Thursday, September 4, 2008

♥ Get to know these artists ♥

♥ LaughingDaisy ♥
1 How did you discover Etsy?
I discovered Etsy while searching for a wooden wedding band for my husband.
2 How did you get your shop name?
I was one of those who screwed up the first time around and had a shop with a sign in name. After a year I decided to reopen with a legit shop name. Daisies are my favorite flower and I just think all of us should do a little more laughing along the way.
3 What do you do outside of Etsy?
I am a stay at home mom. Other than Etsy, it is house and baby.
4 What was life before Etsy?
Life before Etsy was good. I have more friends now though. :)
5 Where do you find inspiration for the items in your shop?
In my soul. There is a fun loving side to me that just wants to enjoy life. So all of my creations are based on this. Have fun with yourself. I spent my whole childhood trying to please everyone around me. I still do this. When it comes to my shop, I make things that make me smile and just hope other people like them.
6 Do you have a favorite item in your shop?
If so, which one?My little mushroom rings and the giant lime green sequin ring. the attention grabbers.
7 Are your family and friends supportive of your Etsy Biz?
Oh yeah. They love it.
8 What’s the biggest surprise (good or bad) you’ve discovered on Etsy?
The biggest surprise I have found on Etsy is the change in the atmosphere. I do not believe there is the same sense of togetherness as there was when I opened my first shop two years ago. That goes with it though. As it grows and more shops open that sense of community will fade. The flip side is, we have more buyers passing through now. Before it seemed we only sold to other shop owners.
9 Any advice for new or struggling “Etsyians”?
Promote as much as you can the first month your open. Don't pimp yourself out in every forum post though. You will only end up frustrated. Find one or two where you enjoy chatting and stay put. Get to know people. Whether everyone knows it or not, it is easier to sell to people who know your personality. Take good pictures. I get irritated when i see lousy pictures in shops. With digital cameras and photo editing software like picassa, there is no reason to have bad pictures. I hate to see people who have spent alot of time making something and then posted a lousy picture of it.Other than that, I would have to say....Go buy a book. Clearing clutter with feng shui. Follow the instructions to a T and make sure you keep the creative and financial areas of your home clean. You may think I am crazy but try it. In fact, I will offer a surprise to the first person who does try it. I want before and after pics as proof though. LOL
10 Please recommend one other shop on Etsy.
Just one....as far as service goes I would have to say http://cardwear.etsy.com. She is very sweet and has gone out of her way to help me when I was in a bind. Great person! Great shop!

♥ MattsCraftyWife ♥

1. How did you discover Etsy?
Someone online told me I should try it.
2. How did you get your shop name?
I had trouble deciding, so since I'm so crazy about my husband and I'm "crafty", I thought Mattscraftywife!
3. What do you do outside of Etsy?
Take care of my 5 kids, one has autism so he's quite a handful, I'm a wife to Matt, and a happy homemaker. I love God and going to church and spending time with my family.
4. What was life before Etsy?
Slightly calmer! I was constantly making things for family and friends and running out of outlets for my creativity. When I started making things to sell on Etsy, my creative juices started flowing again. I make all my own patterns now.
5. Where do you find inspiration for the items in your shop?
I love babies (can you tell?) so I make things that would be cute on them. And I make things for kitchens that will be pretty as well as useful. Of course, I love doing holiday items too!
6. Do you have a favorite item in your shop? If so, which one?
Yes, the baby girl cloche hat with flower and Mary Janes booties set.
http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=10714029
7. Are your family and friends supportive of your Etsy Biz?
Very! My husband loves to help, I ask him which picture to use on Etsy, what colors I should do, etc. He is awesome. My parents and kids are constantly giving people my cards and website address.
8. What’s the biggest surprise (good or bad) you’ve discovered on Etsy?
That I could actually make money! I thought I'd be happy to sell a few things here and there, and last month I made quite a bit of sales.
9. Any advice for new or struggling “Etsyians”?
YES, try to list something every day or a few times a week, and get involved in the forums and teams. When I joined Etsy, I purchased a few things to get some feedback. Then I waited and listed my first couple of things almost a year later. I didn't know about forums, or listing things to stay on top of searches, so nothing sold. I quit for another year, then decided to give it a go again. This time I discovered the forums and teams, and started selling things! As you read there, you learn how to get more sales. I've now been selling since February, and each month I sell more than the month before.
10. Please recommend one other shop on Etsy.
I have to pick just one!? http://charsbeads4u.etsy.com/ She has great guitar pick necklaces, other jewelry, keychains, cell phone charms and more. She's super nice and her prices are more than fair.

