Sunday, October 19, 2014

Where Have I Been?

First of all I want to apologize I have been severely neglecting this blog. I feel like I have a good reason though and I'll get to that in a minute. Despite having a good reason I do feel bad and promise I'll repent and do better to post here more often than I have been lately. I really like this blog and the way it helps me clear my head when I write, post my lists, and share pictures of what I've been up to lately. Hopefully, I can remember that and give more time to writing here.

Okay, now to tell you about my "good reason"...

I have started a new adventure and it has been taking up a lot of my time. I opened my own business! Yep, that's right I am now a business owner...wow that makes me sound so important...I kinda like it! My company is called Tiff's Corner Creations. I make and sell handmade greeting cards.


I can see the wheels turning in your head. You are probably wondering where in the world this came from. One day I'm sitting around watching every episode of Pretty Little Liars and the next thing I'm starting a business? You probably want to know how I got from point A to point B.

Several years ago a friend of mine invited me to attend a Relief Society activity with her. It was a craft night and they were going to be learning how to make cards. It sounded interesting so I joined her. At the activity they had four stations set up and you rotated through them. At each station you would make a new card and learn a different technique for each one. I was caught off guard by how much I enjoyed it. I went home and started to try my hand at making cards on my own. I'll admit while I was having fun my cards were not that great. However, I didn't give up. I kept at it and tried to make each card better than the last.

I joined an online card maker club where each month they sent you a kit with all the stuff you would
need to make some cards as well as an instruction pamphlet. Following these instructions I learned some fun techniques and improved my skills little by little. As I watched the quality of my cards start to improve I became even more enthusiastic about the creation process.

Then I discovered Pinterest! Pinterest took my card making to a whole new level as I watched hundreds of tutorial videos, and browsed thousands of cards for ideas and techniques.

By this time I was making so many cards that I didn't know what to do with them all. My mom suggested she take some to work and see if any of her co-workers were interested in buying them. I couldn't believe how many she sold! Not only did she sell a majority of the cards I sent her with, but she came home with orders for custom cards as well as wedding invitations! It was awesome! When my sister-in-law heard about the success I'd had selling them she suggested I open my own shop on Etsy and try selling them there. I'll admit I was hesitant at first, but the more I thought about it the more it felt like the right thing to do.

I officially opened my shop about a month ago. I also created a Facebook page and a blog for my shop. I've been making cards like a crazy lady spending way more time in my craft room than I should, but I am enjoying every minute of it! I love getting custom orders. When someone calls and asks if I can you make a mermaid card for them to send to their daughter in Hawaii, or a fishing card for their grandsons birthday, I get chills I am so excited! I love making cards with that extra special personal touch. I am also taking orders for Christmas cards and am already getting way excited about that.

I am still pretty new to this whole thing, but it is turning out to be a fun little adventure.

Come check out my store and let me know if you are ever in the need of a card!  https://www.etsy.com/shop/TiffsCornerCreations

Luvs & Hugs