Nuts & Bolts: Graduation 2022 to 2023
Let’s be ready for graduation card sales for the class of 2023. Many college and high school graduations are in May. There are hundreds of graduation cards on the site dated 2022. This includes Congratulations, Announcements, and Invitations. Not only should card images be updated but also card titles, keywords, and artist’s notes accordingly. This even applies to custom front design to make them more marketable and avoid shopper errors.
Thank you to those artists who have already updated their designs for 2023– we appreciate you stepping up to the front of the class!
Search results for “Graduation 2022“
Tip: A quick way to pinpoint the bulk of your related cards is within your Manage Store >> Manage Cards and locate cards searching with keywords “graduation 2022”.
While graduation is on your mind, consider adding new designs to the collection to offer fresh choices to shoppers. See here about adding fresh designs to a saturated category. Please take the time now to update your designs before 2/1/23. After 2/1/23, GCU will take any outdated cards offline.
The difference is made in the details!
GCU Community Manager
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Wanted Cards – Across the Miles / First – Chinese New Year Hare / Rabbit
Please consider creating cards for these subcategories in need of cards:
Holidays >> Chinese New Year >> 2023 Year of the Hare / Rabbit >> Across the Miles cid#36054
As well as these firsts for Holidays >> Chinese New Year >> 2023 Year of the Hare / Rabbit >> 1st / First Year of the Rabbit
>> As a Couple / Engaged cid#37044
>> As a Couple / Newlyweds cid#37046
>> As a Family / Parents cid#37048
>> In Your New Home cid#37050
>> Other 1st / First Year of the Rabbit / Hare cid#37042
>> Baby’s 1st / First Year of the Rabbit / Hare
>> General Baby’s 1st / First Year of the Rabbit / Hare cid#37054
>> Multiples / Twins / Triplets / Quads cid#37058
>> Name Specific cid#37062
>> Other Baby’s 1st / First Year of the Rabbit / Hare cid#37056
>> General 1st / First Year of the Rabbit / Hare cid#37040
>> Relationship Specific cid#37060
Note: cid# is the speed entry method of adding a category to your card via category id number (cid#) vs using search terms or click and hunt. See here on the blog:
https://gcucommunity.com/2022/06/10/nuts-and-bolts-new-artist-enhancements/
Note the guidelines for ordinal numbers and superscript for 1st here.
To expedite the review of these cards, please check Fast Track Review on the card image details page when you create your card and add a Note for Reviewers like “for BLOG– Wanted Cards”. (stock cards are automatically fast tracked).
Consider using Stock Card Creations to create new cards quickly. These cards are automatically set for expedited review so no need to Fast Track. Remember, when you’re submitting your new stock card, add a little note about the intended category in your Notes to Reviewers.
Be inventive, be clever, be creative. Go for it!
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Rainbow Connection: Mood Indigo III
Indigo is a deep blue color that has been used for centuries to dye clothing, fabrics, and other materials. The color is named after the indigo plant, which was used to produce a blue dye in ancient civilizations.
Indigo has a long and rich history that stretches back thousands of years. The ancient Egyptians used indigo to dye cloth as early as 4000 BCE. The dye was also used in ancient India, where it was obtained from the Indigofera tinctoria plant, and in ancient China, where it was obtained from the plant Persicaria tinctoria.
In Europe, indigo dye was first imported from India in the 16th century, and it quickly became popular for use in dyeing textiles. The indigo plant was also grown in Europe for use in dye production, and indigo dye became one of the most important exports from the colonies in the Americas.
Today, indigo is still widely used in the production of blue jeans and other clothing, and it is also used in the printing industry, as a pigment in paints and inks, and in a variety of other applications.
