The kids gave us a Shutterfly gift certificate for Christmas. For all your amazing images, the card read.
“How does it work?” Ric asked.
I had no idea, so I visited the site. There are endless possibilities. I settled on a mug for Ric with six of his favourite photos, a travel mug for me with mine, and some magnets. I was so excited by the thought of actually possessing something with our images on it, that I forgot to apply the gift certificate.
So, of course, I had to order more. The good news: once you place an order, Shutterfly keeps sending you great offers to entice more business.
This time I decided to make a book of my images with poetry (it was a free offering), and I ordered a puzzle that will be fun to do with the grandkids, and a iPhone cover for Ric with a photo of a waterfall.
“We’d like a copy of the book,” our neighbours exclaimed when they saw it. “Where can we get one?”
“Maybe when we get home, we should look at renting a store front and producing some giftware and books featuring your work,” Ric suggested later.
I’ve had two stores in the past. I know how much work it takes. I think of my left arm, which will hardly lift a tea mug right now, and my limited energy. “Um, I don’t think so.”
And then later: “We do have room in the basement, we could order some product, store it there, and set up an Etsy account. Then all we have to do is deal with shipping, and find a company to manufacture our goods.”
“I’ll ask around,” Ric agreed.
Meanwhile, I’m editing the book.
One Woman's Quest II 
What fun! Well I’d be on the list for a book of your poetry and images!!
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Ah..you’re too sweet.
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You are quite talented!
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That means a lot to me, thanks Heather.
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My pleasure!
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What a wonderful, thoughtful gift! Both the mug and the book are gorgeous! You know I’m going to want one of your books so you might as well reserve one for me now.😁 What an exciting new chapter you might be starting! I think an Etsy shop is a fabulous idea!
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Thanks Terri. It might take me awhile to get it together – there were mistakes I hadn’t seen before, of course.
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Isn’t that the way it always goes??? You don’t see the mistakes until you’ve already hit ‘publish.’
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Yep – good thing it was free, lol.
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Fantastic! I am a huge Shutterfly fan. And I also received a gift certificate at Christmas from my sister. Over the years I have made a few photo books for myself and for family. With my photos and sometimes a family story included. What a wonderful plan, V.J. And Etsy is much easier than a storefront.
(a Shutterfly mug with Grandma plus grandson pics on it from my daughter is a favorite) 🙂
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the personalized items mean so much, don’t they? Thanks for your words of encouragement.
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You’re welcome!
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What a great idea, well two great ideas.
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Thank you!
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Pleasure
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What a grand idea!
And I very much like the book cover poem’s outlook.
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Thanks Jazz! So much to think about.
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