Hi Everyone,
There is something incredibly special about being part of a group of people who share your creative passions, and I am fortunate to belong to more than one such group. This weekend I delightedly introduced members of the Zenspirations® Create, Color, Pattern, Play community to members of the Lettering Arts community at CalligraFaire, the book arts extravaganza sponsored by my local Calligraphy Guild, the Scribes of Central Florida. I loved seeing all my creative friends, and had fun trying out a few new ‘calligraphic toys’ (that did wind up coming home with me!). I especially enjoyed teaching people how to get beautiful ‘painted’ designs using Sakura’s awesome Koi® Coloring Brushes and a water brush.
Of course setting up for a workshop takes work! So most of Friday was devoted to making the workshop packets. I created sets of butterflies, leaves, and flowers, and then printed them out onto 90 lb watercolor paper. Then I filled all the water brushes, and tested different color combinations.
The hard part was cutting all of the designs into 6 x 6 inch squares. Having a cutting machine really helped!
Every participant got a flower to practice the technique, and then got to pick their three favorite designs to paint.
I’m not sure who had more fun– the participants or me!
Several participants asked if they could get additional designs to paint at home, and now that I have a new website (with a functional shopping cart!), I am wondering if there would be enough interest that I should look in to getting them printed and cut. You guys always give me great advice, so if you would be interested in buying Zenspirations® designs printed on watercolor paper, I would appreciate your answering the following questions. As an incentive, I’ll pick a name at random from all the people who leave a comment, and send the winner a set of the designs I made for the workshop.
1. What size would you want the designs to be?
6 x 6
5 x 7
8 x 10
Another size _____
2. If I did sets of designs, how many would you like to see in a set?
4 in a set
5 in a set
6 in a set
___ in a set
What do you think I should charge?
Charge ___ for 4 in a set
Charge ___ for 5 in a set
Charge ___ for 6 in a set
Charge ___ for ___ in a set
4. What themes do you think I should offer?
Birds
Butterflies
Dangle Monograms
Dangle Words (i.e. L*O*V*E, C*R*E*A*T*E, B*E*L*I*E*V*E, etc.)
Flowers
Hearts
Inspirational sayings
Leaves
Scripture
Something else: _________
Thank you in advance for your help!
I also want to say thank you for all the nice comments on the new website… I’m still trying to learn WordPress, but so far I’m loving it. Of course there have been a few glitches… one of which is that I couldn’t find any of the comments that people left on the February 17th post, which was the last one from the old website. Normally this wouldn’t be a problem, but since I wanted to surprise the people who told me their birthdays… I was concerned. Fortunately my awesome webmaster told me how to find them… and so I wanted to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Sue Rems, who’s celebrating her birthday tomorrow (March 2nd). Thanks for being part of the Zenspirations Create, Color, Pattern, Play FB Group Sue! I always enjoy seeing your work. Hope you like your card.
Sue said she preferred pastels, so I used a pastel wash (made with the Koi Coloring Brushes) for the background. Lynda Pleckan, who is celebrating her birthday March 6th, liked the bright palette, so this one is for you Lynda! I used Koi tube watercolors to make the wash for Lynda’s card. Hope you both enjoy every minute of your special day.
And then I wanted to say a heartfelt HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY to those who celebrated their special day in February. I’m sorry that I wasn’t able to get these to you on time… but hope you’ll enjoy them anyway. Since I know many of you are interested in trying these techniques yourselves, let me share how each one was done.
For Ardis, who’s birthday was on February 13th, I made a Dangle birthday. I used a gelly roll for the Dangles and the lines between the rows, and then used a black Koi Coloring Brush for the lettering. I filled all the spaces in with Koi colors, too. Hope you had an awesome birthday Ardis! Thanks for being part of the FB group, and for helping track where all our members live.
