Sketchbook Drawings Become Greeting Cards

Hi there. How are you?

Most of my studio time lately has been spent on the computer, turning my very popular multi-color ballpoint pen drawings into saleable objects. I'm in the process of designing a set of greeting cards that utilize these drawings as backdrops.

Here's how I do it:

This ballpoint sketchbook drawing became the backdrop for a greeting card.

Step One: Scanning

I scanned this drawing into the computer. In Photoshop, I took out a couple of stray lines and adjusted the color so that it would print as close to the original drawing as possible.

I made a few different versions of this card before I got something I liked.

Step Two: Adding Text

After cropping the background image to proper card size, I imported the file into Illustrator, where I added in the text. As you can see, I went through a few iterations before I got something I liked.

Step 3: Printing

This is the first time that I've printed cards "full bleed" (image goes right to the edge). I'm printing on an upgraded 92# cotton paper, which gives the card a more luxurious look and feel.  There's been a learning curve to get the colors to print as I'd like, but after much trial and error, I'm getting prints I'm pleased with on this new paper.

I've made 7 cards so far.

I've still got more cards in the works, but I wanted to share with you what I've made so far.

There are cards for happy occasions......

This modern, abstract Congratulations and Thank You are a stylish addition to your stationery stash.

And cards for more somber ones....

Send your sympathy or well wishes with elegance and grace. The abstract ballpoint pen drawings are sure to bring a little comfort to someone going through a rough time.

And cards for Mom and Dad!

I'm particularly pleased with my Father's Day and Mother's Day cards.

I'm excited about this collection and where it's heading. 

I'm planning on adding cards for graduation, for the holidays, a valentine, and a simple "hello."

For what occasions do you purchase and send cards?

What type of card would you like to see me add to my collection? Do tell!

I am looking forward to adding this card line to my wholesale collection, so I can pitch these to shops around the country! Until then, you can find them in my online shop, at 6Pence in downtown Carbondale, and at the Homestead Collective (inside Packrats) in Downtown Cobden, and also in my Etsy shop.

That's all folks. Until next week. Ciao!

More New Tea Towels!

Hi there. How are you?

I'm excited to share my new expanded tea towel line with you. I've added 2 new designs that I'm very proud of.

New screen printed tea towels are here! Click to purchase.

Filling out the dala horse line

As my long time patrons know, this is not my first foray into Dala horses. I did this initial illustration back in 2012 and it went over big in my very Swedish hometown. After making and selling at least 3 originals, I put this dala on cards, prints, pillows, and pins. Even after almost 5 years, my dala products are consistently top sellers.

For the past 5 years, my dala products have been top sellers.

This is that dala horse that sits our living room. Matt and I got it as a wedding present (I think?)

I've got a thing for hearts too

Hearts have shown up in my work for years. Back in 2011, I had my first solo gallery show at JR Kortman Galleryright around Valentines Day. I made a series of small collages with a heart motif to sprinkle in among my chair pieces. They were a big hit. See my name in there? I wasn't even married yet!

Mixed media heart art I made back in 2011. All have since been sold.

"Recycled" hearts

The hearts I used for my tea towel began their life life as a coloring page. I gave it away as a freebie to my mailing list last year.

I first used this pattern as a freebie for my mailing list. Want to join the fun? Click the photo and join. You'll get a whole bundle of coloring pages!

My new hand printed "hearted" tea towel is now for sale. Click through to purchase.

Now, it's a darn cute tea towel that I'm proud to add to my existing line. I've now got 6 different tea towel designs all in stock. You really should buy one of each, don't you think? :-)

Click here to see all of my tea towel designs.

My newest hand printed tea towel designs feature a dala horse and hearts. Click through to purchase!

Well, that's all for this week.

I'll be back next week with a sale. Ciao.

P.S. If you enjoy the work that I make, please share this post with your pals. Thanks!

Better Together

Hi there. How are you?

I've always had a lot of luck selling Valentines. Probably the best selling item I've ever had on Etsy was this Beatles inspired design that I made way back in 2008.

My now retired valentine card featuring a line from a classic Beatles tune.

Put a Bird on it

I've happened upon another winning valentine design this year. This time, it features birds.

My newest valentine features two adorable fairy wrens. Click to purchase!

Second time's the charm

I illustrated these adorable fairy wrens in 2014. It's certainly one of my favorite bird pieces. They're damn cute. Don't you agree?

These two lover birds have always seemed destined for a valentine, but it took a while to get it right. Two years ago, I made another iteration of this card. You can read more about that HERE.

Right before the SIU craft sale this year, I decided to rework this card. It hadn't sold in its previous form and I wasn't satisfied with it as is.  I changed the text to "Better Together", added the border and it sold like hotcakes! It was the best selling item of the weekend.

Though initially intended as a valentine, I could also see using this as an anniversary card. Really, you could even give it to your bestie!

The backside of all my cards feature my sweet little cardinal.

Getting Krafty

As seen here, all of my cards now come with kraft paper envelopes. I really like the way they set off the white cards. I don't know why I waited so long to do this. I love the look!

Shop Small

This cutie and a couple of other valentines are now available in my shop.

Shop small and shop often my friends.

Until next week. Ciao.