♥ MySpringPeaAndMe ♥
1 How did you discover Etsy?
I discovered it through the shop of my dear cyber friend Strawberryhill.
2 How did you get your shop name?
I call my daughter spring pea and well..it sounded cute.
3 What do you do outside of Etsy?
homeschool...livin the life
4 What was life before Etsy?
huh?
5 Where do you find inspiration for the items in your shop?
all over the place...online...magazines...fabric stores and other people's requests
6 Do you have a favorite item in your shop? If so, which one?
My favorite was my altered composition book
7 Are your family and friends supportive of your Etsy Biz?
sure...they appreciate it when I bring along on visits and have a trunk show over dinner
8 What’s the biggest surprise (good or bad) you’ve discovered on Etsy?
I love the people more than anything else
9 Any advice for new or struggling “Etsyians”?
Keep on keepin' on
10 Please recommend one other shop on Etsy.
hmmm....who hasn't been mentioned yet....I will direct you to strawberryhill because I love her and she's my hero. http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5276449

*FAVORMAKERS*
1. How did you discover Etsy?
Etsy was mentioned on another website in a forum post by the always funny and kind Elizabeth of
http://www.Serendipity-Crafts.com who also sells at http://SerendipityCrafts.etsy.com Elizabeth and her husband Hugh create the most beautiful custom hand painted signature platters that we’ve seen you should check out their store sometime. Before Elizabeth we had never heard of Etsy.

2. How did you get your shop name?
We wish we had some intriguing story… it merely describes what we do: make favors.

3. What do you do outside Etsy?
We enjoy hanging out with each other, reading a lot, watching movies and traveling.

4. What was life before Etsy?
It was bland; Etsy is such an amazing environment filled with handmade products by such talented people. We enjoy searching Etsy for gifts.

5. Where do you find inspiration for the items in your shop?
Our inspiration comes directly from ordinary things-- we just recreate them with our own spin. Sometimes customer’s request for a custom box help us consider objects we wouldn’t normally have considered making. Often just seeing something in a magazine or on TV and deciding it would make a great idea for a box is what influences us.

6. Do you have a favorite item in your shop?
First we should preface with we love all our boxes. Since we have to choose Chandra is really fond of the apple box; she loves apples so it appeals to her. John’s favorite is the Polka-dot Teapot but only because it’s the best-selling box we make.

7. Are your family and friends supportive of your Etsy Biz?
We’re surrounded by much encouragement and we’re so grateful.

8. What's the biggest surprise (good or bad) you've discovered on Etsy?
John’s was surprised at how much better Etsy is than
Ebay. Lower fees and a much more engaged customer base. Chandra thinks it’s the sense of community, especially one thread in particular. Overall, on Etsy people are always looking to be as helpful as possible.

9. Any advice for new or struggling "Etsyians"?
Chandra’s advice is to just stay determined and just keep on creating to fill your Etsy store. Introduce yourself in the forums, hang out there, and help people with responses to their questions. Most importantly keep a positive attitude it will get you really far. John stresses the importance of eye catching photos.

10. Please recommend one other shop on Etsy.
That's difficult! We have lots of favorite shops but since we must choose. We bought the most lovely birthday present for Chandra’s mom from CharOuellette. Char created this
http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=7138924 isn’t it so stunning and the packaging was incredible! It was a fantastic experience from beginning to end. Char was so helpful and her photographs of all her jewelry are so gorgeous.

