Jen Goode

Kreativ Blogger Award – The Power & Paying It Forward Nature of Blogging

A Kreative Blogger award has recently been passed to me by artist Debra Cortese.

I believe we first connected on Twitter… ah yes, another connection thanks to my favorite social media platform!
Since I’ve decided to stop trying to recreate the wheel – I decided to reprint the background information that Debra found – this is from her blog post:

I’ve become a bit of an information addict, I couldn’t do this without a little background research. I quickly found reference to the original ‘Kreativ Blogger’ post and requirements for nominated Kreativ Bloggers. I believe they have been edited and abbreviated over time and cyberspace.

Kreativ Blogger originated in May 2008 in a post by Huldas Verden as noted by Clay Garden author in this April 2009 post: “Finally I found that it was started in Norway by a blogger named Huldas Verden.”
When the Clay Garden post was written in April 2009, the author’s Google search came up with 712 entries for Kreativ Blogger. When I searched today, Feb 28, 2010 for ‘Kreative Blogger’ awards, Google comes up with 23,200,000 entries! Hence, the power of blogging!
Here are the requirements that I found, and am passing on to 7 fellow Kreativ Bloggers (names and links to blogs at the end of this post):
The Kreativ Blogger award comes with the following requirements:

1. You must thank the person who has given you the award.
2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog.
3. Link the person who has nominated you for the award.
4. Name 7 things about yourself that people might find interesting.
5. Nominate 7 other Kreativ Bloggers.
6. Post links to the 7 blogs you nominate.
7. Leave a comment on each of the blogs to let them know they have been nominated.

Seven things about me that may be of interest:

1. Jobs I’ve had: serving up ice cream at Dairy Queen, orthodontist assistant, college textbooks sales rep, temporary help company sales rep, cake decorator, ARTIST!

2. I was an exchange student in Tours, France my junior year of high school and can still muddle through with French. I’m open to any business opportunities that would take me to France so keep your eyes and ears open!

3. I’m a middle child and when I say that, I’m often told, “Oh! That explains some things!” What? What does it explain?

4. I love what I do and wish that everyone could say the same. Follow your dreams, make tough choices when necessary and keep the passion for what you do!

5. Growing up I wanted to be a teacher. I guess I am but not in the way I expected – this is even better – no chalk dust! (or dry erase marker fumes)

6. Sometimes these things feel like chain letters (which I never do) but I’m told they are good for SEO so I’ll admit – that’s why I did it!

7. I believe there is a silver lining in EVERYTHING that happens… you just have to be willing to look for it. This has really irritated some people in my life – guess they didn’t share my belief.

MY KREATIV BLOGGER NOMINATIONS ARE:

Daniel Tardent www.artmarketingsecrets.com
Jen Goode www.jgoode.com
Deb Trotter www.debtrotter.com
Jill Seale www.momscouts.blogspot.com
Libby Unwin www.lugraphics.com/index.php/blog/
Brenda Baker www.artandillumination.com
David Billings www.sparkyfirepants.com

TAG, you’re it!

Thanks Debra for nominating me and encouraging me to get this done!

– Tara Reed

P.S. Hopefully I’ll be ok even though I bent rule #7 – 6 of my 7 nominees are on Twitter so I let them know there – the 7th got an email.

A first timer's experience at the CHA Winter Show | guest post by Jen Goode

I just returned home from an eventful, exhausting and extraordinary experience attending my first CHA Show. The event was hosted at the Anaheim Convention Center in California, and WOW what a show it was!

The show floor consisted of approximately 185,000 sq ft of display area with 592 exhibitors. There were demos happening in every direction – booths filled with people networking, working on make-and-take projects and general craft chit chat. The whole place was over flowing with craft supplies of all shapes and sizes from fabric and stamps to cutters and glitter. For a long time crafter and creative enthusiast, this place was heaven! It was creativity potential on overdrive.

The License and Design section was appropriately placed in the middle of the show floor, almost like a little show within the show. There were artists ranging in style, technique and experience as well as business model and specialty. I had no idea there were so many ways to sell one’s own art creations. From surface design to product design, the license and design section was filled with amazing talent.

