In our second DIY Baby Shower Series, we’ll cover how to add an extra touch to a baby shower favor by making a personalized wrapped candy bar wrapper.

Everyone loves chocolate, so send your guests off with something that’s thoughtful and extra sweet.

Supplies: 

1. Baby shower candy flyers
2. Scissors
3. Double-sided tape
4. 1.55 oz candy bars

When choosing your design, feel free to play around with the text in the nutritional facts. Add personality and humor to the favor, while tying the theme to your shower.

Step 1: Purchase your flyer with your personalized text and image. Note flyers come in a pack of 25, so you’ll need to adjust the amount to your party size.

Step 2: Cut along the lines of the wrapper until you have the amount you’ll need for all of your guests.

Step 3: Center the main image of your flyer to the top of the candy bar. Once centered, flip the candy bar over and fold the small side of the flyer to the back, making a crease. Then, take about an inch of double-sided tape and apply to the back of the wrapper.

Step 4: Fold the longer side over and press to seal. You’re done!

Check out some more fun favors and games for baby showers:

1. Mommy Advice Business Cards

2. Baby Shower Bingo Invites

3. Rainbow Confetti Baby Word Scramble Game Stationery 

4. Baby Shower Word Search Notepad

In our next DIY Baby Shower series: how to make Baby Bodysuit Cupcakes.

Photography & Collage by: Aaron Calestar and Nicole Pittman
Concept & styling by: Jenny Wagner
Baby shower candy flyer design by: AnnLeeDesigns

It’s time for another wrap up of Redbubble news and activity. We’ve spotted a bunch of achievements this week, including artists exhibiting and artists showing us their works in progress. Plus many bubblers offering a ton of support and encouragement for each other’™s efforts. Here’s just some of the action we spotted.

_{works by Aaron Jay – Randyotter}

• Aaron Jay and partner Aleksei Bitskoff won the London Cut&Paste tournament.
• Vincent Carrozza has a work in the I Love You Man exhibit in Brooklyn NY.
• DinobotTees had an exhibition table at BCExpo – the UK Comic and Pop Culture Event.
• Hammo has been working on a mural in the Kosmonaut Bar.
• Liransz created a fantasy storybook illustration tutorial for psd tuts+.
   

_{works by AlexandraSophie}

• Alexandra Sophie won Best Emerging Photographer of the Year in the [F] awards.
• Rosemary Eagle has two etchings in a travelling exhibition.
• The AddOn Exhibition has begun in Sydney, featuring lots of RB artists work.
• Tara Krebs shared a work in progress and is showing works in two California shows.
• Debra Fedchin will have work in the Artsbridge 19th Annual Open Juried Show.
   

_{by Jasmin Garcia-Verdin}

• Jasmin Garcia-Verdin is exhibiting six works in Newark’s IndexNewark Hall this month.
• Muscular Teeth has been busy painting a door from the Franklin Hotel.
• Jeff Jag shared a series of photos of his latest work in progress.
• Drawsgood asked his fans for ideas for his next sketch.
   

In other exciting news, we launched our Tattoo Designs Even A Mother Could Love challenge. We’€™d love you to get busy creating a design that your Mother would be unable to resist. You can find out more and submit your entries here

Congratulations to all the artists featured above on their news and achievements and a big thanks to the many Bubblers who have taken the time to show their support, leave generous comments or to offer help and advice. Each week we feature a small selection of the big news and the little wins we’€™ve spotted in the Redbubble community but we’d really like this to serve as an intro to your own news. What was the highlight of your week? Do you have any creative plans for the coming week?

How did you get started in your current role as Senior Solutions Architect?
John: Fifteen years ago this week I started at Adobe as a senior computer scientist on Photoshop and that was my primary job for a decade. About 10 years ago, a colleague on the Adobe Philanthropy Council asked if I’d be interested in attending a law enforcement conference and attending a session on Photoshop. That conference turned out to be the Silicon Valley Internet Crimes Against Children conference. One of the sessions at that conference by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) was on identifying the victims of child exploitation. At the time, this was relatively new to law enforcement. I was both horrified by the nature of the crimes, but also intrigued by how images could be used to rescue the young victims of those crimes. I was confident that Photoshop could play a role in these investigations, and that spawned a personal interest that became the focus of my career. After years of working to help law enforcement in these cases in my personal time, with some persistence and support from others at Adobe, the work became my full time job and Senior Solutions Architect for Law Enforcement Technologies became my title.

In what ways does Photoshop technology help law enforcement?
John: Cameras have become an integrated part of our society. They are carried in our pockets and mounted to walls. As a result, crimes are more and more frequently captured in images and video. In daily life it’s no longer uncommon to see images or video of a crime in progress played on the news. Law enforcement would like to leverage that evidence to solve crimes. But sometimes, the critical clues are locked away behind sensor noise, poor lighting, blurry images or are in minute and hard to see details. Photoshop is a powerful tool in the hands of trained law enforcement, which can assist them in getting crucial information from digital media.

