Back in the day.....So many changes and such progress in just a few weeks, I really don't know where to start or more importantly, don't know why I would want to revisit some of the hits and misses along the way. I take pretty quick action when I think something needs attention, logos are my nemesis, I take a look, decide to change it, get somewhere, replace the last version and then realize it isn't quite right yet. Toss in a domain name, and to some extent a second website portal into the same showroom, and there is mass confusion, identity crisis on steroids and an utter frustration with the whole name of the store thing.
The logo on the side there is one of the original versions, intended to promote the gay pride flag and a dog pawprint, taking on the Dog Dad name because I am one, and Diamond Art because it is descriptive and appropriately broad to allow for new directions in the future. All sounds perfectly logical, good colors and clear statements, but it just doesn't roll trippingly off of the tongue, its a jumbled mess, and it took a bit to realize that. Diamond Art Emporium, while a lot of letters, is more of the idea I wish I had earlier. I am moving entirely to the Diamond Art Emporium name, and just so you know, sometimes you'll find a link that comes to this version of the store (where there is a blog and gallery listed, upper right corner navigation links) and sometimes to an actual Etsy address with the DogDadDiamondArt.etsy.com address, because dog dad was used setting up etsy, I'm locked into that one, but it doesn't mean I have to use it. I'm in denial and ignoring what the little letters say that you click on, it is what you see when the store is in front of you that I want to keep consistent. So...
Diamond Art Emporium is officially opened, Starting a Facebook Group --https://www.facebook.com/groups/326249600500759/ for Gay Diamond Painting enthusiasts and our Allies -- , already making kit improvements, nothing wrong with them, but I now have access to some features I can build into the kits that were not available before. Velvet canvas with the little scalloped edges, its that soft fuzzy backed fabric some just think is the bees knees for diamond painting, will replace the current solid and tough basic polyester fabric canvas because it doesn't add any cost to the kits. While many don't have an opinion, some just live for the soft canvas, so thats going to happen. Special drills will be included in the rendering instead of just adding some loose diamonds for you to choose the placement yourself, which I kind of prefer, but with 5 or 7 different colors instead of 2 or 3, added to kits when appropriate is an actually good idea. I do not think every single canvas should include Aurora Borealis, Fairy Dust, Glow in the Dark Jelly drills or whatever the new flavor of the month is, unless those fancy diamonds create a more impactful finished painting. They will be included in quite a few of the kits coming out in the next few weeks (use the gallery link at the top of the page for the images and try and predict which will and which won't have special diamonds!) along with more colors for each kit, the depth should be really gorgeous on the finished kits, I may be mistaken, but I haven't seen color lists consistently in the 60-90+ range before, even with that one site out there that tries to set the standards for diamond painting kits, the color depth doesn't keep up with the size of the canvas, so its huge, but won't look any more impressive if it is just more of the same color instead of 4 more shades of that color blended to provide more detail with that extra real estate. I guess I like things a little more technically correct than some, and when all of those pieces fall into place, I think you'll see a frickin huge kit here from time to time.
Lots on the horizon, working on the plan for custom kits, most of the smaller kits will be done entirely here, printing of the canvas, adding glue, rendering, image enhancements, lots of one on one communication throughout the process so your favorite pet photo becomes your favorite diamond painting instead of a punchline or disappointment. All of the hardware and software are here, diamond stockpiles are being built, velvet canvas enroute, just finishing the process outline to make it a pleasant experience for you. Some new categories of kits will be popping up too, many of which will also be done in-house, no frequent flyer miles for some of these kits. A hint: KidzSnax.
Still can't comment on the posts here, it is frustrating for me to not get feedback, the Facebook group might be a good way to do that, here's the link again: https://www.facebook.com/groups/326249600500759/
So much to do, time to jet. See you soon.