I have wanted to create an article on this topic for quite some time, so here we are!

After being asked to speak in multiple X spaces, podcasts and live streams about this, I felt it would be wise to have it all written down so you'll have something to revert to when needed!

Whether you're new to crypto, blockchain, NFTs, onchain economy, etc., this article is for everyone, whether you're an artist, content creator, etc.

I hope it can guide you no matter where you're on your journey because Base is for everyone; let me show you why.

Let's start with the basics:

Something that is recorded (or, in other words, minted) directly on the blockchain.

Ex) art, music, podcast, article, video, etc.

Think of a blockchain as a digital record book that permanently records transactions across a network without a central authority. 📖

Your records are stored on multiple databases that are chained together ⛓, making them unhackable and impossible to change or delete — i.e., highly transparent.

There are currently three layers of blockchain:

• L1 (Layer 1): The main blockchain network.

• L2 (Layer 2): Solutions that improve the scalability of L1.

• L3 (Layer 3): An emerging concept that offers more specialized use cases and enhanced scalability.

In this article, we will focus mainly on L2. However, to understand L2, it's essential to understand what L1 is.

L1 blockchains:

• The base layer, meaning they are the core network that processes and records transactions directly.

• They manage the entire blockchain's security, consensus, and data.

• They often have scalability challenges because all transactions are processed directly on the main chain, resulting in slower processing times and high transaction (gas) fees when the network gets congested.

Examples of L1 blockchains we all recognize are: Ethereum, Bitcoin, Solana, etc.

L2 blockchains:

• They are built on top of L1s to make them faster, cheaper, and more scalable.

• They help improve transaction speed, reduce gas fees, and simplify the network.

• They do this by processing transactions on their network, but they store the data on the L1 blockchain for security.

• They work as an extension of L1, processing transactions off the main chain.

Examples of L2 blockchains include Optimism, Base, Shape, and Zora.

Leading us to ask...

Base is a secure, lost cost and builder-friendly L2 of Ethereum L1 - built on OP Stack and incubated by Coinbase.

Base's core mission is to bring the next billion users onchain to increase economic freedom, drive innovation, unleash creativity, and create a global onchain economy.

It offers the best features of Ethereum but is 10-100 times cheaper because, to make on-chain access available to everyone, fees need to be low (under 1 cent) and ensure transactions are processed fast (in less than 1 second) and Base is doing just that.

OP Stack is a standardized, shared, and open-source development stack that powers Optimism (another L2 blockchain) and is essentially a toolkit for building L2 blockchains.

These blockchains come together in a Superchain (see dashed circle), a network that shares tools, rules, and systems to ensure smooth operation.

Please refer to the image (made by yours truly) above to visualize how they all work together and separately. ⬆

I've been advocating for creators, both inside and outside the crypto space, to mint and list their work on-chain for years, and here's why:

• Proof of Ownership: Blockchain verifies ownership, proving your work is yours.

• Immutable Records: Once minted, records are permanent and can't be altered (even after we pass, it will still be there!)

• Global Reach: On-chain marketplaces provide worldwide exposure.

• Royalties: Smart contracts automate royalties, ensuring creators are paid for resales — something that’s nearly impossible in the traditional art market.

• Direct Engagement: Minting on-chain enables direct relationships with collectors, bypassing intermediaries (yay for no middleman!)

• Community Building: It's very easy to connect with like-minded creators and collectors (and yes, creators can be collectors, too!).

• Credibility: On-chain minting verifies authenticity and builds trust.

• Opportunities to Be Exhibited: Being on-chain offers more opportunities for exhibitions, making it easier to be discovered than in traditional art markets.

& much, much more!

Together, these benefits empower creators to protect their work, expand their reach, and thrive in a global onchain economy.

"Building on Base" simply means contributing to bringing the world on-chain.

This can take many forms;

• Content creators, artists, musicians, designers, community leaders, coaches, coordinators, educators, translators, influencers, developers, etc.

Regardless of your role/s, your contributions are vital to building the new onchain economy, which relies on everyone working together to succeed.

Base's culture values collaboration and innovation, creating a space where everyone has something meaningful to contribute.

