Love anytime cards for the stand
Posted by Fiona Nevile in Cottage tales | 11 comments
Photo: Handmade cards
For a few weeks I’ve been squirreling away bits and bobs to make some cards for the gate side stand. But as with so many things I have put the project on the back burner as I didn’t really know how to begin.
I probably made my last handmade card as a teenager. I did serve the Blue Peter apprenticeship and enjoy making things but how was I going to design something to sell on the stand? I trawled through hundreds of Folksy shops for inspiration. There were loads of great ideas but I was getting nowhere.
So two days ago I set myself a challenge. To make a small series of cards – and do nothing else until these were made. Hence the silence on the blog and the screaming of rage from my bedroom when Inca flipped my unstuck roughs off the bed as she snuggled deep under the duvet.
Of course I have Valentines Day in mind but by leaving the cards blank they can also double as love anytime cards.
Photo: Enamel badge
Pamela spotted that someone was selling little enamel “I love you” badges very cheaply on eBay. So I invested in a job lot of fifty. They are transformed with petit fours cases and a hoop of red card into a great little Valentine’s present.
The cards and badges are having their first airing on the stand today. I do hope that people will buy them.
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Hi Jackie
Our cottage is in a sleepy village on a blind bend but we are gradually building up trade. Dog walkers talk to each other! By having the fairy lights and the board passing motorists are attracted. So it’s definitely worth doing. I didn’t set up the stand this morning as it was snowing and this drifts onto the jars so someone came and knocked on my door for some marmalade!
We don’t take a lot on the stand roughly £20 a week ATM. I’m hoping for better returns in the spring when I’ll be selling eggs, veg and flowers from the stand as well.
Hi Jane
Thank you so much for your good wishes. Thanks for dropping by.
Hello Michelle
The cards were fun to make. Sometimes I don’t have the energy to post. If something seriously went wrong Danny would post. He’s really enjoying the forum BTW.
Hi Toffeeapple
Thank you so much for your good wishes!
Hi Maria
I enjoyed making the cards a lot so I’m already planning more.
Hi Lesley
Yes I think that an Etsy/Folksy shop is well worth considering when I have found my style.
Thanks for suggesting it.
Hi Cookie Girl
It’s good to do something practical and creative for once!
Hello Soph
Thanks for dropping by. I will try the stick jaw toffee as soon as I have a mo.
These are lovely, I hope they go really well!
Just thought I’d let you know I tried the stickjaw toffee recipe someone had posted here as a comment a while back. It was so good, do try it for your stall sometime, if things are selling well!
Well done Fiona. They look wonderful. Hope they sell well.
The cards look lovely – I would buy one ! Hope they sell well.
have you thought about etsy yet?
those are so cute!
Keep going with the cards. If my husband when out walking the dog happened across your stall he would think all his Christmas’s would have come at once! He’s not one to go into town and actively look or even buy a card so to find somewhere that basically hands it to him on a plate…
They look lovely Fiona, I’m sure they’ll do well on your stand. Good luck.
Ooooooo, those are adorable! Nice work Fiona!
Glad you posted today, I was worried you took a turn.
Good Luck with the cards!
How well you are doing Fiona!! I am so glad you are finding something so wonderful to do with your time whilst you slowly get well!
I adore your cards and badges and I should imagine they will sell like hot cakes!!
Love Jane xxx
Hey Fiona, I am sorry it’s taking you so long to get better, but it has redirected you incredibly, and it seems to me like you’re fulfilling a different potential.
I’ve been mulling over the idea of a gateside stand myself – we get kind of zero passing trade, except a few dog walkers, but it’s a start, and maybe good things will spread by word of mouth.
Maybe you could provide a service to those wanting to send really truly mystery valentine cards – you could mail them for them (collecting cost by paypal) and that would mystify the recipient just nicely.
Long as they don’t read this blog, that is.