Sunday, August 2, 2009

A Card and A Question


First... the card. My oldest brother, Mike, had a birthday yesterday. My family will be celebrating his birthday after church today! I was really having a hard time coming up with a man card. I want a man card to be plain but... not too plain. I obviously can't use buttons (well.. i guess i could) so I was struggling! Ha! This is what I came up with! I hope he likes it but in all honesty... he won't care. Guys just don't care about that stuff. Now... if I were to put money in it or some homemade mints... he might like it more! :) Mmmm... homemade mints... I might have to make me some!

Now... the question! I know that some of you girls that visit me have etsy shops! I am really considering having my own etsy shop. I have wanted to do it for a while but have not taken that leap yet. I desperately need a year long way to see if I can sell my cards, etc. I get to feeling guilty for spending money on crafty stuff when I am a SAHM so I would love a way to try to bring in at least enough money to cover my addiction! :) I have researched the cost of Etsy and know that it isn't very costly. My main thing is time. It seems like it will take a lot of time. I am curious if you girls think it is worth it... as in... do you sell enough stuff to make it worth the time (and the little money it does cost)? I would appreciate any comments/tips as I try to figure out if this is something I should try for myself. If you would like to leave comments or tips and would rather email me... please do at kelleyweubanks@gmail.com!!

Well... That's All Folks! Hope you have a wonderful Sunday!

Supplies:
Stamps - Birthday Basics (PTI)
Paper - Ocean Tides (PTI)
Ink - Ocean Tides (PTI)
Other - AC Vinyl Thickers, Making Memories Word Stickers
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13 comments:

Christina Smith said...

I really like the card you made. I totally think it would be ok to put buttons on guy cards. (= I don't have an etsy shop, so I can't answer your question, but I'm curious to see what others will say.

~amy~ said...

Love your card...the vinyl thickers rock :) Heck nothing girlie about buttons!

Love to get the readers digest version of your etsy feedback....

Happy Sunday!

Alanna said...

Great card Kelley. Perfect for a guy. I also think it's okay to use buttons on a guy card too. In fact, I think I have. Anyway, your brother is sure to love.

I'm afraid I can't help you on the Etsy front, as I don't have one. I do hope that you can get some good feedback for your decision.

Stephanie said...

I think the card is perfect for a guy...and you're right - unless it has money/gift card/food it's just a card!! (enter huffy sigh here)

good luck on the etsy thing...I don't have one, but definitely see the benefits (balancing my spending with a little income, sharing my stuff, and reducing my collection's size)

Randee E said...

Cute card! I like the sentiment too. Seems like the kind of low key sense of humor a guy would like. Not so "in the know" with Etsy, but would be interestting to hear what others say. Have you tried seeing if you could display and sell some in local gift shop type stores?

Tiffany said...

Your card Is way well I was gonna say cute but masquline...haha!! its very nice!! I have a really hard time making guy cards.....

For etsy I have a etsy shop but its hard to sell items I am not the promoting type... Also I think to really stand out your products have to have something different from everyone else. I think your cards are super cute and very original..... Your cards stand out form all the rest. I think once you get your first sale the word will be out. Good pictures I think helps alot too! I think just put up a few things and just wait...... and promote... I think you will do very well. I think it is well worth the little bit of money. good luck!! I can not wait to see what you put up!!

Karen said...

I think this would be the perfect card for a brother named Mike! I'm so sure because I have a brother with the same name (and a husband too!). :> I hear ya on the guy's not caring thing. When my brother last looked at a scrapbook, he was quite quiet. Later, I found out he told our Mom that he wasn't sure what he was supposed to say...afterall, its Just paper, pics, and glue, right?! NOT!!! He cracks me up! Then you have the opposite in a Mom. Mine has saved the tags I made for her Christmas presents last year to use as ornaments and decorations for this year and is still holding on to a small piece of paper bag that my son stamped with acrylic paint to make wrapping paper with a few years ago. And I figure other people I give handcrafted items to are somewhere in between. :>

I do not have an etsy store, but have definitely thought about it. Good luck if you decide to open one! :>

Ann said...

I think it turned out great! Guy cards are always hard for me, too.

LeAnne said...

Love the card--and the sentiment! I am with everyone else--no etsy shop, but anxious to hear how people have done, as my stack of cards is piling up in proportion to my guilt. Although I do sell my cards to my SU customers, it would be nice to have another market. I am too scared to take them to a shop....they'd want quantities, or inventory, or specific things....blahblahblah. But I had good luck with some things on ebay--but that's a whole different duck!

Glad you were able to figure out the email thing too--love those light bulb moments!

Lynnette said...

Hi Girl, I love your card. I also struggle with male cards too. I am sure your brother will love it (not that he'd ever appreciate it as much as us girls do).

I'm also trying to get going on an Etsy shop. I have one, but there's nothing in it yet. I just need make some time to dedicate to it. Give it a shot, you never know unless you try :)

Amanda Winkelman said...

Fabulous card.....especially when those masculine cards are so tough...atleast for me!

I've been toying with the Etsy idea for some time now too.....from people I know who have em, once you get going, it really doesn't take too much time. As far as whether or not it's worth it? I think you just have to go for it, and then make the decision....it's not like you have to sign a long term contract! I say go for it!

KatieTurtle said...

Cute! I love the colors. Another thought on the card thing...try some of the local shops in the area. Consinment, salons, coffee shops. I send my cards to a coffee shop and believe me, it takes a bunch of time to package them up and get them out. etsy is a step I just haven'ttaken yet.

Winter said...

I don't have one either, but when I had to buy a big tupperwear box for all my growing cards the other day, I knew something had to be done! I am a SAHM too, and I know what you mean about paying for the addiction! Hope you find a solution! :)