Do you have an overflowing pile of cards you have received from Stampin’ Up! card swaps over the years? If so you are not alone.
Being a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator for several years I’ve seen plenty of old swap cards collecting dust and heard the same from many friends. Unfortunately, handmade cards don’t last forever so they longer they sit unused the more apt they are to fall apart over time.
RELATED: 3 Reasons to Have a Card Swap at Your Next Stampin’ Up! Downline Meeting
Since I’ve been more intentional with the cards I receive at swaps, I enjoy getting a wide variety of cards and love making a plan for each one of them to use personally or to benefit my Stampin’ Up! business.
Here are a few ways to get the most out of the cards you receive at your next card swap
1 – Use Swap Cards as Ideas for Your Next Designs
One of the main reasons people participate in card swaps is to get ideas for cards they can make for themselves or for an upcoming card class. There is nothing better than creating one card design and receiving a variety of different designs back that you can use as is or modify for your future projects. Try creating an inspiration board with your favorite swap cards to add creativity to your crafting area and display ideas to your Stampin’ Up! customers. Not only will swap cards save you valuable creative time but also give you some ideas you may not have thought of yourself.
2 – Mail to Your Friends or Customers
A crafty person always needs a stack of cards on hand to mail out to friends or customers for a variety of occasions. If one of your friends is having a birthday and you haven’t made any birthday cards in a while, just look through your swap card stack for a birthday card to send.
3 – Use Swap Cards as Incentives
As a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator I sometimes offer promotions where I’ll give a customer a variety of cards from my card rack for placing an online order of $30 or more. Some of the cards on my rack are leftover from card classes and others are from card swaps. I’ve also given away swap cards as incentives to customers to bring a new friend to one of my classes. Everyone has a need for cute handmade cards so people love receiving them as incentives.
4 – Sell Swap Cards at Craft Shows
When you receive a card from a card swap the card is now yours to do with it whatever you want, including selling at a craft shows. You could sell them individually or bundle them up in a stack. You have expenses for creating swap cards so it can be good to get some of these expenses back by selling any extra swap cards you don’t need.
Make a Plan for Your Swap Cards
Don’t let your swap cards collect dust in the corner. Make a plan after every swap on how to use the cards for upcoming classes, add to your greeting card stash, use as incentives, or sell at craft shows.
Do you do something different with your swap cards? Let me know in the comments below.
