Gluckhaus Boards In the Works!

I'm happy to help spread the word that the Scarlet Onagers Guild is getting into selling stuff online. They hope to get costume accessories, entertainment, and jewelry into your hands before the next Renaissance Faire Season.

Gluckhaus Boards

The Gluckhaus board artwork I posted previously is going to be sold on fabric and vinyl boards. So far, it sounds like they'll sell the Gluckhaus board on it's own, or as part of a Game Set with a nim & tic-tac-toe pouch to hold all your game pieces and bar money.

I've recently seen the boards and am really excited they are going to be offering these items online soon. I'll keep you updated here when they launch their online store! You can also watch for updates and learn all about them by following them on facebook or on the Scarlet Onagers blog!

Roots

I quite like the Roots design. I'm not sure how this design came about, though. It was a moment of wanting something simple yet complex, and it developed before me with little thought about where we were going. This is what I ended up with: Roots, with dark pastel high lights.

This design looks better on lighter shirts, me thinks. This off-white, barely grey shirt is my favorite. I'm also a fan of how it fits on many of the other products, especially the notebooks and water bottles.

I look forward to more designs with a little more flair than just text; although, I do enjoy playing with the text-based designs best. Sometimes, outside of other craft and design projects, a design fits best in the RedPress family even when it does not focus on text.

Look for this design and more in the RedPress Shop, and follow us on instagram @RedPressPrints or on here for many more designs to come!

Please Do Not Hug Me Ever

Random hugging is odd, especially when it's the socially acceptable thing and implied. Why are you trying to touch me? I don't know you, bro.

Please do not hug me. It's a simple request. Whether it's a social awkwardness, a sensory difference, or personal boundaries that do not leave room for random hugging... I'm wearing this to the next extended family reunion. Totes.

I've never understood the need to hug people who are unfamiliar, or even how people want to pat heads or shoulders or hug children. Hugging and snuggling has been scientifically shown to increase positive emotions and help little ones to thrive... but that can be saved for close family and friends. No unfamiliar family or acquaintances need apply, please.

This text design can be purchased from the RedPress Store on bags, shirts, sweatshirts, and so much more! Check it out by clicking here!

Warning: Random Dance Moves May Occur

For when you gotta dance it out, warn others that you will, in fact, dance at random.

This design is available on shirts for the young  and young at heart, on notebooks for lyrical and musical ramblings, and on a variety of other products. Check it out by going to our RedPress Shop.

We even have cute little onesies available for the wiggly little dancers you know! Check out this cute little shirt! Little ones are the best for busting out a move at the randomest of times. Support their muscle building movements and join in the random dance moves!

I'd Rather Be Reading

I'd rather be reading. Those times when you have all the errands to run and all the feels to deal with, let others know you'd rather be curled up with a good book. This design comes in two iterations: one of text only, and one with a simple book graphic.

I was raised in a household where reading was the ultimate chill time. Grandma would have a book on the counter to read a couple pages between switching cookie sheets in the oven or while dinner cooked on the stove. My Grandpa read the paper while news played on the TV in the background. My Mom read before bed or while we played. Everyone was reading around us, and so we would find something to read as well.

I still enjoy reading while camping and other calm down times. I also read almost every night before bed. It is my calming and recharging task. I also review some of the books I read on my other blog: Tangent To a Blog. Feel free to check out those reviews and this design. 

I'd Rather Be Sleeping

Sometimes, I'd just rather be sleeping! Check out this design and others on RedPress's Shop!

I really quite like this phrase. There are so many times I have to push through, whether it be work or family events. I have a pretty full schedule. My schedule is full by design and habit, but it still can be exhausting at times to do just get down to it and what needs to be done.

After a long day double at work, after putting out fires and emotionally drained, I put on a shirt like this to just head home and fall into bed. Sometimes, I'd rather be sleeping, and I'm up for letting others know!

Little ones get the joy of coming along to grocery stores and banks and all the other errands. Sometimes they just want a nice chill day at home with their blocks, a couple rounds of ABCs, and a nap. Let others know your little one is just a chill little home body who loves to nap with the adorable onesies from threadless!

Go Big or Go Home? I'll Go Home, kthnx.

Home is the best place for me. I'll just be home whenever possible.

I've always been what people call a home-body or mostly antisocial. I'm okay with this. I quite like being home, doing things around the house or on my computer. There's nothing wrong with it. I'm by no means a hermit, merely have a strong preference to be in my own space, with my things.

I love the saying "Go Big or Go Home" and quite enjoy the recent memes about people using it without understanding that so many of us would rather just go home.

