Business Marketing for Creative Entrepreneurs with Jean Skipper

With a fifteen year career in banking and financial services, fourteen years as a full time working Artist, six years as a gallery owner, and five years as the owner and host of ReMe Retreats; my background gives me a unique perspective on the business side of art, retail, and marketing.  In  many ways I'm self-taught by years of trial-and-error, and I've also benefited by the generous nature of others along the way.  I've learned from my mistakes...and I make them frequently and with abandon!  I love sharing my experiences with others, and I'm passionate about helping them reach their full potential as artists and as business people.

This casual *helping* through the years has evolved into a more formalized method of delivering my unique brand of assistance.  Officially titled as "Marketing for Creative Entrepreneurs with Jean Skipper", a few of the ways in which you can participate in this process follow.

Art Marketing Sessions at ARTworks Vass

Several times each month we gather in a group setting to discuss creatively marketing our businesses.  Participants in these groups act as a sounding board for each other as we discuss our progress, challenges, and successes.  We serve as each other's Board of Directors, and the most amazing things happen when we connect and harness the combined power, knowledge, and experience in the room.  Each week's meeting also includes a goal setting component and a relevant marketing lesson, based on the current needs of participants.

You can live the life that you're imagining!

We meet from 3:00 until 5:00 on Tuesdays.  Cost to join us is $20 per week, and I request that folks plan to attend regularly... be it weekly, every two weeks, or monthly.  Please visit the ARTworks Vass Website to view our current schedule and reserve your space. 

If you're a professional artist, a small business owner, or if you're longing to be one, the other or both...  Marketing needs to become a part of your daily routine.  There's no easy fix.  It's a process, and the goal of our weekly meetings is for each of us to develop a regular marketing practice.  

Guests with all levels of experience and interest are welcome to join our group.  

You may register for these sessions online here, or if you have questions about participation, please email me at jeanskipper@jeanskipper.com or call me at 910-528-1109.

Seminars and Group Work Sessions

By special engagement, I'm available to travel to your location to work with your group.  Past sessions have been conducted with community groups (Small Business Owners ARE Creative Entrepreneurs, and many of the practices that we discuss with artists apply to them too.), arts organizations, and educational institutions.

The possibilities are endless.

During our time together, the format of my presentations is extremely interactive.  No lectures here!  I enjoy working in small group sessions so that each participant's individual needs are sure to be addressed.  These small group sessions also lay the groundwork for an ongoing marketing practice for individual participants and for the group's members collectively.

The topics that we address in these sessions cover a wide range of timely marketing concerns, and each session is tailored to address the unique needs of the participants and the community in which they live and work.

Cost for these sessions is based on the location of the event and the number of participants.  I'm happy to discuss scheduling and your group's unique needs, and I may be reached at jeanskipper@jeanskipper.com or 910-528-1109. 

One-on-One Private Marketing Sessions

Now is the time to pursue your dreams!

For those who desire a more intensive approach to their marketing efforts, I'm available to conduct One-on-One Private Marketing Sessions.  These will be designed to address your most pressing needs, and past topics have included intensives on Product Photography, Establishing an Online Presence, Social Media Marketing, Show Participation, and Designing Printed Marketing Materials.

Private Marketing Sessions are available at a cost of $50 per hour, with a three hour minimum commitment, and they may be scheduled by contacting me at jeanskipper@jeanskipper.com or 910-245-4129.

Design Service

Do you need product photos, a head-shot, business cards, brochures, banners, or other online or print design work AND do you have absolutely no desire to do it yourself?   If so, then this may be the service for you.  

After an initial meeting to set the course for your project, I'll proceed with designing and even ordering these items for you.  Cost is based on the scope of your project.  Please contact me at jeanskipper@jeanskipper.com or 910-528-1109 to discuss your specific needs.   

I am thankful.

In Gratitude

I'm thankful that I have the opportunity to be a full time working artist.  

I'm humbled daily by the love and support that I receive from family, friends, and so often from the most unexpected of people.  

And I'm grateful to be able to help others to achieve the satisfaction that comes from making their living doing what they love. 

Photos of the mixed media hearts in this post are part of the 

"When Hearts Take Flight" collection of collaborative artwork created with the talented, Jodi Ohl.

When Opportunity Knocks - Creations from Jewelry Class - ReMe - Ocracoke - May 2016

Here's a sample of my work in process from my
'When Opportunity Knocks" Class

At the beginning of May, I had the absolute pleasure of leading my 'When Opportunity Knocks' class at our ReMe Retreat - Ocracoke.

This exploration in self expression is represented by vintage treasures, found objects, resin, beads, baubles, and other parts and pieces.  Our guests knocked it right out of the park!

Here for your viewing pleasure, in no particular order, are 

our guests' creations from this class.

**************************************************************************

We'll be publicly debuting our next 

ReMe Retreat on Monday, May 23rd.  

Stay tuned for more details!

Recycled Critters and Creatures on Ocracoke - First Grade

On Thursday, the fun on Ocracoke continued as First Graders joined us in our classroom at Deepwater Theater.  I'm reasonably sure that Mary and I had more fun than the kids!

Next post...Sixth Grade!

Recycled Critters and Creatures at Deepwater Theater on Ocracoke

I'm still walking on air after our adventure on Ocracoke last week!  Mary Neligan, of Mary's Funky Fish, and I had the absolute pleasure of working with the students of Ocracoke School as a part of Ocracoke Alive's 2016 Arts Partnership Program.

In keeping with our theme of Critters and Creatures and Recycled Art, we repurposed aluminum drink cans.  Did you know that these cans are 100% and infinitely recyclable?  As a society, if we'd recycle all of our aluminum cans, we'd never need to create a new one again.

What a beautiful place to create!

Today, I'll share a glimpse of our classroom at Deepwater Theater.  Other posts this week will get up close and personal with our students and their wild and wonderful creations.

 

Mary... Ready and Waiting!

Samples of Our Recycled Art.

"Before" The organization is just an illusion!  

More Samples...

Parts and Pieces

More Organized Chaos!

 Stay tuned tomorrow for pictures of our Pre-K and Kindergarten Classes!  

Creative Studios NC - Classes With Connie Goodrum & Kristin Spurlock

We're off and running at Creative Studios NC, and I'm so excited about all that this means for each of us, and for our community at large.  During the process of opening the studio, I've had the privilege of meeting two new artist-friends, and each of them will be offering classes here on Saturday, October 24th.  You won't find these classes anywhere else, as each will be taught exclusively taught in our studio.  If you're in the area and available, please join us!

The first class is from 10:00 until 12:00 with Connie Goodrum.  In it she'll lead students in creating two - two page scrapbook layouts.  (That's right; four pages total!)  Each student will receive the Legacy Collection paper pack from Simple Stories along with 6 sheets of coordinating card stock. Connie will walk artists with all levels of experience through tips, techniques, cutting, layering, and design.  She asks that guests bring adhesive, a trimmer and scissors; and everything else will be provided.

The second class, Apron Art Doodling, will be offered from 2:00 until 4:00 on the same day by Kristin Spurlock.  In this class, each student will be provided with an apron of their very own, and they'll have full use of a wide range of Sharpie Markers throughout the class.  Students are also welcome to bring paint pens and other permanent markers for use in the class, and some will be available for sale in the studio.

As an added bonus, any student who registers for both the morning and afternoon class sessions will also be treated to two hours of free open studio time from 12:00 until 2:00.  During this time guests will have full use of our working studio space and tools too.  

For more detailed information about both classes, and to register, please call Jan McClay at 910-245-4129 or email her at jan@creativestudiosnc.com , or visit Creative Studios NC Online.