Ali J

Independent Designers & Style

Style.  It is an important word and a vital one to the survival of an independent designer.  Their is no limit to what that word may be worth in value in regards to a designers work.  It could be a few dollars, it could be millions.  Every designer will have a specific style to their work which will set them apart. 

Style is not something that can magically appear from a hat.  Style needs to develop through exploring ideas, experimenting with a variety of techniques and time.   Then, in time, the style of a designer can be start to be recognised in their work.  This is the time you can recognise a painter from the artwork (think Pro Hart), or a fashion designer from a garment (think Alannah Hill).  However the journey of developing style doesn't stop there, and will never stop.  Throughout a designers lifetime their style will constantly be altering and adapting in relation to their own journey, quite often cycling every five years.

So where does one start?  Well that is easy.  You just need to start!  Remember you can't have style without the journey.  I'm going to share some images (primarily artists & illustrators) to show you their development of their style so far.

THEN - Audrey Kawasaki (USA) "Blueroom" - 1999

NOW - Audrey Kawasaki (USA) "Karasaki" - 2008

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View love pad's map

 

       Taken in                         a place with no name         (See more photos or videos here)

THEN Eveline Tarunadjaja (AU) 2004

NOW Eveline Tarunadjaja (AU) - "Cactus Heart" 2008

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THEN - Stella Im Hultberg (USA) "Jolie" 2005

NOW - Stella Im Hultberg (USA) 2008
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THEN - The Black Apple (USA) "Boy Meets Girl" 2005

NOW - The Black Apple (USA) "Snow, Rose and Bear" 2008

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THEN - Lilly Piri (AU) "At The Gallery" 2004

NOW - Lilly Piri (AU) "Monkey Arms" 2008
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THEN - Kat McLeod (AU) "Bird" 2002

NOW - Kat McLeod (AU) "Cocktail" 2008? (not sure)
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As you can see from these examples that the journey each artist & illustrator has taken is quite apparent.  They've started off with some fantastic works which have developed into something completely different.  The early works are by no means the first artworks any have created, but they are a stepping stone in what is a life long journey.  Most of the comparisons have a few years of distance between the creating - and a lot can happen in that time.

No designer can plan what their future work will look like, it is just a matter of experimenting to see what will happen.  Just remember that you can't plan your style, over time it will find you.

So what are you waiting for?  Let us create! 

I've been accepted into Trunkt!

I'm very happy to find out that I've just been accepted into Trunkt!  Basically Trunkt is a website where you can display a portfolio of your illustrations or products to prospective clients and it has dedicated sections where you can detail if you wholesale and where your products are stocked.  It is a great way to promote your products, and these days getting anyone to view your products is the key.  The site is juried, which means you need to go through an application process and be accepted into the site to be able to display a portfolio.  Certain sections of the site are difficult to get into - such as jewellery - and your images need to be really good quality.  I've put off applying for the site for quite a while now because I was very nervous that I wouldn't be accepted, but I'm so pleased I had a little bit of courage and just went for it!

Other great news - I'm going to be in one of the Western Australian newspapers shortly... so I'm a little nervous but excited.  :)  I've had a little mini interview and I'll have some work showcased.  You'll have to stay tuned for more details... xox

I have been attending business courses all week at night, with a few more next week, I can't believe how much I've learnt and how much I want to just go and sleep right now.  I'm going to a series of seminars tomorrow, and I've got a few tax sessions booked in too as I want to make sure I know and understand everything about my business that I can.   I finally organised a business bank account to keep track of everything - it can get complicated when you start getting wholesale orders, consignments, stock purchasing, material purchasing, commissions.... the list goes on.  I've also been approved for a pretty credit card machine for my craft stalls & designer markets so I plan to use that at the next one - Unwrapped.

I've learnt there is no point promoting your work and selling it if you can't make it work for you.  Not only that, but because I'm doing this as a full time venture I really need to make it work for me in order to survive. Not just financially - but physically & mentally too.  It can be hard working solitary from home everyday of the week and can get very lonely and difficult to find motivation to be productive.  Thankfully I have wonderful things like this blog where I can network with other wonderful minds! 

I'll try to share some of the things I've learnt in the course through the blog in the coming weeks.  Now I've completed my website, my next big aim for the year is to draw up a business plan.  Or should I say novel?  ha ha.. .xox

Enjoy your weekend!

