Overview of MazePuzzles on Zazzle

This is the fourth of a seven part series of my various stores on Zazzle.

The store that I'm reviewing here is MazePuzzles. I already had a Birthday category in my CherylsArt store on Zazzle; however, I knew that I wanted to make a variety of maze puzzle themes, so I went with creating a store for just this theme. Another thing that sets this store apart from my CherylsArt store, is that I used very little of my own artwork in designing these maze puzzles. I created most of these puzzle designs from designs on Canva, of which I subscribe to.

In my MazePuzzles store, I show the Collections first on the landing page; these are sorted alphabetically by theme, followed by product type. A design theme collection is the perfect place to look if you're planning a themed birthday party. There you will find all the different products for that particular theme.

The roduct type collection is the perfect place to look if you know you just want a birthday card, or want to see all the different designs in one easy to look at place.

Here are how the product categories are arranged in my MazePuzzles store.

Birthday Maze Greeting Cards:

It's great seeing all the different maze puzzles pictured in one easy to view location. It can help you decide which maze puzzle you want to go with. The maze puzzles not only include different animals and such, the puzzle themselves range from pretty easy to somewhat harder.

The Monkey and Bananas maze can be considered easy or hard, depending on whether the overlapping vines might offer just some added fun or confusion!

Monkey and bananas maze puzzle birthday card
by MazePuzzles

Birthday Maze Invitations:

Here is another option for inviting your guests. The invitations differ from the greeting cards, as there was enough room to add the party details to the front of the cards.

Kangaroo and Leaves Maze Birthday Invitations
by MazePuzzles

Birthday Maze Notepads:

Birthday Maze Notepads can be a fun addition to a maze puzzle themed birthday party. All the kids can work a puzzle while they're waiting for cake to be served, or in between game playing, etc. The notepads are 5.5 inches by 6 inches and there are 40 sheets per pad, making it easy for kids to try again should their sheet get messed up. A larger, 8.5 by 11 inch option is available, but the purchasers would need to edit their selection to get the whole design to fit within the printing area.

Help the frog get to fly Maze Birthday Notepads
by MazePuzzles

Birthday Maze Paper Plates:

The maze puzzles are offered on the 7 inch square paper plates. The square can also be ordered on 9 inch. There are also round plates offered in the same sizes as the square plates, and also a round 7 inch bowl.

Birthday Maze Postcards:

The postcards can be used instead of greeting cards or invitations, to invite the guests. It can save on paper usage and possibly postage.

Birthday Maze Napkins:

The maze theme is printed on paper napkins. All of the items in this store are easy to personalize using the provided template forms.

Maze Puzzle Paper Cups:

The maze puzzle design is just printed on one side of the paper cups. Having hosted birthday parties before at an art store, I could just imagine young kids turning their cups all around to view the maze puzzle from alternate sides, and then you know what might happen next. Anyway, I decided to go with the one sided view!

Kangaroo and Leaves Maze Birthday Paper Cups
by MazePuzzles

Birthday Maze Yard Signs:

The yard signs are a fun way to show guests where the party is. These signs are printed on lightweight, weather resistant, corrugated plastic, that is 4 mm thick. They are listed to last for 6-9 months for outdoor use, depending on weather conditions. They come in a choice of shapes, including circle, house, helmet, and arrow. Various sizes are offered for the different shapes. You may need to edit to get the design to fit into whichever shape and or size that you select.

Tortoise and lettuce maze, birthday yard sign
by MazePuzzles

Do you have a favorite design so far? There are actually eight different maze puzzle designs in all. You'll have to visit the store to see them all.

Did you think of any other product that you might desire for a maze themed birthday party? Let me know in a comment below. Thank you.

Cheryl Paton

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Overview of Custom Flash Cards on Zazzle

This is the third of a seven part series of my various stores on Zazzle. I'm going through them alphabetically.

When I went into private practice as a literacy tutor for adults, I looked around for various teaching tools that weren't geared towards kids. There was very little to choose from. I used to design worksheets for students, including word search puzzles and more, to help my students have something they could do to help reinforce their newly learned skills.

I had made a few basic flash card for learning basic words, for those that were more at the beginning level. After I left that, and started creating art and the like on Zazzle, I got the idea to design flash cards for reading, that were geared towards adult learners.

I included a photo or artwork on one side and customizable text on the reverse side.

Here are the categories in my Custom Flash Cards store on Zazzle.

