I decided yesterday while I was lying in bed in the fetal position, that my only way out is through...I don't really have a game plan per se of how I will make my escape so I better get crackin' right? I love the polly-optimists (kinda like Pollyanna's but with faux scientific leanings) that tell me that I don't need this j-o-b, you only live once, just say bye-bye. This is all well and good if I plan on being homeless, not exactly the Miss B. style. It occurred to me if I didn't get a really BIG job that paid me truckloads of moola for my big brain that I would prefer to be designing my own products, so where does one start? How can I get to the point from idea to market but still able to pay the rent? I guess I could stay put for a lil' bit and gather my nest egg and then make a flying leap. At this moment Bella Bella is feeling the brunt of my not being there to print and customize, update the shop etc. I am still making sales but not enough to get gas in my car to get to the post. How are these paper people making a living? Did they have funding? A rich spouse? Savings? I need to know these things pronto! I am open to any and all storms of your collective brains.
One thing that has been driving me to the nether regions of neurosis is my printing options. I currently use a gorgeous, recycled, thick, textured paper for the Bella Bella co. cards. I love the feel of thick and textured it seems richer to me. My question to ya'all does it matter? Could I have them professionally printed with a gloss or satin finish and still consider my cards to be good enough for public consumption (these seem to be the less expensive options when printing multiple designs) Do consumers care that their fun cards are not on textured paper? Would the design sell itself if it was presented nicely? I got a postcard from one of my very favorite Etsy artists, she has a Victorian leaning and her postcard was glossy but the color for her background was a soft ivory which made it seem almost like a modern/ vintage item and I really liked it. I need advice, because if I am going to steer this ship to the wholesale seas I seriously can not be printing from my home printer no matter how nice it is, it's way too labor intensive and I don't want to be a printer I want to spend my time making new designs to make people smile. S.O.S. please give me your feedback....
BTW, I picked up this bottle of booze the other day, I thought it was perfect for moi, it has a cheeky name, antique engraved artwork, animals being anthromorphisized, and it's even imported from France! I will be drowning my sorrows, downing, raising a toast to all of you whom have been wishing me well in the little debacle I am in. Your visits, kind words and general cyber support has warmed my lil' old heart to no end....
