Yes, we closed for the holidays, though that's somewhat of an illusion. We will be closed and not working for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but then we'll be working behind the scenes.
Even a teeny tiny little business like mine has stuff to do.
There are records to do for tax filing, inventory to be taken and this year I am hoping to upgrade the website (behind the scenes). It's also time to come up with some new designs, both for the bookplates and booklover items.
And assessment of what's going on with the sites where we carry other items. It would also be lovely to have feedback (and replies!) about what works and what doesn't, from customers.
Wishing everyone a happy holiday!
Friday, December 18, 2009
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
A new year coming, new directions...
There is a lot of bookplate competition out here these days -- when I first started back at the turn of the century (!!!!) there were only a couple of other bookplate sellers on line -- now there appear to be hundreds.
When I tried to purchase Antioch Bookplate, the President told me you can't make a living selling bookplates, so he was bundling it with the rest of the company (bookmarks, journals, other paper products). My answer was, I don't have to make a big living -- and I don't have to answer to a board of directors where I make a huge profit. AND I do have other things I design and sell.
But.. off went Antioch Bookplate Company, leaving me in the dust. I have a nice stock of inventory yet, so I'm not terribly worried. And some of my own designs which sell well.
And I recently changed the packaging -- I'd been looking for a long time for something to replace the plastic packaging Antioch used. I tried colored envelopes but they always looked like.. colored envelopes.
Christmas 2009 I started using plain brown wrappers with the bookplate on top, then added a twine to close it. Recycled, recyclable. This is all hand done, mind you. Heaven help me if Oprah ever features me (I think I'm safe).
What lies ahead is exciting -- more of what I'd love to hear from customers -- what designs are missing, what would you like?
When I tried to purchase Antioch Bookplate, the President told me you can't make a living selling bookplates, so he was bundling it with the rest of the company (bookmarks, journals, other paper products). My answer was, I don't have to make a big living -- and I don't have to answer to a board of directors where I make a huge profit. AND I do have other things I design and sell.
But.. off went Antioch Bookplate Company, leaving me in the dust. I have a nice stock of inventory yet, so I'm not terribly worried. And some of my own designs which sell well.
And I recently changed the packaging -- I'd been looking for a long time for something to replace the plastic packaging Antioch used. I tried colored envelopes but they always looked like.. colored envelopes.
Christmas 2009 I started using plain brown wrappers with the bookplate on top, then added a twine to close it. Recycled, recyclable. This is all hand done, mind you. Heaven help me if Oprah ever features me (I think I'm safe).
What lies ahead is exciting -- more of what I'd love to hear from customers -- what designs are missing, what would you like?
The holidaze are upon us...
About last week, it seemed everyone (myself included) began to realize that Christmas is upon us... orders started flowing in right as I got this feeling that I wanted... or needed.. (whatever!) to get out and do some serious shopping!
Is the economy picking up? I don't know... I'm not entirely shopping with coupons and sales on my mind -- my youngest son and oldest grandson have things they want on their Wish List -- they seem to be like many others in their age groups (9 - 18) so the things they want aren't deep discounted.
And my dear customers stun me by somehow ignoring or not noticing the 10% discount I've offered through Twitter. My guess is most are my age or older and relatively clueless as to what Twitter is, let alone how to use it. I'm also a bit shocked at how many are a few cents (and I mean cents, not dollars) away from the free shipping, but ignore it.
Of course, I've done the same myself many times -- my own attitude has been something along the lines of "daggone it, you aren't gonna manipulate me into buying another bookplate I don't want or need, just to get your free shipping!"
I'd love to know, aside from good service and good products, what do customers want?
Is the economy picking up? I don't know... I'm not entirely shopping with coupons and sales on my mind -- my youngest son and oldest grandson have things they want on their Wish List -- they seem to be like many others in their age groups (9 - 18) so the things they want aren't deep discounted.
And my dear customers stun me by somehow ignoring or not noticing the 10% discount I've offered through Twitter. My guess is most are my age or older and relatively clueless as to what Twitter is, let alone how to use it. I'm also a bit shocked at how many are a few cents (and I mean cents, not dollars) away from the free shipping, but ignore it.
Of course, I've done the same myself many times -- my own attitude has been something along the lines of "daggone it, you aren't gonna manipulate me into buying another bookplate I don't want or need, just to get your free shipping!"
I'd love to know, aside from good service and good products, what do customers want?
Monday, December 7, 2009
too long a rest
I have neglected my poor blog but... nothing much is new!
The bookplates from fellow artists seem to be selling nicely -- as are the traditional bookplates.
I've also added Twitter to the website -- that's really more interesting and easier to keep up than a blog.
The bookplates from fellow artists seem to be selling nicely -- as are the traditional bookplates.
I've also added Twitter to the website -- that's really more interesting and easier to keep up than a blog.
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