Happy Holidays !!!

  We will be closed from December 20th- January 4th so we can enjoy the holidays and do our year end inventory.  Any orders placed from now on will not be shipped until we reopen.  (Order Numbers 8137 and earlier  are either shipped or will be shipped by Wednesday, December 21st), unless we are waiting on a mock-up OK.

Christmas Shipping

I do my best at Christmas, but please remember I'm not Santa Claus and don't have a sleigh and 8 tiny reindeer!   All I can do is get your order to the UPS drop off or the post office, packaged and labeled.   We're all doing the best we can to get your bookplates to you in a timely manner, but nothing is guaranteed to arrive before Christmas unless you pay for that.

When ordering, make SURE you select the fastest method of shipment for holiday orders placed close to the deadline. NOTE: FREE SHIPPING GIVES YOU FIRST CLASS ONLY. Consider where you live (we are in OHIO) and adjust your shipping method to make sure. UPS is HIGHLY recommended for orders with an arrival deadline. You can check out UPS online to see how long it will take from our zip code 45387 to yours. Also, see Disclaimer below! 

Ordering and Shipping Deadlines 

* We are now past the deadline for INTERNATIONAL Christmas orders of any kind though you should check out the mini-bookplates - round bookplates -  

Deadline for ordering personalized bookplates is December 15th for rectangular bookplates provided you approve the mockups by December 17th if you requested them 
 
. (deadline for mini-bookplates - round bookplates is 6 p.m., December 15th for Standard shipping, 6 p.m. December 20th for 2nd Day and 6 p.m. December 21st for Express, personalized or not - these are produced by a third party, Zazzle.com). 
 
For bookplates not personalized, the order deadline is December 17th - if you want guaranteed delivery , you MUST choose UPS. For orders placed on our website, deadlines are the date the order was placed. For e-mail orders, this would be the date the mock-up is sent to you.  
 
For regular snail mail orders, deadline is considered to be the date the order is  received (not the post mark date).  
 
  For personalized bookplates, the deadline includes time for mock ups to be approved. Mock-ups will be sent within 48 hours of order placement..  Approval for any orders requesting a mock-up must be received by December 17th - if you have not seen your mock-ups in a timely manner, check your spam filter, then e-mail me! Orders will be completed in the order the mock-up approvals are received.
 
  Customers who  place their order on the deadline date should be especially vigilant in looking for and approving the mock-up. If you do not receive your requested mock-up within 48 hours  FIRST check your spam blocker/folder..if it isn't there, contact us by e-mail immediately!
 
Requests made after the Personalized Order Deadline may not make it in time. Orders placed between December 16th and January 2nd will not be processed so we can enjoy the holidays and work on inventory!  

Disclaimer: Shipping dates may change due to accidents, weather or illness though it is our intent to have all orders shipped out by December 20th. Delivery times are guaranteed by the carrier you choose, not by us, and may include extra transit time in case of unforeseen delays. We are not responsible for delays in shipping caused by the weather (we are not in charge of weather!) or carriers (all we can do is get your order to the carrier on time!) Late deliveries are always possible, but we've done our best to insure they are as infrequent as possible.

No More Phone Number

Why do I no longer list a phone number on my website?

Because I don't use it.  I don't ever answer it - my voice recording warned people of this - I rarely check it and this being an online internet business, I really prefer that people contact me via e-mail.  I had a phone number because that's what you're supposed to have if you're a business. People want to know that they can call somebody.

 Mostly that's because it's quicker.  If you don't want to go through the annoyance of typing in an order, searching the website, it's easier to call someone.  And when you're mad because you can't figure out something about placing the order, or because the order you placed Saturday morning  to be shipped First Class didn't arrive this Monday morning, typing just doesn't do it. That indignant frustration gets out quicker if you can yell in person at someone.

So, no more phone number because I'm just leading you on to think I'd answer it or call you back. I won't and I don't.

