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Edit – the new website I talk about in the post below was part of an experiment, and the experiment didn’t work. The website was taken down, and the links below will just send you right back to this site. I still highly recommend Squarespace for anyone who’s thinking about building their first website.
I promised to show you my new website and the type of art I hope to sell online. I finally have enough of it done to have something to share with you. The look of the website will change, but the bones are there, and everything is working.
The website is built on Squarespace, the printing is done by Printful, and the buy button comes from Shopify. I mentioned these companies in my video but I’m not in any way associated with them. I just wanted you to know which products I’m using to get my art store online. There are certainly other options, but these are the ones I’m working with.
After watching the video, you can check out my new website and see how it looks at JonniGood.com [Not anymore – that now redirects to this site.].
If you’d like to learn more about designing a website on Squarespace, I recommend starting here. I’ve been able to use several of Anjelica’s tips in my own site, and her videos convinced me to use Squarespace instead of sticking with WordPress. I’m glad I did.
And for a different take on selling prints through Printful, check out Dave Conrey’s latest video.
And now for the hard part – getting the word out so people can actually find my new site!
Be sure an tell me what you think. Any suggestions would be welcome.
Thanks Jonni. The person I chatted with told me to go to the Poster link and that was the end of her helpful presence. Those were the 2 papers I saw, Luster and Matte. So I guess I was on the right page. Next time I’ll email and skip the chat with my questions.
A few years back my grandaughter sold her art on some site, I can’t remember the name of. They offered many items artists could have their artwork printed on…pillows was one. I bought one she did titled the Many Faces of David Bowie. She used primary colors that pop. I love it and so does my cat…who favors that chair the pillow is propped up on. Bowie’s images are printed on both sides and the material resembles nylon but it’s probably some kind of plastic material. (supposed to resemble canvas). If this site offers the same…I think your art on pillows is a good idea. My grandaughter now sells her art on another site, I don’t remember the name of. I bought one of her pieces, a zippered type purse I call my little easy to find “sanity protector shopping bag”. It’s 8″x5″, the perfect size for my purse. Now when a sales clerk asks if I have their card at checkout, I have all zillion of them in this little gem. No more going nuts digging and holding up the line. Full bleed on both sides with a zipper closure top and a zippered pocket inside. My girl does eye popping colors so when I open my purse it stands out like a neon sign.
Mugs…yes.
I had mugs made (VistaPrint) a few years ago with my Indians on it. Never intended to sell them, gave them as gifts to my family. I wasn’t happy with them. The print was good, but too small and on the wrong side of the mug for a right handed coffee drinker. No lefties in my family.
One of daughters sent me my Mother’s Day box of goodies. Of course I opened it immediately. Inside she sent a little inspiration book titled “Seize the Moment”. I’m still on the 1st page and when you and everybody here on site reads what it says … I hope you’ll find inspiration too. Here’s the quote:
“Take a chance! All life is a chance. The man who goes the furthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare.” Dale Canegie
I will print out that quote and tape it on the wall next to my desk. Your daughter found a good one for you.
I hope your granddaughter’s online store is doing well. If you find the web address of her website, I would love to see it. And she might appreciate the link. 🙂
Jonni that’s very kind of you. I could go on and on about my girl … but I’ll just say I found the link to her new shop http://mostlyhazel.storenvy.com/ Her market represents her generation … I did find the correct name of that zipper bag I call my “sanity protector shopping bag” tho. Thank you again for your kindness. It will all come back to you….
Your granddaughter has some very nice work in her store. I’ve been looking at a lot of artwork from her generation lately, and my grandson got Jazza’s character drawing book for his birthday. I think he was shocked to find out that I knew who Jazza is. I’m sure your granddaughter does, too. Is her name Hazel? That was my grandmother’s name. Talk about generations!
Oh yes, you have another artist in the family! Do you think it’s in the DNA? Nah, nobody, that I’m aware of, in my family showed any interest so it’s something else…
No, my granddaughters name isn’t Hazel. She came up with Hazel by doing some kind of process of taking the letters in her name, mixing it up and Mostly Hazel was born. That thing she did has a name, but it’s beyond me how that works.
I have more than one other artist in the family. My sister-in-law paints abstracts and taught art in middle school before she retired, my dad makes custom concrete benches (he’s 92 now, so he has slowed down on the really heavy stuff, but he still makes concrete leaves). My mother was a great knitter and used a lot of creativity wrapping gifts to look like Santa and other fun characters. I have a beautiful quilt made by my great grandmother that I keep hidden away to keep my fool cats from scratching on it. My son-in-law helps design the graphics for those fancy lighted signs you see at the Super Bowl and the Olympics (and outside a dentist’s office, on a much smaller scale), and my grandson makes animations and cartoons. I feel like I left someone out… 🙂
Your granddaughter picked a great name, no matter what method she used to come up with it. My grandmother said she was teased a lot in their one-room schoolroom, because witch hazel trees grew in the hills nearby.
