Month: March 2011

Update on the Zazzle Business Cards SNAFU

I emailed them this morning and complained about the shoddy packing job, the bent cards and the terrible crop job. They offered send me out replacement cards free of charge, I declined because I had already put my order in with SharpDots.  But they are letting me keep the old cards; not that I’ll use them because they really did a bad job, and I don’t want that to represent me. 

I can’t wait to see my proof from SharpDots. =D

Zazzle Business Cards

Just got my new business cards from Zazzle, and I’m a bit disappointed… AGAIN.

Just once I’d like a site that offers print on demand to actually give me the item in the product preview, and not some close proximity.

I looked all over the site and they never specified exactly where they crop the cards; so I figured since they are giving me a product preview that they would be cropped as shown in the preview, NOT. (yes, I even downloaded the template and it’s as vague as their instructions.)

They crop exactly on the Safe Zone Line, even though they don’t specify that’s the crop mark.

That wasn’t the only problem, they did a pretty crappy job of packing them.  They come in small flimsy mylar boxes of 100, one box popped open and several cards were loose in the package; so those cards are garbage, and the rest the corners are pretty banged up.

I guess I’ll know for next year IF want to take the chance that Zazzle will do it right next time.

CECE Spring Fling

The first show of the season is such a breath of fresh air after the long cold winter. Getting out of the house, working a show, seeing all of the familiar faces, catching up with friends, and talking to fans is always sooo refreshing.

There were quite a few more people at this show than I had expected especially with C2E2 just next weekend. I’m really glad Cynthia Narcisi stopped by, I haven’t seen her in such a long time, it was a good visit.

If things go well this year, and if I can remember to check the C2E2 site in September; I’m hoping to snag a table in Artists Alley next year.

I signed on with Paul for the rest of the CECE shows which helps fill up my show schedule for the year. Paul is such a nice guy and his shows are always fun to do. I will be doing a special original piece (I will also be filming the painting process for a time lapse video, I hope I can get my friend Penelope Ofeq to arrange a special set to accompany it.) for his big charity auction for the September show, so make sure you attend. The proceeds go to a very worth cause, The Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation.

Up Next:

So much to do before my next show, I’ve decided to do a Mini Print / Convention Sketchbook combo thing. If I can get the design worked out, I should have it before my next show and definitely before GenCon.

Now Back to work. =)

finally hashed out my show schedule for this year:

I will be at all of the CECE shows: June 5, July 9, & Sept 17 – Carol Stream IL
June 18 & 19 Geneseo Music & Craft Festival – Geneseo IL
August 4-7 GenCon – Indianapolis IN

…will update when and if other shows become available.

I will be updating my website tomorrow.

GenCon Status……

Updated March 9, 2011:

As of right now I have half of what I need for my GenCon Booth, if I don’t make enough in the next few weeks I won’t be able to make it again this year.

Today (03.09.2011) I faxed in my GenCon Registration & Booth Fees! Hopefully I’m not too late and there are still booths available.

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I will be at the Chicago Entertainment Collectors Expo Spring Fling this Saturday (March 12th). I will have lots of prints, originals, original ACEOs & Fan Art ACEO’s; also new glass tile pendants (which I’ll be working on this week), I will also be taking commissions to do the following week to mail out.

Fundraiser for Lisa Millim

My sister-in-law (Aleta) is holding a Fundraiser event for her sister Lisa Millim.

In 2009, Lisa was diagnosed with Colon Cancer at the age of 37. Through the rounds of Chemotherapy treatments it had seemed her Cancer had gone into remission; and every 3 months she went in for her follow up tests to confirm that she was cancer free.

In September of 2010 Lisa went to the Emergency Room with severe abdominal pain, and was admitted where a CT Scan confirmed that the Cancer had returned. Only now it had metastasized to her kidneys, liver, ovaries, lungs and blanketed itself in the lining of her stomach; the cancer now had become inoperable.

She couldn’t understand how this could be since all of her tests had came back negative. The hospital had been only doing a routine blood test, which is the most inexpensive test they run for detecting cancer; the spread of Lisa’s cancer went undetected. She went to Loyola University in Chicago for a second opinion, where they confirmed the original diagnosis.

At the age of 39, the doctors have given her only 18 months to live. Lisa’s a wife and mother of two daughters, her oldest is expecting her first child in April, Lisa’s first grand-child.

Lisa is currently undergoing treatments that will not cure her cancer, it will only slow down it’s progression or even bring the growth to a stand still. She will remain on these treatments for the rest of her life. And because these treatment are so costly she cannot afford to buy some of the required medications.

The Fundraiser will be on March 5th (Saturday) the goal is to help alleviate some of the stress of her mounting medical expenses.

There will be lots of items to choose from: there will be a D.J., food provided by Nel’s Catering and a raffle. Raffle items include a 42-inch Panasonic TV, grills, video cameras and much more. Raffle tickets are $10 and available at the door.

I have donated 6 prints that are either going to be raffled or auctioned at the benefit.

Time: Saturday, March 5 · 3:00pm – 11:00pm
Location: Fox Valley Older Adults Banquet Room
1406 Suydam Road
Sandwich, IL 60548

If you cannot make it, and would like to donate please [ CLICK HERE ] for Lisa Millim Donations Page. Every little bit helps, even if it’s only $5.00 or $10.00.

If you can’t afford to donate please spread the word. Thank you.