Adjectives Reading Flashcards:

Adjectives are words that are used to describe a noun, a thing, such as a fuzzy peach.

Fuzzy Peach, Adjective Reading Flashcards
by CustomFlashCards

Adverbs Reading Flashcards:

Adverbs are words that are used to describe a verb, a type of action, such as how quickly the tiger turned towards the noise.

Adverb quickly, tiger themed reading flashcards
by CustomFlashCards

Alphabet Cards:

The Alphabet Cards are not flashcards, but are tutorial cards for the alphabet. It shows directional arrows on the letters, to help students to master the writing of each letter. The majority of students that I worked with already new the alphabet, but those who are true beginners can appreciate a tutorial that is geared for adult learners.

Alphabet Letter Tutorial Cards, Beach theme
by CustomFlashCards

Animal Reading Flashcards:

The Animal Reading Flashcards category features a variety of animals, from wildlife to domestic animals.

DIY Flashcards:

The DIY Flashcards category features basic instructions on one side of the flashcard, and a placeholder for the purchaser to upload their photo on the reverse side.

Floral Reading Flashcards:

The Floral Reading Flashcards features a variety of flowers, including a surprise of the word MOM spelled out with flowers. I do not have a Holiday category at this point, but that might be a good idea to do.

Food Reading Flashcards:

This category features a variety of food items including fruit, vegetables, a couple of entrees including pizza, and desserts.

Whole pineapple reading flashcards for adults
by CustomFlashCards

Insect Reading Flashcards:

This category features common insects in the United States. If you have a request for an insect that is unique to your area, do let me know in a comment below.

Love Cards:

The Love Cards are not flashcards, but offer a couple of options to students that want to express their love to someone, with something that is personal to them.

Personalized Love Flash Cards
by CustomFlashCards

New Products:

This category is automatically assigned by Zazzle, if a specialized category isn't already picked upon designing of the new product. This category is normally empty.

Number Flashcards:

These number flashcards feature artwork of an item that has something that can be counted, along with the numerical number and the word for that number, on one side, and just the word for the number on the reverse side. The text can be easily customized should the tutor want to use these flashcards for a different purpose.

Personalized Family Flashcards:

The Personalized Family Flashcards are to help the student recognize words that can describe a family member. The purchaser is to upload a different photo from the student, so that these cards can be personal to them. Any of these cards can be personalized with different text, and for relatives and or friends that haven't been already specifically made; i.e. any flashcard with a female photo on it can be used to make a card for an aunt.

Places Reading Flashcards:

This category represents common places, like a ball field; a well known place, like the Eiffel Tower.

Transportation Reading Flashcards:

These flashcards features different types of transportation, and even a drawing of a space shuttle for those who are interested in space.

Verbs Reading Flashcards:

Verbs describe a type of action, such as this flashcard for hand washing.

Verbs, Washing Hands Reading Flashcards for Adults
by CustomFlashCards

I had an adult student ask me to go over the various words that could be found on restrooms. I had never paid much attention to them before, but did do a search of this special request. On one restroom for women, the word used was Sheilas. Not at all what most people may expect when they're out an about and want to use the appropriate restroom for them.

So there you have it. If you know anybody who can benefit from these cards, whether they be tutors or learners, do pass this blog along to them. Thank you.

Cheryl Paton

 

 

Overview of CherylsArtPhotos on Zazzle

This is the second of a seven part series of my various stores on Zazzle.

If anyone has a store on Zazzle that is getting to big, it can be helpful to make a separate store that features designs that aren't currently in the original store. Since my original store was all about my artwork, I decided to make the photos that I was wanting to use, be in a separate store. This method can also help customers more easily find what they are looking for; as there is less categories to look through.

I don't have near the amount of photos that I do of my artwork, so it is easier to navigate. As of the writing of this blog, there are only nine categories in CherylsArtPhotos on Zazzle. Although there are only nine categories, there are a wider variety of the different photo types. They can include animals, fireworks, flowers, floral peace signs, insects, scenes, trees, wood, and more.

The categories that I decided to have are:

Apparel and Accessories:

I love this beautiful photo of when my pink azaleas were in full bloom along the neighbors back wall. I thought this beauty would have been popular on a variety of products, but the main one that sells is on men's ties. Cool!

Pretty Pink Azaleas Floral Neck Ties
by CherylsArtPhotos

Sometimes photos are the way to go!

