Interview with New ProSeller Marian Cates of Animal Lane Gift Shop

Animal Lane Gift Shop

Rico:
What's Your Name?

Marian Cates

Rico:
List your shop(s) -

Marian Cates :

Animal Lane Gift Shop

Animal Lane is filled with cats, dogs and wild animals. This is my largest shop and has been the most fun to work on. I love animals and have had many pets over the years. A photo of my current pet Albie, a Miniature Poodle, is in this shop and in Ocicat Studio.

Victorian Girl Gift Shop

Victorian Girl is set in the last quarter of the 19th century in America and England. I love this period and learned a lot about it while researching for a novel for young people that I expect to publish next year. Since the novel is about a Victorian girl, that's where the name came from.

Games Gift Shop

My original plan for the Games Gift Shop was to have a shop with only text jokes on tees, but I got bored and soon it was filling with paintings of children's toys and games, as well as adult card games.

Special Occasions Gift Shop

Since special-occasion products seem to sell so well on Zazzle, I created this shop to focus on special occasions and holidays. There are paintings and photos for all the major holidays and main special occasion categories.

Bonsai & Haiku Gift Shop

Although I've never owned a Bonsai Tree, I think they're lovely. Of course, Bonsai trees come from the Japanese culture. It seemed a natural extension of my shop to add traditional Japanese Haiku verses.

Ocicat Studio Stationery

This shop offers my best paintings and photography on posters and cards with matching envelopes and postage stamps. It is named after my "Ocicat Studio," where I show my art and photography. The Ocicat is a tabby that has the markings of an ocelot. I love tabby cats and have had two as pets.

Rico:
How long have you been at Zazzle?

Marian Cates :

According to the Forum, I've only had Z shops since 11-7-2009. I was thinking of all the time I've had online shops. I started at Cafepress.

Rico:
How long did it take you to become a ProSeller from when you started?

Marian Cates :

It took 5 years to get the title and about 2 years to reach that status.

Rico:
What benefits, if any have you personally seen since reaching ProSeller status?

Marian Cates

My sales have been increasing incrementally. I credit that to improved titles, descriptions and tagging.

Rico:
Has becoming a ProSeller change the way you market you shop?

Marian Cates :

No.

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

Marian Cates :

Only show your best work. I got this advice from the Fine Art Views newsletter. This means that you either have to improve your paintings as your skill improves or drop the paintings from your shops and studios. Although this has slowed me down a bit, I'm glad I did it. I want to feel confident about the artwork and photos I have in my shops and I want them to represent my best work. I would hate it if a customer bought a product with my artwork or photo on it and found it disappointing because it didn't print properly.

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

Marian Cates :

I use Adobe Photoshop.

Rico:
Who or what inspires you?

Marian Cates :

My inspiration comes from so many sources. Ideas come to me all the time. My challenge is to select the inspiration I'm going to work with for my shops. For Animal Lane, of course, the inspiration comes from the natural world. For Victorian Girl, I was inspired by my research into this period.

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

Marian Cates :

For 3 years I spent about 10-16 hours a day. Then I began to spend less time, so that I could have a life! I average about 3 hours a day right now, as I'm taking a bit of a break. But I expect to work on the shops about 5-6 hours a day once my break is over.

Rico:
What's the best advise you can give someone working toward ProSeller on Zazzle?

Marian Cates :

Devote special attention to descriptions and tags. No matter how good your artwork, photos and designs are, you won't sell them if your customers can't find them.

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

Marian Cates :

Read, write, email with friends, and watch streaming movies and TV shows on Netflix.

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

Marian Cates :

1. I'm an introvert.
2. I'm slow to catch onto the obvious things in life and quick to grasp subtleties.
3. I've been an artist all my life.
4. I'm addicted to audiobooks.
5. I write fiction and musicals (music, lyrics and script).

