Friday, September 30, 2011

Interview with Amy Marie aka Shopaholic Chick

Amy Marie aka Shopaholic Chick















Amy Marie aka Shopaholic Chick



Rico:
What's Your Name?


Amy Marie aka Shopaholic Chick

Rico:
List your shop(s) -


Amy Marie aka Shopaholic Chick:

Addicted To

Designs for people with silly addictions...hundreds to choose from with and without images as well a customizable section where you can add your own silly addiction!

09-11-01

This store was made for my friend Reggie Cervantes who was there on 9-11-01 as a rescue medic at ground zero. It opened shortly before the 10th anniversary and is dedicated to everyone who lost their life, a loved one, worked ground zero, or was otherwise affected by this event.

Alien Nation
A store full of aliens! No need to travel to Roswell to get your alien fix just head over to this great shop where hundreds of aliens are hanging out waiting to go home with you!

animenation
This great shop is full of anime inspired designs. Each anime has been given a name and personality fitting their look. Find a great anime that reminds you of a friend or loved one today and share them as a great gift! Over 200 Anime Characters available!

Arabian_Art
Designs inspired by the middle east, Aladdin, Persian rugs, Genies in lamps and so on.

Binderific
This store started as a place to showcase great designs on binders when zazzle first introduced Avery Binders….however quickly it became a place for fun and colorful designs on an assortment of products. Binderific now features muge, steins, iphone cases, ipad cases, skateboards, shoes and stamps with hundreds of great fun and colorful designs on them!

B is for Birds
This shop started when my friends 18 month old son became enamored with the pink flamingos at the zoo. Everywhere we went and saw a tshirt, toy, flag or other item with a flamingo on it he would yell “B – B – B” ….he called them all B because B is for birds!! after a few months of searching to find a unisex or boys shirt with a flamingo on it my friend got frustrated because all the shirts were girls shirts cut for girls with pink trim or bows…so I started this shop to make some flamingo shirts for her son. You can guess by now how it got it’s name, and of course I am glad I chose this name because I have quickly filled this shop with a great variety of birds, and I am always looking for new birds to add!

Chasing the gnome
Chasing the gnome is my photography store…it started as a blog when I was in college, I was heading to Germany for 4 months to study abroad and my professor asked me to blog about it, since she knew I was a computer person…so I thought for a few days and came back and told her I started a blog called chasing the gnome. The name actually came from news articles I had read several years ago about a garden gnome that was stolen from a lady’s front yard and shortly after it’s disappearance she started to receive photographs of the gnome in far off locations…and I always thought wow I want to see all those places someone took that special little gnome! After I told the professor she started laughing and shared her own story with me. She told me she had been visiting the Black Forest region of Germany and had wandered away from her group down a little path into the woods and she came upon a little man sitting on a stump smoking a pipe, she stared at him for a few moments then heard someone shout her name she turned to see who it was and turned back in just a moment and the little man with the pipe on the stump was gone! So as far as she is concerned there are gnomes living in the Black Forest…she swears she saw one! When I decidided to open a store based mostly on my travel photography I could not find a more fitting name then to carry the blog name over to my shop!

Clown Town
This shop is full of clowns for all ages, mostly goofy and silly clowns I also have a nice selection of artistic clowns, jesters, hobos and of course the scary clowns born from everyone’s circus nightmares.

Doodle_Speakers
Featuring hundreds of doodle speakers in a variety of colors patterns and designs.

Dragon's Lair
I love dragons don’t you? This shop is full of dragons, cute and cuddly dragons or mean and ferocious ones they are there to fill every fairytale ending you can imagine! Their styles stretch from cartoony to elegant, European fire breathers to Asian water serpents.

Edibility
This shop is for the foodie in everyone. Hundreds of great foods featured in a variety of great ways make this shop scrumptious!

Elf Express
Well where else would you buy your Christmas themed products but from the elves of course! Santa’s little helpers are at it again with this great shop featuring over 200 unique designs to make your Christmas merry.

From Santa's Desk
This shop is exclusively Christmas cards written and personalized to your child, signed by Santa, Mrs. Claus or the elves!! If you child writes to Santa then make sure Santa writes back!

Graduation Station
Every year thousands of people graduate, from school, training classes, the military…and they all deserve a card saying Congratulations on your achievement!!

Jewcy Designs
The name was inspired by a Jewish friend who used Jewcy in to describe himself as an adjective! When he asked me to make some silly and fun Jewish inspired designs with some phrases him and his friends bantered about I said sure why not! As long as I can steal your moniker of course…

Just Sports
Well the name sort of says it all! I began with a sports section in my shopaholic chick store…but it started to get too big so I decided it was time that sports had their own shop….the shop only has a few sports currently but I am working hard to add more and more….it is taking quite some time however since some of my sports already have over 200 unique designs for that sport alone!!

Kiki Kitty
Kiki Kitty got it’s start after I saw an article online about a lady who had given her cat multiple piercings – I thought ouchies poor kitty, if your going to put jewelry on a cat do it as a cartoon not the live animal! So I made a shop of some edgier but cute kitty cat designs featuring Kiki Kitty & her beau KiKi Kat.

Kooblees
Kooblees are just goofy little animals bugs and aliens I made up! They are adorable and fun and work great as teaching tools for parents and preschool teachers. Each Kooblee is made of of shapes, or numbers & a variety of colors. I am hoping to add Kooblees letters in the next few months too!

Left Handed Cards
Well just as the title says Left Handed Cards features just that….cards for lefties! All cards appear upside down on zazzle because this way when printed they will open from the left!

Occupation Station
This shop features cute little kids dressed up in adult professional attire. It is perfect for the adult who is a kid at heart or the child who knows what they want to be when they grow up. Hundreds of great designs available in a variety of colors, skin tones and hair shades!

Peace People
Peace people are my own little doodles I have been drawing on the backs of notebooks and in the margins of my papers since middle school! As a kid they always had peace signs, or anti-war slogans in their furry little hands. Now they hold true to the theme and added environmental slogans to their collection of protest signs.

