Interview with Boriana Giormova of Cute and Strange Creatures Store

 Boriana Giormova

Rico:
What's Your Name?

Boriana

Rico:
List your shop(s) -

Boriana

I have two shops. The first Cute and Strange Creatures Store

I love to create characters and all kinds of creatures - cute, strange, evil, lovely. The designs in the store are made with these creatures, hence the name.

My second store is  Borianagpenci

and I have just started building it. It's the store where I sell cards, prints and magnets with my pencil drawn illustrations. The pencil drawn artwork style is different from the more polished, digitally made illustrations, so I felt the need to separate the stores.


Rico:
How long have you been at Zazzle?

Boriana

I have been with Zazzle from August 2007, but just recently became more consistent in creating products and managing the store.


Rico:
How did you find Zazzle?

Boriana

It's been so long ago that I don't remember very well. I think it was through Deviantart, which I was using a lot at that time.


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

Boriana

Yes, I've just become a Proseller, 5 years after joining Zazzle.


Rico:
What made you decide to open your own store?

Boriana

I was very excited by the idea of making money from my art, so I decided to give it a try.

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

Boriana

The best advice by far was to be consistent in creating quality products and to read and write in the Zazzle forums - there is a huge amount of useful information there, as well as many people who are promoting as well as creating wonderful products.


Rico:
What was your first sale (include link)?

Boriana

My first ever sale was of the Dazzled Bug kid shirt which turned out to one of the all time bestsellers from my store.

Dazzled Bug kid by borianag
Make photo tshirts from Zazzle.

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

Boriana

I first sketch the idea with a pencil and paper. Then I make photos of the sketches and create the final image in Illustrator. At the end I import the file in Photoshop - whether to add a texture or just save the final file.


Rico:
What is your favorite aspect about Zazzle?

Boriana

My favorite aspect about Zazzle is the opportunity to see my designs as they will look on the products and the fascinating thought that someone somewhere is wearing/using/enjoying something created by me.


Rico:
Who or what inspires you?

Boriana

There's inspiration everywhere around me. I love to look at projects in Behance.net, art and design blogs. I read a lot of books and sometimes the images just pop and they're so vivid that I have to draw them. My kids are great idea generators, too: "Mom, this is a funny dinosaur. Now let's see it fart." :)


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

Boriana

As a stay at home mom of two, I spend almost all of my free time creating artwork or products - that's about 40 hours a week, maybe.


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

Boriana

Create products daily, try to think as someone who will buy and use them. Use the Zazzle forums and social networks for promotion because even if you offer the greatest products in the world, there is no use if people can't see them.


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

Boriana

I love spending time with my husband, playing with the kids, playing video games, browsing, reading, listening to music...


Rico:
For most each product or design they create is special. What is your most favorite design and why (include link)?

Boriana

My most favorite item designed by me is the Happy Singing Robot Grunge mousepad. I love robots so much and this one has become something as a long-time friend of mine. It's a bit silly and funny and it's a very, very friendly one.

Happy Singing Robot Grunge by borianag
Make your own mouse pad on zazzle.

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

Boriana

First: I have a good sense of humor.

Second: I'm a painful perfectionist (trying to loosen it up a bit).

Third: I love science - and have a master's in Pharmacy and a will have soon a second one in Graphic design.

Fourth: I worry too much.

Fifth: I need listening to music as I need breathing.


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

Boriana

Dazzled Bug blue iPod Touch case

Dazzled Bug blue iPod Touch case by borianag
Design custom i phone covers at Zazzle

This design turned out to be a big seller during the recent Christmas holidays. It features the fluffy Dazzled Bug - a cute character I made a long time ago for a site we made with my husband.




Happy Singing Robot Grunge Mouse Pad

Happy Singing Robot Grunge by borianag
See other Robot mousepad Mousepads

It's a blue paper textured mousepad with a funny singing robot. I love robots and I frequently draw them, though I haven't created enough products with them yet.




Red Evil Flower Bug T-shirt

Red Evil Flower Bug T-shirt by borianag
More Evil creature T-Shirts

This bug is evil and at the same time cute, holds a flower while grinning and is a lovely funny creature.


Rico:
If you could purchase ANY item (of someone else’s) what would it be? Why?

