Wild & Creative Musings: Wild Animals, Art, Photography, & Travel!

MOVED!

2007-12-20T05:37:00.000Z

We have moved, and so has this blog....You can now keep up with our news here:

The Wilderness Diary: Fascinating tales from the wilds of Africa, documenting the daily wildlife dramas taking place around and about the Dezine Design offices...come and meet our neighbours, both large and small (from elephants to lizards...)

Dezine Design: News from the ever-growing international design and photography hub. We market the work of far-flung artists and photographers, working in remote parts of the world. If you want to join our network, view our artwork, or go shopping, you can find all the information you need on our website...

Thanks and see you over there!

Relocating to Kenya

2007-07-26T19:30:00.000Z

Hi All!

Dezine Design is moving its main studio and office to Kenya...so you won't see any changes around here for a while, until we have shipped our computers and paints (and ourselves) over to East Africa and have got ourselves re-settled...but then you're going to see some great new stuff and read some great new stories, so please don't give up on us...we'll be back as soon as we can!

Happy Summer Everyone...

Latest Designs to hit our Wild Web Stores

2007-06-28T18:12:00.001Z

We've been a bit tardy in reporting on the latest designs to hit our Wild Web Stores, as we've been so busy with all the other things going on...additions to our fine art & photo galleries, updating and expanding our website, introducing new artists...the list goes on!

But here we are, announcing the launch of a range of new designs in our Apparel & Gift Store, aptly named The Wild Web Store.

Check out the following:

Earth Girl.

Black Watch Tartan Gifts.

Love Cats.

Dezine Design Own Brand.

Thanks for taking a look!

Curator's Pick Contest at ImageKind

2007-06-28T09:17:00.000Z

ImageKind, the online print and frame store which we love (great selection of artworks for sale, fabulous print quality, friendly customer service), have launched a series of contests, based around the Curator's Picks for Member Art. (This can be found in the Shop Section of the ImageKind site, under the sub-section Member Art.)

These Curator's Picks are put together with a common theme in mind, and the contest revolves around guessing what that theme is...whoever gets closest wins! The themes can be quite cryptic, and may not be as simple as they first appear. For an example, you can visit the ImageKind blog.

When you think you've worked out the correct answer, visit the ImageKind Forum, and join the corresponding discussion under the category Contest - Curator's Picks. Post your best guess there!

You can discuss the contest as much as you like, but you can only make one official entry for each time. And don't forget, the winner is the first member with the closest guess - so get in early if you can! You'll be able to edit your entry, but that will re-set your entry time...so you've got to be a bit tactical too, and make sure you put your best guess down as soon as possible!

OK, now for the part you've all been waiting for: the prize...The winner will receive $25 off any ImageKind order...and with the contest re-starting every time the set of Curator's Picks changes, there are plenty of chances to win, and to view some great artworks while you're at it.

Good luck and let the games begin...

Visit ImageKind's Home Page to browse all their artworks.

New Raw Talent on show

2007-06-24T15:33:00.001Z

Just to let you know we have added a variety of new artists and photographers to our Raw Talent selection. For those of you who haven't taken a browse there already, our Raw Talent page is there merely to inspire you...we have simply picked our favorite artists and photographers and listed them there...so if you want to see some great artworks, some stunning photography or if you just want to feel invigorated, go take a look!

Show me some Raw Talent - I want to see some great new artwork and photographs from across the world...

Raul del Rio - The King of Color

2007-06-24T11:31:00.000Z

Now, as you all know, I am no art expert (whatever that is), and so I judge its value purely by the emotional response I get when I look at a piece of art. If it looks nice, feels nice, is nice, then I think it's got value. I don't want it to be shocking, or grotesque or so obscure that I can't relate to it on any level. My litmus test for "good art" is the simple question, would I hang this piece in my front room, office, bedroom, kitchen? Would it bring joy and brightness to my day to see this piece of art in my home? If the answer is Yes, then I think it's got value because it adds something positive to my life.

Which brings me on to Raul del Rio, my latest discovery in the world of art, color and life. Would I hang a piece by Raul del Rio in my front room? Without a doubt. The only problem would be choosing which one! I came across Raul's work when browsing through ImageKind's online galleries, where Raul is a fellow member artist. His work is hard to miss - it leaps out at you, a blaze of color and cheerfulness - it's so vivid, it literally pulsates with life.

Raul himself describes his work as "modern primitive". All his work effortlessly combines his two main interests: Nature and Heritage. He portrays nature and architecture as he would like them to be: bright, colorful, stylized and clean. In his collection of artworks, you'll see pieces featuring wildlife (from birds to fishes and whales), farm animals, bright Mexican villages and market scenes, all bursting with life, color, lush vegetation and tropical fruits. There are landscapes and underwater scenes too, with Raul's style elegantly mixing primitive and folk art with the exotic and even a touch of realism here and there - there's so much going on in del Rio's artwork, that everyone will find something to relate to, something which reaches out and touches them.

When I read the long list of eminent environmental organizations who have commissioned Raul del Rio and are affiliated with his work (including Greenpeace, Earth Island, Conservation International, Environmental Defense Club, Humane Farming Association, Animal Voice Magazine and National Wildlife Federation), it becomes clear why I feel such an affinity with Raul's work, for I too am someone for whom Nature is not only inspirational, but central to my life and a driving force behind everything I do.

I highly recommend taking a look through Raul del Rio's entire collection, but here are my own personal favorites:

Toucans by Raul del Rio

Veracruz by Raul del Rio

Country Chickens by Raul del Rio

Lavanderas by Raul del Rio

Las Palomas by Raul del Rio

You can also view the work of some of my other favorite artists on our Raw Talent page. Enjoy browsing!

New Blue Whale Art Prints

2007-06-23T16:43:00.000Z

Do you love whales? So do we! We've just added three vibrant new blue whale prints by Tanya Saunders to our eclectic offerings at ImageKind. The designs are available to purchase as museum-quality prints, framed or unframed...in Tanya's personal opinion, they would look fabulous as very large canvas prints - why not try out the gallery wrap option for a really contemporary, lively look?

Here's a taster of the new blue whale artworks...click on whichever one you'd like to see in more detail:

Have a whale of a time this weekend! (Bad joke, I know, but I couldn't resist...)

Browse all artworks in Dezine Design's Ocean Spirit gallery.

Art Make-over Contest for Non-Profits

2007-06-22T19:58:00.000Z

ImageKind, one of the web's fast growing, highest quality online art & framing stores is running a contest for Non-Profits based in the Washington State area. The idea is to share inspiration with organizations who provide it for others in so many different ways. To the winner, ImageKind will donate 8 digitally printed, museum-quality framed works of art from a selection by emerging artists from Washington State. The contest runs June 14th through July 13th, and all Western Washington Non-Profits located throughout King, Pierce and Snohomish counties are eligible to apply for an art makeover. A reveal on August 9th will feature the before and after images of the room selected for a makeover by the winning Non-Profit.

More information can be found, and applications made, at ImageKind's Nonprofit Contest Page.

Here at Dezine Design, we think this is a wonderful idea, but we'd like to see the concept rolled out beyond the Seattle environs, to encompass a wider area and open up the opportunity for non-profits who are providing shelter and other important services across the United States...meanwhile let's also open up the opportunity for a wider range of artists who live and work outside of Washington State. This is a great idea, but it needs to have wider application, in our opinion. (News on the ImageKind Blog is that this is just the first contest of its kind, and that in due course ImageKind will be running more wider reaching contests of this sort. They are doing the first one locally, to iron out any potential creases. Good thinking, probably...but we're looking forward to the next one!)

I understand that international freight would make contests of this kind impractical to run globally, but why not hold a contest in future which would award US Non-Profits who work on the international stage, with art works created by artists living outside of the United States...this would add an interesting international flavor to the contest, and also make non-US artists feel like they have an equal opportunity to promote their work through these ImageKind contests.

Featured Artist for a Week on ImageKind

2007-06-22T12:02:00.000Z

We are proud that ImageKind, one of the web's fastest growing online art stores, has chosen Dezine Design to be their featured member for the whole of this week. Please visit the ImageKind website to take a look! You'll see our favorite Penguin Artwork featured on the front page!