On Johns Island in South Carolina, tucked along Maybank Highway, not far from where the Stono River meets Pennys Creek, sits a long-obscured piece of history. The remains of a four-chambered brick structure are set among black gum trees, live oaks and scrub brush. At its base, partially covered by moss and bald cypress roots, the tint that enchanted the colonial world is still visible. The ridges of the mortar in between the bricks emit a blue hue, the color of the ocean: indigo, a name that refers to the shrub, the dye the plant produces and the color itself.
This crumbling vat, with squares aligned back to back, was built to process the plant when the demand for indigo dye was at its height. For 50 years, starting in the late 1740s, indigo was a major South Carolina cash crop, second only to rice. At one time, the extracted pigment, dried and shaped into circular cakes, was so prized that it was sometimes called blue gold, and used as currency—even as barter for slaves. After the Revolutionary War, indigo processing fell into obscurity, relegated to the fringes of the agricultural conversation (if it was ever mentioned at all) as a historical oddity.
…. Read the rest of The Blue That Enchanted the World here.
Indigo in Art
Many artists throughout history have used indigo in their work. In the art of dyeing and printing fabrics, indigo has been used to create a wide range of blue hues, from pale sky blue to deep, rich navy.
In painting, indigo has been used as a pigment in various shades of blue, and it has also been used to create green and purple hues when mixed with other pigments. Some famous artists who have used indigo in their work include Vincent van Gogh, who used indigo in many of his paintings, including “The Starry Night,” and Paul Klee, who used indigo extensively in his colorful abstract compositions.
Indigo has also been used by traditional artisans in various cultures around the world to create intricate patterns and designs on fabrics and other materials using dyeing and printing techniques. For example, indigo dye has been used for centuries in Africa to create the characteristic blue patterns on traditional cloth such as Kente and Adire.
Some literature:
Indigo: Egyptian Mummies to Blue Jeans (Available on Amazon)
Indigo: The Colour the Changed the World (Available on Amazon)
Here are a few facts about indigo:
- Indigo is a deep blue color that is named after the indigo plant, which was used to produce a blue dye in ancient civilizations.
- The indigo plant is a type of legume that is native to the tropical regions of the Americas, Africa, and Asia. It is also grown in other parts of the world for use in dye production.
- Indigo dye is produced by extracting a pigment called indigotin from the indigo plant. The pigment is then mixed with a mordant, which helps the dye adhere to fabrics, and the mixture is applied to the material to be dyed.
- Indigo has been used for centuries to dye clothing, fabrics, and other materials. It was one of the first dyes to be used commercially and was an important export from the colonies in the Americas.
- Indigo is still widely used today in the production of blue jeans and other clothing, and it is also used in the printing industry, as a pigment in paints and inks, and in a variety of other applications.
- In the visible spectrum, indigo is located between blue and violet, and it has a wavelength of approximately 420 to 450 nanometers.
- Indigo is associated with tranquility, spirituality, and depth. It is often used in meditation and yoga practices, and it is believed to have calming and soothing properties.
I hope this will give you some inspiration towards your card designs.
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Nuts & Bolts: Year End Holidays Office Closure
Nuts & Bolts – Year End Holidays Office Closure
For your planning purposes, in observation of the Christmas and New Year holidays, GCU offices will be closed on the following days:
Monday 12/26 – closed
Friday 12/30 – closed
This includes our dedicated Card Review team members who will not be reviewing cards on either of those days / times.
ALSO our Card Review team members and GCU personnel will be taking some additional days off between December 23rd and January 2nd so staffing will be present but very light.
Thank you for your understanding & patience while we all enjoy the holidays and hope you are doing the same!
The difference is made in the details!
GCU Community Manager
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Wanted New Cards: Older Grandchildren / Grandchild Valentine’s
Wanted Cards – Older Grandchildren / Grandchild Valentine’s
Valentine’s are filled with the usual red roses, hearts and professions of love. Consider some cards for “grandchildren” and “grandchild” that are suited for older grandchildren.
Please consider creating new cards here:
Holidays >> Valentine’s Day >> For Family Relation Specific >> Grandchildren cid#1416
Keep in mind to fortify your meta-data for age range, tips here.
