Posted on 2 Comments

Is there room for more?

cards and gift wrap in the highlands and islands

I’ve just had a fabulous 2 days at one of the best agricultural shows in the UK, the Black Isle Show. While I do some of my business online, I think it’s really important to get these fabulous Flamingo cards and gift wrap in the Highlands and Islands.

Fireplace paperchainsDespite the rain, the footfall was good, people’s spirits weren’t dampened and everyone seemed impressed with my fireplace (held in place by some paper chains – just shows how sturdy they are!)

As they oohed and aahed over the cards, I asked quite a few customers, ‘Have you heard of Flamingo Paperie?’ and to my surprise many of them said, ‘No.’

Who is Flamingo Paperie?

Flamingo Paperie (formerly Phoenix Trading) have been going for 22 years. You can’t buy Flamingo cards in the shops. However there are 1000s of Partners across the country selling cards in workplace baskets, holding coffee, cake and cards in people’s homes, setting up stalls like mine. Ultimately these people become ‘The Card Lady’ (or man) to their friends and relatives.

Yet many have still not heard of Flamingo Paperie and don’t know a Flamingo Partner.

People want to buy these cards and gift wrap in the Highlands and Islands so we need more Flamingo Partners.

Do you love cards? Are you a stationery addict? Do you know even a small handful of people who would love to have access to good quality, reasonably priced, ethical, and charitable greeting cards? Would you like to make a little money selling these fabulous products? Would you like to be able to buy these cards and gift wrap in the Highlands and Islands?

If so, then you could be the next card lady (or man).

You can become a Partner from as little as £45 starting you off with cards, a
few brochures and some business stationery. These are at a high discount to get you started so if you’re a card lover you will save money whatever happens.

Perhaps you want something bigger than that?

Then start with the £200 business pack. This contains over £500 of cards and stationery, more brochures and plenty of business material to get you going.

Or if you’re somewhere in the middle then there’s a £95 pack too. Which ever pack you choose the start up covers stock, business materials and your first year registration fee. It also covers your public liability insurance (usually about £50 a year) and a free personalised ecommerce website.

Statutory Notice – It is illegal for a promoter or participant in a trading scheme to persuade anyone to make a payment by promising benefits for getting others to join a scheme. Do not be misled by claims that high earnings are easily achieved. The promoter of the Flamingo Partner scheme is Flamingo Paperie 60 High Street, Wimbledon Village, London, SW19 5EE

Start now!

Black Isle ShowBlack Isle Show

If you’re attending the Black Isle show this year I’ll be there in the craft tent. The Black Isle Show is always the 1st Thursday in August. So it’s 2nd August 2018. Pop by and say hello! Even if you need just a card (it’s never just a card!)

Posted on Leave a comment

Wedding superstitions

A137 The wedding car

I didn’t know until very recently that some people believe that whoever makes the first purchase following a wedding will be the dominant force in the marriage. So some superstitious brides will buy something from one of the bridesmaids immediately after the ceremony.

 

These gorgeous cards are available in my Phoenix card shop.

10 Activities to keep Children Entertained at your Wedding.

Posted on Leave a comment

Learning to weave?

woven twine gift wrappin

OK, so this is a long way from what I hope to be doing when our Hattersley Loom is up and running (and I’ve worked out what to do with it…don’t hold your breath here!)…but I do think this would look really effective on top of plain kraft wrapping paper. I think I’d try it with our gold sparkle twine mixed with the red/white. Or maybe the blue and gold metallic?

https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/498984833691342364/

Which colours do you think would work best?

If you like this – you might like Paper Chain Hearts

Posted on Leave a comment

Why “poaching”clients or downlines is business suicide.

Fantastic, clear reasons why poaching is not good for your mlm direct sales business – happy to say it’s not something I’ve seen very often with Phoenix Traders but I’ve been approached many times by other company representatives.

Why “poaching”clients or downlines is business suicide.

Posted on 1 Comment

‘Fairy Door’ and more!

Fairy Door card, Phoenix Trading, phoenix cards

Ok – so I do need some serious help making YouTube clips but I couldn’t resist putting something together with the new sample cards that have just arrived.

Our March release includes the ‘Fairy Door’ card – released on March 1st and reprinted on March 2nd it is proving so popular! It’s one of Phlicity’s favourites (if you don’t know Phlicity she’s my fairy helper and is often on my Facebook page)

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsJ0xagdtD8]

If you’d like a copy of the new brochure, or to find out more about Phoenix please ask me.

Posted on 1 Comment

Artist Profile – Alison Vickery

Alison Vickery Phoenix cards online

Flamingo Paperie are always looking for new artists to add to the fabulous range of cards that they produce. I thought it might be helpful to share information about the artists that design Flamingo cards, stationery and gifts. Our exclusive illustrations by Alison Vickery were amongst our bestselling designs in Phoenix Trading.

