Earning a Passive Income While Having Fun

Start A New Creative Lucrative Adventure in 2020

If your love is drawing or painting, or you can take good high resolution photos, or you love working with online graphic programs, (some are for free) then read on.

The opportunities to earn an online passive income in these difficult times are endless. And its for FREE! I've been doing it since 2014 with Zazzle.com, Redbubble.com, Society6,com and Teepublic.com to name a few.

This is not an advertisement post to sell my readers anything. This is a self-help post to inspire anyone who has access to a computer, laptop or any other internet access device. My advice is freely given. Just leave a comment below this article with a link where I can find you.

When I heard of this opportunity in September 2014 I was blown away. I was already an established book cover designer for a publishing house, and worked with Photoshop, so I started to investigate the working from home opportunity and become a member with Redbubble. All you really need is a laptop or a computer, or some even use their cellphones so long as you have an internet connection.

What is Print on Demand and how does it work?

Print on demand is a printing technology I knew about due to the book publishing company I was associated with whose printing partners offered book at a time print, but I never knew that today whether your're an artist, writer, photographer or an entrepreneur at heart, any physical product can become the perfect canvas for monetizing your creativity.

Read my article titled: Designing for the T-shirt market.
Having P.O.D shops all over the world means that everything after the sale of any product, from printing to shipping is handled by our supplier, which in my case will be Zazzle, Redbubble, or Society6 etc... all royalties earnings are from the designs that are printed on the products. 

Marketing

Promoting yourself is necessary to make your online business a success. This can take almost as much work as designing. Having a blog like mine, or a website, and having a social network presence on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook to name the three most powerful next to your Pinterest account. I've made links for my readers to find me on all these platforms if they want some advice.

 I hope with this post I have inspired some readers to find a way to earn a passive income by creating their own brand name ( like I've done with 'Just Kidding') and get paid on a PayPal account or on a recognized currency bank account.
Maybe over a few years, the world's money exchange will have changed for the better, but for now, we all have to help ourselves where we can.
Thanks for reading my post

Nadine May

Planning a Steampunk Wedding from Home

So what is Steampunk? 

Steampunk is a rather interesting genre because it involves much more than just history. The first appearance of this steampunk fashion style is hard to date because there are many aspects that influenced it. The actual term steampunk was coined by K.W. Jeter in 1987.

During the late eighties early nineties ( before the internet) I was drawn to create timepiece sculpture brooches from old watches I took apart.  I sold these on craft markets with the hand drawn calendars.

Before Steampunk became the full-blown sub-culture it is today, it started out as a science-fiction sub-genre in the 1970s.

Its fundamental inspirations go all the way back to 19th century Victorian writers, such as Jules Verne (author of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea) and H.G. Wells (author of The Time Machine).

The Steampunk Look 

Steampunk typically bears strong Victorian influences using materials like wood, glass, leather, copper and brass which are all authentic materials for constructing a futuristic or fantastical Victorian look.

It is a funky world. It's a more playful version of Gothic, and it's visually cleaner than a lot of punk. Perhaps it's more developed with class and style; refined and elegant.

A Steampunk Wedding

Gothic - Gold & Brass Steampunk Wedding designs

let's start taking it step by step.  
Step One: A Steampunk Engagement Party.

You both are probably somewhat alternative and love to dress up. You had your engagement party, so your family and friends got to know about your interest in steampunk fashion.
You also might feel that if everyone had to dress up for the wedding so that they would feel much more like part of your day, rather than just being onlookers and well-wishers.
If you have set the date, then you will know what the climate will be if you want to be able to have a ceremony in the garden.
Do your invitation cards reflect the theme of your wedding?

Step Two: The date! When to tie the knot is a good start.
Now that you have the date, sending out and Save the Date card to all your family and friends is the second step. Having Steampunk invitation cards that includes your photo will already set the tone of your coming event.

This invitation can be followed by sending a bachelor, bridal and a wedding shower party invitation. Here you might consider asking your guests to dress the part, or at least offer a suggestion for what colors to wear. This way, everyone can participate in your wedding theme.
Some couples might be planning their steampunk wedding a year in advance for the planning of the clothes and decor. To have a special creative celebration for family and friends to have an unforgettable day takes time.

Step Three:  A bridal shower and bachelor party followed by a wedding shower party is all possible and a great way to gather some of the decor gifts that can be used during your wedding.
(The cards used in this article can all be personalized, including the gifts that go with the steampunk theme.)