What better to remind you of home than a big blanket for snuggling up at the cold baseball game, or better yet on the couch at home? Need a shirt to let others know you'll be enjoying a quiet night at home instead of a loud party or bar? We've got you covered, you introverted lot. Let's all go home.

Check out this design and others at the Red Press Threadless Shop! Don't stay in just my shop, check out other artists on the base Threadless.com as well!

Science Is Important

In an ever-changing society, it is important to see science as the key to the constant, the knowledge and the truth. Show your support for science with this design!

I'm still discovering different products in the Threadless family and what designs and dimensions looks good on each product added to the line up. As always, I love hearing thoughts, opinions, and suggestions about designs and products. Feedback is welcome and appreciated.

Skateboards!? They're not badly priced on Threadless, and for this I was happily surprised. The deck only is around $60 which is standard pricing for basic designs from non-known designers around my town. The complete basic set is around $110 which is on the higher end of the normal range for my area. For this, it makes sense to find hardware around you to see if purchasing only a deck and building it yourself is more cost effective.

Science Brings Skills

In the name of science, learn a new skill! With the internet and all it's articles and videos, putting together a skateboard for the first time can be simple yet satisfying.

Check out this and many other designs on skateboards, hoodies, and more products by visiting the Red Press Threadless Shop!

Positive & Constructive Statements

Positive and constructive statements are more helpful than yelling and demanding. Disciplinary yelling does have it's place, but logic and confidence last longer and truly prevail if used alongside those rules.

While working with children I do my best to redirect, give positive alternatives, and be longevinous with my suggestions and solutions. This works with adults, too. A simple, "let's be nice" or "say why your mad, not just that you're mad" can go a long way in helping someone better communicate with those around them. 

Check out the Red Press Threadless shop for this design and many others on a wide variety of apparel, home products, and accessories.

You Can't Buy Happiness

Sometimes a little bit of humor goes a long way in starting a hard conversation about how sometimes we need a bit of medical and chemical help to reach our happiness.

We all use drugs from time to time for all our aches and pains. Sometimes our pains are harder to define, but they probably make a med for that, too. It's important to remember that meds are tools utilized by medical professionals to help us get to where we need to be. Let's celebrate science and our personal breakthroughs, but also recognize the help we sometimes need to get to where we want to be.

What's Your Happiness?

Whether you need a funny shirt, a cute tapestry, a conversation starting pillow, a medication notebook, or a diary for your everyday thoughts: Threadless has a variety of products to fit with your happiness. Check out the Red Press corner of Threadless, too.

No Worries: I Got This!

This is a very common saying in my house. "You've got this" and "I've got this" are excellent ways to boost confidence when a little wary.

Shirts & Tapestries

I really like the motion and slant of this design, as well as the simplicity. This design goes well on both apparel and as a tapestry or poster. It looks adorable on kids and empowering on adults. I'm also really excited that Threadless has a tapestry option. I really like the tapestry option that is about 3' x 2' and under $22.

A Bright, Happy Green

The background of the tapestry is a bright green. To me this color represents concepts as simple as "green means go" and positive forward motion, but also is a bright, happy color full of child-like energy. I am really looking forward to having a bright green banner with this design. I might put it in our extra room where kids staying with us sleep and play.

Work Free Zone

Do you ever just not want to talk about work? Throw on a shirt with this design and just head off having to explain more than by pointing and making a face.

This design was also requested by my spouse. On days off, on long work days, on good days, and on bad days: the only request is that work not be discussed unless prior approval has been obtained. If I attempt to round-a-bout start a conversation about work, it breaks up into yadda-yadda-yaddas with giggles and ears in fingers.

This is a pretty hard rule in our house, but it could be a rule in your house for days off, family days, or even when you just need a break and want to declare yourself a Work Free Zone!

Better yet? Get the design on a pillow and throw it at anyone who dares discuss work near the WORK FREE ZONE pillow!

If you want to order a shirt, pillow, or variety of other items with this design, visit the RedPress Threadless Shop by clicking here!

I Like It When I'm Funny

You know that time when you were so funny you cracked up about it? Go on and appreciate your own funny along with everyone else. It was a good one. You deserve to laugh, too!

This design even comes in kid sizes... because who cracks up more at their own jokes, right? It's adorable. Let's encourage the giggles and funnies.

My spouse requested this one. Here's to you, baby, and for all the other funny adults that crack up like kids every time they lay out a really funny one-liner that even surprises themself. My little brother does the same thing! We'll be sitting at a family gathering, just chatting, and each one-liner, sarcastic comeback, cerebral exclamation, and physical misstep gets giggles from all involved... including the one who spoke it or performed it.

