Category Archives: Etsy

ETSY Made Local Market

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Yesterday I had a stall at the Melbourne ETSY Made Local Markets. It was a one day market for Melbourne people who have an ETSY online store. 

What is ETSY?  A global online market place for handmade, craft  and vintage goods. My “store ” is here  You can purchase with Paypal or a credit card .

I was one of 136 Melbourne stallholders with handmade goods including homewares, clothing. ceramics, jewellery, stationary and arts and crafts.  The markets are part of a national initiative by ETSY to connect shoppers to the local makers and designers living and working in the area. As well as the handmade gifts available on the day there was live music, a selection of food trucks and a bar serving local Melbourne brews. 

A coffee at 9.50. The doors open in 10 minutes !. 

The day went quickly as we were saying hello and talking to people all day. I had interesting conversations with a few people, when they started looking at particular greeting cards. Or we talked about drawing or sketching. 

I was very fortunate to have a friend assisting, who not only was a great salesman and  assisted carrying my gear to the markets, but also gave me the opportunity to take breaks and sit down for a few moments every now and then.  It would have been a lot bigger day if I was on my own. A few friends popped by and also a few Instagram followers introduced themselves, which was delightful. 

I only left my stall a few times during the day and it was not until about 3.30 that I had the opportunity to look around and speak to other stall holders. The variety and quality of things for sale was amazing.  I talked to some really interesting people. 

I had a steady trickle  of greeting card sales, gave out a lot of business cards and have a potential collaboration. I will be interested to see how many views and sales I get on my ETSY online store over the next week or two, that may have come from interest at these markets. 


We left the house at 7.45 am and got home at 6.45 pm. It was a big day, from getting there to setting up, chatting with all of the lovely people, working with cash (and PayPal credit card reader) and all sorts of different things. Great fun . Energising, but exhausting. Today is a day to put my feet up (sketch them ) and relax !

My snail mail in Uppercase & on Etsy

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I am absolutely over the moon to have two small art submissions published in the current JULY issue of one of my absolutely favourite publications, UPPERCASE: magazine for the creative and curious. I have admired and read this inspirational quarterly magazine for a few years. It is described as having “A playful exploration of creativity, an affinity for vintage ephemera, and a love of typography” And it is a PRINT magazine (although it is more like a book), with high production values, attention to detail and fascinating articles.

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Canadian creator, publisher, editor and designer Janine Vangool spoke recently in Melbourne and I heard the history of her creative journey.  I realised that she practically produces the magazine on her own, which makes it all the more amazing. http://uppercasemagazine.com/blog

So when I received emails from Uppercase that they were “happy to say that your work was selected for UPPERCASE issue 26, out in July! Congratulations and thank you for sending in such a fine submission” I could not believe it. I looked at my inbox again and again to see it was true. I am honored to be accepted in such fine company!  The drawings are only a small part of the issue, but they are all mine and I am so happy.

My submissions were for the STAMPS themed issue of Uppercase. Both submissions were inspired  by projects I did about three years ago for an art competition, but are deep rooted in my drawing style and interests.

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My first drawing project is on p 11 of Uppercase: SNAIL MAIL ENVELOPES

I played with the concept of “snail mail” and had a wonderful time drawing snails on envelopes and then posting one to Uppercase ! After submitting and being accepted by Uppercase I decided to share my snail mail art more widely. I have printed my drawings of snails on envelopes and they are now available on my Etsy shop. They are printed on standard C6 envelopes available in a set of five designs or individually . Have a look and you can purchase some to send your own snail mail.

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My second drawing project is on p 59 of Uppercase: MAIL PARCEL

Me and my air mail parcel. April 2012

Like many children I collected stamps. I also collected postage marks and airmail stamps, tearing them off the envelopes and putting them in my stamp album. I still have these and drew them all over a parcel with watercolour pencils (and white gel pen) and wrapped a box in it and tied it up with string. I am working on another similar project now (watch this space). I also would love to see it printed as wrapping paper one day.

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Now that I have tweaked your curiosity, you can buy Uppercase at these Stockists internationally or Subscribe to this amazing inspirational publication.

What are your memories of stamp collecting?

New cards on Etsy

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I am very excited to announce a new set of eight Greeting Cards on my Etsy shop featuring my feather and nest drawings. I have had a busy and productive day today putting the images online.

These follow on from my first venture of Library books and shelves Greeting Cards that were printed in March.

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Those who know me will be well aware of how much I enjoy drawing feathers and nests. I am continually amazed by the delicacy, fragility and strength of nature. I love to try and capture the patterns and colours of feathers and the complexity and intricacy of nests. I have chosen eight drawings that I hope convey this. They are printed on cream 300 gsm card and come with a cream envelope  and are beautiful to send with (or as) gift or to keep and frame for yourself!

Printing these cards provides me with an opportunity to share my love of drawing and nature.ibistwo7

This adventure into the world of greeting cards has been exciting and challenging. I am on a learning curve about printing, websites, Etsy and marketing.

Please visit my Etsy Shop to view my drawings on my Greeting cards and spread the word.

 

 

My Etsy shop is Open !

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I have opened my Etsy Fine Art Shop.

The product?
Blank Fine Art Note or Greeting Cards featuring eight of my drawings of books and libraries.
Today I’m here to share a little more about this.

Where did the idea come from?
I have been longing to get my drawings printed as cards and prints for quite a while (as my friends know). I have spent time looking for a printing company that would produce a product with a quality of colour and finish that I was happy to put my name to. When I arrived in Melbourne I found (through recommendations) the company Print Together who were just right !

Why did I create cards?
I love paper products and the enjoyment of the written word. I love stationery, books, hand written notes and receiving something in the mail, and I know that many other people do too, even in this digital age. I write a letter once a week and love to post cards and think about the enjoyment and surprise on the recipients face when they open it .
I have been drawing the books and shelves in my new workplace and realised they would make a perfect set of cards.

What to expect?
Each card features a single image on the front and a blank interior, and a description on the back. They are printed on 300gsm card with a smooth finish that has an easy to write on surface. Each individual card comes packaged in a protective plastic sleeve with an envelope.

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So where can you find them?
You can find my Etsy shop at www.etsy.com/shop/alissaduke where you have a look at and order these cards.
*Keep an eye for new images on cards coming soon. Have a look at my website at the DRAWINGS tab to see just a few of my other type of drawings. Or ALL of my art everyday on flickr.

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