We love the Oscars here at Zazzle, and we love Best Actress winner Natalie Portman. We love her so much that we have a larger than life-size graffiti painting by El Mac of her watching over our engineering team. More specifically, it is a painting of her as Padmé Amidala in Star Wars.
And here’s some products featuring Natalie Portman as Padmé Amidala
Check out more Padmé Amidala products or more Star Wars products on Zazzle now!
In stark contrast to the peaceful transition of power in Egypt, Libya is experiencing a violent revolution from the dictatorship of Moammar Gadhafi. Yet, just like the Egyptian Revolution, the world of artists have come together on Zazzle to show their support with amazing free Libya t-shirts and anti Moammar Gadhafi t-shirts. Some of the best designs are below. It’s amazing to see how different artists show their support for social change through Zazzle – some of my favorite designs are below. Let’s hope that the transition of power in Libya can become peaceful soon.
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.
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:
You can tweet your photos to @zazzle or do it the old fashioned way by emailing them to community@zazzle.com.
Amy, from the Zazzle store FidesDesign, answers some questions about her favorite design, her hobbies, and her time at Zazzle. Check out the interview below and don’t forget to check out her store FidesDesign!
Zazzle: Give us a brief bio, where are you from and when did you start making art?
Amy: I’m from San Francisco, California. As a little kid, I drew and entered coloring contests. I majored in graphic design and I got started by designing ads, brochures, and programs for a theatre company.
Zazzle: How would you describe your style?
Amy: I would describe my style as clean, modern, and minimalist at times.
Zazzle: When you’re not creating art, what are your other hobbies?
Amy: I play the piano and taught myself a little bit of guitar. I’m currently taking vocal lessons in hope of being able to sing while playing an instrument.
Zazzle: What’s your inspiration for your designs?
Amy: Architecture and fashion.
Zazzle: What has been your favorite design that you’ve created, and why?
Amy: My red recipe binder that I created especially for a Zazzle contest. Most of my products are paper and cards related, so this was my very first binder design. I put some time into thinking how someone might use it, and what attributes one might want on a special, one-of-a-kind gift. Although I didn’t win, this recipe binder generated a sale within the first day that it debuted. This experience encourages me to expand my product line beyond paper goods.
Zazzle: Any artists you look up to when it comes to designing?
Amy: I like Paul Rand and Saul Bass. Their designs are still relevant.
Zazzle: What is your favorite Zazzle feature? How do you use it?
Amy: The ability to make my text and graphics into templates is my favorite Zazzle feature. I like the fact that I can give the average customer control so they can easily customize and preview the final result of their product.
Zazzle: What got you interested in selling your art on Zazzle?
Amy: I got started when I stumbled upon someone else’s stickers. I played around with the customization tool and become intrigued by its ease of use. At the time, I had made some early card designs on a competitor’s site but getting them posted was really cumbersome. I made and sold my first sheet of stickers on Zazzle and never looked back.
Zazzle: What tips can you give someone who is just starting out on Zazzle?
Amy: Be a sponge and absorb everything you can on the forum. Do everything you can to make it easier for the shopper–that includes better store organization and making your products into templates (if applicable). Tag your products properly.
Thanks Amy!
On February 8th, an amazing friend and Zazzler, Barbara Klocke (klocke) passed away. The community has lost a dear friend and an amazing artist, but her friends and her family will continue to remember her and her art for years to come.
Zazzle Seller and good friend of Barbara, Ruth Jamieson (ruthjjamieson) wrote a blog post about her friend that we’d like to share as well. Here’s what Ruth shared about Barbara.
I first met Barbara, whom I now call Sunshine, on March 22, 2007, in my first days as a Gallery owner at Zazzle.com. She was my third fan!
We became friends and cheerleaders to each other. As I slogged through the learning process of setting up the Gallery, learning posting protocols, Zazzle etiquette, etc, Barb always cheered me on, and encouraged me.
Barb was insightful, tremendously funny, and caring and giving to others. Her fans and friends spanned all age groups, art styles and genres. She was a delightful woman who saw the divine in all and in everyone she knew.
When not creating, Barbara spent time with her family and friends, read, gardened, knit and crocheted and practiced the healing practice of Qigong.
I had the honor of interviewing her in 2009 for my blog. I’d like to share that interview with you now.
Barb, how did you come to be an artist?
Art has always been a part of my life. It has always been a source of joy and expression for me. Having others enjoy my work is the highest form of success for me. I suppose that my love of art began with my first coloring book. I decided that I wanted to be an artist at a young age. I was fortunate enough to have an artist neighbor as a child. I would visit her often and ask her what I needed to do to become an artist and then I taught myself how to do it.
And what media do you work in?
I used to work in oils, but now I work in acrylic and sometimes watercolor. I work on canvas or paper, but I worked extensively on rocks for some time. Recently I began experimenting with colored pencils. Over the years, I entered numerous art shows, both amateur and Juried. My work was accepted for shows in Sofia, Bulgaria and Athens, Greece. The prestigious Clossens in Cincinnati, featured my rock art for six months. The Cincinnati Enquirer, Tempo-art section, featured two articles about my Rock art. I also appeared on a local TV show with some of my rock art. My Granddaughter was permitted to go on with me, so that was great fun!
