Zazzle Blog

Rosa, from the Zazzle store red_dress, talks with us about her appreciation for customization and her work ethic as a designer. Check out the interview below and don’t forget to check out her store red_dress!

Zazzle: Give us a brief bio. What made you interested in art and when did you start designing?

Rosa: Hello! My name is Rosa and I’m Portuguese. Having a degree in Portuguese Studies, I’m interested in the historical side of art. As a hobby, I started creating graphics, a few years ago, when I discovered the world of blogs and webpages. Creating new templates were so much fun.

Zazzle: What inspires you?

Rosa: I get inspired by looking at pretty things. The Zazzle marketplace is a good source of inspiration. From ARTSPROJEKT iPhone cases to cute paper goods, there’s always something that inspires me to be creative.

Zazzle: How do you begin your creative process?

Rosa: I often begin with a cup of coffee, a subject in mind, and nice sample photos. I try my best to always include a customizable element to designs.

Zazzle: Where’s your favorite space to design?

Rosa: My office, where I have a big desk and sunlight. There’s usually a cat peeking behind my laptop screen or playing with my yarn stash.

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

Rosa: Probably this simple Love square key chain, with custom photo and cut out text. I like the message “Love is all you need” and the black and white picture really makes the blue design pop.

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

Rosa: After checking Zazzle was an established and honest company, I really was impressed by the wide range of quality custom products offered and how easily a Father’s Day greeting card turns into a fun birthday card.

Zazzle: How many hours do you typically spend working on your Zazzle store?

Rosa: I live at my Zazzle store; when life calls, I go out.

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

Rosa: Read the forums, learn about templates and then follow these steps:

1. Design with a theme in mind (a transparent grid will help you to align your text);
2. Pay attention to titles, descriptions and tags;
3. Repeat #1 and #2.

When you are feeling “meh”, promote products and read reviews. There’s usually something to learn from what our wonderful costumers have to say.

Zazzle: Can you give us a sneak peek of future designs?

Rosa: I’ll be adding more colorful and fun designs to my store soon.

Thanks for sharing Rosa!

Molly, from the Zazzle store northamericanriot, speaks with us about her appreciation of nature and how she illuminates the organic with bright detail. Check out the interview below and don’t forget to check out her store northamericanriot!

Zazzle: Hey Molly, tell us a little about yourself. When and how did you first become interested in art? How long have you been making art?

Molly: To be honest Molly is just a nickname, but it might as well be the true one, I’ve gone by that almost my whole life. What really got me into art must have been the cartoons and the comic books I grew up with, Sailor Moon and Spider-man being my favorites. I’ve been drawing (and loving it) since I was a toddler, but only got serious about it around the age of twelve. So it’s been a long and rewarding seven years of practice.

Zazzle: How would you describe your personal art style?

Molly: I would say my style is a combination of youth concentrated, stylized characters (usually female) and bright energetic colors, preferably in organic patterns.

Zazzle: What’s your favorite medium to use?

Molly: My favorite media to use are ink from pens and watercolor, even sometimes Photoshop.

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

Molly: My other hobbies are night swimming, photographing plants, and singing.

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

Molly: It was a year ago that I discovered Zazzle and it got me thinking, if my friends like my drawings I wonder how many other people out there would feel the same way. Best case scenario, someone actually likes my art well enough to purchase a product with my work on it. So in that case not only would I profit financially, but in addition my art is even more out there than before. Win win.

Zazzle: What inspires you?

Molly: My dreams are very inspiring, so is nature. For example, I absolutely adore roses. I think they’re one of the few things artistically that are unspoiled and always beautiful. I’d like to think that the feeling they give me is something I have embroiled into my art if only partially.

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

Molly: The best advice I can give to those just beginning to use Zazzle is to keep your page design simple, but memorable. Personalized your banner making it unique and pick a catchy store name (not just “so-and-so’s store”) with words or a phrase that really defines the style on your products.

Zazzle: Can you give us a sneak peek of future designs?

Molly: I would be delighted to give a sneak peak of upcoming product designs

Thanks for sharing Molly!

Thaneeya, from the Zazzle store thaneeyamcardle, shares with us her multicultural inspirations as well as her immense gratitude for online commerce. Check out the interview below and don’t forget to check out her store thaneeyamcardle!

Zazzle: Hi, start off by telling us a little about yourself.

