Rico:
What's Your Name?
Our name is DRCrafts, and we are a family of three that create and design. Our avatar is our family dog who passed away years ago. Her name was Lady Dumpling Dog, or "Dumpy" for short. I've attached her pic.
Rico:
List your shop(s) -
DRCrafts :
We currently only have one shop DRCrafts. We have a wide variety, from humor to animals, graphic design, photos, etc.DRCrafts
Rico:
How long have you been at Zazzle?
DRCrafts :
We've been on Zazzle since late 2008. Rico: How long did it take you to become a ProSeller from when you started?
DRCrafts :
It took roughly two years, but we didn't have a lot of products for the first year. Rico:
What benefits, if any have you personally seen since reaching ProSeller status?
DRCrafts :
I didn't see any change immediately following the ProSeller status, but I had just opened a Facebook page to promote our products, and traffic increased after I started posting up our pictures of products. Rico:
Has becoming a ProSeller change the way you market you shop? If so please explain.
DRCrafts :
I put the ProSeller logo up on our DRCrafts site at Zazzle and in the profile pics on our Facebook page, but otherwise, it has not effected the marketing. Rico:
What's the best advise you got when you were starting out?
DRCrafts :
I read somewhere in the forum that the most successful stores had a lot of products, not just a few. A lot, meaning, thousands, not just hundreds. Plus, to make sure the image you put on something looks good, otherwise, don't use it. Don't try to put every image on every product. I think I did that to begin with, and it looked terrible. After awhile, I designed more and deleted the ugly ones. Rico:
What medium/tools do you use to create your designs?
DRCrafts :
Primarily Photoshop and Painter IX. I've used Bryce for some pics. Rico:
Who or what inspires you?
DRCrafts :
Humor, such as dressing up my dog (the German Shephard). I don't really dress her up, I do it all in Photoshop, but she's a good model. I took pictures of my clothing and furs and "dressed" her up just for the fun of it. It still cracks me up every time I see the products. Also, I like pretty things, and animals. Here's the link to the page with both our dogs dressed up, and my Shepherd in furs is at the bottom. Dogs and puppies
Rico:
How much time a week to you spend on Zazzle?
DRCrafts :
It varies. I'm also a full time student, and my daughter and her husband also work full time, so they design as they are able with their schedule. I design usually on and off all week long for about ten hours total. Rico:
What's the best advise you can give someone working toward ProSeller on Zazzle?
DRCrafts :
Keep making good designs and either promote them on Facebook or another social media site. It takes time, but if you keep working at it, the sales finally add up.
Rico:
What do you like to do when you are not creating art?
DRCrafts :
My first preference is to go to the casino, but if that's not possible, sometimes painting.
Rico:
Tell me 5 random things everyone should know about you?
DRCrafts :
1. We all live out in the country, in two separate households, but both surrounded by horses, cows, donkeys, miniature horses, etc.
2. I took 18 months of digital imaging classes at college only to find out I couldn't find a job doing what I wanted to do, so I opened our Zazzle account instead, and now get to do it.
3. I'm working on my Master's degree, while my daughter already graduated with hers years ago and now teaches.
4. I always love looking at the new designs on Zazzle, which inspire me to create things more and more than I would have previously thought of. I may see lighting techniques or shading that inspire me.
5. And, I know a lot of people don't think it rains or gets cold here in San Diego area, but where we live, it not only pours, but it gets down to the teens or low 20s during winter. Very cold!
Rico:
List 3 of your favorite designs you want me to feature. Tell me something about each design.
DRCrafts :
"All dolled up and no place to go." This is my German Shepherd dressed up in furs and pearls. I get a lot of comments and laughs about this one.
Snowy Owl on canvas/poster print. I made this right around the latest Harry Potter movie came out because we've gone to see all of them and sorry they are ending.
Reflection Lake. This is one of the digital paintings I did with Painter IX. I just thought it came out really pretty, and it was the first time I tried doing such a large picture digitally.
Rico:
This is one of my personal favorite designs from your shop
Para gliders sailing over the deep blue sea with a vibrant sunset unfolding.
Rico:
I love the colors in the print! It reminds me of a relaxing summer day :) Beautiful.
Rico:
Where else can our readers find you online?
DRCrafts :
Barbra - Barbra's Artist Pad
