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About Craig Allen

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So far Craig Allen has created 103 blog entries.
  • Optimize your designs to be WeaveUp ready

Optimize your design’s color to be WeaveUp-ready

May 21st, 2018|Categories: Design Basics, Tips & Tricks|

Disclosure: While allowing for your designs to be color-editable significantly improves your chances of selling on WeaveUp, it does not mean all designs are good candidates for Color-Customization on WeaveUp. Some designs are so rich and complex that it's best to create various color versions of the same design in Photoshop and upload them individually. This tutorial is for designs intended to have 12 colors or less, but because of the way they were created/saved now have a bit more than that. Here are a few bullet points to consider before diving in: All updated designs go through our curation process, where our design team will inspect and ensure the design is free of technical flaws {such as image quality and repeats} and is color-editable. There are multiple guidelines we follow, and the below are the results: No Technical flaws = your design can be put up for sale. Color editable = we enable this customization on our end, and, next time you see your design, you'll be able to recolor it. Technical flaws = we may reach out to you and collaborate with you on correcting it. Your design will remain unpublished while issues are resolved. In this section, we will teach you how to ensure your design is set up correctly to be color-customizable using Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator. For this tutorial, we are using the CC versions of these programs, but they are similar enough to other versions and you might still be able to follow these steps depending on your version. Photoshop: Open your raster design in Adobe Photoshop TM. Click: Image > Mode > Indexed {most likely, your image will be in RGB} An Indexed Color window will pop up. If your design contains 256 colors or fewer, "Exact" will be visible. If not, you will want to select "Local perceptual" and choose the number of colors. In this example, we show a design with 256 colors or fewer. Select the following: Palette: Exact > Colors: Will tell you the exact number, in this case, 17 > Forced: none. Note: if you count the intended actual colors on this design, the total is 12, however, since it's an RGB file created in Photoshop, the objects have "soft edges", so there are more colors. Here's a closeup: Select the following: Local (perceptual) > Colors: any appropriate amount under 12 > Forced: None > Transparency: Un-checked > OKNote: it's good to double check yourself, and zoom into your image after doing this, to ensure that your edges look clean. Removing the rest of those diffused colors will help allow your image to be color-editable in our platform. You will likely need to do some clean-ups with your pencil tool {not a Photoshop Brush!} at this point as you will likely have stray pixels floating around. Below is what the edges should change to, notice there are no stray pixels and the colors are solid and clean: Save your image as a TIFF file and now it's ready

  • How to upload images on weaveup

How to Upload Images on WeaveUp

May 17th, 2018|Categories: Design Basics, Tips & Tricks|

Assuming you already created a gorgeous design, and, followed our art recommendation, you are now ready to upload an image onto our platform! If you haven't read these instructions, it might be best to do so, as you can ensure your design is optimized to be uploaded and customized within our platform. The process is very simple, and easy to follow: When you visit WeaveUp, click on "Create" located on our top navigation: Click on the button that reads: "UPLOAD DESIGN". { Side note: If you continue scrolling on this page, you will find other useful information that will help you upload more optimized designs }.   Step 1: Upload your Design. You will be taken to the "Upload your designs" page, make sure you read through the Upload Tips, which contain very useful information about how your files should be set up. You can also find more rich information on how to set up your files on this link. Read and agree to the terms, and click "UPLOAD". Step 2: Design Information. Add a descriptive Title and rich Description, having relevant, rich information to this section, using accurate keywords within it will help your design be found by the world. Please refrain from adding colors to the information, especially if your design will be color-editable.   Step 3: Select Repeats. Set up your repeats, play around with the repeat styles, most designs will be "basic" repeats, but some might also work well with the other repeats. Step 4: Save or Publish. Select between "SAVE" or "PUBLISH", don't worry, if you're not ready to make your design public, you can go back and do it later: PUBLISH: When you select this option, your design will go into our Curation Process where our Design Team will inspect it and ensure that is has no technical issues, and, if possible, allow it to be color-editable. This process can take a few days. Once your design is curated, it is then shared with the world. SAVE: will save the design within your library. but you will be the only person who will be able to view it. It will not be for sale or enter our Curation Process.  