With that said, each blockchain has its own culture and multiple communities, so it’s best to research which ones align with your values and needs as a creator.

Although there are many blockchains, Base has become a popular L2 choice for creators to mint their work for many reasons.

1. Trust and Reliability: Base is incubated by Coinbase, one of crypto's most prominent and trusted names. This backing gives creators confidence in the security and stability of their assets and reassurance that Base is less likely to disappear.

2. Access to Users: By leveraging Coinbase’s massive user base, creators can reach a wider audience, including those new to on-chain experiences. For example, a creator's work could be featured on the Coinbase Wallet front page, increasing discoverability.

3. Lower Transaction (Gas) Fees: Base offers significantly lower transaction costs compared to Layer 1 blockchains like Ethereum, which means creators can mint their art onchain, execute smart contracts, and interact with dApps without incurring high fees (literally cents)

4. Scalability: As an L2, Base is designed to handle more transactions efficiently, resulting in faster and smoother UI/UX experiences for creators and their audiences.

5. Ethereum Security: Since Base is built on top of Ethereum, it inherits Ethereum’s security, meaning creators benefit from Ethereum’s robust security with the added scalability of an L2 solution.

6. Support for Creators: Base has been designed with creators in mind, providing resources, grants, and opportunities to support creative projects. This has attracted artists, musicians, developers, and creators interested in building on-chain.

7. Community Support: Base benefits from solid community initiatives, with active engagement from creators, global community leaders, and developers working together to support each other and grow the ecosystem.

8. NFT Marketplace & Social App Integration: Base is supported on popular NFT marketplaces and onchain social apps, including OpenSea, Foundation, Transient Labs, Remx, Magic Eden, Zora, Rodeo, Moshi, Drakula, etc., giving creators multiple places to showcase and sell their work.

Overall, it offers an environment for creators to thrive by providing the technical infrastructure, lower fees and community support needed for success.

Note: While Base leverages Ethereum's decentralized infrastructure, it is not entirely decentralized yet.

Coinbase has expressed a commitment to progressively decentralize Base over time. A significant step in this direction was the recent introduction of fault proofs, which aim to enhance the network's security and reduce reliance on a single entity. Despite these efforts, Base remains under Coinbase's control, with complete decentralization being a future goal.

As mentioned above, there is an extensive list of marketplaces and onchain social apps where Base is supported that creators can utilize.

However, it is crucial to recognize that not all of these options include the ability to record (mint) our assets (in this case, our art, content, etc.) on our own smart contract/s (yet).

A smart contract is a digital agreement on the blockchain that automatically follows the rules written into it. It works like a computer program — if certain conditions are met, it performs actions independently.

The content/artwork gets recorded onto the smart contract through a process called "minting."

1. Minting turns the content/artwork into ➡ a token on the blockchain.

2. The smart contract records the ownership details, rules (like royalties), and links to the work that you set up.

3. The work is usually stored off-chain, while the smart contract manages how it's bought, sold, and tracked.

There are different kinds of smart contracts; the most common are:

• ERC-721: Known for unique 1 of 1 artwork and collectibles.

• ERC-1155: Known for editions, allowing multiple copies of the same asset (artwork/content)

• ERC-7160 (via Transient Labs): Enables multi-metadata functionality, allowing each onchain piece to be associated with multiple pieces of digital content, creating a dynamic and evolving experience for creators and collectors.

1. Full Control: You have complete control over your assets, including how it's sold and how royalties are handled, without relying on third parties.

2. Guaranteed Royalties: With your own smart contract, you can ensure that royalties are always paid directly to you on resales on the secondary market even across different marketplaces.

3. Brand Identity: Adds credibility and builds your brand, showing collectors that you own your entire process and making your work more professional.

4. Interoperability: Your artwork can move more freely across different platforms and marketplaces rather than being restricted to a specific platform's shared contract.

5. Customization: You can customize terms, features, and rules that suit your needs as an artist rather than being limited by a generic shared contract on marketplaces.

6. Safety: If a marketplace shuts down, work created on a shared contract could be lost, but your own smart contract ensures its safety.