Thaneeya: My name is Thaneeya McArdle and I’m a full-time artist and entrepreneur.  In addition to creating art, I run several art-related websites: an art instruction website, an online art community, as well as my online storefront that showcases my products for sale, the majority of which are Zazzle products! Aside from my art obsession, I am also addicted to travel and books.

Zazzle: When did you decide to create art professionally?

Thaneeya: At the end of 1999, I decided to major in Art in college.  That’s when I knew I’d need to sell my art to survive.  There was no other lifestyle I could imagine, so I knew I had to make it work.  Thanks to the Internet, my dream became a reality.  I am so grateful for having been born in this time and place, because if I’d have been born a generation earlier, I’d probably be stuck in a job I hated just to pay the bills, with little time to do art on the side.  But the Internet provides the tools for artists – even emerging artists – to make a healthy living.  It’s awesome!

Zazzle: What inspires you?

Thaneeya: So many things inspire me!  Anything with vivid colors and detailed patterns, such as alebrije (Mexican folk art sculptures), Tibetan thangkas, Persian miniatures, Indian textiles, Mexican Huichol art, Peruvian retablos, Aboriginal art, modern abstract art (particularly Paul Klee, Hundertwasser and Kandinsky)…

I’m also inspired by the materiality of my art materials – the texture and viscosity of the paint, the waxy quality of my colored pencils, and the glittery sheen of patterned craft paper.  Just looking at art materials makes me want to create with them!

fZazzle: How would you describe your style?

Thaneeya: Funky, eclectic, and detailed!  I love detail – whether it’s an intricate abstract or hyper-realism.  I could never stick to just one style (that would be too stifling), so I swing between making abstract art, whimsical art, photorealistic art, and combinations of these different styles.  Each style offers so many different opportunities for self-expression.

Zazzle: What’s your favorite medium to use?

Thaneeya: For painting, acrylics are my favorite medium.  For drawing, I prefer colored pencils.  I love the rich colors that can be created with both.

Zazzle: Where’s your favorite space to create?

Thaneeya: Anywhere!  I paint on a tabletop easel in our lanai overlooking a sleepy bayou, which is a quiet, inspirational place to make art.  When I’m drawing I often like to just sit on the couch with my colored pencils or pens, because it’s so comfortable.  Since my drawing materials are portable, I like to take them with me when I travel, to sketch or draw from different locations.

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

Thaneeya: It just seemed like such a cool idea.  In the beginning it was such a novelty to see my art on t-shirts and products, so I did it for fun… when I first started, I never realized that it would grow to be a genuine source of income over the years!

Zazzle: What was the first product you ever sold on Zazzle?

Thaneeya: My very first sale on Zazzle was actually a batch order of 105 Day of the Dead sugar skull shirts, all sold to the same customer on October 4, 2006.  What an encouraging first sale that was!  This was one of the shirts he ordered:

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

Thaneeya: First of all, create great art!  That’s the most important thing.

Another thing to keep in mind when you’re just starting out is that Zazzle offers an overwhelming amount of different products, so don’t try to put your art on every single product available.  Be discerning and only post an item for sale if the artwork actually looks good on that item.  For instance, a landscape painting probably wouldn’t look good on a hat, but it might look great as a mousepad.  You get the idea!

Zazzle: Can you give us a sneak peek of future designs?

Thaneeya: I don’t have any images ready to share yet, but I am currently working on more sugar skulls and more funky owls.

Thanks for sharing Thaneeya!

Kevin, from the Zazzle store skibbyb, discusses how his art is influenced by his upbringing and why he is so enthralled with other cultures. Check out the interview below and don’t forget to check out his store skibbyb!

Zazzle: Hey Kevin, tell us a little about yourself.

Kevin: I grew up in a US Air Force family, so I had the opportunity to travel a great deal as a child. This is where my love of travel and travel posters comes from. I’ve lived in 8 states and 3 foreign countries. I currently live in Santa Fe, New Mexico but my parents are from New Orleans, Louisiana, so I’m very fond of that great city.

Zazzle: Your pieces are mostly travel designs. Do you travel often? What has been you’re favorite place to visit?

Kevin: I’ve traveled a lot in the past. I don’t travel as much now but I still have the bug and a long list of destinations to visit, especially Kenya. My favorite place to visit has to be Spain. I lived in Seville as a kid, and had to chance to visit again as an adult. I fell in love with Spanish culture at a young age!

