Holidays Approaching

 The Holidays. Seems I'm more of a humbug kind of person when it comes to holidays, even as a kid they were always more tense than warm and loving times. Expressing warmth and love I don't think came natural to my parents. Ha.....I was trying to think about my parents the other day and realized I didn't even know them, as people I mean. Silence seemed to be the best survival skill you could develop to try to keep tensions at bay. But I digress........

Fourthwall :-) I finally mastered creating the website, now I have to learn (at 73 mind you!) how to use social platforms to promote it.  This is not going to be easy. 

I removed the prints part of the website for now.  I continue to mess around with designs and ways to create the prints (mostly the note cards) in the least costly way. I'm leaning toward printing them myself mostly because I've spent so much time and money on trying different papers, buying ink, learning how to print them properly etc etc.... I'd hate to give up and resort to using an outside company, but time and money will tell.  This is the main reason I removed the prints part of the website for now......I have to know if someone orders something I can fulfill it confidently. 

I'm also continuing to rework the Match Me card game, redesigning the label a bit of the cards box, ordering more prints of more recent works to add to the collections and figuring out ways to lower the cost of producing the end product.  For example, the cards themselves aren't that expensive but add on printing on both sides or rounding the corners of the cards things begin to add up. So of course I purchased a corner cutter and I've ordered stickers to adorned the back of the cards (just til I learn how to make my own stickers ;-) at home.

There are two versions of the game, one of birds of course, and one for still lifes of fruits and vegs. All prints of my ACEO paintings.  I had these free logos created via AI online, the stickers of each will arrive in a day or two as will the new labels and cards and I'll be back on here with pictures of the end product.

Fourthwall !

 A couple weeks ago I learned about Fourthwall.com via some Youtube videos. For those who also never heard of it, its a site where you can set up for free (yes! for free!) a shop and use products that they have from Printful to put your designs on, you decide your commission.  The products they have are I'd say pretty limited but Printful is about to merge with Printify so that could change as far as product inventory goes. You can also list your own products which is pretty cool.  I've started listing things on there but as usual its another learning adventure.  Its ok, I'm figuring out most of the stuff but I'm still confused on how to organize the 'pages' and keep things in their rightful place....but I'll get it eventually ;-).  So far I've got some mugs listed (they have mugs :-)  and some cards/prints.  The cards I'm making myself and I price what I want.  I need to get a lot more card designs up I think and maybe get a page for jewelry? Not sure about that yet. http://karenhetzer-shop.fourthwall.com

 

 

I'm also trying to train myself to get more involved with using social media to get some attention. This morning I listed some images on Pinterest and will try to do that daily.  I was using Instagram quite a while ago but a month or so ago I got a notice saying they took it down because I hadn't posted in a long time.  Wonder if I can get back on?

 

How to break the mold?

 I can't seem to get away from the 'traditional' styling of things? I keep thinking I need to be more edgy or modern in designing things but I can't seem to unlock myself...hahaha...does that make sense? An example......another card design.

As I mentioned below I used Shutterfly to print some cards for me and I stand by my critique of their work.  I want to mention that I also used Snapfish to print some cards and had a different experience. I'm waiting to see if I hear back from them. The print of the image was fine but the layout was not so much. A thin white border is visible on the left and bottom edges of the card (not on the right edge) and a larger white border is visible at the top of the card when it is folded and is very distracting. The bottom right corner of all the cards was visibly bent/damaged. I can trim away the side and bottom errors but it leaves that distracting white line across the top.....pretty disappointed. Just sayin :-(

I'm really hoping I can successfully and economically print my cards myself.

Getting The Hang Of It.....

 I'm beginning to get the hang of Canva, I just need to embrace the learning curve ;-). I do tend to get impatient. I like the simplicity of these and it will make printing them myself more practical......less ink!

And can I just mention I'm not using a fancy multi ink printer and I mention this because almost every website or video I've gone to, to learn from, its always about a fancy more expensive multi ink cartridge printer that cost several hundred dollars and up. My printer is an HP ENVY 5535 and I don't even remember when I bought it. You can find pre-owned (shop wisely) ones online for under $100.....I'm just sayin.  I also found a photo paper that I like and its not as heavy as a card stock so the printer doesn't choke on it.  Its Koala brand 72 lb, I'm using the (one sided) satin finish.  The weight is nice for my note cards, a heavier weight might be better for 5x7 cards.

Delivered!

 The mug I ordered arrived today and I was so pleasantly surprised! Excellent quality and wonderful colorful printing. I will definitely order more.

I also received the note cards I had printed and they were also done really well...great color, nice heavy card stock and again I will reorder from these folks as well.

I am though wondering if I need to add something to the design? a border? some text? Not sure.  I have finally learned how to print cards on my computer so I can try out different options before submitting a new order.  If you are wondering why I wouldn't just print cards from home rather than ordering, its because of the cost and my equipment. Proper card stock, envelopes, cost of ink, a printer that will not accept a heavy card stock are all on my list of why not. I ordered these cards from Shutterfly and their pricing is very reasonable. If I'm missing something though and there's a better way to do this please advise :-)

Below is a full size greeting card that I had printed via (don't hate me) Temu before I had the Shutterfly ones done.  I only had four prints made in total and it was only to see how they would look up close and personal. But its the styling that I'm wondering about, the framing and the addition of text. More sellable? Staring.......staring......staring? I'm thinking yes, it looks more professional. Thoughts?

what do you think?

