Welcome

Welcome to my new blog: Paper Moon Greetings! 

Hi, I'm Gem. A forty-something creative, who lives in a cottage with her dog, and other artsy friends. I'm the maker around here at Paper Moon Greetings.

I've dabbled in many art forms over the years, but right now, the one tugging on my heart the most is card making.

I was heavily involved in card making and stamping about 15 years ago. It helped me through a hard transition. I held seasonal card workshops and regular card making classes in my sister's basement. It was a healthy outlet at a difficult time. An expensive one, but healthier than the party life. So, I let myself spend any money (I'd otherwise be wasting) on stamping instead.

In time, my focus changed to mixed media art, painting and collage infused pieces. I had a website & Facebook page that featured my artwork called Painted Pinecone.

However, last year a tsunami hit my life. The pandemic created stressors that ruined a relationship. I had to move. I abandoned many of my things in order to start over in a safe space. Then, right in the middle of that, my mother passed away.

Well, that's a life transition people do not talk enough about! What happens to us when mom dies? A great deal, I have found out. A great deal that you don't expect to experience, even when you have prepared yourself and you think you are "ready". Grief, I have discovered, has its own process that one cannot steer or drop into neat time-slots.

As we went through mom's things, I found myself faced with a stash of card making supplies I'd forgotten all about! They got stored at mom's place and I forgot all about them. I know I brought her a bunch of stuff to work on/play with when she was at the senior's home because she enjoyed card making, but there was more there than I realized!

This past year has had me remembering how much mom loved card making too, remembering the stamp sets she would always choose, remembering how she was at every single card class and workshop with a smile on, remembering how much time we spent together talking about and looking at different cards, picking out ones we wanted to make, falling in love with different stamp sets. I am so grateful for that hobby and the time we spent enjoying it together. ♥

Mom's passing has reignited something in me with regards to card making. It has reminded me of the delight in creating with someone in mind; the fun involved in color choices and getting to use cool tools to create cute things. Mom loved cute! It made her happy. It made her smile. It got her excited to create something for someone else, so that they would smile too!

So, all the big changes in my life have created a shift in my creativity. I intend to honor this creative shift with this blog and use it to update friends & followers about where I'm at now. The pandemic has awakened in me the realization that we all need positivity, encouragement, support, and love from the people who matter to us. We need to be reminded who our friends are and that they care about us. The isolation, disruption, fear, animosity, and separation that the pandemic has forced upon us has made me realize that there never has been a more important time for positive loving messages from those we care about!

I have my own difficulties keeping in touch with those I care about too! It's hard, especially if you yourself aren't in a great place. And who is nowadays?! So I wondered how could it be easier? & still meaningful?

It may seem a minor/major annoyance to take the time to send someone a snail-mail card in our day and age, but it's still a heartfelt way to connect that people appreciate. Therein lies what makes it so very magical. 

So, why not make it a beautiful little experience? And why not make it easier for people to send snail-mail cards? Like with a few clicks? 

Therefore, I have created add-on options in my Etsy listings, to create and enhance the greeting card experience, cause that's really what's it is all about...

It's a nicely decorated recyclable wish that sends a love hit, to someone special, and  makes the recipient smile. It then acts as a reminder of that connection every time they see it on display. 

I've added the option/ability to have the card sent directly to the recipient, with a handwritten message of their choosing. That means not having to factor in the time to get the card to you, so that you can then send it off. Not everyone is that organized or has the time. 

In just a few clicks, Paper Moon Greetings sends the card of your choosing & your message directly to the recipient. Customers have some additional options of a stamped greeting inside the card, a designer envelope, and card confetti, to enhance their paper wish if they so choose.

I invite you to check out my Etsy site for a full list of my available creations. I also welcome you to come along with me on the Paper Moon Greetings creative journey with me here on the blog!