Etsy's Featured Seller - archaicdesign

If you're like me, you love to read the interviews with Etsy's featured sellers. The story doesn't end there though. How about post-interviews with those sellers to learn about their time in the spotlight? Here's an interview with the incredible archaicdesign, featured January 14, 2009.

What do you think are the reasons your shop was chosen to be featured?
I'm not really sure, but I do think that I joined Etsy at a very good time, January 07, Etsy was just starting to grow and seller could remain very visible on the site, certainly not as big as it is today and my style of jewelry may have been a bit different for the time.

What was your reaction to hearing that you'd been chosen?
Well, my mouth dropped open and it was making fish sounds, kind of like moving underwater with my mouth open. The interesting thing is that Etsy actually asks if you would like to be the feature seller? What! I still laugh at that, it’s asked so politely. I think I said, oh my gosh, holy crap, oh my gosh. My husband finally asked what happened, so I told him and he asked if it was a good thing and I said, yes, I believe it is, then a few more, oh my gosh, holy craps.

Since you couldn't run to the forums to tell us, who was the first person you told?
The husband then a good friend, both just smiled and nodded. They didn’t know what is involved and neither did I!

How much time did you have before your feature and what did you do to prepare?

I had about 2 ½ weeks to really get it together to decide what I wanted to mini mass produce and what one of a kind pieces I wanted to do. I also got my shipping organized so that it was easier to ship out orders.

What affect did the feature have on your shop during your time? Since then?
Everything intensified about tenfold. Convos, selling, production requests, some very funny off the wall requests too. I think the “fallout” had an affect for about 2 months with it slowly dying off. I did find, or they found me, a few long term repeat buyers who I am so grateful for.

Anything else you'd like to share about your experience?
Overall, it was a great experience to as a seller of jewelry on an online site. I learned a great deal in regards to customer service, communication even in designing some of my work. The feedback was incredibly helpful in many ways.



Any links you'd like to share?


http://archaicdesign.blogspot.com/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/archaicdesign/

Congratulations to archaicdesign!

Read more of my interviews with Featured Sellers here.

Etsy's Featured Seller - madebymavis

If you're like me, you love to read the interviews with Etsy's featured sellers. The story doesn't end there though. How about post-interviews with those sellers to learn about their time in the spotlight? Here's an interview with the amazing madebymavis, featured January 12, 2009.

What do you think are the reasons your shop was chosen to be featured?
I am assuming why my shop was chosen is because I offer a unique product. I also pride myself in my photos. You know what they say.... a picture says a thousand words.

What was your reaction to hearing that you'd been chosen?
It sounds really silly, but it was one of the best days of my life! I worked so hard to get to where I was at that point and the fact that Etsy chose me out of the thousands of sellers was very flattering! I cried and couldn't breathe for a minute. haha.

I remember my fiance was in the room and I quickly scanned the e-mail and then was in shock. After a minute of getting my heart rate down I asked him to read it for me because I didn't believe it was true.

How much time did you have before your feature and what did you do to prepare?
They give you about two weeks to get your shop in order but it definitely didn't seem like enough time. I really could have used a month. I stocked up on as many jars as I could get my hands on and worked and worked until I thought I had enough stock. Turns out you can never have enough products listed.

What affect did the feature have on your shop during your time? Since then?
When the featured was up my shop was loaded with orders and questions from buyers for days. It was amazing just to see how many people laid their eyes on my shop via majaba.org! One affect it did have unfortunately was copy shops but you have to just suck it up and take it as a compliment, because at the end of the day there really isn't much you can do about it. Since then, thanks to Etsy and all of my awesome customers I have become a serious shop and it is no longer just a hobby, but an income. Dreams really do come true!

Anything else you'd like to share about your experience?
Lastly my advice on becoming a featured seller or anyone who really wants to make it on Etsy is to keep your shop innovative and take great photos! Treat your customers well and they will do the bulk of your promoting for you. Stay positive and believe that success is coming your way, because it just might be around the corner. It's like driving a car at night across country. You can't see 100 feet in front of you, but you just trust that the road is there. Don't give up because you feel lost or don't know what to do next. Success will come, you just have to trust and take the next step.



