vol.25

Excited and grateful

So, last Friday I released my science posters into my etsy shop. I had spent weeks illustrating, printing, perfecting, staining, sanding, researching, and deciding the best way to package and brand these big guys. I styled them MANY different ways, photographed them popped them onto my computer, edited all 9 posters, only to change my mind and repeat the entire process!! I was going crazy. It felt almost surreal to see them finally up in the shop. 

Over the last few days I've tried to put in a little time marketing the posters, and I was so excited to sell my first poster on Tuesday, and another on Wednesday! But, almost more exciting than that is seeing the positive response they've received on pinterest... as well as here on my blog. I had a few posters set aside for marketing purposes. I contacted a few of my favorite blogs, and everyone I e-mailed was eager to review a poster for me!! :)

Rachel from smile and wave was even kind enough to tweet the posters, and pin a couple of them following our e-mail. Shortly after that I sold my first poster!! I am always amazed at how powerful the internet can be. One person creates a drop in a pool, and from there it creates a large ripple... Another example of a drop turned ripple- Someone pinned my poppy poster from an image on my blog, and another repinned it, and this continued for awhile until it finally showed up in my own pinterest feed.. pinned by an amazingly talented Interior design stylist I follow- Holly Becker from decor8! I was pretty excited... and couldnt resist commenting on her pin even if it did make me see un-professional... I mean some things just require you to make an idiot out of yourself... and this was definitely one of them.

So, thank you for all the support, pins and kind comments I've received, I sure do appreciate it! :) I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

 

Vintage Inspired Science Posters listed- all 9 of them!

Hi guys!! I did it. I finally, really, truly got them listed... and now I will overwhelm you with all 9 designs! Are you ready?

Vintage Inspired Science Posters- Antler Study Vol.1

Vintage Inspired Science Posters- Antler Study Vol.2

FEATHER PATTERNS VOL. 1  & 2 .

Detail shot of the posters + wood!

EMBERIZA VOL.1

EMBERIZA Vol.2

POPPY STUDY Vol.1

LEPIDOPTERA Vol.1

FEATHER PATTERNS Vol.3

How is that for an awesome overload! ? :) I'm SOO excited to get these FINALLY listed. You have no idea how stressed I've been the last few days. So many little things I hadnt considered that took a little more time than I had originally thought. BUT, at any rate I have them up and you can finally purchase your very own poster. Right now I do have a limited supply of each design. I may end up listing these in batches depending on what I have available.. but I will probably wait and see how things go. Maybe I can get a better idea as to which ones sell better so I know how many I should keep in stock! :)

I'm so glad it is Friday. My cousin is coming all the way from Springfield Oregon, and my aunt and uncle from Prosser are coming up with her. :) The weather sounds like it will even be nice for Easter... fingers crossed!!

A few days away from listing the science posters!

Antler Study Vol. 1 & 2

I have one poster still in the works (A study on Moose antlers) but I told myself that I needed to put that guy on hold to get the rest of the series photographed... like- yesterday! So I took a bajillion photos and started editing them... then later that afternoon I realized that I liked the pictures taken later that day SO much better then the set I took early in the morning. BooHoo... so that means, I still need to photograph all 9 posters AGAIN. Because by the time I decided I liked the other set better, the sun had set and the moon was in full force. I'll show a peek at what one of the afternoon group shots looked like:

The shorter posters are about 23" long, and the longer ones are just about 28" long. The wood slats are included in that measurement though. This wall I have is pretty tall, and I still can't fit all 9 posters up. I wish I had more wall! Our cabin has lots of windows, which is AWESOME... but it also means I don't have a lot of wall space. So, the posters shown above are 6 of the 9 posters. The first picture shows the two antler posters hanging above our bed, so really the only poster missing is the butterfly one. :) After staring at that picture long enough, I think I just might move the posters down in order to make room for the other 3... I just might make it work after all.

Today I need to take stock of how many of each poster I have available. I'm thinking I may need to list these in small batches... and make more to replenish the stock... not too sure yet. I've gone over the numbers and it looks like I will be listing the longer 28" posters at 70.00 and the shorter 23" long posters at 65.00. 

Still a few details to work out, but I am happy to say that I see the end in sight, and I should be just a few days away from getting these up and available for purchase... FINALLY. I have an appointment with our new tax accountant today... so that will take up part of my day.

Now that you have seen more of the posters, do you have a favorite, or two? :) 

p.s. the digital shop newsletters went out yesterday, if you didnt get the e-mail make sure you are signed up HERE. I had a few ppl that didnt realize they would need to re-sign up to get it. :)

BIG news in regards to my newsletters!

