Zazzle Blog

The votes have been counted and the winners of the Zazzle and Avery Recipe Binder Design Contest 2010 have been decided! Thanks to all who participated, and be on the lookout for our next contest coming soon!

It’s Seller Wednesday, and this week we’re taking a closer look at Zazzle’s newest customizable product, Speck brand iPhone and iPad Cases! These cases are sure to be a must-have for iGifting this holiday season, so start creating cases today!  Also, when posting cases for sale or promoting cases on your website, including some of the below info will help customers choose your case over the competition!

Let me start off by saying these cases are simply amazingly high quality.  They’re two piece fitted cases made of hard shell plastic.  They have a wonderful satin/matte finish that is smooth and pleasing to the touch.  On the back, the easy-to-grip fabric, is durable and look absolutely amazing when printed with your designs and artwork.  Another fabulous feature of these cases, it’s so easy to access all ports, controls, and sensors so you don’t have to remove the case in order to sync! Don’t take my word for it though- take a look at some close up photos of our cases and the fabric backing… you can almost feel how awesome these cases are.>

Share your favorite Zazzle cases that you’ve created, or one you’ve found in the marketplace that you love, in the comments below, on our Facebook wall, or on Twitter (be sure to use the hash #ZazzleCase so we can see the love).

Just a few weeks ago we announced our partnership with premiere case manufacturer Speck to create the highest quality customizable cases for iPads and iPhones on the planet. Thanks to Zazzle’s WORLD CLASS Engineering Team for pumping out this product so quickly, we’re very excited to let you know that custom iPhone and custom iPad cases are LIVE! These hard-shell fitted cases come in two pieces and feature easy-to-grip fabric backing that will brilliantly display any artwork, photos, or designs. Check out some of the 30,000+ case designs already in the marketplace or customize a custom iPad case or custom iPhone case today!

What do you think of these cases as holiday gifts? What designs do you like the best? Share in the comments!

The globe (by globe I mean people that stay up too late) is reveling in the return of Conan to television with the launch of the Conan Show on TBS (weeknights, 11/10c). It’s a new twist on the show Conan had while serving as the host of The Tonight Show on NBC. With the updated format to the show, Conan is now connected in the interwebs with youtube clips, blog likes, facebook tweets, and a ZAZZLE STORE! We’ve partnered with the late-night lanky leprechaun to launch the official Team Coco store on Zazzle! Get Team Coco t-shirts, Team Coco mugs, Team Coco hats, and more! Not sure what/who Conan is? Check out “Show Zero” from the new Conan Show.

It’s the end of National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week and we here at pet friendly Zazzle HQ would like to give a special shout-out to all those who rescue and shelter our furry friends.

This auspicious week was due to the valiant effort of The Humane Society of the United States.  They launched this appreciation week back in 1996 to acknowledge and promote the invaluable role shelters play in our communities.

Show your appreciation this week by adopting an animal or getting one of these cool products!  Or check out more cool stuff at the Zazzle HSUS store!

Check out this week’s Foto Friday Fun!

What’s Foto Friday? It’s our weekly blog post of customers enjoying their Zazzle products. Want to join in the fun and earn $5 towards your next Zazzle order? Read below for details on how to participate in Foto Friday.

Allstar Birthday Party Announcements

Buddha Posters

It all stems from the mic! shirts

CapoeiraIrmandade_4light Shirts

Want to join in? It’s easy and fun! For every photo you send us we’ll give you $5 to use on your next Zazzle order. So get started taking those pictures and join in on the Foto Friday fun!
Rules:

1. You must be in the photo holding, wearing, hugging, or otherwise enjoying your Zazzle product
2. If the product is available in the public Zazzle Marketplace, include the product link
3. Be creative and have fun!

You can tweet your photos to @zazzle or do it the old fashioned way by emailing them to community@zazzle.com.

