Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Echo park/ My Pink Stamper/ Shop Pumpkin Spice graduation card

  I have some happy news.  For more than four years I have been selling my greeting cards at a local coffee shop.  Under the original owner I sold ~40 cards/month and lots more at Halloween, Christmas, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, and graduation.  When the original owner sold the store (~3 years ago), some of the regular customers stopped coming and went to other local coffee shops.  My sales dropped to about 40% of what they had been.  About two years ago the shop was sold again, and all of the regulars (except two) stopped coming.  Some new customers came, but the new owner kept moving my little basket of cards away from the register, and I have sold only 2 to 7 cards/month.  It was very frustrating that the new owners did not honor our agreement to keep my little 6x6 basket by the register.  This is how I earn my spending money to purchase craft supplies.  I have been whining about the situation for months, but with the move to our new house, I've been a little busy lately ;)

 Last week I went to the old coffee shop, collected my measely pay, and took my basket.  I drove to another local coffee shop (one nearer to my new house) and asked the owner if she would be amenable to selling my cards.  She said, "Yes!"  Guess what?  Most of the regulars from the previous coffee shop are at the new shop AND I have sold 42 cards in the first 6 days.  I like to keep my cards unique, but I am a slow crafter.  So I am beginning a little mass production using my supplies on hand.


  The customers are asking for graduation cards in the local high school colors (blue & gold).  I perused my papers and used some Echo Park "Winter Park" blues for the background and the bird's head, and Echo Park "For the Record" gold for his beak and feet.  I added some My Mind's Eye twine (or crinkle ribbon when I ran out of twine) and a My Pink Stamper sentiment.

Supplies:
Cricut cartridge:  "3 Birds on Parade" p.47 cut @ 3"
sentiment:  My Pink Stamper "School Days"
papers:  Echo Park "For the Record" Lace Stripes and Echo Park "Winter Park" Sledding, Park City, and Teal; navy linen card stock
twine:  My Mind's Eye Out of the Blue "Playful"
(or crinkle ribbon)
Cuttlebug embossing folder:  "Polka Dots"
ink:  Impress indigo blue

Life is good.  Happy Tuesday!

22 comments:

Eric said...

Congrats, June-a-roo! I'll look forward to hearing all about it later this summer.

dsood said...

Congrats, Your cards are so adorable. wishing you all the success.

Julie Tucker-Wolek said...

YAY for finding the new shop!! That is AWESOME!!! And Loveeeeeeeeeee your cards! Those owls are ADORABLE!!!!

bonnie said...

Oh that's just brilliant June...fabulous news, I am so happy for you! ;) Hugs x

Natasha said...

Congrats! These cards are too cute!

snappy scrappy said...

That's wonderful news...congrats!! Beautiful cards...Lee-Ann :)

Jennifer said...

Thats awesome, congrats! Love your graduation cards =)

Shelly said...

How CUTE, what an adorable little wise guy!
Hope you have a SUPER day!
Shelly

Julie M said...

Great news, June - I hope you sell lots (although the thoughts of making 42 cards a month brings me out in a cold sweat - I think you're a quick crafter!!!)

Julie xx

Saundra said...

That's wonderful, June!! I have never thought to ask to a local shop to sell my cards. What a great idea!

Anonymous said...

OMG I am so, so, so, so, so happy for you!! This has given me the idea to do the same!! I'm sooooo glad those customers ended up somewhere that you still have access to them! These are wonderful, they'll sell so quickly!!

Leslie Hanna said...

That is FANTASTIC! I'm so happy it's working out for you!

Shannon Colon, TheIrishScrapper said...

That is fantastic news and a great idea! Congrats - love the card! Perfect for all of those upcoming grads. Shannon theirishscrapper.blogspot.com

SiskiyouSue said...

Congratulations! I'd like to do something similar here in my little town. How do I know how to price them?

Linda said...

OH what a sweet card and I am so happy for you. That is great news. I need to try to find a place to sell my cards. It is so much fun when someone want to spend money on something your made. Way to go!

Sherrie K. said...

Congratulations June! That sounds like such a cook idea! I should look into something like that around here. Your cards are amazing and your work is fabulous. I am sure you will be selling a lot more very quickly! Good luck my friend!
I hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day:)
Sherrie K
http://sherriescraps.blogspot.com

Windy Hills said...

Congrats! You will soon be known throughout your town as the lovely cardmaker! Great job!

Tracy said...

what cute little birds! and yay on the coffee shop ;-)

Izzy Anderson said...

This is such a happy post. Congrats. What a fun gig. I am glad your cards found the right outlet. The cards are really cute.

Unknown said...

That is so cool. I bet they are glad you moved to the new shop.. Your cards are always so cute..

Hugs~

Court said...

SOOOO darling! :)

~Tammy~ said...

This is so super sweet!

Congrats on another door opening!