Boriana

Piggy mouse pad

piggy mouse pad by fawnbaby
Make unique custom mouse pads no minimum at Zazzle.

I absolutely love this Piggy mousepad the illustration is great and it's so funny.


Rico:
Zazzle has helped many people meet goals that they otherwise wouldn’t have achieved. What has Zazzle helped you to achieve in your personal life?

Boriana

Zazzle has helped me to make the decision that I will do what I love to do.


Rico:
Where else can our readers find you online?

Boriana

I have a blog - My Grinning Mind where I present the various things I create, I've also made some desktop and iPhone wallpapers with the creatures which can be downloaded from the blog. I share a lot of interesting things I've seen or read on Twitter - I @borianag. I also love Pinterest and use it daily Boriana Pinterest it's a wonderful tool for collecting and organizing inspiration.

Interview with Belinha Fernandes of A Portuguese Love

 Belinha Fernandes of A Portuguese Love

Rico:
What's Your Name?

Belinha Fernandes

Rico:
List your shop(s) -

Belinha Fernandes :

A Portuguese Love

I picked this name because at first when I created the store I wanted to sell Portuguese culture and tradition inspired designs. My first choice was A Portuguese Girl but there was already a store with that name in the POD universe. So I gave it up and picked this one instead. Then I thought it was a mistake because I do not sell ONLY those kind of products and it might disencourage people to take a look.

Papelustro

When we were children we all played with safe scissors and colorful paper. In Portugal we call Papel (Paper) de lustro (polish) to a kind of thin, glossy and colorful paper that children use in kindergarten and elementary school to make collages and paper cut works. Today there are a lot more attractive materials than these sheets of red, yellow, blue, brown, black and gray paper. So papel de lustro is somehow forgotten by educators. And that's the origin of my name, Papel+lustro. This store was created to sell copies from my original collages that can be seen at http://www.papelustro.blogspot.com. All collages are made from magazine scraps and papel de lustro. People asked me copies of those blog collages and that’s how I discovered Zazzle.

Rico:
What type of product do you sell the most of?

Belinha Fernandes :

The products I sell the most are birthday party invitations and souvenirs from Portugal at A Portuguese Love. My Papelustro postcards also sell well but this store has just a few products.

Rico:
How long have you been at Zazzle?

Belinha Fernandes :

I’ve been on Zazzle since March 2009. I opened Papelustro first. Then I opened A Portuguese Love in October of the same year.

Rico:
How did you find Zazzle?

Belinha Fernandes :

I knew about POD possibilities for some time before I tried Zazzle. I just made a search on the web and examined all POD available. I liked Zazzle more.

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

Belinha Fernandes :

Yes, A long time! I got my badge last year on December 2011. My stores were inactive for a long periods in the first two years, I think people can made ProSeller much earlier, don’t feel discouraged when you read this.

Rico:
What made you decide to open your own store?

Belinha Fernandes :

I have a blog where I post paper collages. Many people asked me if the collages were for sale. They were not and I did not want to sell it. So I needed a way to make prints of those collages so I could sell it. That's why I decided to open my first store, Papelustro.

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

Belinha Fernandes :

A few experienced Zazzlers told me that Zazzle was like any other business out there and that if I was expecting to make some money out of it I should work hard in creating and promoting the store. I should think first about my clients needs and not myself. If I was just there for the fun then I could relax and take it easy. This is true and today I can give the same advice to anyone who is starting out.

Rico:
What was your first sale?

Belinha Fernandes :

I don't remember anymore!

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

Belinha Fernandes :

All work on the stores is original work. I create Papelustro’s illustrations with paper and glue and then I finish it on Photoshop. A Portuguese Love has some photos and vector work that I create in several programs like Illustrator, Corel Draw or Freehand.

Rico:
What is your favorite aspect about Zazzle?

Belinha Fernandes :

I think that the possibility for people to customize products is absolutely fantastic.

Rico:
Who or what inspires you?

Belinha Fernandes :

Children world inspires me a lot. I like to use happy colors and shapes. I try to create simple and clean designs. Some lines of products are inspired by traditional Portuguese culture and traditions. They will appeal to Portuguese but also to everyone who's fond of Portugal or to the ones who simply like pretty things. Papelustro shows a kind of more experimental work but there’s a strong connection to the child universe in my characters too.

