Valentine's Day: 2013

Many folks say that Valentine’s Day was created by greedy retailers who wanted a sly way to make an extra buck. Couples may feel compelled to buy each other fancy gifts or wait in long lines to eat in an expensive dinner. Some singles hate Valentine’s Day because it reminds them that they are single. 

While there are likely truths in each of those statements, the fact remains we all need love, and love should be expressed. Valentine’s Day can be a great time for you sit down and write a note to someone you love, someone who has made a difference in your life, someone you couldn’t see life without. Valentine’s Day definitely celebrates romantic love, but it can also commemorate a child’s love for her teacher, a son’s love for his mother, a friend’s love for her friend. 

Life is short, and we often don’t tell those who matter to us the most just how much they matter to us; and we definitely don’t say it enough. As I was making cards this weekend, that was the motivation that fueled my creativity. 

Here’s a few of the cards I made.

 This year, may your Valentine’s Day be more than candlelight dinners (which is still an awesome thing) and a box of heart-shaped chocolates. May it be a day that you express your love for others. 

Yours Sincerely, 

Chasity 

Reasons to Buy Handmade: It's Personal

Often times when I create a card, I have a person in mind. 

Maybe I’m thinking about the funky, fun loving mom-to-be. So, I create a card that puts a spin on traditional zebra stripes with bold, bright colors. 

For the lady who likes pearls, cardigans and up dos, I made a birthday card that featured a vibrant flower print, a classic black and white dotted pattern and a pop of color with a deep purple bow. 

Or how about a simple man. I added some burlap and a few black buttons to make this Father’s Day card. 

I frequently make custom cards. Clients chose the color schemes and feel of the card. If you have a friend who likes earth tones and owls, I create a personalized card for your friend. If you need a card for your grandmother who is turning 80 and is a spiritual person, I can weave both of those into a one-of-a-kind card. 

Personal cards allow you to give cards that were made specifically just for your loved one. 

Interested in a personal, custom card? Email me at: yourssincerelygifts@gmail.com 

See other blog posts on reasons to buy handmade. 

Introducing: Card of the Month

June is a good time of the year for me to begin new things - like starting a handmade business. Two years ago, I took my sister-in-law April’s advice and starting a handmade greeting card business. (You’ll hear more about that journey later this month when it’s nearer to the anniversary.)

This June, I will continue the tradition of starting something new. 

Today, I am introducing a Card-of-the-Month. Each month, I will feature one of my cards at a discounted price. The cards will be in limited supply so once they are gone, they are gone. 

This month’s card is perfect for all of the summer weddings on your list. 

What better symbolizes love than hearts and the color red?

 This card includes a heartfelt sentiment on the inside. 

This solid red heart has a dimension and gently pops off the card. The grosgrain red polka dot ribbon ties it all together. This card is $3. Quite a bargain. 

Order yours today :-) 

Latest Developments

Mother's Day proved to be a busy, vibrant season for me this year. I'm grateful for the opportunity to have sold Mother's Day cards in two St. Paul card shops. I also participated in the HandmadeMN spring craft fair, and I had a booth at Hamline University and St. Olaf. Father's Day is slowly but surely approaching. I have little down time, but I won't complain:)

I'm glad the school year has ended, and I ready for summer break. Summertime is a busy time for brides and babies so I'm currently working on cards for those occasions.

Check out what I've been creating.

All these cards can be purchased in my Etsy shop. 

Reasons to Buy Handmade #1

Today I began a series about why I buy handmade, why I think it matters and why I think you should do the same.

Reason #1: Quality

I think the idea is explained well in this blog. "You simply cannot compare mass produced products to artisan created goods in terms of inspiration, quality and attention to detail."

This is definitely true when it comes to the cards I create. I have been making cards for roughly four years and over time, I have changed the type of products I buy to ensure every card is made with the highest quality possible. Sometimes this choice requires me to drive an hour and a half to a retailer that offers the sturdiest cards and envelopes that I have found.

When someone buys a card, she often likes to display the card on her desk or refrigerator. Flimsy cards made out of cheap paper won't stand well on a desk, and they are easy to tear or damage. Cards are often kept as mementos. I want my cards to last beyond the recipient's special day and make it into family albums and scrapbooks.

I use a lot of ink on my cards. As you can see in the card below, sometimes I use multiple colors. I only purchase vivid inks. They cost about twice as much as their cheaper, duller counterparts, but I think they are worth it.

I love how handmade artists hand select every material they use into make their products. This does not happen with mass produced items. That's one reason why sometimes when you purchase a mass produced item, you find small blemish and defects.

I make handmade products because I believe in quality. I buy handmade because I support quality.

Stay tuned for more reasons to buy handmade. 

March Update

2012 has been whizzing by. Here's a look at what I've been creating lately. Enjoy.

Treasures from an Elgin Antique Shop

Before I headed back to school, I stopped by Elgin to visit one of my college roommates and to spend time with her and her family. Elgin, a suburb of Chicago, is one of my favorite places to visit.

My friend Laura grew up in Elgin and showed me around downtown. We stopped at an antique shop where she found this.

I LOVE buttons!!! I probably would put them on every card, but since they are expensive, I use them sparingly. Good buttons are hard to find. When Laura stumbled upon this jar of buttons, I knew right away it was a treasure. The jar had red, white a few pink and black buttons, which was perfect for Valentine's Day cards. 