Note: cid# is the speed entry method of adding a category to your card via category id number (cid#) vs using search terms or click and hunt. See here on the blog:
https://gcucommunity.com/2022/06/10/nuts-and-bolts-new-artist-enhancements/
To expedite the review of these cards, please check Fast Track Review on the card image details page when you create your card and add a Note for Reviewers like “for BLOG– Wanted Cards”. (stock cards are automatically fast tracked).
Consider using Stock Card Creations to create new cards quickly. These cards are automatically set for expedited review so no need to Fast Track. Remember, when you’re submitting your new stock card, add a little note about the intended category in your Notes to Reviewers.
Be inventive, be clever, be creative. Go for it!
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Rainbow Connection: The Color Trends for 2023
It’s time to consider the color trends for 2023. The colors we choose for our homes can reveal a lot about our personalities and preferences. While some people prefer classic, timeless hues, others enjoy adding bold, vibrant tones to their spaces. Each year, the top paint brands select their “Color of the Year” and release a Color Forecast, often featuring a palette of complementary shades to go along with the main color. These trends can be found in various forms of art and design, including fashion, graphic design, and technology. This year’s trends feature richer, deeper tones, drawing inspiration from the natural world. This post will include links to articles discussing the trending topics for the upcoming year.
Interior Design Blog The Nordroom talks about the new Pantone Color of the Year Viva Magenta, their own choice for 2023 Warm Yellow, along with the color palette choices of leading paint brands like Benjamin Moore, PPG & Glidden Paint, Sherwin Williams, Dulux, Behr Paint Company, Graham & Brown, Dunn-Edwards, and Valspar.
Here are a few more:
Dutch Boy 2023 trend Forecast
Better Homes and Gardens Canyon Ridge
Veranda talks about the 6 Top Color Trends of 2023
Lifestyle and Interior Gira Color Trends for 2023
And while we’re at it, here are the Top 12 trending Wedding Colors for 2023
The Top 10 Wedding Colors from Wedding Blog Tulle & Chantilly
I hope there’s anough inspiration here to help you on your way designing your cards in the new year!
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Nuts & Bolts: Holiday Custom Request Design Change.
We are nearing the tailend of holiday card orders. Last minute shoppers still want the perfect card. Please be sure to pay attention to your Manage Custom Requests or you could be missing out on sales.
Resulting Card:
Big holiday kudos to Trudy for the gift of the perfect card!
The difference is made in the details!
GCU Community Manager
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Wanted New Cards: New Year’s Day Brunch Invitation
Wanted Cards – New Year’s Day Brunch Invitation
Because the party never ends!
Please consider creating cards for this new subcategory:
Invitations >> New Year’s Day Brunch cid#37342
Note: cid# is the speed entry method of adding a category to your card via category id number (cid#) vs using search terms or click and hunt. See here on the blog:
https://gcucommunity.com/2022/06/10/nuts-and-bolts-new-artist-enhancements/
To expedite the review of these cards, please check Fast Track Review on the card image details page when you create your card and add a Note for Reviewers like “for BLOG– Wanted Cards”. (stock cards are automatically fast tracked).
Consider using Stock Card Creations to create new cards quickly. These cards are automatically set for expedited review so no need to Fast Track. Remember, when you’re submitting your new stock card, add a little note about the intended category in your Notes to Reviewers.
Be inventive, be clever, be creative. Go for it!
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Freebie Wednesday: Retro New Year SVG Bundle
Retro New Year SVG Bundle (by Black Gallery) is freebie of the Week.
# You will receive :
– 11 SVG Files
– 11 PNG Files (300 dpi)
– 11 EPS Files
– 11 DXF Files
#These files are compatible with all major cutting machines like Cricut, Silhouette Cameo, ScanNCut and other cutting machines.
