The Anti-Adulting Coloring Book is HERE

Yes. It's finally here! Ready to ship!​

​Check it out here: 

​https://www.etsy.com/listing/474558807/adult-coloring-book-coloring-book-anti

The cover! 

Beauty with braids

Ocean scene

Order online now, $17 plus shipping

The Anti-Adulting coloring book

This listing is to Ready to Ship!

Will ship in 1-3 Business Days.

This book is packed with over 20 detailed and hand drawn original illustrations by me, Kierston Ghaznavi!

Enjoy hours of relaxation and coloring fun as you "anti-adult" your day away!

Color in fun scenes like Party, Beach, BBQ, or detailed pattern pages like Ice cream, Lingerie, Bike ride, and more!

You're free to use any coloring medium you're comfortable with: pens, crayons, colored pencils, markers, watercolors etc.

Have Fun!

I retain the rights to all artwork, cannot reproduce or redistribute without permission.

This book was hand drawn by me. I designed the cover art, created the layout and used Lulu printing services to create the physical books.

Check out individual downloadable coloring pages here:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/KeghazIllus?ref=l2-shopheader-name§ion_id=19731679

Take a look at the other cool stuff in my shop here:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/KeghazIllus?ref=hdr_shop_menu

Music That Inspires Me Right Now

I need music. 

There is no way that I could go a day without listening to some kind of music, or singing to myself or even making up random songs. I love listening to music probably as much as I love to draw, maybe more. However I am not musically talented. I can sing, but not well. I have known how to play Heart and Soul and Lean on Me on the piano since elementary school, with one finger and very slowly. That’s been the extent of my musical training. I bet with some extensive training, I could learn the acoustic guitar and write some ballads someday. HA!! It could happen...

Those that can’t do, listen. Is that the saying? I listen to music while I’m driving, drawing, showering, doing laundry, cleaning. Sometimes I find myself watching tv and wondering what that noise is in the background. Oh. My phone is still playing music… It really is the soundtrack to my life.

I put together a Spotify Playlist of the songs that I'm currently obsessed with. I listen to a lot of different music while i'm drawing or painting or making earrings and dolls. The music inspires what i'm creating. It also keeps me going, I can create for hours with the right playlist or album playing. The music I'm obsessed with changes A LOT, as i discover new artists or even old ones I've never heard before. 

A few of the songs on this playlist

Here's a link to the playlist on Spotify, take a listen:

https://play.spotify.com/user/126663994/playlist/6LHN1thf8WcqYZSrI1KxBb

Do you listen to music when you're creating? Or do you need silence, or the TV or a Podcast? Tell me about it in the comments! If you've already subscribed to the newsletter, Curls & Markers, thanks for your support! If you've got your free coloring page, Color it in and share it to your social media accounts! Tag @keghazillus on IG and Twitter or Facebook: Keghaznavi Illustration. Use the Hashtag #antiadultingKG
I can't wait to see the colored pages!!

You can still get a free coloring page before the coloring book is published, just sign up for the Newsletter here and get a printable sheet!

http://keghaznavi.us13.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=c6a11c2bf4b803ed2144e3d1b&id=9b8b3d466f

XOXO
-Kierston

Curls & Markers Debut!

My weekly newsletter, Curls & Markers will be debuting tomorrow. I plan to give weekly updates on my current in-progress work, discounts for merchandise in my etsy shop, as well as first dibs on new items, sales and offers! Don't miss out! 

BONUS: if you sign up for the newsletter before it debuts on August 2nd, you will receive a FREE instant downloadable coloring page, from my upcoming coloring book!!!

Sign up below:

http://keghaznavi.us13.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=c6a11c2bf4b803ed2144e3d1b&id=9b8b3d466f

Selling on Etsy: Ready to Ship Items in my Etsy Shop!

My etsy shop is a work in progress. Currently I have a few stud earrings and paper dolls in stock, as well as ways to take in any custom requests. I have a growing list of the kinds of merchandise I'd like to offer. I'm slowly working my way down that list! The adult coloring book is in progress right now. Pins, mini illustrations, cards and totes are just a few of those things coming soon. 

