-from armas asi
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Friday, December 7, 2012
Destination: Printers
My new partner, and long-time friend cautioned me. "Printing always takes longer than you expect." And boy was she right!
Where does an artist go to get their prints? How do you find a place that produces high quality prints, while still balancing the need to keep costs down?
Taking stock
Like picking a vacation destination, I realized I needed to ask myself a few key questions:
How much am I willing to pay?
Where does an artist go to get their prints? How do you find a place that produces high quality prints, while still balancing the need to keep costs down?
Taking stock
Like picking a vacation destination, I realized I needed to ask myself a few key questions:
How much am I willing to pay?
- How much inventory of paper do I really need since I am just getting started?
- What will my profit margins look like if I pay $(enter value)?
- What kind of paper will be best for the type of prints I'm working on?
Then it was time to start doing some research...
To the Internet!
You know how they always warn you - don't trust what you find online? Or how your friends always tell you not to search the web anytime you have a headache?
Eh-hem. Now I get it! The rabbit hole of paper weights, qualities, finishes, printers threatened to swallow me hole. My mild headache was quickly evolving into a rare and incurable disease! Do I get a cover stock? What paper quality will look best for type? Make sure you set up those illustrator settings correctly.
Enough already!
I went back to my key questions and turned to someone who is sort of an expert in this field... My new partner! She helped me narrow down my options and focus my search. I also consulted a few of my competitors - meaning I checked out what they were using.
Drawing a map
So I narrowed down a few key features of my next steps. I knew my mode of transportation and my budget. I found a few paper options online. They are not super pricey, but have proven to hold up very well to the printing and are giving me exactly the high quality, sharp contrast print I was looking for.
Now it was time to figure out where I would stop along the way. I knew I wanted to go to a couple places and get some sample prints done to test the paper, the printing quality, price, and customer service. I also wanted to check out some small, high end printers (typically local, small business places), but their prices were just so high. I decided that I would keep that option in my back pocket when the time was right.
In the meantime, I visited three national chain, professional printers. Feeling a little like Goldilocks, I packed up my jump drive, a bi fold folder of the various papers I had purchased, a list of the jobs I wanted to test and ventured off to this new world I'm still exploring. Sidling up to the first counter, I used the jargon I picked up from my research (probably sounding a little like someone who is practicing a new, foreign language) and asked for my first test run. The results were okay, but I was firmly told that they do not print on the 7x10 paper I had with me.
Um - okay. On to the next place. There, I was reassured that they could do all the orders I wanted and needed, but because I was looking to use my own card stock, they needed their manager to run the job because they don't want to "ruin a customer's paper." I was given a print job number and told to come back in two days... but they were able to get one job done for me.
Sigh.
On to the last pit stop. It took a while for the temp guy to figure out how to set up the print job... and he never actually did. But the print manager came back from his break and got it all set up. Not only did their sample print on standard copy paper come out better than the print I got from the last place, but they could also print on my 7x10 paper, actually did a sample print for me for free, and everything turned out beautifully! I was so pleased! Like Goldilocks again, I found the perfect porridge!
So - moral of the story: Don't ever assume that printing is going to be the easiest part of your day. Sure, it takes time to come up with your idea, sketch out your vision, and execute your final design. But all the steps in my journey above took me nearly as long as one of my lengthiest design projects. But don't take short cuts. Spend your time plotting out your trip, doing the research, consulting with people you trust, and always plan to for more time than even your most liberal estimates!
But the final project? Amazing!
Next - how to package my items to safely cross the country on its very own journey!!
You know how they always warn you - don't trust what you find online? Or how your friends always tell you not to search the web anytime you have a headache?
Eh-hem. Now I get it! The rabbit hole of paper weights, qualities, finishes, printers threatened to swallow me hole. My mild headache was quickly evolving into a rare and incurable disease! Do I get a cover stock? What paper quality will look best for type? Make sure you set up those illustrator settings correctly.
Enough already!
I went back to my key questions and turned to someone who is sort of an expert in this field... My new partner! She helped me narrow down my options and focus my search. I also consulted a few of my competitors - meaning I checked out what they were using.
Drawing a map
So I narrowed down a few key features of my next steps. I knew my mode of transportation and my budget. I found a few paper options online. They are not super pricey, but have proven to hold up very well to the printing and are giving me exactly the high quality, sharp contrast print I was looking for.
