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Post by crimsoncat05 on Dec 22, 2017 20:08:43 GMT
Okay, so I know I'm overthinking this, but if you make your cards or gifts, do you want people to know that, or not? Is it a compliment for someone to think 'oh, it's store-bought' when they open a card, or something you've made? Or do you want them to know you spent the time and skill to make it yourself?
They weren't complicated cards, at all- not to me, anyway- a bit of stamping and heat embossing, but mostly just cutting and gluing paper... No super-complicated dies, Cameo cuts or Copic coloring, or anything like that.
But if I tell people 'oh, yeah- I made them' does it sound like I'm boasting?? Would it come across as 'I spent so much time on this, and I am soooo artistic... just wanted you to know' if I did tell people I made them?? Or is it just so unusual anymore to get anything handmade that most people just think 'store-bought' as the default?
This mental dilemma is why I like giving cards to other crafters; they appreciate the artistry, and can ooh and ahh over the stamp design, or the paper patterns, etc. LOL- Like I said, I know I'm overthinking it. A couple co-workers were very appreciative and KNEW I handmade their cards, but a couple others were like 'oh, you made this? I thought it was from the store' and that made me feel kind of let-down.
What do people say when you guys give them handmade items??
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Post by scrapperal on Dec 22, 2017 20:13:55 GMT
I stamp the back of the cards I made with a "made by" stamp so yeah, I guess I want people to know that I made the card. Most people seem to appreciate the cards I make them. I take it as a compliment that they think it was store bought. After all, some of those fancy Hallmark and Papyrus cards are expensive!
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Post by crimsoncat05 on Dec 22, 2017 20:14:51 GMT
I did that too, actually... those people didn't even turn the card over, otherwise they would have seen that, lol.
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Post by anniefb on Dec 22, 2017 20:15:27 GMT
Most of my friends and close family know I make cards and, yes, I want people to realise I made them something. I always put a sticker on the back of anything I make which says 'handmade by Anne B' Most of the people I give to really appreciate the fact that I took the time to make something. I've only ever had one negative comment from an old aunt who said something like 'thank you for your interesting card' so now I always just send bought ones to her, because I know she doesn't appreciate them at all. As far as I'm aware, everyone else loves getting them (or maybe they're too polite to tell me otherwise!) and I even get requests for certain cards, and for card sets for people to send themselves.
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Post by katlady on Dec 22, 2017 20:44:25 GMT
but a couple others were like 'oh, you made this? I thought it was from the store' and that made me feel kind of let-down. Actually, I take that as a compliment, that my handmade item does not look handmade and it looks good enough to be sold in a retail store.  |
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GiantsFan
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Post by GiantsFan on Dec 22, 2017 21:32:58 GMT
I guess I want people to know because I stamp a custom stamp on the back that says Made by GiantsFan. Most people who receive my cards know that I'm a card maker, though.
"'oh, you made this? I thought it was from the store' " I would take this as a compliment and not a let down.
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Post by woodysbetty on Dec 22, 2017 21:34:33 GMT
I agree with Katlady...your cards must be so pretty the people are assuming they are store bought...total compliment!
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Post by crimsoncat05 on Dec 22, 2017 22:08:05 GMT
thanks, guys!
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scrapaddie
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Post by scrapaddie on Dec 22, 2017 23:04:03 GMT
Yes.... I want people to know that it's a little bit more personal than if I had just gone to the store and bought a pack of cards
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Post by justjac on Dec 23, 2017 2:18:33 GMT
I have a handmade by stamp, too, so I want people to know. I've told people with other crafts like wreaths or coasters. They have reacted with surprise but nothing negative.
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Post by artisticscrapper on Dec 23, 2017 2:56:24 GMT
Most of the people I give/send cards to know I made them. I don’t think telling people the cards are handmade is boasting or fishing for compliments. I just want them to know I like them enough to take time and effort to give them something hand made. If someone thought it was a store bought card I’d be flattered.
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Post by JaneB on Dec 23, 2017 7:36:47 GMT
I have a Designed by Jane Bradbury piece I stick on the back of what I make, with a little computer screen and my website address. I print and cut them on the Cameo. However, if a card looks a bit less than my usual wonky standard I leave that off  Like you I overthink it. The people who really know me, and have been (un)fortunate enough to watch how my hands work in real life appreciate the fact I manage it at all. Others have no idea and that's OK. The real reason we do what we do, cards or scrapbooks or anything creative, is because we like doing it and it makes us happy.  |
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Post by streetscrapper on Dec 23, 2017 13:00:16 GMT
I absolutely want people to know that my cards are handmade. I have several different "handmade by" stamps that I add to the back of every card and I usually get one made every year for the back of my Christmas cards. My card list has grown over the past few years and I've had people ask how they get on my list!
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msliz
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Post by msliz on Dec 23, 2017 13:20:50 GMT
I've only given handmade cards to other papercrafters, and only starting this year, but I've given other sorts of handmade gifts to some of my family members and they were appreciated. Other family members would definitely not appreciate them. It really doesn't depend on the gift so much as it depends on the recipient.
