Image: sxc.hu

He had researched the cardmakers and the topics.  He told stories, too, of his adventures in collecting them.

This brought to mind the postcards collected in my family.

• My inlaws have a scrapbook of postcards acquired on a trip to Scotland and England.
• I had found postcards my parents collected on a trip from their home in New York State to where Jim and I lived in Sacramento, CA at that time of our daughter’s birth.  Mother and Father had driven across the country to see us and their new granddaughter.  I’d only recently realized how many postcards they’d collected during this lifetime adventure.  So I’ve compiled these into a scrapbook.
• We have postcards my grandmother collected of the area where she lived.  Many of these date from the early 1900s.
• Jim’s grandmother put together a scrapbook of cards she acquired when living in England as a girl and some she found after moving to Boston when she was 16 years old.
• This reminded me to gather postcards I’ve collected during Jim’s and my trips around the country.  I still have some I never sent.

Many of these cards tell family stories, relate family trips and bring back memories of special occasions.  Others have messages on them from friends and family which add to the family story.

You can simply collect these and place in an album.  Or you can make collages, put together shadowboxes, print the cards on fabric or create other forms of art.

How have postcards played a role in your life?

Post from: Blisstree

The Fascination of Collecting Postcards

Image: sxc.hu

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 newspaper reporter, some of my art ventures were pushed into the background as I wrote about them instead of pursuing them for income.  In those days, before computers and personal printing programs, I painted or inked each item by hand.

Now I’m pondering…what shall I do with them?

• In these days of computer generated personal cards and notepaper, I could print them for my own use.  I’ve done this with some of my paintings.
• I could use them as designs for the site I’m setting up at Cafe Press.  They then could be transferred to a variety of items.
• I could try sending the designs to greeting card companies.  (However, I’m reluctant to give up ownership to them.)
• I can use the designs in some of my books.

What would you do?  I’ll keep you posted.

(Incidentally, you never know what you’ll come across if you continue with that 20 minutes per day of organization!)

Post from: Blisstree

Finding Artistic “Treasures”

I’ve used postcards to publicize my books and take orders.  I recently read about an author who has expanded the use of her postcards.  It got me thinking about ways to utilize this form of PR for other art and craft work.

Print a picture of your craft, book, painting or other art on the card.  Then develop the back for:

• Grand openings
• Sales announcements
• Order blank for taking orders 
• Information about you
• Classes/workshops
• Event announcements
• General news

Carry the cards with you.  Mail them out.  Have them on a display table at an event.

How do you creatively use postcards in your crafting business?

(Image: sxc.hu)

Post from: Blisstree

Using Postcards for Craft PR

They are rocks and seashells, seaglass, foods from the area, something a relative may have made, and stories of places we’ve visited.  The natural objects are typical of that area and may tell of the geology and history.  We bring home recipes to try and ingredients we might not find at home.  (I use these for my travel writing, but the grandchildren seem to look forward to them, too.)

Image: sxc.hu

•  Rocks of a particular area
• Shells from a beach
• Foods
• Recipes
• Food ingredients for making ours at home
• A costume
• Piece of jewelry typical of the region
• Postcards for making collections or scrapbooks
• Seaglass

My daughter was going through some of her souvenirs from trips as a child and teen.  Even though she might have purchased a few “touristy” items, those she saved were stones and seashells, postcards and photos!

 What do you collect for your grandchildren when you travel?  Are there items that aren’t expensive?  That create memories?  That add to the youngsters’ knowledge?  That expand their imaginations?

Post from: Blisstree

Rocks & Seashells- Simple Gifts for Kids

Image: sxc.hu

 This is easier nowadays with the use of scanning and printing programs, whereby you can create postcards individually, as needed,  instead of getting several hundred printed at one time. 

 You can utilize places like Café Press for printing cards on demand and paying only for those you order.  Also, you can send individuals to Café Press to order their own.

 Use postcards:

•  For writing notes.  They’re cost less to send through the mail and put your work in front of more people.
•  Serve as handouts at shows and signings.  They’re another form of business card, if you include your pertinent information.
•  Include as giveaways when you sell a book or art item.  Stick it in the bag or shipping package.
•  This also helps boost your confidence…to get your work out where others will see it.

 Whenever you need to use stationery or notecards, use something that has your artwork on it.

How have you used postcards to promote your art?

Post from: Blisstree

Promoting Art Work With Postcards

Image: sxc.hu

“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 do nowadays, when before scanners and computers, I had to draw each individually or take them to a commercial printer.)
•  Fabric postcards that I scan (With all the work that goes into them, it’s a shame to use these pieces of art only once.)

What has been your experience in creating notepaper and postcards?  Where do you get your ideas?

Post from: Blisstree

My Designs for Greeting Cards & Notepaper

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.)

Image: sxc.hu

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 production of my cards in a big way, I was able to do them individually.

Nowadays, I  make one design, scan it into the computer, and run off the number of copies I want on notepaper stock or card stock.  Of course, if I wanted them for sale, I’d look into having them produced by a print shop.  (More time effective and probably cost effective.)

I’ve never submitted my card designs to a card manufacturer, so don’t have information about this.  I’ve only sold by mail order and in gift and craft shops.  With web sites and places like Etsy, you can do sales on the Internet, too.

You also can utilize places like Café Press for printing cards on demand and paying only for those you order.  This enables you to send individuals to Café Press to order their own.  You don’t have to worry about shipping; then, as arranged, Cafe Press and similar businesses send you your money.

What has been your experience with greeting cards, notepaper and postcards?

Post from: Blisstree

Creating Notepaper & Postcards

I saw the information about a competition on Chloe’s blog Tangled Thread. The ArtCard Ideas 2007 Idea Deck Contest looks like loads of fun it you’re into visual journals and that kind of thing. But, once again it got me thinking. Are you surprised?

If you have some plain cards to use, or just some blank postcards, make a journal entry on the back of one of these. But, your journal entry needs to be about something of vital importance. You need to send it to yourself after writing the entry. This might be a message you need to affirm to yourself. Receiving a postcard with this entry on it will feel strange. Be brave. Write a bold message you feel needs to be said; to you.

Heather
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