Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Spotted Tuesday: AllBusinessCards.Com

Business cards is a must-have for any businesses, especially for on-line businesses like mine. My business card represents me and my products. To possible future customers, it provides a “feel good” to what quality they can expect from my shops, adorebynat and natsupplies. To my customers, it accompanies the high-quality products that I offer and could come in handy when they shop with me again as easy to refer to.
In the past, I ordered my business cards through an Etsy shop. Unfortunately, the owner decided to stop printing jobs anymore. Heard about vistaprint and overnightprint; however was hesitant to try them out despite their free business cards offer. I heard mix reviews about them (you can google it up to find out a bit more). I almost wanted to give them a try. I completed the sign-up process and decided not to order at the end. However, by signing up, I ended up receiving daily junk mails from of them. I tried to unsubscribe a few times but they just kept coming in. Grr… I had to filter my e-mails to go straight to my ‘spam’ box so I don’t have to see them ever again. I then looked into a local printing shop. I was happy with the price and quality in the beginning but after a few orders, I noticed the quality is not as good as was used to. I think they cut corners to increase profit and sadly, I need to find a new printing company. 

The timing could not be better when Jeremy from All Business Cards contacted me as he stumbled on my blog He introduced me to his company, about a couple of months ago. He asked me if I could do a review. Honestly, it was the first time I heard about All Business Cards, on-line printing company. I hesitated and thought for a while before I responded to him. Jeremy offered to send me business cards to see them with my own eyes. Why not, eh? I would love to see it firsthand so that I know what I’m talking about here. I sent my business cards template to him and in about 10 days later (shipping from US to Canada), I received my business cards in the mail, packed in a sturdy box. I LOVE the quality of them!! They are printed on thick cardstocks, clean-cut and the colors of images are crisp and clear. They look very professional! I’m impressed! These have so far been the best cards.


Here are the highlights of these full-color business cards: · Standard size: 2” x 3.5” · Thick and high quality 16 point cardstock · Unbeatable prices: US$59.99 for 1000 business cards (that’s $0.06 per card!!) · High gloss UV coating · Or matte if you prefer · Round corner is also available if you like I don’t know when the promotion will end but they are now offering FREE backside printing on all full-color business cards.


f you do not have your own design, you could choose one from over 10,000 designs available. If you urgently need your business cards, no problem! Rush order option is also available. All Business Cards not only offers high-quality business cards, but they also provide commendable customer service. I can say that because Jeremy has been very accommodating and responsive to my needs. I needed to update my business card template with new information and he patiently waited for me until my template was ready. He even informed me a day later after receiving my template that the cards were on their way to me. As an artist and a small business owner, I always aim for perfection (goods and services) while trying to reduce my expenses. If you are like me, you may want to visit All Business Cards to find out more on what they offer and how they can add value to your business. All Business Cards (http://www.allbusinesscards.com/) also offers metallic business cards, color sticker business cards, magnetic business cards or even plastic cards.

So Jeremy, I think I’m going to stick with you now. I just have to finish the cards you gave me before I do my order. My fellow artists and business owners, I highly recommend All Business Cards. You SHOULD give All Business Cards a try and see them for yourself.

Monday, September 27, 2010

Giveaway Winner of Pieces of Me Pendants

Who's the lucky winner this time, winning a beautiful pendant and chain from Pieces of Me Pendants?
Lisa gave me the honor to do the drawing and . . . Congratulations, TheCuttingEtch (#20)!!

You have 48 hours to reply from the time I'm contacting you :-)
Thanks again Lisa for sponsoring this wonderful giveaway and everyone who entered the contest.


For this week giveaway, please enter here to enter 5x7 photo print of YOUR choice from kellydbrown.

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Giveaway: 5x7 print from Kelly D Brown Photography and Design

Win 5x7 print of your choice from Kelly D Brown Photography and Design, known as kellydbrown shop on Etsy. Get to know Kelly, the artist behind Kelly D Brown Photography and Design (kellydbrown), and you'll learn a few things from the interview on yesterday's post. 

There are many ways to enter. Please make sure you leave a separate comment for every entry. 