For Quatha, who celebrated her birthday on Valentine’s Day, I lettered her name with a green Koi Coloring Brush:
Then I brought it in to PhotoShop so I could add the Happy Birthday, my © and website… and decided it looked a little plain… so while I was in PhotoShop I added a black background, and a gradient overlay. Quatha is one of my original blog followers, and since she has a Valentine’s Day birthday, I wanted the main part of her name to be red:
I love the dramatic effect. Hope you like it too Quatha!
For Jennifer I worked on watercolor paper, and wrote her name using three different colors of the Koi Coloring Brushes. Although it doesn’t show up very well in the scan, I used Sakura’s shiny gold Pentouch pen to write the Happy Birthday.
Debbie, who’s birthday was the 17th, mentioned that she liked pastel colors, so I
used the same background wash that I used on Sue’s card. Although it may be too small to see, the D in Debbie (and the S in Sue) were colored with Sakura’s metallic and Stardust pens. I love the contrast of the matte, metallic and glitter.
For Cindy’s card I did my ‘root-word’ technique, and used the Metallic Gelly Roll pens on Strathmore’s ArtAgain black paper. Wish you could see the shimmer… hope you had a wonderful birthday on the 21st Cindy!
I have such a good time making birthday cards for people, that I want to encourage you to create cards for the special people in your life. And since it’s fun to share our work, I’m going to set up an album in the FB group where we can all put our handmade birthday card designs. I look forward to seeing your cards!
Stay Zenspired,
Joanne
Comments are closed.
Love everything about this blog. I am lucky enough to have attended the workshop and it was fun!! I vote for the dangled words but do not add me to the contest please. Finally your birthday cards are inspiring. Sending zen-spired love to you and your work.
Joanne – I love this idea of a set up printed watercolor prints! I love to use the Koi watercolor markers, but I don’t have a laser printer so I always have to be so careful to the black doesn’t bleed into my designs. I would most definitely purchase some packs.
1 – I am flexible on the size. A 6×6 might be great. I love square designs.
2 – I would want 6 in a set – otherwise I’d just have to keep buying more and more packets. 😉
3 – I really don’t know what to charge? I’ll leave that to you 🙂
4 – I love everything you make, so any listed would be fine. My favorites are probably butterflies, flowers, dangle words, and scripture.
I wish I could have attended your event – looks like a great time! Blessings on your day!
Kristen
Joanne,
These birthday cards are just beautiful. Sounds and looks like your workshop was a big hit. Thanks for sharing with us.
Here are my comments to your questions:
1. What size would you want the designs to be?
6 x 6
2. If I did sets of designs, how many would you like to see in a set?
6 in a set
What do you think I should charge?
Charge _$10_ for 6 in a set (not really sure about this but this is what I would pay)
4. What themes do you think I should offer?
Butterflies
Dangle Words (i.e. L*O*V*E, C*R*E*A*T*E, B*E*L*I*E*V*E, etc.)
Flowers
Hearts
Inspirational sayings
All of your designs are amazing and speak to me. Thanks again for sharing and for asking for our input. You have really created an amazing community here and I am so happy to be a part of it!
I love all your designs and think this a great idea. 5 x 7 would probably be the easiest to mail – extra postage is sometimes required for square or large sizes. As for price, I think you and your team have a better handle on that than I would. I was thinking $25 ? As far as designs, I’m partial to butterflies, the dangled words and leaves, so that they can be universal, male and female recipients. Can’t wait to see what you create!
What size would you want the designs to be?
6×6 or a variety pack would be awesome!
2. If I did sets of designs, how many would you like to see in a set?
5 in a set
What do you think I should charge?
No clue. Lol
4. What themes do you think I should offer?
Birds
Butterflies-Yes!!!
Dangle Monograms-FOR SURE!
Dangle Words (i.e. L*O*V*E, C*R*E*A*T*E, B*E*L*I*E*V*E, etc.)- YES
Inspirational sayings
Leaves
Scripture- FOR SURE!!!!
Something else: _________
I love all your Joann!!! so really anything you do is going to inspire me!!! But darn it, you really make me want those Koi brushes more than ever!!!
