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Maggie Whitley

joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith & simple living

You are here: Home / lifestyle / giveaway / {a quick interview with Ahoy Graphics + giveaway}

{a quick interview with Ahoy Graphics + giveaway}

March 7, 2011 · 58 Comments
Filed Under: giveaway, shop feature

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}.

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58 Comments
Filed Under: giveaway, shop feature

« {Saturday’s giveaway winner}
{shop update: zip pouches & eReader cases} »

Comments

  1. Sarah M says

    March 7, 2011 at 6:44 am

    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

    Reply
  2. Kate says

    March 7, 2011 at 6:52 am

    I could totally use a new label design for my candles. Ahoy graphics seems like a perfect fit.

    Reply
  3. katy reitz (lil' alice) says

    March 7, 2011 at 6:54 am

    i could use some design help! clueless on graphic designing!

    Reply
  4. katy reitz (lil' alice) says

    March 7, 2011 at 6:55 am

    i liked it on facebook!

    Reply
  5. katy reitz (lil' alice) says

    March 7, 2011 at 6:55 am

    i tweeted it too. katyreitz/twitter.

    thanks.

    Reply
  6. Kathleen {mrs lusher} says

    March 7, 2011 at 7:19 am

    I would have her work on some graphics for the blog! It’s time for a change!

    Reply
  7. Ashley Smith says

    March 7, 2011 at 7:30 am

    Oooh…..a top toolbar that actually works? Hey, I’m just dreamin’ over here!

    Reply
  8. Marie R. says

    March 7, 2011 at 7:31 am

    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! :)

    Reply
  9. hiyaluv says

    March 7, 2011 at 7:43 am

    i would use it towards a custom print design package;)
    gina

    Reply
  10. Karen says

    March 7, 2011 at 7:48 am

    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.

    Reply
  11. Jacky {The Sweetest Petunia} says

    March 7, 2011 at 7:51 am

    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….

    Reply
  12. Amanda S. says

    March 7, 2011 at 7:57 am

    I could so use Kristen’s help with an Etsy shop design!

    Reply
  13. Marixa says

    March 7, 2011 at 8:11 am

    I’d love her work on my blog. It needs a little umph!

    Reply
  14. Southern Gal says

    March 7, 2011 at 8:29 am

    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.

    Reply
  15. ann says

    March 7, 2011 at 8:33 am

    I could really use an etsy shop makeover!

    Reply
  16. Cha Cha says

    March 7, 2011 at 8:49 am

    Thank you for always introducing us to such beautiful people and things. You are my happy spot in blog land

    Cha Cha

    Reply
  17. Ivy says

    March 7, 2011 at 9:07 am

    I will use her design for my blog or my book blog. :) I could really use a logo or a header design. Thanks!!

    Reply
  18. Bracey Pate says

    March 7, 2011 at 9:22 am

    I would love to win this giveaway!

    Reply
  19. Brooke says

    March 7, 2011 at 9:28 am

    I could def use banner help.

    Reply
  20. Sally says

    March 7, 2011 at 10:26 am

    I would love a logo for my etsy shop!

    Reply
  21. Marin D says

    March 7, 2011 at 10:38 am

    I would love some banner help. I am so sad in this area. :o)

    Reply
  22. Anna Morales says

    March 7, 2011 at 10:51 am

    I am starting my own organic soap business and any of her services would be great! Yay exciting!

    Reply
  23. Mama Fisch says

    March 7, 2011 at 10:58 am

    I think I would use them toward some birth annoucements for #2~ adorable!

    Reply
  24. jen hatzung says

    March 7, 2011 at 11:15 am

    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

    Reply
  25. kara s. says

    March 7, 2011 at 11:19 am

    i would love blog graphics…:)

    Reply
  26. Jenny Nanninga says

    March 7, 2011 at 11:30 am

    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.

    Reply
  27. Katrina says

    March 7, 2011 at 11:39 am

    I have an Etsy shop too, I’d like to have some stickers designed!

    Reply
  28. Angie H. says

    March 7, 2011 at 12:21 pm

    I do! I do! Thanks again for sharing such a great artist!

