While you’re here, take a peek at a sampling of excellent press and media coverage our members have received as a result of participating in The Artisan Group‘s opportunities.
“Being accepted as a member into The Artisan Group has been an amazing experience. Not only are the members so supportive of one another, they have a variety of experience and are such a great resource for any questions you may have regarding business. Since becoming a member, I have been able to have my designs on display at GBK’s luxury red carpet celebrity gifting suites, as well as having them included in the celeb swag bags at both of these events, and also NY Fashion Week. In addition, I have been able to design items to gift several celebrities and stylists of several hit TV shows and designed an item especially to gift several high profile celebrity Moms for Mother’s Day. I would have never been able to be involved with any of these wonderful opportunities if it wasn’t for The Artisan Group!”
Kimberly Spector Nair & Bjorn July 4, 2016
“The Artisan Group has been absolutely fantastic, not only for my sales, but also as a sounding board for advice, promotion, camaraderie — you name it. I have developed so much as an artist and a business owner because of TAG and, specifically, because of the vision, drive, and dedication of Valerie Guerrero, the creator and leader of this group.
I have participated at all levels, as my business has grown, from having my business cards included in GBK’s luxury red carpet celebrity gifting suites to having a featured spot at these same celebrity events. My levels of participation have been entirely voluntary, of course. One could be a member and gain just from that, at no cost, but that doesn’t make much sense. For me, any costs for my participation are advertising expenses that allow my product to be seen by literally thousands of potential buyers, worldwide who would not be directed to my shoppe otherwise. From GBK’s luxury red carpet celebrity gifting suites, to the Country Music Awards, to having production assistants on shows such as The Vampire Diaries use our products for sets and costumes — there is literally no end to the opportunities available with The Artisan Group.
The small picture is that, yes, part of your participation is that you “gift” products to celebrities who already have a lot of stuff. And yes, they may or may not purchase additional products. (I have had some A-listers purchase from me even months after the event.) But you don’t just sit back and wait. You work hard to publicize this as well, and great things can happen.
So the big picture is that your exposure becomes exponential when the media takes hold. My small hometown paper did a full-page story on my Earth Day celebrity gifting last year, and even a year later, people remember that story and approach me. So my local sales have boomed too. My experience with The Artisan Group and Valerie Guerrero as its amazing leader has been top-notch. Her superb working relationship with organizations such as GBK Productions is not happenstance. She works literally night and day on this, focusing on helping promote you, the shoppe owner, as a true artisan. It’s a juried group, and Valerie is very clear from the outset about her expectations of high quality products, professionalism, and mutual respect. Once you are a member, she is right there with you, 100%. In addition, you have access to such amazing support from literally hundreds of artisans worldwide. For example, The Artisan Group is currently being featured through GBK Productions at the Cannes Film Festival. You should hear the buzz being generated by the European Press about this group. It’s astounding. And by the way, it’s sooo fun.”
Linda Bahr Engelfelt Designs July 3, 2016
“Participating in The Artisan Group has been such a great way to take my jewelry to the proverbial “next level.” Through TAG, I have had the opportunity to display and gift my jewelry at GBK’s luxury red carpet celebrity gifting suites. The media exposure has been tremendous for both of these events, and was completely beyond what I could have ever hoped for. As a direct result of my participation in I had three (out of four) local network television stations visit our retail shop to film segments about my jewelry and my celebrity gifting.
Though the Oscars fell nearly two months after my participation, local media was still so interested in got sparkles’ jewelry that the local Fox TV affiliate aired a segment live from the shop immediately before their Oscar Week coverage. The newscaster wore my jewelry on air during their coverage from the shop.
I noticed a 2000% increase (yes, I said two THOUSAND percent) in hits to my website immediately following the first airing of a televised segment the day of The Golden Globes. Customers literally came in to the shop the day after the first segment aired to buy their “Hollywood Jewelry.” The network affiliate aired a follow up segment two weeks after The Golden Globes detailing how my participation in celebrity giftings has impacted my business, which also resulted in increased sales and hits to my site.
A year later, my business is still feeling the positive impact of that first gifting event. I approached a local jeweler about carrying my line on a wholesale basis, and they quickly agreed to have me come in and show them my lines. I was thrilled when they placed a large order on the spot, and found out later that the main reason I got the appointment in the first place was that the owner had seen the news segments about my participation in these events and liked the story behind my jewelry line. Fast forward nearly a year, and they are one of my biggest wholesale accounts!
In addition to the two large gifting events, I have been blessed to have one necklace (so far!) selected by a television stylist (through an opportunity with The Artisan Group). My original design was worn during Season Five of The Vampire Diaries. Again, the sales and hits to my website were immediate. Within 24 hours of the episode airing, I sold the necklace worn by the main character, Elena. It has been over six months, and this necklace has been shipped to various states throughout the U.S., as well as Germany, France, Norway and Great Britain. My sales for this piece continue to occur regularly, and I attribute that wholly to the opportunity through TAG.
While some of the benefits of gifting events through TAG are quite tangible (increased sales, increased traffic to my website), others are less easily defined but beneficial nonetheless. I have seen an increase in media attention, obviously, but also I believe wholeheartedly that these giftings have increased the credibility of my jewelry. It has created in my clients (retail & wholesale) a trust and sense of professionalism (not to mention desirability) that would have required more work to earn. Now I can let the media attention speak to my customers, and potential customers, on my behalf!”
