Steppin outside the box

It all started with a comment of compassion from a friend of mine on Facebook -


and snowballed into


One person reaching out to help one person turned into a rally to help a community. It cost us a few moments of our time, some effort to organize, and when we pick up and deliver - a few gallons of gas - over all it will cost me $4.00 to help a community stay warmer this winter than they would have.

Step outside of your cozy box, and think 'What can I do for my community?'

The Year of Jewelry Project 2011

Have you heard of the newest project? The Year of Jewelry Project 2011 - "One piece per week, for a year".

This is a fun site/blog that challenges jewelry artists to create one piece of jewelry a week and post it on this group blog.

Weekly themes are provided to help with any creative block, or you can come up with your own.

I signed up and am waiting for my log in information. I am really excited about participating. You can come play too!!! Here is what you need to know about Getting Started.

Please note that to participate in the first quarter of this year, you can sign up through January 7 - there is still 2 more days!!! The next signup period is March 19-25, 2011.

Stop by and see the blog, and bookmark it. It could be fun to stop by once a week or so and see all the new designs.

Hope to see you there!!!

Artist Exchange Official Participation Rules

Welcome to the Artist Exchange!


The purpose of the Artist Exchange is to cross-promote other artists by trading your art with another artist, preferably outside of your craft or style.

We all see the badges, "Buy local", "Buy hand made", this is one avenue to make it happen. Artist Exchange's concept is to be a community support group of artists that encourage and cross promote other artists.

But what is the point of the Artist Exchange? Am glad you asked. The whole point of this exchange is to review, blog, and cross promote another artist. This is an oppurtunity for you to trade with another artist and have a hand made product that you may never have received or bought before. You blogging about your 'gift' is a way to showcase what you have just received. Then review it, and point others to this artists site in hopes of helping to raise awareness of a new artist and the ultimate goal, to create sales. The traffic that stops by your blog are the people who love your work. Introduce your regulars to someone else. This may just be the item that they are looking for as well.

How do I participate in the Artist Exchange? It's simple. First you must be able to comply to the simple guidelines listed below. If these guidelines are reasonable, leave a comment on this blog, saying that you want to participate and what your craft is. Sept 1st., everyone will be notified who their partner is for this session, and I will leave it up to you to exchange addresses and other information. Do your best, your absolute best, to have your piece mailed to your partner in two weeks time. After you receive your new item, make sure to inform your partner that you have blogged about their piece so they can stop by and read and comment for themselves. Review your product in a timely matter. All blogs should be posted by Sept 21st.

The Guidelines:

1. You must blog. Blogging is required as a way to 'promote' the other artist

2. You must have a store. You can't have people promote your wares if there is no way for them to be bought. Etsy, ArtFire are considered a store if you do not have your own domain.

3. If you commit, then commit.

4. Do your best work. Remember you are being promoted. It is free advertising. Show off your stuff.

5. Items priced between $5 and $10 dollars - your cost, not your retail cost. (This will vary from session to session)

6. Be honest and supportive

Get ready for a lot of fun. I can't wait! Spread the word, you can repost this blog, tweet bout it, or link back to it from your facebook page.

Let's get a big group!

See you on Sept 1st!