Congratulations to madebymavis!

Read more of my interviews with Featured Sellers here.

Exchange Program - Free Paper Beads from Tanithsoddsandends

This is the newest exchange happening at Totally Tutorials. It's an Exchange Program where I'm matching up Supply Sellers and Tutorial Creators. The supply sellers are offering up free supplies in exchange for the receivers creating fabulous tutorials using their supplies.

Tanithsoddsandends is offering participants free sheet music paper beads in exchange for your tutorials!

The following was written by Tanithsoddsandends....

I am offering one set of 20 handmade vintage sheet music paper beads from my Etsy shop: http://tanithsoddsandends.etsy.com, to up to 3 talented individuals in exchange for their tutorials showing how they used the beads.

If you are chosen, you will need to create any item or items of your choice from the paper beads, while creating a step by step tutorial with easy to follow instructions and clear photos to post on your blog. Get creative! The beads don't have to be used for just jewelry.

If you don't have a personal blog, you can post your tutorial at Craftser, Instructables, Cutoutandkeep, or a similar site. Your tutorial must mention where you got the beads from with a link to my shop. I also ask for permission to use any photos from the tutorial while giving you credit. This is a great way to drive traffic to your blog and get exposure to your crafts, as a link to your tutorial will be posted on Totally Tutorials. Please note, anyone may use your tutorial to create items to sell.

If you are interested in participating in this exchange, please read the guidelines on Totally Tutorials explaining how exchanges work. Then contact me either by e-mail: rohe_tanith [!at] yahoo dot com, or through my Etsy shop - Tanithsoddsandends. Let me know what you are planning on creating, where you will be posting the tutorial, and a way to contact you. The deadline to enter the exchange is Sunday Nov. 1, 2009. I will let you know if you have been chosen by Tuesday Nov. 3, 2009.

If you have been chosen you will have 2 weeks from the time you receive your beads to complete and post your tutorial. You will need to let both Tanithsoddsandends and Totally Tutorials know once you have posted your tutorial.

Ok, get to applying!

You'll find these wonderful pieces and much more at Tanithsoddsandends...

Exchange Program - Free Supplies for Tutorials - SupplyPusher

This is the newest exchange happening at Totally Tutorials. It's an Exchange Program where I'm matching up Supply Sellers and Tutorial Creators. The supply sellers are offering up free supplies in exchange for the receivers creating fabulous tutorials using their supplies.

Supply Pusher is offering participants a choice of one of the following sets. Only five quantities of each set will be awarded.

* A pair of hand patinaed solid brass wings (approx 58mm W x 12mm H)
* Two small glass tube vials with silver bail caps (approx 30mm L). The vials include a rubber stopper so they can hold liquids as well as solids.
* Two pink rose beads (approx 13mm dia.) and three glass leaves (15mm L)

If you are one of the lucky ones to receive these gorgeous supplies from Supply Pusher, you will create something stunning with them, documenting each step in a tutorial to be posted on your blog. If you don't have a blog, you can post your tutorial at Craftster, Instructables, or CutOutAndKeep. Your tutorial must note the supplies provided by Supply Pusher and provide a link to the shop (http://SupplyPusher.etsy.com). Once your tutorial is posted, be sure to send the link to Totally Tutorials and Supply Pusher.

By participating in this supply exchange, you grant permission for Supply Pusher to use photos of your creation. (When your photos are used, your name/shop/website will be credited.)

Want to participate?

Please read the guidelines on Totally Tutorials explaining how exchanges work.
Then send Supply Pusher a message via Etsy’s contact system. Please be sure to include your choice of supplies, a brief description of the item you plan to make, and a link to the website where your tutorial will be posted.

Please respond by October 30, 2009. Winners of the items will be contacted after the exchange closes.

Ok, get to applying!

You'll find these beautiful pieces and much more at SupplyPusher...

Exchange Program - Free Supplies for Tutorials - petitepaperie

This is the newest exchange happening at Totally Tutorials. It's an Exchange Program where I'm matching up Supply Sellers and Tutorial Creators. The supply sellers are offering up free supplies in exchange for the receivers creating fabulous tutorials using their supplies.

