16 posts tagged “custom designs”

I'm throwing this out to anyone any where who has purchased greeting cards from Zazzle and Cafe Press. Which company do you think makes a higher quality product?

Purpose:
I have a special request from some one who is not a current client.
They are interested in purchasing cards and want an option that they can have available online if they decide to reorder.

We agreed on a price for the first batch which will include an upcharge for editing the design to their specs.
They agreed to pay the shipping and handling. No issues there.

I uploaded the new design it to both Cafe Press and Zazzle and here's how it plays out:
- Cafe Press only allows a print to be added to the front and inside right of the card
  Zazzle allows a full inside spread.

- Cafe Press charges a base price of $14.99 for a pack of 10 cards
   Zazzle's 10 card pack is $22.00 with my discount

- Cafe Press charges $5.00 for shipping
   Zazzle charges $5.99

Considerations:
At this point it is a matter of quality. The customer is happy with either option and has told me to decide which was better.

I haven't ordered greeting cards for myself from either place for quite some time and I know both companies have gone through dramatic changes in production, quality or products, etc.

So who do you think does it better?
If you have a reason it's even better.

Thanks in advance kiddies.
More soon...

Haze

Sandy's skirt from last month's Skirting the Issue Contest is on its way. I dropped it off at the Post Office early this afternoon and expect it to arrive in Australia in 5-6 business days. Interestingly enough, it costs $30.00 less to ship with USPS than it did with FedEx and neither could "guarantee" delivery but the USPS offers insurance up to $61.28 and neither FedEx nor UPS would offer any insurance whatsoever. Boggles the mind - Indeed, it does. What's even more mysterious is the time frame: 5-6 business days regardless of the carrier. Go figure...

So, with Sandy's skirt well on the way, I'd like to let everyone know where we are in the Conga line that we started forming yesterday and find out who in the line wants coffee on their skirt. It's so much better if I get all of the fabric into the drink now so I can stain as needed. Afterall, the longer it steeps the stronger the brew. ;)

Cate's got dibs on the first skirt. I've messaged her and am waiting to get final confirmation on her measurements, etc. Then I'll be able to work up sketches and so on.
Kim has second dibs.
Rouma is next in line.
And she is followed by DissolveGirl.
Jaie is following close behind.

Time Frame
Each skirt takes me 7 - 10 days to complete. It may be a bit less depending on my work load but I'll keep you posted as always. 

Thanks to everyone who has followed along and made such wonderful comments about Sandy's Prize from the first Skirting the Issue Contest. I really appeciate it and find it encouraging me to persue and further develop this line of custom created, sustainable fashions.

As luck would have it, I already have one more coffee-stained tee and I would like to offer you, any of my friends, first dibs on a design.

I wouldn't feel right if I had to pick one of you so you have to decide by comments [like whoever calls dibs first].

Particulars 
If you already sent me your specs and stuff for the contest - no worries - I have all of that. If not, you need to send me your specs [waist, hip, and preferred length] if you get dibs.

I'd also like to give you a choice. Choose an unpainted skirt, sewn from this coffee stained tee and any others as might needed. Choose your style and I will sew it to your specs for half price: $25.00 USD.

 If you'd like a hand-painted skirt - No worries. Choose your style. Choose your art [within reason, please] and your skirt will be sewn and painted to suit your color choices. Cost: Half-price would be $62.50 so let's say... $50.00 USD 

I'm throwing shipping into the pot too. But, if you're over seas, we'll have to split it. You choose the carrier [UPS or FedEx].

We'll start the design process with sketches, just like before, and will begin the process once payment is received. My PayPal addy, for whoever gets dibs, is studio_524@yahoo.com

This skirt was especially created for sandybot, the winner in last month's Skirting the Issue Contest. The lightweight roll top slouches and rolls easily allowing for a very comfy fit and it measures about 16" allowing this skirt additional possibilities of being worn as a dress.

