PhotoGlassWorks

Hello Friends. It has been too long hasn't it. I have been busy working on a few wedding invitation orders and have been unable to write, but I am back and want to share a beautiful Etsy store with you. I love these pendants and I love that she is from NC!! Ok so the last point is a bit biased, but whatever.

Not only are the necklaces absolutely stunning and unique--but the designer, Tracy, also included artwork of other Etsy members. I think it is great idea! Her prices are very reasonable and her feedback is 100%. Pretty solid. I plan on ordering whenever I get a bit of spare cash =)

Check out PhotoGlassWorkshere!

NC Triangle Etsians

All the way from Hong Kong to Etsy, Waiyi is making her mark at Name That Candy.
Waiyi's purses are adorable and you can see the international influence in all of her products. She also caters to brides and any other party that needs personalized trinkets. Here is her story and how she is making her success happen day by day!

Tell us about yourself..kids...hubby...favorite things.
I grew up in Hong Kong, then I studied in Australia for a year and half, then I moved to Texas. About 5 years ago, my hubby's company relocated him to Raleigh. I am a "Pet Groomer" and "Licensed Esthetician". I work 3 days a week at pet grooming shop. The rest of the week, I do crafts. I don't have any kid, but I do have 3 cute chihuahuas. Hmmm.... My favorite things are "Craft", I like all kind of crafts, I always like to try new stuff, coz I get bored easily. I like crochet, sewing, needle felting and jewelry making.
When did you get started with your craft?
First I started to learn how to crochet about 4 years ago, then I stopped until about 3 months ago, I crochet again. And recently I learn how to sew by reading books.
Since this is for etsy readers mostly---
How do you price your items?
I try to price it affordable, my formula is Materials Cost x 3. For big items, like handbags, I will add labor cost, it takes me several hours to make one. I am definitely not making a lot of money though, since I am slow sewer! But I enjoy sewing, and it make me feel good that someone like my bags.
How often do YOU list?
I don't list every day like most ppl do. In the beginning, I do list every day or every other day, it did bring me some traffics, but NOT SALE. It costs me too much and make no money. So now, I list twice a week, sometimes I list more if I have new items.
How do you promote on etsy?
In the beginning, I go to forum on my day off for 4 or 5 hours. It left me a little time for doing crafts and myself. So after one month or so, I cut back the time on forum. Only couple hours on my day off. I do get some sales on the "promotion forum" and a lot of "Hearts". But I enjoy talking on "Craft and Business" Forum more, I learn a lot from there.
How do you promote off etsy?
And how long before your sales were steady?
I carry my purse every day, if someone compliments my purse, I will give them my business card. Also, I have mini on "FaceBooK" and my blog: http://namethatcandy.blogspot.com/
I have Flickr account and I post my new items (they may not for sale, just my new craft that I want to share with someone) on "Craftster" (www.Craftster.org), I like Craftster a lot, it is a good channel for me to show off my craft, I'm mostly there to have fun. They don't allow to advertise your store, but you can put you Etsy website on the signature. I think I got couple sales from there.
How long did it take for your first sale on etsy?
I think about 3 weeks.
And how long before your sales were steady?
My sale is not steady yet, but I hope in 6 months, I will have a steady sale.
What is the number one advice you have for etsy sellers?
Have Fun. When you first start, go to forums and introduce yourself, especially, "Craft and Business Forum". You will learn a lot from all the veteran etsians. But don't get too addicted, leave yourself some times for craft and your family. :)
Anything else you want to tell us?
I really enjoy having "my little business". I am going to add more different variety on my store next year. My New Year Solutions are to learn how to "Wet Felting", "Soap Making" and make "Cloth Menstrual Pads".

NC Triangle Etsian

Karen from KarensSoaps is close to 450 sales this year alone!! Not bad I say. I have been lucky enough to meet Karen AND see her soaps up close and personal. I promise they smell as good as they look.

Here is a bit about Karen and how she does what she does!