The following was written by petitepaperie....



Free Digital Collages for Tutorials!
This is a great opportunity for artists/crafters to gain exposure. I am offering up to 3 digital collage sheets from my Etsy shop to artists/crafters who agree to use the collage sheets, make an item of their choice, and then create a tutorial so that others can learn to make the item as well.
Requirements
1. Use of digital collage sheets from petitepaperie www.petitepaperie.etsy.com
2. Creation of tutorial
3. Post tutorial to your Blog (if you don’t have one you can post it at Craftster http://www.craftster.org, Instructables http://www.instructables.com/ or Cutoutandkeep http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/ In the tutorial you need to mention that the collages came from petitepaperie on Etsy and provide a link to the shop.
4. Permission for petitepaperie to post photos of your creation (with mention of your shop or website).

Sound Good? Here are the next steps …
1. Send me a convo at petitepaperie on Etsy.
2. Tell me which collage sheets you would like to use (up to 3) from my Etsy shop petitepaperie.
3. Describe the item you want to create.
4. Include the link where you will be posting your tutorial.
5. Please respond by Wednesday October 14, 2009. I will select up to 10 artists to receive the free collage sheets. I'll be looking for a variety of items. I will contact the winners by Saturday, October 17, 2009.

If you are Selected …
1. I will email you the collage sheets you requested.
2. Make your art piece and then make your tutorial. Totally Tutorials http://totallytutorials.blogspot.com/
has great tips for making tutorials.
3. Post tutorial on your own blog or at Craftster, Instructables, or Cutoutandkeep. Please include a link to my shop so that people can see where to purchase the collage sheets www.petitepaperie.etsy.com
4. Sent the link to Totally Tutorials so the organizer of this great exchange can post it on her link as well.
5. Keep crafting with the free collage sheets – they are yours to keep and use over and over. Items made from collage sheets may be sold for resale.

You'll find these lovelies and much more at petitepaperie...

Etsy's Featured Seller - margotbianca

If you're like me, you love to read the interviews with Etsy's featured sellers. The story doesn't end there though. How about post-interviews with those sellers to learn about their time in the spotlight? Here's an interview with the creative and talented margotbianca, featured Nov 17, 2008.

What do you think are the reasons your shop was chosen to be featured?
I think it was because it was close to Thanksgiving, and my work is useful for entertaining and dinners. I'd also been on Etsy for about 2 years, and I'd like to think that it's because I'd been working on improving my work and taking better pictures!

What was your reaction to hearing that you'd been chosen?
Of course, I was *very* excited! I did have to re-read the convo a few times, just to be sure I was understanding correctly.

Since you couldn't run to the forums to tell us, who was the first person you told?
I'm good at keeping secrets :). I did tell my husband and my mom, though.

How much time did you have before your feature and what did you do to prepare?
About a week, I think. My first course of action was to finally figure out the paypal shipping system, which was something I needed to do anyway, and has saved me a lot of time and money since then! I also organized my computer & shipping space. The other thing I did right away was to photograph all of my available inventory.

What affect did the feature have on your shop during your time? Since then?
It generated a lot of sales in that short amount of time, as well as a sustained increase in business, that I attribute to the exposure of being featured. I still have customers today who shopped with me for the first time during my feature. Another thing that I didn't really expect to happen was that I received an inordinate number of convos. It took me months to get back to everyone, so I was making custom orders well into the holiday season. I also got convos from apparently new Etsy users with basic questions about how to use the site, photograph, and calculate shipping costs, for example. That was really interesting and exciting to me because it gave me a sense that there are brand new people coming to etsy every day.

Anything else you'd like to share about your experience?
Getting featured helped to inspire me to set up an email marketing list. I had lots of people wanting shop updates all of a sudden, so i got one started a bit after I was featured. The marketing campaign has been good for me, too, because it helps to motivate me to make new collections each month, which in turn, increases regular sales.
All in all, it was great. I was exhausted and invigorated by the end of it, and it was a lot of fun sending batiks out to all kinds of new customers. I still get excited for the sellers that I see featured, because it was such a wonderful opportunity for me.