# These graphics can be used for:
– T-shirts
– Home decor
– Palette signs
– Tumblers
– Stationary
– Party items
– Embroidery designs
– Wall art!
Only available on the Hungry Jpeg site for another 6 days, so don’t miss out.
Comes with complete License.
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Rainbow Connection: Pantone Color of the year 2023 – Viva Magenta!
Each year, the Pantone Color Institute chooses a particular color as the “Color of the Year.” This color is meant to reflect the current state of the world and cultural trends, and it is often used in fashion, design, and other industries. The process of choosing the color of the year involves a team of experts who study various factors, including fashion, entertainment, art, politics, and social media. They look for emerging color trends and select a color that they believe will be relevant and influential in the year ahead. The color is then announced in the fall, and it becomes widely used in various industries in the following year.
Pantone’s Color of the Year, Viva Magenta 18-1750, vibrates with vim and vigor. It is a shade rooted in nature descending from the red family and expressive of a new signal of strength. Viva Magenta is brave and fearless, and a pulsating color whose exuberance promotes a joyous and optimistic celebration, writing a new narrative.
This year’s Color of the Year is powerful and empowering. It is a new animated red that revels in pure joy, encouraging experimentation and self-expression without restraint, an electrifying, and a boundaryless shade that is manifesting as a stand-out statement. PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta welcomes anyone and everyone with the same verve for life and rebellious spirit. It is a color that is audacious, full of wit and inclusive of all.
Read more about the Pantone Color of 2023 on their site (click here).
What is Magenta?
Magenta is a vibrant, reddish-purple color. It is a mixture of red and blue, with a little bit of purple mixed in. In the printing process, magenta is one of the four primary colors along with cyan, yellow, and black. These colors are used in combination to create a wide range of colors in printed materials. In the spectrum of visible light, magenta is located between red and violet. It is often associated with creativity, energy, and passion.
Check out GCU’s special Viva Magenta Pinterest Mood Board
Read all about Magenta’s Bloody Past:
The color magenta was first created in 1859 by the French chemist François-Emmanuel Verguin, who was trying to make a new dye. He mixed fuchsine, a red dye, with aniline, a colorless solvent, to create the color, which he called “fuchsine rose.” This color was later renamed magenta, after the Battle of Magenta, which took place near the Italian city of the same name. In this battle, which was part of the Second Italian War of Independence, the French and Sardinian armies defeated the Austrians. The color was used to celebrate this victory, and it became associated with the French and Italian nationalistic movements of the time. Today, magenta is widely used in various industries, including fashion, art, and design.
Magenta is a vibrant, reddish-purple color that is often associated with creativity, energy, and passion. It is commonly used in fashion, art, and design, and it has been featured in a number of high-profile events and projects over the years. One famous example of the use of magenta is the cover of the Rolling Stones’ album “Tattoo You,” which features a bright magenta background with the band’s name written in white. Magenta has also been used in a number of movies and television shows, including the popular series “Stranger Things,” in which the character Eleven is often seen wearing a magenta dress. In addition to these uses, magenta is also often used in branding and advertising, as it is a color that is attention-grabbing and stands out from the crowd.
Magenta in the field of Optics:
In the field of optics, magenta is one of the three primary colors of light, along with green and blue. These colors are used in various technologies, including televisions, computer monitors, and smartphones, to produce a wide range of colors. When light is shone through a prism or other device that can break it up into its component colors, the spectrum of visible light is produced, with red on one end and violet on the other. Magenta is located between red and violet in this spectrum. In display technologies, the primary colors of light are used in combination to create a wide range of colors. For example, in a television or computer monitor, the pixels are made up of tiny red, green, and blue lights, which can be combined in different ways to produce a wide range of colors. By using magenta, green, and blue light in this way, it is possible to produce a wide range of colors on a display.
In conclusion, whether you love it or hate it, there’s no denying that magenta is a memorable and impactful choice for the Pantone color of the year.
GCU Community 