How to enter to win: 
 Mandatory entry: Extra entries (only qualify once mandatory entry is fulfilled):
  • Earn 2 entries - Go to yesterday's post to know her more. Leave a comment there (yesterday's post) on at least one the following: what you learn from the interview, what you want to see more on her shop and why, or any constructive feedbacks are always appreciated. Come back here and leave 2 comments that you did, to ensure your entries are counted.
  • Heart kellydbrown (1 entry). Simply let us know your Etsy username.
  • Follow my adorebynat blog (1 entry). If you're already a follower, you still get an entry, just says you're following already.
  • Like kellydbrown FB Page (1 entry).
  • Like my adorebynat Facebook Page (1 entry). Let me know your FB username please.
  • Follow kellydbrown on twitter (1 entry).
  • Follow adorebynat on twitter (1 entry).
  • Tweet about this giveaway, add "@adorebynat and @misskitteh9 in your tweet. (1 entry).
  • Blog about this giveaway to earn 2 entries. Leave two separate comments here please providing me with the link to your post.
  • Be creative and share the love! Refer your friends and family to enter this giveaway. Use your social media (other than twitter and blog) to shout out this giveaway. As long as you provide me a link or a way to confirm it, you'll earn 2 entries (two separate comments). Hint: there are share buttons in the bottom of this post, maybe you can use them?
  • Tell us how did you hear about this giveaway (1 entry).
  • Purchase an item from kellydbrown and earn 10 entries for each purchase. Don't forget letting us know by leaving comments :-)

Contest starts now and ends on Oct 2, 2010. Contest opens worldwide.

Don't forget to leave me a way to contact you. Entries without contact information will be disqualified. Entries that do not follow the rules will be disqualified. Contest winner will be drawn on Sunday, Oct 3 by a random number generator, by the artist herself. Winner must respond within 48 hours after being contacted otherwise another winner will be randomly selected.

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Saturday Artisan: Kelly D Brown Photography and Design

Meet our Saturday Artisan, Kelly, the artist and owner behind beautiful photography shop, kellydbrown. A talented artist from Montreal, Canada, close to home with the exception she is on the east and I'm on the west. :-) Take a peek at her shops and you'll find gorgeous and unique artworks. You should like her FB fanpage. Psst! She shares some promotion codes there. But maybe you may want to stick here a while. It's always a good thing to get to know the artist a little bit.

 
Tell us a bit about yourself and what arts/ crafts that you make?
I'm a photographer and digital artist with shops on Etsy and ArtFire. My work is difficult to categorize as a whole (at least for me) since I'm as drawn to grungy urban environments as much as I am to the beauty of nature. I can say that there is definitely a desire to create a certain mood, whether it be light and whimsical or slightly ominous.


Which part of creation process that you like to do the most?
I love reviewing fresh new images I've just captured. This always gets my imagination going. However, it takes a bit of time to determine which image I find inspiring enough to work with. In any one session I may go through many images, trying different techniques until I find something that really feels like it's taking shape. It can be frustrating spending the time and feeling like you're not getting anywhere, but I've come to realize the value of experimentation during this part of the process. Hit the right combination of effects and ending up with something I really love is better than chocolate.


What is your favourite item in your shop? 
I tend to favour my black and white pieces due to the amount of time I spend working on them. Colour can be so seductive - I'm a big fan of hot pinks, deep reds, and turquoise. Once the colour is removed, one must enhance and define the details in a much more creative way. I find the process challenging and therefore, more rewarding.


How do you promote your shop?
I love Twitter. Quite honestly I started out with the intention of promoting my products, but as I started to follow people, I started making some great connections. I've discovered so many great blogs and resources related (as well as unrelated) to my work through them. I can't say if I've actually had any sales as a result, but in many ways promotion has become less important. 


 I also have a Facebook Fanpage which allows me to interact with people via video, pictures and special offers - I love the comments I get!

Anything else you would like to share?
I'd like to give a special shout-out to all of the animals (wild and domesticated) who've been so co-operative in allowing me to photograph them. Most of all, I'd like to thank the people who like my work enough to buy it. It's a really wonderful feeling when I get an email notifying me of my latest sale. In July, I exhibited at the Festival International Montréal en Arts (FIMA). It was my first show and it went extraordinarily well. I've since been invited to participate in Art Westmount 2010. I'll be showcasing my photography at Victoria Hall in Westmount, Quebec on October 2nd and 3rd.