Branding and Recycled Shipping Boxes

Yesterday, I was making an attempt to pull off shipping and hazard labels off several recycled shipping boxes that I have received in the past from Amazon.  It was very tough going and the labels were winning.  This frustrations got me thinking last night about a solution and I thought I would share that with you.

First you might ask, "Why not just buy cardboard boxes for my Etsy business?"   I would agree with you if I were shipping out large quantities of boxes each week.  Most of my sales fit into one of the 3 sizes of rigid shipping envelopes and 2 sizes of 1st class mail envelopes.  In 2021, I made it a focus to up my branding efforts when I ship out art prints, cards stickers, recipe cards and other inventory that are rather flat.  Check out all my cute art on my ETSY SHOP - JULIE TOWNSEND STUDIO

* I hand write a small message on the outside of each envelope

* I print cute stickers to have on hand to decorate

* I stamp my own wrapping paper using rolls of painters paper that you can buy at the hardware store

* I cut tiny confetti pieces of my original artwork with my Cricut just to give that extra WOW factor

I have this part well covered and receive positive reviews that specifically mention these little efforts.  5 star ratings is what it is all about!

I just can't at this point buy boxes when they are arriving almost daily at my door.  I break down the smaller boxes or the ones I feel would fit my smaller canvases in and store them in my inventory room.  I even roll up all the brown packing paper and some of the bubble wrap to add to my shipping supplies.  Here I would like to say that I would use the word FRUGAL to describe myself but my kids would tell you that I was CHEAP,

SOLUTION:  I decided to design a full sheet sticker that actually looks like cardboard.  I don't want to wrap the whole box and the Post Office doesn't want you to use shipping paper anymore.  Besides, I have never been good at wrapping boxes!  I then added faint graphic images to make the stickers pretty.  I came up with 3.  The first design is using farm animals of course.  I have to go back and make sure but I think each of these farm animals came from a public domain site and are free to use and since I'm not selling these, I'm good to add them to my sticker.  2nd design was a pattern of flying bees that I downloaded off Pixabay.com and finally, the 3rd design is actually my little bees and doodlebird drawings.  They are all so cute and now I have chooses when covering up nasty shipping labels.

STUDIO PRINTERS - I might make a mention about printer ink here and I get asked often about my printers.   I have 3 printers in my studio - 1.  Canon Pixma Pro 100 (I use this for all my art prints and is expensive to use)  2.  HP 8035 (This one prints cards, stickers and other small items.  Quality is okay and I have it set up on the HPInstaink program for 500 copies a month $18.99)  The ink cartridges are sent to me automatically and are included in the monthly fee.  For a business I think this is a good choice.  My last printer 3. Epson ET 2650 is an Ecotank printer that I purchased probably 5 years ago from Sam's Club.  It came with bottles of ink at that time and I purchased an extra set of ink refills and if you can believe it,  I STILL HAVE INK.  I'm getting ready to pour the last of each bottle into my printer soon.  The print quality is not art level by any means but for all the household printing, packing slips, shipping labels and now these shipping stickers, it's as if I'm printing free. It's the perfect printer for just this type of label printing. I do have to run the print head cleaning utility pretty often but it has been a good investment.

I promise this is the last thing I'm going to mention today about my CHEAP branding efforts.  I just ordered some rolls of brown packing tape that will fit on my tape roller so that I can even cover up the Amazon logo tape and more tape never is a bad thing when it comes to shipping.  I'll let you know how that works.

3 Etsy Shops- Am I CRAZY?

Sometimes, I wonder that myself,  because keeping up with all 3 Etsy Shops consumes a great deal of my energies.  There is a thought and some logic behind this madness.  Well, at least that is what I've told myself.  I thought I would just explain what each shop is about.  I know that there might be some confusion since I have moved a number of items from my main shop over to the TOWNCOSTUDIOS shop.  Let me just take a moment and clear it all up for you.

