Success Comes From Within

Often, sellers ask is anyone making sales at this or that site? Is this site good for sales? Do you get a lot of traffic and sales at this venue?  Long-lasting success is not based on the website or selling venue or any other entity or person. Sustainable success happens according to the person's unfailing commitment, acquired knowledge and savvy efforts.

Unless you got in on the ground floor, even Etsy is no longer a venue where you are likely to list products, do nothing and get sales. Nowadays, new Etsy shops have to promote themselves ceaselessly to obtain regular sales. Etsy used to be the go-to venue to list creations, do nothing much and rake in the sales.

Earlier in Etsy's history, a person could join and by virtue of the traffic alone selling success could be had. Because of the changes in the purpose and direction of the owners, competition is now so varied and stiff that even those with great products have to pull their own weight in marketing. This is something that sellers should have always been cultivating. Why? Because that type of self-generated success is lasting. 

To successfully market and promote our brands, we have to believe in what we do and believe in ourselves. We have to see value in all of it and we have to be determined to show others that value. Sometimes, we have to change products and direction or reevaluate our goals.

If we don't possess that do-or-die attitude, we will depend on others and their websites to give us success. Eventually, we'll quit. If this is the case, them maybe we should not have been pursuing this type of success anyway. Maybe it was always just a fleeting hobby that we mistakenly saw as a driving purpose. 

A creative person who is driven and burning with the love of creating and the determination to show others the value of it will work tirelessly. They will press on until they find the correct techniques and products or services to get that point across.  Like they say, a good seller can sell ice to Native Alaskans.

We should all want sustainable success, rather than success that is attached to any one e-commerce site. If a website begins to fail or if the owners take a direction that is no longer compatible with our beliefs, we can leave and take our success with us. Without fear, we can take self-built, sustainable success where ever we go. 

Success = 

• Unfailing Commitment
• Acquired Knowledge
• Savvy Efforts.

Success comes from within.

Free Image Mondays: Fireworks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today's image is a colorful, fireworks graphic. The dimensions are 1920 x 1871px and it is a PNG file. 

Download It Here From My Files At Microsoft OneDrive:

https://1drv.ms/u/s!AucUJVHYQ3s5jC4lI10ZtKRIPiTO

Then click the download link at the top of the OneDrive page.

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The bonus image is 9 styles of snowflakes. The dimensions of the files are 1920 x 1920 px (each snowflake clipped separately will be smaller) and it is a PNG file. https://1drv.ms/u/s!AucUJVHYQ3s5jCZz6PKOwqSJfEbX?e=HXkTbH

Download It Here From My Files At Microsoft OneDrive:

https://1drv.ms/u/s!AucUJVHYQ3s5jC8RslRk7wZlY_tG

Then click the download link at the top of the OneDrive page.

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Comment if you have problems getting the images.

HAPPY CREATING!

 

 

All Free Image Mondays pics are free for personal and commercial use, no license, no fee, no attribution needed. Print out or use digitally.

Die-Cut, Stamped, Embossed Christmas Cards Technique

I designed these narrow Christmas cards, 3.25 x 6", to fit lavender envelopes that I already had. Techniques and media used are stamping, dry/heat embossing, die-cutting, embossing folders, cardstock, ink, glitter, embossing powder, Washi tape, ribbon trim, rhinestones, gel and paint pens and gel plate-printed background papers.

I die-cut the Christmas trees and snowflakes shapes with dies in 2 sizes/designs from Aliexpress. I like these trees because they have nice cut-out designs in the branches. 

 

After trimming my gel plate-printed papers, I dry-embossed them with an Aliexpress snowflakes embossing folder. I highlighted some of the dry embossed snowflakes with silver metallic gel and paint pens.

 

Joy Peace Love is stamped/embossed with a sentiment stamp from an Aliexpress holiday set. I refreshed my Stampabilities embossing ink pad with a few drops of glycerin spread across the top and lightly pressed in with a spoon. It has lasted well over 2 years. You can get a bottle of glycerin at most drug stores or the pharmacy of discount stores.

 

The heat embossing of the stamped text was done with Ranger Snowflake Embossing Tinsel (a combo of white embossing powder and silver glitter) and Joann Craft Essentials Silver. I kiss-trimmed each sentiment.

 

I stamped inside sentiments of Merry Christmas and a Joy To The World wreath, with the same Aliexpress holiday set, with Memento Tuxedo Black. You can see part of these sentiments in image #2, where I off-stamped on little pieces of card stock.

 

I adhered Washi tape from Amazon and Aliexpress and mini ribbon trim to the embossed panels and glued them to the folded, white cardstock. After I attached the snowflakes and trees, I positioned the Joy Peace Love sentiments and glued on. 

 

I embellished each card with glitters and rhinestones from various sources.

 

I stamped my logo on back with a Zazzle customized stamp in My Favorite Things Boysenberry.

 

These multi-technique holiday cards came out very well to be a rushed job. Next year, I'm going to start earlier, I always say!