TIP: Many couples have already set up a website where ideas of gifts that might include some decor items for the wedding. Links to vintage hire services might also be very helpful for your wedding guests.

It is possible through the internet to find some ingenuity to create your own Steampunk theme. Many craftspeople on Etsy, specialize in making dresses, suits and accessories for your entire wedding. Even the most amazing props can be created during these parties.  Pinterest is a great way to explore what others have created for the steampunk wedding.

This Elegant Gold Black Steampunk Invitation birthday party card by Zizzago can easily be personalized and made into a steampunk party invitation.

The three party invitations above could be a great help to include your family and friends into the Steampunk fashion mood. Those events could even be a workshop party activity where some props for the wedding can be created in a team spirit.

The Colors of a Steampunk Wedding.

It's advisable to mention what color dress the bride is going to were, so the wedding guests will choose something that does not clash with the wedding photos.
A very suitable option is burgundy, dark brown or even black. Black should not be a color to be afraid of because you can always add some gold or metallic elements that will make the whole event looking amazing. What also works is aubergine, black and teal.

The Clothing 

The bridal gown should obviously be with steampunk inspiration. The groom is also going to be dressed in a steampunk inspiration.

Bridesmaids 

Choosing the steampunk theme for a wedding is rather daring in itself, so choosing an outfit don't hesitate to wear almost crazy things!

The Rings

The wedding rings are a symbol of love that can also remind you of your common steampunk love for life. There are many options out there.

• Wedding Cake ideas
• Table Decorations ideas . These ideas are endless. Why not have a look at my Pinterest board on steampunk weddings.

Step Four: The Wedding

To have an at-home wedding, consider the space. The great thing about getting married in your own home is the flexibility you have to get things ready in advance.  Depending on the size of your home, the number on your guest list will be important.

• Who is organizing the ceremony setup and decor?
• Factors like who is doing the catering? 
• Who is organizing the music? 
• Can the wedding ceremony be held in the garden, or inside the house?

If you plan to have your wedding indoors it might be advisable to engage in a cleaning crew to help prep the family home for a weekend of guests and events.  A spotless home where some private items are removed will also guarantee that any clutter doesn’t come across in your photos. 

Keep in mind the importance of a dance floor when allocating space in your home, or for your reception.
For couples who want to stay away from rentals, mixing chairs and other furnishings that were found within your home can add whimsy and charm to your design scheme and decor.

Let's say that your wedding invitations have been sent. 

From the table layout of your reception to the  rehearsal dinner (cards) - the menu, each event is an opportunity to reflect the familiarity of your residential venue choice.

• Are you asking for financial contributions? 
• Have you thought about what kind of input you want them to have? 
• Are there traditions you want to include? 
• Are you both encouraging your guest to were steampunk costumes, if so where could they hire them? ( mentioned on your wedding website on your invitations)

Along with a spotless house creating a festive atmosphere through lighting and decoration, using lamps instead of overhead lights and hanging a ton of white lanterns from our ceilings.  Wildflowers in pretty vintage vases around the house. 

TIP: Getting your decorations up and ready the weekend before your wedding to avoid stress. 

Having written this steampunk article, if I would do my own wedding in the sixties all over again, I would probably go for this wedding theme.
I hope that my article will inspire the soon to be Mr and Mrs.
Below are some more links from Zazzle designers on the amazing steampunk theme for any event.

 Lilana Wofsey Dohnert

Paula Atwell collection

 Partypeeps

Thank you Simon for all your many tips through Facebook messager. I like to end this block post with your wonderful Steampunk wedding invitation.

Nadine May

Customized Wedding Stationery

I have not been working on this blog for quite some time due to many other projects, mainly  Customized Wedding Stationery on Zazzle.

First, I needed to upgrade my Just Kidding shop at Zazzle with a new banner. From there on an update to the categories in my shop was necessary.

 Having spent a few days on this upgrade job I then got further into my Customized Events Categories.

Having reshuffled all the work I have published in the past, I now have started on the wedding event projects. That is in itself huge.

Personally my own children were married when they were already well past their thirties and living overseas, so I never had to organize their weddings. Instead I traveled for 12 hours to be mother of the bride.  I have had friends and a sister who did, but I always ended up as a guest.
I've been invited to many weddings from the more simple to a huge Muslim wedding. Every wedding was an experience and made me recall my own, which was somewhat in between and in the sixties in Holland.  Today it's a huge business, especially when we browse on Pinterest, one of my favorite online stopovers. 

https://www.weddingdesignchic.com

I have been invited to do a blog post every week to this weddingdesignchic blog where anyone who is looking for ideas will find it.
I will add my own wedding posts that are published on there here from now on.
Thanks for reading my post. 