It is never a bad idea to spread your wings and mint your work on multiple platforms (and across various blockchains), even if there is no option to mint on your own smart contract. There is a time and place, and only you, as a creator, can make the best decisions for your work, portfolio and brand.

The following popular platforms allow you to create your own smart contracts, along with listing them for sale as an option:

1. Manifold

2. Transient Labs

The following popular platforms allow you list your work with your own smart contract:

1. Highlight

2. Opensea

The following popular platforms/social onchain apps allow you to mint/list on their shared contract only:

1. Zora

2. Coinbase Wallet

3. Foundation

4. Magic Eden

5. SYKY

6. Remx

7. Rodeo

8. Moshi

9. Drakula

Each offers a different user experience; my recommendation is to try them all out, see which ones fit your needs, and enjoy them more!

Note: some are invite only

First, you’ll need a crypto wallet that supports Base, and you'll need to purchase some Base ETH to pay for transaction (gas) fees when minting, listing, and collecting.

My Wallet Recommendations:

• Coinbase Wallet 🙂 (of course)

• MetaMask

• Rainbow

Each wallet has its unique UI/UX experience, but if you want simplicity and a smooth onboarding experience, I recommend Coinbase Wallet. It’s ideal for creators just getting started.

Fastest Way to Set Up a Wallet:

1. Go to wallet.coinbase.com to set up a Coinbase "smart wallet." This type of wallet doesn’t require a secret seed phrase but uses a passkey, making setup quick and user-friendly.

2. Click on "Connect" at the top right of the website.

3. A popup will appear. Click "Sign Up" and follow the instructions.

Alternatively, you can download the Coinbase Wallet app on mobile, which allows you to create a wallet using a secret seed phrase — be sure to store this phrase securely and keep it hidden.

You can also choose other crypto wallets, such as MetaMask or Rainbow, as long as they support Base.

Once your wallet is ready, you'll need to purchase some ETH on the Base network.

Tip: If you have friends in the crypto space, they may be willing to send you some Base ETH to get started. It doesn't take much — less than $2 USD will cover the minting and listing fees on Base, as transactions only cost a few cents.

• Physical Artwork: If your work is physical, take a high-quality photograph of it. The image will be tokenized and uploaded to the blockchain.

• Digital Artwork: If your work is digital, ensure the file size and format are compatible with the platform you’ll be minting on. This is important to ensure that your art appears correctly.

As I mentioned above, you can mint your work through various platforms and onchain social apps.

Research each platform to find the ones that align with your goals, strategy, and brand as an artist. However, don't be afraid to experiment — trying different platforms can help you find what works best.

Promotion is key to gaining visibility once your art is minted and listed. Here are some tips:

• Engage with creators, builders, and communities on social media apps such as Twitter, Warpcast, etc., to build a network of supporters before promoting your work.

• Once you’ve established a rapport, share your listings on social media platforms to reach potential collectors.

As a creator in the onchain economy, it’s essential to be clear about your motivation and goals. This means regularly reflecting on the following:

• Who to Interact With: Identify key communities, creators, collectors, and builders that align with your values and goals and build genuine connections with them.

• What Platforms to Mint On: Choose the platforms that best fit your art style, audience, and brand, ensuring they align with your overall strategy as an artist.

• Where to Spend Energy and Time: Prioritize activities that will have the most significant impact, whether promoting your work, engaging with communities, or creating new work.

• When to Take a Break: Recognize the importance of rest and avoid burnout. Taking breaks helps maintain creativity and keeps your work sustainable in the long term.

• How to Reach Your Goals: Set clear goals, whether they’re about growing your collector base, improving your skills, or expanding your reach, and outline actionable steps to achieve them.

Understanding these aspects will help you effectively manage your time, focus on what matters most, and make your work more visible to the right audience.

Getting your work on Base is a step toward joining the growing on-chain creator economy — embrace the journey, and don't hesitate to explore and experiment!

Beyond minting your work onchain with Base, many other ways exist to participate, collaborate, and earn within the ecosystem. 👀

Nearly every week, Coinbase Wallet launches a new public gallery where creators can mint their work based on a specific theme. Minting is free, and you can be featured on the front page, exposing your work to thousands of users!

