A Little Something Special

I wanted to share with you a new personal touch I added to my packing. I believe that the Etsy community prides itself on their unique touch on vintage and handmade items. I personally sale handmade items and wanted to include this information on the package. This is what I did. It's a stamp so I can get endless uses out of it. I hope that when people who bought my product sees this it brings a smile to their face. - Jaclyn

Keep your Head Up!

I’m very happy to be starting up our blog again.  I hope members of our team can find something here that will help them in some small way.  I know that my posts are always very similar, but I tend to write about what is on my mind. 

 

I found myself out in my garden, if you want to call it that, the other day.  I like to garden but somehow my summer got away from me and I really didn’t spend as much time there as I would have liked.  It is more like a garden of weeds.  I was walking along and was feeling discouraged about it when I saw several of the sunflowers that I had planted at the end of the "rows".  They were tiny but lovely.  My thought was that even in the midst of a failed project something beautiful still emerged.  As more time has passed even more sunflowers have popped their heads up and flourished in spite of everything.

I hope that we can look past any possible product and shop mistakes and learn and grow from them.  We can be like a sunflower and flourish in spite of the challenges.  A mistake sometimes leads to the inspiration for a new product line or shop idea.   Keep your heads up and smile!  

"Keep your face to the sunshine
and you cannot see the shadow.
It's what sunflowers do."
 Helen Keller

Crazed Momma

(Naquai)

Featured Shop of the Week

This week featured seller is Naquai and her shop Crazed Momma Creations


Naquai (nuh kwi with a long i) and I am a stay at home mom with four daughters.  There’s always something going on at her house.She's originally from Texas but came up to Utah to go to school and met her husband and ended up staying here.
Naquai had always admired Etsy and was contemplating doing something to help her husband out and bring in a little extra money. She love crafts of all kinds even though she's not really that talented at them. Her girls had made me some magnets for a gift and one day Naquai just decided that she could make them and then  took the plunge and decided to try selling them on Etsy. Since then,she has added bobby pin sets and bottle cap necklaces. She's always trying new things

http://www.etsy.com/listing/94835891/smile-bottlecap-bottle-cap-necklace

What does handmade mean to Naquai

"Handmade is something that someone has taken the time to think about and create from their heart. It is a process and giving handmade tells someone you took extra time to pick something out just for them. "

http://www.etsy.com/listing/91068139/handmade-hand-stamped-thank-you-tags

What is Naquai's philosophy towards work

"I would say that I am a perfectionist and sometimes that gets in the way of me actually enjoying what I am doing. I always have the idea of work first and play later BUT I have found that life doesn’t work that way and you should find a way to work when you can and be pleased with the things you can accomplish and also find time to play and relax. (I am working on this.) "

http://www.etsy.com/listing/86002066/white-rose-cabochon-and-silver-green


 Naquai's advice other Etsy sellers:
"I would just say don’t give up! Etsy has given me a place to interact with other people who are struggling and trying to raise their families and do something for themselves too. Etsy has a great community vibe to it and is a wonderful place to learn. There are so many others willing to help. I keep telling myself that if I quit I will never find out what I could have done with this endeavor. It takes patience."

http://www.etsy.com/listing/97436193/bakers-twine-spring-colors-red-orange

Visit our featured shop

Crazed Momma Creations

http://www.etsy.com/listing/94838479/butterfly-bottlecap-bottle-cap-necklace

 

Heidi's Tips & Tricks for 6/27/12

This post, I'm going to talk a little bit about PACKAGING and how it can enhance your store and product.  When you put a little extra thought and effort into this final stage, it can make a big impact!

We all put a lot of work into our items.  From the initial design to the sourcing of quality supplies to the creation of the product to the photographs and listings themselves.  When those sales come in, it gives us a sense of accomplishment and pride that all of our hard work has been seen and appreciated.  How you proceed with the next and final step, the packing and shipping of your creation, is an opportunity to both thank your customer for supporting you and show them that you put just as much care into every stage of the process, even after the money has come in.

What sorts of things can you do to make your packaging special, without adding too much to your costs?  Here are some suggestions of what I've seen or heard people use:

- Wrap item in tissue paper.  Economy tissue can often be bought at a packaging store for a very low price and in colors that match your brand.

- Once wrapped, tie the item with twine, scrap strips of fabric, or yarn... perhaps something you already use for the product itself!