Same Sex Marriage
This shop is filled with Gay and Lesbian brides & grooms. I feel strongly we should not force our judgments on other people. It is not my decision who someone else loves, so I will choose to support them, as I hope they will support me. These designs made great gifts for the same sex couple, or party or wedding favors for their wedding or civil union.

Say I love you
This shop all the designs say “I love you” – in over 3 dozen different languages!!! Each language is available with a variety of colorful backgrounds so you can tell the one you love how much you love them in your own special language of love!

Shopaholic Chick
This is my first and main store. It was named after someone close to me who spends way too much time and money in shopping malls! It is my catch all shop and has a little of everything, like a certain someone’s closet!!

That's My Baby
Everyone needs cute and fun baby gifts and shower invites, so I made a whole store for just the occasion!

Triple Goddess
Triple goddess is a store that focuses primarily on pagan gifts, and gifts for those who believe in the power of the woman, the triskele, and the mother maiden crone.

USA Loves To Vote
Links together all my political shops, each politician in the 2012 presidential election has their own shop usaloves_______ with their last name. USA loves to votes links then together as well as adding some designs urging people to get out and vote!

What If
Everyone asks themselves what if….when this shop is designed with images of some of my favorite what if’s I have heard or asked over the years.

Witches Wardrobe
This is a witch themed shop for Halloween or every day with hundreds of cute witches, silly witches or scary witches.

With Love Always
With love always features just 1 word “love” all designs feature only that word. This is a fairly small shop but will be expanding over the next several months.

Rico:
How long have you been at Zazzle?


Amy Marie aka Shopaholic Chick:
Since December 2008, I did work with other POD’s previously though.

Rico: Are you a ProSeller?

Amy Marie aka Shopaholic Chick:
Yes, since the start of my 4th month here (old rules took 3 months to qualify)

Rico:
What's the best advise you got when you were starting out?


Amy Marie aka Shopaholic Chick:
You are not the shopper, give the shopper what they want regardless of whether you personally would own it or not.

Rico:
What medium/tools do you use to create your designs?


Amy Marie aka Shopaholic Chick:
Photoshop, inkscape, photography, scanner, mouse, wacom tablet….and I do purchase and modify some images created by other artists. I never use the art as is, I always purchase the rights to modify and sell the modified images…this way designs are always unique.

Rico:
Who or what inspires you?


Amy Marie aka Shopaholic Chick:
People! I listen to what they say and I am inspired. Sometimes nature inspires me too but mostly people….especially the eccentric or off the wall people!

Rico:
How much time a week to you spend on Zazzle?


Amy Marie aka Shopaholic Chick:
Not enough….too much…not enough….too much… Really it varies…I have a bad habit of working 110 hours one week then burning out ad only working 10 hours the next week…I know I need to be more consistent but hey I am consistently inconsistent!!

Rico:
What's the best advise you can give someone just starting out on Zazzle?


Amy Marie aka Shopaholic Chick:
Don’t think so much!!! Stop worrying about will they like it – and put it up. You are not the shopper while you may see something as imperfect they cannot see what is in your mind so they may think it is perfect as it is!

Don’t forget to promote!!! Tell anyone and everyone about your shop, use free sources like social media, blogs, twitter…get the word out about your shops!

Don’t skimp on the descriptions and think ill fix it later!!! Now is the time to do it. Give it a good wordy description using every adjective you can think of even if your saying the same sentence 5 times with 5 different sets of words. Then any words you think NEED to be in there that you could not squeeze in – put them in your tags!

Rico:
What do you like to do when you are not creating art?


Amy Marie aka Shopaholic Chick:
Travel…wherever and whenever I can!

I am also a bargain hunter I clip coupons and even buy extra papers to get more for good coupons, I only buy what I need or can use though, I try not to go overboard like some of the extreme couponers out there!! Although, this year I will admit I found great deals and coupons that allowed me to get about 25 board games for $10 total so I bought all that I could and I will be donating them to toys for tots this fall!! I also participate in a coupon sharing program through Coupons to troops which has connected me to an American Military family stationed on the USFB in Guam, I send all my unused and expired coupons to them (they can use them 6 months expired) and they use what they can and spread the rest around to other families serving our country over seas!! (for more info on how you can donate email admin@couponstotroops.com)

Rico:
Tell me 5 random things everyone should know about you? 


Amy Marie aka Shopaholic Chick:
 
1 – I have online tutorials on how to zazzle! You can find them on my site www.shopaholicchick.com/zazzletutor

2 – I am addicted to the news – I read everything and anything often even translating from foreign languages to read more about a story that was only touched on in a short article in English

3 – I can type upwards of 100 WPM – without my fingers on the home keys…and I have a bad habit of watching my hands instead of the screen even though I have worn the letters completely off the keyboard so I cant read the keys anyways!

4 – if I could live anywhere in the world it would be Heidelberg Germany – Ich habe mein herz in Heidelberg Verloren (an old German song roughly translates to I lost my heart in Heidelberg)

5 – I am obsessive over keeping my nails filed and I never paint my fingernails because I get a headache watching the colors flitter on my nails as I type!

Rico:
List 3 of your favorite designs you want me to feature. Tell me something about each design.


Amy Marie aka Shopaholic Chick:
 
girlie girl binder


This is my favorite binder…it was one of the first I made and it is just so cute an fun and reminds me of playing in middle school with my friends.


Yellow come home soon greeting cards



I love all of my peace people but this little guy with the come home soon sign, featuring peace sign o’s in come home and heart shaped o’s in the word soon…really shows a special soldier how special you think they are and how much you love them and hope for peace so they and their friends can come home soon.


Eat Ham Apron



Just because the idea of making Thanksgiving dinner while wearing an apron where the turkey is holding a sign that reads “eat ham” is hilarious! East beef, pork, chicken or veggies are also available with this snarky little turkey!

