Esty Newsletter and One Year Anniversary

Well two things I would like to post about today!

ONE - It was my one year anniversary on Etsy on February 19, 2011!
TWO - I made it onto the Etsy Newsletter for February 21, 2011!

ANNIVERSARY!

I was so excited to find out that I was going to be on Etsy for an entire year! Not only was I happy that I have been a part of the online selling community for a year, but I was also so excited to discover all I have learned as well as grateful for all the people I met.

In true, one year anniversary form, I would like to thank all the people who helped me get this far!

My mom has helped me in more ways than I can express on this blog! She has provided me with packing supplies, materials, egg dye, eggs, ideas, support, and so much more. She checks out my shop and sometimes knows I made a sale before I do. Withour all the help she has given me, I don't think I would have been able to run my online stores while in law school.

My sister Mary has taken me on numerous shopping escapes for craft ideas and items and talks with me on the phone weekly. She gives me ideas, support, and sadly the desire to go to craft stores daily. I am lucky to have such a creative sister who can help me grow my creativity!

My boyfriend Rob. This guy not only makes earrings for my craft shows, helps me at the shows, and lets me steal his car, he is always there as my support to help me get through tough days. He also is my business manager and talks me out of some bad business ideas. Also, he makes sure I don't sell my work short. Sometimes I feel my art isn't wanted and I try to cut prices to where I wouldn't be making any money, and thanks to Rob I haven't revisited that technique in awhile.

Family - My family in general understand how insanely curious I am to try new things, and I'm so lucky they never tried (too hard) to stunt my desires to break into a new craft. I cross stitch, knit, crochet, etch eggs, make cards, and jewelry. In the end, I love every craft I have ever tried and sometimes wish that it would be my sole profession. Regardless what I end up doing in life, I'm glad I got to try everything crafty I wanted to try so far... quilting... hmmmm I want to try quilting!

Etsy Newsletter

After my anniversary came and went, I as a little bummed I did not make it to 100 sales or 1,000 shop hearts. However, my sadness was gone when I saw on the Etsy Newsletter 1-21-2011 my etched egg! I got views, hearts, and even a few sales! I hope the sales and hearts continue as Easter approaches.

Thanks again for reading and I hope you check out my shop sometime!

Cards in the Making

It's the love season! Valentine's Day is coming and everyone is searching for the sweet sentimental gift! Even though my eggs are more for the Easter, I have a few Valentine's day eggs for sale. However, my second shop AllThingsEclectic is selling OOAK hand made cards!

I am trying to add more to my shop, but currently I am not home during the day when it is best to take pictures. I find I have to leave all photo taking until Saturday and Sunday when I don't have school or work.

Here is my newest Valentine's Day card for you to check out!



This is a heavier card, but I love the layers and sparkles!

Maybe a bell is more Christmas-y but it works with this card. The silver glitter works well with all the shades of red and pink!



This was an ornament but I like how it works on this card! The L is turned into "Love" and makes a great focal area!

Thanks for looking at my newest card! Hopefully I will have more cards to list and share with you soon!


this card is for sale on my website for 5.25

The Shop of the Week - SENSORYFELTEDS!

Presenting a Felter I find to be superb in all aspects of life....

SensoryFelteds!!!!

** Check out her etsy shop and read on for a wonderful insight into her world!!!

Here is a fantastic shop I think everyone should check out and get to know! Connie (shop name SensoryFelteds) She creates lovely unique felted bowls, brooches, and more!

Not only does she felt, but all the items have the additional sparkle of beads and bling!

(to the right is Connie's felting area... even the stoarge area looks crisp and bright! There is no way to create the items she does without a smile on her face I am certain of it!

Here's a little bit about Connie:

She began as a dancer, teacher, performer and choreographer. She has been involved in all sorts of crafts like knitting and pottery

Now she wet and needle felts. She has won awards for this wonderful craft!

Connie is a Movement Therapist and works at a school for the deaf here in Maryland. She works with children with disabilities doing yoga and movement activities.

She is a happy grandparent and a beagle!!!

I spent some time in her shop and fell in love with her items and the fact that she has such an interesting life that flows into her crafting... Did you know an item of hers made it into Peacefelt2010? She worked on and "mailed to another felter in New Zealand. This piece was photographed and mentioned in an international felt magazine

Look at how adorable Connie's youngest grandson is! What bright faces the two of them have.

Also check out this cool wall hanging that incorporates her felting... she sent it to me and a seriously considered using the picture as my laptop background.... so beautiful!

Check out some more items in Connie's etsy shop!

Thought of the Week #1

And it's time once again to get moving with something. Spring seems far away, but it right around the corner in the salesman's head.

Now that 2011 has come, snowflakes and icicles are a thing of the past even though it is still freezing outside. The thought of little chicks, pastel, bunnies, and the beginning of new life floods my head.

Today's Thought of the Week

1. Start earlier than you think.

Now is the time to start posting for Valentine's Day and Easter! People want to look at items and mull over ideas in their head before purchasing. You will lose business thinking it is okay to post in a couple weeks. People have a hard time making quick decisions when it comes to internet purchases. They think, "Do I really like it? Or am I buying it just to buy something?" "Will I receive it in time?" "Maybe I'd like it more if I could customize it a little."

All these issues cause shoppers to second guess and you... lose the sale! Posting items now allow people to think about your item, question you, ask for a small change, or even ask you to make more if you have only one of an item and someone needs more. I found early postings allow for parents who want one for each child to contact me in time to make that request.

The sooner you list the better chances you have! Also if items sell you have the opportunity to relist them. Who knows, you may have the next best thing in your shop and EVERYONE wants it! Wouldn't it be great to have it out on the market longer?

