I was killing time in Bangsar Village on my day off when a little shop caught my eye. Whimsical articles, aaahhh... what a name and one that ignites curiosity. The store looked like a candy store! Only that it sells myriads of beautiful papers, embellishments for card making, stamps, stencils, card punch, handmade bags and toys, scrap book and endless arrays of colorful ribbons. All at once I felt like a school kid again running my hands over stacks and stacks of colorful papers, some with flower motives and others embossed with pretty geometric designs. I felt a sudden rush of idea, an idea to create my own greeting cards. I had always been a creative child and loved to make things with my hands. I especially love greeting cards as it's something personal and pretty that you can give to your love ones!
Hence without hesitation I grabbed whatever that caught my fancy and dashed home to begin my new project!
I played around with the craft punch that I bought and was overflowing with creative ideas. I came up with a few designs in a jiffy and the more I played with it the more I was able to see the possibility to turn my new found hobby into a part time business venture. I surfed the internet for days researching the trade and what I found was this:-
*that the greeting card business is a 7.5 billion dollar industry.
*that women buy more cards than men but when men buy cards, they tend to spend more on the card.
*that women don't just buy a card but will purchase several cards at one time.
*that out of 100 families, 90 families buy greeting cards and each family purchase an average of 30 cards a year.
*that an average person receives about 20 cards a year; most of these are birthday cards.
*that an average person send out 10 cards a year; that's about a card a month.
*that most people love to receive a greeting card with a personal note; makes them feel they are special and important to someone.
*that most people prefer to send a personal handwritten note or greeting card than the easy email message or an sms for special occasions and events; makes it truly special for the other person.
*that there are at least three thousands greeting card publishers in the States alone and the two biggest greeting card publishers are Hallmark and American Greetings.
*that companies send greeting cards to build relationship with their clients and customers. e.g. insurance agents usually send out birthday cards to their clients.
*that the most sellable cards for Everyday Cards and Seasonal Cards are Birthday cards and Christmas cards respectively.
Now that's something to think about! I've sold close to 30 cards to date and almost every person that I showed my cards to loves my creations! In fact I don't have enough time (since I have a full time job) to produce the cards fast enough to cater to the demands! I am eager to get home each day after work to work on my creative juices. I feel 100% satisfaction on being able to channel my energy into art,something that I am so very passionate about. Also I find myself more sensitive to things around me,objects that I had never took notice of before. I find inspiration in everyday things such as tissue boxes, brochures, old magazines, buttons,safety pins,paper doily,cupcake liners as they offer endless posibilities!
My dear friend Suzanna has also been handing me plenty of supplies such as the beautiful vintage Swarovski crystals and laces which was used on the cards in my previous posts. She has also been a mountain of support with her constant encouragements. Albeit in her 60's her super creative mind, talent and positive energy is most inspiring plus the fact that she and I share the same attitude - THE NEVER- SAY- DIE ATTITUDE!
Lina, my sidekick has also been a great help in that she has helped me create The Garden Snail account on facebook and has been deligently inviting people to join the site. Also not forgetting the occassional nudge to push me to create more cards and push the boundaries. There is no better job in the world than to be able to do something that you love and seeing people love the work that you do! And in the course of that I am also able to lend a helping hand to a cause that I hold so dearly in my heart which is helping stray animals by donating 20% of my net earnings to RSPCA & PAWS.
I am now prepairing for my first debut at Kaka art market @ Shaw Parade on 5th September and my very own solo art exhibition at Artseni art gallery also in September. Many thanks to my new found friend Phillip who has been ever so supportive and inspiring.A gentle soul,he dedicates his life to creating and promoting art and helping others see things in a positive light . Oh yes, I am also taking part in a charity bazaar in early October at The Bangsar shopping centre. And also I will be travelling To Verona,Italy next month on a business trip. Hence, I hope to find time to look for some new embellishments and other supplies! Phew....not bad for an accidental business venture eh? *Wink*
Lastly, the name "The Garden Snail" came about as I was playing with the craft punches. I especially like the snail design one, hence I decided to use it as my logo. To me the best inspirations comes from beautiful places and so I gave it a name that reminds me of an early spring morning in a lovely garden. My fondest memories of Chambery,France which I hope to visit again.....
*Donations to RSPCA and PAWS will be made once I have a considerable sum and the cheque will be posted on this blog!
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