More cards listed on Etsy

Yesterday, I listed a couple more cards on Etsy.  One of my favorites is this cupcake happy birthday card.  I played with it for a long time before deciding the finishing touch had to be a red rhinestone “cherry” at the top.  I had to hit Joann’s yesterday for red rhinestones.  Unfortunately, the only package they had was a “big value” pack so now I have TONS of red rhinestones.  I guess I’ll be making alot of these cards in hopes that somebody will buy them!

I haven’t posted this “cheers” card yet, but I’m going to today.  It’s got a metal martini glass with a rhinestone bubble and a laser-cut “cheers” beneath it.  Very, very cute.

Here’s my other favorite card from yesterday: 

I laser-cut some chipboard then laser-cut some patterned paper to go on top of the chipboard.  I popped the whole “u” off the card with foam tape to give it even more dimension.  I love this card!  I don’t think the floral patterned paper is too feminine so this would be a good card for a husband or boyfriend.  I tried like crazy to figure out how to use some green ribbon with it, but just couldn’t figure it out.  I kind of like this just as it is–it’s a very clean look.

See the other cards in my Etsy store:  www.thelaserbeam.etsy.com.

 

Baby Cards on Etsy

Yesterday, I listed several baby cards in my Etsy shop.  I used pink metallic cardstock on the baby girl cards, and some of my new “Aristocrat” and “Blue Collar” cardstock on one of the baby boy cards.  I also listed a green giraffe baby boy card.

The girl cards have “girl” and “adorable” embossed on them, and the blue baby boy card has embossed feet and “it’s a boy” embossed on it. 

All are very cute/pretty.

Visit my Etsy shop:  www.thelaserbeam.etsy.com

OhMyCrafts Complaint

Well…  I don’t have too many good things to say about OhMyCrafts.com right now.  I’ve ordered from them twice and BOTH orders were screwed up.

The first order of Cuttlebug embossing folders took over two weeks to to arrive, and yet they’d already charged my credit card.  I called them to find out the status, but their message said they preferred e-mail so they could have a written transaction of all communication.  So, I contacted them via e-mail to find out the status.  That e-mail was ignored.

The package finally arrived, and the wedding set I’d ordered was marked as being on backorder.  That was no big deal to me.  However, when the backordered package arrived yesterday, they’d sent me a $33 Cricut wedding cartridge instead of the $4.99 embossing folders I ordered!

Next…  I also ordered 3 back issues of Cards magazine idea books:  the August, November and December 2007 issues.  That package arrived yesterday, and only the November and December books were in the pacakge, but my credit card has been charged for all three books!  The August issue was only $4.99, but that’s MY $4.99, and I want it back (or I want the book!).

So…  once again, I called them to let them know I had a problem with both orders, and again, I listened to their message that they preferred e-mail communication.  I decided that was a good idea for me, too, in case I have to contest anything on my credit card.

Now, I’m P.O.’d because they’re going to expect me to mail the Cricut cartridge back to them.  That means I have to go buy a padded envelope, spend gas money going to the PO which is WAY out of the way and pay for the postage to return the stinking thing to them.  I wonder how they’re going to reimburse me for all that?

I could have lied to them and sold the cartridge on eBay.

“Charming” Cards listed on Etsy, business cards, etc.

I posted a set of Make Your Own “Charming” Cards on Etsy the other day.  They are really cute, with silver charms and ribbon!  Two have baby feet (one pink, one blue) and say “welcome wee one”; one has an Eiffel Tower and says “merci”; and the last has a wedding cake–it’s blank, but has swiss dots embossed behind it.

They’re made out of heavy-weight white linen cardstock and are $2.50 each ($10 for the set) plus shipping.  I don’t think that’s bad at all. 

My new business cards arrived today.  I’m tickled to death with them.  I’ve already re-packaged my card sets for Etsy with a business card in each one.  I have 1000 of them to hand out!  What am I going to do with all of them?!

I found out that my 25-card card party will fit in a $4.95 flat rate envelope.  I hadn’t even thought of shipping that way until I got a jam-packed package earlier this week.  That envelope was STUFFED and tape was wadded all the way around it.  My card party doesn’t take up half that much space so I know it’ll fit.  I’ll have to adjust my shipping costs for that party.  The 50-card card party won’t fit, though; it’s just too much stuff.

Check out my Etsy store:  www.thelaserbeam.etsy.com.

 

 

Cards Magazine Subscription, Etsy, business cards etc.

Today I broke down and ordered a Cards subscription.  I can’t believe it’s $84.95.  However, they’re having a special, and I got 6 free issues of Paper Trends magazine for subscribing.

I also found the November and December ‘07 issues of Cards on OhMyCrafts.com so I bought those, too.  The Scrapbook Trends website was sold out.  I can’t wait to see the Christmas cards!

I’ve been happily posting items for sale on my Etsy site.  I’ve already gotten 4 sales!  One lady had a question about what kind of white glue was the best because she is a beginner.  I let her know Aleene’s Fast Grab Tacky Glue is the absolute BEST white glue, but she has to use it sparingly to keep her cardstock from wrinkling.  I had her package all ready to ship last night, and then realized in the middle of the night that I left out a step on her assembly directions.  Whew!  I’m glad I caught that because I want good feedback!

The other reason I like Aleene’s glue is that it dries clear so if any squishes out from behind a button or rhinestone it’s not that big a deal.

