So… what the heck do I do all day? (Part 2)
Susan Clark🌟 Welcome Back to Susan’s Big Thinks Blog! 🌟
Creative Chaos, Coffee, Cats, and Crafty Things
So… what the heck do I do all day? (Part 2)
In the last episode of Susan’s Big Thinks Blog, I gave you a peek at my daily chaos—I mean, creative flow. It was pretty basic, sure, but now it’s time to dig in a little deeper. Because when you run a handmade gift business, if you don’t get your arse in gear first thing, nothing gets done… and nobody’s getting their delightfully quirky gift in time.
🐾 Mornings in the Shop: Where the Magic (and Sawdust) Happens
Most mornings, you’ll find me in my shop putting orders together. What does that mean exactly? Well, I sell through two places right now:
- This website you're on
- Etsy—our longtime favorite handmade marketplace
Every day I get notifications when an order rolls in. Almost everything I make involves some kind of personalization before it ships. People LOVE customized gifts! Honestly? So do I.
There's nothing quite like creating a Daddy’s Keeper with all the kiddos’ names or cutting an advent tree topped with a personal message. This stuff makes me downright giddy.
🔥 Meet Eleanor, the Queen Laser
Once an order is in, I check:
- The ship-by date
- The custom text needed
- What pieces need cutting, engraving, or assembling
Then it’s time to wake up Eleanor, my laser cutter. She needs about 15 minutes to warm up before she’s ready to do her royal duties. I also launch Lightburn, the software I use for nearly all my designs.
🎉 Here’s Eleanor on her first day at the shop! (She’s come a long way since then.)
🎣 Let’s Make a Daddy’s Keeper!
Since Father’s Day is this weekend, let’s walk through how I make one of our most popular items—the Daddy’s Keeper keychain.
Side note: It could totally be a Momma’s Keeper, Gramp’s Keeper, Hooked on Uncle... you get the idea. Personalization is the bomb.
Step 1: Paint Prep
I use ¼” Columbia Forest Purebond Maple Veneer from Home Depot—cut to fit my old Glowforge’s bed size (ah, the memories).
- I start by painting a red stripe using painter’s tape for a clean edge.
- Once the red is fully dry (trust me on this), I use a pure satin white acrylic paint. Anything else turns into a smudgy, smoky mess once it hits the laser. I’ve learned the hard way.
Step 2: Laser Time
With the painted board dry and ready, I send the file to Eleanor:
- I frame the design (to line it up right)
- Focus the laser
- Start the cut
Eleanor is connected directly to my computer via USB. Yes, there’s a wireless option, but this diva prefers a direct connection. (Don’t we all, really?)
📼 P.S. I’ll share a video soon of Eleanor in action… or dig up the one I probably already filmed and forgot about. Classic me.
📞 Tangent Time: Anyone Miss Corded Phones?
Eleanor's direct USB line reminds me of old-school corded phones. Remember those? Did you ever stretch the line into a closet to gripe about being grounded and whisper your grand escape plans? …No? Just me?
Anyway, I digress. (Often. Get used to it.)
🐟 Fish Hooks, Finishing Touches & Shipping Chaos
Once the bobber keychain is cut, it’s time for:
- Peeling tape
- Touching up paint
- Sealing the surface
- Cutting the fish charms and hook
Everything is designed and cut using Lightburn + Eleanor. After all parts are ready, I assemble them, admire my work, and pack it up.
🎥 Here's a throwback video I made on assembling the Daddy's Keeper:
Daddy’s Keeper Video on YouTube (Oh yeah, I have a YouTube channel... surprise! I'm just as surprised :-)
Then it’s time to:
- Print the invoice
- Print the shipping label
- Get that beauty out the door to one of our amazing customers
And now? Honestly, I need a nap. 🛌
📣 Your Turn: Tell Me What You’d Personalize!
Do you love personalized gifts as much as I do? Got a funny or sentimental message in mind? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!
➡️ Subscribe, share, or follow along for the next installment of Big Thinks where I might just give you a peek into Eleanor’s cranky moods, my mountain of test scraps, or what it takes to pack 50 orders in a single day.
Thanks for being here 💛