Julie Townsend Studio- Etsy- (SIGNED ART PRINTS, STICKERS, CARDS AND SUCH)

My first and main shop was created way back in 2010 but I had no clue what I was doing with my art back then, and didn't get serious about Etsy until the first of 2016.  My very first sale was a little 4 x 6" chickadee print in March of 2016. I also had my first commission drawing that year sold through my shop.   I continued to sell a number of small prints and stickers in 2017.  Sales really took off for me in March of 2020 when I started creating my "Wash Tub Series".  My Facebook followers really grew that year too and that has helped with many of my sales.  Now I'm almost ready to hit the 1000 sale mark with 997 total sales showing today.  

I have poured myself into this shop and work hard every day to build it up.  It features all my art prints, cards, magnets, stickers and so much more.  Anything that I print myself or ship out of my studio is listed on this shop.  I have worked hard to create a special brand that reflects my personal touch.  I make my own wrapping paper, free thank you gifts and the cute little pig and cow confetti that I sprinkle in each order.  My love and DNA is all over these items!  LOL!

TownCoStudios- Etsy (PRINTED GIFTS- MUGS, MOUSEPADS & BUTTONS ALONG WITH TONS OF PRINTABLE INSTANT ART)

The second shop, I opened in February of 2020 and it was supposed to be a joint venture with my son but that didn't really pan out like I hoped it would.  I've just recently gotten a clear vision of what I want the shop to be.  The shop motto is "Faith, Family and Farm Art to Make You Smile" and is mostly an extension of my first shop. There is a lot of my own artwork here but it isn't limited by that.  I have lots of graphics, quotes and mottos and font art here as well.

I wanted a shop that would provide complete passive income and so I've recently done a lot of rearranging of these two shops.  All my outsourced printed gift items, such as coffee mugs, mousepads and such are all listed on this shop. I also have lots of downloadable art that you can print out for yourself.   The whole idea behind this shop is that when we are traveling in the camper with no WIFI or on vacation and my printer is at home, the shop can continue to generate income because all the listings are either processed through dropship or are downloadable.  It's a great idea and I'm working hard to see that come to fruition. 

Dusty Boot Finds- Etsy  (VINTAGE ITEMS)

This final shop was opened in July of 2020 and is now at 50 sales. I am pleased as punch with how this shop is going.   Nothing listed here is handmade, rather there is an assortment of vintage items that we have collected over the years that I decided that I needed an outlet to sell them. Mostly things we have collected that are just lying around here collecting dust. I raided my jewelry box, the garage, the bookshelves and we have even picked up little things out in the desert.  Hence, the name DUSTY BOOT FINDS.  It has worked rather well over this past year.  I have a dedicated shelf in my inventory room where I house all the listings in numbered bins.  The hardest part is finding the time to create a new listing from the piles of items I have gathered up that I want to add to the shop.  

Awwchuuu....Spring is upon us

The winds have been fierce recently around the Southern Nevada area, and the pollen count has been in the HIGH range everyday. Add the COVID pandemic and I find it's just a perfect time to stay in the studio and be creative! I know much of the country has faced bitter cold and lots of snow so SPRING is always something to look forward to as we hunker down and try to stay warm. Drawing colorful spring flowers and little critters has been my focus for the past few weeks.  These little drawings have brought me a great deal of joy, and I am pleased at how this spring collection has turned so far. Who doesn't love dark purple irises, sunny daffodils and bright pink tulips? I'm already making plans to add crocus and gladiolus to finish out the spring blub flowers.  For my gardening friends, am I forgetting any other bulb flower? 

 I'm just dying to show you what I've done so far. Be prepared to smile.

 

 

Wouldn't these pieces make an adorable wall art collection for a baby nursery or a child's room. I have options where you can print them yourself or I would be happy to do that for you.  You can hope over to either of my Etsy Shops and just search SPRING.  Hint, hint....these would also make wonderful Mother's Day cards and gifts.    