The sub-categories in this section are Ties, Tote Bags, and Tshirts.

Celebrations:

Although I used a bit of my artwork to top off the groundhog, it is more photo than artwork, so this critter got assigned to CherylsArtPhotos. Did you know that Groundhog Day is always on February 2nd?

I heard it's your birthday, groundhog cards
by CherylsArtPhotos

There are not many items in this category, so there are not sub-categories to see here.

Holidays:

I have always been a cat lover and have created a variety of designs inspired by a number of my cats. Sometimes, the photo is just cute enough to leave things as they are. Here, my cat Tori is exploring her present. This photo is printed on downloadable cards, if you happen to be ordering close to the holiday.

Cute Cat Christmas, enjoying present holiday cards
by CherylsArtPhotos

The various holiday items only take up one page, so there is also no sub-categories for this section.

Home and Sewing:

Home and Sewing includes a variety of sub-categories. They are: Clocks, Doormats, Fabric, Kitchen and Dining, Magnets, Nail Art, Notepads, Shower Curtains, Throw Pillows, Tiles, and Wall Art. The Kitchen and Dining sub-category actually has sub-sub-categories.

This pretty black eyed susan photo looks great on mugs. The mugs can be easily personalized on the provided template form.

Personalized Black Eyed Susan Flowers Photo Mugs
by CherylsArtPhotos

I currently have two mugs that I purchased from Zazzle. The artwork looks great, as does the finish on them. They wash up great in the dishwasher.

New Products:

The New Products category is actually assigned by Zazzle if you don't already choose a category when designing your product.

Office and School:

There are three sub-categories in Office and School. They are Business Cards, Mousepads, and Pens.

Sports, Toys, and Games:

The Sports, Toys, and Games section also has a variety of sub-categories. They are: Cornhole Games, Jumbo Fast Four, Pickleball Paddles, Playing Cards, and Puzzles. As you can see, the store designer and fine tune how they choose to make their categories, sub-categories, etc. If I had a lot of items in this section, the sub-categories would have been more general in nature.

Stationery:

There are six sub-categories in the Stationery section. They are: Address Labels, Cards, Post It Notes, Postcards, Stationery, and Stickers.

Floral and scenic postcards seem to be a popular choice.

Yellow Orange Marigold Flowers Postcards
by CherylsArtPhotos

Travel:

The Travel section has two sub-categories. They are Luggage and Luggage Tags.

I hope you enjoyed the overview of CherylsArtPhotos on Zazzle. Any of the product links above will take you to my CherylsArtPhotos store on Zazzle. To search this store, choose a link that says CherylsArtPhotos; once there, you can do a search for what you are looking for by looking for the search box below the header.

May you have a great day and may you find what you are looking for.

Cheryl Paton

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Overview of CherylsArt on Zazzle

This is the first of a seven part series of my various stores on Zazzle.

Zazzle is a print on demand company. They print, ship, and handle the orders and any returns. Artists and designers open stores on Zazzle and upload their designs to various products. My first store that I'll be giving an overview of is CherylsArt.

CherylsArt is my general overall store and my first store on Zazzle. You'll find a lot of different design types and product types there.

The current main categories are:

+ Affirmations

My most popular item in my Affirmations section is the Proverbs 25:11 verse featuring an apple of gold on a background of silver, on magnets. There are a lot of different affirmations, on various products, to choose from in this store.

A word fitly spoken is like Apples of gold magnets
by CherylsArt

You will find quite a few affirmations here on a variety of products. Sometimes we all can use a reminder to feel good and or to refocus.

+ Apparel and Fashion Accessories

The apparel part includes leggings, tank tops, and tshirts. The accessories part include belt buckles, belts, hair ties, hats, head bands, nail art, necklaces, pin on buttons, scarves, and watches.

Although I designed this apple watch back in 2013; it didn't start selling until Christmas of 2025! I think it finally became the right time for it; people were ready for a bit of humor I believe.

Red Apple Painting and Numbers Watch
by CherylsArt

+ Art and Wall Decor

Art and Wall Decor includes canvas prints, drawings on faux wrapped canvas, drawings on wrapped canvas, posters, wall decals, wall panels, and wall tapestry. The drawings categories have their own categories so that the ones that can be painted in can easily be found. They make fun activity options.

+ Baby

The Baby category includes, adoption, announce baby, baby bags, baby bibs, baby blankets, baby shirts, baby shower, binders for photos, burp cloths, clocks for the nursery, dry erase boards, and pillows for nursery.

