Etsy Friday - August Goal

July is ending real soon :) and here comes August~

I'm pretty pleased with what I have achieved in July as most of my goals are met (even though the sales came in a very strange graph pattern). My sales (calculator click click) has up by 300%. Thanks to people who love my works and support me! Thank you all for giving me this great opportunity :D :D

Some of you may know that I have decided to separate my paper goods from my girl illustrations. This decision might effect my sales in August as my current shop's items will drop dramatically to only 12 items. I will try my best to draw and put more new items. 

I also realize that it is not easy to manage two shops together. However, the cohesiveness of my shop is very important in order to keep the branding strong. Moderate varieties will enhance shop appearance but too much will clutter it. Anyway, this is my goals for my current shop:

1) to have 40 sales in total
2) to have 450 people to heart my shop (achieved 9/9/2010)

3) to reach 100 fans in the facebook (FINALLY on 16/9/2010)

4) 4 new illustrations (1 Birds of a Feather / 1 Whispers in Thy Ear / 2 new illustration ideas)

5) 1 original illustration (3 on 20/8/2010)

The new shop will be opening on the midnight of 1 August, once my Christmas in July sales end! And I shall update the goal for it tomorrow :)

By the way, I'm getting Mr Fox to be my marketing manager of the new shop ~

Hi, I'm Mr Fox, Nice to meet you *shy*

Short Announcement

Just a short announcement that I have decided to separate my shop into two: one to keep with my original shop name, chanyeevon, featuring my girl illustrations; while another new shop entirely for my whimsical forest animals and related paper goods. More details will be updated tomorrow at Etsy Friday post :)

A short glimpse of my new shop banner and avatar :D

Illustration - Migration

This illustration relates deeply to me as I am moving real soon. Even though I am looking forward to the new life ahead, yet I feel sad to leave this familiar place that I love. It feels like you are leaping from one sky to another. The previous sky fills with bits and pieces of your life can no longer bring forward to the new place. I feel like I'm leaving myself behind *sniff*

Dawn breaks

Thousand wings flapping

I'm leaving

A small part of me behind

This print is available at my etsy shop now.

p/s: Christmas in July Sale still on-going until this Saturday midnight :) GREAT DEAL of getting 3 prints for the price of 2 + FLAT RATE SHIPPING.

Sneak Peak Sunday

This is the sneak peak for next illustration. I supposed to start something for the 'Whisper in Thy Ear' series but I'm still in the mood for more stork drawings... =p

Coming soon next Wednesday / Thursday :)

Etsy Friday - My Niche?

I have read yesterday Etsy Success of What to Do Above All Else. They share useful articles of success tips and guidance like "The Secret to Selling on Etsy", "Etsy Success: Launching a Product Line" and "Finding Your Niche with DiffractionFiber". They also mentioned something about niche and building a cohesive line. So that makes me think, hmmmm... 

What is my niche?

My business is mainly about my art prints and certain paper goods. However there are two types of art prints in my shop: my girl illustrations and whimsical forest animals. For me, they are two different sectors as one more appeal to group who love cute animals while the other more towards dreamy fairytale illustrations. At the moment, I have 45 items in my shop:

If I took one sector out of my shop, it will look something like this:

And was left 10 items in the shop.

If I took out my girl illustrations, it will look something like this:

And was left 35 items in the shop.

Which one is more attractive to you or have the urge to explore more in my shop?

I also looked into my sales and found that only 1/3 of sales are my girl illustrations. But that also effected by my girl illustrations only covered 1/4 of items in the shop.

Studying other successful sellers of similar product and discover that their products may cross over to art prints and paper goods. However their style are pretty cohesive. That is their niche. Again, hmmm... This is only the second month. Perhaps is too early to tell just yet however seeing the holiday season is coming real soon, this find out also effecting on my future business plan too ._. decision decision...

Making business is never easy. There are a lot of doubts and trials. But that is also the fun part about it =p

Notecard Thursday - Love me Love me not

Love me... Love me not...
Awww I KNOW you LOVE me~ muaks!

Drawing this cute skunk is fun. I love how big his soft round belly *poke poke* =p I could imagine when he walks... the belly is dragging along the floor... This mini notecard is fun as little note or gift :) It is available now at my etsy shop. 

So, you love me? you love me not... =p

New Illustration - Over The Meadow Field

Seems like I have totally mix up my blog schedules for the week =p What's supposed on Tuesday slowly shifted to Wednesday (or Thursday Morning).. and no sign on Wednesday's.. However, Thursday still can be expected back to schedule tonight.

Just put this new print into my etsy shop. Limited Edition of 100.

Fogs over the meadow field remind me a sense of quietness. Seems like the time has stop at that moment. You see nothing, you hear nothing. You can only feel yourself. It is different from the calmness brought by listening to the streams or laying down on the grass gazing on the stars. It is different from early morning sun when every life begins their day, or even the midnight when moonbeam softly caress the earth.

