Etsy Starters Guide by BubbaRye

First of all what is an Etsian?Etsian (et-c-ann): 1) an artisan (crafter) who has located the handmade site Etsy, and has grown obsessed with it. 2) an artisan (crafter) who has become intwined in a community of artisans (crafters) on www.etsy.com. 3) an artisan (crafter) who may at times get frustrated with getting their shop or business noticed on www.etsy.com .

Well, I started my shop Bubba and Rye on Etsy Feb 19th, 2008 (although my stat says earlier, this is when I became active). Bubba and Rye, now with over 200 sales. On July 11th, I officially opened my second shop Lilac Ave, which has over 100 sales. It was 100 times easier to get Lilac Ave up and running, knowing what I learned from opening the Bubba and Rye shop. Now I know some people interested in Etsy, and I was going to give my best tips, and figured, why not share what I know. I am not claiming to be an expert, or an Etsy hot seller, but I do ok, and there are things I have found that worked.

onesie above from http://www.monsterbugblankets.etsy.com/


Here are those tips:
1. Your photos are so hugely important!!!! I went to the critique section in the forums many times over and kept being told my photos were too dark. I tried EVERYTHING!!!! Finally these things ended up being the key for me:- use the macro setting on your camera if your items are smaller (I use this on my candles and cards). It is the tulip shaped button on your camera.- take your photos in natural light or in a light box. Do not mean in direct full sun, this will make a glare. My perfect place is on my kitchen table with the window facing north on a sunny day. Try different places around your house until you find your sweet spot. However a light box can do wonders, and I recommend that for jewelry photos. Instructions to make one are available through and online search.- Picasa is a god send! Go to google and search for picasa. It is a free photo editing program by google and can make a fantastic difference. Maker sure to crop, and give "I'm feeling lucky" a whirl. You'll see a major difference.

Sweet Card above from http://www.bubbarye.etsy.com/

2. Scream it from the rooftops! Send out a Grand Opening email to everyone you know! Most will be very supportive, and even if they don't buy from you, they can talk about you to other people. Even their sheer knowledge that Etsy exists, can be a help.There is not a person, place, animal, rock, that I haven't talked to about Etsy. You'll find as the obsession grows this is a very easy task, and someone may tell you to shut it at some point.

Rug above from http://www.thechameleonsattic.etsy.com/

3. Be part of the Etsy Community. Go to www.etsy.com , then go to community, and there are our forums, where so many questions can be answered and info by experienced sellers read. There is also a teams section. There may be a team for you. I am part of the Etsy Homefront Team, which is for military spouses. I am also part of Hampton Roads Artisans Street Team, which is a local group of Etsians in the southeastern Virginia area. Not only are these teams a great support, but also help you attack promotion as a team, rather than by yourself. Together you can create treasuries to get noticed, you can have group promos, or even have a local show like I am with my HRAST group.

Burp Cloth Set from http://www.smocksnstuff.etsy.com/

4. Get your product seen. This is best done by listing or renewing daily. This helps get your items to the top of the search category and getting new eyes on your product daily. I call it the invitation to your shop.Recently I've found www.twitter.com. This is a great place to post new or renewed listing to get your views better, and get more attention to your item, and your shop.You also want to study your views and hearts. The most awesome tool is Majaba...Mah-who-ba? www.majaba.org It is a website to help you track views on items, to see how much your views increased after promoting. Really without this running an Etsy shop can be a blind mission. By the way, you can even advertise on majaba for a small marketing fee.


A delicious treat from http://www.nikid.etsy.com/

5. The more the merrier. In both shops business increased after I had more than 30 items in the shop. Why? Because your customers have choices. They feel like they are shopping and are sure about their purchase when they check out. I know this sounds unimportant, but it really does matter, it somehow gives the perception of established, professional business.You'll see a lot on Etsy about using Flicker, MySpace, Facebook, Blogging. I have to say, if this is not something you do anyway or are savvy with, I am not sure that it increases views or sales. It has to be something you are into doing, and not just doing to gain sales. For instance I m not a myspace or facebook natural (or arguably a blogger). This seemed like a chore, and I wasn't really connected with that community...absence isn't going to bring them to you. All this info is for you to take in and digest, and spit back out the right formula for your shop. These are the things that have helped me, and will hopefully help in your Etsy business as well.

