How To Dress Up Your Notecards

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The Answer is in How You Write the Envelope

These past few weeks I have been playing with envelope designs…and I wanted to see if they made a difference to the receiver of the notecard.

When we get a handwritten note in our mailbox we get excited …but what about when you see a fancy designed envelope with your name and address?

I love this Facebook post from my sweet friend Karrie in Ohio. I sent her a beautiful vintage notecard with a note to let her know I was thinking about her and I also created a beautiful printed envelope to send it in…I love how she noticed the envelope immediately.

It’s that extra added beauty that makes people feel loved. And don’t worry…you don’t have to run yours through a printer to make it beautiful…you can create a gorgeous envelope through art, beautiful lettering, and stickers.

My handwriting is not the greatest. I suffer from arthritis in my hands and so writing can sometimes be painful for me. But I have a system that helps me…I use a piece of hard backer board to help me keep my writing straight and more consistent. It improves my handwriting, keeps my lines straight and uniformed and for whatever reason…my hand hurts less.

Here are some fun ways to make your envelopes beautiful:

1. Rubber Stamps - I have some beautiful rubber stamps that are bordered and one that says ‘Kindly Deliver To”’ that I love to use. They can be used around the mailing address to give your envelope an extra pop.
   

2. Try mixing up the sizes of your handwriting for the mailing address. For instance make the name a bit bigger than the mailing address (line 2 & 3) and then drop the zip code down on a line by itself and make it the same size as the name.
   

3. Instead of writing your return address on the front of your envelope…buy some beautiful return address labels to add the back of the envelope flap. We also will print your address on the back flap of your envelopes that come with your notecards - we can make them look beautiful for you.
   

4. Another fun add is to use washi tape on the back flap of your envelope. Make sure you really seal it on the envelope or it will get ripped off during the mailing process. I have also added clear scotch tape across it to hold it in place. It really depends on the stickiness of the tape.
   

5. You can also add stickers to your envelope - again making sure they adhere to the envelope really well or you will lose them.
   

6. And my favorite…if you are an artist or just creative you can create beautiful designs on your envelope.
   (Just make sure your address stays clear and readable.)

There are so many ways to dress up your envelopes - tell me what is your favorite way to make your envelopes stand out?

National Smile Day Card Challenge!

National Smile Day - May 31, 2024

I don't know about you but a smiling banana makes me smile! HaHa!

No seriously we're celebrating National Smile Day (May 31st) with a Card Challenge and we want you to join us! The week of May 26th through June 1st we're on a mission to make our people smile! 

For 7-Days, Send 7-Cards to 7-People!

And we created the most fun card to use for your challenge - you can purchase this pack of 7-cards to use for your challenge and reach out to 7-people and make them smile. 

How do you make them smile you ask? Well just hearing from you will make them smile. Letting them know you were thinking about them will make them smile and knowing that you took the time to handwrite a note and mail it...well that will really make them feel loved and special, and will definitely make them smile!

So grab your pack by clicking here!

You get 7-cards for your challenge along with lime green envelopes for only $11.55!

Come join us for this fun card challenge!

AN INTERVIEW WITH A PAPER LOVER . . . FEATURING BRANDY THORNTON

Paper notes and notecards carry so much intent and meaning, and we wanted to hear some paper lovers put that meaning in their own words. We hope you enjoy this first installment of our Interview series! If you’re a paper lover, and you’d like to send in your own responses to these questions and be featured in our next blog, please email shop@beamazingpaperco.com with your responses! We can’t wait to hear what a handwritten note means to you.

Question 1: What makes a paper note or card special to you?

The message written by a friend or loved one makes the note or card special to me.  While the words written are what I love the most, also just knowing that someone thought of me and took the time to write out a handwritten note and put it in the mail to me in this time of text/email means so much!  I love friends and loved ones that, like me, favor snail mail over digital correspondence!

Question 2: How do you typically craft the messages you include in your cards?

OFten times, I'm writing someone to say hello, to check in and see how they are doing, or I'm writing them for a specific occasion such as a birthday.  I also like to send cards to friends and loved ones on the anniversary of a loved one's passing or a day that I know is hard for them for whatever reason just to let them know they are thought of and prayed for as they face that hard day.  I also love to send cards out to remind friends and loved ones that I am thankful for them and their friendship.  Those 'just because' cards are so fun to send too because you know that the person receiving it will be so surprised to receive a card and that's just so fun!

