All Aboard!

Even though I arrived in San Francisco at the end of November 2014, I've been so busy unpacking and trying to get settled in my new surroundings that nearly 2 months after moving this is actually my first official West Coast post.  Etsy business is still business as usual.  So far 2015 is off to a prosperous start.  (Since my shop first opened in May 2010) I've had a total of nearly 4,300 sales and and accumulation of over 1,200 admirers.  The new year has been filled with plenty of great stamp orders and a handful of unique custom crochet requests.

I recently acquired a massive new selection of washi tape inventory but due to my busy travel schedule, I still haven't yet had the time to get all of the listings up.  However, I really, REALLY hope to have everything listed by the end of next week.

I've also acquired a ton of new stamp stock but still haven't managed the time to get everything sorted and listed; story of my life!  Please be patient with me, slowly but surely, everything will get listed soon.

But now for something completely different.  One thing I'd really like to blog about is gift tags.  I just received a really fun custom order request for vintage railway themed gift tags for birthday party favors.  I had so much fun making these tags that I wanted to share this great idea with my readers. Obviously, you can create your own tags with any theme, not just trains, for any occasion.  Even though I used vintage postage stamp embellishments, you could use anything that suits your fancy. Also, although I typed on the tags with a vintage typewriter, you can write you own messages in pen, stencil, rub on letters or alphabet stickers.

Vintage Luggage Tags - Paper Punched Gift Tags

Here are some of the supplies you could use:
Cardstock
Scissors
Glue Stick
Pens & Markers
Typewriter (optional)
Luggage tag shaped paper punches and/or round/circular paper punches
Hole Punch
Twine
Vintage Postage Stamps or other embellishments

To create the antiqued paper look, rub the edges of your punches with a brown or tan ink pad.

Layering your punches creates more texture and gives you more space for messages.  

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, you could use this same idea but with heart shaped punches for romantic gifts and greetings.