Now it was time to figure out where I would stop along the way. I knew I wanted to go to a couple places and get some sample prints done to test the paper, the printing quality, price, and customer service. I also wanted to check out some small, high end printers (typically local, small business places), but their prices were just so high. I decided that I would keep that option in my back pocket when the time was right.
In the meantime, I visited three national chain, professional printers. Feeling a little like Goldilocks, I packed up my jump drive, a bi fold folder of the various papers I had purchased, a list of the jobs I wanted to test and ventured off to this new world I'm still exploring. Sidling up to the first counter, I used the jargon I picked up from my research (probably sounding a little like someone who is practicing a new, foreign language) and asked for my first test run. The results were okay, but I was firmly told that they do not print on the 7x10 paper I had with me.
Um - okay. On to the next place. There, I was reassured that they could do all the orders I wanted and needed, but because I was looking to use my own card stock, they needed their manager to run the job because they don't want to "ruin a customer's paper." I was given a print job number and told to come back in two days... but they were able to get one job done for me.
Sigh.
On to the last pit stop. It took a while for the temp guy to figure out how to set up the print job... and he never actually did. But the print manager came back from his break and got it all set up. Not only did their sample print on standard copy paper come out better than the print I got from the last place, but they could also print on my 7x10 paper, actually did a sample print for me for free, and everything turned out beautifully! I was so pleased! Like Goldilocks again, I found the perfect porridge!
So - moral of the story: Don't ever assume that printing is going to be the easiest part of your day. Sure, it takes time to come up with your idea, sketch out your vision, and execute your final design. But all the steps in my journey above took me nearly as long as one of my lengthiest design projects. But don't take short cuts. Spend your time plotting out your trip, doing the research, consulting with people you trust, and always plan to for more time than even your most liberal estimates!
But the final project? Amazing!
Next - how to package my items to safely cross the country on its very own journey!!
Saturday, December 1, 2012
A new partnership and new designs!
This new partnership celebrates a new line of beautiful and custom designs, to include digital prints, scrapbook paper, and more!
Visit her blog: http://arianagdesigns.blogspot.com/
More stories to come about this new collaboration!
Friday, November 2, 2012
Words of Encouragement
As I launch into this new line of work, I am excited daily by my discoveries. I have not felt this energy, focus and desire in some time, and get lost in my work until long into the night even after working my full time job.
A few weeks ago, I was at the library and picked up Country Living's Book: "Crafting a Business; Make Money Doing What you Love" by Kathie Fitzgerald. I wasn't sure what I would find, but skimmed the title and the beautiful pictures and thought, 'why not?' After browsing through the short stories and profiles of other business women, I found I had stumbled on a gem. Each story depicts a woman who either found a way to transform their passion into a business, grew their passion from a hobby, or stumbled on their passion by a series of accidents. Some stories resonated with me more than others, but each came with a message of courage, determination and inspiration. Here are three women and three quotes that caught my attention:
A few weeks ago, I was at the library and picked up Country Living's Book: "Crafting a Business; Make Money Doing What you Love" by Kathie Fitzgerald. I wasn't sure what I would find, but skimmed the title and the beautiful pictures and thought, 'why not?' After browsing through the short stories and profiles of other business women, I found I had stumbled on a gem. Each story depicts a woman who either found a way to transform their passion into a business, grew their passion from a hobby, or stumbled on their passion by a series of accidents. Some stories resonated with me more than others, but each came with a message of courage, determination and inspiration. Here are three women and three quotes that caught my attention:
"You have to make creativity a habit."
Lisa Norris: Made By One Girl, Chattanooga, TN
"The one thing you should do is just start. You have to begin somewhere."
Denise Allen: Allen's 19th Century General Store, Palatine Bridge, NY
"I learned that failure is not the worst thing in the world and that fear of it was my biggest obstacle."
Barbara Schriber: Barbara Schriber Designs, Sandpoint, ID
Each message responds to some of my own insecurities and questions. Am I doing the right thing? Is this worth the work? What if I'm not successful? As each woman pushed through their own insecurities and challenges, they share stories of being rewarded: of being found, of finding happiness and success, the reward of being challenged and working hard.
I share these with you in hopes that you find solace in knowing you're not alone!
