My first published book illustration project

October 22, 2011August 16, 2011 by Jen Goode

There’s a fabulous new cook book available for purchase and I created the cover. This is my first published book project and I’m so excited – It was a super fun project! It’s All About the Cookies, and pies and cakes… is full of recipes and words of wisdom contributed by people from all over the Affiliate Marketing industry. Most of the tid bits of advice apply to not just affiliate marketing, but life itself.

Missy Ward is the brains behind the project idea and Mary Polly is the editor. This book is available for purchase through Amazon. For more information about this book, the charity it supports and to purchase the ebook version, visit AllAbouttheCookies.com

Learn how to earn with your art

July 5, 2011 by Jen Goode

Multiple streams of income online course by Laura Bray

If you are a creative person, often times the marketing and selling of your art can be overwhelming even intimidating. It’s one thing to create art that you love, but it’s an entirely different skill to be able to promote your art and sell it. You can’t make a living as an artist if buyers don’t know where to find your work or you aren’t sure how to sell it.

Laura Bray is offering a fantastic ecourse this month to help teach you how to get going selling your art. Multiple Streams of Income for Artists and Designers is a 10 day online interactive course hosted by Laura Bray. She has lined up a series of guests, me included, to discuss various ways to promote your art for maximum income potential.

Are you struggling to make a living doing what you love?
Do you feel like you are working all the time and getting nowhere?
Do you feel overwhelmed and confused about all the ways artists and crafters can make money?
Are you always jumping from one idea to the next without following through on anything?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you need to check out this program. It’s a small investment toward your successful future as an Unstarving Artist. I’m telling you right now, it’s worth your time and I’ll be there too to answer questions in areas I’ve been working.

Laura Bray, an artist with an M.B.A., will teach you how to create income by doing what you love. She has an amazing talent for teaching in a way that is clear and understandable for those of us with the creative brain that just doesn’t quite “get” marketing as well as we’d like. Her online course is specifically designed for the creative personality, she will teach you how to develop a successful business and how to have fun while you do it!

What you’ll learn from Multiple Streams of Income for Artists and Designers

Learn that creating multiple streams of income is the fastest way to reach your financial goals while making a living a doing what you love.
Learn how to leverage your artwork and projects to make money for you over and over.
Learn how to create passive income. You can be independently employed, go on vacation, and still make money!
Find out the many ways an artist or crafter can make money from their art. You probably haven’t even thought of some of them!
Learn from experts in creative income areas such as, getting published in magazines and books, working as a professional craft designer, using print-on-demand websites like Café Press and licensing your artwork.
Create a personalized work plan, outlining your income choices and the steps you need to take to make your plan a reality.

I’m going to stop telling you about this fantastic opportunity now so you can get going and sign up right now! The class begins on July 10th, so hurry… I look forward to seeing you there.

March is National Craft Month

March 1, 2011 by Jen Goode

That’s right, March is National Craft Month! So get your creative hat out, or make one you can wear for the next 4 weeks. It’s time to get those craft happy juices flowing to make something fabulous! You don’t have to be a creative genius, nor do you have to be able to draw a straight line. Crafting, at least from my view, is all about making something yourself.

National craft month - get crafting

I’ll be sharing ideas throughout the month both here and on my preschool crafts site, Project for Preschoolers.

I challenge you

Don’t fret over how fabulous or not your creations are and just dig in and make something special for yourself! Share your creations with others, or stop by here and tell me about it!

Craft happiness for craft month

Here are some craft project thoughts to get the ideas flowing:

Make a greeting card
Knit a scarf
Make something from an old tin can
Add a fresh coat of paint and embellish something
Make a scrapbook page
Buy a new stamp
Make a craft foam stamp
Get out the beads and string them
Try a new technique
Buy a new tool
Have friends over and make something together
Spend an hour in a craft store and discover something new

I’d love to hear what you’re going to do this month!

Some places to see and things to check out for Craft Month around the web:

If you are loving the crafting peanut, you can purchase it on a whole slew of schwag.

Shout out of love to you

February 14, 2011 by Jen Goode

I want to let you know how important you are to me…

To all of you who have stopped to explain something or answer one of my many questions, you’re fantastic!
To everyone who has offered words of encouragement, you’re wonderful!
To all the folks that have supported me and shared your happiness for what I’m doing, I can’t thank you enough.
To each of you who has taking time to show me how or to learn me somethin’ new, thanks so very much, I appreciate you!
To everyone that cheers along side, whether you’ve said something to me directly or not… I am so thankful for your rallying and kudos.

Without all the help, support and unending kindness of so many people, I wouldn’t be where I am today and for that, I am so grateful.

I love what I do and that couldn’t happen without you!