Maternity T-shirts added to Wild Web Store product range

2007-06-19T15:37:00.000Z

We have recently added Maternity Tees, in both black and white, to our Wild Web Store product range. Currently, only our newest designs are featured on the maternity tees, but we are working through all our existing designs, and adding them as quickly as we can. If you see a design which you like, but you don't see it featured on a maternity tee, then please email us and we'll do our best to make the product available to you as soon as possible.

In the meantime, here is a preview of a couple of maternity tees featuring some our newer designs (click on the image to take you straight in-store):

The designs featured above are: Painted Penguins, Emperor Penguins and Black Watch Tartan Thistles respectively, all of which are new to our Wild Web Store.

Various products have also been upgraded - for example, there are now more colors available in Kids T-shirts and the quality of the Junior BabyDoll t-shirts have been improved. Visit our shop and you'll see the difference!

An Introduction to Buying Art Online

2007-06-19T13:55:00.000Z

The online art market is absolutely booming, and growing ever stronger by the day. You can now purchase almost anything online from a museum-quality framed fine art print or an original oil painting to a piece of glass art, metalwork, or one-off pieces of jewelry, furniture, textiles, apparel, ceramics, pottery...you name it...it's all available to buy online, with quality guarantees and reliable returns policies.

If you're interested in taking a browse through some online art galleries and shops, we've highlighted a few of our favorite stores which have a wide and excellent selection of art, crafts and mixed media designs and products...Check out where we go to buy art online.

Excellent New Shopping Aide from ImageKind

2007-06-18T09:28:00.000Z

Last month, ImageKind introduced an excellent new shopping tool, which makes browsing their fine art prints a lot easier. Their Gallery Banner concept allows you to scroll through the contents of a particular gallery by clicking buttons 'up' and 'down' to scroll through an artist or photographer's gallery. When you see an image you like, you can click on it, which opens a larger view of the image, from where you can select your own print size, paper type, mat, and frame...or simply choose to buy the print unframed as a poster.

To the right, you can see an example of Dezine Design's ImageKind galleries presented as a gallery banner (to access all 16 galleries, click here):

Designer Ali Sabet's Life-Changing Personal Challenge

2007-06-17T09:40:00.000Z

Imagine setting yourself the task of creating a self-sustaining business to generate passive income while also losing 60 lbs - all in the space of 90 short days....well, that is exactly what our fellow ImageKind artist, Ali Sabet is doing. Inspired by a book called "The 4 Hour Work Week" by Timothy Ferris, Ali Sabet has set himself this awesome challenge as an experiment in betterment and self-reflection that he calls his 90 day life transformation.

Go check out his work, marketed under the name PixoPopKids, and learn more about this fascinating guy who not only runs a full-service firm (Sabet Designs) but also heads up the character design based social site Mojizu...

And if you know any kids whose birthdays are coming up soon, go buy some children's art from Mr Sabet!

More art for kids is also available HERE.

Online Visual Artists Community Forum

2007-06-13T12:34:00.000Z

Anyone who is serious about selling their art or photography online (or even publishing books using print-on-demand technology) should become a member of the Online Visual Artists Community Forum (OVA).

The aim of the forum is to help visual artists sell their work online. The forum is totally independent, so feedback and opinions are unbiased which is very important when analyzing and comparing selling sites. Members share marketing resources, useful websites, and opinions, while also discovering new gallery sites, advice and solutions...

This is one of the most friendly forums I have ever come across, with a wide range of members from the Philippines to the USA, UK to Australia, who between them can boast an enormous amount of knowledge and experience, which they share freely with other forum members.

The key to being a successful forum member is being willing to share your own knowledge and experience, and to help other members with their particular queries...if you are seen to be helpful and a regular contributor to the forum, then others will be more than happy to help you out or share their experiences with you.

So, if you plan on becoming an online art seller, or if you're already selling your art and photographs on ImageKind or Art.com or Boundless Gallery, or if you're a CafePress storekeeper - or any other online art store - sign up to the OVA today - you won't regret it!

If you do sign up, please mention Dezine Design when you introduce yourself to the forum. There is no financial reward in it for us, but it's fun to see where new members come from! Thanks and enjoy - and we hope to see you over at the forum soon!

Art for Fathers Day: better than a tie; lighter than a toolbelt

2007-06-08T09:53:00.000Z

"Art: Better than a Tie; Lighter than a Toolbelt" is how Imagekind have headlined their Fathers Day Special...and we say, isn't this so true? Buying art for a loved one is a much more personal way of showing how much you care...and the wonderful thing is, you can choose a piece of art which truly reflects the character and likes of the person whom you are gifting.

The ImageKind offer is for a flat rate shipping charge of only $6 (yes, you read it right - just $6!) on all art prints - framed or unframed - ordered from Imagekind before 10 pm PST on June 18th. Sadly, this offer applies to US customers only...grudgingly, we have to admit we can understand why as international postage rates would make this kind of offer unfeasible for overseas orders...so, if you're in the States, you're lucky - so go art shopping! Oh yes, don't forget to use the special Promo Code DAD to ensure you get your discount.

Click here for more details about the ImageKind Fathers Day Special Offer, and to go directly to the ImageKind site.

Or, for a wider range of gift options, check these out:

Dezine Design's Own Fine Art Galleries at ImageKind

Fathers Day Gift Selection from Dezine Design

Full range of Gifts & Apparel from our Wild Web Stores

Beautiful Budget Art Prints from our Art.com and Artist Rising Gallery

Fathers Day Gifts from Dezine Design

2007-06-06T15:27:00.000Z

We have selected a few stylish and original gifts which we believe would make excellent Fathers Day presents - but order soon - time is running out...Fathers Day is on June 17th!

Click on the button to view our selection:

Mike Cressy's Gallery Show Opening in Ballard, Seattle

2007-06-06T12:02:00.000Z

Fellow Imagekind member, MIKE CRESSY's exhibition opens shortly at the Laura Frost Fine Art Gallery in Ballard, Seattle. The Gallery Show Opening is on 9th June 2007, to coincide with the monthly Ballard Art Walk. Don't miss it! Mike Cressy's work is stunning, colorful, original and full of life, and the show will feature his latest acrylics and some of his latest prints.

To preview Mike Cressy's artwork, take a look at his Imagekind Gallery, where you can also find out more about his upcoming show.

The Laura Frost Fine Art Gallery
5801 14th Ave NW
Seattle
WA
USA

Blue Flavor posts a Polaroid Photo Contest with Imagekind prizes

2007-06-06T10:42:00.000Z

The well-known new media design and development company Blue Flavor posted an entertaining contest on their blog today to give their unique wall art an update - courtesy of their avid blog audience’s creativity. More specifically, they are looking for some new additions to their lunchroom Polaroid wall featuring unusual and interesting mug shots (apparently they already have quite a collection!).

Prizes are in the form of e-gift cards (vouchers) to spend on wall art at Imagekind, our favorite online fine art store...$200 for first prize, $100 for second, and $50 for third. For more information, be sure to check out the Blue Flavor Blog, or read more details on
Imagekind's own blog.

Something fun for us all to do today!

PS. We also see this as an endorsement of Imagekind's quality and growing reputation as leaders in the print-on-demand field. If you've got a moment, go check out their inspiring website.

Latest Designs to hit our Wild Web Stores: Penguins & More Penguins...

2007-06-01T16:32:00.000Z

It may be an odd time of year to launch a series of designs celebrating World Penguin Day (April 25th) and Penguin Awareness Day (January 20th), but we received a special request for T-shirts to promote and celebrate these special days, and so we got to work straight away...while we were at it, we got carried away and added a whole range of new penguin designs...You can preview the new designs by clicking here, but you'll have to go to the Penguin Section of our Wild Web Store to see the whole range! Please let us know what you like (or dislike) about the new designs - we'd love to hear your opinion...

Dezine Design's May 2007 Newsletter is now available for download

2007-06-01T15:31:00.001Z

OK, so it's June 1st, but I think we can JUST get away with posting our May Newsletter today...entitled "Short but Sweet", and sticking to just one page as usual, you can now download it from our Newsletter Archive.

Alternatively, to keep up with our latest developments as they happen, be sure to check out our Online Journal.