 

Merry Christmas! Joy, Peace & Love To You & Yours!

 

Note: Products without links means I couldn't find them or I don't remember where I got them.

Double-Embossing Technique On Star Of Jesus Cards

 

Ran across these lovely, Star of Jesus cards in my Gelatin Printing Enthusiasts Facebook group. I wondered if they were embossed but thought the stars looked thicker than expected. Did the crafter use some type of ultra or super thick embossing powder or enamel?

It turns out that crafter, Michelle Moussan, used the easy double-embossing technique. She explains below:

I die cut the star and then did the double embossing. After I melt the first layer of embossing powder, I ink it again with embossing ink and add a second layer of embossing powder. I then added small bits of highly reflective glitter. Like I said just a bit so it wouldn’t be overwhelming just catch the light a little. 

Embossed Cards Design by Michelle Moussan

The double-embossed effect can work with what we have, rather than buying another product, such as ultra thick embossing powder. Just a few minutes more are needed to get the look. Designs can even be embossed a third time. 

It would seem that generally, the thicker the embossing will be, the less intricate the design will need to be. Heavy embossing may over fill detailed areas.

Are Like And Follow Chains Worth It?

I've succumbed to temptation, in the distant past, and have participated. When I realized that true value was not achieved through these staged social interactions, I decided that my creative time is too prized and limited to devote to these types of games.

The reciprocation is giving to get at worse, and the false inflating of stats at best. The increased stats are not from potential customers who discover our shops organically or through our savvy marketing skills. Smart marketing has value and attracts potential customers without requiring an immediate return.

These social trains are not an authentic way to realize appreciation for our products. I doubt if most of the likers and followers ever darken our shop doors again after the initial rush. Why fool ourselves by basking in fake accomplishments? Why strive to receive a flurry of activity only to be ghosted the day after? Likes for likes and follows for follows are a lot of precious effort for hollow shop interaction and inauthentic stats. When we think about it, it's really being deceitful to our potential customers, isn't it?

Our time is better spent improving our target marketing and SEO skills, and learning how to better promote our brands. Social media trains, blog hops and the like cannot successfully compete with intelligent growth.  The effort devoted to improving business skills has long-reaching effects that guarantee long-range selling success. 

Here is some info on SEO, an area in which we can all improve.

SearchEngineLand says:

SEO stands for “search engine optimization.” In simple terms, it means the process of improving your site to increase its visibility when people search for products or services related to your business in Google, Bing, and other search engines. The better visibility your pages have in search results, the more likely you are to garner attention and attract prospective and existing customers to your business.

SEO is a fundamental part of digital marketing because people conduct trillions of searches every year, often with commercial intent to find information about products and services. Search is often the primary source of digital traffic for brands and complements other marketing channels. Greater visibility and ranking higher in search results than your competition can have a material impact on your bottom line.

SearchEngineLand is chock-full of info on SEO, what it is, why it's important, how it works and how to learn it. 

Black & White Christmas Tags & Paper Printables

Black And White Snowflakes Printable Tags at Printaphoria

LUXURIOUS SNOWFLAKES 2 PRINTABLE TAGS

Black and white snowflakes design on tags and paper. I really like the gold accents that I added on the tags and the bows look like black velvet. 

9 Per Printed Sheet, 300 dpi for crisp printing, prints on 8 1/2 x 11" paper or cardstock.

LUXURIOUS SNOWFLAKES 2 PRINTABLE PAPER

1 PDF design, 5400 X 7200 px (18 x 24"), 300 dpi for sharp printing. Print on 8 1/2 x 11" paper or cardstock or scale up to 18 x 24".

Snowflakes Printable Paper by Artsy Craftery Design Studio

 

Printaphoria graphics are always PERSONAL AND COMMERCIAL when used in your crafting projects, i.e., digital applications, scrap-booking, cards, collage, altered-art, journals, other crafts. No attribution necessary but appreciated when you mention Printaphoria or Artsy Craftery Design Studio.

Thanks for visiting PRINTAPHORIA!

 

Free Image Monday

 

Today's image is a colorful, vector-style graphic of Mary, Joseph and the Baby Jesus. The dimensions are 1920 x 1010 px and it is a PNG file. 

Download It Here From My Files At Microsoft OneDrive:

https://1drv.ms/u/s!AucUJVHYQ3s5jCdTlciT7GImzdmb

Then click the download link at the top of the OneDrive page.

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The bonus image is a photograph of a Nativity scene or creche. The dimensions are 5472 x 3053 px and it is a PNG file. https://1drv.ms/u/s!AucUJVHYQ3s5jCZz6PKOwqSJfEbX?e=HXkTbH

Download It Here From My Files At Microsoft OneDrive:

https://1drv.ms/u/s!AucUJVHYQ3s5jC16o3B5dZaujXxk

Then click the download link at the top of the OneDrive page.

................................................................. 

