The Say Anything Thread - Take 9

[chri'stina 190]

I haven't put anything up yet, only created the name. Still reading into it, how it works with selling and money and all that. As soon as I really open it, I'll send you the link.

Do you sell a lot Stina? I have seen some easy peasy beanies on there for $25 and they take about an hour to make, so I hope someone will be interested in my squirrel beanies. I even ordered woven labels to saw into the beanies.

They look like this.

Those labels are cute. I don't have labels. Boo. I'll order some eventually(for my pillows).

I think if you are using wool (I think I read that somewhere here?) that automatically makes it worth more money on Etsy. My mom was selling really simple beany hats crocheted from yarn, but not wool yarn, for like $13 I think but she could charge more. And with wool you can charge even more, and with more detail on the hat, charge even more, lol. You can start a little high and always reduce a tiny bit if no one buys after a few weeks.

I don't sell a lot compared to some people on Etsy...but I have been selling at least one thing a week for awhile now, and some weeks a few items during the week. It's enough to make some extra cash for my pocket. It takes awhile for a shop to get noticed by more and more people.

I joined Etsy mid October and I show 42 sales now, some of those were family members out of state who bought or a friend, but hey it was still money. Now I am getting more and more strangers buying which is very fun to me. And I have sold to Canada and the UK already too. My necklaces have been selling pretty well. Certain pillows too. But like I said, 1-2 items a week is the avg for me. Sometimes I sell more. My mom joined the same time as me and has sold over 70 items already. She crochets and in Nov and Dec she sold lots and lots of scarflettes, cowls, ear warmer headbands, and etc.

Good luck!!

[chri'stina 190]

You guys mentioned bees, I just sold a cute bee and locket necklace. I wanted to keep it, haha but I can always get the supplies to make another one for me. I end up wanting to keep most of the necklaces I put together, but like getting the money more. lol.

sorry kinda big pic

[LaL 418]

Yay for Etsy! We need a thread here on VJ that won't be shut down for advertising.

*off to go PM Captain*

[Ms. Squirrel 11]

I love that bee, Stina! Beautiful!! I really like your pillows as well, they are gorgeous. I ordered the labels from a UK shop, the were not very expensive. Let's see what the ylook like when they get here.

Esty people rock!

Pedro is helping me with setting up the site...it's called Ms. Squirrel's Place

Edited February 18, 2009 by Ms. Squirrel

[LaL 418]

Cute I couldnt come up with anything clever, and I didnt want it to be too cutesy since I think my stuff isnt really "cute", ya know? Since I will be doing prints of my artwork - the name Bunny Prints was tossed around, but I just wound up using my name. Not very original, but I think easy to remember (I hope).

Setting up the site? You mean customizing it? I am still working on a logo for mine - but ACK I am awful at graphics. I am having loads of trouble creating it.

[chri'stina 190]

Thanks.

Etsy is very addictive and fun LOL. It'll be exciting when you two have your shops all set up! For the banner, I just used copyright/royalty-free vintage clip art I found online...but I have changed it a few times. I may change it again soon. Who knows. I don't have business cards yet either like most Etsy sellers. Now with a lot of things I am at a little of a standstill because of going to India on the 26th. I don't want to order any new stuff and have it arrive while I'm away.

[LaL 418]

Arrgh. Hopefully I can get rid of this headache to work on my logo today. Have you considered trademarking your store names? I looked into it - but just put it on the to do list

[chri'stina 190]

Another bit of info...if anyone knows how to do an RSS feed thing you can do that for your shop and have it show up in google search results. Suj had to help me do it b/c I don't really have a clue. We haven't updated it in awhile though, we probably need to do that.

[Ms. Squirrel 11]

Cute I couldnt come up with anything clever, and I didnt want it to be too cutesy since I think my stuff isnt really "cute", ya know? Since I will be doing prints of my artwork - the name Bunny Prints was tossed around, but I just wound up using my name. Not very original, but I think easy to remember (I hope).

Setting up the site? You mean customizing it? I am still working on a logo for mine - but ACK I am awful at graphics. I am having loads of trouble creating it.

Ahh cool Laura, I want to see some of your stuff!! I didn't realise you had a shop as well.

Yeah, customising the site, Pedro is putting together a banner for me. I am going for brown with pink writing. I am really excited, i always thought I was the least creative person ever.

Thanks.

Etsy is very addictive and fun LOL. It'll be exciting when you two have your shops all set up! For the banner, I just used copyright/royalty-free vintage clip art I found online...but I have changed it a few times. I may change it again soon. Who knows. I don't have business cards yet either like most Etsy sellers. Now with a lot of things I am at a little of a standstill because of going to India on the 26th. I don't want to order any new stuff and have it arrive while I'm away.

Ohh business cards! Very cool idea! I was thinking of getting some for my flickr account, since I like showing my pics to people.

India will be great, maybe you can find lots of crafty things over there, beads and fabrics and use them for your items. You have so much potential.

Btw, do you add an invoice to the stuff you sent out to customers?

[LaL 418]

I have a shop in name only so far - the paintings are on my FB to pre-view. Everything else I am still working on (logo, TM, business cards, mailing materials, the actual printmaking, and now RSS feed!!)

[LaL 418]

Ok I haz teh dumb because I cannot figure out the customization of the page.

[chri'stina 190]

Sometimes I send an invoice and sometimes I don't, LOL. I know, not consistent. Lately I have been writing "full invoice available on your etsy/paypal account". I read in the Etsy forums about it, and there are mixed feelings. You could always say you are cutting down in paper waste, since Etsy is a place for hippy attitudes hehe, so you don't print out invoices unless requested, or you can if you just want to.

I did make a small paper I send, I cut out with scissors that makes the edges scalloped that says thanks for your business, and my etsy website address, etc. I used the girl with the umbrella from my shop banner on the print outs. They are like 3" x 3" printed on nicer paper I had laying around for years. It's like my version of a business card. Also I ordered from another seller tags that they made with a coffee theme, so I usually wrap the order all pretty and girly and add the coffee tag with the name of the item or a thank you with my name handwritten.

Edited February 18, 2009 by Parivar CSK

[Ms. Squirrel 11]

Ok I haz teh dumb because I cannot figure out the customization of the page.

LOL

Stina, I like your idea with the compliments slip type thing, that is a great idea.

I think an invoice would make it very official, so just a little thank you notw should be good enough. If someone needs an invoice, they can just ask for one. Also less hassle for the seller. My Mom already started talking about me having to pay business tax here in Germany and I had to politely tell her to STFU. She still hates the beanies.

Cool idea with the smoke/ pet free additional info on your site. My items will come with extra cat hair.

Edited February 18, 2009 by Ms. Squirrel

[Marilyn. 340]

those beanies are cute.. don't listen to your mom

[Ban Hammer 13,334]

well blah, it looks like i'm going to lose my kitty today. he's still not eating, no improvement, and he's been at the vet since mon morning.