Class: Polymer Clay Beads with Pearl Ex Pigments

March 15, 2014
12:00 noon - 3:00 pm
Hobby Lobby
1215 S. Kirkwood Road
Kirkwood, MO 63122
314-821-1899
Directions

In this three hour class, I will teach participants how to make gorgeous jewel-tone beads with Polymer clay and Pearl Ex powdered pigments. This class is suitable for polymer clay beginners. No children under 14, children under 18 must be accompanied by responsible adult. Class participants will be responsible for bringing some supplies - detailed supply list will be provided after registration. Printed copy of tutorial will be provided to take home so that participants can continue to work on their own.

Participants will need to purchase or bring (all available at Hobby Lobby):
1 block polymer clay
1 color Pearl Ex powdered pigment
Polymer clay blade
Small paintbrush

Class Fee: $35
Register for class

return to top

How to Make an Event Promotion Checklist

I've been working hard lately promoting my upcoming class, "Polymer Clay Beads with Pearl Ex Pigments". It's the first in a series, so I'm figuring out some new processes and making several new promotion pieces. The next one should take a lot less time to promote, but only if I remember what I did and can find all the parts - there are quite a lot as you will see!

First I'll make an action list of all the tasks to perform in a logical order.

1. Write up event description and create promotional image - a photo, a logo or whatever image shows what the event is about.


2. Create event registration form on web site.


3. Create any short URLs, campaign codes or QR Codes you might need.


4. Write up event announcement with link to registration page and post on web site(s). If you have a separate mobile-optimized site post it there also.


5. Write and send out press release to media outlets. If you're new to this find some on this promotion resources page.


6. List event on all the suitable free online events calendars you can find.


7. Promote to all appropriate social media outlets.
   • Blog
   • Facebook
   • Twitter
   • Tumblr
   • Google +
   • Pinterest
   • LinkedIn
   • YouTube (if you have video or slide show)
   • More!


8. Create banner ads and place where appropriate.


9. Create flyers and distribute.


10. Create postcards and send to your snail mail list.


11. Create announcement email and send to your email list. For my email I used ExactTarget software and made use of the Social Forward feature. I had more than one event to announce in my email and Social Forward allows me to break up the content into segments and enables recipients to share the parts of the email that are of interest to them with their own social networks.


12. Send reminder emails to your list of those who have registered as event date gets closer.

I recommend you use my list above as a starting point and use it to make your own promotion checklist, adding and subtracting action items as needed. Then make some kind of master document that includes notes, links or whatever information you will need to carry out the tasks and remember what you did so you don't have to figure everything out again the next time you have an event to promote. It's useful to make this document in some kind of format that supports tables such as a private web page, Word document or Excel spreadsheet. Then you can put appropriate links and info in the row next to each action item to make everything easy to find and remember. If you are part of an organization share this document with others involved in the project so you can all benefit from the knowledge you'll gain during the promotion.

return to top

The Importance of Consistent Branding Across Channels

When creating an identity for your company, it's important to present a unified look and feel across all channels. A few examples of channels are emails, web sites, print ads and mobile apps. Common elements that help identify your brand can be logos, colors or fonts. Sounds, type of paper or photography styles are examples of other choices that can play a role in forming your brand identity.

Few would argue that this concept is wrong, but believe it or not at one of my former jobs I had to persuade some people to make the branding more consistent. Today I had an experience that illustrates why consistent branding is important. I was working on one of my mailing lists, and needed to find a first and last name for a contact in my database. I did a search online for the email address, and found a web site with a logo and color scheme that made me remember a business card that I collected about three years ago. I looked in my business card folio, and voila! There was the information I needed. I never would have remembered where I made this contact if I had not remembered the logo and color scheme. If your potential customers want something that you have, making yourself as memorable as possible with consistent branding can help!

return to top

Decorate a Celtic Gift Bag

Just in time for St. Patrick's Day celebrations, here is an idea for decorating a drawstring muslin bag with Celtic designs. Fill with St. Patrick's Day treats or a gift for someone who would enjoy Celtic designs at any time of year.

Click here for Decorate a Celtic Gift Bag.

return to top

Thank you for reading Carolyn's Creative Connections! Until next time,

Carolyn Hasenfratz

Newsletter

Would you like to sign up for my e-newsletter, Carolyn's Creative Connections? It's about how to enhance your life as a crafter, artist, designer, business person, hobbyist or anyone who values creativity. I will definitely discuss crafts and marketing. I might on occasion discuss cooking, travel, gardening, ecology, nature - whatever adds flavor to the creative life. You'll also get notified when I have sales and specials. Exclusively for subscribers - at least one free printable download in every issue!

Name: Email: