Easily Created Designs

One of the easiest ways that I have found is to regress to my childhood and play with a

Spirograph.

For those of you who have never heard of the Spirograph. It is a toy from the 1960's which is a system of cogs and wheels which allows you to draw complex patterns easily.

A basic Spirograph design

 The design to the left took moments to create and is probably the simplest form of design. You can continue spirals on and on until you create more complex patterns whic can look like flowers or complex patterns.

After creating a design on paper it is simple to scan your creation into your computer using a flatbed scanner or even a 3 in 1 printer.

You can add extra color by using a painting program such as paint or just upload the design to Zazzle and begin placing it on the products that you feel will work with your design.






For instance I used this design on a tie.

Atom Tie by Bretsuki
Check out more Atom Ties at Zazzle

A variety of  Spirograph Sets are available from Amazon.com.

"You Can't Fix Stupid" T-Shirts

This months best seller has  been the "You Can't Fix Stupid" T-Shirt.

This idea came to me in one of those moments when you just think you are watching TV but suddenly  you have an idea in your head which is complete and ready to go.

I hope you like it.

"You Can't Fix Stupid" T-Shirt.

"You Can't Fix Stupid" Shirt by Bretsuki
Get the best custom t shirts online at Zazzle

Use the Featured Products Tag to Maximize Your Visibility

One of the most overlooked features with the Zazzle platform is the Featured Products Tab.

When you create a new product or you even decide to maximize an older designs visibility "Featured Products" can help you.

How It Works

The featured Products Tab allows you to select as many items ffrom your store as you wish to push them onto  widets such as the Blog Panel which you may have on your blog.

This means you have some great control over what your customer can see.

If  the items you choose catch the attention of customers, they still come to your store, to the very page of the item in fact a great way to drive a hot traffic source to your products.

What to do

Go to the Product Page.

Find the item you want to feature and click on the small tick box to the lower left below the  items image.

To the lower right of the image is a drop down menu. Click on this.

Select the "Add to  Featured  Product" item from the menu.

If you have a Blog Panel active the item will appear in some of the panel showings.

To create a Blog Panel, go to the Associates page and click on the store that you wish to create a blog panel for. Copy the HTML code the website creates for you and paste this into your blog in the desired place.

 

"Have a Curry" Kitchen Dish Towel

You may have noticed a recent trend for the fun parodying of the World War Two British "Keep Calm and ..." poster.

The originals were striking with white lettering on a deep red background. Printed in the dismal days of 1940 they stood out from walls blackened with black out paint and other notices and posters made grey by the lack of color pigment.

Here is my own take on the "Keep Calm" poster, which will brighten up any kitchen.

"Keep Calm and Have a Curry" Dish Towel by Bretsuki
More Curry Kitchen Towels

Or for the Bravest Only:

 

"Keep Calm and Have a Vindaloo" Kitchen Towel by Bretsuki
Check out Curry Kitchen Towels online at zazzle

And for the Tea Drinker:  

 

 

 

Keep Calm and Have a Cup of Tea Mugs by Bretsuki
Design mugs online at Zazzle

Teacher Essentials

I am married to a teacher. Many people are married to teachers.

One thing that always makes me quake in my boots is the sound of the "Teacher Voice."

It actually became a joke between us when we first married. "Oh no. Not the Teacher Voice, Please"

So these items struck a chord in my memory.

Here's to the "Teacher Voice"

Don't Make Me Use My Teacher Voice T-shirt by sonyadanielle
Create your own t-shirt at zazzle.com

Don't Make Me Use My Teacher Voice Mug by Stark_Raving_Realist
Design a mug online at Zazzle.

Don't Make Me Use My Teacher Voice Black T Shirt by Sweetbriar_Drive
Browse other Teacher T-Shirts

Halloween Party Invitations

The Fall Party season is on it's way. I don't know about you but for me this year has flown by and my diary is already  filling up for next year.

So here for you people who like to plan early for their parties, are a selection of invitations for Halloween Parties.

