ArtSites Updates
A few weeks ago, we received a call from ArtSites artist, Nicole Slater, asking us:
Would it be possible to create a page like my mailing list page or contact page, where my visitors can enter information, e.g. for a workshop or class?
What Nicole was asking is whether she can create her own, customized online forms. (like the image above ;-)
And guess what ... the simple answer is yes!
- Wufoo
This is a very flexible and relatively simple service to use that allows you to build online forms and once you've done that you can embed them into your website.
- JotForm
This is slightly more advance service that gives you many more options. (and the free option is only good for up to 100 submissions per month.) Because JotForm is more capable/complex, it also means it can be a bit overwhelming if you just want to create a simple form ;-) That said, like Wufoo, you can also create a wide variety of forms and then embed them into your website.
- Google Forms
If you happen to use Google Drive or Docs, there is one other option using something called Google Forms. This solution is a little less "drag and drop", but if you're already using Google Docs / Drive, you may find it helpful. As with the other ones, once you create your Google Forms, you can easily embed them into your website.
WARNING!
Just so that you know, spammers LOVE online forms! So, the more forms you have on your website, the more likely you are to receive more spam.
This definitely is not a reason NOT to use them, but we did want to let you know why we've tried to keep the number of forms on your websites to a minimum. ;-)
That said, if you have any issues or problems, as always, please feel free to let us know! :-)
Here's to getting your visitors to fill out more forms! :-)
This week, we received a very detailed email from one of our ArtSites artists outlining the details of one of the many online art scams.
I will summarize the important points first, but please feel free to read all of the art scam details below that our artist so generously offered! Thanks SO much! :-)
Here's how this particular scam works ...
- Someone inquires about purchasing work from your website, insisting to pay by credit card and arranging delivery to an international location (in this case, Cyprus) using a shipping company they specify.
(A "shipping company THEY choose" should be your first red flag!) - They then use stolen credit card information and pay for the artwork PLUS advance payment for shipping. They request $3,000 - $5,000 of artwork which makes for $1,000 + for shipping charges.
(Any "overpayment" should be your next red flag!) - Once the credit card transaction is complete (in this case through PayPal - which authorized the transaction even though it was stolen credit card information), they give you the link to the courier company they want to use. In this case, it was "Large Packet Shipping", based in the U.K., which is not a real courier company, but a front for the scammers!
- And, here's where the money grab begins ... They have you bank wire transfer the shipping charges to them when you arrange for pick-up.
- Eventually, the credit card charges are reversed by the card's real owner AND you lose the money you sent to the courier company.
- They never intended to get the art - they just want the money you send to the courier!
As always, we wanted to share this information so that you do not run into this situation!
If you ever have suspicions about potential inquiries, please feel free to ask for our opinions! :-)
(And, if you'd like to see more details about the initial email message, identities they're using, courier addresses, and all the bank wire transfer details, we have all those details below.)
Online Art Scam Details
Here are a few names, email addresses and wire transfer details that were used for this particular scam.
Here's the initial email message:
Hello,
I am emailing to inquire about availability of artwork for sale in your gallery, if you can ship international and also if you are able to process Electronically Visa and Master Card Number/Expiry date/Cvv through PAYPAL as payment. Let me know so that i can communicate with you on the artworks that interest me,you can also indicate to me which of the arts are sold and which are available on your website.
I will be looking forward to reading from you.
Sincerely
Anita Turner is the name the scammer was using.
anitturner@gmail.com - this is the primary address the scammer is using.