Any links you'd like to share?
flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/margot_b_myers/
twitter:(i don't use it that often, but i tweet my email campaigns. some would prefer a tweet to an email:) http://twitter.com/margotbianca

Congratulations to margotbianca!

Read more of my interviews with Featured Sellers here.

Exchange Program - Free Charms and Beads from beadsncharms

This is the newest exchange happening at Totally Tutorials. It's an Exchange Program where I'm matching up Supply Sellers and Tutorial Creators. The supply sellers are offering up free supplies in exchange for the receivers creating fabulous tutorials using their supplies.

Beadsncharms is offering to send one supply set to each of three artists. Each set includes 1 gold plated butterfly charm, 4 vintage Lucite flowers, 4pcs of 4mm cream plastic pearls and 2 pcs of 8mm light pink plastic pearls.

If you're one of the lucky ones to receive these gorgeous pieces from beadsncharms, you'll create something stunning with them, documenting each step in a tutorial to be posted on your blog. Please be sure to link to her in your tutorial, mentioning the supplies of hers that you used. She may use your photos and link to your tutorial in her supply listings. Your tutorial will also be posted on Totally Tutorials. You get free supplies to test out and a bit of exposure for your blog. You're free to keep or sell the piece that you make.

So, what can YOU make with this charm, the flowers, and beads?

Please read the guidelines on Totally Tutorials explaining how exchanges work. Then apply for this exchange by contacting beadsncharms on etsy. Be sure to give her links to your blog and online shop (if you have one). She's looking for creative artists with an online presence that take great photos.

If you have any questions, please contact her directly.

Applications for this exchange will be accepted until October 6, 2009. The winners will be notified October 7. Please have your tutorials complete and submitted by November 14.

Be sure to submit your tutorial to Totally Tutorials when it's complete!

Please check Totally Tutorials for more exchanges.

Could you use some great tips on how to create a fabulous tutorial? ArtMind's got it all covered here.

You'll find these beautiful pieces and much more at beadsncharms...

More Fabric Flowers

As I said in an earlier post, I've been going flower crazy. I've made quite a few now and love the way these turned out! I made two wrist cuffs featuring my fabric roses. Actually, the grey one below is ribbon.

After making all of these roses, I started snipping, stitching, rolling and folding to see what would happen. Pretty interesting results, huh? I made four sets of three.
Now I'm experimenting with mostly ribbon flowers and I think I'm enjoying these the most. I'll have photos to share of those soon.

I just have to decide what to do with all of these! I considered selling flowers as a supply for others to finish off. I'm rethinking that now because some of the flowers are quite time consuming. If it's going to be a supply, the cost usually needs to be kept down so that a profit can be made later from the finished product. I'm thinking now of turning them into pins that can be used as brooches or pinned to a bag, scarf, hat, shawl - anything. I'll also use them for wrist cuffs and possibly necklaces. Or maybe I'll sell them as supplies. Ug. Only time will tell!

Exchange Program - Free Supplies for Tutorials - SupplyPusher

This is the newest exchange happening at Totally Tutorials. It's an Exchange Program where I'm matching up Supply Sellers and Tutorial Creators. The supply sellers are offering up free supplies in exchange for the receivers creating fabulous tutorials using their supplies.



This one has a bit of a twist though! SupplyPusher is offering you a creative challenge! She has put together sets of items that might not normally go together - things that require a little imagination to use in one piece. Each artist may choose one set to work with and will use as many of those pieces as possible for their creation. Artists may alter the items in any way. For example, the person who gets the necktie can cut it up, etc. We're hoping that you all will come up with all types of creations including art dolls, textiles, collages, scrapbooks, cards, mixed media, etc. We encourage artists to step out of your comfort zone and work with/incorporate elements outside of your normal mediums (ex. maybe a jewelry maker can try an art doll).

