Hope you've had a hoppy festive holiday and a binkie zoomies New Year! (For none rabbit folk, a 'binkie' is when a rabbit does a happy, skipping, crazy dance and 'zoomies' is when they fly around the house at top speed!)
With the start of any new year comes fresh promises, resolutions and commitments to a better way of life. I have never bothered with resolutions as folk never stick to them, you just end up fed up with the lack of your commitment, when said resolution goes the same way as expired Christmas Trees, usually at about the same time! One thing I can honestly say every January 1st is that the quality of the Cat's Punky Stuff Experience will only get better. I thought I would share with you what to expect if you offer a forever home to my 'Stuff'
Where did the name come from?
The word 'Punk' is generally associated with the notorious music movement of the 1970's, the spitting, foul language and anti-establishment views. However to a 'Punk' the meaning was very different from the misinformed, media-hyped illusion the movement was given. It was about finding your own identity, taking your own path, going against the grain for a reason, not just because! In 1986 I found myself at art college finding my own path through the post-punk era and in 2009 I completed my Masters Degree as a mature student, and although the Punk Movement was in the distant past, I was still on own my path. The word 'Punky' in the name is my commitment to making Stuff that doesn't really fit into any category, Stuff that has a use though it's completely unique and to offer a service you just wouldn't expect.
Cha-ching, I've just received your order
As soon as the Etsy app cha-chings, I would message you in person, not with a pre-written automatic message, my thanks for your order. If we've not met before, I'll tell you exactly when it would be posted, and that I'll send you proof of posting. If you are a returning guest I would message my appreciation for your continued support before letting you know when it would be posted.
If the order is a commission, how long does it take?
I have just written a blog about commissions, 'William Morris would be so proud', so I'm not going to ramble on. But if I get a commission 99% of the time I will start it that day. The only delay would be if I was already working on a commission. I am very fortunate to have zero commitments outside of the house so the furthest I usually am is with the chickens or in the veg patch. A drafty ordered before lunchtime on Monday can be made and posted by the next day.
"We have bought so many pom poms and flowers from this shop for a Christmas event this year. They are just fantastic. They've made the costumes really special .
I can't believe how fast she can get them made. We will be back next year for many more"
How safely is the order packed?
Every parcel that goes to the post office will have been wrapped with just one purpose in mind: To create an air of wonderment and excitement! Once posted, I will send you a photograph of the postal receipt, (or post box posting for cards when I can't face the post office) so you know I have kept my word.
When you are handed your parcel, you might notice the hand-stamped, home printed address label, hand stamped parcel paper (or festive paper in November and December), and the precise folds and tape keeping a watertight clear wrap around the box. Once the wrap is removed you'll be ready for the next layer. Thin jute twine is wrapped around the outside of the box with a neat bow framing the address label, holding the hand stamped, recycled brown paper in place. I'm not going to tell you what comes next as it will spoil the experience. Wrapping a parcel takes up to 20 minutes, but that is because the item has to travel in the same comfort it was made in. With over 500 parcels I have never had anything damaged in the post or returned. That 25 years as a courier certainly taught me how to pack a parcel! I also know an incomplete address when I see one, so will always look it up or message to confirm any queries, especially when writing out an international address,.
Here are some reviews to better express what the Cat's Punky Stuff Experience is all about!
Receiving a delivery from Cat's Punky Stuff is like receiving a surprise gift from a good friend. Not only are the items themselves of excellent quality, but they are packaged with such beauty and care
Definitely 10 stars, this arrived really quickly and Cat immediately let me know about the order and confirmed the sale. All arrived, packaged beautifully with the lovely aroma from the scented cards, felt like a very special personal service
What can I say about Cat's shop? Fantastic customer service and beautifully wrapped, beautiful treasures
I am able to offer this level of creativity with the presentation of my Stuff because I make it all myself. When I was pricing up how I would send my Stuff, long term over a year it was cheaper to buy 100 metre rolls of brown paper and nasty but essential, plastic wrap, 5 x 50 metres of thin organza ribbon and 400 sheets of cream printing card, than jiffy or parcel bags. It may take me a week of the year to print/cut parcel paper; create tags in Photoshop and print, cut, fold and make labels but it costs pennies per parcel. The expense is in the time it all takes to prepare and pack each parcel. I only ever charge for the postage (always refunding over-postage on combined orders) as I do the luxurious packaging for the good of my Stuff, and for the sheer exhilaration I know it will create when it is first received. Everybody needs a bit of unexpected sunshine!
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