3 minute read
Diary of a card shop
With shows on the horizon, it’s useful to look back at what has been doing really well for us at Creative Cove, so that I can plan my orders accordingly…
Valentine’s Day remains a big event. These days though, my customers have moved away from the sickly sweet to something a little more sentimental, meaningful and often arty. Sarah Cemmick’s linocut cards, especially the hares, have been a real hit in Lampeter. No words, just a moody blue with a moon keeping watch in the background.
On February 15, it’s bye bye love, and hello Mum (for Mother’s Day)! Here in Wales, we have double the work getting the right cards in as we cater to both languages. Most of my ordering for the spring seasons is done in the lead-up to Christmas, but I absolutely guarantee that as soon as they’re on the shelf, the panic sets in and I’m convinced there’s not enough! This year I definitely under-ordered on the Welsh cards as they’ve been selling stronger than ever. So a few emergency orders went to Claire Giles, Paintbox Designs and CeFfi cards.
Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus! That’s Happy St David’s Day, which is on March 1. We sell lots of cards, mostly the Welsh language ones, for this. Daffodils and leeks everywhere! The lovely thing about these cards is hearing where in the world they’re going to. Customers love to send to family members abroad to remind them of their Welsh roots and heritage. New Zealand and America get a fair few and it’s lovely to think that cards from my shop are travelling all that way with a little bit of love in them.
On February 24 I was asked if my Easter cards were in... I hadn’t planned on putting them out until March, but why not?!
On March 1 spring is here - but someone forgot to tell the weather! I always remove my more wintry cards on the first day of March and find all the tulips and lambs. Penguin Ink has been my new favourite this year, a Top Drawer find, with its stunning letterpress designs. They have fitted in nicely alongside Art Angels and Tatty Co.
Easter cards sold strongly this year and despite the MASSIVE orders with The Art File and Museums & Galleries, there was not enough. Pasg Hapus (Welsh for Happy Easter) cards are also strong, selling mainly from Paintbox Designs, Max Rocks and Claire Giles.
By March 10 my Mother’s Day selection had been absolutely decimated, so my weekend was spent doing a few midnight orders! I do wonder what my suppliers think when they come in on a Monday morning and see these random late-night panic buys.
It’s always interesting to see that at the beginning of the week before Mother’s Day it’s the mums coming in buying the cards - for their children’s grandmothers, their partners’ mums etc. We might see the dads later in the week!
And so Saturday morning, the day before Mother’s Day and the dads were in, some had even brought their children with them to buy a card and a gift. The previous night’s call to arms on Facebook clearly worked!
On Mother’s Day my three children had, with the help of Daddy of course, bought me flowers, books and cards - homemade, and of course, one from a certain shop in Lampeter! The evening was spent in the shop putting Mother’s Day away for another year.
As we headed into April, Easter was the strongest I have ever seen it. In previous years, I’ve considered
Finally some time off! Easter Sunday and my dad was visiting from Ramsgate. The shop was closed Sunday/Monday to enjoy family time.
Okay - I couldn’t stay away. Easter Monday and the kids were asleep, so Easter was packed away and Father’s Day put out. Yes, I know it’s early, but I know the supermarket behind me will be straight on it! Draenog to the rescue for the Welsh Father’s Day, very low on those. I made a note that I need to get onto my other Welsh suppliers to get more in.
Oh Deer is a new supplier this year and I might have had lots of fun buying their Father’s Day cards... How many is too many? I’m excited to see how they go. The Art File has some beautiful ones, too.
Around April 15 I started stocking up on the end of term, exam and graduation cards. Everyone is looking forward to the end of the school year and what that means for their futures. Exciting times!
Notes for the next few months:
* Don’t let Father’s Day get too low
* May 1 is the day to get out the summer cards... Helen Elliott, very popular artist with locals and tourists. Green Pebble, ReliefPrint Press, Art Angels. Once Father’s Day is finished with, it’s all about blank cards and wedding cards.
* Look at the Christmas orders that were placed in January - yes, January! Have I ordered enough?
* Book tickets to PG Live and make sure my hotel is sorted! I’ve not been before... I am so excited about this one. Cards, glorious cards!
