The Art of the Thank You

They say that the art of letter writing is declining. I agree and, unfortunately, I am as guilty as anyone of contributing to its demise. Another slowly declining art is the Thank You Card. I used to write a lot of thank you cards, but the busier my life is, the less I tend to sit down and write a card to thank someone for a gift or a kindness.

It's a shame, too, as far as I am concerned. Everyone likes to be appreciated and thank you cards are a wonderful, inexpensive, and quick way to do that. I don't know about you, but I still get excited when I get something in the mail that isn't a bill or junk mail. This holiday season I have decided to send lots of thank you cards.

I have been complimented not only on the fact that I send thank yous but also the way in which I write them. I'm not Emily Post, but I do believe there are certain things that should be included in every thank you card:

• A mention of the gift (or kindness) - specifically, not just "thank you for the gift".
• If the gift is money or a gift certificate, tell the giver what you plan to use it for (or already have used it for).
• How you will use or what you have done with the gift.
• Even if you don't really like the gift remember it's the thought that counts. You can find something nice to say about it (it's useful, colorful, etc.). If you can't think of anything nice to say, just thank the person for thinking of you.

I always keep on hand a bunch of cards I can use for thank you cards, some specifically meant for that purpose, other just blank all-occasion cards. For me half the fun is choosing the card. I recently purchased these cards from fellow Etsy Maine Team member Cozink. I can't wait to use them.



In the interest of buying local, I try to buy from my fellow Etsy Maine Teamers when I can. Fortunately, there are many Maine Teamers who make awesome papergoods.

I love these little butterflies by KT Paper Crafts:



Here are some cute ones that would be great for baby gifts by whimsidoodle:


Here's a great idea for getting your kids to write thank you cards after the holidays from
ajoyfullife:




These tiny cards from oliodesigns would be great to send to your Etsy buyers:


Speaking of sending thank yous to your Etsy buyers, I ordered these little Moo cards for that very purpose:


You may prefer to make your own cards. Blank cards of nearly any size and shape can be found in craft stores, along with rubber stamps and endless supplies of embellishments. I made these little cards in a leaf printing class at Sweetland Retreat.


So when you are holiday shopping this year, pick up a package of cards and be sure to thank those who think of you this season.

Two New Show Dates

Great for your last minute holiday shopping, I have added two new dates to my show calendar:

Saturday, December 12 - 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Saturday Holiday Market
The Maine Grind, Main Street, Ellsworth

* * *
Saturday December 19 - 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Saturday Holiday Market
The Maine Grind, Main Street, Ellsworth

These will be small shows and I will only have a limited amount of inventory there, so if you plan to be there on a particular day and you know that you would like to see something in particular, email me at info@willowandme.com and I will be sure to have it there! Hope to see you there!

Willow

Sometimes I struggle with taking pictures of my jewelry for my Etsy shop. Usually the lighting isn't right or something, but sometimes it is a matter of something getting in the way of the camera. If you look carefully, you might be able to see the piece sticking out under her legs.

Thanks!

A big thanks to everyone who visited and purchased from me at the Gifted Hand. You made it my best show of the year!

The Gifted Hand: Fine Art and Craft Show - This Weekend

This coming weekend I will be at The Gifted Hand: Fine Art and Craft Show here in Ellsworth.

When:
Friday, November 13, 10:00 to 5:00
Saturday, November 14, 9:00 to 4:00

Where:
Holiday Inn Convention Center (Tennis Court Area), 215 High Street, Ellsworth, Maine

It's an awesome show with locally and nationally recognized artists, nice music, wonderful food and lots of fun! Their benefit this year will be for Birdsacre Bird Care Facility and Shelter and Stanwood Wildlife Sanctuary. There are many door prizes donated by artisans as well.

For more information, including a list of artisans and directions, click here. I hope to see you there!

So Proud of My Etsy Maine Team Peeps!

It has been an amazing few days for Etsy Maine Team people! Three Maine Teamers were finalists in the DIY Wedding Crafts Contests in Martha Stewart Weddings (only 20 people were chosen as finalists out of 3200!!!!) They were: Fabuluster, Little Pink House and Mosey Handmade.

And today on the Today Show our very own Autumn Equinox had a ring featured in the InStyle Guide segment. The video and an article are on that page. To see Jenna's ring on the video, it's on the third model (the Casual L.A. Style). Towards the end of that part, she holds up her hand and they have a close up of the ring. So very cool! And the InStyle Editor really talked up Etsy, too. Yay!

NEW! Sale Section in my Etsy Shop

I have added a new Sale Section to my Etsy Shop, which will contain out of season items or things that have just been in my shop a long time. Check back often, because I won't be adding to the section at a set time, just whenever I have the time or feel something has been hanging around too long.