Any questions or comments, please be sure to get in touch! We'd love to hear what you have to say...you can either leave a comment on this blog, or you can email us directly.

This Month's Special Offers are now available in our Wild Web Store!

2007-05-17T10:27:00.000Z

Great News for all you Shop-a-holics out there!

This month's special offers are now available in our Wild Web Store - just click the banner below to take a look at the products which have been discounted this month!

You will recall that we recently launched our Monthly Specials Program, whereby each month we pick 12 items at random from our store and offer them to you at a discounted price - for one month only! At the end of one month, the prices revert to their normal level so you've got to be quick to catch the bargains!

Enjoy browsing!

Pixel Pixie

xox

Browse Dezine Design's Fine Art Galleries at ImageKind!

Mother's Day Gift Selection Launched

2007-04-20T13:51:00.000Z

May 13th is Mother's Day!

Please view our wonderful selection of specially selected Mother's Day Gifts for all types of Moms...

We've got gifts for

Really Wild Moms

The Most Lovable Moms

Cat-Loving Moms

Floral Moms

Penguin-Loving Moms

Truly Tropical Moms

Elephant-Loving Moms

Sun-Loving Moms

Retro Moms

Contemporary Moms

AND MORE!

We've selected gifts for every taste, so whatever your Mom's interests and style, you should be able to find a special gift for her here....enjoy browsing!

Nominate Dezine Design!

2007-04-20T13:22:00.000Z

If you've enjoyed the Dezine Design online experience, please take a minute to nominate us for the Webware 100 Award:

Webware 100 Nomination for Dezine Design

Thank you!

ImageKind partners with Flickr

2007-04-20T12:07:00.000Z

The exciting new partnership ImageKind has been hinting at (and teasing us with!) for weeks has been announced: ImageKind (arguably the highest quality online art-selling and framing service on the Planet) and Flickr (one of the net's largest online photo-sharing sites - owned by Yahoo, no less) have teamed up!

What will this mean for us? More traffic to our site! ImageKind becoming a household name (= more traffic to our site!) Greater exposure (= more traffic to our site!)...And of course if you're a member of Flickr, it has all sorts of commercial implications too - like, for example, the ability to sell your photos instead of just show them off!

This is what ImageKind themselves had to say about the new partnership:

"Imagekind is happy to announce our new partnership with Flickr. From now on, you will be able to sell or print your favorite Flickr pictures at Imagekind. Our latest move is consistent with our drive to improve the reach and draw of our artists and customers. We are thrilled with our latest step... and we hope you will be too!

Flickr artists will automatically be able to create and/or sell up to 24 images of their work via Imagekind. This is great news not only for Flickr members but also for Imagekind artists. By driving more traffic to our site and increasing brand awareness, the new partnership is sure to benefit all Imagekind artists."

Click here to find out more details of the partnership and what it can do for you, them and us!

Want to see what all the fuss is about and why ImageKind (in its short lifespan of just 8 months) is already recognized as the highest quality supplier of POD prints in the world? Click the banner to discover all they have to offer!

Enjoy exploring all the new possibilities!

Pixel Pixie

xox

Browse Dezine Design's own Fine Art Galleries at ImageKind!

Visit our Wild Web Store for fabulous Apparel and Merchandise (some great stuff for Mother's Day...especially for those really wild Moms out there!)

Blogged!

2007-04-19T14:56:00.000Z

It's not often you can say a busy Australian artist living in the Philippines and preparing for an exhibition in Canberra took time out to write about you...but this is exactly what has happened to the folks at Dezine Design! To read Henry Bateman's article, view some of his fascinating artworks, and read his often strong opinions on life, art and expat living, be sure to check out Scratch That Itch (in Henry's inimitable words!)

New Banner Codes for Wild Web Store / CafePress Affiliate Program

2007-04-18T15:12:00.000Z

This is an update for all Affiliates of our Wild Web Store (hosted by CafePress). As you know, CafePress are making changes to their affiliate program, which is now being run by Commission Junction. As a result, we have updated all our banner codes to reflect this change. Please be sure to check out our Affiliate Page to read more about the changes and how they will affect existing affiliate links. You can also access all the new banner codes and text links here.

For more information about the new Wild Web Store/CafePress Affiliate Program, and how it impacts on you, please click this banner to read our full update (and join us too, if you would like to earn some extra cash from your website or blog!):

Thank you, and good luck with implementing the changes. We didn't ask for nor wish for this new system, but now that it's here, we'll do our best to implement it smoothly and continue to run a successful affiliate network for our Wild Web Stores.

Pixel Pixie

xox

Image of the Week: Little Afghan Girl with Shoes

2007-04-17T20:26:00.000Z

Little Girl with Shoes
Afghanistan

Photographed By:

Edward Reilly

CLICK HERE TO SEE FRAMED PRINTS
& OTHER MERCHANDIZE FEATURING THIS IMAGE

Front of House Gallery!

2007-04-17T16:53:00.000Z

Hi Everyone,

Dezine Design (and its growing list of artworks) are featured on the front page of ImageKind again today, listed under the popular members! Another token of recognition proving how much people enjoy viewing our images, illustrations, paintings, designs and photographs...

If you'd like to view the ImageKind Home Page, please click here. (Look for the yellow & orange elephant icon!)

If you'd like to go directly to Dezine Design's ImageKind Gallery, please click here.

Enjoy browsing!

Pixel-Pixie

xox

Wild Shopping at the Wild Web Stores...don't miss out!

Latest Designs to hit our ImageKind Galleries: Raphael Tuck's SCOTTISH CLANS series of artworks

2007-04-16T15:13:00.000Z

Check out the latest addition to our Imagekind galleries: THE SCOTTISH CLANS SERIES by Raphael Tuck (you may even find your own clan featured here!):

The legendary Raphael Tuck was born in East Prussia (now part of Germany) in 1821 and emigrated to England in 1865, with his wife Ernestine and their seven children. His first business venture was in London in 1866 with a picture-framing shop that also sold prints and furniture. Four years later, three of his sons joined the business and, within 12 months, they had started production of their first greeting cards, including special ones for Christmas - a market to which they introduced many new features.

In 1880, they innovatively organized a competition to encourage new greeting card designs and, in 1881, Raphael's son Adolph took over as Managing Director. As early as 1883, their pre-eminence in the publishing field (they had by now expanded into scrap books, postcards and all manner of publishing) was recognized by the Scotsman newspaper which enthused: "Those who seek to make Christmas Cards as good as works of art do great and meritorious service to the community. Among those who certainly render such service, Messrs Raphael Tuck and Sons must have a foremost place. They all reflect great credit on the taste and enterprise of the publishers. Each and all of them will be prized by all people of good taste."

The Post Office was rather pernickety in Victorian times and Adolph was a leading campaigner in getting them to relax their restrictions on postcard sizes to allow him to produce today's full size cards measuring 5.5" x 3.5" (By 1904, the firm had over 15,000 designs in production).

It was ironic that when much of the world was displaying Raphael Tuck Christmas cards on its mantelpieces, one of the worst air raids of World War II on 29th December 1940 completely destroyed Raphael House in London and all Tuck's records and archives, including many priceless originals.

However, such was the popularity of Tuck cards that they were already widely distributed around the world and so the rich heritage created over a period of 60 years was not lost but remains to captivate collectors to this day.

Little is known of this Scottish Clans series except that they were published around 1906, and admirably represent the sentimental way in which the world saw Scotland at that time.

SUPPORT A GOOD CAUSE WHILE YOU SHOP!

A percentage of the proceeds from the sale of these prints will be donated to The Scottish Tartans Authority through Dezine Design’s Shops with a Mission program, designed to support good causes around the world. For more information please visit The Tartan Zone.

Please also see our Kenneth MacLeay Prints, depicting fabulous Victorian watercolors of Scottish Highlanders in traditional dress.

(All these images are available for use in publications. For more information, please contact The Scottish Tartans Authority.)

Enjoy!

Pixel Pixie

xox

Technorati Favorites

2007-04-16T10:07:00.000Z

If you've enjoyed browsing through our wild and creative musings, why not add this blog to your Technorati favorites? Please just click on the banner below. Welcome and thank you...

Snippets from the News: An interesting role for Art...