What or who do you turn to when you're losing confidence?
Sunday, October 28, 2012
How do you find the time?
This weekend is flying by! I blink, and suddenly I'm getting ready for my week! What happened?
Today is going to be slam-packed day! In between doing my normal chores, laundry, housekeeping, errands, cooking, I'm trying to find time to play with a few new ideas for pendants and sketching out some drafts of my very own designs. What does this look like? It means I'm also getting a great workout, running upstairs, tossing clothes in the laundry, making the bed, and then running to my work space to cut out new designs and prints, before running back down, and getting online to do some research. Rinse and repeat!
 |
| Some of my new paper. Do I choose some of my favorites or use each of them? I love them all! |
Since I'm also new to a lot of this, I'm scouring the web for helpful tips, useful blogs, and interesting articles so that I can stay on top of current trends and information. I'll keep posting things I find along the way.
It's going to be a busy day!
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Making Some Magnets
Nothing like coming home and making some more magnets! I've been waiting for more magnet supplies. It's been hard to find the blocks I like for my inspirational magnets. I have been going around to all the local, standard arts and craft stores. Finally, I decided to mosey on-line.
I found a great site, Create For Less that offers affordable, wholesale prices for the craft items you want. I was a little hesitant ordering supplies online. You don't get to see them, handle them, and really get a sense of what you're buying. But so far, my first experience has been great. I bought some blocks to make more inspirational magnets, and they were better than I could have hoped for - nicely cute acrylic blocks with beveled edges. I looked around for other wholesale craft/art supplies stores online, but this one stood out - easy to navigate, find things, and good product pictures and descriptions.
I found a great site, Create For Less that offers affordable, wholesale prices for the craft items you want. I was a little hesitant ordering supplies online. You don't get to see them, handle them, and really get a sense of what you're buying. But so far, my first experience has been great. I bought some blocks to make more inspirational magnets, and they were better than I could have hoped for - nicely cute acrylic blocks with beveled edges. I looked around for other wholesale craft/art supplies stores online, but this one stood out - easy to navigate, find things, and good product pictures and descriptions.
 |
| Taken in my workshop - One of my finished inspirational magnets |
Monday, October 22, 2012
30 Minutes of Creativity
I don't let being short on time cramp my style! I grab the old stylus and start playing with shapes, colors, brushes, and prints. Like this graffiti-styled 'hugs and kisses' I did! I love the bold colors and forms. Just wondering now how I can incorporate it in one of my designs.
If you're like me, you too often pass up even the smallest opportunities to do what you love. I'm familiar with all the standard excuses: too tired, too busy, too many other things that need to get done. But even thirty minutes can inspire something great for the future. Either way - it's fun! And we all need some joy in our lives!
Who knows - this may show up on one of my future digital scrapbook paper designs!
Sunday, October 21, 2012
What to Expect
armas asi now:
I offer handmade pendants and magnets in my shop on Etsy. If you haven't already, feel free to peruse my shop!
armas asi tomorrow:
By the end of the month, I will be celebrating the launch of my new website! A huge thank you to my partner who is helping me build something that is beautiful and easy to use where I can sell even more things!
That's right! I will be expanding my shop in just a few weeks, with more designs, magnets, and pendants!
And then right around the corner, I will launching my very own line of designs, patterns, and digital scrapbook paper!
Please keep visiting my Facebook page for news!
I offer handmade pendants and magnets in my shop on Etsy. If you haven't already, feel free to peruse my shop!
armas asi tomorrow:
By the end of the month, I will be celebrating the launch of my new website! A huge thank you to my partner who is helping me build something that is beautiful and easy to use where I can sell even more things!
That's right! I will be expanding my shop in just a few weeks, with more designs, magnets, and pendants!
And then right around the corner, I will launching my very own line of designs, patterns, and digital scrapbook paper!
Please keep visiting my Facebook page for news!
Why Now?
Why now, you may ask. Is it something to do with the seasons? Am I going through another "mid" life crisis? Perhaps Jupiter's alignment with the moon?
Well, I have no idea where Jupiter is in relation to the moon. I don't even know what that really means... But there seems to have been some sort of cosmic shift that got me thinking a couple months ago: I can do that. I want to start a business. I want to make and share beautiful things. So here are a few things that I considered for myself before launch. Of course, there were a lot of other things that I had to work through before today, but for now, let's just focus on me!
