The Betsy-Tacy Society

Over the past few weeks I have been working for the Betsy-Tacy Society on a poster featuring the first four books of the classic children's series Betsy-Tacy. The books by local author Maude Hart Lovelace are about growing up, in the early 1900's in the small town of Mankato, Minnesota. Better know to readers as the fictionalized Deep Valley. She based the books on her own childhood memories, included her cherished friendships and the special places that she so loved to visit. The series begins with the book Betsy-Tacy. It introduces us to a five year old Betsy, who we are to fallow, threw the ten book series all the way downtown, to college, over to Europe and in the very last book, her wedding.

I read the first four books as a child and bonded with my dear friend Renata over the fact that we had both read and loved the books. As an adult Renata got involved with the Betsy-Tacy Society and started going to Mankato to volunteer. She invited me to go with her, introducing me to the real houses and settings of these charming story book characters. The BTS was able to purchased and restore the childhood houses of Maud and her friend Frances Kenney, also known as Tacy. With the help of volunteers the houses are open to the public to visit on Saturdays, March-December. Betsy's house is restored as a furnished museum to resemble when Maud (Betsy) lived there from 1892-1906. Tacy's house is open as a gift shop and is also used for presentations and special events. Both houses have artifacts on display including books, scrapbooks, photographs, manuscripts, as well as other items readers will recognize from the books.


Now that you know a little bit about the books and the Betsy-Tacy Society, I can tell you about the poster that I am working on. The poster features the four main books that start the series, taking place when the characters are between the ages of 5-12. The poster is aimed at young readers, hopefully inspiring a lifelong love of reading. I have been drawing designs for the society to choose from and from my sketches they have narrowed it down to three samples. They are currently featuring my posters on their facebook page and are asking fans to come and vote. So please visit and pick which option you like best!

option 1

option 2

option 3

For more information on the Betsy-Tacy books, society, and houses visit the BTS official page at www.betsy-tacysociety.org


To give your vote join in the fun at the BTS facebook page at
www.facebook.com/BetsyTacy

little lessons

 I was talking with my friend the other day about getting ready for shows and art events. We were talking about the marketing and business aspects of art that are necessary for success. I find myself lost in the creative aspect of art, because that is what really interests me. I understand more and more though with each event I participate in, how important it is to take the time to allocate towards business. Not just a little time at the end, not rushed, but actual planned time to.............

1. Write blogs, posts on facebook, post on any other type of social media.
Write a post before the event to show a preview, maybe of a piece of artwork that will be there. Talk about the when and where, the days times and hours of the event. Keep updating as needed leading up to the days of the show. Talk about what you are doing to set up maybe even taking pictures of little aspects. Being sure not to give to much away. Anything before the show is to build up anticipation so people will be exited about what you are doing and will want to be there.

2. Postcards
Postcards, although not necessary are a really good idea for a big event, and a good way to go out on foot and create notice. I think they are best when you have a lot of time before your show. After you design them make sure that you will receive them a month or more before your event so that you have a lot of time to give them out. I always like when they have room to write an address on or directions or any other notes that you may want to give somebody. You can give them out to family, friends, co-workers. They are bigger and less easy to loose than business cards.

3. Business cards
Business cards are always a must. There was a man I met at a convention who made really cool leather steampunk wings but I am never going to contact him. Why? Because he threw me a stunner, that he did not have a website, email or business cards that he could offer me. I didn’t know how I was supposed to remember him or get a hold of him if I ever wanted to buy his wings. Be memorable and be sure that there is always something people can take away with them. Business cards are smaller than their postcard counterparts, but can always be pocketed. And as with postcard I always like to leave a space preferably on the back to write notes if needed.

4. Signage
For shows like the art crawl, we always need signs up directing people to our door. These signs always seem to end up being last minute for us (not good). If you leave a good amount of time, you can get all creative with them and make them go along with your whole marketing scheme, which is ideal.  Posters should’t be a last minute afterthought because they represent you and as in the case of the art crawl they draw people to your door, so represent! Make sure they are simple and only give necessary information (arrows, names, apt number), but still look cool.

5. Display
Clean, simple, uncluttered.? There can be so much said for displaying and I learn something new every time I put my work out. This past art crawl I learned four new display tips for myself. During an art crawl.....
A. Move things around.- If you are displaying something you’ve put up before, put it in a new place. Things look new in a different spot.
B. Put things in the hallway or entry space.- Invite people in with your art. Let them feel welcome with an intro to the main gallery space.
C. Sort by size.- When things are a certain size like bracelets that I made, make sure they are labeled and sorted by size. People will know what they are getting when they pick up the item. Display them in a way people will fell comfortable picking them up, not to high, not to low. Putting them in a tree looks pretty but makes people scared to touch them, (I know I tried.)
D. Put out two books.- I have a moc up of a children's book that I am writing and have found that putting two copies of it out made it more approachable. Although it is a one of a kind item, it seamed really fragile and untouchable when there was only one. Having another copy was inviting to people. Children and adults readily picked the book up and flipped threw it. Exactly the goal!

6. Price points
Have different price points starting at a very affordable level. People want to buy your work, so make sure they can. When my husband and I show our work, we have prints of our more expensive paintings as well as magnets. We are always making new things to sell to give a wider range as well as adding to the verity of our products.

7. Business card with prints
Be sure to tuck a business card in with your prints. Some of my work isn’t signed and anyhow who can always read a signature. Be sure that people are leaving with a way of contacting you. Maybe they will want to buy a print in the future or will want to contact you about an original piece!

8. Packaging
Put your prints in individual clear plastic bags with a backing so that prints don’t get smudgy or bent. Comic book bags and backing are really nice.  If you make any tags or packaging for your work be sure that it has all of you contact info printed on it. Your work is a professional product, present it that way, and again people should remember you and have a way to contact you.

9. Smile and say hi
Be friendly and say hi. Acknowledge everyone that approaches your work. Let people know that you are the artist and to ask you if they have any questions. For the most part leave it to them to start a conversation, so that they don't feel that you are being overly friendly. Always thank people for stopping as they leave. You are nice, friendly, and approachable and you wanna let people know it.

10. Blog again-hit up all that social media
Now that the event is over. Give thanks. Show pictures. Tell everyone how it went. Let people know how much you sincerely appreciate their support. Be thankful.


I guess I had a lot say! This post isn't just tips for whoever might be reading though, it's a list for myself too. Some of the things on here I am already doing, but there are others like blogging and signage that I need to work on. But it's never too late to start something or to try. I'll definitely be looking back at this list as I continue and try to achieve everything that's on it. If I don't, the exiting thing is that there is always a next time.

The big lesson

In preparation for the art crawl two weekends ago, I had so many ideas. Ideas about things to make and sell, how to decorate, and how to display all my new creations I was gonna make. I made a list in my last blog post about all that I hoped to achieve, fully realizing that time was my only limitation. Certainly my imagination couldn't be bothered, as if it ever was or is, with the concept of time. In instances of shows and conventions I am always thinking of something new, something special, and I can't help believing that I can do it all.
The lesson that I always learn is that I can't do it all. But this "can't" isn't a bad kind of can't, at least I never see it that way. Because I need to think of what I CAN do to make all my ideas more possible.
If I want to be able to make pretty handmade bracelets or decorated boxes or wings or paintings or drawings or whatever; I need to create small times throughout the weeks and months to make those special creations possible. Not just the few weeks leading up to an event.

The biggest lesson ever for me - I can't do it all and that's ok!
So here's to being more creative all year round, sporadically of course, but more creative just the same.