Interview with Anca of Invitation Kits

Interview with Anca of Invitation Kits

Rico:
What's Your Name?

Ancuta Neagu :


Rico:
List your shop(s) -

Ancuta Neagu :

I have 3 shops on Zazzle:

Cool Designs This was the first one opened one year and a half ago when I first met Zazzle and I didn’t know much what I was doing J. I started to learn how Zazzle works, how to use Quick Create and templates and how to deal with categories. At present, it is focused in two directions: Romantic Gifts and Clever Gifts, two niches I am in the process to develop.

Cool Designs

The Good Old Times – This shop was inspired by a few family albums which I inherited from my maternal grandma. The pictures are featuring my grandma’s sister, Vera and her friends living in France in the 1930’s. I created some products with these pictures and with patterns taken from these pictures. 1930s was the time of Art Deco maturity with elegant and functional things reflected both in home decoration and in dressing style. This site is focused on vintage lovers’ niche.

The Good Old Times

Invitation Kits – This is the third one addressing wedding invitations and favors niche. The invitations styles are elegant, classy and Art Deco inspired.

Invitation Kits



Rico:
How long have you been at Zazzle? How Long did it take to achieve ProSeller status?

Ancuta Neagu :
I became a Proseller after a few months since I started with Zazzle. I used to promote my products on Squidoo, but as I said before, that time I didn’t know much what I was doing. I sold (by chance) a throw pillow, then another three pieces of the same item. It was probably promoted on Pinterest by someone seeing my Squidoo lens, I really don’t know. But, this was the moment I realized it’s about the time to take Zazzle seriously.


Rico:
Who or what inspires you?

Ancuta Neagu :
In general I am inspired by images I see, by gift ideas or simply by imagination.


Rico:
How would you describe your design style?

Ancuta Neagu :
I am not a professional designer (though I wished to be…). I worked in home decorations, I had a window decorations store and I am quite familiar with visual arts. I learned to combine colors and shapes and I use simple techniques to realize nice looking things with significance for an eventual customer.


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

Ancuta Neagu :
I use photography and combinations of prints and realize my designs in Photoshop.


Rico:
What makes your shop stand out from the rest?

Ancuta Neagu :
I think it is the originality of the images I am featuring there. There are unique photos dating from old times that vintage lovers could appreciate. I don’t like to get inspiration from what is selling. I try to propose new images and ideas.


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

Ancuta Neagu :
To be patient.


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

Ancuta Neagu :
To be patient and keep working and learning no matter what.


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?

Ancuta Neagu :
I have the chance to do what I really like to do. Creating products on Zazzle is for me a joy which can be finally very good rewarded. Knowing that I can earn money from it, I doesn’t feel guilty spending time on it!


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

Ancuta Neagu :

I have been working in corporate environment more than 15 years. Then, I started my own business and I lost it going in debt after only 5 years.

After my offline business went bankrupt I found online a world which helped me let the failure behind and start over.

I am coming from a country (Romania) that, after more than 20 years of democracy is still in the process of re-gaining its identity.

My grandma was born in Odessa (that time part of Russian Empire) and emigrated in Romania after the Russian Revolution. Her sister, Vera, immigrated to Paris.

I try to combine my origins’ inheritance and the lessons I learned in everything I am doing know and teach my 13 years’ old daughter to fight in life for only one thing: her freedom.


Rico:
Include links to 5 of your favorite designs you want me to feature. Tell me something about each design.

Ancuta Neagu :

Black and white wedding invitation Art Deco style

Black and white wedding invitation Art Deco style by invitations_kits
Look at other Black and white wedding Invitations at zazzle.com

Black and white wedding invitation Art Deco style by invitations_kits
Create your own invites at Zazzle

This is the first invitation sold – it was inspired from my family album (in the picture are my aunt and her friends) and the black and white pattern is taken also from one of these photos.



Red black rose wedding invitations

Red black rose wedding invitations by invitations_kits
Find other Red black wedding Invitations at zazzle.com

Red black rose wedding invitations by invitations_kits
Shop for other invitations templates from zazzle.com.

This is an invitation for a romantic red black wedding – I think this could inspire a sophisticated wedding theme.

Jazz Age Art Deco wedding invitations by invitations_kits
Look at other Art deco wedding Invitations at zazzle.com

Jazz Age Art Deco wedding invitations by invitations_kits
Check out Art deco wedding Invitations online at zazzle

This is an invitations designed for Jazz Age inspired weddings. Jazz Age is part of 1920’s Art Deco style. It is for roaring twenties inspired weddings – for non-conformists and free spirits.



Black and white elegant wedding invitations

Black and white elegant wedding invitations by invitations_kits
Design your own invites using zazzle

Black and white elegant wedding invitations by invitations_kits
Check out more Black and white wedding Invitations at Zazzle

Very classy and elegant. For conservative people and formal wedding ceremonies.