Is a platform that helps developers and builders in the Ethereum ecosystem find earning opportunities, especially on L2 Base.

It aims to recognize innovation and support community contributions.

It is a decentralized app for Farcaster, a new social network connecting an ever-growing community of curious people worldwide.

You can curate the communities/channels you want to be part of.

Some channels to follow/be a member of to be engaged with the Base ecosystem:

1. /base

2. /base-builds

3. /coinbasewallet

Also, finding the base global channel representing your country/region is wise.

Download both apps on your phone to get started! Or use a web browser.

How to Earn on Rounds

Weekly Incentives:

Share a post in the /base-builds channel on Warpcast between Friday and Monday, starting with "This week I built..." to earn a share of 2 ETH if your contribution is curated and well-received. You will receive a message from rounds in Warpcast informing you of your current earnings, which will change as the round continues with more entries.

Here are some examples of contributions:

1. Educational Resources: Create guides, tutorials, or videos to help newcomers understand and use Base effectively.

   • Writers can produce step-by-step tutorials or threads explaining Base's features and benefits.

   • Developers can share insights about their on-chain projects or apps.

   • Product enthusiasts can develop onchain solutions to real-world problems and provide wireframes and a strategy for implementing them.

2. Community Engagement: Develop articles and graphics or share updates to keep users informed and engaged in the Base ecosystem.

   • Designers and Technical Writers can create infographics or illustrations that make key updates easy to understand.

   • Community Leaders can share updates about on-chain events to encourage participation, run podcasts, or host X Spaces to grow the community virtually.

3. Creative Content: Use creative writing, design, or visual art to make Base more relatable and connect with a broader audience.

   • Visual Artists can create pieces for Coinbase Wallet galleries, share them with the community, or launch collections on Base through platforms like Zora or Transient Labs.

   • Content Creators can produce tutorials on minting their work on Base or developing creative frames for Warpcast to make it easier for collectors to acquire artwork.

Note: If you are eligible for earnings, you will receive ETH in the crypto wallet you connected on Warpcast.

Building on Base is more than just minting your work onchain. It's about contributing to the ecosystem, creating a thriving community, and embracing collaboration. Whether you're a writer, artist, designer, community leader, content creator, etc., there are plenty of opportunities to show off your skills, support Base's mission, and earn.

Jump in, experiment, and grow as a creator within this vibrant onchain economy!

Some other resources to bookmark and check out:

Base

Base is a secure, low-cost, builder-friendly Ethereum L2 built to bring the next billion users onchain.

https://www.base.org

Base Docs | Base

Explore the documentation for Base, a secure, low-cost, builder-friendly Ethereum L2.

https://docs.base.org

Base | Get Started

Base is a secure, low-cost, builder-friendly Ethereum L2 built to bring the next billion users onchain.

https://www.base.org

Base | Ecosystem

Base is a secure, low-cost, builder-friendly Ethereum L2 built to bring the next billion users onchain.

https://www.base.org

Welcome to the Optimism Docs

Learn about the Optimism Collective, the Optimism Docs, and how to get started building with Optimism.

https://docs.optimism.io

Build Onchain Apps · OnchainKit

Our onchain app template streamlines your initial app setup and seamlessly integrates onchain components with web2 infrastructure, saving you weeks of effort.

https://onchainkit.xyz

https://opensea.io/learn/blockchain/what-is-the-zora-network

https://www.coinbase.com/en-ca/developer-platform/discover/protocol-guides/guide-to-base

⬇

There are 7 total pieces, where each are diptychs (2 portraits in one).

And instead of dropping all 7 diptychs at the same time, I decided to drop them individually on different days throughout the month of Nov / Æmber 🍂 cleverly, formulating the letter "W" for Woods.

See calendar below:

Nov 11th, 15th, 18th, 20th, 22nd, 26th, & 28th

Each diptych is 0.0014 (Base) ETH ~ $5.00 USD

Each piece will be available for 48 hours only

All 7 diptychs are minted on my own Base - ERC1155 smart contract on Transient Labs.

All 7 diptychs are listed on their own unique timed open-edition mint page on Transient Labs.

