Interview with Dana of Bedazzled By Zazzle

 Bedazzled By Zazzle



Rico:
What's Your Name?

Dana

Rico:
List your shop(s) -

Dana :

Bedazzled By Zazzle -

Cool Designs For Everyone ... The name seemed pretty accurate for how *I* felt about Zazzle when I came across it.



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

Dana :

Best selling items are invitations, stickers, tshirts, mugs, business cards... but I sell a big variety of product types.



Rico:
How long have you been at Zazzle?

Dana :

Since late 2009.



Rico:
How did you find Zazzle?

Dana :

I was originally at Cafe Press and didn't like their pricing structure and other limitations, so decided it was time for a change. Found Zazzle and was totally "Bedazzled"...



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

Dana :

Yes I am a ProSeller, I made it to first level ProSeller about 2-3 months after joining. But that was thanks to lots of sales right around Christmas that first year.



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

Dana :

I've always been creative and looking for ways to earn income from that while I stay home with my kids, who were both born micro-preemies. I love the potential Zazzle offers with the flexibility of time and being able to creative whatever random thing I am in the mood for that particular day.



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

Dana :

To put designs on as many product types as possible. Not to limit things based on my own preference, because you just never know what someone else might love and buy.



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

Dana : 

 

Decorative Damask Pattern Name Address Bookplate Round Sticker

Decorative Damask Pattern Name Address Bookplate Round Sticker by BedazzledByZazzle
Design your own personalized photo stickers online at zazzle.com

I sold 50 sheets of this damask sticker set to a - very appreciated - customer in the United Kingdom. :) I was more than thrilled.



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

Dana :

I'm not locked into just one thing, and even try to find new things to create from constantly. I use several graphics and 3D programs; like photoshop, illustrator, artrage, poser... I take photographs and sometimes modify them extensively or not, and even purchase licensed art to use from other talented designers as well.



Rico:
What is your favorite aspect about Zazzle?

Dana :

This is a hard one because I really love so much about it.... Great community, income, etc. But I especially love lately how many new items they have released to design on: Clocks (woohoo), cake toppers, luggage tags... And it seems like something else is always just around the corner.



Rico:
Who or what inspires you?

Dana :

If I had to pick one single thing, I would say my family. Without my husband and kids being so supportive and even helpful in creating at times, I would not be able to do this like I do.



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

Dana :

I do other web work as well - hosting and web design, own and run two digital scrapbook stores, stock photo, but I try to fit as much Zazzle time in as possible each week. And sometimes just have marathon days where I try to get as much done in one day as I can.



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

Dana :

Be persistant and patient... Do what you can, when you can and eventually you will start to see the results from it. The best thing is that it is residual and what you do can pay off over and over again through the years.



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

Dana :

Be a mom and wife, homeschool my two kids, enjoy my family, read. :)



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

Dana :

Psychedelic Spiral Neon Decorative Abstract Art Throw Pillow

Psychedelic Spiral Neon Decorative Abstract Art Throw Pillow by BedazzledByZazzle
See other throw pillows.

I just love this fractal design, the colors, the composition, everything about it. I have it on quite a few different product types, I even order business cards with it for myself.



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

Dana :

Funny, this is the hardest question yet...

My kids were born two years apart, but both weighed 1 lb and 3 oz.

I love love love pens, and these days my wacom tablet and pens even more.

I'd pick peanut butter over chocolate any day.

I bite my nails, and am always trying to break that bad habit for good.

I have insomnia pretty often and do a lot of design creation at night because of it.



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

Dana : 

 

Happy Thanksgiving - Owl and Pumpkin Greeting Card

Happy Thanksgiving - Owl and Pumpkin Greeting Card by BedazzledByZazzle
View other Beautiful Cards

This design is one of my favorites, I used a digital scrapbook kit I created to cluster together lots of Fall and Thanksgiving style embellishments and left a spot for a customer to add their photograph. I have sold many of these cards, and its been featured on the Thanksgiving page at Zazzle.





Adorable Squirrel Eating Peanut Photo Mouse Pad

Adorable Squirrel Eating Peanut Photo Mouse Pad by BedazzledByZazzle
Design a unique custom mouse pad.

The photo on this design brings back lots of fun memories for me, and I just love the detail I was able to capture too. We took the kids out to the park with a bag of peanuts and before long they were throwing some out to the squirrels. The squirrels were brave enough to come right up and take an unopened peanut from a hand several times.





Personal Chef Veggie Vegetables Food Cook Art Business Cards

Personal Chef Veggie Vegetables Food Cook Art Business Cards by BedazzledByZazzle
Browse other Bedazzled Business Cards

I drew all of the vegetables on this business card design and really loved how it turned out, made me wish I was a personal chef myself. I'm really happy its been a popular seller for me too.