PRINT YOUR OWN AT TOWNCO STUDIOS

SHOP MY MAIN ETSY SHOP- JULIE TOWNSEND STUDIO

My Studio is Looking More Like a PIGSTY Everyday

 

I finally found a cardstock paper that I am happy with for use with my mini note cards, recipe cards and bookmarks.  This paper is really smooth and gives a nice surface for the ink to hold to.  It is just thick enough and I can trim and score it easily.  At $12.99 it is a real bargain in my opinion.  

250 Sheets of 65lb premium smooth white cardstock 

Here is my newest pig mini card (5.5 x 4.25 inches) that I have featured on both of my Etsy Shops.  The regular listing is for printed cards and then I have created a digital file listing on my second shop that allows you to print as many cards yourself as you like for one low budget friendly cost.  The only restriction there is that they must be for your personal use and not to be resold.  

mini note cards on my Julie Townsend Studio Etsy Shop

print your own mini note cards on the Townco Studios Etsy Shop

"Having a Swine Time"

I'm adding new listing almost everyday, and this past week it has been pigs.  The artwork here on this card is a piece I titled, "Having a Swine Time".  I think it would be perfect hanging in a bathroom, child's bedroom or a baby nursery.  Like all my prints I have sizes ranging from 4 x 6 to 11 x 14 inches and you can have me matte them or you can pick out a frame at Hobby Lobby or a Michaels and let them matte it for you.  

"When Pigs Fly"

A second piece I finished this week is called "When Pigs Fly".  I know we have all heard that expression but who knew they actually make a flight vest that would work with a pig.  I guess if you have enough helium balloons you can get almost anything off the ground.  I would say the birds do look a bit surprised except for that one that has decided to hitch a ride.

"Purdy the Spring Pig"

Finally, and probably my favorite is "Purdy the Spring Pig."  Purdy is just so pretty in her cute bunny ears.  When the daffodils bloom you know that spring is here and I think is ready, don't you?  This design was so much fun that I decided to use it for my spring garden flag this year.  Both prints, cards and the garden flag are available on my Etsy Shop.

Prints and Cards- "Having a Swine Time"

Prints and Cards- "When Pigs Fly"

Prints and Cards- "Purdy the Spring Pig"

Garden Flag- "Purdy the Spring Pig"

Purdy with Pink Gingham on a garden flag

Coffee with Julie- Just CHILLIN with my iPad

 

Even though it has been pretty chilly in my studio these past few weeks, I've been working on some new spring designs for my shop. I can't think of any better subject to use than a "Herd" of adorable bunnies. They sure can wreak havoc on your garden but here on this sticker or note card they are as cute as can be.

In reality, there wouldn't be any flowers left at all but since I'm the artist and I create my own reality, little spring flowers and butterflies abound.

The sweet little bunny at the bottom is named Flo and she will be making more studio appearances in the future. Of this fact, I am certain. She is just too cute not to have her become a studio regular.

I decided to carry on the flower pot theme this week with my next studio visitors, two sweet little kittens. The little gray kitten at the end is named Bella and she also is going to become a studio regular. So watch out for Bella, she has little streak of mischievousness in her.

I had a blast drawing this pair of cute kittens playing hide and seek in the flower pots. I was trying to think of something funny to say about them when I saw the play on words of "CATcus" I just had to make some changes by adding a cactus to my end flower pot and now I chuckle every time I think about the title. 

Bella wasn't ready to leave it seems, because yesterday she showed up hiding in this knitted pink mitten looking as cute as ever.  Before I was finished with the composition I decided to draw a safety pinned note that read, "Don't forget your mittens.  Love Mama" and a soft pink and gray watercolor background. Now I think it is PURRFECT!

