Nuts & Bolts – Thanksgiving Office Closure
Nuts & Bolts – Thanksgiving Office Closure
In observation of the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday, GCU offices will be closed on Thursday 11/28 & Friday 11/29. This includes our Card Review team members who will not be reviewing cards on either of those days.
Additionally, in preparation for the holiday, we will be lightly staffed on Wednesday 11/27.
As Black Friday is a big sales day, we will have customer service assistance staffed to assist all the shoppers eagerly purchasing your cards.
Thank you for your understanding & for those in observation and celebrating, enjoy!
The difference is made in the details!
Mindy
GCU Community Manager
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Wanted New Cards Extra: Spring Fever and Winter Blues
As a greeting card artist, I’ve always been fascinated by how our emotions ebb and flow with the seasons. There’s something magical about capturing the essence of Spring Fever – that giddy, energetic feeling when the world awakens from its winter slumber. On the flip side, the Winter Blues, or seasonal depression, is a very real challenge that many face during the darker months. Today, I’m excited to share some of my favorite text ideas for greeting cards that celebrate the joy of spring and offer comfort during those chilly, blue periods. Whether you’re looking to spread cheer or offer a supportive word, these messages are designed to bring a smile to your loved ones’ faces, no matter the season. So, grab a cozy blanket or step out into the sunshine, and let’s explore the art of seasonal sentiments together!
Spring Fever
Lighthearted Messages
- “Spring fever: the only fever you’re actually looking forward to catching.”
- “Hello, spring! Time to switch from hot coffee to iced and from winter blues to spring sneezes.”
- “With spring, the sun plays peek-a-boo, and so do I with my responsibilities.”
- “When spring arrives, I like to jog outside and by jog, I mean brunch on the patio.”
Playful Puns
- “Spring into action – when’s our next get-together?”
- “What could be better than talking with our ‘two-lips’? Let’s get together!”
- “Let’s enjoy seeing our friendship blossom!”
Emoji-Inspired
- “Sending you a bouquet of 🌺😊– Happy Spring!”
- “Spring fever caught me thinking of you!🌹Miss ya!”
- “Fresh blooms, fresh vibes! 🌷 Feeling springy yet?”
Winter Blues (Seasonal Depression)
Supportive Messages
- “It’s okay not to be okay. Sending you warm thoughts to melt away the winter blues.”
- “No wise words here. Just me, thinking of you, and wishing you brighter days ahead.”
- “Winter hibernation is over – let’s catch up and chase away those blues together!”
Humorous Approach
- “If this card didn’t make you smile, let me know, and I’ll send you my senior yearbook picture instead. That’ll definitely cure your winter blues!”
- “Sorry things are frosty. If you need somebody to binge-watch a whole season of something with you, I’m your personal ray of sunshine.”
- “This winter shall pass. And hopefully not like a kidney stone. Hang in there!”
Encouraging Words
- “I believe in you! And unicorns. But mostly you! You’ve got this, even when it feels cold and dark.”
- “You’re being so strong through these winter blues. Keep the faith. Spring is just around the corner!”
- “Sending you good thoughts—and hoping you believe in yourself just as much as I believe in you. You’ll bloom again soon!”
Remember, when addressing sensitive topics like seasonal depression, it’s important to strike a balance between humor and empathy.
Happy Designing!
Corrie
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Wanted New Cards: Spring Fever
Wanted Cards – Spring Fever
Spring Fever. Is it really a thing? Although we’re not even in winter yet, once we are, the coming of spring will be on many minds.
Scientifically speaking, yes, it is a thing. Read here. And just as interesting and related is Seasonal Affect Disorder (Winter Blues).
Please consider creating Spring Fever cards. They should go here:
Occasions >> Seasons >> Spring >> Spring Fever cid#8396
also consider cards for:
Occasions >> Seasons >> Winter > Winter Blues cid#38380
Note: cid# is the speed entry method of adding a category to your card via category id number (cid#) vs using search terms or click and hunt. See here on the blog:
To expedite the review of these cards, please check Fast Track Review on the card image details page when you create your card and add a Note for Reviewers like “for BLOG– Wanted Cards”.