Everything else can be done via  e-mail, you know.  You can place orders via e-mail though you have to type stuff out.  You can type in caps and so yell at people, but sometimes it so much more satisfying to yell at a human being. I will answer questions and accusations, comments and all of that, via e-mail.  I'm as real in e-mail as I am on the phone.  Maybe realer.  Using e-mail, you just have to be patient - the replies will not be instant.  I'm not talking text messaging.


WHAT KIND OF A BUSINESS DOES THIS?  

Oh my.  Well, let me start by saying, despite the fears that some people have, it is not a business designed to rip off people of their hard earned $12.00 to $20.00 (average sized orders).

It is also not a business where a bunch of people sit by a phone all day, taking orders or making phone calls.  It's just me.

I've been advised to hire people to do that - answer the phone.  That's how my business will grow.

Yeah, no.

I'm a small time part time business now.  Got the bookplates, need to do something with the inventory.  And the money helps.  But - this is not set up to be a business that will grow every year, bigger and bigger.  At least not under my watch. I'm not a capitalist, I'm a Quaker.  A rude Quaker.

This is a tiny little on-line business that was designed to supplement my retirement income some 10 years ago, grown out of a need to be busy and a love of bookplates.


Still not fully retired, but the internet and I have both changed.  When I started, there was only one other site that sold bookplates on-line.  They took big orders, I did small ones.  Now there are a whole lot of bookplate businesses, plus a lot of places where the resourceful and/or creative can make their own.

Also,  I'm around less, I'm doing other things because I'm realizing how short life is, and how much I'd rather be living my life.  I long for the day when I can sell this little bookplate business and move on.  Or just toss out the inventory I have and shut down the bookplate section and move on.  That day is coming soon.

And then I will spend my time with grandkids, travel, friends and making stuff without having to do customer service, shipping, picking and packing and unnecessary complaints.

A Tarot Deck Fundraiser.....do you know Regretsy.com?

I have been selling some of my work on Etsy.com, a very successful and well known source for artists and those who make handmade products. It can be a great source for that special gift - although lately you have to be careful you're not buying something not quite up to par from what many of us expect there.

My favorite place to hang out these days is Regretsy.com - run by April Winchell (daughter of Paul Winchell) - it's a fund-raising site that pokes fun at some of the bloopers and crazy things you might find on Etsy. In addition, Regretsy provides the service of pointing out the too many rip off artists and resellers (buy it in Taiwan, ship it here and say you made it yourself, etc.) who are trying to take advantage of Etsy.

Which segues into the video I want to show you all. 25 of Regretsy's artists are working together under the care of fellow artist Wendy Sheridan to create a unique deck of 78 Tarot Cards. The art is based on the humor found at Regretsy.

Warning: this is adult humor. And I mean adult. Please don't visit Regretsy in the presence of children (I don't go there when my 10 year old grandson is in the same room) or if you don't find cussing or reproductive or bodily function humor amusing. This isn't juvenile humor - it's witty, snarky, very adult humor. You have been warned. (the video is fine)

Here's a link that will take you to our fundraising project on Kickstarter and our video. Or you can just watch my video (I'm only on the other one a little)... or my bloopers...

I'm also looking for feedback on which of the two designs I did should be used for my  contributing tarot card..if you want to take a look and pass a vote, please do!  Go here to look and vote!

Thanks for looking!

You have an account but are you gettting your discount?

   Are you getting your wholesale or returning customer discount when you order your bookplates from me?

  Lately I've noticed orders coming in from customers who are listed as faithful return customers or booksellers, librarians, teachers or other shop owners. I can see they have have faithfully logged into their accounts - but there is no discount showing.   Since others are getting their discounts, I thought the answer might lie in the peculiarities of my software system.

First you need to set up an account.  Then you need to let me know you've set up an account by e-mailing me (check out the website for how to do that).  Wait for me to manually set you up. Now, the important part.

In order to get your discount you need to FIRST sign into your account, then place items in your basket.  The discount will ONLY apply to items you place in your basket AFTER you have logged in to your account.

If you wait to sign in until the check-out process, the discount won't apply. 

This info will be tweeted, too -  when placing an order - please log in first!

On Vacation...sort of...