Kristi Taylor got sparkles July 3, 2016
“Being accepted into The Artisan Group a year ago was the best thing that happened for my handmade business! Valerie Guerrero, the founder and organizer of TAG, works tirelessly to get opportunities for this group and through TAG I was able to have my jewelry gifted and displayed at exclusive invitation-only luxury red carpet celebrity gifting suites hosted by GBK Productions. As a direct result of that participation, I was able to get my pieces worn on air on a local TV show in Dubai, Digital Fashion Week (Singapore), LA Fashion Week and a movie premiere. Yahoo mentioned my jewelry and business in an article, too (how’s that for press?!) I was also lucky enough to have had my necklace worn on The Vampire Diaries.
As a tiny business I would never have been able to afford the costs of attending any of these high-profile events, or even be able to reach out to stylists of shows and/or celebrities or editors of magazines/ newspapers. The exposure and sales that have come because of TAG are beyond priceless!”
Candice D’Mello Vitrine July 2, 2016
“We are a mother/daughter team of jewelry designers and were intrigued by the concept of promotion through The Artisan Group. It was always a goal of our business to try and seek media and celebrity exposure but the costs were prohibitive. As a relative newcomer to the handmade jewelry marketplace we were unsure about applying to this highly sought after juried group but took a chance and we are so glad we did.
The Artisan Group provides superlative celebrity and media gifting opportunities at a variety of levels. It is also an incredibly supportive community with a wealth of information for participants. We have learned so much in our time with The Artisan Group and our business has flourished as a result.
We have participated at the display and celebrity gifting level for both the GBK gift lounge at the Golden Globe Awards in 2013 and the GBK gift lounge for the MTV Movie Awards in 2014. We have found the celebrity recipients to be gracious and supportive of TAG and the concept of handmade.
We have also been fortunate enough to have two necklaces appear in Season Five of The Vampire Diaries. The exposure from this is nothing short of fabulous for a small two-person business. None of this would be possible without the fabulous opportunities for The Artisan Group members and the amazing stewardship of Valerie Guerrero.”
Mila Bartos FizzCandy Jewelry July 2, 2016
“This group is made up of impossibly talented, beautiful, and kind, artistic people. From the beginning I was welcomed in with open arms. Any help you need, the group is there for you with whatever advice and help they can give. If you are just wanting to share some good news, the group definitely wants to hear it so that they can extend their congrats, and virtual hugs. I am so honored to be a member, and cannot wait to see the endless exposure and success that is on the horizon for all of the members. A huge thanks goes out to Valerie for forming The Artisan Group, and making it what it is today. There is no where to go but up from here!”
Maureen Kirchdoerfer Release Me Creations June 24, 2016
“I have only been a member a short time but I have learned so much from this generous group of artisans. I have never seen such a resource and such willingness to share their knowledge–no question is foolish and all are willing to lend a hand to give you the leg up your business needs… I am overwhelmed and thankful I found y’all!”
Diane Perry Catcophony Wearable Art June 24, 2016
“I am a proud member of The Artisan Group. This group of artisans are so talented, so kind and most importantly, so helpful! They truly care, not just about their own businesses, but about other members’ businesses as well! We share our business knowledge and work together as a team. I couldn’t be more happier to be part of this amazing group of talented artisans! I’ve learned so much from each and every one of you and I look forward to many more years ahead!”
Diana Pelliccia-Mueller Bellaroma June 24, 2016
“I am honored to be a member of The Artisan Group. The incredible dynamics that the group brings to me and my starting business is wonderful. Ideas flow, advice is given and received and opinions shared of the ups (and downs) of being a entrepreneur. While we all make up the group, there is still an individuality afforded each artisan that makes the experience a truly unique one. Thank you so much!”
Monica Collins TG Bears June 24, 2016
“The Artisan Group has been a wonderful experience for me and my business. From advice to collaboration with other members to the genuine camaraderie, I am honored to have been accepted into this amazing group of talented artisans.”
Tina Dean Allen Tina Dean Designs June 24, 2016
“I cannot begin to describe the value of belonging to this group. They’ve become the first place I turn to for business advice and they are an incredible source of encouragement, support and celebration. My business has reached new levels of success since I have been a member and I give The Artisan Group much of the credit.”
Susan Woods Good Little Things June 24, 2016
“I feel so blessed to be a part of this wonderful group. It is more than just celebrity gifting. It is truly a community of artists who support and help each other. Valerie is one of the most amazing people. She is always there to help with anything I need. I would recommend this organization to any artisan. You will not regret becoming a member.”
Kristal Lee Atutudes Handcrafted Tutus June 24, 2016
“Being a self-employed artist is rewarding, but sometimes lonely, so it’s wonderful to feel embraced by such a friendly and supportive community of fellow artists as The Artisan Group. I love keeping up with everyone’s business endeavors and find The Artisan Group to be an ideal venue for gaining press, promotion, and comaraderie in the art world.”
Lindsey Afton Dufoe Afton Dufoe Photography June 24, 2016
“This group is AMAZING beyond words!! Getting your products into celebrity gift lounges is a small part of what this group will help you achieve. It goes way beyond that. Every one is so willing to help share what they know and give feedback. This is one of the greatest communities I am a part of. Plus I love that they accept artists from all selling platforms, not just Etsy. Can’t say enough amazing things about this group!!!! I am so honored to be a member and get to work with all these very talented artists.”
Jenny Berube She’sACrafty1 June 24, 2016
“I link to The Artisan Group on my website and refer to them as my Fairy Godmothers! It really is the best way I know how to describe this group. It’s like there’s always someone there for you with advice, support, inspiration, or a pat on the back. I just feel completely blessed that I am part of such an amazing and talented group of people. Love to you all!”
Autumn Bradley Autumn Bradley Jewelry Design June 24, 2016