HAPPY VALENTINEs DAY!

10 tips for exhibiting at CHA

February 4, 2011 by Jen Goode

Last year I attended the CHA winter show as a non-exhibiting designer. I met great people and learned a lot simply walking the show. So, this year I decided I needed to exhibit and experience first hand what the whole thing was about. I made a great choice! It’s one thing to go and see the sites, it’s entirely different to be emersed in the event. I met more new faces, gained a variety of feedback about my art and most importantly was able to go home feeling like I’m moving in the right direction with my art.

Here is this year’s list of things learned while exhibiting at the CHA winter show:

Always be prepared to tell what you do
Just because you aren’t in your booth, doesn’t mean you won’t have the opportunity to share what you do. Be not only prepared but willing to start conversations about who you are and what you do.
Share your expertise
Volunteering to teach or share information you are familiar with can help you connect to others that are looking for your knowledge but might have something to share in return. I participated in a handful of events sharing my insight on various subjects. Through these events I made some fantastic new contacts.
Triple check your list of must haves
No matter how many times you check your list of things to pack, do it again. The last thing you need is to show up at the event without your scissors or tape or whatever else you forgot you might need. Then remember to bring it to the booth and not leave it in the hotel room. I ended up leaving a small portion of my Designer Showcase display at home. I had missed it when I was hurrying to pack the night before I left town. In the end I was the only one that knew I had left things out, but next time I’d rather triple check.
There’s no such thing as too much tape
We had a number of packages of poster strips and Velcro to hang things up for our booth display and we used it all. It’s much better to come with more than you think you need… rather than run out and wish you had more.
When it comes to image options, more is better
Keep the booth display clean and organized, but be prepared to open your portfolio with more options. I found myself wishing I had put together more pages for my portfolio showing art I didn’t think I should bring. This doesn’t mean bring a hodge podge of images from all directions, it just means, make sure you bring your best and a little more.
If you’ve got it, flaunt it – Doubt only hinders your success
Brag, if you don’t, who else will? You are your biggest fan and your biggest advocate, remember that when you are exhibiting. When you aren’t sure if someone is interested or seems to want to just walk buy, strike up a conversation and see if you can offer something they might value. If you doubt your ability others will sense it. Be confident and remember why you are at the trade show (not to mention how much money you spent to be there). Stand tall and proud and shout out to the masses that you are ready to share your talents… here they are!
No one looks at your shoes
For years I’ve always taken nice dress shoes and by the end of day one my feet are killing me. This time, knowing I’d be in a booth and on my feet a good portion of the day I decided to stop caring about my footwear and brought comfy shoes. I’m happy to day my feet are happy and not once did I get a funny glance from anyone about my feet. That’s happiness all around.
Listen
When someone does stop to look at your art and then begins to talk with you about it, listen to what they have to say. They may like what you have exactly as it is or they may be looking for something different. If you’re open to their comments you are more likely to find the connecting they are reaching for.
Take notes
Time moves by much faster than you realize when exhibiting your art, carry a notebook with you always. Write down what you hear, ideas and most importantly, things others tell you. When all is said and done, you can sit quietly in your studio and revisit all that you learned without struggling to remember where to start.
Be yourself and don’t change for the sake of fitting in
I found myself constantly thinking “they said they wanted …… so I can do that” when really I need to stay true to myself. Many artists can be many things and create many styles but what really makes each of us unique is our own individual approach. We need to stick with our style and approach and not try to conform just for the sake of a check.

Exhibiting at the CHA winter show in Los Angeles was a fantastic experience. I came home with more confidence about my art and where I am trying to go with it. I met some wonderful new people and enjoy every minute of the trip. Bonus tip, don’t shortcut your own expertise for time, make sure to give yourself the time and preparation you know you are capable of, it’s well worth the effort!

What ever you do, don’t be your own worst obstacle. Get out of your way and jump in head first, you’ll be glad you took that step!

Here I come! Where to find Jen Goode in 2011

May 13, 2011January 3, 2011 by Jen Goode

2010 flew by and I hardly had time to notice. Along with my usual illustration and internet marketing adventures, I’ve been working really hard to expand into some new directions with my art. I’m opening the doors for art licensing and working on digital art products for consumers, especially the crafters out there. Watch for it… I’m working on opening an affiliate program to accompany the sales of these products. for the past 6 years I’ve been selling products direct to consumers through Cafepress, Zazzle and a variety of other online outlets, now I’m looking to grow beyond the print on-demand. How cool would it be too see the Penguinality Penguin in a local store near you? I keep dreaming that it would be so fun if I could go to do my shopping at Target and voila, there’s the penguin!

