Well, the bug that blighted Christmas has finally vacated my system. While it laid me low all the holiday, I did get a chance to think long and hard about where I go from selling images from my website. As this is my only income I’ve had to think of ways to increase business. Disenchanted with agencies I spent time surfing and talking over the holiday and it has sparked me into a new form of creativity. I’ve opened a shop at Zazzle. I’m busy ‘making’ new products that can be purchased from my own store with them. They do an amazing range of items from giftware to office bits and bobs, like mousemats and mugs, so I’ve started with them. the images in today’s post have been used on the products, and I’m going to be kept very busy building up the store with new designs.
It’s all rather exciting, and I feel invigorated by having found a new outlet for my work. I’ve lots of ideas for new pictures, but need to spend time with Photoshop to get some of the effects I’ll need for my designs. Some good may have come from the isolation we’ve had this holiday. I’m even considering entering some photographic competitions, something I’ve avoided so far as I’m not really a competitive person.
As this is my first post of 2011 I’ll wish you all a very happy prosperous new year. Good luck with your own visions and dreams.
What would you buy if you loved the design?
Chriscaff's blog 
Jan 03, 2011 @ 19:49:56
Cool – congratulations! While both these images appeal and I like the style you’ve achieved, I’m sure as you trawl through your back catalogue you’ll find other pics that will look good with the same treatment.
Jan 03, 2011 @ 19:53:46
Thanks jon. Yes, there’s a lot of work ahead, but I’m looking forward to it. Trawling through the thousands of images I have could take some time, then there are the new ones I want to take…
Jan 03, 2011 @ 20:37:56
Hello Chris. The image you’ve posted is strikingly engaging. Love that intense color. Am also searching for new venues for energy-scapes so I can relate to your efforts and explorations. Am interested in how your experience with Zazzle develops regarding sales. So, please do keep us/me posted as to your satisfaction with it.
All the best of LUCK!
Peace,
Eva
Jan 03, 2011 @ 20:53:45
Hi Eva, Thanks for that. Yes, I will keep you posted. The advantages as I see them on Zazzle are no initial outlay, no storage of goods, free to join, goods made to order and therefore nothing to lose. They do everything except the promotion of your store. Their site is user freindly and you keyword your products yourself to ensure they are found by those searching the site.
From my research quantity of products and design is the key to success. there are other Zazzle users on here. Maybe you’d also find themn in tags? I found them googling zazzle seller satisfaction but forgot to mark their pages.
Jan 03, 2011 @ 22:19:14
Happy New Year to you as well. Congratulations on the new venture. Best wishes to you on this endeavor! I look forward to checking it out.
Jan 03, 2011 @ 22:31:28
Thanks Hemlock. It is so lovely that everyone is supportive and positive on here! It’s really appreciated.
Jan 04, 2011 @ 00:16:59
If this your only source of income, you must have time on your hands so why not make up a bunch of prints, then enter and arts and crafts show. I did that for several years and would make 700 too 1000 buck a weekend. Good luck,
Bob
Jan 04, 2011 @ 01:03:19
Thanks bob, I’m trying for that. I’m limited by health constraints but things are improving and I can do more each day so maybe in the future I’ll have the energy to get out more. for now I can enter online competitions as well as building my website, shop and designing stuff for it and of course photography! Happy new year to you and thanks for the idea. I hope I can act on it soon!
Jan 04, 2011 @ 04:37:32
Happy 2011! It’s wonderful that you’ve been inspired in this way right at the start of the New Year 🙂 All the Best with your venture and may 2011 bring you much success, continued inspiration and creative satisfaction 🙂
I love flowers & loved the colors in the second picture. I would buy it as a poster I think. Maybe in a series.
Have a good year 🙂
Jan 04, 2011 @ 10:19:29
Thanks Harsha. Happy new year. And thanks for the encouragement. I’ll bear the series idea in mind. All the very best to you.
Jan 04, 2011 @ 04:42:21
Happy Happy Happy! I love this! actually didn’t see the flower at first in the first one. Would be nice as coasters, a mug a print….
Jan 04, 2011 @ 10:20:14
Thanks Janet. I’ll get on with making more products then…Happy new year to you.
Jan 04, 2011 @ 12:16:00
Terrific work and good luck over at Zazzle! It’s very successful for friends of mine, much more so than RedBubble. Although RB is still worth having a site on as it’s free and has a slightly different market than Zazzle. All depends on how much time you’re willing to spend online….
Jan 04, 2011 @ 22:34:11
Thanks for the info Eremophila. It’s keeping me very busy being online, and I did look atRedBubble, but chose Zazzle after some online research about both. It’s certainly worth looking at when I’ve got this one up and running.
Jan 04, 2011 @ 22:07:46
Congratulations! And good luck to you in your new endeavor. 🙂
Jan 04, 2011 @ 22:31:39
Thanks Robin!