DSG North Texas

On Saturday, April 18, 2009, three of the charter members of the DSG North Texas group met for the first time at La Madeleine on South Cooper in Arlington, Texas. And there was much rejoicing.

Present at this meeting were Ellen Kreager of Thunder Moon Designs, Liz Ballard of Lizardo Art, me, Liz's boyfriend, Ben, and my wife, Debra. Soup and sandwiches were eaten, tea consumed, and we talked for 90 minutes or so about DSG, Texas, our North Texas group, how to go about promoting each other's work, craft shows, interior designers, etc.

La Madeleine was a surprisingly good place to meet, even if they didn't have a private room. When I was still a member of Etsy Texas Crafters we met at a different La Madeleine, in Fort Worth, and we had a room to ourselves. That works better, but this was fine. On a Saturday afternoon there are lots of people stopping in from the Parks Mall, but they don't stay very long, and nobody bothered us while we were talking.

What will come out of this meeting and a couple of discussions in our online networking group is a plan of attack, a flexible idea of how to sell our own work while promoting the work of the other members of DSG North Texas. And one of the most likely ideas to come out of this will be attending en masses the various craft shows in the area. This will require reserving booth space next to -- or at least near -- each other, talking to customers about how something from another member shop will go well with whatever they are looking at in our own shops, and having fun with the customers while taking the whole concept seriously. I know this works because I've seen it very successfully demonstrated at comic book conventions and science fiction conventions.

I have really good feelings about this group. A few more members will help us spread the marketing message out to enough customers for the idea to take hold, and I have some candidates in mind, but this can work even with the three members who attended this meeting. We're all intelligent, we all want to increase our sales, we all produce high quality consumables, we all have hair on the tops of our heads...

Okay, not really sure where I was going with that, but I do know we can succeed, that this will work for us. I left this meeting with a big smile on my face. I can't wait to tell Kristina Law, our Design Style Guide Big Cheese in Charge, all about it!

Liz Ballard: Etsy Artist From Texas

Liz Ballard is a young woman who lives less than 30 miles from my home. She is a wonderful artist working out of Arlington, Texas, going to school and working full time. That all takes a lot of dedication and determination. My hat's off to her, if I ever wore a hat, that is. Anyway, here's her story...

1. What is your shop name and what do you sell? 

My shop name is LizardoArt and I sell original abstract paintings. My style is contemporary with tons of texture. I offer several different sizes ranging from ACEO to quite large. 

2. What is your shop URL? 

LizardoArt.etsy.com 

3. What long series of events led to you doing this? 

I didn't start painting until I was almost 25! I wanted something cool for my apartment and had little money so I took an idea from a design magazine and started working. I realized it was really fun so I began practicing on canvas paper. I knew I was on to something when I would start painting, look at the clock and realize it was almost 5 in the morning. 

4. When did you start selling on Etsy?

In the middle of October, 2008. So, about four months ago. 

5. What is your favorite thing about Etsy?

I love the community forums. I have learned so much about how to promote my business and take better pictures and all kinds of things I never knew before. I also like that it has a hip young vibe. 

6. What is your favorite thing about what you sell? 

I love that I notice different things about my paintings all the time. Even though I am the one that painted it, there are always times when I notice something I never noticed before. 

It's so much fun to create also. I love painting! It makes me so happy. 

7. Does living in Texas influence your work? If so, how? 

I may be inlfluenced by our crazy weather but I don't paint anything traditionally associated with Texas. No cows, ranches or anything like that. I don't listen to country music and I've never owned a pair of cowboy boots.

Wow!  I think you just described me perfectly.

8. What is your favorite item in your own shop and why?

I love Mica because the texture is so cool. It started out as something completely different and then I finally got it where I wanted it. The texture that built up as a result of that is just awesome! 

9. What teams do you belong to and what do you like most about them? 

Design Style Guide and Visual Artists Streat Team. I love that I have some support and a little bit of mentorship. Plus it's really cool to get a Treasury, then see it get hotter and hotter after alerting your teams. The advice and networking is great. Design Style Guide has some really cool things coming in the future and it's exciting to be a part of that. 

10. What is the most fun thing you do to promote your shop? 

Twitter. I was already on Facebook and Myspace all the time and I still have fun with that. I also like to be in shows in the area if I can. It's a lot of fun to meet people in person. 

11. What are some of your favorite finds by other sellers on Etsy? 

I think ImagineStudio has been one of my favorites lately. I seem to pick items from that store for every Treasury. I also love Shauniel's shop. 

12. What do you do in your spare time? 

I'm a full time college student right now and I bartend 30 hours a week so I am not quite sure what spare time is anymore. LOL. I love to try new restarurants and eat out. I like to do things I've never done before, listen to music, catch a show or a movie, go to downtown Dallas or Fort Worth and visit gallery openings and art museums. 

13. Do you have anything else you would like to share?

Thanks for checking out my shop. I really appreciate that!

You are very welcome!