Bchrisdesigns 

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• Red Bubble Tip #1: Adding a Portfolio Banner to Your Red Bubble Profile Page
  by bchrisdesigns

  I am not sure if someone else has already posted a tutorial on this, so I thought I would have a go at it. I read “this (How to add a Po…

  I am not sure if someone else has already posted a tutorial on this, so I thought I would have a go at it. I read this very insightful tutorial by admin Xavier Shay about posting a Portfolio into an email signature. I was toying around with the code, and discovered how to place the code on your Red Bubble profile page. I have noticed that some people have already figured out how to do this, so there are some who probably already know about this. I, however, did not know this until I toyed around with it and, so, I am sure that there others out there who might find this of value. I would first recommend that you read Xavier’s post and the comments that follow, as they were a very big help in learning how to do this. (1) The first step is to use the image location link that was provided in the forum tutorial: http://redbubble.com/people/username/recipe:banner;back_color:ffffff;orientation:horizontal;limit:4/username_banner.jpg (2) Next, paste this image location link somewhere in your “About Me” section between exclamation points, like this: !place the image location link here! (3) Now, notice the bold areas of the above link. You must insert your Red Bubble username (not your real name) where it says username (there are two spots in the link where you have to do this). So, my link would like like this: http://redbubble.com/people/bchrisdesigns/recipe:banner;back_color:ffffff;limit:4_;orientation:_horizontal;/bchrsidesigns_banner.jpg Can you tell where I have replaced “username” with “bchrisdesigns”? (4) Finally, if you take note of the italicized text in the image location link directly above, you will notice that the values of “back_color”, “orientation”, and “limit” are all italicized. These values are yours to control and manipulate to get the proper look and feel that you would like on your page. back_color: is the image’s background color, which you can change to any color using the standard HTML Color Code. Note, that you do not need to use the # (pound sign) that normally precedes HTML Color Code (i.e. ”#ffffff”) – you just need the code (i.e. “fffffff”). #ffffff is the color code for “white”. limit: is the number of thumbnails that will be seen in your banner. I have experimented with this in my blog and have discovered that the most you can set it to is “6”. On your Red Bubble profile page, the most you can really set it to is “4” for horizontal images and “6” for vertical images orientation: is the way your portfolio will be seen. This can be changed to either “horizontal” (from side-to-side) or “vertical” (up and down). And, that is it. Once you have decided how you want your image to look, just save your profile and presto! You’ve got a nifty banner on your page. BUT… If you would like your banner to be click-able, you need to add a link code to it, such as: ”! image location here ! ( link description here )” : hyperlink here You can copy and paste this example into your “About Me” section and then fill in the blanks with your information (make sure you delete any and all spaces). In the above example, replace the underlined text as follows: image location here: replace this text with the finalized image location link that we worked on in steps 1-4 above. link description here: replace this text with a description of what you would like people to see when they hover over your banner. (Mine says “View My Red Bubble Gallery”.) hyperlink here: replace this text with the actual hyperlink that you would like your image to link to (i.e. a specific Red Bubble section or your profile page; you can also link to your blog/website/etc.). Once you replace the text as indicated, simply save your edited profile and check out your radical awesomeness! Here is an example of mine (with hyperlink): I hope this helps everyone! Cheers! P.S. I am adding this to all of my groups in the hopes that everyone can use this tool to display their beautiful works of art (from Atmospheric Optics to Zoophoria). Much love!