Of course, beyond working with image evidence, there are many other tools in Photoshop that are useful to law enforcement. Photoshop is used in a wide variety of forensic sciences including document forensics, working with fingerprints and processing other kinds of evidence.

What types of crimes do you help solve or prevent with digital imaging?
John: Digital imaging is important to a wide variety of law enforcement work. It’s used in the analysis of photos that law enforcement takes when investigating a crime scene. It’s used in different ways when separating a fingerprint from a complex background in a digital image in a forensic lab. In investigating crimes against children it’s used in different ways. Each type of crime and each investigator will have different techniques at their disposal to investigate the crime at hand.

For example, in cases when law enforcement is conducting surveillance on a suspect vehicle, it may not be possible to secure a photo of the car from an angle that won’t give away the investigation. While it’s always best to capture an image in a way that won’t need post-processing, there are techniques in Photoshop that can help clarify the contents of images. In the example below, a vehicle is photographed with a DSLR from a rather severe angle making it difficult to read the plates on the font of the vehicle. After some processing in Photoshop we’re able to clearly make out the plate number and registered state on the vehicle.

Not an actual case photo

Techniques like this have varied results, so it’s critical to understand how to apply the techniques as well as how other factors including resolution, lighting, camera noise and blur will effect the results. Which is why we offer training and materials to law enforcement doing this type of processing. Just as important is listening to law enforcement and having an open communication channel with the investigators in the field doing this kind of work. That helps us develop better algorithms and techniques that take into consideration real-world factors we may not anticipate in development of features.

Can you tell a story or provide a specific example of a time that the technology in Photoshop helped solve a crime and/or save a life?
John: Because of the nature of the work, as well as legal and privacy concerns, I can’t give a specific example. But I can generally say that there are many examples of Photoshop and other Adobe tools like Premiere, Audition and Acrobat used to help solve crimes and save lives. I’m incredibly proud of the tools we develop and the innovation and care that’s put into them. I’ve seen Photoshop put to incredible use, and along with great police work, rescue the most innocent victims from some of the worst crimes imaginable.

Can you share any insight into new technology you’re developing to benefit law enforcement?
John: I can share insight into the thought process behind the new tools we’re developing. For me understanding the investigative challenges and the role technology plays in the commission or solving of the crime, is critical to the development of useful tools. For example, understanding what happens to a photo in the various stages of its lifecycle, from camera to evidence, can make all the difference between a tool that works well in the lab, and one that works well in the field.

How do you see the relationship between Photoshop and law enforcement advancing as technology improves?
John: I see the work with law enforcement as an ongoing partnership. I think it’s critical that we understand the challenges law enforcement faces, especially in investigating crimes against children. I expect that as we come to better understand those challenges we will continue to develop tools that will help them be successful in their mission.

I feel like I have the best job at Adobe, because I get to sit right in the middle of that relationship. At Adobe I live and work with the amazingly talented and creative folks on the Photoshop team and other teams at the company. But I also have the opportunity to work with the incredibly dedicated folks in law enforcement and other organizations like NCMEC, who are constantly working to keep our communities and children safe.

Henry shows us how much T-Rex really hates boxing.  T-Rex joins a rock band in this Amorphia design.  And this design from Jerkass reveals how dangerous T-Rex could be if given the proper tools!

Fringe Focus gives us a useful chart for dinosaur butchers everywhere while Crocktees goes Yabba Dabba Darwin.

Congratulations to all our designers featured above!  Stay tuned for the next Weekly Spread!

I found out about Zazzle after looking for some notecards to print my abstract photography. I’ve been designing since 2008 — that first year was a complete learning experience. I love designing for business cards — it’s my niche. I would describe my style as: elegant, professional and stylish. It’s mostly understated, but with a bold touch of either color or design.

Here are my top 10 tips for other designers and sellers on Zazzle:

1. Love what you do.

This is mandatory.

2. Be patient and persistent.

Understand it will not happen overnight.

3. Only post your best work.

In time your inventory will grow as you continue to sharpen your skills. If you have a store that only displays great designs, then the customer will have more trust and confidence in you as a designer.

4. Be true to yourself.

Always strive to be better….never stop educating and inspiring yourself. This is a constantly evolving industry. Surround yourself with great talent, read books, take a class, join great blogs and visit museums.

5. Be original.

Be known for what makes your work stand out.

6. “Know when to put the brush down.”

Every fine artist understands this. For me, the same goes with designing business cards. I try to keep my designs simple, yet memorable – not busy or overdone.

7. Find a niche and stick with it.

The longer you are with it, the better you will become. In time, you will be known for your talent and skill.

