Look at these gorgeous goodies that popped through my letterbox yesterday. Threads and yarns in the most glorious jewel colours all the way from Western Australia.
All I did to deserve these was to become a Facebook fan of
The Thread Studio and by sheer coincidence I was fan no. 500. So
Dale sent me this lovely parcel.
As a result of this, I have been prompted into starting my own business page on Facebook. I didn't even know what this was until a couple of weeks ago, but it just so happens that as part of my Professional Practice module I have been investigating the nature of various social media as a way of marketing and promoting one's business. I discovered it is possible to set up a business Facebook page that looks just like any other personal page on Facebook. (I realise I am probably very slow off the mark here!) I can post pictures, change the status, write on the wall etc but the big difference is that it is available for anyone on Facebook to see - you do not have to be my friend! It is a way of letting a wider audience know about my work, forthcoming exhibitions, new classes etc. The idea is then to get "fans" or "followers" who will then receive Facebook notifications when I change my status or add something new. And if you are reading this, all you have to do is scroll down the sidebar and press the "like" button on the Facebook icon to become a fan of
Gina Ferrari Textile Art. You do not need to be my Facebook friend and I do not need to know any of your personal details...
So, please be my fan... and when I reach a significant number of fans or followers (unlikely to be 500) I might just have a little giveaway too. Perhaps I will make something from the lovely parcel of goodies that came from
Dale. (These threads and yarns are available to buy from
The Thread Studio)
Of course as well as providing virtual friends, fans and followers, social media has introduced me to some very real and lovely friends over the past couple of years and on Monday I spent a delightful few hours with
Emma (plus a little Pebble),
Val and
Julie and came home with these beautiful Muscari from Emma's garden. Even five years ago I would never have thought all this would be possible and I find the whole idea of social networking facsinating. (The jury is still out on Twitter though!)
All I did to deserve these was to become a Facebook fan of The Thread Studio and by sheer coincidence I was fan no. 500. So Dale sent me this lovely parcel. 
As a result of this, I have been prompted into starting my own business page on Facebook. I didn't even know what this was until a couple of weeks ago, but it just so happens that as part of my Professional Practice module I have been investigating the nature of various social media as a way of marketing and promoting one's business. I discovered it is possible to set up a business Facebook page that looks just like any other personal page on Facebook. (I realise I am probably very slow off the mark here!) I can post pictures, change the status, write on the wall etc but the big difference is that it is available for anyone on Facebook to see - you do not have to be my friend! It is a way of letting a wider audience know about my work, forthcoming exhibitions, new classes etc. The idea is then to get "fans" or "followers" who will then receive Facebook notifications when I change my status or add something new. And if you are reading this, all you have to do is scroll down the sidebar and press the "like" button on the Facebook icon to become a fan of Gina Ferrari Textile Art. You do not need to be my Facebook friend and I do not need to know any of your personal details... 
So, please be my fan... and when I reach a significant number of fans or followers (unlikely to be 500) I might just have a little giveaway too. Perhaps I will make something from the lovely parcel of goodies that came from Dale. (These threads and yarns are available to buy from The Thread Studio) 
Of course as well as providing virtual friends, fans and followers, social media has introduced me to some very real and lovely friends over the past couple of years and on Monday I spent a delightful few hours with Emma (plus a little Pebble), Val and Julie and came home with these beautiful Muscari from Emma's garden. Even five years ago I would never have thought all this would be possible and I find the whole idea of social networking facsinating. (The jury is still out on Twitter though!)
Sounds like a lovely get together - bet there was cake too!
ReplyDeleteCelia
x
i am even slower here as i am not even on facebook yet! people keep saying i should get a business page with alice but i am finding it hard enough to keep up with the website updates and blog just now. i have joined twitter though this year, which is great for updates of what everyone is up to and lots of great links to articles, though finding it hard to find time to read them. Can i follow you even if i don't have facebook myself? i am sure you will get to 500 in no time!
ReplyDeleteginny (sweetmyrtle)
Social networking is a delight when used sensibly and your goodies are gorgeous. I am still not quite sure of all the ways of Facebook even though I am on it - my daughter fixed me up. I will certainly have a look at your page and know you will make wonderful use of your giveaway prize from Dale. Lovely to meet bloggy friends - I must go out more often!