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

Belinha Fernandes :

It depends. Last Christmas I spent most November nights and weekends working in my Christmas collection! It takes a lot of time to create from scratch, upload and choose the proper keywords to Zazzle. Whenever I have some free time I create a new drawing for Zazzle or promote a little. Instead of watching TV I work for Zazzle. That’s what I do.

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

Belinha Fernandes :

Maybe it’s the same advice that was given to me. Prepare for work hard. Even if you love to create there will be times when you feel overwhelmed by the amount of work. Zazzle means you have to work in creation and promotion. The work is never done! But if you love to create then you can expect to be rewarded in a lot of ways. I love selling my art work to person miles away. It still makes me go WOW! Each time it happens.

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

Belinha Fernandes :

Besides working for my store and blogging about it I enjoy movies a lot and never miss an afternoon end at the beach in the summer. I do copy work, illustration and I also teach people how to use graphic software.

Rico:
For most each product or design they create is special. What is your most favorite design and why?

Belinha Fernandes :

Free a story - read a book! postcard

Free a story - read a book! by papelustro
View other Literature Postcards

This is one of my collages. I believe it's one of my best works. I find this postcard really special. Maybe because I like reading and books so much.

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

Belinha Fernandes :

I’m Portuguese and proud of my country even if we’re facing such hard times in Europe right now

my passion is graphic arts even if I went to Law school in the past

I love animals and nature

I live by the sea and can’t imagine otherwise

I like to read poetry out loud (for myself)!

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

Belinha Fernandes :

Portuguese Rooster of Luck Christmas Ornaments

Portuguese Rooster of Luck by aportugueselove
Browse more Portuguese rooster Ornaments

O Galo de Barcelos - Barcelos's Rooster- is the unofficial symbol of Portugal. Many shops sell the traditional ceramic rooster all over Portugal. It's associated to a legend and it stands for good luck because the rooster crow saved a prisoner from death. It's lively colors bring happiness to every home. If you want to wish good luck to someone offer the very special Portuguese Rooster of Luck!



Secondhand smoke catching machine! mouse pads

Secondhand smoke catching machine! by aportugueselove
More Secondhand smoke Mousepads

As you might already know exposure to secondhand smoke is associated with an increased risk for lung cancer and heart disease in nonsmoking adults, and it increases the risk for sudden infant death syndrome, bronchitis, pneumonia, and other serious respiratory conditions in children. So we should not underestimate secondhand smoke presence. These cute products were created to raise awareness about it among children and families.



The 12 Signs of Zodiac Note Books

The 12 Signs of Zodiac by aportugueselove
Browse Zazzle for a different spiral note book

The word Zodiac means animals and refers to the configurations of creatures as seen in the twinkling stars at night. Astrology has been used by many civilizations for thousands of years. Some believe it, some don't. But everybody knows their sign! I created a collection of cute Zodiac Sign characters for kids. But I guess adults might like it too!

Rico:
Here is one of my favorite designs of yours;




Hello Pirate! T-shirts

Hello Pirate! by aportugueselove
Put your favorite picture on shirts.

Rico:
Very cute pirate design!
Rico:
If you could purchase ANY item (of someone else’s) what would it be? Why?

Belinha Fernandes :

That's an impossible answer. I see so many wonderful creations at Zazzle! Anything from Hand Critters. This was the first store I remembered. It's an injustice to all those I like too! This guy uses the simple shape of his hand to create all the designs. It's so creative. It's so simple and it works so well!

Rico: I chose this one for you

Hand Alligator Infant Creeper

Hand Alligator Infant Creeper by handcritters
View more Alligator T-Shirts

Rico:
Zazzle has helped many people meet goals that they otherwise wouldn’t have achieved. What has Zazzle helped you to achieve in your personal life?

Belinha Fernandes :
Zazzle has helped many people meet goals that they otherwise wouldn’t have achieved. What has Zazzle helped you to achieve in your personal life?

I have always wanted to sell my illustrations to others. Sometimes I still can't believe that I am doing it!

Rico:
Where else can our readers find you online?