8. Create a smart and professional header.

Every single time your customer clicks on one of your Zazzle product pages, they will see it. It sets a stage and is an extension of your professionalism. It’s almost like an online business card in itself.

9. Get feedback.

If you’re not sure if it’s good enough, ask other designers on the forum. The forum is a wonderful place — very supportive and resourceful in so many ways. Make sure to visit it often.

10. Balance your life.

Balance keeps everything in perspective and keeps us from becoming stagnant, burnt out or stressed. It keeps you fresh.

Here are some of my favorite products:

Cosmetologist Elegant and Simple Blue Lotus Business Card Template by sm_business_cards

This was a variation of an older lotus illustration that I wanted to give a more simple, elegant feel. Healing arts and cosmetology are a huge inspiration for many of my designs.

Chic Boutique Gold Circle Motif Faux Black Linen Business Cards by sm_business_cards

This circle motif was a design I created out of complete spontaneity. I only knew that I was going to do some kind of mandala design…so I began with one circle and “the rotate tool” in AI.

Chic Faux Gold Leaf Circles Pink Linen Look Business Cards by sm_business_cards

I love to incorporate texture, pattern and light into my designs.

Pink Cherry Blossoms Branch Fashion Boutique Business Card by sm_business_cards

I wanted to create something soft and feminine with a hand drawn style. I’m trying to add more hand-drawn work to my designs.

Event Planner Circle Wood Modern Business Card by sm_business_cards

I love using the circle motif in my designs. The gold and wood texture gives warmth to this bold, mod design.

As part of our Father’s Day series, we wanted to include a salute to all grandfathers, who can act as second fathers or the best of friends. Doting, devoted, seasoned, sarcastic: they’ve seen it all, and have the best stories and advice (or, perhaps, dated advice that’s still entertaining and unforgettable).

We sometimes associate grandfathers with free time (assuming they’re retired), and therefore a lot of coffee. We all know how much they can like their chair, their paper, their mug, so why not give him another one that’s unquestionably his — that he can add to “my collection”? With the “We Love Grandpa” Mug, you can add your favorite photo and a special saying — an inside joke or sentiment of love:

Father’s Day “We Love Grandpa” Mug with Photo by red_dress

Has anyone else’s grandfather grown slightly forgetful? Odds are, he could definitely use something to help him keep track of things and make life easier – like the “Best Grandpa Ever” Father’s Day Keychain, which you can personalize with all of his grandkids’ names:

Best Freakin Grandpa Ever Keychain by CelebrationZazzle

For the cinephile or wise-guy grandpa, our “The Grandfather” Trucker Hat is a seriously funny nod to a classic that, odds are, he reveres as the pinnacle of movies:

The Grandfather Trucker Hats by babyfactory

Coming up next, we end our Father’s Day series with a round-up of our favorite gifts to make your father’s day.

In the spirit of taking ourselves not at all seriously, this “Reserved Parking” Card is the perfect vehicle (so to speak) to express your love and appreciation — or verbally shake your fist:

Reserved Parking Cards by Worlds_Greatest_Dud

If your dad is the bankroller type (lucky you), he’ll love the tongue-in-cheek “First National Bank of Dad” Mug to hold his gold-flecked coffee or tea:

1st National Bank Of Dad Mug by christmasmuggifts

And for the kind of dad who has “his chair” (think: the unforgettable Martin Crane from Frasier), get him a Mr. Lazy Trucker Hat in honor of the lovable book series that he may or may not have read, but definitely fits into:

Mr Lazy Classic Trucker Hat by littlemissandmrmen

We love a funny dad, and this Father’s Day, he’ll love the kind of gift that says, “You deserve a laugh, today and all year round.”

If you could customize anything in the world, what would it be? We’re looking to Maker Faire attendees and Maker Movement fans to participate and answer this question.

We’ll be giving away 3 prizes to 3 winners. Prizes consist of a package: RickShaw ® bag, Dawson™ pillow and DODOcase™.

To enter, just submit your answer to this prompt: “If I could customize anything in the world, it would be___” and include the hashtag #MakeYourOwn in the entry.

Participants can use:

Instagram: Snap a picture of the response and Instagram us (@zazzle) using #MakeYourOwn.

Twitter: 

• Picture: Tweet us (@zazzle) your answer as a tweet or as a picture using #MakeYourOwn
• Vine: Tweet us (@zazzle) a Vine video with your verbal answer using #MakeYourOwn

@zazzle’s Twitter handle will be retweeting best answers throughout the event. We’ll be gathering your answers at the event, but if you can’t make it to Maker Faire – feel free to participate using one of the methods above!

Winners announced at the end of the event, Sunday, May 19th.

