Welcome New Members

We are pleased to welcome the following new members: Brittany Banks Illustrations + Paper Goods, Baby Bummers Cartoons LLC, Falling Leaf Card Co., Wee the Veggies, Bahri Paper, Ntent Stone Therayp, Erica Di Paolo and Mum Mum Cards.  Read about these new GCA members below and in upcoming issues of Card Talk:

Brittney Banks Illustrations and Paper Goods

Brittney Banks is a freelance illustrator + paper goods designer in Los Angeles, working from her bungalow studio in Venice Beach (since November 2014). Her colorful and witty watercolor illustrations go along with her theme of “MAKE. LIFE. FUN.” as she aims to promote and add more positivity to the world. She recently joined the GCA to learn more about the industry she’s grown to adore over the years, how to become a better business woman and build relationships. She also hopes to gain mentorship in the trade show arena so she can be ready for the next NSS!

Brittney Banks, Illustrator

View her at InstagramFacebook, and Twitter.

Falling Leaf Card Company

Falling Leaf Card Company is a new Gift and Greeting Card business founded in 2014.   Our products are designed and manufactured (from original art) in Charlotte, NC.  Our product line includes Greeting Cards, Note Cards, Box Card Sets, Wall Prints, Gift Bags and Drink Coasters.

We attended the July International Home and Gift Show in Atlanta and will be attending in January and at the May 2017 National Stationary Show in New York.

Our products are currently available online and in stores in NC, SC, VA, NE and Bermuda.

We joined the GCA to gain more knowledge of the industry and to find sales representatives for our unique line.

Lee Connellee, Artist & CEO, Falling Leaf Card Company

 

“Ask the Expert”

Have a question related to production, sourcing products, licensing or another topic related to the greeting card industry?  Submit your question here, we’ll ask a member to respond in the next issue of Card Talk.

This month’s question:  What’s the best way to reach out to retailers?

Answer: Most retailers these days prefer to be contacted via email, so that they can respond on their own time. Sending an email with a link or PDF of your cards is a good way to introduce yourself. Following up after a few days is important if you don’t get a response, but be careful not to be too pushy. Definitely don’t walk into a retail store unannounced and ask to talk to the buyer on the spot. Buyers hate that!

Thanks to GCA Member Joel Gryniewski, co-owner, creative director, Old Tom Foolery and Modern Lore for responding to this question!