As well as producing fabulous artwork, Alison Vickery also runs workshops for all ages, as she said about herself,

“As a member of Gloucestershire Art for Schools, I enjoy running Art Workshops for children who always like to see my Phoenix artworks, picking out the ones they have seen or sent as cards. The children are excellent for the ego as they say things like ”you are one of the best Artists in the World”, I then come down to Earth with an elderly group who sometimes nod off.”

Everyone who is an Independent Flamingo Paperie Partner or is in my Customer Club gets to vote on which designs get through to each new product launch. So becoming a Flamingo artist is not necessarily as subjective as you might expect. Conversely 1000’s of people will vote on your design.

One of my favourite designs and so suitable for spring was Narcissi and Pink Hyacinth

Phoenix Trading cards Alison Vickery artist narcissi daffodils spring

Alison also takes part in the Stroud Open Studios in May each year.

Find out more about how to become a Flamingo artist. Go on – give it a try – and I look forward to seeing your work in the next Trader survey!

And if you’d like to know how you could have the privilege and joy of selling her work too then ask me for more information about becoming a Flamingo Paperie Partner today.

Posted on Leave a comment

Artist Profile – Alison Hullyer

Narcissi Flamingo Paperie Notecards Alison Hullyer

Flamingo Paperie are always looking for new artists to add to the fabulous range of Flamingo cards that they produce. I thought it might be helpful to share some information about Alison Hullyer. Alison is one of the artists that designed Phoenix cards, stationery and gifts. Phoenix Trading has now closed and I am part of the new company Flamingo Paperie.

Alison Hullyer’s designs

One of Alison’s latest illustrations is a gorgeous notecard design. This is new in the February 2018 Flamingo Paperie range. This is illustrated by Alison Hullyer who has been an artist for Phoenix Trading since 2002, and now Flamingo Paperie. Her designs include animals, cars, age related cards, pencils, hearts…and lots more!

Narcissi Flamingo Paperie Notecards Alison Hullyer

About herself, Alison says:

“I am continually sketching and looking for new ideas everywhere I go and feel very lucky that this is my job. It’s always a thrill to see my new designs come out in print, and I love the challenge of creating new artwork in a variety of styles, even if I am working on Christmas in the middle of summer!”

Members of the new Flamingo Paperie Customer Club will get to vote on new designs. This influences heavily which designs get through to each new product launch. This means that being accepted as a Flamingo artist is not necessarily as subjective as you might expect. In fact 1000’s of people could be voting on your design. This is something Alison particularly loves “as they know what sells and can provide valuable feedback from their customers”.  So if you’d like to see designs before they go to print and have your say join my Customer Club today.

Alison is a member of the Cambridge Open Studios where 200 local artists open their studios to the public each year in July.

As well as cards, many of her illustrations are available in fabrics and coasters too and she has her own online shop.

Becoming a Flamingo Artist

Find out more about how to become a Flamingo artist. Go on – give it a try – and I look forward to seeing your work in the next survey!

And if you’d like to know how you could have the privilege and joy of selling her work too then ask me for more information about becoming a Flamingo Paperie Partner today.

Posted on Leave a comment

Artist Profile – Julia Rigby

Julia Rigby

Phoenix Trading were always looking for new artists to add to the fabulous range of Phoenix cards that they produce. I’m sure Flamingo Paperie will be too. I thought it might be helpful to share some information about some of the artists. Julia Rigby produced illustrations for Phoenix since 2002, with her very colourful artwork featuring designs with people, vehicles, beach huts, farmyard scenes and even a tower of shoes!

One of Julia’s current designs is the Ski Resort Advent Calendar

Ski Resort Advent Calendar Flamingo paperie XADV05

Julia Rigby about herself when illustrating for Phoenix Trading

‘“I can’t seem to stop!” she admits. “Working for Phoenix is a total delight – I can work around my children’s needs, in my own home, doing something I love. It is so exciting to see my work printed and the Phoenix team are so friendly and supportive. Whenever I meet Traders they always come up with lots of new suggestions for cards so I am never short of inspiration.’

She works mostly in watercolour, ink and gouache resulting in very bright, colourful designs.

You might not know that everyone who was an Independent Phoenix Trader could vote on which designs got through to each new product launch. The same will happen with Flamingo Paperie. What’s more, even being a member of my new customer club will mean you have access to these surveys too.  Becoming a Flamingo Paperie artist is not necessarily as subjective as you might expect as 1000’s of people could vote on your design.

