Talk To Me Pets brand pet treats have introduced a fun new pet product especially for the holidays:

These “howliday” greeting cards are not only a nice little thought for your favorite four-legged friends, but they come with treats built right in that they’ll appreciate even more!
The Talk To Me Treats greeting cards come filled with 0.7 oz of Talk To Me Treats Fresh Breath and Dental Care treats (which are the perfect size to put inside the Talk To Me Treatball), and dog-lovers can choose between “Happy Howlidays,” “Merry Christmas,” or a brand new “Tis the Season” cards.
The greeting cards, …read more

As I continue with my 20 minutes per day of organization, I was thrilled to discover a box of my greeting card designs that I’d stashed away and forgotten about.  I hadn’t looked at these designs for numerous years and admit I’m impressed with the quality.  Perhaps they’ve stood the “test of time.”
During the 1970s, I had an at-home quiltmaking and art business (whatever would bring income).  My painting, starting out with commissioned paintings and evolved into card and notepaper design.  I created these items to sell in shops around the area.
When I took on a full time job as a …read more

In yesterday’s post I discussed designing greeting cards, notepaper and postcards…art forms I enjoy exploring, sometimes purely for my own enjoyment and use while on other occasions I’ve made them for sale.
“Where do you get your design ideas?” I’ve been asked 
My designs include:

 Reproductions of my paintings  (Artists often reproduce their paintings as posters and postcards nowadays to get further mileage and income from their art work.  They may keep or eventually sell the original.)
 Reproductions of photos (My family members are avid photographers, so I often use my husband’s and mine for cards.)
 Sketches I make for particular cards, then scan them (This is so easy to …read more

I’ve had great fun creating notepaper and postcards over the years. My techniques have changed with the advent of the computer, but it’s still enjoyable to use my own designs for these items.
You can make notepaper and postcards for your own use and/or to sell.  I’ve done both.  They also can be used as a way to promote your work.  (I’ll discuss this further in another post.)
When I began making notepaper, I had to draw designs (often floral ones) on each card individually, unless I wanted the expense of taking them to a printer.  Since I didn’t go into the …read more

I must get out my art materials again and rediscover painting. At one point in my life I did quite a bit of art work.  Even though I’m primarily a writer, I have illustrated three of my books and designed cards and notepaper.
I took several painting courses and explored various medium.  I’m amazed at all the different types available today…those I see my daughter use for her fabric art and even pencils and inks youngsters bring to school where I substitute teach.
Do you have an urge to draw and paint?

Keep a sketchbook with you, even a small one, so you …read more

As I reviewed my e-mails yesterday, there in front of me, like a marquee in Times Square, blared the sentence that I have dreaded, since I launched The Pet Set, two years ago, this month.
My customer’s note read: “We are not doing well with the cards I chose at all. Any suggestions? I literally have not sold a single item from you yet.”
Oh my god!…instant emotional downward spiral.
I am mortified to share this story with you, but I want to give you some advice on how to handle such a situation — which, clearly we experience on …read more

When was the last time you told your son or daughter that you were proud of them? Or a co-worker they did a great job, or your wife or husband that you love them, or your friend that you appreciate your friendship, or your customer that you appreciate their business?

A wonderful colleague of mine, from the great State of Georgia…expresses the above thought in his new blog Law of Attraction: Sending Cards.
In his daily observations, Richard disusses the importance of connecting with associates, friends and family in a more significant, and possibly a more profound way than through …read more