A craft of love

Homemade cards share personal touch this Valentine's Day

Amy Meyer shows the process she goes through to bring customers a handmade, original greeting card.
Amy Meyer shows the process she goes through to bring customers a handmade, original greeting card.

In the age of Pinterest and DIY, people are becoming more open to making their own everything - including Valentine's Day cards.

Robin Warren started making cards to mark special occasions more than 10 years ago.

"It started thanks to my scrapbooking hobby. The supplies I had from scrapbooking carried over into making cards, and now that I make cards, I actually barely scrapbook at all," Warren said.

Warren, Jefferson City, said she got the idea to make her own cards "out of nowhere" one winter.

"One Christmas, I decided to make all of my Christmas cards instead of buying them," she said. "I had all my stuff, so I thought I would just make my own."

Since then, she hasn't slowed down. Warren makes cards for all occasions: birthdays, thank-you notes, just-because cards and cards for most holidays.

Crafters use many different techniques when making cards - stamps, stickers and numerous other items embellish their cards to make them unique.

"I would have to say stamping is my favorite," Warren said. "I have over 300 stamps, but they're definitely an investment. The best part is if you find a stamp you really like, it can be used to create card designs over and over again, unlike individual stickers, which can only be used once."

She likes to start simple when crafting a card.

"I typically start with the stamp or sticker as the focal point of the card, then I'll work around that by adding embellishments like stickers or punches," Warren said. "I don't worry too much about decorating the inside; I just write my message in there. The front of the card is the most important. That's what people are going to be looking at."

Amy Meyer prefers colored pencils and ink pens when designing her cards.

Meyer, Jefferson City, has been making her own cards since she was in high school.

"I think I enjoy it so much because it's an artistic outlet for me," Meyer said. "I am a mom; I have two children. Drawing is just something that I need to do or have to do almost every day. It's something that's in me that needs to come out."

Now, in addition to sharing the cards she makes with friends and family, she sells them at Southbank Gift Company downtown.

While homemade cards typically take more time than store-bought, the extra thought can add more meaning.

"If I buy a card from a store and send it to somebody, they're like, "Do you not like me anymore?'" Warren laughed. "Comments like those tell me that people like the cards that I make and they appreciate the time I put into them."

Michelle Hale, Henley, has also noticed the cards she makes are more sentimental than anything she could buy at the store.

"I know some people who have kept my cards on display in their house, and my mom actually framed one that I gave to her. They're like mini works of art. I've never seen a store-bought card framed," Hale said.

Hale and her friends put forth a team effort when they make cards for others.

"I have two girlfriends I make cards with. We have "play dates' where we all get together and make 20 of the same card, then sell them to benefit Operation Christmas Child," she said. "Sometimes we send bulk amounts to soldiers overseas for them to send home to their loved ones. It can be hard to find Mother's Day cards or Valentine's Day cards in foreign countries, so we like to be able to help with that."

All three women encourage others to try their hand at crafting their own cards.

"You can start out with construction paper. You don't have to go high-end with your supplies when you're just getting started. See if you enjoy it and want to make the investment and grow your supply collection," Hale said.

"My advice is that there are no rules," Meyer added. "Try to think outside of the box. Whether it is adding ribbon, drawing a picture - don't limit your creativity. Fear sometimes stops us from making something wonderful. Don't let anything hold you back.

Crafty card tips

• Start simple with construction paper and other inexpensive supplies, then grow your supply collection as you figure out what you enjoy.

• Use embellishments like stamps and stickers to make your cards unique.

• Start with a stamp or sticker as a focal point, then add other embellishments like stickers or punches around it.