Interview with Nique of Noteable Expressions

Rico:
What's Your Name?

Nique



Rico:
List your shop(s) -

Nique :

Noteable Expressions Wedding Invitations and Stationery

Be Seen Branding Business branding products

ICases 4 u Cases of all kinds for your Electronics



Rico:
How long have you been at Zazzle?

Nique :
I started with Zazzle in January of 2010



Rico:
How did you find Zazzle?

Nique :
I found Zazzle through a happy accident. I first came across Zazzle when I was looking for a place to print some t-shirts for a design group that I belonged to.



Rico:
Are you a ProSeller?

Nique :
Yes



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

Nique :
Greeting Cards



Rico:
What's your best selling Holiday Design?

Nique :


Blue and White Snowflake Ornament Photo Greeting Card

Blue and White Snowflake Ornament Photo Greeting Card by NoteableExpressions
Add your photos and text to blank greeting cards at Zazzle

A beautiful card perfect for wishing your friends and family Merry Christmas. The background is a beautiful royal blue color with white snowflake ornaments hanging at different heights. In the the center is a globe shaped ornament that seres as a frame for your photo. Inside is a lovely greeting and your customizeable text.



Rico:
What is your favorite Holiday?



Nique :
Christmas with Halloween a very close second.



Rico:
What's your favorite Holiday tradition?

Nique :
My favorite Christmas tradition as a kid was that we always had to go to bed on Christmas Eve but then around midnight we would hear Santa and his reindeer up on the roof waking up us. We would hear stomping on the roof and bells ringing and we would know that Santa had arrived! We would get so excited! Unfortunately, I am too afraid of a second floor roof so Santa has had to leave other evidence for my kids.



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

Nique :
To be true to myself and to not give up.



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

Nique :


Grace: Dramatic Swirls in Grey and White Stickers

Grace: Dramatic Swirls in Grey and White Stickers by NoteableExpressions
Design your own stickers at Zazzle.

Envelope Seals/Stickers. Dramatic swirls add grace and elegance to this unique invitation. Bright white paper with gray accents. Matching full ensamble for your wedding: Save the Date cards,Response Cards, Table Tents, Postage and more. If you would like this design but in a different color, please contact me via the link on the front page.



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

Nique :
I use a variety. I paint with acrylics, prisma colors, photography, and Photoshop.



Rico:
What is your favorite aspect about Zazzle?

Nique :
I love that there is so much variety to create on. No matter what your subject matter is there is a perfect fit for it!



Rico:
Who or what inspires you?

Nique :
Everything! For my weddings, I find that I am inspired especially by materials and nature.



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

Nique :
All year round - I carry items for most holidays plus you never know when someone is going to have a "Christmas in July" party.



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

Nique :
You have to take your time and just focus on enjoying your art. If you lose that you lose part of what makes your art special.



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

Nique :
Spending time with my daughters - cooking together, playing board games, and just being silly.



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

Nique :


Elegant Gold and Red Stripe Photo Christmas Card

Elegant Gold and Red Stripe Photo Christmas Card by NoteableExpressions
Browse other Christmas Cards

My favorite greeting card is this one: Elegant Gold and Red Stripe Photo Christmas Card because it is the one I created last year for my own family's Christmas card and it turned out beautiful!



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

Nique :

I'm married

Mom to two girls

My favorite musical is The Rocky Horror Picture Show

I'm addicted to the show Glee

And I LOVE what I do on Zazzle



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

Nique :


Folk Art Snowman on Parchment Greeting Card

Folk Art Snowman on Parchment Greeting Card by NoteableExpressions
Browse other Folk Cards

A beautiful card perfect for wishing your friends and family Merry Christmas. The background looks like parchment. In the middle is a folk art style snowman holding a welcome sign. Inside is a lovely greeting and your customizable text.




Red and Gold Damask Photo Greeting Card

Red and Gold Damask Photo Greeting Card by NoteableExpressions
View other Christmas Cards

A beautiful card perfect for wishing your friends and family Merry Christmas. The background for this card is a beautiful red with a gold damask pattern. There is a gorgeous gold frame to highlight your photo. Inside is a lovely greeting and your customizeable text.




Victorian Holiday Sleigh Christmas Card

Victorian Holiday Sleigh Christmas Card by NoteableExpressions
Look at more cards from Zazzle.

A beautiful card perfect for wishing your friends and family Merry Christmas. This card featured a beautiful scene that reminds us of the victorian era. There is a winter wooded scene and a couple in a sleigh riding over a snow covered bridge.



