Interview with Kaleena Montano of Kaleena Rae's Zazzle Store

 Kaleena Montano  

Rico:
What's Your Name?

Kaleena Montano

 

Rico:
List your shop(s) -

Kaleena Montano :

Kaleena Rae's Zazzle Store

My store contains a variety of nature and wildlife photography products as well as some clipart/patterns. I also have a special section for pet products that are mostly Dachshund themed. I am a dachshund breeder so I create keepsake products for my puppy buyers and other dachshund lovers.



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

Kaleena Montano :

I am a fairly new to Zazzle so I have only sold 22 of my own products to date. Mostly Binders and Greeting Cards.



Rico:
How long have you been at Zazzle?

Kaleena Montano :

I joined Zazzle in July 2011



Rico:
How did you find Zazzle?

Kaleena Montano :

I did a google search looking for a place to sell my photography.



Rico:
Are you a ProSeller?

Kaleena Montano :
I am not a proseller. 




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

Kaleena Montano :
It was free and creative. Exactly what i was looking for. 



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

Kaleena Montano :
I did not receive any advice when I started out. I found the website on my own using google and have only recently found the zazzle forum full of supportive people.

 

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

Kaleena Montano :




Garden Planner 3 Ring Binders

Garden Planner 3 Ring Binders by KaleenaRae
See other Catapiller Binders

 


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

Kaleena Montano :
I use Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3 to edit my photography. Paint.net to edit my clipart and digital papers.
 

Rico:
What is your favorite aspect about Zazzle?

Kaleena Montano :
I like the wide range of products they have available to work with. 



 
Rico:
Who or what inspires you?

Kaleena Montano :
I find inspiration from the great outdoors and my house full of wiener dogs.

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

Kaleena Montano :
I probably spend 40 hours a week either creating or promoting. I wasn't reaching anyone other then friends/family and puppy buyers until I discovered the promoting section of the zazzle forum. There were great ideas and tools there and such helpful people. 



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

Kaleena Montano :
If I knew someone that wanted to try zazzle I would tell them to fill their store, tag really well, and then i would show them all the places they can promote.
 

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

Kaleena Montano :
I am a single stay at home mother of two young children and a dog breeder. So my hands are full when I'm not working on zazzle.

 

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

Kaleena Montano :






Dachshunds eat honey badgers dog water bowls

Dachshunds eat honey badgers dog water bowls by KaleenaRae
Browse Dachshund Pet Bowls

I'm totally obsessed with this dog bowl. I am a Dachshund breeder and their original purpose was to hunt badgers. Honey badger themed products are all the rage right now and one day this qoute just popped into my head. I've sold several and it gets viewed everyday. I own one myself too and it makes me laugh everyday.

 

 

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

Kaleena Montano :

I'm 24 years old

I've been professionally raising purebred dogs since I was 15

My family teases me for enjoying the Kardashian reality shows

I love gardening

I sometimes have nightmares about my camera breaking, it would be devastating to me. 

 

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

Kaleena Montano :


Dachshunds eat honey badgers dog water bowls

Dachshunds eat honey badgers dog water bowls by KaleenaRae
Browse Dachshund Pet Bowls

Dachshunds were originally bred to hunt badgers so I gave myself a good laugh when I put a spin on the honey badger theme creating this bowl. Its been a big hit as far as views go but has not yet been purchased. 

Garden Planner 3 Ring Binders

Garden Planner 3 Ring Binders by KaleenaRae
Browse Catapiller Binders

I love this garden planner so much I purchased one for myself. The fat tomato worm is pleasing to the eye even if he is a garden enemy. 

 Wildlife 2012 Calendar

Wildlife 2012 Calendar by KaleenaRae
See other Wildlife Calendars

Wildlife is my favorite thing to photograph. I put a variety of species into this calendar. It looks stunning in print. 

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

Kaleena Montano :

 

Cute Dachshund Clean / Dirty Dishwasher Magnet

Cute Dachshund Clean / Dirty Dishwasher Magnet by JKLDesigns
Shop for other fridge magnets from zazzle.com.

