Featured ETTEAM seller: Beautiful Bridget

Contributed by: NiftyKnits

BeautifulBridget is a member of Etteam who makes amazingly intricate and off-the-wall items. Let's get to know more...

Cats or dogs?
Definitely dogs, big cuddly cute ones!

Star Wars or Star Trek?
Let the force be with you.....

Hmmm, I'd have to say you've chosen the dark side with that one!

Fruit or chocolate?
How about fruit dipped IN chocolate ;)

This girl knows how to live!

Favourite colour?
Hmmmmm....can I have two? Definitely burnt yellow and rust.

Favourite meal?
Chinese baby!

City break or weekend in the country?
Actually I prefer walking along the beach when it's cool and foggy :)

Soaps or documentaries?
Soaps (particularly Days of Our Lives)


Now we’ve got you warmed up…

What brought you to Etsy? Tell us about your shop (or shops) Do you sell anywhere else?
Word of mouth brought me to Etsy (thankfully!) and I am so happy to be part of this awesome community of artists! I do sell on ArtFire and 1000Markets also but Etsy is my venue of choice.

What’s the favourite item you’ve made so far?
It's a toss up between my Peas and Carrots Scarf:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21229440


and my Super Loop Chain Necklace:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15057705

What has been the most useful lesson you’ve learned (about Etsy) so far?
To be active in the community, you not only meet and get to know a ton of great people but it also keeps you out there where others can see your shop.

If you could start again, is there anything you’d do differently?
Probably try to have more items available at Christmas (and have them pre-made so that orders can go right out the door!)

How do you see your store developing?
I would just like to have as many different items as possible listed so that there is something for everyone :)

What have you been doing today that I’ve interrupted?
Well, I was going to take a much needed nap but.....

What’s your top marketing tip for today?
Be active in the forums and blog blog blog!!!

Sounds good to me! Want to know more? She's only a click away...

BeautifulBridget's shop

BeautifulBridget's blog

Etsy Voter - Americana Decor

Esty has put up their newest VOTER. This voter is for your favorite "Americana Decor" item. Whoever wins this voter will have their item go into the Etsy Gift Guide, which is a great honor. There are quite a few Etteam members that have been nominated for this voter (5 out of 32 entries), and we would love your support!! Here are the ETTEAM member items that have been nominated:

Fishstikks

MidnightCoiler

ByTheWaySide

TeresasPrimTreasures

Artyecolgical

With much appreciation, and thanks to all who vote, whichever item you choose. We're just thrilled to have something in the running!!

Here is the link to vote on your favorite! V*O*T*E*R

Thanks for your support!! :o)

Etteam BlogMistress

And the WINNER IS.....

ENUWBE!! I used random.org to pick out winner. It chose number 7, and Enuwbe was the 7th comment.

Congratulations, Enuwbe! Drop me a note through the Etsy convo system, or via email, so we can get your shipping address. Debbie, from Santiam Designs will be shipping your beautiful new necklace to you.

Thanks to everyone who participated. And stay tuned for another fabulous Etteam giveaway next month!

Have a good week everyone. :o)

Etteam BlogMistress

Another Fabulous ETTEAM Giveaway!!

Isn't this necklace, just exquisite?! It is the love child of jewelry designer/beader extraordinaire (and of course, Etteam member), Debbie of Santiam Designs. This gorgeous necklace is our June Giveaway!!

I asked Debbie, how she got into beading, and this was her reply, "After decades of being beadless, I picked up the bead habit while working in a medical lab where we had long lunches. With a bead store nearby, I was doomed. When my Dr. put me in the disabled file, here I was with all these beautiful beads, a body that needs to sit more than it stands or walks and a need for incoming cash... and Santiam Designs was born!"

Here is a description of this beautiful necklace.

"Lovely, one of a kind handmade sterling silver loop and link necklace, with prehnite nugget focal area and links with peace stone (jasper) rondelles and Swarovski cream pearls. Perfect for any time of year! Clasp is heart shaped toggle style, sterling silver. Total length: 28 3/4 inches, or between 72 and 73cm." This necklace has a retail value of $80.00.

The giveaway starts today, Sunday, June 14th, and will end at Midnight Pacific time on Saturday, June 20th. We will use a randomizer (random.org) to pick the winner. You can have multiple enteries, but be sure to make each of your entries in a *separate* comment here on the blog. The winner will be announced on Sunday, June 21st. Be sure that you put your email address, Etsy store, or blog address in each of your separate entries, otherwise I won't be able to contact you if you win!!

