Monday, March 16th, 2009 @ SXSW
11:30 am – 12:30 pm, Room 5B
Today, social media sites like Facebook, ecommerce sites like Etsy.com, and the endless mash up of ecommerce ingredient applications have made starting a successful business for independent artists and crafters a snap. Learn what online tools work best, how to drive traffic, successful strategies from current independents and more.
Rebecca Marshall
User Experience Professional/Jewelry Designer
Using her original photography and design plus found imagery, Rebecca Marshall creates wistful and quirky jewelry and other home adornments made out of shrink plastic (yes, shrinky dinks). As a user experience design lead in the San Francisco office of Razorfish, a leading, global digital design agency, Rebecca spends her days working with a variety of technology, media, and ecommerce clients to create a better Web. But when the sun goes down (and on weekends) she spends her time feeding her addiction to crafts, art, photography, music, books and film. Her plot to bring her passions together has resulted in her newest venture, The Catbird Nest (http://thecatbirdnest.com).
Willo O’Brien
Designer/Illustrator
WilloToons is the creative venture of well-known designer, illustrator and music lover Willo O’Brien. Based in San Francisco, she draws inspiration from the local intersection of geeks and guitars. A seasoned and professionally trained artist who has specialized in Web and Flash design throughout her career, Willo translates one’s love of internet connectivity, illustration and indie rock into unique gifts for celebrating the “geekyfantastic” rocker within all of us.From cartoons to quips, embroidery to screenprint, Willo’s designs capture her creative spin on the adjacent worlds of music and technology in the Bay Area. Whether it’s vintage swallow earrings or a whimsically embroidered infant onesie, her items showcase sophisticated design skills, a wicked sense of humor and fresh take on popular culture all packed into an affordable purchase. Willo is also proud that her line is entirely eco-conscious and sweatshop-free, supporting local small businesses as much as possible. Each and every item maintains its high-quality at a low cost to the environment, and Willo is thrilled to announce the line is transitioning into utilizing 100% organic cotton. Visit WilloToons.com for more.