PaperLove Blog Hop

I wanted to share with you today my favorite paper for printing (and selling) graphic art or illustrations. To date, I've sold and printed over 10,000+ prints on this particular paper and highly stand by it's quality.

When I started developing the Near & Dear Designs shop on Etsy, I did a lot of research on which papers I felt best showed off my work.  Cost was a factor, but I also took into account print quality.  I wanted my work to feel like art - not a photograph.  I knew I wanted something with texture, a thick paper with a bright white optical appeal to better enhance the silhouettes I work with.

To narrow it down, these points were my criteria:

• not a standard cheap photo paper
• extra thickness
• texture
• bright white

After much research and comparison I found Red River Paper and the paper I chose from them is the 64lb. Aurora White.  Made using fine 100% cotton rag content, Aurora White offers the look and feel of fine art paper. This Aurora features a brighter white shade for crisp color tones, semi-smooth surface, an acid-free base stock and coating.

Here are the specs:

• 100% Cotton rag content
• Photo print both sides
• Bright white shade
• Acid free - Lignin Free
• Minimal optical brighteners
• 13.5mil - card thickness

They also offer a nice little informational video about the Aurora line of products:

Here's a close up view of a corner of my own work printed on this paper using my in studio printers:

I must say that I absolutely love this paper. It has a nice, soft texture and a substantial weight to give my printed artwork a look (and feel) of real quality. The thickness is perfect and it feels luxurious to hold. Colors print beautifully and line art looks fantastic!

Has anyone used this paper? Or can you recommend an art paper you love to print on? I'd love to hear your suggestions!

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The PaperLove Blog Hop is a celebration of all things paper! Follow the links to discover more bloggers who love paper and use it to inspire and delight. And if you want to explore a whole world of paper, and stretch your paper passion further with a host of creative projects, why not join the innovative new online course PaperLove (startsMarch 31). Led by book artist Rachel Hazell, PaperLove is a five week creative adventure for paper lovers. Find out more here. 

Happy bloghopping!

Participant list

Majo Bautista / Tona Bell / Louise Best / Cathy Bluteau / Jennifer Bomgardner / Giova Brusa / Lindsay Buck / Beka Buckley / Joanna Caskie / Jonathan Chapman (Mr Yen) / Halle Cisco / Sarah Clare / Cathryn Clarge / Dawn Clarkson / Rhiannon Connelly / Jenny D'Fuego / Molly Dhiman / Ian Dudley / Ayisatu Emore / Akmal Farid / Monika Forsberg / Claire Fritz-Domeney / Louise Gale / Chrissy Gaskell / Julie Hamilton / Emma Hawman / Rachel Hazell / Holly Helgeson / Claudine Hellmuth / Kim Henkel / Sarah Hoffman / Joanne Hus / Paula Joerling / Beth Kempton / Julie Kirk / Eos Koch / Katie LaClair / Kristy Lankford / Michelle Manolov / Doreen Marts / Rosie Martinez-Dekker / Tori Mears / Maria Mederios / Lise Meijer / Debbie Miller / MaryJane Mitchell / Suzy Naidoo / Grace Noel / Hannah Nunn / Camilla Olsson / Jo Packham / Rachelle Panagarry / Monette Pangan / Melanie Paul / Nicole Piar / Jen Pitta / Liz Plummer / Julie Reed / Michelle Reynolds / Lisa Rivas / Angee Robertson / Natalie Ryan / Aisling Ryan / Elisabet Sapena / Kyrrha Sevco / Jamie Sprague / Elizabeth Steele / Terri Stephens / Juniper Stokes / Mary Tanana / Maike Thoma / Linda Tieu / Gabrielle Treanor / Tammy Tutterow / Deborah Velasquez / Jordan Vinograd Kim / Cat Whipple / Brooke Witt / Katie Wood / Amelia Woodbridge

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All designs, illustrations and intellectual concepts are © 2014 - Brooke Witt Art & Design, LLC

WEEKEND SALE :: save 20% on your entire order

Thank you so much for thinking of us for your gifts this year. It's customers like all of you that make being an independent artist possible!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/NearAndDearDesigns

New Shop Name

Lots of news to report today! After a long time thinking, I finally asked Etsy to update my shop name to NearAndDearDesigns. And they said YES! So goodbye, BetweenEverything, you served me well.... and hello to NearAndDearDesigns.etsy.com!

