Does Your Shop Name Really Matter?

If you’re thinking about starting an Etsy shop or rebranding your own, you might be wondering, does the name really matter? Honestly, I used to believe that it didn’t matter all that much. I thought as long as I created art I was passionate about and put effort into building my shop, people would find me. And to some degree, that’s true. But what I’ve learned over time is that while your art or products are the star of the show, your shop name is the first impression people get—it’s the introduction to your brand.

More importantly, your shop name should represent what you do. It should be catchy enough to stick in people’s minds but also descriptive enough that potential customers can get a sense of what they’ll find in your store.

Why I Chose to Change My Shop Name

When I started Banana Bird Boutique, my work revolved around creating fun, quirky wordplay illustrations. I would mix and match unexpected elements and create cute, humorous designs. It was really fun, but my art began to shift in a new direction. After one of my pieces, Daisy Cat, blew up on Instagram, I noticed that people were drawn to my illustrations of pets that are drawn in the middle of flowers so it is not that visible from far away. I started receiving custom requests for this style of art, and soon enough, it became the core of what I do.

As I leaned into this new direction—pets in the middle of flowers—the name “Banana Bird Boutique” just didn’t feel right anymore. It no longer represented the heart of my shop or the type of artwork I was creating. I wanted something that conveyed the dreamy, floral, and pet-inspired theme that my shop had transformed into. That’s when I knew it was time to rebrand.

The Birth of Flower Cat Garden

The name Flower Cat Garden instantly felt like the perfect fit. It’s simple, descriptive, and reflects exactly what I do now: creating illustrations of cats and other pets in flowers. It’s still playful and whimsical, like my original work, but it also feels more aligned with my current art style and the audience I’m trying to reach.

Not only is Flower Cat Garden a better reflection of my brand, but it’s also better for SEO (search engine optimization). The words “flower” and “cat” are keywords that people searching for pet or nature-inspired art might be typing into search engines or Etsy’s own search bar. So, while naming a store might seem like a small thing, it’s actually an important piece of the puzzle when it comes to growing your online presence.

How to Choose a Shop Name That Represents You

If you’re thinking about naming or renaming your shop, here are a few tips I’ve learned through my rebranding experience:

1. Keep it Catchy, but True to Your Brand
   A catchy name is great, but it’s more important that it resonates with what you actually create. You want people to remember it, sure, but you also want them to have a sense of what you’re offering just by hearing or seeing the name.
2. Think About Your SEO
   Use words that your target audience might search for. If you’re selling pet illustrations, consider including “pet” or “animal” in your name. If you create nature-themed art, think about words like “garden,” “flower,” or “forest.”
3. Be Willing to Evolve
   It’s okay to start with one name and change it later as your art or product line evolves. Don’t feel locked into the first name you choose, especially if your brand takes on a new direction like mine did.
4. Test It Out
   Say your potential shop name out loud. How does it feel? Does it roll off the tongue? Does it make sense for the type of products you’re selling? Share it with friends or loyal customers and get their feedback.

Embracing Change

Rebranding from Banana Bird Boutique to Flower Cat Garden wasn’t just about updating my Etsy name—it was about embracing the changes in my creative path. And honestly? It’s been the best decision for my shop. My customers now instantly understand the essence of my work, and it has helped me connect more deeply with my target audience.

In the end, the most important thing about naming your shop is making sure it aligns with your creative vision and speaks to the people you want to reach. So, if you’ve been thinking about changing your shop name or are just getting started, don’t be afraid to play around with ideas. Sometimes, a fresh name is all you need to take your shop to the next level.

Thanks for following along on this journey, and if you haven’t yet, check out my latest work in Flower Cat Garden—where cats, flowers, and creativity bloom together!

The post How I Changed My Etsy Shop Name from Banana Bird Boutique to Flower Cat Garden (And Why It Matters) appeared first on Sara Vidmajer - Illustration portfolio.

Tukaj je - kako določam cene in katere možnosti lahko izberete:

Opcija 1: Obstoječi cvetlični dizajni

You choose from my library of already-created flowers, and I’ll illustrate your pet nestled inside. This is a great option if you’re looking for something unique but more affordable than a full custom piece.

• Digital Portrait Only:
• 1 pet: 45€
• Each additional pet/pose: +25€
• Printed Version (opcijsko)
• A4 (21 × 29.7 cm): +20€
• A3 (29.7 × 42 cm): +35€
• A2 (42 × 59.4 cm): +50€

No edits are included in this package — please send clear reference photos. If you’d like small corrections (pose adjustments, color tweaks), there’s a +15€ revision fee per round.