I was able to get a hold of an exhibitor pass so I could help a few friends set up their booths. Since I was only walking the show this time, I made a point to stop and introduce myself to nearly all the other exhibitors in the section and offer to help during set up. If you’re looking to make new friends, extending a helpful hand is a good place to start. I was so amazed at the people in this group. Everyone was so friendly and eager to welcome a new comer. I felt at home almost immediately.

The show offered a number of opportunities for artists to promote themselves and their work:

Show reception open to all attendees – a great networking opportunity if you know who will be there or plan to meet with someone in advance. Not everyone attends this event.

Press kits – all attending designers can submit a press kit at no charge. I didn’t know about this ahead of time so at the last minute decided to drop off the postcards I had brought to hand out to those contact I met. I was pleased to see that by the end of the show all my cards had been picked up. There was also an award for the best press kit won by Denise Bosler.

Designer showcase – this event is only for a few hours on night but seemed to be a great opportunity to display work for a small fee. Each designer created a table displayed exhibit while press, buyers and manufacturers browsed through the room.

Classes and workshops – there are a number of classes offered for a while range of topics. An “all class” ticket was well worth the purchase. Not only are these classes great for information, they’re another good opportunity to meet pros in the industry.

Designer meeting – the License and Design portion of CHA has it’s own governing board and official organization which helps to provide the promotion and opportunities for the member designers. There was an official meeting to hear about how the group is doing, future goals. The Plaid New Horizon awards returned for this show, so the winners were announced at this meeting as well: Brenda Pinnick , Tiffany Windsor and Linda Jacobson.

An attendee standing just outside the License and Design section of CHA

I went to this show with the single goal of meeting people in the industry. I did not pre-set meetings – I had no preconceived ideas of who I would meet nor what I would learn let alone what we would talk about. I just wanted to come away with a better view of the industry and what it might have to offer for my art career. I ended up coming home having made new friends, a better understanding and clearer perspective of the industry and how the manufacturers work together with designers and what I want to do moving forward. I also gained a strong appreciation for the organization behind this fantastic event. CHA is wonderful and I’m so very glad to have had the opportunity to participate this year. Watch for it, next year I’m hoping you’ll see JGoode Designs offering art licensing amongst the fabulous booths to browse!

If you need inspiration, would like to network with like minded people, want to mingle amongst your peers or are looking for motivation to move along in your career, I can think of no better place than in the Licensing and Design section of the CHA winter show. Those who participated are an outstanding group and I am honored to have had the opportunity to be around them for the last 5 days.

I end with this little snippet of the CHA Winter Show event opening parade…

Art Licensing Story: Jen Goode

Before you watch this video, I encourage you NOT to be intimidated by the cool cartoon flash effects! (I know I was – intimidated and envious at the same time!) Here is Jen’s story of discovering art licensing – she’s now getting ready to walk and exhibit at her first trade shows – go Jen!

So, talk to your computer like I did, have fun with animation like Jen, but PLEASE… create a video of your story so we can share them with others. This will be fun – if you join in.

You can send me your video info anytime but if you enter before Valentine’s Day you will be entered to win prizes! See the blog post with all the details…

For now, enjoy Jen’s fun Art Licensing Story! Thanks Jen, for being the first to throw your story in the pot!

Here’s to great artist stories!

– Tara

P.S. A little “link love” for Jen – learn more about the art of Jen Goode at www.JenGoode.com

P.P.S. Want to know what “link love” and other ways of getting quality traffic to your art website? Go to www.AskAboutSEOforArtists.com – the February Art Licensing Info Ask call will be all about getting your website working for you, so you can get back to work in the studio!

Thoughts about Print-On-Demand Sites from Artist Jen Goode

There’s this penguin that I absolutely adore… I’m not sure when I first saw it, but it makes me smile everytime I see it.

Then I joined Twitter and found the penguin there! I have developed a ‘virtual friendship’ with the woman behind the penguin – Jen Goode. In fact, it was MONTHS ago (guilt! Jen! Guilt!) that I asked Jen to share her experience with Print-On-Demand sites with me and the Art Licensing Info crowd.