How do you enter to win this necklace?

1. For one entry: Visit the Etsy Shop of Santiam Designs and tell us in a comment here what item of hers is your favorite! - This one is mandatory!

Here are some other ways you can have extra entries for this giveaway:

2. For a second entry: Become a follower of Debbie's Blog. (Scroll to the bottom of the page on her blog).

3. For a thrid entry: Follow our ETTEM blog - and let us know in a comment here. (If you are already a follower - just let us know - it counts!)

4. For a fourth entry: Tweet about this giveaway on Twitter, and let us know about it in a comment with your Twitter account name and link to the Tweet.

5. For a fifth entry: Blog about this giveaway on your blog, and leave us a link to your blog post in the comments section here.

6. Grab our Etteam Blog Button or our Etteam Widget and add one of them to your blog. Leave us a comment with the link to your blog where the button or widget is displayed.

And there you go. 6 chances to win this beautiful necklace.

We'll be back here next Sunday, June 21st to blog about the winner!

Spread the word!!

We want you to V*O*T*E !!

Esty has put up their newest VOTER. This voter is for your favorite "cozy". Whoever wins this voter will have their item go into the Etsy Gift Guide, which is a great honor. There are quite a few Etteam members that have been nominated for this voter (6 out of 32 entries), and we would love your support!! Here are the ETTEAM member items that have been nominated:

StudioCherie Eye Glass Cozy

KnitzyBlonde laptop Cozy

Beautifulbridget apple cozy

Missindie cup cozy

Lilipadcreations laptop sleeve

Feltsewcrafty scissor cozy

With much appreciation, and thanks to all who vote, whichever item you choose. We're just thrilled to have something in the running!!

Here is the link to vote on your favorite!  V*O*T*E*R

Thanks for your support!!  :o)

Featered ETTEAM Seller ~ Glorious Hats

Contributed by:  NiftyKnits

Jane is one of my favourite people on Etsy, she always has a kind word to say. Her profile tells me that she is a woman who wears many hats. Literally and figuratively. From the Bobcat baseball cap she dons to feed the chickens or drive tractor to the felts and straws she wears on Town Day - THE DAY- for breakfast at Perkins & shopping with her husband the farmer and weaver.


Intrigued? I am!

Jane recently shared a photo of her wearing a hat at an early age, so I thought I'd look for one of a similar vintage! To find out which of us is which, you can check in Jane's blog!


Now - to the interview!

Cats or dogs?

Both, 2 elderly cats indoors, though there is a feral cat outside who hangs out in the barns; farm dog in training, though who is training whom we are not sure.

Favourite colour?

bright and bold

A little bird tells me that this particular bright and bold creation was on Etsy Front Page recently!

Favourite meal?

Creamed pheasant on mashed potatoes; my mouth still loves it, but the aging body can no longer tolerate it.

City break or weekend in the country?

A brief visit to the bustling city is a rare and wonderful treat.


The necklace above is actually from Jane's husband's shop TranquilNook, it seemed only fair to include him!

Now we’ve got you warmed up…

What brought you to Etsy? Tell us about your shop (or shops) Do you sell anywhere else?

I was highly involved and active in the Craftster community at the time Etsy started up. People would tell me "you ought to sell" and one day I just set up shop. Between my husband and myself we have 3 shops on Etsy. My work GloriousHats, his work TranquilNook and a destash-handmade supplies shop Feltsewcrafty.


No other online stores, but do have our stores combined into " Carlstrom Creative" at the "Arcade"http://www.dmpmc.net/arcade/ on The Handmade Directory, a site that promotes handmade; the Arcade showcases items with a link back to the maker's official store.

What’s the favourite item you’ve made so far?

A poison mushroom hat with a fairie reclining on it.

Oh wow! That's just lovely - sold of course, but more pictures here.

What has been the most useful lesson you’ve learnt (about Etsy) so far?

Find a team where you fit and feel comfortable; a team that is active, shares, encourages and then contribute and be active yourself.

I've got to agree with that - Jane and I are both members of ETTEAM which is a wonderfully supportive community.

If you could start again, is there anything you’d do differently?

