Pretty Packages - Wrapping Photo Disks

As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago I was trying to come up with a way to nicely package my photo disks to my clients at Girl Photography. I was not having any success or satisfaction with the Avery CD labels and buying another machine to personalize the CD covers was not in the budget. And I really wanted something that showed my appreciation to my customers, was in line with my current branding, and was an expression of my personality.

I was able to come up with a final package that accomplished this by using a 5.5"x5.5"pochette and a 5x5 square envelope that I found a great price from Paper Presentation.

I placed the photo DVD in the square envelope and adhered it to the inside of the pochette. I then created a 2" circle label with the help of my trusty Xyron that had a message of thanks with my business logo. I thought the contrasting colors of the envelope and pochette was a nice compliment and made a nice color pop upon opening.

The pochette was sealed with a 2" sticker created with my Xyron that has by business logo.

The front has a simple 4.5"x 4.5" label created once again with my Xyron that has the client's name, session location, and session date.

Overall the packaging was simple to create but I think it conveys to my clients that time and thought went into creating this. It is also a great last impression to leave them with and a pretty reminder of the work that was done.

If you are curious as to how other small business owners package their goods to customers check here .

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Highlighted on Lookbook by Onada

Lil' old me was highlighted today on Lookbook by Onada. (If it were possible I would be blushing.)

Onada is a fabulous photographer, businesswoman, fashionista, and all around great girl who I became friends with after she did my engagement pictures last year.  Through her unbelievable ambition and work ethic she has since been a huge inspiration to me to get out there and start pursuing my heart's desire, namely starting a business and pursuing photography.  So I was tickled pink when she asked me to be a part of her blogger interview series.

So go on over and check out the interview (the questions were really fun to answer) and stick around a while and check out her great lookbook.

Also check out her beautiful photography on Onada Photography and her fab fashions at The White Dress Shop.

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Pretty Packages - Bag of Treats

Gave brownies to my contractor yesterday and wanted to just add a little something pretty to the bag. Used Martha Stewart decorative ribbon with adhesive backing to seal the bag and to form a decorative bad around the bag.  You can purchase this at your local Michael's Crafts and Walmart.

You can find the brownie recipe here.

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Pretty Packages - Packaging a CD

Last weekend I was determined to find a creative way to wrap the photo CD's for my other business Girl Photography after being quite thoroughly displeased with the Avery CD labels and covers.

Here are some of the fabulous ideas I came across.

source - Bliss Wedding Market

tutorial here

source - Country Living

CD Packing Kit via Bridal Guide

Vinyl Inspired CD labels and Sleeves - Style Me Pretty

Gocco Invitations - Style Me Pretty

Cocoa Bags but would be great for CD sleeves - Style Me Pretty

Great packaging that would translate to a CD - Style Me Pretty

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Monthly Business Goals - March 2010 Taking a Hard Look

So the day of reckoning is here and it is time to report on how I did for the month of February.

To recap here were my goals for the month and how I did.

1. List at least 2 new items in shop.

FAIL - Did not get around to listing any new items though I had photos all ready to go. More on the reason for that below

2. Redo business cards

Done and I think they look fabulous!

3. Advertise on at least one wedding board

I did post on Wedddingbee Classifieds, however, generated no leads. ;(

4. Enlist someone to redo website.

I took the bull by the horn and just did it myself. The vendor I wanted was on extended leave so I just couldn't wait since I felt that my website really needed a new look immediately. The awesome thing is that by doing it myself I realized a cost save. And though I am now no where near a web guru I did gain some new skills in the process.

5. Look at wholesale suppliers for some packaging items.

Fail!

6. Post packaging ideas at least once a week on the blog.

This is a partial success. Though I have not posted as frequently as I would have liked I did have some sporadically through the month.

Looking ahead my big goal this month is to determine where I want to take my business. I am in the process of starting up another business which I am tremendously passionate about and has gotten excellent response but which has also distracted me from Merci Beaucoup. I need to evaluate how much time I want to devote to Merci Beaucoup and really carve out what services and products I want to offer. While I have launched by business with offering vintage monograms I need to decide if I want my business to continue along a path of design services or to take it the direction I originally intended which was offering basic packaging material and gift wrapping services. Also if that is the avenue I want to pursue how large do I want to grow it and how much energy do I want to devote to it given that I am splitting my time between this and my new endeavor.

So that is my goal for this month - Reevaluate and regroup.

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It's here! 2010 Lovely Package Exchange

It's finally here. What I have been anxiously waiting for ever since I found out about it last year.

Danni over at oh, hello friend announced the Lovely Package Exchange today!

In the package exchange you are matched with another blogger and you send them a package of gifts based on their interests and of course they are wrapped in all types of pretty goodness.

If you would like to participate stop on over to oh, hello friend and signup.

Hurry up the exchange is limited to 350 participants and slots are filling up quickly. The exchange will run from March 15th through April 1st

Look at some of the yummy goodness from last year.

courtesy of oh, hello friend

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