How-to: DIY Embellished Business Cards–with a Treat!

The easiest way to add a charm or a little string of beads is to just tie it on. First, punch a hole through one corner of your business card using a punch with a narrow diameter.

You can string your charm using whatever stash materials you own. I have some leftover yarn, so I’m stringing my beads using that yarn, threaded onto a plastic needle. At either end I’m tying a large knot to keep the beads from slipping, and that’s it! I really don’t need these random hand-painted beads, but they add some color to my primarily brown business cards, and hopefully my customers, who clearly enjoy buying hand-crafted little items, will enjoy another couple of hand-crafted little items as a freebie.

Some other ways to embellish your business cards with a little treat:

• cut hole into card, insert photo negative: If you’re a photographer, an artist who has extra slides of your work, or a recycled crafter who uses old film strips or photo negatives, a business card that incorporates this is a fun way to get rid of some of your trash. And also? The fact that you can hold your business card up to a light and see through the negative glued to it is pretty cool!
• make business card into envelope, insert treat: These seed packet business cards offer an excellent template. Sure, you can include some seeds, but you can just as easily include vintage postage stamps, a pinback button or magnet, or a mini ‘zine.
• add treat to small bottle, tape to business card: It does require a little more stash to complete, but the idea of a teensy bottle of goodness taped to a business card with washi tape is ripe with possibilities. Will you put in glitter? Sand? Dried lavender? Lettuce seeds? It’s up to you!