Branching Out.......if only to a dog's life

Mercantile = A Variety of Goods

When we named our etsy shop Bates Mercantile Co. it was deliberate.  We wanted a name that would reflect our desire to offer a wide range of items.  So far our selection of vintage items have run the gamut, and our printable wall art and stationery have done well. However, in consideration of the feedback received here on the Muse and from others, we'll be investing in a pigment ink based printer so that we can offer not only printables, but prints of my illustrations as well. I am very excited about this, as I know many people don't think they have to technical know how or equipment to print nice wall art. I think for this reason, we've been missing out on part of the market.  I'm hoping to make the purchase later today after much research, I'll let you all know when I'm up and running in that department. 

Additionally, I've been looking at other ways to incorporate my illustrations and art into more than just wall art. I'm really happy that I've found a way to do so with jewelry. I've always had a thing for jewelry, and if I go out of the house I usually have some on be it a bangle or a necklace or a brooch. I think it has great appeal because it doesn't matter if you gain a few pounds, you can usually still fit into your jewelry. So, what do you think?

My first try was hand drawn, but with the new printer, I'll be able to use my digital illustrations too, which I think is going to be very cool.

I'm pretty happy with the results so far, though I'm sure there will be tweaking along the way.  Different patterns, different themes, different chains and accents.

The possibilities are endless.  It feels good to be able to use what I'm making already in a new way, bringing more variety to Bates Mercantile Co.

Now, I know that the jewelry category is pretty full on etsy, but I think I can offer unique designs in a way that is fresh. I'm going to start with some geometric designs, and from there I'm thinking about other categories like romantic. I'd love any feedback you have to offer.

Random Breakfast Post

Just because it was so darned good and I forgot to include it in yesterday's post.

French Toast with butter and New Hampshire Maple Syrup. Need I say more?

Yup. It was good and gone in pretty quick time. 

A Dog's Life

Wouldn't it be great if all of our hard work paid off in a life that was as good as a dog's? Lucan was flaunting his 'It's a dog's life' attitude in my face yesterday while I worked at my desk. I just don't think it was necessary. Nope. Not at all.

Is that pillow fluffy enough for you Lukes?

Hope your Monday is going swimingly. If you're a good swimmer that is.

What's on your agenda today? And please, do feel free to give me your two cents on the new product lines we'll be offering. I value what you have to say........and that you're here.

So, what do you think?

Headstrong

I've been thinking about my esty shop header lately. I just felt like it was a little 'too' much and perhaps taking away from what is in our store. Now, although I like the background a lot, I like it better on its own as one of my illustrations rather than as a header.

So I've been tweaking. Not wigging out, tweaking. The adjusting sort of tweaking.

Here's where I'm at:

I am pretty happy with the way the new Bates Mercantile Header is working with what we've got in the store. Though I value others' opinions. 

Our shop isn't what you'd call 'serious', so I wanted something that spoke to the vintage items that we carry, yet had a fun feel to it in order to convey what my illustrations are about.

Give it to me straight..............

Do you like it? Here's a screen shot.

And here's a link to Bates Mercantile Co. so you can see it 'live' so to speak. Check it out before you give me your honest opinion.  Better before or after?

Question Two: Print vs. Printable

I've been mulling this one over since I listed my first illustration. I've, for the most part, been offering wall art and such as printable files. You purchase the file. I send it to you via email. You print on your end and frame and hang as you wish. Instant gratification.

The quandary is this, I've done lots of research and it appears that actual 'prints' of wall art rather than printables, are selling like hotcakes. So, not wanting to miss the boat (actually it's more about giving the people what they want), I've been wondering whether I should be offering wall art as prints or printables. I know my current customers have appreciated the immediacy of printables, they buy and viola it's in their inbox. In fact, this has been a great 'last minute gift' selling point for different occasions. Still, I wonder if more customers would like it already printed and sent to their real mailbox so all they have to do is frame?

Obviously, having prints made up and packaging and shipping them will be more work on my end, but I'm ok with that if it will bring more people to shop at Bates Mercantile Co.

Now, the twenty thousand dollar question (no, you are not going to get $20,000 if you answer this question, it's just a figure of speech).......should I offer each design both ways, as a print and/or as a printable? Or just one or the other?