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

Marian Cates :

Sphinx Cat Case For The Ipod Touch

Sphinx Cat by digitalmwc
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Ask the Sphinx cell phone case. It took me years to do a Sphinx painting that I was satisfied with. I'm happy with this guy, because his gigantic ears show up so well.

Toy Poodle in the Tulip Garden Postage Stamp 

 

Toy Poodle in the Tulip Garden Postage Stamp by digitalmwc
See other Toy poodle Postage

Toy Poodle In The Tulip Garden postage stamp. I had a Toy Poodle named Louie, whom I adored. This painting is inspired by him.

Pinkly Cat And The Missing Goldfish Mouse pad

Pinkly Cat And The Missing Goldfish by digitalmwc
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Pinkly Cat And The Missing Goldfish mousepad. This is one of the paintings that I had to completely re-paint. I love silly fantasy paintings, and what's sillier than a pink cat.

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

Gray Elephant At Sunset Dinner Plates

Gray Elephant At Sunset by digitalmwc
View more plate designs from Zazzle.

What an admirable animal the elephant is! So huge! We see him here at sunset.

Rico:
Love the elephant against the red sunset background.

Rico:
Where else can our readers find you online?

Marian Cates  :

Facebook Fan Page (personal page is under my name.)

Twitter

e-zine "Art-Online"

Ocicat Studio

pinterest

Interview with Melissa Nicole of Madisyn's 1102 / Madisyn Nicole Design's

Melissa Nicole of Madisyn's 1102

Rico:
What's Your Name?

Melissa Nicole

Rico:
List your shop(s) -

Melissa Nicole :

Madisyn's 1102

Madisyn's 1102 was my first store through Zazzle and at the time that I signed up I had no intentions on selling anything, I originally created an account so that I could look for fundraising/awareness items. When I couldn't find exactly what I needed I decided to create my own, since I was new & had no clue what I was doing I guess I accidently posted my design's for sale without realizing it. A few day's later I received an email showing my sales and I had ended up making like twenty sales, I was so shocked and decided to continue to play around with some more design's and now I'm so addicted to Zazzle.

Madisyn Nicole Design's

Madisyn Nicole Design's was started after I became more familiar with Zazzle, it is more focused towards wedding, baby shower, special event and customized items whereas Madisyn's 1102 sales a little bit of everything.

Rico:
How long have you been at Zazzle?

Melissa Nicole :

I joined Zazzle on January first of 2011.

Rico: Are you a ProSeller?

Melissa Nicole :

I am very honored to say that I am a ProSeller! I made ProSeller status right around two months after making my first sell.

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

Melissa Nicole :

Hmm, well to be honest I really haven't received advice from other Zazzler's. Don't get me wrong I have met some pretty awesome Zazzler's and they are always willing to help, but I tend to be the type of person that has to figure everything out on my own.

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

Melissa Nicole :

I pretty much use anything and everything! Most of my design's on Zazzle are done with Paint Shop and my sketch tablet, but I also love photography, oil painting and charcoal.

Rico:
Who or what inspires you?

Melissa Nicole :

I'm one of those people who can find inspiration from pretty much anything, but I'd have to say my biggest inspiration comes from my daughter, my grandmother and all fellow Endometriosis & Ovarian Cancer sister's.

My daughter of course is my biggest inspiration, she is truly my greatest accomplishment and I live everyday for her. My Grandmother whom I lost to leukemia, was an absolutely fabulous artist; in fact two of her biggest fans were John Wayne and Chuck Norris. She was always such a huge inspiration because of not only her talent but also her love for art, it was her life and it brought her so much joy. Her one wish throughout her life was to get her master's in art, she lost my grandfather though during the great depression so unfortunately she was never able to afford a college education while my mom was a child. I am so proud to say though that at the age of seventy-two she finally earned her masters degree! It took her 16 yrs and sadly she died two month's after receiving it but she did it, which I think is a huge inspiration to anyone. She not only told me but she also showed me, that you really can accomplish anything as long as you have the drive and passion.

