Exploring RedBubble
Wake up. Turn computer on. Click on MyBubble. Check activity monitor. Look at works and journals from watchlist. Comment on works and journals. Skim main forums. Look at homepage. Look at featured art page. Look at featured tees page. Go and check groups to see what’s happenng. Quick glance at buyer’s booth photos. Coffee.
This may be an unhealthy sign of addiction but since about my second month on RedBubble I have had a morning routine. As I went through my routine today I started to think about all the places on the site which we may not visit regularly. So below is a list of 10 different ways to explore RedBubble. Read on and you might just discover some hidden treasures.
1. Choose the RedBubble homepage thread
This can be found in the main forums under general discussions. The word on the street is that those who choose images for the homepage check these suggestions regularly. It’s also a great way to discover new works.
2. Artist interviews
Try searching ‘interview’ and then clicking ‘journals’. Ever since this the dawn of RedBubble time, artists have been interviewing each other. This has given us a great collection of entertaining and insightful artist interviews. If you fancy learning about what makes your fellow bubblers tick, take a look at some of these.
3. New groups
Did you know that by clicking on groups > all recent groups, you can keep an eye on the new groups that have been launched? If you did, you might have noticed the Diptychs & Triptychs, Black and White Film and Haiku groups that have launched this week.
4. Have a look at what’s been selling
By clicking on Community > Activity > Sales, you can watch what’s selling like hot cakes.
5. Follow the favourites trail.
Pick an artist. Go to their favourites. Pick a work. Go to that artist’s favourites. Repeat. You can lose hours doing this.
6. Fresh talent
Want to be the first to discover some talented new artists? The new users link under the community tab lets you welcome RedBubblers as they board the good ship bubble for the first time. Think about how you felt about your first comment … it’s a pretty nice way to make someone’s day.
7. Group snooping
Go to Community > Activity > Posts. Oh look … It’s a whole list of posts happening in discussions all over the site. It’s a great way to find groups who’s forums are really active and handy method of stumbling on hives of activity in dusty corners of the bubble you may not always frequent.
8. Challenge yourself
Clicking on Community > Challenges will take you here, where you can find group challenges that may interest you or pop into a group challenge and vote on an image you love. I just voted in the BARNS in AUTUMN! challenge. Crazy!
9. Filter activity feed
Under MyBubble, on the right hand side you’ll see this handy feature. Have a look at Favourites of My Watchlist and Featured Users & Work in your groups. Both are great ways to discover new works.
10. The Buyer’s Booth.
Not only is the buyer’s booth a great way to check out real life products, it’s also the source of some comedy gold. Like these for example:
Speaking of which … our buyer’s booth winner this week is DiegoT with the clever number below. We’ll be sending Diego a $30 USD RedBubble gift voucher.
So over to you. Do you have any tips for finding hidden gems? Any places you’re drawn to on a regular basis? Please feel free to share these with us below.
Cathie Tranent
Not any new ones, but I love the fact that we now have “Favourites of our Watchlist” come up in the activity feed. I used to do all my best browsing that way!
community replied
Yes. My watchlist seems to have extremely good taste :)
Karen Scrimes
Thanks so much Nat. It’s great to be reminded of all the hidden gems on the bubble :)) Going to have a look right now :)
WendyJC
so funny to think we are all individual,
yet doing and addicted to the same thing :)
community replied
I’m glad it’s not just me then!
AngelArtiste
I like the favourites of watclist too =)
Jordan Busson
You’ve mentioned most of my favourite ways. Another thing I enjoy doing is typing a random word into the searchbar, and then commenting on all the works that come up. I always discover loads of new artists like that. Monitoring the new works feed is also fantastic. A comment or two can really make someone’s day ;)
community replied
I like the random search idea Elucidate!
Steven Sandner
DiegoT lol, awesome!
