Jenny Well, where do I start? My Zazzle name is Pawsgirl, but usually I'm called "Paws" on the Forum.
My name is Jenny and my Partners name is Kevin. We have been together for 14 years. I am 49 this year and Kev is 54. I am born and bred Australian and Kev is English.
Together we have 2 Cats ("Smokey", our old boy passed on a month ago. He was 20 years old) "Pookie" (real name is Spook) and Ragdoll Cross and Ginge, a Red British Shorthair.
We all live in Queensland Australia, in a small town called Gin Gin, that is the 4th oldest town in Queensland.
I have 3 Kids by a previous marriage and all have grown up and have their own kids now.
The ProSeller Corner When did you start designing at Zazzle and what made you choose them?
Jenny Well, I had to look back for the time when I started on Zazzle. I was at the time on another POD site, but left before my first year was up. One of the other designers on the site told me about Zazzle, so I had a look and joined in August 2008. I mean, how could you beat a free store and a proper mark up for Royalty, when the opposition was charging $65.00US and had knocked down the Royalty to 10%!!!
I had started a Business in Australia with Dog and Cat Breed merchandise, Mugs, Mouse pads, T-shirts etc, and Zazzle has become an arm of that business.
As we sell mainly on the Internet (Website and Ebay), we started getting people from overseas purchasing our Mugs.
Americans may think that their postal costs are a lot, but Australia's postal costs to overseas are really high, so Zazzle has helped on many an occasion.
Now, if I sell anything in Australia that can be done through Zazzle, I order and send from Zazzle. My USA customers get their items faster and hence they are happier.
The ProSeller Corner Do you have any other stores at Zazzle?
Jenny My Stores on Zazzle are Paws and Manes, Fractimation and What's in a Name.
- Paws and Manes is all about cats, dogs and horses. Cats are especially dear to me and so I try to do as many as I can. I have just recently put up a few designs of the Australian Mist, which is a true Australian cat and a relatively new breed. I am still going with dog breeds and think I am up to about 80 breeds by now. (I still have to put the designs up for many of them.) I have also been able to introduce the Australian breeds of dogs to the world, many of which people had never heard about before, e.g. The Australian Kelpie and Working Kelpie, The Tenterfield Terrier, The Aussie Bulldog and the Australian Koolie.
- Fractimation is a mixture of "Fractals" and "Imagination". Fractals are a mathematical equation made into repeating and none repeating designs. Some beautiful designs can be made. There are some good programs around that can be used and most of them are free. I also have landscape designs and photographs that have been taken in Australia. The landscape designs are made with a program called Terragen and are very realistic looking.
- What's In a Name is just starting and I only have a few designs in there at the moment. I hope to have name meanings with a picture underneath, so that it's not just text. For instance "Jennifer" means white wave, but is comes from the Welsh name of Gwyeniverre. I also hope to have Coats of arm for a variety of names eventually.
The ProSeller Corner What has been you best selling product?
Jenny My Best selling products have to be my Australian Cattle dog, Australian Kelpie and my cat designs. It's funny, but in Australia the cat designs are not really sought after, however the dogs are. In the USA, the cats are desired as but the dogs aren't as much!!
The ProSeller Corner What do you enjoy doing when you're not working on your store?
Jenny Most of my time is taken up with my Website and Ebay, but I do enjoy being out in the sun in my garden. I used to be the head gardener at the local council, but had to resign after an operation I had bad results that meant I could no longer lift heavy weights. I also belong to the Local Hospital Auxillary, where we raise funds for hospital needs that the government won't supply.
The ProSeller Corner How do you balance your time between Zazzle and life?
Jenny I would love to spend more time on Zazzle as I do love putting the designs on the items and talking to other Zazzlers. I have learned so much in the couple of years that I have been with Zazzle.
It's a case of so many ideas and not enough time in the day!!!
My life these days seems to be sitting in front of the computer, although I do take time out for some of my favorite TV shows.
The ProSeller Corner How long had you been with Zazzle before you reached a ProSeller status?
Jenny Well, I started in August 2008, my first sale was the 13.10.2008 and I made Proseller in April 2010. So, that's one and a half years. It took a while, but I made it.
Making Proseller made me work a little harder to get more of my designs up and now there isn't a week goes past when I don't make a sale.
The ProSeller Corner Getting noticed and becoming a ProSeller takes a lot of hard work and time. What advice would you give to those aspiring to become a ProSeller?
Jenny All I can say is to work hard, design smart, be aware of what is and isn't allowed and read the Forums and pay attention what advice is given to other sellers.
Don't be scared to ask questions. The only stupid question is the one that hasn't been asked.
Do your own work and don't copy or make something similar to others you see.
Use your own imagination!!!
Most of all, don't get upset if you don't make Proseller within a few months. It all takes time and one day it will happen!!!
3 comments:
Your designs are very cute. :)
I would love to have a garden of my own to work in, when I eventually get a house, ha.
you can always have a garden that you could take with you when you get one.
Just do everything in Pots!!!
Thanks for the opportunity to do this Jasmine.
Very much appreciated!!!
Jen
That is an idea. You're very welcome Jen. :)
Post a Comment