Do you have a shop on Spreadshirt? If you’re an artist of any kind, it’s hard to find a reason not to have a Spreadshirt Shop. Last month, I opened my shop and I’ve found the company is:
- A Great Outlet for Your Creative Work
You know when you think of that “thing” or have that “wacky idea” that belongs on a T-shirt? Now you can put it there and let others laugh/cry/snicker/sigh along with you. It’s a cool way to share your thoughts, ideas, and values with the world.
- Win-Win Solution Mentality
Spreadshirt provides eco-friendly shirts, mugs, and paraphernalia – plus payment processing, web space for your shop, and a 30-day money back guarantee for your customers. They take care of the business side of things, and they do it responsibly. That helps their artists be free to focus on design and do what they do best.
- Free Shop Setup and Maintenance
Because we’re partners, they welcome quality designers and provide the space to host your shop absolutely free. You can immediately have two avenues for sale: your own shop and their marketplace. Each has different advantages, but either way, you’re set up for success a.s.a.p.
- Commissions are Commendable and Reward Growth
As an artist, you will receive a commission for your work. That commission bumps up when you make a certain number of sales per month. In this way, Spreadshirt recognizes and rewards hard work and artistic talent.
- Getting Started is Easy
Setting up shop is a piece of cake. You have a reasonable amount of control over where the design is placed and the size of the design. I carefully examine each of my designs and how they appear on every item to make sure my customers get their best look.
- Spreadshirt Cares about Quality
In addition to being eco-friendly, each design goes through an approval process before it’s displayed for sale. Don’t let that turn you off if you like to push the envelope – they print some really edgy stuff – but they won’t print anythingthat’s sent their way without question. I respect them for that.
- Growing in their Market
I read their blog this week, and Spreadshirt is listening to their artists and expanding their market. Next week, posters will be available for sale through Spreadshirt, and I’m excited for the potential that comes with this new outlet for creativity. When I made my “Think Spring” design, my husband thought it would make a great poster. Now, we have that opportunity!
If this post has inspired you to start your own shop on Spreadshirt, let me know! When your shop is setup, leave a link to it in the comments below! I would love to check out (and quite possibly purchase) your art, my fellow inventor. 🙂
For easy access, you can go to Spreadshirt now to get started.
Until next time,
Invent your story
Disclosure: Because I love the opportunities that are offered through their company, I’ve joined Spreadshirt’s affiliate program. This gives me an opportunity to receive a commission if someone signs up through my site. Have fun creating!
In your life’s journey, you may come across a pineapple picture or two. These pineapples may look different, though they are both pineapples. You might immediately have a desire to compare them. When you do, keep this in mind:
How to Compare Pineapples
Artists, writers, athletes, and pretty much anyone who does anything takes a risk. If someone enters a competition, they risk winning and losing. For artists, if they draw/paint/sculpt/design something and share it, they risk judgement.
Artists need to understand not everyone is going to value their artwork the same. Not every color or design will inspire every person. And that’s good – we live in a beautifully diverse world. But today I am speaking to the artist and the viewer of the art. The evaluator. The judge.
How do you compare pineapples?
I drew one of the pineapples in this post, and I got permission from the other artist to share his work today. We drew these pineapples in response to this challenge: draw a pineapple. We came up with very different pictures.
As people compare pineapples, often one of two thoughts can come into our heads:
One pineapple is superior.
~OR~
One pineapple sucks.
I find both of these judgements to do more damage than good. As an artist, if I think my pineapple is superior, I close myself off to learn from the mind, heart, and technique that went into creating the other pineapple. If I think my pineapple sucks, I am devaluing my work and the mind, heart, and technique I put into what I created. The critic faces the same pitfall comparing in that manner.
Instead, try comparing this way:
Value each piece of pineapple artwork respectively.
They are different. One is skateboarding. The other is sitting. One is smooth. The other is pokey. One is wearing shades. The other is smiling.
They are similar. Both pineapples have personality. Both have style. Both pineapples have faces. And they both have spikes on top.
Ask yourself: What is this celebrating? What can I learn from this? Do I want to take something from this picture, and try it when I draw my next pineapple?
Although it may feel elementary, this exercise is one of the most powerful practices both the artist and the critic can apply in life. Because once we learn how to compare our pineapples with value and respect, then can decide how to best use them. Maybe one belongs in a children’s book and the other on a T-shirt.
This is the joy of inventing art together: we can all become our best when we value and learn from our artistic differences.
Happy Inventing!