Zazzle: What inspires you the most about different regions?

Kevin: I’m inspired mostly by different cultures, architecture and ways of life. It’s amazing to visit a foreign country and see how differently things are done, to be in a place that’s completely different than what you are used to.

Zazzle: How would you describe your artistic style?

Kevin: I would describe my style as retro with a modern flair. I think there is a bit of art deco as well as an architectural quality to my work.

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

Kevin: Hmm…. good question! I have a lot of favorites, but one favorite is the Golden Gate poster (shown below). I like this one because it’s a view of the Golden Gate Bridge not normally seen in posters or postcards. I actually walked onto the bridge to take a photo from this vantage point.

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

Kevin: It’s the perfect way to get your artwork out to the masses with no overhead. Back in the day, an artist would have to pay to have materials printed. With Zazzle, I can focus on the artwork and not have to worry about a venue to get it in front of an audience.

Zazzle: What is your favorite Zazzle feature? How do you use it?

Kevin: Well, I love to be able to create a custom piece for someone and be able to upload and print only one or two. I also like the quick create feature.

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

Kevin: I would say to find a niche. Have a focus to your work. And be patient! It takes time to generate a following and a presence on the web and you have to continually work at it.

Zazzle: What was the very first thing you made on Zazzle?

Kevin: I think it was probably my Matterhorn poster.

Thanks for sharing Kevin!

Angel, ARTSPROJEKT artist from the Zazzle store angelszafranko, talks with us about her love of all things cute and gives great advice on engaging customers. Check out the interview below and don’t forget to check out her store angelszafranko!

Zazzle: Firstly, tell us about yourself.

Angel: My name is Angel and I’m a 20-something year old living in Toronto. I currently work from home as a freelance animator. It’s pretty fun.

Zazzle: Where do you find inspiration for your designs?

Angel: This is a hard question to answer. I find inspiration from everything! I can be watching a cartoon (sailor moon, adventure time, etc.), I could be looking through an old children’s book, I could be walking my dog, or I could be eating (‘cause cupcakes look so cute, you know?). I will admit that a lot has to do with fashion. I follow a lot of fashion-y blogs and I get inspired all the time by the very bright and colourful vintage and thrifted clothing the bloggers wear. Basically anything cute, colourful, and/or a little bit weird always gets my attention.

Zazzle: How would you describe your style?

Angel: Hmm, I think colourful, fun and cute! I like creating things that are fun to look at. Things that I would want to hang on my walls.

Zazzle:  What’s your favorite medium to use?

Angel: I usually just sketch my work in my sketchbook, scan it and then finish it up in Photoshop. Some of my work is done using paints, usually gouache but I am starting to get into acrylics too.

Zazzle: Where’s your favorite space to create?

Angel: At home! Usually I’ll be sketching on the couch while an episode or a movie I’ve already seen plays (sometimes I’ll use it as inspiration). Then I’ll go into my little work area and get it all digitalized.

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

Angel: The fact that my one design can be on so many different kinds of products amazes me. And I think that’s why people like Zazzle so much. You’re not just getting a t-shirt in one style and colour…you can get so much more!

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

Angel: Use the tags properly. Organize your store. Get active in the forums. Let your fans/followers know about any promotions or codes. Promote your artwork/designs, but don’t shove it down people’s throats. Carry a business card with you and tell your friends because word of mouth travels fast. Keep at it. The more work you put into it the more you’ll get back.

Zazzle: Who is your favorite Zazzle seller (besides yourself, of course)?

Angel: I’ve always been a big fan of Camilla d’Errico. I love her style.

Zazzle: Can you give us a sneak peek of future designs?

Angel: Not too long ago I started a little something….

Thanks for sharing Angel!

Dave, from the Zazzle store starheadboy, shares with us his passion for life, art, and motivating others with his pieces. Check out the interview below and don’t forget to check out his store starheadboy!

Zazzle: Tell us a bit about yourself. Where are you from and when did you become interested in art?

Dave: I am an art maker from the gorgeous Pacific Northwest – beautiful Seattle, Washington!! Good times! I pretty much have ideas all day and turn those into art in different forms. Usually I will have an idea right when I wake up, whether it’s from a dream or something in my apartment…. everything seems to spark inspiration in me. I get ideas in the shower every day, then, I start the day off by making those ideas into visual things.

I’ve been drawing all my life, painting for almost half my life. The more the ideas flow and expand, the more I am consumed with them.

