UPDATE: Shop my quote magnets for mental health right here!
The tribe has spoken. The 10 most-Liked designs are out! I’m referring to my affirmation quotes magnet project 🙂
(Scroll down to see which they are.)
What is my affirmation quote magnet project about?
I started my affirmation quotes magnet project because inspiration hit one day (in the program of CoDependents Anonymous, it probably was Higher Power stuff). I posted a little paragraph on Facebook, along with shortlisted designs which would potentially make good magnets. You can take a look at it here.
If you have been following my posts, you’d know that I have been struggling financially. There is a price to dysfunctionality (and recovery in regards to mental health), and this time it is in a literal sense.
So the intention was 2-pronged:
- Spread affirmation, motivation, empowerment, inspiration, love and healing to others who need it
- Help myself financially via the sales of the magnets
It also helps that I enjoy doing this. I’ve a newfound enthusiasm revolving around this little project.
I’m really new at selling things online, so I have been wracking my brain to get it altogether:
- sourcing for suppliers/vendors (printers, mailing materials, other misc items)
- how many items to produce
- what platform to sell the items
- viability (cost; eg. for Shopify, there is a monthly subscription involved)
- online security
- payment gateways
- packaging, if any
- price for each item
- costings in terms of weight vs shipping
- branding?
Soooooo much to think about!
Why sell affirmation quotes?
I think that there are a lot of posters, graphics, memes that go around, on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook. I started my Instagram account solely to cross post the quote graphics I created for my post on 10 Things To Say and Not To Say To Someone With Depression.
I’ve a background in art and design and found great joy in expressing myself creatively on Instagram.
After posting the initial graphics, I’ve since used Instagram as a visual diary of sorts.
I also look at how popular quotes are being shared on Social Media, and think to myself: maybe one day, that will be me, one day someone will want to share my quote posts… And true enough, most recently, someone did 🙂 You can see her post here.
So just like how quotes exist in the virtual world, I thought, why not bring them into the physical world? People need affirmation, motivation, empowerment, inspiration, love and healing when they’re not on their phone on computer too!
Why magnets?
Everyone has a fridge at home. And that is where we we go when we want some food. So my hope is that every time you go to your fridge, you will see these reminders!
- When you’re feeling down and go to the fridge for a pick-me-up, or when you’re happy and want to celebrate with food, you’d see an affirmation. Every time you walk past your fridge, you’d be given a dose of empowerment or inspiration. That is my hope.
- I mean, these can be stuck on any metal/magnetic surface — be it a fridge, metal locker, whiteboard, etc etc etc… 🙂 And they’re not permanent too, unlike stickers. Change ’em up, remove them, the choice is yours.
- Another cheesy reason is that I love magnets. Things that people find cliche — like photo frames, mugs, keychains, magnets — gimme gimme! Hahaha…
The final 10 revealed
So these are the 10 most-Liked designs. I reached out on Social Media and got people to Like the designs that they favoured. Even my therapist participated! And voila, I present to you… the final 10.
Even though these are the ones chosen, you can still place your Like(s) on the designs. Because for every Like received, I will be personally sending you a coupon code when they’re up for sale. Go here to see the Facebook album with all the shortlisted designs.
Where will the magnets be sold?
I researched things like WooCommerce, Shopify, Etsy…
WooCommerce = A free plugin to be used with WordPress websites (which is what this site is running on)
Shopify = An out-of-the-box online store with a monthly subscription (3 different price tiers to choose from)
Etsy = an online market place for mostly, but not limited to, handmade and vintage items
I thought to just install the WooCommerce plugin, since it’s free, why not? But realise sensitive information may be hacked or stolen (especially credit cards or any financial details), I was not confident about having an e-commerce section on my own website. BUT… good news (and yes, I see this as the Universe providing), my very dear webhost — I need to blog about them soon — will be rolling out FREE SSL certificates!
So in the meantime, while I wait for this to unfold, I will be putting the magnets for sale on Etsy. My Etsy store has not been set up yet, but am learning a ton from their Seller Handbook.
If you’d like updates on when the store is up and ready for pre-orders, you can…
- Sign up on my mailing list (blog post updates) — if you’re on desktop, you’ll find it on the top right; if you’re on mobile, scroll to the bottom to find it
- Like my Facebook Page
- Follow me on Twitter
- Follow me on Instagram
I am working hard to make this possible for Christmas, because I think it’s a great season to share love, affirmations, motivation, goodwill, the list goes on…
Final words
I am thankful for all who have taken their time to place their Likes. Do look out for my PM/DM with the coupon code discount.
I am also thinking of extending this project as a means of income, and not have it end here. I was thinking of either creating designs just for sale, or like what I’ve done, take designs from my actual posts.