And I really must get involved with the challenges!
kalaryder
Oh dear that is so bad. Your routine is rather like mine, except I add in about 5 of the 10 suggestions LOL. I haven’t tried the random word search yet :)
the green lizard
some great suggestions!
sketchesofcoop
“Wake up. Turn computer on. Click on MyBubble. Check activity monitor. Look at works and journals from watchlist. Comment on works and journals. Skim main forums. Look at homepage. Look at featured art page. Look at featured tees page. Go and check groups to see what’s happenng. Quick glance at buyer’s booth photos. Coffee.”
Can’t begin to count number of times i’ve done this!
I do like to wander through the favourites of people on my watchlist. That normally brings one or two nice suprises.
adgray
When the bubble seems slow ….
I get rocking in the Community activity page!!!
Click on Community activity
look at page 1 then page 50 alternatively
& find art and new members and all sorts of things in there
I can rock for about 30mins before I find I’m looking at the first page 1 I started with when I click on page 50!
Rocking good Bubbling!!! :O)
7:30am I get up go loo {blushing!} feed animals, clean up after animals, make coffee & food, sit at PC & log into RB
- check bmail, moderate groups, check comments, check group news, check forum feeds, then I browse down my activity list
Then I get stuck into what I need to do for my groups or my art
and then launch into the awesome Image Feed for a bit! [& if slow go rocking!]
Usually I find inspiration & next thing I’m writing! lol and suddenly Skik’s home from work and it’s 5:30 pm and my whole day has been bubbling!!! lol
Chookas! ♥
PS my coffee mug is hand made and holds a litre {cold black coffee tastes like flat coke! lol} – that’s how long I’m at the PC for…... lol ….... :O)
waitin' for rain
For me the new amazing way to see new and just great stuff is a “Image Feed”
I start my day in the same way every day – Victor’s Activity Feed, home page, the ART place – featured, popular for week and of the day, recent for the new recent works and unknown artists…
another interesting place – is Community and Daily wrap ..
gabryshak
well, as much as i thought adgray was an addict, she at least is useful before she sits down at the computer… and while this journal is great… thanks alot for feeding the addiction LOL!!
i like the nominations page as much as the home page thread
Rebecca Cozart
Thanks for the tips. I’m definitely addicted. Redbubble is so much easier to navigate than other sites, the quality of the photography work overall (especially of those in my favorites!) is very very high….and I’ve made a few sales. If my real job just didn’t get in the way of my taking more pics. Sigh.
Joel Hall
Great tips, I can get lost for hours here sometimes. I like to check recent art, and sometimes new users as well. Of course, I was not spending as much time when my work had the site blocked, hehe. Its back now though :)
Jena Ferguson
I’m on here more than I’m out taking pictures…
picketty
Well I am heading for 4 weeks off. Please tell me any withdrawal symptoms so I can be forewarned!!
Shanina Conway
Wake up, turn on the computer and kick the kettle while the bubble loads….I’m so glad I’m not the only one;)
LisaR
Great tips! Yes I am with you, can’t start my day without having a peek on RB :)
binjy
Just quick peeks nowdays :( am not finding the ‘new’ setup comfortable at all… and miss a lot.
Oh well….
CapturedByKylie
I often follow the favourites trail. Another similar thing i do is click on someone who has commented on one of my works, then look thru their work & comment on any pieces which i feel i HAVE to comment on, then i click on someone who has commented on their work and the process goes from there…
Adrian Kent
Damn! I have the exact routine! I think it might be catching!
DoreenPhillips
You turn off your modem and get this awful empty feeling, like you just pulled the plug on a loved one.
You check your mail. It says “no new messages.” So you check it again.
Your husband tells you he’s had the beard for 2 months.
You wake up at 3 a.m. to go to the bathroom and stop and check MyBubble on the way back to bed.
All of your friends have an @ in their names….................................xxx
Shoaib .
read a post like this … then check out all the people who commented :)
Ghelly
Good Idea Shoaib!!!
=D
Leon McPherson
I’m new here, and I am already beginning to feel the pull RedBubble has. I’m sure being here will help me improve as an artist.
Neophytos
Excellent routine !!
cornishgirlie
Two days since I joined and I’m hooked already! :o)