What do you do when an item won't sell?: The Woeful Tale of Snargle the Nightmare Snatcher Journal

        No matter what a mother tells you about loving all of her children equally and without reserve, you know she has a favorite, right? You probably also think you're that favorite, but only your mother really knows for sure (pssst... it's probably your younger sister). Well, I'm going to put it right out there, Snargle has always been my favorite. He was in the very first round of Nightmare Snatcher journals I ever designed and I liked the little monster so much that I put him aside before the RISD alumni sale (my first craft show), lest someone feel the same and buy him out form under me.

Snargle in his first incarnation and then his second incarnation with a fluffier fur.

        Of course at that time I did not realize I would be making monster books for a decade thereafter and maybe had I known that, I would have taken the chance at the money instead... but I digress. Though Snargle has always been my favorite, the poor little blighter has not always been the favorite of my buyers, which any mother knows can be quite upsetting. How can my little sweetie not be as universally loved as he should be? Was it the white fur? Perhaps it was because of the difficulty I was having photographing  a white furry book on a white background? Looking back, my photoshopping was appalling. (geez, look at the photo below! Did I have a Wacom tablet then?) I should be ashamed... Was it the five eyes? Such a peculiar amount for a creature makes Snargle more special, doesn't it? Or maybe it was simply that with such an adorable little face, Snargle was just too sweet to be a monster.

I'm sorry Snargle! I don't know what happened!

        I never quite understood why other people didn't love Snargle as well as I did, but the reason for my own favoritism is hard to pinpoint itself. I think in essence, Snargle looks innocent to me. Those 5 shiny little eyes seem to look up to me for approval. When other Nightmare Snatcher journals were flying off the shelves, I felt as though Snargle would look at me for a sign that it would soon be his turn to find a home, and it broke my heart to have to put him away in a cupboard for he would not be sold today or most days. I began to also have trouble finding sources for good white fur. As you can see from the pictures there were 3 different white furs and the last one, pictured just above, I was really not a fan of. For all these reasons despite my personal feelings, I decided to stop producing Snargle and have not made a Snargle in a very long time.

        I know that my Nightmare Snatcher journals are objects, books made from various supplies and put together according to a pattern. I know this because I designed the patterns and I put each piece of them together myself. However, when something has a face it just becomes alive to me, even when I'm the one who made it. It has a personality and maybe even a soul, to me at least. And that's why, despite his history of heartache I have brought Snargle back, with a fresh new look of course! I don't care if he isn't the most popular monster on the block, he's my favorite and I want the world to see him. I want him to have a place to shine! Cue the theme song from 'Babe' please, this one's for you Snargle:

♪ ♫ If I had words to make a day for you, I'd sing a morning golden & true... ♪ ♫

        And in case you were wondering, my very first *NEW* Snargle has already found a loving home less than 2 weeks after listing him! As with all the new Nightmare Snatchers he is sporting many new features and is available in my Etsy shop that you can see in the pictures below.

Night night Etsy....

It's a quarter to three,
and I think you'll agree,
that I must go to bed... it's quite clear.
but the problem you see
is this wicked etsy
just won't let me sleep I fear.

Will I not get a heart,
or the forums fall apart,
if I give into the slumber that's calling?
will you empty your cart
of my humbly made art
if to my chambers I find myself crawling?

Still I find I must go,
  for the candle's burnt low
and I find my lids heavy as lead.
but it'd lessen the blow
if my sale sum did grow
While I lay dreaming upon my bed!

New mystery product coming soon...

New products, new products, new products. That's the key to keeping a business fresh they say and my Spiderbite Boutique shop on Etsy is in need of some new products, methinks. I'm not going to tell you what they are, but here's a sneak peek at the prototype sketch:

 

It seems I just can't resist the faux-fur, but who can? It's so colorful and fluffy. These fuzzy fellows should be coming out shortly. Keep an or eye out in my shop or better yet, join my mailing list to find out when they arrive!

Just got back, and I'm already asking a favor.

Please do me the favor of voting for my Worry-Woolie notebook on the Etsy Storque back to school voter! It's the green fuzzy guy pictured above.

Vote here:
http://www.etsy.com/voter_list.php?ref=voter&room_id=61

The one with the most votes will be featured in the Members' Choice Gift Guide and on the Etsy blog.

