Sure... why not Fluffy too!

Doggie Halloween Costumes provided by Etsy

Halloween Costumes For Your Pets
Now that Halloween is just around the corner... there are all kinds of cool creations popping up on Etsy. And who can resist looking at a cute dog in a costume. Here are some of my favorite picks! If one of these cuties came barking at my door, I'd surely have a treat for them. My dogs aren't as cooperative when it comes to costumes. Years back, I tried with some reindeer antlers... let's just say I got the evil eye and I'm sure something got chewed up as a payback. So today, I share these sweeties that deserve the spotlight for taking one for the team and taking a cute photo! All these photos make me smile and chuckle a little! Enjoy!

These awesome dog costumes can be found on Etsy.com.
1) Pirate hat for dogs or cats by lenapavia
2) Pet Hat - Rabbit by xmoonbloom
3) Handmade Original Ladybug costume for dogs or cats by hatz4brats
4) Doggie Dorothy Costume by NeedfulThingsofSalem
5) Wonder Women Pet Costume by ilickyou

I Am... Sir Freelancelot!

Image provided by chopshopstore - Sir Freelancelot XL T-shirt for men

I'm back in the saddle again this week. On-site at another great agency. I have to say, I am really enjoying being a freelance designer with my extra time. I like the interaction and it helps me keep up-to-date on all the latest and greatest in the agency world. The best part of freelancing... it's only a few days or hours at a time. I've even dipped into Etsy "Alchemy" and found some great new clients needing design work. I will have to post some of the identity work I have done recently. So fun! I've really enjoyed working with photographers! Well, better call it a night... I have a full day tomorrow on-site!

Beware... I See Dead People!

New Etsy Treasury - I See Dead People

Etsy Treasury Time! 
It's been too long since I created my last Etsy treasury... so this morning I wanted to get into the Halloween spirit. As always, it's pretty easy to find so many great creative pieces. The hard part is picking just the right one to put in the treasury. I really like this one... I think it has Etsy front page potential! Come see all these freaky and festive finds here: I See Dead People!

The Perfect Gift...

Elegant Personalized Note Cards - 6 Pack

Personalized Note Cards!
It's funny, I used to struggle with what to give all my friends and family for birthdays, weddings, baby showers and holidays. Seriously, how many candles, picture frames and bath and body works can you give. Well now, I always have the perfect gift! I put together a small sampling of greeting cards and then... the personalized note cards. It has been a big hit! It's fun at parties too, because they always get passed around. I love that no one else has a gift like mine. It's special and unique... especially when I make a new design with that person in mind. And bonus, I can use the designs in my shop. This is a design I just did for a girlfriend of mine. Hope she enjoys using them!

80s Forever!

I ♥ the 80s!
Well I guess cause I'm an 80s kid. I've been looking for some inspiration for a new line of products for a local "POP-UP" designer's shop. I started with a simple color palette... CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow and black). Then some how that let me into a kind of 80s look and feel... so I am going with it. It's still a work in progress... so stay tuned for new 80's thowback papergoods!

Back to the 80s... I found some of these great pieces on Etsy that all related to me. Yes, it's true... I owned a fanny pack. Can't forget my Vans.. and funny my daughter has a pair now. Had to be stylin' in my Ray Bans and chillin' with my mix tapes. And one of the only videos games I ever got into... Mrs. Pac-Man... loved it! I even had the pac-man game watch from the Sears catalog! My dream car, the DeLorean from Back to the future. But seriously, the John Hughes movies were the best! Like Sixteen Candles, Pretty In Pink and Breakfast Club. I could reminisce forever! I'd love to hear about your 80s must-haves or favs!

1. Ray Bans Block Print Note Cards - rainydaystory
2. Sweet Fanny Pack Greeting Card - theRasilisk
3. The Eighties - 5 x 7 Illustration Print - lisabarbero
4. Custom Vans - amymiwen
5. Pacman Necklace - cherryboop

The Power of A Positive Community!

Love What You Do Notebook by Honeydesignbooks

A Great Resource For Entrepreneurs... Etsy Forums
I try to make it part of my daily routine to get in the Etsy forums and see what new ideas, advice or tips are being passed around. I stumbled across "Best Marketing Tip" and decided to check it out. Etsy is not only a place to sell but such a supportive community for entrepreneurs. I am always impressed with the  positive energy and the willingness to share valuable information just for the sake of helping another. I thought I'd share a few of the tips... which I think are more important than some marketing tips you might find in a business text book or publication.

Blackburgbelle's tip:
Be authentic. Be yourself. Let your personality shine through in your products, blog posts, press releases, tweets, product descriptions, and all other marketing efforts.

YourUniqueKreation's tip:
Let your passion drive your business...it will shine through as genuine. People like that.
And practically, include a few business cards in every order...word of mouth is still the best! 

TheHickoryTree's tip:
My best marketing tip. Keep your eyes and ears open to new ideas and trends. One of my buyers had a suggestion about something she wanted me to make. It turned out to be one of my best sellers.

Want more? Find four pages of great advice here "Best Marketing Tip"

Maybe A Cupcake Will Help?

I love being featured in Etsy treasuries... the curators always have such creative ideas. This one is full of sweet creations. I've come full circle on cupcakes. I mostly have a salty tooth but have to say, sometimes there is nothing like a gourmet cupcake to make you feel better. Plus, they are cute and oh so yummy! Come take a look at all these wonderful shops! Cupcake Treasury - Maybe A cupcake Will Help

September Already?

NEW!! Flower Power 2011 Calendar

BONUS!! Use the expired months for gift tags... love to re-purpose!

Time to get my new calendar designs going. This year has gone by so fast. I started selling last year in late November... I was way behind for calendars and holiday cards. My goal this year... be on time. Don't miss any opportunities. I'll admit it's very hard to stay ahead of the holidays. It's  a little odd working on Halloween in August and now calendars in September. But I am excited to say... I just sold my first 2011 Calendar. Now just need to find more hours in the day to get all my new ideas completed.

Undiscovered Talent

My brother... the photographer.
I've always struggled taking pictures. I over think the composition, lighting, angle, subject matter, etc.. Like singing... I just can't do it. So I decided to feature some undiscovered talent who has no problem taking photos and does it quite well. These photographs were taken by my brother, Manny. He has always been great behind a camera. For now he does it for fun but I'd love to see him take it further. He lives in Santa Fe. If you've been there you know there are so many great shots around every corner. Here are a couple of examples of some great black and white shots... and from his phone. Wish my phone pictures turned out like that. Hope you enjoy the work, can't wait to see what he shoots next!