This debate needs to stay front and center, so to that end...
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What Little Girls Are (Hand)Made Of?
One of the biggest joys in my life are my nieces. Three of them are 7 and younger, so I have a blast buying them unique, fun, handmade gifts for every holiday and sometimes just for fun! Here's a peek at some of my most favorite purchases:
Ribbon Wands!
My nieces now have 2 each, and they absolutely LOVE these things. It's a great way for them to burn off some energy while pretending to be beautiful fairies or princesses or dancers. We play with them every time I visit them, and we wear ourselves out! As a former teacher, I really appreciate the 'open-ended' play these wands inspire. It's so much fun to see how creative the girls get.
My nieces are each getting an America Girl doll this Christmas, and boy was I excited when I found this handmade doll clothes seller on Etsy! Christine from Lavenderlore does amazing work! She's great to work with, and I know I'll be back in her shop soon! I want my own baby doll now. :-)
Crocheted Cupcakes by Crocheted Little Things
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Ribbon Wands!
My nieces now have 2 each, and they absolutely LOVE these things. It's a great way for them to burn off some energy while pretending to be beautiful fairies or princesses or dancers. We play with them every time I visit them, and we wear ourselves out! As a former teacher, I really appreciate the 'open-ended' play these wands inspire. It's so much fun to see how creative the girls get.
My nieces are each getting an America Girl doll this Christmas, and boy was I excited when I found this handmade doll clothes seller on Etsy! Christine from Lavenderlore does amazing work! She's great to work with, and I know I'll be back in her shop soon! I want my own baby doll now. :-)
Crocheted Cupcakes by Crocheted Little Things
Aren't these the sweetest things? Luisa, at Crocheted Little Things, whipped these up for me. They open up like a little box so I can put some extra goodies in there for the girls!
Suzie the Grass Gal by ARTechniques - Before
After!
Suzie the Grass Gal by ARTechniques - Before
After!These little cuties were a summertime gift. Each one of my nieces got their own grass head and together we soaked them in water and then put them in little bowls near a window so they could start growing some hair! This was a fun and easy project and they loved it!
I adore handmade soap, and I'm always sending the girls different funny soaps I find on Etsy. This whole trend started about 2 years ago with Karen's Soaps Fish In A Bag:
Aren't they hilarious? (I'm easily entertained, lol!)
Wee Vermont Fairies - Sea Fairy Mermaid Doll
I adore handmade soap, and I'm always sending the girls different funny soaps I find on Etsy. This whole trend started about 2 years ago with Karen's Soaps Fish In A Bag:
Aren't they hilarious? (I'm easily entertained, lol!)
Wee Vermont Fairies - Sea Fairy Mermaid Doll
No little girl's life is complete without mermaids! This little angel was a birthday gift for my youngest niece last year. She loved it!
Well, I could go on ALL day about the wonderful handmade toys you have a your disposal! I don't ever set foot in a 'real' toy store anymore. My nieces love knowing that something new and neat-o is always on the horizon. My 7-year-old niece knows how to surf Etsy now and bookmark her favorites, lol. You gotta get 'em handmade and start 'em young!
~Lori
Well, I could go on ALL day about the wonderful handmade toys you have a your disposal! I don't ever set foot in a 'real' toy store anymore. My nieces love knowing that something new and neat-o is always on the horizon. My 7-year-old niece knows how to surf Etsy now and bookmark her favorites, lol. You gotta get 'em handmade and start 'em young!
~Lori
6 Things to Help Your Handmade Holiday Sales
This is my third holiday season as a handmade seller, and as I prepare my shop(s), myself, and my stock for the holidays, I'm also reflecting on things I've learned since I started down my own personal handmade highway. They might help you as well.
1. Much of your success as a seller and community member in the handmade world is all about perspective. Take time to consider the perspective of your customer as you decide what products to make, what sales to have and when, etc. Maybe half of Etsy is having a 25% off sale for some reason, but that if that doesn't work for you, that's okay. No need to run a crowd of customers screaming, "SALE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" when you're time is better spent getting to know those customers. A targeted sale to your mailing list, blog followers, or Twitter/Facebook followers/fans will almost always bring better results. That, and staying 'present.' Hang out in the forums a few minutes each day.
2. Take a cue of the big bad world of retail when you stock and arrange your shop. Customers are often more likely to buy if they feel like they're 'walking' into a store with a nice inventory. Use your store announcement (and listings) to your advantage. If you're inventory is low because you just did a huge craft fair, then let your customer know. If you'll have new items listed in 2 days, then say so. Offer a tease of the new product on your blog.
