Happy August! I hope you’re all having a lovely start to the month, and getting the chance to make the most of the sunny days we’ve been having lately. Writing this blog is a good way to stop me scratching my sunburn from my day out walking in the sun in Benllech the other day!
Looking back, July feels like a good month. I found out early in the month that I was starting a new job early August, so I was determined to make July a month full of creativity, positivity and organisation. How has your month been? Be sure to leave your personal number one highlight from July in the comments!
Custom Orders
Let’s start with the core heart of Cardiau Mwydro, my Custom Order cards.
July has been yet another busy month of Custom Orders. I’m always intrugued to see what type of cards are popular when. July was certainly baby boom month, as I created so many personalised ‘Welcome to the World/ Croeso i’r Byd’ cards.
I really enjoy making these as I’ve always been obsessed with names since a young age. In my youth I loved writing stories and doodling cartoons, and my favourite part was often choosing characters’ names. Congratulations to all of July’s new arrivals and I hope you all enjoy your personalised Welcome to the World cards! Anyone else got a thing for names?
Etsy Launch
Early July I launched my brand new Etsy shop, selling a new range of hand-drawn and personalised prints. You can read more about the launch here.
The shop also includes a few cards. Don’t worry, you can still order cards the usual way by messaging me on Facebook or Instagram, but I thought I’d pop the easiest cards to place a personalisation instruction on my Etsy, perfect for those looking to quickly purchase a personalised card.
Keep an eye out on my shop in August, where I’ll be adding more personalised cards to the shop.
Shop my Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/CardiauMwydro
Llwyddo’n Lleol
I’ve been continuing to be busy participating in the Llwyddo’n Lleol 2050 programme throughout the month, working hard to develop and grow my business.
I’ve had so much fun attending the weekly sessions, and I’ve really seen my confidence blossom. Here are a few key highlights:
- On the first day of the month, I participated in my first ever Livestream (or Ffrwdathon if you’re Welsh), starting a chain of six of the Llwyddo’n Lleol group to go live on our Facebook pages and share a little of our story and answer some questions. It was very daunting to begin with but once I pressed the live button I soon settled in and had fun chatting and answering your questions.
- In our week focused on Social Media the group recieved a presentation by the owner of local florist Blodau Cara. It was such an inspiration to hear of how she set up her business aged 12 (yes, 12!) and by now runs a thriving florist business based in Llangefni, Anglesey.
- For our weekly Social Media Challenge in Week 5 I asked you my customers what you’d like to see from Cardiau Mwydro? It was great to see such a varied response and loads of exicting ideas. Have you got an idea of what you’d like to see from Cardiau Mwydro
Change in Operating Hours
I’d like to thank you all for the kind support to my announcement at the end of the month to the change in operating hours from August onwards.
If you didn’t see my post on Facebook or Instagram, I’m starting a new full-time job in August with Age Cymru Gwynedd a Mon as a Liaison and Support Officer. I’ll still be running Cardiau Mwydro, but it will be a strictly evening and weekend side-hussle business for me now. So please continue to place your orders, it’s just that orders may take a day or so more to complete.
I’ll also be continuing to partake in Llwyddo’n Lleol throughout August, so keep your eyes peeled there too.
Looking ahead to August…
August is lined up to be a month of change, as I start a new job and move house, but don’t worry I’ll still be here creating and engaging with my customers.
Keep an eye out for a Podcast I recorded with Llwyddo’n Lleol being released in early August, and a few other exciting bits too!
Thanks again for all your support,
Sioned