Planning Ahead

It occurred to my husband the other day that people don't think about buying cards until they need one. That makes it difficult for folks like me who sell cards on the internet...until they figure out some way for them to materialize out of the computer monitor, anyway. Most people would rather spend their money on a memorable card (maybe it could even double as a gift if it is frame-able), but when the card has to be in the mail tomorrow and they have to get it NOW, where do they go? Hallmark? Rite Aid? Aisle 7 at Safeway? And they plunk down $3.00 to $6.00 on a pre-printed mass produced amusing or sentimental or silly card, sign their name, and off it goes to the intended recipient. Then they see a beautiful card days or weeks later and think "I wish I'd find cards like these when I need them!"

Just think of how much less stressful it would be if you had a box or a drawer where the cards you've been buying and saving for the right occasion where stored? How nice would it be if your sister or your friend or you neighbor said "I LOVE that card? I've never seen anything like it---where did you find it?" Or "I'm going to frame it and put it up--it's so beautiful!"

I've done some legwork and am happy to share some suggestions for your "wanna-be" card drawer! Check them out and stock up now if you find some that you like so that the next special occasion or the next time you need to send a note of thanks you have to look no further than your drawer!

Unisex Baby Elephant Card by hairchick on Etsy is one example of many adorable occasion cards carried in the shop.

Sweethearts Notecards: from paintingallnightstudios on Etsy has beautiful art print cards (and other beautiful art work!).

Joyce Kilmer Floral note card set and other beautiful fine art photography notecards can be found in Orange Cat Art's Etsy shop as well as on their web site.

Bumble and Bee Greetings creates delightful original watercolor note cards with a variety of subjects that appeal to many tastes.

DreamGallery's Etsy shop carries beautiful reproduced acrylic paintings on note cards with vibrant colors, such as this beautiful card called Catching the Last Rays.

Allison Strine's cards are colorful, whimsical, and fun!

Etsy's The Poppy Tree also creates cards reproduced from whimsical paintings.

My own shop on Etsy, Made by SwirlyGirl, carries several different lines of cards using enhanced digital photography.

I haven't even begun to unearth all the wonderful artists out there pouring their blood, sweat, and tears into their creative outlets and selling their wares on sites such as Etsy, Artfire, and Artisans Market, to name a few. Do a search of your own and use search words that apply to the theme or occasion of the cards that you are looking for and start filling up that drawer! And don't forget--- note card sets make great gifts!