Rico:
This is one of my personal favorite designs from 1 of your shops. It was hard just choosing a shop let alone a design! But I love dragons and this one is so cute I couldn't resist. 



Fantasy Cute Baby Dragon Sweatshirt



This little dragon is just adorable as he breaks from his egg with his tufts of bright colored hair. If you love Dragons then this great design is perfect for you. Whether you wish you were a dragon slayer in medieval times, wish you could have a pet dragon, are born in the year of the dragon or are just in general fascinated by dragons you will love this great gift!

Rico:
Where else can our readers find you online?


Amy Marie aka Shopaholic Chick:
Everywhere LOL

Shopaholic Chick
Shopaholic-Chick
Facebook
Facebook Fan Page
Zazzle Showcase Blog
Shopaholic Chick Blog
Featured Designs Blog
Printed Paradise Blog
Featured Designers Blog
Amy Marie Designs Blog
Zazzle Collaboration Blog
Design of The Day Blog
Post Cards From The Edge Blog
Doggie Fashionista Blog
Zazzle-rific Blog
Just a Mugger Blog
You're Magnetic Blog
Green Eco Nut Blog
Restaurant Couture Blog
Shopaholic Chick Posterous
Shopaholic Chick Blog
@AmyMarieDesigns Twitter
@thebichywitch Twitter
@printedparadise Twitter
@chasingthegnome Twitter
@SpreadTheVote Twitter
ShopaholicChick on Squidoo - check out all my squidoos from this page!!

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Interview with Jack Skagnetti AKA djskagnetti

Jack Skagnetti of BlackOgre Online SuperStore


Jack Skagnetti AKA djskagnetti













Rico:
What's Your Name?


Jack Skagnetti

Rico:
List your shop(s) -


Jack Skagnetti :
 
BlackOgre Online SuperStore
over 24,000 products, ranging from abstract art, political musings, nerdpower, other funny stuff and just plain weird. Something for everyone!

PlaidWorkz Online SuperStore
Over 150 plaid designs on mugs, stamps, shoes, ties, binders and more! The evolution in plaid.

DarkArtz Online SuperStore
Dark, gothic imagery.

BlackOgre Online iSuper Store
A place for all my designs on iPad and iPhone cases, as well as the Doodle USB Speakers.

Right on the Monet
The complete works of Claude Monet 1862-1926 (work in progress).

Rico:
How long have you been at Zazzle?


Jack Skagnetti :
2/25/2008 3:26 PM is when I made my first tshirt.

Rico: Are you a ProSeller?

Jack Skagnetti :
Yes.

Rico: How long did it take you to reach ProSeller?

Jack Skagnetti :
3 years.

Rico:
What's the best advise you got when you were starting out?


Jack Skagnetti :
Don't put 6000 things on your homepage so it takes forever to get to your designs. The potential customer should see the designs almost immediately to pull them in.

Rico:
What medium/tools do you use to create your designs?


Jack Skagnetti :
Photoshop, Apophysis, Bryce

Rico:
Who or what inspires you?


Jack Skagnetti :
HR Giger, 4chan

Rico:
How much time a week to you spend on Zazzle?


Jack Skagnetti :
Summertime 10 hours, Wintertime 100 hours (Minnesota winters Suck.)

Rico:
What's the best advise you can give someone just starting out on Zazzle?


Jack Skagnetti :
Instead of 1 piece of advice, how about 8? Here is a Squidoo lens I made to help generate serious income! - 8 Zazzle Store Promo Ideas
 
But if I had to choose, above all keep it simple, keep it real, don't just make 1000 wedding invitations like everybody else, make something unique.

Rico:
What do you like to do when you are not creating art?


Jack Skagnetti :
I make electronica - my name is DJ.Skagnetti - and am also in a band called Precious Metals. I'm making a role-playing game in RPGMaker XP called Dungeon Hunters, and am making music for it. I make websites. I facebook way too much. I started a group called Celebrating the VSUs (Vague Status Updates), and we post various vague postings people say on facebook and then make jokes about it - I from time to time post a list of them on my wordpress blog (listed below.) I started a series of squidoos called I've Been BeZaZZled, where I feature the top 10 items of a person I like on zazzle. I try to do them weekly, but lately I've just been too busy and am on hiatus.

Rico:
Tell me 5 random things everyone should know about you? 


Jack Skagnetti :
 
1. I'm pretty much on the interwebz from the time I get home from work to the time I go to bed. I am the evolution of nerd. Always learning something new, always trying new technologies, always creating, always getting better. If I didn't have to eat or work I would never leave the house.

2. I never watch TV. People tell me about a show and I'll get all the seasons and marathon it over the course of a couple weeks.

3. I'm a "conspiracy theorist", but theories are not theories when they are real and completely proven.

4. I have 2 cats who are sisters. One was my brother's, one mine. When we first got them we were told they were boys. So we named them Stuart and Belushi. A year later they went into heat, and we realized they were girl cats. But by then they'd been Stuart and Belushi for so long that we just couldn't change their names. My brother moves around the country a lot and couldn't take his cat with him, so now I have 2 girl cats with boys' names.

5. I played Anarchy Online for 6 years, ending around 2008ish. I logged probably 500-600 days worth of real time in the game. People complained about the graphics a lot, but I truly loved playing it. I never played WoW, but the saying was: "Anarchy Online is an IQ test. Those that fail go to WoW." I also played Dungeons and Dragons Online (which I loved, but I just don't want to pay another monthly fee to a game), wasted my time on Second Life (I'd rather slit my wrists than play that 'game' again), and ruled the map on Evony (time consuming, almost worse that Anarchy Online.) Nowadays Zazzle is my MMORPG :P.

Rico:
List 3 of your favorite designs you want me to feature. Tell me something about each design.


Jack Skagnetti :

1. Punk Rock Panda Poster:



Punk Rock Panda - one of my first designs, near and dear to my heart =)


2. Ancient Egypt Poster 3:



Ancient Egypt - people love this one. The coloring is really cool.