2007-04-15T18:03:00.000Z

The BBC published this Week in Pictures about a war artist currently busy in Iraq and Afghanistan with US troops. It is interesting how Art (a creative notion) finds itself an important, inspiring and often comforting role, even in a destructive environment. Take a look:

BBC's Week In Pictures.

ImageKind Launches Brand New Online Forum!

2007-04-12T12:13:00.000Z

Exciting News! ImageKind have launched their new online forum!

Anyone interested in buying or selling art should definitely visit this brand new forum, launched yesterday: Take me straight to ImageKind's new forum!

You'll see us there, joining in the discussions and adding our two pennies' worth!

And don't forget that, until 20th April, ImageKind are continuing to run their Easter Special, offering a 20% discount off custom framing. Just remember to use the Promo Code EASTER to claim your discount! The banner below will take you straight to the main ImageKind shopping page - a great place to start browsing!

For those of you who don't know where to start, or are in a hurry to find the right gift for someone special, ImageKind offers a

Gift Collections
feature, whereby they have specially selected certain categories of art for people with different interests - this makes for a much quicker, easier shopping experience if you haven't the time (or inclination!) to browse the entire ImageKind selection. So, for example, if you have a friend who is particularly interested in the military, you can go straight to the "For the Military Enthusiast" Gift Collection and find something suitable there, and so on.

By now, most of you will know what ImageKind is, but for those of you who have just joined us, ImageKind is the wonderful Seattle-based company who does all our printing and framing for us. They have a huge (and constantly growing) selection of art prints for you to choose from, which they will frame to museum-quality standards, and ship to you wherever you are in the world.
To view Dezine Design's own ImageKind Galleries, click here!

You can also view our wide and varied selection of designs on a range of other products and merchandise in our Wild Web Store.

Thanks and take care,

Pixel Pixie

xox

Image of the Week: Tropical Ocean Turtle

2007-04-11T11:18:00.000Z

Apologies for being a bit late in posting this, but I have had the flu! Getting better now, slowly slowly...anyway, here it is:

Tropical Ocean Turtle
(vector illustration)

Artwork By:

Tanya Saunders

CLICK HERE TO SEE FRAMED PRINTS
& OTHER MERCHANDIZE FEATURING THIS IMAGE

To view more exciting gifts featuring tropical ocean fish & other wildlife, click here now!

Framing Discount at ImageKind...Easter Special!

2007-04-06T20:52:00.000Z

Some good news to help brighten up Easter (in addition to chocolate, that is!)

ImageKind (the wonderful company we use for all our printing & framing) are running a special offer until 20th April...20% off all Custom Framing! If you haven't taken a look at the selection of artwork and photographs for sale at ImageKind, I really suggest you do - there is a fabulous mix of artwork from around the world, and (in my humble opinion!) ImageKind's museum-quality printing and framing cannot be faulted.

For more information, click this icon (and don't forget to use the Promo Code EASTER to claim your 20% discount):

Or visit our own ImageKind Gallery by clicking here!

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!

Pixel Pixie

xox

PS Why not take the plunge and frame up one of your own artworks or photographs? Click on the ImageKind icon above to find out how easy it is to turn your own photos and artworks into museum-quality framed prints!

Go Shopping for Wild Apparel & Merchandise in our Wild Web Stores!

Wild Facts of the Week: Rhinos!

2007-04-06T12:50:00.000Z

Did You Know...?

Today there are 5 species and 11 subspecies of rhinos surviving on earth. Two of these, the Black and the White Rhino, live in Africa. Three species (Indian, Javan, and Sumatran) occur in Asia. Millions of years ago, there were many more rhino species roaming the earth, and they were much more widespread and abundant than they are today. Rhinos occurred in North America and Europe as well as in Africa and Asia. The surviving rhinos are precious representatives of the amazing heritage and history of the rhino family on Earth.

Today, Rhinos are highly endangered, and all because of persecution by Man. Humans kill rhinos for their horns (which in some parts of the world are mistakenly thought to have aphrodisiac and medicinal powers, even though this has been scientifically disproved. In other parts of the world, rhino horn is used to fashion decorative dagger handles.) As a result, the human race is driving the remaining 5 rhino species closer and closer to extinction.

This artwork which features a stylized Black Rhino with other African wildlife was created by one of our own designers, Tanya Saunders.

To view more wildlife artworks and photographs, please click here.

To browse apparel & other merchandize featuring rhinos and other wild animal designs, click here.

Learn More about the Wonders of the Natural World, and How We Can Help to Look After our Beautiful Planet:

Short But Sweet: Dezine Design's April Newsletter now available

2007-04-04T17:20:00.000Z

The April '07 issue of Dezine Design's monthly newsletter (entitled "Short but Sweet" as we wish to keep each issue to just one page) is now available for download from our Newsletter Archive.

Discover Exciting Online Shopping Opportunities at the Wild Web Stores

Image of the Week: Scottish Fine Art Print

2007-04-02T08:36:00.000Z

John Grant & John Fraser
Scottish Highlanders

Watercolor by
renowned Victorian painter
Kenneth MacLeay RSA:
commissioned by
Queen Victoria;
Originals now reside in
HRH Queen Elizabeth II's
Private Collection in
Windsor Castle.

MUSEUM QUALITY FINE ART PRINTS OF ALL 30 PAINTINGS IN THIS SERIES ARE AVAILABLE FOR SALE - PERCENTAGE OF PROCEEDS DONATED TO THE SCOTTISH TARTANS AUTHORITY - PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

Tartan gifts also available here!

Featured on the FRONT PAGE....again!

2007-04-01T16:46:00.000Z

Hi Everyone,

Just to let you know we are being featured on the front page of ImageKind again today, listed under the popular members! Every sign of recognition like this makes us feel very proud... we hope our artworks, photographs and designs will continue to add a little extra sunshine to people's lives for many years to come!

If you'd like to view the ImageKind Home Page, please click here.

If you'd like to go directly to Dezine Design's ImageKind Gallery, please click here. (Look for the yellow & orange elephant icon!)

Hope you're all having a lovely weekend,

Pixel-Pixie

xox

Wild Facts of the Week: Elephant Trunks!

2007-03-30T16:24:00.000Z

Did You Know...?

Baron Cuvier, a renowned French naturalist, estimated that an elephant's trunk contained 40,000 muscles. (The entire human body only contains 639!). However, it is important to note that the elephant's trunk actually only has 6 major muscle groups, which are subdivided into over 100,000 muscle units. So, Curvier's original estimate, although slightly misleading, was correct when taking into account all the units within the 6 major muscle groups.

Whichever way you look at it, an elephant's trunk is pretty amazing: it acts as a hand, a nose, a drinking straw...it can delicately pick up the tiniest seed pod, or powerfully snap thick branches as if they were twigs.

This photograph was taken by one of our own photographers, Edward Reilly.

To view more elephant images, please click here.

To browse apparel & other merchandize featuring wildlife and animal designs, click here.

Learn More about the Wonders of the Natural World, and How We Can Help to Look After our Beautiful Planet:

A Matter for our Conscience

2007-03-30T09:47:00.000Z

Hello Everyone,

For some time, we've been battling with our conscience over the matter of Dog T-shirts. Up until now, we have been selling T-shirts for pooches in our Wild Web Stores. However, on a personal level (and we appreciate everyone is entitled to their own opinion!), we don't believe it's right to dress up dogs as "little humans"...after all, they're probably quite happy to be dogs, and to be loved for who they are!

For a while we thought: this is a commercial venture, we need to sell what the customer wants...but it continued to make us feel uncomfortable. After all, we set up this business to be a commercial enterprise which does good while doing business...and that means adhering to personal principles and not just to the mindless pursuit of profits.

So, the long and the short of it is, we have decided to remove all Dog T-shirts from our Wild Web Stores: these will no longer be items which we stock in any of our outlets.

If you've been buying Dog T-shirts from us, we do apologize but we hope you understand our wish to follow our own beliefs on this issue.

Personally, we feel happy that we have followed our conscience on this matter, and look forward to continue trading in a way that makes us feel good about our business, while providing you with great product. Thank you for your understanding, and we look forward to seeing you back in the store soon.

Have a great weekend!

