LetterMo

Can't wait to get my camera fixed... in the meantime, here are a few photos of today's outgoing mail taken via tablet! I finally had a chance to write some letters and mail out some zines for LetterMo! I have four achievements so far... I love the achievement system, it's so much fun! I hope they have lots more to unlock next year. I also hope I will have my act together next year and not have to wait a week into LetterMo to start sending stuff!!

To a penpal ♥

LetterMo!

Some zines to a new friend!

Reply zines (LetterMo)

To a new friend found on Swap-Bot!

 I spent most of the day in my pajamas. It was glorious. I just got dressed because Jamie & I are headed down to Chico to check out the downtown ArtAbout (a couple participating shops are selling my Valentines! So we are also curious about how sales are going). Later we will catch a movie, and call it a Friday well spent!

What about you? How is your LetterMo going?

♥ Ciara Kay

Achievement Unlocked!

I think one wholesale account, four consignment accounts, a nearly empty online inventory and money trickling into the bank is a good start for a business that began three weeks ago, eh?

The aftermath of our marathon cut/fold/tie/stuff/label session last night!

I woke up this morning feeling like I had been hit by a truck (Derby practice on Tuesday didn't help!). Starting on Monday this week has been a nonstop crash course in chaos. First, my envelope company was out of their stock. Then, my heart stickers didn't arrive in time. There were tears, there were moments of panic, there were times I wanted to chuck the whole thing and go back to being an office zombie. But it all worked out in the end for better or for worse, and now my products are lovingly nestled in baskets and in card stands around Paradise and Chico.

And it's over!! For now, anyway... I've decided not to list any new products until after Valentine's Day so I can get the final damage report before I go printing & ordering more stuff! However, I have given myself the rest of the week off from Scoutaroo, haha (besides filling new online orders, of course! Work's never done!). And speaking of that nearly empty online inventory, ya'll better go buy stuff before it sells out... Because I am NOT printing any more of these dang Valentines, haha! Keep an eye out for some discounted packs... I'm bad at math and ended up with extra cards, but not enough stickers & envelopes. But the cards are still adorable, so I'm going to sell them without all the extras for a discounted price.

Time to tackle that pile of mail that has been guilting me for the last week and a half and get caught up on LetterMo!

♥ Ciara Kay

And We're Off!!

FINALLY! I actually have a product to sell! I'm amazed I suckered all you who pre-ordered into buying imaginary things, HAH. But now I have to deliver, and today was dedicated to getting orders printed, packaged, and shipped! Here are a few pictures of Scoutaroo Paper Co.'s very first orders!!

Some trouble at the printer's left us with over 300 Classroom Valentines to cut ourselves!! Our printer did beautiful work though and I'm very pleased with the final product.

My wonderful, awesome, supportive husband helped me cut out all the cards, count them, tie them up with string, and package them!

Pretty piles of Classroom Valentines!

Me tying up bundles of Classroom Valentines ♥

Lovely little rows!

All packaged up & ready to ship!

10 orders went out today!! I was able to hand-deliver my mom's order of course, haha.

I was so excited to get these out to the post office, and when I got back home, I found another order waiting in my inbox for an Octopus card from Bianca in New York!! That is officially my furthest order so far!

Getting these things done was definitely an adventure! Things went wrong right and left, from getting my envelope orders delivered on time to getting my stuff printed exactly the way I wanted, haha. The last week was seriously an emotional roller coaster for me... But it's finished and I've learned a few good lessons, and I'm pleased as punch with my final product!

I even sold one pack of 4 full cards to the owner of the coffee shop that Jamie & I spent some time at yesterday because she was so taken with the designs! That made me feel good. And of course, some scrimmaging at Roller Derby practice helped me get the rest of my frustration out of my system... I love that I've found a productive past time that involves knocking people over.

Now I have a decision to make... I've already sold over half of my inventory! Do I buy more and try to sell some packs in local shops AND online? Or do I make these designs limited edition and move on to other things? I'm leaning towards getting more Valentines to sell, but I also want to get some lettersets printed soon! Maybe I can do both... We shall see!

LetterMo started today and I was so busy running around and chopping up paper and getting bits of twine dust in my eyes that I failed to send any letters! But I did send ten packages full of goodies out into the world, so maybe that counts. ♥

Dazed & Confused but Feeling Accomplished,

Ciara Kay