Pretty Little Ladybird Crafts

17/04/2026

I can’t believe I am writing this and have really struggled to find the right words, but the time has come for me to close part of a chapter I have loved so much and focus on a new one. 

I started Pretty Little Ladybird Crafts when I left a full-time job with Aberdeen City Council back in 2015 after having my little boy Harris. I didn’t know back then how big it would get – making more than 50,000 orders. Celebrations, highs, lows and everything in between… Birth’s, deaths and marriages, new jobs, passed driving tests, christenings, citizenships, during covid - just because…  Each card meant so much and I poured my heart and soul into every single one!

I’ve had some of the most amazing feedback I could have ever wanted and a few gremlins to boot – remember the water damage card? She was a corker! It is amazing how one bad egg can spoil it.

It has been a very difficult decision to close Pretty Little Ladybird Crafts. But I feel this is the right time. 

Etsy gave me the exposure I needed for people to find my business, however, high fees (around 25% of what I made before buying materials) went to Etsy. Coupled with crippling rising postage costs, my business is no longer financially viable in its current state. The Etsy Shop will be closed from tonight.

Thank you to each and every customer that has supported my dream along the way. You will never know how much your orders helped me. I loved watching your families grow and seeing exciting chapters in your loved ones’ lives. I truly feel blessed to have been a part of that journey – even if it was in card format lol!

From me, a very sad and heartfelt farewell.

Thank you

Melissa x

 

There is no effect on my other business – Wedding Invitation Co and if anything this will allow me the time to truly focus on where my passion lies – being part of peoples special days and creating beautiful wedding stationery.

14/04/2026

Some of my favourites from today!

10/03/2026

The negative use of AI

This customer ordered one of my £5.50 cards with an additional £3.15 for first class large postage.

The card was posted and received last week and the customer contacted me yesterday requesting a refund for her order and to say that her order had arrived water damaged.

I apologised and asked for her to send me some photos of the order (in order that I can reclaim from Royal Mail - they have a protocol for when an item is damaged in transit).

She sent me the first image. I have blurred out the faces on the photo.

Immediately on receiving the photo my heart sank. This has been altered using AI. How do I know this?

I use an inkjet printer, the black would pool for the level of water damage shown on the edges of the card
I use satin ribbon, water would not sit in droplets
The image is printed on photo paper using an inkjet printer, it would have blurred.
The edges are still completely straight - they would have warped.
There are still droplets of water all over the image. This wouldn't happen as the card I use (specially selected for the inkjet printer I use) would absorb it.

I then requested a photo of the envelope.

The customer sent this over and I got even more raging...

Return address - not mine
Postage, incorrect
Date to be posted by - incorrect
Again, water droplets are all over the image and if you zoom in, the filter that AI uses doesn't distinguish from the green bin or the envelope...

I've reported this customer to Etsy and they replied to say that she can open a case and that I can be reassured that the refund they will issue her - yes you read that right, will come from them and not my account. The case she opens also negatively affects my shop on Etsy.

AI is great fun - we've all seen the caricatures recently but this is a major concern for me that as a small business, these really naughty and dishonest people are using it to their advantage to try and get things for free. I love my business but it is soooo hard at the moment; increased material costs, postage costs, running costs. I'm really not sure I have it in me to keep going.

10/12/2025

Pretty vouchers for an amazing array of classes! Valid for a full year - great Christmas gift idea! X

•••Gift Vouchers•••

Looking for a fabulous gift for a budding baker or someone who loves to decorate cakes but wants to take it to the next level? Then a Sugarelli cake school gift voucher could be the perfect present.

Vouchers can be bought for any value and are valid for a year. Classes start at £55.

You can buy them a gift voucher to use themselves or as a present to be used to come to a class together!

Vouchers can be purchased and collected from the cake school in Oldmeldrum or they can be posted (£2).

Please note at this time classes are only offered to those over 16 years of age.

Pm for more details.

26/11/2025

Now live - the first of our new 2025 Christmas Cards. Sorry they are so late on the go 😔 there just doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day at the moment!

https://prettylittleladybird.etsy.com/listing/4412222319

It's pretty, it's not too OTT.... Let me know if you have any special requests because my head is away to explode trying to create new designs 🤭😜🥴🫶🏼🎅🏼🦌🎄

09/10/2025

Fourrrrrrrrrrr 🛞🛞🏎🏁

Racing into 4 like a bat out of hell... it's way too early to think of something funny! But this is for any age!

Coming to the shop now!

It has been a little while since I updated my designs because everyone keeps me busy but I have a couple of weeks off now and I am hoping to get rid of the old and bring in the new!

Keep your eyes peeled.
www.prettylittleladybird.etsy.com

18/09/2025

The past few days have seen a flurry of the c word related items....

I really, definitely am not ready!

16/09/2025

Anything cooler than your name on your wrapping paper??? What about your card matching it?

I'll get this listed on my Etsy shop shortly.

Available in A3 sized Sheets

10/09/2025

What a perfect place to display our bus banner-style sign!

This was a wedding gift for the happy couple and one that I think you will agree makes quite a statement.

Mrs Archer found the perfect location to display it too!

Congratulations to you both. P.S. I got married at Meldrum House too! 🫶🏽❤️

If you'd like more information on this special, timeless and stand-out wedding gift, pop me a message.