Zazzle: You’re designs are very playful. Where do you find inspiration?

Dave: I get my inspiration from everywhere. I have piles of sketchbooks that are overflowing with ideas. I love every second of making stuff and the process. I feel like it’s the “you get more of what you focus on” and I have done that with inspiration. I constantly invite and allow it into my life, I stay open and trust it, and it always shows up, it’s incredible! I’m very grateful for it, good times!

Zazzle: What’s your favorite medium to use?

Dave: My favorite mediums to use are really cheap ball point pens; I never sketch anything out in pencil. I really love acrylics too. Lately, I’ve been using a lot of watercolors. Watercolors are super fun!

Zazzle: How do you get out of creative ruts?

Dave: I very rarely have a creative rut, but I had one about month ago. I was definitely concentrating on the wrong things at that time, some stress and stuff like that. I still made stuff during that process, but it was more like going through sketchbooks and bringing out older drawings and stuff. I didn’t have that awesome punch of inspiration that is usually there. I just became peaceful with the rut and realized that it would end soon and that it was teaching me something. I figured that I was absorbing ideas like crazy during this rut and when it ended, they would all be unleashed – it turned out to be exactly that. The rut gave me the gift of a little break for a while.

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

Dave: My hobbies outside of creating art are mainly skateboarding, walking, camping, traveling, and swimming. I love taking a long walk around my city and just observe life. Life is absolutely amazing!

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

Dave: Zazzle is an incredible resource for getting work out into the public eye. I feel like sites like Zazzle puts the power back into the individual’s own hands, it makes it immensely easier to get work exposed to the world.

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

Dave: For anyone that is just starting out on Zazzle, I’d say fully believe in your work and yourself. Realize what a great opportunity and resource that Zazzle is, build and build. Keep going and love the process of getting your work out there. Promote your work. As an artist, there is always a way to turn promoting yourself into its own work of art. Find your voice and run with it. YOWWWWWWW!

Zazzle: Can you give us a sneak peek of future designs?

Dave: My future designs on Zazzle are coming out real quick, most likely in this next month. I’m interested in putting more handwritten words and phrases into my designs and I want them to be in the current of motivation and inspiration. Good times!

Thanks for sharing Dave!

Giulio, from the Zazzle store BiroBrawls, talks with us about his passion for digital art and his desire to forever improve. Check out the interview below and don’t forget to check out his store giuliorossi.

Zazzle: Please give us a brief bio. Where are you from and what got you interested in making art?

Giulio: Hi, I’m Giulio Rossi, self-taught Italian artist. I love to be creative every single day of my life. In the past years that means that I needed to draw, paint, color my ideas in any type of material (paper, wood, glass, plastic, wax) and testing my skills and exploring the world of art. Then I bought a digitizing tablet and I discovered a brand new way to express my passion, a new dimension that helps me to experience the joy of digital illustration and graphic design, and that’s what I’m doing from now on!

Zazzle: How would you describe your style?

Giulio: It’s always hard for me to give people a description of my own style! I think my first inspiration is the pop culture world; I like colors and funny designs, especially for t-shirts, sexy-cutie characters with urban style, tattoos and nerdy stuff too!

Zazzle: What’s your favorite medium to use?

Giulio: It has been 2 years since I started working with a digitizing tablet. It was love at first “touch”!! Digital gives you the chance to create things in a brand new way, tons of styles you can work on and multiple variations you can apply to your drawings. Yeah I’m digital addicted

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

Giulio: I’m sure that my fav design is the last I’ve created (seen below). I always prefer the last one the most because I think working as graphic designer and illustrator I want to improve my skills in every single drawings, so I try to do my best every time and it’s crystal clear that I’ll put more experience and awareness on my next one!

Zazzle: What are some of your other hobbies?

Giulio: As I work a lot in front of my computer, I love to go outside, enjoy the silence of the nature, breathing fresh air, walking and climbing my mountains here…I love trekking! I’m also a big fan of horror movies, love to paint in traditional way (watercolors are my fav), hanging out with friends, and all the usual stuff a man can do!

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

Giulio: It’s cool imaging your artworks used by people from all over the world, it’s feels good to be appreciated. It means a lot to me and it helps me to keep my interest in the amazing world of design.