3. THERE IS POISON IN THE TAP WATER! Poster:
 



There is poison in the tap water - Sodium Fluoride is a horrible poison, yet they pump it into the water supplies so chemical companies don't have to pay millions disposing of the toxic chemical waste. Hitler used it to keep prisoners in his camps docile. It's used to make rat poison and nerve gas. Do you really want to be drinking this?

Rico:
This is one of my personal favorite designs from 1 of your shops: 



ShatterLinez 39 Posters:



I see a neon sword fish jumping in the water. Electrifying!
 
Rico:
Where else can our readers find you online?


Jack Skagnetti :

Facebook
Twitter
WordPress
Website
DJ.Skagnetti
MySpace
StumbleUpon
BlackOgre Online SuperStore QuickList
I've Been BeZaZZled list of artists
Digg
SoundCloud
Squidoos
- Google DJ Skagnetti :P

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Interview with Lil Leaf Cards and Gifts - AKA Stephanie Queen

Lil Leaf Cards and Gifts - AKA Stephanie Queen









Lil Leaf Cards and Gifts - AKA Stephanie Queen




Rico:
What's Your Name?


Lil Leaf Cards and Gifts - AKA Stephanie Queen

Rico:
List your shop(s) -


Stephanie Queen :
 
-- My 1st and main store
Lil Leaf Cards and Gifts

Queens Business Cards -- Just recently started
Queens Business Cards

Gorgeous Flowers -- Just recently started
Gorgeous Flowers

Rico:
How long have you been at Zazzle?


Stephanie Queen :
1 year 2 months

Rico: Are you a ProSeller?
If yes, how long from the time you open a shop until you made it to ProSeller?  

Stephanie Queen :
I just was notified July 13 that I made Bronze Proseller! So it took me a year exactly!

Rico:
What's the best advise you got when you were starting out?


Stephanie Queen :
Make stuff that you would want to buy. If you don't like it then neither will anyone else.

Rico:
What medium/tools do you use to create your designs?


Stephanie Queen :
Photographs and Gimp

Rico:
Who or what inspires you?


Stephanie Queen :
My mom, Dizzy Debbie Dizzy Debbie
and my kids

Rico:
How much time a week to you spend on Zazzle?


Stephanie Queen :
About 3 hours a day 5 days a week. Sometimes less. I have two kids at home with me when I'm working.

Rico:
What's the best advise you can give someone just starting out on Zazzle?


Stephanie Queen :
Don't get discouraged & keep plugging away.

Rico:
What do you like to do when you are not creating art?


Stephanie Queen :
Reading, watching movies, riding my bike, playing with my kids.

Rico:
Tell me 5 random things everyone should know about you? 


Stephanie Queen :
 
Married with 2 kids
We have as many pets in the house as we do people (dog, 2 cats & a fish)
I'm President of a stay at home mom's club MOMS Club of Sugar Land - North
My brother just started a Zazzle store so it's truely a family affair Hannah's Closet
Graduated from Texas Tech University

Rico:
List 3 of your favorite designs you want me to feature. Tell me something about each design.


Stephanie Queen :
 
Ballerina Ornament


Ballerina Ornament ornament
Ballerina Ornament by Lilleaf
Get an ornament from Zazzle.

My daughter started ballet this year so I made this for all the little ballarinas in the world! Wonderful ornament for any ballerina to have. The front features a pink silhouette of a ballarina with a custom space for name, year or any text you like. The back has a space for your own ballet picture.


Piano Recital Invitation



Music Recital Invite | A pretty invitation for any musician. This invitation features a baby grande piano at the bottom and a black bow at the top. The recital information is all customizable to suit your needs. My top selling design.  

Hydrangea Bridal Shower Invitation



Lavendar Wedding Shower Invitation A beautiful invitation for a beautiful bride to be! It features a lavendar hydrangea at the top and a lavendar and white polkadot pattern on the bottom. A graphic of a green ribbon and bow separate the two. All text is customizable. Just my favorite. I saw a bridal shower invitation on another site using a similar flower but it was so plain. I think I did a MUCH better job!

Rico:
This is one of my personal favorite designs from your shop 


 
Colorful Heart Mouse pad



Blue and Pink Heart Mousepad | Fun mousepad with computer generated heart design on a black background. the heart is blue with pink designs surrounding it. You can customize the pink text at the top. Simply gorgeous!

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Interview with Jeff Rawson of JRD.Tees

Jeff Rawson of JRD.Tees










Jeff Rawson of JRD.Tees




Rico:
What's Your Name?


Jeff Rawson

Rico:
List your shop(s) -


Jeff Rawson :
 
JRD.Tees

TheBizCard

Fake Band Tees

Rico:
How long have you been at Zazzle?


Jeff Rawson :
I have been with Zazzle since January of this year, but just started seriously designing in the past couple months.

Rico: Are you a ProSeller?

Jeff Rawson :
I'm not a ProSeller, but plan on being there this month.

Rico:
What's the best advise you got when you were starting out?


Jeff Rawson :
Quality, not quantity. I could design a million tees or bumper stickers everyday, but I would rather make 3 or 4 GREAT designs that don't water down the shops.

Rico:
What medium/tools do you use to create your designs?


Jeff Rawson :
I'm a Mac. Most of my work is done digitally using the Adobe Design Suite (Photoshop & Illustrator), but the art work uses a variety...colored pencil, acrylic, pastels.

Rico:
Who or what inspires you?


Jeff Rawson :
I am inspired by everyday life. I am very sarcastic and observant, so just picking up day to day things/phrases/news inspires me to create something new and fun.

Rico:
How much time a week to you spend on Zazzle?


Jeff Rawson :
It really depends on my full time schedule. I work as a graphic designer during the day, and then do freelance design work at night. So any extra time I have to design goes to Zazzle. But if a great idea hits me, I'll drop what I'm working on to sketch it out or design it up for a shirt or business card.