• TROLL 101
  by bchrisdesigns

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  [Note: The following transcripts were taken from the Red Bubble School of Etiquette’s summer workshop entitled “Troll 101”. – Enjoy!] [Begin transcript.] Attention class! Today we are going to talk about trolls and “trolling”. No, I am not referring to those horrible creatures that dwell under bridges and eat billy goats. No, the trolls I am talking about are not mythological. They are very real and they are among us. YOU could be one of them… Students, the first thing you must be aware of is that trolls may exhibit off-the-wall, abhorrent behavior that would seem, to the majority of us, as mean-spirited, off-the-cuff, and rude. Many trolls have anger issues or issues with ego and pride. You can read this Wikipedia entry for further clarification of classic troll behavior: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troll_ You can also find more information in this Red Bubble forum thread: http://www.redbubble.com/groups/redbubble/forums/4/topics/19793 As the Wiki states, a classic internet troll is some one who: ...posts controversial and usually irrelevant or off-topic messages in an online community, such as an online discussion forum or chat room, with the intention of baiting other users into an emotional response or to generally disrupt normal on-topic discussion. But now that we have a better grasp of the common, classic troll, let’s put intentions aside, and focus on a more common and vicious threat to our very existence, students. That is right, I am talking about the elusive and very detestable Trollitis Egoramous, commonly referred to as the Ego Troll. Now, the Ego Troll can strike anywhere and at anytime. Beware that this is the most cunning and sly of all trolls, as it hides among us and takes on the ordinary, everyday appearance of an actual good person. These trolls will infest our community without so much as an iota of coldheartedness, until the day when they feel the need to bring us down, tell us like it is, and leave us withered and betrayed by the very people whom we’ve grown to admire. You, yourself, may even be an Ego Troll and not even know it! So, now students, can anyone tell me some signs that could possibly point to you or someone you know being an Ego Troll? Let’s all turn to page 222 and follow along as I read from the text: If you have done any of the following things, you may be an Ego Troll: Tell someone that they have grammatical problems in their short story? You troll!!!!! Tell someone that their composition could be a little better? YOU troll!!!!! Tell someone that their story confused you and maybe they should consider editing it a bit? You T-R-O-L-L!!!!!! Tell someone that their piece looks like…gasp!...a “snap shot”? You filthy troll!!! Tell someone that they could have been a bit more professional in their forum post? You good-for-nothing troll! Tell someone that you are not a fan of their design because it looked rushed. You lousy TROLL!!!!! Tell someone that you artwork is NOT porn but rather an artistic nude? Ugh, you troll bastard! TROLL! TROLL! TROLL! Now students, if you turn to page 716, you will find a brief example of troll-like behavior taken from one of our very own Bubble forums. Please, take a minute to read this excerpt silently to yourself… I am an overly blunt person and have been called a troll, even though what I said was (A) the truth and (B) constructive. Some people just do not like to be told anything because of inflated egos, pride, or for whatever reason that stems from their childhood. And, these people will take this definition of “troll” blow it out of proportion and use it against any person who happens to have an opinion different than thier own! I have seen it happen so many times to myself and others…who are, believe it or not, actually decent and loving people. I mean, it seems like a freakin’ troll hunt and any one who does not agree with everyone else and tell everyone else that their work is beautiful…omg! so cute…wow…amazing…you rock!... and that their forum posts are spot on…and that we agree…totally…omg, for sure… is tied to the stake and burned! Move over Salem, cause there is a new form of witch hunt abounding right here on the Bubble! Oh, and don’t disagree with anyone or have an opinion. Don’t post adult themed content – that is not art! Don’t talk about things no one else wants to talk about because it bruises their precious egos! Notice the ego maniacal approach here. Notice how the ego troll uses sarcasm, metaphor, and brutal honesty to make others feel wrong in their summations. Also notice how this troll uses terms like “truth” and “constructive” to mask its hidden agenda! Also evident here is the troll’s use of mocking and misogynistic undertones to cut down the opinions of those who may not feel the need to be so opinionated about such things. The identity of this particular troll is unknown, but, as you can see, students, you must be very cautious in your everyday dealings within the Bubble or you may one day become an Ego Troll. Just do what is expected of you and follow some of the core guidelines for Non-Troll Behavior that are outlined in your text and that I have taken the liberty of writing on the chalkboard. Let’s us now take a few minutes to commit these guidelines to memory. Guidelines to NOT be a troll: 1. Have no personal opinion. Just say what you think they want to hear. And, make sure it is all over-the-rainbow-nice! 2. Make sure the work you submit is rated R or less… none of this NC-17 or Rated X crap! That is not art…that is smut! Remember, even with an R Rating, you will be pushing the envelope. 3. Offer no constructive criticism. Constructive criticism is for workshops, college classrooms, and other websites that choose to belittle artists and writers and not put them on pedestals to worship…where they belong. Constructive criticism leads to the slitting of wrists and other body parts – remember that! 4. Join in on forum topics that have to do with movies from the 80’s, ice cream, puppy dogs, concerts, chocolate, and how much we love each other and each others’ work and how much we are all super-duper artists and writers! 5. Steer clear from taking part in forum threads that deal with anything about art, writing, society, politics, religion, and other themes that could lead to two adults firmly citing their opinions and debating the topic. Any forum thread having to do with why we are all really here should be avoided at all costs! 6. Wherever you go…BOOST egos! That is the best service we can all do for this community on a daily basis! Who cares if the photo is amateur, the story riddled with grammatical errors, the poem chliche, or that the art’s composition could be helped? These things may matter in the outside, real world, but not here in the Bubble where things are all roses and happy thoughts and fluffy-bunny-feelings. 7. Be sure to use and re-use words such as “wow”, “excellent”, “amazing”, “breathtaking”, and (my personal favorite) “awesome” when commenting on works in lieu of forthright and honest opinions, which may, in the long run, help the artist or writer. Use these words often and in abundance and you will surely be liked and voted for in challenges and competitions even if your art/writing is substandard at best. Remember, students, to NOT be a TROLL, takes patience, understanding, and marshmallow-y goodness. So, get out there and show them s’more love (well, except for the trolls, you can hate them because we all do because they are vile and disgusting and should be banished from the Bubble)! And, always be sure to call anyone who exhibits the behaviors of a troll a “Troll”, because that is what they are (by definition) and so that is what they need to be called. And, no, don’t worry calling someone a “Troll” does not make you a troll yourself because that person deserves it. Any further questions, my wonderfully talented pupils? No? Good. Class dismissed. [End transcript.]