Tell us about yourself..kids...hubby...favorite things.
-I grew up in upstate New York. From the time I was in elementary school, I wanted to live in North Carolina. I can’t remember how that came about, but it stayed with me. When I graduated from college, I packed up my car and moved. I currently live in Raleigh with my husband of 5 years, and our cat. I have a great career. I am the Director of Development and Training for a local restaurant franchise. I get to work with lots of wonderful people. I have a wide range of interests aside from making soap. I sew, I love to cook and bake (and sometimes enter pies at the state fair), I like to travel with my husband, and I recently took a sign language class. I am a green tea drinker and I read everything that James Patterson writes.
When did you get started with your craft?
-I began making soap about 5 years ago. All of my friends and family received soap for every occasion, and I also sold it at craft fairs. I am lucky enough to have a couple of local shops carry my soaps and bath salts. A co-worker told me about Etsy and a whole new world was opened up for me. I am so impressed with the site.
Since this is for etsy readers mostly--- How do you price your items?
-I like to keep my products affordable, and I don’t really make much money doing this. Glycerin based soaps are so much better for your skin than commercial soaps (which are actually detergents), and I want to share that with people.
How often do YOU list?
-I like to list a minimum of 2 to 3 times a day. The more I list, the more I sell. My favorite time to list is between 7 and 8pm. But, my real strategy is to check the B&B category and list when the views are high.
How do you promote on etsy?
-I love the forums and the chat rooms. They add that human connection that is my favorite part of Etsy. Sometimes I’m there to build awareness of my shop, but most of the time I’m there just for fun. The first 3 months I was on Etsy, I was in the forums for hours a day. It takes hard work to establish yourself on such a large site.
How do you promote off etsy?
-I always carry business cards with me. I also had a bumper sticker made that I attached to a magnet. I stick it on my car whenever it’s not raining. I created a myspace page, but I don’t do much with it. My best promotion is word of mouth. Happy customers might just tell their friends about me.
How long did it take for your first sale on etsy?
-I was very lucky. My first sale came the day after I started listing. I couldn’t believe it.
And how long before your sales were steady?
-That took about 3 months.
What is the number one advice you have for etsy sellers?
-I have a couple pieces of advice. 1) You are your own brand. Put your best foot forward when interacting in the forums and the chat rooms. 2) Wow your customers, the personal touch means a lot to buyers. 3) The more you put into it, the more you’ll get out of it. 4) Have fun!!!!
Anything else you want to tell us?
-I am so passionate about my “little business”. It brings so much to my life. The connections I have made with people through my soap is by far my favorite part. I have made so many new friends all over the world. I plan on keeping the fun going for many years to come!

NC Triangle Etsians

Continuing on with my November features we have Bonnie from Hello Crafty.
Again this is another wildly successful etsian right in my backyard. She has been an etsy member since August and as of today has 126 sales. Not bad for 3 months I say. So here I present to you: Bonnie!

Tell us about yourself..kids...hubby...favorite things.
*I've been with my wonderful husband for almost 10 years (married for 2 1/2), we have four cats who are our "kids". He is a graphic designer, I am a Legal Nurse Consultant. I love independent movies & music, reading, gardening, napping and making up songs to sing to my cats.
When did you get started with your craft?
*I first began making cold process soap back in 1999 and was instantly addicted to it! my first business, "Lunar Lather", was in operation until 2004 at which point I really needed to concentrate on my career so I put it to rest. By the summer of 2007, I felt like my career was where I wanted it to be and so I reignited my creative spark and began making soaps, clocks and magnets. I no longer have the time or space to make cold process soaps and was thrilled to find all natural soap bases that contain the same ingredients I would use in my CP soaps (coconut oil, castor oil, cocoa butter)without a bunch of chemicals. Ingredients are extremely important to me and I want my products to be as natural as possible.
Since this is for etsy readers mostly--- How do you price your items?
*My pricing has been the same since 2002 so I really don't remember how I came up with it! The soap bases I use cost a little bit more than some others do because of the purity of the ingredients. For clocks, the price is based on the cost of the clock works & hands. Magnets are usually based on the amount of time it takes me to make them. The ceramic tile ones are a bit more than my marble magnets because I have to buy the tiles and then coat them with multiple layers of glaze, which takes a couple of days. I don't make any money from this at all!
How often do YOU list?
*As often as I can! I try to list every day but some weeks I just can't. Not because I don't have tons of stuff, but because I haven't had time to take all those photos!
How do you promote on etsy?
*I love the ETC forum and I'll occasionally post in the Promotions forum as well. I try to keep it low key though; I'm mostly there to have fun!
How do you promote off etsy?
*I hand out my business cards, give away free samples, give my products as gifts, when I have time I might do something on myspace or something.
How long did it take for your first sale on etsy?
*I was lucky--only about 8 hours! An online friend of mine from Michigan bought some magnets from me the evening I opened shop. I was so excited I could barely sleep!
And how long before your sales were steady?
*My first sale to someone I'm not related to or didn't go to high school with occurred about one week after I opened and that was really validating. Since then, I've sold pretty steadily most weeks. There was a week where I didn't post in the forum or list anything and, needless to say, I didn't sell anything that week. But most weeks I sell a few things and maybe get some special orders too.
What is the number one advice you have for etsy sellers?
*Have fun! There are so many amazing people on Etsy and I've had such a great time "meeting" them online and some I've even met in person! It's a great community and I'm so proud to be a part of it!
Anything else you want to tell us?
*I'm working on a solid shampoo bar right now--I've been using it for the last few days and love it! I hope to be listing them later this week.
Viva la Etsy!