Question 3: What feelings or emotions do you experience when you receive a card in the mail?

Opening up the mailbox to find a card from someone instantly puts a smile on my face! Receiving a card in the mail makes me feel loved and special.  Receiving a card in the mail reminds me that someone thought of me and that's a wonderful feeling! 

Question 4: Have you ever kept a card for a long time after receiving it? If so, what made you hold onto it?

A fun fact about me is that I've kept all the cards I've ever been given!  I have boxes of cards and letters I've received throughout my lifetime! I have the birthday cards from my first birthday and every card, note, and letter I've received since!  I keep these cards in boxes I call my "Joy Boxes" because it brings me such joy to look back through those cards.  It makes my heart smile to know that I am loved by so many people. Now that I've lost all of my grandparents and my Mama, the cards and letters they gave me over the years are some of my most cherished possessions.  

A couple of years ago, I decided that I wanted to keep the cards I receive in a year on display throughout the entire year.  There's a fun, colorful, garland of pom poms hanging above the doorway in my living room and since New Years Day of this year, I have clipped each card I have received in the mail to that garland.  At the end of this year, I'll take down the fun cards I received throughout the year and add them to my "Joy Box" to make room for the Christmas cards when they begin to arrive!  I love walking into my house and seeing these cards hanging above the doorway and every time I glance up at those cards, I smile!  

Thank you so much to Brandy for sharing your thoughts and feelings about paper mail and writing messages from the heart. Let us know in the comments what resonated with you most.

National Thank You Note Day!

National Thank You Note Day is indeed a special occasion for expressing gratitude in a thoughtful and tangible way. Writing thank-you notes is a wonderful tradition that allows people to convey their appreciation for others and reflect on the positive aspects of their lives.

On December 26th, National Thank You Note Day provides a perfect opportunity to take a moment and express thanks to those who have made a difference in our lives. Whether it's friends, family, colleagues, or mentors, a handwritten note can carry a personal touch that makes the sentiment even more meaningful.

Consider jotting down your thoughts on paper, expressing specific reasons for your gratitude. It's a simple yet impactful way to show appreciation and strengthen connections with the people who contribute to your well-being.

So, on National Thank You Note Day, take a moment to reflect on the positive influences in your life and send a note to express your heartfelt thanks. Your words may brighten someone's day and create a ripple effect of gratitude and kindness.

10-Tips to Help You Write a Thoughtful Note

Have you ever sat down to write a note or send cards and you find yourself at a loss for what to say?

Writing a thoughtful note involves expressing genuine sentiments and consideration for the recipient. Whether it's a birthday card, a thank-you note, or a message of sympathy, here are 10- general tips to help you write a thoughtful note:

1. Select the Appropriate Type of Notecard: sending the correct notecard doesn’t have to be difficult but you should make sure it’s appropriate for the message.

2. Start with a Warm Greeting: Begin your note with a friendly and personal salutation. Use the recipient's name to make it more personal.

3. Express Your Feelings: Clearly state the purpose of your note. Whether it's expressing gratitude, offering condolences, or celebrating an occasion, be sincere in your expression.

4. Be Specific: Include specific details related to the occasion or reason for the note. This shows that you've put thought into your message.

5. Share Personal Memories or Experiences: If applicable, share a relevant personal experience or memory. This adds a unique and special touch to your note.

6. Use Positive Language: Frame your words in a positive and uplifting manner. Focus on the positive aspects of the situation or the person you're addressing.

7. Show Empathy: If the note is for a difficult situation, express empathy and understanding. Let the person know that you are there for them.

8. Express Appreciation: If the note is a thank-you, express your appreciation explicitly. Mention the specific actions or gifts that you are thankful for.

9. End with Well-Wishes: Conclude your note with well-wishes or a positive sentiment. This leaves a lasting impression and leaves the recipient with a good feeling.

10. Add a Personal Touch: Consider adding a small drawing, a quote, or something that adds just a little more to your note.

If possible, consider writing your note by hand. Handwritten notes often feel more personal and thoughtful. Remember, the key to a thoughtful note is sincerity and a genuine connection to the recipient. Take the time to consider their feelings and tailor your message accordingly.

And never forget the impact that a thoughtful note can have on the person receiving your note.

A "Note" for the Artists

Postcards by Photographer David W. Smith.

