Featured Customer: Art by SJ Nielsen

This month we are happy to feature Samantha from SJ Nielsen Art! A small business with a big impact is what we love about Samantha’s art that showcases the natural whimsy around her. Read on to learn more about her business:

Tell us a little about your company:

I’m a watercolor artist and urban sketcher based out of Northern Minnesota. I love capturing the scenes around me in my sketchbook and bring it with me anytime I travel. Most would describe my style as ‘whimsical’, and this translates well when I am designing vinyl stickers of my work. I have been in business for 2 and a half years and I’m excited that I will be pursuing my art business full-time come Fall 2018! I have a background in teaching, so along with selling my work I will be adding more classes to Skillshare as well as teaching local watercolor workshops. I want to help others learn to work with watercolor and ink because I know how much joy it can bring!

What makes your product unique?

The first time someone sees my work, they almost always comment on how ‘whimsical’ it is, and I think this is what makes my watercolor work unique. I have found a balance between capturing enough detail and information in my sketches while also making them appear quick and carefree. Through the combination of materials as well as subject matter I choose, I have found my work often brings a smile to people’s face!

How do you package your products and what ClearBags™ products do you use?

I package my original watercolors as well as my fine art prints with backing board and clear protective closure sleeves. I also use the rigid mailers for shipping my work. I have shipped out almost 500 Etsy packages and I’ve never had a product arrive damaged. This just goes to show how great ClearBags products are! I also use the hanging bags for my vinyl stickers.

Where do you sell your product?

I sell my products online (Etsy) as well as several locations in my hometown. I have some great wholesale relationships with local businesses, and I also enjoy selling my work at pop-up markets and craft fairs.

How long have you been working with ClearBags™ and how does ClearBags™ help you succeed?

I have been working with ClearBags for a little over two years. I knew I wanted to start selling my artwork online, but I didn’t know how to package artwork safely to be able to ship it to my customers. A quick google search landed me on the ClearBags website and I have used their products ever since. Using ClearBags has allowed my business to grow to where it is now, because without quality packaging I wouldn’t be able to ship or wholesale my items. Their protective closure sleeves also help my artwork stay protected at local pop-up markets.

What one piece of packaging advice would you give to other business owners?

Small details matter! Take care in everything you package and realize that the package is the first thing your customer sees. This means your packaging is giving the first impression. I like to embellish my packaging with a hand-drawn ‘happy mail’ and tree sketch. My customers love it! It takes 10 extra seconds and leaves a lasting impression. Even the mail carriers started commenting when I would drop packages off and say, “Oh! You’re the girl who does the tree sketches!” In a way, these extra details are even doing some marketing work for me!