• 

  Attention Whore
  by bchrisdesigns

  US$25.94

  ...Because, we all are… Wear this and you are sure to get some… attention, that is. / CREATION INFORMATION Medium: Vector Art, T-Shirt Design. Technique: Vector Art and Typography. Tools: Photoshop CS3, and my brain.

• 

  Ego Troll
  by bchrisdesigns

  US$25.94

  Ego Trolls of the World Unite! Er…um…just kidding! Er…um…awesome! TROLL 101 / CREATION INFORMATION Medium: Vector Art, T-Shirt Design. Technique: Vector Art and Typography. Tools: Photoshop CS3, Illustrator CS3 and my brain.

• The Plot Thickens Featuring The Boy Who Lived
  by bchrisdesigns

  What story am I?

  / CREATION INFORMATION Medium: Writing – Flash Fiction, Summary. Tools: Microsoft Word, My Brain/Imagination, and this book. Topic: Summary. / BUBBLE HISTORY 07/24/08 – Entry to Flash Fiction’s July 2nd Challenge  

• The Plot Thickens Featuring Star-Cross'd Lovers
  by bchrisdesigns

  What story am I?

  / CREATION INFORMATION Medium: Writing – Flash Fiction, Summary. Tools: Microsoft Word, My Brain/Imagination, and this book. Topic: Summary. / BUBBLE HISTORY 07/24/08 – Entry to Flash Fiction’s July 2nd Challenge  

• Say "NO!" to the Orphan Works Act
  by bchrisdesigns

  I found about this ludicrous proposed law on Red Bubble...

  I found about this ludicrous proposed law on Red Bubble and wanted to let everyone else know what they can do about it! If you have not heard about the Orphan Works Act, then you should research it and speak out before it is too late (especially if you are an artist, writer, and/or musician)! No, this Act is not about displaced children or found animals. It revolves around works of art (including fine art, photography, writing, music, etc.) that are not registered with newly proposed agencies. ANY work not registered would be considered in the public domain. This is a dangerous concept and just goes to show how greedy and capitalistic our society, government, and big businesses have become. According to GoPetition.com: “If the Orphan Works legislation passes, you and I and all creatives will lose virtually all the rights to not only our future work but to everything we’ve created over the past 34 years, unless we register it with the new, untested and privately run (by the friends and cronies of the U.S. government) registries. Even then, there is no guarantee that someone wishing to steal your personal creations won’t successfully call your work an orphan work, and then legally use it for free. In short, if Congress passes this law, YOU WILL LOSE THE RIGHT TO MAKE MONEY FROM YOUR OWN CREATIONS!” We would be forced into a world where big business can bully us and use whatever they wanted and not be penalized for it. And, this law not only affects artists, writers, and musicians. It also affect the everyday consumer! If you are planning to get your the photographs of your cousin’s wedding developed at a Wal-Mart or other big box retailer, then you better be prepared to get every image copyrighted or you may just end up seeing them on Wal-Mart’s billboards! Gone would be the days of having rights the minute you create something. Now, if you don’t pay to protect it, then it is like no one created the image and it is up for grabs! Who wants to live in this kind of world other than greedy politicians and businesses? And, it does not surprise me that this has all happened under the Bush administration. Who were the idiots that voted for him and thought he would do us some good? Well, seems like the joke’s on YOU! In an April 10th article in Animation World Magazine, award-winning animation producer/director and speaker, Mark Simon, writes: “It is currently against international law to coerce people to register their work for copyright because there are so many inherent problems with it. But because big business can push through laws in the United States, our country is about to break with the rest of the world, again, and take your rights away. With the tens of millions of photos and pieces of artwork created each year, the bounty for forcing everyone to pay a registration fee would be enormous. We lose our rights and our creations, and someone else makes money at our expense. This includes every sketch, painting, photo, sculpture, drawing, video, song and every other type of creative endeavor. All of it is at risk! If the Orphan Works legislation passes, you and I and all creatives will lose virtually all the rights to not only our future work but to everything we’ve created over the past 34 years, unless we register it with the new, untested and privately run (by the friends and cronies of the U.S. government) registries. Even then, there is no guarantee that someone wishing to steal your personal creations won’t successfully call your work an orphan work, and then legally use it for free.” So, what can you do about it? Well educate yourself on the issues, write to your congress men and women, and sign as many petitions as your can. To get your started, check out this petition, which I have already signed: Say ‘NO!’ to the Orphan Works Act on GoPetition.com Also, be sure to check out these resources for more information: Say ‘NO!’ to the Orphan Works Act on GoPetition.com Mark Simon’s Mind Your Business: You Will Lose All The Rights to Your Own Art IPA Orphan Works Resource Page for Artists U.S. Copyright’s Office Orphan Works Page ASMP’s Update on the 2008 Orphan Works Act You can also find more information about the Orphan Works Act on Red Bubble: Helen Bascom’s Protect Your Copyright – URGENT ACTION REQUIRED Erin Jay’s Something every artist should know about! Crockpot’s The Orphan Works Act of 2008 ~ RELEASE WanderingAuthor’s Writers’ Concerns bchrisdesigns’ Say ‘NO!’ to the Orphan Works Act The Red Bubble forum dedicated to this discussion

