Hello Creative Friends,
I hope you’re having a fabulous week so far and had a lovely Easter long weekend.
Today I wanted to share something a little more personal — not to stir up drama, but because I think it’s important to be honest about what goes into the classes and events I run.
I truly love what I do. Teaching paper crafting, creating projects, helping people build confidence, and watching friendships form around a craft table genuinely fills my cup.
But if I’m being completely transparent, this past week was really hard.
When I announced that I would be raising the price of Coffee, Cake & Cards to $25, I received a number of messages saying the increase was “too much.” One person messaged me repeatedly about it, and another even called me “greedy” and accused me of “profiteering.”
I won’t lie — it felt like I’d been slapped. HARD!
By last night, I was in tears, wondering if I should just cancel Coffee, Cake & Cards altogether… and go teach elsewhere (TAFE), where adult education teaching pays around $90 an hour.
“Other groups only charge $5 a card…”
Some people mentioned that they attend other card meet-ups and only pay around $5 per card.
And honestly? I’m happy for them. That’s wonderful.
But the difference is… those groups are usually hobby-based catch-ups. Someone might bring along a simple design, everyone chips in a little, and it’s run casually.
Coffee, Cake & Cards is not a hobby meet-up.
It’s a professionally run creative class.
This is my business, and it’s also what pays for my website, insurance, ongoing training, equipment, supplies, and the time it takes to run everything behind the scenes.
I also have post-graduate qualifications in adult education, and I take pride in delivering sessions that are welcoming, structured, and enjoyable for everyone — beginners through to experienced crafters.
I’m also incredibly proud (and still a little shocked!) to have been named among the Top 7 Stampin’ Up! Demonstrators in Australia in 2024, and in the Top 75 in 2025, in what was a very competitive year with the former Close To My Heart Makers jostling for spots.
I’m not sharing that to brag. I’m sharing it because it matters: you’re not paying for “just a card”… you’re paying for experience, planning, preparation, and professional teaching.
And while I’m not asking to be paid $90 an hour… I am asking for respect.
Let’s talk about what goes into ONE Coffee, Cake & Cards project
To give you a clearer idea, here’s what went into preparing tomorrow’s project:
First, I had to choose a stamp set and come up with a card layout that was:
- simple enough to complete with up to 25 people
- achievable within a set time
- suitable for beginners
- but still “wow” enough that people would genuinely love it
Then I needed to create samples, test the design, and time the process.
Next, I checked stock levels to ensure I had enough patterned paper, cardstock, ribbon, adhesives and consumables to create kits for 16–25 people. Anything I didn’t have, I had to order in advance. (This can take time.)
Once the product arrived, I spent about an hour cutting, sorting, and individually packaging supplies for each person. (Yesterday my friend Megan helped by tying bows — because yes, even bows take time!)
Then
Well then there’s promotion and admin: answering messages, replying to questions, liaising with the venue and promoting the event. That’s usually another hour or two across the month.
Before class, I pack everything up and work through my checklist — another hour or so — because I need to ensure ink pads are working, Wink of Stella is flowing, glues are usable, and everything is ready to go.
Blocks, scissors, and bone folders are disinfected for your safety. Everything is checked, packed, and double checked.
Then there’s travel to the venue (minimum 10–15 minutes each way), set up before people arrive, and packing everything away afterwards.
When I get home, everything is cleaned and disinfected again.
And that’s before we even get to the actual session, where I spend around an hour and a half teaching, guiding, answering questions, and helping everyone feel confident.
When you add it all up, it’s easily five hours of work (often more) for one Coffee Cake and Cards session — not including the time spent actually teaching on the day. (A Saturday class that has three cards has three times the prep and more teaching time.)
So why raise prices now?
I mentioned last week the venue is changing so the amazing deal I got for coffee and cake isn’t available to us anymore. But that’s not the real reason.
Because for many years, I absorbed price rises by both Stampin’ Up! and our venues.
I kept class fees low by not paying myself for my time and reasoning that product sales might cover business costs.
But the reality is that most people don’t place product orders at Coffee, Cake & Cards — and that’s completely fine. Nobody is pressured to buy anything. EVER!
However, it also means that the class fee needs to cover the actual cost of running the session.
