What a year it has been. We were so looking forward to 2020. The previous year, 2019, was challenging for many reasons. We had some big personal losses and were truly looking forward to a fresh start in 2020. The year started off great! We had lots of great shows lined...
Wishing you Hope, Joy, and Love-FREE wallpaper
Hello friends of El's Cards. What a year 2020 has been. So different than past years in many ways. Bob and I have learned so much about our business, ourselves, and how to adapt and make the best of what at some moments looked like an impossible situation. We missed working with...
How are El's watercolor maps created?
During a regular year in craft show season, our watercolor maps are often the star of the show. We put them in barn wood frames for a beautiful display and we have sold out of these frames in a day more than once. Every year, I add a few maps...
Holiday Launch 2020-New designs and MORE!!
I got dressed up on Monday. Not in an evening gown or anything like that, but dressed up for a pandemic year. Actual pants (vs. sweats), a nice sweater, and a real top (vs. sweatshirt), jewelry, full makeup and shoes (vs. slippers). I've been working on all the items for our Christmas launch...
Happy 5 Year Anniversary to Bob!!!
Ellen had asked me to write this blog at the beginning of April. I said there was plenty of time, what else do we have to do? It is funny how doing nothing can take so much time. This month is the fifth anniversary of my partnership in my wife’s...
Behind the Scenes with Bob-Tools for the Job
I remember being in 7th grade and the school had a wood shop. They may have thought that by this age we would understand and respect tools. Not so in my case. A mishap with a sharp chisel and off to the hospital for a lot of stitches. I went on...
Staying Organized-A Few Tips from Bob
People who have visited our workshop are very quick to comment “Wow, it is so organized.” I will admit I have a sense of pride when I hear those words. Sometimes when working in a large shop with many people around, it is harder to keep things in order. I...
El's Cards Logo Evolution over 20 Years
With the growth of El's Cards over the years, our logo has also done some developing and changing. When we first started out, this logo was on our home page. It was the creative genius of the wonderful team at Coastline Graphics! The rubber stamp image was for the website,...
El's Cards Celebrates 20 Years-the film!
We are super excited to announce that this year, El's Cards is celebrating being in business for 20 years!! There are so many adventures and moments to celebrate. Most of all, we want to thank all of our wonderful clients who we have been so lucky to meet. The 20...
Behind the Scenes-Kicking off 2018
What a great year we had in 2017!! It was truly our best year yet in so many ways! We had great success with our craft show schedule, launched a few new products (poster calendars, prints, and printed seating charts), and our wedding business is thriving!! I love kicking off...
Holiday Season 2017-in full swing!!
We are so excited about our holiday season 2017! So much prep has been done...the shows have begun, and we are totally ready to handle all the great internet orders that are already coming in every day! Bob got an oversized mailbox for shipping ease! He does at least 2...
El's Cards Shows-Then and Now
Recently I was going through some old photos and came across a photo from one of our craft shows in the first year we were doing them! Whoa! Thought you might enjoy photos of our show setup progression and improvements! I just about died laughing when I saw this first...
Honoring our Sweet Annabelle
When I started working at Jet Blue in 2006, Bob and I decided to get a couple of kittens. We thought it would be good company for Bob when I was gone on trips...and good company for me when I was at home working. Both of us being cat lovers,...
El's Gorgeous NEW Space!
I am so excited to be unveiling my new work space here on the blog! There is nothing like a color change and full space refresh to change the outlook on an office space. I LOVE before and afters...so here goes! We had originally planned to go away for our...
Tools of the trade-fun stamps!
I love stamps. Going to the post office to see what is new in the display case makes me happy! Yes....I know....I'm a dork! But, when you mail out as many things as we do, having a beautiful stamp really adds something special to the envelope. Today was an especially...
A two year milestone with a special post from Bob
I wake up in the morning and feel like I am still engaged in an argument. As the dream starts to fade and I shake off the sleepiness, the dream seems more like a nightmare. I was having an argument with a customer, the customer wanted a refund for a...
Starting 2017 off right
I love being my own boss. Being a business owner presents many challenges that the artist in me often resists....it would be so much more fun to just paint and do calligraphy all day. But alas, there are those business-y things that also need to be done for El's Cards...
Our 2016 Wrap Up of an amazing year at El's Cards
What a year!! So many great things happened at El's Cards in 2016! First and foremost, it was our first full year working together as a team. And I am happy to report that it went extremely well! Bob's strengths and mine are so different so we complement each other...
Getting ready for the holidays 2016
We love the upcoming season! Bob and I have been preparing by stocking up on cards, frames, paper, ink, etc. for our on line orders and our shows. Bob has ordered plenty of supplies so we have everything we need...and working on adding new products to the website! We currently...
Unique Wedding Calligraphy
Calligraphy means “beautiful writing”. When you think of calligraphy, you may think of receiving a wedding invitation in the mail with your address written by hand. In our technological world, calligraphy on wedding or party envelopes is a super special touch. But have you considered using calligraphy in a unique...
Inspired by Nature - Birds
Years ago, when I was first starting out, the thought came to me....what if I run out of ideas one day? I think at that point my next thought may have been....don't worry about that now. Just finish the job you are doing! After being in business for a little...