SMALL HOLIDAY ADDRESS LABELS

are now in the shop. Choose from Holiday, Christmas or Hanukkah. You can even get a mixed set. Sorry for the lack of pictures but due to Hurricane Ida, there is no sunshine.

Also, thanks to all your support and interest, the SUPER STATIONERY SALE is still going on. Get all the details here. Or just scroll down. It will end on November 18, 2010 at 12 noon.

THIS IS NOT A JOKE

It has come to my attention that times are tough out there and that I can do something to help. For a limited time, I am offering up my boxed stationery for FREE. I know, it sounds a little crazy but I am hoping we will be able to help each other. I have extra stock and you have a plethora of holiday gifts to buy with very limited funds. So here is the deal:

1. You will peruse my shop and designs and pick out the ones you like.
2. You will then email me (avie.designs@gmail.com) with the stationery you want and how many (there is no limit). You will also need to send your mailing address at this time so that the post office knows where to send it.
3. I will send you an invoice for $3/box you order for shipping. I wish that I didn't have to charge the shipping, but the post office charges me. If you are an international customer, your fee will be $5/box.
4. I will ship out your stationery!!!
5. One last caveat, they will not come boxed, just banded together. This is because I am trying to get rid of stock and do not want to have to place a new box order. Also, personalization is not part of this offer. If you would like personalized stationery, you will need to purchase it out of the shop.

Please feel free to pass this information on to friends and family.

ANOTHER CHANCE TO WIN

a calendar! The lovely June Shin is hosting a giveaway on her blog so go check it out. There is also a short interview so you can learn a few little know facts about me.

Holiday Cards

Here is the 2009 Holiday Collection. This year, there is something for everyone. I have designed Christmas, Holiday & Hanukkah cards. I have also built in a lot of options so that you get to pretty much pay what you want. I know that times are tough out there, so I've made it possible for you to spread a little holiday cheer for $1/each!

The photo cards come with envelopes with your return address on the back, or you can add the envelope labels, which are extra.



The non-photo cards are available as postcards or you can add an envelope and a label. The possibilities are endless. And of course, I offer custom designs for those of you that need something even more special. Happy Holidays!

I LOVE THIS BLOG

I have a bunch of blogs in my google reader, about 60 to be close. They range in topic from food, to wedding, to business. They really help me keep up with what is going on in my design & small business world and they just fall into my reader every morning.

Seth Godin's blog is one of my absolute favorite to read each day. It's probably the only blog that doesn't have pictures that I read. Seth has amazing insight which he conveys in a very understandable way. Sometimes his posts just make sense, sometimes they make me think & sometimes I don't know what he's talking about, but I am always excited to read what he says.

Today's post reminded me of my time as the president of my sorority:

It doesn't have to be a wise decision or a perfect one. Just make one.

In fact, make several. Make more decisions could be your three word mantra.

No decision is a decision as well, the decision not to decide. Not deciding is usually the wrong decision. If you are the go-to person, the one who can decide, you'll make more of a difference. It doesn't matter so much that you're right, it matters that you decided.

Of course it's risky and painful. That's why it's a rare and valuable skill.

I remember girls coming up to me, girls that were on my executive committee, asking me to make decisions that did not matter. Asking me to make decisions that I really relied on them to make. Like should we have cake or pie at the luncheon. It really did not matter which & that was when I first realized that some people cannot make decisions. Now, I'm not saying that I look down on these people, I am just saying that I realized that I am different from those people in that I am able to do so. I probably got it from my mom who always says "just do it, even if it's wrong". Which is partly what lead me to start my own company. The idea that I don't have to do it right, I don't even have to succeed, I just have to make the decision & do it.

I think that more people would strike out on their own if they didn't have the pressure to succeed. But what I think a lot of people do not realize is that success doesn't have to be your primary goal. It certainly isn't mine. And it doesn't have to be a point of embarrassment if you don't succeed. Most "successful" people have failed at something at one time or another and what made them successful was the ability to pick themselves up and try again. They just made the decision to do it.

ANOTHER GIVEAWAY!

Okay, it's been a little bit since I've posted. Things are really picking up in the studio, which is great. I have also been getting to know my new printer. Starting a new relationship is always a little tricky, but I think we're off to a pretty good start.

Anyway, the lovely Nole over at Oh So Beautiful Paper is hosting a giveaway of 3 of my calendars. So head over there to snap one up. Thanks Nole!

MINTED FOR BABY & MY THOUGHTS

Here are my favs from the current challenge. I haven't been posting my picks from the recent contests because I have not been participating and I want to tell you why. Maybe you can tell me if you think I'm right or being too picky.

I used to participate in all of the challenges on Minted and I actually won a few and beyond that, they bought a couple of my designs and commissioned a Christmas card design from me. These designs are still available for purchase.

I do not want to deter anyone from participating in the designs because I think that the website provides a great service to designers. I just don't think participating is for me and I will tell you why.

• When I started & won a contest, I would send my 2 files to Minted. The original and an alternate colorway. Minted did not own my design and I was free to sell it as well.
• One day I received a letter in the mail from Minted that from that point on, if you win a contest or they buy your design to sell, they own it and you are not allowed to sell it. I signed this letter and sent it back.
• The next time I won, I received an email asking for 4 files: the original, an alternate colorway & address labels for both. I sent all 4 files in.
• In the meantime, I have only actually won one contest and the rest of the instances were Minted purchasing my design to own & sell for $100. I do get a 5% commission when they sell my design.
• The last time Minted tried to buy a design from me, they asked for 6 files. They wanted matching thank you notes as well.
  

This was the point when I evaluated my partnership with Minted. I think their contests are fun & a great way for designers to get their name out there. I think it's wonderful that they are paying for designs. I think it is a win win for Minted and the designers who enter.

But when I think of what I want for myself, my art & my company, I want as much control as possible. If I didn't I would design for someone else. I want to be involved in every aspect of a product that has my name on it. I also don't feel I should sell my most valuable asset (my designs) for so cheap. Now don't get me wrong, I don't think my designs are better than the others in the contests, if they were, they would have won the top prize at least once. This is just not something that I feel I should participate in.

The last thing that bothers me about the contests is something that Minted has very little ability to control. A lot of the same people win the contests. The reason they win is because they are amazing designers and people can't help but vote for the best designs, but I wish they could figure out a way to spread out the wealth.

Okay, now you can tell me how wrong I am. I can take it, I'm a big girl. By the way, click on the images above to vote.

SHOP UPDATE

I have just posted a new item for the holiday season! This is my Gift Giving Boxed Set complete with 60 pieces of gift giving fun. With this out of the way, can holiday cards be that far behind?

HERE'S TO FALL

and hopefully some better weather around my part of the country. We're entering the new season a little water logged, but the sun is shining right now which is hopeful.

This is what downtown Atlanta looked like yesterday afternoon. Nothing like a picture like to this to make me thankful that I live on a hill and work from home. Thoughts & good wishes to all!

HARE and DRUM

I came across this lovely shop on etsy today. Embroidery is very hot right now, but these seem to marry the new with the old better than most.