At this point the painting is drying. I'll be curing it in the dryer and then ironing it to finally set the design before wash-testing.

Final pics once the skirt is dry and wash-tested so stay tuned.

Prize Development: Sketch 3
http://studio524.vox.com/library/post/skirting-the-issue-prize-development-stage-3.html

Prize Development: Sketch 2
http://studio524.vox.com/library/post/skirting-the-issue-prize-development-stage-2.html

Prize Development: Sketch 1
http://studio524.vox.com/library/post/all-eyes-on-the-prizes.html

Skirting the Issue: We have a Winner!
sandybot.vox.com from Australia
http://studio524.vox.com/library/post/skirting-the-issue-we-have-a-winner.html

Skirting the Issue: Contest Details
http://studio524.vox.com/library/post/skirting-the-issue.html

Here is the skirt, sewn for Sandybot, winner in the Skirting the Issue Contest, shown flat and on the body form. It measures 13" long and has a very generous roll top for easy slouching. Normally I would provide the flat measurements at this point but, in this case, I am holding that information private between she and I. Tomorrow her skirt will get painted according to plan and it will ship by Friday.

I'll be posting more pics once the skirt is finished so stay tuned.

Prize Development: Sketch 2
http://studio524.vox.com/library/post/skirting-the-issue-prize-development-stage-2.html

Prize Development: Sketch 1
http://studio524.vox.com/library/post/all-eyes-on-the-prizes.html

Skirting the Issue: We have a Winner!
sandybot.vox.com from Australia
http://studio524.vox.com/library/post/skirting-the-issue-we-have-a-winner.html

Skirting the Issue: Contest Details
http://studio524.vox.com/library/post/skirting-the-issue.html

In order to retain the sustainable nature of the entire process, strong, black coffee is being used to stain the body of the skirt. The brewed grounds will be added as fertilizer to the garden.

The top photo shows the results from the first attempt at staining a swatch. I wasn't happy with the results of the wash testing because the fabric faded substantially.  In order to reduce this effect, the stain will be heat set for added durability. Some fading [or washing down] is to be expected with this staining process and cannot be avoided.

The photo,  lower left, shows a shirt of the same fabric, the baby ribbed tank top that will be used for the roll top, and the actual shirt, marinating in the black coffee stain.

The reclaimed tee will be rescued from the coffee bath tomorrow morning, dried on high heat, ironed, and cut to spec. After cutting the skirt will be sewn and painted. Then the finished work will be cured, the painting will be heat set, wash-tested again, and Sandybot's skirt will be ready for shipping.

We're a day or two away from completion. So stay tuned. I'll be posting additional pics of the process tomorrow.

Prize Development: Sketch 1
http://studio524.vox.com/library/post/all-eyes-on-the-prizes.html

Skirting the Issue: We have a Winner!
sandybot.vox.com from Australia
http://studio524.vox.com/library/post/skirting-the-issue-we-have-a-winner.html

Skirting the Issue: Contest Details
http://studio524.vox.com/library/post/skirting-the-issue.html

Open to all VOXers!
There are so many wonderful things going on with my extremely talented neighborhood that I thought I would share two of them with you.

First up is Kenn Wislander's ever-so-adorable Angry Bunny Cast Mug Contest.

With a quick click or two, and a minute to enter your personal info, you'll be entered to win one of Wislander's colorfully creative mugs.

This mug is a Zazzle issue. They are of the highest quality, well screened, and colorful. Add to the fact that Kenn has an incredible eye for presentation and composition so you know you're getting a kickingly original creation.

Enter now!
This contest is only open until the morning of May 12th!
http://wislander.vox.com/library/post/may-mug-giveaway-is-here.html

 

Also not to be missed is Austin1234's "Asshat Relief" Contest!

Ever wanted to get something off of your chest? Well here's your chance.
Write a letter to Dear Daddawg for your chance to win this funky tee, designed by yours truly. Austin's Friday Feature, Ask Daddawg, is fast becoming a favorite of mine and, once you have a read, I'm sure it will become one of yours as well. The best part about this contest is that Austin is actually allowing you to choose your size of the prize.