No worries, this is mostly on the back end. All previous web links and URL's will automatically redirect, so you don't even have to update your bookmark! You do have me bookmarked as your go-to shop for personalized gift giving, right? :)

NearAndDearDesigns.etsy.com

My Thoughts on Thanks

I've been feeling so grateful these days. Etsy is rolling along and I'm feeling more inspired than ever!  I just want to extend a sincere thank you to everyone who supports the Near & Dear collection. Over the past 2 years you've put a roof over our heads, food on our table and kept our lights on! But most importantly, you've provided me with so much support and daily encouragement. I love hearing all your life stories and history of personal relationships. I love that you trust in my aesthetics and quality to design images that capture your most important memories. It is truly my pleasure. :)

I also want to express my gratitude to all my new friends and followers! I'm opening my heart and creativity to a career in Surface Design and I'm so excited for all the work and energy this brings to my life! I've invested a lot of time, money and trust in myself - and the Universe - through this process and I promise, I won't let you down!

So, the new plan is....

Throughout the year and beyond, I plan to transition my designs into fabric, home decor, tech and stationary products all with my new pattern designs printed on them!  I plan to seek out licensing contracts or commissions for mass-market retail designs. I plan to invest more time and trust into this process with the hopes of providing a long(er)-term, sustainable income stream for my family. 

I want to reassure you, the Near & Dear collection will still be available just as it is now! No changes, just improvements!! You'll still be able to order and request custom Near & Dear designs through my Etsy shop. However as time goes on you may start to see some of my pattern designs or illustrations appear as prints in Etsy or on actual functional lifestyle products!

Please stick around through this transition and show your support. It's the encouragement that keeps us artists and designers excited and creating new work! I hope to "wow!" you all with lots of fresh, colorful and meaningful new designs!

GIVEAWAY!!!

AND as a special thank you gift I've designed the above greeting card and I'm giving 2 sets away! I'm sure you have people in your life who might like to receive a thank you. Sometimes, something as simple as a spring-y design with meaningful words, is enough to really make someone's day.

You will win 1 set of 3 cards including envelopes : Two winners will be chosen!

Here are the terms:

1. Be sure you already "like" my Facebook page - if not, like it! :)

2. Leave a comment on facebook under the giveaway announcement telling me who in your life deserves an unexpected thank you.

3. Enter by 5pm (EST) on Friday, March 22nd.

I'll use Random.org to choose 2 winners. I'll post the winners here and message you each through Facebook for your shipping info.

Any questions let me know. And again, I appreciate all of you!

And there we have it! 4 of you entered to win the sets of cards. I was worried no one was going to enter!! So, that's great! Thank you to all of you who entered!

The winner's are: Commenter #1 and #2

1. Betsy Nottoli Woods

2. Mariesa Stock

Funny thing is, Betsy and Mariesa are friends and had nominated each other to receive a random "thanks"!  Here's the quick facebook exchange to prove it! (and where I call Betsy my super fan!)

Betsy and Mariesa, you've been emailed through facebook for your shipping information.  I hope you each trade a card and then find other special people to give these cards to.

Thanks again!

Design Respect : sharing & social media

I just wanted to quickly share the Design Respect initiative piloted by Brett over at iamthelab.com.  As stated on his blog:  Add the badge, whether you are a handmaker, web designer, graphic artist or bloggers. For artists of all kinds, the Design Respect badge means that you aim for authenticity in your designs. It means that you know the difference between being inspired by someone else and copying their original designs.

I whole heartedly believe in respecting the integrity of design and other designers out in the world - inspiration is one thing, copying is another.  Period.  Don't do it. Karma is a bitch.

For more information on how this applies to you - facebook, twitter, pinterest etc. - Jessica from the ever-so popular color blog Design Seeds has a great explanation on how to properly "pin" and share designers work across the internet and why it's important!!!  Jessica says in her blog post about the Design Respect initiative:

" sharing is caring … and it is always appreciated every time work is pinned, tweeted, posted, and “liked.” the key in sharing is that you are giving full credit to whom it belongs. bottom line … simply link back to the original post or image. by doing this, you are providing full attribution while sharing what inspires you and supporting those who create it. "

Another similar initiative is called: Link with Love and they have a nice action list on their site that tells how you can help!

