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Category: Misc thoughts

  • Rising costs in 2026

    Alas, I just ran my numbers from my eBay sales tonight (12/31/25), and yikes, I’ve eaten a LOT of shipping costs! What you all may not know is the average cost to me has been from $5-$8 USD~! (All domestic US shipping so far – I have to sell more before eBay will let me graduate to shipping internationally. I’ll get there slowly!) And it’s not getting any cheaper, sigh.

    Between that and eBay’s steep fees, I’ve eaten a lot of costs, and it’s not sustainable. Yet, I know everyone is struggling too. And yes, I know about other platforms. I will slowly check them out as I can, but right now, eBay best suits my needs as a disabled artist. (I can’t meet much “demand” yet.)

    I will either raise my prices enough to cover the shipping costs better, OR stop offering free shipping on any new listings after this in 2026 sorry. I have to. The numbers don’t pencil out otherwise.

    I know, I don’t compete with the much more affordably mass-produced cards some others are offering on eBay. Remember, mine are handmade by myself, the artist and photographer, with my own photographs. I’m literally personally mounting every photo on every single notecard. It’s rather painstaking, despite how simple it looks. But people sometimes gasp when they see them in person, seriously.

    The colors and detail are so crisp, I’ve had people pay me more than asking price at some shows which is encouraging. But, if you knew how little I was making on eBay, you’d probably suggest I both raise my prices AND charge shipping!

    But I will do either one, or the other, not both, to keep things as affordable as possible while not losing my shirt in the process.

    I also just launched a new coupon code for 10% off to help at checkout starting 12:01 a.m. PST on January 1st: NEWBEE10OFF. (That would read “newbee10off” in lower case, but I think you have to keep it in upper. I just wanted to clarify the difference between the number 10 and the word “off”.) It’s good through January 31, 2026.

  • Why the limited catalog?

    Why the limited catalog?

    So I know you, Jan, and you’ve taken thousands of shots since you picked up your first DSLR (your beloved trusty old Nikon D60) in 2008. I KNOW you have many more cool images up your sleeve. Why the limited catalog here?

    Photo showing a green-hued hummingbird feeding from a deep red lucifer crocosmia flower in the sun.

    Well, first off, dear follower, you’re absolutely right, I have thousands of other images. But, barely 1% of those are worth sharing. And yes, I constantly take more, every chance I get. However, yes, that leaves at least 100 worth sharing. So why don’t I show them all here yet?

    Because, if someone buys a set of my cards, and then gets back in touch and says “Could I get another 4-pack of the one with the flowers and bees?” – uhm, well, I’d need help figuring out exactly WHICH flower, and WHICH bees, as I have so many! (Pro-tip: you can see lots of my most recent shots on my social media accounts, especially X and BlueSky. Links down below.)

    So. To make my aging life easier, I’ve established a limited catalog here to start. BUT… I am steadily expanding it as time and energy permit. (I just added a new fourth category – SUNDRY – this weekend!) But again, this way, if anyone wants more of one or another image, they can peek on my website, and say “B1 please“. (This literally just happened the other day.) Boom! Easy! Done!

    This keeps things more manageable for both of us. Enjoy! And don’t forget to leave me feedback on eBay – thank you!! xo – Jan

  • Why notecards?

    Why notecards?

    As I slowly give birth to this bouncing baby bee-loving business, I realize that a lot of people have lost touch with the old art of writing notecards and letters and sending them via “snail mail”, or postal service. Whether in the US or around the world. Once upon a time it was de rigeur and fairly common.

    We would send birthday cards, Christmas and other holiday cards, and love letters. Especially service members overseas – the mail was a life-saving connection to loved ones back home helping give them the will to keep soldiering on.

    Although I dream of a post-war world, I think we could all use the pleasure of a sweet handwritten note in our mail, even more in this digital age of spam in our email inboxes, and way too much social media.

    I know, it’s so much easier to just send a DM, email or comment. But how much more special is it to receive a handwritten piece of mail with a beautiful image on it, especially chosen for you?

    I’ve never given up writing notes. I’ve slowed down, yes. But never given up. And never will. I think it’s even more important in this day and age of “instant” but often superficial or para-social connections.

    I hope you’ll join me in giving your loved ones near and far a little boost any time you’re thinking about them, not just on their birthdays or other special occasions. I know it means a lot to me to receive a hand-written card someone chose just for me. Will you join me?

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