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

Giulio: You need to practice a lot to become a good designer. Actually, you’ll never finish to learn and to improve, so I think it’s better to not upload each single sketch you make. Be original above all! So don’t copy others successful designers work, it’s not fair and it will discourage you. My fav quotes says: ”Art is a deliberate recreation of a new and special reality that grows from your response to life. It cannot be copied, it must be created.”

Zazzle: Can you give us a sneak peek of future designs?

Giulio: I worked a lot for horror directors during the last months, so it could be possible that I’ll do something creepy!

Thanks for sharing Giulio!

Chris, ARTSPROJEKT artist from the Zazzle store BiroBrawls, talks with us about his love of ball point and his dark inspirations. Check out the interview below and don’t forget to check out his store BiroBrawls.

Zazzle: Give us a brief bio. Where are you from and when did you started designing?

Chris: I’m from Hampshire in the UK. I am an actor, and I draw as a hobby mostly, though I have to some extent drawn or painted my whole life. I picked up my ballpoint pen in 2008 after many years hiatus and rediscovered my passion for doodling.

Zazzle: Your style is very much your own. What’s your inspiration?

Chris: I have always enjoyed the dark and surreal, and have long been attracted to and intrigued by copperplate drawings (though this is not a discipline I know), but beyond that I couldn’t tell you what my inspiration is. I confess that I don’t put too much forethought into what I do, which is probably why it remains a pleasure for me.

Zazzle: What’s your favorite medium to use?

Chris: A ballpoint pen, or biro, as it is also known. I do occasionally paint with acrylics, but have no particular talent in this area. I am still very much a student of the ballpoint, but less concerned with technique, more the overall product and how it emotes for me.

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

Chris: My favourite biro drawing from the collection is probably Biro Brawl No. 099 (seen below, all my sketches can be seen at http://www.brawlingwithmybiro.co.uk). I consider it to be my first self-portrait, and it tickles me. My favourite design in the Zazzle store is impossible to choose. I love the art prints and calendars that I am able to produce; these seem to be a natural home for my kind of sideshow miscellany.

Zazzle: How do you get out of creative ruts?

Chris: If I am in a creative rut with a drawing, then I simply don’t draw. I only draw if and when the mood takes me. One day the mood will no longer take me and I shall doubtless stop drawing altogether, but for now it compliments my other creative outlets.

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

Chris: It enables artists to have their work seen, owned, and promoted without cost or risk to them.

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

Chris: I am still learning. I would like to hugely reduce the amount of products on my site, to fine tune what I offer, but am still unsure where to begin. Much of what I sell is so random and dependent on taste, it is a job and a half to determine buying patterns.

Zazzle: Can you give us a sneak peek of future designs?

Chris: Any future work that will go onto my Zazzle store will first appear on my website, and on my blog. Sorry, even I don’t know yet!

Thanks for sharing Chris!

Diana, from the Zazzle store pics4merch, gives awesome advice about having patience and looking to the Zazzle community for support. Check out the interview below and don’t forget to check out her store pics4merch.

Zazzle: First of all, introduce yourself! Give us a brief bio about your life, interests, and artwork!

Diana: I am a “self-taught” photographer, who loves to create and has been creative since childhood. I’ve always spent all my time off creating art and I’ve worked with about every material possible. I started with photography a few years ago and this has been my main focus for the past few years. Outside my daytime job, I spend all my free time on photography, designing and learning new techniques in order to perfect my work, trying to make it look as good and stylish as possible.

Zazzle: How did you first hear about Zazzle and when did you join our community and begin selling your artwork?

Diana: I read about Zazzle on a microstock forum. After I had visited some of the stores, I started reading as much information on the Zazzle site as I could find and a few days later I signed up and created my own store.

Zazzle: How long have you been an artist and what inspires your designs?

Diana: Actually I’m fairly new to all this. I started taking macro (close-up) images of insects, a few years ago. Then in February of last year, I bought my first flash, in May I signed up with several microstock agencies. Since insect images weren’t selling, I shifted to product photography and a few months ago, I started combining images with graphic design.

As for what is inspiring me… I love to create and I like to share and talk about positive things… things that I enjoy and make me happy. Designing (and creating the images for it) does that. Despite the fact that I’m 40 years old now, I feel like a little, happy kid, filled with joy and enthusiasm, once I’m done with a photoshoot and/or design. And these consistently overwhelming feelings of joy and enthusiasm motivate and inspire me more than words can ever express.

Zazzle: What are favorite Zazzle products to create?