Well, you blew my theory….Creativity certainly runs rampant in your family!
For me, the name Hazel makes me think of softness and gentleness, I don’t know what your grandmothers nature was … My grandmothers names were Sadie Lula Pearl and Rena Mae. Don’t hear anybody naming their daughters either of those names these days. Hum, I wonder why. Ha
I like your grandmothers’ names. Names seem to go through phases, but I don’t know why. I’ve noticed lots of boys at my grandson’s school concerts have names from the old testament. Back when I was a kid, three of the four boys in my class were called Johnny, so the teachers called me Jonni Lynn, adding the middle name to let me know I shouldn’t always be the one to raise my hand, I suppose.
And perhaps your other family members show their creativity in other ways? Math and music seem to show in creative families. My brother can’t paint, and can’t imagine wanting to, but he’s a math genius. Programmers, writers, woodworkers – all use the creative genes. Any of those hiding in your family tree?
Happy Mother’s Day!
You are right Jonni. When I made that statement I wasn’t thinking of family members with creative skills…I was thinking of painting and sculpting.
Yes, lots of creativity here. Woodworkers, quilters,… This year I joined into my daughter’s business. She creates grain free, coconut and almond flour bakery items, fermented foods, etc. … and sells them seasonally at a Farmer’s Market that runs May thru September. I don’t do baking, although I did try my hand at lemon bars this week (I have a large Meyer lemon tree out back). I sold about half of them. I used white flour for the crust which really doesn’t fit with what she’s doing. I am officially register with the State now under the Cottage Food Business Law. (I passed their test, barely. I had to take on my computer which is problematic)
Her items sold out both Saturdays, mine did not. My son-in-law dropped by with 4 of the grandchildren and I supplied each with a lemon bar. My grandson ate his, then went to his mom, the money handler, pulled $2.00 out of his pocket and bought himself another one. Love that child.
Kids beg their moms for her items, and since they are healthy with little to no sugar…
My actual contribution to the business is Jams and jellies. When I moved here, I started planting fruit trees on my little plot of suburbia. Santa Rosa plum, wild blackberries (which were already here), a sour cherry, lime, and pomegranates. The squirrels love them so we have a little war going on. An elderly couple in my neighborhood has a large grapefruit tree who kindly bagged up all the grapefruits and gave them to me. (They don’t eat them and just let them fall and rot) We don’t speak the same language, they’re from the Ukraine, but sign language worked. So, I’m going to be making grapefruit marmalade this coming week.
I’ll see how this season goes Even tho I didn’t make the $ quota these 1st 2 weeks, I am enjoying spending time with my daughter and having fun.
My daughter revealed her creativity when she was in grade school. I let her make her potions with the extracts on my kitchen shelves with free range to make her concoctions. One day I came home from work and she had baked a chocolate cake for dinner. It tasted really good with a mint flavor. I didn’t have any mint extract on my shelves and I asked her how she made it. She told me she used the tube of Crest toothpaste to get the mint flavor.
Like you said, names run in phases. When I meet someone named Sharon. I can pretty much guess her age….
I’m sorry to take up so much space on your site with my ramblings Jonni. But once I get started ….
Sharon, that tube of toothpaste gave me a good laugh to start my day. True creative genius at work, for sure… 🙂
Your online store looks WONDERFUL Jonni. You’ve turned your original sculptures into amazing works of art that’s now available to everyone.
I often thought that some of your sculptures would appeal to parents with small children when they are decorating their babies and little ones rooms. That is definitely a Market I hope you consider in your marketing plan.
Thank you for your generous spirit; sharing the tips, tricks, and what you have learned in your journey with us.
Thanks Sharon. And yes, when I finally start on my marketing, I thought grandparents might like some of the prints as gifts. I still remember the picture that was hanging on my bedroom wall a million years ago. And I remember that my grandmother gave it to me.
A few years back, when I started on Etsy, I noticed that children’s prints did really great. I wished, at the time, my art creating had some children’s themes in the making … but being a million years old, I couldn’t find any.
Sharon, I’ll bet you aren’t nearly as old as that. 🙂
Did you get a chance to work on your horse a little more? I can’t wait to see it when it’s finished. And kids like horses, don’t they?
