Studio News: Web Site Updates

Between working on home renovations and surprises, I'm filling the minutes by playing with new development tools for the e-Commerce section of my Web site.

This Spring I happened upon a great plug + play e-Commerce tool called Shopify and it's built by a team of Canuks -they are smart. It's pretty slick and is very streamlined for both me as the Web designer and you as the customer. After a bit of evaluation, I've decided to adopt this tool to enhance dynamic capability that I myself, little Miss Designaholic, cannot do. I admit it, I am crafty in many areas, but back-end e-Commerce is not one of them. Besides, I'd much rather create gorgeous art than fiddle with the Web site.

What exactly does this mean for you, my beloved enthusiast?
Well! I'm glad you asked.

A couple of the Web Site enhancements include:

• Search Function. This capability will allow you to search thru-out the site for products by descriptions. If you type in 'Bacchus,' you'll find all the products that feature Bacchus -from original paintings to jewelry, it will all be revealed. Perhaps I should change the 'seek' button to 'magic button?' Also, by typing in 'pendant' all pendants will be revealed, no matter what subject matter. Neat, huh?
• Inventory Control. If I have an original painting, chances are I have only one. This means that you'll be able to see immediately if someone has already purchased it and I don't have to run back to my computer to update the count. I'd rather be illustrating.
  
• Product Enlargements. This fabulous feature will allow you to enlarge the product to see it in all it's glory. By clicking on the image, it will expand to a much larger size and it will also allow you to scroll thru the other images featured on that page. Take a look at the screen capture below and you'll see a little tiny button named 'next' on the Bacchus Framed Print -this will make your viewing experience much easier than opening and closing repeatedly.
  

ECStewart/CalligraphyPets e-Commerce site (sneak preview screen capture)


Click to Enlarge

I'm still working on this, so it hasn't been enabled yet -I'll let you know when it does!

Studio News: Introducing Dog Breed Series!

After many enthusiasts hounding me for dog breed-specific art, I am embarking down a new path: Dog Breeds!!



This Original Scotch Terrier, the Yorkie, is the first of many dogs I will be illustrating this season.

It's going to take a long while to complete the hundreds of breeds out there, so please be patient. To understand the popularity of the breeds, I decided initially, it would be best to start with the 2007 top 10 dogs and continue from there. Please let me know your thoughts and opinions and I'll take them into consideration as I render each pup.

Friendship Set: Limited Time

I thought it might be fun to celebrate the friends in our lives.



For a limited time, I want to offer a special gift package to celebrate friendships. I've packaged both the archival print and bezel pendant together and applied a discount.

This is a great gift for sisters, moms, aunts, and of course, best friends.

Celebrate Friendships on CalligraphyPets.

ECStewart + CalligraphyPets: FaceBook Page!

ECStewart Collections + CalligraphyPets now have our own Facebook page.



Please join us, become a fan and invite your friends! By doing so, this will allow you to post your photos of you and your favorite art from our studio!

Studio Report: Site Updates + Chat with Me!

Google has crafted a new tool: the Chat Box.

I discovered this box on an artist's site that I stalk (I'm benign, I promise!) and thought it was a very good way of keeping in touch with my clients who want instant info from me about my products and services.

Immediately, I found a way to create my own and installed it on my blog a week ago and now on my site on the collections and care page.

Status & Messages
I will do my best to change the status when I leave the studio so that you'll know my whereabouts. One can also leave a message and I'll find it in a new tab upon my return -so do make sure to leave your name and brief message so that I can be prepared to answer your queries effectively.

Additionally, I've updated a few pages on CalligraphyPets to make finding my products a bit easier. Namely, the collections page has been further enhanced with dropdown navigation and more imagery in cleaner subsections. I will be uploading new art and updating the care page as soon as I can.

I hope this helps you in your explorations and purchases. Feel free to chat with me if you find something awry.

Wallpaper Wednesday: Carnival Swing

This has to be one of my most favorite rides at the fair -after a hot day walking across the landscape filled with Midway snacks, lights, and FFA pets & livestock. This night,however, was just a little more cool and I was already chilled.


Carnival Swing 1024 x 768

Download Additional Sizes
1600x1200
1680x1050

Studio News: Pink Journals!

Look what we've got! We've got a few pink leather journals with Bacchus in ivory!

Here's what one customer said about her journal:

"Outstanding Journal! Even nicer in person! Excellent Packaging!"

We've only got a few, so you might want to snag yours now before we run out!

CalligraphyPets Journals

Wallpaper Wednesday: Gothic Dragon

Thought I would tantalize you with another scene, courtesy of our honeymoon. This dragon was found scaling a building hunting for young blood. I'd advise anyone with children to keep them close as this dragon was collecting them to take them to a feast, er, for a feast.

A frightening sight, I'm glad I was safely tucked in a building across the square.


Gothic Dragon 1024 x 768

Download Additional Sizes
1600x1200
1680x1050

Weekend Update

Our first weekend together as honeymooners and we were sick. Never together of course, we alternated our ickiness back and forth -just like the social disease. Fun Fun Fun.

Between our altered states, I worked like a mad woman to get phase 1 of shipping product and the updates completed on my Web site. Do let me know if you find anomolies, Andrew's collapsed on the bon bon couch watching reruns of Dirty Jobs and won't be doing any testing any time soon.