I’ve listed two kinds of Card Parties on Etsy.  One is a 10-card-per-person party (50 cards); the other is a 5-card-per-person party (25 cards).  For both of them, I’ve created a great little brochure with my tips for making a great party!  I also created some invitations that can be filled in and handed out.  I’ll include those in the box with the brochure.  Now I just have to SELL a party!  It’s a GREAT concept.  I just don’t know how to advertise it.

I ordered some new business cards with my Etsy store website.  I can’t wait for them to get here.  They’re chocolate brown with lime green swirly-looking things on them.  It’s a Bohemian look.  I thought the swirls looked kind of like a laser beam.  Anyway, I wish I’d had them to go out with my orders, but I didn’t.

Oh, yeah…  I also made some little mini-cards that say “Thanks for your order!”  They’re embossed with a little embossed heart on them, and they look really cute.  They fit in an ATC envelope.  I’ll include a business card in the envelope with the card for any future orders I get (now let’s just hope I get more orders).

Visit my Etsy store:  www.thelaserbeam.etsy.com

 

Card Party listed on Etsy!

Today, I listed a card party listed on Etsy.  The party is for 5 people (10 cards each) and includes 2 wedding, 2 birthday, 2 baby, 2 thank you, 1 blank and 1 get well card.  It’s $100 for 50 cards–only $2/card, and $20/person.  I don’t think that’s bad at all. 

Here’s the description:

This is a fun little concept in home-based parties—only instead of Tupperware, it’s Make-Your-Own GREETING CARDS! How much fun is that?!

Cost of this party is $100 for 50 cards—that’s 10 cards each for 5 attendees; only $2/card! All the parts and pieces to make the cards, assembly directions and envelopes are included. YOU PROVIDE THE GLUE (or better yet, have your friends bring their own glue)! Again: Glue is NOT included in this party!

This is an easy party to hold. Simply provide drinks and light snacks for 30 minutes before you’re ready to make the cards. Then sit down to 1-1/2 to 2 hours of fun card making!

And, it’s easy to re-coup most of your expenditure; just charge 4 friends $20 each to attend. Remember, that’s for 10 beautiful handmade cards per person—only $2 per card.

Cards in this party include 2 wedding, 2 baby, 2 birthday, 2 thank you, 1 blank and 1 get well. I will have at least one other party listed in the next day or so so be sure to chose your favorite set.

Card parts depend on the set chosen, but may include laser die cuts, embossed backgrounds, ribbon, buttons, rhinestones, glitter, lots of cardstock and/or patterned paper.

Please convo me with any questions you may have as these are custom cut cards and all sales are final.

Visit my Etsy store to see my other card kits:  www.thelaserbeam.etsy.com.

 

Listed items in my Etsy store!

Yesterday, I got up the nerve to list some items in my new Etsy store!  I don’t know why all of this makes me so nervous, but I am.  I guess #1. I hope that I do it right, #2. that I’m writing good descriptions that will make people want to buy and #3.  that SOMEBODY will actually buy what I’ve listed.

Rather than cards, I’m selling card kits:  MYO (Make Your Own).  I have 6 sets listed for $5 each.  There are 2 cards in each set so that’s only $2.50 per card, and they’re kind of cool.  Most have rhinestones, ribbon, laser-cuts and embossing:

Check out my Etsy store for the others:  www.thelaserbeam.etsy.com

 

How small is TOO SMALL?

Who else does this?  I save EVERY little scrap of paper I have that’s left over–no matter how small!  I need to bite the bullet and get rid of the really, really tiny stuff, but I just can’t bear it!  What if I need it someday?

My new Etsy store is open!

Wa-hoo!  Yesterday, I finally got up the nerve to open both PayPal and Etsy accounts.  I’m leary of PayPal because they want direct access to my bank account.  So, to make me feel better about that, I opened a second checking account with a low balance.

Anyway, my Etsy store is called “theLaserBeam” (because that’s my business name, even though I’m doing this as a “casual” personal seller on Etsy rather than as a part of my business).  The PayPal account allows me to accept credit card payments (if I did it right).

My goal is to sell my handmade cards.  I’ve got several made up, but my store is EMPTY right now since I’m not really ready to list anything.  I ordered some cardboard mailers from the PO, but they haven’t gotten here yet.  And, I don’t know how to accurately calculate shipping and handling.  Plus, I’m supposed to fill out the Bio section with shop policies, and I don’t know what those are yet!  I need to read up on other people’s to find out what they’ve written there.  I want to make sure I cover all my bases.

So, anyway, I still have alot I need to do before I list anything for sale.  Or… maybe I’ll get up enough nerve to list a card or two anyway.  I can always ship them in cardboard photo mailers that I pick up at Walmart.

Anyway, I worked on my banner and avatar yesterday.  They look okay–not perfect, but definitely okay (and they were free because I did them myself!).  I thought the little dandelion-looking flowers with the white stems looked kind of laser beam-ish:

 

Now…  all I have to do is come up with some more cards designs that are Etsy-worthy.  That’s the hard part!

Little Dress Card

I made this little dress card yesterday.  It is SOOOO cute! (at least I think so).  This is a laser-cut design with a Cuttlebug embossing.  On another card I made (didn’t take a picture for some reason…?), I also embossed the dress with the D’vine Swirls Cuttlebug folder.  It looks beautiful!