Big, big news! I got my very first card commissions!! Huzzah! I know I practically have the market cornered out here in North Dakota (yes, that was a population-based joke), but I haven't really tried to break into selling cards just yet.
Don't get me wrong - I have heaps of cards stored up in my craft room and I PLAN to sell them (probably through some local boutique shops) but there are some other things I should probably do first. Like get a tax id number and packaging and make an online shop. Do you sell your creations? If so, you should tell me all about it in the comments. I'll take any advice I can get.
But anywho, back to the card!
For the commission, I was asked to create a card for a friend who was having some health problems. She wanted something that said "Feel better, Thinking of you, or You're perfect just the way you are".
Lightbulb! I think she threw that last sentiment choice in there just for funsies, but I actually DID have a sentiment that said just that from the Wendy Vecchi Passion for Art stamp set.
I began my creation by stamping the vintage lady profile using Vintage Photo Distress Ink
The reason I love Distress Inks so much is because they are water based and you can do all sorts of cool techniques with them. Rather than leaving crisp, clear lines of ink, I used a water brush and painted around the edges to give it that soft quality you often find in vintage photos.
Next, I wanted to create a vintage frame to go along with the image. Today I'm going to share with you the result of an experiment that actually turned out! I die cut a frame on my Cricut and then I dabbed it with Picket Fence (white) Distress Paint.
While the paint was still drying, I covered it with Liquid Platinum embossing powder. I used my heat tool to melt it and:
Ta-daaaaa! I'm definitely going to use this technique again because it looks so aged and worn and perfectly distressed! I'm definitely pleased with the result.
I put the whole card together and added a big ol' flower from Prima Marketing to complete the look.
I LOVE this card! I'm sending this over to the following challenges:
Make Art Challenge - Use Embossing Powders and Wendy Vecchi products
Fashionable Stamping Challenge - Glitz and Glamour
Sketch Saturday - thanks for the awesome sketch!
Oh - and I almost forgot! A blog candy winner is in order! Congratulations to Rebecca Yahrling! There were over 250 entries into the giveaway and your name was randomly selected! Rebecca - I can't seem to find your blog (your profile links to a google plus account that has no additional info on it!) So I hope you see this or someone who knows you sees it and tells you about it! :D
One last final PSsssssst: STAMPlorations is gearing up for their 2nd birthday!! They're going to be doing a blog hop from June 29 - July 3 and giving away over >>>$100<<< worth of prizes. So mark your calendars and go follow the STAMPlorations blog so you can be informed!
Thanks for popping by! Follow my blog or leave me a comment and I would be oh-so-grateful!
Love your card - it's so pretty! Fabulous technique! I sell locally, online and have a kit club. They all have their own challenges! Be sure to get the sales tax squared away - don't want to get in trouble with that! My biggest problem is time - I'm always wishing for more!
ReplyDeleteI just love your mixed media/vintage cards. I am not able to create anything like them myself. This card is gorgeous! Love the way you embossed on that die cut frame. :-)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful card Becca. Love the frame. My advice is don't underprice your art. It takes supplies and time to make cards. And imagination. If its too expensive people won't buy, but if its too cheap they still might not! And they certainly won't respect the time and effort you have used. Good luck. Hugz
ReplyDeleteWow, your card is stunning, Becca! Thank you so much for sharing your fantastic embossing technique! I adore that vintage fell and awesome stamping! Oh, I am in love with your elegant vintage card! I am your new follower! Thank you soooo much for such sweet comment on my blog that made me so happy!
ReplyDeleteBranka xxx
Congrats on selling your cards! Fantastic!!!
ReplyDeleteThis one is so pretty. I love that wonderful embossing on here. Gorgeous!
Lynn
Love this Becca, gorgeous design and image and your frame looks fabulous! Carol x
ReplyDeleteCOngratulations! That frame is so awesome.
ReplyDeletebeautiful card. Becca - it's so reaffirming to have someone commission a card isn't it! and i'm sure the recipiant will love it!