Belinha Fernandes :

Twitter

Blog

Facebook

Google +

Rico:
Anything else you'd like to share?

Belinha Fernandes :

Zazzle has been a good experience also because I’ve been making some virtual friends all over the world.

And my thanks to Rico for this opportunity!

Rico:
It's my pleasure!

Interview with Susan of Redneck Hillbillies

 Redneck Hillbillies

Rico:
What's Your Name?

Susan

Rico:
List your shop(s) -

Susan :

My two main stores:

Redneck Hillbillies

Redneck Hillbillies - Redneck gifts including several versions of the Confederate Flag, as well as things they love such as fishing,hunting,RVs and quadding, beer etc. I also have several Hick/Hillbilly or farmer type items that appeal to backwoods types that don't necessarily identify or appreciate the label of Redneck. I chose this name to match my YouTube channel, which was the start of all this nonsense! T-shirts and other apparel items, phone cases, funny invitations, and bumper stickers are the bigger sellers from this store. Many products started with photos, which prompted me to open my second store...

Country Corner

Country Corner - Rural photography. Landscapes and country scenes, farm animals (especially cows), my dogs, and anything else country-ish. I have quite a few interesting textures which work well on things like phone cases, and several party invitations and business cards designed for country folks.

Currently working on developing my two newer stores for anything not redneck or photography related:

NetSpeak

NetSpeak - This store is a place where I put any design inspired by stuff I see or hear about on the internet. The honey badger lives here! Most designs are simple clipart type graphics or text only. I have several crazy cat lady designs and other creatures (real or not) like BigFoot and aliens. It's grown to include several 2012 or end of the world type designs inspired by conspiracy theorists and preparers.

RetroZone

RetroZone - peace symbols, music, rainbows... fun textures and patterns which make great phone cases, mouse pads and laptop sleeves.

Rico:
How long have you been at Zazzle?

Susan :

Just over two years! Wow, time flies. I didn't get busy until about April of 2010.

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

Susan :

Yes. It took me over a year to reach bronze ProSeller because the rules changed and the program was put on hold for several months.

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

Susan :

The best advice I got that I actually listened to was to put the design on any/every kind of product if it fits and works. Just because I personally would never buy an apron or totebag with that design on it doesn't mean someone else won't. Many items have sold that I almost didn't publish for sale. The best advice I didn't listen to when I started, but should have much earlier than I actually did, was to make my own templates.

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

Susan :

My camera, a couple different software programs for graphics/text and some special filters both online and on my computer to transform photos to resemble sketches or paintings.

Rico:
Who or what inspires you?

Susan :

My family and lifestyle out in the country for my main stores. For the other two, facebook/twitter, blogs, my attitude - Things I wish I could say sometimes but never do! Often it's a "pretty" or "grungy" thing that I think looks cool. Anything and everything is briefly considered as a potential Zazzle product!

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

Susan :

It varies, but usually around 20 hrs a week on everything Zazzle related, including not only product creation, but promotion, reading the forums etc. That's about all I can fit in right now.

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

Susan :

Make your own templates, and then take the time to really learn how to tweak and adjust images to fit properly using Zazzle's controls. Make as many products as you can customizable using template text fields so it's easy for a customer to add their name or some other detail to really make it their own. Learn these as soon as you can, so you don't have dozens of faulty products to correct later!

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

Susan :

Cook beer! I'm a part time brew master and I really do enjoy my job.

I have an enormous vegetable garden that keeps me busy during the summer months.

RVing and road trips, or even just for an afternoon drive on or off-road, with my camera of course.

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

Susan :

1)I have a husband, two teenage girls and 2 dogs that are my whole life. Everything else is secondary. Even Zazzle!

2)Having said that, my Zazzle account is the first thing I check in the morning and the last thing I check at night!

3)I name all of our cattle with hillbilly names. Right now we are eating Jethro and Gus. They are tasty.

4)I am one of THOSE people who leave their christmas lights on the front porch all year long, just like the song.

5)I wear runners, gumboots or crocs most of the time. I don't like like flipflops and I don't even OWN a pair of heels.

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

Susan :

Hillbilly Party! Jean Overalls Plaid and Duct Tape Announcements

Hillbilly Party! Jean Overalls Plaid and Duct Tape by RedneckHillbillies
See more Country Invitations

This is a fun invitation for country folks that can be adjusted to suit anyone, and any occasion.