3. Remember that your product listings can contain more than just your info about product X. Take a peek at one of my listings: Winter Sugar Necklace. There's more in that listing than just info pertaining to that necklace. Your customers don't all come through the 'front door', so having that info in each listing is very helpful.
All of your listings, your shop announcement, and your shop policies should read like they were written by someone who's been in business for awhile. Try to anticipate any questions your customers might have and answer them. 90% of being successful is acting successful.
4. Offer enhanced value at no cost to your customer whenever possible. Do you gift wrap for free? Say so! What about stating that you offer free delivery confirmation with each U.S. order. I saw a seller touting this the other day, and I thought, 'That's pretty ingenius.' Delivery confirmation is basically built in when you ship through PayPal or any other online service, but why NOT emphasize it? Do you offer personalization, customization, expedited shipping, free gift with purchase, % off coupon with next purchase... the list goes on.
5. When you're going to have a sale, remember these important things (that I've learned):
a. Lots of people will visit and heart your shop when you're having a sale even if they don't buy. Sometimes the exposure itself is worth it.
b. No sale has to kill your profits. If you believe or know that you'll make a killing if you do a buy 1 get 1 free, for example, then limit the time span of the sale. You can always extend it later if you want to. Remember, your sales are customer appreciation events. Treat them that way, and if they appreciate you a little too much the first time, then re-calibrate the next time!
c. Be sure to be specific about what is and isn't included in your sale. Maybe your sale doesn't apply to necklaces or to gift sets. Make that clear in your sale verbage.
d. Offer your mailing list customers an extra incentive. My mailing list customers get advanced notice of any sale and therefore first pick! Let folks know the benefits of being on your list!
e. One big sale/order does not a trend make. When I first started out, each time I got a substantial order or a certain pair of earrings was selling quickly, I'd immediately go stock up (like crazy) thinking that the onslaught of demand was coming at any moment, and OMG, what if I wasn't ready? But here this... OMG, that almost never happened. If a customer loves a design that you've sold out of, they're usually more than happy to wait while you procure the supplies you need.
6. Finally, LOVE your product- to death. Make sure it shows in your pictures, banner, announcement, listings...everywhere. Happiness and excitement are contagious. Make your customers feel happy in your shop. Happiness sells. If you don't believe me, ask her:
Pictured above are: Money Mask by SpalenkaArt, Light Blue Abacus Necklace by Mrs. Dazo, Cash Money Print Gold on Tan by orangebeautiful, Shopping Shelly Clothespin Doll by Creating From the Heart, all from Etsy.
Hope this helped!
~Lori
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1. Much of your success as a seller and community member in the handmade world is all about perspective. Take time to consider the perspective of your customer as you decide what products to make, what sales to have and when, etc. Maybe half of Etsy is having a 25% off sale for some reason, but that if that doesn't work for you, that's okay. No need to run a crowd of customers screaming, "SALE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" when you're time is better spent getting to know those customers. A targeted sale to your mailing list, blog followers, or Twitter/Facebook followers/fans will almost always bring better results. That, and staying 'present.' Hang out in the forums a few minutes each day.
2. Take a cue of the big bad world of retail when you stock and arrange your shop. Customers are often more likely to buy if they feel like they're 'walking' into a store with a nice inventory. Use your store announcement (and listings) to your advantage. If you're inventory is low because you just did a huge craft fair, then let your customer know. If you'll have new items listed in 2 days, then say so. Offer a tease of the new product on your blog.
3. Remember that your product listings can contain more than just your info about product X. Take a peek at one of my listings: Winter Sugar Necklace. There's more in that listing than just info pertaining to that necklace. Your customers don't all come through the 'front door', so having that info in each listing is very helpful.
All of your listings, your shop announcement, and your shop policies should read like they were written by someone who's been in business for awhile. Try to anticipate any questions your customers might have and answer them. 90% of being successful is acting successful.
4. Offer enhanced value at no cost to your customer whenever possible. Do you gift wrap for free? Say so! What about stating that you offer free delivery confirmation with each U.S. order. I saw a seller touting this the other day, and I thought, 'That's pretty ingenius.' Delivery confirmation is basically built in when you ship through PayPal or any other online service, but why NOT emphasize it? Do you offer personalization, customization, expedited shipping, free gift with purchase, % off coupon with next purchase... the list goes on.
