April 18, 2011

How to make a wearable business card!

I don't know about you, my shoppers rarely beg me for a business card!  And, when I'm shopping I rarely pick up a business card.  When I do, it usually ends up in the bottom of my bag because I either 1) never really know where to put it for a quick future reference, or 2) forget to ever look at it or for it again.

After working my butt off prepping for last week's event, I wanted to do something fun and easy with my left over crafty energy.  I came up with an idea to promote my Etsy shop to the weekend's shoppers without having to rely on them to pick up my business card.

Mini Business Card Rings!

Everyone wants a fun freebie, right?  Well, these things went like hotcakes genuine diamond rings, I tell ya.  As soon as shoppers found a size that fit them well, they instantly slid it onto their finger, then ran to tell their friends who came running over for their own.  I am definitely going to make more.  I may do a more unisex print this time, or perhaps make a couple different patterns for shoppers to choose from.

To last weekend's event I brought 98 rings and 98 business cards.  I ran out of rings before lunch on Saturday, and had 62 business cards leftover.  How do you like them apples?

Supplies
Computer/Printer
8.5" x 11" Scrap of fabric
Scissors (I used a flat rotary slider)
Glue (I used a hot glue gun)
Buttons
June Tailor Fabric Stick or Quick Fuse












After printing my image on the Fabric Stick and attaching it to the back of my fabric, here's how it all went down:

Cut out the rings

Dab hot glue to the inside of the ring, then fold both ends together

Repeat, and repeat and repeat and repeat and....

Dab hot glue over the seam where the two ends meet

Press the button lightly into the glue so the glue doesn't seep out the holes
  That's it!  Easy huh?



This shows my original "FREE" sign, but now I have a large, colorful {noticeable} sign that says "Steal a Free Ring!"

EDIT:
Since publishing this post, I have received a ton of feedback, comments, photos, and questions.  This makes me happy!  It also made me realize that it would be helpful to compile a list of common questions for you, and provide a template for the rings.  

 So I did!  

 Click here for a list of FAQ's about this project, to download the template, and to see a list of other ways to use the rings {if you don't have a business to promote!}.

Thanks for visiting!

80 comments:

  2. I'm stealing this idea. My first show is in May. This is perfect. LOVE IT!

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  3. please Please PLEASE come back and post a link to yours so I can see them! (or send me an email with a photo to aisle3@comcast.net). The possibilities are endless, I can't wait to see what you come up with :)

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  4. I love this idea!! Wonderful tip!

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  5. Thanks Kimberly :)

    I made some more a couple of days ago, and used three different fabrics and a variety of old colorful buttons that sunk to the bottom of my button jar.

    If you haven't already, you can see pictures on my facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/UpcycleYourLife

    I can't decide if I like the colorful buttons better or not!

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  6. This is so clever and so easy. I wish I had thought of it!

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  7. That is simply delightful! Thank you for sharing. I may give it a try with my shop and/or future shows! I'm going to check Fabric Stick now!

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  9. Great Idea. Wonderful tip for shows.

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  10. What a wonderfully cute idea!

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  11. I think you just saved me a lot of wasted effort! I was going to cut up brown paper bags and paste them over my old business cards from a defunct business, with a bit of vintage fabric and a stamped etsy address. But they'd end up getting tossed, anyway. Your idea is much better. Thank you!

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  12. it's happening! april 21st i decided to steal your idea....and here it is lol
    http://www.frecklelips.com/2011/05/its-been-done-no-problem.html

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  13. Wonderful!! I'll steal too! Thanks for sharing.

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  14. O-M-G!!!!!!!! You are BRILLIANT!!! I am SO doing this - thank you so much!!!

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  15. I'm having a Meet & Greet tonight and totally wish I had more time to make these. Will make them for my next gathering. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!
    Kisses,
    Carmen

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  17. Thanks for all the kind comments <3 I wish we could all get together and make a huge batch of them, ha!

    PS: Carmen, it really doesn't take that long!

    PSS If you have a second, leave another comment to let me know how you came across this blog post (so I can go say thank you!).

