What, How & Why: A Closer Look - Featuring Anna L. Sexton, owner/maker of Greetings that Grow™

At iPrintfromHome.com, we work with artists and photographers from across the United States and Canada. We're inspired everyday by the images that they send to us and by the stories they share.

In our "What, How & Why" interview series, we take a closer look at some of these fascinating people.

We've asked each participating artist or photographer three simple questions:

1. What do you do?
2. How do you do it?
3. Why do you use iPrintfromHome.com?

Please read on to find out more about Anna L. Sexton, owner/maker of Greetings that Grow™.




Anna L. Sexton
owner/maker of Greetings that Grow™
Dunkirk, NY




What do you do?
I make (the original) plantable photo greeting cards and note cards.

How do you do it?
I take post consumer papers recycled from my own junk mail, a couple local schools, the university where my husband teaches, and from friends who collect it from their workplaces. I shred the paper, make it into pulp, and then embed seeds in it so it can be planted.


I hand cut all my sheets of paper and then adhere a print of one of my photographs (always printed by iprintfromhome.com!) onto the front of each card with a removable adhesive. Each greeting card also has a matching plantable envelope that I hand make as well.

All of my wildflower seeds are organic and by Jan 2010, all the rest of my seeds will be organic as well!

Why do you use iPrintfromHome?
I have been using iprintfromhome since October 2008. Prior to that, I had used several other local and online labs to develop my pictures. I found that the labs were inconsistent in quality and service. I asked around the Etsy.com forums and was told by several people to try iprintfromhome.com.

When I placed my first order, I was very skeptical b/c I could not believe that a professional lab could have fantastic prints AND such reasonable prices! I was ecstatic when I received my first order and was not only proven wrong, but AMAZED by the (gallery) quality of print, packaging, and quick turnaround time.

I love that iPfH offers such a wide variety of sizes and finishes, as well as Giclee prints. Not only that but with iPfH's 1 day turnaround time, I am able to get my prints within 2 days of ordering, which means running out of prints and turning down rush orders b/c I can't get the prints on time is a thing of the past for my business!

The few times I have had questions about ordering, prints, etc. the customer service has been 100% FANTASTIC. When you call, you get a live person, not a recording or robot to talk with, and the people answering the phones are always friendly, knowledgeable and patient. Same goes for email customer service, which likewise involves fast, courteous, knowledgeable responses.


Contact Information:
Anna L. Sexton
www.greetingsthatgrow.etsy.com
greetingsthatgrow@gmail.com

BOGO Sale on Panoramic Photographic Prints

We're back with a few of our most popular Tweet Treats from this summer!!

Check back with us each Friday in September & October for a new treat.


This Week's Tweet Treat (valid September 25th-October 2nd): Buy one Panoramic Photographic Print and get another of equal or lesser value for FREE**

Instructions:
1. Place an order at iPrintfromHome.com that includes AT LEAST TWO Panoramic Photographic Prints by midnight on Friday, October 2nd. (NOTE: It is OK to add other items to your order)
3. IMMEDIATELY after placing your order, send us an e-mail (here) with "Tweet Treat – BOGO Panoramic Prints" in the body of the e-mail.
3. Once we receive your e-mail, we will adjust your order total to account for your Tweet Treat discount.
*Offer does not include shipping.
**Limit: One Tweet Treat order per customer/shipping address.
***Tweet Treat orders are not guaranteed to be completed within our standard turnaround times, but every effort will be made to do so.

Click here to read more about Panoramic Photographic Prints.

What, How & Why: A Closer Look - Featuring Bob Kopf

At iPrintfromHome.com, we work with artists and photographers from across the United States and Canada. We're inspired everyday by the images that they send to us and by the stories they share.

In our "What, How & Why" interview series, we take a closer look at some of these fascinating people.

We've asked each participating artist or photographer three simple questions:

1. What do you do?
2. How do you do it?
3. Why do you use iPrintfromHome.com?

Please read on to find out more about our first featured customer, Bob Kopf.




Bob Kopf
Graphic Designer
Grand Island, NY

What do you do?
I am a graphic designer for deSignet International, a local Grand Island jewelry manufacturer. I have been involved in photography for over 40 years...mostly as a hobby but more recently on a professional basis.

I have been involved in youth hockey with my sons for over 25 years and feel there is a market for the panoramic collage prints that I create....not only in hockey but just about any youth sport.

I use various photo-editing software programs, mainly PhotoShop and Corel PhotoPaint.

How do you do it?
I first got the idea to do one of the sports collage with my son's Niagara University tennis team. The collage was a huge success and one is currently on display in the Niagara University Tennis Club house (along with one of the women's team).

I thought "why not youth hockey?"....so, just before Christmas of last year I approached the team that my 3 sons coach and presented the idea along with a copy of the tennis collage. Since then I have done approximately 80 collages...and have turned down even more.


The photos are taken during games and practices (hockey photos are extremely difficult due to the arena lighting and speed of the game).

I then review all of the photos, pick out the best 5-6 per player and do my thing with PhotoShop...masking is critical...extract the player from the original photo and add to a new panoramic size file..create any graphic work (logos and team name) and complete the collage. The photo editing is time consuming...not to mention the time spent at the arena.