Frozen at Grand Central

I'm a science fiction and fantasy junkie.  I was sent this link today for a video which I absolutely love and just had to share.

What happens when you get 200 people freezing in time in the middle of Grand Central station?  A scene that could be lifted straight out of the coolest science fiction movie. 

Plagiarism and copycats

The internet is always a risky place to display your work.  I love the fact the internet allows me to expose my work to such a variety of people but sadly it also means that people can copy your work and steal your ideas.  I'm overjoyed when someone is inspired by my works, but I also find it a struggle at times when you see something a little too familiar.  If you have ever done this before, or thought about it, please be inventive and put your own style into your work. 

~*~ edited 27-11-07 ~*~

The remaining images and thoughts were removed from the post by Ali J for her own reasons.  She didn't want to delete the post and hide it in cyberspace as she believes there were still many valid comments in relation to it.  The bottom line is to use other ideas around you as inspiration, but please don't replicate them without putting some of your own voice into the work.

Perth Etsy Meetup

Well today has been a pretty casual and inspiring day.  This afternoon I metup with fellow Western Australian Etsy artists at a cafe.  This is the first time we've met up and it was wonderful to meet everyone.  We all sell our handmade products on an international site called Etsy.   -Here in Perth, Australia there isn't a lot of promotion regarding Etsy and virtually no-one has heard about it.  We had a few aims for the meeting -

• To put faces to names
• To talk about our work
• Networking opportunities
• Forming a collective group
• Promoting ourselves & Etsy locally

We got sidetracked (of course) and chatted about various things, but it was a wonderful experience to be able to network with other creative people.  We've decided to meet up four times a year, so it will be wonderful to see what develops as time progresses.

It is really interesting to talk to other people and hear about their creations, their working processes and their ambitions.  Some people were happy to create items as a hobby, other people wanted to turn it into a business. 

Here are a few photos from the meeting -

(the gorgeous cupcakes were chocolate and peppermint - made by teaforbini!)

In total there were 10 of us that attended.  Here is a list of the Perth sellers that attended and a picture of one of my favourite items from each of their stores -

Polyclarific (Amanda);

teaforbini (Sarah) ;

knittnutt (will start selling soon);

AbsoluteFeli  (Feli) ;

Sini puu (Niina) ;

Dara Art (Dara) ;

HollyCourtney (Holly) ;

GetSilvered  (Pam) ;

SabreToothedFairy ;

Thankyou everyone for such a wonderful time!  I could definitely see myself socialising with a lot of you outside of the meetings, and becoming great friends. xox

Yen Magazine

I've been featured on the blog for Yen Magazine!  Thanks Millie!

For anyone who hasn't heard of Yen... first of all go out and buy it.  It's an independent Australian magazine that I literally race out to the letterbox to get.  I'm a loyal subscriber and nothing else in the worlds matters until I have finished reading my new copy.  If you haven't heard of it, it is similar to Frankie Magazine, but better.

From Yen's myspace page -

Before YEN, women's magazines refused to tackle any issues bigger than the size of his tackle, or how to look hot in a bikini. We irreverently explore the social, cultural and political issues that face women around the world and at home and promote + develop the work of women across every creative, sporting and business pursuit. And of course - YEN also has the hottest fashion and beauty trends around.


 Yen has also created the special edition books called CURVY.  Currently they are up to issue number 4 and have featured artists such as Fafi, Audrey Kawasaki and plenty more female talent from across the world.  CURVY is a book based on graphic design and illustration that features 100 of the top female talents from across the world.  In addition to a book they also have a national tour.

I'm eagerly awaiting the moment they open up submissions for Curvy 2008.  What an opportunity to take part in!

Last of all - thankyou to Yen for loving my work!  It is an honour to be featured on your blog and I hope it won't be long before I'm featured on the magazine pages.  :)

How best to sell your art and craft items on the internet

Today I've had a glorious day of resting and spending time on craft related forums and chat rooms.  Hello everyone from Etsy!  ~waves~

I've learnt many things, but most of all I've fine tuned what I think is the right way to sell an item on the internet.  This is mainly aimed at Etsy - but it can be interpreted for selling your art anywhere on the internet.  There are so many sites where you can sell your handmade creations.  Etsy, eBay, Mintd and lov.li are just a few and each one has its positives and negatives.  Try a few and see what works for you.

