Friday Favorites are my weekly wrap-up of the cool happenings going on around Imagekind over the past week. This week we launched “images not for sale.” Also, don’t forget, from now until September 21, you can get 20% off custom framing. Cheers!

Images Not for Sale

This week we released images not for sale. Now, artists can upload their artwork that they would like to showcase, but not offer for sale. Some reasons artists might want to choose the “not for sale option” include:

1. Show off commission works
2. Display works in progress
3. Example images
4. Work to showcase on other sites
5. etc.

For full details, including a video on how to setup your images for display only (not for sale), check out the forum post announcement.

20% off Custom Framing

Great news! In celebration of Fall, Now through September 21, you can get 20% off custom framing at Imagekind. If you’re an artist, now is the perfect time to let your shoppers know of the discount.

Friday is here again! And on Fridays, I share some of my Friday Favorites. Check out this week’s and you’ll see Imagekind seemingly pop up all over the place. From Smashing Magazine, to AOL Home and even USA Today. Also, don’t forget that today we celebrate a very special holiday in honor of one of my favorite foods animals; the delicious mighty cow. And if you missed the big announcement about Imagekind, make sure to catch it below.

AOL Home

Ah, AOL. It brings me back to my first forays on the internet. Anyway, AOL Home’s blog ShelterPop gets it exactly right in their blog post of 5 Sites for Affordable Art. Check out what they say about us below. We are super stoked for the inclusion!

Smashing Magazine

I love Smashing Magazine. And no, not just because they mentioned us in their 35 Beautiful Photography Websites, but because they are constantly posting super helpful and relevant content. They really live up to their motto to “Smash you with the information that will make your life easier. Really.” We are totally thrilled, and humbled really, to be listed among such amazing photographers as a place where they can sell their artwork online. We are glad we have built a reputation that supports such fantastic artists. Thanks Smashing Magazine!

USA Today

I wanted to give a quick and big congratulations to our own Rajesh Srinivasan for taking second place(!) in USA Today’s Picture America Contest. Well done Rajesh! You can see and purchase his winning image right in his Imagekind gallery.

Rainbow Passage by Rajesh Srinivasan

Cow Appreciation Day

I love beef cows. But today might just be one of those days when I put down the cow, and trade it for it’s feathery counterpart. Today, July 10, is Chick-fil-A’s 5th Annual Cow Appreciation day. The deal is, if you dress like a cow and go into any Chick-fil-A’s restaurant, you will get free chicken meal. So what’s this got to do with Art and/or Imagekind? HA! Very little… But to show our support of one of America’s best-loved animals, I thought I’d give them their day in the sun and feature some inspiring cow art on Imagekind! Heck, we have a whole homepage dedicated to them.

Holy cow! I was just told about this: The Cow Appreciation Day photo contest. I love it! If you submit a photo, upload it to Imagekind too! And please show me!

Major Updates to Imagekind

We hope you didn’t miss our big announcement this week. But if you did, no worries, I’ve got you covered. I mean, you could just scroll down a bit and see it on the blog yourself, but if that requires to much time and/or effort, here is the quick version:

1. We’ve removed the upload limitations and implemented unlimited uploads.
2. Premium Members can now create their own customizable Storefront.
3. We also unveiled our new Portfolio Manager to help batch-edit your galleries.

Need more details on the features? Check the actual announcement.

Friday is here again! And with Friday comes my Friday Favorites. Imagekind is all over this week! The new edition of Art Calendar magazine is out and you can check out our exclusive ad. Also, discover Imagekind artists on the iPhone!

Imagekind in Art Calendar

The recent issue of Art Calendar magazine just hit the stands. And if you’re a subscriber, you might just notice a familiar face showing up within its pages! That’s right, Imagekind has a full page spot in the July 2009 issue. What’s best? The issue is focused on Social Media and “Marketing Art in the Digital Age;” exactly what Imagekind is all about!

See a larger version here!

Imagekind Artists on the iPhone

The new iPhone 3G S hit the market just the other week. And with it came the on-rush to grab one. I know a few people who got one (don’t worry, I’m not giving into the craze just yet, I’m still keeping it real) and while they were showing off me all the unnecessary cool features, I noticed something truly cool:

Imagekind artist Mr. Roctopus has his image “Trunk vs. Trunk” included on the background app available in the iTunes store. So, if you’ve got an iPhone, download the free app and check out some sweet art by our very own Mr. Roctopus!

Celebrating the Fourth

At Imagekind, we like to have fun and rarely pass up the opportunity to celebrate. So we’re not wasting any time this Fourth of July! That’s why we’re kicking off the celebrations with Free Shipping* on orders over $15! Use promo code 4July09 at checkout.

