A Weighty Problem!!

Hello All

Another long time since my last post!! Been very busy in my day job, so this has taken a back seat somewhat.

I have however been continuing my progress towards completing the website. This month's project has been to look into how much I would charge for P&P. I want something easy for the customer to understand, and for me to deal with. I don't really want to have to make frequent trips to the post office - I would like to be able to package any orders up, put enough stamps on to cover postage, then put it in the postbox on the way to work.


Have spent many hours weighing loads of my cards to find average weights for each size card. Then seeing how many of each I can get into different size envelopes. Then trying to work out how much postage that would be. Then getting into a right old pickle with which cards fitted into which envelopes - and how many?? And what if there was a mix of sizes?? I'm still in a tangle with it.

Because, although I've got some costings, I now wonder should I charge a fixed amount regardless of how many cards are ordered, or should I go for x amount for up to y cards? And should that be for any size cards. And should there be a sliding scale eg x for y cards, w for z cards, a for b cards (Sorry, I know I'm getting frustrated with things when my logical/maths background kicks in and things start becoming algebraic equations).

And, as a crafter and on-line shopper myself, how much would I be prepared to pay for a similar product?

Although not having sorted charges out, I was pretty confident that there were only three sizes of envelope that would be any good, so I went ahead and ordered some. Well, more than some. Quite a few actually - cheaper to bulk buy. Mmmmmm!! Another large box to find a home for!!

But, having received them, and all set to experiment with sending various combinations through the post to myself, I find that my spacial awareness has sorely let me down. And my plan of being able to post them myself is unlikely to get off the ground. The envelopes are too big for the post box!!! Dohhhhhh!!!! How stupid.

So, am now trying to work out how often I would be able to get to the post office, so I can say "delivery within x-y days" - which could be never, if I don't get these things sorted.

And in amongst all this palaver, I find that, in order to submit tax returns, I need to have much more detailed records - and I need to do a stock take to work out what my crafty stash is currently worth. (Not sure I actually want to know - especially if I have to admit it to the other half)!!!

Oh well, it gives me something to think about.

Meanwhile, I'm still working on commissioned cards, so here's my latest. An 8" boxed Wedding Card.

Enjoy - be in touch again soonish!!!

Cxx

The Card


The top of the lid of the box


Close up of the topper on the lid of the box


Inside of the lid of the box


Inside of the base of the box

Picture .... not so perfect....?

Ok, so while I ponder the more serious questions of money (and another that's cropped up - post and packing), I decided to try to perfect the technique of photographing my cards accurately.

I've always photographed my cards, as a record for myself of all my designs. But now I need to be able to take pictures that accurately represent my cards - and are not just a blurred representation that only I recognise.

It may seem fairly simple to you, and I'm sure my husband would agree (in his spare time he takes wildlife photos - one just recently published in our local paper!!), but I'm more of a snapshot kinda girl! Friends, family, holidays - that sort of stuff. So this is going to be a challenge.

So I've cleared an area at the side of my desk to set up as a "photo studio". Sounds grand until you realise it's just my filing cabinet with the curtain pulled over the top of it.

Anyway, have had a go photographing some "quick makes" I did recently. Have gone with a "floral" theme for the "dressing" of the photo (who knows if that's the correct terminology - but is sounds good!!) But that's only really because I have loads of fabric flowers in my crafty stash, and didn't really know what else to do.

So, here they are. Let me know what you think!! Leave a message here on the blog - or alternately in the guestbook on my website.
Look forward to hearing from you.

Cxx

So many questions...?

Having spent the day yesterday taking advantage of the good weather, and painting (some of) the numerous fence panels in the back garden, I feel I should try to make a bit more progress on the website.

But, as I get further into setting up this website, I realise there are soooo many questions to answer before I can take each step.

My thoughts at the moment are on the financial side. I obviously need to set up a paypal account (yes - I still don't have one - have managed to dodge around it all the time) for any payments, which in theory, is simple enough. But then it brings me to where do I put that money? Do I set up a separate account? And if so, should it be a "business" account. And what actually is a "business" account? Is it any different to an ordinary account? Are there some perks or benefits to being a business account? Or just more hoops to jump through?

I really would like to keep any (I'm being optimistic here) money separate from my personal finances, so maybe I just need to find out which account is best for me!

A quick pause there, whilst I e-mailed my financial advisor - he's obviously the man to tell me the definitive answer!! Doh!! Why didn't I think of that before. Although, when I started this blog, I did mention that writing things down helps me to get them sorted - so hey presto!! I've written down the problem, and the solution had presented itself!! If only all of life was so simple!!

Anyway, it's a beautiful day, and I'm going to get out and enjoy the sunshine whilst I wait for a reply to my e-mail.

I am posting piccies of my work in the gallery on my website, but here's a recent make! It's a commissioned 8" card with matching handmade box. Hope you like.

Cxx







EDIT In the time it took to add the photos, I've had an OUT OF OFFICE e-mail from my financial advisor. So this one could take a while to resolve. Oh well, the sunshine beckons!!