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  18. I came over from Totally Tutorials, and I swear this project deserves an Oscar. Straight to my Pinterest!

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  19. I love you, haha! I didn't realize TT had posted my tute already. I'm going to go take a look right now. Thanks for letting me know (and for the super sweet compliment <3)!

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  20. awesome awesome idea...free...pretty and fun..what a deadly combo

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  22. Absolutely brilliant! Thanks for the introduction to Fabric Stick who are probably to going to wonder why sales suddenly went up! I'm going to feature and link in an upcoming post so others can come visit!

    Pearl

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  23. Haha, true! Will you try to remember to let me know when you link it so I can send people your way too?

    (thanks for the kind words!)

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  24. Wow, great idea!! I'm ashamed to admit I've never heard of fabric stick - but I am going to try some out as soon as I get my hands on it!! Thanks for tute and the great idea! I'm off to share this and link back to you.
    http://polkadotpossum.blogspot.com

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  25. What a fantastic idea!! I want to make them...I never quite know what to do with all of my fabric scraps!

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  26. I can't wait to see what you guys come up with!

    PS: Cindy I'm going to go subscribe to your blog so I don't miss it :) Thx for sharing the link!

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  27. Cool idea. I wonder if it would work for bracelets? More room for your info.

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  28. Fantastic marketing!! 10 stars for you!
    I know one can put some fabrics on card stock and print on it, so was thinking one could use that method and either use web or fabric glue to put together. Just a thought :-)

    Pkae

    P.S. Found you via the Beading Gem

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  29. Awesome idea-very clever! Everything you read says how important bus. cards are- but like you I rarely take them. If somebody gives me 1 it usually ends up lost, or tossed. BTW, I saw this in the Beading Gems journal.

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  30. My goodness it is fun to see a truly unique idea, every once in awhile! I love this. Not too hard to do either. Very clever indeed!

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  31. Wow! What a fabulous idea! Thanks for sharing!

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  32. This is such a great idea- I think getting people to remember you after they walk by your booth is an opportunity most overlook. I imagine you get quite a lot of traffic to your site after someone returns home with one of these! (I left the anonymous comment above, looks like Google is still being picky-)-Erin of Elysian Studios

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  33. Thank you for taking the time to stop by and leave some comments love! You're all so sweet! Anne, that's a great idea about making bracelets. And I think I've just decided to do that for my next event! Stay tuned :)

    Cindy, wow that's such a nice compliment. Thank you, seriously <3

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  34. You beat me to it having discovered my post first! Here is the link where I featured your tutorial anyway-

    http://www.beadinggem.com/2011/05/make-business-card-rings-for-your-next.html

    So many people thought it was an excellent idea as there were many hits on the link to your blog! Many readers likely bookmarked the link so they will see your new updates when they return!

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  35. If your to-do list is as long as mine, I totally understand! Thanks again :)

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  36. Genius, total genius! I will have to make some too

    Found you via totally tutorials

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  37. Love this idea! Maybe a bracelet to fit my long name on...I'll have to really put some thought into it. Thanks for sharing your idea with us!
    I found you on pinterest.
    -cheryl

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  38. they are adorable! thank you for sharing. peace&love nicoletta

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  39. I really can't get the bracelet idea out of my head, ha :) Thx for taking the time to comment, ladies...and remember to send me links to any that you make!

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  40. This is a really awesome idea! I would love to do this for the first craft show we will be doing in June and I will happily post pics to you -- My question is this, did you see an increase in web traffic and/or sales after offering these? i.e. do you know if they made a difference in advertising? (as opposed to people just getting them b/c they were "free"). I'd love to hear your feedback! Thanks so much for sharing your great idea!:) Kim T,
    freesekim@gmail.com

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  41. I have been doing a lot of different things that have increased traffic to my Etsy shop, simultaneous to the rings. So it's hard for me to judge, honestly. One thing I would suggest is to have (instead of or in addition to your Etsy shop) include a coupon code specific to your event that you can use to track event driven traffic. I want to see your pictures! Facebook/Tweet/Blog, whatever's easier!