Like the rest of us, Jen is a busy entrepreneur with a family, several income streams in her creative business. But lo-and-behold – much to my surprise she hadn’t lost the questions I emailed her and took some time to give us great information. (Thank you! You are now absolved of all guilt!)

So for everyone wanting to learn a little more about Print-On-Demand sites and how to make them work for you, read on…

FIRST, A LITTLE ABOUT YOU…

1. Why penguins? I know you for your penguins but see you have other amazing collections as well… did it start with penguins?
Talk to me about the cute lil’ penguins!

The penguin is a very serendipitous part of my art collection – It created itself and I just played along. At first I had 2 very different penguin characters among a pile of other designs… Cows, pigs, girlie attitude sayings, coffee, floral art, etc.

I’m always looking for ways to expand what I have by first starting with what I have, so right around May of 2006 I was looking at what I had and thought, being nearly summer, my then naked penguin needed some swimwear (who knew?). So I created one with swimtrunks and one with a sun hat and bikini. I was almost 1.5 years old in the Print on Demand business and still trying to figure out how to make it all work for a real income – find a style that fit the products.

Until that swimwear version my now “famous” penguin hadn’t been purchased by a single soul… and someone bought a swim trunk version. A friend of mine and I were joking about dressing penguins and the idea just exploded. I couldn’t find enough time to come up with all the character outfits and the list of “need to create” is still long. The more I drew the more they sold and it’s grown from there. He’s got a look about him, a personality, every time I create a new outfit, I don’t know what that is.. But it makes me giggle still.

I have created over 500 design variations of the penguin as well as polymer clay version and a hand sewn mini plushie. Another story – the mini plushie was taken to an internet conference in January of 2008 – for no particular reason. I started using it as a conversation starter, asking to take pictures of people with my penguin.

So many asked “why, what are you going to do with my picture now?” that I started a website there at the conference to post the pictures and talk about the people I met. He was quite the talk of the show and even now I have people asking me at events “did ya bring your penguin?”. Now the mini plushie goes every where with me so I can take photos with him of places and things we see – I then post on MyPenguinTravels.com

I’ve used him for fundraising, especially Breast Cancer Awareness (PinkRibbonPenguins.com). Since the penguin craze started, I myself have become obsessed with penguins – I’m fascinated by their attributes of loyalty and family unity and I’m in awe of the people who love them.

Now, as a family we take picture when we’re out and see a penguin (Walmart, whatever). We make a point to stop and visit any exhibits of penguins anytime we’re out of town. It’s become a family thing – we’re all penguin freaks and I started it, I’ll apologize to the kids later.

2. What do you create?
I like to think I create smiles every day – that’s the goal. Really I create fun digital art for the kid in all of us.

3. How did you start creating?
I’ve been creating since I was really young. I’ve always loved art and always loved making “stuff”. This particular style of art evolved as I explored the Print on Demand industry and found what works for me on t-shirts. I started with more fine art and photography. Prior to my involvement in POD, I offered professional Graphic Design services to clients for print and web media.

4. What medium(s) do you use?
I primarily use digital art using Photoshop and sometimes Illustrator. However, every now and then I will play with paper or fabric or hand drawing to get ideas. But because all my work needs to be digital, I rarely start a digital piece outside of the computer.

5. What or who inspires you?
Life inspires me. An idea can come from every where, anywhere and at any time – my biggest obstacle is keeping up with the ideas. Leonardo Da Vinci, M.C. Escher, and Ty Wilson are my biggest art influences. Leonardo for his incredible curiosity and willingness to learn and explore. M.C. Escher for his uniqueness and ability to put thoughts on paper and Ty Wilson for his brilliance in simplicity – it still amazes he how he can create an entire mood with only a few brush strokes.

6. What kind of training, schooling or other learning experiences have you gone through that have helped you get to where you are now?
I’ve been drawing since I could walk – art takes practice… Schooling teaches the logistics of the process and exposure to critique. But schooling doesn’t teach the ability to “See it” in your mind. That said, the majority of what I know and how I do it is self taught. I do, however, have a certificate in web design and an Associates in Graphic Design – which took me 6 years to earn.

I tend to invent projects as a way to learn. I have always been fascinated by the challenge of producing something on a budget and making it really work so I come up with project ideas and practice creating results with real limits and budgets. Makes dealing with client expectations so much more realistic.