My main goal when I started was to see if there was a market...if so I would create a business for my retirement. Well...there is a market...now all I have to do is retire.

Why do you use iPrintfromHome?
Because of the quality of the products, the pricing of the products, the unbelievable customer service, and the ease and speed of order processing. Quite frankly, no one can compete with what they offer.

Contact Information
Bob Kopf
(716) 773-6306
rwk@giecom.net

iPrintfromHome.com Showroom

The iPrintfromHome.com Showroom is now officially open!

The displays are up, the computers are connected, and the doors are open.



Our new store hours are:

Monday-Thursday: 8am-8pm
Friday: 8am-4pm
Saturday: 8am-Noon

Stop in and say hi!

Free 11x14 Photographic Print

We're back with a few of our most popular Tweet Treats from this summer!!

Check back with us each Friday in September for a new treat.


This Week's Tweet Treat (valid September 18th-25th): 1 Free 11x14 Photographic Print with any order totaling $10.00 or more**

Each fall, students around the world are reunited with their teachers, and many are meeting their new mentors for the very first time. Without the guidance of our mentors, most of us would not have found the paths we walk on today.


This fall, take the opportunity to thank someone who made a difference in your life.

Thank them with the gift that only you can give and that they essentially helped you create - give them an 11x14 print of your work.



Then sit back and smile at your image hanging on the wall and listen to the stories about you - the kid who learned how to fly.

Well, maybe you haven't quite learned how to fly...but some people might say you're attempting the impossible - you're pursuing a dream - trying to make a living doing what you love.

One of the simplest things you can do to help yourself reach your goal is to start sending your work out into the world.

Don't bury yourself in your studio, surrounded by an inventory of prints you haven't quite figured out how to sell. Give those prints away. Let people see your work. Once you do, you'll be surprised by how quickly you start hearing from people who want to see more.

**Offer does not include shipping.

Instructions:
1. Place an order at iPrintfromHome.com that totals $10 or more by midnight on Friday, September 25th. Be sure to add an 11x14 Photographic Print to your order, but remember that the 11x14 does not count towards your $10 minimum order. (NOTE: $10 threshold does not include shipping or the free 11x14 Print)
3. IMMEDIATELY after placing your order, send us an e-mail (here) with "Tweet Treat – Free 11x14 Photographic Print" in the body of the e-mail.
3. Once we receive your e-mail, we will adjust your order total so that you are not charged for one 11x14 Photographic Print.
*Offer does not include shipping.
**Limit: One free 11x14 per customer/shipping address.
***Tweet Treat orders are not guaranteed to be completed within our standard turnaround times, but every effort will be made to do so.

Click here to read more about Photographic Prints.


About the Photography Above


Photography by Janna Bissett
lilacpopphotography.etsy.com

Free 16x20 Photographic Print

We're back with a few of our most popular Tweet Treats from this summer!!

Check back with us each Friday in September for a new treat.


This Week's Tweet Treat (valid through September 18th): 1 Free 16x20 Photographic Print with any order totalling $20.00 or more**


Do your walls look like this?

Well, what are you waiting for?

Put those walls to work!


The walls in your home are the walls of your own private gallery. You are both curator and artist. Seize hold of every opportunity you have to show the world what you can do.

You've already done the hard part. Now it's time to show off. Let us help you image your imagination.

**Offer does not include shipping.

Instructions:
1. Place an order at iPrintfromHome.com that totals $20 or more by midnight on Friday, September 18th. Be sure to add a 16x20 Photographic Print to your order, but remember that the 16x20 does not count towards your $20 minimum order. (NOTE: $20 threshold does not include shipping or the free 16x20 Print)
3. IMMEDIATELY after placing your order, send us an e-mail (here) with "Tweet Treat – Free 16x20 Photographic Print" in the body of the e-mail.
3. Once we receive your e-mail, we will adjust your order total so that you are not charged for one 16x20 Photographic Print.
*Offer does not include shipping.
**Limit: One free 16x20 per customer/shipping address.
***Tweet Treat orders are not guaranteed to be completed within our standard turnaround times, but every effort will be made to do so.

Click here to read more about Photographic Prints.

Service Changes

We're making a few changes this fall to our delivery and pick-up service options at iPrintfromHome.com.

Beginning Monday, September 14th, we will no longer be offering a delivery service to the local Dash's Markets. However, to compensate for the drop in service, we are going to be extending our hours of operation at iPrintfromHome Headquarters at 1016Niagara Falls Boulevard, just north of Sheridan Drive.

We will be open Monday-Thursday from 8:00am-8:00pm EST, Friday from 8:00am-4:00pm and Saturdays from 8:00am-12:00pm EST

Beyond the additional hours, we've also got a new customer entrance at our location at on Niagara Falls Boulevard. We just opened the doors last week and are still working on adding displays and tying up loose ends. Stop in and say hi!

September Art Show Listing

We are featuring artists from all over the United States in our September 2009 Art Show Listing. Click here to see the Art Show Listing.

If you have a show coming up and would like it listed, please send us the details so that we can include your show. Click here to learn how to submit information for our Art Show Listing.


About the Artwork Above

Artwork by Jun Ishida
Annual Exhibiton 2009