From what I understand a lot of people have hopes and dreams of making money on Etsy. People are asking ‘why am I not selling”? Well, you have to factor in that the sales / season is slow. Are you doing your part ?
Are you sending business cards in swaps?
Are you doing craft shows on the side?
Are you advertising out side of Etsy like Myspace, indie public, face book, message boards, etc?
How many items are you adding daily or weekly?
Whether you’re a newbie or have been on Etsy for awhile, remember this :
1. Great pictures are a must.
2. Spell check every thing -M-WORD or WORD PERFECT are great for this.
3. Post in the forums on Etsy or at one of the places listed above.
4. Add an item every day, or renew an item.
5. Get a mentor- you can find advice about doing this on the Etsy forums.
6. Explore blogs- you can also find people promoting their blogs in the "Promotions" section of the Etsy forums.
7. Explore new crafts or branch out in different ways within your own craft.
8. If you need banners, etc find some one to help.
9. Get out of your comfort zone .. think out side of the box ex. visit local shops that sell local indie designer items and pitch your stuff!
10. Give great customer service!
Hope those are helpful tips for you to jumpstart you sales! Good Luck!
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Cats Paw Artifacts
Name
Judy Richards
Location
Portland, OR
Business Name
Cats Paw Artifacts
Describe what you sell.
I sell lampwork beads, precious metal clay charms and pendants, jewelry using semi precious stones and my lampwork and the fine silver.
What is your real life like?
I work at home, love MadMen, Sex and the City, am married. I love Portland, it is a beautiful city. I have 2 cats hence the name Cats's Paw.
What is your process?
My favorite lampwork is organic with a very earthy feeling. I like combining glass with pmc (fine silver) I also do some sculptural lampwork, cats, flowers.
Business Goals and Vision...
My goal is to have a thriving on line business. Right now my main income is through local shows - I also hope in the future to do some national shows and get to travel.
What inspires you?
I'm inspired by the colors of the seasons and nature mainly.
Am a fan of these places...
One of my favorite suppliers is Arrow Springs for glass.
Find seller at...
Ebay
Etsy
Blog
Friday, October 3, 2008
KatieKutthroat
Name
Katie "Kutthroat" Weeks
Location
Muscle Shoals, Alabama
Business Name
Needles & Pins
Describe what you sell.
I sell anything from needlepoint pieces, framed or purses, etc.. to jewelry..
What is your real life like?
I really enjoy crafts, haha.. They keep me pretty busy. I work in the food industry as a cook.. When I am not there I spend time with my amazing boyfriend, enjoy a craft night with my friends "The Crafty Cunts." Or just enjoy watching a movie, I am a huge fan of comedies and Judd Apatow.
What is your process?
It depends on what I do. If I am doing a cross stitch, I use cross stitch canvas.. thread..
needles.. If it is embroidery, I use fabrics, a lot of felt and usually a cute Sublime Stitching Pattern. If it is jewelry then I have to have my pliers for wire wrapping and cutting, and I usually use sterling silver pieces.Business Goals and Vision...
My goals long term are just to be able to continue to have a shop on the side. I just had my first custom order and it was so thrilling to be asked to do a piece for someone! I guess I will end up doing something more job wise for a career but I would love to continue doing this on the side. I am not trying to get rich or live off the pieces I do sell, I really just want it to pay for itself so I can continue doing what I love.
How do you market your business?
I am new to the promoting game so I haven't really done a lot of marketing. I try to post pieces on websites that I am involved with such as crafster.org or etsy.com or blogspot.com
you can check me out on any of these sites.. http://katiekutthroat.etsy.com, http://katiekutthroat.blogspot.com, and http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=85517
What inspires you?
Art, video games, comedy, tattoo flash, etc
Who is your favorite musical artist
I think one of my favorites is Mike Kinsella.. anything he is involved with I love.
Am a fan of these places...
I check etsy.com, craftster.org, myspace.com, blogspot.com, and my gmail.. hehe.