First off, Thank You, Thank You, Thank you for my birthday card!! I absolutely LOVE it!! It is now on my computer, my phone and my I-Pad!!!!! I truly love being a part of our “not so little” group!!
I also love the idea of watercolor paper packs – I know I would buy a ton of them!!!
I like the idea of 6×6 or even one each of the sizes you mentioned
If you did a square pack of 6×6 and then a variety pack of 6×6, 5×7, 8×10 and 9×12 – then 4 in a set
What to charge? Beats me! I’ll leave that up to you!!
Themes – I love them all but dangle monograms and words, inspirational sayings and Scripture (absolutely)!
This is Debbie and I absolutely love my card!!! I was taking care of my daughter after surgery and I am just now seeing it!!! How very special!!!! Thank you!!!
So to answer your questions:
1. 5X7 or 8X10 Depends on the design
2. 4 seems like a good number for a set… however sometimes someone might just want one particular one or may not have the funds to purchase a set. So it would be nice to be able to choose separates.
3. Could not begin to set a price…
4. All of the above… I especially like scripture!!!
I love this idea!
1. What size would you want the designs to be?
6 x 6
I prefer square…8×8 might be fun too
2. If I did sets of designs, how many would you like to see in a set?
6 in a set
3. What do you think I should charge?
no idea how much it costs to make but I would like $5 – $10
4 . What themes do you think I should offer?
Flowers
Inspirational sayings
Leaves
Scripture
It might be fun to have one blank sheet included so I could do my own thing as well.
Love this idea! I actually would like to see a 4×4, so when finished, I could incorporate into cards. I would buy all the categories except scripture. Either 4 or 6 packs would be good. Price? Don’t really know. Look forward to hearing what you decide! And your birthday cards are stunning.
Hello, I am new to reading your blog although I have one of your Zenspirations books. When you make your birthday cards, I am curious if you mask your letters and do your watercolor wash first. They are so pretty! Thanks.
I so love your inspiring work. Thank you so much for sharing your amazing talent with us!
YES PLEASE! I love the idea of water color paper packs. 5X7 would be great for framing, but I would love any size, and I think a set of 6 would be ideal. What to charge? Wow – that has to be determined by someone more knowledgeable than me. I love all your themes, especially the dangle monograms, flowers, scripture, sayings. I would buy any of them!
What size would you want the designs to be?
I love the idea of square, so 6 x 6 would be great.
I also might like to be able to frame the art so 5 x 7 would be nice as well.
If I did sets of designs, how many would you like to see in a set?
4 or 6 in a set
What do you think I should charge?
no idea
4. What themes do you think I should offer?
Dangle Monograms
Dangle Words (i.e. L*O*V*E, C*R*E*A*T*E, B*E*L*I*E*V*E, etc.)
Flowers
Hearts
Inspirational sayings
Scripture
1. What size would you want the designs to be?
6 x 6
5 x 7
Or a variety pack.
2. If I did sets of designs, how many would you like to see in a set?
5 in a set or 6 in a set
What do you think I should charge?
I don’t know but I’m sure it will be fair!
4. What themes do you think I should offer?
Birds
Butterflies
Dangle Monograms
Dangle Words (i.e. L*O*V*E, C*R*E*A*T*E, B*E*L*I*E*V*E, etc.)
Flowers
Hearts
Inspirational sayings
Scripture
All of the above!
1. What size would you want the designs to be?
6 x 6
I like squares also. 6×6 is a great size.
2. If I did sets of designs, how many would you like to see in a set?
6 in a set
What do you think I should charge?
I would say, find out how much it costs you to have them printed and postage to mail them, then add 10%
4. What themes do you think I should offer?
ALL OF THESE! 🙂
Birds
Butterflies
Dangle Monograms
Dangle Words (i.e. L*O*V*E, C*R*E*A*T*E, B*E*L*I*E*V*E, etc.)