Nadine May

What is Trendy on a Shirt in 2018?

I wish I knew! I like to create artworks for shirts, but is it trendy? It all depends which market we design for, and since I'm more European - being Dutch in origin but living in Cape Town, my taste and what I feel looks nice on a T-shirt or on other products is probably very different to that of the mainstream buyer of Tshirts online. It seems that Amazon customers in the USA mainly go for just text on T-shirts, but I might be wrong? [caption id="attachment_2107" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Succulents and flowers from the Cape - South Africa[/caption] I can now have 1000 designs live at one time on Amazon, and most of my designs are found under the brand name Nadine May. There a buyer will find a huge range of Steampunk, Succulents and flower designs including line drawings apart from more inspirational art. My other brand names on merch by Amazon are. 'African Art by Nadine May. All these designs have an African flavour, but I hope to reach a global market with these. Especially people who are going on a safari holiday. Under the brand name Just Kidding by Nadine May I aim for the younger generation market and have great fantasy art and designs with dogs, cats puppies and kittens. My most popular designs (my best sellers) fall under the Power of Words brand name. Mainly capital letters and word designs are found there. The live links will take visitors to the latest on sale at Merch by Amazon I've learned a lot since I started designing for merch by Amazon, which is now my most successful passive income stream with the added Sweaters, Long-sleeve shirts and Hoodies, but all the other P.O.D shops also demand a lot of my time. I try to keep up with it all, so my time for writing blogs is limited. My Bio website has some slides that hold examples of my design work. Now back to the editing of my new novel: the Reality Shifters. Nadine

Working with Themes

My creative time designing images for T-shirts to be sold on Amazon has now shifted me to working with themes. In the Merch by Amazon Facebook groups people often mention to work with themes, but I had not followed that system before now. Now that I'm allowed to upload 10 designs each day, which I often do not manage, I have found that designing in themes has its advantage. Admittedly having the opportunity to add 10 new designs each day until I have reached 500 max designs is not easy time-wise. I will share my way of working with layered files in Photo shop while working in theme designs.

Many designers create brand names related to a theme. Under my author's Nadine May brand name the largest quantity of designs in themes are published on many P.O.D shops of with Zazzle is the largest.
Themes like: Steampunk - Succulents - Flowers & Protea's - Vintage by Anton Pieck  & African related graphics.

 
Conspiracy topic T-shirts - seem to come up and designs where Capitals are used.

Birthday Designs for the young at heart.

 I've learned a great deal by writing this blog about working with Themes and soon I will start to share my wedding stationary that can all be personalized at my shop with zazzle.
I hope this post was helpful to other online shoppers & designers.

Thanks for reading my post
Nadine May

Research on how Google works with Free Marketing

To earn money with graphic work on line can be a lot of work. I do know that some seem to do it with a lot less effort, or is that my presumption? I do promote my latest work from several P.O.D shops I work with as you will see from my above links on several social media platforms and their groups, this is all for free. In this blog I want to address  In my case especially to do with T-shirt designs on Amazon it's all to do with keywords. I'm no expert when it comes to this, so I must learn.
In this post I will share how I went about it doing some investigation. I hope my readers will find it helpful.

I use Firefox as my main browser and Google Chrome second

When I type my name Nadine May into Google this page comes up: I had hoped to see the Amazon link to my T-shirts under my brand name come up on this first page, but it does not. I do see that on the first row my other blog; End Of Time appears. Thank you Wordpress!

 The marketing image in my Google+ account which I posted yesterday appears under the link: new sport designs So that is proof that this kind of marketing works!

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=lp_15760371011_pg_2?srs=15760371011&rh=i%3Aspecialty-aps&page=2&ie=UTF8&qid=1492956248

And another latest animal design

My latest Article on Hubpages also appears on this first Google page and a separate box with my photo (which I have not changed in 8 years).
Still on the same page links to my other P.O.D stores like: Live Heroes with 3 links! Threadless as well, (so I should be more active there) links to my Linkedin - facebook -YouTube My Bio website, my Teepublic and lastly my authors page at amazon Only one other Nadine May, a singer, appears on this first page, so not too bad, but how does that apply to what people type into Google search?
Yet, if they want to find my designs and they type in something more specific like: Nadine May T-shirt designs then I get a lot more exposure - but nothing from Amazon! I do see images about most of my T-shirts on this first page.

