in the works

              
Thanks so much for all the love, support and understanding. I savor each and every comment, and gain perspective from them too. I thought it only fair to show you some happy photos of the transition as well as the painful ones from the last post. Above, we were just heading out from home. I said it was the "Prius as clown car" moving method. They look happy here, but started complaining a bit a few hours in of leg cramps haha.

Here is a happy shot of my babies (no matter how old they get, I can call them that, no?)  in her dorm room, pre lunch and ensuing departure.          (She bought her bedding online from Target )

Here I am with my girl as well. Just wanted to show you that the day wasn't all heartache and tears. We are very excited for her, and she is so happy. She worked very hard her whole life to get this opportunity, and we couldn't be more proud and excited (and a wee bit jealous, truth be told) for her and her college experience. {See the poster in the top left corner? It's the one I was working on here. - more on that in a minute} All reports from college are happy happy. She even sent me a first day of school photo as this was the first time in her life I wasn't there to document the moment. (sniffle) We are all adjusting to the change around here. So lucky to live in this age of technology, Skyping makes it easier.

Before she left, I made a plan to recommit to my art making, and to making a business of it, and to getting organized as a focus and direction to grow in when we got home from the move. I had to postpone the immediate jump into it because a couple more pressing extended family issues came up that took all my attention, but now that those have settled, I am excited to really focus on some dreams I've had for years. And the first one came as a result of requests. That's where the snippet of the poster in the above shot comes in. I made the poster and someone pinned it, and from the blog and pinterest, I've gotten so many requests for prints. I am grateful for the interest, and am diligently working on making that happen. I am super excited about it, and have so much enthusiasm that ideas keep popping into my head for many different designs. I have been spending many hours lost in the creating. Want some peeks?

This one makes me think of Kelly Rae and her sweet baby True. {Love that name, love the word, love the meaning.} I've had tons of learning to do in this making prints out of these. Tons. Still learning, still researching. Still trying to find the best, smartest way to end up with the highest quality product. My friend Tammy has been quite generous with her knowledge, this forum on etsy, and I also have found Kelly Rae's info in this particular book very helpful. This post of Kelly Rae's is how I feel right now. Over the years I've learned lots of things, one of which is how much I do not know :). At times I am overwhlemed and find it daunting, but I have promised myself that now is the time to tend to those needs. For me. And hopefully for you, so that finally, I'll have something to offer for those that are interested. Everyone else figures it out and gets it done, there is no reason I can't too, I tell myself. During a phone conversation about art/business with Jenny this week, she said she was recently told by her accountant when she asked if she was the worst client as far as cluelessness, "oh no! there are way worse out there than you" hahahahahha. That cracked me up! That's a new motto for me; when feeling like I know nothing with a capital N, I will remember that I am never as bad as the worst! I'm still laughing at that concept of cheerleading even as I type it! I may suck, but someone sucks worse than me, hahahahhahahaha. Not exactly what I'm going for!

So far, I've taken a few things to a printers to see what the result woud be, both look and cost, and am still waiting on that. But all the research I've done and all the sellers on etsy alone seem to indicate that buying a printer like this one here, is the way to go. Which then means figuring out the scanning; have profesionally done at a printer? photograph? buy a large scanner (super super expensive)?, photoshop? etc. And then there's the buying of all the different papers to see which I like best. They do sell sample packs, but I wish there were somewhere I could go, in person, to feel and see the papers. I hate spending money on researching, seems wasteful.

Next up, how to package. To mat, or no mat, protective bags, mailing tubes or envelopes, sizes to offer, etc. etc. And all my heart yearns to do is go draw and color, so I sneak that in here and there. My reward for sticking to the work.
            

So that's where I've been, and where I'm going right now. Thanks for checking in. xo

Comments

[Julie Prichard]

Hi Pam...I looked into this once.. I bought a Canon Pro9000 last year.. I am not using it for art reprints..only photography prints. I am very happy with it.. From what I remember, I was able to see the paper samples at my local camera shop. (Not Best Buy...somewhere good.) Use your camera instead of a scanner..the detail is there. I can't scan color as accurately as I can shoot it.
:)

[Jenn]

I've purchased prints from Jessica at Volume25 and I really like the paper her stuff comes on. She has talked about her process on her blog http://vol25.typepad.com/vol25/. I'm super excited about the possibility of purchasing some of your posters, I love your work and I've pinned several things too.

[mary ann]

um. excuse me. but those prints are going to be lovely & amazing!
LOVE the b&w striped circle doodlies.
oh hells i love everything!

[Teah]

Love it ! Can't wait, thanks for sharing Pam!

[Stephanie D. Spacy]

I'm reading these posts with great interest, Pam. I have an only son and this will be us in two years, and I'm dreading it. Thanks for sharing your experiences with us.

[psmullican]

It will all come in due time and I for one will be thrilled to purchase a print. I always love the words and sayings you choose. I especially loved, "anything your heart desires will come to you." It was encouraging and inspiring during a rough patch of classes this past summer. Thanks as always for sharing.