I hope these tips can in someway help your own Etsy business!

Shipping Phobia by SewHappyFabricShop

I’ve been selling on etsy for over a year now, and I have to admit, I was clueless about shipping in the beginning. I always guessed about my calculation, sometimes went to USPS.com to calculate shipping, and then dragged myself and my children into the post office only to discover that I had guessed wrong and was now out $1…or more. I knew that Paypal offered a shipping program, but I was timid about using it.

Most of my fellow Homefront Team members are well versed in shipping, but after receiving a package recently from a top seller on etsy who didn’t use Paypal shipping, I decided to write a post about the subject.

So you accept Paypal… why should you use the shipping feature?
First of all, if you use Paypal, you are paying for it. And by shipping through the postal service on Paypal, you get discounted fees. For example, if I waltz into the post office and ask for confirmation on my first class package, it’s going to cost me 75 cents. Online through Paypal will only cost 18 cents.

Secondly, it is easy. Really. You will need a small scale that will fit your product, but that is the only equipment required.

Third, it looks professional.

Now, how to do it?
Ebay has a great link at http://pages.ebay.com/usps/shippingitems/labels.html which is applicable to your Paypal account for etsy users too.

Personally, I print off my order details from the Sold Items page in Etsy. This allows me to keep my orders straight and checked off as I ship. It also provides me with their shipping address and any notes that may affect shipping that I can look at once I have logged into my Paypal account.

When I’m ready to ship, I log into Paypal. Basically, when you look at your account in Paypal, you will see the payment you received and a button to the right that says “print shipping label”. Don’t be scared.

Click on the button, and it will show the information to be printed. Double check the address of your buyer on the right hand side with your etsy statement. In the center of the page, you will be able to select your shipping method (first class, priority, etc). For less than 13 ounces, you can use first class. Over that weight, use priority mail (unless you are using media mail, and then compare first class weights as it is sometimes less expensive and quicker).

Weight your item and enter the amount. Select confirmation if you want it (18 cents for first class, free with priority mail). Continue on, and print your label.

What should you print on?
I personally use these shipping labels. **
It makes life easier for me. However, you can absolutely print on a regular piece of paper, cut off the confirmation side, and save that for your records. Then tape the “label” onto your package. Just make sure the bar code section is not taped over. (Personally, I make two printed copies of my Etsy sold statement, then stick the confirmation label on the back side so that I can put my hands on both pieces of information if needed.)

You’re done. If you selected confirmation, your customer just got an email with that information. You can log back into Paypal and track any of your shipments.

I have never tried the postal pick up, but I know that many sellers swear by the USPS.com feature which allows you to request your mailman drop by and pick up your package. I have ordered priority mail supplies and received them within a week or two.

I hope that if you haven’t used the Paypal feature, you will give it a try. Please feel free to convo me for any additional information.

-Thanks to Becky for her article contribution http://sewhappyfabricshop.etsy.com

How An Etsy Shop Is Born by lyneya

Just a quick word of introduction...I'm a working mom of a two year old boy. It was in the interest of providing him with safe and beautiful playthings that I ventured into the crazy world of etsy and opened my own little shop, Lyneya's Toys. I firmly believe in creating well rounded little men and providing a variety of house-play toys and dolls to nurture.

Boys are NOT the same as girls and never will be. But little boys grow up to be fathers and husbands and need to learn the same house-keeping and parenting skills through pretend play. So I set off to find my son a buddy to take care of. I finally found a style I liked, but they were all adorable little girl dolls. I set out to make my own and loved the process! I had so much trouble finding a contemporary little boy doll that I liked, that I decided to make a few extra before Christmas and see how they did! Turns out...other mamas out there wanted boy dolls! And my shop was born.