So, go on: laugh with everyone. We like it when you're funny, too!

If you want to purchase this design, for yourself or someone else, please do so with kindness in mind. You can find this design for sale by following this link to the Red Press Threadless Shop.

Educate: Don't Hate

There are times when we have to remember that ignorance is best fought with knowledge, and ignorant questions are best answered honestly. Questions are requests for knowledge, and kind honesty can help end hate where anger-filled answers can only breed more hate and distrust.

Why Pride?

As we get closer to July this year, there are a lot of people questioning why LGBT folks still insist on throwing a wild parade and street fair with various surrounding parties. We get it: you're queer! It's not about showing they're different though: pride celebrates the moment various sorts of queer people were tired of harassment from law and society. The varied groups came together to show they would do anything it took to live their lives as they wanted to by loving whomever they wanted to love and dressing in clothes they chose for themselves. "Although there had been other protests by gay groups, the Stonewall incident was perhaps the first time lesbians, gays, and transgendered people saw the value in uniting behind a common cause." (Britannica)


This coming together of queer groups marked a much stronger minority, all facing similar discrimination, with more presence and power than the individual groups. These events lead to getting the issue in front of people who had never even known the harassment and violence LGBT people faced. With knowledge comes power, and enough people gained that power to help LGBT people fight for many of the rights they have today.

The Fight Is Still Not Over

Even though all these events occurred decades ago, LGBT people are once again facing discrimination and violence. With renewed division around politics and many social divides gaining depth, knowledge and empathy are lacking on many fronts.

Let's fight to spread our stories, our fears, statistics, scientific studies, hopes, and dreams. Remember to educate, even when a question or statement brings fear and hate to our forefront.

Check out the Educate, Don't Hate design on RedPress.Threadless.com by clicking here!

New Card Game In The Works!

We're still working in the background on the next card game for the Bellingham Game Company, but I just previewed the digital version of the cards! They're so clean and simple and amazingly portray exactly what is needed for the game!

I can't show them off just yet, but soon they'll be posted to the Bellingham Game Company's Facebook Page and Instagram account ( @bellinghamgamecompanyllc ).

I'm really excited about this game because it is an amazing large group game, perfectly casual for chatting throughout and helping each other play. It's kind of a luck game, and it really takes the stress off learning a bunch of rules. My game playing focus lately has been to search for casual games for large groups, but also quick-to-learn games so the fun of playing manifests quickly. Can find them? Well, make them!

Gah! We'll be able to show it off soon, but the designer on our team really came through on this one. I love the designs and can't wait to share them!

Happiness is Measured in Caffeine

Coffee, Tea, or Soda?

Pick your caffeine, but don't be under caffeinated: decaf is for quitters! I know I'm a bit grumpy if I haven't had either sleep or caffeine. It helps kickstart my day and keeps me motivated throughout the day. We could all use a little caffeine now and then. 

Which way do you take your caffeine? Are you a jittery coffee bug like me? A well digesting tea drinker? A sugared up soda sipper? Or prefer the dash of caffeine in the form of a well crafted chocolate bar? 

Shameless Advertising: 

You can grab a shirt with this design from our Threadless Artist Shop. Do you need a stretch canvas sign to advertise your addiction and happiness? That's in there, too! Phone covers are also in the mix.  Click here to see the design 'Happiness is Measured in Caffeine!"

Happiness is Measured in Songs

Music for Days

Whether you need background noise or a 30 second dance party: happiness is measured in songs. Everything I do is made more enjoyable by music. As I type this, music plays in the background. Everything from classical concertos to modern pop, swing to Gregorian chants, rock to dubstep; music is amazing.

Apparel & Accessories

Alert everyone to your love of all that is music: click here to check out the design "Happiness is Measured in Songs."

Other Designers & Helping Each Other Out

I've recently started a game development company with a couple others that involves an amazing graphic designer. I favor typography related graphics, and while I can do logos and other stuff, I'm really not great at creation and I know this. Understanding my own limits and what I need to practice are important to me. I've realized I really do enjoy and excel at helping a graphic designer see what can be done better with their graphics, and knowing when a project is finished and should not be tweaked any more.

None of the graphics from the Bellingham Game Company (click to see facebook) are mine, so I won't be posting them on this blog, but I truly do enjoy working with our graphic design partner on concept, digitizing, and knowing when to stop. One of the hardest parts of graphic design sometimes is knowing when to call a project done. Constant tweaking of an image or vector can make someone crazy. I have a person in my life that peers over my shoulder and says "What are you doing? No one else will be that zoomed in..." and I enjoy being that person for others.