What's On Your Mind?
If you've purchased, received as a gift, or even won an item from ECStewart Collections or CalligraphyPets, I'd love to know your thoughts. You can add your comment to this post or send me a private note to creativegoddess@ecstewart.com. We've got some surprises in the works and your ideas keep us going. So, bring 'em on!!

If you're not privy to any of the above, take a look at this new adaptation of the alphabet, skinned style.

Photo: Dragon on Munich Building

Chinese Zodiac: Celebrating the Rat!!

February 7, 2008 Year of the Rat
Did you know that the Rat is charming, diligent, courageous, observant, and a perfectionist? That's probably why I love Remy in Pixar's new movie Ratatouille.

Homage to the rat, we've decided that we should celebrate the Chinese New Year with Luxe Gift Sets and Party Packs featuring the Rat.



Luxe Gift Set
You get to choose any print (to be signed and framed) found within the Chinese Zodiac New Year and a pack of classic Calligraphy Chinese Zodiac note cards.

Only $89
(for a limited time)




Rat Party Pack
Featuring 2008 Year of the Rat, this is a great party pack value for general celebrations or birthdays.

You get to choose any print (to be signed and framed) found within the Chinese Zodiac New Year and a pack of 12 Calligraphy Chinese Zodiac Rat note cards.

Only $89
(for a limited time)

Season of Surprises

Andrew and I are finding ourselves becoming increasingly excited out our impending honeymoon here, here, and here. While I fill more orders this week, I'm also finishing a few handmade pieces like this one shown to the left. This one is a surprise heading to New Mexico for a client -I'm told she loves birds.

NOTE: December 10th has now passed for handmade items by Christmas.

Hip Amenity: Embroidered Felt Scarves

I'm excited to let y'all know that we've got more savvy accessories for you: Embroidered, hand-felted scarves in a variety of colors -including a Stewart tartan!

Made with 100% wool, this soft and stylish scarf is gently hand-felted and embroidered in our studio. In addition to the tartan, our colors include black ink and chinese red.

Wait! It also includes your choice of one embroidered calligraphic motif: a snowflake, acorn, or leaf.

I love wearing my snowflake tartan with a little black leather jacket -it makes me look a bit sassy.

Anyone see a pattern here besides me? If so, let me know and you'll get $10 off the purchase of your next scarf.

Hip Amenity: On the Move

Studio News: Gift Sets

If you're feeling daunted about holiday shopping, I've just come up with a holiday idea that may ease your worries: Gift sets!

I'm starting with the Calligraphy volumes of cats, dogs, petpourri, and Chinese zodiac that will allow you to save some bucks and enjoy great art.

For more info, please go to: Holiday 2007

Happy Holidays!!

Studio News: Handmade Luxe Journals!!!

Andrew and I have exciting studio news: Handmade Luxe Journals

These sumptuous journals covers feature Bacchus and are die-cut, stitched, lined with soft microfiber, and include a coordinating bookmark to hold your thoughts in place.

While we have several color combinations, they are limited -you'll want to reserve yours fast!

The uber-cool covers are 5x7" and come with a blank journal to immediately chronicle your thoughts in prose or in doodles and a bookmark ribbon.

Available Soon to Mewsmembers Only
Mewsmembers will get a note next week and are first served (since the journals are limited in number and colorways) and get an introductory discount.

Not a mewsmember? That's easily remedied:
I want to be aMewsed!

WinePlay Now Available!

Combining CCats V2 - Play and a glass of wine, I've created a new CalligraphyCat named: WinePlay.

Now available as a pen & ink limited edition OLE (25) and fine prints.

In Rivers With Dogs... A Giveaway!

It's the dog days of summer and it's hotter than Hades out there! For Raleigh, the high is supposed to hit 103° again this week! It's stifling, sure, and some of you are enjoying the heat by cooling off with a swim -ah, I miss that old swimming hole in Michigan. Ah, but I digress.

So, for all of you out there on tire swings, splashing around in rivers with dogs, I am going to hold my first giveaway contest: A CalligraphyPets Embroidered Towel.

Great for cats and other creatures too!



Not So Sticky Rules:

1. One has to respond to this blog entry to qualify
2. I'd like you to be at least 18.
   
3. Contest Ends Tuesday, August 28, 6:00pm (EST)
4. Free shipping for US Residents (lower 48)
   
5. Shipping outside US/48 may have to help defray costs
   
6. Andrew and I will toss dice to ID the winner.
7. Send your friends!
   
8. You can't be related to me -even thru marriage. Besides, you get all kinds of cool stuff from me anyway, right?

****
UPDATE: The contest is now closed and I want to thank you all for your participation! Andrew and I realized that we didn't have dice in the house, so we used Random.org's Random Integer Generator to reveal our winner. And the winner is...

#7 - USASweetpea

Sweetpea, you'll want to send us a note to let us know your snail mail address to receive your CalligraphyPets embroidered microfiber towel!

Again, thanks so much! This was so much fun, I think I'll do it again in the near future!!

CalligraphyPets Product Poll

Beginning today, I am surveying my enthusiasts on the kinds of products you'd like to see more of.

If you're not familiar with the CalligraphyPets products, you can begin your tour in Shop Collections. We've got home decor, fashion accessories, doggie accessories, and paper goods to start!

A quick vote can be found in the right nav bar or if an answer isn't provided, let me know!

Polls end on Tuesday, August 14.

August 14 Update: It seems as though many of you really want to see more illos from me! Fantastic! It also seems that jewelry and silk pillows would also be among the favs. Very cool. Thanks for voting and I hope to get those silk pillows available this Fall!