Hello! Can I ask you all a question?
Who would you say your influencers are?
It’s a horrible word, I know… but we’d really love to know who you look to on social media, online and in print as people or organisations who are doing interesting things, setting trends or important figures (or organisations) in your sector.
It could be bloggers, Instagrammers, magazines, events or organisations etc. Is there anyone you’d really like to see Folksy partner up with or collaborate with, for example?
Dear Folksy
For me the answer is probably pretty obvious if you look at my Joysofglass Facebook page.
(sorry can’t get rid of the Etsy bit even though my shop there has been on holiday for about 2 years !)
For the past couple of years+ I have interacted on a daily basis with British Crafters / aka(@dottiedesigns and since then my Facebook reach / associated sales through Facebook, but more often channelled here to my Folksy shop, have gone from strength to strength.
I find it is really important to be seen on social media on a very regular basis. To keep oneself in the public eye at all times. You will note that I always set up daily scheduled posts on my page even when on holiday as it does not do to let let people forget you.
I use British Crafters throughout the year to promote my own work and do my best to also promote others by doing 3 daily shares of their posts. Makes my page more interesting and hopefully helps other artists and crafters too.
I also buy a month’s promotion package from BC a couple of times a year when I need an extra boost, which always works well for me. Only fair to do this as I get lots of freebie promotion from them. I really miss them when they’re on holiday and sure my own page likers miss them too.
I’m not sure I have any “influencers” as such. I follow fellow felters on instagram because I love to see their work and I am a member of the International Felters Association so follow their FB page and read the magazine. I also follow my main suppliers blog/FB page. I sometimes see techniques that I might try to incorporate into my work but beyond teaching myself the basics from various books/online tutorials my work is influenced only by strange things that pop into my head at random times of the day and night!
I had to Google ‘influencers’ 
And now I realise this is a really good question. It looks like I don’t have any. There are few important people I follow with regards to Book Art and Printmaking but this is more around current events and practices in both fields.
I agree with Joy, British Crafters with social media and @dottiedesigns as a person, she’s very encouraging, always helpful and hardly sits still
Like Roz i’m self tought from books and online tutorials, and inspiration comes from nature.
So like Jaqueline I have used British Crafters AKA @dottiedesigns to be an ‘influencer’ on my behalf on social media when I am too busy to do it myself! very useful
In terms of influenecing me I spend a fair bit of time engaging with groups that fit with my USP ( unique Selling points ) so that’s retro/vintage and eco as I look to that for my source fabric in my creations and to get inspiration. More specifically eco/recycled textile groups / crafters and also Mid Century Design groups.
Interesting question!
I like looking at anything historical on TV because I like looking at the costumes and interiors! So when Outlander was on and they went to 18thC France, I got very excited with all the silk dresses the female lead was wearing and the frock coats too!
Other crafters that make/create/design things is always a pleasure to see. It’s sooo good to see the skill that goes into different crafts, I really like seeing the new shops that have opened here on Folksy when they show such handmade skill!
I’m with Roz and Angela. I go my own sweet way. I’m not good at (not really interested in) social media. I like to look at things on Pinterest sometimes, love the V & A and the Geoffrey Museum, all sorts of historical buildings and artifacts, galleries, etc, but I don’t think my work is influenced by anyone in particular.
I would say that I’m the wrong generation, but I know some fellow oldies tweet and stuff
Perhaps this is why my shop is going down the drain !
I’m not influenced by anyone. I paint what I like (or what my customers like if it’s a commission) and I don’t care to follow trends for colours, styles etc. Been like that all my life, and unlikely to change now
I rarely use Twitter - I only follow a few people that genuinely interest me, but that’s nothing to do with my work, and I rarely tweet as it’s just not my thing. I know no bloggers, I rarely read magazines, I haven’t got a mobile phone thingummy for using instagram - I;m a technological dinosaur lol!
I do follow a few art groups on Facebook - but I don’t interact with them, I just like looking at the pretty pictures. But I don’t use them to influence my work, as my imagination is crammed full of unfinished projects already
I go my own way, do my own thing, and don’t give a monkeys if I’m hopelessly out of style - after all, everything seems to come back into fashion again at some point
I’m also not a fan of social media and very rarely look at blogs.
Mainly, the materials I use, have the most influence, some colours, textures, fibres cry out to be made into a certain combination and shape. Quite often further designs will flow from the original, transforming the final product, until it reaches completion. Rather designs from the heart, not a result of anothers influence.
Saying that, i’ve been a fan of Margo Selby and her amazing textile designs for a number of years, not to copy, but for the quality of fabric and uniqueness of design.
I have also revered the work of designer Kaffe Fassett for as long as I can remember. I like his open minded approach, creating designs from the simplest of shapes and the amazing way he combines colour. So if you could arrange a meeting with either, I promise to be first in the queue 
I don’t think I have any? I like to go my own way. I find Instagram very useful to find out how people live their lives, an insight into their world. I have a loving for animals and nature and most of my designs and ideas come from my own imagination. I’m self taught apart from learning to sew at school. Not sure if I’ve answered correctly?
I think there are so many people out there to compete with that it’s just very hard. I’m in the same boat. Not sold anything here this year. And I’m on social media.
I am not sure if we are all talking about the same kind of influencers
I believe @folksycontent is referring to this in terms of marketing.
As I said I had to Google this to find out what it meant
I think the closest I get to an influencer is Pantone and their list of ‘colours of the year’ - it might not make me go away and deliberately make something in one of the colours if its not something I wouldn’t make anyway (a few years back they had radiant orchid which really isn’t me and I think that would show in the design if I opted to use it). But I do point out in a description if a piece fits with one of their colours in case someone is looking for something to fit that trend. Pantone’s list is based on what they’ve seen on catwalks and blogs so they are kind of condensing a whole bunch of influencers I don’t know about into one place for me.
You’re right, Angela, I did mean influencers in that sense, rather than who influences your own work or how you drive traffic to your shop.
It’s not necessarily even about your craft, I just wondered who you love to follow social media or which magazines you read.
I follow lots of people on Instagram who write for or blog about bridal trends. As it is a big year-round market for jewellery in general, and not just for engagment/wedding rings, I would love to see Folksy collaborate with one of the bridal magazines.
Sam x
I use Pinterest and ello.co, and my blog for social media.
The people I look up to include Janet Bolton and Julie Arkell (plus quite a few artists that are no longer with us: Picasso, Hundertwasser, van Gogh…).
I think my answer remains pretty much the same - I don’t read magazines, I prefer books, and I’m really not fussed about following people on social media. I follow a few rabbit rescues, who I help with fund raising, and one actor on Twitter, who is rather hot, and I like looking at his photos of himself lol! I did start following people when I first sussed out how to use Twitter, and then realised that I was just scrolling past their posts as they weren’t a) bunnies, or b) the hot actor I like 
I like anything between 1880 and 1920 fashion wise, I also like the look of the silent film era, eg Chaplin, Bara. Also circus and Vaudeville from that time.
Nowadays theres an artist called Sandra Evertson who makes great mixed media pieces, she has inspired me to make my little hanging dolls. also Folksy very own @twinkleandgloomart has inspired me to try drawing so I can design my own greeting cards…