This is the only thing i have purchased from someone else's store so far. It is so cute I couldn't pass it up.   If i had all the money in the world though i would probably buy some fantastic photos or pieces of art on wrapped canvas. 

 

 

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?

Kaleena Montano :
As a stay at home mother it is nice to make a little money from home. Its also extremely rewarding to sell my "art". Somebody thought this photo or product was good enough to own and I created it. That's pretty cool. 

 

 

Rico:
Where else can our readers find you online? (Facebook, Twitter, other blog or website)

Kaleena Montano :

Facebook

Pinterest

Lovebug Doxies

Twitter

Zazzle Delights Blog

Interview with Simon Bratt of MrEco Designs

 Simon Bratt

Rico:
What's Your Name?

Simon Bratt

 

Rico:
List your shop(s) -

Simon Bratt :

MrEco Designs

Main store, anything and everything that i think looks great or unusual.

Kays Artwork

Secondary store for UK artist Kay Gale as the primary distribution outlet for her artwork on products.



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

Simon Bratt :

Probably business cards and iPhone cases.



Rico:
How long have you been at Zazzle?

Simon Bratt :

About 2 years



Rico:
How did you find Zazzle?

Simon Bratt :

I found Zazzle while reading the usual forums at Microstock site Shutterstock where there was a dedicated forum of friendly people for Zazzle.



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

Simon Bratt :

Yes, Took about a year to get pro seller status, as i wasn't concentrating on Zazzle as much as other sites.



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

Simon Bratt :

I had lots of images for microstock so decided to try and make use of them on Zazzle. Zazzle is a good diversion from microstock, its fun to do and create products.



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

Simon Bratt :

Ideally have a theme for your store and to do promotion, neither of which i did, i should have done.



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

Simon Bratt :

First sale was a business card back in Jan 2010




Chrome globe with black background business cards

Chrome globe with black background business cards by Mreco99
The best business card printing is on zazzle

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

Simon Bratt :

Ive tried using a chisel and rubber hammer, once even tried a microscope and broken glass, but i ended up going back to the old favorite Photoshop and a humble laptop.



Rico:
What is your favorite aspect about Zazzle?

Simon Bratt :

Zazzle doesn't stand still, it is always developing and coming up with other ideas, keeps it interesting. Designing your own store front and displays is something most people cant do for real, so a virtual store is the next best thing, and risk free of course.



Rico:
Who or what inspires you?

Simon Bratt :

Ultimately creating images and photographs i love the look of from either every day objects or nature really spur me on. Probably incorrectly i create images i love first and hope they sell, rather than images that are needed. I hope this products designs and products that are more unique.



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

Simon Bratt :

It varies as it depends what sites need more attention, but probably about



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

Simon Bratt :
It depends on what you want from Zazzle, if your primary goal is to earn money, study the best selling items and top sellers and see what the public wants. If your using Zazzle as an outlet to your creative side, go for it, and see if its popular, and hopefully create your own niche.



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

Simon Bratt :

If under "creating art" you mean, photographing, editing, looking for subjects, looking for locations, planning, uploading, key wording, etc etc then umm, playing guitar, computing, computer gaming, other games like scrabble etc, TV, films.



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

Simon Bratt :

If you mean our own designs, then i have just started branching out with some funny creations and so are my mad animals range is my favorite. You know your favorites when you want to buy your own products.





Animal ark joke t shirt

Animal ark joke t shirt by Mreco99
Browse other tees made on zazzle

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

Simon Bratt :

1. Married, to my wife

2. Animal lover

3. No kids

4. Gadget lover

5. IT professional by trade.



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

Simon Bratt :

  Colorful autumn leaves commuter bags

Colourful autumn leaves commuter bags by Mreco99
Shop for more messenger bags.

Beautiful autumn leaves need to be caught at just the right moment to get their spectacular color range.







