We are back in action

I wanted to update you and let you know we are back open for business (we have been since Monday). I am in the process of getting all of our labels listed. It is taking longer than I planned, sorry!

By Monday most of them should be up and you will have received a newsletter with a coupon for those labels. It will be good for one week. So be on the lookout for it.

Want to see these labels I am talking about? CLICK HERE!

On a roll

Sweet Papery will be closed for Spring Break. We will be soaking up the sun on a lovely beach somewhere in Mexico. Far away from a computer and the phone. Unfortunately that will only be happening in my dreams.

The truth: We are taking a short break to make some changes and updates to our store (and to spend time with our family), but the most exciting thing we will be doing is getting ready to launch a brand new product line. We have heard your cries and pleads, and are pleased to finally announce Sweet Papery will be offering stickers and labels along side our rubber stamps. Now you will have the option to purchase one of our unique designs as a rubber stamp or a sticker! Can't decide? You better just buy both!

Our professional quality glossy labels and stickers will be come on a roll and will be offered in quantities starting at 100. I really, really love our stamps, but I am even more in love with these labels. They are super fun and I know you will love them too. The possibilities truly are endless.

If you aren't signed up for our newsletter, I will let you in on a little secret, you better do it now. We will be offering a promotional price on our labels during the launch week, but that offer will only be available to our newsletter subscribers. So, what are you waiting for? Huh? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP! Come on, I said clickity click here. Don't make me tell you again. You don't want to miss it. It will be good, I promise.

That little box is the packaging for our wooden handle rubber stamps. Now we print our own labels and we can print some for you too.

etsy shopping = fun finds

I am always on etsy. Always. The reason of course is because of my store there, but while I am relisting items, answering people's questions, sending proofs, I am also browsing my customer's stores and checking out who they have marked as a favorite. This is bad for someone who likes to shop. Here are three things I bought yesterday:

These fabulous blue felt eggs for my son's Easter basket from Go Buggy
I have been wanting a carton of eggs from her for months now and when I saw she added these sweet blue eggs I knew I had to get them.

Aren't these vintage letterpress F's super cool? I am going to display them in my office/shipping room. Check out Angiepea's shop for lots more. I really like this Frida one.

I bought this print to hang in my office from a lovely gal in New Zealand. Check out Bernadette's store sugarloop for other cool prints.

There were a few more things I bought, but I can't show you because they are gifts for people who just might read this blog! Also, in case you can't tell, my new year's resolution didn't last for very long.

And the winner is......

Thanks to everyone who commented on the "Apart from the competition" post. I got some great ideas!

I used a random number generator to pick the winner of a "handmade by" stamp and the number was 4.

So the winner is................................ALISON


Congratulations Alison.

Venuszine: As seen in

I made my first appearance in a real life publication! My rubber stamps are featured in the new issue of VenusZine as a source for DYI businesses. WAHOO!

It was so fun to get my comp issue and flip through it until, lo and behold there were my stamps. I hope this means more exposure for my growing business. These are very exciting times.

Are you wondering what ZenusZine is? It is a indie culture magazine featuring women, music, art, film, fashion, and me! Okay, maybe not me, but this issue does feature a little of me!

Apart from the competition

As a small business owner, I am constantly trying to find ways to set myself apart from my competition. I want people to buy from me and I have to give them a reason why I am better than the cheaper alternative or the bigger store.

I came across this website someone had posted on their blog. I was immediately touched by the story and I love this idea.


Check it out here: The Simple Truths of Service

What are some things you can do get customers lining up to buy from you over and over again? I would love to hear your thoughts on this.

Here are some things I came up with:

1. Hold special invitation only events -- these can even be online sneak previews.
2. Send personalized thank you cards. I bought the cutest felt food from BeckyM on etsy and I got a handmade card with my order. It made me feel really special.
3. Send a card to customers on their birthday with a special offer just for them
4. Offer a frequent buyer program. For example, if a customer buys x number of products from you they receive a $15 store credit.
5. Send out personalized newsletters with exclusive discounts. I use Constant Contact to stay in touch with my customers. They have easy to use, professional template designs. I let my newsletter subscribers be the first to know of new products and I give them exclusive discounts that I don't offer any where else. In fact, yesterday I had a leap year sale and only announced it in my newsletter. Do you know how many sales I got? SIXTY-NINE! That is over a 500% increase of my average day of sales. (Send an email to sweetpapery@gmail.com if you would like me to refer you. If I send you a link to sign up you will receive 60 days for free and a $30 credit!)

Please post your ideas and have a chance to win a "handmade by" stamp from my store. Only one entry per person and I will randomly draw a winner on Tuesday, March 4th at 9 p.m. CST and announce them here on Wednesday.