Creating Notecards with Your Art - Wholesale for Artists

Whether you're a painter, photographer, or other artist, exposing people to your work is going to make all the difference in your success. Especially artists who produce one original piece, learning different ways to digitize and adapt your art to various price points and uses will allow more people to support your work. For example, you could offer not only the original work but also prints on quality art paper at a lower price point and then notecards in a pack or a single card at an even more accessible price point. These different pieces get your work more and more out into the world, but the notecard is one of our favorite pieces to print for artists because it can be sold as a product or used as a fun marketing tool.

Notecards are the most affordable option for your art, but they're also great marketing for you to use any time you need to send a note. For example, if you're communicating with a gallery and want them to know you appreciate their consideration, send them a note with your art on the front. When you're packing an order, slip in a thank you note. Another fun idea would be to use your art as the background for an invitation or marketing for your next showing or open house. At Be Amazing, we've even had an artist use one of her paintings for her Christmas cards. There's no shortage of ways to use notecards and subtly promote your art at the same time.

If you want to digitize your art so it can be printed and used in more diverse ways to market your talent, then we would love to help you! Email shop@beamazingpaperco.com to start the process of creating your own notecards.

Adam Trest Notecards - From The Lantern House book he illustrated with Erin Napier of HomeTown.

4 Ways to Send Notecards as a Small Business

4 Ways to Send Notecards as a Small Business: Market your business and make an impact one notecard at a time.

As a small business owner, you want to get your name out there and stand out from other boutiques and specialty shops people have seen before, but how? Social media is a major marketing tool - and it helps a lot - in getting people to recognize your business and learn about your services, but posts, comments, and likes are quick to do and leave little impact once the recipient closes the app.

To move your business from a name people recognize to a business they feel connected to, we suggest you add sending notecards to your marketing strategy. If you don't have notecards branded for your business yet, then be sure to reach out to us so we can design and print notecards for you.

Here are 4 occasions you could easily send someone a branded business notecard that makes them feel special and helps your business stand out.

• Congratulations on a business or work anniversary
  If a business is celebrating its anniversary or you're celebrating a customer's anniversary of when they went into business with you, don't just comment congratulations on their posts or send an email. Take a moment to write out a note and put it in the mail. Those few words in a card say so much more than an electronic communication.
  

• Thank you for meeting with me to a prospect or customer
  When a prospect is looking for a service or product your business provides, more than likely they are considering more than one option. Stand out from your competition by showing the heart and humanity behind your business with a note and let your product or service features speak for themselves.
  

• Thank you for your order
  We all have some sort of thank you when a customer checks out or pays an invoice, but printed on a receipt or a final pop-up after checkout doesn't come from the heart. Choose a few repeat or special customers each quarter to personally thank with a note.
  

• It was great meeting you
  When attending business conferences or bumping into someone who could be a great fit to work with, sending a handwritten note reinforces and conveys the importance the meeting had on you. Follow-up is important, and the most impactful way to follow up is with something more tangible than a message on a screen.

Whether you send notecards with your orders already or we gave you a few new ideas on how to start, we can't wait to see how this marketing strategy will impact your business by strengthening your connections.

Paris or Venice Anyone?

Have you ever traveled somewhere… and then love to come across little reminders of those past adventures in your everyday?

That's what we love about Michael Underwood's new notecard packs. He's taken beautiful, scenic photographs of Paris and Venice, made them more moody and dreamy with his own touch, and has compiled them into 2 notecard packs of 8 scenes of Paris and Venice.

Michael has spent his whole life creating whether it is with film or photography. He was part of the creative team that brought the world TV channels such as HGTV, Home and Garden Television, and Fine Living Network. 

Now, he produces photos that go beyond all expectations as he gives them the lighting and appearance of being between a photo and a painting. He produces very unique, detailed images that pull at your heartstrings. We held a reception for his "Frozen" collection in April and are glad to add these 2 new card collections, Paris on the Loose and Venice on the Loose, to our Michael Underwood selection in our shop.

Whether you or someone you know has visited either of these destinations while studying abroad, taking a honeymoon, or going on a trip, these card packs offer a great way to send a note to someone you traveled with to remind them about the crazy times you had together and the wonderful memories you made. Or, you can always frame them as they are works of art to begin with.

Michael's new notecard packs will be available in the shop and online on July 17, 2023. You can stop by and pick up a pack or shop online.

National Stationery Store Day is Coming UP!

As paper lovers, you're some of the few people who can share in our excitement for Stationery Store Day on August 5th!

Be on the look out on our social media and this newsletter for how we're going to celebrate with all of you! We have a few surprises planned that you won't want to miss.