ReplyDeleteThis so so gorgeous, Becca!! I love the image!! The frame looks amazing!! What a fabulous card this is!! I do sell online...I started a shop last fall. I package all the cards in polypropylene bags and I use small mailing boxes that are sturdy enough to mail the cards...almost all of mine have too many layers for a regular envelope :) Let me know if you want info on where I get the supplies. Have a great day :)
ReplyDeleteLisa
A Mermaid's Crafts
My eyes are glued on your beautiful frame Becca, what a fabulous card! Congrats on your first commission ~ yay!! My SIL and I did local craft shows for a few years. Cards did not sell as well for us as note pads, post it notes, tags, magnets, things that we could mass produce cheaper. We had to mark our cards at a selling price that was far less than the time we had in them. I've never done Etsy, so I can't help there. I wish you luck!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your first sale! I don't sell my cards so can't offer any advice but I know you'll do well! This one is absolutely gorgeous! Love the texture! That frame looks amazing! Your customer must have been very happy with this!
ReplyDeleteWOW! This is really stunning Becca!! LOVE the frame you've made for your image!! Congrats on your first sale in cards! :) Wishing you the best of luck with your future sales too! HUGS
ReplyDeleteCongrats, Miss Lady!! GORGEOUS card!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on getting a commission! I'm sure this will be the first of many for you, as your cards aren't just cards, they're beautiful works of art. Amazing frame, and it doesn't look too hard....hmmmm....might have to give that a try! Such a gorgeous card. Love it! Really, really do! Bev
ReplyDeleteGood to hear you have a commission and I do hope you can sell your other cards.
ReplyDeleteI totally understand how you feel. Your card is a beauty and I hope it is a beginning of something wonderful.
BTW thanks for your compliment on my Craftchaos Blog.
Well, you definitely are in business if you can crank out lovely cards like this. Truly gorgeous. And that technique you invented makes the frame really look old & antiqued. It's beautiful. Looks like your off to a grand start. Kudos.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! Firstly, your card is just stunning! I saw this embossing powder used on another project & knew I wanted to get it myself; NOW I really want it. Your frame is perfect. 2nd, thank you SO MUCH for picking me as a winner from the coffee blog hop!!! I am so excited!!! I will send you an email. :-)
ReplyDeleteGood on you SELLING a card! I'm the one who needs tips. Tried a local market a couple of times and I think we made $5 by the time we paid for our stand, the insurance etc..... LOVING your frame. & that lady stamp is a beauty in more ways than one!!! Oh! And I hope Rebecca comes forward:):)
ReplyDeleteI am in love with that lovely and oh, so perfectly vintage looking frame and the touches you added to your image make it look so perfect in that frame!! You have added other touches that just make this card PERFECT in every way !! I am so sure that both people will be more than pleased with it!! You so rock and I hope life is treating you good!! Good luck with the branching out into selling your cards - I wish you much success!!
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful card that your friend will love. I love that frame-very Victorian in feel for sure
ReplyDeleteThat frame is AMAZING! I've gotta get that ep! Sensational card, Becca!
ReplyDeleteAwesome card Becca. Well done on your commission. Once the word gets out... you'll be inundated.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous card Becca, the frame looks fantastic, TFS your technique, Cathy x
ReplyDeleteFabulous job! I'm sure your customer will be very happy! Your style is awesome!
ReplyDelete♥ Samantha
Designs by Sammy
Gorgeous card Becca, love the silver metallic frame! Your image is stunning and I love all the fishtail banners!! Congratulations Rebecca! hugs :)
ReplyDeleteOh, that frame is fantastic, Becca and I love that image! Congrats on your commission! Try not to undervalue your work/time when pricing your cards! You'll do amazingly well for sure!
ReplyDeleteLove the way you made the frame
ReplyDeleteCheers
Dr Sonia
Cards Crafts Kids Projects
What a Gorgeous card Becca !! Loved the lady n frame..Congrats on your first commision :)
ReplyDeleteYay for the commission! I am giddy about that frame and it's perfect for your lady! So fun to have just the right sentiment too! I just started selling my cards in a little artisan shop. It's owned by a friend of mine in a tiny rural town. I get 65% commission and she sells them for $5.50 (for small town Wisconsin, that's a high price). I started in late April and I recently got my first check for $50! My understanding is that you don't need a tax ID number unless you earn over $600 for the year.
