Marketplace: Ailurobibliophile Redesign

January 30, 2021January 30, 2021 Bernadette

I worked out this design in late 2017 and had two variations on the typeface. I preferred the bolder typeface but ended up using the lighter typeface because I began with a stencil and it worked far better for that. But not well enough because I ended up having a screen made to screen print the bags instead of stenciling. I sent the art I’d been working with and after printing bags and prints I decided I really wanted to use the heavier typeface after all, and I like it much better!

About that word, “Ailurobibliophile”. Yes, I made it up. It popped up in my design consciousness over a decade ago when I was photographing my cats in the cat book library, on the books, in the books, napping, bathing, posing, and I held it there until I had such time to really work it out. Finally, I can let the world know about “ailurobibliophiles”!

What does it mean? Just what it says. My initial idea was just “lover of cats and books”. Then I photographed Basil in August 2017…

…and knew the time had come.

As with all my designs, this one is based on a real cat, a cat you know, a cat just being a cat.

I worked up a few designs, and in doing so found more fun things to add to the text because Basil was “on” the books, and several of the books were “on” cats. Likewise with my photos of cats in the cat book library, and I was just beside myself with the possibilities. I finally managed to edit it down to three statements so I didn’t go on and on.

I settled on one design for layout and used several typeface variations, then chose two that would work well for stenciling. I couldn’t decide, and I especially wanted to be certain the “new” word was understandable, and the text clarified it, and nothing made anyone think overly hard so it lost its fun and whimsy. I sent it out to several trusted friends for feedback.

Finally, I’m ready to go!

The tote bags plus prints, pillows and more

Beginning this spring, instead of purchasing tote bags to print on, I found it easier to make my own totes. The cutting and sewing is simple, and I cut the pieces and print the image, then construct the bags. I also made prints on paper to frame and am planning prints on wood. Once I find the pillow fabric I like best I’ll also make pillows.

Purchase an Ailurobibliophile tote

You can find it on Portraits of Animals.

Marketplace

Basil the model.

Take a look at other new merchandise and featured artwork.

Marketplace is a feature on The Creative Cat to share the latest coming out of my studio with my readers. Once a week on Thursday I feature something new in my “shop”.

Read about creating custom items

Find out more about creating custom items for your own home using the images you see here. Visit the “Ordering Custom Art” page to see samples and read bout how to order.

Find out about events and festivals where you can find me and my work.

Sign up for my e-newsletter (below), check the widget on the sidebar on my home page, or sign up to receive posts on Portraits of Animals Marketplace. I plan on plenty of events this coming summer in the Pittsburgh area, COVID permitting.

It’s all done under the close and careful supervision of my studio cats!

Gifts featuring cats you know! Visit Portraits of Animals

Fine Art • Photography • Gifts • Greeting Cards • Books • Commissioned Portraits & Artwork

Copyright

All images and text used on this site are copyrighted to Bernadette E. Kazmarski unless otherwise noted and may not be used without my written permission, although links to your site are more than welcome and are shared. Please ask if you are interested in using and image or story in a print or internet publication. If you are interested in purchasing a print of an image or a product including it, check my animal and nature website Portraits of Animals to see if I have it available already. If you don’t find it there, visit Ordering Custom Artwork for more information on a custom greeting card, print or other item.