Comment if you have problems getting the images.

HAPPY CREATING!

 

 

All Free Image Mondays pics are royalty-free for personal and commercial use, no fee, no attribution needed. Print out or use digitally.

Instagram On Desktop Now

Did you know you can now use Instagram from your desktop/laptop? Even to create posts? I had left a few yrs ago and went back with a new acct this week and found out. So, we're no longer restricted to our smartphones.

 

Here's my link. If you're on Insta, consider following me if you like my shop, Printaphoria, and I'll return the favor. https://www.instagram.com/artsycrafterystudio/

Christmas Week Printables Sale

All products in the Seasonal & Holidays-Winter category are on sale through Sunday, 12/26. The coupon code is 25OffChristmas. Add it in the coupon code box in your cart when you check out.

Printaphoria accepts Paypal and you don't need an account. Just use the card of your choice.

Newest Printaphoria Product And Included In The Sale

Joy To The World The Lord Has Come And Hark The Herald Angels Sing Glory To The New Born King Twin Set Printable Word Art For Wall, Tabletop, Mantle, Buffet, Counter

Joy To The World, Hark The Herald Angels Sing Printable Art Set 

For Each Design You Will Receive 5 (five), 300 Dpi Image Files In Various Sizes For Sharp, Clear Printing

 

Thanks For Visiting PRINTAPHORIA!

If you are interested in finding a free venue to sell digitals, printables, ebooks, subscriptions, coaching and memberships, as well as physical products, take a look at Payhip.

 

 

New Amazon Book

Though Family Heirloom & Favorites Recipes is a collection of blank recipe cards in book form, it is also more than that. See more info at the Amazon Books tab.

Free Image Mondays: Christmas Graphics Panel

 

Today's image is a panel of green Christmas graphics. The dimensions are 1920 x 1280 px and it is a JPEG file. 

Download It Here From My Files At Microsoft OneDrive:

https://1drv.ms/u/s!AucUJVHYQ3s5jCQ8kwrKY8IFaoB8?e=zWvaYe

Then click the download link at the top of the OneDrive page.

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The bonus image is a close up of Christmas tree branches filled with white, gold and tan ornaments. The dimensions are 1920 x 1130 px and it is a JPEG file. https://1drv.ms/u/s!AucUJVHYQ3s5jCZz6PKOwqSJfEbX?e=HXkTbH

Download It Here From My Files At Microsoft OneDrive:

https://1drv.ms/u/s!AucUJVHYQ3s5jCZz6PKOwqSJfEbX?e=btvxhP

Then click the download link at the top of the OneDrive page.

................................................................. 

Comment if you have problems getting the images.

HAPPY CREATING!

 

 

All Free Image Mondays pics are royalty-free for personal and commercial use, no fee, no attribution needed. Print out or use digitally.

Snowflakes Christmas Paper & Tags

Luxurious Snowflakes Tags 

 

Luxurious Snowflakes Printable Paper

 

I like creating an unusual color theme for various holidays, so I thought what can I do for snowflakes that is different? Then I thought what if golden snowflakes were raining down from the sky?

 

People are always looking for something out of the norm and if you're thinking it, someone else probably is too. The most popular products are the ones that the creator could not find and decided to produce.

 

I found free snowflake designs and edited them into luscious golden yellow ones with dark bronze outlines. I love how the turquoise and yellow color scheme works well in complimenting each hue for a vibrant and cheery design.

There are 9 tags in JPEG file format: Luxurious Snowflakes Tags

 

 

The paper is a PDF: Luxurious Snowflakes Printable Paper

Use them in craft projects and wrap small gifts with the printable paper. As usual, Printaphoria products are always PERSONAL AND COMMERCIAL when used in your crafting projects, i.e., digital applications, scrap-booking, cards, collage, altered-art, journals, and other creative projects. The files and prints cannot be sold or redistributed.

 

Thanks for visiting PRINTAPHORIA!

 

Luxurious Snowflakes Tags

Luxurious Snowflakes Printable Paper

Free Image Mondays: Three Wise Men

Today's image is a Three Wise Men silhouette. The dimensions are 940 x 1280 px and it is a PNG file. 

Download It Here From My Files At Microsoft OneDrive:

https://1drv.ms/u/s!AucUJVHYQ3s5jBta684gMz_kXovc?e=pXTtwn

Then click the download link at the top of the OneDrive page.

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The bonus image is a silhouette of an ancient middle eastern city. The dimensions are 1808 x 1920 px and it is a PNG file.

Download It Here From My Files At Microsoft OneDrive:

https://1drv.ms/u/s!AucUJVHYQ3s5jBw-9c7Xxh7uqiMQ?e=AcZbT3

Then click the download link at the top of the OneDrive page.

................................................................. 

Comment if you have problems getting the images.

HAPPY CREATING!

 

 

All Free Image Mondays pics are royalty-free for personal and commercial use, no fee, no attribution needed. Print out or use digitally.