ReplyDeleteLovely card Becca! Love the step by step you did for us x
ReplyDeleteBecca once again I am left in awe of your work! This is gorgeous. Congratulations on your first commissioned piece!
ReplyDeleteBlessings
Maxine
Definitely a beautiful card and the end result gorgeous! Love the vintage lady and the frame just stunning! You got North Dakota in the pocket gal!!!!!! LOL
ReplyDeleteYour card is stunning, Becca!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!
Love this Becca! the waterbrushed image looks like it was done with a woodburning too - so pretty! and your frame came out wonderfully!
ReplyDeleteWow Becca! what you did to the image is fabulous :)
ReplyDeletewoohoo Beccaaa
ReplyDeleteStunning frame you have made
and lovely job on that Image
love this card Becca as I said Stunning and beautifully made
First, I love your card and that fabulous frame! Very cool technique! Next - so do tell what you got a commission for? I totally relate to what you said about having oodles lof cards (just waiting to be sold) and not having any idea how to get them marketed. I still haven't figured out Etsy, never figured out Ebay and struggle with local flea markets and craft shows. The flea markets everyone is looking for real cheap items and the actual craft shows often charge so much for the entry and table fee that I don't even sell enough to cover the fees. So, I create, create, create and end up donating batches of them to my church for the shut-ins, in baskets for non-profit organization raffles etc. I had been primarily a scrapper, then came cards and now i dabble in some mixed media/art journaling etc. If you come up with the magic selling solution please clue me in. We don't live close enough to be competition anyway - I'm in Delaware.
ReplyDeleteOh, that frame looks gorgeous, Becca!!! And I love the softness you've given you stamp by adding the water!!!! What a lovely sentiment!!! Beautiful card!!!!
ReplyDeleteA beautiful card!!!!
ReplyDeleteWow - gorgeous creation!! Thanks for sharing your process with us and congrats on your sale :o) It takes courage to do that (I still don't). Nice to see you at Sketch Saturday! Please join us again.
ReplyDeleteAnother stunning card & a great technique, thanks for sharing x
ReplyDeleteThis is a fabulous card Becca, the frame looks stunning, must give that technique a try.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing with FSC on our 100th Challenge.
Avril xx
Your friend will definitely love this! Fabulous vintage style card, guaranteed to put a smile on her face!
ReplyDeleteA really beautiful card Becca - this will go down a treat. Good luck with selling cards, I'm sure you will do very well. Nicola
ReplyDeleteA beautiful card - that frame is gorgeous, the perfect setting for your elegant image...thanks for sharing with us at FSC for our 100th challenge...Esther xx
ReplyDeletewas cruzing around this morning and happened upon your blog..I LOVE you works!!! I shared your idea on my page,giving you credit, hope you don't mind https://www.facebook.com/groups/1523601164579128/...love seeing new ideas!!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I certainly don't mind people sharing my work if they credit it back to me. I appreciate the compliment! :)
ReplyDeleteThat frame is fabulous Becca!! I love the soft colors and the vintage look of this card.
ReplyDeleteAs for selling-I dabble in it at work. I sell my card for not a ton of money-$3 a piece and 4 for $10. I put the card and an envelope that I buy in bulk on Amazon in a cellophane 5x7 bag that I also get from Amazon. I usually just put a box on the table in my department when I have enough hanging around and I usually sell a good chunk of them. I don't make a ton but it helps feed my addiction and I don't feel guilty buying more supplies on the months that I sell them. Occasionally I get special requests but I try not to do many because I don't always have the time.
Such a pretty card. I am a big fan of Distress Inks too, they are my favorite inks to use. And I love all the ways I can use them, so very versatile.
ReplyDeleteSo gorgeous! Thanks so much for sharing with us at Fashionable Stamping Challenges - Love from Laura xxx
ReplyDelete