Halloween Party Invitations:

 

Halloween Party Invitation Greeting Cards by Bretsuki
Make a card online at zazzle

Halloween Costume Party Invitation by wrkdesigns
Browse other invite designs from zazzle

Pumpkin Carving Halloween Party Invitation by pixibition
Look at more Pumpkin carving party Invitations at zazzle

Spooky Chic Witch Party Halloween Invitation by kat_parrella
Browse Witch Invitations

Spooky Mummy Cat Halloween Party Invitations by LisaMarieDesign
Browse other Halloween Invitations

Eagle and Flags American Apparel

It is hard to think of it at the moment but Summer will soon be on the wane and Fall will be here with a chill in the air that makes you buzz, and surrender the T-shirt for longer sleeves.

I have been playing around all summer with a new iPad and using some of its features in my recent designs.

The "Eagle iand Flags" design was inspired on a trip to a local museum, there I saw a flag folded neatly into a display box. Reflected in the glass of the display box was a painting of a Bald Eagle.

This cozy long sleeve shirt, available in a wide range of colors is the result.

Eagle and Flags by Bretsuki
Check out other American T-Shirts at zazzle.com

Golden Gate Bridge Picture

Stineshop have some great postcards of various places around the world.

My eye was caught by this unusual view of the Golden Gate Bridge near San Francisco.

Arch of Golden Gate Bridge Postcards by stineshop
Try post card printing using zazzle

To see other great items follow the link to  Stine1's Shop - Find awesome travel souvenir deals

Hat for Dad

With Father's Day in a few days. here is an idea for that last minute gift for Dad.

A nice mesh hat, also called a Trucker Hat on zazzle.com.

These hats allow the head to stay cool on hot summer days as the back of the hat is made of a strong mesh material. The hat is easy to adapt to any head size and comes in a variety of colors, so you can customize the hat to match your Dad's favorite color or team colors.

I personally wear one of these hats because it is comfortable and light.

Me  wearing a Mesh hat of similar construction to the one on this page.

"I'm your DAD that's why!" Hat by Bretsuki
Make your own custom printed hats no minimum online at zazzle.com

American Liberty Hat by Bretsuki
Make trucker hat on zazzle.

Then there is the Guide Dog Team hat as shown in the photograph.

Guide Dog Team Hat by Bretsuki
Look at Guide dog Hats online at Zazzle.com

Ghost of Gettysburg Battlefield

Back in October 2002 I was travelling around the United  States.

Being interested in history, especially the Civil War I could not miss a trip to the Gettysburg battlefield. So I took three days over the Columbus Day Holiday to visit the small Pennsyylvania town and walk over the battlefield.

Close to the Virginia Monument, a large equestrian statue of Gen. Robert E. Lee on traveller (his horse). I took this photograph:

Gettysburg Ghost Photograph

Photograph of the Gettysburg Battlefield.

What the grey cloud is in the center of the photograph , is? I cannot definitely say. The ground beneath my feet was a burial pit for dozens if not hundreds of men who marched out of these trees on July 3rd, 1863 in a massive attack on the Union lines, the attack was later known as "Pickett's Charge" and A the high watermark of the Confederate bid for secession.

Ghost hunters search for such proof of ghosts,  search as they might in dark places, and as the clock strikes midnight. This ghost was walking the battlefield on a sunny fall afternoon.

I have made this photograph into several items on zazzle.

Gettysburg Ghost on

A variety of Mugs

Haunted Gettysburg PA Coffee Mug by billscup
Design a unique photo mug.

T-Shirts for all ages groups and sizes.

Haunted Gettysburg PA Shirt by Bretsuki
Get the best in custom t-shirt printing at zazzle.com.

Postcards

Gettysburg PA Battlefield "Ghost" Postcard by Bretsuki
Browse more Gettysburg Postcards at Zazzle

Posters

 

Gettysburg PA "Ghost" Poster by Bretsuki
Look at another framed print on zazzle

 I have also written a hub about the taking of this photograph. You can read the Hub :Gettysburg Ghost? Here.