Option 2: Fully Custom Flower + Pet

You choose the flower(s), and I’ll design everything from scratch to match your vision. Perfect for gifts, memorial portraits, or something totally one-of-a-kind.

• Base Price (1 pet + custom flower): 130€

• Each additional pet/pose: +40–60€ depending on complexity

• Complex flower composition (2+ types): +30–70€

Add a printed version :

• A4: +20€
• A3: +35€
• A2: +50€

Photo Guidelines

To create the best possible result, I need a clear reference photo — preferably where your pet is curled up, lying, or sitting in a round-ish position that suits the flower format. Most pets work wonderfully: cats, dogs, bunnies, guinea pigs, ferrets, and more.

Tukaj je primer najboljših možnih fotografij za mačke v cvetju, kot že omenjeno, to so lahko tudi zajčki, psi, hrčki, dihurji, morski prašički ali katera koli druga žival, ki bi se lepo prilegala sredi rože.

Tukaj je primer- Pes postavljen v enega izmed mojih obstoječih cvetličnih dizajnov – barve so bile prilagojene po želji stranke.

Če naročite svoj prilagojen portret, prejmete tudi digitalno datoteko, ki jo uporabite, kot vam ustreza – včasih natisnjene portrete podarijo kot darila, včasih jih spremenijo v izdelke, kot je naredila ena izmed strank: njena mačka, natisnjena na levi, nato pa je izdelala ovitek za telefon.

Strankina mačka, stranka si je dala tudi delati ovitek.

Strankina mačka v štirih različnih pozah v že obstoječih rožah

Another example of cats in already exsisting flowers.

What’s Included:

• A high-resolution digital file you can print or use however you like (many people make gifts or keepsakes!)

• Optional shipping for printed art

• A lovingly made, truly personal piece of artwork

Shipping Info:

Worldwide shipping starts at 10€, depending on size and destination.

How to order :

Just email me at sara.vidmajer@gmail.com or message me on Etsy.

Let me know:

• Which option you’re interested in
• Your pet’s name and photo
• Your flower ideas
• Whether you want digital only or a print

I’ll send you a custom Etsy listing to pay securely and track your order.

The post Flower Pet Commissions – Updated 2025 Pricing appeared first on Sara Vidmajer - Illustration portfolio.

Cenik ilustracij

1.Minimalistične ilustracije
Za tiste, ki imate raje čist in preprost dizajn, so moje minimalistične ilustracije ocenjene na 60 € na ilustracijo. Te so idealne za projekte, ki zahtevajo moderen, preprost estetski videz ali ilustracije, ki so vključene znotraj besedila. 60 € na ilustracijoTe so idealne za projekte, ki zahtevajo moderen, preprost estetski videz ali ilustracije, ki so vključene znotraj besedila.

Primer minimalistične ilustracije

2. Podrobne dvostranske ilustracije
Če želite bolj dodelane ilustracije, ki obsegajo celotno dvostransko postavitev (dve nasproti ležeči strani), cene znašajo od 150 € do 400 € na dvostransko ilustracijo. Končna cena je odvisna od ravni zahtevane podrobnosti in vloženega časa. Te dvostranske ilustracije so popolne za ustvarjanje poglobljenih, bogato ilustriranih prizorov, ki pritegnejo mlade bralce. 150 € do 400 € na dvostransko ilustracijo.Končna cena je odvisna od ravni zahtevane podrobnosti in vloženega časa. Te dvostranske ilustracije so popolne za ustvarjanje poglobljenih, bogato ilustriranih prizorov, ki pritegnejo mlade bralce.

3.Oblikovanje likovnih junakov
Ustvarjanje edinstvenih in nepozabnih likov je kompleksen proces, ki vključuje več stopenj risanja, izboljševanja in dokončne zasnove. Cene za ilustracije likov se začnejo pri 200 € na lik in se lahko povečajo glede na kompleksnost ter število potrebnih popravkov. 200 € na likovnega junaka in se lahko povečajo glede na kompleksnost ter število potrebnih popravkov.

Primer oblikovanja likovnega junaka

4.Celostranske ilustracije
Za ilustracije, ki pokrivajo celotno stran, vendar ne obsegajo dvostranske postavitve, se cene začnejo pri 120 € na stran. Končna cena je odvisna od kompleksnosti in ravni podrobnosti. 120€ na stran.Končna cena je odvisna od kompleksnosti in ravni podrobnosti.