Timing
I feel like I'm at a very interesting crossroads in my life right now. My job is incredibly challenging and enriching, but I still feel like something is missing from my daily work. I spend most of my days thinking about and facilitating a 'process.' Much of my career to this point has been dedicated to this cause and I find great joy from working towards something I so passionately believe in. Yet, I would still come home feeling unfulfilled. I need this right now. I need something I still love to do, but something that has concrete tasks - a start and a finish, something tangible I can hold in my hand once I'm done.
Energy
I've spent the past three years reflecting on my career. I recently left a position with an organization that I absolutely loved, but had to let go of because of the emotional and physical toll it took on me. I moved across country and had a wonderful opportunity to explore the side of me that revels in creativity. Since then, I continue to hunger for opportunities to play with my craft supplies! I've also had this recent insatiable curiosity: What can I do with my special powers!? I have a new found interest and, like I said, curiosity about a side of me I have yet to fully explore: starting something from scratch and being an entrepreneur.
Inspiration
My friends and loved ones inspire me daily. Whether they are fighting for something they believe in, standing up for others who don't get to have a voice, taking the plunge to try something new, or starting something from scratch, I am so fortunate to know others who are passionate about what they do and are willing to take daily risks. I draw on their energy and am compelled to join them!
So I write today, as I open my first shop on Etsy, with a celebratory joy. It's certainly a small step, but I'm confident that it's just the start of this new journey!
Well, I have no idea where Jupiter is in relation to the moon. I don't even know what that really means... But there seems to have been some sort of cosmic shift that got me thinking a couple months ago: I can do that. I want to start a business. I want to make and share beautiful things. So here are a few things that I considered for myself before launch. Of course, there were a lot of other things that I had to work through before today, but for now, let's just focus on me!
Timing
I feel like I'm at a very interesting crossroads in my life right now. My job is incredibly challenging and enriching, but I still feel like something is missing from my daily work. I spend most of my days thinking about and facilitating a 'process.' Much of my career to this point has been dedicated to this cause and I find great joy from working towards something I so passionately believe in. Yet, I would still come home feeling unfulfilled. I need this right now. I need something I still love to do, but something that has concrete tasks - a start and a finish, something tangible I can hold in my hand once I'm done.
Energy
I've spent the past three years reflecting on my career. I recently left a position with an organization that I absolutely loved, but had to let go of because of the emotional and physical toll it took on me. I moved across country and had a wonderful opportunity to explore the side of me that revels in creativity. Since then, I continue to hunger for opportunities to play with my craft supplies! I've also had this recent insatiable curiosity: What can I do with my special powers!? I have a new found interest and, like I said, curiosity about a side of me I have yet to fully explore: starting something from scratch and being an entrepreneur.
Inspiration
My friends and loved ones inspire me daily. Whether they are fighting for something they believe in, standing up for others who don't get to have a voice, taking the plunge to try something new, or starting something from scratch, I am so fortunate to know others who are passionate about what they do and are willing to take daily risks. I draw on their energy and am compelled to join them!
So I write today, as I open my first shop on Etsy, with a celebratory joy. It's certainly a small step, but I'm confident that it's just the start of this new journey!
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Open for Business!
Thank you for visiting my blog!
I am so excited to celebrate this day. It's a quiet celebration - some pumpkin carving, warm apple cider, a true fall weekend.
But my new Etsy shop is open! It's still small, a taste or sampling of things to come. I'm excited to launch my website which will be following shortly. I'll have more of my homemade items for sale there. And, the planner and dreamer I am, I will also be expanding the items I offer in the next month. It's truly a very happy moment for me - making my own products, exploring the entrepreneurial side of my personality, creating every day, and celebrating my parents and all they have nurtured in me.
I am so excited to celebrate this day. It's a quiet celebration - some pumpkin carving, warm apple cider, a true fall weekend.
But my new Etsy shop is open! It's still small, a taste or sampling of things to come. I'm excited to launch my website which will be following shortly. I'll have more of my homemade items for sale there. And, the planner and dreamer I am, I will also be expanding the items I offer in the next month. It's truly a very happy moment for me - making my own products, exploring the entrepreneurial side of my personality, creating every day, and celebrating my parents and all they have nurtured in me.
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