- Protect fragile items with clean packing paper.  You can get it from moving supply companies, or go to a local newspaper office and ask if they have any roll ends they don't need and are willing to sell or give you!

- Get thin organza gift bags for small items.  Ebay is a great source for stuff like this at very low cost!

- Muslin is a lovely material that you can purchase in a couple different "weights" suitable for your items.  Muslin bags are stronger and a natural material that can be great for small toys, anything with multiple parts, teas, jewelry, soaps... all kinds of things! 

- Even clean, white paper folded neatly and professionally and with an attractive sticker can be a simple packaging that just shows a little bit of extra care.

Other ways you can use packaging to make your store and products stand out including tying your brand into the "extras" you send along.  For example, your business card should go with every package to remind your customer of who you are.  You might consider including a hand-written note on the back or possibly a coupon code for future purchases.  In any case, a quick hand-written thank you note is always something that is appreciated to show that you are a real person!  Return address labels are another thing that you can use your brand image to "fancy up" your packaging a little bit.  Also, make nice, professional-looking product cards if applicable.  If you need or want to include information like washing instructions, how-to's, or other information, make sure you do it on quality paper with a font or colors that match your brand... don't just print it out on 8.5x11paper in boring old Times New Roman and stuff it in the box.  Use card stock or heavier weight paper, consider color, and perhaps invest in a pair of fancy-edging scissors or a shaped hole-punch.  Use stickers with your brand image on them.  There are LOTS of ideas you can use to make your packaging special, show you put thought into it, AND showcase your image so you are remembered.  

And finally, use quality shipping materials.  Consider how you package is going to look when your customer receives it.  While there is of course nothing wrong with reusing packaging materials, make sure they are clean and rip-free.  Ensure they are strong enough to protect your products.  Make sure address labels are legible and affixed properly.  Consider the safety of the items inside the parcel should it get wet or be handled roughly.  Use packaging the appropriate size.

Remember, the packaging is the last thing that you will see of your item... but it is the first thing that your customer sees.

~ Heidi

Naquai's Favorite Item June 26, 2012

While looking through the new item posts I came across this awesome necklace.  I am done having my babies but wish this would have been around when they were teething.  :)  Something beautiful for you to wear but that they can munch on too.  Perfect! 

http://www.etsy.com/listing/103012830/neon-jewelry-nursing-necklace-teething


This lovely item comes from GerberaHandmade.  Check out her shop!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/GerberaHandmade?ref=seller_info

Heidi's Tips & Tricks for 6/20/2012

This week I'm not so much sharing tips, as I'd like to just offer up some ideas you might want to try for Etsy's new "ABOUT PAGE".  This page was just rolled out on June 7th, and I really hope that many of you have had an opportunity to explore what it is about, read some that may have been completed by some of your favorite shops, and possibly have tackled creating your own!  This is a neat new feature that, I feel, is a positive move on Etsy's behalf and in this article I'm going to share why I think that, and some thoughts on what you might consider including in YOUR About Page.

One of the reasons I think that this is a great addition to Etsy, is that as a customer, I love to feel like I know who I'm purchasing from and have something of a connection with the people behind the shops I buy from.  I've bought many many things on Etsy.  Some experiences have been amazing, and others just nothing special.  It's the ones that I feel I was treated well by a real person though that I remember, and recommend to others.  As a shop, therefore, we should use any opportunity we can to shine and connect with customers so that WE are the ones that stand out!  The About Page will give us another opportunity to do that.

Another reason I like it, is that it will set a standard that some of the less-honorable shops will fail to meet.  This isn't an all encompassing statement, just a very general one, but resellers generally have a hard time faking the personal side of their shops, and by using our common sense, we can choose whether we want to use the About Page to help us determine who really deserves our business.  Personally, I will feel more comfortable trusting a shop that is willing to share with me a small glimpse into their shop.  Trust in the online world is not always easy, and I'm willing to take the extra step of putting together a page that will help my customers to know they can trust me.

So what exactly IS this About Page thing anyway??

The About Page is a place for you to share with customers a little more about your shop.  Notice that I'm suggesting the focus be your shop, and not you as a person.  This is, I think, an important distinction.  While it is perfectly fine if you truly wish to share about you as a person on your About Page (it is your page after all!)... my recommendation would instead be to try to focus on your SHOP.  We all still have a "profile" as well... which people can read if they click on our name on the lefthand menu... and that is a better place to talk about yourself as a person now that there is this separate place that to talk about your shop.