Consider using Stock Card Creations to create new cards quickly. These cards are automatically set for expedited review so no need to Fast Track. Remember, when you’re submitting your new stock card, add a little note about the intended category in your Notes to Reviewers.
Be inventive, be clever, be creative. Go for it!
Mindy Rosso
GCU Community Manager
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Nuts & Bolts – Holiday Custom Request Design Change
Nuts and Bolts – Holiday Custom Request Design Change
We are nearing the holiday card ordering frenzy! Soon after Thanksgiving shoppers will be on the hunt for the perfect card. Please be sure to pay attention to your Manage Custom Requests or you could be missing out on sales.
Here are some good tips to not miss any shopper requests.
Here is a wonderful example by GCU artist Bense Garza:
From the shopper:
can you change the hair to green and change the ‘happy’ to ‘merry’?
Big holiday kudos to Bense for putting a smile on this shopper’s face!
Note: GCU encourages and allows term or word variation on a design like “Merry” vs “Happy” to offer shoppers choices, see here and here for other examples.
Tip: Remember when submitting a new card that is a variation on a previously approved card to make a note in the Notes to Reviewers the pid# that it is based on. “Based on approved card PID #12345”. And remember custom requested cards can be set for FastTrack review. Just leave the reviewer a little note for that too like “for a shopper’s request #14667 ”.
Additionally, we do see a rise in shopper requests for changing the inside verse which of course they can do themselves. See this tip on how to handle Custom Requests Inside Text.
Here are some other wonderful Holiday Custom Request Design Change examples.
The difference is made in the details!
Mindy
GCU Community Manager
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Wanted New Cards Extra: Thank You for the Meal
Receiving a home-cooked meal during challenging times can be incredibly comforting and appreciated. Here are some heartfelt thank you message ideas for greeting cards to express gratitude to someone who has prepared a meal:
“Your kindness nourished not just our bodies, but our spirits as well. Thank you for the delicious meal and for thinking of us during this time.”
“We’re so grateful for your thoughtfulness and generosity. The meal you prepared was absolutely delightful and brought a much-needed moment of joy to our day.”
“Your culinary talents are matched only by your compassion. Thank you for taking the time to cook for us – it truly made a difference.”
“In the whirlwind of [recovery/new parenthood/treatment], your homemade meal was a beacon of comfort. We appreciate your support more than words can express.”
“The love you put into every dish was evident with each bite. Thank you for caring for us through your cooking during this challenging time.”
“Your meal was a warm hug for our taste buds and our hearts. We’re deeply thankful for your kindness and culinary skills.”
“In a time when everything feels overwhelming, your delicious food provided a moment of normalcy and comfort. Thank you for your thoughtfulness.”
“We were touched by your generosity in preparing such a wonderful meal for us. Your support means the world to us during this difficult period.”
“Your meal was a reminder that we’re surrounded by caring friends. Thank you for nourishing us with your delicious cooking and your friendship.”
“The aroma of your cooking filled our home with warmth and love. We’re so grateful for your support and culinary talents.”
Incorporating humor into a thank-you note for a meal can be a delightful way to express your gratitude while bringing a smile to the recipient’s face. Here are some creative and funny ideas to spice up your thank-you message:
Playful Comparisons
Use witty comparisons to express your appreciation:
“Your cooking skills are like a superhero’s superpower – they saved me from another night of microwave dinners!”
“That meal was so good, I’m convinced your kitchen is actually a portal to flavor heaven.”
Humorous Exaggerations
Employ playful exaggeration to emphasize your enjoyment:
“I ate so much that I may need to start planning a nap schedule for the rest of the week.”
“Your dinner was so delicious, I’m considering petitioning for you to be named the official chef of our friend group.”