    Reply
  29. Cristy says

    March 7, 2011 at 12:21 pm

    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.

    Reply
  30. thechattymommy says

    March 7, 2011 at 12:30 pm

    I love her work and would love either business cards or labels for my new etsy shop that is not yet open. :)

    Reply
  31. h2ogirl says

    March 7, 2011 at 12:33 pm

    I love the simplicity. I for one could use some graphics help. Thanks for the giveaway and the lovely intro to such creativity.

    Reply
  32. Grace @ Arms Wide Open says

    March 7, 2011 at 3:03 pm

    Fun fun! Kristen designed my blog header and I love it! I would love another blog design to save for the future :-)

    Reply
  33. Irina says

    March 7, 2011 at 3:08 pm

    I would love to start a blog and have Kristen design it. I love her work and I’m clueless about design.

    Thanks, Irina

    Reply
  34. connie says

    March 7, 2011 at 3:36 pm

    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.

    Reply
  35. Jules says

    March 7, 2011 at 3:52 pm

    I would use the Ahoy Graphics credit towards a Blog Fan Badge with Grab Code. I am long overdue for getting one of those.

    Reply
  36. Kari says

    March 7, 2011 at 4:32 pm

    I would love some help with my blog!!

    Reply
  37. Kari says

    March 7, 2011 at 4:33 pm

    I tweeted :) (@slugbugblue)

    Reply
  38. tawnya says

    March 7, 2011 at 4:56 pm

    My blog needs serious help…this would be the kick I need!

    Reply
  39. AlaskanAlison says

    March 7, 2011 at 5:09 pm

    Ooh great giveaway! I would LOVE to win! I would have her design me a logo for my photography :)

    Reply
  40. Dani says

    March 7, 2011 at 6:01 pm

    I need business cards like none other! Thanks Gussy!

    Reply
  41. Dani says

    March 7, 2011 at 6:02 pm

    I also tweeted! @wranglerdani

    Reply
  42. Brenda Kula says

    March 7, 2011 at 6:14 pm

    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

    Reply
  43. Diane M. says

    March 7, 2011 at 6:31 pm

    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.

    Reply
  44. Sabriena says

    March 7, 2011 at 8:20 pm

    I would have her design a new header image for my site. I’ve always wanted a pro to do it!

    Reply
  45. Allie Snyder says

    March 7, 2011 at 8:29 pm

    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.

    Reply
  46. missy rice cook says

    March 7, 2011 at 11:12 pm

    i so need some graphic help.

    Reply
  47. Lesli says

    March 7, 2011 at 11:53 pm

    I would love a new banner or button!

    Reply
  48. Lesli says

    March 7, 2011 at 11:54 pm

    Like it on Facebook

    Reply
  49. Lesli says

    March 7, 2011 at 11:55 pm

    Tweet

    http://twitter.com/#!/alittleumbrella/status/44999359288446976

    Reply
  50. Nelly says

    March 8, 2011 at 1:23 am

    i would love new business cards! thanks!

    nelly dot barney at yahoo dot com

    Reply
  51. Kristin says

    March 8, 2011 at 9:38 am

    I could use the help streamlining to the look of my social media outlets and designing a logo!

    Reply
  52. Mary C says

    March 8, 2011 at 12:59 pm

    I would love Kristen’s help desigining a logo for my etsy shop and social media outlets!

    Reply
  53. Stephanie C. says

    March 8, 2011 at 8:10 pm

    I would love a little revamp for my etsy shop!

    Reply
  54. Shannon says

    March 8, 2011 at 8:26 pm

    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.

    Reply
  55. Suz @ Suz's Treats says

    March 8, 2011 at 8:33 pm

    Looks awesome!

    Reply
  56. Elena @ Breakfast for Dinner says

    March 8, 2011 at 8:38 pm

    I could really use her help getting my Etsy stuff set up!

    Reply
  57. Ann says

    March 8, 2011 at 10:53 pm

    I tweeted! @annswindell

    Reply
  58. joy hodowanic says

    March 9, 2011 at 9:01 am

    I would love a redesign of my shop.

    Reply

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