Two local Cincinnati galleries featured my work for several years.
Has your work changed over the years?
I paint a wide variety of subject matter, including wildlife and floral. A number of years ago though, I began researching the Native American culture in an effort to learn more about my own heritage. As a result I painted many Native American inspired paintings as a tribute to that Culture.
What motivates you to create?
I see the expression of God’s love all around me, in Nature, Animals and people. I suppose that is my main motivation, to try and capture some of that beauty and love. The Native American art is more spiritual in nature, and many of those paintings came to me in dreams. To Native Americans, nurturing one’s Spiritual side is as important as nurturing the physical side. They feel that true happiness can only be found by having balance between the two.
GOOD BYE DEAR FRIEND, YOU ARE REMEMBERED WITH LOVE.
Our deepest sympathy and love to all her family and friends. Please visit Barbara’s Zazzle store to see all of her beautiful creations.
For those of you who haven’t entered the 2011 Spay Day Pet Photo Contest, now is your chance. The deadline to submit your pet is February 25th!
So what’s this about anyway?
Zazzle has partnered with The Human Society of The United States and Humane Society International to create awareness and raise funds for homeless pets around the world. Entering the contest will help spread the spay and neuter message and help save an animal’s life.
What do I get if I win?
You could win a photo shoot with a premier pet photographer, $500 shopping spree, or even a weekend trip for two to Hollywood for the 2012 Genesis Awards, and many more.
How do I enter?
Visit the HSUS Zazzle Store for more information and check out some really cool products!
*The HSUS and HSI are the sole sponsors of the contest. See Contest Rules for details.
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.
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:
You can tweet your photos to @zazzle or do it the old fashioned way by emailing them to community@zazzle.com.
Mike, from the Zazzle store Bluntcard, answers some questions about his humor, and his time at Zazzle. Check out the interview below and don’t forget to check out his store Bluntcard!
Mini Bio: I am a native Californian. My interests are modern and vintage art, design and illustration.
Zazzle: When and how did you first become interested in art? How long have you been making art?
Mike: My mother was an artist and highly creative person. I have been drawing and painting since grade school.
Zazzle: How would you describe your style?
Mike: I am attracted to pop and modern art and iconic vintage illustration. I really enjoy bright colors and text.
Zazzle: When you’re not creating art, what are your other hobbies?
Mike: My other hobbies are web design and working on my website.
Zazzle: What’s your inspiration for your designs?
Mike: Humor matched with iconic imagery.
Zazzle: What has been your favorite design you’ve created, and why?
Mike: I think my favorite design is the two ladies saying: Let’s go somewhere and judge people. It’s a popular selling design and gives people a good idea about what Bluntcard is about.
Zazzle: Do you have any fun stories about being a seller on Zazzle?
Mike: I had resisted making calendars for almost a year. I’m still not clear why, but after some encouragement from other sellers I decided to. They sold really, really well. I now understand what Volume Bonus is.
Zazzle: What is your favorite Zazzle product to create?
Mike: Magnets. They are simple and fun, and they sell well. I also love the end result of creating calendars. Calendars are a lot of work. They are like creating a little book, but well worth it.
Zazzle: What got you interested in selling your art on Zazzle?
Mike: People wanted stuff, so I need to find a way to get people the stuff they wanted. I found Zazzle, whose cool factor matched my website’s style. I have no regrets.
Zazzle: What tips can you give someone who is just starting out on Zazzle?
Mike: I make things that I like. My shop is products from my website Bluntcard.com, so I need to stay consistent to my niche. I think if you find a good niche and often offer new products, you’ll have loyal returning customers.
Thanks Mike!
Wedding season is in full swing, and since a lot of people got engaged on Valentine’s Day, it’s a good time to get your store prepared for Bridal Showers, Bachelorette Parties, Bachelor Parties, Engagement Parties, RSVPs, and everything for the big day itself.
For some inspiration on what to focus on, here are some products that are popular for each wedding event.
Engagement Party – Invitations, Stickers, Cards, Ornaments, Photo Cards, T-Shirts
Bridal Shower – Invitations, Necklaces, Stamps, Stickers, Postcards, Bags
Bachelorette Party/Bridesmaid Gifts – T-Shirts, Buttons, Invitations, Necklaces, iPhone Cases, Bags
Bachelor Party/Groomsmen Gifts – T-Shirts, Mugs, Hats, Buttons, Invitations, iPhone Cases
Wedding – Invitations, Postcards, Bags, Stickers, Labels, Ornaments, Stamps, Magnets, Cards
We had two Valentine’s Day necklace design contests running and received more than 300 amazing entries! They made us all feel loved:) We had one category for our US sellers and another one for our International members. Congratulations to our winners and thank you to everyone that participated!
US Contest Winner: rosaamarilla
International Contest Winner: simplysweetart
US Honorable Mentions:
Piratesvsninjas
International Honorable Mentions:
Japaneseinspirations
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