I think all these designs have turned out so adorable and is perfect for all the cat and bunny lovers on your list. Did I mention that I created all of these images using the app Procreate on my new iPad Pro?  Yeah, I didn't think so.  I've had my new iPad for about 3 weeks and I'm just having so much fun with it.  We may find ourselves still stuck at home for much of 2021 but I'm going to have some fun doing it!

These three designs are available in cards, prints, stickers and magnets over on my Etsy Shop. 

Have a purrfect day!

There is DUST on my PAINTBRUSHES

 I have been so busy these past few weeks, that I haven't picked up a paintbrush or even a colored pencil.  Now don't be concerned that I may be giving up on my artwork!  It's far from it.  Rather, I have been working on a couple of new projects that I'm really excited about and that are dear to my heart.  The learning curve has been pretty steep but I feel as if I have climbed to the summit and now can see the possibilities on the other side.

What am I speaking of you ask?  Well, I will tell you.  I have been learning all about low content self publishing using KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) on Amazon.   I just published my first coloring book and it went live on Nov 1st.  "The Farmhouse Whimsy Coloring Book" contains 35 line drawings of my original artworks that you can color for yourself.  Many of the "Wash Tub" series are included in the book and priced at only $8.99, I think this coloring book will make a great gift option for the coming holiday season. Well that is at least my hope and that I receive passive income from here on out with continued book sales.   I'm already planning to create more coloring books in the coming year.

 My second project may not be as popular but I'm excited.  I'm almost ready to push the button to publish my first desk planner for 2021.  It's a large 8.5 x 11 inch paperback (just like the coloring book) and has both a monthly and weekly calendar and 142 pages filled with my artwork, digital designs, scriptures, prayer journal and a big "TODO" list page for each week.  I designed it with my needs in mind but I'm hoping a few others will also find that same appeal.  Because it had to be color print, I had to set my Amazon retail price at $21.99.  

Each of the 12 monthly pages has a full size image of the Wash Tub drawings that appears on my 2021 wall calendar that is available on my Etsy Shop.  The weekly calendar has also a combination of my original artwork and adorable clipart that I have arranged.  The thing that I am excited about is that each week there is included on the layout a large "for this week" page that allows you to prioritize your goals and consider your blessings and victories.  I'm a list girl and I have not found a planner that gives me the ability to organize my week like this one does.  

If my copy of this planner is the only one that sells, I think I will be okay with that.  I felt with the craziness of this past week and the uncertainty I feel about the coming year, along with the continued economic fall out caused by COVID, a happy planner full of funny farm animals and scriptures was exactly what I need to make it through.  Besides I learned a lot and at my age that is SOMETHING!

To find both of these books (hopefully the planner will go live on Amazon by tomorrow) you just search "JULIE TOWNSEND STUDIO".  

 

Thanks a HOLE PUNCH

I have shared before that one of the little "BRANDING" touches that I use when packaging up my art sales is what I call my "FARM CONFETTI".  I have invested in a couple of paper punches and my favorites are of a cow, a pig and a small heart.  Farm animal paper punches are hard to find and I would LOVE to add a Goat and a Chicken paper punches to my little collection.  You would think these companies would realize how popular farm animals are and get on the "HAY WAGON" and make more designs.

The pig punch is my favorite but, while the PUNCH BUNCH paper punch plunks out pink pigs proficiently (I dare you to say that fast 10 times) it is rather stiff and puts a real strain on the old carpal tunnel.   

On the Punch Bunch website,  they actually sell a lever device that they call their POWER PUNCH for a whopping $60 bucks.  I love my pink pig paper confetti but not that much!

After showing my husband the picture of the "Power Punch", he decides that the thing for him to do is to make me one from all his scrapes of things he has lying around in his garage.  So while it might not be as "PRETTY" as the one selling on the Punch Bunch website, this device works just as well.  

I can now PUNCH PINK PIGS to my hearts content.  I just have to say that my husband is so supportive of my artwork that I just had to do some BRAD BRAGGING today.  THANKS A HOLE PUNCH HONEY!