Cofygirl
1 How did you discover Etsy?
You know. I really don't remember how I found Etsy, but I am so glad I did! (my husband, not so much. lol)

2 How did you get your shop name?
I have been a Barista for the past 14 years and my regulars would always call me their little coffee girl, so it stuck! I've been "cofygirl" ever since!

3 What do you do outside of Etsy?
Outside of Etsy? Is there an outside? I pretty much occupy my time with my lovely husband and chasing my two adorable little monsters! If there is time left, I knit!

4 What was life before Etsy?
Life before Etsy was A LOT calmer and I didn't have the "I need to get to a computer" shakes as much!

5 Where do you find inspiration for the items in your shop?
When I was put on bed-rest (6 months!) with our first child, I taught myself how to knit. I have been addicted with it since and I am constantly trying out new patterns. It is cold here in Oregon, which is why I most of my items are warm and cozy!

6 Do you have a favorite item in your shop?
If so, which one?hmmm...good question. I would have to say my favorite is my black and white shawl. It is super soft and cozy! I love how all the different shades and textures mold together too. But that's just ONE of my faves.

7 Are your family and friends supportive of your Etsy Biz?
Yes! Although they are a little peeved that I don't make as much for them any more!

8 What’s the biggest surprise (good or bad) you’ve discovered on Etsy?
The biggest surprise was that people actually like my stuff! I can't explain how happy that makes me fell that others get to share my passion and wear my creations! It's a fantastic feeling!

9 Any advice for new or struggling “Etsyians”?
Don't give up. I know when you are a crafter and you make stuff that you think is gorgeous, it hurts a little when others don't think the same thing. But there is always someone out there that will enjoy it too. You just have to put in the grunt work to find them! Etsy is a huge market and if you want it to be your main source of income, then sadly you have to treat it like it's your 9-5 job. Take clear pictures and describe everything! Mostly importantly, NEVER loose sight of your creative side!

10 Please recommend one other shop on Etsy.
Just one? Oh Man! I'm going to pick Amy at myspringpeaandme! She can take something as simple as a lollipop and make it adorable! She made these http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=7378778 for my son to hand out to his class on Valentine's Day and I can't describe the look on the kids faces. Thanks to her, I was the coolest mom for a day!

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Cardwear was my first interview, see what she had to say:

1. How did you discover Etsy? A really good friend sent me an email about Etsy. I checked it out and it was love at first sight. It took me several months to sign up for a shop however (I was very nervous about what others would think of my cards!).

2. How did you get your shop name? I have been calling myself “Cardwear” since I started making my cards and simply chose it for Etsy as well. I came up with the name because I use fabrics and ribbon and other trims on my cards and it feels like I am “dressing them up”.

3. What do you do outside of Etsy? There is life outside of Etsy? I am a stay-at-home mom to three beautiful children. It is because I stay at home that I have the time (and need!) for Etsy.

4. What was life before Etsy? A little more boring... I have made cards for almost 4 years now and I was selling them here and there to family and friends, but hadn't really found a good way to market them to a larger audience. I have done a couple craft shows, but I definitely prefer listing my cards on Etsy.

5. Where do you find inspiration for the items in your shop? I find inspiration in what I need in a card (the various holidays and occasions). Sometimes it is a fabric that I fall in love with, other times it is a stamp that I have to have (and then I NEED to find a fabric to match it!). I have started to try different styles in an effort to give my shop some more variety (and to better utilize some supplies that don't work for my “normal” cards).

6. Do you have a favorite item in your shop? If so, which one?http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=14039196
I love the stamp I used on this card and had to have it even though it wouldn't work for my “normal” cards. I designed this new style of cards because of this stamp!