For those who:

• Collect at least 5/7 pieces of the collection

• Subscribe to my Paragraph.xyz newsletter

A raffle will be conducted, where one lucky winner will receive one of my precious ETH 1/1s ⭐

The winner will be announced on the first week of December.

Prior to this collection, I dropped 3 other successful onchain self portrait collections on ETH:

• Fallen Angel - Oct 2022

• Overdrive - Aug 2023

• Lola - Sept 2023 (collaboration w/ Barbiares)

And like my other self portrait collections, "Æmber Woods" holds a lot of meaning; behind the name, where I received the inspiration from and how it came into fruition.

Come dive in with me to discover the birth and rise of Æmber Woods:

The autumn season & the month of Nov / Æmber 😉, is my favourite time of the year, so I imagined a self portrait series where I could showcase:

☀ Warm, golden hues of glowing amber under soft, filtered sunlight.

☀ Fossilized textures with translucent, honey-like streaks, preserving nature's moments in time.

☀ Emerging from a radiant centre, with mahogany branches extending like veins to symbolize stability and endurance.

☀ Detailed wood grains for a tactile contrast against the glossy amber.

☀ Being surrounded with a soft, ethereal mist, evoking calm and mystery in an enchanted twilight forest setting.

☀ A warm, inviting atmosphere that draws viewers to explore the scene’s quiet allure.

Though I've done many shoots as a model, I rarely share the behind-the-scenes experience. This shoot took place in the warm autumn month of September in Ottawa, ON, Canada. I even coloured my hair from blonde to brown that same day and had my makeup done to complete the look.

Before releasing the collection, I wanted to give my collectors and communities a sneak peek, so I minted it as my first 'Moment' on Remx.

Andrea ✧ crownandpalette.base.eth

@crownandpalette

GM

Happy October 1st

I just dropped my first free Collectible Moment on @remx_xyz

Amber Woods - a video compilation of moments, diving into my journey as a model from my new & recent portrait photoshoot during Autumn in Canada

40

10:24 AM • Oct 1, 2024

14 self portraits / 7 diptychs

= 2 (1 + 1)

I decided to experiment with diptychs, something new for my portraits, to bring my vision of "Æmber Woods" to life as two connected yet distinct visual narratives. Each portrait in each diptych offers a unique perspective:

• Amber Glow: One portrait highlights the amber element, emphasizing warmth, glow, and the preciousness of nature.

• Wooded Depths: The other focuses on the woody counterpart, emphasizing strength, grounding, and the essence of the natural world.

Together, the diptychs in "Æmber Woods" symbolize the interplay between warmth and stability, the ethereal and the grounded, inviting viewers to explore both light and depth, radiance and rootedness.

The connection between the two portraits in each diptych lies in recurring natural elements and the balanced contrast of amber’s glow with wood’s solidity in color and texture.

It is no coincidence that I decided to drop Æmber Woods, starting with the first diptych drop on 11/11

It is a powerful numerology number symbolizing:

• Amber represents the preservation of moments and the interconnectedness of time and nature and 11/11 is often viewed as a moment of synchronicity, a portal to heightened awareness.

• This parallels the way Amber captures fleeting moments, holding the past still yet present within its glowing essence.

• The concept of balance is a significant theme in the collection, particularly in the diptych structure, where contrasting elements — amber’s light and wood’s groundedness — come together in harmony.

• 11/11 also represents duality, the pairing of two mirrored numbers that stand side by side, suggesting unity.

• This concept perfectly aligns with the union of amber and wood — two elements of nature that exist in a harmonious dance between light and solid earth.

• 11/11 is frequently associated with a call to spiritual awakening — a reminder to pay attention to the universe and find alignment with your higher self.

• My portraits in this collection showcase ethereal light filtering through the forest, aether swirling between the elements, and being attuned to the energy of nature; reflecting this awakening journey.

• The mystical elements, like aether, the glowing amber, and the forest's whispers, represent moments of awakening or realizations that connect one to something deeper and greater.

• 11/11 is also associated with new beginnings, just as the forest embodies continuous cycles of birth, growth, and transformation.

