Thank you for your comments Wow, the Gwen Frostic cards are cheap! I have no idea how she can make them for that price. I couldn't pay my paper supplier for that amount

Thank you. Yes, I know of Etsy. But I don't feel I can list my products with them. I'm priced out of their stratosphere. Paper, ink, labour (ie. everything) is more expensive here so I just cannot compete. Also I currently use a hand-press and many in America use much larger presses run on electricity (making production much faster). For these reasons I'll be aiming at the Swiss market exclusively (but at least with me your postage and import taxes will be minimal.

This stuff makes me go weak at the knees

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Me too

Their stuff is gorgeous!
Unfortunately I'm limited in size as I'm using an 8"x5" press. But when I grow up I hope to be using something very capable of an A3 print. I'm starting small

If you want to do Christmas markets for this year you need to look into it very soon. I've applied to do some as well and the deadlines are often September or if you are lucky October. You'll probably have a better chance with smaller village markets in terms of application deadline.
I'm sure you'd have no problem at all getting a stand with what you are offering. Handmade or locally made items are usually accepted first. And you really should definately try to do the Christmas markets- it's great at getting word out and is fairly cheap advertising (renting a stand is often cheaper than placing an ad).

I am really looking forward to seeing your website. I think the idea is great! I find it soooo hard to find nice cards here (although I must say I hardly have the time to look anywhere but the coop or migros). I would send cards if I could find nice ones.

Good luck with your business!!

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www.kokoandkalila.com

I love beautiful cards! I'd pay around CHF 10 for a special one.

I only send a few cards, hate to admit to using Facebook to remember who is when for birthdays.

Our company has been receiving Christmas card offers and calendar brochures throughout August, so you may be a little late to the party for 2011 if you're not ready to go soon.

Local cards seem to go well, if you have a card with the town/city on it where folk have their businesses, you immediately have "local color" which is a great selling point.

Good luck.

A local lady who hand paints cards: http://www.jennijohnson.com/
They are lovely cards. I adore them and I just love her Zuri Baby picture

I'm a HUGE fan of letterpress. Last year I had custom letterpress invites made for my daughter's birthday since I hated all the general stuff that was available and it was only a little more expensive. Make something along those lines ( a simple card with lines for party info and a kiddie motif) and I'm sure I'd be interested. Maybe even make it with a bit of local flair/motifs, e.g. alps, and I'm sure you'll do well.

1. Yes. Very important for presents. Such exquisite and handmade qualities lose something by mail order where you can't touch and feel. Craft and Christmas market I suspect will be very good for this kind of thing. I like leather bound portfolios and venetian laid paper, although I am not at all artistic.

2. I buy few cards and when I do so it is usually like most men: at last minute with a simple appraisal of message, size and how impressive it will appear to the recipient (I have never seen large greetings cards in CH...maybe its that understated thang?)

AYB

I send cards rarely, and as it is normally only to close family and friends on special occasions I prefer to buy something a bit nicer than standard. Globus in Geneva has a reasonable selection, and I think somewhere around 6-8 CHF would be about comparable. Personally I wouldn't pay more than 10, as no matter how nice the card you know it will be binned sooner or later.

Good luck and I look forward to seeing the website.

I'm also a huge fan of letterpress! I've keep my eye on the Argentine ebay equivalent to see if I can get my hands on one. As per the other thread, I'll try my hand at anything. I've made paper & I keep wanting to take a book binding class. There is a great paper store down here. In fact, they've even sold things at the Manor!

Thank you all for your fabulous input. Your comments and suggestions have helped greatly in the clarification and finessing of what I'm planning.

I have a new question. And thank you again (greatly) for your comments in advance.

How much importance do you place on the packaging when you receive something in the post? Do you care about the looks of the external packaging? What about when you open it? Do you care if the item has been wrapped carefully in tissue and 'finished'? Or do you only care about the product itself?

The inner packaging may be kept long term if it is of good quality. The outer packaging will be discarded and needs to be durable.

It depends what you are selling. Sometimes the packaging is part of the mystique and branding.

I have a Lindt chocolate three layer swing out drawer box that I have kept for months.

AYB

I would much prefer as little packaging as possible - it is such a waste. As long as the packet/envelope/box is sufficient to protect the contents that's all that is needed.

So for you would an option online to opt out of any extraneous packaging be viewed as a pro?

I don't agree, the packaging nest in which the product lies may greatly enhance the perceived value of the product beyond the cost of the coloured tissue paper. Think picnic hampers.

AYB

For me yes. I'm sure they are going to be very nice cards, but still for me extra unnecessary packaging is something that generally annoys me and I would be happy to be able to opt out.

It seems others may have a different view point though

Thank you. I'll keep your viewpoint in mind and do my best to allow for it

Some interesting points in here:
http://www.tnsglobal.com/_assets/fil..._packaging.pdf


AYB

When I bought my products from Chrisinzurich, she made a very neat packaging and every items were nicely organised with pretty ribbons and silk paper.

I felt my package was special! I loved it!