Find seller at...
you can find me at any of the links I included up above and my myspace http://www.myspace.com/katiekutthroat
Thursday, October 2, 2008
UltraRipe
Name
Sara Santora
Location
Montclair, NJ
Business Name
Ultraripe
Describe what you sell.
I sell hand silk screened illustrations predominantly on children's t's. Themes are pure childhood notions with a more informed eye.
What is your real life like?
I have two daughters, ages 5 & 3, a husband and two cats. Until early in 2008 I was working full time as an art director in the city. My younger daughter is at home with me, while my older daughter just started school. I'm usually able to work on drawing and sketching out ideas with my children around. I often get up early or work late to do the actual printing. I've also been doing some freelance graphic design work for a few clients, so that takes up time. I'd like to be able to make enough money from my b
usiness in the next year to not have to do that. Besides work I like visiting new places and going on bike rides. I'm the one everyone's honking at while I bike my child to school.
What is your process?
I make a pretty tight sketch that I scan. Initially I was just cleaning up the scans in Photoshop, but I've since switched to tracing it in Illustrator. I then print it out, and make a traditional screen. Next I print on either t-shirts or paper. I usually don't print more than 10 at a time.
Business Goals and Vision...
In the short term I plan on varying the product line with new designs and different types of pieces to print on. I'll probably try some teen/adult tees for one. In the longer term I plan on working on a larger scale. I'd like to try some floor and wall coverings.
How do you market your business?
I'm pretty new to this, and am just beginning to find out how to market my line.
What inspires you?
I get a lot of my inspiration from the youth culture that I just see around me. The adult culture as well. I get ideas flipping through magazines. For the past 8 years I was working as a graphic designer then art director predominantly in the luxury goods market. What I saw there also greatly influenced me. It fascinates me to see the things people can obsess over.
Who is your favorite musical artist?
My favorite summer song is definitely Doin' Time by Sublime.
Am a fan of these places...
http://www.bantjes.com/
http://www.art-dept.com/
http://www.misterrob.co.uk/
http://www.hollywouldmother.blogspot.com/ (a dear friend) http://bloom-grow-love.blogspot.com/
Not necessarily in that order...
Find seller at...
http://www.ultraripe.com/
http://www.ultraripe.etsy.com
Sara Santora
Location
Montclair, NJ
Business Name
Ultraripe
Describe what you sell.
I sell hand silk screened illustrations predominantly on children's t's. Themes are pure childhood notions with a more informed eye.
What is your real life like?
I have two daughters, ages 5 & 3, a husband and two cats. Until early in 2008 I was working full time as an art director in the city. My younger daughter is at home with me, while my older daughter just started school. I'm usually able to work on drawing and sketching out ideas with my children around. I often get up early or work late to do the actual printing. I've also been doing some freelance graphic design work for a few clients, so that takes up time. I'd like to be able to make enough money from my b
usiness in the next year to not have to do that. Besides work I like visiting new places and going on bike rides. I'm the one everyone's honking at while I bike my child to school.What is your process?
I make a pretty tight sketch that I scan. Initially I was just cleaning up the scans in Photoshop, but I've since switched to tracing it in Illustrator. I then print it out, and make a traditional screen. Next I print on either t-shirts or paper. I usually don't print more than 10 at a time.
Business Goals and Vision...
In the short term I plan on varying the product line with new designs and different types of pieces to print on. I'll probably try some teen/adult tees for one. In the longer term I plan on working on a larger scale. I'd like to try some floor and wall coverings.
How do you market your business?
I'm pretty new to this, and am just beginning to find out how to market my line.
What inspires you?
I get a lot of my inspiration from the youth culture that I just see around me. The adult culture as well. I get ideas flipping through magazines. For the past 8 years I was working as a graphic designer then art director predominantly in the luxury goods market. What I saw there also greatly influenced me. It fascinates me to see the things people can obsess over.
Who is your favorite musical artist?
My favorite summer song is definitely Doin' Time by Sublime.
