Monday, March 29, 2010

Spotlight Interview: Isabelle's Attic


So tell us a little about your shop and what you sell...
Hi I'm Isabelle's Attic and I have a shop that has Unique Findings. At my store you'll be able to find: animal beanies, baby items, reversible aprons/hats/purses, vintage items and more. I'm always trying to make new crafts, so make sure to keep checking!

Where did you get your etsy shop name from?
My etsy store name came from my biggest inspiration my grandmother Isabel, she was a housewife and did sewing for the family. She could take a piece of fabric and make the most beautiful dresses that you could image. I always looked forward to seeing her finished product.


Why did you start selling on Esty?
I was once doing a part time job and during break someone saw me sewing on beads on a corset I was making for myself, a few people asked me if I would ever sell it, I said I only sewed as a hobby and never sold. A girl then suggested to me I should look into etsy, after researching, I thought why not give it a try.

Where do you get inspiration for the items in your shop?
My inspiration sometimes just comes from seeing seeing different fabrics, jewels etc...like my most recent creation with the plaid Mickey fabric I just though wouldn't it be cute to see a baby wearing little booties and a little flannel mouse beanie to compliment it.


How do you keep yourself motivated to keep on selling even if times are slow?
It took me about 2 months to get my 1st sale, I kept reading the etsy news letters that were sent to me and one day I stumbled onto the forums. The forums is what kept me going the most, I've chatted with some lovely etsy members that have been so motivating, meanwhile also seeing there talents in addition to also receiving good advice to continue to improve.

What are your biggest goals for 2010?
My biggest goal on etsy, I would love to reach 100 sales :o). I will also be in the process of learning how to make cloth dolls, so stay tuned!


What is your most popular item?(Either by most views or most sales)
My most viewed items at the moment are my 2 vintage dresses, I just love vintage. The animal beanies have also been popular, uniqueness for just a small price.

Is there anyone or anything else you'd like to tell us about?
My mom is also a great sewer whom I am constantly learning and getting new ideas from, as the saying goes "2 heads are better than 1".

Where can we find you?
Etsy Shop: IsabellesAttic.etsy.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/IsabellesAttic

If you have any questions, I would love to hear from you :o)

Sunday, March 28, 2010

ExpressionsByCheree ♥BNS♥ Join US and Make Sales


In the Etsy Promotion Threads I always see BNS or BNR, so I decided to create my own and give it a shot. My reason for wanting to do this is for shops to have more exposure and make some sales. It officially started on March 27, 2010 and so far we have 1 sale. The only way to be removed from the list is if you have not checked in on the thread within a week. Right now there are a total of 10 shops on the list with a great variety of handmade items.

ALL are welcome to come on in to shop, chat or comment.
>>>One rule - only shops on the LIST can promote their shops and sales Here are the rules to join:



1. No minimum purchase required.


2. Buy from anyone on the list, then I will add your name to the bottom of the list within 24 hours.


3. Post your transaction here after purchase.


4. Please help promote this thread. The more you promote, the more sales you'll get!


5. If shop does not check in at least once a week, you will be removed from list on Saturday.


6. Please notify List Master when you leave for vacation.


7. Please check the last page for most current list of shops.



ExpressionsByCheree.etsy.com (List Master)- jewelry, hair pins & more


owlsomegifts.etsy.com- jewelry, art & more(owl everything)


teaman.etsy.com- handmade blended tea


sesenarts.etsy.com- handmade textile craft & supplies, tarot reading


buyhappiness.etsy.com- jewelry


wigglysee.etsy.com- crocheted stuffed animals/toys


rachelcart.etsy.com- OOAK ceramic tiles, pendants, pins, magnets & more


mrooart.etsy.com- scifi, fantasy & comic art prints, drawings, paintings, unique jewelry & sculpey creatures


march82329.etsy.com- vintage jewelry, feather headbands


ToadallyCuteProducts.etsy.com- handmade and personalized cards, gifts & more

By clicking on the link below you will be taken to the official thread.
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6477072

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Saturday Blog Shoppers- 03/27/2010

Welcome to the Saturday Blog Shoppers event created by Quilts Galore and More for bloggers to network. Click on the Saturday Blog Shoppers button on the right to find a list of wonderful bloggers that will post an item for sale in their Etsy Shop or if you would like to join this network.



Today, I am offering 15% off ALL of my Necklaces. During checkout enter "SBS" in notes to seller and I will refund the discount via Paypal or convo me for adjustment before checkout. This sale is only valid for today. To check out my items and proceed to checkout you can go to my shop Expressions By Cheree. Have fun checking out all the great shops and sales!!!! Please leave a comment so Bloggers will know that you've visited. Enjoy your day!!!

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Wednesday Spotlight Feature: Interview with Amy from ArtofAmy


So tell us a little about your shop and what you sell...
My Etsy Store is full of my original paintings, prints and handmade paper crafts, from Seasonal Postcards to Gifts for Mom, with each item featuring my own artwork. All items are unique and created with enthusiasm and whimsy!

Where did you get your etsy shop name from?
Out of the Blue! I am an artist named Amy so artofamy seemed… appropriate, it is both explanatory and introductory!


Why did you start selling on Esty?
I started selling on Etsy after I came across the Etsy website and was blown away with the amount of creative ideas and unique items on it! I loved that everything was handmade. I just thought I'd like to be a part of this community too!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
Where do you get inspiration for the items in your shop?
I adore Fairytales and Nonsense, which is where a LOT of my inspiration comes from. Imagination echo’s in most things I do, so I thought I would put it to good use and create things I can share with others.

How do you keep yourself motivated to keep on selling even if times are slow?
I love creating and I love to share my creations whether they sell or not. Just having people stop by and have a look is enough motivation for me. A heart every now and then helps too… not to mention having a great partner who gives me strength and encouragement when I need it most.


What kind of mediums do you use and why?
I use acrylic paint, its fast, solid and good quality. I always have new things I want to paint, so this is the most efficient medium for me when it comes to my Artwork.

What are your biggest goals for 2010?
To make my FIRST sale! …and from there, to keep people interested and keep my store alive!

What is your most popular item?(Either by most views or most sales)
My Carnival Print seems get the most views. This piece features a cute girl in a white dress next to a merry-go-round giraffe. My Mother's Day gift sets are getting a nice amount of views too!



Is there anyone or anything else you'd like to tell us about?
Stop by my Blog sometimes, I would love to hear any suggestions you might have on what I should paint or create next!

A big thanks to all those who have visited my Etsy store and left me a Heart! Extremely appreciated! Thanks guys!

Where can we find you?
Etsy Shop: www.artofamy.etsy.com

Blog: http://www.artofamy.blogspot.com/

Flickr: www.flickr.com/people/artofamy

Jpgmag: www.jpgmag.com/people/artofamy










Saturday, March 20, 2010

Saturday Blog Shoppers- March 20, 2010

Welcome to the Saturday Blog Shoppers event created by Quilts Galore and More for bloggers to network. Click on the Saturday Blog Shoppers button on the right to find a list of wonderful bloggers that will post an item for sale in their Etsy Shop or if you would like to join this network.

Today, I am offering 20% off ALL of my Hair Pins, Bookmarks and Cell Phone Charms. During checkout enter "SBS" in notes to seller and I will refund the discount via Paypal. This sale is only valid for today. To check out my items and proceed to checkout you can go to my shop Expressions By Cheree. Have fun checking out all the great shops and sales!!!! Please leave a comment so Bloggers will know that you've visited. Enjoy your day!!!

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Interview with Patricia from SoapyBlessings

So tell us a little about your shop and what you sell...

I sell hand-crafted soaps from the simplistic to fun and creative designs, colors and fragrances. Most of my shop is dedicated to soaps, but I also sell other bath products that compliment my soaps.

Where did you get your etsy shop name from?
My shop is called Soapy Blessings. Soapy Blessings reflected my shop and business concept. I chose it due to a story I wrote several years ago.

Why did you start selling on Esty?
Etsy seemed to be a natural choice once I started making soaps. I knew I needed an online venue for more sales. I tried eBay at first but didn't have much success there. I found Etsy quite by accident one day while cruising around the internet.


Where do you get inspiration for the items in your shop?

My inspiration comes from some of the newest fragrance oils available. Sometimes, it comes from the colors in nature that I love; and sometimes it comes from suggestions by other people like my own family and friends. Sometimes I wake up from dreaming about something that inspires me. I look in nature and wonder, "how could I relate this to soap?"

How do you keep yourself motivated to keep on selling even if times are slow?
I deliberately plan little “vacations” away from actual soap making so that I can focus on creative methods of selling, promoting, research and increasing my knowledge base.


