Zazzle Blog

New Zazzler Kat, from the Zazzle store kat_parrella, talks to us about her art and what she’s looking forward to on Zazzle.  Check out the interview below and don’t forget to check out her store kat_parrella!

Bio: I’m a self-taught artist, and I just love drawing, painting, jewelry-making, photography, cooking, and laughing (loudly, I’ve been told).   I’m the wife of a wonderfully understanding husband, the mother of two beautiful teenage daughters, I’m passionate about my family, and I get totally absorbed in things I feel strongly about.  It’s only in the past few years that I’ve discovered a love of graphic design and have been putting that love to use in donating my services to several non-profit organizations by creating logos, event flyers, and brochures for them.  But when I discovered Zazzle late last year, my creative energies just took off and I’ve never been happier.

Zazzle: What’s your inspiration for your designs?

Kat: Just about anything!  I find inspiration everywhere and all around me.  Colors, shapes, textures, nature – it’s very hard to describe where it comes from or how my personal process works, because, for as long as I can remember, I’ve always looked at the world and thought “how can I create something from that?”

Zazzle: When and how did you first become interested in art? How long have you been making art?

Kat: I’m sure I must have become interested in art when I met my first box of crayons.  I’ve been creative my entire life, first drawing, then painting, and now with graphic design.  When I was young, I had planned to go to art school and dreamed of being “an artist”. Unfortunately, my life didn’t quite turn out as I had planned and I spent many years toiling away in a very non-creative, joyless career – putting away those dreams.  But now, I can happily say that I’m taking a new direction and bringing art back into my life, and it feels like I’ve woken up from a long, deep sleep.

Zazzle: How would you describe your style?

Kat: I think I have a more gentle and playful style, although lately I’ve been having fun exploring my retro side. I also love elegance and sophistication.  Hmmm… maybe that’s not so easy a question to answer!

Zazzle: What has been your favorite design you’ve created, and why?

Kat: Now this is a really tough question! I think I fall a bit in love with each design while I’m creating it, so it’s really hard to choose – it’s kind of like asking a mother which one is her favorite child!  But, if you’re going to make me, I would have to say that one of my earliest Zazzle designs, Sweet Groovy Blooms, is still one of my favs. I’m also really pleased with a recent one I did Twin Teddy Bears for a baby shower. Oh, and well, I also like Retro Snowflakes and the Heart Love Cocktail design… see what I mean? I love them all, so I really can’t choose.

Zazzle: Being a new seller on Zazzle, what are you looking forward to the most?

Kat: The opportunity to create with no boundaries!  I love the freedom to have an idea and just see where it takes me.  It may sound corny, but it brings me infinite joy.

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

Kat: I really love to create invitations and announcements that celebrate happy events.  I’m the unofficial event planner of my family and just love to throw parties, organize gatherings and family get-togethers. I’ve always created my own invitations, so creating invitations for others to use for their special events just comes naturally, I guess.  And, I absolutely love to create anything to do with babies, especially showers and birth announcements.

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

Kat: I loved that there was no startup costs, I can set my own royalties, and I can have my designs on such a wide variety of products, if I wish.  And, since producing the products is totally Zazzle’s responsibility it leaves me free to simply create – and that’s the part I love.  Though, probably the most important thing that brought me here is that Zazzle gives me the ability to instantly reach a worldwide audience that would have been extremely difficult, if not impossible, to reach all on my own.  Thank you for that!

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

Kat: Create, create, create – every single day, BUT never, ever, sacrifice quality for quantity. Also, have realistic expectations and be patient as you grow your product line and your store.

Thanks Kat!

This entry was posted on May 26, 2011 at 2:32 pm and is filed under General News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.