Take a look at some of my favorite items currently listed and ready to ship in my shop!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/KeghazIllus

Yancy. 2016 

 https://www.etsy.com/listing/288703793/articulated-paper-doll-unique-gift

This is probably my favorite of all the dolls I've made. Her cotton candy Afro puffs are the cutest. You can't help but love her and laid back personality. 

Teal faux jewel earrings.  

 https://www.etsy.com/listing/293712851/faux-jewel-earrings-shrink-plastic

I think these are adorable. I've learned a lot from making earrings with shrink plastic. I really enjoyed the process.  

Kiki. 2015 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/288878691/articulated-paper-doll-unique-gift

This doll was one of the first dolls I made. She was kinda the blueprint for the rest of the dolls moving forward. 

Earrings displayed in Kraft jewelry box.  

 https://www.etsy.com/listing/293718441/teal-purple-yellow-abstract-design

The marbled look on these earrings came from experimenting with different color combinations and sealing techniques on the surface. It's quite lovely. 

Tae. 2015 

 https://www.etsy.com/listing/275229814/articulated-paper-doll-unique-gift

This is another one of the first dolls I made. It's hard to pic a favorite, I do love them all.  

Funky little earrings.  

 https://www.etsy.com/listing/292449367/abstract-design-earrings-green-yellow

I really have fun making these earrings, coming up with different graphics and textures. 

Hope you enjoyed that little tour! Keep an eye out for new items coming soon! 

Sign up now for my newsletter, Curls & Markers! Coming in August. Be the first to receive news, discounts, and sneak peaks at work in progress!

http://keghaznavi.us13.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=c6a11c2bf4b803ed2144e3d1b&id=9b8b3d466f

Use coupon code: KEGBLOG15 for 15% off of your purchase good until 9/30/16 

XOXO

-Kierston

Selling on Etsy: 5 Things I Did Wrong When I Started My Shop

I started using Etsy a few years ago to buy unique and super-cute handmade stuff. I love finding OOAK earrings and quirky vintage clothing. Etsy is the go-to place for that and much more. Last year, I decided that I wanted to sell some artwork online and so I opened my shop. I put up listings of original illustrations and crossed my fingers. I was sure they would sell because they were so cool. Nothing. My views were drier than an Arizona rattlesnake’s belly. I had a small following on Facebook & Instagram, but still, no shop action. But I really didn’t put any work into transferring my brand into the look & feel of my shop. Sure I had my logo and banner, which is unified across my social media platforms, but there was a lot that I had overlooked.

I didn’t realize until I bought this book, Etsy Empire, earlier this year just how wrong I had gotten the Etsy selling experience.

https://www.amazon.com/Etsy-Empire-Updated-March-2016-ebook/dp/B00KOF9PCU#nav-subnav

Boxes and label stickers for my earring shipments.  

Here are 5 Things I Did Wrong When I Started My Shop:

Not treating my shop like a boutique.

Etsy isn’t just a site to post ‘decent’ images in hopes of a huge payday. So you’re an artist, jewelry maker, crochet-er, or doll maker? Guess what? There are THOUSANDS of shops with thousands of similar products on Etsy. Pretty easy to get lost in the mix. In order to stand out, you need to think critically about every part of the buying experience, so that potential buyers will have a little bit of a push to buy from your shop instead of any of the other makers like you. That means, going a little bit further to please your customers. I sell my handmade earrings and paper dolls primarily on Etsy and with every purchase, I give the customer either a handmade paper pin or a small original illustration. Have you ever purchased something online and were surprised by a little something extra, doesn’t that feel so awesome? It’s part of what I love about shopping on Etsy because I can’t get an experience like that everywhere.

I add extra stickers, and handwritten notes to each package I send as well. I add pretty washi tape and stickers to the outer packaging too! I want my customers to remember their experience and LOVE it enough to come back!

Customer who loves her free gift included with her purchase.  

Customer photo with a free mini watercolor painting gift that I included in her package.  

 Not staging photos.