  • Happy National Pet Day from WeaveUp

Happy National Pet Day from WeaveUp!

April 11th, 2018|Categories: Inspiration|

Here at the WeaveUp headquarters, we have a team member who comes to work every day on 4 short legs. Rescued by our CMO, Steve DeSantis, Sophie is our resident pet. Sophie is a 9-year old Basset Hound who loves to go on walks to the tennis courts behind our building and find stray tennis balls. She has a whole collection in our office! Sophie is one of many of our WeaveUp Pets, and this post is to honor them. Because, let's face it - they make our lives happier! EDDIE This is Eddie: the sweet, loving menace who's always always knocking knick knacks over, stealing food, or sleeping sprawled in the middle of the hallway. He belongs to our developer, Ben's parter's mom, and is one of Ben's favorite fur babies. COOKIE Cookie is the adorable baby that belongs to our designer, Rana. One of Cookie's quirks: she sits next to Rana and puts one paw on her leg. This is known as "the paw of ownership" (because she's claiming her human). She's 9 pounds of love and fun; her favorite things are wrestling with toys and getting belly rubs! GOOSE This is Goose, he belongs to Zach, our Lead Developer, this kitty is part Maine Coon {look at his cute ears!}, and weights 20lbs. His favorite relaxing spot is inside the kitchen cabinets where Zach keep his pots and pans, he loves quiet, cool places, but he also seems to love to hang out with Zach near his laptop, we bet he can develop websites a little bit too! SNUGGLES, APOLO, MATTIE, LUCY, CURLY & THE ZOO Snuggles, Curly, Lucy, Apollo and Mattie; these doggies are part of an 8-dog pack that belong to Eloisa, our Web Content Manager. Eloisa also has 2 bunnies and hens; and they all live on a couple of acres, so they have plenty of room to roam! - Did we mention our team loves animals? DINAH This is Dinah: our developer, Damien's 6 lb. full grown cat. She goes by "Princess Baby Cat" and "Tiny Cat," because of her size. She's also know as "Miss Persnickety," because even though she is very proper and polite, she is incredibly particular and ridiculously spoiled; which leads to some occasional sassiness. BUDDY Buddy belongs to our developer, Jared. He's 10 years old and is the sweetest dog there is! When Jared and his new family decided to hit the road for new adventures, Buddy adopted Jared's parents. But don't worry! They get to see each other very often; and this makes the relationship even more special. He's so lucky to have so many humans that care for him! It looks like we aren't alone in the love of animals! Check out these really cool designs inspired by pets from our wonderful independent designers: Kitty in the Flower Bed by HannaFate French Bulldog by ElliotDesignFactory Flower and Chicken by Shabnam_am Sophie by Janie Puppies by Pamelachi Scotties by ElliotDesignFactory

  • WeaveUp color of the month April 2018: Millennial Pink

Color of the Month: Millennial Pink

April 4th, 2018|Categories: Inspiration|

Whether you're redecorating a space, or looking for what to wear, you know you can't go wrong with Millennial Pink these days. We found some amazing images to help you get inspired with this soft, tranquil and trendy color scheme and also created an awesome design board for inspiration. Try some of these color codes in our customization tool and see what you can come up with! Here are some beautiful prints to get you started: Palm Leaves Fabric - by MirabellePrint Rose Flower Pattern Fabric - by NMalkani Subtle Moire 2 Fabric - by BBKolanz Psychedelic Victorian Fabric - by HannaFate