If you're one of the lucky ones to receive these fun and unique sets from SupplyPusher, you'll create one amazing piece with them, documenting each step in a tutorial to be posted on your blog. Please be sure to link to her in your tutorial, mentioning the supplies of hers that you used. She may use your photos and link to your tutorial in her supply listings. Your tutorial will also be posted on Totally Tutorials. You get free supplies to test out, a creative challenge, and a bit of exposure. You're free to keep or sell the piece that you make.

So, what can YOU make with one of these sets? Which one would you choose?

Please read the guidelines on Totally Tutorials explaining how exchanges work. Then apply for this exchange by contacting SupplyPusher on etsy or emailing her at supplypusher at gmail dot com. When applying, please let her know which set you'd like as well as a link to your blog/website. There's only one of each exact set pictured. She may be able to send you something very similar if the one pictured is already spoken for. She's looking for creative artists with an online presence that take great photos.

If you have any questions, please contact her directly.

Applications for this exchange will be accepted until September 22, 2009.

Could you use some great tips on how to create a fabulous tutorial? ArtMind's got it all covered here.

Be sure to submit your tutorial to Totally Tutorials when it's complete!

Please check Totally Tutorials for more exchanges.

Just one more thing....SupplyPusher has her own terrific program where she offers a $10 store credit to any of her buyers that allow her to use photos of creations made using her supplies (She has to approve the photos, of course.) You can read all of the details in her profile. You can also see an example in her filigree star listing. Participants in her Tutorial Exchange are not qualified for the $10 credit. You're already receiving the supplies for free after all. For those of you that aren't into tutorial making, this is your chance for free supplies and a bit of exposure.
Here are SupplyPusher's sets to choose from...
1. Photograph set- tin, old photo, vintage watch face, sparrow charm

2. Vintage flowers set- vintage plastic flowers, kissing boy and girl charm

3. Filigree set- large filigree, jump rings, beads, headpin, feather charm, brass ring

4. Wood set- charms- heart, whale, spoon, penny farthing, link chain, misc wood pieces

5. Lens set- vintage eyeglass lens, ball chain, link chain, jump rings, headpin, a couple of semiprecious beads

6. Milagro set- 2 arms, 2 legs, 2 wings, jump rings, headpins

7. Indian coin set- 2 Indian coins, shell button, misc beads, jump rings

8. Skeleton key- tin, skeleton key, verdigris leaf

9. Necktie set- vintage necktie, jump ring, headpins, large plastic crystal, hot air balloon charm

10. Button set- ball chain, fork charm, cone bead cap, 4 vintage buttons, flexible plastic flower


Ok, get to applying!

You'll find these beautiful pieces and much more at SupplyPusher...

Too Many Ideas, Too Little Time - Fabric Roses

I'm feeling a bit scattered lately. I've been wanting to come up with new wrist cuffs for winter. I have so many different ideas. I keep coming up with them and adding them to my list. Then I start playing around with them to test them out. I've started so many different things. My sewing table is a disaster with all of the materials, bits and pieces of semi-finished, some successful, some not - pieces. I get to feeling anxious when my sewing table is messy. I don't like having too many projects going at once, so I'm not feeling very comfortable. I just keep starting in on new ideas though. Help. Why do I keep starting new things??? Because I can hardly wait to see if the next idea will be as wonderful in reality as I think it's going to be.

So, let me just show you some of what I've been doing. Now this is only the result of ONE of my new ideas. I want to make wrist cuffs with three dimensional flowers. I've already done some with ribbon roses. I want to make some now with different materials. Of course I had to try several different methods too.


Here are my first cotton roses. Fail. I thought that the printed fabrics would be cute. Not. The details of the roses disappear, especially with black. I ironed them to flatten out the petals. More failage.


Then I started playing with ric rac. This was pretty fun. I was trying different things, getting different results. I really like all of them except for that %$#&!# in the bottom right of the photo. That was made using baby ric rac. Never, ever again will I attempt a rose from baby ric rac. That stuff is just too tiny to work with. Luckily the resulting rose isn't even pretty. (Excuse all of the thread tails. I left them on in case I decide to sew them to something later.