Primer komplesnih ilustracij za knjigo

Storitve oblikovanja knjige in postavitve

Poleg ilustracij nudim tudi celovite storitve oblikovanja knjig, da zagotovim, da je vaš projekt usklajen, profesionalen in pripravljen za tisk. Tukaj je pregled, kaj vse je vključeno:

1. Prilagojeno oblikovanje postavitve

• Osnovna postavitev:Osnovna postavitev: €300 Za knjige do 50 strani se cena začne pri 300 € in vključuje razporeditev besedila in preprosto postavitev slik.
• Napredna postavitev:Za knjige z več kot 50 stranmi ali tiste, ki zahtevajo bolj kompleksno postavitev, se cene začnejo pri 500 €. To vključuje integracijo različnih vizualnih elementov, kot so grafikoni, infografike in posebna tipografija. 500€ To vključuje integracijo različnih vizualnih elementov, kot so grafikoni, infografike in posebna tipografija.

2. Oblikovanje naslovnice

• Oblikovanje naslovnice (spredaj):Cene se začnejo pri €150 za preprost, a privlačen dizajn.
• Celovita naslovnica (spredaj, zadaj in hrbet):Za usklajen dizajn po celotni knjigi se cene začnejo pri 250€.

Kako izgleda oblikovanje naslovnice

3.Vezni listi

• Vezni listi po naročilu :Cene se začnejo pri 20, kar doda edinstven in profesionalen pridih vaši knjigi.

Primer veznega lista, pri katerem uporabljamo vzorce kot ilustracijo

4. Datoteke, pripravljene za tisk

• Priprava za tisk:Storitev, ki zagotavlja, da so vse datoteke optimizirane in pripravljene za tisk, se začne pri 100 €. To vključuje nastavitev datotek, barvno korekcijo in končne preglede, da se zagotovi skladnost z zahtevami tiskarne.

Izvažanje datotek za tisk

Fotografske storitve (vključene)

Poleg ilustracij in oblikovanja nudim tudi profesionalne fotografske storitve, kar je lahko dragocena dodana vrednost, če vaša knjiga temelji na fotografijah ali zahteva izvirne foto vsebine. Najboljše pri tem? Za fotografijo ne zaračunavam dodatnih stroškov.Ne glede na to, ali vaša knjiga temelji na fotografijah ali potrebuje specifične slike za dopolnitev ilustracij, je ta storitev vključena v skupne stroške projekta. Prilagojene cene glede na kompleksnost projekta

Knjižna fotografija

Prilagojene cene glede na kompleksnost projekta

Vsaka knjiga je edinstvena, prav tako pa tudi njene potrebe po oblikovanju in ilustraciji. Ne glede na to, ali vaša knjiga temelji na fotografijah, informativni vsebini ali zgodbah z liki, se cene prilagodijo glede na kompleksnost in potreben čas.

• Projekti, ki temeljijo na likovnih junakih :Ti projekti so pogosto najbolj zapleteni in časovno zahtevni, kar se odraža v višjih cenah zaradi vključenih podrobnosti. Ti projekti zahtevajo temeljito načrtovanje, razvoj likov in iteracijo, da dosežejo popoln rezultat.
• Informativni ali fotografski projekti:Knjige, ki močno temeljijo na fotografijah ali informativni vsebini, običajno zahtevajo manj ilustracijskega dela, vendar pa lahko potrebujejo več pozornosti pri postavitvi in oblikovanju. Cene za te projekte bodo ustrezno prilagojene.

Končna cenovna ocena

Da vam dam predstavo o skupni investiciji, se stroški za popolnoma ilustrirano knjigo običajno gibljejo med 1.600 € in 5.000 € €1,600 to €5,000 odvisno od specifičnih zahtev projekta. Za projekte zunaj Slovenije se lahko cene razlikujejo glede na dodatne zahteve, kot so potovanja ali pošiljanje.

Kontaktirajte me za personalizirano ponudbo

Za najnatančnejšo ponudbo za vaš projekt je najbolje, da se podrobneje pogovorimo o specifičnostih vaše knjige. To mi omogoča, da razumem vašo vizijo in ponudim prilagojeno storitev, ki bo ustrezala vašim potrebam. Ne glede na to, ali iščete minimalističen dizajn, popolnoma ilustrirano knjigo z dodelanimi liki ali izvirne fotografije, sem tukaj, da uresničim vašo vizijo.

Prosim, da me kontaktirate s podrobnostmi o vašem projektu, in z veseljem vam bom pripravila personalizirano ponudbo. Mnogim avtorjem sem že pomagala pri njihovih projektih in knjige so zaživele!