 So what sort of things can you talk about?
- How and when did you get started in your particular medium?  Who taught you?
- When did you first launch your shop?
- What is the inspiration behind the items you make or your unique designs?
- What keeps you going every day?
- What is the story behind your shop name?  (This is the approach I took to my page)
- Are there any funny or special stories behind a particular item?
- If you have people helping you, how do you work together/share the load?
- Talk about the process for making your items
- Describe where you like to do most of your creating.
- Talk about your stash of fabric, ribbon, notions, paints, yarn, or whatever materials you use.

Brainstorm about what goes into everything you do... somewhere in there is something you can share on your About Page!

Now... on to the photos.  I LOVE that we can now share photos to bring people inside our shops and processes.  However, I can certainly see how this is making many people balk!  First, there is the image on the righthand side of the About Page... the little round picture that (gasp!) seems to be asking for a photograph of ME!  Don't panic!  I think a lot of us are not the type to really want to put a picture of ourselves up for the world to see... and you don't HAVE to!  But, before you say "whew" and dismiss doing that, consider what it might do if you DO.  It was hard for me to find and post a photo of myself.  One, because there aren't that many of them out there as I tend to be behind the camera.  And, two, because I'm very critical of photos of myself!  I did find one and post it though... because I have been really enjoying being able to put a face to a name of my favorite shops!!  If I'm enjoying that so much, I'm sure others are too... and that makes it worthwhile.

If you really really don't want to put up a picture of yourself though (and I will admit that it is better not to if the only picture you have is not good quality or makes you look non-professional - ie. be careful about the image you are presenting of yourself)... some suggestions of what you might put in that little round photo are:
- a photo of you hands actually making your item (obviously you'll need help for that).
- a photo that reflects your shop graphics, similar to your avatar but bigger.
- a photo of your shop space (be it a brick/mortar storefront, your workstation, or your desk)

Now, for the five BIG photos... again, don't feel stifled!  Explore examples of what other shops are doing and see if you get any ideas for what you can do.  I know a lot of us don't have nice, neat, attractive craft areas that photograph well... so don't do it then.  :)   No one is saying you have to.  Again, better to go with photos that look professional and crisp than show off something that doesn't reflect back well.  Some other suggestions:
- a collage of your creations (especially if you make a variety of of items).
- an image of you working... you don't have to show your face if you don't want to!
- an image of the process you go through for your items
- a collection of materials or tools you use
- a small sampling of your inventory all set up nice and neat
- a pile of packages all ready to be mailed (again, set it up nice and neat!)

You are all, of course, welcome to check out my About Page found here:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/LittleTadpoleDesigns/about/
to see some of the images I chose.  I still have one blank space I haven't decided what to fill with yet!  I have an image of our pond (relates to my story), an image of some of my inventory and some of the materials I use for my creations, and an image of my own hands crocheting with some yarn and part of a fishing set in the background.  And of course, you can read my story and see if it gives you any ideas for your own.  Plus, explore other pages!!  Check and see if any of your favorite shops have done theirs yet and see what you can learn about them. 

And remember, your About Page isn't set in stone!  You can tweak and play with images and text as much as you want... or ask for help or critiques or proof-reading from someone you trust.  The point is... give it a try!  You put a lot into your shops... use this page as an opportunity to tell potential customers a bit more about that!

One final word of caution.  It's pretty easy to over-share personal information if you focus too much on yourself.  Remember that anyone can read what you post, and it is important to be cautious about what personal information we are sharing.  Since we are moms, often our inspiration is going to come from our kids.  Be careful though about talking specifically about your children's names, ages, or even genders.  Don`t post pictures of your children on so general a page.  Don't get too specific about where you live or if you work outside the home or what school or church you go to.  Just use common sense... people want to know you, but they don't need to know THAT much!  Remember to be safe with your online presence.

And last but certainly not least... PLEASE share with us here on the team if you have put together your About Page!  I`m loving reading about shops I`ve come to recognize and admire on my various teams and it would be fun to have a bunch of Etsy Mommies shops to get to know a little bit more!

- Heidi

Ewa's favourite item of the week

These handmade booties are the perfect gift for the new mom to be. Soft and sweet, will look good on any new born baby.
I have to also add that I asked Jaclyn to make them in a bigger size  and she did. I am very happy with them and would recommend them.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/96352805/newborn-baby-shoes-booties-boy-giraffes

to see more beautiful designs

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