Well Jonni, you’re right on your bet….but some days, especially lately, I feel I have a very old soul.
You know, I think we are the same age, same birth month anyway and the same year…I think.
About my horse, I’ve lost much of my vision in one eye, not so much in the other. I am grateful surgery can correct this….after 4 years in the waiting. A long story there but bottom line, I’m scheduled for the 1st surgery in June. I can’t blame that for the 4 1/2 months it’s taken so far in the creation of this work, or the fact I don’t have a horse in my yard anymore to reference…but I’ve enjoyed the memories that have popped up during this particular sculpture. I’ll share one with you.
My kids had a horse when they were little… her name was Dalila …
She was part Shetland … a mixed breed. Not a small pony. Sweet turned rascal at the bat of an eye.
My son was about 4 years old and he wanted to ride her. We didn’t use saddles…in this instance it wouldn’t have mattered anyway. Once his dad seated him on her back, his little legs were too short to get a grip around her belly. So…I watched in slow motion as he slid sideways right to the ground. He popped right up and shouted, “Did you see that mom!….she bucked me off…that horse bucked me off!!!!” (Dalila hadn’t moved an inch in the short time he was mounted) There are more memories, like most of the sculpts I do. which is why I could never sell these… they hold my heart. But a print I can make. Since most of my work is personal, they have a story. I thought about writing their story with each piece when I get my site up and running. Thought it might open a window that some viewers might relate to on some level in their own experiences or emotions regarding all the beauty and love and life in our world that surrounds us. That is one ability you have with your work Jonni. No one can ignore that when looking at your goat and kittie.
What a wonderful story! (I feel for your son – I slid off a horse once, too – but I was in my teens at the time, and other teens were watching. I’m still embarrassed!)
Adding personal stories to your sales page is a wonderful idea. I often wonder why people try to sell things online with just a little picture and the price. It would mean so much more for the buyers if they got to know what was going through your mind while you created the artwork. It would almost be like buying something made by a friend.
Do we get to start nagging you about when you’ll start your new online business? Right after you get your eyesight fixed, perhaps? I certainly hope that goes well, by the way. It’s amazing what the docs can do nowadays.
I haven’t had a chance to work on any new prints this week because I keep playing around with the design of my site. I didn’t change the template, but I did add a new image to the top. Heavily Photoshopped – so I’m a little worried about it. But now I have to stop playing around and get back to work!
I had to smile Jonni… my little one was SO EXCITED at the fact that his horse “bucked him off”. It made his day! 4 years old is a long distance to those vulnerable and sensitive teenage years…and the emotional impact it can have on anyone of us at that age. Even if he was at that age tho, I doubt it would have changed his reaction one bit because of his personality. I emphasize with your embarrassment. Teenage years sucked… One good thing about being close to a million years is that what I think about my experiences tops what anybody else thinks… every time.
I visited the site where you have your prints made and I saw they offer 2 options: glossy and not. I couldn’t find any info on the quality of the papers. Your new Wonderful store (I love the header photo you created) states your prints are printed on thick, quality acid free paper, but I couldn’t find the specifics on Printify or even get my question answered during the Chat I had with their rep. Any suggestions for getting to that place I want to find more info about? Or was I at the wrong site? I wouldn’t be surprised if I did something wrong…I just recently managed to destroy my computer to the point I couldn’t even log in. A wonderful persistent tech got it up and running after 3 days of fixing what I did to it. I’m now scared stupid to try anything because of this knack I have for destruction while fooling around with this baffling machine
… it frustrates me beyond sanity.
I had a hard time finding it too, Sharon, but I looked because I kept seeing “acid free” on other online art stores. I Googled it, and that took me back to the Printful posters sales page. I should have looked there first, of course. It says: Museum-quality posters made on thick, durable, matte paper… These puppies are printed on archival, acid-free paper.
I also looked up the inks. They mention Using Epson UltraChrome water based HDR ink-jet technology on this page: https://www.printful.com/quality
The paper mentioned under their Posters section is the luster paper. I prefer the matte finish, since it’s going under glass anyway. I think I found, somewhere, that the same inks are used on the matte paper, but now I can’t find it. They don’t make it easy. It’s even worse on a printing fulfillment site I found yesterday that’s associated with Fine Art America, https://pixels.com/ – but there is a nice guy named Alex who explains things to me by email. Lots of emails. I think it might be fun to put some images on mugs or pillows. Would that seem tacky? And someone asked if I could do printed canvases. That might be kind of fun.
As for computers – yeah, they have a mind of their own. But I can’t imagine living without them now. We are so spoiled, with information about anything in the world available to us with a few keystrokes. But I do miss having an excuse to spend hours hanging out in the library.