Alongside her cards her designs often become cross-stitch kits, most notably by Bothy Threads, and she also has a range of designs licensed to Wentworth Puzzles (whose jigsaws I adore!) including some of the Phoenix card designs like ‘Le Grand Depart’ and ‘Harbour Town’

If you’d like to know more about becoming a Flamingo Paperie artist please ask me. Go on – give it a try – and I look forward to seeing your work in the next survey!

Posted on 3 Comments

Artist Profile – Amanda Loverseed

Amanda Loverseed

Just as Phoenix Trading were always looking for new artists to add to the fabulous range of Phoenix cards that they produced, so too are Flamingo Paperie. I thought it might be helpful to share some information about Amanda Loverseed. Amanda is one of the artists that design Flamingo Paperie cards, stationery and gifts.

One of her current designs is the Reindeer Stable Christmas Card. You can see a video of a slightly different way of displaying it here.

Reindeer Stable

Amanda Loverseed’s designs

Amanda Loverseed is probably one of our most well-known and perhaps most recognisable artists. That is to say her artwork is easily recognisable as it is very distinctive!

She works mostly in pen and ink and watercolour, making her work very detailed and very bright. She likes working in a variety of styles and on different subjects, one day drawing black Skull and Crossbones and the next Blue Butterflies. And yet her work always has that distinctive ‘Amanda’ look and most of her work has a signature snail too!

What Amanda said about herself:

‘I have always worked as an illustrator. I studied illustration at Cambridge College of Arts and Technology and immediately, after leaving college, had my first two children’s books accepted. It is particularly interesting to work on designs that require research such as the ‘Kings and Queens’ poster.

I live up a track in the middle of a field with my husband and two cats, Millie and Spinach. I have a wonderful view of the South Downs from my studio window and, whenever I get tired with drawing, I walk along the track and the two cats come with me. If I am out and about I am always looking for inspiration, such as a quirky building or car that will make its way into a ‘Cut Thru’ design or an idea for Christmas cards seen in the spring.

I love illustrating for Phoenix and the creative freedom it allows me and enjoy working with people who care passionately about the quality and integrity of their products. I am delighted that a chance meeting with a Phoenix Trader at a Christmas fair in 1999 should have led me to work with such a friendly and dedicated company.’

I’m glad that meeting happened in 1999 as it’s a privilege and joy selling her designs!

Choosing our artists

Everyone who is a Flamingo Paperie Partner gets to vote on which designs get through to each new product launch. This means that 1000’s of people could be voting on your design. Not as subjective as you think is it?

Alongside her cards her designs are often made in to cross-stitch kits, most notably by Bothy Threads. In particular her cut-thru designs that have also often appeared as Phoenix cards too. Some of these have been made in to giant posters and jigsaws. One of my favourites was her cut-thru spaceship!

Find out more about how to become a Flamingo artist. Go on – give it a try – and I look forward to seeing your work in the next Trader survey!

And if you’d like to know how you could have the privilege and joy of selling her work too then ask me for more information about becoming an Flamingo Paperie Partner today.

Posted on 5 Comments

10 Reasons to send Christmas cards

10 Reasons to send Christmas cards handwritten Christmas cards

We keep hearing that no one does send Christmas cards anymore. Depending on which survey you read you might think sales of Christmas cards are on the increase or they’re doomed. Well I’m not sure what to believe there but I do believe that sending cards is a great thing to do at any time of the year and Christmas is a good time to do it.

Why send Christmas Cards?

A survey by Traidcraft found that people do still send Christmas cards and there are lots of good reasons why.

Traidcraft drew up the cartoon strip below after their survey in 2015. The 2016 showed that even more people (84% compared to 77%) in that year said they preferred to receive a hand written Christmas card.

10 Reasons to send handwritten Christmas cards

What Traidcraft and Dr John Sentamu had to say about sending cards

“What is even better is that when you buy a charity Christmas card, the benefit is multiplied. You’re not only showing friends and family you care, but you’re also supporting organisations such as Traidcraft to continue their life-changing work. It’s heartening to see that even in this social media age, charity Christmas cards are a win-win way of spreading festive cheer.”

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, a keen social media user, is lending his support to the organisation’s call for people to put pen to paper and send personal, handwritten charity cards to their friends and family this Christmas, rather than relying on social media messaging.

Dr Sentamu said: “Perhaps more than any other time of the year, Christmas is a time when everyone should feel connected, loved and enjoy a sense of belonging.

“While social media and text messaging are great and convenient ways to stay in touch with friends and family, handwritten Christmas cards really are the best way to show someone that you’ve taken the time to think of them at this special time of year.

“Sending a Christmas card is a simple act, but it really shows you care, bringing a feeling of goodwill perfect for the season to all who receive them.”

What more do I need to say?!

Buy yours now! (and they’re all charity cards)

Increase Your Business By Sending Business Greeting Cards

Do you send 250?