Cindy Ho Designs – Year Two

Still a full time mom and still have my full time career but Cindy Ho Designs has gotten busier.   In order to keep organized, in the first quarter of this year my shop was split into three categories.

1. Foils and Artwork – www.cindyhodesigns.com
2. Decals and Stickers - cindyhodecals.etsy.com
3. Craft Supplies – cindyhosupplies.etsy.com

This also helped me service my customers better since each store offer very different things.  Also I’ve been freelancing making handmade greeting cards which developed my designing skills.

It’s been a great experience so far.   The profits from my shop has paid for all my tools without dipping into the family budget.  Back in October, I preordered a Glowforge laser cutter without hesitation.  This has been my largest investment yet and I didn’t few it as a ‘toy’.  I viewed the unit as opportunity to expand on my dream.  I’m a little nervous as it’s a whole new learning curve, but I know this is perfect stepping stone toward my goals.

For those who like my work or ordered my designs,

Thank You! 

Jewel – Husky Digital Cutting File

A couple of years ago,  Ana asked to make a custom family Christmas card for her.  She’s one of the most vibrant ladies I’ve ever met.  She had a sweet husky named Jewel.

I generally prefer designing my own cutting files, however, she didn’t give me a lot of time to design her and her son. So I purchased some ready made files from SVG Cutting Files and made some adjustments to suit so they represented her family well.  This site is a great for any owner of a desktop digital cutter.    Their files fully editable so you can customize your creations. 

Jewel, however, I wanted to make my own cutting file as I couldn’t find cutting file that matched the SVG ones purchased.  I took heavy reference to a cute husky drawing done by a talented artist with the handle Gingalengendamterasu on Deviantart.  It was a frustrating but wonderful challenge to recreate the husky as a paper cut project.  The project ended up wonderfully.

Buying Handmade Cards – It’s Only Paper!

I’m writing my own take on what you are really paying for when buying handmade.  If you happen to follow my Instagram account, lately I’ve been posting handmade greeting cards.  Contrary to popular belief, I don’t sell handmade greeting cards.   I enjoy making them and pride goes into each one, but not to include in my Cindy Ho Designs product line.  I don’t enjoy making them for other people.  The time and the money spent on materials, I’d want a minimum of $10 to $15 for custom card work, which 80% of those who ask are caught off guard with sticker shock and try to negotiate! 

“It’s only paper!”

“I can buy that from Walmart for $3.00”

“I can make that myself!”

“What?  I should get a discount, I’m your friend!”

I’m the type of person who can stand firm and move on if the project doesn’t happen.  Offended, yes, but try not to show it.  For many sellers, these comments hits them in the heart like an insult and they can fester.  

“How could these people trivialize the heart and soul put into this piece of art?”  

These customers are not in your target market anyway.  I do admit when these people react in a way that my art has no value and calling it ugly that stings like someone throwing sand in my eyes.

Side note:  There’s many artists out there who make really nice handmade cards that are much nicer then mine.  Okay, on that note, I’m plugging  Lucky Charms Card Collection.  Her cards are nicer because that’s her passion.  Tell her ‘hi’ for me!

Back to the topic.  When buying handmade, take into consideration the quality of materials, expertise, time and love spent for the artisan to create an original and unique work of art.   For a one off custom design by me, it takes at least an hour, hence the $10 to $15 price tag.  That’s barely minimum wage.

If you wondering why I even take on cards orders at all?  Honestly, it’s good seed revenue for the shop and helps build up a indirect portfolio to showcase my style.   I also love the designing step, transferring it into a cutting or illustration design.    If I choose to take on a project that pays me way below living wage, it is to design for future products.