Rico:
What's the best advise you can give someone just starting out on Zazzle?


Jeff Rawson :
See question #5. To me it is all about quality. I like the customer to have a variety to choose from, but that variety needs to be QUALITY! For instance, at TheBizCard, I probably don't have many more that 25 designs. There were more, but I cut out some of the clutter to just leave the quality designs THAT SELL.

Rico:
What do you like to do when you are not creating art?


Jeff Rawson :
When I'm not creating art, I am outside. I love to fish, hike and play with my dog, Hank. I'm into woodworking and gardening. I also have a 2 year old that keeps me incredibly busy.

Rico:
Tell me 5 random things everyone should know about you? 


Jeff Rawson :
 
1. My favorite foods are fried okra and sushi.
2. I love anything by Ken Follett.
3. I've been wearing a SillyBand my daughter gave me for 4 months.
4. I've always wanted to visit Ireland.
5. John Wayne is my hero.

Rico:
List 3 of your favorite designs you want me to feature. Tell me something about each design.


Jeff Rawson :
I chose a design from each of my stores:

Aw Skee Skee Tshirts


The Aw Skee Skee tee is my tribute to one of my favorite leisure activities, SkeeBall.


Yellow Tape Business Cards


Yellow Tape Card. This is the best selling business card from TheBizCard shop. I'm guessing because its simple, retro, and awesome.


Postmaster Rodeo T-shirts


Post Master Rodeo Tee. This shirt is a classic fake band tee you would find at the merch table after the show.

Rico:
This is one of my personal favorite designs from your shop 



The Colonel Posters

The Colonel print
The Colonel by rawson22
Join one of the largest artwork affiliate programs

Beautiful work! As soon as I saw this I thought of my grandfather playing the guitar and singing to me when I was a kid every Saturday afternoon.

Rico:
Where else can our readers find you online?


Jeff Rawson :
I can be found at:
Twitter: @jeffrawson
Jeff Rawson Design
Jeff Rawson Design Portfolio

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Interview with Albert Guillermo of Cartoon Acid

Albert Guillermo of Cartoonacid





Albert Guillermo of Cartoonacid


Rico:
What's Your Name?


Albert Guillermo

Rico:
List your shop(s) -


Albert Guillermo :
Cartoon Acid

Rico:
How long have you been at Zazzle?


Albert Guillermo :
3 months

Rico:
What's the best advise you got when you were starting out?


Albert Guillermo :
The tricks, tips and tools people use to promote their shop. The wealth of information in the forums has been extremely helpful.

Rico:
What medium/tools do you use to create your designs?


Albert Guillermo :
I work on a MacBook Pro hooked on to a Wacom Cintiq drawing tablet. As for software, I use Photoshop, Corel Painter, Illustrator and Poser.

Rico:
Who or what inspires you?


Albert Guillermo :
I draw inspiration from anything and everything.

Rico:
How much time a week to you spend on Zazzle?


Albert Guillermo :
I put in about 50-55 hours a week including creating and promoting.

Rico:
What's the best advise you can give someone just starting out on Zazzle?


Albert Guillermo :
Be unique. The Zazzle marketplace is flooded. Your own artistic style is what's going to separate you from the rest and help you stand out. Also, promoting your brand is vital.

Rico:
What do you like to do when you are not creating art?


Albert Guillermo :
I love snowboarding and watching movies.

Rico:
Tell me 5 random things everyone should know about you?


Albert Guillermo :
-I've been skydiving in New Zealand.
-I hate bitter melon. It's what evil tastes like.
-I love sushi.
-I'm awesome at dodge ball.
-I'm Canadian, so by default I am hardcore hockey fan!

Rico:
List 3 of your favorite designs you want me to feature. Tell me something about each design.


Albert Guillermo : 

Kiss of Death Skateboard Deck:

'Kiss of Death' is a dark and gritty designer skateboard deck crafted with tons of attitude! Set against the backdrop of a cold and creepy night along with an engulfing supermoon, the haunting illustration features an evil Queen blowing flying skull kisses of death! The perfect blend of navy blues, rich black, purple and gold combined with the overall artwork makes this a must have deck! This is the 'bright moon version' and is only available here on Zazzle! Also, as an added bonus the design features bats, which are exclusive only to the deck design.


Evil Heart iPad Case:

'Evil Heart' is a stunning designer iPad case that's laced with tons of attitude! Protect your iPad in style with this irresistible case featuring unique skull patterns, devil's pitchforks and a stylized heart. The beautiful blend of rich black, hot pink and baby blue combined with the artwork makes this a perfect case! This is the original 'hot pink version' and is only available here.


Spaced! Skateboard Deck:

'Spaced' is a fun and vibrant illustration of an astronaut being ambushed by a few little green men! The comic book style artwork combined with the stunning color scheme makes this product a must have! This is the 'orange spacesuit version' and is only available here on Zazzle!

Rico:
This is one of my personal favorite designs from your shop. I love the movement in this design


Girl with Headphones and Pet Dragon Speakers:

Featuring a beautiful illustration of Penelope and her pet dragon Pocket. Unique and exclusive only to this design is a colorful set of Oscar bunny head equalizer bars. This is the alternate hyper version and includes a darker background and eye-popping vector shapes simulating sound.


Rico:
Where else can our readers find you online?


Albert Guillermo :
Cartoonacid.com
Facebook
Twitter
e-mail: contact@cartoonacid.com

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Interview with Debi Cady of DebiCady

Debi Cady




Debi Cady's mini dachshund Ringo



Rico:
What's Your Name?


Debi Cady :

Rico:
List your shop(s) -


Debi Cady :
 
DebiCady

Rico:
How long have you been at Zazzle?


Debi Cady :
Since 2010 (can't remember which month) Rico: Are you a ProSeller?

Debi Cady :
No, but hopefully one day I will be!

Rico:
What's the best advise you got when you were starting out?


Debi Cady :
Hmm... I really didn't get much advice from anybody, to be honest.

