I
am devoting my blog post today to card makers.
I just love what they do – their creativeness, inventiveness,
individuality, craftsmanship, perseverance and uniqueness. Yes, I am a great fan!
I
have dabbled in card making myself, but mainly I only create them for friends
and family. I have made a few textile
based cards to sell at Craft Fairs, but these tend to be very simple and
plain. What I love about the card makers
on Folksy is the endless variety that you can find – cards for every occasion
imaginable and such beautiful designs and techniques.
-
There
is nothing quite like looking at a specially handcrafted card – it can lift your
spirits. I know how long it takes me to
create a card for friends or family members and I do not use any fancy
techniques! I am in such great
admiration for the amazing array of techniques that are evident in the cards
from our card makers on Folksy. I have
selected a few favourites with samples of their cards. (Please click on the photos and it will take
you directly to their shop where you will find a whole gallery of delights to
tempt you.)
I
imagine that card making is a tough business.
Sellers are competing not only with other sellers, but there is such a
huge community of folk who are making cards as a hobby – much like myself. I never buy a shop bought card nowadays, but
I have purchased a few handcrafted cards from Folksy. I was so busy prior to Christmas last year
that I just did not have time to create any Christmas cards for friends and the
family, which was a little disappointing for me because I enjoy it so much, and
for them who also enjoy receiving my handcrafted efforts. Problem solved, I just purchased more than
enough handcrafted cards from Folksy sellers – there was so much choice – and
sent these out as my Christmas cards.
I
imagine that when sales are slow, card makers must feel very disheartened. Perhaps some start to wonder what is wrong
with what they are making, why are they not selling? Perhaps self doubt creeps
in, and I am guessing it must feel really difficult. But I think that often the problem is only
that buyers on Folksy have so much CHOICE.
They can pick and choose their cards from a vast array of makers on Folksy. My advice during these times is: If you love
what you do – just keep making. This is
what I do when I feel discouraged – just keep on making! Enjoy, enjoy! OK so maybe no one is buying your cards at
the moment, but maybe one day ... soon... you just never know!
I
love looking at the wonderful cards that I see on Folksy and would feel bereft
if they all suddenly disappeared.
Sometimes I look at cards and think “how did they do that?” Sometimes I look at cards and think “that’s a
good idea – perhaps I will try that next time I make a card!” Mostly though, I look at cards and just enjoy
their creativeness and beauty. So join
with me to shout three cheers for card makers! Hip Hip Hooray!
I have been busy restocking my Folksy shop and have lots of new notebooks and journals. Here
are a few new items that I have listed during this past week. Enjoy!
BFN
Edwina
FROM
TOP TO BOTTOM: Dees Designs, Box of Delights, From Joan Cards, picocrafts, Paper
Chains & Beads and Helle Belles Cards
Lovely blog, and thank you so much picking one of my cards, for me cardmaking something I enjoy and do to relax so it's always a huge boost when my cards are bought :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for showing my Thank You card Edwina, yes it does get a bit disheartening when sales are slow but I keep plodding on as the feedback from satisfied customers makes it worth while :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely blog. I love receiving cards, especially hand made ones. They make me feel well loved and thought of. Much better than a present!
ReplyDeleteJacqueline x