Interview with Sean Parsons of Mystica Maxima

 Sean Parsons

Rico:
What's Your Name?

Sean Parsons

 

Rico:
List your shop(s) -

Sean Parsons :

Mystica Maxima

This was my first "real" gallery. I have always been interested Buddhism, Zen and spiritual things in general, which is why I joined Zazzle in the first place. I wanted to promote alternative ways of thinking and do my part to try to popularize things the general public aren't necessarily aware of. "Mystica maxima" is a corruption of Latin, meaning "a very holy place".

Art Through the Ages

I have an enormous respect for all artists, but especially those from the Medieval era to that of Post-Impressionism. Works by Bouguereau, Moreau, Caravaggio and Klimt are some of my favorites. In creating this gallery, I felt I could showcase all of the artists that had been of particular interest to me. Many of my friends are artists, or are interested in art. It isn't everyday you have the ability to purchase anything from a coffee mug to an Ipad with your favorite work of art on it!

Native Americana

By heritage, I am Cherokee-Iroquois, so it was a given that if I had some success at my previous galleries, I would definitely open one based on Native culture. Unlike 'Mystica' and 'Art', I've added links on various organizations that I hope people go to when visiting. I should also add that 10% of my earnings for this gallery go directly to a relevant charity. I can't use their name here due to self-promotional issues, but the money gets to where it needs to.



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

Sean Parsons :

Postcards! I sold 89 in a day from the same customer. I assume it was a business stocking-up, but I can't say for sure. They're still my biggest seller. I almost didn't include them at all since I thought the pay-out was too small, but I'm happy to say customers usually buy them in bulk.


Rico:
How long have you been at Zazzle?

Sean Parsons :

I joined Zazzle in April, 2011, after losing my job as an assistant chemist. I didn't really do much until August of the same year, and now things are finally taking off!


Rico:
Are you a ProSeller?

Sean Parsons :
Not sure how to answer this one. The guidelines state making 100.00 in lifetime earning by .com customers. I hit that mark on December 15, 2011, but still waiting on the badge. I read in the forum they're giving them out in late February, so we'll see! Rico: Update: Sean got his well deserved badge! 

Rico:
How did you find Zazzle?

Sean Parsons :
It was late March or very early April of 2011. I was filling-out online applications and CNN had a feature on Zazzle. I promptly went to the site, signed-up, and have been at it ever since. I knew before the end of the CNN feature that I'd found my new place of employment, lol.




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

Sean Parsons :
I immediately understood the potential when I signed-up. There was no question I was going to create as many products and stores as possible, and since last April, things have only gotten better.
 

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

Sean Parsons :
READ THE FORUMS!! Seriously! I have been saved from so many pitfalls, I couldn't even begin to explain. The forums have been around awhile, so pretty much any question you have has already been asked. Not all, of course, but a good 99%. Zazzlers on the forums really go way out of their way to help you out--especially if you're a newbie. Plus there's tons and tons of information on learning html (Sugar vs. Spice and Bradley from Ars Celtica come to mind), ways to promote and just generally get a helping hand on whatever you need!




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

Sean Parsons :
A black and silver pinback button in the form of the zodiac sign of Cancer.

Silver Cancer by thespiritualsource
See other Cancer Buttons

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

Sean Parsons :
GIMP (Gnu Imaging Manipulation Program). I can't say enough about it! It's a free alternative to PhotoShop, which can run upwards of 500.00, yet GIMP can do practically anything PhotoShop can do. It takes a while to learn, but is well worth the time!

Rico:
What is your favorite aspect about Zazzle? 

 

Sean Parsons :
Personally, since I consider this a full-time job, I have no one barking orders and I don't bark orders to anyone. From the artistic point-of-view, the ability to sell art knowing that someone will be enjoying what they've purchased, is definitely the best part.

 

Rico:
Who or what inspires you?

Sean Parsons :
Many people inspire me. I'm a history/philosophy buff, and it's the people that had the world against them and still stuck to their guns because they believed in themselves. Einstein was a failure for years as a patent-clerk; Darwin definitely had his opposition, and there are plenty of others to draw inspiration from. Ordinary people would have given-up, yet they pushed forward and are now household names for many people. 

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

Sean Parsons :
I have a 2-year old daughter, so it differs from week to week. I try to fit in 6-8 hours every week (before she wakes, during her nap and after she goes to sleep), sometimes more, sometimes less. I also try to split my "Zazzle-time" up between creating products, and promoting the sites. 

 

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

Sean Parsons :
Aside from joining the forums, I'd say don't get too discouraged! I've heard it again and again that this CAN be a career, if you take it seriously, but it is NOT a get-rich-quick scheme. It takes time to learn how to create products, templates and programs; it takes time to learn to promote...just understand that you do have to put a lot of effort into promoting until you see any significant changes. 

