Interview with DebDunk from “DunkDesigns Fine Art & Illustration and Bubblegum Garden Graphics”

“DunkDesigns Fine Art & Illustration and Bubblegum Garden Graphics”

http://dunkdesigns.blogspot.com

Personally, it keeps me accountable and “clocking in”. I motivate myself by posting works in progress or contributing to Illustration assignment challenges.

My business blog is fairly new, a little over a year old. However, I’ve always found blogs to be a great way to keep friends and family updated on what’s going on in my world, especially since we are frequently stationed long distances away from them. Even when my husband was deployed, I would blog about my young daughter’s milestones (first word, first step, etc.) and post lots of photos.

I inform my readers of sales and new products available. I also try out new fine art and digital techniques and ask for feedback. I keep myself accountable by announcing goals, and reward myself by declaring accomplishments. Sometimes, I’ll even share something I find inspirational.

http://www.handmademovement.com/
Great blog that encourages buying handmade, and supports fellow handmade artisans by sponsoring “Sneak Attacks”.

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/
Amazing design for the smallest spaces. They often have great tips and unique finds.

http://www.homefrontartistryteam.blogspot.com/
An amazing group of fellow military spouses that have Etsy shops. The blog offers great give-aways and lots of good information for any Etsy seller.

Remember that what you type can be seen by everyone with an internet connection! Blogs give you a feeling of being anonymous, but really everyone and anyone can read what you wrote.

I generally don’t reply to the comments, unless a direct question is asked. I like to keep it just for the viewers to broadcast their thoughts and opinions.

I’m sure they do, but none have admitted to it.

I regularly frequent the forums on Etsy.com. It’s a great place to ask questions, get the occasionally needed word of encouragement or even critique.

I try to blog weekly, but really it’s just whenever the desire arises or I have some news I just HAVE to share. I use Blogger to post my blogs.

I spend less than a half hour a week writing blogs. Probably twice that long reading blogs, but it depends on how chatty my favorite bloggers have been.

No, never heard of that.

I think I first heard of blogging back in the days of dial up, but then it was mostly for writers and less of the “online diary” format people use today.

A friend of mine had a “LiveJournal” blog my freshman year of college. I had never heard of a personal blog before then. I’m not one to be interested in the minutia of other people’s daily lives, so I didn’t care for it much. Now, give me a blog about someone being artsy or crafting and I’m happy to read ever article!

A lot. Random things like stained glass windows, the heroics of the people around me, my daughter’s imagination, my peers, even children’s books.

I have two Etsy shops
http://dunkdesigns.etsy.com
http://bubblegumgarden.etsy.com

As well as an additional fine arts and illustration website
http://dunkdesignscrafts.webs.com

Blogging has encouraged me to try new techniques and styles. I can try them out on an audience, and get honest opinions. Blogging also helps me stay on track with my businesses. Afterall, I need to have something to report on my blog at the end of the week.