Am a fan of these places...
http://www.bantjes.com/
http://www.art-dept.com/
http://www.misterrob.co.uk/
http://www.hollywouldmother.blogspot.com/ (a dear friend) http://bloom-grow-love.blogspot.com/
Not necessarily in that order...
Find seller at...
http://www.ultraripe.com/
http://www.ultraripe.etsy.com
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Emerlye Arts Kirigami
Name
Cynthia Emerlye
Location
Pomfret, Vermont
Business Name
Emerlye Arts
Describe what you sell.
Each of my kirigami works is a one-of a kind, hand- cut creation. While origami is the art of folding paper into creative shapes, kirigami is paper that is both folded and cut. Most people will remember kirigami as a way to make paper snowflakes. In addition to hanging or frame-able kirigami mandalas, I also make elegant three-dimensional kirigami cards, pop-up cards, cards that unfold several times, and other paper creations.
What is your real life like?
The last of my six children just left for college, so I am blissfully single and can spend the bulk of my time creating diverse kinds of art. I am also a life coach and see clients when I'm not creating. I live on a small farm in beautiful Vermont. The house is 218 years old -- lots of upkeep, lawn mowing, gardening and endless repairs -- no more animals, though. All of this keeps me busy, which suits me fine.
What is your process?
Kirigami work is detailed and tedious, but if you approach it as a relaxing pastime -- like knitting -- it can be very rewarding. Paper type is most important in kirigami work because it must fold easily without cracking and cut without tearing. I am still searching for the perfect paper. For the mandalas, I use light-weight, very bright paper which I buy in reams. Paper for cards is more problematic. It must be heavier, yet flexible and fairly easy to cut. I use artist-grade paper, most often Strathmore or Stonehenge, sometimes Neenah classic linen.
Scissors: very sharp, larger scissors with a good point are best. I sometimes use good sewing scissors. If I am cutting a lot, I use razor pointed, spring loaded ergonomic craft scissors which cut down on hand fatigue. Sometimes I wrap my fingers with paper medical tape to prevent blisters.
I also use a variety of punches. The best are fiscars.
My process: To make cards, I first cut the paper to a square size. I print out the logo on my Epson pro printer. Then I fold the paper with a bone folder and sometimes press it in my dry mount press. Next I trim the outside into the proper shape and with dye-based stamp ink, decorate the front. Next, I add gold paint for zest. I stock several blank cards like this in my working box full of scissors and punches and cut them out at my leisure in the evening.
When the cuttings are done, I glue them together with archival Yes! glue and press them overnight. The next day I photograph them from several angles, package them, and post on Etsy. Voila!
Kirigami mandalas take longer to cut but are not as complicated to prepare for sale. After cutting, the mandalas must be carefully unfolded and pressed flat. They are then laminated in a hot press, trimmed, punched, strung with gold cord, packaged, and photographed for sale. Larger mandalas meant for framing are not laminated. After purchase, they are lightly mounted to cardstock and packaged for framing.
Business Goals and Vision...
My kirigami work is a folk-art and I would love to see it featured in Vermont handcraft stores and in store windows. Someday I would like to have diecuts made of my best designs so I could produce more than just one-of a kind works. In this vein, I would like also to produce a line of unique three-dimensional wedding cards and invitations.
How do you market your business?
Right now my kirigami work is mainly on Etsy and in local shops in Woodstsock, Vermont.
Do you subscribe to any business related blogs, zines or magazines?
Guild of American Papercutters
http://www.papercutters.org
What inspires you?
I love paper! I am interested in handmade paper and have much too much. Unfortunately much of it is not suitable for kirigami. I also love to paint, draw, and build wearable art clothing. I am inspired by all kinds of beauty, natural and man-made. If I am in a new city, I make a bee-line to the nearest art museums, churches, gardens, historic homes, and stationery stores. Yum.
What are two of your favorite things from your shop?
