Artist Mindy Wilson uses pen, pastel and watercolor to create images for greeting cards, textiles, and illustrations for children’s books. She also has a shop on Etsy offering prints of some of her original works, all very affordable, colorful, and for the bird and tree lovers out there – you’ve just hit the jackpot.
See how great they look framed in an AT reader’s home? I love seeing prints in an actual space. I guess if I can throw a tip out into the world of Etsy sellers, I’d like to say this: A lot of shoppers aren’t visual like you are. They can’t ‘see’ a print in their space without you showing it on display somehow, framed. It also gives customers a sense of scale, so if you want to boost your sales… Show your prints living in a home – make them come alive!
Thanks Mindy for writing in! Great AT picture by the way…
(images from mindy wilson and apartment therapy)
March 27th, 2007 at 4:21 pm
Huge point. Same with wallpaper sellers. Some do photograph their papers in a space but many don’t. Especially with large repeating patterns, it is very difficult to visualize and entire wall.
March 27th, 2007 at 4:26 pm
Oh that’s true casapinka… Not everyone is in a showroom shopping these days, most of us (incl. designers) are shopping online.
I think artists and designers are so super visual and creative that the reasoning is others are the same way so they ‘get it’ too. But that is not the case.
A picture speaks a thousand words!!!
March 27th, 2007 at 6:12 pm
I purchased 2 prints from mindy early in the year….I love them!
Holly, you are so right about showing items in relation to an actual space. The same goes for accessories. I can’t tell you how many times i’ve looked at a purse or tote bag online and the picture is just the product floating in space. You need to see it in relation to a person/human body!
March 27th, 2007 at 8:32 pm
They are great Mindy. Thanks for sharing with us Holly. :)
Your blog makes me happy each day, I walk away with much more than I came here with. My design quench!
Annie (Boston)
March 27th, 2007 at 9:43 pm
Mindy! wow I lost track of her and just loved her work when she did a few designs for me at HipsterCards in 2005 (check out her flirty card at
http://www.hipstercards.com/compose_ecard.php?ecardid=1393
She is not only talented but a joy to work with.
March 27th, 2007 at 10:11 pm
I pray that sellers take your advice; it would help those of us without a talent for design or visual arts conceptualize the opportunities presented by a piece of art. My skills and career are in writing, and I have learned to stretch my imagination through your blog and others. Without them, I’d be at a loss in trying new things in my home.
March 27th, 2007 at 11:28 pm
i love seeing the actual print in its real setting as well – great find holly!
March 28th, 2007 at 1:44 am
Pink you and Holly are so right. And I am embarrased to say that I once ordered this ” large scale tree” patttern wallpaper and put it up on a never ending wall and much to my husbands chagrin ripped the whole thing down only minutes later. Yikes costly mistake and if I could have seen it in a pic maybe would have been saved. k
March 28th, 2007 at 12:32 pm
Thanks so much for the advice to show your work actually hanging on the wall. I plan on asking each of my customers for a photo of their paintings for my portfolio.
March 28th, 2007 at 4:22 pm
That is a very good point. I’d like to think that I can visualize how a picture would look in certain space, even though I am by no means an artist or designer, but seeing how a picture looks framed and hanging on a wall would help out so many people or at least give people ideas.
One thing I definitely prefer and will sway my decision on an online purchase is if I can enlarge or zoom in on a picture in order to see the details or colors more clearly. If I can’t do that, unless I really love the item, I will more and likely not purchase it.
I own one of Mindy’s prints and I love it. I’m waiting to receive one more print from another Etsy seller (Bird Nerd) and then I’m taking all the prints to get framed.
March 28th, 2007 at 8:35 pm
Thank you for continuing to feature etsy sellers. Mindy’s work is gorgeous! I think your point about showing framed pieces is excellent, and I will definately make this addition as I update my shop.
March 28th, 2007 at 9:54 pm
Of course Alicia! For those that know me and have been reading decor8 from the start, I was the first to blog about Etsy the moment their site went up – I’ve been a huge supporter all along. And that’s not changing anytime soon!
March 29th, 2007 at 5:48 am
These are simply BEAUTIFUL! Thanx so much for sharing!