There are things on this list people may disagree with but when has everyone agreed with my opinion?  Never, and that is because this is my opinion, and you have your own.  However these are the points I try to stand by when I list my items and what I hold other sellers to when I look for items to purchase.

Apologies to all those people who may have read this in the Etsy forums already, but the posts there move so quickly I wanted to share this with a few more people! xox

ITEM DESCRIPTION

• First of all ensure that it is clear, concise and relevant. I don't want to hear how you had to go to the store 6 times because your machine needle kept snapping until you finally finished the piece.
• Ensure that you cater your description for a variety of ages and nationalities. Not everyone can speak english and there will be those who use language translation programs, or who only know basic english. Make it easy for them.
• Make your item description easy to follow when you read. Don't jump all over the place.
  Avoid using slang - it confuses people.
• Check your grammar and your spelling.  "I done this drawing on a watercolor paper"
• Do not shorten words. "in. = inches, mat = matted, pg = page" but do use symbols because they are internationally used.
• List both imperial and metric measurements
• Tell people about what you've created.  Is it a bag?  A notebook?  A purse disguised as a cake?
• Let me know about the materials you used. If you used Photoshop to create a digital image - I like to know that. If it was hand colored and then digitally painted that information to me is important.
• Provide washing instructions for fabric items. Is it hand wash only or can I just use the washing machine? Hot or cold?
• Be confident with your listing with your wording, but don't be overconfident.   Don't tell me that you think it could have turned out better.
• Don't brag about how good you think you are - that is for me to decide
• Is the work signed, dated, or numbered?
• Is the piece limited?
• Can it be customized?
• How will it arrive?
• How will it be mailed?
• If it is a paper work, what kind of paper is it?

TAGS / KEYWORDS

Etsy uses tags for items which are essentially keywords.  On Etsy you are limited to 14 tags for each item.  Ebay uses keywords in the item title.  Both tags and keywords help your item gain traffic through various sites.

• On Etsy try to use all of your tags.
• When using tags or keywords ensure the words you use are relevant.  I cannot stress this point enough.  Do not write that an item has color when your work is black and white. Do not write red when your work is pink.  Do not say it is a zine when it is a lino print.  Do not say that a print is a photograph when it is not.  Most of all do not say it is an original work when it is a replicated print.  Ensure your keyword is relevant and correct.
• Avoid slang.  Don't use words like "Fuzzy" or "Gazillion" or "Sunniez".  Most people will have no idea what you are talking about. 
• Use words that people will search for. If I have a rabbit picture I could use rabbit, fluffy and bunny but not hop, teeth and carrot - unless they were part of the picture.

POSTAGE

• Please state postage costs that are reasonable.  Don't charge me $10 and then post the item for $1.   Don't quote $20 when I can see you can send the item for $3.  Unless it arrives triple gold plated you are not providing a satisfactory experience for your buyer.  Who, for most of the time, will not return again, will negatively mark you and highly recommend everyone else shops elsewhere.  I like return customers, and like me you should do everything to keep them coming back.  Don't ever do it.  You never know who will buy from you.
• Please state international postage costs on your item if you are going to sell internationally. I am not going to message you to ask you.  Why should I go out of my way to contact you?  As the seller you should be better prepared and take the time to find out the information for this earlier and state it with your listing.  Personally I am an impulse buyer.  If I like an item and I like the postage cost then I'll buy it.  However if there isn't a postage cost, no matter how much I like it, the chance of me returning to buy it is very slim.  Think about a bricks n mortar store.  If they didn't have a pillow in stock that you thought was cute, but would be getting one in around 8 weeks time, would you go back to get it?  I doubt it.
• When you post my item, ensure you post it with love.  I don't like getting something shoved in a bag without being carefully packaged beforehand. I like to know you think I'm important.  If you happen to include a small gift, and a business card that is even better.  A handwritten note... I've hit the jackpot.  Personally two business cards is even better.  One for me and one for a friend...
• Factor in all 'other' costs with your listing price.  Do not attempt to contact me after the auction to tell me that you are charging me an extra fee on top of what I have already paid.  It is not my problem if I pay by paypal or you have to travel an extra 10 miles to reach a post office that will post my item to me.   I think it is rude and unprofessional.  Work your figures out beforehand and ensure they are part of your listing price for your item. Mark your items up for an extra 50 cents if you need to.  As a buyer I would have no idea how much you were originally stating your item for.  If I like your item I will buy it.