Food Puns and Wordplay
Incorporate food-related puns and wordplay:
“Thanks a bunch! Your hospitality was so good, I almost thought I was on a TV show!”
“If compliments were calories, I’d happily gain weight praising your cooking.”
Self-Deprecating Humor
Use self-deprecating humor to highlight the host’s skills:
“Thanks for showing me that my cooking skills are best utilized in the role of official taste tester.”
“Your meal was so good, I may need to rethink my entire relationship with takeout.”
Pop Culture References
Include funny pop culture references if appropriate:
“If we were in the office, I’d give you an employee of the month award for that meal.”
“Could this dinner be any more delicious? Thanks for the incredible food and making my pants tight!”
Quirky Observations
Make amusing observations about the experience:
“I think my taste buds just threw a party in my mouth. Thank you for being the host of such a joyous event!”
“Your home is the only place where I feel like I’m truly on a luxury vacation… from my own life.”
Remember to tailor your humor to your relationship with the host and the overall tone of your interactions. The goal is to express genuine gratitude while adding a touch of lightheartedness that reflects your personality and the enjoyable experience you had.
By incorporating these humorous elements, you can create a thank-you note that not only expresses your appreciation but also strengthens your connection with the host through shared laughter and joy.
Happy Designing!
Corrie
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Wanted New Cards: Thank You for the Meal
Wanted Cards – Thank you for the Meal
Meal preparation can be very time consuming particularly when life gets really busy like in times of illness, surgery or injury recovery, chemo / radiation treatments, bringing home a new baby, etc.
One of the most appreciated ways to help is providing a meal. Meal trains are very common during circumstances like these to organize a schedule of meals for an individual or family.
See here on Meal Train suggested “thank yous”, note: “Meal Train” is a registered trademark and cannot be used anywhere in your submission.
Please consider creating new cards for the recipient of a meal to thank someone who has prepared the meal. They should go here accordingly:
Occasions >> Thank You >> Help / Support >> During Illness / Sick >> For the Food / Meal cid#34686
or
Occasions >> Thank You >> Help / Support >> New Baby / Postpartum >> For the Food / Meal cid#34684
Note: cid# is the speed entry method of adding a category to your card via category id number (cid#) vs using search terms or click and hunt. See here on the blog:
To expedite the review of these cards, please check Fast Track Review on the card image details page when you create your card and add a Note for Reviewers like “for BLOG– Wanted Cards”.
Consider using Stock Card Creations to create new cards quickly. These cards are automatically set for expedited review so no need to Fast Track. Remember, when you’re submitting your new stock card, add a little note about the intended category in your Notes to Reviewers.
Be inventive, be clever, be creative. Go for it!
Mindy Rosso
GCU Community Manager
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Weekly Font Fix – Art Deco Fonts
Hello, fellow creatives! 🎨 Are you on the hunt for the perfect typeface to elevate your designs? Look no further! In this weekly blog series, “Font Fix,” I’ll be sharing a curated selection of stunning fonts that are not only free but also licensed for commercial use. Whether you’re crafting greeting cards, branding materials, or digital content, these fonts will add that extra flair to your projects. Join me as we explore unique styles and discover new favorites that will inspire your creativity and enhance your artistic endeavors. Let’s dive into this week’s font treasures!
Disclaimer:
These fonts are free, but to be safe always remember to check the specific licensing terms to ensure they meet your commercial use requirements.
Happy Designing!
Corrie
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Nuts & Bolts – Noted Greeting Card Expo 2024
Nuts & Bolts – Noted Greeting Card Expo 2024
Better late than never, here is my trip report from attending NOTED Greeting Card Expo & Gifted held 4/26 – 4/28.
This expo is the West Coast sister of NY NOW and NOTED. For the past few years, it’s been such a thrill (and horribly convenient) to attend a show practically in my backyard plus to be a tourist in my own city – the beautiful city by the bay, San Francisco!
Again, hosted at Fort Mason Center between the iconic Ghirardelli Square at the end of Fisherman’s Wharf and the Marina District, the view from this waterfront venue never gets old with a view of both the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island.