Full Sweepstakes Guidelines

Photo by MagMoment

While the soil continues to hold winter’s chill, those emerging vibrant buds are a reassuring sight indeed. Fresh growth is nothing new to the Etsy community, but a 60.1% increase in April 2013 from April 2012′s total of dollars of goods sold still feels just as delightful as late-afternoon sunshine. (At the same time, items sold were up 43.8% year over year.)

The stats:

• $101.8 million of goods (after refunds and cancellations) were sold by our community in April, 0.1% higher than March’s $101.7 million
• That represents 4,259,435 items sold for the month, 6.1% lower than March’s 4,534,479
• 2,830,804 items were listed in the month, 3.5% lower than March’s 2,932,874
• 972,224 new members joined the Etsy community in the month, down 64,128 or 6.2%, from March
• 1.49 billion page views were recorded on the site in April

Thanks to everyone who contributed to the Etsy community in April 2013!

Curious about how other months compare? Check out our past Weather Reports for more statistics.

Developing a tag line is fundamental to building a good brand identity.  We discussed earlier that you should always be mindful of your audience, their demands and needs.  Knowing your audience is only half the battle, though, they have to know you too! There’s several ways you do this and in this blog post we will discuss one of the simpler methods: developing a tag line.

First you must understand one thing: Your tag line has to be simple and it has to showcase what you do. It should be no more than a few words and it has to be directly related to what you do. If you’re a funny t-shirt company, perhaps something like “Always Funny” or “the funniest t-shirts”. It has to be something directly related to what you do. If it is a non sequitur, then you will be defeating the purpose of your tag line. If you are a funny t-shirt company and your tag line is “The Best Apples”, it will just confuse your customers. As with our other tips, the first step is always THINKING.

Think of 3-5 different possibilities and then test them out. See which one bounces the most, which one you and your friends remember best, try it with customers and see which ones they like. Overall, you must remember that very rarely you get things right on the first try. Try different variations and don’t be afraid to play with the wording, even if it may not be 100% grammatically correct. The trick here is to find what grabs people’s attention and sticks with them. They should be able to think of this phrase and know instantly it’s you. It helps if it’s a commonplace phrase you’re co-opting for your own purposes.

This small tip boils down to two points:

1. Research what phrases may work for your company and
2. Test them on friends, family and customers.

Check back here every Tuesday for more marketing tips.

Admirers of the animal kingdom can find their favorite snap here:

Great White Shark Rows of Teeth 2 Notebooks by NationalGeographic

Chimpanzee Postcard by corbisimages

Mule Deer buck , Yellowstone National Park Posters by NationalGeographic

History buffs rejoice! We’ve got the perfect iconic moment captured in a photo, just for you:

Illustration depicting inventor Thomas Edison Postcard by lifestore
Browse more Record Postcards

First manned mission to successfully land on moon mousepad by lifestore 

Traveler at heart? You don’t need a passport to see some of the best from Iceland to London:

Iceland. Poster by NationalGeographic

Spirit Island, Maligne Lake, Jasper National Print by NationalGeographic

Houses of Parliament & the London Eye Postcard by prophoto

Brooklyn Bridge & Manhattan’s financial district Greeting Card by lifestore

Take a look at more stunning photography by going to the Corbis, National Geographic, LIFE and Getty Images stores on Zazzle.

As we kick off our series for Father’s Day, we honor all the New Dads in our lives. Each of them deserves a special, meaningful gift, whether it’s practical, touching or funny.

For starters, every dad can use a new t-shirt — remember how much laundry a new family has to do? The “This Is How I Roll” Tee is a stylin’ choice for walks through the neighborhood, the park or the mall, or even lazing at home:

Baby Stroller – This is How I Roll Tees by iloveyourshirt

For a more personalized homage, give him the “1st Father’s Day” Photo Card with a priceless pic of your little one:

1st Father’s Day – Photo Card by ryckycreations

And for the babe of honor, the “I’m your Father’s Day gift!” Baby Tee is an adorable memento for everyone:

Cute Father’s Day shirt for baby to wear by mollybhappy

Your baby is the ultimate gift, of course — and the umpteenth reason to celebrate your beloved new dad.

Don’t just say “I Do” outloud — say it on custom postage and even makeup clutches:

I Do Diamond Stamp by hallmarkwedding

I Do Diamond Makeup Bags by hallmarkwedding

Fans of carved initials on wood will love this rustic design:

Rustic Wood Initials Invite by hallmarkwedding

“His & Hers” silhouettes are always popular:

His & Hers Silhouettes Postage Stamp by hallmarkwedding

His & Hers Silhouettes Custom Invitation by hallmarkwedding

Here’s our pick for vintage lovers:

Vintage Map Custom Invitations by hallmarkwedding

Vintage Postcard Postage Stamp by hallmarkwedding

And organize every last detail of your big day with this “Mr. and Mrs. Right” binder:

Mr. and Mrs. Right Binder by hallmarkwedding

Fancy flexing your design and illustration muscles? Want to win some awesome prizes? Then dig out your finest drawing implements as we’ve got just the challenge for you.
 

