— Jenel Roberts waiting for your orders

Finding a greeting card with words which takes the ideal message of the sender may be difficult. In addition to the words, a uniquely designed card which suits the occasion can be a bugbear while shopping.

But Jenel Roberts found the solution and from personal experiences, she literally created her own handmade brand, cards which have wooed customers and receivers locally and even overseas.

All Things Handmade, the company she created, started out as a hobby for the young final year University of Guyana, International Relations student.
She said that she would create cards using cardboard and paper, printed with unique words and designed with hidden messages for relatives and friends. She said the idea came to mind after she could not find cards in the local stores which words reflected what she wanted to tell the receiver of such cards.
“Inspiration came from me not finding a card to give to someone,” she said.
Then on St Valentine’s Day 2016, she decided to market her talent using the newly-formed company.

“I specialise in personalised cards and when the client comes they would give me the idea and I take the idea and make it into reality,” she said.
In addition, she would pick up her cardboard and create cards using her thoughts.
“I would use my creativity and uniqueness whatever thoughts flow,” she said.
Building on the support she received from friends, she said she decided to make cards during 2016 for other occasions and for her, the feedback was very encouraging. As such, this year at Valentines, she made additional cards.
She said that being a final year student, she has to follow a disciplined approach to balancing her time as regards her school work , making cards and her other social responsibilities .
She said she tries to ensure the words written in the cards are effective and transmits the messages in a profound manner.

This year, her plans include rebranding her product, employing more innovative methods to her business as well as developing the brand to reach a wider customer base.
According to Jenel, the prices for her cards vary and this depends on the time and materials used.
She said that the prices start from $1000 up based on the designs.
She has created a Facebook page “All Things Handmade” which she uses to market her cards.
She has received orders from overseas, including Barbados and Jamaica and persons in the United States. However, at the moment Jenel’s primary target happens to be her Guyanese customer who wishes to express his/herself in a unique creative tone through words meant to profoundly warm the hearts of the recipient.