Featured Artist: ookysNcutes

Amy has gone through something very few of us have. Her story is amazing if you take the time to read it. She has felt the pains of life and made it through some rough times. Some of us would have just given up, but she pushed her way through and made some magic out of that. Here's to Amy's trials and tribulations! Amy you are a wonder, and I hope you succeed! Your drawings are beautiful!

What you like to go by: Amy Brenna
When did you start your shop? Sept. 30, 2011

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Is this your only job? No, I work full-time as a Patient Care technician at a hospital.

When did you realize you had this talent? I had studied art in college (who didn't?), but hadn't really created anything I felt as proud of as my "ookys" until December 1997, when I was stranded at a relative's home in Iowa during a snowstorm.
There was paper, markers, and a radio. And nothing else.

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Where do you find your inspiration? The boyfriend I had at the time was a big inspiration, although not in the traditional way: I was in Iowa dropping him off at his father's house because he had developed paranoid schizophrenia and needed professional care. During his illness, he became preoccupied with eyes, and as you can see (pun!), that is a consistent theme in my artwork---which, despite having rather dark roots, rather tend to come across as cheerful creatures. I'm naturally upbeat, and I believe that comes through in my work.
Who has been the most supportive of your work? Over the years, my friends have shown the most support in being very vocal in their praise.

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What is one thing you would like to accomplish that you haven't yet? Being able to create full-time.

What are your words to live by or favorite quote?
"I insist to be happy, mad, sad, stupid, brilliant, genius, imbecile, horrible, mean, happy. ... I make an effort not to forget all these different colours," bjork

No More Trips to the Post Office!

Are you tired of going to the post office? Tired of waiting in the long holiday lines? Or are you just to damn busy to get there? This easy start guide will help you send your sold items out to your customers with out ever leaving the comfort of your own home!

Stop Paying for Boxes
The first thing you thinking about when you make your first sale is how you are going to actually get your items to their new owners. Shipping supplies can become incredibly expensive, but luckily our wonderful United States Post Office offers free boxes. This can be very helpful when you are starting your own business and are already spread thin with listing prices and supplies for your products.  It feels like the Post Office has read your mind, just as long as you use their priority mail option which is usually the cheapest option for shipping anyway. The boxes are available in different sizes to meet your shop's needs. They  come flat but are easy to assemble and are self adhesive, but I still like to use a little extra packaging tape just to be safe. If you sell online like I do you will want to keep a small stock of boxes at home, that way when you get that thrilling sale you'll have everything you need ready to go. Positive feedback means fast shipping! If you really hate the post office or just are too busy to get there you can actually have the boxes you need delivered to your home. Make sure you order the boxes about a week in advance because that is how long they take to be delivered. So you've made your sale and you've packaged your item. Now let's talk about shipping.

Print Shipping Labels from Home
Let's face the facts, going to the post office was fun when you were a kid but it is not anymore! The long holiday lines, the dreadful weather, the PO'd clerks that just want to go home and spend time with their families around the holidays. Well if you have a printer at home then you really don't need to make the trip anymore! Printing shipping labels from home is easy! When you arrive at USPS.com you'll see this exact picture in the lower left hand corner of their site. Just click on the Get Started button! You may need a USPS account to get started. This process is fast and easy. Just fill out the fields it requires in the step by step process and make sure you select the correct Priority Mail box that you are using.

Free Pick Up
At this point you should have your items packaged and sealed  and your label printed. Take some of that clear packaging tape to adhere your label to the box and you are ready for USPS's free pick up. Just follow the directions to set up your free pick up and a mail man will come to your home to pick up the package and send it out for shipping. Personally I use the smallest priority shipping boxes and have a really nice mail man, so I just put my boxes in the mail box with the flag up! Viola! You're items are out for shipping and you should be receiving feedback on how quickly the shipping was in 3-5 days!