anitadonald200@gmail.com - this is an address that the scammer used once
Address - 7 Themistocles Dervis Street, CY - 1006 Nicosia, Cyprus
In the most recent contact, Joe Cole is the name they're using - joecole192@gmail.com
Large Packet Shipping is the name the scammers are using as the shipping company
Ken Winball
Customer Service Dept
Large Packet Shipping Service
20 Manor Road, Erith DA8 2AG, United Kingdom
Tel: 01913 878885, 0741 551 2381
Fax: 07438849534
E-mail: infolargepacketservice@mac.hush.com
Web: http://www.large-packet-shipping.co.uk
Brad Simon
Account Dept
Large Packet Shipping Service
Tel: 01913 878885, 0741 551 2381
Fax: 07438849534
E-mail: infolargepacketservice@mac.hush.com
Web: http://www.large-packet-shipping.co.uk
This was the information for the bank wire transfer:
International Banking Account Number (IBAN): GB41BARC20258513023176
Sort Code : 20 25 85
Account Number: 13 02 31 76
Bank Identifier Code (BIC)/(SWIFT CODE): BARCGB210DB
Account Beneficiary: MICHAEL RUSSELL
Account Beneficiary Address: Gemini Business Park Hornet Way, London E6 7FF, UK
Bank: Bank: Barclays PLC UK
Bank Address : 1 Churchill Place Leicester LE87 2BB UK
Country: UNITED KINGDOM
And, while we're at it, you may also want to revisit some of our earlier posts about art scams:
- How to Check if An Inquiry is Legitimate
- Red Flags When Doing Business Online
- The Latest "Order Inquiry" by "Rebecca Shawn"
- The Latest "James Duckworth" Art Scam
- Other Art Scam "Sender Names" to Avoid
- Stop Art Scams Blog & Facebook Page
(list of common Art Scams) - Canadian Anti-Fraud Agency
We simply want to make sure you don't get scammed!
Please stay informed and be cautious! :-)
This week, many Apple mobile devices, e.g. iPhones and iPads, were able to upgrade to iOS 8.
Unfortunately, several bugs have shown up with this latest upgrade, including a bug in Safari that does not allow anyone using iOS 8 to upload images to a website.
If you have upgraded to iOS 8, Apple JUST released its 8.0.2 update and that should fix the image upload issue.
If you haven't upgraded to iOS 8, you might want to wait a few days until some of these new issues get ironed out! ;-)
(Also, please note that iOS 8 will only work on iPhones 5, 5C, 5S, and 6 and iPads 2 and newer.)
We've done some testing on iOS 8 and haven't seen any other issues related to managing your website on your iOS devices.
That said, if you do see something that doesn't work, please let us know!
Thanks again for your patience and feedback with these iOS changes! :-)
HUGE Congratulations to Royden Josephson and Jo Petty on completing the 3.3m x 5.8m "Twenty Good Years" Mural in Bifuka, Japan!
The Mural was a gift from Royden and Jo's town of Ashcroft, BC, to the people of Bifuka, Japan, in Celebration of the 20th Anniversary of Signing their Sister City Agreement.
The left side of the mural has 17 biomorphic shapes grouped vertically as in a Japanese Haiku. Royden thought it would be fitting to have a haiku to go along with the visual of the mural. So, he commissioned his Wem, England-based friend and poet, Ted Eames, to write a tribute haiku.
Here it is...
From the Teshio
to the Thompson wellness flows
in warm sisterhood
Our twenty good years
Pulse with life-affirming red:
this link will hold fast.- Ted Eames
For more information, please do visit, Royden's detailed accounting and view the touching video!
Thank you, Royden and Jo, for continuing to gift your talents and share your artistry with us and the rest of the world!
Congratulations to both Sister Cities - Ashcroft, BC and Bifuka, Japan!
May there be hundreds more years of friendship and sharing! :-)
This week, I came across a great video that nicely summarizes many of the business and marketing tips we've been writing about.
So, instead of another article, I thought you might enjoy sitting back and watching a video about Practical Marketing Tips to Sell Your Art!
Enjoy the video and Happy Selling! :-D
This week, I stumbled across an article that offers some really great Tips on How to Break Up / Leave Your Gallery.
In case you don't want to read the entire article, below is a 'condensed version' of the tips :-)
Here's what you should do when you realize it may be time to leave or change galleries:
- Make an list of all the works that are at your current gallery
- Review your gallery representation contract (if you have one! ;-)
- Say your 'goodbye' in-person
- Negotiate a timeline for getting your work back
- Write a proper thank-you note when all is said and done!!
You probably should still read the full article because it has many more details and explanations!
That said, at different times in your career, you'll definitely need different kinds of support and representation.
Be grateful and recognize the important role your current gallery has played.
And, most importantly, treat them with respect - even if they haven't treated you that way! ;-)
By taking the higher ground, you set the tone for your own career and how you will be perceived.
Here's to smooth and "amicable" gallery break ups! ;-)
As we've often said, we REALLY want you to excel and succeed!
In other words, we want YOU to become the best "artrepreneur" you can! :-D
This week, I stumbled across a great review that caught my attention for the new book, Art Inc.: The Essential Guide for Building Your Career as an Artist.