Beautiful fog :)

p/s: Christmas in July is still on until 31st July. Grab your favorite prints before it ends :D

Also, I have added few more items to the shop - Limited Edition of handmade mini notebooks, comes with 4 sets of whimsical forest animals. Each set has 3 different cover designs :) Pop into my shop for more details!

Have a great week everyone!
Note Thursday's coming tonight~

xoxo!
Yee Von

My Mini Moo

I have just received my mini moo cards today and I can't wait to share them with you all :D They are so mini and super cute! I have chosen 5 of my illustrations at the front while my logo and website address at the back.


I was so excited that I can't wait to open it straight away in the cafe and and snap photos!

Sorry for the shaky photos... Just too overwhelmed with my own business cards. Finally!
*Woo-hoo!!*

Whimsical Greeting Cards Set of 4

Seems like I really enjoy midnight updates recently :)

Mostly because when the night is late and everyone goes to bed, I get to have the night all by myself. Listening to soft music and checking through my daily to-do list. That gets me organized and less panic when I have too much things around and too little time. There are still a few more on my list before I call it a night :)

These cards have been on my desk for weeks and it was quite sunny this morning so I get to snap nice photos. Finally I'm releasing them to my shop tonight. I like the old-fashioned way of sending greeting cards to people cause it is more personal with sentimental hand written notes. If the card is nice, people usually pin them on their wall as decorations. Even though I can't deny that emails are more faster and convenient =p

Okay, one's done! *tick*

Have a great weekend!

two's done! *tick again*

Late Etsy Friday :)

For the next few weeks, it is going to be madness cause I have to settle house moving / graduation / parent visits in Melbourne along with my usual shop updates and blogs *take few deep breath* There are a few things on my list that I have to be done within this and next week:

1. My new girl illustration is done but I haven't got the time to colour her yet.. She's still in black & white.. poor girl..

2. New section in my shop featuring varieties of paper goods, which includes handmade little notebooks and greeting cards. I need to wait for a sunny day to snap photos.

3. Halloween illustrations, oh god, will I able to see you in full colour before end of August?

4. Few commission pieces that I have be done before end of August.. ahhh..

I really wish I have 48 hours and stamina which last 40 hours straight...

So about Etsy Friday...

I have just added a new item to my my etsy just now, whimsical mini notepad set of 12 that can be nice little gift or your special thank you note to customers or anyone. Or just as it is, a little whimsical notepad to write your notes :)

And... last but not least! The GREAT NEWS for TODAY!

I just found out my Personalized 'Forever Love' Print has been featured in Etsy Finds: Xmas in July Sale! Yeah~~~~! Well done, Charlotte & Radley!

I even screen shot it to keep a record for myself...


Have a great weekend everyone! :)




xoxo!
Yee Von

Notecard Thursday

The other day, I spent the whole afternoon shooting photographs of my new sets of notecards. Another few hours to select and edit them. Then today I realized, I accidentally deleted them. And I clean my Trash as well... Oh My Goodness!! T_T


Today new mini notecard is something sweet and lovely with two rabbits xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo each other. You can secretly slip this mini notecard into the pocket of his coat to show love...

Inspiration Wednesday - Angie Hoffmeister

There are multiple aspects that might have drawn me into an artist's artworks and inspired by them. Perhaps on how they blend and harmonize layers of colours together; Maybe the unusual composition of how they view something ordinary; Could be the mood they have created in their world :)


Or sometimes on how much details they have input into their artworks that have created a sense of uniqueness and personality.

You can find more of Angie Hoffmeister's artworks at her website.

Illustration Tuesday - Untitled *(Yet)

I was invited to join this group Designers Against Child Slavery to raise awareness against sex trafficking in Southeast Asia. You can get more of their information here. Hopefully whatever contribution we have put in, will make a big difference to help these people.

Here are some of the progress I have done so far :)

However I'm still struggling with the title:

a) Vulnerable

b) There is no Fairy Tale

c) You can run but You can't hide (hmmm...)

d) Despair

e) Where is the Hope

I'm not sure but perhaps I might go with 'There is no Fairy Tale'. Any input / comments?

Christmas In July Sale

Hi All, I'm having Christmas in July Sale starting from 11 July 2010 until 31 July 2010 :)


Any two prints you buy, you will get the third one FREE! If you buy 2 prints at $17, you will get one $17 print for free. If you buy 1 print at $25 and 1 print at $17, you will get one $17 or $25 print. Plus FLAT RATE SHIPPING Anywhere!


Just let me know which free print you want in 'notes to seller' during check out!