Pixel Pixie
xox

Shop for Great Gear in our Wild Web Stores!

Dezine Design's "Monthly Specials" Program Is Launched!

2007-03-29T15:53:00.000Z

Hi Everyone!

Not before time, I hear you cry! Yes, we've finally launched our long-promised "Monthly Specials" program, whereby every month we pick 12 products at random from our Wild Web Store, and offer them to you at discounted prices! Be sure to check them out soon, as before you know it, the bargain will be gone and the products will be back to their normal prices! Click the banner to grab a good deal on some great gear today:

Happy Shopping!

Pixel Pixie
xox

Go Shopping in our Wild Web Stores!

Image of the Week: Daffodils (pink cube background)

2007-03-26T18:18:00.000Z

Daffodils
(vector illustration)

Artwork By:

Tanya Saunders

CLICK HERE TO SEE FRAMED PRINTS
& OTHER MERCHANDIZE FEATURING SIMILAR IMAGES

Easter Fun!

2007-03-26T18:00:00.000Z

Looking for something to keep you amused over Easter? Want to spoil someone special? Need some great gift ideas? There's some fun stuff going on here...

Enjoy!

Wild Facts of the Week: Polar Bears!

2007-03-23T16:42:00.000Z

Apologies for being a bit late with our Fact of The Week...we've been so busy finalizing the new developments which you'll see on the site...for example, take a look at the Tartan Zone - this is our very first 'Shop with a Mission' and we're very proud of it!

Anyway, back to the facts...

Did You Know...?

Polar bears live in the Arctic where winter temperatures in the far north often plunge to -40° F or -50° F and can stay that way for days or even weeks.The Arctic stays dark and bitterly cold for months on end. In the High Arctic, the sun sets in October and does not rise again until late February!

A thick layer of fat or blubber (up to 4.5 inches thick) provides polar bears with such excellent insulation that their body temperature and metabolic rate remain the same even at -34°F.

A polar bear's body temperature is 98.6°, which is average for mammals. They know all the tricks for keeping warm in icy conditions: when it's unusually cold, polar bears dig out a shelter in a snow bank and curl up in a tight ball until the worst of the weather passes. When curled up in a ball, polar bears sometimes cover their muzzles — which radiate (and therefore lose) heat — with one of their thickly furred paws.

The design of the polar bear's body also helps protect it from the cold: for example, its compact ears and small tail also help prevent heat loss. A polar bear also has two layers of fur for further protection from the cold.

Believe it or not, polar bears have more problems with overheating than they do with cold! Even in very cold weather, they quickly overheat when they try to run.

Today, polar bears are threatened with extinction due to global warming (which is destroying their icy hunting grounds), and pollution.

To view polar bear & other wildlife art prints, please click here.

To browse apparel & other merchandize featuring wildlife designs, click here.

Learn More about the Wonders of the Natural World, and How We Can Help to Look After our Beautiful Planet:

Launch of Our First 'Shop with a Mission': THE TARTAN ZONE!

2007-03-23T15:56:00.000Z

Hello Everyone,

I apologize for having been so quiet on the blogging front of late, but we have been extremely busy developing our newest venture over the past couple of weeks. It is now ready to launch and I am so excited to be able to tell you about it (I've been aching to announce this for days but we needed to "get all our ducks in line" first!):

Dezine Design has this week launched its very first 'Shop with a Mission'. Our 'Shops with a Mission' program is designed to support selected good causes (charities and non-profit organizations) around the world, through the donation of royalties from all the sales transacted through those shops.

So - FINALLY! - it gives me great pleasure to welcome you to The Tartan Zone, our new stores featuring all things tartan! 33% of all Dezine Design's revenue from our Tartan Zone stores is donated directly to The Scottish Tartans Authority, a non-profit charity whose mission is to maintain and preserve this ancient and integral part of Scotland's rich history and culture...so you can feel great, knowing you are doing good while you shop! Every purchase you make will make a real and positive difference to this worthwhile cause.

We are working on developing a range of both traditional and contemporary tartan-themed designs for sale on apparel and housewares (plus some other fun stuff) through The Tartan Zone in our Wild Web Store. We aim to cater for personal requests as much as possible, so if you do not see your own particular tartan there, please feel free to email us telling us which tartan you would like to see on which products - we'll do our best to fulfil your desires!

Alongside our clothing and housewares store, we are developing our Scottish Fine Art Prints Store where you will find fabulous museum-quality prints for sale, which can even be custom framed to your own specifications. Again, one third of all Dezine Design's sales revenue from this store is donated to The Scottish Tartans Authority to help them continue their important work.

The first set of prints available to purchase now in our Scottish Fine Art Prints Store is a series of beautiful watercolors by the famed Victorian painter, Kenneth MacLeay, who was commissioned to create this series by Queen Victoria herself. The series, entitled "Highlanders of Scotland" features 30 paintings, all depicting retainers from the Queen's Balmoral Estates, as well as principle clan members and their followers. This is one of the best records of Highland Dress at the time. Each painting is accompanied by fascinating write-ups by contemporary authors of the time (available to download from our Tartan Zone), which truly bring each painting and the individuals depicted therein to life with an immediacy which is quite extraordinary.

Today, the original paintings in this series reside in HRH Queen Elizabeth II's private collection in Windsor Castle. We are offering you the opportunity to import a little of this magic into your own home, while helping to support a worthy cause. Please do take a look when you have a moment...

These prints (which are also available on canvas, would also be ideally suited to decorate the walls of a traditional hotel or club...In our Scottish Fine Art Prints Store, we have suggested framing and printing options, but you do of course have the option to choose whatever combination of frame, mat, paper type and even size that best suits you.

We'll be adding new and exciting offerings to both our stores at regular intervals, so please add the stores to your Favorites list and keep checking back periodically. Thank you and we hope you enjoy browsing...

And just to finish off, here's a couple of things you might not know...

You can find out whether your family has a tartan! All you have to do is consult the famous Tartan Ferret...don't know what I'm talking about? Follow this link and just click on the ferret to find out whether you have a family tartan - it only takes a couple of seconds!

If you and the family don't know what to do this weekend, why not design your own tartan? Don't know how to do this? Using the Scottish Tartans Authority's clever Online Tartan Designer you and the kids can design your very own tartan! For more information, and for some fun ideas to make use of your new tartan, click here now.

Want to know more about tartan? Look no further than our very own Tartan Zone!

Any questions about all this? Please email me!

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Pixel Pixie

xox

Go Shopping in our Wild Web Stores!

Looking for Fun March Madness Tees & other merchandise?

2007-03-19T11:31:00.000Z

Check out these cool stores:

JOE BASKETBALL 2

04 SHIRTS

THE HOT BUTTON

FLIGHT BROTHERS

MAD ABOUT MARCH

JOE BASKETBALL 4

Other fun ideas to help you go really mad and have fun this March!

Image of the Week: Afghan Grandfather & Grandson

2007-03-19T10:04:00.000Z

Dezine Design's "Image of the Week" features a beautiful photograph of an elderly Afghan gentleman with his grandson. Taken in Afghanistan during the period when that country held its first democratic election ever (in 2004), this photograph, along with many others in the fabulous series captured by Edward Reilly during the two years he spent working there, opens a window onto another world. What an amazing insight into a country, way of life and culture many of us will never see!

Click here to view Dezine Design's Image of the Week!

To browse more photographs taken by Edward Reilly, both in Afghanistan and in Africa, please visit his online galleries by clicking here.

Have a great week everyone!

Pixel-Pixie
xox

Earn Money from Your Website or Blog! Join Dezine Design's Affiliate Program!

2007-03-15T19:33:00.000Z

Announcing the Launch of The Dezine Design Affiliate Program

We are pleased to announce that Dezine Design has launched its Affiliate Program - you can now earn money by referring your website or blog readers to our online stores!

If you are already familiar with affiliate programs (or if you are already a Cafepress or ShareASale affiliate), and would like to affiliate with us, please visit our Affiliate Page now, and start earning up to 20% commission on referral sales!

At present we've got two stores open for business and waiting to affiliate with you: our Wild Web Store selling a range of wild designs on contemporary apparel and merchandise, and our Fine Art & Photography Store, offering a wide range of museum quality prints, posters and photographs from around the world.