Here's an excerpt from the review:
"Congdon, a prolific artist herself, offers those looking to make a career in a creative field, wherever they may be along the journey — aspiring artists just discovering their talent, part-time artists trying to transition into full-time, seasoned artists seeking new ideas to reinvigorate an existing career — the necessary tools for defining success by their own standards, then attaining it on their own terms. From practicalities like pricing, marketing, and photographing your work to psychological tussles like dealing with self-doubt, learning to say “no,” and managing the ebb and flow of success, she offers a 360-degree map of the terra incognita that is the modern creative life-cum-living."
Sound intriguing?! ;-) Well, check out the entire book review!
While I haven't read the book myself, I very much look forward to getting it in my hands! :-)
Happy reading and here's to building YOUR successful career! :-D
Recently, we've received a few emails from some artists asking our thoughts about unsolicited "Art Magazine" inquiries that they have received.
So, today, I thought I'd share some of our thoughts ...
First, let me state that many of these inquiries are legitimate.
However, you do need to think about whether the magazine and the offer work well for you.
In most cases, the magazines are looking to get you to "advertise" in their magazine.
In other words, they will be charging you a fee to get published.
Now, this is not necessarily a bad decision, but you should keep a few factors in mind.
Here's our list of 5 Things to Consider Before Responding to an Art Magazine Inquiry.
- Is the Opportunity an Article or Ad?
In many cases, these opportunities start off as a "profile" or "article". But, when you get more details, you find out it's really just an advertising opportunity.
Please note that there's nothing wrong with paying to get your artwork advertised and hopefully, discovered. However, you also need to do your own research to see if this is a good investment of your money. For example, I'd also look at other Art Magazines to see what their advertising rates are. - Is the "Article or Ad" Curated or Juried?
In many cases, these "opportunities" are not curated or juried. This means that potentially any artist will be published, which also means you probably will not have any control over the quality of the other artists being published with you. This is not a reason to NOT do it, but is something to keep in mind. - Where and How Many "Articles / Ads" Will Be Published?
You probably want to know how many pages of "articles / ads" will be included in the issue and where will they be located. If these "opportunities" are all at the end of the magazine or bunched up together, readers may very well just ignore them. - Is It an Art Magazine You Like / Value?
Do your research! Take a close look at their online website, social media channels, and ask your fellow artists what they know / think. Based on your research, see if it's generally the kind of art magazine you'd like your work to appear in. If not, perhaps there's another one that you already know that would provide you with a similar opportunity. - Are They Pressuring You?
As your can see from the image above, there are LOTS of Art Magazines! So, don't let a pushy salesman force you to make a bad decision! ;-)
If you have any thoughts about spending money on advertising, it makes much more sense for you to sit down and decide where to advertise on your own, not based on what a salesman says.
When someone reaches you in a relatively random way, you really need to be cautious in proceeding.
However, if the connection is made through a friend or other traceable way, you can feel a little better that it's probably something to seriously consider.
As always, we really do want the MOST publicity for our artists!
We simply want to make sure your expectations and the possible exposure are well-aligned! ;-)
Here's to getting published where, when and most importantly, how you want! :-D
It's called, "9 Pinterest Image Fails, i.e. What Kinds of Images Do NOT Work on Pinterest".
Some of the tips are obvious, like images that are very light or very dark don't work well online.
But, there are other pointers that you may find interesting.
And, just as a reminder, you may also want to re-read our previous article that talks about What Kinds of Images Get Shared the Most Online!
Here's to getting your artwork images shared and discovered! :-D
This week, I received an email from one of our artists about TinEye.
TinEye is an online image search engine that helps you find online pages where your images may be used - with or without your permission! ;-)
I thought I'd written an article about this, but couldn't find one and think I may have only linked to TinEye in the resource section with our free online Social Media for Visual Artists Workshop.
(If you'd like to learn more about social media, I'd definitely recommend you take a peek! ;-)
In any case, if you want to see if any of your images are being used online, please do try TinEye.
Alternatively, you can also do a Google Image search, which will give you similar results.
Here's a great article using Google Images on How to Find Out If Someone Is Using Images of Your Art Online.
Here's to tracking down any copyright infringers!
Unfortunately, I haven't come across any similar tools for copies of your artwork offline! ;-)
Join us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Subscribe on YouTube