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

• UNDERSTAND that sharing online can be done ethically and easily. Things found onling are not "free for the taking".
• DO YOUR BEST to make sure when you share media - to respect the rights of the creator. Intellectual property can assume many different types of copyright or sharing licenses. If you are unsure, contact the creator for permission prior to sharing.
• SPREAD THE WORD. Share this information with your social networks to help others understand the importance of sharing ethically. Display your badge. Lead by example.

So, please SHARE ON!  It gives us designers, artists, crafters and bloggers a sense of pride and worth to our work. Just be sure to give credit where credit is due. It's that simple.

Craftcount : Etsy Top Sellers

Ahhhh!!! SO cool!!!

Etsy sellers: have you ever used Craftcount?  As stated on their facebook page, Craftcount tracks Etsy top sellers via the sales count in every country and category, updated every 24 hours. The information is restricted to track the top 100 sellers with over 1000 sales in each category except the main categories of All, Handmade, Supplies, Vintage and Mixed.

If you're a numbers or a stats person, this is interesting information to check in with every now and then.

I was doing just that last when I happened onto the Craftcount website. I registered my shop and started to search.  Wanna know what I found?

I am listed as 36th Top Seller
on Etsy in the Handmade Art category!  

For real????  You better believe it! Check it out here.

And while you're at it, take a look at some of the shops that are top on this list. Tons of talent and proof that it can be done!

Holiday Shipping Information & Deadlines

Just quick post about holiday stuff would be a good idea.... So. Here are some important deadlines coming up:

HOLIDAY ORDERING DEADLINES : 
• US Shipping - order by Dec. 7th
• International - order by Dec. 1st

http://www.etsy.com/shop/BetweenEverything

Business: Year One

No doubt, the first year of being in business for yourself is a rough one!  The info graphic below explains all the ups and downs of the roller coast ride!

If I had to pick the top 3 that I felt the most, it would be:

1. Discover how brilliant and strong you truly are.
2. Make mistakes that will turn out to be strokes of genius.
3. STOP SLEEPING.  ha! (so VERY true!)

Graphic by Makeness

I'm in my 2nd month of my 2nd year working for myself..... and here's to another great year filled with education and inspiration!  (as I lift my coffee in a solo toast!)

Living the Online Life : tips for balance and efficiency

I'm not sure what the protocol is for re-posting an article from another blog: but I'm going to take my chances because it's definitely important if this lifestyle applies to you.  Alt Design, if this is an issue, please let me know.

Below is an article I found on the Alt Design Summit blog.  It was written by their guest contributor, Ciera Holzenthal.

I think there are a lot of good tips here for living an online life.  Personally, I absolutely positively struggle with the balance of online time and away time.  My business is entirely online therefore, the Etsy shop and Etsy convo's, my email, facebook, twitter, blogging etc. take up most all of my waking time. I make time away to spend with my family and then there's the 6th grade homework, housework, dinner time and wouldn't-trade-it-for-the-world time between Gavin, myself and Olivia. BUT most of the time I feel it's at the expense of the business - which sucks and might require a shift of perspective someday....

- shrug -

Regardless, Ciera makes some very good suggestions to creating and finding balance for those of us stuck in the online hamster wheel.  Here's her article:

Photography by Aram Bedrossian.

How to Manage an Effective Online Life

One of my 30 before 30 goals was to spend less time online. This has proven to be much harder than expected! I have been struggling for a balance. I want to stay connected and inspired without getting totally overwhelmed. While trying to grow my blog and get myself out there in the design world, I feel like it is hard to get away from my computer. I am constantly looking to make new connections, and well, that involves a lot of online time!

There is a fine line between being productive online and getting sucked into the procrastination circle of the internet. Everyday I struggle with this, as I’m sure some of you do as well. So to try and create a better balance, I have come up with a few tips to having a fun, active online world without having it take over your life.

MAKE A LIST

I am huge on planning and list making so of course that is going to be my first suggestion. Make a to-do list of your top online priorities each day so you don’t get distracted.