I've been posting about this on facebook today, so this will be repeated info if you happen to follow me over there! :)

This morning I sat down and logged into my digital shop. I was browsing my customers, and realized that 1,200 people had opted in for marketing... marketing that I had yet to really utilize! I've been sending out newsletters for the past few years, but when I initially started it was purely for my etsy customers... but after the addition of my digital shop I began combining the two shops into one newsletter. I really didn't like doing this, but wasnt sure quite how to change the set-up.

Well today I downloaded an app from the shopify app store that synced all the customers that have opted in to marketing into a mad mimi newsletter account. Long story short- I am set up to send separate newsletters now!

... and I have to say, I LOVE Mad Mimi.... and if I'm not mistaken it is cheaper than mailchimp. So, I just may need to make the switch for both newsletters. For the time being though- I will be sending out a newly designed newsletter to all VOL25 Digital Eye Candy newsletter subscribers. If you have signed up for my newsletter previously from the blog, you will need to sign up at this new link to still receive updates in regards to the digital shop. If you've made a purchase from my digital shop, and you opted in to receive marketing, you should already be on the list. :) The existing original newsletter will be reserved for etsy shop updates specifically, so you may want to un-subscribe if you are only interested in photoshop templates, overlays and printables. :) When that newsletter goes out, there should be an option to unsubscribe at the bottom of the newsletter. :) Oh- but I've decided to send out free printable calendars with the original VOL25 Art newsletters. So- you may want to remain subscribed just for that! ;)

Sending two separate newsletters, will also allow me to send out a freebie geared towards the two different shops... so excited about this!! Tomorrow I'll be sending out digital shops newsletters for the month of April, and I will also be including a Free facebook timeline cover template... so make sure you are signed up to receive it! I will also be giving away a 20.00 gift card for my digital shop with each monthly newsletter.

So... I feel like I'm rambling and confusing you, and not making much sense. I feel the need to over simplify:

 

VOL25 Digital Eye Candy Shop Newsletter:

•  Monthly newsletters ( I rarely (okay- like NEVER) send out more than one a month)
• Each newsletter will showcase new products from the previous month
• An exclusive monthly discount code, and freebie- just for you guys :)
• One gift card given away each month (post your favorite photo showcasing a VOL25 overlay to my facebook page and if I choose it as a "Facebook Favorite" for the newsletter you'll win a Digital Eye Candy 20.00 gift card!)   

 SIGN UP HERE 

(You may have previously signed up after completing a purchase from my digital shop)

 
VOL25 Etsy Shop (ART) :

• Monthly newsletters ( I rarely (okay- like NEVER) send out more than one a month)
• Each newsletter will showcase new art from the previous month
• An exclusive monthly discount code, and a new monthly free printable calendar.

SIGN UP HERE

(You may have already signed up using the newsletter link here on my blog)

Whew! That was a bit repetitive... I'm working on the Digital Eye Candy newsletter tonight, so it should be ready to go out sometime tomorrow. I also don't expect the etsy shop newsletters to go out for a few more days. I still have quite a bit to finish up before I'm ready to send those out. :) Anyhow, I hope you have a nice night... or morning! :)

Science poster progress

A few days ago I spent part of the afternoon out on the porch lightly sanding wood pieces. The weather was gorgeous, and Journey joined me on the porch with a few of her ponies, and my hand me down cell phone..

It was the first time since moving to our new place that we were able to bring out our "outside play quilt" :) It kinda feels more like home now!

There is so much variation between all these pieces! :) I love it because it keeps every piece unique and original. The staining process just brings it out even more!

I love how some pieces are more of a dark weathered gray, and some turn out having really dark grain with a rich brown undertone.

The print settings are now configured on my printer... and I have begun assembling the posters. I even created a smaller "mini size" version:

That picture also shows a peek at two new designs I've created. :) I also decided on my packaging, and had to place an order for more mailing tubes, (slightly longer than what I already had) so I am kind of at a stand still until a few packages arrive. But that won't keep me from creating new designs!! :)

Coming Soon! Vintage inspired Science posters

This is what I have been so excited about! :)

I have been playing around with different stain colors, and experimenting with different types of wood... different ways of attaching the canvas to the wood... etc. etc. :)

Right now I have 5 posters created, and I am planning to work in my existing insects series! I have SOO many ideas I want to turn into posters. :) I still need to test shipping them, and make sure I can protect them in transit. I imagine i will mail them in mailing tubes like my 16x20 sized prints. But I'll be designing new packaging for the big guys too!

These are printed on the very same canvas as the other larger prints in my shop.

Each poster was heavily inspired by vintage educational science posters. I've used my pen tablet to draw these and I have really enjoyed getting back towards the illustrated type of prints. My work in the past has leaned towards the graphic side of design. I am not phasing out my old style though- just adding a little more variety to my etsy shop. These have a fresh, clean, organic feel to them. I've been trying to develop a consistent style to each. I finally think I have it down. Keeping the backgrounds clean and white help to modernize them a bit. :) I found a font I loved and paid a commercial license to use it. It was just what I was looking for!

