Baker's Friendship and Thank You Cards

Happy Monday everyone! Hope you had a great weekend. I surely did. The sun showed up (finally!!) but hide again today. I come to a conclusion that the sun doesn't like Vancouver for now. 

I got a chance to make a couple of cards using JW Illustrations' Stack of Mixing Bowls Digital Stamp. 

Boy oh boy, I had so much fun with the laces and twines....and sewing. These little fabric materials simply adorable.

 

I use distressed ink to adding a soft and warm touch to the cards.

Wedding Day Cards

Happy Monday!

Just quickly popping in as I have tons of orders to do on top of some personal errands to do :-)

These are 3 cards that I created for a bride-to-be client. They are for mom, dad and her groom on her wedding day. Sweet sentiments and colors!

I'm pleased with the result and hopefully she does too.

Just received her message after seeing these cards. Here what she said:
You can let readers on your blog know that this lucky bride-to-be LOVES her cards and cried when she saw them because they ARE SO PERFECT!!

You are the best, what a wonderful set of cards, you took my vision and made it perfect. Your talent is one to not be missed. Thank you so much, more than words can say!
xo

Another sweet client that makes my day :-)

PS: don't forget to enter the giveaways that are currently going on.

Prep for Valentine's

It is not too early to prepare for Valentine's day.

The malls, and Michaels too, are already have their Valentine's products displayed.


This year, I'm ready! I have made a few Valentine's tags. Too adorable, I'd say :-)



If you're looking for Valentine's cards with sweet sentiments, you will find them at my shop.

Togetherness Card

I just love this sweet phrase: Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is a progress; and working together is success.

So much that I love this, I have make cards with them. And the one I show you here are just one examples. I have a couple more cards using different papers but keeping the design the same. And I must say that I really like each one of them as they have their own flare and style.



Check them out when you have a chance, will ya? Shabby Chic and Not Too Mushy styles.


By the way, there won't be any Saturday Artisans and giveaways during the holiday season. We'll resume and have them back in the new year.

Also a quick note, I'll be away on vacation from Dec 13 - 18. Any orders made during this period will be mailed on Dec 19. Any orders made prior Dec 13 will be mailed on Dec 12. Haha, that's what I'm doing today, packing my orders and packing for our vacation.

Giveaway: Set of 4 Mini Cards by SimplyInvitingCards

This week giveaway is sponsored by SimplyInvitingCards. Win a set of 4 Mini Textured EnveloCards - Espresso.

I really encourage you to read her profile featured yesterday here where you could always learn a thing or two from her.

There are Seven ways to win the giveaway with a total of 18 chances to win. Please make sure you leave a separate comment for every entry. How to enter to win:

Mandatory entry:

• >>EDIT>>: As Jen's away for vacation and her shop is temporarily closed, go to either:

SimplyInvitingCards sold items.
or
SimplyInvitingCards Flickr Galery

and return to my Adore By Nat blog and simply leave a comment here about your favorite item.

Extra entries (only qualify once mandatory entry is fulfilled):

• Heart her shop and earn an entry. Simply let me know your Etsy username.
  
• Follow my blog and you earn another entry. If you're already a follower, you still get an entry, just says you're following already.
• Become my Facebook Fan and you earn another entry. If you're a fan already, you'll also get an entry. Let me know your FB username please.
  
• Tweet about this giveaway. Provide me with your tweet please. Each tweet worths one entry and you can tweet each day until the end of the contest (a maximum of one tweet per day is counted). That's a total of 7 entries!
  
• Blog about this giveaway to earn 2 entries. Leave two separate comments here please providing me with the link to your post.
• Purchase an item from SimplyInvitingCards shop and earn 5 entries. Don't forget letting me know by leaving comments :-)
  

Contest starts now and ends on Feb 13th, 2010. Contest opens worldwide.
Max 18 entries per person please (based on the rules above). Don't forget to leave me your e-mail address. Entries without contact information will be disqualified. Entries that do not follow the rules will be disqualified. Contest winner will be drawn on Sunday, February 14st by a random number generator. Winner must respond within 48 hours after being contacted otherwise another winner will be randomly selected.

Little Bird

Finally I got a chance to use this bird stamp. Isn't it adorable?



Merry Christmas everyone! Enjoy this most wonderful time of the year with family and friends! Indulge those scrumptious sweets and chocolates.

2009 Klahanie Holiday Market

This week not only I was busy working on custom orders, but I've been busy preparing for the next craft fair that I'll be participating.

WHEN: Sunday, December 6: Noon - 4pm

WHERE: 501 Klahanie Drive, Port Moody at the Canoe Club

18 vendors, including childrens clothing and accessories, toddler food, jewelry, natural body products, paper goods, dog coats and collars, chocolate and caramel sauces and much much more!

