Monday, February 13, 2012

Sunday Afternoon Avatar

Many of my customers and blog friends may have wondered about the avatar that I use for my Pruitt Creations Etsy shop.  We (Etsyians) are usually told to make our avatar representative of  what we sell.  We are encouraged to do this to increase our brand presence. Although I believe this is good advice, I have taken a different path.

My avatar is representative of who I am.  I am my brand.  My crafts and creations are all inspired by my own favorites--things that I like.  Maybe that is not a good selling tactic, but it is true to who I am.   It's not so unusual; people in my circles know when they see quilter, Alex Anderson's picture, what she does and the quality of her work. She is her own brand.


I love the outdoors, and, at my age and stage of life, I cannot get outside enough to be pleased.  So my avatar helps inspire me.  It's from a picture taken on a Sunday afternoon when hubby and I went for a drive up the canyon to Mt Hood.  We stopped creek side and spent some time.  Hubby snapped this picture  while I was sitting on a log looking up at the winter bare treetops. He cropped it into a panoramic view, which I really like. It is also now a part of my shop banner, if you look closely.

I have cropped it further and use it for my avatar.

Maybe I will change it someday, but I like it. 
A blog friend of mine once said: "I'd know that chin anywhere!" 

P.S.  Here's a sample of how this day has inspired me:

Winter Twig throw pillow
How do you keep yourself inspired?

15 comments:

Linda B said...

I like your avatar. I just changed mine for St Patrick's day.

I'm inspired by upcoming holidays and custom orders.

Sweet Posy Dreams said...

That is a beautiful pillow!

The nice thing about looking up in a photo is that, for me, it hides the fact that my chin is beginning to "soften" if you know what I mean. :)

Kathleen said...

I think your avatar is great! I really enjoy the way you are looking up - and, I imagine, you are looking beyond the trees sometimes.
Though I have many new paintings, I keep Hershey as my avatar - he inspires me to paint, especially more horses and other critters.

April Starr said...

How neat to know the story behind your avatar! Personally, I know I prefer avatars that have the face of the person in them, and this is especially neat sine there is a story behind it. :)

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

Love your pillow & your avatar & the story! Happy Valentine's Day!!

Duni said...

Personally, I like seeing the person behind the product - people will eventually recognize you AND your products. Love the way you are looking up at the sky :)

Lori P said...

Nice avatar! How do I keep myself inspired? Look around and put the brush (or pencil or leather or fabric) in my hand.

Erika said...

yep. I know that chin:)
I like knowing the story behind it. Maybe add that to your profile page on etsy?

Erika
Artful Rising

Anonymous said...

I think the days of using product shots only are a bit over myself...Some people still do, but I think in todays trend towards networking & getting to know the person behind the brand people are more interested in seeing a photo of a person connected with sites & work. I've recently changed my avatar to a photo of myself too:)

Lori said...

Love your avatar - especially after reading about it!

Rose Clearfield said...

I love the pillow! Great story behind your avatar. I really like the picture.

I'm constantly inspired by new color combinations.

Honey from the Bee said...

Very cool post! I like your Avatar, too. It makes you wonder what you are looking up at - the curiosity in the pose is wonderful. It tells people where you're from, too.

The pillow is lovely and I love that you showed the inspiration behind it!

SarahBeth said...

I'm glad you posted this -- I've often wondered about it. It gives me the feeling that you are looking above those trees toward heaven and contemplating all the glory around you.

Maysem said...

Very nice avatar! I love how there's a story behind it:)

Love your pillow! What a great inspirational piece!

Maysem @ odetoinspiration.wordpress.com

Splendid Little Stars said...

I think it's a lovely avatar!!
This post has certainly engendered some interesting comments!
pretty pillow!