Glass love heart on a pillow

Glass love heart on a pillow by Mreco99
Browse Zazzle for a different throw pillow.

Expression of love is great on a pillow / cushion, good for hugging when your loved one is away, er, for girls mostly.






Tulips painting in acrylic by Kay Gale Bags

Tulips painting in acrylic by Kay Gale Bags by Mreco99
See other Blue Bags

Original art work by a published UK artist on all sorts of designs, as the only official outlet.




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

Simon Bratt :

I love the phone cases that look like something else, an old leather bag or rotary dial phone etc, but i don't use those sorts of cases, so i would probably buy any of the retro geek T Shirts as I'm 42 i grew up in the retro days of Spectrum, Atari, Acorn Electron, computers etc. Something that only older geeks understand, like an in joke, is particularly funny. Lots of people producing those, i cant single someone out.




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?

Simon Bratt :

It helps me exploit my creativeness and gives me a reason to keep developing photographic skill, which is the heart of all my creativeness.



Rico:
Where else can our readers find you online? (Facebook, Twitter, other blog or website)

Simon Bratt :

Twitter

Istock

Shutterstock

Fotolia

Dreamstime

123RF

BigStock

DepositPhoto

Veer

Zazzle

CanStockPhoto

 

Rico:
Anything else you'd like to share?

Simon Bratt :

As alot of people are able to do online stock and product creation, its not an easy please to make a living unless you have something extra to add, standard snaps wont cut it anymore.

Interview with Erin Cooper of ShadoWind Original Art By Erin Cooper

 Erin Cooper


Rico:
What's Your Name?

Erin Cooper

Rico:
List your shop(s) - 

Erin Cooper :

ShadoWind Original Art By Erin Cooper

Most of my art focuses on the fantasy genre, but I also enjoy making animal and wildlife art. I have been going by the name Shadowind online since sometime around high school, I like the name as it evokes an imagery in my mind of what you would see if you could visualize the movement of the wind. I imagine would look similar to the way rippling water reflects and shines and casts shadows on things. The interplay between shadow and light fascinates me. I also love ravens which with their black color look like a little shadow on the wind.



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

Erin Cooper :

I sold a lot of my 2012 dragon calendars this year, besides that I think my greeting cards probably sell the most.



Rico:
How long have you been at Zazzle?

Erin Cooper :

I believe it’s been about 3 or 4 years.



Rico:
How did you find Zazzle?

Erin Cooper :

I found Zazzle through another artist and friend of mine who I met when I was attending school at the University of Saint Francis.

Here are his two shops: Tee Freak - Unique and Fun T-Shirts Sketchy Tees - Unique and Fun T-Shirts



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

Erin Cooper :

Yes, I think I got my pro seller status sometime at the beginning of last year. But I don’t remember when exactly.



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

Erin Cooper :

At the time I already had a shop with cafepress, but It never sold anything and I never did much with it advertising or anything.

I liked the looks of zazzle's and I liked that they had some unique products that looked like fun to design (like shoes and skateboards).

I wanted a fresh start with new artwork at and a new shop so I thought I would try it out, I sold something the first week I opened my shop which I found very encouraging so I've been Zazzling ever since!



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

Erin Cooper :

To use as many good/accurate keywords for products as possible when posting a product.



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

Erin Cooper :

 

"Together we are One" Unicorn postcard was my first sale to someone from France!

Together we are One PostCard by Shadowind_ErinCooper
Design unique photo postcard at zazzle.com

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

Erin Cooper :

Most often I will draw a design out on regular white computer paper, and then scan it in and color it using Photoshop. I will sometimes work with solely traditional medium like color pencil or acrylic paint and then just scan or take a photo.



Rico:
What is your favorite aspect about Zazzle?

Erin Cooper :

I like how easy it is to design and post products!



Rico:
Who or what inspires you?