[Martha Richardson]

Thanks for sharing those bittersweet moments. I'm so very excited about what you ahve planned...I love what you do and how you do! Will be watching & waiting.

[Lorelei]

I knew there were happy faces somewhere!! Saying goodbye at college was tough but now my daughter and her new husband are living in Germany - that was a rough goodbye! But I taught her to reach her educational goals and to travel and see all the places I didn't get the chance to see. It's bittersweet but exciting. Can't wait to see more of your artwork. I'm liking the autumnal colors popping up in your work.

[sharon from farm and fru fru]

so much going on! very exciting to hear your plans...love the posters...!

[Janice]

It will be very exciting to see how this part of your creative journey unfolds. Your art work is so wonderfully unique.

Wading through all of the other tasks can be daunting but worth it.

Spending money on research is money wel-spent and will minimize costly mistakes (my 2 cents).

I have prints that were scanned and printed by the artist which are great quality and I also have purchased from artists who had the prints done professionally (price goes down with quantity)--I've been pleased with both results. I've received prints mailed flat that came with creases and some that didn't. I've had prints packaged in mailing tubes that arrive perfect.

You will find what works best for you and those of us who admire your art work and will support you in your "next art plan" as you move forward--very exciting!

J

[teresa sheeley]

Even though my daughter is finished with college; I can still feel those moments of departures that tore at my heart. :) Such bittersweet moments for sure. Love your art, and you will be very happy with that Epson printer; also their scanners are really great too. I have also found I love doing my watercolors on Fabriano bright white hot pressed paper; it scans really great so you have a clean copy for printing. Best of luck!!

[Modern Crush]

Pam, I'm so excited at the idea of you doing prints. I have admired your work for years!! I have purchased quite a few prints on etsy over the years and I have to say that my favorite way to receive them is flat, with a chipboard (type) backer behind the print, in a clear sleeve. I know this is very inexpensive too. I don't know if you've ever bought clear sleeves before, but clearbags.com is where I've bought them wholesale before and they are awesome.

I hear you about the printers - I would love to start printing my own art too, but the printers are just so out of my price range. And the ink!! I wish I could find a source where someone could do it for me, inexpensively. Thank you for sharing your journey on this, can't wait to see what you figure out next!!

xoxo
Georgia

[joanne]

If you have a Samy's Camera store nearby they have a lot of papers there you can look at in person, particularly the line of Epson papers (if you're going to go the Epson route). The paper I choose depends on what I'm printing. Sometimes I use Epson papers... I also love the Museo Fine Art Cards.

If you want to look at the option of going with an online printer, recently I've had some work printed at iprintfromhome.com (at the recommendation of someone on a discussion thread on etsy), and was very happy with the way those turned out, and the great thing is that they will send you a free pack of their sample papers.

I agree with Julie about photographing versus scanning. I find color management with a scanner is a great deal more difficult in getting the color of the piece to actually match up with the output.

[Kat H]

Thank you for sharing those happy moments - only a few years 'till I am in your shoes, so I need the examples! The posters look great!

[Wendy Brightbill]

Pam, I can so relate to the not wanting to do all of the production for prints! I looked into all of those options as well, but eventually just decided on using a local printer here in town. They scan the original and make the prints for me. I love the end product but still hate all the work and price. It is so much more expensive than just printing myself. I did this for a year on my etsy site, but just recently have decided to take a step back and sell just mostly originals because I don't want to do all of the work. Eeek! Anyways, I am sure you will find what works for you. Your work is amazing and I love the beautiful prints. I have been admiring you and your work from afar for a while now and just want to tell you that I love your art. I would love to get to know you more.

[Jen]

Hi Pam! I adore your work. It is always so beautiful & the idea of prints is fabulous. It takes a lot of work though doesn't it? I have yet to explore it...but seems like a great idea. Oh, and how sweet are the photos of your daughter. It must be so hard...but, what an exciting time for her too. :) Have a wonderful week full of creativity!

[Andra]

Dream big, fly far!!!!!!!
Smiles, Andra

[Francesca Di Leo]

girl, i have been waiting for this day for evah! i'm still hoarding some of your wrapping paper from papaya..!!! xoxx

[Kirsten J]

How exciting and brave of you! And quite inspiring, as well. I always love your art.
My oldest is starting his 3rd year (whew! time flies) at college, and even though he's barely an hour away, it still shifts the family dynamic. Skype and constant texting help, especially with my younger one, still here and missing her brother.

[Melisa]

Congrats to your sweet daughter! And I am so excited for you starting up some prints! I've fallen in love with your work, and can't wait to have a bright happy print in my home. :) I'll be a tester, if you're looking for one. ;)

[Melony Bradley]

Wow! Great story here. Your DD of at college and new doors start to open.

www.mel-designs.typepad.com

[corey moortgat]

hi Pam, I'll be interested to see what you come up with- I've been considering selling prints as well, but have no idea the best way to go about it!