• 

  Shoe Size = 66 (wall art variant)
  by bchrisdesigns

  US$19.24–US$102.60

  The shoe always fits on Route 66, and that is what inspired me to create this image and the poem that was inspired by it: on Route 66 Come get your kicks / on Route 66 You’ll be the center of the mix / Where big cars hit the sticks / on Route 66 Pin-up girls play the latest hits / And, the shoe always fits / on Route 66 So, come get your kicks / on Route 66! / CREATION INFORMATION Medium: B&W Photography, Photo Composite, Mixed Media Design. Technique: Digital Composite, Digital Photography, Digital Lomography, Digital Cross Processing Tools: Digital Camera, Photoshop CS3. Location: Legends Classic Diner, Route 66 – Glendora, CA / CONTEST & CHALLENGE HISTORY 06/22/08 – Entry to Boredom Competitions on the 24/7’s If the Shoe Fits challenge / ALSO AVAILABLE on Route 66 by b.chris

• 

  United States of Wal-Mart
  by bchrisdesigns

  US$25.94

  This is my entry to APG’s Weekend T-Shirt Challenge that asks designers to predict the future…250 years into the future to be exact. And, while many predict bleak glimpses and a few depict happy shiny places, I have chosen to depict the inevitable decline of our U.S. economy (because, at the rate it is going, we are almost there) into the era of “Land of the Free Gift with Purchase and Home of the Buyer.” That’s right, Wal-Mart will take over and rule the nation! But, hey, it’s already a bully, so maybe we’ll eventually gain world domination! And, who knows, maybe price cuts (aka “rollbacks”, in Wal-Mart lingo) and senior citizens greeting at the borders are what this country really needs?!? / CREATION INFORMATION Medium: Mixed Media Design, Digital Illustration, Vector Art. Technique: Graphic Design using Vector paths, layer masks, and digital rendering. Tools: Photoshop CS3. Model: Lady Liberty. / CONTEST & CHALLENGE HISTORY 06/23/08 – Entry to Agent Provocateur Group’s Weekend T-shirt Challenge / ALSO AVAILABLE / Have You Seen The New Five Dollar Bill? Cards & Wall Art /  

• The Monkey's Top 11 Insights on Red Bubble Challenges
  by bchrisdesigns

  My quick rant on challenges: #11 – For those who do not want to take challenges seriously, you must remember that there are also the h…