Some of the buttons were dirty or dull so I soaked the buttons for a few minutes in soapy water. I wiped them off with a paper towel and they looked like new. Here are a couple of my favorite buttons from the jar. 

I can't wait to make cards with these buttons. Check back for pictures of the cards I make with them.

Til next time... Happy Crafting! 

New Cards at Coffee Grounds

These past couple of weeks have been overwhelming. My job as an Resident Advisor has intensified and I am at the point of the semester where it’s time to dig in my heels and step it up an notch. However, it’s also the time folks start their holiday shopping. This weekend was quiet - finally! I made a few new cards to take to Coffee Grounds, a St. Paul coffee shop where my cards are sold. 

Coffee Grounds is a neighborhood coffee shop near Como Park and Falcon Heights. A variety of artwork from local artists is featured like mittens and jewelry so stop by and do a some shopping and grab a cup of joe. Their address is 1579 Hamline Ave. in St. Paul. 

 I stocked several holiday cards for the approaching season. 

I have 24 types of cards from birthday to baby to holiday and I changed many of them out to give fresh inventory.

Stop by and pick up a couple cards. Support a local business. Get an early start on your holiday card shopping. 

Thanks for stopping by. Have a splendid day. 

Yours Sincerely

Chasity

Don't overthink. Just do it.

Last night, a friend asked me to make a baptism card. I have never made one before. Immediately, my mind got on the worry wheel wondering how I could make the card and thinking of which store I could buy stamps related to baptism. Then suddenly, I got a revelation.

STOP!

All you need, you have. Keep it simple. Trust your talent. That's what I did. I finished my homework last night and got up this morning and took less than 15 minutes to design and make the card. I had everything I needed and my friend loved the card.


Sometimes life isn't about having all the bells and whistles but making the most of what you have.


Thanks for reading.

Yours Sincerely
Chasity

The Process: Card making

Sympathy cards probably are the hardest to make. I think sympathy cards should be simple in design and in warm colors appropriate for the occasion. I tend to avoid bows and buttons in my sympathy cards. 

Although they are difficult to make, sympathy cards are very much needed for a person who is mourning. 

Here’s a step by step process for how I made this card. 

I started with a blank pre-folded white card and stamped a pattern along the edge. I used Close to my Heart Creme Brulee. I like Close to My Heart inks pads because the colors are vibrant and don’t fade easily. 

I cut out a patterned piece of paper and adhered it to purple card stock. 

I stamped ‘With Sympathy’ in embossing ink and covered with brown embossing powder. 

The paper I stamped the sentiment on is the back side of the patterned paper. I love double sided papers. They take a lot of the guess work out. Finding coordinating papers can be tricky. It also reduces how much paper I have to buy and waste because I have fewer papers. It also helps with organization. 

I adhered the sentiment on purple card stock and adhered to the front of the card. 

I stamped a sentiment on the inside of the card.

Now I’m done. 

Thanks for reading. Take care.

Yours Sincerely

Chasity 

Thank You Cards = the Great Equalizer

It doesn't matter if you're 15 or 55. Single or Widowed. If you have a house full of kids or none at all. If you make $25,000 a year or $250,000. Male or Female.

We ALL need to say thank you at some point in our lives. William Bennett, a politician, said: "Sometimes we need to remind ourselves that thankfulness is a indeed a virtue."
Thank you cards are a tangible way of expressing one's gratitude and gives the recipient a keepsake.

Any occasion can warrant a thank you card: a job interview, help moving, a kind act or for a gift.

Thank you cards are also one of those things we don't always have on hand when we need them. Why not plan ahead to give thanks and have cards available?

Here are some thank you cards I made last week before I visited friends in Chicago. I kept the design the same but changed the color scheme.

Hope you enjoy. Tell someone thank you today.

Yours Sincerely,
Chasity

Something for you. Something for me.

Hey, guys

I have almost reached a milestone - 100 items sold on Etsy!!! It's still pretty crazy that I have taken a hobby and an activity I did to de-stress and is now a small business. It's been a road filled with bumps and bruises but also smiles and wonderful compliments. So far I have sold 98 items in my Etsy store, and I am hoping to reach 100 items this week.

To help me reach my goal, I want to help you. Pick any item, as many as you want, and save 15% off. This is a great time to buy those card sets you have been eyeing. Card sets are already cheaper than the single card rate, but with this coupon you save even more. Buy your Christmas cards early.

This wonderful celebration lasts until Wed. It can be used on any items in my store, except custom orders.

Let me know if you have questions. Have a great day.

Yours Sincerely

Chasity

Be 1 of 30

Hey guys,

It's been a while since I written a blog. A lot of has happened in the past couple months. I have moved into a new room, went through two weeks of intense Resident Advisor training, started school, began physical therapy, did a poetry slam and the list goes on and on. 

Now I’m back and ready to blog more consistently. 

Starting today, I begin a campaign “30 likes in 30 days.” Currently, I have 70 people who like Yours Sincerely Facebook page. I would like to get that number to 100. If one person a day likes my page, I will reach my goal. 

You can become of one of the 30 here. By clicking here and liking the page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Yours-Sincerely/202323343132191

I use my Facebook page to let you know about my new products. Sometimes before they hit my Etsy store. I also promote specials and coupons via Facebook But my page is more than a place for me get you to buy my products, it’s also a place where we become partners. Over the past couple of weeks, I have uploaded pictures of cards that I am working on and asked people their opinions. I have changed the designs based on people’s feedback. 

Be one of the 30. 

Have a great day. 

Yours Sincerely

Chasity