We've added a new feature for artists - Share Card Link.  This will help facilitate custom requests where the shopper wants more custom content on the inside than artists are permitted to create.   Specifically inserting images and including text on the inside upper or inside left of the card.  Although shoppers can make these final customizations themselves it is often difficult to walk them through these steps so this will allow artists to deliver a "ready to buy" product.
 
Now an artist can prepare a card for a shopper, inside and out, and simply share a link with the shopper which will automatically put the card in the shopper's GCU cart ready for checkout with the exception of mailing/addressing information.
 
Here's where you'll find this link:
As an artist you will choose the shopper's card either from the public gallery or your private gallery (wherever it was approved) and proceed to personalizing the inside as if you were a shopper as well as approving and putting it into your cart.
 
Once in your cart you'll see "Share Card Link" to the right of the card.  Click here and copy the link to be copied and shared with the shopper.
 
Important Note: in order for the link to work you, the artist, MUST keep the card in YOUR cart until the shopper has put it in their cart or has finalized their purchase.  At that time you can remove it from your cart. ** Update ** this is no longer required, you can remove the card from your own card **
 
You could include some text along these lines to your shopper:
"Your custom card is ready!  
 
By clicking this link the card will automatically be put into the GreetingCardUniverse shopping cart ready for you to purchase.  If you have a GreetingCardUniverse account after clicking the link below please log into your account.  Before you place your order please review the card as well as these options and edit them if needed:  Quantity, Shipping Address, Mailing Option, Ship Date, Shipping Method, Card Finish (glossy or matte).
 
Here is the link to your card:
http://artist.greetingcarduniverse.com/shopping/item.asp?cmd=add&item=0xIPHq 4-uClns  "
 
 
Let us know if you have questions and how this new feature works for you.  
 
 
 

Quote from Joan_135833 on Mar 10^th, 2011, 3:39pm:

 
Great timing!  You will likely be the first to use this so please report back with your feedback  

Mindy, This is fabulous!    
THANKS!  
Oh this is just so cool... pinch me!  

This is great news Mindy!  
 
Will we be able to add art in the future to the inside of a non- custom card?

Just when I thought GCU couldn't possibly get any better . . . THANKS!

Oh Gosh Cheryl, You bring up a valid point.  But for the part about more than one customer customer at a time... I don't believe that would be a problem because as I see it, you will give each customer a link to their specific card, in your cart.    Hope that is correct.
But back to your original comment about if you wish to purchase cards yourself, you would have to remove the custom cards, I guess and place your order... then reup the custom cards into your cart.
A bit shakey, but way ahead of not having the option!

 

Quote from cheryl_133782 on Mar 10^th, 2011, 5:44pm:

 
Well maybe GCU will add an option where we can put something on hold in our cart like so many places have... like a 'wish list.'  That way it could stay in our cart even while we purchased other things.