 

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

Sean Parsons :
Read and hang-out with my daughter. What could be better?!

 

 

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

Sean Parsons :
'Golden Papyrus', by far. I'm an armchair Egyptologist, and using GIMP software to manipulate a page of the Papyrus of Ani, and having it come out like it did, was very special.

 

 

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

Sean Parsons :

1.) No matter how I try, I cannot for the life of me grow a beard!

2.) I'm left-handed.

3.) Learning T'ai Ch'i (we'll see how that goes, however!)

4.) I've lived in 9 different cities and 5 states.

5.) I'm a Jeopardy fanatic! 

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

Sean Parsons :

'Golden Papyrus' Plaques

'Golden Papyrus' by thespiritualsource
Browse Papyrus of ani Plaques

This was one of my first decent designs using GIMP. It was basically just a worn black & white from an old book, and after learning some cool tricks, it turned out amazing! The contrast between the gold and black, for me, has made this one of my top sellers.

'Blue Diamonds' Print

'Blue Diamonds' by nativeamericana
Get the best in online poster printing at zazzle.com

I don't have much of an interest in patterns in general, but this one really wakes me up! It reminds me of one of the hippie posters from the 60s that if you stared too long at it, you'd get vertigo.  

 

'Snow Princess' Poster

'Snow Princess' by nativeamericana
See another framed artwork on Zazzle

This was a black & white photo one of my relatives had given me long ago; pretty plain and not very interesting by any means. Again, using GIMP software, I was able to bring this young woman back to life with vibrant colors and a snowy, swirly foreground. This one is hanging on my wall as we speak!   

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

Sean Parsons :

Sagittarius Zodiac Sign Tile

Sagittarius Zodiac Sign by EarthMagickGifts
See other Sagittarius Tiles

Probably 'Sagittarius Zodiac Sign' Tile, by Specialeetees' 'Earth Magick shop. There are a huge number of extraordinarily talented Zazzlers, but personally, I enjoy her creations the most.   

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?

Sean Parsons :
I am a single parent to a wonderful 2 year old daughter, and I get to spend a lot more time with her now that I work from home. I will be achieving much, much more in the future, but being allowed the opportunity to spend as much time with my daughter is incomparable.    

 

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

Sean Parsons :

 
Facebook Mystica Maxima

Facebook Art Through the Ages

Twitter Mystica Maxima

Google + Mystica Maxima

 

Rico:
Anything else you'd like to share?

Sean Parsons :
Just another tip for we newbies: promotion is just as important as creation! If you plan on making any money, you should spend at least as much time promoting as you do making your products, and get the Google Keyword Tool--it's FREE!

Interview with Belinha Fernandes of A Portuguese Love

 Belinha Fernandes of A Portuguese Love

Rico:
What's Your Name?

Belinha Fernandes

Rico:
List your shop(s) -

Belinha Fernandes :

A Portuguese Love

I picked this name because at first when I created the store I wanted to sell Portuguese culture and tradition inspired designs. My first choice was A Portuguese Girl but there was already a store with that name in the POD universe. So I gave it up and picked this one instead. Then I thought it was a mistake because I do not sell ONLY those kind of products and it might disencourage people to take a look.

Papelustro

When we were children we all played with safe scissors and colorful paper. In Portugal we call Papel (Paper) de lustro (polish) to a kind of thin, glossy and colorful paper that children use in kindergarten and elementary school to make collages and paper cut works. Today there are a lot more attractive materials than these sheets of red, yellow, blue, brown, black and gray paper. So papel de lustro is somehow forgotten by educators. And that's the origin of my name, Papel+lustro. This store was created to sell copies from my original collages that can be seen at http://www.papelustro.blogspot.com. All collages are made from magazine scraps and papel de lustro. People asked me copies of those blog collages and that’s how I discovered Zazzle.

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

Belinha Fernandes :

The products I sell the most are birthday party invitations and souvenirs from Portugal at A Portuguese Love. My Papelustro postcards also sell well but this store has just a few products.

Rico:
How long have you been at Zazzle?

Belinha Fernandes :

I’ve been on Zazzle since March 2009. I opened Papelustro first. Then I opened A Portuguese Love in October of the same year.

Rico:
How did you find Zazzle?

Belinha Fernandes :

I knew about POD possibilities for some time before I tried Zazzle. I just made a search on the web and examined all POD available. I liked Zazzle more.

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

Belinha Fernandes :

Yes, A long time! I got my badge last year on December 2011. My stores were inactive for a long periods in the first two years, I think people can made ProSeller much earlier, don’t feel discouraged when you read this.

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

Belinha Fernandes :

I have a blog where I post paper collages. Many people asked me if the collages were for sale. They were not and I did not want to sell it. So I needed a way to make prints of those collages so I could sell it. That's why I decided to open my first store, Papelustro.