 Silly question, no one has ever left a message here or even seen this blog for all I know 🫤. I'm still searching for ways to earn some money and I just keep getting lost and tangled in all the websites unable to make decisions. I'd like to be able to use all the years of artwork I've created and saved to generate a bit of passive income.  So I'm searching for options.  Here's one possibility. Thoughts? These are all just mock ups done on the website where I did order just one mug to see how they look and feel. I'm anxious to see how long an order takes and then just have orders taken through me and sent to a buyer. It just seems easier to do it that way than to set up an online shop.  I could be wrong?

                

The back of the mug is a quote from John Lennon.... Tame birds sing of freedom. Wild birds fly.

Trimming Down

 I decided two years was enough time to waste on my addiction to beading! Made tons of things I liked but didn't do a thing with them. I'm not a very social person so setting up a craft market booth was out of the question and I have little to no skills when it comes to selling/marketing online.  So......things had to go!

And they just did 😁.  A lovely lady just came and pick all of this ↑ up.  I did keep a few bits and bobs for that 'just in case' feeling. Silly.

 Anyway maybe now I can get back to focusing on my painting.

New Sales and Cancer Update

 I finally managed to sell my first bracelet! Whew Who!!

And two more ACEO paintings, all on ebay of course.

Cancer update:  I'm still struggling with post radiation mental focus and a bit of fatigue now and then but all in all things are looking good.  I had a post surgery full body PET scan August 19th and no signs of cancer returning so far. But.........now my thyroid needs some attention, there's some slight enlargement and I'm blaming the radiation for that. I'm scheduled for an ultra sound in a couple of weeks to check that out.  Tomorrow its off to get my Covid vaccine! 

Finished those below now more birds and bracelets

 I finished the previous listing of birds and thank you they all sold.

Now I've just finished three more and will get them up on ebay soon.

I'm also still playing with how to best list some simple jewelry I've made.  I'm guessing its easiest to list them on ebay as well, rather than trying to create a whole new website for them.  I'm thinking they're the kind of simple designs that would do well in outdoor craft shows etc but I just don't have the outgoing personality needed for that sort of thing :-(  I will try listing the simplest bracelets at $5 plus (unfortunately) shipping, small padded bubble envelope.  Make sense? Even though they are simple in design I want to make sure they have tracking and protection.

 

Jewelry or Birds? Both :-)

 I've turned my attention back to painting small bird paintings (ACEO) for now. After I've done a few I'll get them back on ebay and then go back and play with some new beads that have arrived.

Everything seems to be a challenge lately. I'm dealing with post radiation brain fog. Its been 6 months since my head/neck cancer surgery and just 2 months since I ended radiation treatments. They say you can feel the effects (which includes tiredness) for weeks, months or even years. I have been lucky though the tiredness sort of comes and goes and doesn't last for too long and I actually feel better when I just push through it, the brain fog bothers me more, its just frustrating trying to stay focused. Good news though......I did just get a blood test result back that was NEGATIVE for any lingering cancerous cells 🎉😁.

Some more examples of my playing around with jewelry making, still very beginner basic but we'll see how it progresses ;-)

Some Recent Bird Paintings Sold on eBay

These were the last ones I painted before taking a break and switching over to my interest in simple jewelry making.   Sometimes you just need to lose yourself in something different.

 

Organized Mess-Practice Pieces

 

Website or No Website, That is The Question

Ok.....so while putting painting on hold for now I've been learning how to make jewelry, its amazing what you can learn on youtube.  I'm just learning simple things for now, I don't really like complicated, wiring wrapping is amazing but....not into it.  

Macrame jewelry has been popular for years and doesn't seem to be going out of style anytime soon. I made a bunch of simple bracelets a while ago and they're probably on this blog somewhere (oh yes, I see some down below) but I never did anything with them (except wear some of course ;-) never put any effort into selling them. I just spent a few hours on GoDaddy trying to put together a free website to list some of the things I've been making recently but I'm not sure its worth all the effort.  Should I just list them here....or list them on ebay.....maybe change up my ACEO website to include them on there? I don't know......I always seem to be chasing rainbows 🥹

February 26 2024 Head and Neck Cancer

Wondering where I've been?  It has been a crazy past 12 months, and not in a particularly good way. I lost two friends, one who lost her battle with cancer and another who lost her fight with copd.  And now? I have my own fight with head/neck cancer.  Sometime in late December 2023, early January I noticed the sudden (literally overnight) development of a large lump on my neck. After a series of doctor visits, blood work, xrays etc I was told I had cancer. Surgery and radiation treatments followed, then recovery time. Lots of follow up tests/exams will continue. A PET scan is scheduled for August. Along with all of that I lost half of my house cleaning clients, the work that supported me financially. The sales of my little bird paintings slowed, yet another disappointment.....Auuuuggghhh!! Picture me pulling my hair out!  I'm still feeling a bit lost trying to figure out how to deal with the future.  Still........I've gotten help/support from some really good people and even, at about to turn 73, I am still a fighter :-)

Holidays Have Slowed Me Down A Bit

 But not too much that I couldn't finally....FINALLY!...go to GoDaddy and put together a quick website for my ACEO paintings.  I'd say it took about 8hrs total building, revising, and revising again (hahaha) til I was finally ok with it. I have to say the GoDaddy template I used was super easy for me, a non-techy person for sure, I'd encourage everyone to check it out. Trust me, I tried several of the website builders and this was by far the easiest and frustration free to use.

Check out my quickie website if you like: http://aceopaintings.com