Rico:
What medium/tools do you use to create your designs?


Debi Cady :
I do most of my illustrations in ink or digital paint. I occasionally dabble in photography as well.

Rico:
Who or what inspires you?


Debi Cady :
So many things! God, nature, colors, music, literature, architecture... far too many things to list here.

Rico:
How much time a week to you spend on Zazzle?


Debi Cady :
It depends. Some weeks it's only an hour or two, but when I have a new design to post I spend a lot more time there.

Rico:
What's the best advise you can give someone just starting out on Zazzle?


Debi Cady :
Post your designs on as many products as you can (as long as they will look good on them), and post as many designs as you can, as long as they are designs you are happy with. Don't be discouraged if you don't make sales right away, eventually you will. Stay positive, and look into as many different marketing ideas as you can.

Rico:
What do you like to do when you are not creating art?


Debi Cady :
Knit, sew (although I consider these things to be art too), play with my dog, read, learn foreign languages, dance, sing, spend time with family and friends, watch movies.

Rico:
Tell me 5 random things everyone should know about you? 


Debi Cady :
I am a Christian (although you could probably tell that from some of my art)
I absolutely adore animals!
I love learning about other cultures and languages - I speak Chinese (Mandarin), basic Russian, and I'm learning Korean. I also know a smattering of a bunch of other languages.
If I weren't an artist, I would love to be involved in costume or fashion design.
I used to work as a Chinese>English translator before I decided to focus on my art.

Rico:
List 3 of your favorite designs you want me to feature. Tell me something about each design.


Debi Cady :
It's so hard to choose, because in one way or another they are all my favorites! But here are three I think turned out particularly well (I'm linking to the greeting/note cards, but they are all available on other products too):


Our Lady of Guadalupe:




The original illustration is the size of a baseball card, yet I think it is one of my best. It's also one of my best sellers ^-^ I have always loved reading the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe, it's very beautiful.





Emelya and the Magic Pike:


This is an illustration from my book, "Dachshund Furry Tails: Russia". The story is about a very lazy boy who catches a pike, and is planning to eat it, but the pike tells him if he sets it free it will grant him any wish he may have. Aside from it being a very cool fairy tale, I like this illustration because the pike reminds me of my grandfather, who passed away years ago - he used to hunt and fish a lot, and that was one of the fish he often caught. Also, I just really like the way this illustration turned out ^-^.





The Snow Maiden (Red Version):


The Snow Maiden is another fairy tale I really love, it's about a childless couple who make themselves a daughter out of snow, and she comes to life. This illustration is a new version I did, with the Snow Maiden dressed in white and red, I also offer another version where she is dressed in blue. I am very happy with both versions.

Rico: 

This is one of my personal favorite designs from your shop



Christmas Dachshund (Ver.1) Card


Ringo is just too cute to resist!

Rico:
Where else can our readers find you online?





Debi Cady :My Cafe Press store
My Red Bubble Store
My Blog

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Interview with Barbra of Barbra's Artist Pad

Barbra - Barbra's Artist PadBarbra - Barbra's Artist Pad








Rico:
What's Your Name?


Barbra

Rico:
List your shop(s) -


Barbra :
Another Peaceful Venture
Barbra's Artist Pad
Artist's Pad

Rico:
How long have you been at Zazzle?


Barbra :
Wow according to my records I've been with Zazzle since 2007. To tell you the truth in 2007 I put some artwork up on Zazzle and forgot all about it. Then in 2009 I received an E-mail saying I made 25 cents. Well this made me think and I started adding more artwork and product to the site in 2009. Truthfully I feel my official Zazzle experience started in 2009!

Rico: Are you a ProSeller?

Barbra :
Yes I am a ProSeller a Bronze Proseller. It took me just a tad over a year to become a Pro seller. I'm sure I could do better and move up the ranks if there was more time in my day. I work full time and than dabble with my art on the side. Plus believe it or not I'm a wife and mom as well. Although I must confess my daughter is an adult now and doesn't need me as often as a young child needs their mommy.

Rico:
What's the best advise you got when you were starting out?


Barbra :
The seasoned Zazzlers would always remind me about good tags and quality products. I heard repeated over and over less is better than more if the quality is there.

Rico:
What medium/tools do you use to create your designs?


Barbra :
I mostly create my designs by drawing with pen & ink. Quite a few of my designs are just black and white. Althought lately I've been experimenting with color via pen & ink as well as other mediums. I also create some commercial looking products with Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop (these designs are usually color).

Rico:
Who or what inspires you?


Barbra :
I receive my inspiration from many different sources. Just two years ago I received my inspiration from children who asked me to draw animals and mythical creatures for them. Sometimes the inspiration comes from nature via my long bicycle rides. Let's just say my inspiration is born from the beautiful world surrounding me.

Rico:
How much time a week to you spend on Zazzle?


Barbra :
The time I spend on Zazzle really varies from week to week and sometimes month to month.

Rico:
What's the best advise you can give someone just starting out on Zazzle?


Barbra :
The best advise I can give to someone just starting out is to follow your heart and don't give up!

Rico:
What do you like to do when you are not creating art?


Barbra :
When I'm not creating art I like to spend time with the family, bicycle ride, hike, read, see music, and the list goes on....

Rico:
Tell me 5 random things everyone should know about you? 


Barbra :
I think outside the box
I'm passionate about peace and diversity
You can figure out the rest.

Rico:
List 3 of your favorite designs you want me to feature. Tell me something about each design.


Barbra : 

 
Melodic Enchantment T Shirt



The Melodic Enchantment design was originally drawn as a present for my daughter. She is a musician and takes after her mom when with her passion for diversity. My daughter and I have had many discussions over the decades about people accepting one another for what they are. I love the design because it share this feeling without using words.


Mum's the Word Artwork Iphone 4 Cases

I have a fascination with owls and this summer I started to experiment with applying colors in different ways. This mum & young-ling is what evolved from one of my experiment. I've gotten to see this IPhone case product off-line and in real time and I'm impressed with the results. Due to this I will be experimenting more with color.


