Amber Hellwig of Amber’s Creative Cards & More

I love getting to introduce you to new creative women, it's so much fun to share parts of their stories and bring them into the spotlight. Today, I'm lucky enough to share my younger sister with you. She is an amazing mother and creative entrepreneur who specializes in custom greeting cards.

Enjoy,

Misty

Misty: Please tell me a little bit about yourself.

Amber: I'm a wife of 10 years to my high school sweetheart, a mother of two adorable babies (a boy 1 and a girl 4). A friend and a crafter.

Misty: What lead you to start Amber's Creative Cards and More?

Amber: I started it as a way to bring in extra income while I'm at home with my kids.

Misty: What made you transition from hobby to business?

Amber: I started having more and more friends ask me to make them custom cards for different events.

Misty: How long have you been running Amber's Creative Cards and More?

Amber: Almost a year.

Misty: Where did the inspiration for your creative business concept come from?

Amber: I had a few friends suggest I start selling my cards to others.

Misty: What do you love most about running a creative business?

Amber: I get to make a variety of cards and help others have a unique gift for their loved ones.

Misty: What do you consider most unique about Amber's Creative Cards and More?

Amber: I use less common card techniques and make custom cake and cupcake toppers.

Misty: What would you be doing if you weren't a creative entrepreneur?

Amber: I'm a licensed pharmacy technician, so working in a pharmacy.

Misty: What do you enjoy most about creating greeting cards?

Amber: Trying new techniques and playing with unique designs.

Misty: How did you develop an interest in greeting cards?

Amber: I feel creating greeting cards was a natural step from scrapbooking.

Misty: Was creativity part of your upbringing?

Amber: I remember my dad sketching now and then and my mom would doodle with us a lot. My great grandma was a great seamstress and crocheted beautiful blankets, we called nanas, I still have mine that she made me many, many years ago.

Misty: Were you a creative/artistic child growing up?

Amber: Not until I got older. I took ceramics in high school and was hooked with the arts ever since. I continued to take ceramics in college and added other art classes as well.

Misty: What does a day-in-the-life of Amber Hellwig consist of?

Amber: Taking care of my family and designing/fulfilling any orders I have.

Misty: When did you start making handmade greeting cards?

Amber: I've made greeting cards ever since I was little, but actual nice cards I stared making after high school. I would make cards for friends and family for Christmas and birthdays.

Misty: How do you choose your paper, colors and layouts?

Amber: I make a lot of custom order cards so I talk with my client about what they are looking for. I ask what the intended recipients favorite colors are. If I have complete artistic freedom I choose colors based off the subject matter or season.

Misty: What's your favorite part of the day?

Amber: My kids nap time and bedtime because that's when I get to do most of my design and crafting work.

Misty: What words do you live by?

Amber: Forgive often; life's too short to hold grudges.

Misty: How would you like people to remember you and Amber's Creative Cards and More?

Amber: As a place to get quality custom cards, cake/cupcake toppers and gifts.

Misty: What do you consider your greatest achievement so far?

Amber: My marriage and my kids. As for my business, having my cards sold at a local massage therapy office.

Misty: To what do you attribute your success?

Amber: Having wonderful friends and family that support me and my business.

Misty: What's your biggest struggle?

Amber: Time! And marketing.

Misty: What tips would you give to someone trying to break into the handmade greeting card business?

Amber: Don't be afraid to put yourself and your cards out there. Show them off to friends and family, ask friends that own or manage businesses to carry your cards. Use social media to show off your work.

Misty: If you had one piece of advice to give someone starting out, what would it be?

Amber: Don't get discouraged by a slow start or failed leads, keep pushing and creating.

Misty: What's your least favorite part of being a creative entrepreneur?

Amber: Marketing because it's really hard with two small children, and storing stock when rotated out for the season.

Misty: Looking back what's the one thing you'd do differently?

Amber: I would dedicate more time to creating more cards and marketing.

Misty: What's the most important lesson you've learned as a creative entrepreneur?

Amber: It's hard work!

Misty: Does Amber's Creative Cards and More support/help your local community? How so?

Amber: Not yet, but I do plan on donating card sets to be auctioned off to raise money for local charities/schools.

Misty: Are there any special causes Amber's Creative Cards and More contributes to?

Amber: Not at this time.

Misty: Where do you sell your greeting cards?

Amber: I have a Facebook page that I sell from. I also have my cards at Wildflower Massage Therapy here in Yuba City, CA

Misty: What's next on the horizon for you and Amber's Creative Cards and More?

Amber: I'm going to work on marketing more. I'm lucky enough to have a friend that owns her own salon so meeting with her about carrying my cards is next on my agenda and possibly starting a shop on Etsy or some other widely shopped online market place.

Misty: Any parting words for our readers?

Amber: Keep me in mind the next time you have a special event coming up or want a unique card for a friend or loved one.

#creativelymisty #AmberHellwig #AmbersCreativeCardsandMore