New Handmade Business Cards: A "Go"

A few months ago, I blogged about taking my shop in a slightly new direction with the inclusion of handmade business cards in place of my tried and true, professionally-printed ones.  These new handmade cards were to be created from Kraft cardstock and a custom-made stamp that my husband purchased as part of my Christmas gift last year.  While not as sleek and "pretty" as the professional variety, the new cards would provide a refreshing, simple change to my shop aesthetic, making nearly every part of my product and packaging "design" handmade by me (this, of course, excludes the packing/raw materials and baker's twine, etc.).

This month, I made the executive decision that this roughly-hewn plan is a "go."  And after polishing off the edges in the business card prototype department (i.e.: stamp and sticker placement), I am truly excited about this little change of EmeraldCut scenery--which is not quite a little change to me because since my Etsy shop's inception, I have had professionally-printed business cards.

Here are the two designs (out of the original five) that I have decided on:

The sticker with the rings is from my Etsy profile--I also have stickers of a raw citrine point.  The hand-carved rubber maple leaf stamp is from CraftingCasa.  My shop name/logo/url stamp is from clever thursday.  This is my trial run with handmade business cards: let's see how they go.

A beautiful weekend to you all!

Sort of...Kind of...

I am still lingering in a liminal state: somewhere between here and there in this time-space continuum.  Aiming to be back on the 20th, but may take a few more days "off."  So, "please forgive me for my distance," a la the incomparable Fiona Apple.

P.S. My shop is now open after a five-day hiatus.  Very happy to be back.

New Business Cards

I've been working methodically on and off over these last few months on my shop: changing the slogan a bit, having a shop stamp made (with the new slogan), and deciding to create my own business cards, rather than having them made for me.  The last decision was the most difficult to make because my handmade business cards look so different from the shop-made ones; but change is sometimes a necessary step to take in order to move forward.  Also with this decision comes packaging concerns--specifically, how do I incorporate my handmade cards into my existing aesthetic?  Not enough color or alternately, too bland?  Will the business card be visible in the bubble mailer?  Is it too plain?  Simply too boring?

I know that this issue is nary a concern to most, but it is of paramount importance to me.  It is my shop, and is therefore an extension of my soul.  Not too get all Existentialist on you, but my shop is truly a window into my creative process, and my work are little parts that comprise a whole--the whole not only being my entire shop, but also my meticulous nature and aesthetic.  I enjoy creating each piece; I take the time to write a thank you note to each buyer; I wrap items carefully.  So adding a new business card to this mix is a bit daunting, to say the least, when you already have a set system going.  But it will all be fine.  That, I am sure of--as I freak out a bit over the potential outcome.

All in due course, I remind myself.  All in due course.

Finally

I've finally cleaned my desk; all the piles of books, papers, and odd assortments of files and jewelry are now either neatly rearranged on my desk, or are on a bookshelf.  Okay, some files are sitting on the floor, but not flat, allowing for their visibility and space-hogging past to remain obscured.  Now, my daily jewelry pieces, calendar, scratch paper, shop goods, etc., are to one side of my desk, leaving the other side completely clear of debris.  So that I can write.  Write.  Now that's another tangible subject that needs much work.  However, I'm reveling in the fact that as I am typing, I can stretch out my arms...and allow my elbows to rest easily on my desk without hitting a book or a file--or knocking down a piece of jewelry or decoration.  Goodbye, tense shoulders!  With this new spatial arrangement, the anxiety over a desk dominated by clutter has dissipated, hopefully for good.  Hello, creativity and inspiration.

My current, "cluttered" desk corner houses a visual inspiration, rather than fitting into the definition of a cluttered space.  It's almost like a--dare I say--shrine to art, creative thought, and jewelry.  A few specifically-chosen pieces are showcased to remind me to take one step at a time...and breathe.  It is, in short, a meditative space of possibilities.

Below are some images of my new desk space.

Image to the left--

These beautiful, vintage brass pieces--and the postcard in the image below--are from:
www.theblueballoon.etsy.com

Bottom image--

Tucked into the green and cream-colored canvas pencil case are my EmeraldCut shop business cards.

I adore parakeets, and these are the ones that currently suffice.

Dogs, too, are wondrous creatures.

In theory, stones aid in the meditative process for me, which I have not yet mastered in practice.

I love non-traditional jewelry, and wear my own EmeraldCut pieces in addition to purchased ones.  The jewelry sitting out are a few of my favorite pieces. 

Big Cartel, Etsy...Oh My!

You may have noticed the headline in my blog about a new shop on Big Cartel.  To clarify matters, Etsy will remain my primary shop venue, and Big Cartel is its complimentary appendage.  :)  EmeraldCut times two. 

I've read a few positive reviews about Big Cartel, so I thought I'd try it out.  I am not switching over to Big Cartel, but I've added a few items to the shop I've recently opened there.  Five items, to be exact--this is my little experimental opportunity to see how Big Cartel works.  I will only have five items on Big Cartel (and I won't add any items until one sells), with all other pieces offered on Etsy. 

I hope that this change does not make purchasing and perusing my work too confusing.  To keep things simple, this blog will remain a documentary source for all my jewelry and collage-making, and I will differentiate on which site the items are offered for sale.  Lastly, coupon codes and promos are non-transferable from Etsy to Big Cartel.

Wishing you a wonderful rest of the day/night...