Jennifer, from the Zazzle Store orangeostrichdesigns, was kind enough to answer some questions about her art and her time as a Zazzler. Check out the interview below and don’t forget to check out her store orangeostrichdesigns!

Zazzle: How would you describe your style?

Jennifer: If I were to describe my style, I would say that it is sophisticated with a retro feel.  I tend to use soft colors with wide appeal.

Zazzle: When you’re not creating art, what are your other hobbies?

Jennifer: When I’m not “Zazzling”, I enjoy interior design and antique shopping.

Zazzle: What’s your favorite Zazzle product to create?

Jennifer: Baby shower invites are special, and provide new creative challenges.  My own search for unique designs prompted my interest in creating baby shower invites. A baby shower is a truly precious moment in every new mother’s life. My goal is to provide a beautiful design that the mother will always remember.  I also want to make the planning process fun and effortless for the baby shower planner.

Zazzle: Do you have any fun stories about being a seller on Zazzle?

Jennifer: Since becoming a seller on Zazzle, I am now receiving a lot of “designing advice” from family and friends suggesting what I should design next.

Zazzle: What got you interested in selling your art on Zazzle?

Jennifer: Zazzle offers me the personal freedom to create a business while pursuing my passion for design.  The personal challenge of designing and selling more each month is very exciting and fulfilling.

Zazzle: What tips can you give someone who is just starting out on Zazzle?

Jennifer: Bring your dreams to life.  Your work will only be as good as you allow it to be.  Creating a beautiful design and product produces an incredible feeling of joy and accomplishment.  Success is when your customers love your designs just as much as you do!

Thanks Jennifer!

Two week ago on Seller Wed.. err Thursday, we opened our design floor to a holiday card contest.  We had an awesome response, and after careful deliberation the verdict is in and it’s time to announce the winners!  What do they win?  A featured spot in this blog post, a spot in our new holiday card center that is launching soon, and a Give Zazzle T-Shirt!

Thanks to everyone that sent in products and congratulation to all the winners!

Hanukah Party Invitation Winners:

ChristmasCardShop – Reflekshins – mistyqe

Kwanzaa Winners:

Starstock – ValeriesGallery – Sensato

New Year’s Party Invitations Winners:

Holidayboutique – elizdesigns – koncepts

Office Christmas Party Winners:

Kayatiyu – TheHolidayEdge – marlenedesigner

First Christmas Winners:

Fancybelle – Spice – wasootch

Are you a fashionista?  Ubisoft just launched their latest Style Lab Nintendo DS game for fashion designers of all ages.  It’s called Style Lab Fashion Design and it just released today, November 9^th on the Nintendo DS.

So what’s so great about this game?  Let me tell you!  You can design your own t-shirts, hoodies, hats, and bags using tons of colors, fonts, and images in-game.  Upload your designs to the online Boutique via Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection, AND THEN…order your designs and wear it in real life!  How cool is that?!

If you don’t have the game, don’t fret.  You can still create awesome designs within Style Lab’s Fashion Design Zazzle Store. Check out some of the cool merchandise you can customize below!

Talk about a great holiday gift!  Visit your local store to purchase this game and see for yourself how fun it can be to wear your kid’s design (or your design) in real life!

Just in time for Christmas, we’ve launched custom ornaments into the Zazzle marketplace! Add your text, designs, and photos to BOTH sides of an ornament to create a cherished gift that will last for many Christmases to come. Tired of the usual ornaments? Custom ornaments come in seven unique styles and shapes, including the very awesome t-shirt ornament (my favorite).

Let’s rap about the t-shirt ornament for a second here…

How awesome would it be to give someone a custom t-shirt, then give his/her dog a custom pet t-shirt, and FINALLY give him/her a custom t-shirt ornament ALL WITH THE SAME IMAGE AND TEXT! That’s a mind-blowing set of custom gifts – use with caution. Check out some of the great Santa ornaments, wedding ornaments, baby ornaments, and more already in the marketplace or start creating your own custom ornament right now!