There are things that might have helped the store be more successful; but I'm not sure I'd do them because I'm not hungry enough, being retired from outside work with a small but steady income. On the other hand, it is such a thrill to get an email from Etsy that says "etsy transaction" and to know someone found one's work appealing enough to purchase it. It would have been better business wise to focus entirely on hats- not having so many different items and styles, making more of the same style hat in different colors. Not offering the pins, art, etc until the hat section was well established.


Maybe not so much fun, though? I like making lots of different things myself!

What have you been doing today that I’ve interrupted?

I need to pee but so excited to think you might feature me, am sitting here twitching rather than take care of nature's call

Well...I did ask! pmsl?

What’s your top marketing tip for today?

Be yourself, read, look, evaluate, consider then find avenues that work for you.

Thank you Jane - I think we can all see that you follow your own advice. Good luck with your shops!  

GloriousHats

Feltsewcrafty

TranquilNook

Featured ETTEAM seller: Waterrose

Contributed by: NiftyKnits

Waterrose is a Etteam member, and known to many as "that girl who makes the stunning cuffs"...but there is so much more to find out. Let's see...

Cats or dogs?

3 Dogs --a brussels griffon, brittany, and a rotweiler and 4 Birds...that are far, far from my studio!

Star Wars or Star Trek?

Both, but the early versions.

Fruit or chocolate?

Both, fruit dipped in chocolate!

Favourite colour?

Blue...any shade



Favourite meal?

Today it's Prime Rib, Baked Potato, Corn on the Cob and creme brulee


City break or weekend in the country?

Weekend in the Country, with a great breakfast and either hiking or off-roading. And a great book and music.


Soaps or documentaries?

Documentaries --but actually movies...especially the ones with Katherine Hepburn, Spencer Tracy...and the list goes on. Old movies are the best.



Bath or shower?

Shower mostly. Baths on those days when I definitely need to relax.

Now we’ve got you warmed up…  

What brought you to Etsy? Tell us about your shop (or shops) Do you sell anywhere else?

I have been trying to remember for years how I initially found Etsy, but can't for the life of me remember. I opened my first shop in October 2006. But like so many others didn't realize I couldn't change the name once I signed on. So a year later I opened this shop. I kept my other shop because I hope to put vintage in it one day. Well it's more then a hope, since I have tons of vintage that I've been collecting to sell....better get busy before the house overflows!

I also sell at 1000markets. http://www.1000markets.com:80/users/waterrose/



What’s the favourite item you’ve made so far?

I love all of my cuffs and each time I create a new one...that becomes my favorite. I get so excited when a new design idea pops into my head. It's almost to the point that I have to stop everything I'm doing and make that cuff.

What has been the most useful lesson you’ve learnt (about Etsy) so far?

That there's a lot of great people on Etsy. People who are willing to help and people who become great friends. I have also become a much better photographer...which I was never concerned about before.


If you could start again, is there anything you’d do differently?

Well the one thing I did was open a new shop with the name that I really wanted. I wish I had made the change sooner. I probably would have visited the Virtual Labs sooner. It always seemed scary to step into a virtual room. But now that I have I have learned so much more about how to market my creations on etsy, from tagging to getting the photo's right. I probably would have begun blogging sooner. http://waterrosez.blogspot.com/


How do you see your store developing?

I am adding new lines with necklaces/earrings etc. I also want to increase the home decor section. I just need to find a few more hours in my day.



What have you been doing today that I’ve interrupted?

I was talking to customers regarding my other business...I needed a break.


What’s your top marketing tip for today?

Put yourself in front of people outside of the craft/art world. Let them know what you do. It brings people to you that are interested in finding unique gifts for their friends and loved ones. Then it spreads like wild fire.


http://waterrosez.blogspot.com/
http://www.1000markets.com:80/users/waterrose/
http://Waterrose.etsy.com

AND THE WINNER IS.....

The winner of our giveaway is:

Krystal Hosmer of Solsisters

Congratulations, Krystal!  You will be receiving the beautiful charms shown here from MidnightCoiler of the ETTEAM.  I'll be emailing you today to get your shipping info.  

Thanks to everyone who entered our giveaway, and stay tuned as we will be doing this again soon!!

  

Eteam BlogMistress

ETTEAM GIVEAWAY!!

The Etteam knows how to do a giveaway!  