We’d like you to create a tattoo design so impressive, even your dear Mother will temporarily put aside her fear of you getting inked and jeopardizing your chances of getting a ‘proper job’ one day.

There are cash prizes, temporary tattoos, tees and hoodies up for grabs so don’t dilly dally. Warm up a vat of coffee/gin/absinthe, dust off your art supplies, switch your phone off and get down to business. You’ve got approximately two weeks left to get your designs out of your brains and onto paper (then onto the interwebs).

Find out more and submit your entries here.
 
 

_{A little inspiration from talented RB designers and illustrators}

It’s time for another wrap up of news and activity from RB artists. We’ve seen some exciting features, Kickstarter funding, plus celebraties donning your tee designs! Here’s just some of the action we spotted this week …

^{Works by perdita00}

• perdita00 ’s work was featured on the Los Angeles Times website
• nikholmes got funded for his kickstarter project and will illustrate you as a zombie!
• We spotted Ian Leino dressed as Dr Krieger posing with Lucky Yates, the voice of Krieger
• Ian Sokoliwski appeared on BBandBC to discuss Flesh for Frankenstein
• Chris Colfer from Glee was spotted last month in tees by warbucks360 and angicita, check it out here and here

^{Works by Loui Jover}

• Loui Jover was interviewed for Saatchi Online Magzine
• Natalie Ord was interviewed on the ABC Open blog about her photography
• Sophie Smith had an image featured in Paper.Li
• stevethomasart is part of the show ‘Righteous Rides and the Dudes that Drive Them’
• Aimme Stewart shared the trailer for her upcoming children’s book

^{Work by Aimee Stewart}

• In other RB news, our CEO Pilgrim was busy showing off an awesome tee design by harebrained, talking to Fast Company and being all inspirational.

Congratulations to the artists above. Each week we feature a small selection of news, inspiration and achievements we’€™ve spotted but we’€™d really like this to serve as an intro to your own news. What was the highlight of your week? Have you got any creative projects planned for the week?

First, scratcher postcards for a “gender reveal” baby shower. 

Is it a boy or a girl? Turn an ordinary baby shower into an occasion to announce your baby’s gender with family and friends.

Gather everyone and have them participate in an interactive game, where they’ll have to scratch a card to find the answer.

Supplies: 

1. Gender reveal postcard (this is a template product, so feel free to include the messaging inside the balloons).

2. Silver acrylic paint

3. Dish soap

4. A plate

5. A paintbrush

6. A coin

Step 1: Personalize the scratcher postcard with the correct gender.

Step 2: Pour three parts acrylic paint and one part dish soap on a plate.

Step 3: Mix the paint and dish soap together.

Step 4: Paint inside the balloons to cover the answer, using 2-3 coats of paint. Let the paint dry between coats and repeat until you can no longer see the text.

Step 5: Let dry. (It might take up to an hour to dry).

You’re done!

Provide the finished scratcher postcards to your guests and hand them coins. Have them guess the gender and scratch to see the answer! Whomever gets it right can get a special treat.

Check out some more products for gender reveal parties:

1. Pink & Blue Gender Reveal Cake Topper

2. Gender Reveal Baby Shower Custom Announcements

3. Gender Reveal Cast Your Vote Business Cards

4. Team Girl Baby Gender Reveal Party Buttons

5. Team Boy Baby Gender Reveal Party Buttons

6. Envelope Note Gender Reveal Postage

In our next DIY Baby Shower series: how to make a unique Flyer Candy Bar Wrapper to cover tasty chocolate party favors.

Photography & Collage by: Aaron Calestar and Nicole Pittman
Concept & styling by: Jenny Wagner
Business card design by: Zazzle Templates 

Celebrate Your Designs!

Who doesn’t love a good celebration? We’ve got tons of great products to celebrate every milestone, and your designs make them truly memorable!

Birthdays. Bar Mitzvahs. Quinceañeras. Graduations. If it’s worth celebrating, it’s worth designing for! Trend tip: glitz, glam, animal print, photo templates, calligraphy and humor are always “in.”

Also, don’t feel like you have to limit your creativity to just one product. Your designs would be perfect for stickers, buttons, banners, cake toppers, plates and more!

Show us your best designs!

FanMerch Updates!

Following our recent successful FanMerch program partnerships with the U.S. Army, Randall’s Honey Badger and Frida Kahlo, we’re excited to announce our new U.S. Marine Corps Store on Zazzle! With Memorial Day coming up quickly, supporters of the United States Armed Forces, including the U.S. Marines, can now submit amazing designs to be featured in the new store!

Remember to create original designs and refrain from using official images or logos you’ve found online. We’re excited to see your creations! Click here to create. Click here to learn more.

