Wendy's World Art

I thought it would be interesting to get the perspective of graphic designers for insight into what inspires the artists that work to make your website a cohesive storefront to showcase your product. I am pleased to introduce you to Wendy Sternschein, a designer I have been lucky enough to work with in M2Minc. So, without further ado... meet Wendy!

Name: Wendy Sternschein
Website: http://www.wendysworldart.com/

How did you become interested in web graphics?
I love art, and once I understood the ins and outs of my photo editor, I started using my artwork as graphics. I gradually learned through a lot of practice, how to mouse draw the graphics as well.

At what point did you think you'd like to do web graphics professionally?
I have been selling my graphics for about a year. I get many recommendations and custom orders through word of mouth, ebay listings, my website, etc so I guess you can say I take it pretty seriously- although I do it for fun too.

What software programs do you use in creating your graphics?
I only use PSP 9 (paint shop pro)..I have photoshop, but honestly, I prefer PSP.

What is your favorite photo editing software?
Same as above- ha isn't it the same? Who knows?

What is your favorite thing to graphically design?
My favorite is character illustrations. I love anything girly too.

Do you have any graphics pet peeves?
When I work so hard on an illustration and it doesn't sell. Other than that, not really. I truly enjoy it.

What do you hope to accomplish this year with your business?
Grow grow grow. There are alot of graphic artists out there who use "other people's" artwork, including background tiles. I just have to stay competitive and market myself, and of course stay true to my passion. I love designing most things, but it is even better when you can sit and design.

Do you have any advice for someone just starting a new e-commerce website?
Do your research. I have had friends who spent ALOT of money on websites, and in the end it never went public because the web designer flaked. It is really sad. Make sure you get some one reputable. You don't have to spend a zillion dollars to get a pretty website. Just do your research and you will find someone who is talented in this business who will not charge you an arm and a leg.

Wendy's bio:
Hello I am Wendy, the designer behind the artwork of wendysworldart. I am a stockbroker turned entrepreneur and now that I am home with my two toddlers, I am able to really focus on my very first passion, painting! I love creating unique and whimsical illustrations for children-anything from princesses and fairies to poodles in Paris and Nautical themes. I also enjoy designing unique hair accessories for not just infants and toddlers, but even trendy moms!!!

You can find most of my artwork at http://www.wendysworldart.com/ as well as many upscale online retail stores. Thanks so much for getting to know a bit about me!

Here are just a few of Wendy's many beautiful designs. Be sure to check her out for artwork to enhance your product line on the world wide web!!

~Kirsten

The Fairies Nest

Once a week or so, I will be posting interviews with various online sellers. I am excited to begin with this interview with Cynthia of The Fairies Nest! She photographs her product in indirect sunlight, and uses Picasa as her image editor. Enjoy getting to know a bit about her!

Name: Cynthia Toy

Bio: I am a cloth doll artist, mother of three young men, avid reader, crazy cat lady, wife, corgi owner, believer in fairies, organic gardener, and compulsive fiber collector.

Website: http://www.thefairiesnest.com/ http://fairiesnest.etsy.com/

How long you have been selling on the internet? I've been actively selling online for just a little over a year. Before that I only sold through galleries and shows.

What camera do you use to photograph your product? What do you like about this camera? I have a Canon Powershot A520 that I got in 2006. I had never owned a digital camera before so I was really starting from scratch and learning by doing! I love that I can plug it in and load my pictures on to the computer so easily.

Describe your process for taking pictures of your product. What photo set up do you use?
(Okay here's where I show you how little I know about cameras, so try not to laugh!) I try to shoot outside in natural light as much as possible. So here's my fancy setup. I have a sheet of white posterboard that I use for a back drop. I place it on a table in a bright spot but NOT in direct sunlight and lean it up against the house. I usually do this on the front porch of my house, which faces west, at about 11:00 in the morning (although I have been known to use the dining room table, a pillow, and a sunny window inside if it's frigid out! ) I then set my camera on macro, make sure the flash is off and zoom in to where the doll is close but still in focus.Then I take LOTS of pictures from all different angles! That way I'm sure to get a few decent shots.

What is the photo editing software you use most often? I use Picasa2 and I have to say that besides being free, which for a starving artist is really cool, it does what I need. I can crop, adjust light and color, sharpen, and straighten up those shots where I seem to be leaning into the wind...how Does that happen?

What do you like best about this software? Did I mention it's free?! Seriously!

What are some of your struggles with product photography/editing? I wish I had a camera with picture stabilzation, fewer blurry shots in less optimal lighting situations.

What is your favorite thing about product photography/editing? I love being able to take an okay shot and turn it into something that really shows off my product. I've also recently gotten into more staging of my shots, adding a prop or shooting in a natural settting, and that can add some fun to the process.

Do you have any product presentation tips you'd like to share? A problem I see a lot of people make is trying to get too close to their object. I use cropping when I edit to get more of a close up and that allows me to keep my dolls in focus. Blurry pictures are one of the biggest photo no nos I see on Etsy.

Thank you, Cynthia, for sharing with the OIS blog your experience! I asked Cynthia to send along a before and after shot so we could see what comes out of the camera, to what ends up being the final product photo. I think she has a good thing going!

Be sure to visit Cynthia's website and etsy shop to see more of her beautiful fairie folk.

~Kirsten