  My quick rant on challenges: #11 – For those who do not want to take challenges seriously, you must remember that there are also the half of us who do. There are the half of us who want to be able to to say our pieces have placed in challenges and competitions because it is a great marketing tool and for some of us it is not some side hobby or thing that we do for giggles. For some of us, it is our livelihood and dream and anything we can add to make it more fruitful we will take. So, yes some people do take it seriously because we take our art seriously. It is not all fun and games. Sorry. #10 – The voting system now seems to be unfair but it is actually more fair than the way challenges have been run in the past. It is the lesser of two evils. However, I think that the system still needs to be tweaked. Some people have suggested that voters be forced to rate entries from 1 to 5. I have been part of communities where this type of rating system does not work and only leads to more bitterness. Other people think that contests should have a panel of judges. I am not sure if this would work here on the site because who is going to judge? It should not be any of us, if that is the case. Some have suggested that moderators pick. Which, I think, is ridiculous because you cannot guarantee that the moderator is not going to pick someone they know or give more leeway to someone they know. #9 – I believe that there should be two classifications of challenges/competitions: Group and Red Bubble. Group Challenges/Competitions should be group-based and offer recognition, feature placement, and maybe small prizes. Red Bubble Challenges/Competitions should be held by Red Bubble and should be open to anyone regardless if you belong to a group or not and should offer the bigger prizes: larger monetary prizes, exhibition placement, and/or publication. #8 – Okay, so who is the cranky pants who wants to forbid people form promoting their challenge entries in their journals? Some cranky people call this spam… only no one is forcing you to read the journal. If you don’t want to hear people promoting themselves in a contest, then just don’t click on it and read it! Let those who are interested in it read it! Simple as that! Why force everyone else not to do something just because you think it is an inconvenience for your eyes to see it? And, for those who say it is “cheating”...puh-lease! There is a link, in most cases, where you can send notice to “friends and family” to vote for you – and this is directly from the challenge page! Oh, but don’t write that journal entry you filthy cheater! LOL! Um, so which is blacker? The pot or the kettle? What happens if the way I tell my friends and family about these things is through my journal and not through e-mail? What next? I can’t blog about it? #7 – If a group is going to offer a huge prize (monetary/exhibition/publication/etc) for a challenge/competition, they should NOT take it lightly and ensure that the voting is fair. The current challenge system is not fair. It is a popularity contest and not a determination of the best work. But, even before the new system, it was like this. I remember entering a competition with two entries that I had worked really hard on and were, INMHO, outstanding and when I saw the rest of the entries I was sure I would win because all the rest looked very amateur. But, all the votes for the winning entry came from people whose works were very amateurish as well and were friends with the person. So, a substandard work won the prize – a work that would never see the light of day in a gallery or publication! Winners of challenges and competitions should be gallery-worthy or publication-worthy, the best of the best. But, because challenges are taken so lightly, a lot of wrong stuff wins! #6 – If challenges are democratically run and group members vote for their favorites, then the system will ALWAYS be flawed because people vote for all sorts of odd reasons: they are your friend or know you, you voted for them so they vote for you, you were really nice to them last time you BM’d them and so they are voting for you, etc. Not to mention the fact that a lot of people forget about the technicalities and are not judging works based on merit and craftsmanship but on content and popularity only. If you have birds, unicorns, babies, bright pretty colors, or teddy bears in your art then you get a lot of votes because a lot of people will ignore the fact that your art is over saturated or that the composition could have been better, etc. all because that puppy dog is so cute! This hurts Red Bubble’s image and makes us no better than “Hot or Not” or American Idol, where I can vote someone off because I hate the way they did their hair! #5 – A lot of people say that people will not take the time to vote if you make them jump through hoops. But, I say start jumping, honey! This is how it should work: Person A looks at the challenge entries and decides to vote for Person B’s work. Up pops a widget that asks Person A to vote for Person B’s work on five levels: Theme (does this piece meet the requirements of the theme? does it fully capture the essence of the theme?), Composition (evaluate the piece’s technical aspects, such as: saturation, digital or traditional effects, composition, sharpness, or grammar and spelling – for writing, etc.), Quality (is this piece worthy of being placed in a gallery or museum? would you buy it and hang it on the wall in your home? would this piece be published in a magazine, newspaper, book, or other periodical?), Inspiration (does this piece move you? does it tell a story? is it the best example of the challenge theme?) and Technique (did the artist make the best use of whichever technique they used? If it is lomography or HDR or traditional painting or sketching or vector art or writing or t-shirt design or Polaroid or TTV or whatever technique used, was the technique up to par?) #6 – In addition to the above, voters should be clueless about the artist who submitted the piece. The artists names should be hidden and they should not be allowed into an artist’s portfolio until AFTER the competition. This way, if it is a group or site-wide vote, it is fair. It is like taking the names off of three poems and then having someone else read them and pick their favorite without knowing who wrote them…a blind taste test if you will. This way, the truth comes out and only the best survive. #5 – If you would rather not have group voting, then you would need to have judges from outside of Red Bubble pick the winners. This only works for larger challenges and competitions that offer exhibition or publication because then you could have the venue or publication choose – if they agree to, which many do not have time for. Otherwise, how can you guarantee that a panel of judges from Red Bubble will be non-biased? THE ANSWER: You can’t. #4 – Challenges and competitions are a promotional tool for artists and writers and some can even bring in extra money. So, some artists and writers will do anything (and I do mean ANYTHING) to win. It is sad but true. So those of you who do not think that someone will create multiple accounts or do other dishonest things, be aware that there are people out there who are not as honest as the rest of us and will use and abuse the system and we have to be on the lookout for said individuals. If something smells fishy, it usually is fish…or deceit. And, honeys, this is not Red Lobster! #3 – This is to Red Bubble higher ups: If you are going to host a challenge/contest/competition for people to have their work exhibited/published then make sure everyone is able to participate or at least that there are these types of things all over the world for people to be a part of. It seems like a big job, yes I know, but you are not alone. There are members from all over the world who could contact local galleries and the like for Red Bubble sponsored exhibitions. It seems like most of the stuff on Red Bubble, for the moment, is all for those in Australia. I know that you all are based there, but this is not an Australian website. It is world wide but seems catered, which could hurt you. The last few major challenges offering exhibition seemed to cement that. Maybe you should create a team that searches for exhibitions all over the world that way NO ONE is left out? #2 – Everyone should take this seriously. Sure, some think it should all be fun and games, but it is not. For a lot of us, this is life and we do not toy with it. Sorry if our seriousness frightens or offends you in your hobby-eqsue world, but not all of us live there. Some of us live in a world where putting a blurb about winning a challenge can help us sell a few extra pieces and thus give us extra money for things like medicine and food and gas. it is serious business. Plus, a lot of things (i.e. a game of “Monopoly”) start off fun, but it isn’t long until rules are bent, egos crushed, tempers flare, and some are left disgruntled and vowing to never participate again. And, if you start off handling it serious, then the fun can come later because everyone will be happy. But, when you try to make it all fun up front it usually ends in disappointment. To quote Dr. Malcolm from Jurassic Park: The Lost World: “Sure, that’s how it all starts…but later there’s running and screaming…” #1 – There will always be ways to cheat and there will always be people trying to learn those ways. Did you know that there are programs that can switch your IP Address every few seconds? Or that no matter how many right click blockers you put on your profile, someone can still download your images from the web? There are people that will create fake accounts and e-mail addresses. And, some people will even hack into your e-mail, set up an account on eBay and sell fake computers in your name! (I had to add that last part because it actually happened to me. True story.) So, this stuff is real and does happen. All we can do is try to come up with something that is not so relaxed and something that will ensure that even if it is not 100% accurate, it is still close enough to count. I think Red Bubble is doing an admirable job in making challenges even better and that they still have a lot of work ahead of them. There will always be disgruntled people and you can’t make everyone happy. All you can do is assure that voting and entry are completely for the sole purpose of finding the “best of the best” and NOT the “best of the most popular”! Cheers! ~ b.chris / a.k.a. Brian / a.k.a. The Monkey / :o) P.S. I am a host over at the Twisted Tales Group and we welcome any and all RB members to come over and participate in our challenges. Our Challenges are very fair. Only entrants can vote and no one can vote for themselves. We have yet to have a problem with this type of voting and everyone seems happy! Come check us out as we are a great place for writers and readers! P.P.S. Check out this thread for more challenge/contest feedback.