Midnight Owl Ladies Keds Shoe

Midnight owl is a surrealistic drawing I did about a decade ago. This has always been one of my favorite owl drawings. It was interesting playing with the artwork and cutting it apart to make it work on the Ked's Ladies Slip-ons, and I'm please with the results. In fact the Ked's Midnight Owl design has become one of my most popular products.

Rico:
This is one of my personal favorite designs from your shop 


Lucky Traveler Ipad Skin

I chose this design because my wife loves elephants and black and white art. It reminds me of her and she would love this stunning work.

Rico:
Where else can our readers find you online?


Barbra :
Facebook
An Artists Pad Blog
Twitter

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Interview with Deborah Miller of Visages

Deborah Miller













 


Deborah Miller of Visages


Rico:
What's Your Name?


Deborah Miller :

Rico:
List your shop(s) -


Deborah Miller :

Visages

Rico:
How long have you been at Zazzle?


Deborah Miller :
Just about two weeks

Rico: Are you a ProSeller?

Deborah Miller :
No... not yet. One day soon I hope

Rico:
What's the best advise you got when you were starting out?


Deborah Miller :
Promote... promote... promote and don't give up

Rico:
What medium/tools do you use to create your designs?


Deborah Miller :
Acrylic paints, camera that needs upgraded badly, soft #6 pencil, oil pencils, PhotoPosPro software and most importantly, my imagination.

Rico:
Who or what inspires you?


Deborah Miller :
If I look, I find inspiration everywhere but primarily I use nature, my pets (currently my ferrets), and I peruse the internet when I have a particular subject in mind.

Rico:
How much time a week to you spend on Zazzle?


Deborah Miller :
80 to 100 hours promoting, adding my art to product and reading the blog for research and such.

Rico:
What's the best advise you can give someone just starting out on Zazzle?


Deborah Miller :
Be a Nike and just do it. Then spend the time promoting. Lots of time! You can create a gazillion pieces of art but until you're known, you won't sell anything. I don't know much about promoting online so I do a lot of reading and research. This is also a must-do.

Rico:
What do you like to do when you are not creating art?


Deborah Miller :
You know? I almost can't remember since getting into Zazzle and putting my art onto things like postage stamps. I did play Scrabble nearly everyday, read, play with my ferrets, and learn. I LOVE learning.

Rico:
Tell me 5 random things everyone should know about you? 


Deborah Miller :
I love to sniff new books in the book store.
Nothing like the aroma of fresh ink. I would say the same about my oil pencils.
I art directed automotive magazines in the 90s. Mustang Monthly and Super Ford out of Lakeland, FL.
I can teach old dogs (yes, the animal) new tricks.
I HAVE to be productive; I can't just sit and waste a day.
I enjoy pleasing people.

Rico:
List 3 of your favorite designs you want me to feature. Tell me something about each design.


Deborah Miller :

 
Monarch Butterfly Card:

After sitting for an hour in my back yard during the monarch migration, I finally managed to digitally capture this little guy resting on a vibrant flower. I used the zoom but to ensure I got all of his fine detailing, I crept forward as much as I dared. This is the final result of which I'm proud.


Ferretism (Sayings) T Shirt:


After getting a look from one of my ferrets, I couldn't help but imagine what he was saying to me. I searched the internet for ferretisms and sayings but found only a few. The idea blossomed from there. Shortly after creating the line, I sold a mouse pad! My ferrets are a constant source of entertainment and inspiration.


Panda Bear Apron:


Panda Bear Apron apron
Panda Bear Apron by Visages
I created this panda with pencil and oil pencil after I received a request to draw one. It took a full day and the end result was well received by the requester who loves to cook and wanted a panda bear apron. Most everything I create is simple. I'm not wont to add frills to my art...

Rico:
This is one of my personal favorite designs from your shop 

FrankenFerret Shirt:

I just think this design is unique and quite cute!

Rico:
Where else can our readers find you online?

Deborah Miller : 
 

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Interview with Peter Guckes aka Greendeer

Peter Guckes aka GreendeerPeter Guckes aka Greendeer










Rico:
What's Your Name?

 
Peter Guckes

Rico:
List your shop(s) -


Peter Guckes
I have one shop on zazzle, greendeer

Rico:
How long have you been at Zazzle?


Peter Guckes
I joined zazzle in february, so I am rather new to this. This may be the reason I didn’t sell much yet, which means I am far from being a ProSeller. Still hope to make it one day.

Rico:
What's the best advise you got when you were starting out?


Peter Guckes
When I started at zazzle, I thought all I had to do was upload my designs and wait for the sales. In the forum I found out that it is a lot of work and you have to promote to get noticed. The people in the forum are so helpful, it is amazing!

Rico:
What medium/tools do you use to create your designs?


Peter Guckes
I make my drawings with a paintbrush and ink and add the colour digitally. I do other things, too but for the store I decided to stay with this style of illustrations.

Rico:
Who or what inspires you?

 
Peter Guckes
Inspiration is not a problem – I just make pictures of my fellow animals here in the wood and put them on t-shirts – who knows where ideas come from anyway? It is a rather mysterious process …

Rico:
How much time a week to you spend on Zazzle?


Peter Guckes
I spend as much time on zazzle as possible, still as I don’t sell much I have to do something for a living. But a few hours every day are usual for me.

Rico:
What's the best advise you can give someone just starting out on Zazzle?


Peter Guckes
My advice to new zazzlers is to be patient. I had no idea how big this is when I started. Thousands of shops, billions of products. It takes very very much time to get noticed and I’m not there yet, so it may be better not to take my advice and ask a more successful shopkeeper ;-)

Rico:
What do you like to do when you are not creating art?


Peter Guckes
I don’t draw animals all the time, I am a deer, so I do deer things like roaming the wood, eating leaves, belling, that kind of occupations …

Rico:
Tell me 5 random things everyone should know about you?


