Interview with Meg of Sporkful Designs Part 2

  Sporkful Designs

Interview with Meg of Sporkful Designs Part 2

Rico:
What is your favorite aspect about Zazzle?

Meg :
All the creative products and awesome shops. There are so many wonderful graphic designers and artists on Zazzle.


Rico:
Who or what inspires you?

Meg :
My life experiences. I never know what will be the inspiration for my next design. Maybe it's the song on the radio, the words in the book I'm reading, a joke a friend said or a news headline.


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

Meg :
Don't start Zazzle just thinking about sales. Yes, you can makes sales on Zazzle, but it comes with time and building a bigger product base. Focus on creating quality products and you will get noticed. It may take some time, but don't give up.


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

Meg :
I don't keep a wishlist, because there are too many items I would love to buy!


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

Meg :

I am from Minnesota and enjoy ALL four seasons!

I hate lifting weights, but can run 3+ miles any day.

My two cats are the most spoiled cats in the world.

My family is awesome, except when I'm trying to beat them in a card game (we get very competitive).
Cooking and baking is fun, especially when there's fresh chocolate chip cookies!


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

Meg :
Relax and spend time with my family.


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

Meg :

I'm Utterly Awesome - One of my favorites, because growing up my mom always told me old "farm stories" from her childhood. So, I had to make a cow shirt, because she's utterly awesome!




I’m Utterly Awesome Funny Cow T-Shirt

I’m Utterly Awesome Funny Cow T-Shirt by SporkfulDesigns
Browse more Utterly awesome T-Shirts

This humorous design says “I’m Utterly Awesome” and features a cartoon cow. Customize this product with your own text or image by clicking the, “Customize it” button above.



David's Slingshot - The story of David and Goliath is so inspiring and this is one awesome Christian design.

David's Slingshot Shirts

David's Slingshot Shirts by SporkfulDesigns
Browse David T-Shirts online at Zazzle.com

This design is inspired by the biblical story of David and Goliath. The slingshot represents David’s weapon and says “His Words” and on the hand it says “Do Not Worry.” It also references the chapter in the Bible this story takes place in 1 Samuel 17. It’s simple to customize this product with your own text/images by clicking the “Customize It” button.


Blue Diamond Pattern - I really enjoy colors and patterns. This design is just fun!



Blue Diamond Pattern Custom Binder

Blue Diamond Pattern Custom Binder by SporkfulDesigns
Browse other Diamond Binders

This diamond pattern graphic makes a cute and fun background! Personalize this with your own custom text or image by clicking the “Customize It” button above.



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?

Meg :
Having the entire world see my designs. Some of my products have sold outside of the U.S. and it really makes me happy to know that people, even in other countries, enjoy my designs!

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

Meg :

Web Site

Facebook

Twitter @sporkfuldesigns

And yes, I'm going to start focusing on updating my Facebook and Twitter more often...I've been very busy creating lately!

Interview with Meg of Sporkful Designs

  Sporkful Designs

Interview with Meg Part 1

Rico:
What's Your Name?

Meg :


Rico:
List your shop(s) -

Meg :

Sporkful Designs

My shop name is inspired by sporks. Sporks have multiple uses as either a spoon or a fork. Many graphic design elements can be used for multiple items. I felt that the "Sporkful" name was catchy, fun and fitting. My shop is filled with a variety of products with many designs including the things I love: nature, humor, photography, funny sayings, Christian, holiday, pattern designs and more.


Rico:
How did you find Zazzle?

Meg :
I stumbled across Zazzle just randomly browsing the internet. It was love at first sight.


Rico:
How long have you been at Zazzle?

Meg :
My Zazzle store opened in June 2012.


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

Meg :
Yes, I became a ProSeller in January 2013, just 7 months after I opened.


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

Meg :
I enjoy being creative. In the business world, I can be creative, but there's always some limitations. Sporkful Designs lets me create anything and whatever I feel like. It allows me to express my personal interests, hobbies and life experiences.


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

Meg :
My designs are perfected, because I am a perfectionist. I will work on something until it looks amazing. I design items from something that inspired me, take time to tweak it until everything is absolutely perfect.


Rico:
How would you describe your design style?

Meg :
Simplistic. I don't like lots of clutter and it shows both in my designs and in my house!


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

Meg :
I make my designs with t-shirts in mind, but I often put them on electronic cases, greeting cards, posters, magnets and other products.


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

Meg :
Enjoy what you are doing and keep learning. It takes many hours, days and weeks to build a shop and add products before anyone will notice you, but you have to keep adding new products and designs. Also, it's important to keep learning. Trends are always changing, there's always something new on Zazzle and you can always keep improving your designs.


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

Meg :

A customized baby baptism creeper. 


Blue Boy Baptism Child of God Onsie Creeper Custom

Blue Boy Baptism Child of God Onsie Creeper Custom by SporkfulDesigns
Make a unique personalized tshirt from Zazzle.

Personalize this baby creeper with a child's name. This make a unique baptism gift or is perfect for a child to wear on their baptism day!



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

Meg :
My laptop, camera and Adobe programs.

Rico:
A few of my Favorite designs from Sporkful Designs :


Common Sense Superpower Pullover Sweatshirt

Common Sense Superpower Pullover Sweatshirt by SporkfulDesigns
See other Common sense T-Shirts at zazzle

This funny design says "I have a superpower, bro. It's called common sense." Customize this with your own text or images by clicking the "Customize It" button.



Fancy Floral Circle Save the Date Wedding Invite

Fancy Floral Circle Save the Date Wedding Invite by SporkfulDesigns
Use Zazzle's online invitation maker.

This brown, white and teal wedding "Save the Date" invitation is a great way to let your guests know they need to mark their calendar!



