Kate Harper's Blog: 8/7/11

New Product Samples Arrive

No one should ever tell a child that there is no future in coloring. More of my product samples arrive today of my crayon coloring (Amber Lotus Publishing: Wall Calendars & engagement calendars, Leanin' Tree: mugs & magnets).

Amber Lotus

Leanin' Tree

Leanin' Tree

→ Check out Kate's Facebook page

Special Guest Michael Rhoda Joins us on Monday Greeting Card Video Chat

Michael Rhoda will join us at 11:00 a.m. PST (2:00 Eastern) Monday August 15th Greeting Card Geek Video Chat on Google+. Here's how to join the discussion .

Michael Rhoda has approximately two decades of experience as a writer, illustrator, and product director in the social expressions industry. Additionally, Michael has won national recognition for his editorial cartooning and song writing.

The majority of Michael's greeting card experience has come while employed with Current (Colorado Springs, CO) and Leanin' Tree (Boulder, CO).

Michael presently splits time between his current position as a stay-at-home writer for Leanin' Tree and building up his newly formed art licensing business, which operates under the name "Michael Rhoda Studios."

How Artists Are Using G+ Hangouts

Google+ Allows Artists to Connect by Video

How to Find Hangouts or Host Your Own

4 Reasons Artists Are Loving Google+

WTF Is Google+? An Artist’s Handbook

9 Creative Uses for Google Hangouts You Didn't Think of

Google Plus Today: A podcast, blog and instructional videos

8 Reasons Why Artists Should Join Google Plus

30 second video that shows an example of a hangout in action.

25 Crazy google hangout ideas.

G+ Hangout Etiquette: Do's and Don'ts

Connect with Kate on Google+

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40 Photography Shots that Change Your Mood

Here another article I found interesting. Note: This is only excerpt. To read the entire article go to the blog post at WDL blog

This is a perfect example of how an images can communicate a message (something to think about when designing greeting cards).

We could stay in this moment for the rest of our lives...

G+ Video Hangout Today

Thanks everyone for joining the hangout today! We even had a participant from Spain!

Patti Gay was our special guest for Q&A about licensing.

Even thought there is a limit of 10 people in a hangout at any one time, when one person leaves, another can take their place.

Here is a list of people who joined us.

Patti Gay, cathy hunt, Maria Scrivan, robin renee hix, varda livney, Nina Squillante, Nadine Mnemoi, Leah Jay, Andi Schroeder, Alex Sanso, LeJarie Noguchi, Nancy Overton, Len Edgerly, Nina Goebel

How Artists Are Using G+ Hangouts

Google+ Allows Artists to Connect by Video

How to Find Hangouts or Host Your Own

4 Reasons Artists Are Loving Google+

WTF Is Google+? An Artist’s Handbook

9 Creative Uses for Google Hangouts You Didn't Think of

Google Plus Today: A podcast, blog and instructional videos

8 Reasons Why Artists Should Join Google Plus

30 second video that shows an example of a hangout in action.

25 Crazy google hangout ideas.

G+ Hangout Etiquette: Do's and Don'ts

Connect with Kate on Google+

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BOOKS FOR THE CARD DESIGN

These are books I own and recommend. Some may be out of print, but used copies may be available. Check link.

Start & Run a Greeting Cards Business Book covers starting a card business in the UK. Good basic info, but financial/measurement info is in different monetary units.

Greeting Card Design Book that shows examples of professional card design.

Publishing Your Art as Cards How to make and sell your own cards for an extra income.

Pushing the Envelope How to work with greeting card sales reps.

Complete Guide to Greeting Card Design and Illustration Great Book on understanding the greeting card profession and how to develop a style.

1000 Handmade Greetings: creative cards and clever correspondence This is not a simple craft book for hobbyists,instead it is a picture book of professionally handmade cards by leading companies and designers.

By the Batch: Creative Cards, Postcards, Envelopes & More Book that addresses how to "manufacture" handmade greeting cards.

How to Write and Sell Greeting Cards, Bumper Stickers, Tshirts and Other Fun Stuff

Sell the Fun Stuff: Writers' and Artists' Market Guidelines for Greeting Cards, Posters, Rubber Stamps, T-Shirts, Aprons, Bumper Stickers, and More!

Writing Card Sentiments

Freelance Writing for Greeting Cards Another good book on how to write for cards professionally.

You Can Write Your Own Greeting Cards Clear guidelines on how to write card sentiments professionally.

Finding the Right Words One of many basic books of this series that tells you how to add words products, cards, etc.

Licensing Your Art to Companies

Licensing Art and Design

Licensing Art 101 Good beginners guide on the art licensing business.

2011 Artist's and Graphic Designer's Market List of greeting card companies, art licensees and agents.Detailed information on submission guidelines.

Gift and Product Design

Start with a Scan One of a kind book that tells you how to transform your art into a scan and what to do with it from there.

Design Your Own Repeat Patterns Simple book on learning repeats.

Twentieth-Century Pattern Design Great book for inspiration and creative approaches to designing patterns.

How to Break into Product Design Overview of product design in all industries.

Designing a Digital Portfolio Shows you how to put a digital portfolio together for the modern era.

Mary Engelbreit: The Art And The Artist Amazing story of how Mary ended up doing licensing.

Principles of Pattern Design Good info on pattern design

Imagery on Fabric Basic info on putting images onto fabric.

Graphic Artist's Guild Handbook of Pricing Yearly updated guidelines for pricing for people in art careers.

5,000 Years of Textiles Far East, Americas, Africa, Scandinavia, and Egyptian. Good for studying fabric design.

Abstract Design and How to Create It Over 380 illustrations, diagrams, designs, border patterns and textile patterns.

Creative Illustration Workshop Exercises for integrating illustration with other mixed-media techniques, and scan and layer your illustrations using a computer.

Print Workshop Hand-Printing Techniques for low budgets. Interesting ways to put imagery on products. Perhaps a good technique for putting our designs on model items to show what they would look like on real products.

Digital Alchemy Printmaking techniques for fine art and how to transfer images to a variety of surfaces. It includes decals and skins.

Critical Mass Cutting-edge developments in international printmaking. Since printmaking is fundamental in most surface design concepts, this book's goal is a modern approach on a traditional printmaking.

Tradeshows and Booth Design