I'd appreciate any feedback you have to offer. Really. I would.

Sunset Meadows

Last night there weren't any flamingos in the sky, CourtneyJo's description of our sunsets, but it was still awful pretty.

A melow orange glow. Got out of the pool just in time to snap this. Didn't want to get out, but I did. Just for your viewing pleasure. OK, and to fix dinner, but for you too. 

Make it a fantabulous Wednesday in your part of the world.



Cross My Heart

You are such nice followers, I think you deserve a lovely free printable. Promise. Cross my heart. It's free. You can print these poppies, frame and hang wherever you like. I'm sure many of you crafters could think of other things to do with this ..........use for decoupage, turn into stationery note cards, transfer onto a pillow case, use as gift wrap....the possibilities are endless. Thanks to TheGraphicsFairy and a little design license by me.  First, I took the poppy image that I found at TheGraphicsFairy, who I thank for providing it for free, then applied some filters in photoshop, applied a pattern over it in illustrator and a few other steps and viola- an instant botanical for you.  Complete with a John Keats quote: Through the dancing poppies stole, a breeze most softly lulling to my soul.”  -John Keats


Just right click on image to enlarge and save to your computer. Of course, if you're not a follower, it would be wicked cool if you became one and then right clicked the image. Wink wink. Nudge nudge.

Look how pretty it is matted and framed!

Love! And don't forget to visit our store, Bates Mercantile Co., to see our other printables and vintage goodies.

On another note, you may have noticed Mercantile Muse's new look. I'm still working on it, changing colors and fonts styles, etc.  So don't mind the mess while I work. Oh yeah, and don't forget to enjoy the poppies freebie! Just a little thanks for being here.

Sunset Meadows

Some storms rolled through yesterday at the end of the day, but broke for a lovely sunset.

The way the light was shining through the rain, I just knew we'd be in for a rainbow. I kept going to our east side windows and checking one and then, sure enough, there it was.



No pot of gold, but the sunset was worth at least that.

The meadow looked so pretty and the sunset stretched all the way around the sky.

It was a beautiful thing.

I hope your Tuesday is wonderful, wherever you are.

Pam

Unexpected Lessons

On my way home from a meeting the other day, I stopped at a local antique store that's about a mile from our house. It's filled with booths and each is unique in what they offer so there is always something interesting waiting. One booth had a display of antique botanical prints. I thought they were lovely. Brought one home with me and it's now available in our etsy store, Bates Mercantile Co. 

When I got home I started to research this book plate print.

Here's the learning part: I was able to attribute this illustration to one of the most famous and acclaimed botanical artists, Pierre-Antoine Poiteau (1766-1854). Poiteau it seems (according to wikipedia), began his career as a gardener and worked in kitchen gardens and for the Parisian market gardeners for sometime before being appointed garçon jardinier in 1790 at the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle of Paris.  There he studied botany and art, and was sent to Santo Domingo to further his work in botany but was arrested as soon as he stepped foot on the island because he didn't have the proper papers. Talk about drama? 

He then went to Haiti and became the head of a new botanical garden there, but alas, he was basically working for nothing. Yet, it was where he met Pierre Jean François Turpin (also a botanist and considered one of the premier botanical illustrators of his time), who he would later collaborate with and publish  Flora Parisiensis secundum systema sexuale deposita et plantarum circa Lutetiam sponte nascentium descriptiones, icones....Did you get all that?

I found out even more than wikipedia had to offer. I scoured the Internet. Here's one thing that set him apart.........Poiteau worked with French printer Langlois, and because of Langlois' printing process, Poiteau was was able to express the most wonderfully realistic pictures of fruit, like the Belle Bauce that I found. Poiteau was, not only regarded as an artist, but contributed to the science of botany through the mere accuracy of his works. He was a member of many scientific societies, and even eventually directed the museum of natural history. Poiteau was credited with even discovering numerous species of plants and animals, and even created some families (cyclanthae, for example). They were such renaissance men back then.

To think I wouldn't have known any of this had I not made a quick stop on my way home from the meeting.  I LOVE the history of antiques. There is always something to learn. 

It's Wednesday......go learn something new!