Nothing Can Stop the Honey Badger T-shirts

Nothing Can Stop the Honey Badger by NetSpeak
More Honey badger T-Shirts

This design is entirely text based, for people who prefer T-shirts without photos or graphics on them.

Shiny Silver Sequins Tough iPhone 4 Cover

Shiny Silver Sequins by RetroZone
View more Sequin Casemate Cases

This designs adds a touch of sparkle for girls who like bling and shiny things!

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

Porch Dog on Steps with Sad Eyes Postcard

Porch Dog on Steps with Sad Eyes by CountryCorner
Create a Post card with zazzle.com

An old dog lays comfortably on the wooden front porch steps, on guard duty and watching over her family in the yard. Color photograph with vignette effect.
Rico: Beautiful dog and I love the vintage effect!

Rico:
Where else can our readers find you online?

Susan :

Facebook

Twitter @RNHillbillies

Redneckhillbillies Website

Redneckhillbillies Blog

Interview with Fred Ziegler of Florals by Fred

 Fred Ziegler of Florals by Fred

Rico:
What's Your Name?

Fred Ziegler

Rico:
List your shop(s) -

Fred Ziegler :

Florals by Fred

The theme is nature and floral photography. I have been shooting floral mages for years so, the name seemed to be a natural “fit” for my store. I specialize in a rather eclectic mixture of things. Basically, I love nature photography but, I also enjoy fly fishing and Amateur Radio. SO the visitor to my store will find a mixture of all three but, mostly nature and florals.  

Rico:
How long have you been at Zazzle?

Fred Ziegler :

Since April 2011

Rico: Are you a ProSeller?

Fred Ziegler :

Not yet.

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

Fred Ziegler :

Keep at it, don’t give up.

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

Fred Ziegler :

Photoshop, filter forge the Bible and, research on the internet.

Rico:
Who or what inspires you?

Fred Ziegler :

You will find quite a number of products with Biblical quotes in my store. So my greatest inspiration comes from the Bible and my wife. She’s been a constant source of inspiration.

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

Fred Ziegler :

Between 20 and 30 hours

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

Fred Ziegler :

The words of Winston Churchill come to mind,
"Never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up."

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

Fred Ziegler :

Fly fishing, Amateur radio and most of all, spend time with my family.

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

Fred Ziegler :

1. I use a Pentax K-5 or a Pentax K100D for my photography. (The K-5 is an awesome camera)

2. I’m a retired sewage treatment plant operator

3. I have 4 fish for pets

4. I’m an early riser

5. I squeeze the toothpaste tube in the middle

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

Fred Ziegler :

San Simeon Sunset 3 Stretched Canvas Print

San Simeon Sunset 3 by FloralbyFred
View more Photo Canvas Prints

I love sunrise and sunset, the most colorful times of day in my opinion. This photo was from a recent trip to the mid coast of California. There are some good memories associated with it. The warm tones reflecting on the water on stretches canvas are superb.



Red Rose for You Posters

Red Rose for You by FloralbyFred
Browse Flower Posters

Roses are some of the most beautiful flowers and the fragrance is immensely pleasing to most. This was shot in my front yard. The image really brings out the texture of the petals and the rich deep color of the rose.



Deuteronomy 7:9 Encouragement Card 

Deuteronomy 7:9 Encouragement Card by FloralbyFred
Join one of the biggest graphic design affiliate programs

Everybody needs a helping hand, a kind word or an encouraging thought from time to time. In the age of instant gratification, kindness is often forfeit. I designed this card as attempt to get folks to send a kind encouraging, uplifting thought to someone. The image is from the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, USA.

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


Silky Water 11 Poster

Silky Water 11 Poster by FloralbyFred
sell your art for free with Zazzle.

This silky water or long exposure was captured on the Santa Ana River, a small creek in the San Berrnardino Mountains near Seven Oaks, Ca. Photograph copyright © 2012 Fred Ziegler | Rico: I just love this print. The silky effect is beautiful!

Rico:
Where else can our readers find you online?

Fred Ziegler :

Facebook Florals by Fred

My Blog: Florals by Fred Blog