Today I posted my first YouTube video on my Simonas Fine Arts YouTube channel.  I have two more videos nearly ready to post tomorrow.  These first three videos will introduce my art via my Pixels.com store.  Also, I'll demonstrate how to order and customize products; and discuss the quality of products and shipping, showcasing Pixels products that I ordered with my images. 

This will be an art channel about art marketing; painting, studio, and tool tips; and collecting art.  Later, I'll share printmaking art and techniques, and demonstrate my printmaking presses.​  With the aid of my husband Ed, we plan to post a new video each week.  

Unboxing A pixels Tote Bag
 
Bag Categories
Pixesl.com has a category of products they call “Lifestyle.” This category contains various sizes of tote bags, a weekender tote bag, a carry all pouch, and several other items including a yoga mat. 

The tote bag can be ordered in 13x13, 16x16, and 18x18 inches.  It comes with a two heavy duty black woven handles.   The bottom width of the bag is approximately 2 ¾ inches wide…so even the smallest size is quite generous in size. I plan to place large paper tablets in my large tote and hang it in my studio.
 
Ordering
When you order a tote bag, you order the size, and can move the image (depending on the format) into your favorite position.  You may want to include or exclude the artist signature.   
 
In my Pixels account, I provided the option for customers to zoom in on any of my images to check its detail/resolution prior to ordering.  Get information about this option at:  https://pixels.com/fullresolutionpreview.html. The color saturation on tote is good.  I plan to spray my bag with a protective plastic fabric spray to help keep my bag clean…although I believe it can be washed.
 
Shipping
Pixels.com has several locations from where they produce and ship products. It took 12 days for my tote bag to arrive from the date ordered. The shipping cost was not really that pricey. 

Returns
Note that Pixels has a 30-day refund policy…from the date of purchase.  Customers must pay return shipping with their own or a Pixels label.  Shipping may be forgiven if the customer can prove that the item was damaged before arriving to the customer.  Pixels will likely ask the customer to email a photo of the damaged item.  I will say that thus far I’ve ordered 5 coffee mugs, one paper print, and a tote bag with no damage.
 
Gifts:
These tote bags make great gifts.  Note that you can order them to be delivered from Pixels.com to an address other than your own.

Please click on “Artist Pixels Gallery” on my Home Page to link to my products at Pixels.com.

Unboxing A pixels paper Print
 
Wall Art Categories
Pixesl.com has a category of products they call “Wall Art.”  This category contains prints on paper, canvas, wood, acrylic, metal, etc. 
 
Ordering
When you order a paper print you can select the type of paper (it defaults to archival).  And of course, you can select size.  Pixels prints on a paper that is one inch larger all around, so a mat does not hide the full image.  The extra border is in addition to the requested size of your print.

Also, when you order your print you can select the type of paper (it defaults to archival).  On the far right of the paper name, you can click on a plus sign to see more details about the type of paper.
 
In my Pixels account, I provided the option for customers to zoom in on any of my images to check its detail/resolution prior to ordering.  Get information about this option at:  https://pixels.com/fullresolutionpreview.html. The color saturation on paper prints is excellent. 
 
Shipping
Pixels.com has several locations from where they produce and ship products. It took 12 days for the print to arrive from the date ordered. The shipping cost was not really that pricey.  The print was mailed in a double box.  A flat outer box with the print rolled in a tube inside. Pixels places a protective sheet of paper on the print that is 4 inches longer on each side.  They put the print in a thick cardboard tube (stuffing paper on each end of the tube).  They then secure the tube in the flat box.

Unrolling and Flattening the Print
I suggest cutting the tape first before unrolling your print or you may tear the print.  The print will need to be flattened, so be ready with a clean sheet of paper to put on top and underneath the print.  Place some heavy books on top this for at least a day.

Returns
Note that Pixels has a 30-day refund policy…from the date of purchase.  Customers must pay return shipping with their own or a Pixels label.  Shipping may be forgiven if the customer can prove that the item was damaged before arriving to the customer.  Pixels will likely ask the customer email a photo of the damaged item.  I will say that thus far I’ve ordered 5 coffee mugs, one paper print, and a tote bag with no damage.
 
Gifts:
These prints look beautiful on the wall and make great gifts.  Note that you can order prints to be delivered to addresses other than your own.
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Please click on “Artist Pixels Gallery” on my Home Page to link to my products at Pixels.com.​

Pixels Unboxing Coffee Mug

Own a classic-style coffee mug from Pixels.com.  The printing is excellent…great color saturation and resolution!  No hard to remove stickers at the bottom...nice shaping.
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Shipping:
It took 10 days for the mugs to arrive from the date ordered. The shipping cost was not really that pricey.  Pixels has 12 locations from where they produce and ship products.  I ordered a mug that I wanted shipped to another address and no problem…so Pixels products are great for gift-giving.  The shipping box (if shipping more than one mug) has extra protection side pockets, but it is hard to open so use a mat cutting knife to avoid breaking mugs by tearing into the box.

Ordering Product/Mug:
When ordering any Pixels product, the customer has some control over what is printed from the desired image.  So when setting up the mug design, the image (depending on its format) can be moved around for minor cropping. The choice of the colored sides beyond the image can be selected by the buyer. This color option is not readily noticeable. If you do not choose a color for outside the image, Pixels will choose one for you.

When ordering, the mug that comes up is the smaller mug (11 ounces).  You can click the drop-down menu to select the larger mug (15 ounces).
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Gifts:
One can think of many ideas on how to use these mugs. They make fabulous gifts, maybe with some tea bags and Biscotti cookies (a very dry, long dipping cookie from Italy that would fit nicely in the mug).  Of course, there are many chocolate mixtures for hot chocolate, including the Mexican chocolate (sold in discs or tablets).  Add a few marshmallows for as a special touch.
 
Please click on “Artist Pixels Gallery” on my Home Page to link to my products at Pixels.com.​

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It's so exciting to see visuals of my art on Pixels products such as purses, cell phone cases, pillows, etc.  Today I ordered a few products to check on Pixel's sales quality and process.  I should have the products in a few weeks.  It was interesting that I was able to order one of the products to be shipped to an address different than my own...so helpful for gift givers especially during these times of social-distancing.  Above is an image of my "Pan Dulce" image on a large coffee cup.

Today, I added some art images to my Pixel.com sales site.  Through this site, you can order my art on everything from canvas, to coffee mugs, to cell phone cases, etc.  Click on Gallery 1 in the menu to go to my Pixels website.  Thank you.

Making room for my large easel, so some books have to go.  I'll donate to family, friends and a local art/cultural center.  

I assembled the easel the day after painting it with a quick-drying clear acrylic finish...had no smell but I needed to watch for drips, runny.  The brush cleaned up easily with water.  It dried to touch in a few hours. I'll place a small tray on top of the shelf.  Love the drawer.

Yesterday, I painted a protective clear acrylic finish on one of my easels.  I love those easels with all the paint history on them, but I really liked the beautiful wood on this easel. It's been sitting in a corner with a shawl over it for a few years now.  So tomorrow it will be dry then reassembled for use in my new studio for my upcoming YouTube videos...yes, that's what's up.