RulaVam Design

How did I go this long without a single Christmassy post? 😱 This year has not been good for me and social media... Not that I'm usually great at it! 🤣 But social media fatigue has become quite common in this post-pandemic era, and I'm definitely feeling it. Which isn't great when you're an artist and small business owner who kinda relies on these platforms for self promotion.

Anyhoo... Thanks for sticking around even with scarce posting and mostly random content. This is still an artist page, sort of.

On that note; this was my most popular Christmas card this year. Something like 90% of my sales this festive season have been this card! Mad!! It's great and all, but... Why this one specifically? Is it the ginger cutie or is it the song? What do you think?

Also a tiny reminder that Christmas is only 9 days away! If you're looking for any last minute gifts or cards I'll be posting Irish orders up until Wednesday the 21st in the hopes that they arrive on time (no guarantees).

This black Friday why not go green? Green Friday is an alternative take on this infamous sale period. Instead of boycotting it altogether I encourage you to support small local businesses, artists, makers and crafters, instead of big companies and conglomerates. Many of these independent businesses are running sales, and even if some aren't, your support means so much to them and to me! There is of course an environmental aspect to Green Friday (duh! 😆), as buying local means that your orders don't have far to travel.

If you've been eyeing anything in my shop, now's your chance to get it at a discount! The sale starts today and will run until Monday, November 28th at midnight (also known as Cyber Monday). Shop link: https://rulavamdesign.etsy.com

Feel free to leave a comment tagging your own or other small business you like and want to share with the world.

Happy Green shopping!

Greetings from monsieur Vector! He would like to draw your attention to these cool new “beds” I made for him. Well, they’re cushions, but he can believe what he wants…

These cushion covers are my first go at surface design and homewares. I absolutely love how they turned out! I was debating whether I should list them because Halloween is fast approaching and these take a few days to make and ship (made to order via a third party). But the excitement took over! Plus, you know… Halloween decor is not just for October! 😈

I’ve also kinda last minute decided to do a little birthday sale. 😱 You can get 15% off everything in my shop from today until Sunday midnight, by using the code: BIGBDAYSALE

Swipe for details and for some funny outtakes from the photoshoot with my meowdel Vector. 😸 He was of course paid handsomely with MANY treats.

https://www.etsy.com/ie/shop/RulaVamDesign?coupon=BIGBDAYSALE

And now for something completely different… Here are some moons! 🌝

I’m no photographer, but I managed to snap some half decent photos of the full moon the other day, and on the 3 nights leading up to it (9-12 August).

August’s full moon is the last Supermoon of the year, also called Sturgeon Supermoon.

I’ve been in a creative funk for the last while, and the less I create the worse it gets. My head is full of ideas but it feels like there’s something blocking them from getting out and taking form. I keep starting projects and not finishing them because I don’t like how they look or where they’re going, or I just get stuck and can’t progress. And Just to clarify, I’m only talking about personal work here, client work is never left unfinished. 🙃

I’m sure a lot of creative people out there go through similar, and I think it’s totally ok to admit it. To make matters worse, for me it comes hand in hand with imposter syndrome. Yay! But it can happen to anyone, and it’s important to find ways to get out of it.

So I decided to do some simple and fairly quick illustrations of everyday objects just to make myself draw without having to think too much about composition, a “big idea”, colour palettes, etc. I think it’s already helping so I’m going to keep at it. 🙂 My model for this one was a broken plant mister I got cos it looked pretty. The pump broke after a short while so it doesn’t really spray anymore (hence the prrbt 😝).

Am I late to the V-Day party? 😅 I don’t really do Valentine’s or Palentine’s or any of that if I’m being completely honest. But I had this idea a little while ago, so I illustrated it and turned into a card. 😄 Sure they’re not strictly Valentine’s themed anyway, they can be used whenever you want to show someone you care about them. Cat people know how special you feel when a cat chooses your lap to chill on!

I made variations of the illustration with different colours of cats, clothes, and skin, because diversity and and representation matters (for humans and felines).

Featuring the teeniest succulent I propagated from a single leaf, in a teeny tiny pot made by a good friend. 😊

Hands 🤘🏻👌🏽👍🏿

I have a love-hate relationship with drawing hands. I always kinda dread doing it, but keep doing it again and again anyway! There’s just something so expressive about hands, don’t you think? No? Just me? 😆

Here’s some hands I’ve drawn throughout the years digitally or on paper, in various styles (+ a wooden one that’s supposed to be for artist reference).

One thing’s for sure: I actually proper hate drawing faces! 🤣 Maybe that’ll change one day.

*Two of these are a sneak peek from something coming very soon.*

🎶 It's the most wonderful time of the year 🎄
there'll be much toy-throwing
and treats will be flowing
when loved ones are near 🎶

The last of the festive doggos is here to remind you that today is your last chance to place your order if you're still looking for Christmas cards or any other last minute small gifts from my shop. Click through to my Etsy shop from the product tag. 😊

I won't be closing the shop over the holidays, but won't be posting out as often as I have been in the run up to Christmas (which was practically every day). It will however still be there in case you're bored and want to browse.