You have had us wondering just what you are up to, and now we finally know! Very cool Jonni! Your website is very professional looking, easy to navigate, the prices are reasonable, totally a win/win situation. Using your sculptures as the basis of some of your digital prints is perfect. So, you don’t actually have a bunch made to ship out, you have the print place do it all? Does that mean you wont have UPS at your doorstep every day? My mother in law does Ebay and she has the guy out several times a week to pick up deliveries, a total grind for her and it would be best to avoid that if possible.
As far as getting the word out….if we “pinned” those photos, would that put it out to pinterest for the world to see? Would that help the cause?
I like your prints and can not decide which is my favorite.
Hi Eileen. Yes, the printer does the printing and shipping, and that’s the best part for me. Most of the people on Etsy print their own (which limits the sizes they can offer) and they do the packing and shipping. It isn’t quite as much work as selling physical objects on ebay, and it doesn’t take up as much space. But I’d still prefer to let the printer do it for me. They’re set up for it, and I’m not. And I can’t afford the kind of printer I’d need, anyway. And I don’t have to purchase inventory, except for samples for myself, so I can spend what little I can afford on software for the artwork and stock images for the website. It works out nicely for me.
And sure – pin away, if you see any images you like. I just opened a new Pinterest business account, but I haven’t had a chance to actually pin anything yet. Too much to do – and the sun is shining, so I can’t help but spend time out in the garden when I really should be working. 🙂
Dear Jonni,
CONGRATULATIONS! Your website is great and your prints are lovely.
What is the medium? I love them all but especially the baby elephant. I checked out Dave Conrey! That guy “needs a Valium the size of a hockey puck” as Woody Allen would say…….LOL?. YouTube is wonderful though and I’m sure he is too.
I wish you the best with these endeavors. As always, you INSPIRE.
Thanks, Julie. The originals are digital prints, made using Paint Tool Sai, and sometimes Photoshop. I’m still learning….
And yes, I think Dave might want to slow down on the caffeine a bit. But he does come up with some interesting ideas. Some are useful, and some – well… He wrote a book about online marketing for artists. I haven’t read it yet. It looks like he’s still searching for the right way to go.
Your paintings are beautiful, Jonni, and it’s so interesting to see some of your sculpted characters portrayed in 2D form!
You keep surprising and inspiring me with your explorations and motivation.
Thanks, Suzanne. It was fun using the sculptures as models, but I’m also excited about creating some new creatures that I couldn’t fit into my house as sculptures. I’ll get started right after getting some of those pesky weeds out of my garden. 🙂
Great site, Jonni! Love your prints! You are an amazing artist in any medium. Thank you for keeping us updated. Looks like you’re moving right along. Take care.
Thanks, Rozani. I am enjoying this experiment – and now we get to see if it works. 🙂
You’re welcome. Am spreading the word.
Ditto what Karen said, kudos. I can’t even imagine doing all this. I love your paintings. I think your giraffe is spectacular, and I’m sure you painted it just to show me how it is done and how to make a giraffe great with half the number of spots! I do get carried away with small spaces and small spots!
I am on Facebook, although I don’t get on all that often. If there is something I could post, I would be happy to. You are an inspiration all the way around.
Thanks, Rex. As for spots, I cheated and found some photos of giraffes with big spots instead of little ones. They all seem to be different – I think the spots tell you where the herd lives. Or did I get that part wrong? 🙂
Love your art. I know where your daughter gets her talent!! You are both awesome. And thank you for the information on the website and the printing service. I’m about to embark on much the same and welcome the advice. Thank you again!!
Thanks, Lynda. If you put a website together, come back to this blog and add a comment to let us know where it is so we can all go admire it. Besides, Google likes links. Let us know how things go with your new business, if you don’t mind sharing. And remember to have fun!
Kudos to you on your new venture. Just purchased one of your prints and plan to get more. 🙂
Thanks for being willing to share your adventures in learning with us. I have been waffling about selling my artwork online. Not sure I will go in that direction but you are definitely an inspiration.
Thank your! I hope you like your print, and that it looks exactly the way you expected it to when it arrives. And let me know what you think, if you have the time.
I do get a lot of emails and comments from people who are just starting to think about the whole art selling business, but it isn’t easy to find good information about it from people who are actually doing it. That’s why I’m winging it – but as time goes on, I think I’ll figure it out. If you do decide to sell your work, be sure to come back here and let us know how to find your new website.
Jonni, you are great. I’m so glad I found you and always look forward to your emails. Kind regards, Marilyn
Gosh – thanks, Marilyn.