• I Know Where Mommy Is
  by bchrisdesigns

  *Bobby poked his tiny head around the corner and saw the man with the metal fingers pointing one, long silvery one at his daddy. Daddy l…

  This piece of flash fiction was written because I was in a state where all I could think of was “sad ghosts”. Hmmm… / CREATION INFORMATION Medium: Writing – Flash Fiction, Suspense/Horror/Mystery, Tools: Microsoft Word, My Brain/Imagination Topic: the Supernatural, the Mob / CONTEST & CHALLENGE HISTORY 05/21/08 – Winner of Flash Fiction’s May – first challenge ‘Witness’ (Somebody pinch me!!!) 05/13/08 – Entry to Flash Fiction’s May – first challenge ‘Witness’  

• Screenshot of My Woes...
  by bchrisdesigns

  Okay, so RB has been wigging out on me lately! What’s the deal-y-y-o? I AM GOING CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!! RB spare me this insanity…. pwee…

  Okay, so RB has been wigging out on me lately! What’s the deal-y-y-o? I AM GOING CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!! RB spare me this insanity…. pweese? :o( I have written two posts about this, here and here. And, now this journal to share with you the utter chaos I have been dealing with for the last 2 1/2 days!!! It totally ruined Drawing Day for me!!!! Oh pooh! This problem is not with FireFox or IE, because I tried both and the problem persisted with both. I have been dealing with pages like these the entire time as well as other minor things as stated in the forum posts. Oh, somebody help. OR, I’m gonna go postal! Flames…flames at the…side…of my face…heaving breaths…! Here are some screen shots I took today. The first is FF and the second is IE: /  

• 

  Power to the Masses
  by bchrisdesigns

  US$25.94

  WE have the power because we are the masses! / So fight even hard for alternative resources! Wind is a natural power. More of us should use it. / CREATION INFORMATION Medium: Vector Art, Typography, Mixed Media Design, Digital Art, T-Shirt Design. Tools: Photoshop CS2, Digital Camera. NOTES: This shirt was inspired by this photograph that I took in Palm Springs. However, this shirt graphic was completely designed using vectors. / ALSO AVAILABLE / Mill on the Horizon Cards & Wall Art /  

• The Monkey's Top 11: Eleven Facts I Hold to be True
  by bchrisdesigns

  #9 – If I were you, I’d be reading this right now.

  This piece of creative prose was written in March of 2005 for the, now defunct, web journal “Pretty Witty”, where I used to write a monthly column entitled “Save a Cow, Kill a Chicken”. I am not sure if the links in this piece are even still accessible, but those are just bonuses anyway. Enjoy and let me know what you think! Remember, this is merely an opinion piece created for the purposes on entertaining and humoring and nothing more. / CREATION INFORMATION Medium: Writing – Creative Prose, Humor, Lists Tools: Microsoft Word, My Brain/Imagination Topic: Top 11  

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  The Very Catharsis of My Everyday Happiness (2nd variant)
  by bchrisdesigns

  US$25.94

  A second version, for folks who like dark t-shirts. You know who you are. Represent! / CREATION INFORMATION Medium: Typography, T-Shirt Design. Technique: Creative wording using Photoshop! Tools: Photoshop CS3, my brain. / ALSO AVAILABLE / The Very Catharsis of My Everyday Happiness (1st variant) T-Shirts /  

• 

  I'm the HOE
  by bchrisdesigns

  US$25.94

  Just keepin’ it real! / CREATION INFORMATION Medium: Typography, T-Shirt Design. Technique: Creative wording using Photoshop! Tools: Photoshop CS3, my brain. / ALSO AVAILABLE / The Very Catharsis of My Everyday Happiness (1st variant) T-Shirts /  