NC Triangle Etsian--Dinner Time Charms

A little green is good for us all. Our gal from Dinner Time Chimes recycles cutlery. How incredibly innovative! She started in July and has 30 sales already. If you are looking for a great way to promote etsy, I suggest checking out her wind chimes as they make a great conversational piece and the perfect opportunity to slyly bring up your own craft!

Tell us about yourself..kids...hubby...favorite things.
I’m Erin and I got married in 2006, which I’ve heard still makes me a newly wed. I moved to eastern NC after the wedding, and currently live in the house that my hubby’s great-grandparents built. No kids yet, but I do have a mini-schnauzer, Daisy May, who keeps us laughing. Etsy is just a way for me to sell some of the things that I love creating, but don’t have room to keep. I work from home now doing clinical research--which is so much better than the long drive I made to RTP the first year of our marriage. I enjoy lots of crafts that revolve around sewing, but I can’t ever bring myself to sale those. A few of my favorite things are… long walks through the woods, baking cookies, visiting my parents’ farm, and snuggling with my hubby on cool afternoons.
When did you get started with your craft?
My daddy & I started making the wind chimes when I was at least in high school as way for me to have extra spending money. It also gave me something else to search for at flea markets, yard sales, & estate auctions. The chimes sold like crazy since they made a unique, inexpensive gift. However, once I went to college & started my career I didn’t have any way to make the chimes. This past spring I convinced my hubby to buy a drill press for his shop. He was quickly introduced into the crazy world of silverplate silverware searches & making chimes. I also figured out how to make key chains and a few other silverware creations in addition to the chimes. I’ve recently teamed up with my dad again to make the recycled bird houses and feeders that you’ll find in my Etsy shop too!
How do you price your items?
My goal is to create fun & unique gifts that everyone can afford to give! I find the items to make the wind chimes on the weekends at the local flea markets and yard sales. Since I buy the most tarnished & inexpensive pieces that I find, the prices of the wind chimes are able to reflect that. The biggest expense is our time--we put a lot of time into cleaning the pieces to make them shine.
How often do YOU list?
I try to keep around 40 items in my Etsy shop at all times, so it just depends on what’s selling that week. I’ve relisted a few items here and there, but I don’t see the number of views increase drastically to know for sure that it honestly helps me. Plus, my items aren’t in categories with huge counts of listings!
How do you promote on etsy?
In the forums, I visit promotions to see if anyone is requesting gift ideas for someone. I also try my best to help new sellers to Etsy with their questions. Luckily I’ve not become addicted to the chat rooms just yet, but I have visited there a few times. I try to create treasuries when I get the chance to promote my fellow NC Triangle team members and love to see my items in other treasuries too.
How do you promote off etsy?
Lately I’ve been wearing a cute necklace with a fork, knife & spoon charm that I bought from http://indieink.etsy.com before I decided to sell on Etsy. I get lots of compliments on the necklace & it gives me a chance to mention why I wear it. I need to get better about carrying business cards with me, since I get the strangest looks when I purchase all the silverplate from people’s flea market booths. I do post a lot on the local free classifieds in my area, and I’ve gotten a few sales that way too. I’m still trying to figure out the best way to promote my shop and get the 200+ people who heart my shop to buy. With the items in my shop being so unique, you either love them or you hate them…and unfortunately, I’m still not quite sure how those that have bought from me actually found my Etsy shop.
How long did it take for your first sale on etsy?
My first sale came about 2 weeks after I set-up my Etsy shop. At that point I hadn’t really started promoting, was still learning to use Etsy, and my pictures were not the greatest. Nonetheless, I was super excited!
And how long before your sales were steady?
I still don’t consider my sales to be really steady, but luckily I’ve sold at least one thing each week. I’m hoping that I am able to sell more we get closer to the holiday season!
What is the number one advice you have for etsy sellers?
Don’t be afraid to ask questions and for critiques. I learned the most about what was working for my shop and what wasn’t when another Etsy seller was bored and offered to critique other stores. After all, it’s the impression your shop gives to a complete stranger that’s important.
Anything else you want to tell us?
I’ve met a ton of caring people on Etsy and I’ve very thankful for that. Hopefully I will be able to take what I’ve learned from others and use it to make my shop even more successful!