Glamorous purple wedding invitations vintage style

Glamorous purple wedding invitations vintage style by invitations_kits
Make an announcement with zazzle.com

Glamorous purple wedding invitations vintage style by invitations_kits
Create invites online at Zazzle

This one – purple glamorous - I like the most. Inspired also from the crazy twenties. I haven’t sold it (yet!).


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

Ancuta Neagu : 
 
I can be found on Facebook

On Pinterest: Personal account

On Pinterest: Business account

On Pinterest: My Website

My Picks: 


Black messenger bag with red rose laptop messenger bag

Black messenger bag with red rose laptop messenger bag by cooldesignsbymar
Browse more Black Laptop Bags

Blue sky posters

Blue sky posters by cooldesignsbymar
Print posters online at zazzle.com

Serenity in a summer day.

VHalloweenintage Throw Pillows

VHalloweenintage Throw Pillows by invitations_kits
Browse other throw pillow designs on Zazzle.

Halloween party supplies vintage look. 

SAVE THE DATE magnet black and white wedding

SAVE THE DATE magnet black and white wedding by invitations_kits
Look at other Black and white wedding Magnets at zazzle.com

Vintage style t-shirt neck tie

Vintage style t-shirt neck tie by thegoodoldtimes
See other Vintage Ties at zazzle

Interview with Bebop of Bebop's Weddings Part 2

  Bebops Weddings

Interview with Bebop Part 2 

Rico:
What is your favorite aspect about Zazzle?

Bebop :
I love the idea that I can translate the beauty I see on to useful products which are then appreciated and enjoyed by others.


Rico:
Who or what inspires you?

Bebop :
My flower and vegetable gardens and the wild, natural world.


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

Bebop :
Do only careful, quality work and take lots of time with the descriptions and tags. Try to promote wherever you can (Twitter, Pinterest, blogs, etc.) Follow the Promoting and Generating thread of the Zazzle Forum and offer your products whenever appropriate.


Rico:
What was the latest product you added to your wish list (include link)?

Bebop :

Snowy Egret Wrapped Canvas Art Print Canvas Prints

Snowy Egret Wrapped Canvas Art Print Canvas Prints by debinSC
Design custom canvas prints at Zazzle

The small white Heron known as the Snowy Egret, shown here in a typical resting pose, on one yellow leg. An original photography, edited for painterly effec



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

Bebop :

I am a passionate flower and vegetable gardener.

I am a photographer (the third generation, my father and grandfather both had photography studios).

I love wild nature.

I love all music, but especially jazz.
I love to cook.


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

Bebop :
Garden, hike, cook, read, listen to music.


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

Bebop :


Blackbird Save the Date Wedding Postcards

Blackbird Save the Date Wedding Postcards by BebopsWeddings
Look at Wedding Postcards online at Zazzle.com

Blackbird Save the Date Wedding Postcards by BebopsWeddings
Browse for more postcards from zazzle.com.

This save the date postcard is from the Blackbird Wedding Collection. I took this photo at my pond. The redwing blackbird was way up in an aspen tree calling out across the pond.



Antique Roses Bridal Shower Personalized Invitations

Antique Roses Bridal Shower Personalized Invitations by BebopsWeddings
Check out more Wedding Invitations at Zazzle

Antique Roses Bridal Shower Personalized Invitations by BebopsWeddings
View more Wedding Invitations

This bridal shower invitation is from the Antique Roses Wedding Collection. It is actually a photograph of some of my old fashioned roses that I had picked for a vase arrangement in the house.



Purple Spring Floral Wedding Announcement

Purple Spring Floral Wedding Announcement by BebopsWeddings
Browse Wedding Invitations online at Zazzle.com

Purple Spring Floral Wedding Announcement by BebopsWeddings
More Wedding Invitations

This wedding invitation is from the Purple Spring Floral Wedding Collection. These crocuses were growing in my garden. I took the photo and then cut out the grassy background in Photoshop Elements to get the image for the collection.



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?

Bebop :
Hard to answer. I think the fact that people purchase my products and come back for more has given me some confidence in my creative abilities.


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

Bebop :

Twitter @bebopsplace

Pinterest

The Daily Rainbow Blog

Sharing Roses Blog

Creatures of The Planet Blog

Bebop Tote-Bags Blog

Bebop's Place - my main store

Interview with Bebop of Bebop's Weddings Part 1

  Bebops Weddings

Interview with Bebop Part 1


Rico:
What's Your Name?

Bebop:



Rico:
List your shop(s) -

Bebop :

BebopWeddings

I created Bebop's Weddings because I wanted a store that specialized in wedding collections. My other store, Bebop's Place, was too general in nature for a wedding focus.


