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After the longest break from the Blogger Q+A series<\/a> I’m happy to get into gear once again with the lovely Jan of Scoutie Girl<\/a> (who is also a fabulous textile designer<\/a> by day)!<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014<\/p>\n Name:<\/strong> Jan DiCintio How would you describe Scoutie Girl’s blog style?<\/em><\/strong> What catches your eye, and what would make you decide to blog about an artist’s work? (Is there a certain style you’re looking for?)<\/em><\/strong> Once the artist\u2019s photo opens the door, I look for form & function, beauty & duty, economy of materials, stretched convention, positive aura, quality workmanship, excellent execution \u2013 any one of these things can move me to the \u201cmust feature\u201d stage. And with any luck, I\u2019ll have time to get it done! (My overflowing folder of saved links suggests Father Time is winning this battle however!).<\/p>\n Who are some of your favourite artists (and is there a particular reason why are they are your favorites)?<\/em><\/strong> And are there specific genres that you think might not be a good fit with your blog?<\/em><\/strong> We know that some bloggers prefer to get submission emails in a certain way — are there any preferences to how they should send in submissions to your blog?<\/em><\/strong> A hotlinked web address is super-duper-looper helpful \u2013 that\u2019s far and away the easiest thing you can do to get a blogger to click-through to your work. Don\u2019t make them copy + paste your URL<\/span>. We\u2019re not lazy…but seriously, who wants to do that all day? Mass emails are a no-no for me, too, b\/c I won\u2019t compete with my blogging friends to get your work up first \u2013 and it\u2019s not fair to put us in that position. However, I understand that you need to have your work seen by as many people as possible – just make sure you let us know about other features so we can add some professional courtesy space.<\/p>\n Are there any other tips you’d like to pass on to Pikaland’s readers about selling\/marketing their work?<\/em><\/strong> \u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014<\/p>\n If you\u2019d like to have a look at the other bloggers that we have already profiled, see here<\/a>!<\/p>\n Like what you see over here on Pikaland? Subscribe to our newsletter<\/a> or even subscribe via FeedBlitz<\/a> for weekly updates!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\nBlogs:<\/strong> Scoutie Girl<\/a>
\nContact:<\/strong> scout{AT}scoutiegirl.com<\/p>\n
\nScoutie Girl\u2019s style is eclectic: simple, sophisticated, contemporary, vintage, chic, (mid-century) modern, bohemian … you name it. I am partial to a lot of different styles in my personal life, and Scoutie Girl is a reflection of my wide-ranging preferences for sure. I also have 7 other incredibly talented women who contribute regular posts & features to Scoutie Girl, and their voices\/styles lend both a contrast and continuity to the overall vibe that I couldn\u2019t have achieved on my own! It makes my own blog more interesting to me!<\/p>\n
\nA spectacular photograph catches my eye first & foremost, regardless of the artwork. The lighting, the styling, the detail \u2013 it all matters (meanwhile my own product photography stinks \u2013 such a hypocrite). Truly though, a well-crafted image speaks volumes about the passion behind the work \u2013 and I\u2019m all about the passion!<\/p>\n
\nOh boy. It\u2019s certainly an evolving and revolving list, which is evidence of the prolific & dynamic nature of the handmade genre at the mo. A good thing for all of us! But, if I had to pin down a few, here are some artists from my birthday wishlist<\/a> this past December: Swallowfield<\/a>, Jess Gonacha<\/a>, print*pattern*paper<\/a>, Amy Marcella<\/a>, Printspace<\/a>, ValeryDesignwrks<\/a>, Junecraft<\/a>, Jenean Morrison<\/a>, Three Sisters Ink,<\/a>, Good Shape Design<\/a>, Laura George<\/a>, Leanne Graeff<\/a> & Wolfie & the Sneak<\/a>. I like them b\/c their art has a pattern, rhythm and motif that resonates with me. I can look at any of them in passing or as a \u201cmuseum viewing\u201d and they make me happy every time!<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.pikaland.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/1274.jpg\")
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\n I try to be as open as possible to various art forms \u2013 looking more at the passion behind the work than anything else. However, as far as styles go, things that aren\u2019t a good fit would be crafty-crafts, traditional styles or children\u2019s (unless it has an application beyond that category). I also don\u2019t go down the negative, dark, sad path. I appreciate pieces like these as they document life, time & space just as happier things do (and they force me out of my comfort zone), but I cannot find the words to write about them in a blog post…would bring me down and I can\u2019t go there.<\/p>\n
\nAn email is great! Tell me why you think your work would be a good fit with Scoutie Girl and send a couple low-res images. I have a guideline for suggestions here<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\nPlease, please, please be confident about what you do and let that come through in all the connections and presentations you make. My B.A. is in marketing, and from my first MKTG101 class, I remember this quote: \u201cNobody will beat a path to your door for a better mousetrap if they don\u2019t know you exist.\u201d Make sure you devote as much time to getting your work \u201cout there\u201d as you do to creating it. Sites like etsy make it easier to be seen, but you can\u2019t rely on that trickle to build your business. A business plan that includes a marketing plan is a must \u2013 even if it\u2019s written on the back of your electric bill! Just write something down and put it in action \u2013 \u201cif you continue to do what you do, you\u2019ll continue to have what you have.\u201d Good luck!!<\/p>\n