Brenda Pinnick -news, ideas, events and more...

What does it take?

What does it take to get on HSN? I've been asked that a lot lately so I thought I would share a list of the first things that come to mind...

Believe in yourself enough to make the commitment to do your VERY BEST WORK. ever. 

Get feedback from and listen to your stakeholders. ( manufacturers, HSN buyers & anyone else who is on the team )

Research your consumer and know your market. Define their likes, wants and needs.

Identify your unique selling propostion ( USP ). What sets you apart from the others? Practice saying it out loud. Don't be shy about your achievements, your talents, your dream, your uniqueness. 

Look honestly at your work and don't be afraid to let go of the mediocre. ( Get honest feedback if you're not sure, we ALL have "off" days, trust me, not every single thing you do can be exactly right! ) 

Be commited to excellence in all aspects including your presentation. Practice in front of a mirror - many times. If you meet with the buyers, they will be judging how you present yourself to them as an indication of how you'll do on air. Be enthusiastic but not over zealous. THANK them for their time, regardless of the outcome. If it wasn't right for them this time, you may have another opportunity in the future! ( Like me )

Look at and learn from your successful competitors. ( Thank you, Anna G. )

If you are able, hire some help when it comes to crunch time. There is no glory in "doing it all", only exhaustion and possilby, some not-so-perfect work.

Say "Thank You" to everyone from the big wigs to the people who clean the restrooms. Everyone appreciates acknowlement for their work, just like you and I.

When you've done all this, you can't help but be ready. It will come naturally, without effort, from your heart. Your enthusiasm will overide your nervousness, I promise! 

 

So, here's the ugly...anyone want to come over and help clean up ??? This is my table on one side of the studio as I was preparing for my segments on March 6th.

And here's the pretty...on the other side, as I'm finishing up my samples. ( no staff...just me, in my basement, late at night, after designing products, making art and taking care of business all day. Did I mention hiring help? LOL )

If you have aspirations of getting your product designs on air, I hope this little tutorial has helped you decide if it's right for you. When you get your first feedback on the HSN site and it goes like this,

"The paper is so vibrant and the colors are so current. The purples and aquas and greens are fantastic. Really good quality paper, stickers etc. I may buy another set so I don't run out. Those Alphabet rub ons are amazing too."

well, it makes all those late night crafting sessions worth every bit of lost sleep!

Happy planning...

 

 

 

Final day!

For those of you who have been participating in my daily card making, giveaway week, today it your last chance to make sure you've posted on EACH DAY, on BOTH BLOGS in order to be eligible to win the 

.............

From Faber-Castell-  Red, Yellow, Green and Blue Mixed Media Samplers, Red/Yellow & Blue/Green Gelatos, Red/Yellow & Blue/Green Writing Sets. In other words, THE WHOLE ENCILLADA! What a terrific prize from the genius minds of the Faber Castell team! 

And from me, a place to put all that amazing product to work - The winner will receive a full admission into my upcoming webinar workshop series, beginning in January, 2012! I've decided to finally, after being asked over and over, to create on-line workshops for my BRENDA PINNICK COLOR U, so 2012 is the beginning of my on-line teaching program! If you are the winner, you will be mailed a certificate with your admission information. 

The first workshop series is a combination of color exploration and learning done in mixed media format, using a variety of both art and craft materials. The series will be done in 8 sessions, available for viewing at your convenience! These lessons are both fun and educational and you will NEVER LOOK AT COLOR IN THE SAME WAY AGAIN - I promise! With my fine art and design education and years of professional experience, I am ready to share techniques and knowledge you can't get just anywhere AND, I make it FUN! Yes, you could buy tons of books, spend hours reading and practicing and, even take college level classes to gain the knowledge I'm ready to share, but wouldn't you rather enjoy learning while having fun creating? 

If you didn't win and would like to know more about this exciting series debut, please join my mailing list and everything you need to know will be in your in-box soon! ( dear hubby...Christmas gift idea...)

Thank you for joining us over the last week and tomorrow morning, before noon est., the grand prize winner will be announced. So- if you haven't already done so, go back into each day's post, on both blogs and leave your comments, answering the question posed for that day.

See you tomorrow!

Day 6 card and giveaway with Faber Castell Design Memory Craft!

Welcome to day 6 of my 7 day card crafting / giveaway week!

Thank you for all the thoughtful comments, it's so interesting the different points of view on the floor color choices. Each suggestion could totally work in that space - I've decided on a clean, clear apple green for my floor. Green is energetic while grounding. It also invokes creative thinking and is easy to look at for long periods of time, (think of a beautiful, rolling pasture or forest). Green is considered a neutral and it is wonderful as a stand alone hue to combined with a variety of other hues...perfect for my studio! 

WINNERS -Friday's winner is Cori and yesterday's winner is Kimberlee, as chosen by random number generator. Congrats, Kimberlee and Cori, please send me an email with your mailing address! brenda@brendapinnick.com

Today's prize- Day 6 Red Ink & Aquarelles Set, Red PITT artist Pen Set, Red/Yellow Gelatos, AND, from me, you will win a set of fabric fat quarters ( 4 ) from my last collection, Couleur Vie. Even if you don't sew, these fat quarters are great for all types of crafting including scrapbooking, card crafting and more.