These cloud themed dry erase boards are a great way to share messages about the baby. They come in a choice of pink and blue. This is especially great for new and busy parents who need a way to communicate what's up.

Pink Sky Bubbles and Clouds Dry Erase Board
by CherylsArt

+ Celebrations

The Celebration category is about all things that can be celebrated. This category includes birthday, candle parties, graduation, neighbor get together, party hats, retirement, ribbon, rubber stamps, stickers, tissue paper, and wrapping paper. This category pretty much covers what isn't a birthday or wedding themed.

+ Elections

The Elections category includes products for my preferred candidates, as well as informational items on helping all votes to count.

+ Holidays

The Holidays category includes Christmas in July, Christmas/Winter (which also includes other winter holidays), Easter, Father's Day, Halloween, Independence Day, Mother's Day, New Years, Saint Patrick's Day, Thanksgiving, and Valentine's Day.

+ Home, Pets, Sewing, and Car

The Home, Pets, Sewing, and Car category includes sub-categories for each of the mentioned categories.

The car category includes bumper stickers, car mats, license plates and frames. The home category includes accessories for the home, bathroom, bedroom, calendars, clocks, doormats, dry erase boards, hand sanitizer, kitchen and dining, light switch covers, moving, ornaments - that aren't holiday, and tiles. The Pets category includes dog beds, pet bowls, and pet tags. Sewing and Crafts includes fabric. There are sub-categories under fabric to make browsing easier.

A popular item in my Home category, is this Moving postcard, in the Moving sub-category. The truck painting proved to be a very popular choice for awhile. As with any item in CherylsArt, if the item includes artwork, the artwork is created by me. With the truck image, I saw a truck that I thought was awesome, and got permission from the driver to include my artwork of it on products. He said it was fine as long as I included his name in my description. Here is a shout out to Dan Hyde. p.s. The color choices are mine.

We're Moving, change of address postcards
by CherylsArt

+ New Products

You will not normally find any products in this category. Usually I choose the category right after designing the new item.

+ Office and School

The Office and School category has a lot of sub-categories. They range from alphabet rulers to yard signs, and pretty much anything you can think off, in between.

+ Sports, Toys, and Games

The Sports, Toys, and Games category includes games, guitar picks, sports, and toys.

No, these aren't throw pillows. They are actually game bags for cornhole games. So you will find these in the Sports, Toys, and Games Category, under the sub-category of Games.

Personalized Beach Theme Cornhole Game Bags
by CherylsArt

+ Stationery

The Stationery category includes pretty much anything stationery related, that isn't birthday, graduation, or wedding related. Items include address labels, cards, envelopes, letterhead, notepads, photo cards, postcards, rubber stamps, stationery, and stickers.

+ Travel

The Travel category includes luggage, luggage handle wraps, luggage tags, travel mugs and tumblers.

+ Weddings and Anniversary

The Weddings and Anniversary category includes a long list going from Anniversary, to all types of items wedding related. I don't know how it works for customers searching in individual stores on Zazzle, for wedding, but for me when I search for a wedding item in my store, I need to include the item type to get any search results. I guess it may be because there are so many wedding items.

These address labels are in the Wedding category, as I designed them for with a couple in mind, though anyone else can use them. There are also matching wedding invitations, etc. for this design, in Weddings. If you're not sure about which category to begin your search, go towards the top of the page, below the header, and do a Search this store search; i.e. fern address labels.

Green Fern Branch Leaves Address Labels
by CherylsArt

And there you have it. I have changed my store layout a number of times over the years. At one time I based it on the designs, but that got to be way to many. Then I sorted the categories by product type only. That was too much of a mix match. So I currently decided on general themes, and then did further breakdowns into sub-categories. You will find more sub-categories in my CherylsArt store, once you explore on any category that has a lot of items in it. If you know the item type and theme that you are looking for, you can also fill in the Search this Store box that is located below my store header.

Hope this helps for when you're shopping at CherylsArt on Zazzle.

Cheryl Paton

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Reviewing How the Printing on Zazzle Mugs Stand the Test of Time

Photo by Lou16, image created via Canva

I was making a coffee the other day and I looked at one of my favourite coffee mugs and was struck by how vibrant it still is as I feel like I've had it forever.  That mug was one that was created on Zazzle and I won it in a competition on a content site that closed down in June 2015.

