As most of you know, I am a huge proponent of the sincerity of the written word through correspondence. The holidays are the one time in the U.S. that many people forego email and texts and turn to the postal service. I recently looked into the history of this tradition and some say that it dates back to 19th century England, although cards were sent with fanciful images to anticipate the change of season towards spring. Regardless of the reason, it is refreshing to be acknowledged by friends & family, particularly when a personalized note is included.
In the spirit of individuality, I always enjoy stationary that is customized. " jhcards" is an artisan owned business that creates high-quality cards with texture and dimension; each one is designed and handcrafted by the proprietor, Joanne Halpin. Recently, Joanne shared with me how a craft she honed in honor of the celebration of Christmas has grown into a business consisting of an extensive collection of unique and customized pieces.
1// THE BEGINING
I’ve been making my Christmas cards for as long as I can remember. Occasionally I’d pull out all of my supplies, make a bunch of birthday cards, and put everything away again. People would suggest that I sell them, but I couldn’t visualize a business – not yet. Last Christmas, I pulled out all of my supplies and never put them away. I opened my shop on Etsy this past January and, as you can imagine, my supplies have grown a bit.
2// INSPIRATION
I get inspired every time I shop the marketplace. Sometimes, I fall in love with a particular stamp and the design develops from there. Other times, a certain paper calls my name and the process goes in reverse. Either way, I know I need to do something with it instantaneously. Style tends to follow from the feel/tone of the item or perhaps the scale of the image. Custom orders are a fun spark of creativity, too, because I’m bringing something bespoke to life that a customer hasn’t been able to find in another store.
3// AN ARTISAN & THE EQUESTRIAN LIFESTYLE
At an early age, I developed an interest in horses through my family relatives in the Boston area. They participated in show jumping, foxhunting and countless other events for sport and pleasure. They taught me not only to ride, but how to care for them; what they deemed to be great horsemanship. Through them, I have a life-long affinity with horses.
4// A PERSONALIZED EXPERIENCE
My cards have the unique feel of a handcrafted item but the shopping experience is unique as well. For example: when you select your card, you can also choose the inside greeting. Other designs offer a choice of envelope liner or envelope color. Almost all of the designs are available in a boxed set and I have mixed boxes listed, but you can easily create a customized boxed set from the shop inventory. The shopping experience at jhcards is fun, interactive and personalized even if you don’t place a custom order.
5// CUSTOMIZE WITH JOANNE
I love custom orders! My first one was a kitchen designer who wanted something unique to send to her clients. That design started with a gorgeous paper of antique silverware and developed from there. I also had a request for a set of monogrammed stationery that would be equally appropriate for business and personal use. Most recently, I had someone contact me through the shop in a panic: she had lost track of time and needed a birthday gift ASAP. She asked me to create a mixed set of blank cards; gift wrap them; include a birthday card for her to sign and ship it all overnight.
6// ORDERING & SHIPPING
Shop:
The shop is open 24/7 & is located online at: jhcards.etsy.com
Order to Reciept:
1-3 business days for individual cards to ship
3-5 business days for boxed sets to ship (often quicker)
Shipping:
Multiple options are available for shipping. During the holiday season gets underway, Joanne is in communication with the post office and tracking orders to ensure delivery will be recieved in the optimal time.
7// GET SOCIAL
Follow Joanne & jhcards on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook: @jhcardsboston.
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