Summer Blues

Well, after a couple craft fairs earlier this summer I'm afraid my brain and body took quite a hiatus from card making.

The craft fairs were my first ever, and my 5 part consensus is:

1) Didn't make more than I spent to participate (w/gas etc)

2) Outside fairs are unpredictable with weather ranging from hotttt to so windy every thing was blowing over

3) I don't know how other people can do this without a helper, at the very least to relieve them for bathroom breaks

4) The public would rather buy a $50 item for themselves than a $3 card for someone else

5) Glad I did it to put my name out there and meet fun people and talented makers

Let's talk about #4 for a minute: I realize we live in a day and age where not everyone sends cards, but it is still a social norm for most occasions (i.e. weddings, birthdays, graduations, mothers/fathers day, etc.) Hallmark still brings in billions of dollars on Christmas card sales alone. And while I'm not professing my cards are the best or the cheapest, they are certainly cheaper than Hallmark & certainly cuter than most at Dollar Tree. I have no problem with store bought cards, especially if you're on a budget and buying in bulk or find one that says all the right things and you yourself can't ever think of what to write in a blank card. And I love receiving cards, matter of fact, no matter where they're from. (Although if I had to pick a favorite brand, it would be Papyrus)

But this year, for my birthday, my friends and family failed me. The only cards I got were from one friend, my mom, and my husband (albeit belated and after a lot of pestering him). I began to wonder, are people intimidated by giving me a card now since I have a card making side hustle? Are they worried the one they pick won't be good enough? Who knows. And it's not like I was totally forgotten; texts & phone calls still matter and everyone has different love languages.....but of all people, you're going to NOT give a card is the person in your life who loves cards?! I know people are busy but even my only sister & mother-in-law didn't, which is truly out of the ordinary.

Ok, rant (almost) over 😉 I guess my point is, at my age I don't expect a gift or a fuss, but if you're close to me I'm sending you cards all year and I expect one at least for my Birthday & Christmas (unless you don't celebrate Christmas). I don't care if it's a 50 cent card that you scribble in, I don't care if it's late. But sometimes, people just need a tangible sign of love.

And that's exactly why I started Crafty Cat Designs- because friends and family matter. Because homemade cards that speak love don't just get thrown in the trash a day later. Because depression is rampant and people need something to cling to.