Friday 4 July 2014

Thanks for your Help

Hi Bloggers.

Thanks for all your comments yesterday about my workshops and my Amazon Store (and the card of course!). I had to have a giggle when some of you said you were too far away to come to a workshop - I've just looked it up and it's 495 miles from Milton Keynes (where I live) to Aberdeen (where we'll be at the end of next week)! Now that is a long way! I was asked if I would share the workshop card details here on the blog. I don't think it's appropriate to ask people to pay for a workshop and then give full details of how the cards were made here so that won't be happening. Sorry.

I am once again struggling with whether to continue with my Amazon Store or not. When I started on Amazon in 2008, there were only a couple of stores selling craft and they were in the States so postage was high. So, I did pretty well. Now it's much harder as there are lots of sellers with craft on there now. Many undercutting me on products I demo. With the unsold stock I have, it may be costing me more money than it's making for me now. So, I will have to have a good old think over the next few weeks and decide what to do. I will, of course, let you know.

Here's today's card -

For the background, I ran a piece of Milk Card through the Grand Calibur with the Couture Creations Feather Frenzy Embossing Folder. I ran it through a second time to extend the design and inked around the edges with Latte Adirondack Dye Ink.

I inked through the Doodle Squares Mask onto Milk Card using Latte Ink. I cut 4 Couture Creations Square Plaques from it. I cut 4 Spellbinders Marvelous Squares out of Gold Card.

I  stamped the sentiment from the All Occasions Sentiments Stamp Set using Perfect Medium and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Ancient Copper Metallic Embossing Powder. I cut it out using Couture Creations Cameo Die. I cut one of Sue's Decorative Frames Set B from the Californian Collection out of Gold Card.

I tied a bow using Brown/Ivory Striped Grosgrain and added a Gold Satin Ribbon Rose.

I assembled the card as shown adding a Cream 8mm Pearl in each corner and some dots of Cosmic Shimmer Ivory PVA around the edges.

The lovely Phill (with 2 'L's) Martin has shows today on Create & Craft at 11am and 4pm. Some more new Sentimentally Yours stamps on offer.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

38 comments:

  1. Morning Julia, lovely card again today. Sorry to hear about your Amazon shop not doing too well, it is a sign of the times I suppose, we all have to look for the cheapest prices. I have been a bit shocked at the prices C&C charge these days for somethings, compared to another on-line store I have found! Have a good day, love Jean xxx

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  2. Morning Julia
    This card is lovely, the latte ink with gold makes a change. I love the doodle mask too - one of my favourites.
    Take care and Enjoy your day.
    Sheila x

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  3. Hello Julia, I really like this card, the colours are gorgeous, and a super layout. I hope you make the decision that is the best for you, although it would be a sad loss. Bx

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  4. Morning Julia.
    Sorry to read about your shop,Todays card is lovely a good all rounder. I would like to Thank you for all the hard work, and travelling, you and all other demonstrators do to give us inspiration. Take care all Kitty

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  5. Morning Julia, a beautiful card really like this layout and the liking the latte
    quite subtle but very effective. Sorry to hear about your store but sometimes
    its better to cut your losses and close up.
    Nancyd xx

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  6. Lovely card today, could be used for a number of occasions.

    Michele.

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  7. Morning Julia, A truly beautiful card, I'm absolutely loving the colour combination, the latte ink is beautiful, the mask is one of my favourites, and the compilation is gorgeous.
    I hope you make the right decision, for you, about your Amazon Store. It is a 'sign of the times' I'm afraid, people will look round for the cheapest products to spend their hard-earned money on. I, for one, have had to 'curb' my craft spending recently.
    Lots of love from Patricia xx

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  8. Good morning Julia today's card is gorgeous. I'm sorry to hear about your Amazon store. You have to make the decision that is right for you. You do a lot of travelling so we can enjoy your demos you are a very talented lady. Thank you for being there. Love Jackie

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  9. Love this design. You will make the right decision about your Amazon store. I'm surprised you find the time to do all you do..... AND DUST!! lol Mabex

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  10. Morning Julia,

    Fabulous card, love the design and colour.

    Love & Hugs

    Jacquie J xxx
    http://jewelscardcraft.blogspot.co.uk/

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  11. What a clever card using the Doodle Squares Mask, great colour combo too. Unfortunately everyone is still having to watch their pennies and are having to shop around far more than they used to xx

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  12. Hi Julia, a really lovely card, gorgeous coffee colours and design..hugs Carole Z X

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  13. Love the card today, the soft gold is so beautiful! Sorry your Amazon shop is not doing so well. When I have ordered from you, the service you provide is second to
    none so thank you for that! You are one busy lady so make the right choice for you!
    Marion B xx

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  14. Hi Julia. Love the doodle squares mask. Isn´t it cute? Lovely colours. Really like it.
    As other people have said everyone is looking for the best deal nowadays and there are an awful lot of sellers out there. I sure you'll make the right decision.
    Love Val in Spain x
    Love Val in Spain x

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  15. Morning Julia,
    Lovely card, really like the latte ink a very useful colour. It must be difficult to compete with some companies like Janna Sheen that give free p&p and when retired like em I have to watch what I spend. I'm sure you will do what's right for you.
    Have a good day.
    Lydia
    X