:) I've been feeling super inspired, and I am SO anxious to get these listed... but I am probably still a week or so away. I am thinking I'll design a couple more before I launch them!

Do you have a favorite of the 4? The fifth one isnt shown, but it is a compantion to the antler poster! :)

stumped... need your thoughts!

I need your guys' help! I'm finally getting back into somewhat of a system with my shop... which means I will also be sending out monthly newsletters again. Last year I sent out a new monthly desktop wallpaper with each newsletter. This year, I would like to switch it up some... but I'm stumped. I want to give you guys something to look forward to with each newsletter. You know, besides the usual discounts!  ;)

The problem I have, is that I am running two different shops, selling two different products and have customers from both reading one newsletter. That right there, is probably what I should be directing my attention to. I should try to set up 2 separate newsletters... but I'm not sure I can keep up with 2 monthly newsletters a month! Yikes. I guess I need to give that some thought.

My question to you guys though- is what would you like to see as a freebie in each newsletter? I asked this question on facebook and a few ppl mentioned a free printable quote. I kinda like that idea, and I am leaning that direction!

A few things to think about:

The freebie should be something that customers from both shops could appreciate. 

I could create two separate freebies but I'm not sure I can devote the necessary time to that... and I worry it would eventually be too much and cause me to give up my newsletters!

An idea I could carry over to each new month would be great- because consistency saves me time! :)

Maybe I'm just having one of those off days. The kind where I am just super un-inspired... but at any rate- I need your help! :)

p.s. If you havent already- you can sign up for the newsletters here.

A few hours left to save 20% off my etsy shop!

The sale in my etsy shop will be winding down at midnight, tonight! :)

Camera Collector Series- New Art!

Hi! :) So, how are you doing? I'm feeling really excited to finally finish up this Camera series! I have had a few different people encouraging me to get them DONE. No joke- originally I had planned to get these up before Christmas of 2011!! But, it was one of those series that I just couldnt get right. I struggled with the textures... the colors... I questioned and experimented with a patterned background and finally decided that I wanted to keep them classic and timeless. The cameras themselves should be the star of the show. I decided this after trying to add SEVERAL different camera/photography related quotes, and nothing seemed to compliment the cameras. :)

Bell & Howell  - Camera Collector Series

Starflash- Camera Collector Series

Brownie - Camera Collector Series

Tower - Camera Collector Series

My favorite is a toss up between the Tower camera and the Starflash! :) I just can't decide! Which is your fave?

We had my sister's kids over the weekend, and were able to play outside in the snow again! It is slowly melting in some areas, but still really deep in others.

There was quite a bit of snow when we moved in, and seeing patches of grass has been exciting. :) The other day my mom found a cute little bird house in the back yard... the snow had finally melted enough to see it. 

I am ready for an early Spring! How about you? I am really hoping that ground hog was right, it snowed again yesterday but it didnt stick!

Coupon codes are active in both shops, but are expiring soon!

Etsy Shop: 20% OFF Expires 2/20 (TOMORROW NIGHT) CODE: 20PERCENT

Digital shop: 50% OFF EXPIRES 2/21 CODE: JUSTBECAUSE

 

 

Happy Valentines Day!

Lindsey over at Pillow Thought used a few of my overlays on a recent session with her daughter... and I think the entire session turned out adorable!

Love the little arrow. :) Right now the digital shop is 50% off! Use code JUSTBECAUSE

The girls and I used watercolor paints and made a few heart garlands for the house. They helped me cut the hearts, and I just stapled them onto some fuzzy yarn I had on hand.

Quick and easy. Next year my craft goodies should be a little more organized. Right now my crafts are still scattered around the house. I finally convinced Jaydon to let me put these lockers in the dining area.

They are really too deep for the space.. but their functionality totally wins me over... for now. :) I do plan to paint them to give them a softer chalkier look/color.

I also put a smaller set of school lockers by our side entry door. Still trying to decide how to best utilize the space in this house. :)

I've been told (upon asking for an opinion lol) that they don't fit the style of our cabin... and I really don't think they do, yet. Eventually we would like to switch out a few of the light fixtures. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the existing fixtures... so it isnt a priority, but replacing them with a more undustrial style light should help tip the cabin to the "industrial rustic" vision I have in my head. :) One of the things that really drew us to this place was that we wouldnt need to remodel anything. We were burned out, after a super busy labor intensive summer with our past house. But changing lights is an affordable option that will help us feel like we are putting our own mark on the place. ;)

p.s. My etsy shop also opened back up!! I'm getting ready to prepare my very first batch of orders here in the new place. :) I have a 20% off code active right now.   Code is 20PERCENT and it expires on the 20th. So, coupon codes in both shops! :)