I can't remember if I received the mug in March of 2013 or 2014, but either way, as you can see from the photo it really is as vibrant today as it was then.   I couldn't tell you how many mugs of coffee or hot chocolate I have enjoyed in this mug during that time (I use a different mug or cup for my tea).  It also survived the year of the mug cake which was delicious, but my waistline didn't appreciate it!

I should note that although the mugs are dishwasher friendly I actually don't have a dishwasher so it has always been hand-washed, even so, many other graphic mugs that we've had over the years don't look nearly as bright and vibrant a decade later.

Zazzle's mugs are available in a number of different designs so whether you need a new mug for yourself or whether you're looking for a gift idea, mugs make great gifts.  Whether you're after a mug for the holidays or another occasion why not check Zazzle out?  You can either go straight to the site and search or you can share the love and check out some of our contributor's stores.

• Cute Gothic & Fantasy Art
• House of Sylvestermouse
• Christmas Holidays
• Heather Zazzles
• Lou's Designs
• Barb's California Card & Gift Gallery
• Lighthouse Gifts & Photos
• Raintree Earth Designs
• Beauty in Nature

Have you ever brought a Zazzle mug before?  I'd love to hear about your purchase in the comments.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Photo Review of a Random Act of Beauty in Paso Robles

 

Sunflowers on Paso Robles Corner Parking Strip, © Barbara Radisavljevic

A Random Act of Beauty?

Would you rather see these gorgeous sunflowers next to your house every day or would you rather have the view below?

City Maintained Paso Robles Corner Parking Strip, © Barbara Radisavljevic

That's what I thought. And that's probably what Tiffany, the woman who planted the sunflowers, thought, too. This is part of the parking strip the City of Paso Robles planted.  It's across from the house next door to Tiffany. I can see why she preferred sunflowers. 

I discovered her literal forest of sunflowers on my way to the grocery store in Paso Robles California one July afternoon. I was participating in a Medium Photo-a-Day Challenge and I hardly ever go out of my neighborhood. When I do go anywhere I can't walk, I try to take a picture of something unique for the challenge. So on my way to the store my plan was to drive around the block the store was on, park behind the store, and walk until I found something worth taking a picture of. I hadn't even turned the corner when I saw this in front of me. 

Sunflower Forests on 21st Street, © Barbara Radisavljevic

In the foreground you see the sunflowers in the parking strip in front of Tiffany's house. In the background is the center strip across the southbound lane of the street heading toward Vine Street. I walked the center strip and it appears that besides the flowering trees there, the city had also planted some hummingbird sage (unless someone else did). Most of that strip past the sunflowers looked like this.

Hummingbird Sage in July on 21st Street Median Strip, © Barbara Radisavljevic

There was also a lot of this grassy plant on the median strip. I'm not sure what it is but the city plants it in all these storm drain strips. The white flower is bindweed or wild cucumber. It's a weed. I've no idea what the green plant at the back is. I can understand why Tiffany preferred sunflowers.

Unidentified Grasses and Bindweed on 21st Street Median Strip, © Barbara Radisavljevic

You Can Also Create This Kind of Beauty

When I see sunflowers in bloom they lift my spirits. They speak of the energy it takes to grow tall and reach for the sky. And they are easy to grow. Would you like to get involved in your own random act of beauty in your neighborhood or property? You could even make it a family project. 

First you need seeds. Here are some good choices for an awesome display.

8 Sunflower Seeds to Plant | Bulk 1000+ Seeds | Heirloom Seeds | Non-GMO Flower Seeds for Planting Outdoors | Garden Seeds for Baby Shower Favors or Wedding Favors | for Birds and BeesSunflower Seeds for Planting | Autumn Beauty Non-GMO Sunflower Seeds | Planting Packets Include Planting Instructions

 

Start Your Day with Sunflower Energy

I confess my normal wake-up default condition is not energetic. It's groggy. I can't even get my eyes to focus when I first get up. Until I've had a couple of cups of tea I'm not very alert. Having your preferred hot beverage while looking a sunflower in the eye should brighten your morning perspective as you fuel up. So I made this for you on Zazzle. You can make it whatever size or style you like best. The largest size mug is eleven ounces. That's enough to wake the brain up!

Sunflowers to Perk You Up as You Enjoy Your Drink Coffee Mug

 

Are you ready to go plant sunflowers this autumn and help brighten the corner of the world where you live? Too many sunflowers live lonely lives with only a few weeds for companionship. 

