New pastures, new passions

Dear Friends, (those we know and those who are have just discovered us)

SHOP CLOSING
After much consideration Chris and I have decided to close our photography shop--Pfeiffer Photos--on Etsy at the end of August. The sales haven't been coming for some time, and our promotion level has dropped due to pursuits of other projects so it's on to other pastures and passions for now. We're still taking photos--no loss of interest there--and we'll keep sharing them on Flickr so check our our gallery over there and become a contact so we can enjoy your photos, too!

Pfeiffer Photos has been a good adventure for us and we value all the nice people we've met through Etsy and beyond. Our photography has improved much, we've learned a lot about running a small business, and most all of we've made some great friends--on Etsy, Flickr, Facebook, Twitter and especially through the Pfeiffer Photos blog.

We're still answering Etsy convos (until end of Aug), and email inquiries (click the icon in the right margin of this blog) so don't hesitate to drop us a note.

CLOSING SHOP SALE: Receive 50% off on select 4x6 prints and cards...visit our sale section in the Etsy Shop for all the details.

Our photo note cards are now available only upon request. Please send us a message with the title of the image and quantity you desire and we'll create a custom listing for you on Etsy through the end of August 09. After that, please view our images and send requests through our Flickr Gallery or via email link on this blog.

FLICKR
Our Flickr Gallery will stay alive after the shop closes as it holds MANY MORE images and almost all of them can be made into prints or cards upon request.

BLOG
The Pfeiffer Photos blog has morphed so much since originally started and has become about so much more than just photography! The blog adventure will continue after our shop is closed. I'm still here...the posts have been fewer just because I'm on a bit of a hiatus to enjoy some summer activities before I start school again in the fall.

MY VINTAGE ADVENTURE
And, last, but not least, please visit my Etsy vintage shop--forrestina vintage--the place where I'm spending more of my energy these days. You can also connect with forrestina vintage on Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, and via the vintage blog which has turned out to be lots of fun for me to create (and has a nice little following at 87 and counting!)

On a more personal note...

We're heading off for the beach this weekend for some fishing, thrifting and clam chowder with friends. And, yes, we'll be taking our cameras so check the Flickr gallery for new photos soon!

Have a super weekend, my friends!

Image copyright Pfeiffer Photos, 2009.

Etsy: New in shop at forrestina vintage

My Etsy vintage shop--forrestina vintage--was recently included in the lovely treasury up top (my item is the demitasse trio set). We're bubbling right along, and I am listing new items daily. If you're into vintage clothing and accessories, housewares, home decor, art or just random vintage goodness please come by and see what's new in shop!

I'm also blogging about vintage HERE, sharing retro fun on Facebook (be my fan!), and tweeting vintage and more right over HERE.

Artist Profile: Claudine Hellmuth

Tell me a bit about yourself..

I live in Washington DC in the U Street area with my husband Paul and our fur-children, cats Mabel and Stanely. Of course I can never resist posting photos of my babies to my blog, so you're sure to see tons of pet photos there!

I have been creating art as long as I can remember. When I was a little girl, my mom would spread paper across the kitchen floor and set me down in my diaper with finger paints and let me just go crazy. When I was in high school I took extensive after school art lessons totaling about 20 hours a week to prepare for art college. I first went to the Columbus College of Art and Design in Columbus Ohio where they had a very strong foundations program, drawing and painting the figure. After my second year there I transferred and finished my BFA at the Corcoran College of Art + Design in Washington DC.

After graduation in 1997, I took a short course in web site design from George Washington University on web site design (at the time I had never even used a computer with a mouse). I somehow learned to code web sites by hand-- possibly out of fear that I would never be able to get a job. I moved back to Orlando where I worked for a small web design company. When it closed its doors I signed on at Cox Interactive Media.

Even while I was working at these jobs I was building my art business on the side, hoping it would grow enough that I could make the leap to full time artist. In 2001, after the Internet bubble burst, I was laid off and got my chance to go for it. I have been a full time artist ever since!

Apart from creating art, what do you enjoy?

Reading, napping, snuggling with my pets, and watching movies.

What first made you want to become an artist?

I never had a moment of realization that I wanted to be an artist. I have made things as long as I can remember, always took extra art classes when I was young and when it came time to choose my college it was a given that I would go to an art school. I hope to expand further into illustration and also licensing more of my artwork in the gift industry. I really enjoy illustration because I love the challenge of working with a theme and combining my vision with the needs of the assignment. I would love to animate my artwork, more advanced animation than what I have done for my ecards. I have always wanted to illustrate children's books, so that is a goal that I hope is in my future.

Please describe your creative process how, when, materials, etc.