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  16. I live the mask you've used Sadly I couldn't afford to splurge out and buy it when you showed them on C&C It is really sad to hear about your Amazon store but like you've said and all of the others We do have to watch where & what we spend on Card making is a hobby for me I rarely sell cards which means any purchase I make I can't say "well I've sold x amount of cards so can afford ..." Sad but is a different age now with more and more of us accessing the Internet etc

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  17. Good morning Julia. An unusual card in the use of the mask but so effective and I love the latte ink colour you have used. Like many others I have cut back considerably this year on purchases as I have too many things I have bought and are yet to see the light of day and the internet does mean we all look for the best buys when we do want something. You sure are clocking up the miles this year but I'm sure you and Sue will have great fun on your road trip next week. With best wishes Jackie D

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  18. Hello Julia, Beautiful card, love the colours and the layout, the bow is sooo cute.
    Sorry to hear about your Amazon store, sadly a sign of the times, do what is right for you, you are such a busy lady. You and Sue are clocking up some miles this year, you are so giving and am looking forward to meeting you and Sue in Northallerton it is a dream come true.
    Take care.
    Hugs June xxx

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  19. Hi Julia , Love the card and the colours are great. I to agree it is harder for you to sell. The problem is everyone has had to tighten their belts and look around for goods. Things are difficult for people at the moment and trying to sell a card for a decent price is so hard. hope all goes well love Jean Z xxx

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  20. Hi Julia. Love todays beautiful card, with a little tweek it would be great for the men too. Of course we understand that it would be unfair to give us details of the cards made but please can we see general photos of your roadshow? Thank you for all that you do for us, it is always appreciated. As others have said we have to go for the cheapest prices these days and sadly the big companies are the ones who can offer the cheapest items so the "little ones" lose out. I hate this but I am on very tight budget and have very little to spend on craft so don't have the choice. If it is costing you money then you must seriously think about it. I am sure you will do what is right for you. Have a good day. Take care.

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  21. Beautiful colours that give such an elegant design.Thank you.It is so hard to be the small shop amoung the big guys who buy in bulk and sell cheaper than you are able to do.If at the end of the day it is not financially workable for you then the hard decision has to be made to stop.Thinking of you while you have these decisions to make.

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  22. Something different in design today and I love it! Sorry you aren't getting the sales you are hoping for on your amazon site but we all have to shop around and watch our pennies - especially the likes of peeps like myself that are retired. If only money was no object and I could spend, spend, spend!!! Pat x

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  23. Good morning Julia.
    Another beautiful card to share with us today. So rich and elegant in the latte and gold. Have a good day. Love and hugs. Hilary xxxx

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  24. Elegant and stunning card Julia. I hope to visit Northallerton next Thursday so may meet you. Crafty rEgards Julie kay xx

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  25. Morning Julia
    Beautiful card, stunning colours you have used.
    Sorry to hear about your Amazon Store you will be missed
    if you close
    Hugs
    Carol x

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  26. Lovely card again Julia, really like the mask, very different.
    A difficult decision for you with the Amazon store but I can appreciate your problem with so much competition.

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  27. Hi Julia a very clever card today love it thank you for sharing sorry about your shop do what's best for you Julia love June xxxxxxxxx

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  28. Glad we made you giggle yesterday. I do love the doodle square mask. You and Sue take care on your round Britain Workshop Tour - I am sure you will both have a great time!

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  29. Hi Julia
    Another stunning card today. Glad that you had a giggle at us all not being able to travel to Milton Keynes. I don't mind travelling but would prefer to have company while I'm doing it. It's nice to share according to my grandchildren. Mind you they only share mine not me theirs. Hope you come to a decision regarding your online shop. It must be what's best for you of course, and if your losing money it's not worth it.

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  30. Love this card Julia, the colours are stunning
    Hugs to all
    Michelle xxxx

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  31. Afternoon Julia
    I'm coming to the workshops both of them.... yippee cannot wait.
    Todays card is perfect such a good idea with the mask - colour is fab to.
    With regards your business I will really miss you your customer service is brilliant.
    TFS
    Hugs
    Amanda xx

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  32. Lovely card. I personally would miss your amazon store but Royal Mail don't help small businesses and then cost of your time listing items, answering queries, packing and posting items plus carrying stock that doesn't sell it may not be viable. You have to consider all this and do what is right for you xxx

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  33. Beautiful card Julia.
    I hope you do not give up your Amazon store as i have been able to get every thing i wanted and a Fantastic service too .
    As other ladies have said the postage hits you hard.
    Have a good journey Julia jeanie

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  34. Hi Julia, I love this card! For me it looks unusual but I really like it.
    well done you,hope your travelling going well
    Maria

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  35. Hi Julia,
    Beautiful card today and I love the colours you have used. A rather nice change. I liked what you did with the mask and loved the elegant bow.
    Sorry about the Amazon Store - I will miss it if you decide to close as you are totally reliable and the service is A1 . However you must do what's best for you. It felt like buying from a friend - I'm a bit daft!
    Have a lovely time in Northallerton and Scotland. Safe travel. Hope the weather is good - we also go to Scotland in the morning!
    Love Myra

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