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.

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

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