Small Biz Friday: ALT Business Cards

Welcome to Small Biz Friday! This week, I’m sharing a little bit about business cards, specifically related to ALT Summit, which I attended last month. Business cards are important! They can be the first impression for your brand, so you want to make sure you have your best foot forward.

Small Biz Friday: ALT Summit Business Cards by Gold Standard Workshop

ALT Summit, a conference for creative bloggers and small business owners, puts a lot of emphasis on business cards. You’re encouraged to bring 150-200 cards and to exchange them with everyone you meet, and even jot down a small note on every card so you can jog your memory when you’re connecting with them after the conference. There’s also a board where you pin your cards so everyone can see them! Since the conference is full of creatives, people go crazy with designs and freebies! And they’re definitely memorable. This is both awesome and intimidating.

Amber of Dixie and Twine stood out from the crowd with her card and a mini lollipop in a cellophane bag full of hand cut confetti that she sells! Very cool. But I also enjoyed the cards with just really good design, like artist Suze Ford, House of Hipsters, and A Ruffled Life. Suze and House of Hipsters ordered from the Moo Luxe line and there is a thin line of color that runs along the edge. It adds that little detail that paper people like me notice and adore.

Here’s a sampling of the biz cards I received at the conference:

Small Biz Friday: ALT Summit Business Cards by Gold Standard Workshop

Here are my cards. I already include a little goodie with each card, so I didn’t need to do a lot of brainstorming. My cards are DIY: the top and middle paper is a beautiful cotton paper from Paper Source, and the card is three layers thick. The bottom layer is patterned paper that matches my brand colors. The freebie is a washi tape page flag that’s both cute and functional. I really like my cards, and they got a good response at the conference because of the weight, the soft texture of the card, and the paper clip.

Small Biz Friday: ALT Summit Business Cards by Gold Standard Workshop

There are a lot of things that cause anxiety for ALT first timers and business cards is one of them. But let me tell you: if your card looks professional and represents you, THEN YOU ARE GOOD. It doesn’t have to be fancy, it just has to represent you. And I think that goes back to branding. Take some time to plan and experiment! And if you want to go to ALT next year, start gathering ideas now! Take a look at my Business Card Pinterest board for lots of ideas!

If you have any questions about the business cards at ALT Summit or in general, let me know in the comments! I’d love to chat more! Have a lovely weekend. xo

Kristie Signature

Feb192016Sep 1 2019

Small Biz Friday: 6 Pretty Pottery Shops

It’s Friday! It’s FRIDAY!! What a week. Kanye is losing his mind, the fashion at the Grammys sucked, and Apple is standing up for America. Whaa?! It’s time for alcohol. Amiright?

But let’s get to the fun stuff, the meaningful stuff! It’s also a big week for making weekday series over here. We had the debut of Wrap it Wednesday, a continuation of my seasonal wrapping tips series I had at Christmas. I’ll be sharing lots of pretty wrapping ideas and inspiration. And now we have Small Biz Fridays! Oh. Yeah. Girl. As a small biz gal myself, I know how much support, in so many small ways, keeps me going and I want to show some love for others in the community. Sometimes purchasing something that someone has created with their hands, or with their creative talents, is so much more satisfying than buying something at Target (though don’t get me wrong, I adore Target!). I’ll be sharing my favorite handmade and/or small businesses, local and online, sharing some resources for fellow biz owners, and interviewing some pretty rad people. If you’d like me to cover something in particular, let me know in the comments below!

Pretty Pottery!

This week, I’m sharing some of my favorite pottery shops! These small shops make beautiful pieces and they all have their own style. A lot of them are one woman shows, and you can see passion and love for their craft in each item. I love delicate pieces, pastel colors, hints of gold, and anything that holds a cactus or succulent, and these don’t disappoint! You’ll find all kinds of pretties–from ring dishes and ring cones, to mugs and dinnerware, and even jewelry. A lot of items can be personalized and would make fantastic gifts. If you love these shops, let them know! Make a purchase or give them a follow on Instagram.

