Judy Tonelli-Brown, Worcester, Mass.

I just wanted to mention a local shop run by a fellow artist, Judy Tonelli Brown. Judy's a talented and versatile artist, who does beautiful watercolors including commissioned house (and people) portraits. Not only that she's a graphic designer. She's one of the many brave souls who's stuck their neck out to have a brick and mortar shop, so let's support her. You will love the beautiful beaded gift items she makes! Here is the web site:

http://www.tonellibrownart.com

Judy Tonelli-Brown
1062 Pleasant Street
Worcester, MA 01602
ph 508-304-1887
jutb@charter.net

No shows for me this year

Those of you who visit my web site will see that it's not a "commerce site." No buttons to click and buy things. That is because this year, I am focusing on wholesale. I've joined www.wholesalecrafts.com, and am getting my art (mainly my cards) into stores across the country.

I do have an Etsy site which is very small, and I am careful NOT to duplicate what I sell to my stores. What you see on Etsy is, for the time being, not available in stores, and vice versa. I don't want to compete with my retailers on the same items. In this economy, I want as many customers to buy my art through stores as possible, as it would be a terrible loss to Main Streets everywhere if the shops and galleries were to go away. So support your local store! And while you're there, why not ask them to visit WholesaleCrafts.com so they can start to carry my cards.

Etsy's a good spot for me to try out new products and see if people like them. If they become insanely popular, I will offer them wholesale.

So, for 2009, I don't plan on doing any retail art fairs. Maybe just one or two if the mood strikes me, because some shows are too fun to resist. But by & large, I will be focusing on wholesale this year. So if you have a local art shop that you absolutely LOVE and you think would do well with my cards, do let me know! I need eyes & ears all around the country on this one.