Some images lower down on this page are not of my T-shirts and I see other’s work, but I now realize that when I click on the marketing images I have created and posted on this Wordpress blog, Justkidding8gifts, my article: I have become an Amazon T-Shirt link appears- cool.
I also see links to my other P.O.D stores like: Live Heroes with 3 links! Threadless as well, so I should be more active there. My Bio website, my Teepublic

Amazon brand names

I want to look for the 3other brand names I use in Amazon by typing them into Google.

Kiddies Shirts by Just kidding   Yes it works! My own link on Merch by Amazon does come up on the same page among others. Two of my T-shirt marketing images posted in this blog appear and the link to this Wordpress blog, including my other blogspot blog. A link to my Just Kidding brand name at Teepublic and a Google+ marketing link promotion image. By sticking to the Just kidding name I do get some hits, but...who will type that into the Google search box?
Kiddies Shirts before my Just kidding brand name seems to work better.
Now I will try African Art T-shirts. Wow this brand name works. One link does take me to my T-shirt designs.  Two links on the bottom of the first page and two of my Google+ marketing links appear.  None of my designs appear under the images. Now I learned something. What would people type in?

Under the images in Google, two images of my T-shirts appear, so do my novels, and my photo and images I have created for my articles.
I'm now working with my best selling design. Teach Peace by Nadine May. Wow! Yes my links about my designs come up, including T-shirts from Amazon. If I just type in Teach Peace, nothing, and if I type in Teach Peace T-shirts, still nothing.
If I type in; power words teach peace, then an Amazon link does come up and under the images one marketing image with my Teach Peach T-shirts appears.

Free AdWords Performance Grader and many others in Google are no good for me. They want too many details before I can start for a FREE trial. And I have NO INTENTION to pay for any advertising. All I have used so far is http://merchresearch.com/ 

That works only for Merch Amazon. The two words Power and Words get to several of my shirts, so does Teach Peace. The words "African T-shirt designs", or "Africa theme shirts" that I feel people might type in, those words do not get to my designs, so I need to add those three keywords and see if that makes a difference.

Would people type in: Text art designs? Or Power Text designs for my Power of Word brand name designs? None of mine came up.

I learned that apart from the description of the designs, I need to step into customers shoes and imagine what they would type into search engines. Also I now see that my own marketing on social media like Google+ and Wordpress works.
I hope that my readers who do what I do have picked up on something they can use.
Thanks for reading - apologies for the many links, but I thought it brings a point across.
Nadine May

How can I find a FREE keyword performance scale?
Free AdWords Performance Grader and many others in Google are no good for me. They want too many details before I can start for a FREE trial. And I have NO INTENTION to pay for any advertising. All I have used so far is http://merchresearch.com/
That works only for Merch Amazon. The two words Power and Words get to several of my shirts, so does Teach Peace. The words "African T-shirt designs", or "Africa theme shirts" that I feel people might type in, those words do not get to my designs, so I need to add those three keywords and see if that makes a difference.

Would people type in: Text art designs? Or Power Text designs for my Power of Word brand name designs? None of mine came up.

I learned that apart from the description of the designs, I need to step into customers shoes and imagine what they would type into search engines. Also I now see that my own marketing on social media like Google+ and Wordpress works.

I hope that my readers who do what I do have picked up on something they can use.
Thanks for reading - apologies for the many links, but I thought it brings a point across.
Nadine May

Kiddies Shirts by Just-Kidding

This is my NEW brand name at Amazon for kiddies and young at heart. They are all priced at $14.99 at Amazon

Since Easter is almost around the corner, my update yesterday day was an Easter design, but have a look at all my other playful designs here.

• 100% Cotton
• Imported
• Machine wash cold with like colors, dry low heat

 

T shirts designs for up to teenage age are also found here.

 

Brand name Nadine May at Amazon

Under this Nadine May link at Amazon I have well over 50 designs to choose from.  Several designs like my dream catcher design series will soon be replaced in about twenty days.

 

Power of Words

Under my Amazon brand name Power of Words all 30 +  'text' designs are published for both Men, Women and Youth.

African Art T-shirts

I love the African continent of many countries and tribes and nations full of contrasts, contradictions and challenges. Gradually many African people settled all over the planet, but they never lost the true vibrant spirit of Africa within their heart. I live in South Africa and Cape Town is where many nations come together.