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

Belinha Fernandes :

A few experienced Zazzlers told me that Zazzle was like any other business out there and that if I was expecting to make some money out of it I should work hard in creating and promoting the store. I should think first about my clients needs and not myself. If I was just there for the fun then I could relax and take it easy. This is true and today I can give the same advice to anyone who is starting out.

Rico:
What was your first sale?

Belinha Fernandes :

I don't remember anymore!

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

Belinha Fernandes :

All work on the stores is original work. I create Papelustro’s illustrations with paper and glue and then I finish it on Photoshop. A Portuguese Love has some photos and vector work that I create in several programs like Illustrator, Corel Draw or Freehand.

Rico:
What is your favorite aspect about Zazzle?

Belinha Fernandes :

I think that the possibility for people to customize products is absolutely fantastic.

Rico:
Who or what inspires you?

Belinha Fernandes :

Children world inspires me a lot. I like to use happy colors and shapes. I try to create simple and clean designs. Some lines of products are inspired by traditional Portuguese culture and traditions. They will appeal to Portuguese but also to everyone who's fond of Portugal or to the ones who simply like pretty things. Papelustro shows a kind of more experimental work but there’s a strong connection to the child universe in my characters too.

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

Belinha Fernandes :

It depends. Last Christmas I spent most November nights and weekends working in my Christmas collection! It takes a lot of time to create from scratch, upload and choose the proper keywords to Zazzle. Whenever I have some free time I create a new drawing for Zazzle or promote a little. Instead of watching TV I work for Zazzle. That’s what I do.

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

Belinha Fernandes :

Maybe it’s the same advice that was given to me. Prepare for work hard. Even if you love to create there will be times when you feel overwhelmed by the amount of work. Zazzle means you have to work in creation and promotion. The work is never done! But if you love to create then you can expect to be rewarded in a lot of ways. I love selling my art work to person miles away. It still makes me go WOW! Each time it happens.

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

Belinha Fernandes :

Besides working for my store and blogging about it I enjoy movies a lot and never miss an afternoon end at the beach in the summer. I do copy work, illustration and I also teach people how to use graphic software.

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

Belinha Fernandes :

Free a story - read a book! postcard

Free a story - read a book! by papelustro
View other Literature Postcards

This is one of my collages. I believe it's one of my best works. I find this postcard really special. Maybe because I like reading and books so much.

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

Belinha Fernandes :

I’m Portuguese and proud of my country even if we’re facing such hard times in Europe right now

my passion is graphic arts even if I went to Law school in the past

I love animals and nature

I live by the sea and can’t imagine otherwise

I like to read poetry out loud (for myself)!

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

Belinha Fernandes :

Portuguese Rooster of Luck Christmas Ornaments

Portuguese Rooster of Luck by aportugueselove
Browse more Portuguese rooster Ornaments

O Galo de Barcelos - Barcelos's Rooster- is the unofficial symbol of Portugal. Many shops sell the traditional ceramic rooster all over Portugal. It's associated to a legend and it stands for good luck because the rooster crow saved a prisoner from death. It's lively colors bring happiness to every home. If you want to wish good luck to someone offer the very special Portuguese Rooster of Luck!



Secondhand smoke catching machine! mouse pads

Secondhand smoke catching machine! by aportugueselove
More Secondhand smoke Mousepads

As you might already know exposure to secondhand smoke is associated with an increased risk for lung cancer and heart disease in nonsmoking adults, and it increases the risk for sudden infant death syndrome, bronchitis, pneumonia, and other serious respiratory conditions in children. So we should not underestimate secondhand smoke presence. These cute products were created to raise awareness about it among children and families.



The 12 Signs of Zodiac Note Books

The 12 Signs of Zodiac by aportugueselove
Browse Zazzle for a different spiral note book

The word Zodiac means animals and refers to the configurations of creatures as seen in the twinkling stars at night. Astrology has been used by many civilizations for thousands of years. Some believe it, some don't. But everybody knows their sign! I created a collection of cute Zodiac Sign characters for kids. But I guess adults might like it too!

Rico:
Here is one of my favorite designs of yours;




Hello Pirate! T-shirts

Hello Pirate! by aportugueselove
Put your favorite picture on shirts.

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

Belinha Fernandes :

That's an impossible answer. I see so many wonderful creations at Zazzle! Anything from Hand Critters. This was the first store I remembered. It's an injustice to all those I like too! This guy uses the simple shape of his hand to create all the designs. It's so creative. It's so simple and it works so well!

Rico: I chose this one for you

Hand Alligator Infant Creeper

Hand Alligator Infant Creeper by handcritters
View more Alligator T-Shirts

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?

Belinha Fernandes :
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?