Coloring Anyone?

 Who likes to use coloring books?

I've decided that I'm going to work on publishing a coloring book that will contain primarily my "Wash Tub" series along with other farm animal related drawings that I have done. I'm kind of excited and nervous about this project but I have over 32 pages designed and now I just need to scan them and make edits to each page. Then I have to work on designing the front and back cover along with the first few inside pages. This is going to keep me pretty busy. I would LOVE to have this book ready to sell on my Etsy Shop by Christmas but we shall see about that.

I think I also want to include small thumbnails of my completed artwork so that there is a coloring suggestion for how the finished page could look. My thoughts here are that while the images are simple enough for children to use, that with proper attention to shading and techniques, these drawings can be enjoyed by adults. Does that make sense?

The BIG learning curve will come to play when I work on getting the book published. I'm going to research the KDP self publishing arm of Amazon. I was listing this week to "Coffee with Ronnie" of Ronnie Walter Biz Coach for Creatives this week and that was one of her topics. It was like she was talking straight to me. I have tons of drawings already so for me it is really a matter of getting them edited and organized. I'm hoping she decides to offer a small Zoom class just to help those interested in see their book published. I've already sent her a message to add me to her list.

Anyone already have experience with publishing a coloring book? I'm sure this will be a blogging topic of mine for quite sometime. I would LOVE to hear your opinions and suggestions.

It's Coming

 Just 98 Days until Christmas...and I have the perfect Christmas Cards for you!

I've drawn this old washtub so many times that I can almost draw it now in my sleep.  With the holidays in mind, it just seemed natural to decorate it all festive for Christmas and invite some fun farm animals to the party.  I had a blast creating each of these drawings and it was natural to then turn them into a set of Christmas cards.  I just added the listing for the set a couple days ago on my Etsy Shop along with a "Woodland Critters Christmas" design that is just adorable.

I'm in love with the torn paper background and the hint of dark red surrounding it.  It compliments that old washtub perfectly and just makes an adorable holiday card to send to your farmhouse loving family and friends.  You're sure to get lots of smiles.  Wash Tub Christmas Card Set on my Etsy Shop

As a matter of fact, I'm SO in love with that background that I have decided to incorporate it into my 2021 calendar designs that I am currently working on that will feature many more of my washtub series.  I'm really excited about and will be sharing more next month.

When I create a new art for a series like this that I know I will be grouping together, I also list each piece of art separately on my shop where you can purchase a print or note card with just that image on it.  No background added, just the artwork itself printed on nice paper with my signature.  This gives 100% of the focus to the artwork without diminishing it with other colors and images to distract your view.  I have listings for all 4 of the Wash Tub Christmas designs on my Shop if you are interested in a print or a card of this style.  These cute animals are sure to brighten up any wall in your home with a splash of Christmas cheer!

If you would like to check out this image or more of my art you can hop on over to my Etsy Shop and poke around.  I LOVE having visitors!  Julie Townsend Studio on Etsy

What is Your Favorite Grandma Recipe

Something to Sing About- Chicken and Dumplings Recipe

This note card design turned out so cute I think and I'm really excited about it.  I've combined my art with a vintage background and typed out an actual recipe to give it that recipe card look.  Right now I have 6 designs available and I've added them to my Etsy shop listings as both a card, a magnet or a print that you can have matted and framed.  These make a perfect gift for that farmhouse style lover in your life.

Just visit my shop and use the search term "Recipe" and all 5 designs will be there for you to check out.  While you are there take some time to browse the rest of my artwork.  I LOVE VISITORS!  

For a small additional charge of $20 I could combine one of my existing artwork images with your favorite recipe to make truly custom gift.  Just message me and we can chat about that.

