Life & Work with Lynn Otto

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lynn Otto.

Hi Lynn, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
For a dozen years or so, I would get together with friends monthly or quarterly to make handmade greeting cards. It was more of a social event for me, time to catch up with my girlfriends and time to decompress from my stressful career. We often joked that our cards were so special that you had to be “card worthy’ to receive them.

Near the end of 2016, I decided to leave my career of 22 years in the legal department of a mutual fund company and take time to travel with my husband. It was then that I realized I now had the time to make more greeting cards to share with friends and family. I love receiving cards for my birthday, holidays and just because and feel so special that someone took the time to send a card to me, I was sure others felt the same way! Who doesn’t love a card?

During this time, my husband and I spent a lot of time in Hawaii, so I made all occasion cards with honu (turtles), pineapples, and palm trees and Mele Kalikimaka (Merry Christmas) cards with tropical fish on them. I figured, who wouldn’t buy a card in Hawaii with a turtle on it or a Mele Kalikmaka card? So I went to a few local gift shops with samples to ask them to carry my cards. I was thrilled how well my work was received and the cards were a big hit. I had always realized how important it is to connect with others and show them how you feel and this can be done with a greeting card and I can make that card!

I made it official in March of 2018 and started LDO Creates, LLC, handmade greeting cards connecting people. I expanded my collection of greeting cards to include a wide range of cards for all occasions. I sell wholesale to gift shops, spas, and boutiques and retail on my website, LDOCreates.com and at local outdoor craft events.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I love connecting with people and sharing my cards, so for me, it’s been a great journey for the most part.

The biggest struggle is getting my cards to the people. The greeting card business is a heavily saturated market. You can find greeting cards from gas stations to grocery stores and everywhere in between.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My job is to make greeting cards that connect people. I am big believer in sharing your feelings and communicating. A card can do that! I really don’t think most people know what an impact a card can have on someone.

My cards are made individually and are not mass-produced or printed. I take the time to source the paper, ink, embellishments and stamps and put them together in a way that makes each card unique, unlike any mass-produced or printed card you can buy anywhere.

I am also a paper addict. I love the colors and designs of paper and am always on the hunt for something unique. My favorite cards to make are Christmas, beach, and alpine themed cards.

I love when people tell me how much they love the cards I make! I have a few family members that save all the cards I have sent them.

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
We have all experienced good and bad luck, it’s what you do with it that sets you apart. I take advantage of both. I do have to admit that I have had more yes’ than no’s when I peddle my cards, but it’s not that simple.

Pricing:

• Cards range from $2 to $5 retail.

Contact Info:

• Email: lynn@ldocreates.com
• Website: www.LDOCreates.com
• Instagram: @LDO_Creates
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LDOCreates
• Other: https://ldocreates.faire.com/user/sign-up

Image Credits
Andrew K. Otto