Kate Harper had another interesting article a while back. For those who think greeting cards are becoming a thing of the past, read this and check out the links. Her newsletter read:

I recently listened to an excellent interview on Kindle Chronicles podcast, with Neil Strandberg, manager of operations at Denver’s renowned Tattered Cover Book Store, about his experience of the e-book revolution.

He made an interesting statement:
In the most financially successful bookstores, the fastest growing inventory now is not a book, but sideline items (includes cards and gifts) . They are now the most profitable part of the business.

I was surprised to hear this.

Perhaps the gift industry is keeping the bookstore industry afloat?

Check out the audio interview online: http://www.thekindlechronicles.com/2011/02/11/tkc-134-neil-strandberg/

You can also subscribe the podcast on itunes.

~ Kate Harper Designs www.kateharperdesigns.com

"Been thinkin' of ya . . .How are ya? . . Whatcha been up to?" 5.5"x 4.25" Greeting Card, Blank Inside

"It's Here ... It's Here ... Spring is Finally Here!" 5"x7" Greeting Card, Blank Inside

Saying “Thanks for a Job Well Done” is always appropriate. To follow is an idea of what you might say to someone who has done a great job on their presentation.

“Hello . . .

As anticipated your presentation was fabulous. Sandy had mentioned you were good with colors and I concur. Thank you for your help.

As promised, I am enclosing information about my company. We’ll get together to discuss opportunities soon.”

Here is one of many cards created from my watercolor paintings that would be appropriate for a business contact.

#162, Kristy's Rose Note Card, blank inside, 5.5"x4.25", $15 box of eight, $25 box of 20

Another new decade is in the making and I want to wish you a magical 2010 full of love, joy, good health, prosperity and glorious new beginnings. I celebrate you and all that you do.

This happy little Bumble Bee was a delight to create, it still makes me smile. He seems to be saying, “Yippee!” but he can actually say anything you wish when ordering personalized cards from my website. Some examples might be “Bee Happy”, “Bee Courageous”, “Bee Patient”, “Bee Kind”, etc. Can you think of others?

#123 Bee Happy Bumble Bee Card, 5.5"x4.25", Box of eight cards/$15 or Box of 20/$25

What a fun gift idea! As well as greeting cards this little character is also available in framble prints. If you have a problem ordering from my website please feel free to email me at: mickey@artisticvoyage.com  and I will personally take care of it for you.

At a time when money is tight for most of us, charities are feeling the pinch even more. A small donation from lots of people makes a huge difference. Won’t you consider a purchase of eight boxed cards  for only $15 + $4.50 priority shipping  to help find a cure for this decease? 10% of each sale will go to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Thank you and thousands of cancer patients thank you. Just email me at: mickey@artisticvoyage.com

This card #290 will go to print soon. Orders are being taken via mickey@artisticvoyage.com at this time. 10% of each sale will be donated to the Susan G. Koman Breast Care Foundation.

This is unlike my previous posts I have made, in that I don’t usually talk about charities. It is sad to say but we probably all know someone whose life has been changed because of breast cancer. It isn’t just the person with breast cancer, family and friends suffer as well. In my Colorado Springs chapter of eWomen Network we have several cancer survivors. Bobbi Van Riper, a member of eWomen Network and a survivor, created a business called In Care of You.

A bit about her and her business; “In Care of You” President, Bobbi Van Riper, survived breast cancer in 1996. Because of her own medical history and her family’s history of cancer and venous insufficiency, Bobbi started a business to help people with these medical conditions.

“In Care of You” specializes in providing products, solutions and support for clients with complications arising from breast cancer, various surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation, lymphedema, venous disease, diabetes, and many other medical conditions. The business was started by a team of caring people who have first-hand experience using and working with many of the products they sell.

Bobbi is a Sponsor of the 2009 Race Chair for the

Susan G. Komen Colorado Springs Race for the Cure®. She is also a Committee Chairperson for the Denver Race for the Cure.

When Bobbi asked if I would consider designing a fine art card for this cause I couldn’t refuse. The painting was originally done for the Mary Lou Beshears Breast Care Center in Colorado Springs. With a few alterations it became what I plan to be the first in a series for this worthy cause.