USMC The Few The Proud Logo Stacked – White Stickers by usmarines

Here’s some facts we gathered about amazing mothers, from Marie Curie to Michelle Obama. Does your mom fit into any of these categories?

Also, see the full infographic in Babble just in time for Sunday.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Here are our top picks:

Vintage Memorial Day BBQ Invite

Vintage Memorial Day BBQ Invitation by marlenedesigner

Distressed Back To Back World War Champs Apron

Distressed Back To Back World War Champs Apron by zarenmusic

Memorial Day Party Plates

Memorial Day Party Plates by ArtAngle

‘MERICA Bald Eagle U.S. Flag Hat (blue)

‘MERICA Bald Eagle U.S. Flag Hat (blue) by zarenmusic

American Flag Case-Mate Case iPhone 5 Cases

American Flag Case-Mate Case iPhone 5 Cases by Libertymaniacs

Vintage Patriotic, Military Personnel Poster

Vintage Patriotic, Military Personnel Poster by YesterdayCafe

Matti asks mom where the meatloaf is.  Papy takes some inspiration from the ocean.  And Tattoooo thinks all moms are Supermoms (which they are).

OnCotton’s coffee bean realizes something terrible.  And MuthaCrafter is so crafty she makes people.

Congratulations to all our designers featured above!  Stay tuned for the next Weekly Spread!

I love stationery — invites, stickers and address labels. I love designing for baby showers and birthday parties, while keeping the designs minimalistic and whimsical with a pop of color.

I’ve always been a doodler and it shows in my work. I keep my designs the focal point and include minimal text.

Here are my favorite products:

TEA SET INVITATIONS

I like the versatility of this design. It’s great for a Mother’s Day tea, a Baby Shower or “Sip and Sea,” and of course, a Bridal Shower.

Pink Flowers, 5×7 Tea Party Invitations by paisleyinparis

COUPLE WITH BABY

I created this thank you note card for a customer who had used my “Expecting Couple” design for her baby shower invitations. It’s basically the same design, except that the mom-to-be displays a lovely baby bump. My customer liked that design so much, she requested thank you cards, with the couple and their newborn baby.

New Parents with Baby Girl – Thank You Card by paisleyinparis

MOMMY’S LITTLE PUMPKIN

A couple of years ago, one of my cousins asked me to create a “Mommy’s Little Pumpkin” invitation suite for her sister’s baby shower. This design is special to me because it was created with my cousin and mind, and because there’s nothing I love more than family time! Most baby showers in my family are coed. An event like this (an addition to the family) is something to be celebrated by all!

Mommy’s Little Pumpkin Baby Shower Invitations by paisleyinparis

BABY IN TEA CUP

This is one of my favorite designs. I love that it came about through a friend’s request, and since then, has become one of my popular designs. It just proves that no matter how creative you are, friends, family and customers will always be there to provide inspiration — with their input, requests, stationery needs and just by being who they are.

Baby in Tea Cup Baby Shower Invitations by paisleyinparis

ALLIGATOR BABY SHOWER

I’m big on recycling. This little alligator was originally created as part of a mock-up for a customer who hired me to design his business logo. He opted for another design and this cute little fella, combined with whimsical font and bright colors, made for a cute baby shower invitation and postage.

Alligator Baby Shower Postage Stamps by paisleyinparis

TOTALLY 80′S PARTY INVITATION

Not only is this one of my favorite designs, it’s is also my best seller. I created the invitation for my sister’s 30th birthday party and we celebrated 80′s style! I believe that the invitations are the first glimpse your guests get of your event and I think this design definitely set the tone for this wonderful night!

Totally 80′s Birthday Party Invitations by paisleyinparis

WHIMSICAL HOUSEWARMING PARTY

This design will always remind me of the day I discovered my own style. It was from this point on that I feel my work became a bit more refined and easier to identify as a Paisley In Paris™ piece. I still have quite a way to go as an artist. Creating is my passion. It takes me on a journey of growth and I can see myself evolving through my artwork. It’s what keeps this all fun and interesting.

5×7 Whimsical Housewarming Party Personalized Invitation by paisleyinparis

Photo by lindamonfort

Update: On May 6, the US Senate voted to pass the Marketplace Fairness Act, which would require online sellers who earn over $1M in annual revenues to collect and remit sales tax for every state, not just the one where you live. 

The good news is, the bill won’t become law unless it moves through the House of Representatives. We encourage you to call your legislator (find their number here) and let them know where you stand. You can also join the conversation with other sellers in this forum thread. Below is the original blog post that was published on April 22, 2013.

This week, the US Senate will vote on the Marketplace Fairness Act, a bill that requires online sellers to collect and remit sales tax for every state, regardless of where you live. Right now sellers are only required to collect sales tax in the states where they have a physical presence. (Online buyers are responsible for paying their home state’s sales taxes, but most don’t.)