Right now my studio is the second bedroom of our apartment. It's a combined studio/office with a computer on one side and all my mess on the other! My process for creating a custom artwork order or an illustration is different from when I am creating artwork for myself. When I am creating something for a client I start with their idea and work my way towards what I think will work. When I am creating artwork for myself I am often inspired by a photo or a phrase so I use that as a jumping off point for the rest of the piece. Except for custom art pieces, I use my own family photos and also my friends family photos. When I run out of those or when they aren't suitable, I "create" my own photo heads by combining 3 or 4 photo images together to "make" my own people. For example, I'll purchase vintage photos from ebay and then combine a nose from one person with eyes of another and a hair style of another person until I arrive at the look I want. This has been a lot of fun and it's very useful because then I can make sure the photo image fits with the context of the artwork.

What artists have influenced you and inspire you to create?

I am inspired by so many varied artists and sources. Folk artists--I love folk art! I am also inspired by retro 40's and 50's magazines and I love all the domestic ads, they are so funny.

Where else can people find your work?

My web site, my blog, on Twitter, Facebook, and my Etsy shop!

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

Claudine is a nationally recognized collage artist, author and illustrator. She combines photos, paint, paper and pen into quirky, whimsical-retro collages that she calls Poppets®. Her artworks have been featured on The Martha Stewart Show, in Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion magazine, The New York Times, on HGTV's "I Want That!", on HGTV's Carol Duvall Show and on the DIY Network's program, "Craft Lab."

In addition to creating her artwork full-time, Claudine teaches collage workshops in the US & Canada, and she has written two books about her techniques, "Collage Discovery Workshop" and "Collage Discovery Workshop: Beyond the Unexpected." She has also produced three instructional DVD workshops and has a line of art supply products produced by Ranger Industries including paints, mediums and brushes.

Claudine Hellmuth Studio Products are for sale online at these locations: Somerset Shoppe, ScrapLovers, Joggles Online, Schmooze with Suze...and many more. Google for complete results.

All images are by and copyright of Claudine Hellmuth, 2009.

Artist Profile: Lara Medina - Artful Memories

Tell me a bit about yourself name, location, affiliations, personal stuff.
My name is Lara Medina, I live in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, with my husband, our 4 children and our Boston terrier. We are all creative. All of our kids love different aspects of art. Some of my guilty pleasure TV shows are Housewives of OC, Make Me a Supermodel, Peter Perfect, We Mean Business, and My Name is Earl.


squooshie button kit - 10 pack

Apart from creating art, what do you do?
I am a stay at home and work at home Mom. My hubby and I run a photography biz from home, so we are able to be here with our little guy and for our kids when they get home from school. It’s awesome. I love to cook, paint, and play “Lips” with my kids on Xbox. Shhhhhh, I can’t sing, but I love to pretend I can, and recently I have become addicted to Twitter.


lovin' life 12x12 paper art kit

What first made you want to become an artist?
I think I have always had a creative side to me. When I was younger I was not sure what medium I should focus on. I discovered scrapbooking and creating handmade albums a bit by accident. A few years ago, I had a prolonged illness and decided I needed something to take my mind off of it. My kids and I visited the craft store and picked up some card making supplies. Since my husband is a photographer we had many photos to experiment with. I used some of the card making supplies to create an album layout and I was hooked. My first few pages were horrendous! Eventually, I found my style and began to grow into it. I have created pages and albums for friends, family, and eventually, I opened my shop on Etsy.


rustic 2-sided file tabs - set of 32

Please describe your creative process how, when, materials, etc.
I have a small craft station in my home office. My supplies are organized but my table top is usually covered with works in progress, kits I am putting together, and my new Etsy purchases. I create when I have time and inspiration--often these do not happen at the same time. I try to accomplish something everyday--research, buying supplies or just gaining inspiration from others. I use many handmade items purchased from Etsy shops in my projects. I also love using recycled items in my albums and kits. I currently store about 30 boxes under my desk waiting to be turned into journaling spots or other embellishments.


crate paper 12x12 paper & ribbon kit

What artists have influenced you and inspire you to create?
Ali Edwards, for her clean, simple design, Elsie Flanigan whose work is cute and quirky, Teresa Collins for her edginess and so many people on Flickr have inspired me to create.


wanted - custom altered 12x12 canvas

Where else can people find your work?
My work can be found in my Etsy shop, my blog, Flickr stream, and maybe one day I'll be featured on Martha Stewart! I can dream, right?!

Photos in this post are by and copyright of Artful Memories.

Advertise with Pfeiffer Photos!

Since my readership has grown, and my template has been upgraded to include a third column, I have decided to offer ad space on my blog. My hope is to keep things simple--no bidding, no pressure, nothing too technical. Oh, and yes, this will be my only official post ON the blog about the ad space--I just wanted you to be "in the know".

Pfeiffer Photo Blog Stats

300-400 visits per week and growing (204 new - 207 from referral sites)
74% new visitor traffic - 27% returning
66% referral site traffic
Readers from every continent around the globe!*
2.5+ pages viewed per visit (average)
3 minutes per visit (average)
139 Regular Followers and growing!
Google Page Rank: 2 (since 10/08!)

Top referral sites bringing traffic to my blog include: Google Search, Twitter, Etsy, Facebook and Flickr.