Every doll I send out to another little boy makes me smile. I know that his new buddy is destined for fun adventures. There might not be a lot of tea parties and princesses in its future, but if their new homes are anything like our house, there will be trains to conduct, jungles to explore, and farms to run. And everything is more fun with a buddy!!

To see Lyneya's shop, visit:

http://www.lyneya.etsy.com

H.E.A.R.T.- Team Charity Event

The Homefront Team is very excited to announce a charity event theywill be holding this year. Beginning on March 1st, various Homefrontmembers will be listing an item in their store for the event we arecalling "HEART". HEART stands for "Homefront Etsy Artisans ReturningThanks". Because we are a team of military spouses, we have chosen acharity that is near and dear to our hearts, The Fisher House.http://www.fisherhouse.org/ The Fisher House is an organization thatworks to support military families in the time of greatest need, byproviding a home away from home so that family members can be close totheir loved ones during the most stressful time during hospitalizationfor an illness, disease or injury. Starting on March 1st, buyers cando a search on Etsy for the tag "Homefront Charity" and see a list ofitems where 100% of the proceeds will be given to the Fisher House onJuly 1st of this year. We hope readers will help us to make our firstcharity event a successful one for this great cause.

Visual Merchandising Tips from 1MaddieAndMe

So, last week at Gingerly Dressed I was talking to my friend Ginger and asked her why one of her vendors did SO well while the rest of us are along the mediocre lines. Her response was enlightening and so I thought I'd share it with everyone.First, she said Molly has all her own displays, they are similar in color scheme and design no matter what shop you go in, people KNOW its a *Molly Said* product.
Second, she told me Molly's philosophy about keeping things stocked. I've been SO used to the internet way of only stocking things one at a time that I wasn't showing full stock there. It looked like slim pickings and who wants to purchase a product when there isn't a large variety? Ginger tells me that Molly's stocking philosophy is let them decide "which one do I want?", not "do I want one?" Ah HA! So, as you can tell, Molly is the one who is making all the profits while I am making sales, but not lots.
So here is the beginnings of the cabinet, how I found it and the current status of it:Yesterday, before going to the Foothills Fall Festival (where incidentally Molly's booth is packed with product AND customers) we stopped by a garage sale on my road. I walked up to them and said I know exactly what I need BUT have no idea what it is! They looked at me a little strange, but once I explained the dilemma of needing a display cabinet and not knowing if I need a wall hanging shelf unit, a free standing unit, or what they pointed me toward the other side of the driveway where the furniture is.TA DA! It was like a beam of light came down from the heavens and shown right on this old stereo cabinet! It had been marked 50% off already and she went down even more. For $22 I got a wood cabinet that was going to get a coat of paint and be ready to go... or so I thought.It started this dark mahogany wood color (as pictured on the still unpainted door), I picked up a can of kilz (paint primer) and a long handled yet narrow roller.

I knew this was going to not be a spray paint job as the shelves were too narrow to spray paint so with Maddie's "help" we started the fist coat of paint.After I took her to visit with her grandparents I did a second coat thinking "OK, that should do it." And now I've put three coats of KILZ primer on and am thinking that I need to go get some semi-gloss white to put over the primer.I plan to do the cabinet doors in the same shade green that "Mommy's" shirt is in my logo and put something to block the windows out (maybe a large print pic from each logo on the back of the glass) and keep the doors closed with that area as back stock. So, after the third coat I was sitting on my bum looking up and noticed that the shelves were screwed in and could have / make that CAN be removed. I am now thinking of removing those shelves (when the third coat is dry) and painting them the same green as the cabinet doors to make it more interesting. Also, I plan to ATTEMPT to stencil the shop name "Mommy's Little Helper" on the sides of the entire unit. Did I mention that I am very creative, but NOT so artistic? We'll see how this goes and I will post the final pictures of it when its complete as well as the ones of it in the shop and fully stocked. For now, back to it!