We have a wide selection of banners, buttons and text links for your personal and business use - please feel free to use them. (You can see some samples at the end of this journal entry).

In our experience, an affiliate relationship creates a win win situation: when you make money, we make money; when you're happy, we're happy...

Visit our Affiliate Program page now to sign up and start earning from your webspace as soon as possible!

For those of you who are new to affiliate programs, here's a bit of extra information for you:

What is an Affiliate Program?

Affiliate Programs (sometimes also called 'Referral' or 'Associate' programs) provide a system whereby webmasters (or bloggers) refer their readers via links from their website/blog to an online shop. If those readers then make a purchase from that shop, the referring webmaster/blogger receives a commission on that sale. It's a great way to earn money from your blog or website, without having to do much work! For example, you can earn money by referring shoppers to our Wild Web Store: every time someone you referred makes a purchase, you earn a percentage of that sale. It's that easy!

Who is Eligible?

If you have a website, blog, email, MySpace profile, or even if you frequent forums with a signature file (check forum guidelines for permission) you can sign up to be a Dezine Design affiliate. As long as you have somewhere to put customized links and you have traffic coming in, you can start earning a commission on every sale that you send to either (or both) of our stores. You can choose to become an affiliate of our Wild Web Store (via the Cafepress Affiliate Program) or our Fine Art Store (via the ShareASale Affiliate Program)...Both of these will cost you nothing - you just need to apply for an Affiliate Account with the relevant program (which is quick & easy), and spend a little time setting up your webspace with our customized banners or text links.

Visit our Affiliate Program page now to sign up and start earning from your webspace as soon as possible!

Here are just a few samples of our Affiliate Banners & Buttons - you'll need to access them from our Affiliate Program page where the necessary HTML code for inserting them is listed, but this will give you a quick taster of what's available. We'll also be adding new banners to keep things fresh, and to cater for special holidays like Christmas, Easter and so on:

Any Questions? Please email me.

EARN EXTRA BY JOINING A WIDER AFFILIATE NETWORK TOO!

You can also earn money from your website or blog by signing up for other affiliate programs. There are certain companies that manage affiliate links for a whole range of other businesses, so by signing up once, you can become an affiliate for a wide range of stores and services, which will ensure you can find the right programs to promote to your readership...after all, there's no point in promoting Republican T-shirts to a Democrat readership, or vice versa! For starters, you can try out these companies:

Best of Luck!
Pixel-Pixie
xox

Snippets from the News: A New Species of Leopard has been identified!

2007-03-15T10:41:00.000Z

This is exciting news to be greeted with on a Thursday morning in Scotland!

Apparently the (very rare) clouded leopards found in Borneo and Sumatra are a distinct species from their mainland cousins. On closer inspection, one can see their markings are significantly different to each other, and now 40 genetic differences between the two species have been identified by DNA tests.

Apparently, the mainland and island species would have separated about 40 million years ago. They are both fabulous looking creatures...You can see some great footage of the clouded leopard in Borneo on the BBC website this morning: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6452555.stm

Enjoy the show!

Pixel-Pixie
xox

Wild Facts of the Week: Coral Reefs!

2007-03-14T21:42:00.000Z

Did You Know...?

Coral Reefs are the sometimes called the "rainforests of sea". Coral reefs host the greatest concentration of ocean life, and the most biodiverse ecosystem on Earth!

Coral Reefs have 5 important functions, from a human point of view (and many more from a fish's point of view, no doubt!):

Economic: Coral Reefs generate $375 billion in annual revenue.
Erosion Control: Coral Reefs protect the coastlines of 109 countries.
Biodiversity: Coral Reefs are home to 25% of the world's fish species.
Medicine: Coral Reefs are an untapped pharmaceutical resource.
Food: Coral Reefs form the basis for 10% of the world's diet.

Despite all this, Coral Reefs are in crisis, dying at an alarming rate worldwide:

• An estimated 25% of coral reefs have already disappeared and an estimated two-thirds of all coral reefs are at risk today.
• An estimated 88% of the reefs in Southeast Asia - the most species rich reefs on earth - are at risk.
• Since 1975, more than 90% of the reefs in the Florida Keys have lost their living coral cover.

Threats to the world's Coral Reefs are mostly caused by us humans: Pollution, Disease, Over-fishing, Dynamite and cyanide fishing, Sedimentation, and Bleaching caused by rising ocean temperatures.

The image shown here is a vector illustration by one of our own designers, Tanya Saunders.

To view more tropical ocean art prints, please click here.

To browse apparel & other merchandize featuring this and/or similar coral reef fish designs, click here.

Learn More about the Wonders of the Natural World, and How We Can Help to Look After our Beautiful Planet:

Don't Get Caught Out!

2007-03-13T02:02:00.000Z

I know I almost got caught out...all these days rush up on you so quickly, it seems, and then all of a sudden it's too late!

St Patrick's Day is March 17th....Mother's Day in UK is March 18th (that's this Sunday, guys!)

Check out our fun (if a little irreverent) gift ideas for St Patrick's Day, and our lovely suggestions for Mother's Day...

More soon - I've got a lot more posting to do here, but it's 2.30am, and I need some sleep, so it'll have to wait until tomorrow...or some time.... :)

Pixel-Pixie

xox

Our creative hub is waiting for you to join in! Click here to see more...

Image of the Week: A Thoroughly Modern Cat

2007-03-12T10:55:00.000Z

Every week on the Dezine Design main website, we publish an Image of the Week. (You can also access Quotations and Wild Facts of the Week by visiting The Fun Times. This week's chosen image which was posted on Monday is called A Thoroughly Modern Cat. It's a vector illustration (which can be scaled to any size - even huge enough to fill a whole wall!) by one of our own artists, Tanya Saunders.

Don't forget to keep a lookout for the new Image of the Week next Monday! (You can also see a Back-Log of Images of the Week in The Fun Times, if you missed a few.)

Have fun!

Pixel-Pixie
xox

Latest Designs to hit our Wild Web Stores: Wild Africa

2007-03-11T21:58:00.000Z

Whether or not you've been to Africa, these vibrant designs make you feel the sun on your back, and you can almost hear the tropical bird-song in the background! Designer Tanya Saunders draws on her unusual upbringing in the African wilderness to create these sizzling products...have a browse around - there's a wide range of merchandise from African wildlife tees to animal mugs, mousepads, greeting cards, and much much more! You can read up about Tanya's extraordinary childhood surrounded by African wildlife by taking a look at her biography, where she tells her own story and shows us some very entertaining photos...have you ever seen elephants investigating a baby's pram (baby safe and well inside the pram, of course)? No, I thought not...so do take a look!

For more details of these Africa-inspired products for animal lovers, please check out our Wild Web Store.

We've also got some fabulous accompanying Wild Africa prints in our Fine Art Store - you can frame them and size them to suit your own requirements.

More prints and products are added regularly to our Wild Web Stores so please do keep checking back!

More soon...

Pixel Pixie

xox

Fabulous Gifts for Animal Lovers!

Latest Designs to hit our Wild Web Stores: Red Elephants: Fun in the Mud!

2007-03-11T21:37:00.000Z

More great photos from Edward Reilly, now available to frame and buy in our Fine Art Store. This collection of charming photographs, featuring young teenage elephants having a great time in the mud, were all taken in Kenya's Tsavo National Park. I don't know about you, but they make you want to jump right in and join the fun, don't they?

More prints and products are added regularly to our Wild Web Stores so please do keep checking back!

More soon...

Pixel Pixie
xox

Wild Gifts for Animal Lovers!

Latest Designs to hit our Wild Web Stores: Wild Silhouettes

2007-03-11T21:27:00.000Z

We love this new range of apparel and merchandise for home & office featuring a selection of wild silhouettes...you can choose from elephant, rhino and butterfly designs: from the mighty and imposing to the tiny and delicate! For more details, please check out our Wild Web Store.

We'll be adding more Wild Silhouette designs to our Fine Art Store soon, but in the meantime, we have a couple of images there you might like...

More prints and products are added regularly to our Wild Web Stores so please do keep checking back!

Bye for now...

Pixel Pixie
xox

Click here for imaginative gifts for animal lovers!

