It didn't take long, however, for Jennifer to realise that jewelry is a challenging market to jump into on Etsy. "There are so many talented jewelry makers out there that it's difficult to stand out," she laments. Luckily, Jennifer had a back up set of skills: "I had been making greeting cards using scrapbook paper since college and I decided it would be fun to start selling cards."
After playing around with designing some of her own cards, Jennifer realised how few wedding invitation designers there were on Etsy. "As soon as I started designing wedding invitations, my business took off," she recalls. "I left my job in the mortgage industry in May of 2008 to focus on Pink Lily Press full time and have not looked back since!"
Through Pink Lily Press, Jennifer primarily designs and prints wedding invitations and personalized stationery. "I also make any paper items necessary for weddings such as favour tags, menus, programs, and other fun paper goodies like recipe cards and personal calling cards," she explains. Jennifer creates all of her designs by scanning in her own drawings and digitally enhancing them, or by manipulating her own photos.
"I love being creative," Jennifer grins. "I have always enjoyed drawing, doodling and learning new crafts, as well as things like cooking, baking, and decorating my home." She finds inspiration in the world around her, whether it's browsing through decorating magazines, going for a walk through the neighbourhood, or taking photos while on vacation. Add this inspiration to her love of computers and paper, and you have the perfect recipe for a stationery business.
Like many crafters and small business owners, Jennifer admits that she has a hard time sitting and doing nothing. "If I have the luxury of sitting on the couch to watch TV in the evening, I usually have a pencil and pad of paper on my lap!" she laughs. When she is taking time out, Jennifer adores spending time with her family ("the older we get, the more we enjoy spending time together!") and is passionate about her home. "Home has always been a very important place to me and making home feel like a warm and welcoming place is essential, as is entertaining family and friends."
Her business is also her passion, although Jennifer acknowledges that running a business by herself is incredibly challenging. "Not only am I responsible for the actual design/production aspect of the business, but also record keeping, tax filing, and all of the other nitty-gritty responsibilities that accompany running a business." She is still learning how best to balance all that is required of her, and thinks it will continue to be a learning process for as long as she runs Pink Lily Press.
That's not to say Jennifer doesn't adore every moment of her journey. "The best piece of advice I can give someone looking to start their own business is to do what you love," she smiles, "because in the end, that's what keeps you going on a daily basis when you're so busy that you don’t have time for anything else."
The key elements that Jennifer sees in running her business are time, a lot of trial and error, and being prepared to make mistakes and learn from them rather than letting them get her down. She also recommends a willingness to create custom items, as she has found that they have given her some of the best ideas for new products. Finally, she says, "Be prepared to evolve. As your business grows, you may discover that a different product is more likely to bring in more customers."
To continue following Jennifer's journey, you can find her at her blog, on Facebook and on Twitter. To check out her gorgeous goodies, head across to her Etsy shop, 1000 Markets shop, or her website.
Jennifer has generously offered a giveaway prize to readers of Pepperberry & Co.'s Tuesday Tales. The winner will receive a set of 10 Notecards of their choice, with the option to have them customised!
To enter, you must be a follower of Pepperberry & Co. and leave a comment letting Jennifer know what your ideal custom Pink Lily Press design would be.If you blog, Facebook or Tweet about this giveaway, simply leave an extra comment for each to receive up to 3 extra entries. Good luck- I'm so jealous (as always!) that I can't enter!
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Comments (57)
Thanks for the great interview! I love Jennifer's work. I have to say the little pumpkins are my favorite, along with the birds. I'd love to see a custom notecard with a name or monogram added to the bird on the branch card.
what a lovely shop! my fave is the floating dandelions design!
thank you for this cute giveaway!
Great shop! Nice and simple. I really like the bird on a branch flat notecards. The Leafy Tree design would be nice on a notecard as well. Thanks!
I love her shop! And I have been looking at shops to buy some personalized notecards for christmas gifts.... I love the chandelier note cards, just to name one, but birds on a branch, hungry hummingbirds...are just a few more.
:)
rachelherzog@bellsouth.net
www.tickleworm.com
I love the little birds. A little owl (or robot, my other current obsession, but owls seem more up Pink Lily Press's alley!) would be magnificent.
So many amazing choices! I really like the Cherry Blossoms, Bird on Branch, and Floating Dandelions designs!
My custom order would be...something for my wedding. (When I get married, that is.) I would ask for soft pale pinks and deep chocolates to make a sweet invitation for my special day. =)
those cards are absolutely adorable!!!!
I didn't know this shop before, thanks for let us know about Jennifer!
My favourite cards are those with the birds and those with the branch of flowers, I would love to have customized one of them with a little monogramm
Very nice interview, I must say I love the leaves/hearts invites..
Hi! I am new to your blog just today:) What luck I came on a giveaway day:)
I love the simple stuff... the little pears, just an initial, the little birds...
I love cherry blossoms! i am obsessed with them so would like a custom card with them on it.
good luck everyone :)
oh wow, I absolutely love the floating dandelion & papyrus designs best of all ♥
Cooking is my passion so some cupcake themed stationery would be great! I'd also love Pink Floral Paisley personal stationery.
I've followed your blog and my email is onlinetutorhelp@gmail.com
What a lovely interview. It is alwasy so nice to hear of people who follow their passion and end up making a living from their creative skills.