Peter Guckes
Being asked for things everyone should know about me confuses me. I am not a person everyone needs to know about, I’m just a simple green animal. I’d like many people to know I do illustrations and have a zazzle store (which anyone who reads this might have guessed by know), I also do other things like photography and play music (sometimes), You won’t find me on facebook and I am left-hooved.

Rico:
Include links to 3 of your favorite designs you want me to feature. Tell me something about each design.


Peter Guckes
Picking 3 favorite designs isn't easy, as all of those creatures mean a lot to me, so don't be upset if you're not included, folks:


Gotowork coffee mug


gotowork mug
gotowork by greendeer
This is one of the first animals I did in this style, long before I found out about zazzle. The simplicity and expression make it still one of my favourite.


Yeti t shirt

yeti shirt
yeti by greendeer
The yeti is a close friend who always helped ma out when i got into snow trouble


Porcupine t shirts

porcupine shirt
porcupine by greendeer
This shirt got a TBA (what ever that is), I’m quite proud of the porcupine drawing as it has that quiet madness I was going for...

Rico:
Where else can our readers find you online? 

Peter Guckes
Who ever likes my work might want to have a look into my blog at deer prudence where you can read little stories about these creatures.

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Interview with Liz C of Cartesian Bear

Rico:
What's Your Name 


Liz C

Rico:
List your shop(s) - 


Liz C:
Cartesian Bear
Cartesian Bear's Steampunk Emporium
Knit Suite -
(this store is very new, and is intended to complement my iPhone apps, currently in Beta Testing. )

Rico:
How long have you been at Zazzle?


Liz C:
Since late 2007. I started putting my images up at Cafe Press, then, as their policies changed, moved to Zazzle and Printfection. I'm much happier working with my current POD companies, and put my new work up on Zazzle first.

Rico:
Are you a ProSeller?


Liz C:
I am.

Rico:
How long from the time you open a shop until you made it to ProSeller? 


Liz C:
I just made Pro Seller status this summer, when the guidelines changed, but I was very close to making ProSeller under the old system.

Rico:
What's the best advise you got when you were starting out? 


Liz C:
Two things:
1. Put in a little time, make a little money. Put in more time, make more money. This is not a get rich in your spare time scheme.

2. Quality images are important, but marketing is critical. [I need to remember this one ... I don't much like marketing.]

Rico:
What medium/tools do you use to create your designs?


Liz C:
I use my Macintosh exclusively, with a variety of art software. Most of my work was done in GIMP, with Omni Graffle for some text work, however, I recently acquired Photoshop and will use that as well. I enjoy working with fonts, and compiling images from all over. [Everything I use in my work is public domain, I will not knowingly violate copyrights.] I consider myself more of a graphic designer than an artist, though the two fields overlap a lot.

Rico:
Who or what inspires you? 


Liz C:
People, books, special interests ... I read a lot of science fiction, so many of my designs are based on science fiction themes. My ex-husband was an engineer, and a bit mad, thus the Mad Engineer design. I came across a set of 19th century woodcuts of animals, so I turned them into art. [The Herder of Drama Llamas in this section came from my daughter, who seems to be the one her "drama llama" friends turn to for help.]

My favorite inspiration though, is a good friend's insane spelling checker. It corrects her spelling in some very odd ways. When it corrected "astro-physics" to "gastro-physics", my Mad Sciences line was born. I just have two designs there now, but I'm always looking for new ideas!

Mad Engineer
Mad Sciences
 
Rico:
How much time a week to you spend on Zazzle? 


Liz C:
It really varies. At first, I'd spend about 10 hours a week on my PODs, then I had a long period when I almost completely ignored them, but now I'm back, spending 5-10 hours on Zazzle.

Rico:
What's the best advise you can give someone just starting out on Zazzle?


Liz C:
Don't expect to make money immediately, and don't expect to make much money without putting in the hours. The hours are fun, but it does take time.

Rico:
What do you like to do when you are not creating art? 


Liz C:
Other art! Seriously, I knit, build furniture, and make chain mail, plus I design knitting patterns and teach both knitting and chain mail. I am full-time mom to two busy kids.

Rico:
Tell me 5 random things everyone should know about you? 


Liz C:
I look younger than I am
I like Morris dancing
I live in a tourist town in New England
I attend science fiction cons
My daughter is a blue-haired fiddler

Rico:
Include links to 3 of your favorite designs you want me to feature. Tell me something about each design. 


Liz C: 


Pharaoh-Dynamics

One of my Mad Sciences designs, and features an ancient Egyptian pharaoh flying through the air with a dashed line indicating his trajectory. Underneath, the word Pharaoh-dynamics is written in a font from the (wait for it) Egyptian style group. This design is a play on the science of Aerodynamics, or the study of how things behave in flight. I really enjoy visual puns.


Charles Darwin
This is one of my more popular images. It features an old engraving of the biologist, Charles Darwin, with his name and birthday below, in a font common to the time when Darwin was alive. I have a series of shirts with scientist portraits and their birthdays, this is the most popular. For some reason, the necktie sells very well.


Evan's Pi #2

Pi Day is celebrated every March 14 (3/14), in recognition of the number Pi (3.14159...) Pi is the relationship of the diameter (line across the middle) of a circle to its circumference (line around the edge). Lots of people who love math, including teachers, like getting Pi Day merchandise, especially stickers. I have several Pi Day designs. This one was made at the request of a small boy who loves rainbows and the number Pi. It is also a top seller.

Rico:
Where else can our readers find you online? 


Liz C:
I can be contacted through Zazzle of course.

I have a Twitter account for my company, Polymath Solution, and you can follow me at @Liz_PolySol
 
I also have a FaceBook page, Polymath Solution
 
And, I'm building Knit Suite, a set of iPhone applications for the knitting community. There almost ready for sale. You can find out more about them at Knit Suite
 
My company website, Polymath Solution is running, though not quite complete yet.

Printfection: Cartesian Bear