5. When you're going to have a sale, remember these important things (that I've learned):
a. Lots of people will visit and heart your shop when you're having a sale even if they don't buy. Sometimes the exposure itself is worth it.
b. No sale has to kill your profits. If you believe or know that you'll make a killing if you do a buy 1 get 1 free, for example, then limit the time span of the sale. You can always extend it later if you want to. Remember, your sales are customer appreciation events. Treat them that way, and if they appreciate you a little too much the first time, then re-calibrate the next time!
c. Be sure to be specific about what is and isn't included in your sale. Maybe your sale doesn't apply to necklaces or to gift sets. Make that clear in your sale verbage.
d. Offer your mailing list customers an extra incentive. My mailing list customers get advanced notice of any sale and therefore first pick! Let folks know the benefits of being on your list!
e. One big sale/order does not a trend make. When I first started out, each time I got a substantial order or a certain pair of earrings was selling quickly, I'd immediately go stock up (like crazy) thinking that the onslaught of demand was coming at any moment, and OMG, what if I wasn't ready? But here this... OMG, that almost never happened. If a customer loves a design that you've sold out of, they're usually more than happy to wait while you procure the supplies you need.
6. Finally, LOVE your product- to death. Make sure it shows in your pictures, banner, announcement, listings...everywhere. Happiness and excitement are contagious. Make your customers feel happy in your shop. Happiness sells. If you don't believe me, ask her:
Pictured above are: Money Mask by SpalenkaArt, Light Blue Abacus Necklace by Mrs. Dazo, Cash Money Print Gold on Tan by orangebeautiful, Shopping Shelly Clothespin Doll by Creating From the Heart, all from Etsy.
Hope this helped!
~Lori
Wordless Wednesday-Natalie Wyatt on Etsy
(Okay, so I know this is 'Wordless Wednesday,' but I have to say some words. I found these crayons by searching 'spooky' on Etsy. Had I seen these beauties as a kid, they would've scared the beejeebies out of me because it looks like she's reaching out of a grave.... 0_o. But now that I'm all growed up... aren't they FREAKIN' AWESOME? )
~Lori
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~Lori
Acorns-A Reconnaissance Mission
Acorn earrings are 30% off in my shop this week, so I thought I'd go on a little acorn reconnaissance mission in the Etsy search engine and see what I could find. I love seeing everyone's different interpretation and presentation of the same object. Here we go....
1. sewsewsuckertoe
2. Jamie's Jewels
3. amye123 (Note: The acorns aren't for sale in this pic. The bowl is a glass representation of a tree stump, but those acorns were too amazing to leave out!)
4. GraceFilled Hands
5. sakatagin
6. The Graphics Fairy
7. Broken Road Farm (cookies!)
8. Nixie
9. JooJooLand
10. Trampoline
11. Blissful Images
12. Amber Sky
13. Jack Rabbit
14. Adrienne Kinsella Handcrafted Goods & Artworks
15. Teachable Moments Felt Board Stories
16. LORIOLA (Isabel's Rose)
17. Paper Follie
18. Cute Designs
19. Peacock Garden
20. The Sparrow's Nest
21. Kim Sun Designs
22. The Social Seller
23. KcSoapsNMore
24. Lisa Rivas
But you certainly don't have to take my word for it! Go have a look-see yourself!
Acorns - Handmade
Acorns - Vintage
Acorns - Supplies
Yes, I'm a nut. :-)
~Lori
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1. sewsewsuckertoe
2. Jamie's Jewels
3. amye123 (Note: The acorns aren't for sale in this pic. The bowl is a glass representation of a tree stump, but those acorns were too amazing to leave out!)
4. GraceFilled Hands
5. sakatagin
6. The Graphics Fairy
7. Broken Road Farm (cookies!)
8. Nixie
9. JooJooLand
10. Trampoline
11. Blissful Images
12. Amber Sky
13. Jack Rabbit
14. Adrienne Kinsella Handcrafted Goods & Artworks
15. Teachable Moments Felt Board Stories
16. LORIOLA (Isabel's Rose)
17. Paper Follie
18. Cute Designs
19. Peacock Garden
20. The Sparrow's Nest
21. Kim Sun Designs
22. The Social Seller
23. KcSoapsNMore
24. Lisa Rivas
But you certainly don't have to take my word for it! Go have a look-see yourself!
Acorns - Handmade
Acorns - Vintage
Acorns - Supplies
Yes, I'm a nut. :-)
~Lori
Sunday Special - October 4, 2009
Today only.... buy 2 get 1 FREE at Risky Beads! You can get up to 3 free items in this deal, so it's a GREAT opportunity to stock up for the holidays! Take this opportunity to adorn yourself with some fall pretties!
Autumn Nurse Purses are back in stock, a fabulous gift for a new mommy.
There are tons of items in the Clearance section as I'm discontinuing my Risky KIDS line. Many have free shipping.
Don't forget your child's teacher. Bookmarks and keychains are timeless gifts!
{Free item must be = or less expensive than least expensive item. Do not purchase 'free' item. Request it in notes to seller or via convo. A custom order cannot be free item.}
There's still time to win a FREE Premium Zibbet Account for life!
~Lori