Flowers
Hearts
Inspirational sayings
Leaves
Scripture
Something else: _________
I love the idea of having some of your designs to water color I think ang size would be great I like the 6×6 or 5×7. Love flowers, birds ,butterflies. Pretty much anything you do is great. Pkged or single would be terrific as well. Price is hard to determin. A dollar a design? I’m pretty sure we would all purchase them. I wish I had a way of getting you freebies to color. I have not a way of getting them off your sight. I have them saved on my phone but can’t seem to print them off. I do have many of your books though.
Thanks so much for sharing your talent with us.
Barbara S.
I love the idea of having some of your designs to water color I think any size would be great I like the 6×6 or 5×7. Love flowers, birds,butterflies. Pretty much anything you do is great. Pkged or single would be terrific as well. Price is hard to determin. A dollar a design? I’m pretty sure we would all purchase them. I wish I had a way of getting you freebies to color. I have not a way of getting them off your sight. I have them saved on my phone but can’t seem to print them off. I do have many of your books though.
Thanks so much for sharing your talent with us.
Barbara S.
5 by 7 is a good universal size
4 or 6 in a set
price really depends on creator!
varied designs are great but having sets for each category would probably generate more sales!
This is such a wonderful idea!
What a fun day Joanne. The colours are all so bright and cheerful. I think it’s a great idea to sell you designs on watercolour paper.
In answer to your questions;
I like working with 6X6 and 5X7″ sizes. They are my normal go to card sizes.
6 in a set with either 3 of each design or 1 of each is a good start.
I have NO idea re charge, you need to work out your costs and mark up!
Dangle words and anything to do with nature, leaves, butterflies etc are always great designs.
Your birthday cards you made are all gorgeous but the root work one is awesome!
Hugs xx
You are a great inspiration. Love your art! Here are my thoughts on the above questions;
Size: 4X6; 6 in a set;charge around $7.50; birds, butterflies, dangle monograms, flowers and inspirational sayings.
Hope this helps.
May God continue to bless you.
I love this idea and definitely would buy them.
1. 5×7
2.6 in a set
3.15.00-20.00
4.love them all! For sure dangle words, hearts, flowers, scripture.
Morning Joanne,
Thanks so much for the beautiful birthday card!
1. 5×7 is an easy size if artwork is going to be framed, I guess for that matter so is 8×10. 5×7 is my first choice”
2. 4 in a set is my first choice. I did like Debbue’s idea of single cards too.
3. Price for a single card…$4.00, set of 4 $10.00, set of $15.00 and set of 6 $20.00
4. Inpriational sayings, dangle words, monograms and flowers would be my choices.
Ardis
I love my Happy Birthday cards. Unfortunately, you misspelled my name. You left out the ‘W.’ It is spelled Quwatha. I appreciate your thoughtfulness anyway.
Everyone misspells my name. This is nothing new.
Thank you for your beautiful touch in all you do
You are such a blessing
I would love anything that I could share with scripture
And share with my ladies jail ministry
What a beautiful way to love these ladies thru art and Gods words
And your anointed touch
1. I like rectangles, so 5×7″ would be a good size.
2. 10 in a set.
3. Don’t know about pricing.
4. A combination of all the themes you suggested.
I think it is a wonderful idea to print and sell your designs on watercolor paper! But unfortunately international post costs are too large, so I leave this one for the US residents to answer. Really lovely birthday cards you have made. It is hard to pick a favorite, luckily I don’t have to :-). I will sure check the new album out and add to it. Thank you once more…
I love all of your designs. For cards, I would prefer:
1. 5X7
2. 4-pak
3. $20
4. Hummmmm. I do love your dangle words, but anything you put together.
Great idea Joanne! I have actually taken pages from my Zenspirations coloring books and printed them on watercolor paper myself at home. I would buy any size of anything you m add so I would be no help in deciding. Although, I do make handmade cards and would like a smaller picture to paint and mount as a main focus on my cards!
So beautiful, love it all.