5 sleeps to go! 🤩

🎶 Oh, Jingle Bells
I love smells
Let me lick your face 🎶

No face is safe... no turkey either!
Less than a week to go 😱6 more sleeps!

🎶 Dashing through the snow
On a one-dog open sleigh
All the toys your throw
I'll catch them right away! 🎶

I hope you're having a nice relaxing Saturday.

7 sleeps till Christmas!!! 😱

🎶 Dashing through the snow
On a one-dog open sleigh
All the toys your throw
I'll catch them right away! 🎶

All dogs are good dogs, but this boys is the goodest of them all! Dash is a rescue noodle horse who was born at and he (and his humans) agreed for his handsome face to be featured on this card in order to help raise funds for other doggos in need. A minimum of 30% of the proceeds will be donated to help other doggos like him who are still looking for their forever homes.

And here's your reminder to please please PLEASE adopt, don't shop! And of course needless to add, a pet is for life and not just for Christmas. 🐾

If you're still thinking of getting your paws on these cards before Christmas you better hurry!

Only 8 sleeps to go! 😱

🎶 Wrecking around the Christmas Tree 🎄
At the Christmas party hop 🥂
Everyone dancin' merrily 💃🏼🕺🏼
Until they see what I have done! 🎶

Our tree has only been up a couple of days, but is surprisingly still standing and no decorations have been knocked off! You see all sorts of creative ways people try to protect their Christmas trees, but some cats still manage to get up them. 😬 I think my cats might actually be angels in disguise! 😂 Either that, or I spoke too soon...

9 sleeps till the big C! 🎅🤶

🎶 Last Christmas, I gave you a mouse 🐀
But the very same day you threw it away 😿
This year, to save you from tears
I’ll keep it all for myself 🎶

This has by far been my most popular Christmas card this year. 🥰
Don't you just love it when your cats bring you "presents"? 🤢 I'm actually quite glad my two are either terrible hunters, or the bells on their collars work as intended. It mustn't be easy to be a stealthy killing machine when you jingle like Rudolph and all the tiny creatures can hear you coming from a mile away! 😂

🎶He sees you when you're sleeping
He knows when you're awake
He knows if you've been bad or good
So be good for goodness sake!🎶

Are you on the 'Naughty' or the 'Nice' list this year? Because one thing's for sure... Santa Paws is watching your every single move!

11 sleeps to go! 😱🎅

🎄 "O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree
Your ornaments are history!" 🎄

The Christmas cards are flying out at the minute. I'm so grateful for every order and every kind word. Knowing my art can put a smile on someone's face is the best feeling in the world. 😄

Naughty moggies ready to attack the tree when nobody's watching... That's why we can't have nice things! Is your tree still standing? Or are your cats angels in disguise?

We ordered a tree and it arrived last week but haven't had a chance to decorate it yet. 🙈 The cats have been enjoying it however, they love hiding behind it and playing/running around it. No matter how "no shed" a tree is, they will always make it shed. 😅🤣

The big C is fast approaching, as are postal deadlines. If you're considering ordering anything from my shop don't dwell on it any longer. The deadlines for posting outside of Ireland and the UK have passed, but there's still time if you're ordering from within these regions.

Only 12 more sleeps! 🎅

I made festive totes! 🎄
The cat and dog characters from my cards wanted more of the spotlight, so I gave them what they wanted. 😆
The totes have been up in my shop a little while now but I kinda forgot to post about them here. 🤦🏻‍♀️ Yup, my SM game is cr@p, I know…

Anyway, check them out if you feel like it! They’re great as eco-friendly gift wrap which can be reused again and again, or you can of course carry your shopping around etc. Perhaps don’t try carrying your cattos or doggos in them… although I would LOVE to see that. 😆 (Product photo idea!?!💡)

Only 16 sleeps till Christmas! 😮🎅🏻

Really excited to announce that my prints, totes and Christmas cards will be available at the CARA Vintage Pop Up shop!

CARA Vintage sell unique, hand picked vintage and preloved items of clothing. Their pop up shop is opening in Williamsons Mall Dundalk tomorrow, December 1st. They will also have products from other small art and craft businesses like mine. Check out their page on Instagram and if you’re in the area why not check the Pop Up shop out too! 😊

**If you are or know of a small business who would be interested in displaying their products at the pop up, do get in touch with CARA Vintage. They have a lovely large space and are a pleasure to deal with.**

✨It’s that time of year again! Ho ho ho!✨
🎄🎅🏻🥂🎁

My Christmas cards have started going out the door, and no doubt making people laugh out loud. 🤪 If you’re looking for cat or dog themed greeting cards with a comedic twist, look no further. Naughty kitties and over-enthusiastic doggos sing their own versions of well known Christmas classics.