The post Many People Ask Me: How Much Does It Cost to Illustrate a Children’s Book? appeared first on Sara Vidmajer - Illustration portfolio.

The Birth of Sunflower Cats

A few years ago, I got one idea with a simple yet intriguing concept: merging the forms of black cats with vibrant yellow sunflowers. The idea was to create a playful and visually captivating series that would delight viewers with its subtle complexity. Little did I know, this artistic experiment would capture the hearts of many and become a viral hit.

The Optical Illusion

The magic of Sunflower Cats lies in its optical illusion. At a glance, the illustrations seem to be merely a beautiful array of sunflowers. However, as you take a closer look, the silhouettes of black cats emerge, seamlessly integrated into the the middle of petals and leaves. This clever use of negative space means that from a distance, the black cats are almost invisible, blending into the artwork until you focus on the details.

The Viral Success

The second or third illustration in this series, which I named “Daisy Cat illustration,” gained unexpected popularity. People were enchanted by the surprise element of discovering the hidden cats among the daisies. This delight led to a surge of interest, and soon, Sunflower Cats became a beloved theme in cat lover comunity.

The Significance of Black Cats

The choice of black cats was not accidental. Black cats have long been surrounded by superstition, often considered bad luck in various cultures. This irrational belief has resulted in black cats being less likely to be adopted and more likely to remain in animal shelters. Through my art, I hoped to shed a positive light on these beautiful creatures, showcasing their elegance and charm in a whimsical setting.

Creating the Illustrations

I work digitally, primarily using Photoshop and Procreate to bring my ideas to life. The process begins with creating detailed outlines of the cats and flowers, carefully planning how they will intertwine. Once the outlines are complete, I proceed to color the illustrations, ensuring that the yellow flowers and black cats contrast beautifully to enhance the optical illusion.

Black Cats and Flowers: A Perfect Pair

The combination of black cats and sunflowers is more than just an aesthetic choice; it’s a celebration of contrasts. The dark, mysterious allure of black cats paired with the bright, sunny disposition of yellow flowers creates a harmonious balance. This juxtaposition not only captivates the viewer’s eye but also invites them to appreciate the hidden beauty in both the natural and artistic worlds.

Conclusion

Sunflower Cats is a testament to the power of creativity and the joy of discovering hidden surprises in art. What started as a simple illustration idea turned into a viral phenomenon, reminding us that sometimes, the most unassuming concepts can have the greatest impact. Through this series, I aim to not only entertain but also to challenge superstitions and celebrate the unique beauty of black cats. So next time you see a sunflower, take a closer look – you might just spot a hidden feline friend.

Stay tuned for more whimsical creations as I continue to explore the enchanting world of digital illustration.

The post Sunflower Cats: An Artistic Optical Illusion appeared first on Sara Vidmajer - Illustration portfolio.

Tukaj je slika skicirke

Po nekem času sem se vrnila k svoji ideji in sem jo začela ponovno ilustrirati. Priznam, da ni bilo enostavno ali hitro. Pravzaprav mi je vzelo nekaj dolgih mesecev risanja in popravljanja, da sem narisala vse prav. Naredila sem raziskavo, več krat sem narisala enake motive, dokler ni začela izgleldati pravilno

Sprva sem oklevala, da bi dodala katero koli barvo, saj nisem želela uničiti linij in sivin, ki so naredili hiško tako edinstveno, toda na koncu sem se odločila, da jo pobarvam. Tako sem začela uporabljati digitalno barvno paleto, dokler miška hiška ni zares zaživela v vseh svojih barvah.

Po mnogih urah predanosti in ljubezni sem končno ustvarila svoje najljubše ilustracije – Miško hiško. Ampak nisem se ustavila tam – odločila sem se, da grem korak naprej in ustvarim zimsko različico, ki vključuje zasnešeno streho, snežinke, ki padajo iz neba, in celo božično drevo z darili pod njim.

Kot da še to ni bilo dovolj, sem ustvarila tudi posebno ilustracijo za novoletno noč, ki vključuje svetlo in praznično Miško hiško, okrašeno in z ognjemetom v ozadju.

Na koncu je bila pot do ustvarjanja Miške hiške vredna vsake minute. Veselje ustvarjanja ideje in njeno izpoplnjevanje je nekaj, kar si bom za vedno zapomnila. Kdo ve, kakšen bo moj naslednji projekt, vendar vem, da bom še naprej risala, popravljal in ilustrirala nekaj kar ne bom kar pozabila.

Če vam je všeč Mišja hiša, lahko tukaj kupite prin : https://www.etsy.com/listing/1109173031/mouse-house-print-mouse-illustration?

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