Our April Best Sellers

April was a very good month, one of our best since our store opened.  To show the varriety of purchases made by our customers here are our best selling items

1.  Liberty New American Citizen Card.

Liberty New American Citizen Card by Bretsuki
View more Citizen Cards

2.   Black Lab Luggage Tag.

Black Lab Luggage Tag by Bretsuki
View other Lab Luggage Tags

 3. Don't Poke the Bear Mug

 

Don't Poke the Bear Mug by Bretsuki
Find other Bear Mugs at zazzle.com

  4. "Uncle Sam" Table Place Card

Uncle Sam Table Place Card Table Card by Bretsuki
Find additional table cards at Zazzle

5. "A true Soldier" Card

"A true soldier" card by Bretsuki
See other greeting card templates on zazzle.com

6. "Uncle Sam" Welcomes You Card. Congratulations on your American Citizenship.

Uncle Sam Welcomes You card by Bretsuki
View more Uncle sam Cards

As you can see there is quite a variety in purchases for this month.  We hope that you might check out our other products too by visiting our store: Bretsuki's

It's the World Cup!

Summer 2014 sees the long awaited arrival of the World Cup bandwagon in Latin America for the first time this century.

Soccer will be everywhere this summer and your kids will love this new shirt from Bretsuki's.

Comfortable to wear this shirt is made for activity. Playing in the park or running an errand your child will be happy to wear this cool shirt for the summer.

The colors are customizable and you can add a graphic to the back, a favorite players name or team number perhaps?  It's all up to you.

Take a look today.

Soccer Shirt by Bretsuki
Make tshirt online at zazzle.com

"I'm Only here ..." Shirt

What is Summer for?

It is hot, humid, there is no football, except the version with the round ball called soccer.

Then it is just too hot for the cook in the kitchen.

Say folks why don't we exit to the yard and light up the  barbecue?

Great steak, peppers, chicken, and burgers and hot dogs.

The aroma of grilling fills the air, and whoops of laughter and happy memories in the making. Memorial Day  fades to July 4th, that in turn becomes Labor Day.

Here is the perfect summer shirt for the BBQ goer:

I'm only here for ... Shirt by Bretsuki
Put photos on t-shirts at zazzle.com.

Father's Day

With Father's Day coming  fast down the line it is time to be posting ideas for gifts for Dad.

This year I have gone back to traditional gifts in the form of ties.

For a Dad who hails from the state of California, how about this as a gift?

California Tie by Bretsuki
Browse California Ties online at Zazzle.com

 Is Dad a bibliophile and loves to spend his time in bookstores. Here is the perfect tie"

 

Book Tie by Bretsuki
Create your own neck ties with zazzle.com

Does your Dad love history? Maybe a Roman Legion tie would be his style?

Legion Tie by Bretsuki
Customise tie designs at Zazzle.

Or maybe he loves Physics and science. This Einstein's Formula Tie may be a relative talking point.

Physics Tie by Bretsuki
Create your own neck ties with zazzle.com

There are millions of possible gifts on zazzle.com. You can even create your own gift online and it will be delivered to your or Dad's door in time for Father's Day.

A Bumper Sticker or Two

I love old jokes.

You know the ones that make you groan and roll your eyes, because you remember the same joke doing the rounds when you were in school, probably when your grand-parents were in school too.


Well here is a golden oldie of a joke. As old as the hills, and lots of donkey's ears too.

Show me the way to go ... Bumper Sticker by Bretsuki
View other Gnome Bumper Stickers at Zazzle.com

 Then if you want to shaow your patriotic side there is this:

 

"I swear allegiance ..." Bumper Sticker by Bretsuki
Make your own personalised bumper sticker on zazzle.

 I have to give credit to my Brother-in-Law for this one:

Save Gas! Bumper Sticker by Bretsuki
Look for more stickers for cars at zazzle.com

So here are just three of our popular Bumper Stickers. Take a look at our store Bretsuki's  for Bumper sticker and dozens of other products.

Travelling Gnome

One of the great things about zazzle is that you can create stories and characters.

My latest character is GnomeHe is a neighbor and friend and he loves to share "mug shots"

Wish you were here Mug by Bretsuki
 Browse more Gnome Mugs

Characters like Gnome can populate old holiday photographs, such as the one above or you can creat simple , "Naive" graphics if your drawing skill allows. This little house has appeared on several of my products but now has a second lease of life as Gnome's home.