Large Mandala to frame
Smaller hanging mandala ( both pictured to the right)
Hand Cut Kirigami Card(first picture)
Find seller at...
www.EmerlyeArts.com
www. EmerlyeArtsKirigami.Etsy.com
www.EmerlyeArts.blogspot.com
Cynthia Emerlye
Location
Pomfret, Vermont
Business Name
Emerlye Arts
Describe what you sell.
Each of my kirigami works is a one-of a kind, hand- cut creation. While origami is the art of folding paper into creative shapes, kirigami is paper that is both folded and cut. Most people will remember kirigami as a way to make paper snowflakes. In addition to hanging or frame-able kirigami mandalas, I also make elegant three-dimensional kirigami cards, pop-up cards, cards that unfold several times, and other paper creations.
What is your real life like?
The last of my six children just left for college, so I am blissfully single and can spend the bulk of my time creating diverse kinds of art. I am also a life coach and see clients when I'm not creating. I live on a small farm in beautiful Vermont. The house is 218 years old -- lots of upkeep, lawn mowing, gardening and endless repairs -- no more animals, though. All of this keeps me busy, which suits me fine.
What is your process?
Kirigami work is detailed and tedious, but if you approach it as a relaxing pastime -- like knitting -- it can be very rewarding. Paper type is most important in kirigami work because it must fold easily without cracking and cut without tearing. I am still searching for the perfect paper. For the mandalas, I use light-weight, very bright paper which I buy in reams. Paper for cards is more problematic. It must be heavier, yet flexible and fairly easy to cut. I use artist-grade paper, most often Strathmore or Stonehenge, sometimes Neenah classic linen.
Scissors: very sharp, larger scissors with a good point are best. I sometimes use good sewing scissors. If I am cutting a lot, I use razor pointed, spring loaded ergonomic craft scissors which cut down on hand fatigue. Sometimes I wrap my fingers with paper medical tape to prevent blisters.
I also use a variety of punches. The best are fiscars.
My process: To make cards, I first cut the paper to a square size. I print out the logo on my Epson pro printer. Then I fold the paper with a bone folder and sometimes press it in my dry mount press. Next I trim the outside into the proper shape and with dye-based stamp ink, decorate the front. Next, I add gold paint for zest. I stock several blank cards like this in my working box full of scissors and punches and cut them out at my leisure in the evening.
When the cuttings are done, I glue them together with archival Yes! glue and press them overnight. The next day I photograph them from several angles, package them, and post on Etsy. Voila!
Kirigami mandalas take longer to cut but are not as complicated to prepare for sale. After cutting, the mandalas must be carefully unfolded and pressed flat. They are then laminated in a hot press, trimmed, punched, strung with gold cord, packaged, and photographed for sale. Larger mandalas meant for framing are not laminated. After purchase, they are lightly mounted to cardstock and packaged for framing.
Business Goals and Vision...
My kirigami work is a folk-art and I would love to see it featured in Vermont handcraft stores and in store windows. Someday I would like to have diecuts made of my best designs so I could produce more than just one-of a kind works. In this vein, I would like also to produce a line of unique three-dimensional wedding cards and invitations.
How do you market your business?
Right now my kirigami work is mainly on Etsy and in local shops in Woodstsock, Vermont.
Do you subscribe to any business related blogs, zines or magazines?
Guild of American Papercutters
http://www.papercutters.org
What inspires you?
I love paper! I am interested in handmade paper and have much too much. Unfortunately much of it is not suitable for kirigami. I also love to paint, draw, and build wearable art clothing. I am inspired by all kinds of beauty, natural and man-made. If I am in a new city, I make a bee-line to the nearest art museums, churches, gardens, historic homes, and stationery stores. Yum.
What are two of your favorite things from your shop?
Large Mandala to frame
Smaller hanging mandala ( both pictured to the right)
Hand Cut Kirigami Card(first picture)
Find seller at...
www.EmerlyeArts.com
www. EmerlyeArtsKirigami.Etsy.com
www.EmerlyeArts.blogspot.com
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