JulieTownsendStudio on Etsy.com

You Got the Cookies- Snickerdoodle Recipe

Watching Carrots Grow- Carrot Cake Recipe

I Woof You- Peanut Butter Dog Treat Recipe

Forget the Worms- Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

Cookies and Lemonade- Fresh Squeezed Lemonade Recipe

Making Stickers from Your Artwork

Stickers seem to be such a small thing and I realize most artists wouldn't even bother with them but I actually enjoy designing them.  Especially when I'm using my own original artwork in that design. Surprisingly, there are many individuals that really love to purchase and collect stickers and the space needed to store you inventory is really small.  

It was actually my desire to learn to make stickers that was the driving force for me to take the time to teach myself a little Photoshop.  That determination to make myself familiar with this software and the use of Layers, Magic Erasers, Lasso Tools, Magic Wands and  Spot Healing Brush Tools has been instrumental in opening the doors of possibility wide open for my artwork.  

Another BIG advantage that I found with offering up stickers was when it came to the opening of my Etsy Shop.  For your shop to even have a chance at being found in the ETSY SEO searches I'm told you have to have at least 100 listings.  Also, buyers often rely heavily on other customer ratings and the history of sales in a particular shop.  When you are first starting out as an ETSY seller, both of these statistic benchmarks maybe difficult to achieve.  I even read the suggestion that you consider padding your numbers by giving your friends money to purchase inexpensive items on your shop and then give you 5 start reviews just to get you over that "NEW SHOP HUMP".  

Creating stickers was a way for me to increase my number of listings and I found that a buyer was more apt to be comfortable spending $3.50 for an item on my brand new shop then forking over the money to purchase one of my original artworks or even a print from me.  Also, those small sales do add up over time.  For example, I have had $494 in sticker sales on my Etsy Shop from the period of January to May 2020.  There you have it!  One of my ETSY tips for you to consider if you're thinking of trying your artistic hand at opening your own ETSY Shop.

I need to get this post back on track here.  Yesterday, we had the privilege of keeping our 3 darling grandchildren (we now have 11 total).  Little Miss J is 5 years old and loves to spend time with me in my studio.  I jokingly call her my studio assistant in training and so I followed through on a previous promise that I had made to her  that we would turn her artwork into stickers so she could see my Cricut Explore Air 2 in action.

The original art scan after it was cleaned up in Photoshop

She carefully used watercolors to paint these 3 little flower doodles that I helped her create.  They turned out really cute.  When the watercolors were dry, she placed her master piece on the flatbed scanner and we scanned them into Photoshop.  I showed her how to clean up her images using the eraser tool and she did a lot of the editing herself.  Here are the 3 edited flowers.

Next, I created a new Photoshop file that was 6.75 inches x 9.25 inches and had a transparent background. (This is the standard size of the Cricut cut files)  Using the Lasso tool, I selected each flower and brought them over into the new file.  Using the "Stroke" edit function, I created a "white stroke" around each file that was 52 in size.  This gives the white border that all stickers have.   Then using "Ctrl J" (she liked that because her name begins with a J) we copied each flower 2 more times.  I then arranged them on the file so they were not touching.  The result is a sheet full of beautiful stickers.

6.75 x 9.25 PNG file with a transparent background

I then opened  up my Cricut Design Space on my computer and uploaded the PNG image to my projects.  You then select "MAKE IT" and  "Complex" and then create the project.  Now it is time to print out the stickers on matte sticker paper.  For my stickers I'm going to sell on my shop I use a paper made by ROCK.  Here is the Amazon link:  MATTE STICKER PAPER for my ETSY Shop  If I am printing out stickers for my own use (shipping stickers to decorate my orders) I use this less expensive sticker paper.  Here is the Amazon link for that paper also:  SHIPPING STICKER PAPER

I then sent the file to print.  We attached the printed stickers to a cutting matte and loaded them next into my Cricut with the cut setting on "PAPER" so that it would just kiss cut around each sticker.  As you can see by the BIG smile on my Granddaughter's face, she was very pleased and I think I helped make a memory.