• 

  Delicious
  by bchrisdesigns

  US$25.94

  ...Because you’re tasty! / CREATION INFORMATION Medium: Typography, T-Shirt Design. Technique: Creative wording using Photoshop! Tools: Photoshop CS3, and my brain. / ALSO AVAILABLE / The Very Catharsis of My Everyday Happiness (1st variant) T-Shirts /  

• 

  Shoe Size = 66 (card variant)
  by bchrisdesigns

  US$3.85–US$102.60

  The shoe always fits on Route 66, and that is what inspired me to create this image and the poem that was inspired by it: on Route 66 Come get your kicks / on Route 66 You’ll be the center of the mix / Where big cars hit the sticks / on Route 66 Pin-up girls play the latest hits / And, the shoe always fits / on Route 66 So, come get your kicks / on Route 66! / CREATION INFORMATION Medium: B&W Photography, Photo Composite, Mixed Media Design. Technique: Digital Composite, Digital Photography, Digital Lomography, Digital Cross Processing Tools: Digital Camera, Photoshop CS3. Location: Legends Classic Diner, Route 66 – Glendora, CA / ALSO AVAILABLE on Route 66 by b.chris

• 

  Shoe Size = 66
  by bchrisdesigns

  US$25.94

  The shoe always fits on Route 66, and that is what inspired me to create this image and the poem that was inspired by it: on Route 66 Come get your kicks / on Route 66 You’ll be the center of the mix / Where big cars hit the sticks / on Route 66 Pin-up girls play the latest hits / And, the shoe always fits / on Route 66 So, come get your kicks / on Route 66! / CREATION INFORMATION Medium: B&W Photography, Photo Composite, Mixed Media Design. Technique: Digital Composite, Digital Photography, Digital Lomography, Digital Cross Processing Tools: Digital Camera, Photoshop CS3. Location: Legends Classic Diner, Route 66 – Glendora, CA / ALSO AVAILABLE on Route 66 by b.chris

• 

  Shoes
  by bchrisdesigns

  US$3.85–US$102.60

  Finding that good pair of shoes IS like finding love…once you have them, you want them forever! / CREATION INFORMATION Medium: B&W Photography, Photo Composite, Mixed Media Design. Technique: Digital Composite, Digital Photography, Digital Lomography, Digital Cross Processing, Selective Coloring Tools: Digital Camera, Photoshop CS3. Location: La Puente, CA / CONTEST & CHALLENGE HISTORY 06/24/08 – Entry to Boredom Competitions on the 24/7’s If the Shoe Fits challenge / ALSO AVAILABLE on Route 66 by b.chris

• First Sale on RB!!!!
  by bchrisdesigns

  Today marked my first ever RB sale. The lucky piece to be purchased was Mill on the Horizon...

  Today marked my first ever RB sale. The lucky piece to be purchased was Mill on the Horizon : I want to personally thank whoever it was who purchased this card! Thank you for making my day! Much love to you all! Cheers! ~b.chris

• My first win on Red Bubble!!!!!
  by bchrisdesigns

  I was pleased to come back to RB and find out that my flash fiction piece, I know where Mommy Is...

  I was pleased to come back to RB and find out that my flash fiction piece, I know where Mommy Is, won the Flash Fiction group’s May – first challenge ‘Witness’! I have entered many challenges and contests here on RB but never really expect to win anything because I use them mainly for the inspiration. Winning is always just a bonus! Well, this marks my first RB bonus and I am tickled pink (and very other color of the rainbow as well)! Congrats to all the entries and also to suBstAnce D! I found this gem of a bubble mail, from the dear Anne van Alkemade, hidden amongst my 200+ bubble mails (and was jumping for joy when I saw it!): And the Winner is … We had a whopping 23 entries (plus 2 just for show) in the first challenge this month. / That’s a Flash Fiction Record. Well done to everyone who entered. It was a really tough decision to pick the winner. So, we have a first and second this time (sorry guys, still no prizes – we might see what we can get for a near-future challenge). First is I know where Mommy is / by bchrisdesigns A close Second is suBstAnce’s Synthetic Alive Great writing, and a really enjoyable read everyone!! Next challenge will be announced soon.

• About Me
  by bchrisdesigns

  I love art. I can’t even define what type of art I love best, because I am moved by so many different forms of expression. Film, Music, a…

