Whisker Graphics

I feel like Steve Martin the The Jerk when the new phone book arrives.

I’m am beyond thrilled to announce that the new Whisker Graphics website is live!! It went live last night and I went to sleep with the biggest smile plastered across my face. It’s been almost 2 years since I first opened my shop on Etsy; two years of hard work and trying to figure stuff out. There were many moments of feeling like an old dog with a myriad of new tricks to learn. Though I have a (vintage) degree in Graphic Design, when I started Whisker Graphics, I had to teach myself some Illustrator, some Photoshop, and some web stuff (90% of which I’m still clueless about). I started with printed stationery then added editable DIY Printables and eventually Divine Twine.  And now, it’s so nice for all my products to have a well-organized, easy-to-navigate home of their own. I worked with an amazing team that I would highly recommend at Aeolidia to make the website a reality. Shoshanna and Arianne were beyond patience and helpful every single step of the way.

Here are just some of the things I LOVE about my new site:
- Customers can immediately download their Printables after checkout (no more waiting for me to email the file)
- The Printables are easily purchased in different color choices
- It has a Mailing List sign up (and Aeolidia designed a pretty coordinating newsletter template for me too)
- My wholesale customers can place their orders on the site too (easier for them, easier for me, yeah!)
- There’s a whole page devoted to Questions and Answers about how the Printables work
- Customers can sign up to be notified of when the new colors of Divine Twine are in stock by clicking the “Request re-stock notice” on the item page (and the system automatically emails them when I stock the store!)
- The time saved by not having to relist items that sell and emailing order and shipping notifications
- The ability to have multiple quantities available within a single item listing

A HUGE THANK YOU to my family, every friend (both web and in-person) and customer who encouraged and supported me along the way!

I’m going to ride this good-feeling wave of accomplishment until the next new trick I need to learn presents itself. That’s likely to be tomorrow!

I’m so not good at waiting. I was the kid who would daily squeeze and shake (and on occasion maybe take a little, teeny tiny peek of) my presents under the tree on the days leading up to Christmas. Well, for those of you who can relate, here a little tiny peek of the new Whisker Graphics website that’s coming soon. It’s been 3 months of hard work from the team at Aeolidia and myself, but it’s going to be worth it. I’m so excited!!

Everywhere I look there seems to be garlands. Whether they are made from triangles of sweet fabric or stickers and tape attached to twine, I swoon over them all. I’ve been trying to figure out how to incorporate a garland (or five) into my life. Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse. Here’s what I made for the peeps in my family. If these tickle your fancy, feel free to make some for your valentines. See download link at the end of this post.

There are 5 Valentine messages + some extra hearts.

I plan to hang them around the house with Japanese Masking Tape in places like the back of a chair, the bathroom mirror, the shower door, closet doors, the front of the frig and for an extra surprise, on my husband’s steering wheel (or maybe his windshield) so he’ll find one when he leaves for work.

I tried to make the Printable as easy to use as possible. All the tiles butt up to each other to reduce the number of cuts and there are tiny dots to indicate where to punch the holes (I used 1/16″ hole punch, but you could use a larger size). Thread with Divine Twine, string, thin ribbon or embroidery floss. Enjoy!

Download PDF Printable HERE.

I’ve been playing around a bit trying to figure out a simple, clean packaging for the bakers twine. Came up with a name for it too.

As promised, here is another Halloween freebie for you.

Some ideas for using the 3" square tag/label.

This is a 3″ square design that comes 6 on a sheet. This PDF is editable, meaning you can enter your own text and format it how you like (font:style, size, color and alignment; the design is not editable). Enter and format your text, print on card stock or full sheet labels, trim and enjoy. Download tags HERE.

Here’s the BONUS. Over on Skip To My Lou you can download coordinating cupcake toppers and editable invitations (no need to handwrite your party info).

photo courtesy of Skip to my Lou

Photo courtesy of Skip to my Lou

Click HERE to visit Skip to my Lou and download the invitation and cupcake toppers.

Last year I designed a 2009 calendar and by the time I had worked out all the design and production details it was too late in the year to sell it. You live, you learn. This year I’ve started much earlier and the Whisker Graphics 2010 Calendar is now available in my etsy shop in the Seasonal section.

It measures 5″x5″ and is printed on nice and thick 110 lb card stock. It comes pre-drilled to easily hang with the silk ribbon I’m including. I did a small run 100 for this year. For a limited time, I’m offering a 25% discount for those early holiday shoppers out there.

Now if only I was this ahead of the game getting MY holiday shopping done!

Please note: This post may not be appropriate for little ones to see.

I was touched and inspired by this post over at Just Something I Made.  Cathe Holden is not only incredibly thoughtful and kind, but she’s outrageously creative. She started a letter correspondence via the Tooth Fairy with her kids. What a great idea!

I created a Tooth Fairy Letter Kit for the shop for those who would like to do the same with their kids. It’s a pdf file that includes two sizes of notes (cause sometimes you have a lot to say and sometimes you don’t) and a petite envelope in both a pink colorway and a blue. And because it can be a challenge to write so tiny, you can type your letter right into the pdf before you print it out.  The petal envelope requires only scissors to create and a folded dollar bill (if you’re so inclined) fits inside it quite nicely.

“Brush your teeth at least twice a day” and “Visit your dentist every 6 months” are printed on the envelope.

** Update: 9-1-09 — the labels will be available later this afternoon.**  There is a FREE PDF download of assorted labels/tags just waiting for you over at Skip to My Lou compliments of Whisker Graphics. Enjoy! Tomorrow I’ll have a FREE goodie for you here, inspired by a reader. See you then.

A few weeks ago, Rachel at Soiree Designs contacted me to help her create an identity package for her new party and event planning business. She knew the look she wanted and gave me great direction.

Business Cards

She used an editable PDF from my shop for her hang tags and labels.

Blog Banner

Much success with your business, Rachel!

I’m completely enjoying my japanese washi masking tape. Here area a couple of ways I’ve put it to good use.

The tape in action making my label folders pretty.

An added touch to a package.