Hurry!
Get all of the info and email your entry to daddawg@comcast.net by 12 PM PST this Thursday, 05/03/2007

http://austin1234.vox.com/library/post/ask-daddawg---announcing-the-win-a-t-shirt-for-asshat-relief-contest.html

-------------------------------------

Update: Skirting the Issue
Winner: sandybot.vox.com
Prize Development: Sketch 1

The Chosen Prize
A comfy-fit, roll top skirt with just a little bit of flare
Her specified length is 13 inches, making this a mini that  will hit about mid-thigh.
  
Color Palette: canvas beige-white, brown, light olive green
*** I am working with a new process for this design in order to bring all of the elements together and make it work, beautifully.

In keeping with the idea of  sustainable fashion, Sandy’s skirt will be coffee-stained, giving the white of the original  substrate a  delicate, natural color with a unique  washed / distressed look.
*** The fabric is being stain-tested now.  I will post samples of the stained fabric and more accurate color swatches once the process completes.

Note to Sandy:
Please take a look at this initial sketch and let me know your thoughts. In order to maintain confidentiality of your overall specs, a message has been sent, requesting confirmation.  I have received your response and am very interested to know your thougts and reaction to this design.

Thanks, so much - Haze

 

Congratulations to Sandy!

 

Sandy's number, #12, was chosen in the random number generation sequence. Sandy will receive a skirt, sewn from vintage tees, and hand-painted just for her.

Sandy has chosen a comfy-fit, roll top with a little bit of flare. Her colours: canvas beige-white, brown, light olive green.

I'll be notifying her personally in just a few minutes. But, if you have the time, why not stop by her blog, and congratulate her.

Thanks so much for playing. I really had a great time with you all and appreciate the amount of interest and enthusiasm that you have shown for my designs.

I've received a total of 14 entries into the Skirting the Issue Contest and I'd like to thank all of you who have entered [and/or just followed along] for making this event a lot of fun.

Here is the list of all VOXers who should have received their corresponding official entry numbers.

1) DissolveGirl
2) CaroleG
3) CrankyPants
4) Tasha_Tuk
5) Jaie
6) Sabba
7) GollyKim
8) Hops
9) Babette
10) CupCate
11) Jensmile
12) Sandy
13) Clareok
14) Madtwinsis

Time is of the essence.
If you entered and have not received a response from me, please resend your message. The winner's number will be selected by random number generation. A screenshot of the generation sequence will be posted and announced at 12:00 noon, EDST, today.

So when is that exactly...
Watch the ticker. EDST is -5 hours,GMT.

With a hearty note of thanks, I'd like to wish the Best of Luck to All!

WooooHooo - We are down to the wire!

Today is the last day for entries into the Skirting the Issue Contest!
Entries are still being accepted until midnight so, if you've been meaning to enter but just haven't gotten to it - NOW - is the time. The winner is set to be announced tomorrow, Tuesday May 1, 2007, at 12 noon EDST.

As of this moment I have received 12 entries into the contest. Here is the list of all VOXers who should have received their corresponding official entry numbers.

1) DissolveGirl
2) CaroleG
3) CrankyPants
4) Tasha_Tuk
5) Jaie
6) Sabba
7) GollyKim
8) Hops
9) Babette
10) CupCate
11) Jensmile
12) Sandy

If you messaged me and did not get a response [or if you don't see your name on this list] that means that your message has not been received. Please resend your message.

Time is of the essence...

Entries to this contest are now being accepted until midnight on Monday, April 30, 2007 EDST.

Please be sure that you read all of the rules, regulations and requirements. I need all of this info in order to actually create the prize for the winner and I don't want to have to track anyone down at the end of the contest. 
Any - and all - incomplete entries will be discarded 

Click here to get all of the information.