Vacation, these days, isn't what it used to be. Nowadays I squeeze it in where I can. Usually it has something to do with something that needs to be done as cost effectively as possible.

In any case, the website is still open for orders. These will be processed starting next Monday, upon my return from this mini-vacation. The same is true of etsy orders.

Of course anything ordered from the Booklover shop or Nana's Alley - these will be processed as usual, since I don't have to do those myself!

See y'all later.

Cats Books Life is Sweet Custom Jewelry from Zazzle.com

There's also booklover jewelry for sale on my Cafepress account - here's one example...

Cats Books Life is Sweet by friendlyspirit

Meanwhile, with spring coming it's time to do some yardwork and house cleaning. I'm giving some serious thought to having this be the last year for the bookplate section of my business, for reasons I will go into at another time. It isn't the most portable business...

What's going on in my CafePress shops? Check here...

Check here for specials and stuff in my CafePress shops !
- Friendly Spirit (book related gifts)
Quaker Shop (kinda explains itself!
and Squidoo To You (all kinds of interesting other stuff, including my Mother In Law items)
Tomorrow we're having a one day 3.00 off
on over 30.00 sales..just key in Coupon code: SMAR1130.
That's ONLY in the CafePress shops linked above!

Note that there's a new section in the Friendly Spirit shop, with inexpensive booklover jewelry!

Not Your Ordinary Fairies

I am trying to have finger puppets that coincide with bookplates I'm offering.  Cats will be coming, but right now, it seemed time for a few fairies.   Once again, I don't want to part with these but I thought I'll make up a doll later on and that will make it easier.  These really can serve as little mini dolls - they stand up alone.

 You've got your blonde, brunette and red headed fairies complete with sparkly wings.

I'm working on a nativity scene for later this year - perhaps I'll do a version of these as angels for then - I suppose they might pass for angels, though I'll have to add halos and probably do away with the frill.

Anyway, they are fairies to me - on my website I'll be offering them as suggestions when customers look at the three Fairy bookplates I offer on the website:










 


The finger puppets are listed in my etsy store as OOAK - One of a kind.  I have come to realize, I don't enjoy making repeats of anything.  (Hence the offer of a pattern for the Easter egg sets).  All of the things I'm making take time - and to repeat the same old same old makes my eyes glaze over.  What I enjoy about creating finger puppets, dolls, ornaments and even sweaters for grandchildren is the uniqueness of each design.

 I am remaking finger puppets that are selling (most are selling from my website, rather than from etsy right now - which is too bad because customers can't rate them and help puff up my ego and my rating in etsy!).  But when I remake them, they are slightly different from the originals, which I'm now calling templates.

And there are some other book related trinkets I have on my mind (though I guess these are more book story related).  Check back later to see what I mean! 

Fairies in hand

Fairies rear view!

Cats R Us

    I don't know why it is that cats go so well with books -- one of my best selling bookplates has always been the cats standing on a stack of books.. popular on just about anything!  In fact, most any cat on any bookplate seems to do well. 

     My newest amigurumi doll doesn't have books, but she's a cat woman - she's for sale over at Etsy and I find myself reluctant to part with her.  I think it's her hat with the rose on it.  Mind you, I made everything myself so it isn't as if I couldn't make another - but she's a one of a kind and as I make these dolls - even the finger puppets - I start getting attached to them and don't want to part ways.

Perhaps I need to get out more.

Hey there little Red Riding Hood....

Story telling and finger puppets seem to be a good fit for bookplates - since many of my customers enjoy reading and telling stories to their children, grandchildren, or students.

I have a bunch of fnger puppets I'm working on, most to go with familiar stories we tell our children, with and without books.  These are all from my own design - later I may work on writing out descriptions of the patterns but... that's a lot of work!

First up is Red Riding Hood...check her out Etsy ... a set of four characters from the story..Red Riding hood carrying a little basket - her hood will slip off and on.  Grandma, looking all innocent.  The Big Bad Wolf, complete with white fangs, and the Hunter, wearing a dapper green cap and carrying an ax.