7. Are your family and friends supportive of your Etsy Biz? It depends who you are talking to...LOL. Actually, my hubby is incredibly supportive of the time I put into making, listing, packaging, etc. my items. I have many friends and family members who are surprised by my shop and are great cheerleaders for me.

8. What’s the biggest surprise (good or bad) you’ve discovered on Etsy? The super community! I have been so lucky to meet some terrific people on Etsy and have made friends with people from all over the United States as well as some other countries. I look forward to “seeing” them everyday and feel like I am getting some adult contact even if I am home all day with the kiddos. I am also surprised with the success I have found on Etsy. I was truly lucky and sold my first items within a day of listing them, which meant that I was instantly hooked!

9. Any advice for new or struggling “Etsyians”? Etsy can be very overwhelming! There are thousands and thousands of people trying to sell their items, so it is very competitive. If you can find a way to be “different”, do so! I also find it beneficial to list items often and chat with others in the forums.

10. Please recommend one other shop on Etsy. One? You're killing me! I have a dear friend from Maryland who I miss very much. I would love for people to check out her incredible creations!http://lizart29.etsy.com/

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I will be asking my featured artists to answer these 10 questions, I guess that means I have to go first.







  1. How did you discover Etsy? I found Etsy in a Parents Magazine article which featured several Etsy shops. After viewing them, I knew that I wanted to be there too!
  2. How did you get your shop name? AmybugsOriginalStyle I got because I've always had a love for ladybugs and had several friends who called me Amybugs, added "Original Style" for clarity (I suppose). LayetteOnMeBaby came from thin air. I had been contemplating opening up a shop geared towards babies and when I came up with the name, I knew it was meant to be. I love wordplay!!
  3. What do you do besides Etsy? Besides Etsy, I take care of my family, hang out with my neighbor friends and look for opportunities to give out my business cards. LOL
  4. What was life before Etsy? Life before Etsy was not as interesting...mostly because I was selling "anonymously" on eBay. The sense of community that I found on Etsy makes me feel like an actual appreciated artist of sorts.
  5. Where do you find inspiration for the items in your shop? I find inspiration all over! Mostly my 2 daughters, but I'll be walking through the store and see something that would be cute if only it had...and go home and make it right away...many times I'll be chatting with friends either online or *gasp* face to face and something will smack me in the face and I will have to go straight to the "drawing board". Often fabrics inspire me as well...I'll see something wonderful and have to buy it...I typically visualize exactly what I'm going to make before the lady can even cut it from the bolt! LOL.
  6. Do you have a favorite item in your shop? If so, which one? A favorite item from AmybugsOriginalStyle would be: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=12835200 and from LayetteOnMeBaby: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=14389609
  7. Are your family and friends supportive of your Etsy biz? Yes! My husband hasn't much of a choice considering I would be unbearable without this outlet, and though my extended family hasn't the foggiest idea of how much time and effort is put into this, they difinitely think it's all "sooo cuuuute".
  8. What's the biggest surprise (good or bad) you've discovered on Etsy? My biggest surprise with Etsy is the community of friends and "family". I had no idea I would shamelessly promote my shop and in return develop friendships that have become invaluable!!
  9. Any advice for new or struggling "Etsyians"? My advice (as a struggler myself) is to stick with it, find ways to keep yourself visible, and always do what makes you happy...if your shop isn't flying off the shelves at least it's filled with things you love, right?
  10. Please recommend one other Etsy shop. This is hard...not sure I can recommend just one, but I'll be recommending 1 a week starting Monday 9/8/08.

3 comments:

Shannon said...

Hey Amy, you have so many cute and wonderful items! Good luck with your business!!

Shannon

Ladybug said...

The nickname my mother gave me was Ladybug so of course I am more drawn to the stuff with ladybugs on it. They are adorable. Thanks!

Ladybug said...

I just briefly looked at your store and I love the Ladybug stuff. That is the nickname that my mother gave me and all of it is adorable. I look forward to seeing more. Thanks!

Rebekah

AmybugsOriginalStyle

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