The Cottage Smallholder

Love anytime cards for the stand

Photo: Handmade cards

For a few weeks I’ve been squirreling away bits and bobs to make some cards for the gate side stand. But as with so many things I have put the project on the back burner as I didn’t really know how to begin.

I probably made my last handmade card as a teenager. I did serve the Blue Peter apprenticeship and enjoy making things but how was I going to design something to sell on the stand? I trawled through hundreds of Folksy shops for inspiration. There were loads of great ideas but I was getting nowhere.

So two days ago I set myself a challenge. To make a small series of cards – and do nothing else until these were made. Hence the silence on the blog and the screaming of rage from my bedroom when Inca flipped my unstuck roughs off the bed as she snuggled deep under the duvet.

Of course I have Valentines Day in mind but by leaving the cards blank they can also double as love anytime cards.

Photo: Enamel badge

Pamela spotted that someone was selling little enamel “I love you” badges very cheaply on eBay. So I invested in a job lot of fifty. They are transformed with petit fours cases and a hoop of red card into a great little Valentine’s present.

The cards and badges are having their first airing on the stand today. I do hope that people will buy them.

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11 Comments so far

jackie on February 6th, 2010

Hey Fiona, I am sorry it’s taking you so long to get better, but it has redirected you incredibly, and it seems to me like you’re fulfilling a different potential.
I’ve been mulling over the idea of a gateside stand myself – we get kind of zero passing trade, except a few dog walkers, but it’s a start, and maybe good things will spread by word of mouth.
Maybe you could provide a service to those wanting to send really truly mystery valentine cards – you could mail them for them (collecting cost by paypal) and that would mystify the recipient just nicely.
Long as they don’t read this blog, that is.
Jane aka:aromatic on February 6th, 2010

How well you are doing Fiona!! I am so glad you are finding something so wonderful to do with your time whilst you slowly get well!
I adore your cards and badges and I should imagine they will sell like hot cakes!!
Love Jane xxx
Michelle S. on February 6th, 2010

Ooooooo, those are adorable! Nice work Fiona!

Glad you posted today, I was worried you took a turn.
Good Luck with the cards!
Toffeeapple on February 6th, 2010

They look lovely Fiona, I’m sure they’ll do well on your stand. Good luck.
Maria on February 7th, 2010

Keep going with the cards. If my husband when out walking the dog happened across your stall he would think all his Christmas’s would have come at once! He’s not one to go into town and actively look or even buy a card so to find somewhere that basically hands it to him on a plate…
leslie on February 7th, 2010

have you thought about etsy yet?

those are so cute!
Cookie Girl on February 7th, 2010

The cards look lovely – I would buy one ! Hope they sell well.
danast on February 7th, 2010

Well done Fiona. They look wonderful. Hope they sell well.
Soph on February 8th, 2010

These are lovely, I hope they go really well!

Just thought I’d let you know I tried the stickjaw toffee recipe someone had posted here as a comment a while back. It was so good, do try it for your stall sometime, if things are selling well!
fn on February 8th, 2010

Hi Jackie

Our cottage is in a sleepy village on a blind bend but we are gradually building up trade. Dog walkers talk to each other! By having the fairy lights and the board passing motorists are attracted. So it’s definitely worth doing. I didn’t set up the stand this morning as it was snowing and this drifts onto the jars so someone came and knocked on my door for some marmalade!

We don’t take a lot on the stand roughly £20 a week ATM. I’m hoping for better returns in the spring when I’ll be selling eggs, veg and flowers from the stand as well.

Hi Jane

Thank you so much for your good wishes. Thanks for dropping by.

Hello Michelle

The cards were fun to make. Sometimes I don’t have the energy to post. If something seriously went wrong Danny would post. He’s really enjoying the forum BTW.

Hi Toffeeapple

Thank you so much for your good wishes!

Hi Maria

I enjoyed making the cards a lot so I’m already planning more.

Hi Lesley

Yes I think that an Etsy/Folksy shop is well worth considering when I have found my style.

Thanks for suggesting it.

Hi Cookie Girl

It’s good to do something practical and creative for once!

Hello Soph

Thanks for dropping by. I will try the stick jaw toffee as soon as I have a mo.
gillian on February 8th, 2010

Hi Fiona,

just in case you were looking for another little valentines craft for the stand, I thought I’d share this one with you. Feel free to use it if you want!
http://driedfigsandwoodenspools.blogspot.com/2010/02/love-notes-and-desserts-i-shouldnt-be.html