Latest Designs to hit our Wild Web Stores:Afghanistan Photos

2007-03-11T20:40:00.000Z

We feel extremely fortunate that Edward Reilly has chosen to partner with us, and share with us his extraordinary photographs of modern life in Afghanistan. We have recently added a wide selection of his images to our Fine Art Store where you can choose your own frames, and even what print size best suits your home or office...please do take a look, as these photos open our eyes on a world few of us will ever see for ourselves.

We've arranged the images in Galleries, and we'll be adding more over time, so please do keep an eye on this space! For now, we have separated out Edward's Afghanistan photographs into the following categories, each with their own gallery:

AFGHANISTAN: This gallery contains breathtaking landscapes and an insight into everyday life in Afghanistan. There are some fabulous shots of the awesome Hindu Kush mountain range, looming up in the background, and of course (sadly, but inevitably considering Afghanistan's war-torn history), there are many images depicting the aftermath of war...

AFGHAN CHILDREN: No-one could deny that Afghanistan is a tough place to grow up...and yet these photos show the extraordinary spirit of these children, who like kids all over the world, are fun-loving, curious and more than a little bit cheeky! In many photos, however, if you look at the eyes of the children, they tell the real story: these kids have seen more suffering than any child should ever be allowed to witness. Despite everything, it is the children's cheerfulness and their sense of humor which really shines through in these photographs.

AFGHAN TRUCKING: OK, not everyone might think that "trucking" is an appropriate topic for photographs, but wait until you see the terrain that these trucks have to go through, just to deliver their goods on a daily basis! What's more, in addition to hairpin bends and sheer cliff edges, rock falls and extreme weather, truck drivers in Afghanistan also have to contend with bandits and terrorists en route...so believe me, this is no ordinary trucking job! Plus, if you're more interested in art than in trucking (and let's face it, who isn't?!) you should take a look at the intricate decoration of these fabulously adorned trucks, known locally as the "jingly janglies" - you'll soon see why!

BUZKASHI: Buzkashi is an Afghan national game, which originated in Central Asia and is played primarily by the Uzbek, Turkoman and Tajik peoples of northern Afghanistan. Buzkashi means "goat-pulling" and involves two opposing teams on horseback using the carcass of a goat or calf as their object of competition. The players aim to lift the carcass from the centre of a circle, carry it around a point some distance away, and then return it to its original place in the circle...so the objective is to keep possession of the carcass at all times, no matter what! Cash prizes are given to each goal scorer, as well as to the winning team. Some say this game was the fore-runner to Polo. The military band you'll see in some of the photos, performing for the crowd before the start of the Buzkashi match is from Turkey, and is in fact the oldest military band in the world!

More prints and products are added regularly to our Wild Web Stores so please do keep checking back!

More soon...

Pixel Pixie
xox

Shop for more Wild Gifts & Fashion Items Here!

Latest Designs to hit our Wild Web Stores: Nature's Menagerie

2007-03-11T19:57:00.000Z

As you can see from the bright colors, this is mainly a design range for kids but for those adults who also love a splash of color (myself included!), we'll soon be adding some adult-sized apparel too, so watch this space! In the meantime, why not spoil the kids? For more details, please check out our Wild Web Store.

We've also got a great selection of framed (or unframed - your choice!) prints & posters for kids, featuring all sorts of wild creatures...why not start with our bright and colorful elephant designs by clicking here now!

I have to admit, I may be in my thirties, but I still love these little round elephants we call the Bubble Ellies...OK, so maybe that's a bit worrying, but I bet I'm not alone!

More prints and products are added regularly to our Wild Web Stores so please do keep checking back!

More soon...

Pixel Pixie
xox

Go Shopping in our Wild Web Stores!

Time to Print & Frame those Pictures!

2007-03-06T22:57:00.000Z

Thought I'd just pop in to share the good news...

ImageKind (the company we use for all our printing & framing) are running a special offer until March 23rd...20% off all Custom Framing!

For more information, click this icon (and don't forget to use the Promo Code SPRING to claim your discount):

Happy Shopping Everyone!

Pixel Pixie
xox

PS Why not take the plunge and frame up one of your own artworks or photographs?

Enjoy browsing and collecting fine art prints? Click Here!
Wild Shopping Opportunities (Apparel & Merchandize) - click here now!
Browse Budget Art Prints
View our Dezine Design Art & Photo Galleries

20% off museum & framed art

Featured on the FRONT PAGE!

2007-02-25T16:14:00.000Z

Hi Everyone!

We're proud to announce that today Dezine Design is on the Front Page of ImageKind as their Featured Member! We're delighted and flattered by this recognition of our artists and photographers...please take a look, and be sure to click on the Featured Member icon...

Art: Buy. Sell. Yours. Theirs. | ImageKind - where art meets community. Click here to see for yourself!

ImageKind is the American printing company which produces our beautiful art & photography prints for us, and allows each customer to choose whichever frame, mat and paper type suits them best. Using the latest Epson printing platform, Imagekind produce prints of exceptional quality at affordable prices....be sure to click the link above to take a look.

Meanwhile, I hope you're all having a great weekend - we certainly are, and the wonderful news that we are ImageKind's Featured Member of the day has got us smiling even more!

See you soon,

Pixel Pixie
xox

Art: Buy. Sell. Yours. Theirs. | ImageKind - where art meets community. Click here to see for yourself!

Click Here for Fine Art Prints
Don't Miss Contemporary Apparel & Merchandize from The Wild Web Store. Click Here!
Browse Budget Art Prints
Explore Art & Photography in our Dezine Design Gallery

New Artworks Uploaded

2007-02-23T15:28:00.000Z

Today we've uploaded some more artworks (digital vector illustrations) in our Creative Partner, Tanya Saunders's Gallery. There will be more coming very soon.

We're also busy uploading more photographs in Edward Reilly's Gallery - take a look - there are some extraordinary pictures here showing life in a very tough part of the world.

Please keep checking back, as new artworks will continue to be added regularly.

Enjoy!

Pixel Pixie
xox

Browse Fine Art Prints
Browse Apparel & Merchandize
Browse Budget Art Prints
View our Dezine Design Galleries

The Fun Times

2007-02-23T15:23:00.000Z

Hello Everyone!

Did you know that, alongside this more serious journal which keeps you up to date with the latest news from Dezine Design (our international online hub for creative people) we also have a more light-hearted journal which we call The Fun Times. It covers an entertaining mixture of topics and includes daily Quotations and Wild Facts of the Week...you can also catch up on a back-log of our main website's Images of the Week, if you missed out on a few days' viewing. It's family-friendly, so why not involve your kids too? Get them creating something fun today!

The Fun Times is updated daily...except for when the Pixel Pixie (that's me!) is away...like this weekend, for example - sorry guys, I may be silent for a couple of days...back Monday though!

However, there's nothing to stop you posting some great comments, pictures and jokes on The Fun Times while I'm away - maybe one of you would like to add a Quotation of the Day for Saturday and Sunday? Surprise me with something to make me smile when I get back to work on Monday morning!

Take care and happy weekend,

Pixel Pixie
xox

Available Now: Fine Art Prints
Available Now: Apparel & Merchandize
Available Now: Budget Art Prints
Available for Viewing Now: Dezine Design Galleries

What sets DEZINE DESIGN apart from any other art site?

2007-02-22T18:18:00.000Z

I’ve been asked several times over the last few days why Dezine Design is any different to all the other art promotion sites you can find on the internet.

So, here goes, guys: let me tell you just a few of the many reasons why we believe our site is extra special…or will be once we have all sections up and running at full speed…we’re working day and night, I promise…

Unlike many other sites, Dezine Design is multi-dimensional: We offer four distinct services:

* The opportunity to browse through the original and interesting galleries of our carefully selected Creative Partners (chosen from the fields of Art & Design, Writing and Photography…an eclectic mix!)

* The opportunity to browse and shop in our Wild Web Stores, featuring a range of contemporary apparel and design-led products with a wild twist…

* Free access to our one-stop information resource for professional artists, writers and photographers via The Creative Exchange.

* An inspiring and entertaining section on our website called The Fun Side that encourages both children and adults to release the creative spirit, which we believe lives within us all. Lots of great ideas, hints and tips on how to get started…plus competitions, reviews, and a really fun blog…not to be missed!