I really love the little birds x
I follow Pepperberry & Co. :)
And hmm, tough decision! But I think I'd get the Stylin' Stilettos Flat Notecards personalized! Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
malibu.bunny.xo@live.ca
Love, love, love those cards - and the one at the end is just for me (printed with an "A").
I've also blogged about this!
I love the fancy frame flat note cards the best. If I were to win, I would choose to have my nickname "kiddo" printed on them.
sgregg78 at yahoo dot com
kiddo47.etsy.com
I tweeted.
http://twitter.com/kiddo47/status/4306346397
sgregg78 at yahoo dot com
kiddo47.etsy.com
Oh all so pretty! I am loving the dandelions um and the Dahlia's too. I dont know which I like best though! Maybe the Dahlia's.
I love the argyle one!
hrfarley at gmail dot com
What a gorgeous shop! My ideal design would have some sort of fall motif, maybe leaves or pumpkins?
Tweeted about this!
I am a follower :)
My ideal design would be the Poppies personalised notecards - it is a simple classic design that is just lovely. Thank you Sandra!
I love the Floating Dandelions Personalized Thank You Cards (Set of 10). Simple but pretty!
aikychien at yahoo dot com
I tweeted.
http://twitter.com/aikchien/status/4311829289
aikychien at yahoo dot com
I facebooked. (Aik Chien)
aikychien at yahoo dot com
I would love a monogram w/ 2 birds - very cute pieces! (blog follower - Mer) Thanks for the opportunity!!!
meredith(.)targarona(at)gmail(.)com
Hi Sandra! I'm a new follower of your blog. Thanks for the chance to win such beautiful notecards. My fave design is the GIANT SENTIMENTS-BIRTHDAY GREETINGS.
Zoe0825@verizon.net
Oh for me its humming birds! Definitely humming birds ... or maybe .... LOL. I tweeted too.
What AMAZING talent! I love your work and will be sure to follow. Getting married in June so looking for some pretty invites..will add you to the top of my list! :)
Hi, i followed!
i think im gonna go for the Orange Branch Flat Notecards (Set of 10), but with my dad's name on them. he's an environmentalist, and i think he'll love these
katch05 at gmail dot com
I love the Humming birds notecards. So pretty! I am a notecard addict. I am always sending notecards to people. Thanks! jacquecurl1@gmail.com
I'm a follower
soypea@gmail.com
I love the 'bird on a branch' notecards. too cute.
soypea@gmail.com
I blogged here:
http://soypea.blogspot.com/2009/09/giveaways-leaving-for-bit.html
soypea@gmail.com
I tweeted:
http://twitter.com/soypea/status/4335999231
soypea@gmail.com
Your an inspiration. I really love your work.
I would love to have a damask type background with an 'H' monogram! Her designs are beautiful and fun!
Thanks for the opportunity!
-Heather
www.crafteegyrl.wordpress.com
www.crafteegyrl.etsy.com
I loved the interview... thanks! I found several designs that were nice but my favorite is the floating pink dandelions here: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=31202486
micaela6955 at msn dot com
Fresh. That was the word that popped into my head after I read the interview and saw all those great cards. I would love an initial card done in the old style. The old books where the first letter of the paragraph has an elaborate first letter. That would be my perfect custom card.
The Bird on a Branch - I love birds! And I love the Argyle, too!
My fave design is the Pink Floral Paisley
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24282765
tanyaw85@shaw.ca
Such beautiful stationery and cards! :o) Off to see her links...
i'm a follower.
agh! why are her cards to pretty?? i can't make up my mind! one of my faves is this one
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=31149865
I'd love to see personalized stationery for kids. My son often gets gifts so I like to send a "thank you" note with his name & a cute design on them.
tylerpants(at)gmail.com
I follow. =) I see that she has cats, butterflies and birds... but I'd like to see some other animals like dogs and owls. trixpixel[at]gmail.com
I re-Tweeted for you Sandra.
I follow your blog too!
I love the chandelier notecards, just something irresistable about chandeliers! Love the damask pattern too. Would love to see more vintage-style or inspired notecards.
I LOVE the Polka Dot Chrysanthemums Flat Notecards!
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24282810
I absolutely love the Floating Dandelions Personalized Folded Notecards. There's just something about the dandelion...they're wistful!
:o)
I'm now a follower of yours via Blogger.
pippirose59 at gmail dot com
I'm a follower and I LOVE the Mr. and Mrs. Personalized Notecards!!!!
kara.rotella@gmail.com
i posted this giveaway on facebook!!
Tweeted the giveaway too! http://twitter.com/k9kreations/status/4406112677
Such a tough decision! I just love the following designs:
** Bird on a Branch Flat Notecards
** Fancy Frame Personalized Flat Notecards
** Hungry Hummingbirds Notecards
Also, I am following your blog (username Nelsby).
Thanks!
Aimee
sierranelsby (at) gmail (dot) com
Tweet: http://twitter.com/Nelsby/status/4410089292
Thanks!
Aimee
sierranelsby (at) gmail (dot) com
I shared this post on Facebook (username: Aimee Waerhouse).
Thanks!
Aimee
sierranelsby (at) gmail (dot) com
Such a great giveaway! I am now a follower of your blog! If I won, I would want some custom Thank You cards, or just a simple monogram on the front...
seasidesmitten@aol.com