 

All these T-Shirt designs and more are published at other P.O.D shops. Many of these designs have related artwork on other products besides T-shirts. The links to all my other shops on my navigating bar will take you to many other products where you will recognize the backgrounds of the above digital T-Shirt art.

Thanks for the visit and if you have a particular design for a project, please contact me or leave a comment.

Nadine

 

Reality times in 2017

The world of Print and Demand has truly taken a big leap in the last three years, especially for me. I started designing for Redbubble and a month later opened my three shops at Zazzle in 2014

 When I hear that some of my graphic artist friends have been doing this for almost ten years, I often wonder why it took me so long to become aware of this creative opportunity.
It's now already well into February and my T-shirt designs are almost all available on many different P.O.D shops around the globe.
The photos of my latest marketing about T shirt designs are on the right. They are now available from Merch Amazon for the next 60 days under the following brand names:

Power of Words - (Most popular) Some of these T shirt designs are often derived from the graphic art in Redbubble where I have included Typographic illustrations - found under my collection: Text and Graphic designs.

Nadine May - (Flowers, Succulents, Steampunk and other Art illustration designs) Some of these T shirt designs are often derived from the graphic art in Redbubble under my Succulent collections or under my my flower & plant designs.

Just kidding - (Children’s designs) found in my Redbubble collections under Children stories, house pets and fantasy designs

African Art T-Shirts - (is my brand name on Amazon that have all an African theme) Some of these designs in Redbubble are found under my collections: African Themes  Or photos that were taken around Cape Town I have collected in my board Greetings from Cape Town.

After 60 day they are deleted from Amazon, but all these designs will always be available in my shops at

• TEEPUBLIC
• DBH
• Zazzle (T shirt collection link)
• Artsadd  - Woman  - Man    - Kids

The background Art designs that are related to most of my T Shirt designs are also to be found on full print and canvas related products at:

• Society6  with similar design collections.
• Rageon  - ( FULL PRINT PRODUCTS)
• Life heroes  ( FULL PRINT PRODUCTS)
• CafePress  and my CafePress webpage
• Zazzle   more about my zazzle shop click here.
• Artsadd

Join me on Instagram to follow me and I will follow you.
Nadine

What do I buy for Christmas gifts?

Both these products are fun to design for . Here are some of my children's story designs at Lifeheroes.

That Question must be in lots of people's minds, especially when all the offered discounts everywhere. I will share here what is on offer with my designs.

Zazzle's offers!

USE CODE: ZAZCYBERWEEK for up to  60% off products!   A discount of up to 60% of the product net sale price will be deducted when one or more qualifying products are purchased.  These offers seem to change every day, so do visit my two most active shops: Just kidding  and my Awakening store design shop. Or the below card collection page

 By using the code ZAZTHIRTYOFF you can get 40% off for mugs, pillows. posters and many other products. I keep getting emails on a daily basis with sometimes 75% discount for that day! That must be a sure saver in anyone's budget. It's still time to send a personalized card and Zazzle is very strong in there. I've created several. As I'm writing this blog I see $40% off all Mugs!

 Calendars from my previous blog entry do make a great gift and are cheaper to send by mail.

Society6 offers!

They are very strong in offering FREE SHIPPING! That can make a huge difference when customers live outside of the USA! I made use of it by purchasing a pillow with a photo of my own garden. If anyone is interested to have their own photos on products like I have done, please contact me.

Redbubble Offers!

My latest design, as I write this blog, is all about Steampunk. I was playing with Photoshop when I created this steampunk dragon, including a book theme design. In my past I used to make jewellery sculptures with watches and clock parts but today I have taken photos of all the cog wheels and any other parts that are found in old watches. I love the latest art display gift, an Acrylic block

Its unusual and will do well as a present for someone who has got everything already! Know one of these people? I do!
I love Redbubble's full print tops and wall decor and my favorite and most popular design this year was the Teach Peace design.

Under the brand name NadineMay and under the Power of Words on Amazon there are several Tshirts for sale for the whole family.
There are two P.O.D websites that specialize in full print products.

Lifeheroes  & RageOn.

 Here are some of my children's story designs at Lifeheroes. Both these products are fun to design for.

My latest P.O.D website i joined has been RageOn! what a fun store. I feel truly at home here.

Many of the designs that were created over the last three years I can now see what they look like on garments I would never thought possible.

 Thanks for reading my post.
Nadine