Tag It

Custom Cardstock Jewelry Tag, 2 x 2 inches.

New tag I designed for Salty Cat Co., another indie jewelry online shop from North Carolina.  Hope you like it.

Web Ads

Web ad I designed for Wood Pond Designs for CraftCult.

More and more people are logging on to the web to shop.  As an indie business owner, how do you spread the word about your shop or craft without breaking the bank?

The answer, Web Ad thumbnails.  These are the small-sized graphics or logos you see either on the side bars or banners of websites and blogs.  Sizes differ depending on the required dimensions from the website or blog owners where you'll be advertising.  Most common are 100 x 100 pixels for thumbnails and 150 x 700 for banners.

It can either be static (plain graphic without animation) or dynamic (animated graphic, you'll see flashing or rotating images and words).   Prices differ according to the complexity of your ad.  Simple, static ones are cheaper.

You can either make your own or hire a graphic designer to create one for you.   If you're at loss which website or blog you'll want to advertise in, I recommend doing a little research prior hand.

Search for sites that's related to your business or products you create and check their visitor statistics if it has good amount of traffic.  Lastly, see if the prices are affordable for you.  Keep in mind that the benefits of placing ads should outweigh the costs you put into it.

Good luck on your web ads!  Feel free to contact me if you need help making one.

Happy Haven Gets Tagged

Click image above to zoom.

Here's the latest jewelry tag I designed for Happy Haven, a popular artisan jewelry online store.  I used the logo the designer sent me and used fonts fitting to her business.  Purple is the highlight of her color scheme, but we both opted for the white background.

This is to allow different color and style of necklaces stand out when attached to the tag, making the tag more 'color and contrast' friendly.

Although the logo is pixelated, the graphic came out with smooth lines when printed with its final size of 2 x 5 inches.  

It's simple, classy and great way to brand your items.  

Ready to get tagged?  Click here.

Follow and Be Followed

One of today's social media and cyber-networking most powerful tool is Twitter. 

Twitter is a free social networking and micro-blogging service that enables its users to send and read each others' updates, known as tweets. Tweets are text-based posts of up to 140 characters, displayed on the author's profile page and delivered to other users - known as followers - who have subscribed to them. (from Wikipedia).

It's a useful service for friends, family, and co–workers to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing?

But with millions of Tweeters out there, how do you stand out?  

The answer - Personalize your Twitter Page with Custom Backgrounds. If you're tweeting about your business, it's an effective way to brand your company and promote your service and products.

I've been privileged to design GoFetchGifts.com and PlainJaneandCo's Twitter Pages.  You can get your own custom twitter backgrounds here.

Remember though, that Twitter is a community.  Be mindful and respectful at all times by posting only relevant and informative tweets.  Follow the web adage, 'Thou shalt never spam.'

You're always welcome to follow me on Twitter.

To Remember

'O'er the Land of the Free'

Acrylic on Canvas by Sherie Sloane (c) 2009

I've been pondering on what to paint for the upcoming Fourth of July.  I wanted to make it simple, yet still portrays the spirit of patriotism.  

Both my husband and I came from military families.  Celebrating Independence Day is not just a day of merry-making for us, but a time to remember both our dads who served their countries.

I've been playing the Star Spangled Banner in my mind and the line "O'er the land of the free..." hits a chord in my heart.  

May this painting remind all of us to cherish the freedom we enjoy today and remember those who fought for it.

Dad, Thank You.

Shadows of Summer

Shadows of Summer

Acrylic on Canvas. Painted today.

Capturing the elusive warmth of Summer in canvas.

Everyone around is asking 'Shouldn't it be in the 90's (degrees) already at this time of the year?'.  Should be, but the weatherman said this will be the coolest and rainiest Summer in history of Chicago.  

Got to make the most of it then, or else, Indian Summer will be what's left.  Then comes the bitter chill of winter.  

I'd rather have this than those.  At least for now.

Passport to the World

This weekend, bring the family to the Chicago Children's Museum for days of creative and fun-filled events.  

Travel eleven thousand miles to the Philippines in Southeast Asia and explore the country's colorful sights, sounds and arts.

Take the kids and kids-at-heart on Sunday, June 14 from 1:00-2:00 pm for an interactive, hands-on painting workshop and demo by yours truly.  

Your Passport is waiting.  See you there!