Diana: Without a doubt, business cards! For most designs I created matching items, such as rack cards, promotional buttons and key chains and such, but creating the business cards are definitely what I enjoy most.

Zazzle: How long did it take you to start selling products on Zazzle and what helped?

Diana: I started my store sometime in November 2010, but I was very disappointed about getting no sales. On June 11th this past year, I was about to give up, when I decided to give it one more chance and ask for advice in the forum. I got some very kind comments on my work, that got me motivated again, but there was this one storekeeper, that nailed the problem – she had checked some of my products and had discovered there were not templates. I was confident I checked the template option on all designs, but what I didn’t know was that I was supposed to check the template boxes for ALL layers. So, two days later I deleted all of my designs and made a fresh start. A few days after that, I got my first sale and two days later there was another one – and it never stopped after that. It took me a little over 2 months to reach ProSeller status, so for anyone struggling with sales: make sure all of your (image/text) layers are templates!

Zazzle: What tips can you give someone starting out as a Seller on Zazzle?

Diana: That’s an easy one!

• As I pointed out earlier, make sure you check the template option for ALL layers.
• Make sure your store is organized and easy to navigate
• Make sure your tags are relevant. It may be tempting to squeeze in some irrelevant (but popular) tags, but it won’t get you sales. A potential buyer, interested in, let’s say, a Spa business card is not likely going to buy yours with a horse. The customer will get annoyed and if enough irrelevant designs show up, they’ll take their business elsewhere. So, before adding your first tags, you might want to read this “why tag spam hurts” topic on the forum.
• Come say hello to the kind and helpful people on the forums and ask for help if you can’t figure it out by yourself!
• Promote your stuff on Twitter, Squidoo, Facebook, a blog, website, etc.

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

Diana: I love to walk and listen to music and, of course, I spend a lot of time on photography and learning new techniques (for both photography and designing).

Zazzle: Anything else you want us to share?

Diana: Keep in mind that Zazzle is a marathon, not a sprint and it is also not a ‘get rich quick’ formula. It’ll take time to build your store, but if you’re willing to invest the time and effort, you’ll eventually get the return you are looking for.

In addition to Twitter, I now got a Facebook page and just yesterday published my first Zujava Leaf. I also published my first Squidoo Lens.

Thanks for sharing with us Diana!

Jaz, from the Zazzle store artbyjaz, discusses where she finds design inspiration and how she Zazzle benefits her business. Check out the interview below and don’t forget to check out her store artbyjaz.

Zazzle: To start off, tell us a little about your background.

Jaz: I’m Jaz Higgins, I’m 27 years old and I’m a full-time artist and work-at-home Mum, living in Brisbane, Australia.

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

Jaz: I’ve always loved color and crafty things. From when I was a toddler, my Mum would reward me with pencils, crayons, pens, paints, and coloring books, which I just loved. There’s something magical about opening a fresh pack of crayons.

I’ve been making art professionally for about 7 years now.

Zazzle: Where do you draw inspiration?

Jaz: I find inspiration in books, magazines, the internet, nature, museums, vintage ephemera, and working with other artists. There are lots of little occasions in everyday life where inspiration comes along unexpectedly as well.

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

Jaz: I don’t have one favourite, but a few of my faves are: “The Two Skeletons“, “Birdy has a Birthday“, “Cancer (Zodiac Mermaid)” and “HalloweenMagic“.

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

Jaz: When I’m not creating art, I’m usually spending time with my Husband and 3 year old daughter. I love reading, watching movies, meals with friends, visiting galleries and museums, and going to the beach.

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

Jaz: I was amazed at the huge range of products I could have my art on! They are such good quality and it’s a great way for me to outsource my merchandise and make it available in any amount to anyone in the world, without having to have a big warehouse myself!

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

Jaz: Stay patient at first, keep listing regularly and before you know it – you’ll have your first sale!

Zazzle: Can you give us a sneak peek of future designs?

Jaz: I’ve just finished a new painting called “Woodland Fairy” – I’ll be adding this design to my Zazzle products in the next few days. I’m always giving sneak peeks of what I’m working on on my Facebook page as well.

Zazzle: Lastly, a very serious question – If you could be a superhero, what would be your super power?

Jaz: I would love to be able to heal people (although I would imagine I would be very busy!) – otherwise teleporting or time travel would be pretty cool too!

Thanks for sharing Jaz!