So come and do your holiday shopping if you're in the Greater Vancouver Area!

On the side notes, this morning as I opened our blinds, I noticed the moon was still up there! It was 8 am or so. I don't see this too often, a sun and a moon at the same time, and find it quite neat actually. Anyway, I'm not sure if you can see the moon on the picture or not but you can click on the picture to enlarge it. It's on the left of the building. I had quite a hard time taking picture of it, hmm....maybe it's time to get a new camera :-)

Prepping For Cyber Monday

This year I'll take the opportunity to participate in the biggest online shopping event. If you're Etsy sellers like myself, perhaps you can take this opportunity to promote your shop as well. Etsy sends weekly digest to its sellers and this time they remind us to prep for Cyber Monday. You can find the details here.

Or if you're doing the holiday shopping then this is good news for you too!

I'm offering FREE SHIPPING to the US and Canada for all of my cards! I could not afford to offer free shipping to other countries but I'm offering Half Off. That's right the cost is on me. I have never done this before so we'll see how it goes.

What's even better is that you can start shopping now cause the sale is already on starting today! See you at my shop! Sale ends on Monday, November 30th.

Etsy Greeting Team on ETSY FINDS

We made it!!

I'm a proud member of Etsy Greetings Team. This is one interactive helpful group. Great talented artists who are willing to share their knowledge.

From November 13 through November 15, artists from the EtsyGreetings Team will have special deals and goodies associated with purchases from their holiday collections.
I am participating in this event, and am offering
BUY 1 GET 1 HALF OFF (2nd item is 50% off, equal/less value) on any items at my shop.

This is one of my biggest sale so far.


Stop by the EtsyGreetings blog to see specials from over 40 great paper artists.

Too Cute for Christmas

I have asked my dear friend who is SO talented to do a custom Christmas images for me. Truly, I just adore her creations. You can visit her shop here.




The cards and tags are available at my shop. Custom orders are always welcome.

TGIF! Says Nat

I'm so glad to share with you that I was featured by Infinite, a Singapore-based company, started by 2-gals who are passionate about handmade. For details, please read here. You'll a bit more information about me and my cards :-) And if you're in Singapore, please come by at their shop and you'll find a bunch of great cards made by artists around the world.

Today I listed 2 more sets of tea bag holders, just in time for holidays. I had to deactive one set of tea bag holders simply because I screwed up making them this afternoon. I scored the paper too hard and ruined it, sadly :-( So yes, things are not always work as they should be. The good thing is that I can re-use the paper if I think creatively.

When Purple Met Green

Aren't they just gorgeous? bright and cheerful.

Purple and green cardstocks are used inpired by the green and purple floral and stripe patterned papers. Stitching and different kind of embellishments added for perfection.


Really, when you could buy a handmade card for less than $4, why bother buying the mass produced ones?


Four Birthday Cards for your special ones. Visit my shop for more details.

Get Organized

A little organization was necessary to be done yesterday. I've been making cards for every single cards and they start to pile up.

It becomes a little headache if I don't organize it and it'd better be sooner than later. Here is just my way of organizing them, making it easier for me to grab them once they're sold out:

1. Enclose the card and envelope in a plastic sleeve
2. Number each card and make sure it is corresponded to the listing. I bought labels and they will for a long time since they are 500 at least in a pack.
   
3. Store them in a box :-)

As I'm organizing these new cards, I found a box of Christmas cards that I made a couple of years ago. As I haven't made any new Christmas cards, which I should anytime soon, this will be a great start to list them on my shop.

Mariposa

I've been creating cards lately with butterfly theme.


I use butterfly appliques and they're really for the main touch of the cards.


Hope you like each one of them. Their details are available at my shop.

This Morning

While Ethan was having fun with granparents at the backyard, running around and finally settling in with a bucket of water...


I had a chance to make few cards.



The morning passed so fast and he was exhausted by noon. Took a nap around noon and is still fast asleep as I'm writing this post (3 hours later).

Hoo Hoo Owls Everywhere

Do you love owls as much as I do?






Aren't they just TOO adorable? They are available at my shop.

Have a happy weekend.

Front Page Worthy

WoO HoO!

I made it to the Front Page, dedicated to Canada Day yesterday. I've been wanting to be on FP, so yesterday...it was just like a dream come true. The first time after a while being on Etsy.

There was a time when I was advised by a curator that her treasury made on a FP and one of my cards was included. I was so excited and tried to look at the archived FP (I didn't get a chance to see the live FP) but soon found out that mine was an alternate and unfortunately did not make it to appear on the FP before it expired.