Tomorrow is the grand prize and it's pretty darn wonderful!!! ****** In order to be eligible to win, you must have commented on every single day, on both blogs -here and on http://designmemorycraft.typepad.com/ 

so if you haven't already done so, go leave your comments on each day's post and you might be the LUCKY WINNER!

Today's card-

Once again, I used my Piccadilly Circus stamps and Faber Castell BigBrush Markers to create this purse card.The circle is made from a piece of diecut chipboard and metallic paper, cut from my new dies for jewelry making, found here, on the Sizzix website or in various retail outlets. If you would like this pattern, just join my mailing list today and it's yours for free! I'll email it to you personally.

Thank you for your continued visits and I so look forward to the big day tomorrow!! See you then!

Thank you Cori for pointing out that I left out my daily question! (never post before morning coffee)

Today's question- Do you feel you understand color theory and all it's complexities? If no is your answer, would you be interested in taking an on-line class to learn more about color? 

Day 5 card and giveaway with Faber Castell Design Memory Craft!

Happy Halloween! Since only one person played along on Friday-(must be everyone's busy making their costumes and cupcakes)I'm going to open Friday's giveaway to carry over onto today's contest. I will only do the giveaway is there are 10 or more people commenting so please invite your friends, personal and facebook! 

Here is today's card

 

For this card, I used my Piccadilly Circus stamp set, which is my give-away for today.

For the coloration, I used a combination of Faber Castell Big Brush markers and of course, Gelatos, both wet and dry. I simply stamped the images onto a piece of charcoal paper while overlapping the medallians. I eyeballed a pumpkin shape and cut it out free form. Embellishments include a spray painted ( Tulip ) doily and some vines and leaves drawn in with my Big Brush Green pen. How simple is that?! 

Today's give-away is awesome! From FC- Complete Assortment of Metallic PITT artist pens and Gelatos plus Stamps by Brenda Pinnick   

 

( For purchase on HSN )

 

Today's question is - If you were redoing a new studio space and wanted to paint the floor, what color would you choose? ( Three walls are glass windows and one wall is red brick ).

Answer today's question on both Faber Castell's blog and here on mine in order to qualify for the drawing. Also, scroll down to Day 4 and answer that question as well. Remember, I need 10 posts in order to validate the giveaway.

Day two card and giveaway with Faber Castell DMC!

Here we are on day two of our 7 day giveaway/card making week.

Business first!! Yesterday's winner is Nelly! shoot me an email Nelly so I can get your mailing info. brenda@brendapinnick.com

Here's today's card made with one of my stamps from the Piccadilly Square Collection and Gelatos, plus spray textile paint from Tulip.

Step outs below... 

 

In step one, you'll see I used watercolor paper, a paper doilly and the Tulip brand textile paint in a spray bottle to create a stenciled textural design. 

Next, I cut the paper into 2" strips, lined them up side by side and stamped using my Piccadilly Square Stamp and a black Gelato. I stamped randomly, turning the stamp sideways for some and upright for others. Notice I overlapped the design onto different pieces. When the Gelato was dry enough, I then cut the strips into 2" squares. Taking a light blue Gelato, I accented the edges just a bit to create "pop".

Finally, I choose which of the squares I wanted to use then glued them onto a 5x5 card base, choosing a hue which would compliment but not compete with the design.

Final step- I used a square of fabric from my Couleur Vie collection with Henry Glass and Fiskars pinking shears to add on final touch. I glued it onto the back side of the card so you can still see it when the card is open. I generally like to add my sentiments on the inside to allow the outside become a mini art piece - nice for displaying. I also sign the back personally, proving it's handmade! ; )

Today's prize is - Choose two prints from my Etsy store!

Now answer today's question: Go take a look in your closet and report back- do the colors in your closet vary greatly or do they lean towards one particular hue or palette?

Answer the question here and then go to Design Memory Craft blog and post your response there also. In the end, there will be a grand prize which you can win only if you comment on each day's question, on both blogs.

 

Day One- Giveaway

Today is DAY ONE of my 7 day give-away and I hope you play along and win!

Today, I'm giving away this hip and cool owl. It's handmade by me, using my last fabric line with Henry Glass, named Couleur Vie. AND, as an added bonus, you will also receive a Design Memory Craft Mixed Media Sampler and a Mix & Match Writing Set! 

 

Use this owl as your studio mascot, or to welcome trick-or-treaters. He would also look quite handsome sitting on your table or resting quietly, posed in your favorite reading spot.He's soft, he's stylish and has a built in inquisitive look on his face, surely he's contemplating 

just what it is you're doing and waiting to see if he can help. He will ship to you tomorrow via USPS.

And from Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft, these two sets

 

All you have to do is answer the first question - What is your favorite color combination and why? 