Jasmin Blanc Boutique

Small Biz Friday: 6 Pretty Pottery Shops You Should Know About by Gold Standard Workshop — Image via Jasmin Blanc Boutique Etsy Shop

Jasmin creates beautiful earrings, necklaces, and a lovely assortment of wedding mementos such as ring dishes. She’s also a cat lover and makes some adorable cat-shaped dishes and cat cake toppers! I’m a sucker for these lovely mint earrings.

Instagram: @jasminblancstudio

White Peach Pottery

I discovered Marianne over the holidays when she was part of a holiday gift guide that I was also participating in and fell in love with her work. It’s feminine and whimsical. She uses soft, muted colors.

Instagram: @whitepeachpottery

Pottery Lodge

I found Pottery Lodge on Instagram and I love following her! She makes pretty ring dishes with gold accents and you can personalize them, too. I adore her planters–she also has some adorable hanging ones that would be so pretty on a wall by the window.

Instagram: @potterylodge

Susan Gordon Pottery

Susan’s work is bold and pretty. Her photos lend a crisp, clean feeling to her shop and it really makes her pottery pop off the page. Besides ring dishes, she makes initial charms in a large selection of colors that would make a great Mother’s Day gift.

Instagram: @susangordonpottery

Hinkleville

I just discovered Hinkleville on Instagram this week! Her little planters with faces on them are so cute–I just want to hug this little guy. I want one of everything.

Instagram: @hinkleville

McCheeks Mayhem Ceramics

Carole makes pretty, functional pieces that have a vintage feel and you definitely get that vibe in her shop. The ring cones mirror that feeling with the pretty Chinese print. She also has some cute vintage-y pink and gold coffee cups that would be perfect in a retro kitchen!

Instagram: @mccheeks

If you’re out and about this weekend, don’t forget to check out the local shops–support handmade! Thanks for reading! Have a wonderful weekend! xo

Feb172016Feb 19 2016

Wrap It Wednesday: Spring Floral, Part 1

Wrap it Wednesday: Spring Floral Inspiration by Gold Standard Workshop

As you might know, I love wrapping gifts and had a gift wrap series over the holidays that was a lot of fun—if you like wrapping paper and giving gifts, check it out! And let me welcome you to Wrap it Wednesday! You’ll find lots ideas and inspiration throughout the year. We’ll focus on spring wrapping ideas first.

Today, I’m sharing the gifts I sent to the lovely Angie at Gracefully Giddy, the recent giveaway winner! I wanted something pretty and springy to match adorable Emily Ley planner she received.

Feb102016Sep 1 2019

DIY Valentines: Llama Love Valentines Kit

DIY Valentines: Paper Source Llama Love Kit

Paper Source always outdo themselves with their DIY Valentines kits. They’re creative, cute, and give you just the right amount of craftiness that they’re fun to make and you don’t get burnt out after 10 minutes. The kits contain everything you need to whip them up with the exception of the basics like scissors and glue. I made these adorable fruit valentines last year and people loved them! They’re so happy and colorful! This year, though, I fell for their new llama kit. They make me laugh every time I look at them—they’re so goofy. And this kit comes with little glassine envelopes that you can put a treat in and attach to the back.

These cuties are the easiest kit I’ve bought there—you literally just punch the llama out, fill out your name, and attach a treat on the back. I wanted to decorate them a little and play up their adorable features! It didn’t take much—just a little glitter and mini pom poms and you’ve got a fancy llama on your hands.

Feb52016Feb 7 2016

DIY Lavender Sachets

I had this idea a long time ago that I wanted to make lavender sachets. I’ve had lavender buds that I picked up at the Lavender Festival that were just waiting to be used for something. Sachets are easy and quick, which makes them great for craft ADDers like me, and you can choose all kinds of color combos and designs, which makes me happy, too.