Erin Cooper :

Many things inspire me sometimes just little everyday situations or things. Other great artists certainly, to name a few I love the works of Susan Seddon Boulet, art by imaginism’s Bobby chiu, Josephine Wall paintings, and sculptures by M. Pena… and many other great fantasy artists. However I am also influenced by wonderful books I may be reading or by dreams I might have, or nature herself. My fourlegged friends are often inspiration to me, as are my friends and family.



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

Erin Cooper :

It can very quite a lot depending on my mood, how inspired I feel, the whether, how distracted I get by other things during the week. It can be anywhere from a couple hours every day all week long, to getting on and spending almost all day designing or on zazzle creating products a few days in a row until I am burned out on it.



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

Erin Cooper :

Try to stay active online, even if it’s just to get on and comment on other products you like or add a little update on your main page and change the featured products for the season it is. Advertise as much as you can by joining other art websites and linking back to zazzle, places like deviant art and forums and groups. When you comment on others art be very genuine, try to pick out what it is you like about the art and why and say so instead of a simple “this is great!”   Also never forget to always keep learning!



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

Erin Cooper :

When I am not drawing if the weather is nice I like to be outside, I love to hike in the woods, and garden. If the weather is not nice (snow and cold) I like to read, mostly fantasy novels but some new age and spirituality type stuff occasionally too.
I also hang out with and take care of my four legged furred and or feathered family including my horse, Cricket.



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

Erin Cooper :

I try to come up with new designs all the time and the more I post the more favorites I end up having...but at the moment I think my most favorite design is my "learning the ways" dragon design

Learning the Ways~ mug by Shadowind_ErinCooper
Make a personalized mug on zazzle.

I think its one of my favorites now, because I got this design on one of my own hoodies for Christmas and it turned out really well and is so comfortable, I wear it all the time. I also like the mystery and magic surrounding the little dragon and how he seems more like an intelligent character rather than just a fire breathing monster. I try to put a lot of thought into the creatures I draw and design and what their stories might be behind them so they are more interesting to look at.



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

Erin Cooper :

I am always trying to become a better artist and person

I can’t stand people who disrespect or are outright cruel to animals

I try my best to live in the moment

I am a really quiet person and very introspective

I would like to live in and earthship someday



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

Erin Cooper :

 

Learning the Ways~dragon shirt

Learning the Ways~dragon shirt by Shadowind_ErinCooper
Create your own personal t-shirts online at zazzle.com

I have this one on a dark blue hoodie I got at Christmas and it prints out great! I’m going to be doing the dragon in different colors soon too because my brother wanted this same design with a green dragon. I like to think of dragons as having their own intelligence and culture rather than just being scary vicious monsters. In my opinion dragons like many real reptilian creatures sometimes get a lot of bad press they don't deserve and are often cast as the enemy or villain in stories so in my work i try to depict them a little differently. This dragon is study on different types of magic specifically crystal gazing.





Different! Upside Down Owl Greeting Card

Different! Upside Down Owl Greeting Card by Shadowind_ErinCooper
Get unique custom made cards online at zazzle.com.

A lot can be said of being proud to be different and unique! I believe in keeping an open mind at all times and find value in what many call weird or unusual, i think we should celebrate these sorts of differences don't you? This little owl design is and adorable way to do just that!





Toadstools~ jar candy jars

Toadstools~ jar by Shadowind_ErinCooper
See more Toadstool Candy Jars

I just love how these mushrooms turned out, I see mushrooms when I walk in the woods all the time and they are just fun to look at and draw aren’t they? Plus they are surrounded in faery lore and mythology. I watched this program about fungi that told how certain shelf mushrooms can be used to clean up oil spills. I think fungi are fantastic and under rated, people are leery of them because they have been used as psychedelics but I think everyone should learn a little more about them!




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

Erin Cooper :

 

The Great Feline Mouse Pads

The Great Feline by Philip_Straub
Create own mousepad on zazzle.

There are lots of other zazzle artists designs and products I like a lot, it would be really hard to choose just one!  If you really want to see all the stuff I like check out my wishlist/likes on my profile page :D ;)



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?