I like 8 x 10 so it can be framed
a set of 4
not sure about charging
a seasonal mix of everything
Maybe a separate mix for names
Letitia
1. 6X6
2. 4
3. I don’t have any idea about the charge.
4. scripture and flowers
I LOVE your work. Yo are an inspiration!
beautiful idea to do in watercolour. I often want to reproduce work and cant afford the paper to do it on.i work on printer or anything papery I can find!! so havein it her in little handy pack would be fab.also beautiful to give people as gifts. because it would mean you could still use any medium but have that option of it really working with watercolour being on the right paper etc…
1. What size would you want the designs to be?im really sorry I have no idea what sizes are is this cm or inches?i think 6x 6 sounds good
If I did sets of designs, how many would you like to see in a set? 6 in a set,or perhaps different sizes. 4 6 10 packs?if you only did one pack id say 6 would be min
What do you think I should charge? ooh I’m not sure on this.i feel odd suggesting something because id want it to be as cheap as possible as I cant afford much at all!! but then I feel guilty in saying this because your work if I could afford is worth so much.what I would say though is you work so beautifully because of your access to all,so I would want to make it something of a premium cost that many cant afford.
4. What themes do you think I should offer? Butterflies Dangle Words
(i.e. L*O*V*E, C*R*E*A*T*E, B*E*L*I*E*V*E, etc.) Flowers Hearts Inspirational sayings –
doves,
the god,trees,heavens ones
a simple one with patterns on it.
perhaps if you then find them successful for us and you you could bring out more themed packs.birthdays,holidays. etc.
The cards are all gorgeous Joanne
1. 6×6 and/4×4
2. 6 in a set
3. I have no idea about cost – I’m in Australia
4. I think all of the themes you suggest sound wonderful
Wonderful Blog as usual!!!
The Birthday Cards are great & I love the idea of the album for it on the Facebook Zenspirations® Create, Color, Pattern, Play! Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1471158256528576/
(A link for anyone that isn’t in it yet!)
I’m even more in love with you making watercolor card sets!
I like the 6×6 & really don’t know about cost, but think $2.50 for 1, $10 for 4 $15 for 6 and so on sounds good & affordable… But is it for you?
ALL OF THESE will most likely always be my answer to any question you ask about what I like of yours.
Staying Zenspired,
Jamie
Hello Joanne,
I think it’s a good idea and you would do well with it. Unfortunately, being in Canada, the postage is prohibitive for myself personally but I’ll give you some feedback anyway.
1. What size would you want the designs to be?
5 x 7
8 x 10
2. If I did sets of designs, how many would you like to see in a set?
6 in a set
What do you think I should charge?
not sure about this one.
4. What themes do you think I should offer?
Love, alphabets, inspirational quotes, scripture
Dangle Words (i.e. L*O*V*E, C*R*E*A*T*E, B*E*L*I*E*V*E, etc.)
Flowers
Hearts
Trees / Nature
I have been an enthusiastic follower of yours for awhile and thank you for your inspiration. I recently found the most awesome second hand ikea baby change table of all things which I converted to an art space. Its now a dedicated creative space in the corner of my bedroom where I keep my art supplies and work on my paintings, and cards. I have many of your books at arms reach for inspiration. Thank you and keep up the good work. God Bless you. Heather
1. What size would you want the designs to be?
5 x 7
2. If I did sets of designs, how many would you like to see in a set?
4 in a set
What do you think I should charge?
Charge $10,00 for 4 in a set.
4. What themes do you think I should offer?
Butterflies
Dangle Words (i.e. L*O*V*E, C*R*E*A*T*E, B*E*L*I*E*V*E, etc.)
Hearts
Inspirational sayings
I love all your new ideas, Thanks for being you.
gayle
HI Joanne!
Love the cards you did and I love the idea of watercolor paper and your designs on them!! I would most definitely buy them!!
1 – 6 x 6 is a cool size! You could put 4 together and put in a 12 X 12 frame.
5 x 7 is nice for framing or making and sending as cards.
2 – 6 in a set
3 – Clueless but your prices are always reasonable and fair, so I am sure you will figure this out. I will buy them anyhow HA!
4 – Birds, Butterflies, Flowers (of course) Hearts, Dangled words, Inspirational sayings and Scripture.