After paying for the refreshments, purchasing stamp sets, replacing consumables, and supplying materials… there has often been barely enough left to cover my own coffee and cake — and in some cases, I’ve actually stupidly lost money.
This price increase isn’t about making a profit.
It’s about making Coffee, Cake & Cards sustainable.
What hurt the most
What hurts is that I love our Coffee, Cake & Cards group. I genuinely love spending time with each person who attends.
So to be accused of being greedy cut me to my core.
Why I don’t offer “free class with a minimum order”?
Some demonstrators offer a “free class” if you place a minimum order (often $60–$100).
And while that model works well for some, it’s not a path I personally want to go down.
The reason is simple: I never want anyone to feel pressured to spend more than they can comfortably afford just to attend a class. I want Coffee, Cake & Cards and classes to feel welcoming and inclusive — not like you have to “buy your way in.”
Honestly, I’d rather you spend your money on groceries than feel guilted into buying card stock and products that you don’t need, or simply just can’t afford.
So instead of forcing a minimum spend, I aim to charge a fair class fee that covers the true cost of the session, the materials provided, and the time involved in preparing and teaching. That way you can come along, enjoy the experience, and create something you’d be proud to send — with zero pressure and zero awkward sales pitch.
A different perspective (and honestly, it made me stop and think)
I recently asked my friend Jan what sort of card she thought we should make next. I was expecting her to say something like “masculine cards” or “birthday cards” or even “something with a fancy fold.”
Instead, Jan said something that really surprised me.
She said, “Chrissy, I honestly don’t care what card we make. This is my outing. It’s when I catch up with friends… and we just happen to make a card while we’re there. If I didn’t do this I’d be sitting home on my own.”
And the more I thought about it, the more I realised she was right.
Because when you look at it through that lens, Coffee, Cake & Cards isn’t just about the finished card you take home. It’s about the outing, the social connection, and the experience.
An outing…
For example, if Jan decided to go to the movies at our local cinema, she’d be paying somewhere between $12 and $21 just for the ticket. Let’s pretend she grabs the senior ticket for $13 (because yes, she probably qualifies 😉).
Then because she’s feeling a bit peckish, she adds a drink, choc top and popcorn combo that she may or may not choose to share — around $19.90.
And suddenly… wham! That’s close to $33 spent in one outing.
And at the end of it?
No creativity. No hands-on learning. No chatting with friends. No laughing. No sense of achievement. Just an empty popcorn box and a movie she might not even remember next week.
Even the drive-in isn’t cheap anymore. Yesterday, a friend took her family to the drive-in and it cost over $80 — and that didn’t even include a meal.
So maybe movies aren’t the best comparison… but it does highlight something important: people spend money all the time on “an outing.”
And crafting classes are no different.
A quick search of creative classes on sites like Work-shop and ClassBento shows that classes often range from around $29 (sometimes BYO materials!) all the way up to $150 and beyond ( $2200 to make your own ring – anyone?) — and most of those don’t include coffee, and cake, or basic tools like Coffee Cake and Cards.
And the interesting thing? Those classes regularly book out.
Why?
Because people aren’t only paying for the final item they make. They’re paying for the experience, the learning, the social interaction, and the chance to do something fun and different.
That’s why Jan’s comment stuck with me so much.
In her mind, she’s not paying “$X for a card.” She’s paying for her monthly outing… and she just happens to leave with a beautiful handmade card as a bonus.
And honestly? I love that perspective.
This isn’t about guilt — it’s about understanding
I’m not telling you any of this because I want you to feel sorry for me, and I’m definitely not telling you this because I want anyone to place an order out of obligation.
I’m sharing it because I want you to understand.
In my heart, I would love to keep these sessions going because I love hearing your laughter, watching friendships develop, and seeing how warmly you welcome everyone.
I’ve seen you support one another through illness and loss… and also celebrate life’s beautiful milestone moments.
That’s what Coffee, Cake & Cards is really about. And I would love to keep it going — in a way that is fair, respectful, and sustainable.
Thanks for reading and I really hope I’ll see you at Coffee, Cake and Cards tomorrow.
Until next time… happy creating.
Chrissy xo