Turn Your Radio On...

…your Blockhead Radio that is. This Saturday, February 14th, at 1:00 EST, the HOMEFRONT Teams from Etsy, 1000Markets, and HyenaCart will be featured on BlockheadRadioLive.com.

What is Blockhead Radio? Blockhead Radio is an independent 24/7 live internet radio station. Their shows are centered around independent/self representing artisans. From the artist, to the musician, to the author, to the crafter: these shows help bring the talent and work of artisans to the collector and consumer. Blockhead Radio’s goal is to “Expose Artisans to the World.”

Who can participate? You can! Blockhead Radio is an interactive program that allows you to join in the conversation during the show. You will be able to chat with team members and other participants, ask questions and make comments about the interview and help promote the Homefront Team to the “BlogRadio” world.

How do you do it? Simple! On Saturday, February 14th, OR right now, visit http://www.blockheadradiolive.com/ to create a user name. This takes about 5-7 minutes total time between creating your user name and receiving your email confirmation. On the day and time of the show sign in with your user name and you will be ushered into the chat room. Just as a side note, when there are no live interviews being conducted, BlockheadRadio offers a jamming music program featuring independent music artists. Leave it on all day!

Please join Teri of TerisTreasure, Brandi of SmockNStuff , Emily of Ella-Bear Bowtique and the Homefront Team on Saturday, February 14th for BlockheadRadioLive

Work Space at Home by TerryAnn

When I first started my little home based business, it was difficult to find space for my sewing machines, the computer and the shipping/wrapping supplies. It was all over the house, especially the computer stuff! I was always in there working away, missing out on the family stuff that was going on just down the hall. We have a "great" room that has the living area, dining area and the kitchen completely connected, not very fung shui, but very cozy for family relaxing and communication. We had this TV cabinet that was not being used for a TV.
I finally solved my "disconnect" by moving all my computer stuff in to it and rolling it right into the kitchen. I put my whole computer desk in this one space, with supplies and a cork board on the inside of the doors to pin important stuff. I put a keyboard drawer just under one of the shelves, and the printer fit in the bottom. I hang my computer glasses just inside. I have my favorite amiguri Kitty mascot on top of my computer tower to watch over me. Sometimes even my real kitty runs by...........
At bedtime or when we have visitors I simply close the doors and it is just a nice cabinet sitting along the wall in the kitchen. Then when I need to get to work I open the doors and roll up my chair. Organization is my middle name, and having it all in a central area so I can work and still bond with my family is the best of all possible outcomes! I hope my idea gives you ideas how to keep the home in home based business.

Terry Ann Wilson
http://terryann.etsy.com/
http://terryann.dawanda.com/
http://terryann.silkfair.com/
http://justsoterryann.blogspot.com/
Other Homefront Members Workspaces:

Lilac Ave Soy Candles
http://www.lilacave.etsy.com/
After making many wax rings in the kitchen microwave and on the counters, we moved it back into the guest room. It gives me room to make and store my inventory, and smells great!
Creations Anew
www.creationsanew.etsy.com/
My desk & computer are where all my creative work is accomplished... hehe. I like the treadmill being in the office, it reminds me to take care of myself.

Monster Bug Blankets www.monsterbugblankets.etsy.com/

I grew tired of toting my sewing machine out to the dining room table and back every time we needed to eat. We had this one little room we used as a library and I set up my sewing machine on an old German fest table in front of the windows--right in the sunshine!--and then slowly took over the rest of the room!

Geek Details www.geekdetails.etsy.com

My Etsy store had really taken off over Christmas and it was difficult to go from closet to closet finding various items not to mention my house was disorganized and bothering me. I jokingly asked on the Homefront thread if I was weird for wanting to move it all to the big master bedroom and move our bed to the smallest room in our house. The HFT told me to go for it, I asked my husband and he agreed to try it.