Erin Cooper :

Well currently I don't have a steady job doing anything else. I do freelance art jobs when I can find them, but Zazzle has helped me to earn some cash since graduating and to feel like I am continuing my art career even though I am otherwise unemployed.



Rico:
Where else can our readers find you online? (Facebook, Twitter, other blog or website)

Erin Cooper :

Deviant Art

Twitter

Facebook

Elfwood (this one doesn’t get updated much)

Webs page

 

Rico:
Anything else you'd like to share? 

Erin Cooper :

Readers please check out my friend’s shop too if you have time! Tee Freak - Unique and Fun T-Shirts


To see more of Erin's wonderful art visit ShadoWind Original Art By Erin Cooper

Interview with William Ballester of Surreal Posters

 William Ballester 

Rico:
What's Your Name?

William Ballester

Rico:
List your shop(s) -

William Ballester :

Surreal Posters

Invites Now

Vintage Store GIFTS

Vintage Posters mousepads surreal gifts ties

Gifts Gifts

SHIRT CENTRAL

Military T-shirts Posters and Gifts

Business Cards Wedding Invitations



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

William Ballester :

Invitations



Rico:
How long have you been at Zazzle?

William Ballester :

I started in 2008 with just one store, and not working very much at it, as I had a full time job that time.



Rico:
How did you find Zazzle?

William Ballester :

My wife find it, I had a “normal job” and I really didn’t have time for something like that.



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

William Ballester :
Yes, 2 years, but as I said before I wasn't doing very much till I became a ProSeller.



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

William Ballester :

Just to be next to my wife and to see what I could do.



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

William Ballester :

Do plenty of new things daily and don't give up.



Rico:
What was your first sale?

William Ballester :

My first sale was a Tie, (a horrible one) back in 2009.



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

William Ballester :

Bryce 7 & Photoshop 7.



Rico:
What is your favorite aspect about Zazzle?

William Ballester :

The ability to add images to anything and enlarge them or make them smaller and create so many different products, too many aspects to choose a favorite one.



Rico:
Who or what inspires you?

William Ballester :

Shan from Zizzago™ I love the way Shan makes invitations and posters and I love the way she creates and mixes colors, specially Gold.



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

William Ballester :

Now I spend 70 or 80 hours a week easily.



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

William Ballester :

The same that was given to me, create more and more daily, and don't give up.



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

William Ballester :

Look at the work of other artists.



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

William Ballester :

My favorite design it’s one surreal poster that I made when I started the shop surreal posters and here it is :



The Eggs the Smile and the Lightning Poster

The Eggs the Smile and the Lightning Poster by surrealposters
Create own poster online at zazzle.com

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

William Ballester :

I am Spanish-Australian

I spend 48 years been a musician (pianist)

I usd to be good looking in my younger years

I am still good looking



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


William Ballester :
 


The Lobster the Eggs and the Smile Poster

The Lobster the Eggs and the Smile Poster by surrealposters
See another framed artwork on Zazzle

Surreal Posters & Prints The Lobster the Eggs and the Smile Poster




Gold Teal and Red Art Deco Invitation

Gold Teal and Red Art Deco Invitation by invitesnow
View other announcement designs on zazzle.com

Gold Teal and Red Art Deco Invitation gold party




White Tiger and Black Business Card

White Tiger and Black Business Card by cardsbusinesscards
See more upscale business cards.

White Tiger and Black Business Card elegant, classy, unique,



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?

William Ballester :
It Has allowed me to stop my “normal Job” and just work from home, zazzling all day, I do work more hours than any other normal job, but it is different, I can start whenever I want to, or go away whenever I want to, it is a pleasure to work from home.



Rico:
Where else can our readers find you online? (Facebook, Twitter, other blog or website)

William Ballester :

Squidoo - Invites Now



Rico:
Anything else you'd like to share?

William Ballester :

I am proud to say that I am a full time zazzler now, and anuone can do it, just don't give up.