I also have some new Christmas products coming very soon, and a very exciting new stockist! Stay tuned for announcements. 🤗

Pumpkins & Mice and all things Not Nice 💀👻🦇

It’s about to get SpoOooOky up in here! Ghosts and ghouls, bats and rats, blood and guts, skulls and bones, gimme your worst. The nastier the better! 😈 Pumpkin spice lattes not so much… not for me anyway! Not that there’s anything wrong if that’s your thing. 🙃

So, I started this illo not intending to make it a super detailed piece, but once I start zooming in I just can’t stop. It took me… daaays! Anyway, check out the tasty details. 😉 I’m actually in love with those leaves! 🍃 I’d also like to add, I don’t often combine Photoshop and Illustrator, but when I do (first time I think?): 🤩
So, background is Ps, all main illo is vector, done in illustrator. Now enough with the technical stuff…

Prints and merch dropping tomorrow! 👻 There will be HOODIES! And all just in time for my favourite month of the year!!

If it’s not on the feed did it even happen? I guess there’s no straight forward answer, but it was a rhetorical question anyway! 🤪
✨ New Tees are available in my shop. RPG/D&D players, this one’s for you! 🎲
I switched over to a new supplier, so my older tees got a bit of a makeover too. 🤗 Everything is still DTG (Direct To Garment) print on demand, same awesomely soft and ethically made BELLA+CANVAS t-shirts, and even MORE colour options. Check them out if you have a sec! 😎

It's been a while since I posted any new work, so here's an illustration I recently completed.

This illo was created as part of a collection I have nicknamed 'Sanitees', which is all about hobbies/pastimes and how they make us feel. 😃 They started as T-shirts (hence Sani-TEES) but I recently decided to build on the concept and collection (there's also totes!), and I plan on gradually adding more to it. 🥳

So to start, here is a brand new illo which is of course all about Role Playing Games/D&D and rolling dice! 🎲⚔️🧙‍♂️

The end result turned out to be heavily influenced by one of my all time favourite TV shows, Adventure Time. Even though it wasn't intentional, I think it's extremely obvious so I won't try to deny it! 🤣 This is 100% vector, which is a pretty big deal for those who get why. 🙃 I experimented a fair bit with how to give dimension and texture while keeping it sharp and clean. I loved working on this one and I'm very happy with the result. Coming on some merch very soon! 👕

Bonus closeup image for a peek at some of the details.

I can't stress this enough: these totes are available in my shop! 😝 Two designs, DTG (Direct To Garment) printed in full colour, available in a few different colours, 100% cotton. 🤗

This week we saw some restrictions easing here in Ireland, and while the reopening of hairdressers, salons, museums and galleries were all over the media, nobody really mentioned that libraries are also open again!!! 😮 If you're planning a trip to the library you might need something to carry a few books out with you. 📚 Can you think of a more appropriate bag?

I snuck a new product into this photo, can you spot it? It will be dropping verrry soon! *Hint: it’s not a book! 😆

Move over Andy Warhol with your Campbell's soup, there's a new kid in town! 🤣
Only joking... I would never dare compare myself to any of the greats. I did however turn my new Tote Bags into pop art. Two designs, cotton totes in different colours, go check them out!

Now that we are slowly allowed to venture out it's exactly what you'll need to haul your stuff around with you. Or in case you wanted to look GOOD 😎 when packing your food shop. Going to the supermarket seems to be the going "out out" these days... 😬🙃

March is here and it's officially the countdown to St. Patrick's day! ☘️☘️☘️
Pubs in Ireland have been closed for a good while now and won't be opening for the foreseeable.
Is it even St. Patrick's day without parades, pubs and pints?
It sure can be! We just have to make the best of a crappy situation, and find different ways to celebrate. 🍻
So why not start with some pub-inspired decor, like this print picturing a creamy pint of Guinness!
Oh how I miss a nice creamy pint down at the local...

A pint of the black stuff – Fine Art Giclée Print (A4) A Pint of the Black Stuff – Fine Art Giclée Print In a time when going to the pub is not be an option in many places around the world, why not bring that warm Irish Pub feeling into your home. This design was digitally hand painted in a style combining contemporary and post-impressionism art. It

This has been a while in the making, but I am now officially selling prints! 😱 Between supply difficulties due to a pandemic with a bit of Brexit sprinkled on top, as well as the constant nagging feeling of "who would want to buy my art?" 🙈 this has taken me a little longer to do than I would have liked. And to top it all off, I just haven't felt at all like posting here, or anywhere, so I'm really pushing myself to do this... But hey, if it's not on Facebook, did it even happen? 🤣

Two previously created digi-paintings are available as A4 archival quality Fine Art Prints in my shop. Go check them out! 😄 https://www.etsy.com/ie/shop/RulaVamDesign

Right, I'm off to eat my pancakes! Happy Pancake Day, Shrove Tuesday, or whatever you prefer to call it.