Big Cartel Blog

Product Showcase: The Optimen

Wed, 15 May 2013 12:52:58 -0600

The catchy track on our newest Store From Scratch video has been stuck in our heads for days/weeks/months, and we’ve got The Optimen to thank for that. The Aussie hip hop quintet released the song, “80s Babies” on their 2010 CD The Out of Money Experience, and were kind enough to let it be the soundtrack for our own “get products made experience.”

Grab it now in their shop: theoptimen.bigcartel.com

Store from Scratch - #2 Making Products

Mon, 13 May 2013 16:27:00 -0600

Watch the video now »

Our behind-the-scenes tour of the BC shop continues as we dive into the process of working with vendors to get a product made. Even if your product is completely made by hand by you, (woo-hoo!) it’s helpful to know when to hire help, and how best to approach a vendor to get them to see your vision and support your quest for quality.

Last month we gave you a detailed look at our product design process. This second video in the Store From Scratch series documents the process as we produce a couple of items for our shop, and gives specific tips on how we developed relationships with local vendors who love what they do (almost) as much as we do.

Sidecar theme updated and mobile-ready

Wed, 08 May 2013 14:49:00 -0600

Sidecar just got a makeover, and we think she’s looking better than ever. We’ve completely rebuilt ‘er from the ground up, keeping all the features you love and introducing some new ones as well.

New Sidecar features

Responsive - That’s right, Sidecar is now optimized for any type of mobile, tablet, or desktop device.
Updated assets for HiDPI devices - This means your shop will look beautiful for anyone and everyone.
Optimized the entire theme - Your store will load faster making it a better overall shopping experience.
Added forward and backwards compatibility utilizing HTML5 and CSS3.
And, last but not least, we made some subtle updates to the design and added in smooth layout transitions.

The new version of Sidecar is already available in the admin. To get started simply log into your store, and choose the Sidecar theme in the design area. Preview, hit save and you’re set.

What if I’m already using Sidecar?

That’s easy, you’ll just need to backup your existing customization, then revert your theme to default to access the upgrades. Once you’ve got the current version of Sidecar, get back in and apply your customizations and you’re good to go.

Sidecar now joins Luna in the modern responsive world, and we’ll continue to bring more responsive themes to you moving forward.

See the new and improved Sidecar in action in the Pelle shop.

Tangible photography with Mux

Tue, 07 May 2013 14:32:00 -0600

Photographer TJ Nelson Jr loves the unstoppable flood of images on the internet, but was finding it difficult to connect to photos on a screen. His desire to connect to photography in a tangible way drove him to create Mux, an 8.5” x 5.5” zine that TJ curates with images from his talented peers.

Mux is on its second issue, and the first edition sold out quickly, but more are on the way. Grab one fast and take a minute to hold a collection of work that deserves to be pondered on.

Product Showcase: Get A Grip

Fri, 03 May 2013 08:40:11 -0600

Get A Grip features designs from dozens of UK artists and illustrators on tees, totes, prints, zines, and more. Seriously, this shop is cool, diverse, and perfect when shopping for someone who is always ahead of new trends. Oh, and did we mention their shop is totally environmentally friendly? They use 100% water-based inks on friendly and sustainable garments and paper - making Get A Grip the coolest.

Check out the full shop here: getagrip.bigcartel.com

The Maker Map

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:10:00 -0600

Have you checked out The Maker Map yet? It’s a rad open-source map pinpointing all sorts of maker resources. You can find manufacturers, specialty stores, hackerspaces, and more. So hop in there and find something new and useful in your neighborhood - and start adding your own maker destinations to the map while you’re at it!

Product Showcase: Bear Hands

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 10:02:58 -0600

Bear Hands lent us their aptly named tune Crime Pays for the first installment in our Store from Scratch video series. Bear Hands is a little post-punk, a little indie-rock, and a lot of awesome. You can sample some music and buy all their stuff directly from them at: shop.cantorarecords.com

Studio Fludd catching eyes

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 09:51:00 -0600

Spotted in a feature over on The Fox Is Black, we are now obsessed with all things Studio Fludd. Their Big Cartel shop is slinging the OPUSCULA MISCELLANEA collection - things to hang around your neck, handmade and in limited edition. Stunning.

Check out the full shop here: studiofludd.bigcartel.com

The Big Cartel shop is open for business

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 13:28:19 -0600

More and more small brands are using Big Cartel to get their unique products online. With all of this activity, we finally decided to join in on the fun. We’re extremely proud to kick open the doors to the brand new Big Cartel shop!

View the full store at: shop.bigcartel.com

We had so much fun designing this first round of products, and learned so much, that we decided to document our process in detail so we could share our store’s exciting journey with you. So, welcome to the Store from Scratch video series. A behind-the-scenes look at everything it takes to build and run a brand on Big Cartel. The first episode, Designing Products, is already up and ready for your viewing pleasure.

Behind the scenes: bigcartel.com/store-from-scratch

In this series, we’ll take you through everything we experienced while we designed, produced, photographed, sold, and shipped our own products. In these videos we’ll give you our top tips in each phase of our journey, and show you as many glimpses into our process as we can pack into 2-minutes.

We’ll launch a new video each month, and we invite you to follow along over on the Store from Scratch page. We’ve done all of this locally, independently, and with the help of our own friends and family. Our hope is that you’ll be able to see how we did it, and take that fuel back to your own fire and get cookin’.

Product Showcase: Creative Little Stars

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 11:12:25 -0600

Creative Little Stars is a busy parent’s dream. Put together creative and magical parties with low effort and without straining your right brain every time a birthday pops up on the calendar. There’s a little something for everyone, and, with Creative Little Stars’ Pulley integration, it’s all available in your email right after you make your purchase.