Rico:
How did you find Zazzle?

Bebop :
I belong to a photo website, Daily Pics at http://dailypics.ning.com/. Several of the photographers on Daily Pics are also on Zazzle and encouraged me to join the Zazzle community.


Rico:
How long have you been at Zazzle?

Bebop :
Since the end of February, 2010


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

Bebop :
Yes. About 1 1/2 years.


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

Bebop :
I wanted to offer wedding invitations, cards and gifts that were different from the standard lace and damask variety.


Rico:
What makes your shop stand out from the rest?

Bebop :
I hope I have conveyed my sense of wonder and love of nature in the wedding designs I have chosen.


Rico:
How would you describe your design style?

Bebop :
On the most part, my designs are based on my original nature photography although I also do some graphic design.


Rico:
What type of product do you prefer to design?

Bebop :
I find setting up formats for the various wedding invitations very challenging. I want them to be readable, easily understood, and pleasing to the eye and soul.


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

Bebop :
Do only careful, quality work and take lots of time with the descriptions and tags.


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

Bebop :


My first sale in Bebop's Weddings was 50 wedding brunch invitations.


Finches Wedding Brunch Custom Announcement

Finches Wedding Brunch Custom Announcement by BebopsWeddings
Create a personalized announcement at zazzle

Finches Wedding Brunch Custom Announcement by BebopsWeddings
Design your own printed party invitations from Zazzle.

A pair of house finches perched on a branch is the theme of this adorable wedding brunch invitation. The male has red plumage on his head and breast. The female is tan and brown with stripes. All text can be customized for your special occasion.


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

Bebop :
My trusty Canon PowerShot SX20 and Photoshop Elements.


Rico:
A Few of my Favorite designs from Bebop's Weddings :



Pastel Reflections Save the Date Post Cards

Pastel Reflections Save the Date Post Cards by BebopsWeddings
Add your photo to postcard designs from Zazzle.

Pastel Reflections Save the Date Post Cards by BebopsWeddings
More Save the date Postcards

This lovely save the date wedding postcard creates a scene of peace and serenity in soft pastel colors with floating leaves, pond grass and reflected sky. All text can be customized for your special event.



Dancing Dragon Wedding Album Binders

Dancing Dragon Wedding Album Binders by BebopsWeddings
Look at more Wedding Binders at zazzle

Dancing Dragon Wedding Album Binders by BebopsWeddings
Browse Wedding Binders online at Zazzle.com

Cherish your precious memories in this elegant yet playful wedding album which features an Asian motif of a joyful dancing dragon in a simple color scheme of black and silver. All text can be customized for your special occasion.



Autumn Sunset Wedding Dinner Plate

Autumn Sunset Wedding Dinner Plate by BebopsWeddings
View Wedding Plates online at zazzle

This decorative commemorative plate features a contemporary impressionistic abstract design of an autumn sunset sky with clouds bathed in orange, salmon, gold and brown with black silhouetted trees on the front and back. All text can be customized for your special occasion.



The second half of the Interview with Bebop: will be posted on Sunday February 10, 2013. So come back for more with Bebop !

Interview with New ProSeller Carolyn Muir of Artform the Heart

Carolyn Muir of Artform the Heart



Rico:
What's Your Name?

Carolyn Muir

Rico:
List your shop(s) -

Carolyn Muir :

 
Artform the Heart

Artform the Heart was my first store. I didn't really think too carefully about the name before choosing it, if I had I may have selected something a little less ambigious. I find it difficult to stick to one style in my work and this store reflects that; it's a little bit of everything. It has some of what I consider to be my "real" artwork - pieces either painted or drawn using traditional media such as paints, pastels and pencils, as well as some of my photography and a wide variety of digital designs.

Animatastic

My next store was Animatastic - The name came from mashing together the words "animals" and "fantastic" and it does reflect what the store is all about - cute cartoon animals.

Artform Nouveau

I love Art Nouveau and the number of designs of that style in my main store were increasing rapidly so I decided to start a dedicated store. Because there was some overlap in the designs between the two stores I wanted to keep a similar theme for the name and settled on Artform Nouveau It mainly deals with original designs in the style of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, especially the Mackintosh Rose motif.

Tee Whiz

Tee Whiz is where I exercise my weird and wacky side. My fiance also gives me inspiration for this store with his funny one-liners.

Made in the USA

Made in the USA is a store that I set up for my fiance, being that he is American. It was originally his idea to set up a t-shirt business and in researching it online, I came across zazzle. Setting up this store for him was supposed to give us a shared interest but he never took it over so it doesn't get the attention it deserves.