PROMOTIONAL IMAGES - LOGO BANNER & AVATAR

These things are very important when you are selling.  They are essentially your trademark and what your buyer will recognise you for. 

• All promotional images should fit into the style of your store.  There is no point having pink fluffy poodles if you are selling neo gothic clothing.
• Consistency.  If you use one logo on one site, use the same on another.  Your avatar and logo should be carried throughout every single site you can display them on.  That includes forums, chatrooms, subscriptions and online stores. 
• When you update your avatar & logo ensure that it is carried throughout every single site.
• Your promotional products in your 'real life' store should match your online stores unless you have different products listed under different labels.

IMAGES

On the internet the only chance you have of viewing the item is through images, so they play a vital point in selling an item.  Don't forget that a buyer doesn't have a chance to touch, feel and try on an item so you need to reinforce the fact that your viewer really wants to own that item. 

• All images should look professional. They should be the right proportions, clear and not in anyway out of focus.  Broken camera?  Didn't have time to retake photos?  Don't list the item.  You are negatively impacting on yourself by lowering your standards to list that item.  You may have been able to sell it ten times over... but now look... it's still there for sale.
• Ensure your photo displays an accurate representation of your item.  There is no point having a teapot pouring out tea if it is an ornamental teapot which shouldn't be anywhere near water.
• Ensure your item is as close to a color match as possible.  There is no point having a picture of a girl with dark blue hair, but when you get it, it is a soft green.
• Stop editing your photos on the computer.  Unless it is a digital image, stop trying to make the image prettier.  I will be upset if I buy a DVD and find that the dent in the case was 'digitally' edited out.
• Ensure your photos aren't too dark and that the items can be viewed.  No point in having a photo where I can't really see what it is-but-I-might-if-I-look-at-thescreenalittlecloser-no.. . how about I-lighten-the-screen....
• Multiple images are fantastic.
• Show the item in action.  If you are selling an artwork, put it on your wall and take a photo.  Put a pillow on your bed.  Have a model wearing your clothes.  Please, however, do not put a size 16 female into a size 10 outfit.... use your common sense.  You want to enhance your photos in your listings and drive buyers to purchase from you - not turn them away.
• Don't put really big and good photos on the listing they could be preventing sales.  How?  Well if I can print your image off my fancy printer at home, why would I need to buy your artwork?  Sadly there are a lot of people out there who do copy listings, steal artwork and photographs with the intention of using them without the owners consent.  Take the essential steps to ensure that your work is a bit more harder to steal.  Put watermarks on your images, only load photos that are no more then 150dpi, and do not put a picture of the entire final work up.  There are plenty of sites to read about this, just have a search through Google.
  
• Also think about why am I going to buy your item or your print?

BLOGGING

This is a craze that is still sweeping the world wide globe.  Essentially this is a way to communicate to others by posting in an online diary.  Blogging has hit the news headlines many times due to what the author has expresssed in their posts.  People have been sacked, sued, but a lot of people have also been propelled into international stardom and the jobs of their dreams. 

• Every artist & crafter has a blog at the moment - so what is going to make yours stand out from the crowd?
• I want to read a blog that I can relate to and that lets me know there is a person behind it. I don't want to read a marketing blog where there is a post with pictures and statements that there are new items in the store... and that is it. Sorry everyone but for me that is bo-ring. I want to know about what is created - what is behind it? I want to know what else is happening in your life. Your successes, your failures. Your craftshows, fairs, gallery exhibitions, studies... etc. I'm nosy! I like to know what your inspirations are, and even a tiny bit of personal information. Was it just your birthday? Did you burn the carpet? Are you a really bad dancer? A mixture of images and writing is great because I'm a visual person. Humour is a lovely thing too. :)
• I don't want to read a blog full of ads.  I've been down that path before and it didn't work.  Is it really worth having that huge slab of ads like google adwords plastered across the top of your blog?  Is that $1.04 really worth it?  I have this terrible tendency to shut down blogs now with those ads.... I would rather that person spends time on their blogging or their artwork.  :)

I know that was long, but I hope it helps people in their quest to find a niche in the online selling world.  I've sold on the internet for over 7 years now.  I started selling on eBay, and now I sell on Etsy along with many other sites.  There was a time I was earning $1200 a week from eBay, but now I'm happy making my own creations.  I've sold over 3000 items on eBay, and plenty more since.  I've also worked in retail for 7 years, so I know customer service is essential and vital to a business.  Even more so if your business is just establishing itself.