Lonely Sunflower Surrounded by Weeds on 21st Street Parking Strip, © Barbara Radisavljevic

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Dog Christmas Cards

As a dog lover I love seeing dog-inspired Christmas cards and as a Zazzle affiliate I know I'm not alone as I sell quite a few dog-inspired Christmas cards every year.

Card designs by Christmas Holidays on Zazzle

My most popular dog Christmas card features a pug, but this year I've sold quite a few dalmatian Christmas cards designed by fellow Zazzlers.

If you're wondering what this Zazzle is that I speak of then let me tell you about it.   Zazzle is a website where designers from around the world can upload their designs to various different products such as cards, t-shirts, mugs even yoga mats!

Buying something from Zazzle means you are helping a designer to provide for their family.   Some people 'Zazzle' alongside a 'day job', others do it alongside being a stay at home parent, yet more people do it as they have a disability that means they are unable to work outside of the home.   A few are able to survive solely on their Zazzle income.

I have brought a few products through Zazzle and I have always loved their quality.   You can see a selection of dog-inspired Christmas cards on this site - Dog Christmas Cards - from a selection of different designers.

Check out how I created my popular Pug Christmas card on this post - designing a pug Christmas card.

Here's a collection of my own dog-inspired Christmas cards that you can find on Zazzle:

Dog Inspired Christmas Cards
by Christmas Holidays

Something else that I love about Zazzle is that you can personalize the cards - many people will upload their own dog photos to send out with their cards or even write a verse for the cards. Have you ever used Zazzle for any products?    I would love to hear about your experience.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Reviewing the Perfect Valentine's Day Card

What is it that makes the perfect Valentine's Day Card?   Do you know?  I do!

What makes the perfect Valentine's Day card is YOU!   Knowing and caring for your special person means that whatever card you choose will be the perfect Valentine's Day card.

There can be so much pressure on new couples around February 14th as they try and find the perfect card, the perfect gift or the perfect date.   I've even known someone who always broke off his relationships (if he happened to be in one when February began) just so he didn't have to deal with Valentine's Day!   Luckily he has now settled down with the love of his life and they don't celebrate Valentines Day at all.

My husband and I don't usually celebrate Valentine's Day as it's only a week after our wedding anniversary, but when we first started dating we did and I couldn't tell you what gifts I received, but the cards were the important thing.  My husband always says he's useless at choosing cards (and I must admit I do wonder where he goes sometimes until I open them up!), but he always finds one that says the perfect thing (for me that is) or a blank one when he's feeling like writing me a few paragraphs about what I mean to him.

So what is the perfect Valentine's Day card?   It's the one that shows the person you care for how much you care by either knowing what they love or by expressing your feelings for them or both.

If the person you love enjoys poetry by the likes of Poe then they may appreciate a Gothic Valentine's Day card, if you first bonded over the Walking Dead or on a Zombie walk then check out some of the Zombie Valentine's Day cards available.

Maybe your partner is a math geek or loves the Doctor in which case one of these Geeky Valentine's Day cards might be up their street.

If I was purchasing a card for my husband this year then any dog Valentine's Day card would be a winner, but this one would probably get him misty eyed -

Cheek to Cheek Staffy Valentine Holiday Card
by ameremortal

If my daughter was getting her partner a Valentine's Day card (and I suspect they will be) then she'd probably get either a car one or one like this -

Boxer Dog Happy I Love You Card
by ironydesignphotos

Would you guess they both love boxers?   Whereas my hubby is a total sucker for any Staffy type of dog.

The perfect Valentine's Day card is one that says I know you, or I'm listening to you.   So what type of Valentine's Day card would be perfect for the special person in your life?

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Reviewing Top Selling Christmas Cards

Visit the Christmas Holidays Zazzle Store

It may only be October, but it's already time to start thinking about Christmas cards.  Why so early?  Well if you have friends and family overseas then you have to think about the shipping dates and then there's the Christmas letter to write.

Do you write Christmas letters?   I used to love to receive these letters every year and catch up with what friends and family around the world had gotten up to over the year.  I don't receive any of them these days and instead, like many others, keep up to date via Facebook.

It's quite sad really, but I'll put my hand up and admit I don't write my Christmas letters any more either.  It used to be quite nice sitting down and thinking about what had happened through the year, but I ran out of time one year and then .. well I don't really know.