So today's moral is to list earlier than you think. You have to think about the way you and the majority of people shop online, and time os of the essence!

Easter is Coming!!! New Poll!!

The eggnog drunk, presents ripped open, and Christmas cookies reaching their end, it is time to focus on the next big season.... SPRING!

While the weather thinks about warming up, I am getting ready to thaw out my egg shop, making it brighter and greener! With new pictures, new colors, and new designs, Etched Easter eggs will be ready for people to buy to give to loved ones as Spring takes the limelight.

New colors for the shop will be Raspberry, Plum, Dark Forest, Pink, Patina, and so much more.

What colors would you like to see in my shop?? What egg colors would be more interesting for you?

I hope to have more pastel colors in the shop as well as a lighter, whiter background combination. Feedback from followers would be greatly appreciated!

SHOP OF THE WEEK THREE!!!! EDNA!!!!

Time for another shop of the week feature... I'd like to present EDNA!!! A crafter I met months ago when she won a set of my eggs without even trying, and a person I'm honored to present to you!!!!

1. Whats your shop name - Ednabelle

2. Introduce yourself (name age and a little info) - I am 78, born and raised in WV

3. Why do you do what you do on etsy? - Because I really like it and it's important to me to stay active.

4. When and Why did you join etsy? - I joined Etsy 6 months ago. Actually a wonderful Etsian, TheLittleGreenButton, purchased from me through another venue (but we're not calling names), told me how friendly and wonderful Etsy was and invited me to come check it out. I very much liked what I found here and it hasn't let me down. It is a wonderful outlet for my creative side.

5. What have you learned about yourself during your business endeavor in selling on etsy? - I've learned that my hobby is a great way to supplement my fixed income.

6. What do you do by day when you're not etsy's turtleXIII? - I'm an old fashioned gal who cooks and cleans for her family. I have 4 children, 19 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren and a couple of local doctors who all like to spend some time with me from time to time.

7. What are your thoughts about selling on Etsy? - I'm proud to sell on Etsy where the artistic community makes me feel like I also have something valuable to contribute.

8. Explain your craft and your crafting style. - I have a passion for old things and cringe at the thought of throwing any useful away, even if it does need a little love before it can live again.

9. What are some of your favorite pieces? - My favorite offerings are always the re-purposed pieces made from vintage broken parts, like this necklace made from a lonely earring http://www.etsy.com/listing/44039945/vintage-repurposed-retro-enameled or this necklace and earring set made from a broken bracelet http://www.etsy.com/listing/41077295/ooak-vintage-repurposed-carved-black.

10. Is it hard to part with your items once sold? - I'm attached to everything I sell since they are the pieces I have collected over a lifetime, but quite a few buyers have sent me a personal note telling me how much they love and appreciate the pieces they've purchased, sometimes with stories of the dear loved ones they remind them of which warms my heart and makes it much easier to let go.

11. Explain how you got started in your craft. - My bio says it best: My name is Edna. I live in the Blue Ridge Mountains of West Virginia. Having grown up during the Depression with eleven brothers and sisters crafting new items from old ones became a way of life for me. As early as I can remember mother had shown us how to use old feed sacks, discarded sheets and small scraps of wood to make our own toys and later our own clothes. I developed a love of found objects of all kinds for the useful and interesting things they could become. Seems no matter what I see ideas begin popping into my head regarding the new life it could take on.

Ednabelle's shop on Etsy is becoming my creative outlet. It is a place where
I can distribute the items I've collected over a lifetime (after all I need
some work space here) and a place where I can find those who appreciate the
items my mind and hands create from the discarded goodies around me. It is a
passion I share with all three generations who have come behind me. My
daughter helps me with the shop. One of my granddaughters, who is a working
mom and student is creating works of her own to sell in my shop to help her
through school. One of my great granddaughters has modeled for me and she
and her brother have contributed many items that are made by eager hands not
yet talented enough for the public - but their time will come. And many of
the vintage handmade items in the shop were made many years ago with the
help of most all of the grandchildren when they were little.

It does my heart good to know the art of thrift and creativity is being
passed along and appreciated in our family and that so many of you are
taking the time to share them with your own children. My children and grand
children alike tell me that just as I have such wonderful memories with my
own mother some of their fondest memories involve crafting with me when they
were growing up. Such a precious thing to pass along.

I've been out of the work force now for many years so Etsy has filled my
days with much more stucture and activity than I have known for quite some
time since none of the little ones are living nearby. My daughter and I now
spend many hours sorting, creating, photographing and listing with a little
packing and shipping thrown in. While you will find some of our created
items in my shop already, you will also find lots of vintage items which
haven't been altered as I attempt to claim much needed work space. I hope
that you will stop in and help us clear this area, then come back for more
of the crafted treasures to come.

12. What's your working space like? - It's a small portable table set rather permanently in an otherwise unused corner of the house.

13. Is your craft your job or your hobby? (explain) - For me it is my passion. It is the thing which takes my attention each day and keeps me moving and alive.

14. What's your personality and how does that reflect in your craft?

15. Do you do and other crafts? - I can't think of many crafts I haven't at least tried over the years. Needlework, sewing and crochet were my favorites until age began stealing both my eyesight and the steadiness in my hands.

16. Who taught you to do this craft? - I am self taught, always learning through trial and error.

17. What are some of your favorite shops? - I never met a vintage or craft shop I didn't like.

18. What else would you like to say about anything and everything including yourself and/or your craft? I love life and I love to live.

HOW TO GET YOUR SHOP NOTICED FOR FREE

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2893568/free_local_advertising_in_pittsburgh.html?cat=3

Check out this article I got published!!!
Ten great tips on how to get your shop noticed for free (or almost)

please share the link with others!!!!