Do drop by my shop, maybe you will find something you like!
Jingle jingle!


xoxo!
Yee Von

Sweet Companion - Mr & Mrs Squirrel

It is nice to have someone always there to share our laughter; to pat our shoulder when things don't go well; to give us a big warm hug when we need one. They are our sweet companions, giving us the sugar boost when we need without the 'side effect' :p

Sweet Companion by Mr & Mrs Squirrel is the last member in my whimsical forest animals series :) You can get it from my shop now. Now I am back to my girl illustrations. Will have one ready, perhaps the end of next week!

Have a great weekend!




xoxo!
Yee Von

Etsy Friday - Don't Worry, Be Happy

Sometimes, as an etsy seller, I (or we) have so much worries:

When the views are low, I worry about why no one visiting;
When they visit, I worry about why they don't want to buy;
When they buy, I worry about when is the next sale coming;
In between, I also worry about
are my illustrations attractive enough,
do they make connections;
are my photographs good enough,
should I take more better shots;
how many varieties I should put in the shop,
will it confuse people;
have I promote enough,
am I promoting to the right market;
and when will I be successful...

This is just a never-ending cycle. Are those that I should worry FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE??? I should have better things to worry at!

And today, Mr hedgehog says, 'Simply Happy'. Ok, enough worries. There is nothing greater than love and happiness. I will draw a fine line in between business and art now. Although I would like to achieve both, but sometimes I have to weight which one is more important to me or which one can bring me further. More efforts into illustrations for the moment and get more exposure :) I can't deny that whenever I'm putting my thoughts, dreams and imaginations onto paper, that is the magical moment in my life...

Don't worry! No matter how hard it seems throughout the time and now, when the time is right, everything will fall into place and fit just perfectly :)

Starting next week, I will put more efforts into my girl illustrations!

oh by the way, Mr hedgehog is saying Hi to everyone :)

You can find him in my shop now :) He's having his happy moment wondering around, find him if you can!

Notecard Thursday - 5 mini notecards (0 left *20 July 2010 )

*Thank you for your participation :D More to come in future~*

Happy Birthday to you~ Happy Birthday to you~ Happy Birthday to Whoever Birthday Today~ HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU~~

5 (0 left) mini notecards up for grab for ANYONE who is BORN IN JULY! If you would like to have this mini notecard, please

1) follow my blog and

2) leave a comment on what forest animals you want to see in future notecard illustrations

It is that simple!

The first five July babies who have followed and left a comment will get the notecards! One card for each person only :) More information about this card is at my shop.

Have fun!

Sharing is Loving - Mr and Mrs Rabbit

I feel like this week is a illustrations marathon week. I have another two which will be released on Friday and Saturday. Been working hard to get more items into my shop - planning to have 50 items in the shop before the end of this month if I can :)


Here is the rabbit version of the whimsical forest animals series. It is always good to share your love to yourself, your partner, your friends and family, little happy things around you and also the mother nature!

If you like to add some personal touch to it, you can get it here :)

Sneak peak on what's coming this Friday - wonderful news for hedgehog lovers!

xoxo!
Yee Von

Inspiration Wednesday - Amy Sol

My coincidence of getting to know this Korean artist was through an illustration book 'Illusive. Contemporary Illustration' when few of my classmates were flipping through the pages with me. Suddenly, they just went 'WOW' when I flipped to this image below. And I was fallen in love.

This self taught artist, Amy Sol has a very delicate touch in her artworks. Her medium of acrylic on wood panel brings out her distinctive dreamy peaceful world. Her world mixture of exotic plants, fantasy animals and gentle expression on every females of her creations really inspired me :) So I have picked a few of my favourites to share with you all.

Anchor, 2009

Terrarium Light, 2009

An Afternoon of Helping Flowers, 2009

Leave The Hair And Go Free, 2008

You can know more about her at her website.
I wish I could come out something like that!

Illustration Tuesday - Forever Love - Mr & Mrs Fox

A little bit different from my usual Illustration Tuesday :)

This is a whole new set of illustrations inspired by forest animals. It will be whimsical and sweet and different exploration ♥ Today is the first one in the series, my beloved Mr & Mrs Fox, declaring their FOREVER LOVE in my illustrations *gosh they make me blushed ^_^*. You can get it from my etsy shop now.

And also, I'm  adding special offer to my shop. You can add personal touch to this illustration print with your choice of colours (5 choices available currently), fonts and name. They make a wonderful gift for newlyweds, couple or just for yourself to keep. Something special for your room? xoxo! More details are at here.

Wish everybody a great week with lots of sunshine and fun!

My Love Letters - Completed

Hello love,

The rest of the love letters have been added to the etsy shop :) They are ''Secret Admirer'', ''Love in Cloud 9'' and ''I'm Love-Shy''. These bunch of whimsical forest animals are in the mood for love ~~ ♥ Show some love back to them, will ya?

Currently I'm working very hard on getting the greeting cards ready by next week. They are about love and whimsical forest animals as well! =p I will start working on my 'Birds of A Feather' and 'Whispers in Thy Ear' in the middle of July. Here is some sneak peak for tomorrow illustration :)