The Magic Behind Custom Cards

One of my favorite parts about this business is creating custom card orders. I find it really exciting to take the (sometimes vague) instructions of a client and turn it into their dream card to give to a loved one. I always get butterflies in my stomach when I reveal the custom card to the buyer- I think it's a mixture of nerves and excitement. So far each time the buyer has been thrilled and genuinely excited about their custom card! I feel so blessed to be apart of this little exchange of love- and I am so happy to help in the small way I can!

I decided today to give you all a sneak peek into my process for creating a custom card!

Here is how it works!

First the client logs onto my Etsy shop and purchases a small or large custom card.
While they are checking out they are asked 2 things:
To select an occasion for the card & a color.

After their order they'll need to visit my website to complete a more detailed form of what they are looking for. That form asks these questions:
Name
Etsy Order #
Email
Occasion
Who the card is for
Words to be displayed on card
Color Preference
Other Features to be used: i.e. stamping, misting, layering, sewing, watercolor, hand drawing, handwriting, etc.
And a nice little box to leave any extra thoughts or comments.

Once these are submitted the fun begins! I take the wishes and desires on the form and start brainstorming.

For example: A recent custom order I received gave me this information:

Occasion	Thank You
Who is the Card For?	Co-worker
Words to be Displayed on Card	"Thanks" "Thank You" "Thank You Team Taco" or none
Color to Use on Card	No Preference
Other Features-Layering	yes
Other Comments or Desires	This is a thank you card to my team that I will give to them when I leave my job. Please use the images on the websites below as inspiration. Beyond that, put together whatever you'd like - I trust your artistic instincts. https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/coronado-springs-resort/ http://www.disneymeetings.com/disneyworld/coronado-springs/gallery/

From there I did my research! I checked out the websites and found out what the resort was like where she worked. Turns out it was at Coronado Springs in Disney. I discovered that Coronado Springs is fashioned after Spanish Colonial Architecture- and ideas just exploded from there! 

Once I get a general idea from the form I start collecting inspiring and related images. I usually pin them to my Everyday Hello Board on Pinterest.

Here are some I collected for this project specifically.

This is a picture of the resort she was working at!

Below are some general examples of Spanish Colonial design that I loved and felt inspired by.

I then take all of the inspiration I've collected and funnel them into a card! For this card I was inspired by the blues and yellows in these pictures and the intricate tiles used on the stairs! Here is what I created:

In this particular card I used card stock paper to reflect the colors of the Spanish Colonial style and I also used a misting stencil to get an intricate "tile inspired" pattern onto the paper. The geometric patterns mixed with the floral stenciling gave me the desired look of Spanish architecture using arches and curves combined with straight lines. 

After the card is created I usually send a picture of the card to my client. I like to make sure they see what they are getting before I mail it! This is a nice buffer too if for some reason something needs to be changed or adjusted. 

When I revealed the card to the client she was very happy with the result! The next day the card is bundled up with love and sent on it's way in a secure and snug package right to your door! 

After receiving the card my client (Meagan) said, "It was really easy to order the custom card, and you did a fabulous job even though I was pretty vague. I also was impressed by the amount of care that was taken when you shipped the card to me. I'll definitely continue to order cards in the future for special occasions."

Here is a little video of this card being bundled up! 

That pretty much sums up all the magic from start to finish when it comes to creating a custom card order! If you are on the fence about ordering one comment below or message me on my website or etsy to inquire about an idea. I am very excited to create more custom card orders, whether you have a very specific idea or just some vague thoughts. To see more custom cards I've created visit everydayhello.com and check out the previously purchased cards! 

Have a fabulous day everyone! <3