What kind of mediums do you use and why?
To create soap, there are three basic ingredients: an oil-based substance, a water-based substance, and sodium hydroxide. It gets more complex and creative from there when you begin to choose the additives, oil and water selections or if you plan to add colors etc. Then, how you're going to shape and mold it. There are several different methods for making soap; cold process, hot process, hand-milled, melt and pour. I use them all, but my current favorite seems to be hot process which gives me more freedom to add fragrances that stay better in the soap.

What are your biggest goals for 2010?
Still working on some signature soap collections, some different methods of promotion and selling ideas. I would like to extend my craft fair venue, but may not be able to this year due to my secular work schedule.

What is your most popular item?(Either by most views or most sales)
Bug Be Gone Soap, which contains natural essential oils known to repel insects. It is my summer-time best seller far above all other items. I use it myself in conjunction with my Bug Be Gone fragrance balm when I’m out and about in buggy areas. My entire family uses it, as does most of our neighborhood on warm summer evenings. During the rest of the year, it is a real hodge-podge of what seems to sell best. Lavender soaps always seem to sell well. I make them year-round, unlike many of my other soaps which are made on a seasonal basis only.


Is there anyone or anything else you'd like to tell us about?
Hand-crafted soaps have a long history of use. They slowly went out of favor when new cleansers/detergents were discovered. Due to many skin irritations from some of these newer liquid soaps and bars of soap that are a little more than detergent, hand-crafted soap has come back into favor over the last few years. If you haven’t tried a properly made hand-crafted soap, you are missing out on one of life’s personal indulgences that is also affordable.

Where can we find you?
Etsy Shop: http://www.soapyblessings.etsy.com/
Twitter: www.Twitter.com/SoapyBlessings
Facebook Fan Page: www.Facebook.com/soapyblessings
Blog Site: http://www.jabonsoaps.blogspot.com/


Monday, March 15, 2010

Interview with Mary from Marysmaids


So tell us a little about your shop and what you sell...
My shop is a fantasy delight of mermaid dolls in various sizes, shapes and venues.

Where did you get your etsy shop name from?
I wanted to match my name (Mary) to my craft (mermaids). So I chose the name (marysmaids) from the nursery rhyme "Mary Mary Quite Contrary"-
"Mary Mary quite contrary, how does your garden grow? With silver bells, and cockle shells, and pretty maids all in a row."

Why did you start selling on Esty?
I saw Etsy featured on a morning news show and decided to give it a try.



Where do you get inspiration for the items in your shop?
I live in a seaside town and I have anyways been fascinated with ocean lore.

How do you keep yourself motivated to keep on selling even if times are slow?
By thinking of new and different ways to feature mermaids.



What kind of mediums do you use and why?
I love felt; it's easy to work with and looks good. I also scour thrift shops, dollar store, etc for items to use with my mermaids.

What are your biggest goals for 2010?
To win the mermaid design contest for the city of Norfolk. The winner has their design diplayed all over the city.

What is your most popular item?(Either by most views or most sales)
My Wedding Mermaid; a great alternative to a bouquet

Is there anyone or anything else you'd like to tell us about?
I started designing and making mermaid dolls 13 years ago as a positive result of a long illness. I gave it up for a few years and worked a conventional job but recently returned to one of my true loves. I've sold these dolls at art shows, art galleries, seaside shops and online. If I bring happiness or give comfort...Good karma.

Where can we find you?
Etsy Shop http://www.marysmaids.etsy.com
Twitter http://www.marys_mermaids.twitter.com
Facebook Fan Page http://www.facebook.com/mary.krippendorf
Myspace http://www.myspace.com/marysmaids
Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/marysmaids/

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Saturday Blog Shoppers Event- March 6th, 2010


Welcome to the Saturday Blog Shoppers event created by Quilts Galore and More for bloggers to network. Click on the Saturday Blog Shoppers button on the right to find a list of wonderful bloggers that will post an item for sale in their Etsy Shop or if you would like to join this network.

Today, I am offering 20% off ALL of my NECLACES. During checkout enter "SBS" in notes to seller and I will refund the discount via Paypal. This sale is only valid for today. To check out my items and proceed to checkout you can go to my shop Expressions By Cheree. Have fun checking out all the great shops and sales!!!! Please leave a comment so Bloggers will know that you've visited.