• It also could serve as the moment in time when this birth occurs, marking the transition into a new phase — the start of the amber’s glow, the beginning of a journey through the forest, and the exploration of what lies beneath.

• 11/11 is often seen as a portal, or a point where one can pass from the ordinary into a space of expanded possibilities; where the viewer enters a realm where time pauses, the forest speaks, and the boundaries between the physical and ethereal blur.

• The elements of aether, crown-like adornments, and the mystical poses invoke the sense of an in-between space, where nature, energy, and spirit converge.

Æther in the name "Æmber Woods" is an intentional blend that signifies the mystical energy and interconnected essence of the forest:

1. Æ in Æmber: It suggests a deeper connection between the two — amber as the tangible, golden resin that holds memories and aether as the invisible energy that flows through the woods, uniting everything.

2. Amber and Aether Unified: Amber in the narrative serves as a preserver, capturing fragments of the forest, while aether is the ethereal force that breathes life into every corner of Æmber Woods. The name Æmber symbolizes the harmonious interplay between what is material and what is unseen—amber captures the memories, while aether sustains and animates those memories, keeping them alive through its flow.

3. Aether as the Spirit of the Forest: Throughout the series, aether is portrayed as the spirit or the life force of the woods—connecting all elements, from the roots to the amber and the wood’s whispers. In the final (7th) chapter, aether is crucial in uniting all aspects of Æmber Woods into one seamless whole. It acts as the bridge between the physical elements and the intangible spirit of the forest.

4. Etymology and Symbolism: By incorporating aether into the name, Æmber Woods suggests that the forest is more than a physical place — it’s a realm where energies converge, where the solid and the spiritual coexist. Amber is both a literal substance and a symbol of preservation, while aether adds the mystical quality that speaks of an unseen essence—something felt rather than seen.

5. Narrative Role of Aether: It represents the invisible ties that bind the forest and brings balance between creation and transformation. This presence of aether is integrated throughout the chapters, always acting behind the scenes to sustain the harmony and ensure the connection among all things.

Each diptych has its own timed open edition mint page on Transient Labs.

The reason for this is due to each artwork being dropped on different dates throughout the whole month of Nov/Æmber.

Each mint page will indicate which chapter, how much time to mint, FAQs, and much more ⬇

The entire collection of 7 diptychs will be located on my artist page on Transient Labs: https://www.transient.xyz/@crownandpalette

Be sure to be on the look out for when each piece is dropped!

Today, Nov 11th, I dropped "Chapter 1 - The Birth Of Light": https://www.transient.xyz/mint/amber-woods-chapter-i

It is my favourite diptych of them all, so it had to be the first one to drop, and set the mood!

If you made it this far, thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to read and learn more about my collection and journey. I am so proud of it; my heart and soul went into this collection.

If you have collected/will collect, I want to thank you in advanced. It means the world to me! 💛

If you have any questions about the collection, please feel free to leave a comment, or DM me on socials!

Much love,

-Andrea (crownandpalette) aka. Æmber Woods

I have been meaning to get on Paragraph for some time now, and I finally made it happen!

For those who don't know me, my name is Andrea. (aka. Crown & Palette)

I'm a Canadian multidisciplinary onchain artist, speaker, advisor, curator, and community builder. I've been immersed in the Web3 space since March 2021 (right around the last major bull run, and it feels like we're gearing up for another one! 😋). I've been dedicated to building a global onchain economy since day one.

My chosen mediums are digital collage, photo manipulation, AI, and post-photography. Each piece I create is inspired by themes of spirituality, women's empowerment, mental health, and astrology.

To date, my onchain art has reached over 13 countries, I've onboarded countless artists into the space, created opportunities for creators, and much more. Building and contributing to this thriving ecosystem is my passion.

With my articles, my hope is that you’ll always learn something new. Knowledge is power, and I aim to empower each and every one of you who encounters my content, my art, or my community initiatives.

Although I don't have a set schedule for posting articles, I can promise there will always be something exciting to share with you, as I'm constantly working on new projects! If you have suggestions for article topics, I'm all ears — let's grow together.

Talk soon, loves.
- Andrea