Niki Lopez + Soleplus.org + Sankofa's Child Inc

2:24 PM Leave a Comment
September 11 2011, on a day where Americas has taken several ways to remember and pay homage to all the lives lost 10 years ago, a fellow resident artists of Sailboat Bend Artists Community - Nzingah Oniwosan - held a workshop for artists in the tri-county area (West Palm, Broward, and Dade) to paint Converse shoes for Sole Plus.

Sole Plus is a non-profit organization that provides shoes for those in need as well as raise money, provide workshops, awareness, and focus on art as a tool for social activism. They hold contests for various groups and has a strong basis in philanthropy.

Each participant artist was given a pair of Converse sneakers to decorate. These sneakers will be in a silent auction next month and 50% will go to Sole Plus for future workshops, homeless shoe donations, youth design workshops ,and more in the South Florida. The minimum bid will be $50. If you have any questions email Nzingah Oniwosan at sankofaschild@gmail.com or call 561-880-7700.

Above photo curtesy Sankofa's Child, Inc Facebook

Sharing some images of production and final product. Stay tuned for auction date if interested in snagging these one of a kind art creations. Art for a great cause!

For more ways to connect to Niki Lopez and view art:


Etsy Shop

2:37 AM Leave a Comment
So I am finally taking the Etsy plunge and see if I can navigate my way through things, learn about the different communities, and how to successfully connect with new people as well as exposing some of my art to new audience. Click here to view the shop.

Etsy, like so many other social media sites have its own culture, groups, ways to do things, how to connect, and gain exposure. I signed up back in 2008 but it wasn't until recently that I tried to set up my shop and just do it. Thanks to a friendly neighbor in my art community, I was on the receiving end for advice on setting up my shop and navigating the waters. Since I do graphic/web design I'm usually on the giving end of setting up a client, fellow artists, or friends website, social media, and the likes- its was a nice change of position.

So far, I have connected with some of the teams on there, added to circles, and treasury lists, and favorites and reciprocating, while watching yet another tutorial, I still feel I'm not where I need to be in so far as what I want to list there, good price points, and how to market it- so if you are a veteran Etsy shop owner PLEASE shoot me an email and spare me some tips.

One of the more active teams I am a member of is "Etsy Artists of Color". They have a blog, facebook, and twitter- and some really great talented and helpful team members. Through this team, I became a 3 day feature on another team members blog "One Brown Crafter" as well as listed in a couple of treasuries. This groups is not only a team but also gives a lot of nice resources for fellow members- so check out some of their links.

As I close for the 'night' - its 3am and my little one is still bright eyed and bushy tailed, I'm still optimistic about Etsy and look forward to my first sale. I heard there was a lady on Oprah that made a million dollars through Etsy, don't know how true that is- but if that is my destiny... BRING IT!

(if you are on Etsy- please connect with me, if you have tips to share- shot me an email or comment)