Don't forget - it's not about how much you earn but rather the service you provide.  When selling your own creations there is always a market out there for your goods.  It is about the quality of your work, the way you present it and how you market it that is important.

I'm off to paint!  xox 

If anyone has anything else to add, please do so.  XOX

I've been shopping!

Firstly I want to thank everyone for responding to my penpals post.  I've got plenty of links to great sites to join up with, and I appreciate the time you've taken to help me find fellow minded people!  To those of you who messaged me letting me know you'd love to be my penpal - double thankyou.  I'll respond to each and every request shortly.

For the moment though I'm sick... again.  My stomach is not agreeing with me.  I ate some bad food on Monday night and I'm still suffering from a touch of food poisoning.  I can't even leave the house, so I'm staying warm snuggled up in front of the television squiggling ideas in my sketchbooks and pouring through magazines.  The only reason I'm on the internet now is because I'm addicted... and I wanted to feel semi productive today by at least posting to my blog.  :)

Since I'm not well enough to be arty & creative, I'm going to share my shopping buys for the week.  Oooh exciting.  I don't have a lot of money because I use it all on my art supplies plus I'm still paying back the bank for my super huge impulsive personal loan from a year ago.  It's easy to look back and regret the holiday I took last year, but I can't change anything about it now.  I just have to keep on paying for it.  :)

So... first thing I have been dying to share with you all.  My first zine purchase!!!  I've heard so much about zines and I've always wanted one... so I bought one.  Yay!   This one is called "Colouring Outside the Lines".  You can find it at http://www.myspace.com/colouringoutsidethelines

It has so many gorgeous pictures from plenty of artists and it is quite thick for a zine.  It's a mini book.  It features plenty of pictures, interviews and information.  It also has two of my favourite artists - Jen Corace and Liz Adams.

Go and buy the zine it is definitely worth the money. Oh - and this one is issue 3.

I was woken up yesterday morning by my dog barking once more at the mailman.  He does not like anyone going near the letterbox.  I don't understand why, he just barks at them until they go away.  Great thing for me is that he announced when the mailman comes.  I was so proud to rip this package open.  I purchase Marie Antoinette starring Kirsten Dunst.  I adore this movie.  The costumes, imagery, music and scenes are just divine.  Anyone want cake?  I originally saw this at the theatre after I won free movie tickets to see it.  Hardly any cinemas here played it because it was an 'alternative' movie but I absolutely loved it.  It is definitely worth watching over and over again.  Plus it's giving me plenty of inspiration for some new girls.... xox

I'm in magazine heaven.  These lovlies just needed to be purchased.

Yen is my favourite mag to date alongside Frankie (not pictured).  If you love contemporary fashion, art and style - you will fall in love with these magazines.  Yen is famously known for supporting up and coming artists and they are also the creators of Curvy.  Plus both magazines usually have art posters included.  Yay!  I'm subscribed to both so I will never miss an issue.

I bought Inside Out because I fell in love with the pattern and texture on the cover with the wallpaper.  The magazine was okay, but not as good as previous issues so I was a little disappointed. There were a lot of images of African style furniture and rooms, which isn't my kind of thing.  Each to their own.

Box is an Australian variety magazine covering what is happening, fashion, and art.  It is super chunky and 2cm thick.  I've bought it occasionally before, and this issue looked fantastic so I thought I would give it a try once more.  I haven't read it yet, so we'll see how things go.

