Dreaming up new ideas

I'm working on some new card design ideas. I've added a poll to the left column of the blog with some of the things I'm considering. Please pick your favourites!

I am thinking about getting some linocut materials as I'm interested to see how this compares to the rubber stamps. It does require figuring out how you print linocuts without a press. This may involve mounting the linoleum on something like a block of wood, but I've also seen a tutorial showing people using the press method without a press. I'll have to experiment to determine which way gives the best results.

Shipping confusion

As a new etsy seller, I have to say that the most confusing thing for me is setting shipping rates. CanadaPost has a ton of information online, but that doesn't make it much easier. There's lettermail, light packet, small packet, parcel post, not to mention all the pricey priority xpresspost courier stuff. Lettermail has 3 rates depending on weight, before you're into oversize and then there's 3 more weight categories. If that's not enough, there's also dimension and thickness rules. The small/light packet rates have weight and dimension rules, but it's more about the sum of the dimensions than any specific one, and on and on.

Etsy adds an extra layer of complication by offering a secondary shipping cost that would apply if the person bought more than one item. This is great and something I would definitely like to offer, but it brings up the problem of the weight restrictions. 1 or 2 cards fit into one rate, but if you add a third, then it bumps into the next one, and if you add a fourth, you're starting to look at the thickness restriction. Ideally, I'd like to find one envelope that could work for lots of things, but if I just go with something larger then the shipping costs will be a deterrent.

Currently, I am using a larger envelope with thick backer board. I'm looking for a replacement for that backerboard since it's both costly and weighty. I think it's perfect for protecting my photos, but for my cards, I'd love to find some smaller cardboard mailers,. The only ones I've seen are for letter-size pages which moves you into oversize lettermail. Bubble mailers are way too thick even with nothing in them.

I will report back with what alternatives I find.... I'm sure there's others starting out who will encounter the same issues.

Just a little note....

The cardstock and colourful envelopes that I ordered arrived last week and what fun I've had! I've been busy printmaking with stamps that I hand-carved and the result is a stack of cute cards. I'll be adding them to the my shop over the next few days, but this is a delicious little preview of a few of my favourites.

I was having so much fun that I ran out of cardstock much faster than I expected. So I'll be ordering some more and looking into supplies for photo cards.

I'm interested to know which ones appeal to people most.

Spring beginnings

Spring is a natural time to start new projects. This year, I am doing something that I've thought about for a long time; I'm pursuing my artistic and creative side more seriously. I have just opened an etsy shop where I have listed some of my photographs. In the coming days, I will be adding some of my other projects, like note cards and original drawings.

I'm both terrifically excited and excruciatingly terrified at the same time. I've always loved drawing and making things, but it's one thing to do something purely for yourself and another to make your creations public.