I LOVE anything Music related too! OR 70’s related ….Love and Peace, Flower Power, Smiley face, etc.
Dangle Monograms… I LOVE THIS IDEA!!. Maybe make these individual packs, so we can make our own names or words.
As for making the cards, I was planning on making 2 cards for my friends birthdays this month. Your most recent ones you have made have inspired me to do so! I loved my Dangled monograms you made of my name and the Valentine card as well ! Anxious to see what others will post and I will share with the group eventually too!
Keep doing what you do!! God speed!
Gail
Hi Joanne, First I love your new website ❤️ I’ve checked out about every button and like it all. I do hope there will be a way to have your new Wellsprings items on there.
I like the watercolor paper idea, I printed one of the pictures for the contest on watercolor paper to paint. I have a lot to learn but it was fun.
1) About size I’d like 6×6 like the dangle letters you did or 5×7, nothing larger. That way they can easily be matted and framed if we want.
2) If they are all going to be one theme in a pack I think 4 is a good number – each being different.
3) price – clueless.
4) Themes – dangle words, inspirational sayings, flowers, and I’d of course love a Judiac set.
I do also like the option of being able to buy a single one or possibly making your own custom mix set.
After I think it was last week I’ve been looking at the Sakura Pigma Calligrapher pens. Tonight they somehow jumped into my shopping cart. Maybe Bud put them there for his mom. Looking forward to playing with them.
Toni
1. 5 by 7 is a great size
2. 4 or 6 in a set
3. price – that’s a hard one
4. Dangle words and monograms, flowers and hearts
Love all of your work!!!
P.s. My birthday was February 18th!!!
Thanks…Liz
Hi Joanne,
The most important thing to me is the quality/weight of the paper. I use the 140 lb Strathmore Journal books but can live with 100 lb. One thing about the prolifigation of “adult coloring books” is the paper quality basically is yuck. I keep thinking someone will do this better and that someone could be you!!! I like large so 8 by 10 is nice but I would probably purchase ANY size. As for theme, I love your little book “With God All Things Are Possible” – my favorites are flowers and words.
As for price, hmmm… I would stay under $25.00.
All the best, love your work,
A fan,
Gina
I’d love to ask how you avoid ink running when you print. Every time I use a digital image and try to watercolor it I get black ink running if I touch the image. I do have an inkjet printer and allow it to dry – just wondering if you have any secrets.
Hi Kathy,
You need to print the designs using a LASER printer rather than an ink-jet. Ink jet printers use water soluble ink, which will run whenever water or other wet media touches it. You can always get Staples to print the designs for you…
Hope this helps. Please let me know if you have any other questions.
Stay Zenspired,
Joanne
I love your artwork. You are such an inspiration to us.
1. What size would you want the designs to be?
6 x 6 fun size
5 x 7 Perfect size for framing
2. If I did sets of designs, how many would you like to see in a set?
6 in a set
What do you think I should charge?
I’m not sure.
4. What themes do you think I should offer?
Butterflies
Dangle Monograms
Dangle Words (i.e. L*O*V*E, C*R*E*A*T*E, B*E*L*I*E*V*E, etc.)
Flowers
In response to your questions,
1. What size would you want the designs to be? 6 x 6 or 5 x 7 would be great sizes.
2. If I did sets of designs, how many would you like to see in a set? 5 – 6
3. What do you think I should charge? I’ve never been good at setting prices.
4. What themes do you think I should offer? Birds, Butterflies, Dangle Words, Flowers, Hearts, Inspirational sayings, and Scripture.
I love the idea of being able to purchase your designs this way.
1. 8×10
2. 4
3 $.20
4. inspirational sayings or scriptures
Oh my goodness, I love all of your wonderful birthday wishes! I am just wondering, why don’t you just sell your designs in digital format. Then you don’t have to do all of that work up front and the buyer can size it for printing. It would allow you to sell individual items, or sets, and you could just keep adding to your collection! I would love to buy your designs!
I would love to get your watercolor cards! Let me know when you have them available.