  • Rachna Designer interview with WeaveUp

Featured Artist: Ms. Rachna

September 12th, 2017|Categories: Featured Artists|Tags: , |

Rachna has been designing surface prints since 2004, and woven products for almost two decades before that. This woven influence is evident in her designs on WeaveUp - kaleidoscope, layered effects make her prints wholly unique. Learn about Rachna's inspirations and influences in today's Featured Artist interview. You can find Rachna's designs under the WeaveUp name RachnaDesigns. Where do you live? New Delhi, India Does where you live influence your art? Indian culture is full of color - we have many states, many languages, and many different foods. I infuse all of this richness into my art. Weaving is a traditional Indian craft, with families passing the craft down to new generations. Women in villages weave dhurries, saris, and stoles in addition to housework. There are many other cottage industry products made by women - women's empowerment has influenced my collections and designs. Tell us about your studio/workspace. My laptop with internet is my studio - I can design anywhere. When did you begin designing surface prints? What inspired you to get started?  2004 - a project to reduce the colors and put into repeat 40 designs from Italy was the start of this journey. I did almost 20 designs a month for companies in the USA, Dubai, China, Italy, Australia until 2012. My prints were also sold via agents. Before that, I was designing woven fabrics, rugs, home furnishings, and other exports from India since 1986. What advice do you have for creatives just getting started? SLOG HARD What would you love to see your print sewn into? Table cloths, shower curtains, and pillows. What is your go-to color combination? Black and white has a lot of potential, as well as beige and earthy tones. Do you have a signature design style? How would you describe it? I love to create ikat patterns, and can convert almost any design into a seamless pattern repeat. Mandala style is very interesting, as well as kaleidoscopes. Weaves, plaids, stripes, and waves in weaves. Woven patterns, which are difficult to produce, can now be created as surface prints. Tell us about your weaving experience. Dobby and jacquard looks are my forte, as well as 8 pedal weaves. I have run a handloom on my own for 2 years and can weave my own designs. As of now I also export my own handwoven dhurries. The cutshuttle dhurry, also known as the Santa Fe rug, sells in the USA, Japan, Dubai, and Indonesia. My dhurries are also being sold as yoga mats, since they are made of cotton. Thanks to Rachna for speaking with us! You can shop Rachna's designs here.

  • weaveup summertime snacks

What We’re Loving: Summertime Snacks

September 7th, 2017|Categories: Inspiration|Tags: , , |

Remember a few weeks back when we asked you to share your favorite summertime snacks?  You answered our call, and today we're excited to showcase some of your delectable designs!

  • Make your own GOT Costume with WeaveUp

How To Create Your Own #GOT Cosplay

September 7th, 2017|Categories: DIY, Inspiration|Tags: , , , , , , , |

The recently wrapped seventh season of Game of Thrones proved every bit worth the hype. We were especially impressed with the costume design, which got us thinking - if we were creating a #GOT cosplay, what character would we want to be? Read on to see some of our favorite looks from the series and which custom fabric we would use to create the perfect cosplay!

  • summemrtime snacks weaveup

Share your summertime snack designs

August 10th, 2017|Categories: Inspiration|Tags: , , , |

We're reaching peak summer here in Durham, NC. That means popsicles, tomato sandwiches, watermelon, juicy peaches, and endless lemonade. Whether it's a workday lunch or a weekend picnic, we're seriously digging summertime snacks. What are your favorite summer munchies? Show us in a surface design! Read on to learn more.

  • marble designs WeaveUp

What We’re Loving: Marble

August 10th, 2017|Categories: Inspiration|Tags: , , |

There’s no doubt that geological patterns have been trending strongly in 2017. To get you inspired, we’ve rounded up our favorite #marble looks on Instagram!

  • Lonny Doherty designer interview with weaveUp

Featured Artist: Lonny Doherty

August 8th, 2017|Categories: Featured Artists|Tags: |

Lonny Doherty finds inspiration in the vast landscapes of Ontario and beyond. His paintings celebrate contrast, capturing light bursting through trees or bouncing off a wave. Now, his paintings are available as custom fabrics on WeaveUp. Read on to learn more about our latest Featured Artist, Lonny Doherty!