The first time I added listings on Etsy last year, I only added one photo of each of my illustrations. It was just a close up of the illustration, just how it appeared on Instagram or on Facebook. Blah. Now, when I take photos of my earrings, I try to add some trinkets as props, and I take advantage of the option for 5 images per listing, I have photos on white, clean backgrounds, also on pretty paper. I also have photos of how the earrings look posed in the Kraft boxes. Buyers like to see the product “in action” if you are selling prints of your artwork, frame it and pose it on a nice table or on the wall. If you are selling clothing, get a friend to model, go outside and have some fun! Natural light is best, and you don’t need a fancy camera. I use my iPhone and Adobe Photoshop to get my pics as nice as I can.

Here’s a link to an easy DIY light box, this will help you take nice photos when going outside isn’t an option:

 http://www.flaxandtwine.com/2013/02/diy-photo-light-box-a-finish-fifty-project/

 https://www.etsy.com/seller-handbook/category/photography

Little pins on prop paper with trinket props.  

Ice cream pin, with my jacket as a prop.  

Example of packaging photo.  

Vague or too-short descriptions. 

Photos tell only part of the story, but descriptions, really spell it out for your customers, (ha! see what it did there)?  Take time to think about everything you need to inform your customer about regarding your product. Color, available variations, size, care instructions to name a few. Tell a story! Make it funny, but be clear. Don’t mislead your customers. if you’re selling vintage items make sure you disclose any imperfections. Let them know the colors may vary because of screen resolution, things like that. A strong description with keywords will also help with SEO, allowing your shop and listings to show up in more searches and build relevancy.

 https://www.etsy.com/seller-handbook/article/20-questions-your-buyers-are-asking-and/22795143310

Excerpt of my listing for these taco Tuesday earrings: 

"Illustrate your ears!

These shrink plastic button stud earrings make a unique gift for your sister, best friend, niece, mother, yourself, etc.!

Taco Tuesday!!

Everyone’s favorite day of the week! celebrate it in style, while you chomp on tacos & sip margaritas!

Each design is hand drawn on shrink plastic, sealed with a clear coating and affixed to nickel-free earring posts"

 Blank Policies/profile. 

Would you feel comfortable buying something from a shop with no policies listed plainly? You never know, unforeseen circumstances may arise and there may be an issue with a purchase. You may need to return or exchange an item, only to find out after your purchase that’s not allowed. Knowing that information beforehand may be the deciding factor on whether or not you’d want to shop there, right?  Many custom and made to order items on Etsy are not refundable, and understandably so. But what happens if an item arrives damaged? Or your customer ordered a non-custom item that they aren’t happy with? How would you handle that? Make sure your policies are clear on what you can and cannot do in these situations. Even if you never experience an unhappy customer, its best to be prepared. How you handle these not so perfect situations will say a lot about your shop’s professionalism and help to hopefully build its reputation.

 https://www.etsy.com/seller-handbook/article/add-clear-policies-to-your-shop-in-just/39972427549

 Optimizing tagging and titles for search. 

No one can buy your items if they can’t FIND them! When I first started my shop, I gave my listings titles like “Girl dreams about life”, “handsome man and his thoughts”, “elegance”, “joy”.  No one is searching for that! As artists, we love to give our work titles that are more about how the work makes us feel. Titles and tags for searching on Etsy should be more specific, but still short, 2-3 word phrases work best. Make sure your tags match the phrases in your titles!

 https://www.etsy.com/seller-handbook/category/getting-found

I hope these tips are helpful! These are things I learned that changed my shop in a huge way! Success isn’t overnight. I’m still tweaking my listings, photos and descriptions constantly as I continue to learn new tips and tricks. Find a team on Etsy or a group on Facebook with other shop owners willing to share what they’ve learned and how it’s helped them!

Checkout the funky earrings and paper dolls in my shop here:

 https://www.etsy.com/shop/KeghazIllus?ref=hdr_shop_menu

Use coupon code: KEGBLOG15 for 15% off of your purchase good until 9/30/16

Sign up now for my newsletter, Curls & Markers! Coming in August. Be the first to receive news, discounts, and sneak peaks at work in progress!

 http://keghaznavi.us13.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=c6a11c2bf4b803ed2144e3d1b&id=9b8b3d466f

XOXO

-Kierston