SCHEDULE

Come up with a realistic schedule of the time you need online daily. When that time is up then move on! I like to check all my social media while I drink my coffee in the morning. But if you know that starting your day online is only going to lead to major procrastination, save that until the end of the day. Setting your email to only check every hour also helps to minimize wasted time.

JUST SAY NO

If you are using social media to procrastinate, just say no! You should use it for the reasons on your list and then get outta there!

DO IT FOR YOU

Don’t feel the need to prove yourself. You know that you’re having a busy day but don’t need to update your networks each time you send an email. Share the inspiring and important parts of your day, when you publish a blog post, list an item to your Etsy shop or receive a new piece of artwork that you ordered!

WEED OUT THE NEGATIVE

Hide or unfollow people and blogs that are negative or make you feel jealous or frustrated, for whatever the reason may be. This is a good way to keep your online world positive. If you are not sure, opt out of these blogs for a few days and see how you feel.

INTERACT

Interact with people instead of just following. I love being able to connect with all types of people all over the world, that is what excites me about social media. Trust me, most people out there would love to have a little twitter convo or go back and forth for a while on Facebook! Leaving comments on a blog is also a great way to connect. It lets the author know the time they devote to their content is appreciated.

So does anyone find these tips helpful?  Anything you're already doing that works?  Anything you'd like to start implementing from this list? 

Come on! There's lots of you online lifestylers out there!  How do you make it all happen?

Gallery Wraps are here!

I've recently had several requests for my designs on canvas so I thought it was time to put together a little product info for y'all.

Turn your favorite Near & Dear design into fine art with stunning, professional quality canvas prints.  Mix and match sizes to create your own family story wall or give as an unforgettable gift for any occasion.

Gallery Wraps are considered high end wall art due to the giclee printing process. Your Near & Dear design is printed on fine art canvas material, then wrapped around a 1.5" wooden stretcher frame. No need to frame - Gallery Wraps come ready to hang with brackets and rubber wall protectors on the back.

Sizes available are: 8x10", 10x10", 11x14", 10x20", 16x16", 10x30", 16x20", 16x24", 20x20", 20x24", 20x30", 24x30", or 24x36"

Pricing varies based on size and design choice however any and all designs in my Near & Dear shop are available on canvas!


Question on sizing?

I recently found this little graphic from the South Hill Gallery that might help:

As always, any questions, just let me know! 

Oh, Momma.....

As some of you know, things have been a little scary around here.  My mom had a stroke back in January. By the grace of God and the good lovin' Universe the side effects were so minimal that she was back up and running within several weeks. Her recovery was amazing and we are so blessed all things considered.

However, her doctors were determined to find the cause seeing as she's in perfectly good health and all tests they ran came back leaving a huge question mark ? on the problem.  The final test they ran was an angiogram. An angiogram is an X-ray test that uses a special dye and camera to take pictures of the blood flow in an artery or a vein. The angiogram found a cluster of abnormal veins in her brain that connected parts of her blood flow to another artery therefore redirecting blood to other places within her brain. These veins were also collected blood in certain spots which as bound to cause to an aneurysm if not taken care of NOW.

A blast from the past! Mom and I circa '04 at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival

They scheduled a procedure called a cerebral embolization. In embolization procedures, physicians use image guidance to fill AVMs with liquid embolic agents (similar to fast-sealing glue), thereby treating the presenting symptoms, and preventing new ones.

Here's a great website that tells more: http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=dc-embol

The complications and risks were huge - everything from blindness to paralysis to another stoke right on the table. And if they weren't able to block the flow of blood, brain surgery would've been required... of course, leading to a million other incredibly scary outcomes.

It's important to have faith and trust in the Universe. 

Everything about this issue, all the bits and pieces leading up to this moment all fell in line, right down to moving to Cleveland years ago and having access to the Cleveland Clinic, one of the most prestigious hospitals in the world. Had we not already lived here, we probably would've travelled to Cleveland for the procedure.

It was a long and grueling day in the waiting room.  My emotions were like a roller coaster.  My mother is not only my best friend but she raised me as a single mother and I'm her only child.  We are all we've ever had and all we've ever been able to depend on.  I'm so lucky and so fortunate to not only know this woman but to be a product of her.  She is the strongest most beautiful woman I've ever known.

