Ever since I joined Steemit about three months ago now, I have done so many things I never thought I would or could do. For instance, I got the sudden urge to try my hand at "art" even though as a teacher, any time I try to draw the slightest thing on the board, it looks like a deformed amoeba. Whatever! I can learn! As long as I keep it simple, I can manage - or at least I have fun.
Then I started scanning some of my creations and learning to use GIMP software to retouch and color and vectorize - all kinds of things I never knew existed, let alone thought I would be able to figure out. I still have a lot to learn, but I am pretty impressed with how much I have already learned on my own. Maybe I'm not so old after all...
So anyway, in the spirit of trying new things, I put a couple of things up on RedBubble to see how it works. I'm expecting my second child in June, so I kind of have birth on the brain...hence the onesie design. I love the color scheme I found on https://coolors.co/ but the drawback is that you can really only see them all well on white. I still have things to learn!
I'd be happy to have feedback and pro tips from anyone willing :-)
Thanks for stopping by!
Born Weird Platypus design by Orangina.
Super Cute!! We love platypi-what we jokingly use for platypus in plural, but we learned the correct term is actually platypuses. Don't you just love the English language? Anyway, I used to be a classroom music and art teacher for grades K-3. I sincerely everyone can sing and draw, it's just finding what you can sing and draw. If you're willing to work at it, then obviously your range will improve, but even if you don't practice there is always something artistic you can do if you truly search your self. Congratulations for breaking barriers and trying new things! And congrats on the baby on the way!
Thanks! I do love the English language and language in general - platypus is probably greek or something. We have friends who have two priuses that we like to call the pri-i for fun. And of course, meese should be plural for moose, right?
Yes - everyone should make it a point to create something! a doodle, a sculpture out of mashed potatoes, a masterpiece, whatever!
Very happy to hear you are expecting another cutie pie. Maybe this explains your new burst of creativity? Who said platypusses are weird?! Fabulous design from a talented lady who unweirdly will give birth to a talented child! (Isn't every child so, unless we "spoil" them into being boring?)
awww, thank you! Yes, I was wondering the same thing about all the creativity - with my first, I built a large bookshelf, made curtains, a bed skirt, painted picture frames, made a quilt - all kinds of stuff, but I still have it all, so I don't need to make so much stuff like that this time. But it's great to feel this much urge to do things I've wanted to do for so long and just didn't have the time, patience, confidence to do. I was also writing my dissertation with the first, so that kept me busy for a while. Now I can afford some time for fun stuff!
I love it, that's a really cute and fun message!
Redbubble takes a pretty big share of the money from each sale, though. I picked Zazzle for mine, and I think they're just a bit better in that respect, if that matters to you at all.
I might do that one too - I have actually purchased from them before. Thanks for the heads up... One person I remember just has accounts all over the place. Don't know if that's a good idea or just a lot of work. What kind of art do you post?
I mostly put body positive, feminist stuff. I have a couple humorous pieces. But I recently unpublished my shop, since I hate marketing, and I have only sold one piece through Zazzle. I may reopen it, though. It doesn't cost anything...
yeah, marketing is the thing I'm kind of meh about...I don't want to torture people or annoy them with that stuff. I just want them to buy it without any effort from me ;-)
Yep, exactly! 😆
Hello @orangina! First let me say congratulations on expecting your second child! I’m expecting my 5th in June!! I really like your onsie creation. So you drew this design and uploaded it to the site to sell? I’m trying to understand how it works...thanks for sharing :)
Hi Crosheille! Thank you! Yes, I started with a very simple drawing (because that's all my skills allow) and traced over it with a dark black drawing pen when I was ready. Then I scanned it at 300 dpi and retouched it with GIMP, which is free software. I learned several steps for that process and also enhancing the image by vectorizing from a fellow steemian @coloringiship. She has several tutorials on her blog that have been really helpful! Once you've retouched and vectorized and colored if you like, then you can upload to a print on demand site like RedBubble, Zazzle, Teespring, etc. there are many to choose from. I've really been enjoying myself just figuring it all out - maybe someday I'll even sell something!
Oh wow! That sounds like a lot of fun. It would take me awhile to get the hang of it. I am definitely not an artist but it still seems like fun. Thank you for taking the time to explain all of this to me :)
I am not an "artist" either, but I'm doing art anyway! and you should too :-)
That’s awesome! Thank you for the encouragement :D
wow only a few weeks left till you meet your baby, how exciting, I know that feeling just wanting to lay my eyes on them for the first time. I love the design. Sending you lots of love and light for these last weeks and your birth xx
thank you! yes, I just said to my husband the other day, as I did with our first, "can you believe soon we're just going to bring home a whole other person to live with us from then on???" Such a strange concept, even though I already have that person hitching a ride with me!
I hear you, It is amazing really that we carry these little complete whole beings inside of us, to me it is pure magic, so sacred. I hope you are getting time to relax and allowing yourself to be pampered, what you are doing is amazing xx
daily naps are a must! And lots of time spent poking this little critter who keeps poking me more and more :-)
I can imagine how excited you must be waiting for your baby. June is not that far away. I really liked the onesie design. Steemit does help us be creative. ;0)
Yes - this baby was almost 3 years in the making (or trying to make) so I am excited to say the least!
Love the design, now you need to offer it in an adult tee! Though I'll admit I would personally prefer a black, royal blue or purple background, hint hint.
I haven't tried Redbubble, Dazzle or any of the other sites that allow you to sell your own designs, but I know that there are several out there, and it may pay to do some research to get the best terms.
And, naturally, NEVER give away your copyright.
Who knows? A simple design like this could turn into a long-term income stream, and a few of those could make a real difference in the long run, while allowing you more time with your child. Win/win.
Wishing you and yours the best now and always!
Try this link - I posted a version with white ink on a colored background. https://www.redbubble.com/people/oranginadesigns/works/31473450-born-weird-platypus-in-white-with-colored-background?asc=u&p=womens-premium-t-shirtYou should be able to choose the color you want and all that. But I'm new here, so I could be making that up!
Thanks for stopping by!
I got a "404 Computer Says No" error. ;-(
ah technology!
Ah yes, it is wonderful when it works. ;-)
Wow you're expecting soon? Congratulations, @orangina. I have never come across Redbubble before so I do not know how to advise. But I love your design of the platypus. It looks really cute. Most importantly you have fun doing it for your child. I used to design my own onesie too for my boy before he arrived and customized it with his name. Such a fun thing to do.
Enjoy the last leg of the pregnancy! :)
Thanks happycrazy :-)