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

Melissa Nicole :

My time on Zazzle differs from day to day, I've had those day's where I'm on for 24hrs working on custom order's but I also have those day's when I spend just a few minutes to check my message's. I try my hardest to spend at least a few minutes a day working on it but being a single mommy recovering from health problems there are sometimes when I just can't make time.

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

Melissa Nicole :

To be patient, dedicated and do not sell anything that you, yourself would never buy!
One of the biggest mistakes that I've noticed is people tend to get frustrated when they don't start making money right away, so they simply give up.

You have to remember that there are thousands of us out there trying to sell our work online, it is basically your own business so yes all those other Zazzler's are basically your competition (no offense). So, if you want those big dollar sign's you have to work for it; it doesn't matter if your work is the best work out there, your still not going to be noticed unless you dedicate a large amount of your time to advertising and networking. Also, don't take it personally if it does take a while to start making regular sales or if your sales suddenly drop! Anybody in sales should know that just because you made 100 sells last week doesn't mean you will next week. We all have are slow weeks/season's that can be very disappointing, but if you believe in your work then hang in there, work hard and be patient; eventually you'll be noticed.

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

Melissa Nicole :

99.9% of my time is dedicated to my daughter! After dealing with severe health problems I learned what is truly important in life and I learned how fast your life can totally change forever or even end, so I always try my hardest to spend every possible minute with my daughter and other loved one's.

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

Melissa Nicole :

Five random things about me, hmm? Why is this question always so difficult for me to answer? Well let's see;

1. I'm a huge perfectionist & it drives me absolutely crazy.
2. I am an advocate, fighter and survivor of Endometriosis, Hysterectomy Abuse & Ovarian Cancer Awareness.
3. I love the color pink because it makes me feel feminine and powerful.
4. I never give up on anything.
5. Having 20 surgery's and enduring a medical nightmare between the ages of 24-27 made me a stronger & totally different person.

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

Melissa Nicole :

I think my 3 favorite designs would have to be:

The Whittlee Invitation

The Whittlee Invitation by MadisynNicole
Browse Birthday Invitations

The Whittlee Invitation - Because it is very girly, a little sexy, yet sophisticated and simple. This one was actually inspired by my grandmother, she was always so glamorous and had an old Hollywood feel to her. I remember she would never be seen without her red lipstick, Elizabeth Taylor perfume and she was always draped in feather's, diamonds and pearls.

The Sutton Wedding Announcement Post Card

The Sutton Wedding Announcement by MadisynNicole
Start selling my art online with zazzle.

The Sutton Photo Announcement- Because I love the color combo, I'm loving all the fun color's that bride's are using lately; there so fun and vibrant.

and last but not least

Hello Baby - birth announcement

Hello Baby - birth announcement by MadisynNicole
make invitations on zazzle.com

The Hello Baby Announcement- Because It's very simple and there's not much to it, but I think it is such a cute way to announce your new little bundle of joy.

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

Lovely Lilly Canvas Deco Print

Lovely Lilly Canvas Deco by Madisyn1102
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Rico: I absolutely love this print! Everything about it reminds me of a sunny spring or summer day. It is beautiful.

Rico:
Where else can our readers find you online?

Melissa Nicole :
As of right now you can find me on Zazzle or feel free to email me for custom orders or more info at madisynnicole@hotmail.com,. Or for awareness/non-profit help or service's feel free to contact me at melissa-claire-project@hotmail.com for more info. I do offer free design work for non-profits and fundraising events!

Beside's Zazzle I do have another web store as well as a small local boutique, but at the moment the web store is under construction, I hope to have it back up around the first of the year with all new design's. I will be posting updates and more contact info on my Zazzle profile wall so be sure to visit often.

Proceeds' made from my Zazzle store's are donated to Ovarian Cancer, Endometriosis & Hysterectomy Awareness.

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