Our own fabulous MidnightCoiler has provided us with some of her beautiful hand made charms (24 total - valued at over $30.00) for our first big blog giveaway.  You jewelry makers are going to love these gorgeous rustic charms that Lynn makes.  The charms are a stoneware/pottery that are lovingly crafted and fired, each a unique individual work of art.  They will look fabulous in any jewelry project that you have.  The charms in the photos here are the actual charms that you will receive.

The giveaway starts today, Friday, May 8th, and will end at Midnight Pacific time on Friday May 15th.  We will use a randomizer to pick the winner.  You can have multiple enteries, but be sure to make each of your entries in a *separate* comment here on the blog.  The winner will be announced on Saturday, May 16th.  Be sure that you put your email address, Etsy store, or blog address in your entries, otherwise I won't be able to contact you if you win!!

How do you enter?

1.  For one entry:  Visit the Etsy shop of MidnightCoiler and tell us in a comment here what item of hers is your favorite! 

2.  For a Second entry:  Follow our ETTEM blog - and let us know in a comment here.

3.  For a third entry:  Tweet about this giveaway on Twitter, and let us know about it in a comment with your Twitter account name. 

4.  For a fourth entry:  Blog about this giveaway on your blog, and leave us a link to your blog post in the comments section here.

We'll be back here next Saturday, May16th to blog about the winner!

Spread the word!! 

Embracing Etsy’s New Merchandising Strategies: Treasuries & Etsy Front Page

Contributed by:  Sound Images

We’ve recently received word from Etsy admin that they are fine tuning the treasury guidelines and will be selecting treasuries for the Etsy Front Page with their new  merchandising strategies in mind.

Although the Treasury is not intended as a self-promotion tool, as Etsy sellers and treasury curators we certainly always have the hope that one of our treasuries will make the front page. We would love nothing more than to see our favourite artisans get that wonderful front page exposure. We would also certainly hope that from time to time one of our own listings may spend that shining moment on the front page.

So, are these new treasury guidelines and Etsy’s new merchandising strategies an obstacle, or could this be the “how to” guide we’ve been looking for? How can we take advantage of the expertise of   Louis Sagar, Etsy’s new merchandising consultant and use it to help us improve our treasuries and market our own shops?

After reading several of Etsy’s  recent storque articles outlining their new merchandising strategies, I’ve highlighted a “things to try” list to help us along:

• Watch for recent trends in the Hot List section of the gift guides.  
• Follow updates from  Etsy’s merchandising desk.   
• Tag your listings according to current and upcoming  themes so treasury curators and potential customers can find your items.  
• Time your new listings to coincide with upcoming themes.  Consider upcoming themes and trends when creating your  listing photos.
• Reflect themes that suit your shop in your shop announcements. 
• Highlight appropriate themes & trends in your item titles and descriptions.
• Consider offering sales or promotions in line with merchandising strategies.
• Build treasuries that feature current and upcoming themes.
• Consider contacting Louis Sagar directly with your feedback and ideas  lsagar.etsy.com or leave your comments here.
  

Remember that themes are not rigid. Be creative in figuring out how the items in your shop can be given a fresh twist to fit in with latest trends.

Etsy’s Merchandising Focus for the month of May

Wedding
Graduation
Emeralds
Kentucky Derby
Cinco de Mayo
Glass
Taurus
Gemini
Housewares
Books and Zines
Paper Goods
Father’s Day
Papa Bear

Here’s an example of how I could use this information to update my own shop. I have a listing for a custom birth announcement that could easily be a wedding or graduation announcement. With the focus of “Paper Goods, Weddings, & Graduations” for the month of May I may consider giving this listing a new title, tags and description so that anyone searching for items within these themes might find my listing. If I wanted to take it one step further I would alter one of the images in the listing to reflect the new theme.


Certainly we don’t all have time to reinvent the items already in our shop, but moving forward with new creations and new listings we can certainly keep Etsy’s merchandising strategies in mind.

Good luck, and keep the creativity flowing!

About the author:  Jill is a music therapist with a love for photography, music & design. She lives in Toronto, Ontario with her husband and daughter where life is busy but certainly full of creativity.  Jill is currently enjoying building up her Etsy shop www.soundimages.etsy.com where she sells original stationary designs and original music from her Celtic duo Anam Cara www.anamcara.ca.