Minnesota Artist Puts Life Works on eBay to Make the Mortgage Payment

Well, when the Duchess of Earle talks real estate investing, she is usually discussing things like short sales - such things as occur when missed payments and foreclosure enter the picture, things that used to be mysterious to the average Joe, but have come to be more widely known due to the nation’s present financial climate. But today she shares with her readers a little different slant on real estate matters. Different - and yet not at all so, for the task of making one’s house payment looms as a large challenge to many families these days.

While reading today’s edition of the Star Tribune, newspaper of the Twin Cities (for those of you outside the area that means Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota), she encountered an article about a Minnesota artist in a pickle about how to pay her mortgage next week. Melissa Robinson, of Cold Spring, has decided “to do something bold and dramatic.” She has put her life’s work of original art on eBay in the effort to market her way to making her house payment.

So the Duchess, who got into the real estate forum in the first place because of a friend who was facing foreclosure and divorce all at once, and who has an interest in helping people out when she can, has decided to write this post in the effort to assist this fellow Minnesotan in her attempt to make her payment.

Ms. Robinson’s works are available for viewing both on eBay and on her two websites. The works one will find there are simple, folk art-type originals, some with words incorporated into the paintings, some not. It’s a rather whimsical style she has - trees float in the atmosphere, a cabin in the woods emits heart-shaped puffs of smoke, ducks ride bicycles and bird-shaped snow sculptures sport colorful winter gloves for combs and wear party-hat beaks (please note that not all works mentioned in this article are on eBay - some are on her website). In addition to such fun things, there are more thoughtful and inspirational/motivational pieces, charming in their simplicity and ability to please the eye. A tree standing in the middle of four blocks of color makes this writer think a bit of Paul Klee’s art. Many of the works are current too - one depicts an airplane in the Hudson River. The Duchess also located on the web a portrait of our new President Barack Obama, though this work is not amongst those shown as being for sale.

Now please know, dear readers, the Duchess does not personally know this lady, has never heard of her until the reading of this morning’s paper, but she puts this blogpost into the ether in hopes that someone out there will find an available piece appealing and take action. The newspaper article quotes Ms. Robinson as saying that the opening eBay prices are way below what things have sold for on her website in the past, so if you’re an art lover you’ve got a rare opportunity - both to get a bargain on something you can enjoy for a long time and to help a fellow human being out of a jam. Even if the style is not for you, the Duchess hopes you’ll get a day-brightening smile or two, just for the experience of looking Roxithromycin around on the eBay postings and Robinson’s website.

The Duchess closes this post with all best wishes to Melissa A. Robinson in her efforts to make that payment! You go, Girl!

Tips to Remember When Designing & Printing Your Business Cards

* If you’re serious about your business be serious about your business cards. Don’t focus on the money, focus on the quality. Business cards not only provide contact details, they represent you and your organization. People you give your card to will form a first impression within Augmentin seconds of receiving your business card (oftentimes before even reading it), and you want that impression to be a good one. Make it appeal to the senses.

1. Have someone in house create a catchy logo and/or design and layout for your card. If you don’t have anyone to do that, hire someone.
2. Get high-quality, thick card stock that feels nice to the touch.
3. Apply foil or glossy finishes it applicable to catch their eye.

Make your card stand out. If you spend enough time and quality on your card people will believe you put that same amount of effort into your business.

* Make the most out of your cards. Don’t be afraid to use them as a marketing tool. Give them to everyone you meet. In fact, give everyone you meet two or three, so that they can give them out if the opportunity arises.

* Give your business card additional value. If you wish, you can usually create a useable backing for your business card—a calendar, appointment card, coupon, referral discount —give it value and decrease the chance that it will disappear into the trash bin.

* Be creative…but not too creative. It is important to design a visually-pleasing layout for your business card. But there are times when you can take creativity too far. Nobody likes to receive business cards of odd shapes and sizes that wont fit into their Rolodex or other business card holder. Make the text big and dark/light enough to read. Don’t use ‘wacky’ colors or fonts.

Octavio Ochoa
www.TheTimeToAct.com
octavio_ochoa@yahoo.com