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Designer Focus:
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How DiamanteHearts Was Born!
Dawn started out making her own cards for her own use, but as the recipients saw her designs she got requests from friends and family for personalised cards. She put her details on the back of the card for free advertising - this led to her being asked to supply a local cosmetics agent with 'Thank You for Your Order' cards and then the Wedding Invitations started to come in!
Dawn decided to register as self-employed with the Inland Revenue after a couple of 'big orders' for wedding invites, and more customised birthday requests, turning her "handmade cards hobby" into her own cardmaking business. She was also working for a supermarket chain at the time and so started this business on a part-time basis.
A 'Unique' Design Style
I am a big fan of Dawn's cards since she has a unique 'designer' style that you don't often see. Her cards are usually quite minimalist and she makes a lot of use of ribbon, mulberry paper flowers, beads, wire, punches, "Greeting Card Factory Deluxe" software for fonts and elements, and of course her trademark 'hearts' and 'diamantes' (there is always a diamante somewhere on her cards!).
Her cards have sold for up to £10.00 but usually between £3.50 and £5.00. Recently she has been getting repeat orders from customers who bought her cards on eBay.
The products used in her designs are usually available via her eBay shop (see her live listings below) and you can see how to make her designs here.
How things developed...
As well as making her cards and working at the supermarket, Dawn took a further 'voluntary' position in a local craft shop to help out the owner. Her customer service and demonstration skills were so good that she was hired, gave up her checkout job and is now the OWNER of the shop!
Dawn now runs cardmaking classes from her shop and has kindly allowed me to put her cards on this site, with full instructions so that you can make the designs up yourself or be inspired to create your own. These designs are for personal use only - please check her Creative Commons License.
DiamanteHearts eBay Store
Take a look at what Dawn has for sale right now!
