The Beehive Atlanta - Warehouse sale

Alright folks if you live in the Atlanta area this is one sale you don't want to miss. The Beehive kicked off the bi-annual warehouse sale last Saturday at 9am, but the rain slowed down some shoppers so there are still hundreds of items in the store marked down from 40 - 90%. This is a great way to stalk up on birthday presents for the rest of the year all while shopping local and handmade. I have a great selection of Jane hancock paper items there and you will also find bath products, jewelry, baby clothing, and so much more so if you get a chance check it out.

New Year, New Sale

Can you guys believe that it is 2012 already, it seems like only yesterday people were talking about the Y2K bug and how it was going to destroy us all. Well we are still here and I'm thankful for that. I have a lot of big plans for Jane hancock papers this year and I can't wait to share them with you. In a few short weeks we will have a huge announcement!! This year I decided to not make any crazy resolutions, but just set short 2-3 month goals for myself. Right now we are working with Spend less Save More - this one I hope to keep going all year long, but setting budgets and sticking to them. Eat Less Sweets - I'm not running out to join the gym or planning to run a marathon, but for me sweets are my weakness and if I can just cut back to no more than 3 a week that will be a huge improvement for me and finally Devote more time to the Business - Just by writing this blog post I'm starting the year off right. I'm going to get back to featured designers, company updates and lots of new products in the works. So I hope you guys will stick with me for another great year.

For right now I just wanted to let you guys know that that almost all the items in my ETSY store have been marked down so check that out. Also the 2012 Calendar is in stock and ready to go. Just like last year this is a compilation of 13 designers each putting there own spin on their month design. The full color all letterpress calendar is just 25.00 and there is no shipping charge for orders in the US.

Upcoming Craft Festival: ICP

Next month I will be hitting the road and traveling to Greenville, SC to the 2nd annual Indie Craft Parade I was honored and excited to be part of this fantastic event once again this year. Last year the event was busy from start to finish with dedicated customers waiting in line to get into the beautiful Huguenot Mill building. This year they are stepping up there game and turning this into a 3-day event. Kicking of Friday evening with a ticked VIP event and then opening the doors up Saturday and Sunday with free admission. No matter if your doing a bit of early christmas shopping or just grabbing some goodies for yourself this event has something for everyone.

I'll be there will some new items and some fan favorites so I hope you will stop by and check us all out!

Where does the time go

I'm not sure where the time has gone, but it has really been over three months since I put up a new blog post. I'm not really sure what happened, I think I just took a little break. It's not just my blog that has been ignored, but my business as well. I'm not proud of this fact it just is what it is. I think sometimes we make plans and we want things to go a specific way and when things just don't fall into place it can be very easy to go from disappointment to depressed very quick.

Now it not like I don't have a support system, but my husband does not really get the stationery industry, so while some of his tips on business are spot on, most of his tips on design are not. He doesn't understand why 20 shops have not picked me up for wholesale or how you can spend 5000 on NSS with no guarantee that you will leave the show with orders. I just think its the nature of the game and also that each business has to go down it's own path.

I'm sure that in my case it can be broken down into 3 different categories 1. I'm not being consistent. I need to not only release new products through out the year, but I have to get them photographed and in my shop. People can't purchase what they can't find 2. I'm not investing. When you make sales you have to invest a portion of that money back into the business. I have not been doing this and now have a long list of things I need to replenish 3. Getting the word out. Posting to my blog, facebook and twitter is one of the easiest ways, however notifying other media outlets will help as well. The internet is powerful and your reach can be almost infinite so you have to take advantage.

Hopefully those little nuggets of wisdom will help someone. I will also leave you with a pic of my 2011 Father's day card.

The Wholesale Road

So recently I decided to take on a new company challenge it's something that I have been working towards for some time - Wholesale! Last year I had sent out some postcards kind of announcing my company and seeing if I would receive any interest, I didn't. So under the suggestion of my husband I hit the streets last week when I first started I kind of felt like those annoying sales people that you come into your office and bug you while your working. However with no rep handling my line if I don't do it know one will. So after my two week foray into the world of door to door sales I thought I would share with you a few things that I learned some are no brainers, but a few may not be.

1. Put together a catalog - seems like an easy one, but quality images, clear illustrations and a nice layout goes a long way.
2. Have a sheet that list all your products and what the wholesale pricing is.
3. Bring business cards with you
4. Bring a leave behind in case the person you need to speak with is out
5. Bring a small range of your products, not your entire collection you may only have a couple of min. to present.
6. Take the feedback with a smile on your face. You never know what the future will holds so don't burn down any bridges
7. If an owner ask you to leave, leave. Also no soliciting means just that
8. If possible send a note or at least an email thanking them for there time.
9. If you said you will follow up in 2 days, follow up in 2 days.

Do you have any additional tips to add leave them in the comments.

Tasty Treats: Valentines

My husband and I don't treat Valentines Day as a gift giving holiday, but more as a day just to spend together as a family. However the one thing that I love about the holiday is all the great sweet treats that are available, now I'm not just talking about the candy hearts that say "I Love You". During the month of February some very good desserts start popping up all over the place. Since my readers are from all over I thought that turning to etsy would be the best way to go. All of these items can be shipped to you no matter where you live + a quick search also turns up local bakers that will deliver the items right to your door. Enjoy

xoxo
-Rajshel

Vegan Woopie pie by MegaTom

Heart Shaped Peppermint Patties by SIFTED

Cinnamon Sugar Roasted Pecans by sugar tree shop

I heart you sugar cookies by Sugar Cookie Couture

Friday Flickr Foto:

Happy February I know I'm a couple days late, but I have been under the weather for several days now and so I'm just popping in for a quick post and then it's back to bed rest and chicken noodle soup. Next week will be Valentines week on the blog so look forward to a week full of candy hearts and sweet valentine kisses. Here is a little something to get you started.

Valentine Cookies | image courtesy of Herr Hans Gruber

Letterpress Week: Thursday Things

If you love letterpress and want to show it off in your home there are some great things you can pick that will give you some great conversation pieces. I will say that while I hate when folks break up a full set of antique wood or metal type and sell it piece by piece to folks doing non printing projects for an enormous price hike, It's not going to stop so if you find a cool letter pick it up at least its getting some love!

1. Initial M necklace by Gwen Delicious 2. Little book of Letterpress by Charlotte Rivers 3. Pink & Gray numbers Print by Pearl Marmalade 4. Wood Type R found on ebay 5. Letterpress type tray by Elizabeth Wren Vintage