Kristen of Ahoy Graphics is a sponsor to the Gussy Sews community and is helping us welcome March with a fun, 5-question interview about herself and her design services.
Ahoy Graphics offers three types of services: Etsy shop design, printable design, or social media design, to help you make your shop or business perdy. I’ll let Kristen take it from here :]
The Interview ~
1. Share with us a little bit about yourself, your family & your handmade shop.
I’m a bookbinder, graphic designer, painter, art educator, owner of two Jack Russell Terriers and a Navy wife. We’re originally from Tennessee, in the outer Nashville area, and are currently stationed in an oh-so-sunny San Diego. I’ve enjoyed several years of freelance design work in the midst of teaching art and my bookbinding love affair.
2. How do you keep yourself inspired?
I’m constantly reading and exploring new sites but I find that my clients’ businesses prove to be the best inspiration for my work! I’m also a dog walker, I’ll use this personal time away from the desk to think through any “designer block” that I have.
3. What does a typical workday look like?
My typical workday is pretty streamlined, I wake around 8am and do all my house chores. By 10am, I’ll check in with my design consulting job. By noon, I’ll start my day at Ahoy by emailing design consultations and edit confirmations. Then I’ll quickly do some activity on my social media sites before heading into my part-time job as a dog-walker.
By around 2pm, I’m ready to design. I use “Get It Done” to keep all my jobs and deadlines organized. I always keep that and my email open throughout the day. I work with around 8-12 clients each day with many more with pending orders. I organize my workflow on a “first-come, first-serve” basis, working my way down the list. If I’m waiting on feedback for a project, I will skip over them and keep working until I hear back.
By 6pm-7pm, I’m finished sending out new drafts and notices to my clients. Over night, I will receive their feedback. If my husband is deployed or if I’m working with more than 8 clients in a day, you will find me designing well to midnight. I’m naturally a night-owl so this is the perfect time for me to design.
4. What are some recent business accomplishments you are most proud of?
When I’m given the opportunity for an amazing project, I have only my clients to thank! Recently, I’ve been uber excited over designing Rosamandola’s new branding suite, Assistly.com‘s new PR Kit Campaign, and the Hudson Public Library’s submission to the MLA PR Awards that will go inside one my hand-bound folios.
5. What are a few of your favorite handmade shops?
Ooh Pretty Shiny, Chicago Honey Co-op, Have It Sweet, Lemon Bird, Annie’s Sweatshop, Lime Green Modern, Yorktown Road, Byrd & Belle, Extra Seed, Lirola
Want to win $40 shop credit with Ahoy Graphics?
Leave a comment sharing how you’d use Kristen’s design skillz for your blog, shop, or business.
Giveaway ends Wednesday morning (3/9) and is open to the US only. For extra entries: blog tweet or facebook this {leave an extra comment for each}.
I would love to have a new banner on my blog–I am completely inept at that sort of thing…love her work!
Sarah M
I could totally use a new label design for my candles. Ahoy graphics seems like a perfect fit.
i could use some design help! clueless on graphic designing!
i liked it on facebook!
i tweeted it too. katyreitz/twitter.
thanks.
I would have her work on some graphics for the blog! It’s time for a change!
Oooh…..a top toolbar that actually works? Hey, I’m just dreamin’ over here!
I would love a new banner and a button for my blog! I my self am not that creative so it would be great to have it done for me! :)
i would use it towards a custom print design package;)
gina
I would love her services on a logo (the basic artwork is done but needs to be made into a logo.) or a big cartel page with social media links, or blog header…..lots of opportunities for help! Karenlw at com cast.
I’d love a makover for the shop! I’ve discovered that there’s a lot I can do creatively, but not when it comes to graphic design….
I could so use Kristen’s help with an Etsy shop design!
I’d love her work on my blog. It needs a little umph!
I would love to win this. My friend and I have started a new children’s clothing business and would love to have a professionally crafted web site. What a great giveaway!
Thanks for the chance.
I could really use an etsy shop makeover!
Thank you for always introducing us to such beautiful people and things. You are my happy spot in blog land
Cha Cha
I will use her design for my blog or my book blog. :) I could really use a logo or a header design. Thanks!!
I would love to win this giveaway!
I could def use banner help.
I would love a logo for my etsy shop!
I would love some banner help. I am so sad in this area. :o)
I am starting my own organic soap business and any of her services would be great! Yay exciting!
I think I would use them toward some birth annoucements for #2~ adorable!
omg, i found Kristen’s page on your website last week and emailed her right away! I am going to start working with her soon. so excited! would love to win
i would love blog graphics…:)
I would totally use her to create a rockin’ logo for my wedding and event planning business. I made mine myself. A lot of cut and paste and generic font. Not that awesome. http://www.chapter13weddingsandevents.com.
I have an Etsy shop too, I’d like to have some stickers designed!
I do! I do! Thanks again for sharing such a great artist!
I’m about to go into teaching… I’m not exactly sure how she could help me, but I’m sure I could come up with something cool. I may want to adopt that graphic for ‘rosamandola’ as my 4th child though.
I love her work and would love either business cards or labels for my new etsy shop that is not yet open. :)
I love the simplicity. I for one could use some graphics help. Thanks for the giveaway and the lovely intro to such creativity.
Fun fun! Kristen designed my blog header and I love it! I would love another blog design to save for the future :-)
I would love to start a blog and have Kristen design it. I love her work and I’m clueless about design.
Thanks, Irina
I’d love a new avatar, blog assistance, new headers, etc…
So many great things to choose from it would be a very tough decision.
I would use the Ahoy Graphics credit towards a Blog Fan Badge with Grab Code. I am long overdue for getting one of those.
I would love some help with my blog!!
I tweeted :) (@slugbugblue)
My blog needs serious help…this would be the kick I need!
Ooh great giveaway! I would LOVE to win! I would have her design me a logo for my photography :)
I need business cards like none other! Thanks Gussy!
I also tweeted! @wranglerdani
I’m launching a promotional site for women and their cottage industries. I am also working on opening my own Etsy shop. I’d use her services for that.
Brenda
I love hearing what other women are doing in today’s biz world. Thanks Gus!
Seriously, with the new style FB biz page rolling me in on the 10th, with my heels dug in, I *need* a new avatar.
Okay…lots of good changes there….I just don’t care for the page layout. “Blech!” to quote my favorite floppy eared dog.
I would have her design a new header image for my site. I’ve always wanted a pro to do it!
I would love to use her help to enhance my small blog/etsy shop button. I find it hard to create a dynamic, eye catching image in such a small package.
i so need some graphic help.
I would love a new banner or button!
Like it on Facebook
Tweet
http://twitter.com/#!/alittleumbrella/status/44999359288446976
i would love new business cards! thanks!
nelly dot barney at yahoo dot com
I could use the help streamlining to the look of my social media outlets and designing a logo!
I would love Kristen’s help desigining a logo for my etsy shop and social media outlets!
I would love a little revamp for my etsy shop!
I would LOVE this. I so need a little refresher. The designer who did my blog doesn’t do it anymore and I love her so I need a new gal. :) I would love a few new graphics for Potamus Prefers.
Looks awesome!
I could really use her help getting my Etsy stuff set up!
I tweeted! @annswindell
I would love a redesign of my shop.