Jesus Paid for My Space in Heaven Shirt

Jesus Paid for My Space in Heaven Shirt by SporkfulDesigns
View more Christian T-Shirts at zazzle.com

This Christian design features a cross and says “Jesus paid for my space in heaven.” Customize this product with your own text or image by clicking the “Customize it” button.



Beach Hideaway Print

Beach Hideaway Print by SporkfulDesigns
Get the best poster printing on zazzle.

This photograph is of a fancy lifeguard stand. Customize this with your own images or text by clicking the "Customize it" button.



The second half of the Interview with Meg : will be posted on Wednesday March 20, 2013. So come back for more with Meg !

Interview with Julie of Bebop's Place

Bebop's Place

Rico:
What's Your Name?

Julie



Rico:
List your shop(s) -

Julie:

Bebop's PlaceI chose this name because I love jazz and Bebop is one of my nicknames. The great percentage of products are based on my nature photography. I also do a little graphic design.

Bebops WeddingsI was offering complete wedding collections in my main store but found it hard to keep them organized. So I created Bebop's Weddings as an offshoot. It is devoted exclusively to complete weddings collections (invitations, other stationery, gifts, bags, etc.)



Rico:
How long have you been at Zazzle?

Julie:
2 1/2 years



Rico:
How did you find Zazzle?

Julie:
I belong to a photography website called Daily Pics (http://dailypics.ning.com/). Several photographers on the site were very enthusiastic about their Zazzle experience and I decided to give it a try.



Rico:
Are you a ProSeller?

Julie:
Yes



Rico:
What type of Holiday product(s) do you sell the most of? (ex: t-shirts, mugs, electronics, etc.)

Julie:
Cards



Rico:
What's your best selling Holiday Design?

Julie:


Country Church and Fence Christmas Greeting Card

Country Church and Fence Christmas Greeting Card by Bebops
Create personalized cards online at Zazzle.

This tasteful, elegant Christmas card creates a classic rural winter feeling...a fenced field and the country church just over the hill. The sky is blue against the pure white snow. The text reads: Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! It can be customized to suit your needs.



Rico:
What is your favorite Holiday?

Julie:
Summer Solstice



Rico:
What's your favorite Holiday tradition?

Julie:
Staying up with the sun on the day of the Summer Solstice



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

Julie:
Be patient, add quality products, take time with the tags and descriptions.



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

Julie:


Bunny Hat

Bunny Hat by Bebops
See other Bunny Hats

Here comes Peter Cottontail on a hat! Fun for Easter or any time of year.

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

Julie:
My number one tool is my Canon SX20 camera. I am never without it. From the raw photos, I do a lot of post-processing in Photoshop Elements.



Rico:
What is your favorite aspect about Zazzle?

Julie:
I am still thrilled each and every time someone likes one of my creations enough to purchase it. I feel I am sharing my love of beauty in that way.



Rico:
Who or what inspires you?

Julie:
The world of nature is my chief inspiration.



Rico:
Do you sell Holiday products all year or just in season?

Julie:
Mostly in season though there is the occasional out of season sale.



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

Julie:
The same advice I got: Be patient, add quality products, take time with the tags and descriptions. I would add taking time for promotion. Haunt the Zazzle Forum for opportunities!



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

Julie:
I have large vegetable and flower gardens and they keep me busy. I also love to read and hike the wild, natural areas near my house.



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

Julie:

Winter Wonderland 3 Ring Binder

Winter Wonderland 3 Ring Binder by Bebops
Create a ring binder on Zazzle

I was wandering in the woods beyond our house after a winter storm. The sun had come out, the sky was pure blue, and snow was very deep. I came upon this lovely evergreen tree which seems to express the essence of the wonderment I was feeling. I took the photo and it came out just as I had hoped. I have this image on lots of products.



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

Julie:

I'm a retired library worker.

I'm a mother.

I am the third generation of photographers in my family (my grandfather and father each had studios).

I love to cook.

I live on 20 acres in the wilds of upstate New York.



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

Julie:


Larch Cone Christmas Ornament

Larch Cone Christmas Ornament by Bebops
See more Larches Ornaments

Our road is lined with larch trees and I just love the tiny cones they form. They remind me of wooden roses. I took this "portrait" of a larch cone and applied a white vignette filter in Photoshop Elements to achieve the dreamy effect.




Feasting Chipmunk Christmas Card

Feasting Chipmunk Christmas Card by Bebops
View more Chipmunk Cards

This chubby little chipmunk was eating bird seed on our back deck one snowy day. I was able to get this photo of him stuffing his cheeks with seeds. He is on lots of my products and is very popular.




Bunny Christmas Invitation

Bunny Christmas Invitation by Bebops
Browse other Rabbits Invitations

Bunny Christmas Invitation by Bebops
Browse more Rabbits Invitations

During a very heavy snowstorm I looked out the window and saw this bunny rabbit huddled under an evergreen tree getting shelter from the storm. I shot the photo right through the window and have since put the design on tons of products.



Rico:
If you could purchase any Holiday item (from another Zazzle store) what would it be? Why?

Julie:



Falling Blue Snowflakes Wall clock

Falling Blue Snowflakes Wallclock by Anderson_Designs
More Snow Wall Clocks

That's a tough one. Lots of beautiful stuff to choose from. I am especially in love with this clock from an extremely talented Zazzle artist, M.M. Anderson. Her artwork is whimsical, colorful and always beautiful.



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?

Julie:
I guess the recognition I've gotten from the products I've created has helped me to have some confidence in my own creative abilities.



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

Julie:

Twitter

Blogs to which I post my products and other Zazzlers' products every day: 

Seeking Floral Beauty

Totes, Purses, Messenger Bags

Creatures of the Planet

The Daily Rainbow

Practical and Beautiful