Anyway, it's still nice to organize your Christmas cards early so let's have a look at the top selling Christmas cards I have across my Zazzle stores and see what you think of them.

Owl Christmas Card

This Christmas card was created in my owl store that I opened because my mother loves owls which makes this top selling Christmas card very special.

Owl Christmas Card
by hootingowls

I had a lot of fun creating this card and it brings a smile to my face every time I see it.

Pug Christmas Card

A hot second in the popularity stakes was one of my pug Christmas cards (hardly a surprise as pugs are just so popular) which I think is a really cute card.

Pug Christmas Card
by ChristmasHolidays

I actually did a post on one of my blogs about how this card came about which you can read about here - A Popular Pug Christmas Card.Design.

Gothic Christmas Card

This next Christmas card sells steadily every year as it's a little different to most designs.  I had fun creating it, but really wasn't expecting it to do very well ...  a very pleasant surprise!

Gothic Christmas Card
by lou165

Why choose Zazzle for your Christmas Cards?  Well for one you're helping designers who are often trying to earn extra money alongside their regular jobs rather than big corporations.

Another reason is that you can customize most of the products available, this means that even if you don't write a Christmas letter you can at least personalize the message inside of the card if you want to.

Yet another reason is that the cards available on Zazzle are not likely to be double ups of other cards your friends or family may receive.

Reason number 4 is the quality of these cards, in all of the reviews comments are made about how good the printing is and how it makes the images 'pop' and I have to agree.  Zazzle's patented printing technology does a fantastic job and the images really do look just like they do on the website.

Finally, all Zazzle products come with a 100% satisfaction promise so if you don't absolutely love it, they'll take it back.  In other words you have nothing to lose by purchasing through Zazzle and lots to gain!

Which of these Christmas cards is your favorite?  I'd love to know.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Review of Zazzle

Have you ever wanted to make a special gift for someone using a photograph you have taken?  If so, Zazzle is a great way to go!

Sea after Storm Throw Pillow
by mbgphoto

The above pillow was made on Zazzle using a photograph I took in Florida.  There is one photo on one side of the pillow and a second photo on the opposite side of the pillow.  Whether you'd like to make a special gift for someone or whether you'd like to open a store and make a little extra money the information on the rest of this post will help you to get started.  This information was taken from a presentation I gave to my photography club.

What is Zazzle?

Zazzle is a program where you can get paid for doing what you love best, creating photographs and art!  It is free to set up, you don't have to carry any inventory and Zazzle handles all the production and customer service issues.  Zazzle has three ways to make money, as a designer, a maker or an associate.  I work as a designer and will concentrate on that aspect in this post.

Designer Program

1. Upload your photograph or artwork onto products.  Over 250 different products are available.
2. A customer likes your design and buys it.
3. Zazzle processes transactions and handles all customer service.
4. Zazzle prints and ships to customers.
5. Zazzle sends you a payment for a percentage of sales.

Pricing System

1. You choose any royalty rate from 5% to 99%
2. Base price is increased by that amount so you earn your royalty.
3. Base Price +Your Royalty Percentage=Retail Price

My Experience with Zazzle

1. Started my first Zazzle store in 2008
2. Currently have 3 Zazzle stores: mbgphoto, lighthouseenthusiast,and Butterflyblittz.
3. Example of sales on photo from 2007 of Cabo San Lucas.  From that one photo $1607.28 in royalties.  Sold

• 836 mugs
• 333 magnets
• 52 luggage tags
• 23 ornaments
• 16 keychains
• 2 puzzles
• 12 buttons
• 2 postcards
• 
  

Cabo San Lucas Magnet
by mbgphoto
• I currently have over 6800 products in my three stores and I sell something most every day.  Sometimes it is only a postcard and sometimes it is a bigger sale.    Here are some examples of my products.

Scenes from Madison County Iowa Calendar
by mbgphoto

Card

Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Ceramic Ornament

by lighthouseenthusiast

Getting Started on Zazzle

1. Go to zazzle.com
2. Click on sell on Zazzle in top left hand area
3. Choose from Designer-Maker-Associate

Steps in Designer Program

1. Create a Zazzle Account
2. Open Free designer store and pick a store name
3. Create design, choose product, upload image, create text if desired, resize image as desired.
4. Post design for sale "Post for Sale"
5. Enter key words so customers can find your product. Good key words are essential.

Enjoy!!

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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