We at Etsy support the intent of the legislation, to help states reap the tax they are owed, but feel it will unnecessarily burden small businesses. Most Etsy sellers work from home and don’t have the administrative resources to comply with the law. That’s why the “small seller exception” included in the bill is so important. We believe in pushing that exception as high as possible, not only to protect sellers now, but to give their businesses room to grow down the line.

Currently, the bill exempts businesses who earn under $1 million annually, though the level of exception is hotly debated, and some companies have even argued to eliminate it altogether. If you’re thinking, “$1 million, phew, that excludes me,” that’s understandable. $1 million in sales, however, is well below other federal definitions of small business. And the top 500 largest internet retailers make up 93% of lost state revenues. A lower exception hurts small businesses more than it helps states.

With the vote happening this week, we encourage you to call your Senators (you can find their numbers here) and tell them you support increasing the level of the small seller exception in the Marketplace Fairness Act. Hearing directly from constituents makes a lot more impact than just hearing from Etsy staff.

The Etsy community actually put this issue on our radar for the first time last year, when several sellers commented about it on a blog post about Chad’s trip to the US Senate. Since that time, we’ve been meeting with legislators and connecting Etsy sellers directly with D.C. officials to advocate.

This is part of our emerging focus on policy issues that affect our community. Since I arrived at Etsy, I’ve found that politicians often don’t understand the needs or challenges of our community. A seller making jewelry or decor from home is very different than a dentist, gas station owner or a tech start-up. Officials don’t realize how hard it will be for you to comply with a new regulation, or that many existing public programs to support small business don’t help you. We want to change that. So let me know in this forum thread what other governmental policy issues you’re worried about. I’d love to work with you to help solve them.

Althea Erickson is Etsy’s director of public policy, and the seller behind Brooklyn Assembly. Before she joined Etsy, she led the advocacy and policy work at Freelancers Union.

Throw off your caps, it’s almost graduation time! With that in mind prepare for scholastic and athletic achievements to be recognized, the endless graduation parties to begin and the start of summer vacation travel. If you’re looking to get the graduate something special and one-of-a kind our new Varsity Sweatshirt Jackets for both men and women make for a great gift. These are a fresh spin on the classic wool and leather versions at half  the price and the sweatshirt fabric makes them wearable just about all year round.  Add the graduate’s name, high school mascot or lucky number on to one of these jackets for a personal touch.

If your  family member or friend is going on a vacation trip this summer or away to college in the fall, a roomy  bag also makes for a great gift idea. We’ve recently added two new bags to our collection from the brand Alternative Apparel. The Hogan Weekender Duffel is the perfect go to bag for sport, travel or leisure. The durable, adjustable shoulder strap lugs lots, plus there is one secure inner pocket and one outer pocket available in colors black and red.  If you’re looking for a go-to tote bag that will last you for years, the Everyday Canvas Tote also by Alternative Apparel is the perfect shopping bag, book smuggler and casual purse. Two roomy outer pockets and subtle copper detailing available in black, red and navy. Add the graduate’s name, favorite song lyrics or a special symbol or design on the front or sides of the bags.

And if you’re still stumped for graduation gift ideas, check out some of our top rated and best selling graduation themed designs in our t-shirt and hoodie shop.

Congrats Graduating Class of 2013!

Photo by Etsy Craft Party

Etsy Craft Party is a one-day celebration of meeting and making. Around the world, we come together to share creative skills with our neighbors. You can organize a Craft Party, or join one in your area. All you need are good friends, craft supplies, and fun!

This year’s theme is Craft for Community. How could you use your craft know-how to make your hometown even better? We encourage you to think about what you love most about your city, what creative skills you have to share, and how you could bring this all together in a fun party that supports your community. Your Craft Party could feature:

• Skill-share: Swapping your creative skills with another.
• Craftivism: Using crafts as a means for positive action, or activism.
• Collaboration: Making a difference by joining forces with a local organization (your town’s community garden, park, farm, hospital, school, arts center, bike shop, thrift store, day care center, senior center, soup kitchen, farmer’s market, or other nonprofit/community group).

How do I get started? First, pick your spirit animal. If you are the leader of the pack, you could be a great Craft Party organizer. More of a party animal? Sign up for a party in your area and show up ready to craft on June 20.

To join a Craft Party, all you have to do is find a party in your area and RSVP via the party’s Eventbrite page.

To organize a Craft Party:
1. Complete the organizer application form.
2. We’ll grant you access to your Craft Party Eventbrite page.
3. Plan your party and invite friends!

Take note! Craft Parties with 25 or more RSVPs on Eventbrite will receive a free box of craft supplies from Spoonflower and Etsy sellers (while supplies last). The deadline to RSVP is May 30, 2013. We set this RSVP deadline so we can get the box of supplies shipped to the party organizer(s) in time. However, we encourage you to continue promoting and garnering RSVPs right up to the day of your Craft Party.