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

Dana : 

 

Nomads of the Mystic Dunes Fairy Unicorn Poster

Nomads of the Mystic Dunes Fairy Unicorn Poster by robmolily
Make your own large poster at Zazzle.

Wow, there are so many talented designers at Zazzle... I probably have a list a mile long of things I have seen and love. But if I could buy any one thing right now it would be this for my daughter.



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?

Dana :

Zazzle is just one more important way I get to work from home and be creative at the same time.



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

Dana :

Facebook

BedazzledByZazzle.com

Twitter

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 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.

Interview with Shelley Kuhn of Designs by Shell

Shelley Kuhn of Designs by Shell

Rico:
What's Your Name?

Shelley Kuhn

Rico:
List your shop(s) -

Shelley Kuhn :
 
Designs by Shell

My Store is Designs by Shell I chose the name just simply because it represents me and my artwork. I’m not sure I really have a specific theme for my store but I would say my designs cover everything from cute and stylish to whimsical and fun along with a nature/floral theme. I love to create designs for birthdays, holidays and weddings. Things like fancy cakes and cupcakes, flirty flowers, and expressive cartoon animals. I also dabble in amateur photography and have sold many of my favourite flower (hydrangea) pictures.

Rico:
How long have you been at Zazzle?

Shelley Kuhn :
I started at Zazzle in the fall of 2008.

Rico: Are you a ProSeller?

Shelley Kuhn :
I am a ProSeller. I reached this level just over a year ago. It did take some time and a lot of creating to get to this point.

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

Shelley Kuhn :
The best advice I received when I was just starting out was to never delete designs or products that you don’t think will sell. You never know who will be interested in them. I have found this to be true and have sold products that I really wanted to delete but am now glad I didn’t. I was also advised to create new designs daily or at least as often as possible, the more you have in your store the more opportunity for sales.

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

Shelley Kuhn :
To create my designs I draw everything on my Dell Tablet with a digital pen. I use a paint program called Sumo Paint. For my photography I simply use my digital camera. ( All you need is a steady hand and a good eye)

Rico:
Who or what inspires you?

Shelley Kuhn :
I am inspired by many things but especially nature, flowers and my love of the outdoors.

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

Shelley Kuhn :
I spend about 4 hrs. a day on Zazzle. This includes marketing my designs as well.

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

Shelley Kuhn :
If I was to give someone who is just starting out on Zazzle my advice it would be first of all don’t expect sales over night. Create good quality designs and lots of them and the sales will come. Don’t forget your tags, this is so important in order for your products to be found by the search engines and for your potential customers to find you.

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

Shelley Kuhn :
When I’m taking a break from my work I love to spend time with my husband and family. Going for walks, going for coffee, working out at the gym, reading.

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

Shelley Kuhn :
 
Five random things about me…
I love to sing and I’m on a worship team
I don’t eat red meat
I love chocolate (almost any kind)
Like to try new recipes
Fall is my favourite season

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

Shelley Kuhn :
 

Roaring Good Time Party Invitation

Roaring Good Time Party Invitation by seashell2
Design a custom printed announcement at zazzle

I love this cute animal birthday party invitation, I just had fun drawing that cute little tiger face, animals can be made with the cutest expressions!

Designer Cakes Business Cards

Designer Cakes by seashell2
More Designer cake Business Cards

This elegant designer cake business card is one of my popular ones. I love the soft color combinations that I used. It seems others like it too!

Best Music Teacher Coffee Mugs

Best Music Teacher by seashell2
Browse other Music Mugs

This music teacher mug is one of my simpler designs featuring black musical notes on a soft yellow background. It’s been a good seller for me!

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

Halloween Cat Cupcake Christmas Tree Ornament

Halloween Cat Cupcake by seashell2
Browse Halloween Ornaments

Cute Cupcake Halloween - A cute faced cat cupcake in an orange cupcake liner. Halloween candies around the base. A border of stripes in green and orange. 

Rico:
I just fell in love with this design as soon as I saw it. I love the colors. The cat is adorable and the composition is great!

Rico:
Where else can our readers find you online?

Shelley Kuhn :
 
Shells Zazzle Journal
Twitter @ShellsDesigns2
Facebook

Interview with 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

Aw Skee Skee by rawson22
Join one of the biggest t-shirts affiliate programs

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

Yellow Tape Business Cards

Yellow Tape by TheBizCard
sell your paintings online for free at Zazzle

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

Postmaster Rodeo by FakeBandTees
View other Postmaster 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 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