  I love art. I can’t even define what type of art I love best, because I am moved by so many different forms of expression. Film, Music, and Theater have always been mediums that have influenced me. However, I love the written word almost more than any other art form out there. I feel like sometimes I have so much to say. Sometimes, having that much to say can make a person chaotically mute. Living and growing up in Southern California can be frustrating and awesome all at once! It is a muse beyond muses and, yet, sometimes I feel like everything is so overly suburban. Maybe that is because I live in the burbs? I hail from the San Gabriel Valley, one of the most culturally diverse areas of the entire nation, which is why I am open-minded to all types of foods and cultures. I love living here, but sometimes I wish I were somewhere else because of the “go-go-go” atmosphere around here. Either way, I have a love-hate relationship with my wondrous state! The only other place I have lived was in London, which I loved beyond belief and miss everyday! I am slightly bohemian by nature and a true Pisces!!! For me, “Art” is everything, “creativity” is a driving force, and I have a feeling that, no matter what I do, I will always be creating something because that is what I am drawn to do. My second love is photography – digital photography in particularly. I am never without my digital camera (and even when I am, my cell phone has one built right in, so I am never truly without one). A few times I have been left stranded – no camera, no phone – and it feels like sickness, like part of me is missing. I need to capture images as much as I need to put thought onto paper. It is like a secret drive deep inside. I can hardly explain it or expect anyone else to understand it. It is like, when I am driving and see a beautiful sunset or a building whose lines arch across the horizon like some beautiful poem made into design and then not being able to pull over and capture that onto film makes me sick and leaves me empty. As you might imagine, I am a pain to travel with because I can spend hours in one spot capturing its essence over hundreds of clicks of the camera’s shutter. I particularly love to photograph architecture, cityscapes, nature, and people in those environments. I also have a love for common items that most people surpass, but when studied they offer some insight into humanity and some inner beauty that only the lens of a camera can capture. I am also getting the hang of this graphic arts thing. I love Photoshop. I would not be able to go on without it. It is almost becoming as valuable as my camera…or my pen. My favorite digital art mediums/techniques are: photo illustration, creative portraiture, pop art, composites, collage, lomography, cross processing, tilt shift photography, selective coloring, mixed media design, vector art, and t-shirt design. In fact, one goal is to eventually have my own t-shirt line under my design name: b.christopher designs. My creativity also flows beyond the computer, camera, and page. I have a soft spot in my heart for all things handmade. I am currently learning to sew because I love plush and want to design some. I like working with paper arts, mixed media, and jewelry. I am also a fan of ATC’s and ACEO’s and have created a few. Greeting cards also speak to me. Another goal of mine is to have a greeting card line. Greeting cards make everyone happy. I like that about them. As you can see, I have so many areas of interest. And, because of this, I am constantly busy with something or other. But, I always have time to make new friends and give feedback – so, don’t be shy. I would love to know what you think about my artwork. There is more to come, so stay tuned! And, if you are interested in hiring me or commissioning/purchasing one of my works, please contact me at b.christopherdesigns@yahoo.com. Thanks! Best Regards ~b.christopher

• An Interview With ME!!!!!
  by bchrisdesigns

  I stumbled upon Steve Hook’s amazing journal entry An Interview With You...

  I stumbled upon Steve Hook’s amazing journal entry An Interview With You, where he challenges readers to answer some in depth questions. How in depth? Well, here is my response…An Interview With Me: What are your three favorite movies? / As of today, my top three would have to include: Dirty Dancing, Thelma and Louise, and Halloween. What can I say? I am an 80’s kid! What books are you currently reading? / I just finished Gregory Maguire’s Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister and have since moved on to his Snow White inspired Mirror Mirror. I am also working on re-reading The Secret! What is your ideal dream car? / One that is paid off. What foods do you cook best? / Anything in the frozen foods section that you can pop in the microwave for sixty seconds! And … Cottage Pie, Enchilada Casserole, and Chocolate Mexicano – yummers! Which people across time left the best message? / Did they have voice mail back then? Or, are you referring to inspirational message, as in Confucius, Ghandi, Mother Teresa, Jesus, etc.? If so, I would have to say … John Lennon, because all you need is love! What do you ike to do on the weekends? / Party like a rockstar! By “party” I mean, play BINGO and by “rockstar” I mean “Barry Manilow”. Who would you like to be for a day? / My partner, because then I would finally understand how his mind works! Who is the sexiest man alive? / My partner. And Gerard Butler ... those two pretty much have to share that title! Who is the sexiest woman alive? / Prince. Hands down. What turns you on the most? / Prince. Hands down. / Ew….just kidding!!!!! Gross! / Actually, the correct answers is: boxer shorts. / I’m not going to lie, they are sexy! What would you change first, if you could? / Well, I guess you could give me one ten, five ones, and one five for that twenty dollar bill? No? Okay, well then… I would change the price of gas. How does $0.25 per gallon sound? Answer: vroom, vroom. How long is a peace of string? / How long do you want it to be? What side of the bed do you sleep on? / Facing the bed: the left. Lying in the bed: the right. What are you superstitious about? / Luck. I believe in lucky charms. I know, it is totally against the teachings of The Secret but old habits are hard to break unless you spin around three times and throw salt over your shoulder! Where would be a great place to get lost? / I am a control freak, so the idea of being lost does not appeal to me. I guess, the mall or Disneyland because there are maps everywhere and I could un-lose myself! What is your favorite music album? / Currently, my favorite albums include: Wicked, Mama Mia, and Across the Universe. What can I say? I am a musical junkie!