If you have any suggestions for me (e-commerce advice, quote designs, etc), or any thoughts on my affirmation quotes magnet project, please leave your comments below. I’d love to hear from you!
Affirmations are so important and you got a great idea about placing them on magnets:)
These are a great idea for the fridge where we look so often (especially in the morning when we need some motivation!). I like “Progress Not Perfection”.
Thank you Dylan. Indeed, some mornings are the worst, and anyone could use a lift-me-up!
“Progress not perfection” is one of my fave recovery mantras too 🙂
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this idea!! I find that affirmations and bits of scripture really help me get through my day and it would be SO nice to see some every time I go to my fridge,
La Belle Sirene
Thank you, Courtney! My Etsy hop is up now and you’re more than welcome to visit 🙂 http://etsy.me/2fC5lws
This is a really good ideal! Affirmations are so important! Good luck with your upcoming shop, lots of fairy dust to you!
Thank you for your kind words and encouragement, Leticia!
I’ve recently been practicing self affirmations every morning. I will have to snag a few of these 🙂
No better place than the fridge to put some positive affirmations since we look at it everyday. This is something I would be into.
Thank you Agnes, appreciate your kindness. Thank you for dropping by!
I love this idea! I’d totally be interested in buying from you.
Thank you for your support since day one, Shelby! I’ll be sure to let you know when my Etsy store is up! ♡♡♡
What an inspiring gig. I love that you sell your quotes and affirmations. The art is beautiful and the right buyers will find you.
Thank you so much, Janine! ♡
This is such a great business idea and they’re so pretty! Would definitely get one as a gift.
Thank you! This is a life buoy of sorts, more than a “business idea”, so I hope it works out for me… I looked at what I had, and what I could do, and I felt this was could help me in this time of need ♡
I’m sorry to hear you are having financially difficulty. I hope your upcoming project will be helpful. I think the affirmation magnets are a great idea. My sister collects magnets so I know she’s love this. Best of luck to you!
Thanks for your support, Jennifer. I’ll let you know when my Etsy store is up and maybe your sister can have a look 🙂
Lol, yep everyone has a refrigerator! Everyone also needs inspiration in one way or the other. A little quote stuck in your head motivating you through the day is a good thing. YOU can even stick it on the employee fridge to keep it going because sometimes thats a big area where morale is lacking.
Such a wonderful idea! I’m sure a lot of people will love this, and I do think it’s a great way to be motivated everyday!
Yes, that is my hope too!
Great job on this. We need more affirmation than negativity
Thank you! I hope you will check out my Etsy shop when it’s finally launched… 🙂
I like the idea of the fridge magnets because we all visit our fridges multiple times a day. it serves as a in your face reminder.
I hope all such reminders will be pleasant ones! ?
Great idea! Love affirmation quotes and turning them into magnets makes it even more convenient to read everyday!
Thanks Sondra… Yup, we need more daily affirmations IRL! 😉
These are so cool. These would be great on the fridge. I am always looking for ways to keep it positive.
Thank you 🙂 Hope you’ll check out my Etsy store when it’s up!
Really cool to walk along with you in the process. I am working on online businessing as well and it is complicated!
Glad to know that there are other #girlboss-es around, like myself, who are still figuring things out. Feel less lonely now…
Thanks Heather 🙂
I love this idea. The power of the mind is something that is always very interesting to me. Plus, we could all use a little more positivity in our lives.
Indeed, we all need reminders and a pick-me-up (or cheer-me-up) every now and then. Hopefully my magnets will come in handy at such a time 🙂
I love these! I’d put a magnet on my fridge! Good luck with it!
Thank you, Amber. I will be posting about my Etsy store when it’s up. Do look out for it 🙂
What a wonderful and inspirational gift these would make! I love that you are putting so much thought and care into all you do. I’ll be watching for you on Etsy!
Thanks for your encouragement, Kim 🙂 Yes, it’s my first time selling something like this, a lot to think about!
Sure, please say hi on Etsy, as so will I! 🙂
Kudos to the fact that you took the step to try and test out the waters and sell your work. You’ve also done that best thing – testing out whether the market would like your work and buy your work, before producing too many in bulk and then it doesn’t sell.
I know! I’m a crafter and an artist myself.
I was drawn to the magnet you created with the text as below:
Preciousness is in your DNA.
I’m going to meditate on that when I go to bed tonight. Thank you. Jan.
Thank you for your word of validation, Jan. Coming from a crafter and artist, that is something special.
“Preciousness is in your DNA” — that was shared with me by my sponsor. You can see the instagram post where I first posted this quote here 🙂