say!

misty said...

Do some giveaways on other blogs. Advertise on some blogs. Some only charge 5 cents. Thanks so much for the opportunity.

planetmisty at gmail dot com

Storm, The Psychotic Housewife said...

Word of mouth is always great! I'd do giveaways on other folks blogs to try to bring in lots of new people to your wonderful things! I'd open an Etsy store too!

stormraven(at)gmail(dot)com

paryjeja said...

Word of mouth is the best way of getting discovered - the drawings are great

Tarasview said...

I think you should try doing sponsoring some giveaways on other people's blogs (obviously popular blogs). I think Etsy is a great way to get noticed too. And comment on EVERYONE's blogs that you read, then people will come back to your blog and notice you!

You may also want to consider investing in a personalized professional web design and getting a button that people can put on their sites to link to you.

You make good stuff!

Tarasview said...

By the way, I'm Canadian so I don't think I can enter but I wanted to comment anyway!

Tamara B. said...

How to get discovered is you need to make some more of these unique bracelets with the stars children's name on them.Then do a search on the internet for stores in California and ship them some samples. Read the gossip mags and find out what stores the stars are caught shopping in. Find out who handles the celebrity award gift bags and send them some samples. I can bet you will be successful in your sales before you know it. Good luck!

Lisa @ Crazy Adventures in Parenting said...

beautiful bracelets!

As far as being discovered, I'd do trade shows, fairs, etc., take out ads and put decals on my car advertising myself. Marketing marketing marketing to get the word out :)

Unknown said...

Get a button for your blog and put it on your blog with the code underneath so that people that visit your blog and put it on there page. Ask people whom you know have blogs to put your button on there.

Vhiel said...

very cute bracelet.. thanks for joining my giveaway.. :) as for getting discovered.. joining the giveaway is one. posting to forums and message boards that relates to your product is another one. Join blog communities or mom networks..

i hope i win... my little one loves bracelets..

Serendipityissweet said...

Hi,
Thanks for the great giveaway and for visiting my blog and entering mine. You do great work and I'm sure if you keep at it you'll do just fine. Other posters have left some good ideas. Don't think I have much to add, except network, network, network. Put your brand name and url on everything you do.

Heather said...

For getting discovered, I'd offer to do portraits or bracelets for a few friends and family that you know will brag on you when others ask where they got their item. Then, participating in these carnivals is also a good way to get your name out there! Have you started an Etsy site? Those are a fantastic resource and I always order from there when I need something unique. Also, I'd contact Chilihead from the Bloggy Giveaway site and see what you have to do to offer one of your items as a prize....that will get you very noticed because that site gets so much traffic!

Toddler Tailoring said...

Thanks for visiting my giveaway. I'd love to have the bracelet for my daughter. I agree with some of the other girls about "word of mouth" about beign discovered. With my sewing business the best advertisement (besides these Bloggy Giveaways, which generates HUGE traffic) is dressing my children in what I make. So display your art. Make notecards for Christmas gifts (I've done that with photographyin the past and people love it as gifts, and it's great advertisement). Find a local store who will carry your work. Good luck and thanks for your giveaway!
Davina

April said...

Those are so cute!

For getting "discovered", I have a bunch of recommendations. Set up a shop on Etsy. Join Mom blogging networks like Mom Bloggers Club, Posh Mamas, etc. Join some forums or sign up for newsletters to learn more about marketing. (I've got links to a few if you're interested.) Get a Twitter account and post your Twitter name then let your followers know when you've added new items.

I'm a Virtual Assistant and one of my specialties is marketing & networking, so let me know if you need any help.

April.Tara at Gmail dot com

Amy said...

That braclet is really cute. Hope I win.

As for getting discovered - I think someone else already said it but word of mouth!

Also make items for friends and family to "show" off and make sure they refer people back to you when asked about it.

Another great way is to use your blog. Visit as many other blogs as possible and more than likely those people will in return visit you and see what you do.

Alright - that's the only advice I have now.

Thanks for the giveaway!

One day at a time!!! said...

I have no artistic talent whatsoever but I truly admire someone who does! Your bracelets are beautiful! As for being discovered...try displaying your talent at a local art fair. Or, send a free sample to someone who has a very succesful blog. "From Dates to Diapers" is one that I am familiar with (you may already be familiar with it). Try sending Christine a sample and if she likes it she will write a great review for you! Hope this helps! :)

A Little Of A Lot said...

Cute bracelet !!

Spread the word among friends and family, have business cards made up and carry them around with you, if you are wearing one of your bracelets or your daughter is and someone compliments you on it, hand them a card, put a flyer or a card on local business bulletin boards and at the P.O
Check out children's consignmet stores, is there a local craft fair taking place in the future that you can rent a booth for, get a table at the local farmers markets.
Do you have an Etsy store ? If not open one up.

There are some ideas off the top of my head to help you get word out.

Good luck and be patient, it can take a while for people find you.

Jenn said...

I think things like this contest are great ideas, but something I've seen on a few other blogs participating are "buttons" with html under them so visitors can easily grab the code to insert into their own blog sidebars. I've added several today that I never would have otherwise. They are cute buttons that add to the attractiveness of my site and these contests offered extra credits for advertising for them. Hope that helps! Beautiful stuff!