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Original poster

Anyone into card making-need some new ideas?

73 replies

layla · 08/06/2004 14:28

Hi have just got into making cards and have made some with wire.
Need some new ideas now.
Would love to talk ideas.Don't want to cheat too much by buying instant sticky things to stick on if you know what I mean.I want to buy basics and make something out of it.Like I make now by making pictures out of wire.
Have just made a load for the school fair and the kids enjoy making some with me too which is fun.
Would like to maybe make some to sell at some point.
Does anyone have any ideas about how much they should sell for and where to approach etc?
I'm reallly excited about it.
Anyone just want to chat about it?
Has anyone been on any courses?

OP posts:
sis · 08/06/2004 19:01

Layla, that is fine - I've been meaning to try and sell the heat it on e-bay for some time but will need to sort of loading up digital photographs on the computer and that sounds like effort to me! You are right, it usually does involve stamping - although you could do more abstract stuff with the glue if you wanted to!

Original poster
layla · 08/06/2004 19:02

Hi fisil,I'm such an addict too have only just started but have made about 15 so far for the fair and dying to get more ideas and stuff.Would you be happy to share ideas.I'd love to get in touch.Your business sounds great.I'm so far off that but it's a possibility.My mum has ordered some from me so far.I've also done a new home card design and a new baby design as well as birthday ones,but no wording what do you think about the wording?is it important?Thanks for the ideas about looking at those sites I will try them.

OP posts:
Freddiecat · 08/06/2004 23:25

Thanks for the advice. I will try Inkspot as I am in Llantrisant. Presume the plastic bags are for selling the cards? I think with all these other Mumsnet card makers in Cardiff I'd have too much competition! Also I was really only thinking of doing this for personal use.

I made some thank you cards for DS to send after his birthday. Just traced some basic pictures onto cards and got him to colour them in. Trouble is he is only 2 and wasn't very interested in colouring so I ended up doing it (and they looked crap!)

champs · 09/06/2004 02:10

hi layla and everyone else!! I am into making cards, invites etc. Made my wedding ones and my mums plus all the stationary for the wedding days incl favors.. Also my baby shower ones. I also did lots of friends invites to. I like creating all kinds of stuff. It is very addictive.
lilibet, your invites sound absolutely wonderful. I'm sure most people will read the inserts.

lilibet · 09/06/2004 02:28

Hello

I shouldn't still be up!!

What favours did you make?

champs · 09/06/2004 02:31

hi there, for which occasion? I have made some for weddings, christenings and baby showers.

Chinchilla · 09/06/2004 22:51

I make cards, and sell them to local craft shops. I have about 7 shops holding my stock. It's really scary going into shops and asking them to look at your stock, but worth getting the guts up.

I have found that the simpler and more original the design, the more it is attractive to all people. I have been told that mine are made to a very nice standard too, so I guess that is important too. I would suggest sourcing good quality card and envelopes, and using original ideas on the front.

HTH

Original poster
layla · 10/06/2004 20:35

Chinchilla,what sort of things do you put on your cards?

OP posts:
Chinchilla · 11/06/2004 00:57

It varies really. I usually go to a craft shop and see what grabs my attention. Usually things like special buttons and card/paper get my imaginative juices going! I also play around matching colours of card together to get a nice mix. I also love using paper punches/sequins/silver pens etc etc. Stamps are a nice start for card makers, and then you can move onto embossing them later, when you are more confident.

My main advice is to keep it simple and different from other card makers in the craft shops. Simple and striking grabs the attention of the buyer, and if the card is made to a good standard, you can't go wrong. I find that using a good quality envelope also helps the product look better. I stick a label on the back of the card, and also on the poly bag, so both the buyer and the recipient know who made it.

Original poster
layla · 11/06/2004 19:40

Thanks for your ideas Chinchilla.It's great you've found shops to sell your cards

OP posts:
Chinchilla · 11/06/2004 23:56

Layla - just found this site , and I am going to order some things. They are the cheapest I have found for poly bags (when less than 1000 ordered) and ribbed brown C6 envelopes. Will let you know if they are good, if you are interested?

Original poster
layla · 12/06/2004 15:32

Thanks Chinchilla that's great.Can I pick your brains again?How much do you sell your cards for to the shops?and do they buy them off you or do they just sell them for you?

OP posts:
sis · 12/06/2004 19:11

Hey Layla, sounds like you are really getting into it now!

I have found another taker for the embossing stuff but as I had asked you first, we agreed that I would check with you and if you don't want it, it can go to the other taker, so can you let me know one way or the other as soon as poss. I'm trying to get it sorted before I go away for a week from this Friday. Thanks.

Original poster
layla · 12/06/2004 20:12

That's nice of you sis-I don't need it thanks anyway so go ahead and sell.
Yes I'm really getting into it now I've just gone and spent another 20 pounds today.Perhaps I better sell some eh!