Thanks, you're a peach! :D

Another Special Edition Worry-Woolie notebook

I have a Brand new striped Special Edition Worry-Woolie notebook with lovely soft black and white striped fur, available now in my etsy store. Small enough to accompany you anywhere, this miniature monster will do your worrying for you. Just log your frets and cares on his understanding pages, and he will grant you comfort and peace of mind as you wander through the world.

Sign up for my mailing list to keep up to date on other new products coming out soon!

WINNER of the Nightmare Snatcher naming contest!

The yellow Nightmare Snatcher's® name is TROGNUF!

It was a hard decision as there were so many great submissions. Thanks and the grand prize go to Jen (littlebiskit on Craftster) and her daughter for this winning submission. I think the name fits in great with my other Snatchers and the story behind the name was too adorable to ignore:

Trognuf is what it sounds like when my daughter (almost 2 years old) says "Strong Enough," which I would think that the snatchers need to be. But your yellow guy (girl?) looks pretty laid back, so I think a lazier pronounciation (such as my daughter uses) would be fitting.

But wait! As I said, it was a difficult decision as there were so many great submissions, so I decided to give everyone a prize and to award 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place prizes as well.

2nd place: Charmquirk for submitting: Mandiprog
3rd place: Kyoko for submitting: Giloli
4th place: LadyGreywings for submitting: Skirr

For 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place I will be giving out $10 gift certificates to be used on a Nightmare Snatcher® in my shop! And for everyone else who submitted a name I will be giving out $5 gift certificates for use towards a Nightmare Snatcher® journal in my shop. Prize gift certificates cannot be used on Sales section items or Worry-Woolie notebooks.

I will message all participants with your unique gift certificate codes tonight! If you do not receive one, and you entered the contest, feel free to let me know at: sarah@nightmaresnatchers.com

Thanks so much for participating!

Sketch Tuesday 5-5-09

Kinda a octopus/jelly fish thing. Don't ask me, I just drew it.

I've been bad these few weeks and keep uploading Sketch Tuesday on Wednesday. :\

Join Sketch Tuesday! Upload your sketches to your blog, Flickr, or wherever you post your work online. If you use Flickr, be sure to join the Sketch Tuesday Flickr Pool and submit your sketch. Any Etsy illustrators who use Flickr I would encourage to tag & add their sketches to the Etsy Illustration Flickr pool!

*CONTEST*: Win a FREE Nightmare Snatcher journal!

THE CONTEST HAS ENDED!

Thank you for all the submissions. The winner will be announced tomorrow!

****************************************************************


I have a brand new yellow Nightmare Snatcher journal available in my shop that needs a name. Name my yellow friend and you get to take him home for your very own! Now, only one name and winner will be picked, but you can submit as many names as you want.

Note that I enjoy names that have a reason or a reference behind the name. For example my Lumpkin journal is named for 'Fatty Lumpkin' the pony in the Lord of the Rings and Fribbler comes from the word 'fribble' which means to waste or fritter something away. So if you have a reason for your choice be sure to communicate that to me as well.

You have a week, from 5-5-09 to 5-13-09 at midnight, to submit as many names as you want. So let the naming begin! Winner will be announced here after the contest ends!

HOW TO ENTER THE CONTEST:

•Submit your name/names here in the blog along with your e-mail address/some way to contact you OR e-mail your entry to: sarah@nightmaresnatchers.com
•Please note that if you submit your e-mail here on the blog, it will be visible to the public! If you e-mail me instead, your e-mail will be kept private.
•If you have a reason for the name, submit that too! I'd like to hear your thought process.
•Contest ends Wednesday, May 13th 2009 at midnight EST.
•Submit as many times as you want up to the deadline! There is no limit on entries.
•Winner will be announced on Friday, May 15th, 2009.
•PRIZE: 1 Yellow Nightmare Snatcher, as of yet unnamed.

*NEW* Worry-Woolie Notebook added to the Spiderbite Boutique!

I have a Brand new Worry-Woolie™ notebook with lovely soft yellow fur, available now in my etsy store. Small enough to accompany you anywhere, this miniature monster will do your worrying for you. Just log your frets and cares on his understanding pages, and he will grant you comfort and peace of mind as you wander through the world.