Having my cards and tags on treasuries always makes me happy. It feels so great to be included and be a part of talented artists. Past treasuries with my products can be found here.

So yes, I was doing my happy dance yesterday and a big full grin smile on my face just like when I was on Storque Shop Local Asia Spotlight. I told my husband about this great accomplishment. Is this a big deal? It is for me. There is 160267 sellers on Etsy as I'm writing this article (and growing) and those photographs of artworks made to the FP, they always left me in awe. The facts that my product was picked and made to the FP just provided me with a confirmation that I'm on the right track in making my dreams come true.

Being on a FP for a short period of time translated to 9 new hearts on these tags, 12 new hearts on my shop, and 16 new hearts on other cards/ tags.


This set of 3 Leafy Green Felt Tree Tags are one of my favorites of all time. I made about 5 sets of these, a couple was sold as part of wholesale to a boutique in Nelson, BC and the set that is on sale on my shop is the last set and I won't be able to make more as I don't have the patterned paper anymore. Talking about this interesting paper, I didn't think that I would be able to create something beautiful as these tags (read here).

How Much Do I Really Want It?

So like everyone else I want my online shops, AdoreByNat and Natsupplies to run successfully. Who wouldn't right? Successfuly meaning that I don't have to go back to a day job. Even though I enjoy working as an HR Generalist I would rather do cardmaking.

But really, how much do I really want it? Often times I envy those who have successful shops, those who made many and many sales. Reading their stories on how they achive their dreams on Quit Your Day Job and/ or their blogs inspire me. I got to admit though, inspiration is not enough if it's not followed by determination and action.

Admitedly I kept saying to myself: "I want to be like that one day and hopefully that day is soon." But I think it's about enough to say that to myself. Really, do I really want it?

I need a kick in a you know what. Being successful means working harder. It means less sleeping time. 6 hours should be enough instead of 8. That way, I will have 2 extra hours to make cards.

So, no more yupping but more action. Starting with tonight, I need to finish reading my 'new' sewing machine manual (bought from a good friend about 2 years ago), convo her as I have a question to ask and put the machine to work tomorrow. This machine is going to be my good friend replacing the little missy that I left in Indonesia (see her here).

More actions to plan now on my agenda.

Don't Undervalue Your Work

How much should a handmade card worth?

Recently my Etsygreetingsteam discussed about pricing our cards. There are so many competitions out there and all of us do want to make sales. Unfortunately, some of us are willing to sell their cards so cheap. I'm guilty for one.

But do we really feel satisfied when we makes sales ? Do we honestly feel that it should worth more than that?

Today, as a family, we took a stroll of Toronto Downtown underground simply to familiarize ourselves with the area. I could not help but to stop at this stationery shop, curious to see the cards that they carry. And when I saw the prices, I was shocked. It ranges from CAD$6.75 and up all the way to CAD$10.00. Gosh! I feel that my cards are worthless. I asked my husband to take a look at the cards and told him about the prices. I asked how he would compare them to my cards. Without hesitation he said, "of course yours are much better. No doubt about it!" *relief* I felt much better.

I know that deep down in my heart that I undervalue my works. Many people have told me that they are worth over $4 each and yet I was too afraid to increase my price.

I look at the details of my cards and how much time I spend on every card, I feel they are worth than $3.25. Each is one of the kind. Each is made with love.


So here is my plan. I need to get rid of my cards inventory because they are in Indonesia and I'm here in Canada. I may have them on sale. In the meantime, starting next week I'll start making new cards and build my inventory here. Once I'm ready, I'll make a switch and sell the cards that I have with me. I'll increase my price. It has been long overdue. We'll see whether it's going to hurt my sales or not at that time.

Sounds like a good plan?

Life Adjustment

So I've been here back in Canada for 2 weeks and am still going through life adjustment. It's getting better overall. I love being able to regain my freedom and independence even though I have to do everything on my own.

The long journey from Indonesia and the day-to-day activities taking care of my 18 months son keep me rather busy. I'm glad that Ethan is slowly back to his routines, that makes both of our lives easier. The down side is that I have a sore throat for almost a week and it's not going away. I may catch a cold too. *sigh*

All 6 luggages were unpacked by the 2nd day I arrived in Toronto. Everything, except my cardmaking/ scrapbooking supplies, are organized and put into place. This means, I can't make cards just yet. My hubby suggested to take it slowly. I concurred.

In the meantime both of my Etsy shops are open. They are stocked with items which are mailed from Indonesia. I had organized and labeled every item prior leaving Indonesia, making it easier for my employee over there to pack orders. But honestly, if I could have those stuff with me here, that make my life much easier.