I have run my business, Inklore, online for a bit over two years. It was started and has grown during those two years through blogging, tweeting, google grouping and facebooking; in other words, two years of sitting in a room by myself trying to be connected to other artists and my customers. For the most part, this is wonderful. As an artist I need time alone to think and work out new ideas.  Every once in a while though, I need real people to talk to, so I’ve decided to become a local.

Connecting with local artists has been the best thing I have done recently for my business. It has re-energized my creativity, pushing me to work on new ideas and even leave the house every once in a while! So, I thought I would share some ideas with you regarding how to connect locally as an artist.

1. Attend or show your work in a local craft fair

One of the best ways to meet local artists, store owners and customers is by being involved in a local craft fair. These are not always the biggest money-makers, but the opportunity to connect to people who live near you is invaluable.

2. Send a press release to your local newspaper

If you want people in your local area to know about your work, you have to tell them about it. Next time you read the local section of your newspaper, jot down the contact name and information of an editor who writes local interest stories. Then, take a few minutes to write an introduction, telling your story and introducing your work. You just might find yourself featured in your local paper, which is a great way to introduce yourself to potential customers.

3. Attend or teach a workshop

If you have a skill to teach, contact a local shop that offers classes and ask if they would like to have you come in to teach a class. What better way to become an expert in your community than by teaching others about what you do. Or, if you’re not ready to teach yet, take a class that sounds interesting to you and introduce yourself to the artist who is teaching the class.

4. Participate in Open Studios

Most communities have Artist Open Studios. Find out how you can be a part of it! This is a time when artists invite the public into their work spaces to sell art, meet new people, gain exposure and build mailing lists.

5. Organize a Meet-Up

Once you have found some local artists whose work you love, try getting a group of them together. This can be as simple as meeting for coffee. You never know what collaborations might come as a result of a simple meeting and sometimes simply talking to other artists can bring new energy to your own work. So, get out there and become a local!

Samantha Hirst is the artist behind Inklore, a block-printed housewares and accessories company, based in San Jose, CA. Her work is all block printed and sewn by hand. In addition to managing the Inklore website, she also writes a journal that follows her work and the lifestyle blog, Good Measure.

Main image courtesy of Jeff Bauche.