FAST FACTS

I promote my blog regularly on Etsy, Twitter, Blip.fm, Facebook and other social network sites and hold ad space on other blogs with high traffic flow.

I promote Etsy artists, shops and items regularly on my blog and support both handmade and vintage sellers!

I am a member of the following groups and networks: Photographers of Etsy aka POE Street Team, POE PDX Street Team, Etsy Sellers Who Blog, CAST Street Team, We Love Etsy Ning, & Etsy Handmade Network

I actively network in the Flickr and Etsy communities and operate shop space on Etsy, ArtFire, Red Bubble and Art Cards Wanted.

Advance Ad Special for Pfeiffer Photos Followers!**

The first 5 advertisers to fill my first 5 spots get the regular package features and if you commit to a 3-month package you'll also receive a 10% discount off the total package price!** I am extending this offer to my blog readers FIRST before advertising my rates or the special anywhere else!

If you're ready to place your ad, need more info or would like to view all my package rates please visit my AD INFO page by clicking any of the sample ads displayed in my left margin.

Questions? Please contact me at the email link in my right margin. Thanks!

*Blog Stats per Google Analytics as of March 4, 2009.

**Blog Reader advance offer valid for followers only--new or existing. Offer valid until midnight on Friday, March 6, 2009 - after that date/time I will post the rate info and special pricing offer on Etsy and my social network sites.

Photos in this post are copyright Pfeiffer Photos 2009 - all rights reserved.

Food for Thought: 12 Reasons for Failure

12 Reasons People Fail and are Less Successful
...(or - "what I learned from twitter this morning")

1. They never define what being happy truly means to them.

What lifestyle do you truly desire and what do you need to do to achieve it?

2. Their goals are not really goals but a moving target that they will never hit.

This is what I need to do, this too, this too, oh and this too = too many goals.

3. Set goals they will never hit or that are impossible to achieve.

When someone says, “The Sky is the Limit!, they mean it. The more the better, and they’ll never be satisfied.

4. They don’t believe it can be done and never start.

There is too much competition already. It’ll be too hard to do and I don’t have enough time. I wish I could but I can’t.

5. They don’t make it a MUST.

Making it a must is more than just making it a priority. When you HAVE to do it it becomes essential to your survival. Just like food and water.

6. They don’t create a realistic plan.

They think or assume they can be successful but do no real research or planning. They just start things and “wing it” hoping everything will somehow work out.

7. They don’t follow through with the plan.

Why even create a plan for success if you’re not going to follow it? It’s like making a grocery list and not bringing it with you—you are bound to forget something.

8. They give others the responsibility to make things work for their life.

If you give someone responsibility you need to make sure they’re taking care of things. If they fail - you fail.

9. They give up when faced with a difficult challenge.

When facing a difficult challenge it’s easy to quit. Don’t quit until you achieve your goal.

10. They fail to conduct their life like a business.

Conduct a life like a business. At the end of the year you need to show profit and not debt. A successful business is showing profits at the end of the year and not increased debt.

11. They allow others optimism or pessimism to effect or control their decisions.

If someone tells you that it’s too late to make money on the Internet are you going to believe them? If a famous person endorses is that 'the thing to do'? How about if they tell you that you can make $1,000 a day without doing anything and just a little money using the Forex Autopilot software that sells for only $400?
Do your research and make your own decision.

12. No quality coaching.

In order to effectively realize your own goals and stay motivated, the help of a quality coach or influence is essential to your success. Raising a well mannered child requires great parenting. In this analogy you are the child and your coach is the parent.

Something else to remember:

“The purpose of a goal is not the goal itself but what it makes of you along the way.”
~ Tony Robbins


Road to Antelope

12 THINGS FOUND HERE via twitter.

Photograph copyright Pfeiffer Photos 2008 - all rights reserved. To purchase or view more of our work please visit my Etsy shop or contact me for more information...thanks!

Etsy: Handmadeology

Handmadeology = the science of handmade. Handmadeology is the brainchild of Timothy Adam, a self taught metal artist who makes his living selling handmade goods online.


Adam is also dedicated to helping others achieve their goal of successfully selling their handmade goods through online venues including Etsy, Art Fire, Red Bubble, and others. Over 700 blog followers agree, he has THE blog to read if you've been considering trying social networking tools--Facebook, Twitter, etc--He can help you maximize their potential for your online small business, and he writes in non-tech language so the rest of us can actually understand...nice.

Beginning January 26, 2009, we can all learn more from Timothy at Handmadeology.com.

Follow Handmadeology NOW on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube!

You can also sign up for the FREE newsletter on Timothy's blog for news you can use and updates about Handmadeology!

Items displayed in this post are from Timothy Adam's Etsy shop...visit, shop, enjoy.

Pfeiffer Photos on twitter

I (finally) signed up for twitter today!

If you haven't heard of twitter or have been wondering what it is visit the site and check it out for yourself.  

If you're already twittering and would like to follow me and be followed, please leave a comment for this blog post with your twitter id and I'll see you there soon!