Cupid Reminded me, it's Valen-time!

He wanted me to let you in on a secret idea for your sugar cookie decorating this year. I'll get right to the 'point'.

Cupid is more than delighted with all of the heart shapes and pinks and reds. But he said to me, "arrow you not inspired"? Do a search for 'Valentine puns'. I did. I 'flirted' with several sites. I 'fell for' some of the puns.

They may not 'be mine', but I assure you I will be 'committed' making cookie sets up for them.

What do I mean?

How about a few as examples...

1. I love you to pieces. (makes me think of a puzzle cookie set)

2. Wool you be my Valentine? (I see darling little sheep with hearts. Shh, I know Cupid is tired of hearts).

3. I lava you. (volcanoes and lava cookies?)

Ok, your turn to be inspired! Hurry along, Cupid can be an impatient little guy.

Today's Highlights

1. your question, my answer

2. new update!

3. latest WeCookiers page

4. business sense

5. business tips

Your Questions, My Answer

Q: How far in advance do you start taking graduation orders?

A: I start pushing in January, believe it or not. People are so last minute. Graduation orders are usually the 2nd largest cookie orders I take in for one customer. Christmas being first.

I'm always filled up in March for May graduations. Of course there will always be stragglers asking. I may decided to squeeze some in.

Early orders like this (with paid deposit that covers expenses) can be cut out well ahead of time, which helps take the pressure off. I do not decorate and freeze them as a customer could cancel. The blanks allow for an late order if one of the early birds did cancel.

As mentioned in my last periodical, I have pretty much quit taking orders. However, for special people or like graduations, I'll still keep doing it. Hey, once it's in your blood, lol!

My point is, you need to train your customers to be early birds.

New Update!

I've been a busy bee getting new things set for you. I'm sorry that I couldn't do the cookie cutter flips and inspo cookies in this issue. Why not?

As promised...

I have now incorporated a comment and upload section to WeCookiers. I'm not super tech-savvy so it seemed to take me forever to learn how to do it and make sure it was right.

Right now it is only on one page. I have placed it on the Projector for Cookies page. It's one way to start building relationships with you personally. Drop over and say hi, give me your comments on the projector you use, why you like it, and especially leave your beautiful photos of cookies made with using it.

I look so forward to this! It's ready for you.

The door is open here

Latest WeCookier's Page

So the newest PICO projector has been out since summer. I've always loved my old PICO. After 5 years it still works like a charm. But did you know the new PICO is Bluetooth? You can't beat that!

I wrote a brand new page. It's not for the faint-hearted. I slaved over it. I made it completely unbiased. It's not just a review, but an exhaustive and comprehensive professional product review. Go take a look and see what you think. Perhaps the PICO + is not right for you. Perhaps it is.
Professional PICO + Review

Have You Seen These In Shop Gotta-havs!?

These royal icing heart transfer sheets are a staple (don't tell Cupid I said that). They can be used for so much more than Valentine's Day. There are 1" and 1/2" size. Get the instant download here: Royal Icing Heart Transfer Templates

By the way, many thanks for your support of Shop Gotta-havs. This has enabled me to continue adding free content, videos, and periodicals. I appreciate you!

Business Sense: marketing yourself

1. Cut out some red and pink hearts (here I go again. Cupid is going to fire me), and place your label or stamp your business info on them to hand out instead of a business card. You can offer an incentive on the other side if you like.

2. Presell your customers on what you know you will be making for V-Day. PYO cookies? Kits? Mini cookies in a jar?

3. Go to a grammar school with a mini cookie on a valentine card with your info. After bagging them, ask the secretary if they will place them in the teachers' mailbox. Be sure to give them a Valentine card and cookie too!

Business Tips

1. I don't know about you, but by the time Christmas and Valentine's are over, I never want to see red royal icing again. I like to use up all of the red by making red heart royal icing transfers and red flowers, red dots, anything to use it up.

2. Do you use a lot of sprinkles for Valentines? Another way to use up red icing is pipe separate lines of red, white, and pink. Let them dry, which won't take long, then a knife and start cutting/breaking them up. Add in perils of your choice. Such a money saver. And they taste much better than store-bought!

Pepper Blair's Space

Pepper wrote this

Pepper Blair on Pinterest

Hope your Valentine cookie decorating is a good one!

Remember to toddle over and tell me your thoughts and share your great cookie creations at the bottom of the page here:

I'm ready to share my thoughts and photos

All my best,
Nita

Interested in starting a website of your own? This is who I go through and have for many years. Simply the best!
Site Sell's Video Tour--get to know them!

Back to Back Issues Page