I have always wanted to sell my illustrations to others. Sometimes I still can't believe that I am doing it!

Rico:
Where else can our readers find you online?

Belinha Fernandes :

Twitter

Blog

Facebook

Google +

Rico:
Anything else you'd like to share?

Belinha Fernandes :

Zazzle has been a good experience also because I’ve been making some virtual friends all over the world.

And my thanks to Rico for this opportunity!

Rico:
It's my pleasure!

Interview with Gill of Rural France

 Rual France

Rico:
What's Your Name?

Hi! My name is Gill

Rico:
List your shop(s) -

Gill :

Rural France

My main shop is Ruralfrance, chosen as I live in rural France and my photography is influenced by that. My photos and digital art are mainly of animals and insects, particularly horses (one of my loves) and agricultural themes.

Past Impressions

Past Impressions is a store I started to cover my love of vintage art and postcards, to keep it separate from my own work. It includes copies of some of the postcards in my collection, a few old family photos, and more recently (and still to come!) some book illustrations from the 19th century. It's a good excuse for me to buy more postcards and books :)

Natural Patterns

Natural Patterns encompasses digital patterns made from my photos, as I love to experiment, but wanted to keep it separate from more traditional work. The patterns are mainly made from my flower photos, though you wouldn't think it to look at some of them!

Rico:
How long have you been at Zazzle?

Gill :

Just short of 2 years

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

Gill :

Yes I am. That's a difficult question due to the changes - if the criteria had been the same as now, it would have been 6 months, but due to the hold on the program, I came in at bronze level in July, a year and a half after starting my first shop.

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

Gill :

I didn't really ask many questions, but I did read the forum from top to bottom. There is so much good advice there, and the answer to nearly every question if you look for it.

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

Gill :

I use a Mac, recently upgraded, along with a very good Photoshop alternative, Photoline, filters from FilterForge, and a few commercial use brushes that I've found. My camera is a Nikon D5000, and the Nikon software is excellent for making initial exposure adjustments.

Rico:
Who or what inspires you?

Gill :

The countryside and nature around me. The French are very fond of their draft horses with plenty of shows, the goats, chickens and Welsh cobs are our own, and there seems to be a much larger range of fascinating insects in France than the UK, which is where I was born. This area of France is very wooded and full of granite, so it's mostly cattle farming.

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

Gill :

Initially it was around 12 - 15 hours a day, now it's less though I can still sometimes do a long day. It depends week to week on what else needs to be done, with animals and land to look after.

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

Gill :

Do what you enjoy doing most, don't just follow what you think are the best sellers. If you're completely new to graphics, spend some time learning the software and some basic design, and experiment! Be prepared for some hard work for little return initially, and pay attention to your tags and descriptions - they are really important!

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

Gill :

I like gardening, travelling, sitting with a wheat beer and watching the world go by, looking after the animals, and wishing there were more hours in the day.

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

Gill :

I speak a tiny bit of Czech that it took me 3 years of solid book learning to grasp.
Apart from my other hobbies, I have a passion for canals - it's a really nice way to travel.
A long time ago I used to have a Suzuki GS500E and a 1936 BSA with a hand gear change.
I hate seafood, brawn, snails, offal and any other unusual bits that the French love to eat. I love curry.
I hate any sort of housework, including shopping, and love it when my husband does the cooking.

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

Gill :

Frogs postcard

Frogs postcard by ruralfrance
See more Frogs Postcards

This is my garden pond, an old stone trough, and this was the first year it was inhabited by frogs. There are three here but we actually had seven at the last count, all in a one and a half by four and a half feet trough. It's amazing how much wildlife you can find in an area that size.

Trials rider canvas

Trials rider canvas by ruralfrance
More Trials Canvas Prints

I'm not all animals and nature. We help out at the local motorcycle trial in Sardent once a year. It's a big event, international and over four days with around 350 riders, a large proportion of them from the UK. This is a photo of one of the experts, given an oil paint filter.

Hummingbird hawkmoth and valerian mousepads

Hummingbird hawkmoth and valerian by ruralfrance
Sell art online at Zazzle.

This is a hummingbird hawk-moth, which I'm quite proud of as they hardly stop still for a second. Taken with a vintage 400mm manual lens with macro bellows in natural light.

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

Gipsy Gold Print

Gipsy Gold by ruralfrance
View other Chestnut Posters

Welsh cob mare, Trehewyd Sulwen, portrait. Gipsy gold does not chink and glitter. It gleams in the sun and neighs in the dark. ~Attributed to the Claddaugh Gypsies of Galway
Rico: Beautiful! I Love her soulful eye.

Rico:
Where else can our readers find you online?

Gill :
My blogs and lenses are updated sporadically, but I get around to them eventually.

Squidoo Rual France Photos

Squidoo Digital art from photos

Rual France Blog

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