these are some bridal shower invitations i made for a friend... the front is of a hand holding a ring and the back has patterned paper with info... there were two styles of patterns... each of the nails on the hands were meticulously cut and glued, as if giving them a manicure... the cards are scalloped oval shaped; the purple is merely a background for scanning... and the entirety of the cards required precision, time, and patience....
as i am getting the etsy products made, i am trying to figure out prices... as always, pricing things "just right" is tricky... you wanna get paid for your talent and time... but you also don't want it too high that the average consumer cannot afford it... especially if what you make is not a demand... and what about materials?! all this adds up and in the end, usually getting paid for your time seems to be lost with the excess of material tossed in the garbage... of course, going to bigger companies could help... maybe doing a mix of both side work and freelance work would make a good balance...
but creating art isn't just for the money... i mean, it's wonderful to get paid for your talent but it's also utterly wonderful to see others appreciate it... it's uplifting to make something from scratch and create a beautiful work of art... you get a sense of completion... and it's almost exhilarating when someone explains what they want, and you are able to create it just like that! turn a dream into reality (or do i sound too corny?!) anyhow, i have been having fun working on all my cards... wow- cards! i never thought i would do them again and here i am... making cards....
the illustration above is a thank you card for the same lady who ordered these cards... all the letters are handcut... as well as the hands and the stripes... the eyes and the hair... the pupils were hole punched and the entire card was assembled in less than a day... thanks to the help of a friend, i was able to do so...
i've been busy once again... still have plenty more to do tonight although i feel like crashing on the couch, just like my diego...
i cannot WAIT for your Etsy store to open. Do you remember the old ads for Mervyn's when they were going to open a new store? It was a lady pressed against a store window saying "open, Open, Open, Open" That's me.
Posted by: Madeline | July 22, 2006 at 01:51 AM
Yep I believe you can make it happen regardless of the ups and downs.These cards and all the other things you do will come out just right.And It is better to be busy then seeing life as something that just happen to you.Just think discovering all those hidden talents now that is so cool!!
Posted by: Nina | July 22, 2006 at 02:57 AM
What a cute Diego! bless him falling aslpeep with Batman :)
As always the invites are cute, cute, cute!
With your etsy prices think what you would pay and then add a bit more - most of us always under estimate our talent!
Have a great weekend!
Posted by: Lindsey | July 22, 2006 at 05:25 AM
Those wedding shower invites, oh my god so cute!!! I have an article about pricing your art. I will copy it and send it to you.
Posted by: jen | July 22, 2006 at 06:07 PM
ellia your work is so amazing! I know I keep saying that, but I'm just blown away each time you show what you've been working on. good luck with the pricing issue... I think you deserve to be paid very well for not only your original design talent, but the fact that each card is completely handmade.
Posted by: Storme | July 23, 2006 at 03:03 PM
I wish you & l lived close by so you could show me your techniques for making such amazing works. Your cutting techniques boggle my mind, or maybe I'm just lacking some patience!
Posted by: samantha | July 24, 2006 at 01:02 AM
Your work is lovely, your family is beautiful! I enjoyed visiting your site!
Posted by: carolyn | July 24, 2006 at 02:04 PM
beautiful stuff Ellia - love your work and technique!!! you are very talented!
Posted by: Anastasia | July 25, 2006 at 01:36 AM
wow! the bridal shower invites are really terrific!!!
Posted by: angie b. | July 25, 2006 at 10:31 PM
These are GORGEOUS, Ellia, do you individually cut EACH ONE?? That must take weeks! I think you're friend is very lucky, they look so expensive a professional!
Posted by: Meghan | July 26, 2006 at 04:28 PM