Goldilocks and the Three Bears is next -- Papa Bear has a hat, Mama bear has an apron and Baby Bear has a bib... cute!

Then there is the classic Princess and Prince Charming set -- you can turn this into just about any story.  It comes with Prince Charming, a beautiful Princess, an evil Witch and... a horse.  You have to have a horse so you (Prince or Princess) can ride off into the sunset....

 A knight with a shield, sword and of course a horse - and a dragon - seem to make sense ..

 

 To go with the Pooh bookplates, a set of not-Pooh finger puppets - but almost as cute and they will work just fine when telling that Classic story.  A little honey bear, a donkey, a striped tiger and a little pink pig.

Each set is hand crocheted, with embroidered faces, so each will look slightly different from others and from these photos.

More will be coming as I think of anything to encourage role play, creative thinking and fun for kids and their grandparents (especially) seems like a good idea to me.  And I am open to suggestions, too!

Although I'm selling these on Etsy, not everyone wants to open an account there - and if an item sells out, it won't be at the link - so I'm also offering these on my website, in a new section I've created for Finger Puppets.

Easter Eggs..

Yes, it's early to be talking about Easter -- I should be focusing on Valentine's Day....but this is about items hand made, and it's late to be ordering up handmade stuff for Valentine's Day --  Easter this year will be April 24th -- 3 months away seems long but these custom Easter Eggs in a Shell take a long time to whip up, and I'm going to pull them off the market sometime in early April!


These darling little eggs are for sale at my new Esty store - Esty is where you can shop for handmade unique items, things that you won't find mass produced on the net or for sale anywhere and everywhere.

These are crocheted, Aminigumi style (my new favorite) - tightly crocheted, stuffed. Each little chick will look slightly different from his or her sibling; they come inside a shell with a little button (the button is very small - so these should NOT be given to children under 3 who might swallow them. I can custom make one for you without the button, just send a message to me when you are viewing them).

http://www.etsy.com/listing/66186918/lone-amigurumi-chick-hatching-out-of-egg

And last, but not least, because these are hand made, they are not cheap - but you know, I love coupons - so here is one you can use to get a 20% discount!  .. just enter this code when making your purchase:   FSEE411

IF when you click on the links, there are no chicks and eggs there, please send me a message!  It just means the ones that were last made have sold  and I need to restock - no problem!

A brand new year...

Oh yes, we got a new year here - and apologies for taking so long to reopen!   End of one year is time to take inventory and restock.

On the down side, there aren't any new designs to look at in the regular bookplate line.  The round bookplates always have some new designs going on, so that's the place to go for new stuff!

On the up side, inventory has been restocked, so many of the popular designs are back in!  And there is a new section, called "LIMITED EDITION" where you may find bookplates you've been looking for.  These are bookplates I can't reorder - and they are some of the most popular Antioch designs - Cat on Books, Man on Ladder....


you may be able to find them elsewhere on the internet, but for now, I'm offering up what I have.   You can order these in"onesies" only - and you get a discount, if you enter the coupon code revealed in that section (PULLLEASE don't use that code if you order other things!)

OHHH yes, and there are new coupon codes, too, if you haven't made an account. Have you made an account?  If you make an account, I go in and make you a regular customer, which will give you a 10% discount every time you log in .. plus, of course, it has all your shipping info in there, ready to go.  And once in awhile, there might be other benefits.

But if you didn't do that, you get to use, one time only, a 10% discount.  That's in an email you get after you place your order.  You can use that one time, no matter who you are.  And then after that, you should have a 10% regular customer discount!

Teachers, booksellers, educators, librarians can apply for wholesale discounts, too.  They only need to set up an account and then let me know so I can sign them up - it's not magic, but in this day and age, it's nice.

The other nice news is that our prices haven't gone up (except maybe shipping - we can't control that!).  If you place an order over 50.00, you still get free shipping.

 Hope that helps you out in this tough and way tooooo cold New Year!  Oh.  and if you read this far, you can use this one time, too... a coupon code for the faithful reader... good until February 18, 2011 .. just key in when you check out, BLOGGIE2011