 

Gnome at Home Mug Extra Large Mug by Bretsuki
See other Gnome Mugs at zazzle

 Also included in a list of revitalized characters is Sunflower. Sunflower of course is a resident of Gnomes garden and a dear friend for the summer.

Here they share a photograph, of course added to a mug for their friends.

 

Gnome and Sunflower Mug by Bretsuki
Check out Gnome Mugs online at zazzle

  See it is easy to build ideas from available material. You can use new material or re-use  old designs in a new story.

You are only bounded by your imagination for the stories that you can tell.  O Of course this series of pictures shows only one product type. You can make  make your story fit as many product types as you want.

Have a try. You may be on to something great.

See How Simple Graphics Can Work

This Star Travel Bag was created very simply using freely available tools on your computer and on zazzle.com itself.

See if you can see the steps I took from the item itself.

Star Travel Bag Travel Accessory Bags by Bretsuki
Browse Star Bagettes Bags online at Zazzle.com

The first step was to open paint and go to the Home Tab and choose a design shape, Ovals, rectangles, stars in many forms are all there.

I shrank the design page to minimum and drew the five pointed star.

Then maximized the pattern remember just one star outline on the page. 

Saved the item.

Uploaded the saved outline to zazzle.com.

Chose the item to have the design added. In this case a make-up bag.

Added just one star to the bag and then selected Tile pattern (the cog icon next to the position tool on the design page)

Moved the design around a little to get better design then chose a background color from the design tool.

From there I simply posted for sale and chose my percentage mark up and items I wanted the design to appear on.

See how simple it is to create effective designs for yourself.

 

Mother's Day Gifts

Zazzle has some great gift ideas for Mother's Day.

While browsing I came across this shirt which turned Mom into an acronym. Masters of Multi-tasking.

Great!

Mom. Master of Multi-Tasking Tshirts by hipfamily
Custom design t-shirts at Zazzle.

Follow Us on Facebook

If you would like to see more updates for our products and also receive links to zazzle coupons for money off deals look for us on Facebook, our page is Bretsuki'si's.

If you Like our page you can share it with friends.

Simple Graphics

You don't need to have great artistic skills to create a colorful design.

Take this  compact for instance :

Pentagon-Lightening Compact Travel Mirror by Bretsuki
 Check out other Communications Compact Mirror at zazzle.com

To create this design I opened Microsoft Paint and on the Home page used a Pentagon tool to create that shape.

Then added the Lightening flash, again another preset shape.

Then used the fill tool to color the background and the shapes as required.

Simple and effective.

Create Clip-Art for Your Own Zazzle Designs

If you want to create your own clip-art for a design on Zazzle, one easy and low cost program available to you may be MS Word.

This great little video shows you the steps to creating your own designs, which you can save and post to zazzle to add to mugs, t-shirts or thousands of other objects.

Let the Games Begin

On a day when we are volunteering to support staff at our local library with a game day, we are reminded of those video games of the past.

Do you remember "Pong", well it had to be called Video Tennis" in Britain because there  "Pong" means a bad smell. as in a real stink.

"Pong" was my first video game, in thos days, no cartridges to change games, the whole console was just one game with several variations. Ah! the fun, having to plug in a new console  from the television each time you wanted to play something else, or heaven forbid watch the TV.

Anyway this is the perfect shirt for the retro gamer or the really cool new gamer wanting to create a flashback.

Pong Game On Dark T-Shirt by egeardesigns
Create a unique photo tshirt.

Happy Accident: A train becomes a Tie

A few days ago I was working on a design for a tie.

I had an idea in mind, a tie for the train spotter, to go with my train spotting T-Shirts.

Well no matter what I did I couldn't seem to get  the tie to look right.

Accidently I toggled a special key to TILE the image and wham! this tie pattern appeared.

I was very happy, hours of work had failed and in an instant it all came right together.

What do you think?

Share or like to Facebook if you like this tie too.

Amtrak Train Tie by Bretsuki
Check out more ties on zazzle.