Check out the full shop here: creativelittlestars.bigcartel.com

A word of advice for musicians

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 11:58:13 -0600

Making it as a musician sure ain’t easy these days. Especially considering there’s no real definition of “making it” - seems like everyone, from labels to record stores, is just winging it in the music business. Enter Jessica Hopper, aka, Fan Landers, who offers practical advice for DIY bands just trying to do what they love. We’re digging one of her latest post where she breaks down the biggest mistake bands are making on Facebook.

Check out her full column on the Village Voice »

Redstar Ink in Real Simple

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 10:18:09 -0600

The tastemakers over at Real Simple want to organize your life with a little help from a Redstar Ink calendar. Pegged as just 1 of “6 Cute Planners for 2013” the Redstar Ink bills calendar is sure to whip 2013 into a balanced shape.

Check out their full shop of paper goods here: redstarink.bigcartel.com

Product Showcase: N.C. Winters

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 08:41:29 -0600

The N.C. Winters shop is loaded with prints, paintings, and drawings - each more amazing than the last. As one of our favorite low-brow contemporary artists, Winters’ creativity knows no limits, with some darker influences shining through pop-culture icons, wild animals, and beautiful women. But make no mistake, his work can’t be so easily categorized - you’ve really gotta see it for yourself.

Check out the full shop here: ncwinters.bigcartel.com

Making an album a work of art

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 09:51:00 -0600

This mini-doc about the making of John Mayer’s latest album’s artwork is worth every minute you put into watching it (just under 18). You don’t need to be a fan of Mayer’s music to appreciate his incredible passion for finding the right artwork to match his music - and the glimpse we get into David Smith’s intricate and brilliant process may just take your breath away.

Watch the amazing video »

Showcase: Paper Pastries

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 11:17:31 -0600

Paper Pastries has caught the eye of super-blogger Joanna Goddard, who has featured the Big Cartel shop on her blog, Cup of Jo. Joanna’s got an eye for PP’s Home State Stamps, so order quick and run with the cool crowd.

Check out their full shop here: paperpastries.bigcartel.com

Showcase: Tanya Aguiniga

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 14:21:11 -0600

We spotted a feature about Big Cartel user, Tanya Aguiniga, over on Design Milk recently. Get a behind the scenes look at Tanya’s artistic process and daily life.

Check out Tanya Aguiniga’s full shop here: tanyaaguinigastudio.bigcartel.com

BC at SXSW

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 13:30:54 -0600

While we aren’t physically at this year’s SXSW festival, plenty of Big Cartel shops are in Austin repping their own brands. And three of the finest indie labels to be found on Big Cartel just happen to be hosting a killer showcase on March 15. If you’re going to be in Austin for the festivities, we recommend RSVP’ing, and getting your buns to the party from Father/Daughter, Gold Robot, and Small Plates records.

Introducing order confirmation emails

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 16:09:12 -0600

As store owners, you know how awesome it feels to get that email notifying you of a new order. Now you can tell your customer how excited and grateful you are for their support, along with confirming a few order details, with our handy new order confirmation feature. “Hey! I got your order! I’m just gonna finish up making this special thing you bought and then I’ll send it your way, wrapped in hugs. Thanks!”

Until now, your customers were only sent a confirmation from PayPal (which will still happen), but now you can send a personal and automated message to your buyer. Hurray! So get back to finishing your super cool product and package it up with extra bubble wrap - we’ll go ahead and send your customer a sharply designed email letting them know all about it.

Sound like the best news all day? Then head on over to your admin’s Settings > Notifications area and check out the new Order confirmation update. This puppy is live and we think you’re gonna like it. Oh, and hey, while you’re there - notice anything different? We’ve re-organized your Settings page so everything can fold up nicely and fit in all the drawers. Fancy!

For the full rundown on order confirmations, and a quick guide to easily customize yours, read more »

Featured Store Friday: Love for Luna

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 14:50:00 -0700

Earlier this week we unleashed our beautiful new theme Luna, and the feedback is unmistakeable. You love Luna. Within 24 hours of the launch Luna was installed over 1500 times, and now that number is up over 2400. We’re so flattered.

So let’s take a little tour of some shops now using Luna and looking super sleek because of it. Be sure to check out these shops on your phone or tablet too - they look just as good on the go.

Amaryllis Truth Studio

Check out the full shop here: amaryllistruth.bigcartel.com

Luna showcases this fine art like it was hung in a beautiful gallery all it’s own.

Lou De Testa

Check out the full shop here: loudetesta.bigcartel.com

High end casual wear has never looked so tempting as it does with Luna.

Curious Little Bird

Check out the full shop here: curiouslittlebird.bigcartel.com

This monster shop already made some custom tweaks to make Luna all their own.

Introducing Luna - a beautiful new theme

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 13:14:00 -0700

We’ve added a beautiful new theme to our growing theme family! Luna, designed by our friends at Singlenaut, is our first fully responsive theme. So not only does Luna give you another way to make your shop stand out, it’s expertly crafted to shine brightly on any type of desktop, tablet, or mobile device.

Luna also showcases a number of awesome new features and customization options, like integration with Twitter, Facebook, and Pintrest. Take’r for a quick spin in this test store, or hop in your admin now and see how your store looks dressed in Luna.

testdriveluna.bigcartel.com

This also marks the first time we’ve worked with an outside team to bring you a new theme. We’ll be reaching out to other theme developers in the future, so if you’re interested in working with us, join our theme developer’s newsletter.