Anyway, long story short, the procedure worked and she's going to be ok!  

No side effects other than a splitting head ache and few follow ups with the doctor. The entire neurology team was on this case, they were prepared with several back up plans and what if scenarios. But none of it was needed. Plan A worked and she's going to back her life with no long term disabilities or health concerns. Un-fucking-believe!!! 

Here's the before (left) and after (right) images of the blood flow in her brain at the spot of concern. 

You can see on the left were all the excess blood flow was happening and then here you can see on the right were they were able to insert the epoxy like material and stop the blood from routing into those dangerous veins. Hats off to the neurology team at the Cleveland Clinic. They performed what I perceive to be a miracle and they saved my mom.

Much love to the Universe!!! Thank you for taking care of the most important woman in my life and giving us many many more years to make memories and share in this life together.

I love you, Mom.

How to Choose and Mat and Frame for your 8"x10" image

I often get asked to recommend matting and framing options for my standard 8x10 prints. The cost of custom framing can be way too expensive for those of us who like to be frugal plus I'm a do-it-youselfer and you can be too!  Here is my advice on how to mat and frame a picture of standard size.


The most common size I offer in my shop is a standard 8x10 print, so let's work with that.  Remember, I always include a white boarder for handling purposes. The printed area is a 8"x10".

Once your personalized Near&Dear piece has arrived safe and sound in it's sturdy mailer you should head to your local craft store to pick out a frame and matting. Craft stores like Michaels, A.C. Moore, Jo-Ann Fabrics etc. have a great selection of frames and matting options. I'm also a supporer of your local arts and crafts store, so please check there as well!

Choosing a Mat

Mats come in a variety of colors with a few options such a double matting.  A single mat is only one mat board that is cut to reveal the artwork. A double mat has both an outer mat and an inner mat. The outer mat shows the most color and is closest to the glass of the frame. The inner mat only shows 1/4 inch frame around the window openings of the mat.

It is up to your personal preference to decide which mat color and style you prefer. 

Here is what I recommend for choosing your mat size:

• For an 8x10 print I recommend picking out an 11x14 frame.  

There are other options available but for something standard and fool proof work within those dimensions.

You mat packaging will read:

 11x14 Mat sized to fit 8" x 10" Photograph

However depending on the brand, it might also say:

11x14 Outer,  7 5/8" x 9 5/8" Inner 

 

These dimensions are actually more accurate as the inner cut of the mat is made slightly smaller than 8"x10" as there is a slight over hang where you mat covers the printed area of your design.  

Choosing a Frame

After you've decided on a mat, head over to the frames where a variety of frames are available. The frame you choose is again, completely your personal choice.  Purchasing a frame should be easy.  All you're going to look for is a frame size that is equal to your mat size.  So if you picked out an 11"x14" mat, choose an 11"x14" frame.  Frames are generally sold by the dimensions of the glass, not the dimensions of the molding that make up the frame. 

For example both of these would be an 11x14 frame because the inner dimensions are the same.

I hope that helps!  I'm currently working on a video that shows you how to properly assemble and hang your piece. More to come on that over the next few weeks!

A few other tips: 

1. Use archival quality materials.
2. Always wash your hands and work surface BEFORE assembling your piece.
3. Use glass cleaner on the inside of your glass but remember to let it dry completely!
4. Remember that frames are meant to COMPLIMENT your photograph. Don’t let the frame overwhelm the image.

And if any of this seems overwhelming or you just don't have time, you can always upgrade your order and add a mat and frame to purchase!

Enjoy!!

USPS Postage Increase

The Price of Stamps Will Increase on January 22, 2012 - that's in 4 days!  Here's what you need to know:

According the US Postal Service:

• The cost of Forever stamps will increase by 1 cent.  But if you stock up on a supply now at 44¢, you can still use them for letters after the January 22nd price increase.
• Letters (1 oz.) will cost 45 cents. This is a 1-cent increase.
• Additional ounces for letters will remain unchanged at 20 cents.
• Postcards will increase 3 cents to 32 cents.
• Letters to Canada or Mexico will cost 85 cents. This is a 5 cent increase.
• Letters to other international destinations will increase 7 cents to cost $1.05.