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

Nique :


Vintage Santa Claus Dinner Plate

Vintage Santa Claus Dinner Plates by ellesgreetings
See other Vintage Plates

I love this vintage look - and collect Santas.

Rico:
Zazzle has helped many people meet goals that they otherwise wouldn’t have achieved. What has Zazzle helped you
 
Nique :
This past summer I was able to take my family plus parents on a cruise and week long vacation to the Yucatan - it was amazing!



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

Nique :

noteableexpressions.net

Twitter

Facebook

Posterous

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 Kathryn Strick of KAStrick Designs

 Kathryn Strick of KAStrick Designs

Rico:
What's Your Name?

Kathryn Strick

Rico:
List your shop(s) -

Kathryn Strick :

KAStrick Designs


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

Kathryn Strick :

I am placing my designs on clothing & accessories, mugs, and laptop sleeves primarily. Zazzle is bringing out new items all the time, so I will be looking for those items where my designs can best be presented. Right now I am focusing on messenger bags and place mats.


Rico:
How long have you been at Zazzle?

Kathryn Strick :

Two months


Rico:
Are you a ProSeller?

Kathryn Strick :

Not yet


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

Kathryn Strick :

The information on the forums has been very helpful for marketing and networking.


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

Kathryn Strick :

My Toshiba laptop and MandalaMaker 2.0 software. For some designs I have used Paint.net as well as the texturizing available through Microsoft Word of all places!


Rico:
Who or what inspires you?

Kathryn Strick :

I am inspired by nature, various cultural and spiritual influences. I lived in Colorado for a time in the 80's, so the colors of the southwest and Native American design are a big influence. Poetry and song lyrics will often come to mind while I am creating a design.


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

Kathryn Strick :

Since I am just starting out while working part-time, raising a family, and doing volunteer work, probably 10-20 hours a week. I try to create one design every couple of days, and then place the designs on the items for my store.


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

Kathryn Strick :

Don't compare your artistic work with others. Stay true to your inner muse. There will be a niche just for you.


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

Kathryn Strick :

I am a professional counselor & therapist using Reiki and other energy therapies; cooking & baking; an avid reader of science fiction and suspense novels; a hospice volunteer; enjoying time with my husband and teenage sons.


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

Kathryn Strick :

I've stood in both oceans,

hiked down Bright Angel Trail to Plateau Point in the Grand Canyon,

would move to Montana in a heartbeat,

never stopped looking for a horse on Christmas morning,

and yes I do believe we are not alone in this vast Universe.


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

Kathryn Strick :




Red Star Kachina 2012 Magnets

Red Star Kachina 2012 by KAStrickDesigns
More Digital Magnets

There are Native American prophecies about the appearance of the Red & Blue Star Kachinas signaling the transition from the 4th to the 5th world. Kachinas are supernatural beings who bestow health, happiness, and long life upon the people.





Up up and Away 2012 Mug

Up up and Away 2012 by KAStrickDesigns
Make a unique personalized coffee mug online at Zazzle.

Clare Goodwin chose this design for her Center of the Circle Newsletter in Deceber 2011, when I was chosen artist of the month. Alan Goodwin is the developer of the MandalaMaker 2.0 software that I use to create my designs. I had only been using the software for a month, so I was very pleased to have been noticed!






Courage 2012 sticker

Courage 2012 by KAStrickDesigns
Browse more Mandala Stickers

This is a richly colored, strong mandala, featuring a central yantra. A yantra is used as a meditative focus, and while you see it in two dimensions, it is actually a multidimensional structure for accessing higher consciousness.


Rico:
One of My Favorite Designs from you shop: 
 




Dreamcatcher 2012 neck tie

Dreamcatcher 2012 by KAStrickDesigns
Browse more Digitalart Ties

Dream-catchers filter out bad dreams according to Native American lore. They are burned to nothingness in the rising sun the next morning.Rico: I love dream catchers! Love this design and colors.


Rico:
Where else can our readers find you online?

Kathryn Strick :

My designs are available through Fine Art America as canvas and acrylic prints, framed and matted, or art cards.

KAStrick Designs Fine Art

My Facebook Fan Page is KAStrick Designs.

KAStrick Designs Facebook Fan Page
 

Rico:
Anything else you'd like to share?

Kathryn Strick :

I am looking at other formats to have my designs printed on tiles, cloth, and ceramic dinnerware. There are local art shows coming up that I am exploring as venues for getting my designs known here at home.

When I was in high school we took an interest survey for career planning. My results said I should be either an artist or a forest ranger. I spent the majority of my adult life in science, education, and technology. I'd like to find the fulfillment of my artistic side in this last part of my life.