With all this work I’ll be involved in a variety of events throughout the up-coming year. Here’s a few…

January 8-12 – Affiliate Marketing
I will be attending Affiliate Summit in Las Vegas. Sunday, the 9th is my busy day.

11am – I will speaking on the Affiliate Improve panel with Daniel M. Clark, Michael Buechelle, Drew Bennett and Wade Tonkin at 11am.
6:30 pm – I will be hosting the Newcomer Program meetup.
All Day – I’ll also be donating some art for a silent auction at the conference to help raise money for breast cancer awareness. The auction will be Sunday during the meet market.

The rest of the conference I am attending various sessions, networking, walking the show and am free for meetings.

January 27-February 1 – Art Licensing
I will exhibiting my art for the first time ever at the Craft and Hobby Association winter trade show in Los Angeles. You can find me:

License & Design section booth #5043
Designer Showcase table #1
January 28th 2-4 pm – I’m also moderating a table during the Building Bridges Designer Round Tables. I’ll be sharing insight about affiliate marketing – stop by and say hi if you’re at the show!

If you’d like to meet during this show, please contact me to set up an appointment.

May 25-28 – ShareASale Think Tank
A fantastic networking and learning conference hosted by ShareASale.com, an Affiliate Marketing Network.

June 25-26 – Charity
I am walking in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, right here in Colorado along with the AMGB team, and of course the Pink Ribbon Penguin will be joining me. I’d love your support! Every bit helps please Make a donation.

July 16-21 – CHA Summer Show
Hoping to do a lot more networking and some great design exhibiting in Chicago. Craft design and Art Licensing is the goal for me here.

More fun for 2011:

I’m hoping to walk a few more art licensing conferences as well as attend some more affiliate marketing and blogging events. Here’s the goal short list:

ASE11
SAS Think Tank
Atlanta Gift Show
Licensing Expo

Do you have a suggestion of another event I should check out? Let me know!

And some of the projects I’m planning

I’m working on a few special requests, including a book cover.
Projects for Preschoolers
Various craft projects and tutorials
Re-organizing and cleaning the studio so I can get some serious creativity going

Here’s to a fantastic upcoming year!

2011 is going to be fabulous, and I hope you’ll join me for all the fun!!

Holiday savings on JGoode Designs products

November 24, 2010 by Jen Goode

Mark your calendar and bookmark the shop because this holiday season you can save on all JGoode Designs products at Cafepress with the following offers:

11/25: Thanksgiving 1 day sale! One day only, $10 off* orders of $50+ (code: THANKSTEN)

Disclaimer: *$10 USD off for orders of $50 USD or more from CafePress shops, excluding shipping charges, gift wrap charges, applicable taxes and custom duties. Coupon code THANKS10 must be entered at check out. Promotion starts on November 25, 2010 at 12:00 a.m. (PST) and ends on November 25, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. (PST). All orders must be added to cart from CafePress shops only. Excludes CafePress marketplace purchases (e.g. all products added to cart from URLs beginning with the following (i) http://shop.cafepress, (ii) http://t-shirts.cafepress and/or (iii) http://www.cafepress.com/sk/), Gift Certificates, Flip products, SIGG bottles, Thermos products, yoga mats, CafePress Make, Groups, and bulk orders. Offer valid online only, cannot be combined with any other coupons or promotions and may change, be modified or cancelled at anytime without notice.

11/29: Cyber Monday 1 Day Sale! One day only, $10 off* orders of $45+ (code: CYBERM45)

Disclaimer:

*Disclaimer: $10 USD off for orders of $45 USD or more from CafePress shops, excluding shipping charges, gift wrap charges, applicable taxes and custom duties. Coupon code 45CYBERM must be entered at check out. Promotion starts on November 29, 2010 at 12:00 a.m. (PST) and ends on November 29, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. (PST). All orders must be added to cart from CafePress shops only. Excludes CafePress marketplace purchases (e.g. all products added to cart from URLs beginning with the following (i) http://shop.cafepress, (ii) http://t-shirts.cafepress and/or (iii) http://www.cafepress.com/sk/), Gift Certificates, Flip products, SIGG bottles, Thermos products, yoga mats, CafePress Make, Groups, and bulk orders. Offer valid online only, cannot be combined with any other coupons or promotions and may change, be modified or cancelled at anytime without notice.

Start Shoppin’! Buy more penguins

Get your spooky gear here

October 7, 2010 by Jen

Halloween has so many different faces for different folks. Here in the world of JGoode, Halloween is happy and cute and of course full of sugar! Whether you like witches, ghouls, goblins or, of course, penguins… Halloween is a time to get out there and play a bit.

Check out some of the too cute to be spooky swag you can get featuring fun Halloween designs by Jen Goode: