Packing Surprises

"Do what you do so well that they will want to see it again and bring their friends." 

~Walt Disney
 

Over time I have been honing my packaging for my jewelry and 'simple truths' line. I just ordered more of the 3 1/2" square matte copper boxes which seem to have become my trademark, as well as the pillow boxes that I like for the smaller things like the 'simple truths.' I add my clear labels that are copper embossed with my company  name and logo. I have a thing for real ribbon and love to use different ones, sometimes matching the colors of what is inside. I also just discovered baker's twine and I have a large spool of it for my pillow boxes and to tie my charms to their hang tags. That old 'brown paper packages tied up with string' thing. And for jewelry pieces I usually use my special chocolate satin ribbon embossed with my logo and sometimes I add a tiny copper key.

My little copper key charms that pop up on packages from BunnySundries, tell Rain I sent you!

I like to add a personal note to the recipient that is hand written on pretty stationery. I find great deals in the dollar spot at Michaels on those. Since I get bored easily I like to switch things up and it is a small investment that reaps big rewards. I have been saving all the pretty pages from my Mary Engelbreit page-a-day calendar and tuck one inside as a special treat. I just don't have the heart to throw them away with their sweet art and words of wisdom.. I have a skeleton key stamp for outside of the bubble mailer and a couple of rolls of a limited edition washi tape that has skeleton keys on it. I try to add my logo in various forms to whatever I am sending so that it looks like me, even if it isn't the exact same as my logo. I want you to think of me when you see a key. (Is it working yet? ;-)

This was so limited edition and no longer available.
I think I might own the last two rolls in the Universe! From Washimatta on Etsy.

I recently wondered if all this was worth it. It takes a lot of time for me to package my orders and it is a an added cost to have all these little keys everywhere. I had seen some posts where people were complaining about getting packages that were not in recycled bubble mailers and were wrapped in more than just a scrap of tissue as being wasteful. So I thought about that. Was I being wasteful? Or turning people off with my methods?

I get a lot of shipments every week and I see everything from very elaborate packaging to very unfussy. I don't judge anyone either way for their choice, but for my own purposes I guess I see things differently. Yes, there is a cost to this enhanced packaging (my shipping and handling costs do not cover all of that, I consider it a cost of business), and I truly love to wrap presents. I think of each piece I send out in the world as a little gift. I know that I love a pretty package and I want the recipient to feel extra special. And just as I was about to wonder if the comments I had seen on Facebook should change my mind, I got this feedback on Etsy:

"Not only is this pendant absolutely gorgeous- the beautiful packaging and personal note made opening my package an extremely enjoyable experience! Will definitely be a repeat customer. Thank you so much!"

So that seals it then. The packaging will stay as is.

In preparing for the Bead & Button show I decided that I wanted to do something a little more special to let my customers know that I appreciated them and to share with new friends that I meet while there. I was out of my first batch of mini Moo cards, so it was time to start over.

I came up with an idea to do a scratch off card with a discount available only in my Etsy shop as a way to say thank you to my customers. I have a box of them ready to go with me to the Bead & Button show and if you smile at me nicely I will give you one, too ;-)

Moo cards are the absolutely best quality that I have ever found, and I love the mini Moos most of all. Their small size makes them like bubble gum trading cards and their silky feel, awesome color printing and the ability to make up to 100 designs in each pack is incredible. (Please note that I do not get paid from Moo to say this. I just like them that much!)

I came up with different percentages off and other bonuses and decided on four different images from my designs. Because the back is different on each one on the offer side, I could only use one picture on the front. This is why I went with 4 different designs. I guess I will keep this customer loyalty program going as long as there are cards... 400 to be exact!

I had found some tutorials where people made their own scratch off stickers using contact paper, liquid soap and acrylic paint, but that looked messy, time consuming and inconsistent. Who has that kind of time? Besides I am all about paying an expert to do their stuff for you.

I found these stickers from an Etsy seller called MyScratchOffLabels (they also have a website). They were really great to work with and I felt that they were reasonably priced and very high quality. This was the next best investment next to the Moos! They fit perfectly and they scratch off just like any lottery ticket which makes it fun. Because I randomized the offers in each box, I am not sure what each card will be when I send it off. That, my friends, makes it exciting! Plus they have cute images of 'simple truths' so you will likely want to display it to remember me by, right? ;-)

Just my little way to say thank you for purchasing my art beads.

What about you?
Do you do anything to make your packaging stand out from the crowd? Or do you prefer to keep it no frills or even recycled? How do you feel when you get packages from other vendors? What is the best packaging that you have ever received from an art bead artist? 
Do share your tips and ideas in the comments!

The Art of the Card

"A product is something made in a factory; a brand is something that is bought by the customer. A product can be copied by a competitor; a brand is unique. A product can be quickly outdated; a successful brand is timeless."  ~ Stephen King

If you are in business for yourself, the first thing you likely purchased is a business card. Business cards are an essential tool. They are sometimes the first thing that people see about your business. They tell a lot about who you are, what you do and how you do it.They are compact, low cost, non-techie bits that can actually increase the value of your brand and bring you business for days, weeks, months and years after they leave your hands. They are not networking in and of themselves, but without them it would be hard to network properly. They can inspire, amuse and inform. They can be mini-masterpieces of art.

{My business cards and hang tags were created by Jody Passwaters of Rethink Ink on Etsy using recycled paper and soy-based inks. If you stop by, tell Jody I said hi!}

Of course, business cards should have your name and contact information. But they can also include a lot more. They can be attractive and charming, unusual and strange... but no matter what they look like they should definitely tell the world something about you and your brand. Since they are so essential, I would argue that while it is tempting to use the pre-made templates through a service like VistaPrint (which I have used extensively in the past), in the long run you will be better off having your own distinct look. If you don't have the ability to create your own look, have someone create one just for you (check out Etsy, there are some surprisingly low cost packages from designers that would love your business creating a look for you!).

Business cards help you in two ways: gain business and get your name out there. Don't leave home without them! Whether your small business has clients locally or far and wide, don't overlook an opportunity to give them away... especially with every package you send (I write the essential information about the piece written on the back), tucked in every thank you note... and always carry some in your purse and in your car because you never know when an opportunity will present itself to leave a few behind. Like at your hairdresser... or your favorite restaurant... or with your accountant.

One tip to be sure that the card gets saved: hand write one thing on the back of the card, whether that is about the jewelry that you made,  a special sale code or even an essential contact method like your email or your blog. With that note on it the card is less likely to be tossed away.

I have amassed quite an extensive collection of business cards. Cards from vendors that I bought things from and ones I hoped to buy from.Cards from large online retailers. Cards from other jewelry artists to make connections with in the future. Cards from bead artists I admire. Chances are, if I ever purchased anything from you, I have your card. I never like to part with things that I collect. Not only might I need to buy from them again, but some of them are so beautiful that I couldn't bear to part with them.

One day I was at Michaels and found these really cute little recipe boxes for a few bucks. The sweet little bird illustration on the outside and the silver latch gave it a treasure box appeal. Inside were little dividers that had recipe categories like 'Salads' and 'Entrees.' I sorted my cards into stacks by medium (ceramic, polymer clay, glass, tools, beads, chain & components, artists, etc.) and then I used my Dymo to re-label the tabbed dividers and placed the cards in the box. Now I can keep them and have them handy for when I am searching for the perfect bead or component to work with.

As I was going though my stash, I came across a lot of Moo cards. Do you Moo? These quaint cards are about 1/2 the size of  a standard business card. What sets Moo cards apart is the extraordinarily high quality photography and printing on extremely durable and heavy cards stock with a soft matte finish. Just holding a Moo in your hands gets you hooked. The genius of Moo cards is that in one box of 100 cards you can upload up to 100 images. That's right. Each and every card in the box can be different. 

This makes them collectible in my eyes.

{Cute little box with dividers inside for holding your Moo cards. Here is the jumble of my Moo cards ~ 35 designs in all ~ and some close-ups}.

I wanted some Moos of my own with a special discount code for my Etsy shop on the back. For every order that I send out, one of these loyalty cards will go along with it and hopefully turn into repeat business. But I also wanted to find a to be inspired by my Moo card collection all the time.

As I was placing my order I came across the coolest thing: a frame that holds 20 of your favorite Moo cards in a multitude of different arrangements. If you've ever collected baseball cards, or have a child who does, you can see how this would become addicting! I have the frame filled with some of my favorite artists along with my own Moo cards to inspire. My goal is to swap out my cards in the frame with as many others as I can get from beady friends, because each card represents a connection to someone new. Who knows? Maybe I will get so many Moo cards this year that I will have to order more of these clever frames. ;-)

{My Moo Frame ~ I might use this at my next show with all the pictures from my personal Moo cards to show different pieces that I have made.}

Now it is your turn...

How do you use your business cards?
Do you collect business cards like I do?
Do you Moo? Tell us what you think of your Moo cards!
What other purposes can you think of to use your Moo cards or business cards? 

If you are interested in creating your own Moo cards, use this code ~ 2RB2CK~ to get 15% off your first order at the checkout. Go to Moo right now to get started!

Erin Prais-Hintz writes about all things that inspire her at Treasures Found::Inspiration Is Everywhere. Her jewelry designs are one-of-a-kind made one-at-a-time. She collects quotes and dust and invites you to send her your favorite (quote - not dust!) to enjoytheday@tesoritrovati.com. Check out her brand spankin' new website at Tesori Trovati.