*Applies to U.S. ground shipping only. Promotion expires July 6, 2009 at Midnight PDT.

With Imagekind Create you can print and frame your favorite photos – a perfect gift for Mother’s Day! And, with our current free shipping* offer, you can find framed gifts for well under $15.

Send mom your favorite picture framed (or on canvas!) and if you order before May 4, we’ll cover the shipping for you! Just enter promo code MDAY09 at checkout.

Also, don’t forget to visit our special Mother’s Day art collection. We’ve compiled some of our most popular art that is sure to inspire any mom this Mother’s day!

*Type promo code MDAY09 in the promotion box at checkout. Promotion expires May 4, 2009 at 11:59pm PT and cannot be combined with any other promotion code. Limit one order per person. Promotion code must be used at time of checkout to apply. Your order must be placed during the promotional period to qualify for this special pricing offer. Free shipping promo applies to US ground shipping only. Not valid on greeting cards.

To ensure your artwork arrives in time for Christmas, please check our Holiday Shipping Deadlines. Order by the following dates for your artwork to arrive on time!

December 14 for Custom Frames & Stretched Canvas
December 15 for Ready Made Wall Frames
December 17 for Prints & Tabletop Frames

You still have some time, but don’t wait too long! Order now and receive Free Shipping*. Enter promo code DecFree08 at checkout. But hurry, special offer ends December 11 at 10pm PST.

* Free Shipping applies to US Ground shipping only and excludes Imagekind Greeting Cards. Shipping deadlines to not apply to the Imagekind Classic Collection

Kids love fun art! That’s why Imagekind is having a special promotion – Free Shipping!*

If you’re looking for decorating ideas for your kids’ bedroom, now’s the time to shop. Enter promo code KIDS2008 in the promo box at checkout to receive free shipping.

But hurry, this special offer expires October 14 at 10pm PDT. Give your kids a reason to smile

Decorate your child’s bedroom with fanciful art!

Discover more art kids love by shopping at Imagekind.

* Free shipping promo applies to US ground shipping only.

For all pro and platinum artists!

In lieu of our Member Appreciation, month-long free shipping promotion, I thought I’d get some banners for you to help promote your artwork for this special offer. I tracked down Scott, one of our designers here to help with the graphics, and he was cool enough to comply.

So, if you are a pro or platinum artist, and want to place some exclusive free shipping banners on your website, blog, or social networking page, grab the code and follow the instructions below.

Not a pro or platinum artist? You still have time to sign up to take advantage of this exclusive offer!

**Just remember that the free shipping offer is valid in September only and you should remove the banners from your site once the promotion expires.

Spread the Word!

Copy and paste the code below the banner on your website, blog or social network site. Just make sure to change SCREENAME with your Imagekind screen name (found on your profile page) to correctly send shoppers to your Imagekind art prints for sale!

<a href=http://SCREENNAME.imagekind.com><img src=http://blog.imagekind.com/media/free_shipping_234_1.gif alt=free_shipping border=1></a><br/>

<a href=http://SCREENNAME.imagekind.com><img src=http://blog.imagekind.com/media/free_shipping_234_2.gif alt=free_shipping border=1></a><br/>

<a href=http://SCREENNAME.imagekind.com><img src=http://blog.imagekind.com/media/free_shipping_234_3.gif alt=free_shipping border=1></a><br/>

<a href=http://SCREENNAME.imagekind.com><img src=http://blog.imagekind.com/media/free_shipping_468_1.gif alt=free_shipping border=1></a><br/>

<a href=http://SCREENNAME.imagekind.com><img src=http://blog.imagekind.com/media/free_shipping_468_2.gif alt=free_shipping border=1></a><br/>

<a href=http://SCREENNAME.imagekind.com><img src=http://blog.imagekind.com/media/free_shipping_468_3.gif alt=free_shipping border=1></a><br/>

______

Thanks to artist Ed Kinnally for helping clear up my last mistake!

Nate

Happy Independence Day!

Remember you can receive Sparkling Savings for July 4th and get 25% off Frames* by entering promo code July42008 in the promo box at checkout. Hurry, offer expires July 7th, just in time to get all your Fourth of July photo memories framed.

Start Shopping

Shop Artwork: 4th on Lake Austin by Trey Ratcliff

Shop Artwork: Fireworks by Tommi Arina

Shop Artwork: American Flag at Train Station by James Crotty

Shop Artwork: Fireworks 7.3.2007 by Notley Hawkins

Shop Artwork: USA Flag by Lenora De Lude

*Discount applies to custom frames only.