Unlike many other sites, Dezine Design demonstrates a holistic approach to creative enterprise: we offer our Creative Partners an integrated marketing/sales platform and opportunities to access the global marketplace no matter where you are in the world!

Unlike many other sites, becoming a Creative Partner on Dezine Design is free – no subscription charges! We host your galleries and market your work through our established sales platforms for no upfront fee – we only deduct our commission once a sale has been made.

Unlike many other sites, Dezine Design does not charge you for placing links to your website from ours – all we require is that your work fits in well with our core mission and that you place a reciprocal link back to Dezine Design on your own site. We'll even write a description about you/your company with a couple of images too!

Unlike many other sites, Dezine Design is selective with regards to the Creative Partners whom we promote – it’s not a “free-for-all”, and the choice of whom we select is at our sole discretion. We value quality over quantity, and we are careful only to select artists, writers and photographers whose work compliments our existing Partners’ work. We welcome variety & originality – so if you believe your work fits into this category, please apply to join us!

Unlike many other sites, Dezine Design is actively seeking creative professionals working and living in remote parts of the world – so you will see an eclectic mix of individuals represented here, some of whose work you won’t find anywhere else!

Unlike many other sites, Dezine Design aims to do good while doing business: not only are we setting up a "Shops with a Mission" Program where a percentage of all proceeds is donated to good causes, but we are also seeking to help creative people from less fortunate backgrounds find a way to access global markets for their work and generate an income with dignity and pride.

So, perhaps now you can see what sets Dezine Design apart from the crowd, and makes us somewhat different to many other art sites…

Please come join us!

See you soon,

Pixel Pixie
xox

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The Developments So Far...

2007-02-21T21:48:00.000Z

Hi again...I was telling you earlier about Dezine Design, the website for creative people all over the world, which I moderate. I wanted just to finish off what I started earlier, by telling you how far we have progressed with the site to date...

This site is being developed specifically for creative people (like us...and probably like you too, if you're reading this!). We're very excited about it! We want to ensure it becomes a buzzing hub of creativity, enterprise and fun...Please take a look at it and let me know what you think of our progress...As you all know, developing a really great site takes time: it's a bit like building a house - we've got the four walls up but we're still fitting the doors and windows!

So please take a look, but by the same token, please bear with us in these early stages...and help us make this into a space you want to come back to time after time. Please send us your comments, suggestions and requests - we want this to be THE place where creative people from all over the world enjoy hanging out! So it needs to cater to YOUR needs and YOUR interests - and for that, we need your feedback...

We've already signed up two highly original (and very different) Creative Partners, and we intend to continue in this vein: only selecting the artists, writers and photographers whom we believe bring something truly original and different to their craft, and whose work will compliment that of our other members...In this way, we will create a site that stands out from the rest, has a distinctive feel and promotes talented people whose work you may not have seen anywhere else. If you think you're a creative professional who fits into this category, why not apply to join us?

We believe we have a great concept here, and we have the energy, drive and ideas to make it happen...if you can give us time, and keep checking back and commenting on our progress, we will be very grateful!

Plus, if you know of any really great artists out there who have difficulties in bringing their work to market due to the remoteness of their locations, or due to their lack of funds, please email us - we might be able to help them gain access to a global market! Because of the way we work, no upfront payment is required for any of our partnership programs, so anyone can apply.

I'm already looking forward to hearing back from you! Once the site is up-and-running properly, you'll be seeing a lot more of me here too. In the meantime, welcome to our burgeoning creative community...

Bye for now, and see you soon,

Pixel Pixie
xox

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2007-02-21T21:42:00.000Z

Hi Everyone!

I'm the Pixel Pixie, and I'm the moderator of a really cool new website specially designed for creative people around the world.... so it's my job to welcome you to Dezine Design, a special online space for creating, commenting, critiquing, promoting, selling, sharing & shopping!

It's a site for established artists, writers and photographers, as well as for all you talented people out there, who just know there is a creative pixie lurking inside you...go on, let him out to play! Come and join our creative world...we know you'll enjoy it, and we'll enjoy having you as part of our community.
Please scroll down this page to read more about us, or you can click here now to meet our artists & photographers, and visit their wonderful and eclectic galleries...or if you feel like it, why not just go shopping?

To keep up with our LATEST NEWS: please click here now.

THE INSPIRATION BEHIND DEZINE DESIGN:

It may be difficult for people living in America and Europe to imagine that access to the internet is not easily available all over the world. The truth is that the majority of people on the planet still do not have access to the world wide web.

For example, in East Africa (Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya - where Dezine Design's founder grew up) - only 1.9 million people out of a total population of 100 million currently have access to the internet - that's less than 2% of the population! In other parts of the world, access to the internet is even less.

So imagine how many creative people there are out there, struggling for their craft, and yet unable to exploit the benefits of a global sales platform.
This is where Dezine Design comes in. We aim to seek and partner with diverse and talented artists, designers, writers & photographers from remote places around the world, and to represent them via this space, not only to help them promote and sell their work, but also to provide a one-stop research resource, so that if and when they do have access to the internet for short periods of time, they can find most of the information they need from a single source. We hope this one-stop resource will also help busy people who have access to the internet but can't find the time to trawl the web for answers!
To view the work of our talented Artists, Writers and Photographers straight away, please click here.

OUR AIMS

Dezine Design is not a charity - it is a commercial enterprise which aims to do good while doing business.
We have four principle goals:

* to develop The Dezine Zone, an international hub of creative interest and enterprise, through which our participating Artists, Writers and Photographers can promote their work, earn revenue and flourish.

* to provide a one-stop research facility and information exchange for professional artists, writers and photographers via The Creative Exchange.

* to offer a dynamic and exciting online shopping experience in our Wild Web Stores, showcasing the best work of our participating artists, designers & photographers, and including Charity Shops supporting our chosen causes.

* to host a vibrant and exciting platform called The Fun Side: an informative, interesting and entertaining place to browse, read, review, swap stories, pictures and opinions...you can even learn how to start your own creative endeavors, and get the kids involved in our regular art competitions (fabulous prizes to be won!).

Using this four-prong approach, we hope to inspire people - at whatever stage of life - to release their creative spirit. Our mantra is "Get Involved"...whether you are a professional or an aspiring artist, writer or photographer...or whether you simply enjoy viewing, reviewing, and collecting art, photography & good books...please join our vibrant creative community!

You'll never know unless you try!

OUR PRINCIPLES

In business, as in life, we believe:

* There is a creative spirit inside us all...

* Creating something new is fun and deeply fulfilling...

* Sharing our experiences can inspire others, broaden our creative community and enrich our own lives...

* Creative kids are happy kids...happy kids engage with life, take an interest in their surroundings and are curious to learn...so they end up becoming intelligent, creative and interesting adults...

* The best art and photography is that which people want to hang on their walls at home and look at every day...for us, it's about telling a story and creating a pleasant aesthetic and not about shock value...

* No-one in the world is the ultimate creative authority on what's good and bad art, photography or writing... we believe it's all in the eye of the beholder: if it works for you, then that's all that matters!

* As creative entrepeneurs, we will achieve more as a cohesive community than as small disparate entities: "Together we stand, divided we fall"...by clubbing together, we can make a greater impression and generate more interest in our work, thereby flourishing through mutual benefit.

* A good deal is a deal which is good for everyone involved, and not just for one side. This philosophy governs our relationship with our participating Artists, Writers and Photographers, as well as with our customers and readers...

* "We are all strands in the web of life: what we do the web, we do to ourselves"...the Natural World is a great inspiration and guiding spirit for us. We aim to give something back through our support for conservation organizations and other charities around the world.

* Trade (not Aid) is the only way to alleviate poverty: we aim to help creative people in less fortunate parts of the world build a better life for themselves, not by doling out cash but by providing a global platform for them to promote & sell their work, thereby generating income with dignity and creating an enterprise of which they can be proud.

* We believe what goes around, comes around and we try to keep this in mind at all times...

WELCOME TO OUR WORLD...PLEASE CLICK HERE TO COME & JOIN US!

Pixel Pixie
xox

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View our Dezine Design Galleries