My DIY Business Cards
Hello lovelies! As you might know, I am headed off to the Altitude Summit in Salt Lake City next week. I am ridiculously excited and more than a little bit nervous (eep - so many amazing people in one place). It's been recommended that attendees bring along a hefty stack of business cards to pass out. The last cards I had made up are woefully outdated, so instead of putting in a rush order for something generic at an online printing source, I decided that I'd tackle making my own.
To make them I designed the text for the card backs in Photoshop. I then printed my design out onto heavy-weight watercolor paper (Canson 140lb - purchased at my local craft store) and cut each card out using a rotary cutting tool, self-heeling mat, and ruler. Next I took acrylic paint (DecoArt brand in "Melon") and painted a splotch of color through the center of each card (nothing too precise). Acrylic paint dries quickly, so once they were fully dry I quickly penned in the feather details and little borders along the outside using a Micron Pen in dark blue. They only took about 40 seconds per design.
All in all I'm pretty happy with how they turned out. I was kind of worried about making something that looked too home-ec gone awry, and even though they aren't perfect I've made the conscious choice to just let it go. I had fun making them, and I think it will be great to have a card to give out that is infused a bit of my personality. If I have the chance I might try making up a few using watercolor paint as well).
Next on my to-do list — figuring out what in the world to wear for my trip! I just might pass out from the stress. Is that silly, or do you sympathize?
Oh, and as a side note I feel like I need to explain that the smudges and scuffs all over my aqua table are not dirt, but "love marks" from the many many craft projects created upon it. Now I feel a bit better. Pheww.
94 Lovely Comments | Email Article | found in About Me / My Shops, D.I.Y. + Projects, Paper Goods Print Article | Share This | 
| by Ez Thursday, January 13, 2011 
Reader Comments (94)
very cool! when you drew in the lines, did it dig a line into the paint? or was it thin enough to not be affected by the pen lines?
Thank you again everyone! You've all truly made my day!
@ Steph Bond - You are so sweet...but really nobody needs to be nervous about meeting me. I'm the biggest dork in person. ;-)
@ Donna - Since the pen I used is not a ball-point it didn't leave any impression in the paint. Great question!
Your business cards came out awesome!
Beautiful! I really like non-traditional business cards, especially for artists; it just makes sense. It's cold and snowy here in SLC. Bundle up!
I love these! I think the special touch of paint and ink by hand makes it memorable and extra delightful to be the recipient of one! Have fun at Alt in my city next weekend!
Stunning!!! so fresh and original
That is one of the most gorgeous business cards I've ever seen! STUNNING!
e x q u i s i t e !
I love the cards. They're light, fun yet professional. They're so you and that's all that matters. Have a great time at ALT. Wish I could attend and hear you speak! Don't sweat it, you're gonna be amazing. Rock out!
These look really great - you'll stand out in a good way!
What a great idea. Your new cards are fabulous & you'll differenciate yourself because they where handmade & have as you said "a bit of your personality"
wish you the best at the Altitude Design Summit :-)
http://www.wearaddiction.etsy.com
Great! These are so pretty. Enjoy your time at ALT. I look forward to hearing the recap.
-Jordana
These are absolutely perfect!! Love it. AND yes, I do expect one in the mail :) no pressure.
They are lovely! Such a simple design!
They're gorgeous!
I love them and I love that you used paint! Awesome!
*Love* these, Ez! The back is gorgeous :)
These are GORGEOUS, and so unique!
LOVE THEM!
your biz cards look fab! i just got some done too for alt. :) hope to see you there!
I love them. You've managed to make something that could have looked like a horrible school project into something cute and personal. Love, love it!
They turned out incredible!! Awesome job and good luck at the Altitude Summit!!
Girl. I cannot wait to hang out with you! I am also worried about my packing deets. I am finding nothing fabulous in my closet this week. grrr. see you soon sweets. [love the cards]
I like them!
Have fun! And good luck!
I recently found out about the event. I'll be there in 2012!
Definitely not home-ec-gone-awry. I love the personalized touch on your cards. They are perfect!
Great idea and realization.
And i DO sympathize!