OP posts:
Chinchilla · 12/06/2004 23:38

Layla - Some card shops do 'Sale or Return', and have a percentage. Some (usually the smaller ones) pay up front. I charge shops £1.50 per card, and the usually retail for anything from £1.99 to £3.00. The S or R ones are a bit of a pain, unless the shop pays you by BACS, as you have to keep phoning to see how many have sold, and then go and get the money. Also, some shops can mess you about. Today, I had to get 121 cards from a shop where the owner had not even put them out to sell! It was no skin off his nose, as he only paid me per card sold! I got them back, and managed to get another shop to take 14, AND pay me up front for them.

I also sell cards at my M & T group, and sell them for £1.50 or £2.00, depending on the style of the card.

My main advice about shops is to compare the type of cards already being sold and avoid making any similar. Be a bit persistent in the beginning, as it is up to you to build up a relationship with the shop owner. They are not going to chase you for stock, as they probably already have several reliable suppliers. Be polite, but firm about prices. Work out how much each card is costing to make on average, and add a bit for your time too. Then, add a bit for profit. I find that £1.50 per card makes a sufficient profit.

Any more Q's, don't hesitate to ask!

HTH

Original poster
layla · 13/06/2004 15:14

Thanks Chinchilla that's really helpful.

Fisil,did mumsnet pass on my details to you?

OP posts:
Original poster
layla · 14/06/2004 16:59

Well,I went into a few shops today to try and sell a few I'd made.Feedback was positive on some of the cards.I've still got to try a few more shops ,the manager wasn't in when I was there so they said try another day.One card shop said she liked my new baby card,not the others.And said if I came up with any new ideas she would like to see them.So please has anyone got any ideas.I've only got about 3 more ideas which involves messing about with wire designs.After that I'm stuck.

OP posts:
fisil · 14/06/2004 22:51

No Layla, I haven't heard from you. Try again.

toshtec · 25/06/2004 19:54

FISIL Wrote earlier about the tonertex system.

I quote (I have the tornetex foiling system which is OK, I'm glad I have it, not sure I'd go overboard in recommending it - you have to have a steady hand, and in which case you may as well write it yourself (unless you really want glittery or shiney). Finally I found that the sticker sheets are not nasty and tacky as they appear, but actually give a really nice professional finish.) end quote

I am a photocopier engineer and have come across this in my job, it was originally made for the reprographics arena to create good looking documents. you say you have problems with scrawling, try this out do an intricate design and print it out onto some paper/card if it is a laser printer great if not photocopy it, bring the copy home place the foil onto the image put some cloth under the card first to stop heat leakage place a bit of kitchen towel over the image and using an iron you have at home for your clothes press firmly onto the foil for a moment or two, when you peel it away it will leave the design covered in the foil, what is happening is this the toner melts and becomes very tacky you have pressed the foil onto it it sticks to the toner when you have peeled the cooled card away from the foil wala your intricate design is now embossed with whatever colour you want

champs · 25/06/2004 21:41

layla, there is a site called do crafts I won a free copy of their magazine and it came with free peel offs. They have lots of card ideas, you can get inspiration and then give them your unique twist.

Chinchilla · 25/06/2004 22:40

And, Champs - enter the competition in the magazine - the first prize is always fantastic. I entered last magazine's comp, but did not get anywhere , but I think it was because I didn't use enough of the 'Anita's' products, which they are linked to.

Anita's Art products are really good, and reasonably priced in the Range.

IDismyname · 26/06/2004 13:37

I'm not sure if geographically this is going to help, but there is a fabulous shop in Godalming, Surrey called "Arty Crafty". It's a tiny shop, but they stock everything you'd ever need to make cards.

They run card making courses, which cost about 12 pounds for a couple of hours. You normally make a couple of cards in that time, and meet others who are into the same thing.

I went afew weeks ago with a friend, and we did what they call T-bag folding. It's a very simple form of origami, starting with small brightly coloured squares of paper that you fold. When you've done 7 or 8, you link them together to make a star shape. It can be tailored to any occasion.

I have a feeling they do have a website somewhere...

Chinchilla · 26/06/2004 22:05

Blue2 - I always think that tea-bag folding looks really nice, but I don't want to learn ANOTHER way of making cards, as I would NEVER have any time with dh in the evenings

Original poster
layla · 26/06/2004 22:25

Hi Champs,thanks for that web site it's fab I have been on and off it all afternoon.Some great ideas on there too and like the card talk section.

Toshtech thanks for your ideas.

Chinchilla I know what you mean about not spending much time with dh in the evening.But it's quite timely that the football is on just when I've discovered a new hobby.

Thanks Blue2 for your ideas.What kind of things do you use for your cards,the tea bag folding sounds good.I may do a course we have a fantastic little shop here that does all card making stuff and courses too.

OP posts:
toshtec · 27/06/2004 00:26

How many want to laminate just a small portion of the card to give it a glossy appearance and trhen cover the join of the laminate to the card with a peeloff border like chain to follow the edge easier.

This is very easy to do cut out the shape of the laminate (the pouches for the hot laminate they are cheaper) from just one side of the pouch, lay over the card on the point you wish it to adhere to lay a bit of Kitchen tissue over that and again just place a hot Iron ontop of the kitchen towel ontop of the laminate peice.

All you then have to do is add or camoflage a border around it.

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