The Stepmom Project

The Stepmom Project is another store that was in a way inspired by my fiance, or to be precise by the fact that his having three children would make me a Stepmom. Most of the designs in this store are family oriented, but not necessarily about stepfamilies.

Rico:
How long have you been at Zazzle?

Carolyn Muir :

I began in February 2010, so at the time of writing, a little over 18 months.

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

Carolyn Muir :

Technically I qualified just as Zazzle put the program on hold in October of 2010, so six months but I didn't get the official notification until July of 2011 when the program restarted and I easily made Bronze level.

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

Carolyn Muir :

Honestly I haven't seen any real increase in sales or traffic since becoming a proseller. I would say little perks like having a proseller support service, but again, honestly, if I ever had a problem then customer service were usually pretty great even before I got the proseller status. It WAS nice to get the promotional deal of offering customers a free Christmas card, I have only made one "sale" on it so far but that means one happy customer that may return in the future.

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

Carolyn Muir :

I don't think that it's changed how I market at all. I did begin displaying the proseller badge on my storefronts but that's the only change.

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

Carolyn Muir :

Sadly it took me two to three months to even bother to find the forums. At that point I had been naming and describing my products in an "artistic" way that was of absolutely no value in the marketplace or search engines, so I would have to say that being told to name and describe products as though telling a friend about them over the telephone was one of the most valuable tips I picked up.

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

Carolyn Muir :

For traditional artwork I use pencil, pastels, watercolor and acrylic paints. For graphic designs, cartoons and other work I use a variety of digital software including Photoshop, Inkscape, Artweaver and Artrage. I also do a little bit of photography but don't consider myself to be a photographer as such.

Rico:
Who or what inspires you?

Carolyn Muir :

So many things inspire me; it would be a very long list!

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

Carolyn Muir :

I would have to say: too much! My mother and fiance would agree with that. If I'm not actually on zazzle itself then I am either creating new designs or promoting myself and others.

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

Carolyn Muir :

Promote, promote, promote and then promote some more. And also try to visit the forums every day for opportunities, tips and advice.

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

Carolyn Muir :

I like being outdoors and visiting places of natural beauty or historic interest, spending time with family, and I have a few favorite TV shows that I rarely miss. I am very passionate about motoGP and will not miss a race; most everyone who knows me knows not to call me or try to talk to me at race time!

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

Carolyn Muir : 

I am a proud Scot.
I used to be a professional bellydancer.
I love old Doris Day Movies.
My favorite type of music is Rock/Heavy Metal.
Gerbera daisies are my favorite flower.

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

Carolyn Muir :

 
There are two types of favorites that aren't necessarily the same thing: those that I like the most aesthetically and those that sell very well, the two don't always coincide but I have selected two that fit both categories and one that is simply my personal favorite.

Back to You - Original Pencil Drawing Figure Study Print

Back to You - Original Pencil Drawing Figure Study by ArtformTheHeart
Begin selling my paintings online for free at zazzle.com

I love this poster that's made from an original black and white pencil drawing I did in 2007. While it won't appeal to everyone, I love tonal pieces and figure studies. Even though it took many, many hours to draw, I loved every second working on this piece.

Cute Pink Pony Horse Cartoon Party Invitations

Cute Pink Pony Horse Cartoon Party Invitations by Animatastic
Browse other Pony Invitations

I'm not normally a pink girly girl but I adore this little pink pony horse party invitation from my Animatastic store. I have her on another style of invitation where she is pictured in a colorful outdoor scene and whilst I marginally prefer that version, this one with the striped border and plain pink background seems to sell more often.

Wedding Invitation Royal Stewart / Stuart Tartan

Wedding Invitation Royal Stewart / Stuart Tartan by ArtformTheHeart
Buy announcements at zazzle

This Scottish themed Wedding Invitation generates a large number of sales and custom design requests. Although it's shown here with the Royal Stewart tartan it can be made with any tartan or combination of tartans that the client requests. People are really proud of their heritage and many want to incorporate an element of that into their wedding.

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

Ice - Original Mixed Media Abstract Canvas Print

Ice - Original Mixed Media Abstract Canvas Print by ArtformTheHeart
Learn how to sell my paintings online at Zazzle.

from an original painting by C.Muir - This abstract piece entitled "Ice" is from an original mixed media painting by C.Muir. Cool blues, whites, greys and blacks emote the frosty feeling to this wintery piece.
Rico: Absolutely Beautiful piece! I love the colors and composition.

Rico:
Where else can our readers find you online?

Carolyn Muir :
 
I am in the process of setting up my website CM Design Style

and can also be found on facebook at Facebook Artform The Heart
and Facebook Animatastic

on Twitter as Twitter Artform The Heart

google+ as Carolyn M

and Squidoo as ArtformTheHeart on Squidoo