New Business Card Design!

Whenever it's time for me to re-order business cards, I get a little stressed out. I'm always trying to update the look and streamline it more as my business progresses. This time I knew I wanted to go back to full-sized business cards instead of the mini ones I've been using. But seriously, I have no background or training in design so I often feel lost.

I gave myself plenty of time to work on and tweak the design before I actually had to order them. That really helped with my stress level! (Thankfully MOO has an easy-to-use site too.) I love how endearing my owl ornaments are, so I opted to stick with a small variety of them for the image based side of my card. The design is pretty clean, so I'm hoping that the chances of the cards being kept for the almost-art factor is higher.

I just used the last of my previous business cards, so orders will start going out with these! Of course everything still arrives in glassine bags and a kraft paper sleeves. Boxed orders include a snazzy washi tape covered clothespin. Hooray!

Improved Packaging.

I'm pretty sure that my quest to better my shop packaging is going to be the sort that goes on into eternity. Last year when I had this stamp made, I began to attach my goods to manilla tags for shipment, doing away with the hand cut-card stock that I had been using. Big improvement. A few months later I added glassine bags to the mix, doing away with the tissue paper wrapping.  Not only does this look suit me better, but it actually streamlines the process and allows me to package orders more quickly.

At Christmas my packaging was looking like this, with a manilla tag taped across the front. Thanks to the addition of washi tape I was getting there, but the current state of packaging still felt lacking. In the past couple of weeks, I started to cut my own kraft paper sleeves to wrap around the glassine bags, and I'm liking it so much better! It feels more professional to me.

This is now the look of my bare bones packaging. All items are still attached to manilla tags, and then slipped into the bags. The bags are sealed with washi tape, as is the sleeve.

Orders shipped in boxes will also include a sweet mini clothespin that has been lovingly covered in washi tape on both sides. This element is a little more time consuming than I had expected, but I think I've got it down now and I love the accent. Plus I'm pleased that it is a part of the packaging that the customer can keep and reuse.

Next up, I'm working on a new design for my business cards that is more fitting with the new look of my blog. I also plan on going back to full size business cards. Also on the agenda for this year is getting a new stamp made that's more clean and likely text only.

Thanks for taking a peek!

Partnering with My Customers and World Vision.

I love partnering with my customers to help create a better life for women, children, and families living in poverty around the world. Every time someone purchases an Ordinary Mommy Design piece 10% of the sale is donated toward this cause through World Vision. Every single sale, 365 days a year. I feel that we make a bigger impact when I save up until the end of the year and then choose the direction I want these funds to go in all at once. On December 31, 2011 with the help of my customers, I purchased a bicycle to provide a girl with safer transportation, and procured small business loans for four single mothers. This is always such a thrill for me!

Thanks so much for partnering with me in this way. I can't wait to see the impact we can have at the end of 2012!

Giving Back.

 

It's just about time for me to make my end-of-year donation to World Vision! 10% of each and every sale I make in the shop 365 days a year goes to this organization; they provide all kinds of services and meet tons of needs for those living in poverty around the world. Last year, I chose to make my donation in the form of buying farm animals and fruit trees to give families in Africa and Asia a means to provide income or food for their families. So far this year I've also given money for disaster relief in Japan and Alabama. Farm animals are just one potential gift: World Vision also provides help to sexually exploited girls, offers impoverished women business loans, and digs wells to provide clean water, among other things. I'm excited to peruse my Wold Vision gifts catalog again, and make my final decisions as to where I want my monetary gift to go!

Thanks so much to all of my customers for making this possible!

Perfecting Packaging :: Logo Stamp

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of working with Meagan from Brown Pigeon. She does a fantastic job hand cutting stamps, and her communication and customer service are even better than her stamps (if you can believe that)! 

I really struggled with the design work for this project and she bore with me the whole way. The final image I sent her consisted of photographic elements, bits of hand drawn stuff that I scanned, and of course, text. It was fun to see how Meagan translated the photo of the owl into a line drawing! I'm thrilled with the finished product, and even more excited to use my stamp to present a more professional image with my packaging.

The rubber of the stamp is already happy, inky, and stained. Just the way it should be. For now I plan to use it to stamp tags and thank you cards although the possibilities are endless!

Goals for the Coming Year.

 ::calendars by 1canoe2::

Never, in all my life, have I sat down and actually written a list of New Year's resolutions for myself. This year however I thought it would do me some good to set a list of my goals down on paper so that I can watch throughout the year as they get crossed off. I love that feeling. So, here they are, my goals for 2011.

1. brainstorm creative ways to market to my target audience   

2. buy new eyeglasses (haven't been able to see well with mine for about 5 years now)

3. create lots of fun memories and new traditions with our little family

4. figure out awesome new packaging for my products

5. lean more on Jesus for contentment

6. paint our downstairs living space (really excited about this one!)

7. get more involved with blogging

8. figure out my mailing list

9. continue purging our storage spaces

10. work on being able to focus and exercise better time management

What resolutions or goals have you set for yourself this year?

Year End Donation for 2010.

 WorldVisionGifts.org 

Yesterday I was pleased as punch to make my end of year donation to WorldVisionGifts.Org! Thanks to my lovely customers I was able to purchase two sheep, a goat, ten ducks, four chickens, one rabbit, and ten fruit trees for needy families in underdeveloped countries. All for just under $500.  Better yet? World Vision accepts payments through Paypal. What could be easier? Next year, when you are trying to figure out what to get that hard-to-shop-for person on your list, purchase a gift in their name and they'll receive a personalized card with information about your donation.

Happy New Year!