Whats New for 2009?

Happy New Year every one.

I hope you enjoyed the Holidays...

I enjoyed spending time with family and the so needed break from the nine to five and the crafting, but no matter what I couldn't get mind off the business... I have formulated a new plan for 2009. A plan to market my crafts in more places, create new designs, add more products and to start a gift guide/showcase plus so much more. I will start a Greesting Card Club called 'the Cards by LaMar Club' (CLC), a program called the Give a Card Program and more great ideas...

For 2009 mymain goal is to continue blogging and creating better handcrafted designs that will make you say wow...

So stay with me and lets enjoy 2009!

Wedding Bells Give-a-way WINNERS!!

Thank You so much for playing with me and visiting my blog.
Today I have picked some winners! YES! some WINNER!
I decided to do the drawing a little different this time. What I did was use random.org set the parameters to the first date of the first post up to the last date, 4 lines and got my numbers...

The dates that were selected were 11th, 13th, 15th and the 6th.

I then looked at all the names that posted on that date. Now if you posted on that date and your name is not listed it is because you did not leave a email or way of contact as stated in the rules:
-Your comment should include your name and a way to reach you should you win, like an email, or link to a social network anything... (don't be Anonymous!)
and the name of the item or the URL to it.

So the WINNERS are:
Knot Sew Shabby said...
I love http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16581997 Such cute stuff!!! Thanks for doing a give a way!!! Feel free to come enter our give a way!I can be reached by convo at www.KnotSewShabby.etsy.comThanks again and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!
December 15, 2008 8:55 PM

tiff said...
oh the flower note cards are so pretty!texan_michael(AT)yahoo(DOT)com
December 13, 2008 6:46 AM

Dana said...
Oh, married hearts in pink would be great for a bridal shower.flyergal82@yahoo.com
December 13, 2008 12:22 AM

sarah said...
you make one of the most gorgeous cards i've ever seen. i really like the "with love on your special day" birthday card!fertawert AT yahoo DOT com
December 11, 2008 10:23 PM

rosannepm said...
NOELs 12 Days of Christmas Holiday Greeting Cards are my favoritesrosans4@comcast.net
December 11, 2008 12:23 AM

Congratulations to all and again Thank You for playing....

2009 the Year of giving...

Hey, has 2008 been good to you?
Have you been good to 2008?
Well if not then 2009 is the year to change it all.

This year I will start a Give Back Campaign!

First on the agenda is Refer a Friend:
Here what happens is when someone refers a friend and that friends buys 2 cards, you get 50% off any item in my boutique. If they buy the cards 1 at a time then you get 25% each time they buy a card. *(More Details to come when the year begins) This is called my Gold Friends Reward Deal.

Then I will also offer the Silver Friends Reward Deal, in which if you refer a friend to my boutique and they buy 1 card you get You get 1 card FREE (card must be of equal or lesser value). YES, totally FREE! FREE card, FREE shipping, FREE! *(More Details to come when the year begins)

Also this coming year I will begin a Give a Card Program (GCP).
This program was inspired by http://keikicards.org/ which I found by mistake one day researching the web. I read their mission and was so touched and wanted to be apart of it. Unfortunatley they closed shop before I can help make a difference. So this year I will start my own programme which I will donate cards every month and funds to select organizations and families. I will search these families from Social Services and churches. I will select families in true need. Families who have children and can not afford food everyday, clothing, toys, birthday parties etc... I will also like to gather donations, but will more likely take funds from each purchase to donate to hospitals and childrens homes, homeless, families and more.

My last pitch for 2009 is a focous group.
I would like to build a community of people who are willing and able to communicate on the products I create as well as the products of fellow artist. At the end of every session I will give away a FREE card or set of cards to no more then 5 people.

These are just a few ideas for the 2009 season!
I will realy hope you will be a part of it.

A New Idea!

I read an article in this interesting magazine a few days ago, "The Advertiser!" (the magazines title). It mentioned how big name companies improved products and sale through online focous groups to a clear picture of what the consumer was thinking. Naturally I thought, hey what a brillant idea and why aren't I doing that?

I mean like, I can make or design a new card and before I post/list/sell it on and/or off line, I can bring it to the people (communnity) and have discussions or conversations about the new card or design.

But then a thought hit me!

What would make people want to come and talk about my cards?
So I said why not! It gives a community of people a voice and say in the type of item/product they would buy and the sense of owner ship when the card is complete/revamped and produced. Also to make it even better, a hand full of partcipatants from the community will get that card for free each time.Anyway so what do you think of this idea?