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Post by grammadee on Dec 23, 2017 15:25:48 GMT
I love to give homemade cards and gifts. And when I receive a gift, I like to know if the person created it themselves so I can thank them appropriately.
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kitbop
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Post by kitbop on Dec 23, 2017 15:31:21 GMT
Yes, I do want them to know, but yes, I want it to look professional enough to be "store bought" if that makes sense!!!
My Mom this year - she thought that most of my card was pre-fab - when I had actually started with a piece of white paper and used ink blending, stamping, stenciling, embossing etc. - and so she said "what's the big deal" when I asked her if she liked it. When I explained the process she more appreciated it.
My friends know I make my cards and look at them from that perspective already.
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kitbop
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by kitbop on Dec 23, 2017 15:43:48 GMT
Yes, I do want them to know, but yes, I want it to look professional enough to be "store bought" if that makes sense!!!
My Mom this year - she thought that most of my card was pre-fab - when I had actually started with a piece of white paper and used ink blending, stamping, stenciling, embossing etc. - and so she said "what's the big deal" when I asked her if she liked it. When I explained the process she more appreciated it.
My friends know I make my cards and look at them from that perspective already.
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Post by riversong1963 on Dec 23, 2017 15:49:44 GMT
I always sign the backs of my cards. I take it as a high compliment if someone says it looks like a store-bought card. I think that when people say that, they mean that it's so good that people would pay for it. When people tell me that I should sell my cards, I tell them that I do, and to let me know when they need some. |
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Post by LisaDV on Dec 24, 2017 14:15:04 GMT
'oh, you made this? I thought it was from the store' and that made me feel kind of let-down. I don't think they were trying to be rude. If someone isn't crafty, for them to say I thought it was store bought, means that they're genuinely impressed with your skills and the item. I love getting handmade items for presents whether it's a high quality handmade or not. I know how much love and work went into the item. I've learned through the years who appreciates handmade gifts and who doesn't. For those that do, I love to create. For those that don't, I don't bother. |
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Post by joblackford on Dec 25, 2017 17:48:15 GMT
Yes, I want people to know. I remember one year I gave people cards with a photo that I took (something artistic and overfiltered with berries on a tree or something) and most people didn't realize it was my photo. After they found out I had taken it they reacted like they were impressed with it if it was mine but they weren't much impressed by it inherently - like it was only so-so if it was someone else's photo but since it was mine they liked it. I had mixed feelings about that - I wanted to think it was inherently nice looking, not just "good for an amateur" (even though now, looking back, I see it really wasn't good!) but I was also kind of offended that they didn't assume I made it since I had never given them a store bought card. I don't know. I think it was only one person's reaction... We artists can be sensitive  But anyway, I like people to know that I went to the trouble to make them something, but I also know that only makers really appreciate what that means, and in the end it's all good - it really is the thought that counts, and some people value handmade and some people think that homemade is cheap or inferior or just not as attractive as store bought. |
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Post by AngieandSnoopy on Dec 25, 2017 19:40:09 GMT
Yes, because I've had a personalized stamp for many years. The clear one was made badly and finally started falling apart so I had a couple of Vistaprint reinking stamps made this summer. I did the big one on a good coupon. Later, I wished I had a smaller one for some of my popup box cards and some of my small shaped cards and did another one. I made sure I got the ones that are either OPEN at the bottom or clear at the bottom so that I can stamp, and without moving see if it stamped well before lifting it up. If it didn't stamp well, I can restamp without moving. It works best IF you have something at each corner, otherwise, you just might get a spot where the ink touched the corner. Even if you cut that off, it still might leave an inked spot. I have a paw print at 3 corners and a tiny Dachshund at the other on the stamp that the words didn't go all the way to the edge. Before I had stamps, I ran the card bases through the printer after I cut them to print my info. I have "Angie's Cards" on the top line so they KNOW! |
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Post by Linda on Dec 25, 2017 19:54:14 GMT
I have a made by stamp also - I don't always bother with it though - the people who get my cards know that they are home-made - and certainly they aren't store-bought or etsy quality but that's okay too
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Post by caspad on Dec 26, 2017 18:33:36 GMT
but a couple others were like 'oh, you made this? I thought it was from the store' and that made me feel kind of let-down. Isn't that the biggest compliment handmade work can get? Your work is so good they thought it was machine made! My family/friends *expect* handmade from me. When I store buy, I make sure it's really, really storebought looking, otherwise they assume I made it. |
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Post by refugeepea on Dec 26, 2017 22:18:33 GMT
My cards are very basic. I think most people figure it out. |
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Post by lisacharlotte on Dec 27, 2017 3:52:06 GMT
Considering every commercially made card I've ever bought was pretty obvious (machine printed image on slick cardstock) despite any added textural embellishments. My handmade cards are pretty obvious even if I don't stamp one of my "made by" stamps on the back. Even very professionally handmade cards look handmade to me. My family is aware that I make my cards so there is no confusion about the origins of my cards.
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