ReplyDeleteI was so disappointed not to have been able to make it on Monday!
ReplyDeleteWell, hopefully you already know I like you, but now I like you on Facebook too :-)
ReplyDeleteIt was a lovely time on Monday - and my girls thank you hugely for the tip about the croissants. I have been instructed to go back and buy more today ...
Gorgeous goodies from Australia there Gina and who better than you to put them to good use. It was fun on to see everyone on monday - nice to meet up for real as well as keeping in touch in pixel form! Well done for setting up your faceook page - I think I've 'liked' you but am still working out how to use facebook properly!
ReplyDeleteThose threads and things are gorgeous, love the jewel like qualities.
ReplyDeleteGlad I'm not the only one who is not sure about Twitter. I read recently of a farmer who got a really quick answer to a problem she had with a calf from twitter, so sounds like a really good resource but I think my problem would be that I have far too wide a range in interests and would get bogged down with information overload. All ready feeling it now - anyway must get back to my assignment
I like you... a lot..... but am not on facebook and don't think I shall venture on to it, another thing to keep up with... Info overload and all that....
ReplyDeleteHaving said that I heartily agree re social media and being introduced to lovely people....
Oh you lucky girl -- your outing with the girls (who are all so lovely in the invisible world ;-)) sounds just perfect. Have fun with your Facebook page. My jury's not out on Twitter or Facebook -- it came back and rendered a big thumbs down verdict. I'm a blog and Pinterest fan, but the others just aren't "pretty" enough for me!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely package to receive through the post, gorgeous colours, very you Gina. :)
ReplyDeleteI have a Facebook page thanks to my son but I can't pretend to know what I'm doing there!!! I have clicked your icon, so I hope I've liked you!
Vivienne x
I 'Like'! x
ReplyDeleteI love the colour combo of your new goodies!
ReplyDeleteYummy threads ......can you sell your work via facebook too ?? ..that sounds interesting I might investigate will certainly 'Like' your page perhaps you could 'Like' mine too if I start one ...xx
ReplyDeletelucky you, what a great surprise!! Have not succombed to facebook yet but it sounds a brilliant idea!
ReplyDeletexx
beautiful colours Gina. Funnily enough I've been working with similar. I'm with you on Twitter but then again I thought Facebook was completely pointless initially and now I'm on it way too much! (mind you that doesn't mean it's not still pointless) lol
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your prize, what gorgeous colours!
ReplyDeleteWhat gorgeous goodies! I'm sure you'll get to 500 fans on facebook very quickly (though have to confess I don't 'do' facebook, or twitter).
ReplyDeletePlease tell us what the croissant tip is.....
Diana x
I am a fan, one of the early ones I think. I set up a page when lots of people saw me at the Alternative WI gathering and wanted to be my friend, I didn't want them to be friends (not in a rude way) but wanted them to be updated and have an easy way to get in touch, I got loads of orders over Christmas through my page. And when someone 'likes' you it appears in their feed and then their friends 'like' you. I always upload pics of sales too and tag the customer so it appears in their feed. Good advertising, free and not alot of hassle! I have real friends too, just for the record ;) xxx
ReplyDeleteGina,
ReplyDeleteI am confident you will get a great response to your facebook page. I'm afraid it is a bit of a no go area for me but I know it's value to many organisations so good luck with it. What will you do with those beautiful, tempting threads I wonder? Lovely to read about the friendships blogging have generated but why does there always have to be cakes in your blog Gina.....? You are not a low fat read! Lesley x
I 'like' you too, Gina!
ReplyDeleteFacebook etc is all a bit of a mystery to me. I have a page (my teenage children seemed to think it was vital for my existence) but don't really know what to do with it! I was an early Twitterer but deleted all that very quickly - all seemed a bit time consuming and ultimately unsatisfying.
Good luck with your new Business Facebook venture.
xx
Social networking is all well and good, but there's nothing quite like a little meet up in the flesh, is there? Good that we get to do both.
ReplyDeleteI am on Facebook and have sold several items there already , I will pop over and say 'hi' and 'like' you :-) By the way business pages 'liking' you don't count on your likes list so you may have many more than you really know about. I did tell Emma about the facebook pages a while ago as it is a great networking device.
ReplyDeleteGreat cushion but love the crocheted blanket behind it, lovely colours - so clever.
ReplyDelete