We will also provide every Craft Party organizer with a free, downloadable Craft Party Kit. The Kit will contain: how-to project instructions and templates, party decor ideas, and other tips for hosting your own party – plus some extra delightful surprises.

 We encourage you to make your party your own and have fun with it! Here are a few project ideas:

• Make Adopt Me vests for an animal shelter
• Host a creative workshop at the local library to share skills and knowledge with your community
• Get your hands dirty with a garden-related project to support a community garden
• Work with a local bike shop to make bike tube pouches, reduce waste, and promote biking
• Paint a mural to brighten a communal space
• Work with a thrift shop to source materials for an upcycled project (like these denim pillows)
• Make toys for a kids center (like these wooden blocks)
• Make birthday cards for the More Birthdays campaign
• Make pillowcases to donate to a local shelter, hospital, or home as part of the One Million Pillowcase Challenge
• Knit tiny hats for preemies at a children’s hospital
• Make scarves or mittens for a homeless shelter
• Make decorations for a senior center party
• Get together at a park or beach or hiking trail to help with a hands-on outdoors project
• Bring creativity to an unexpected spot, drawing inspiration from The Laundromat Project
• Work with a local non-profit to add value to your community

Let’s celebrate Craft Party together. Share photos of your Craft Party, from prep time to party time, on Instagram and Twitter with the hashtag #craftparty. We may even include them in a recap blog post or on Facebook!

Join the global celebration on June 20!

What are you planning for Etsy Craft Party 2013? Let us know in the comments below.

Every 18 to 24 months we deliver a new version of the software, packed with the latest features and functionality, as well as hundreds of big and small enhancements. It’s been a regularly timed cycle aimed at serving the needs of individuals working on design or photography related projects.

For us, the development process itself is anything but “routine.” The team is continually researching the latest imaging science and then figuring out how to deliver it to you as a new capability that significantly improves your creative process. We look far into the future, apart from what we know to be true today, and aspire to have it all work like magic. You’ve set the bar high to ensure we help you to push hard against existing creative limitations. For that reason alone, we’re never content with the status quo.

Good News – No More Waiting
We simply can’t sit back when the world is changing so rapidly. Waiting 18 to 24 months to catch up isn’t acceptable for any of our customers. We need to respond quickly to meet your evolving needs and to do so, we have to break from the old way of doing things.

This isn’t a new concept for us, or you. With Adobe Camera Raw (ACR), photographers have demanded we generate camera compatibility updates at least 8 times per year, compared with once every two years when we first launched the product in 2003. The number of cameras ACR supports has increased dramatically by 1600%!

In many cases, we also finish some features well before the official release date. Popular features in Photoshop CS6 like Content Aware Move, Content Aware Patch and Background Save were all complete by August, but due to our traditional delivery cycle, we couldn’t get them to you until nine-months later in May.

We’ve decided that Photoshop will no longer be software you have to wait years for. We’re ready to react quickly to external forces and will serve up more new features throughout the year, so you can push your creativity as far as the latest technology will allow. This steady stream of features will give you the opportunity to learn new tricks at your own pace, versus having to wrap your head around all that’s loaded into just one release.

It’s All About Access & a Connected Community
Social media, mobile devices and the cloud have radically changed the creative process. The velocity, range and diversity of what is being created is unprecedented. And we want to be right there with you to embrace those possibilities in this connected environment.

Gone are the days of just one lone Photoshop customer and one desktop computer. In this highly connected world, we’re building real-world solutions that bring you, your fellow collaborators and clients together in a truly seamless and meaningful way.

We want you to experience this now, so starting today we’re offering our loyal Photoshop customers (current owners of Photoshop CS3, CS4, CS5 or CS6) a special introductory price of $9.99 per month for an annual commitment to Photoshop CC. This Creative Cloud single-app membership includes everything you would expect to find in the traditional Photoshop Extended software, plus all the new Photoshop CC features, as well as regular updates throughout the year. We’re offering cloud-based services that allow teams to work together with private, secure and collaborative 20 GB storage solutions. We’re encouraging people to share ideas and inspiration with other artists through unique communities like Behance. Photoshop CC includes a Behance ProSite membership where you’ll get your own personal portfolio builder and a URL to showcase your work and gain exposure to a broad and valuable network.

Great innovation happens when you’re focused, and frankly, not afraid to break from tradition. We realize change is hard, but hope you can see that our aim is to innovate quickly, give you access to everything you need and connect you with the right people to enable your best work.

We look forward to collaborating with you as we explore these new possibilities together. Please consult our frequently asked questions post to learn more about Photoshop CC and leave your feedback to help us continue improving Photoshop.

- Maria Yap
Sr. Director of Product Management