Here are some photos of the event which included catching up with familiar artists and industry contacts, meeting new artists and always a highlight, meeting in person any of our GCU artists.
This year I met with GCU Artist David Meeker who joined GCU back in 2007 and is also a SF Bay Area local. We discussed the early days of GCU, the many changes since 2007 as well as the changes in David’s art being more abstract and how to leverage his new portfolio for greeting cards.
Another wonderful meet up was with 2023’s GCU Founders’ Choice Best New Artist and Hottest Selling Birthday card – TMS International, represented by Kim Spanjersberg, Sales Director, and Saskia van Wingerden, Art Director, from the Netherlands.
We also caught up with the oh so colorful Andrew of That’s So Andrew, who we hope to have join GCU’s artist community soon.
Noteworthy Trends:
– profuse, heavy & lush floral designs
– the trade and charm of letterpress craft still shines
– pops of neon colors – lime, orange, highlighter yellow
– sweeping brush script designs as art not just text
– lots of puns – bananas galore
– more niche designers than last year – LGBTQ, adoption, Eid, Ramadan, Native American Indian, CNY (it’s taken them a while to serve the niche markets)
– strong female empowered voice and force – i am woman hear me roar
My role at the show can sometimes be awkward, straddling the role of e-tailer looking for artists to join GCU but at the same time looking at artists whose work competes with GCU’s. However the conversation gets easier every year as more and more artists understand the concept of community content and print on demand technology. They see the benefit of a passive source of income in parallel with their traditional brick and mortar retailer efforts. I always leave this show with a positive outlook that there is room for everyone in the greeting card space. Like art, there is something for everyone. The “paper people” here are a creative, supportive, and welcoming community.
See here re: GCU’s attendance at the GCA’s 35th LOUIE Awards night and other posts re: NOTED and the LOUIE Awards.
As part of the LOUIE Awards, there is a Consumer’s Choice Award which has just been announced. The people have voted and the Consumer’s Choice Award winner announced this year is this Friendship/Encouragement card by Cardideology.
Sadly, NOTED 2025 is being hosted in Las Vegas in July – yes, Vegas in July where the average high is 105 degrees. We will have to decide next year if we make the trip.
The difference is made in the details!
Mindy
GCU Community Manager
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Wanted New Cards: Valentine’s Day Photo Card Now and Then
Wanted Cards – Valentine’s Day Photo Card Now and Then
An interesting and popular twist on photo cards has been “then and now”. GCU has some for birthdays and wedding anniversaries featuring a placement of two photos – one older and one now to show and appreciate the passing of time. Perhaps this will resonate with shoppers on Valentine’s Day – maybe with a longtime valentine.
Please consider creating “Then and Now” Valentine’s Day photo cards that should go here:
Holidays >> Valentine’s Day >> Photo Cards / Your Picture Here cid#6189
and possibly a second fitting category if the card is for example relationship specific, message specific, name specific, etc:
>> Be My Valentine?
>> Customize for Any Relation
>> Name Specific
>> Years Together
Here are some shining examples for Birthday and Wedding Anniversary by GCU artist Robin Chaffin of Simply Put by Robin:
Note: cid# is the speed entry method of adding a category to your card via category id number (cid#) vs using search terms or click and hunt. See here on the blog:
To expedite the review of these cards, please check Fast Track Review on the card image details page when you create your card and add a Note for Reviewers like “for BLOG– Wanted Cards”.
Be inventive, be clever, be creative. Go for it!
Mindy Rosso
GCU Community Manager
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Dash of Inspiration: November 2024 Design Challenge
Here is the LAST challenge of the year! Hard to believe yet another year has passed, but oh what fun we’ve had! Now for a final challenge this year, we are going to end the year with a push on your creativity.
