Valentyna Chukhlyebova

You name or Shopid *	Valentyna Chukhlyebova
Which PODs do you work with? (in no particular order *	cafepress zazzle redbubble society6 fine art america
How long have you been working with PODs? *	1-2 years
What is the best thing about working with PODs *	I love the possibility to improve myself and to get every time more motivation when the products are selling. Great to know how the other designers are working and to learn how to use the special designs for the special products. Every day you learn more and more and you do what you are really interested in. You learn to understand what kind of products the customers are looking for and get a bit feeling about it and how the different things are working in the internet, like SEO, keywording and other stuff. It's a long way but it is a great fun!
How many hours do you spend on your POD(s) - including designing, adding & promoting - on average *	20-30 hours per week
what would you say to another POD artist who is struggling and in need of motivation? *
Well, I have enough motivation because I love what I do but I am struggling too... Of course it is very frustrating if the sales are falling and you don't know if you shop will be successful, today, tomorrow, 5 years after or even later... However every day gives you more experience and more feeling how to improve yourself. One has just to do it again and again and not to forget to learn from the different sources, like tutorials, groups and so on. Every day you are getting better in things that you are doing with heart. Social medias can be frustrating but it gives us a possibilities to communicate , to learn from each other and to show our products to the customers. It is very helpful if you have your blog or your own website. If nobody can find your products, how would somebody buy them? Anyway, there are lots of things you have to think about but it makes it interesting!
Do you have any formal training or education in POD related fields? *	Yes, Formal - Graphic Arts
If I won the super jackpot lottery tomorrow I would... *	Keep working my POD's for fun
My zazzle stores are:	http://www.zazzle.com/photosvac http://www.zazzle.com/zippyglobe

Star Stream Design

You name or Shopid *	Star Stream Design
Which PODs do you work with? (in no particular order *	cafepress zazzle greeting card universe other not listed
How long have you been working with PODs? *	3-4 years
What is the best thing about working with PODs *	That I can make my own hours, be my own boss and make time for family and basically having an actual life. My success is a direct result of all the hard work I've put into various PODs over a nearly four year period. I love thinking about the people who purchase my products and wonder how they'll use them and where in the world they're going. I always get a special thrill, as do most other POD artists, when I get that "SOLD" email. I can get a royalty of only a few cents, yet I still smile seeing that special message.
How many hours do you spend on your POD(s) - including designing, adding & promoting - on average *	50-60 hours per week
what would you say to another POD artist who is struggling and in need of motivation? *
Look at trends and put your own spin on them. Don't copy what other artists are doing, but see how they're expressing themselves, the styles in which they create and the subject matter. The POD world will never be a get rich quick plan. It took me 2.5 months before I even made my first sale. Find your own niche and think outside the box. Put your artwork on appropriate products that fit well and have something to say. Try that crazy idea or silly saying. You never know what might attract customers. I've gotten so many ideas from clients who found my design but wanted it for another occasion than I had originally intended the art for. You may have another job or have to take care of another person full time, but try to find a few minutes in the day to create. The POD world can be frustrating but it can also be the best job you've ever had... I know it is mine.
Do you have any formal training or education in POD related fields? *	Yes, Formal - Graphic Arts Yes, Formal - Art Yes, Formal - web design Yes, informal/community course - Graphic Arts Yes, informal/community course - art Yes other training/classes
If I won the super jackpot lottery tomorrow I would... *	Keep working my POD's for fun
My zazzle stores are:	http://www.zazzle.com/starstreamdesign http://www.zazzle.com/starstreambusiness http://www.zazzle.com/starstreamgifts http://www.zazzle.com/funshirtsandstuff http://www.zazzle.com/typographix http://www.zazzle.com/theskinshop http://www.zazzle.com/mishpocha http://www.zazzle.com/corporateoccasions