Prices also will change for other mailing services, including standard mail, periodicals, package services, and extra services.

SO… what does that mean to you when you place an order with me?  Well, nothing for the moment. :)  I don't have any plans on increasing my shipping just yet.  For now I'm going to see how it goes.  If I see a significant increase in the amount I'll be absorbing I might have to re-evaluate.  But I'll be sure to give you a heads up if it comes down to that.

I'm so appreciative of each and every opportunity I have to design personalized imagery for you.  Thank you.

Finding my balance

I think I’m on a never ending quest to find balance! Balance between work and life are always difficult and I know I'm not the only one who struggles with that (I am getting better at it though) but balance within my working time as well.

For me it’s all about scheduling, understanding at what time I do different tasks better and in being flexible.  If a new idea comes up it’s important to at the very least take time out to jot down some notes and sketches in a journal so that I can explore it later. If I’m really inspired and some other tasks can be put off for a little bit, I’ll continue going with that creative flow and see where it takes me. In an ideal world I also have some creative play time scheduled in weekly, though in reality I have to pull some pretty late nights if I'm going to explore a new idea.


However, in the studio, I have to keep both feet on the ground and handle all those business and admin tasks that actually help make the money.

It's hard to run your own business when you're a creative type because the urge to create is quite often greater than the urge to... balance your books?  ha!  You can say that again!  So, in order to overcome this, I try to schedule my time so that I work on business and admin tasks in the morning when I’m feeling less creative - email, reply to Etsy convo's, bookkeeping and back accounts - which leaves me time in the late afternoon and into the night to get create and fill orders or work on new design ideas. My post-it notes (god I love post-its) and to-do lists are my best friends. I know there are many online time management tools out there, but I love the process of handwriting and crossing off my lists. Same with my calendar - I have to write it down.  Entering into iCal don't register - maybe because I'm right brained.  Besides, what would doodle on if I didn't use post-it's and a real calendar?

All in all, as each day happens I grow, change, learn and find just a bit better balance than I did the day before.  I guess that's kind of the point.  Life isn't always going to give me the same situation each day so I have to adapt , be flexible and evolve with my business and my designs.

All this leads right into this weeks Music Monday selection: Gillian Welch, David Rawlings and Old Crow Medicine show - The Weight.  I can't help but feel serenity when I hear this collection of fantastic musicians bellow.

Happy Monday!!

Great find! Artist David Fleck

For Christmas this year my mother asked for a piece - art, photography, wall sculpture, something cool -  to take up the large undecorated space she has in the living room.  That's a pretty broad request and I wasn't sure where to start.  I vowed handmade and to support independent artists this year so Etsy would be the first bet.  However, much to my luck, Katie Daisy posted a link on facebook about her new t's on Society6 and I headed over to take a look which led to lots more browsing and that's where I found EXACTLY what I didn't already know I was looking for.

To know my mother is know how much she has always dreamed of attending the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.  So, for my entire life, I've always associated hot air balloons with my mother which is quite fitting given how colorful and free hot air balloons are. So that's why when I saw this art print, Voyages over Edinburgh by artist and illustrator David Fleck, I knew it was simply perfect. 


David is an Architecture student with a partiality for illustrating and a bunch of other things.  As quoted from his facebook page: 

I like drawing. I like cities, travelling, architecture, books and kites, and most of my drawings seem to be inspired by these things.

Here's the piece I purchased for my mom:

And a few others I really enjoy:

  

 

You follow David Fleck at the links below:

Society6 :  http://society6.com/Fleck
Facebook : http://www.facebook.com/FleckArt
Website : http://davidfleck.co.uk/

Thanks for the piece and the inspiration!

Personalized Art Prints Using Your Photos

Get your thinking cap on and come up with something good!! I'm now offering personalized art prints using your photos! Great gift for the holidays!

Plus get free shipping between now and Cyber Monday. Use coupon code THANKYOU at checkout.

Don't forget!  I'm offering free shipping between now and Cyber Monday as a token of my gratitude to all those who make this possible!  Use coupon code THANKYOU at checkout.

Lots of love.