Click the image to find more info on this little guy and/or purchase!

"The Rime of the Worry-Woolie"

I'm a Worry-Woolie
Friendly, furry, and alive;
Lend me your worries, frets, and cares
I need them to survive.

If you have doubts you need to share
I'm perfect, can't you see?
What you have is what I need,
We're complimentary.

Let me share your worries
Let our friendship be unfurled
And I'll be your companion
As you wander through the world.

Sign up for my mailing list to keep up to date on other new products coming out soon as well as special deals!

Sketch Tuesday-ish: 4-21-09

This is week number 9 in the New Sketch Tuesday project. And I'm a bit late considering it's now Wednesday morning. Better late than never though, right? This sketch is... well I don't know. Just an image that popped into my head.

Upload your sketches to your blog, Flickr, or wherever you post your work online. Any Etsy illustrators who use Flickr I would encourage to tag & add their sketches to the Etsy Illustration Flickr pool!

If you're on Etsy, check out the New Sketch Tuesday thread for today and add a link to your sketch.

Angell Street: Sketch Tuesday 3-24-09

A sketch from real life, a spot on Angell Street here in Providence. And yes, Angell Street is spelled correctly. This is as far as I got before I decided it was too cold to sketch outside. Not too exciting, but I think it's good practice all the same. Angell St., like much of Providence is on a hill. Hence the angling.

This is week number 5 in the New Sketch Tuesday project. Upload your sketches to your blog, Flickr, or wherever you post your work online. Any Etsy illustrators who use Flickr I would encourage to tag & add their sketches to the Etsy Illustration Flickr pool!

If you're on Etsy, check out the New Sketch Tuesday thread for today and add a link to your sketch.

UPDATE: Sad Songs and Sweet Dreams

Here's the full image of the illustration I'm working on, with nonsense text to be filled in later with the real poem. Still some things to work out, need to make the grass cross over her legs, the underside of her dress show a bit, work on the folds of her dress, etc. Made with pen & ink on scratchboard. See a detail image in my previous post.

It's for a zine my father and I are putting together of his poetry with illustrations by me of course. If you're interested in knowing when it's coming out, join my Mailing List!

Big *SALE* at the Etsy shop!

A special sale is going on at the Spiderbite Boutique etsy shop for the New Year! I'm selling a bulk of my Nightmare Snatcher® inventory at a discount in the SALE ITEMS section of my shop.

The sale only lasts as long as the inventory, and once they're gone they're gone. So be sure to get the ones you want ASAP before someone else snatches them up! The offer is only valid in the Spiderbite Boutique etsy shop. Don't have an etsy account? Worry not! It's free to sign up. All you need is a valid e-mail address, you pay through paypal, and etsy doesn't send e-mails to it's customers unless requested.

If you are interested in purchasing multiples of the same style/color just ask and I'll be happy to let you know what's available!

Special Edition Worry-Woolie notebook

I have a Brand new Special Edition Worry-Woolie notebook with lovely soft 3-toned fur, available now in my etsy store. Small enough to accompany you anywhere, this miniature monster will do your worrying for you. Just log your frets and cares on his understanding pages, and he will grant you comfort and peace of mind as you wander through the world.

Sign up for my mailing list to keep up to date on other new products coming out soon!

Can you feel the love?

I was very tempted to make this into one of those Lolcats/'I can has cheezburger' images, but for your sake and for my soul I decided to restrain myself. From Amy, and her Worry Woolie lovin' kitty:

Pssst... You can obtain your own Worry-Woolie notebook hug-buddy here: The Spiderbite Boutique

By the pricking of my thumbs, something Wooly this way comes...

Allow me to introduce the Worry-Woolies™, new furry friends now found at Spiderbite Boutique. These cuddly pocket-sized protectors are the perfect companions to share your daily worry and woes.
Small enough to accompany you anywhere, these miniature monster notebooks will do your worrying for you. Just log your frets and cares on their understanding pages, and they will grant you comfort and peace of mind as you wander through the world.
Each Worry-Woolie™ is lovingly handcrafted and designed by me, Sarah Jane Evans. They are now available for purchase in a variety of colors at Spiderbite Boutique's etsy shop!