Why Do You Call It Smart Craft Designs?

The original name of my website and Etsy Shop was chosen to reflect the type of graphic design and production work that I do. The word “smart” was used due to the smart electronic cutting and printing machines that I use to create many of the products for my customers. The word “craft” was selected because much of the work that I do is handcrafted and made by hand, customized according to the unique needs and requirements of each order. And finally, the word “designs” is used because a large percentage of the orders that I produce are custom-designed right here at my home studio in North Texas.

BACKGROUND

I have worked as a graphic designer since the late-1990s. I primarily work with Adobe products, including Illustrator, Photoshop, and Acrobat to create custom designs, logos, and decorative items for my ETSY stores. I have worked as a freelance web designer and web maintenance service provider professionally since the early 2000s. As much of the work that I do involves Search Engine Optimization (SEO), I have a strong understanding of what it takes to get the best possible listings for websites in the top engines. In addition, I also do freelance blog writing and provide copy writing services for a wide variety of niche-focused business websites across the country.

WHY CUSTOM PRODUCT DESIGN?

After years of working for others, I decided to start working full time for myself. I found a way to combine my experience and interests together to create products that others could use to celebrate special milestones in their lives. With five grandsons, making cake toppers and party decor was something that I just did. Our daughter doesn’t just celebrate birthdays with cake and ice cream, but enjoys establishing a whole theme for the event from start to finish. Helping her with various elements of party planning inspired me to start selling these items to others who have similar interests. Birthdays, anniversaries, retirements, engagements, wedding receptions, bridal showers, graduations, and holidays are great reasons to gather loved ones and enjoy a celebration together. I appreciate being able to be a part of that in some small way by providing personalized decorative items.

Small business products were also, in part, influenced by our daughter. She launched a candle shop on Etsy several years ago and needed specific items to help sell her products. Candle labels, dust covers, thank-you cards, warning stickers, care cards, packaging, and more were just some of the things I learned how to make from the ground up trying to assist her small business aspirations. Without meaning to, I became some what of an expert on measuring vessels to create labels and covers that would work with unique shapes and sizes – single wicks, multiple wicks, wood wicks, and wickless options, as well as specific printed, textured, and lined materials were challenges that I readily accepted and enjoyed achieving.

SMART CRAFT DESIGNS: GOING FORWARD

My current plans are to continue expanding my line of products that are offered to increase sales and be able to meet the unique needs and requirements of my customers. I am delighted to have so many repeat customers who have been with me from the very beginning and that continue to come back each season to design party decor and small business products to match their plans. I have expanded the tools that I use and the materials that I work with to now create t-shirts, decorative glasses, extra large decals, and other products based on requests made by customers. I look forward to whatever comes next in the future and will keep working on ways to meet the changing and evolving demands of the handcrafted market.