I'm going to be posting a new card everyday for the next seven days, posting it here and also on the Design Memory Craft blog. AND - I am giving away goodies each day! You must leave a comment here on this blog then go to the link for Faber-Castell's blog and also leave a comment answering the questions posed on that day. This is open to anyone over 18 years old and who resides in the U.S. TO WIN, YOU MUST LEAVE A COMMENT on BOTH BLOGS.

At the very end, in one week, there will be a grand prize from Faber Castell and me! You must post everyday, on both blogs to be eligible to win the big prize! yaaaaay!! 

Here is day one's question; What is your favorite color combination and how does it make you feel?

Can't wait to read your answers! 

While you're here, please join my mailing list! I only send out mailings about 4 times a year so no worries about one more thing in the in box every week! 

questions? contact me at brenda@brendapinnick.com

7 days of fun give-aways!

Hi all, here's with a fun card design made with my new stamps and with gelatos for the wonderful, scrummy backgound. There is something so delicious about these gelatos...so satisfying in the application and the results. I'm a painter and just LOVE how these work with my new stamp line, available on HSN.com. They glide on just like lipstick then smudge...just like lipstick...but melt into vibrant color when you add a bit of water with a brush or a sponge. I think the highly textured background sets a nice stage for the cleanly stamped design, made with an inking pad. Variety is one of the necessary ingredients for a compelling design. 

I'm going to be posting a new card everyday for the next seven days, here on the Faber Castell Design Memory Craft blog and also on the Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft blog. AND - I am giving away goodies each day! You must leave a comment here on this blog then go to the link for Faber-Castell's blog and also leave a comment answering the questions posed on that day. This is open to anyone over 18 years old and who resides in the U.S. or Canada. Be sure to use your real name. 

At the very end, in one week, there will be a grand prize from Faber Castell and me! You must post everyday, on both blogs to be eligible to win the big prize! yaaaaay!! 

Here is day one's question; What is your favorite color combination and how does it make you feel?

Can't wait to read your answers! 

While you're here, please join my mailing list! I only send out mailings about 4 times a year so no worries about one more thing in the in box every week! 

Some fun, new products I have with Sizzix

I know so many crafters are now entrenced in the delicious art of jewelry design and guess what? ME, TOO!

Isn't it the most addicting thing? Start by checking out the fun projects the Sizzix Designers made using my new dies for jewelry making, (and beyond). Here is a gorgeous bracelet made by Designer Beth Reames - a MUST SEE!I know you are always on the lookout for something new, right? Well I (and Sizzix ) have it! My small jewelry dies recently launched and are in store now! I designed these to be organic in shape, therefore offering all kinds of fun possiblilites. They can go uptown, downtown or midtown - whatever your personal style is.

I had a lot of fun designing these little gems! I also used my Sizzix embossing folders to create patterning as well as my new stamps and some of my previous fabric line by Henry Glass. ( the paper staging is from my very first offerings on QVC, a few years ago - but, it's still one of my favorites! ) The shiny effect is made by using a metallic paper. I rubbed Faber Castell gelatos over some of these, wetting them a bit and then adding a slightly lighter hue so the embossing would stand out. 

Here's a close-up of one of the neckpieces, ready to go on a nice chain with some beads.

 

Here is one of my favorite quotes by Mark Twain. I read this every morning to remind myself of the possiblilites available for each of us. I believe in putting yourself out there, taking risks like rejection or losing money or embarrassing myself. I believe that every single one of us has diamonds in our possession, all we have to do is mine them. Sharing what you have is your duty to the world and to yourself... 

digital freebie for stamping

If you are one of the many crafters who purchased my stamps on HSN last week, you've probably received your stamps by now.

On the back side, I've shown examples of using my stamps on top of patterned paper. The design I showed is one of my own, actually, I use it in my branding. But, you may want to create the same or a similar designed card or embellishment using the pattern so here is a free, downloadable pdf to print off and use for stamping on. I suggest using embossing powders in order to acheive an opaque stamped image. Enjoy!

Download Card backgrounds1

***for personal use only****

Sneaky Peek

I'm reformating my portfolio today and decided to go share a bit of some of my recent work.

This is from my Canterbury Park collection. What you're seeing here is the handpainted version of the flowers. I'm kind of a messy painter so it always gets cleaned up in the computer before sending files off. Sometimes I just go ahead and trace the elements after placing the file in Illustrator so that it's easy to format for various products. If you bought myDecorated Life stamp collection on HSNlast Monday, you'll recognize the birdcages. I also licesned them for Sizzix E-Clips electronic cuting machine. I bought some vinyl and plan to cut them out to put on my walls. I just don't seem to ever get tired of birds... I've always loved them! 

Hubby was out watering the lawn yesterday when he spotted a yellow finch sitting on top of the birdfeeder. He said it looked full sized but I suspect it was still a baby. It seems he was pretty close to it and it didn't seem at all scared. He gradually inched his way up and placed his finger under it. The little guy just stepped right up and perched himself on his finger where he stayed for several minutes! I wish I would have seen that- how sweet!

BTW- I'm now back with Two Town Studios after taking a little break for a year. I'm looking forward to working with them again, such nice people. For licensing opportunities, please contact Jim or Ronnie for porfolio viewing or requests. Thanks!