CAN YOU EDUCATE US ABOUT PRINT-ON-DEMAND SITES…

7. You’ve got quite a large collection of designs available through Print on Demand sites, what is Print on Demand?
Print on Demand is the concept of products being sold but not actually available in tangible form until someone makes a purchase of that products. This allows for a much larger inventory to offer customers without the associated expenses of carrying that inventory. Cafepress and Zazzle are the two biggest players in this industry. Each allows artists to sell their designs on a variety of products by opening a store, uploading their designs and choosing which products they would like to sell featuring their designs.

8. How long have you had shops through Print on Demand?
I opened my first Cafepress store in Feburary of 2005, my first gallery on Zazzle shortly there after but didn’t start working on it until recently.

9. I see you have your own look/feel to your sites and not just the free CaféPress option. Do you think that is necessary to succeed?
Absolutely! A full premium shops is important when promoting your art through a Print on Demand site. The basic shops at Cafepress are a waste of time because what makes this kind of art selling work is quality plus quantity. Quality alone won’t make it work on any significant level.Also, I feel branding is extremely important, so having a premium shop is key to establishing your own unique style for your shop design.

10. There is SO MUCH on CaféPress and Zazzle… how do people find you?
Luck? Ha! There’s a lot that goes into being found on these sites. Good titles, descriptions and tags are the first step.

Don’t label the art, describe it so people searching will find it. This is also where quality and quantity are important. Good quality designs tend to rank better in the search results (long term) and having a number of good quality designs makes for more viewings. I do my own marketing – Twitter, my own blog, Facebook, etc. I also worked really hard to get my design pages listed in Google. It’s definitely not a “put it up and let it sit” process. Nothing sells that way.

11. Do you do your own marketing or do the Print on Demand companies take care of it all?
Both. The companies spend a lot more time and money on marketing than I do because they can, but they don’t market me specifically. I do my own part to make sure I am building awareness for my work.

12. What kind of income can a person generate through Print on Demand and how much time do you think it would require? (daily/weekly/monthly… ?)

This is really a tough question – mostly because I don’t have access to real stats, only my own and those I’ve talked with. However, there are some that have made a full time incomes from Print on Demand. That, in reality is about 5% (at most) of the user base. Cafepress has been doing this a little longer and is a little more established than Zazzle… But results for artists are varying for how successful each company is for them.

For me, Cafepress is by far a better performing company – yet part of that is due to my inventories not being the same on both sites. Although there have been changes in the market and the industry, I am still making a decent income through Print on Demand – Keep in mind, it took 18 hour days for 2 years to build to the level it is. I put in a lot of extra hours and work into building this into a business… Again, it doesn’t work just putting up some designs and telling people they are there.

– a few reasons why I think Print on Demand is a good idea for artists to consider – established to brand new….

It’s a great outlet to explore how designs look and sell on products without the critique of other sales people. It’s you, the products and customers who decide if it’s worth buying
It’s a great way to broaden your reach and exposure for your art or your brand. Cafepress and Zazzle submit their products through to Google and other streams of information – so your work is out there to be discovered
Both sites offer Affiliate programs which allow others to promote your work as well – they earn a commission if they send a sale – so now it’s not just you and your art, its you, your art and everyone else who wants to tell people about it… Promoting your art. I love that idea the best!
Even a little income is better than no income – you add enough little incomes together and you get one big nice income. Print on Demand can be one of these extra incomes in the pile you build from your art,
It’s cool to see your art on stuff. At least I think so. And its even more cool to have a customer contact you and say “hey I love your stuff” or “hey I just saw your t-shirt on my friend the other day”.

THANK YOU JEN for your willingness to share your experience and opinions with the rest of us! Wishing you Much Success with your Penguins and all your other designs as well!

– Tara

P.S. To see Jen’s art and get that happy – smiley feeling I get, visit www.JGoodeDesigns.com, www.JGoodPenguins.com, www.Zazzle.com/JGoodeDesigns

disclosure: I have no vested interest in your clicking on these links or making a purchase, just want you to see what she does, how she does it and if you love it – buy something so she can keep on doing it! Go Jen!