Lastly I tried a different rose method using cotton (the polka dotted ones in the back). I like the one on the left - the shape, not the printed fabric. It's nice and full. I'm not happy at all with the one on the right. They were made with the exact same sized fabric, just two different methods. Of course the method for the one I like is much more time-consuming and difficult than the other one. So I continued trying the successful method with some silk-like fabric. I think I'm in love. The pink and the grey ones above were used with my "successful method". The pink one is fluffier. The grey one is tighter. I tried yet a different way with the antique gold. That one's okay. It's pretty, but not as nice as the other two I think.

My original intention was to create wrist cuffs for winter. Hmmm. Silky roses in winter? Well maybe. Some of the other ideas I have are much better suited for winter. I wonder if they'll ever work out and see the light of day.

I think I'll go try to straighten up my sewing table then make more roses. This is rather addictive. Maybe I'll start selling roses as a handmade supply. Something to think about.

Can you spare a vote?

My plaid pincushion ring is in the Etsy Voter this week. If you think it's kinda cute, would you vote for it? I'd so appreciate it. I feel a little awkward asking for votes, but admin told us to "spread the word", so that's what I'm doing. The top picks will be featured in the Gift Guides and on the etsy blog. To be honest, I'm not really concerned with being the big winner. A bit of extra exposure is what I'm after. Care to help me get it? Thank you!! Voting ends September 7, 2009.

The End of Summer is Here

The summer is drawing to a close. The kids are back in school. I had many goals that I wanted to accomplish this summer. Looking back, I've done quite well.

I've gotten my embroidered items going online in a new etsy shop and on my personal site. My embroidered jewelry is even in two gallery gift shops! They're in the National Museum of the Arts for Women Gift Shop in Washington, DC and the Washington County Arts Council Gallery Shop in Hagerstown, MD.

I also applied to Trunkt and got my portfolio going. I joined facebook and got my business page going. I've already got 99 fans. Not sure how that happened! When I get to 100, I suppose I get my personalized facebook address. I'll have to look into that.

I've created several things for upcoming craft shows - my cute embroidered apron, displays for my wrist cuffs and an embroidered banner. My husband just finished up the display for my embroidered towels. I'll have to take a photo.

I've been working on stocking up on my pincushions for the Christmas season. I've made a whole bunch of tomato rings, bunny rings, and kitty rings. I've made many strawberry, egg, peapod, cupcake, and tomato pincushions. I still want to stock up on the magnetic tins. Those are next on the list.

I'm starting work on new designs for wrist cuffs for the winter. I have many different ideas. I've been pondering them as I've been working on the pincushions. So fun!

One exciting thing happened this summer. I was contacted by a national magazine interested in featuring my pincushions in their holiday gift guide!! I am more than thrilled about this opportunity. They found me on my personal site, which somehow made it even more rewarding. I sent them the pincushions that they requested. Now I just have to wait to see if they're going to feature them. My fingers are crossed. If I do get into the magazine, I think I'll need to stock up a bit more. Yikes! I should find out sometime in September. That should give me plenty of time (I think).

Before I even received that email, I had actually been thinking about contacting magazines for possible features for my personal site. I decided to go ahead and do so for a few magazines just to see what happens and in case I don't make it into the first. I wrote about my embroidered jewelry to some and about my pincushions to a few others. Well, guess what? One of them responded and asked for pincushion samples! Yay! If they do use my pincushions, it won't be until after Christmas. So, if I get into both magazines, that just might keep things going nicely for a while, huh?

There was one goal that I didn't accomplish. I had planned to seek out more wholesale accounts. I was going to create a beautiful, color brochure to mail out. That never happened. It would have been good timing to get into more shops for the Christmas season. If I don't get into the magazines, maybe I'll make time to work on getting new wholesale accounts in October. Maybe. Then again, maybe that will go on the list for next summer. :)

I hope you all had a nice, productive summer also!

So much is coming in the months ahead. My boys' and husband's birthdays are coming in the next few months, I've got a few craft shows, Thanksgiving at my house, and of course all of the Christmas preparations for my home and family. We're planning a big shin-dig for my parents' 50th anniversary in January also. I'm soooo glad that I got so much done this summer!