Newsletter May 2011

NEWSLETTER May 2011

Greetings from the mountains of western Maine!

Here it is, folks, because you asked for it: a new online store, Maine Mountain Art, featuring my Swift River Treasures art on mugs, shirts, tote bags, and other useful items!

Here is where you find it: http://www.printfection.com/mainemountainart

The store is on a website run by Printfection, a company in Colorado that offers print-on-demand apparel and household items. You pick the mug and they print one just for you. I did a lot of research, and chose them because of their good reputation and the quality of their merchandise. Their customer service is stellar, too. I know that personally, because the US Post office lost my first purchase, and Printfection replaced it cheerfully for free. (Note: if you order something, you might want to pay extra for trackable shipping.) They offer a 30-day money-back guarantee on all that they sell, and a well-secured shopping cart.

Why mugs and t-shirts? For one thing, I like to be surrounded by beautiful things. Drinking tea out of a mug with my own painting of a bloodroot blossom on it makes me really happy. For another thing, the whole concept of Swift River Treasures is sharing. I am surrounded by beauties of nature every day, and I want to share them with you. That is at the core of why I am doing this.

I have always said that I would rather have my work printed and out where a hundred different people could see it instead of hanging on just one living room wall for one person to enjoy. And being able to sell inexpensive, good quality mugs and shirts just makes it that much more accessible to people. This is not esoteric, difficult-to-understand art. Just like a kid with a dandelion, I’m saying, “Here, look at this! Isn’t it beautiful?”

I have one request for you all: send me feedback. Look at the site. Tell me what you think of it. Tell me if you encounter any hitches, glitches, typos, or uh-oh’s. Please. And if you ever decide to buy something, tell me how it went. Remember you can get your money back if you are not happy with your purchase.

In return for being my guinea pigs, I have two offers for you. One is that just for the month of June I will let you design your own mug or shirt or whatever. Simply go to my art website:
http://betsy-bell.artistwebsites.com/, pick an image, and tell me what you want it printed on (if it's a shirt, what color you want it, too). I will do the formatting of the image and upload the product to the store just for you, at no extra charge above the regular retail price. I have attached to this newsletter a full list of the merchandise from which you can choose. They offer a LOT of choices that I haven't even explored yet. (If you want an image printed on a dark-colored shirt, it may take me a while, because the image must be digitally reworked first. That is why as of right now most of the garments are on white or light colors only.)

My other offer for you is a coupon that you can use if you order something that is in the store already. Printfection has frequent sales, and this morning I got an email from them offering $5 or more off every purchase made from today, June 3rd through Saturday, June 11. Here are the coupon codes and the information from Printfection about how it works:
Coupon Code: DogDays Discount: $5 off any order!
Coupon Code: Summertime Discount: $10 off subtotal of $50+
Coupon Code: HotSeason Discount: $35 off subtotal of $100+
Please enter coupon code DogDays or Summertime or HotSeason before completing checkout. Discount is applied to the base price subtotal and does not include shipping, taxes, or additional charges. Email us if you have questions. This offer may not be combined with other offers. Coupons valid from 6/3/2011 to 6/11/2011 11:59 pm Mountain Time.

I have been having so much fun with this! I am planning a separate store for my Exploration of Natural Design work, called “Nature’s Mandalas.” The stephanograms will go in there, too. But for now, back to the art-making….

For more information on “Swift River Treasures,” my artmaking process, or recent work, or to check out my blog, see my website at http://betsy-bell.artistwebsites.com/. Here you can order prints of my work, and have them matted and framed if you choose, courtesy of Fine Art America’s great print-on-demand service. They also offer greeting cards, either single or in packages.
If you want to look at the Moments of Transcendence book, here is the link to it on the Blurb.com booksite: http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/2034640 .

It is is a wholesome and necessary thing for us to turn again to the earth and in the contemplation of her beauties to know of wonder and humility. (Rachel Carson)

Thanks for joining me in the journey. I hope that you enjoy looking at the art as much as I have enjoyed making it! I would love to hear from you, too, so please do reply with comments.

Betsy