My Role Is Not Graphics

While I love working on my own stuff, like I said mostly text and typography, that sort of graphic stuff is handled in the company by someone far better than I could ever be, from concept to sketch to digitize to finalize for print. My role in the company is more promotional, networking, and office management.

I quite enjoy this side as it allows me to focus on typography, terminology, and networking. It also allows me a lot of "office" time for researching all of the tips and tricks of advertising, networking, acquisition, and related tasks. If I love anything more than graphics, of which I truly do appreciate more than create, it is learning and then implementing what I've learned.

Do What Makes You Happy

I am hoping this helps me come up with new sayings and catch phrases for this Red Press project I'm working on now, but I won't be constantly updating. I'll post graphics here with their inspirations, but only things that I feel I'd wear on clothes or my phone case will be posted for Red Press. It's all good if no one but me ever purchases things from the artist shop, but I hope the random explanations I post here really do help inspire others to do what makes them happy.

Sometimes what makes you happy are the things you do without thinking about it. The sayings you live your life by and repeat to others. Fix up a graphic of your happiness and post it for others to see. Start a blog of your favorite photos. Start a shop of your best drawings and artwork. Join a fair or market with your crafts.

Advice, Business & Sharing Your Stuff

I have another blog in the works that will focus on building a small business or utilizing a sole proprietorship -- much of my little "nickle & dime up" hobbies will go there -- but many are related to artwork and crafts of a wide variety. Once it's a little more established, I may throw a link in here when there's an artwork related business post. However, feel free to message me or comment if you have specific questions. I may even turn it into a post on this or another blog that it fits better.

I'm always up to swap stories, look at your site, and give any advice about the business side of hobbies, and I have resources and references I used to learn all of these things in case I can't answer a question myself. I feel that it's better to say "let's find out together" if I don't know how to answer something or know I'm bias on a topic.

Questions, Thoughts, Word of Mouth

Comment your questions. Send me a link to check out your stuff. I'm up for networking and helping spread the word if I like your stuff!

Happiness is Measured in Picas

 

Graphics, Text, & Happiness

For everyone who enjoys typing, drawing, correcting, organizing, or any of the other tasks of graphic design: happiness is measured in picas. Each and every part of an image in it's place, after zooming impossible far and correcting with taps of the shift and then arrow alone: happiness.

Each Pica Counts

After many collaborative projects, I giggle about how a non-designer watches in despair as graphic parts are moved by the point, pica, and pixel. It does matter! We see it, and we know our fellow designers -- either by profession, education, or hobby -- will see it as well. Advertise what we all know to be true: every pica truly does matter.

The Merchandise

Like what you see? Head on over to Threadless and check out our many Happiness related graphics. And remember: happiness is measured in picas

Why Threadless?

I discovered Threadless when I was looking into merchandise platforms for Bellingham Game Company’s logo and pending game releases. After reading many reviews, I was hesitant, but thorough research has shown me that Threadless had a rough patch when switching from printing in runs and printing on demand (Introducing: Artist Shops!). This bump in the road is completely understandable to me, especially since they were quick to respond and begin repairing their business and reputation.

Nickel and Dime Up

The profit margin isn't great on Threadless because the base costs are a little high per item, but I set my margin fairly low... so it is also a my fault. I would much rather see my stuff out there than make a bunch of money; although, some money is nice. The Red Press brand is just a hobby and an outlet for me to create graphics, order prints of my own graphics, and click a box for others to wear the same design if they wish.

Artist Shops

It is fairly easy to set up an Artist Shop on Threadless. Create an account and upload a design. You can mess around with logos and banners, or you can skip those. There are simple templates for layout, fonts, and colors of the shop so you can keep the setup simple and get to what you want: put mah stuff on shirts!

They have an interesting mix of products: typical shirts & hoodies, coffee cups, stickers, skateboards, phones, duffel bags & backpacks, towels, pillows, shower curtains, stretched canvas and other wall mounts. Once your image is uploaded (per the specs clearly laid out or any of the supplied templates), select the items and colors you want available. This can all be changed at any time, but the image placement editor is quite a bit buggy. Remember to slate a little extra time and be patient for this part.

Work Together

Threadless also has the option to list another account as a "collaborator" on a particular design.  This means you and a buddy can each have shops, but also work on something together and give each other credit. Have great ideas, but not the right software and know-how to add the finishing touches? Work with a buddy, agree on a profit split, and have them list you as a collaborator! Threadless will then deal with splitting the profits each time a sale is made. Teamwork made easy!

Show Me Yours?

Do you have an artist shop? On Threadless or Cafepress or another platform? Comment below and link your shop! Free advertising! :)