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Theme: Fusion Design
Requirements:
- Create a brand new design by choosing at least FOUR items from the list of eight objects below and create a greeting card design. You may use more than four, all of them, or add additional items, including people and animals – but a minimum of four from the list must be clearly visible and important elements in the overall card design and message.
shoes, pencil, paint brush, chocolate, needle & thread, sofa, bow, flag
- Write your own verse/message, be creative and write a message that clearly speaks to your imagery, occasion and recipient.
- No Stock card creations will be accepted.
- Blank verse will not be considered for entry in this challenge.
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Entry Deadline: Saturday, November 30th
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How to Enter: Post the PID (card number) and the URL (public storefront link – please WAIT for the card to be approved and available in the public marketplace, please DO NOT post a link to your Manage Cards area) as a post in the challenge blog. We’ll forward your entry to the jury.
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Category:
Any
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Rules:
- Submission must meet GCU’s Submission Guidelines and be Approved through the usual Review Cycle– Fast Track your submission with this in the Notes to Reviewer: November Design Challenge Submission and include the link to this blog post.
- Only ONE card per artist per challenge.
- Submissions must be NEW, no existing designs.
- Your entry must meet the Challenge Requirements or it will not be included in the challenge.
- Stock Card Creations entries will not be accepted.
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BLIND Judging: We hope each of you enters every month. Entries are submitted anonymously for judging by the GCU Challenge Jury which means that before and during the challenge, judges do not have any way of knowing what artist is behind each entry. This eliminates any and all concerns with ‘favoritism’. The jury will judge the entries on the following criteria:
- How well the card meets the Challenge Requirements and Theme.
- How well the card speaks to the Category the artist chooses for the card submission.
- Creativity, Execution, Professionalism and Marketability.
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Winners: 1st Place:
- The winning designer’s card and store will be featured on the GCU Public Blog – the blog which customers view and follow.
- As well as featured on the GCU Public Facebook Page – over 55,000 followers, now THAT’S exposure!
- The winning card will be Design of the Day following the announcement of the winners (within 48-hours).
EXCEPTION: Horizontal (landscape) cards may not be featured as DOD due to GCU Home Page space restrictions. In these cases, GCU will choose a different vertically oriented card from your store to feature as DOD. Thank you for your understanding and apologies for this limitation.
- The winning card will be added to the Greeting Card Universe Design Challenge Winners Pinterest Board – currently GCU’s Pinterest Page followers: 13.34k!
- The winning card, should the artist choose, may be referenced in a new series by the winning artist and he/she may Fast Track all cards in the new series (being sure to give the Challenge URL and winning card PID in your Notes to Reviewer for each card in this series).
- Winning card will be included in a marketing email to over 100,000 customers!
- GCU will create a Meet the Team board for the winning artist under the Pinterest GCU account where the winning artist will be able to pin and promote her own storefront and all that makes them a unique card designer and one of GCU’s artistic community team member.
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Winning card will be posted on GCU’s Instagram with 10.6k followers and counting!
- GCU will create a Meet the Team board for the winning artist under the Pinterest GCU account where the winning artist will be able to pin and promote her own storefront and all that makes them a unique card designer and one of GCU’s artistic community team member.
- 10 free greeting card credits added to your GCU account. Apply them at checkout and they never expire.
- A Design Challenge GCU digital award for 2024!
2nd Place:
- Your submission will be Design of the Day the following week of announcing the Challenge winners (within 7-days).
EXCEPTION: Horizontal (landscape) cards may not be featured as DOD due to GCU Home Page space restrictions. In these cases, GCU will choose a different vertically oriented card from your store to feature as DOD. Thank you for your understanding and apologies for this limitation.
- Your card will be added to the Greeting Card Universe Design Challenge Winners Pinterest Board.
- Winning card will be included in a marketing email to over 100,000 customers!
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Winning card will be posted on GCU’s Instagram with 10.6k followers and counting!
- 5 free greeting card credits added to your GCU account. Apply them at checkout and they never expire.
- A Design Challenge GCU digital award for 2024!
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Tips:
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GCU Community 