Tag Archives: networking

Are You Ready to Mix and Match?

Applications are now open for the next round of Mixer Match for Visual Artists and Galleries scheduled for Wednesday, April 25, at 6:00 pm! Yay! This is one of our most popular events. Now in our third year, the Mixer Match phenomenon continues to grow and be a valuable learning experience for blossoming to mid-career artists. The April Mixer Match pairs visual artists and art professionals in an evening of fast paced speed networking.

What is speed networking? In the Mixer Match, participants have only two quick minutes to pitch their portfolios to each of the 20 local art dealers, gallery owners or curators. The pace is lightening fast, so you better have your elevator pitch down. Get tips from this article on how to make the most of the Mixer Match experience.

Besides having this valuable face time with art dealers, there is also time to mingle with fellow artists and what we call “Superstars.” Our Superstars are some of the most successful artists and professional advisers in our community. As you wait for your round to pitch, they are on hand to answer questions, give advice, and offer tips on how to approach galleries successfully.

LEFT: Superstars Pat Castaldo (Land, Buy Olympia) Kate Bingaman-Burt (Obsessive Consumption).

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Paperless Networking Night: Leave Your Business Cards at Home

What is networking, really? Networking for networking’s sake will help you build a business card collection, but will it propel your creative business? Yes, it certainly can!

Forget the business cards—come out for an evening with just yourself and your passion. Building networks is about building mutually beneficial relationships for the sake of support, education and connected referrals. Think outside the box in how you connect to your community of makers, shakers and creators. You just might be surprised!

I Heart Art: Portland is sponsoring a free Paperless Networking Night hosted by Andrea Mansfield of Brand and Bloom. Make your way into the center of Ladd’s Addition at Pailo Dessert House for an evening of business card-less personal connections.

No need to RSVP–please show up for sweets and networking!

Paperless Networking Night

hosted by Brand and Bloom

Wednesday, September 28, 7–9 pm
Palio Dessert House
Ladd’s Addition

Information Overload: Hello Etsy is More Than Just Workshops

If you have a ticket to Hello Etsy PDX, you already know that there are 14 sessions on Saturday to choose from to maximize your small business and sustainability educational experience.

But what you may not know is how much more information you can access during the “Socialize” break in the afternoon (3:30–4:00 pm). In this scrumptious half-hour—there will be tea and cupcakes—you will not only have a chance to mingle with your fellow conference-goers, but you will also be able to learn more about all kinds of different organizations who will be tabling during that time.

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The Morning After: A Post-Mixer Match Guide

Editor’s Note: Many thanks to Bettie Newell for her photos from the evening. Be sure to check out her blog, Little Paper Cities. For an ordered list of the retailer stations, see the end of the article.

by Deenie Wallace of Jubilant Glass & Art

The night of the Mixer Match came and went in a cacophony of new people, ideas and possibilities. Afterwards, you either teetered on the verge of sleep through the night, replaying each exciting moment in your head—or fell asleep instantly from complete exhaustion. Now that the expectations of what could be have met reality, it’s time to face the light of a new day. Taking time to reflect after an intense night with I Heart Art: Portland offers new and useful insight on your handmade business.

Marti Emmons describes her jewelry to Seasons Koll, owner of Presents of Mind on SE Hawthorne. Photo: Bettie Newell

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Mixer Match is Around the Corner: Participants, Open Networking and More

We’re less than a week away from our third round of fast-paced speed-networking, and all the pieces are falling into place. The ever-gracious Design Within Reach studio in the Pearl District is hosting our event once again, and it is one heck of a beautiful venue. Who could ask for more than 20 mini-living rooms in one space for professional networking?

Mixer Match

The vendor list is full up and the waiting list is queued, but that doesn’t mean that the average artist can’t benefit from this unique event. The first-floor casual networking is free and open to all, so even if you didn’t make it into the speed rounds upstairs, you can still come and meet talented artists, our line-up of Superstars, and maybe even grab a minute or two of your own with one of the shop owners.

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