what sandra makes.

Posted on 31 August 2017 by what sandra thinks

I’m a self-taught ‘graphic designer‘. I hesitate to use that title since I have no formal instruction… I don’t even come close to a professional… and I wing it with software I can afford. But I still do it… usually with no purpose other than cards or party invitations or graphics for this blog (and occasionally someone else’s blog).

I finally took a leap and began gearing my work toward things I thought I might be able to sell. It’s not Etsy… not yet. I’ve got (a lot) more prep work to do on that.

[Before I continue, I have to tell you… I am really uncomfortable with this post. Sharing things I’ve created — no problem. Even sharing deep personal issues — no problem. But selling? Self-promotion? Makes me anxious. If you think this is an obnoxious post, please ignore me. No hard feelings. Oh hell, I won’t even know!]

At first, I designed a bunch of journals because I love to write… and I have a stationery fetish. I have more than 20 different designs available. Then I jumped to notebooks (yes, the paper fetish). And then I went a bit crazy because I was having so much fun… so now there are all sorts of other things, too… cards, phone cases, mugs, tees, pillows, bags… 

I have cleverly named my shop ‘what sandra makes‘. I know. I’m a genius.

Here are a few of the many designs I’ve done. (Yeah, moody.)what sandra makesWhether you’re interested in buying or not, I hope you’ll take a look… just for kicks… to see how I’ve been spending far too much time lately. I’m kind of proud of some of my work. But I’m curious which ones people like even if no one’s buying. And I’m sure I’m not finished. Maybe I won’t make a penny… but I’m having fun. My life needs fun.

I promise I will not keep posting about this because that would definitely be obnoxious… this blog wasn’t created to be a selling tool. I will only maybe mention it when I have something I’m especially proud of that I want to share. And I’ve added a little widget to the sidebar for your convenience… it will just quietly sit there. I’m terrible at self-promotion. It makes me feel sleazy. Self-deprecation? Yeah… that’s my wheelhouse.

Thanks for indulging me.


©2017 what sandra thinks

About what sandra thinks

Sandra is a writer, sometimes blogger, poet, artist, emotional disaster. She thinks far too much and sleeps far too little. Sandra lives in the Northeastern U.S. but dreams of an oceanfront home in Italy, but she would settle for a non-oceanfront home in Italy. She loves books, brutal honesty, coffee, and the color black. She hates insincerity, beer, whipped cream, and facebook. And she is uncomfortable talking about herself in the third person.
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40 Responses to what sandra makes.

  1. Meg says:
    31 August 2017 at 9:35 am

    Hey! I just looked! This is great! I want one of everything! I will get all my paper supplies from you from now on! (too many exclamation point!!!!!!) But I’m excited for you!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  2. sonofabeach96 says:
    31 August 2017 at 10:09 am

    Way to go! They’re all great! My wife’s birthday is coming up and I’m gonna do a little shopping tonight. Obnoxious? Hardly. They’re all terrific! You’ve got a good eye for design. Here’s to lots of sales! 😃👍🏻

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  3. tessaryanwrites says:
    31 August 2017 at 10:52 am

    I learned a bit of graphic designing when I was in school for journalism. Your work is heads and tails beyond some certified GDs. Ergo, you are a graphic designer.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  4. gigglingfattie says:
    31 August 2017 at 11:09 am

    Omg all the note books!! I LOVE THEM!!!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • what sandra thinks says:
      31 August 2017 at 11:17 am

      Thanks! I was working on a hippo… yes… a hippo… but it looks maybe too much like it’s for a baby… Maybe I’ll put it out there anyway…

      Like

      Reply
      • gigglingfattie says:
        31 August 2017 at 11:21 am

        YES! Do the hippo hehe!! But I’m a little confused…do you have to actually make all these items? Or does the website that you are on offer certain items for production and just put your designs on them?

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        • what sandra thinks says:
          31 August 2017 at 12:40 pm

          I will do the hippo… they have baby shirts/onesies and kids shirts… so I guess it doesn’t matter if it looks like it’s for a kid… and I can still put it on other stuff.

          I do all the designing (to some really specific high-res specifications…) and they produce the stuff. That’s how it’s different from Etsy where everything there is made by the seller. I want to do that, too, but I need to get my stuff together… make some samples to photograph, etc. That takes much more work and will cost me for supplies, etc. And as everyone knows, I’m trying not to spend right now. 🙂

          BTW, if you want something special, I could try to design something for you. But when I was thinking about animals, I thought of you. That sounds mean… not how I meant it! LOL 🙂

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
  5. Obol says:
    31 August 2017 at 11:49 am

    Formal education isn’t required for good graphic designer, but an “eye for it” and talent is. 🙂 Your products look great. Very clean and tight stuff. I especially love the journals. From one newb to another, I must say I admire your eye for the art.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  6. sonofabeach96 says:
    31 August 2017 at 12:08 pm

    Do more stickers!!!! 😃😃

    I went to get a notebook for my wife and enddd up with the Beetle in a couple of sizes. I dig that site! I need to show my wife. Easy to set up?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • what sandra thinks says:
      31 August 2017 at 12:45 pm

      I will do more. Just trying to come up with more ideas. I did a vw van, too, but I wasn’t sure I was happy with it. I’ll have to revisit. I was kind of obsessed with light bulbs. Weird, right? BTW, you and Meg chose the same journal… that made me laugh! Oh, and BTW also, I don’t know who the buyers are… I only know you two because you told me!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  7. Peter's pondering says:
    31 August 2017 at 12:41 pm

    Spiral bound notebooks I love. Owls I love. Where are the pussy cats?
    Shipping to UK may make me an admirer, but not a customer.
    Hey – you are a graphic designer, and I love them.

    What Sandra Makes is good.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  8. mandibelle16 says:
    31 August 2017 at 2:07 pm

    Wow they’re beautiful! And your so talented! And you taught yourself, that’s so my harder than learning in af classroom setting but you did really good. Selling, it comes and you just have to convince people why they need what u have to offer and you’ll start to pick that up! Also, I love your avatar did u draw or deign the graphic?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • what sandra thinks says:
      31 August 2017 at 2:51 pm

      Thank you! One of my concerns is that I don’t want to “advertise” all the time here. Of course, that’s not why I’m here… but I don’t want to seem pushy! The avatar – I didn’t do the girl originally but I edited/changed it and added my name. Thanks again!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      • mandibelle16 says:
        31 August 2017 at 2:56 pm

        Oh neat, well it’s a great avatar. It gives us more a feeling of you even though it isn’t you, along with your wonderful writing of course. If you’re going to have an Etsy shop you cab always add that in like you would a Twitter account or FB page to your profile. I don’t think that’s bad to have that or your website, on your own blog page.
        Since you did mention b4 you have a lot of hits on your Friday Fiction. You could consider a small advertisement or link after that story or before and not on any other pieces. My thoughts but good luck. When I get paid again I’ll take a look 😊

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
  9. supernaturalsnark says:
    6 September 2017 at 8:30 pm

    I looooove notebooks, although for personal reasons I feel kind of bittersweet about them and I’ve sworn off buying more but if I ever fall off the wagon… I’m coming here. You’ve done a great job!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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