lace9lives

You name or Shopid *	lace9lives
Which PODs do you work with? (in no particular order *	zazzle
How long have you been working with PODs? *	1-2 years
What is the best thing about working with PODs *
Freedom and flexibility to stay at home with my children while at the same time finding an outlet that allows me to financially capitalize on my artistic endeavours. I would paint and draw anyway, but the extra income from PODs allows me to see this as something other than an expensive hobby or a frivolous waste of time. Socializing and networking with other artists and POD people is also very rewarding. While I'd love to one day allow my husband to quit his day job and just travel the country together, that day is a long way off. Until (or if) that dream is ever realized, PODs provide an easily accessible, approachable forum for artists and people who have other great ideas to bring their products to the masses with little to no investment, make some extra money, and achieve the deep-seated satisfaction that comes in knowing that someone else out there loves your art enough to buy it.
How many hours do you spend on your POD(s) - including designing, adding & promoting - on average *	40-50 hours per week
what would you say to another POD artist who is struggling and in need of motivation? *
You will put in long, hard hours at the beginning with little return, but if you stick with it, nothing beats the feeling of making your first sale, hitting that next seller level, and getting that paycheck every month that can go towards discretionary income, Christmas gifts, or that dream vacation you might not otherwise be able to afford. As the internet likes to say, Keep Calm and Carry On. However, after advising quite a few people who were initially interested in starting on a POD, only to see interest quickly wane when they realized that it takes a huge amount of effort (which, do not fear, will one day be rewarded) to get started, I would add one final, perhaps cautionary piece of advice. PODs are not a get-rich quick scheme, or something you can just jump into to replace your job right off the bat. However, for the dedicated individual who is committed to working hard and truly believes in their art, I would say, stick with it, th e sales will come, just focus on making the best art you can.
Do you have any formal training or education in POD related fields? *	Yes, Formal - computer related services Yes, informal/community course - web design Yes, informal/community course - marketing No - I am self taught No - I have no clue how I stumble through
If I won the super jackpot lottery tomorrow I would... *	Keep working my POD's for fun
My zazzle stores are:	http://www.zazzle.com/lace9lives http://www.zazzle.com/handdrawnremastered http://www.zazzle.com/hennaharmony http://www.zazzle.com/graphixphun http://www.zazzle.com/masonicapparel http://www.zazzle.com/manlygifts http://www.zazzle.com/brewingapparel http://www.zazzle.com/ocularpassion

FlaminCatDesigns

You name or Shopid *	FlaminCatDesigns
Which PODs do you work with? (in no particular order *	cafepress zazzle imagekind inktastic
How long have you been working with PODs? *	1-2 years
What is the best thing about working with PODs *	I love sharing my photos and it has been a delight to be able to put them on products. I enjoy playing with my graphics programs and create designs either with my photos or from scratch. Doing POD work keeps me very busy and I enjoy being busy. I love being able to do things at any time day or night. The POD community online has been an inspiration and a lot of help as I have gone through quite a learning process. I guess I can't pin it down to just one best thing, it is the experience as a whole that I enjoy.
How many hours do you spend on your POD(s) - including designing, adding & promoting - on average *	40-50 hours per week
what would you say to another POD artist who is struggling and in need of motivation? *
I think it is typical of anyone working in this POD world to get frustrated from time to time, maybe more of the time for some. I try to trade off between spending time promoting with time creating designs and adding to products and with blogging time. Breaking up the tasks helps me a lot. If I focus too much on making sales I get really frustrated. When someone buys something I am happy to see what they bought. It is a really great feeling to know that someone liked something I created enough to buy it. If you don't enjoy creating the images for your products then you probably will not enjoy this kind of business in the long run. I think you should stick to what you enjoy creating and keep filling up your shops. The more variety you have, the more chance that you will attract someone to buy your creations.
Do you have any formal training or education in POD related fields? *	No - I am self taught
If I won the super jackpot lottery tomorrow I would... *	Keep working my POD's for fun
My zazzle stores are:	http://www.zazzle.com/flamincatdesigns http://www.zazzle.com/flamingraphicdesign http://www.zazzle.com/friendsoffursplace http://www.zazzle.com/overrainbowbridge

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Blonde Designs

You name or Shopid *	Blonde Designs
Which PODs do you work with? (in no particular order *	cafepress zazzle inktastic
How long have you been working with PODs? *	6-8 years
What is the best thing about working with PODs *	Being able to work from home and letting the creative process flow. I love the flexibility of working on my own time and being able to be home with my children and fiance'. Making my own hours is one of the best parts. I also love being able to work from bed when I'm feeling under the weather, what other job allows you to have such freedom? Another perk, when I think of something creative, I can sit down and work on it right away while it's fresh and get it up in my stores. I love working on PODs!
How many hours do you spend on your POD(s) - including designing, adding & promoting - on average *	30-40 hours per week
what would you say to another POD artist who is struggling and in need of motivation? *
Don't give up! This is not an easy business to get into and get established at. You have to remain calm and patient, being successful doesn't always (hardly ever in most cases) happen "over night". Write down (or take note somehow) of every idea you have, one thing I have learned is that even if you don't like something (color, etc..) someone else most certainly will. I am always amazed at the things people will purchase! Always use descriptive tag words and try to think of catchy ways to name your designs, every little bit of creativity works in this business. Once again, I cant stress enough, don't give up, this business takes time and time and more time to get successful at! Make friends with other shop keepers as well, it's always a huge benefit having friends in the "biz" to help you along, not only when you first start but also the further along you get.
Do you have any formal training or education in POD related fields? *	Yes, Formal - Graphic Arts Yes, Formal - Art Yes other training/classes
If I won the super jackpot lottery tomorrow I would... *	Keep working my POD's for fun
My zazzle stores are:	http://www.zazzle.com/blonde_designs http://www.zazzle.com/causeican http://www.zazzle.com/cutecanines http://www.zazzle.com/emonation http://www.zazzle.com/holidayme http://www.zazzle.com/booforyou http://www.zazzle.com/heresyoursign http://www.zazzle.com/Fangtastic http://www.zazzle.com/sportydesigns