Greeting Cards – to sell or not to sell.
Since I started Hazleton Art -selling on Folksy and at Markets/Galleries I have avoided/not wanted to make cards to sell.
My reasons are:
I currently only sell original artworks no prints or copies.
I wanted to encourage people to buy my original artwork. I felt if I sold smaller print runs of my originals in the form of cards that my originals would not sell due to their higher prices.
I thought it would be time-consuming to make and take up storage space which is already limited.
I thought the market was already flooded with Cards of all descriptions, so why bother with more?
I do not use professional printers for anything currently, so I would need to investigate and work out costs and minimum runs.
Space on my market tables is limited as I already offer several different items, including lower price points, to suit market customers. Folksy seems to have a lot of card makers too.
I am not sure if they would sell, or what to offer (packs or singles etc).
Greeting Cards – To sell or not to sell
Last month someone asked me if I sold greeting cards -not for the first time!
I decided to investigate the possibility and if it would suit my business.
I looked to see if I could incorporate small pieces of my Cyanotype originals into cards. Pieces that did not make the grade as a larger artwork (poor edges or had areas that I was not pleased with)
I looked online at other artists using original art in/or on cards. There were some, but not many, (most used a professional printer to copy their originals), there were a variety of styles though.
I researched card blanks, envelopes and clear presentation bags. That was a minefield, lots were available but not all to my liking.
During this research, I decided that I wanted to use cards and envelopes made from recycled paper if possible, and the bags should be compostable or recyclable at the very least.
I chose to use a company called https://www.eco-craft.co.uk/ for white and manilla plain cards, envelopes and bags. So far so good
I already use compostable labels https://www.cloudlabels.co.uk/ and presentation bags https://www.eco-craft.co.uk/ for my art and bookmarks so that was a good starting point.
I then looked for cards with cutouts (aperture cards), I could only find these made in recyclable paper in the size I wanted- so ok…
I then had to think about the adhesive- luckily, I found this one -Coccoina, (A natural and biodegradable glue made from potato starch. Unlike many standard glues, this is non-toxic, solvent-free, acid-free, and planet-friendly alternative, that is 100% biodegradable and safe for composting, whoop – whoop!! I bought it from https://www.fredaldous.co.uk/
I have made some cards… Hazleton Art now sells cards…
Well, I say sell, I have stated on my Folksy shop that a complimentary card and gift tag will be sent with a purchase from my shop collections. But they will be for sale at the upcoming markets. I’ve Just got to work out the price now, of course, if I don’t sell any friends and family will see a lot of them xx
Plain square with a 50mm round of original art on the front, A6 with an ACEO size original artwork on the front, and 122mm square white, aperture cards with an original piece of art placed inside.