When it comes to magazines I have to admit something.  I'm a cutter.  I can't just let magazines sit around on coffee tables.  I go through them and cut out everything I like sticking it into my sketchbooks.  I use the faces, colours, figures etc as inspiration for new drawings.  The best magazines to tear up and use as inspiration are gossip magazines full of celebrity pictures.  My favourite one is OK Magazine.  It's cheap, full of fashion imagery and the drawings I create from the pictures are always amazing.  I can't draw figures straight from my head, I need something to reference them from.  Pictures, drawings, photos, life.... anything.  I can't stand looking at a drawing and thinking the elbow looks wrong, or the foot is on the wrong angle.  I need things to look right.

Next purchase was an item from a gorgeous Etsy artist.  With this item we did a swap.  She loved one of my illustrations, I loved this necklace, so we swapped pieces.  I'm not a fan of excessive jewellery, but this piece was so interesting I just had to have it.

The item was so lovingly packaged - and the business card was beautiful.  The store is named Jade Scott Jewelry so be sure to visit!  Thankyou Jade!  It's beautiful!

Catch Up

Wow.  How quickly has the past week few days gone by.  It seriously feels like a week has past - honest.  I have had so much going on, it's crazy.  I keep trying to catch up with all of my tasks and my desk that is piled with "to do" lists, but it just keeps... ah... growing.  My house is an absolute mess.  It's not dirty, it's just cluttered and so far I haven't had the time to do it because I'm so busy doing other things that need to be done. Like blogging.  That is an essential task - yes?  xox

The first thing I really need to post about is my absolutely fantastic parcel that arrived in the mail on Friday.  I received my Craftster Swap!!  The theme was "I heart the library" and my swap partner Rebecca did a fantastic job.  It was my first swap, and I was really worried because I've seen some previous swaps where a small minority of people have made some really bad quality goods or not sent anything at all (like 1%) so I must admit that was a thought that lingered in the back of my mind .  However Rebecca has inspired me to do even more swaps over the next couple of months.

So, do you want to know what I received?  I know you'll be just as excited as I was!  I'm going to go through these in any order.  I received a whole bunch of laminated bookmarks.  The great thing about these is that there were so many different types and Rebecca decided to customize a few of them to feature quotes and images from my favourite series - Star Trek.  I'm a definite fan of Star Trek - I've been to conventions and have signed framed photographs of my favourite characters around the house.  :)  I know.. I'm a Star Trek geek.

So.. here are a few of the quotes;

• First rule for life on Voyager - Never ever interrupt the captain when reading
• Women warriors at the river of blood - fulfilling a fantasy!
• The power of the imagination
• Sorry Buster, can't talk right now. The library closes in five minutes
• Kosst Amojan coming soon to a library near you
• How to advance your career through marriage - 9 out of 10 doctors recommend books for marriage proposal

I also received some hand drawn bookmarks.  One was a picture of a librarian and the quote "Librarians will rule the world, quietly.. one book at a time".  Another was my favourite past time which is reading a book in the bath with my feet hanging out.  :)

The next lovely item is this covered sketch book.  It has been covered with black leather and has a panel in the corner of a book.  I love it.  It is just the perfect size for travelling with.

The next item is a book cozy.  It is designed to wrap around your book and it holds a notebook and pen as well as anything else you may need.  It has come in great use so far, and in such pretty colours!

I also received some gorgeous jewellery.  These were called the "Pearls of Wisdom" and were in the form of earrings and a bracelet.

They are sooo pretty.  I also received the following;

• Hollow book - for stashing away secret items & goodies
• CD - Rebecca's favourite songs
• Library Rules
• Library Quotes

In total I recieved an absolute stash of goodies.  I absolutely love it all and I had no idea what I was getting until I received it.  Such a nice surprise!

Featured on VRaw on Myspace

Bored?  Love Myspace?  Don't love it?  Either way you just NEED to do this!

Go to http://www.myspace.com/vraw

Click on openings, and scroll down to gallery.  You'll find.... ME!!!  Click on "sweet success: aussiepatches" and you'll see my work pops up.  Oooh I'm so excited!  I've been partnered up with other artists - and I recognise some of the names because they've had their work published in magazines!  Hopefully that is the next step for me.  So exciting.  I've already had 100+ people extra to my myspace page since this morning.  I love meeting new lovlies.

Oh - and by the way- VRaw is affiliated with the Big Day Out and Yen Magazine amongst other lovely australian events.  VRaw has ads on Channel V plus mainstream TV.  It is a site devoted to helping those with a creative side enter the big wide world.