Are Mustaches Out?

I have to say, I was really happy with the sales of Valentine's Day cards this year! I don't remember selling more than a handful in years past and this year's sales were pretty nice.

 

One thing I noticed was that my popular mustache card from years past wasn't nearly as popular this year. In fact, I only sold one. And then I got to thinking that I hadn't sold very many mustache cuff links recently either. It makes me wonder if the mustache trend is finally over?

I am happy to report that my new Moon and Back design did really well. And now I need to get a sample made for 5th anniversary cards as I think this design will do well for anniversary cards as well.

What trends have you noticed fading or taking the spotlight recently?

Valentine's Day Readiness

While I still feel like the holidays just ended, it's already time to start thinking ahead to Valentine's Day. I'd had a couple of custom requests for Valentine's cards in my shop and realized that my listings from last year were still deactivated. My brain wasn't ready for the next holiday I guess! But alas, we are already at the end of January and it's time to start planning ahead.

Upon relisting my cards from last year, I've already had several orders for them. So I'm telling you, get those Valentine items listed...now. Buyers are out there and ready to shop!

 

Over the last couple of years, I've added a couple new designs to my shop each year. One of the custom requests I got this year was for a popular quote "I love you to the moon and back". I thought it was the perfect design to add to this year's offerings.

Is your shop ready for Valentine's Day?

Valentine's Day...Already?

I don't know about you, but didn't we just get done with Christmas! My gosh, I can't believe Valentine's Day is just around the corner! I relisted some of my wooden cards from last year and I've already sold several. Which told me I better get my butt in gear and get the rest of my items listed! Shoppers are on top of their game this year.

 From last year, I've relisted the Double Heart Card, Deer Card and Mustache Card...all of which are doing well again this year :)

And just last night I got a few more items listed like this Love Is...You and Me photo album. This can also be personalized.

I'm also working on a Valentine's Day DIY using some red acrylic and thought some red heart earrings and cuff links would make fun Valentine's Day accessories.

Are you ready for Valentine's Day? Are you still stuck in December like I am?

Mother's Day & Father's Day Cards

With Easter out of the way, the next holidays we'll be celebrating here in the US are Mother's Day and Father's Day. As one of my goals for 2013, I've been  working on new card designs and what better designs to work on than ones for Mom and Dad :)

I also learned a handy little trick to make my digital samples look more like the real engraved deal! I love how the wedding invitation with this flower turned out, so I used the same design for this Mother's Day card. Give Mom a flower that will last forever :)

(I'm still working on making the white area look like wood.)

I came up with several designs for Dad.

I'd love to hear which is your favorite and if you have other suggestions. I'm trying to decide if I'll engrave a sample for all of these or just list one or two. What do you think?

♥Spread Some Love♥

Valentine's Day is just around the corner! Jesse and I don't celebrate much, but I'm still having tons of fun making cute and humorous items for my shop :)

I started out with a couple fun/pun cards:

For my Deer

Mustache Valentine

I also listed these cute Post Heart Earrings

and I'll be listing these soon as well

I couldn't help but make a pair of each of these earrings for myself :)

 Do you celebrate Valentine's Day? Are you getting your shop ready for the holiday?

Happy Anniversary

The 5th Anniversary is known as the "Wood Anniversary". It is said that the strength of a marriage bond is represented by the traditional gift of wood for a 5th anniversary because wood is strong and long-lasting.

I recently made a Wood Card for a 5th Wedding Anniversary and wondered why I hadn't created more items for anniversary gifts! Many of the items in my store would be perfect for these gifts...I just need to market them that way!

 

I started with the Wood Card that I made for the recent order.

I'm also thinking Wood Frames, Wood Photos and Wood Photo Albums would be perfect for anniversary gifts! I haven't decided if I should create separate listings to market these items, or just add "5th anniversary" and "wood anniversary" to my current listings as tags. (I'd love your suggestions here!)

And wood items aren't just great for a 5th anniversary gift, they're perfect for any anniversary :) I created the sweetest card and bottle stopper recently and just have to share them :)

This card made me smile...what a sweet guy!

Have It Your Way With Custom Options

One thing I love about the items I offer...They can all be customized! Pretty much everything I make can be changed/personalized/designed to fit each person's needs and ideas. I love doing custom work as each item is special and unique :)

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I recently started making Real Wood Greeting Cards. For now, I only offer them in one size. But that doesn't stop me from making them any size you'd like! I had a custom request for a larger card with a special tree design. I went searching for the perfect tree and made the card 5"x10" (twice the size of my normal cards!) and even made a special printed card with instructions for the recipient.

I also recently started making Wood Guest Books and Photo Albums. Again, I offer these in one size and with 20 pages. But I can add extra pages, make the album larger, etc. I can also customize the font and wording any way my customers like :) Here is a book I just shipped out yesterday with a Spanish inscription.

I sold a Custom Photo Ornament at a show recently and the buyer was concerned because she wanted all three of her boys on one ornament and she didn't think they'd fit in a circle format. No problem...I made it into an oval instead :)

And don't forget about my Custom Name Albums. These can be made ANY way you like! I have yet to come across a request I couldn't fill with these :) I started making these in 4"x12" sizes until I had a customer request an album that would fit 4"x6" photos. Along came my 6.5"x12" albums...and people love them!

I also recently made my first ever 11.5"x12" Custom Double Name Album! This album was so fun and I never would have thought to make one this big if I hadn't had the request :) I LOVE Custom :)

Do you offer custom items in your shop? You just might want to consider it :)

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This is my favorite post from this week, so I'm linking it up at Artful Rising! Come check it out!

Wood Cards Are a Hit

I knew when I started making my Real Wood Greeting Cards that I loved them and thought they were such an original idea...but I didn't know how others would view them. I can never outguess my buyers and I never know what will sell and what won't...LOL :)

But I'm happy to report that my cards are a hit! I've taken custom orders for cards at both fall shows so far and over the weekend I sold two more on Etsy! They got a lot of attention at the last show and people loved how unique they were :) I was afraid people might not realize what they were, so I kept explaining them, but everyone seemed to know and really like them!

I want to ask my readers for your help! What new designs would you like to see? I have several birthday cards and one congrats card, but I need new ideas! I'd like to incorporate an owl in one since owls are so cute :) (Whoooo Loves You)

What occasions do you buy cards for the most? What images would you like to see? I'd like to add about 20 different options for cards, so I'm open to all your ideas :)

Real Wood Greeting Cards

I am so excited to finally get these super cute cards listed in my Etsy Shop!!! I've been working on them for a while now and am so happy with how they turned out!

Create your own free slideshow design

I've been making these for everyone I know and am so excited to offer them in custom options in my shop! Add your own personal message to each one :) These are all 1/8" thick so they really make a statement! And after the celebration...they can be put on display!

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Look for them in my shop...I'll be listing all week long :)

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Edited to say: I just listed three of these yesterday and I've already sold two!!!!! Time to relist!