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  42. I love your idea! Thanks for sharing it!

    Donna

    PS - I found your blog via Facebook shared link

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  43. I found your post through Totally Tutorials!

    I do have one question - about how wide are you making them? 3/8" ish?

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  44. FAB IDEA.
    I would love it if you would post this to my linky party, 20 minute tuesdays, tomorrow!
    http://sweetfloweret.blogspot.com

    Thanks for considering.

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  45. Super idea....with I had thought of it...

    Happy Sales to You!!!

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  46. Thanks gals! I made the ring template in Microsoft Publisher, and the page setup size is: .30" x 3.15".

    PS: going to check out the details for the linky party!

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  47. Ok - that's kinda brilliant! What an amazingly creative idea! Would be flattered if you linked up to WWWW!
    http://itstoilegood.blogspot.com/2011/06/wwww-3rd-times-charm-partay.html

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  48. LOVE, love, love this! Looking forward to doing my first shows in the fall and will most certainly be pinching this idea....

    Wendy

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  49. Thanks!

    PS: Allison, I'll go check out your linky party...

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  50. Okay, so I made a batch of these (a small batch...lots going on today!) and I'm blogging and linking back to you, of course. Can I get the go ahead to use one of your images to show how yours came out?

    You can reach me at alwaysgreendesigns@gmail.com

    Wendy

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  51. Hi wendy, for sure you can use some photos. Can't wait to see yours! (Btw: I'm at a craft show today and having trouble with my email app...typing this with my phone...hope you see this!)

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  52. This is a fantastic idea that I had to run with! Thank you so much for the concept. I uploaded a picture to my facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BigSkyCrafts

    Thanks again! :)

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  53. Clever idea and great tut.
    Thank you for sharing

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  55. these cards awesome and its increase the marginal utility by colorful cominations of art work.
    Plastic Card

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  57. Thanks! Here's a tip for anyone who's going to make their own: Use thicker fabric, like Polyester. If you use a cotton-ish fabric they may not keep their shape as well as something with more weight or texture. talk soon! 'chelle

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  58. I thought this was pretty amazing- Thanks so much for sharing! I posted it on my blog today too- http://trashn2tees.blogspot.com

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  59. Great idea, I posted it on my pinterest board Business card today - http://pinterest.com/lescherubins/business-card/

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  60. I love your blog - keep up the good work!

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  61. This is really do talented work. I like to get this nice creation.

    business cards

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  62. Hello 'Chelle! I used your idea today at an Arts and Crafts Show. It was funny--no one hardly knew what to think and picked them up unless I explained them! Did you have some sort of sign?? You can see a picture of them here~http://restitchme.wordpress.com/2011/11/26/pictures-from-the-arts-and-crafts-fair/
    Thanks for sharing!!!!!

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  63. What a clever lady! You have addressed a problem with getting people to take your card in a very crafty way.

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  64. You guys are all so sweet <3 Remember to send me a photo of any that you make!

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  65. OMG! These are super sweet! Very creative and functional. Love ^_^ I just started bloggin about my art endeavors. I will post this on my blog when I make them.

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  66. What a great idea!! Thanks so much for posting this!!

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  67. You're welcome {and thanks!} 'chelle

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  68. Thank you so much for the tutorial really have a very informative blog. Keep posting!

    sugar

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  71. What a fantastic idea---use a discount code to encourage them to shop your website! Thank you for sharing.

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  72. Love it! Thank you for sharing a unique way to share your business using just the essential info needed -- a web address! Brilliant! Did I say "thank you" yet? ;)

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  74. Hi sir I like this site very much and this information is very important for me thanks and I really appreciat to you for your brelliant work
    Embroidery Digitizing

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  75. I love them! Such a clever idea! I have my first jewelry show next year, and I think I just may have to "borrow" your idea. Thank you so much for the inspiration!

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  76. I really like the site and appreciate your brilliant work..Order Business Cards.

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  77. hey, went to your faq's to download template but it won't work. would you please fix or email me. thank you
    samsmama01@gmail.com

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