NC Triangle Etsians---Jenn Gee

November is for giving thanks. So I am thanking my NC Triangle estisans this month for their inspiration by featuring them here! First up we have Jenn Gee.

Don't pretend you don't know her! She has one of the most unique and cute products on Etsy (I think anyway). Coffee corsets. They are so practical. And if it is success we are focusing on, Jenn has it almost mastered. As of today, she has had 30 sales in November. That's right--4 days and 30 sales. I think we should all be so lucky!

Tell us about yourself..kids...hubby...favorite things.
I'm recently engaged and will be getting married in July. I'm 32 but this is my first (and hopefully only!) marriage and I have no children. I do have 2 crazy cats and a lazy, asthmatic dog though. Etsy is still a part-time thing for me. I also have a full time job working as an online math instructor (of sorts) for a major university and a part time job working for an online homework company. In other words, I spend a lot of time sitting in front of a computer monitor! Some of my favorite things include kisses from my future hubby, good coffee, dark chocolate, long phone calls with my mom, my sewing machine, fancy cheese, and weekend trips to the beach.

When did you get started with your craft?
I've been creating things my whole life. However, in 1995 when I was in college I had a roommate who was a student in the design school. Coincidentally, her name was Shannon! She made a skirt out of old ties and I thought it was the coolest thing I'd ever seen. She taught me how to use her sewing machine and I asked for my own that year for Christmas. I started out making quilts in a totally haphazard, self-taught way. I learned to make items for my home including curtains and pillows and all sorts of things that I wouldn't have been able to afford unless I made them myself. I also became totally obsessed with hand work such as embroidery and cross stitch. Then I started creating my own fabric using paints, dyes, and stamps which progressed into learning how to carve my own stamps. About a year ago I started making purses and I was really into that for a while. Over the summer I bought a needle felting machine and dove into that with much vigor. Finally, the idea for the Coffee Corsets sprung into my head one day and only a few weeks later I was sending off my first Etsy orders!

How do you price your items?
I figure in the average cost of the materials and also how much time it takes me to create each piece and list it. I've tried to price my Coffee Corsets so that they are reasonable, but so that they are worth my time and effort to create them. Due to increased production costs and limits on my time I'm considering raising my prices, but I won't be doing that until after Christmas if I do it at all!

How often do YOU list?
This varies pretty greatly. I try to either list or renew 3-5 items per day. I like to keep the number of items in my shop between 30 and 40 so new items come in as needed to maintain that level, but I use the renewing feature to keep myself visible very often.

How do you promote on etsy?
Listing new items, renewing old items, being generally helpful in the forums, networking with other sellers, creating treasuries, and hanging out in the chat rooms - those are my major "promotion" tools. I tend to stay away from the promo threads and prefer to simply have fun and hope that this, in turn, gets my name and product out there for general consumption :)

How do you promote off etsy?
I carry business cards with me at all times so that I can pass them out as needed. I tend to carry a corseted coffee cup with me much of the time - it is a good excuse to drink all the coffee I want! This gives me lots of exposure and I've made many sales this way. I've had people buy a corset (a USED one!) right off my cup in Starbucks. I also have a mini on my myspace page. Other than that I rely pretty heavily on word of mouth.

How long did it take for your first sale on etsy?
18 days. My first sale was on my birthday so it was extra exciting!

And how long before your sales were steady?
My first sale was August 3rd and by the end of August I was averaging about a sale a day. At that point my sales weren't really "steady", but they were fairly often and reliable by then. In October I averaged 3 sales per day and in the first 4 days of November I've already seen 30 sales!

What is the number one advice you have for etsy sellers?
The number one piece of advice that I have for other sellers is to sell something that you really love to make because if it does well you will be creating LOTS of them!

Anything else you want to tell us?
I really enjoy being a part of the Etsy community and I wish I would have found it sooner! I see myself being a part of this for a very long time.

November is for Success!

I have been lucky enough to meet some wonderful people on etsy in the NC Triangle Street Team. These people are dedicated to their craft, and they are very good at it. For this reason I will be featuring successful NC Triangle etsians this month so that we can all learn from them.

I hope to get into these people's heads and learn what they are doing right and how they are selling so well on etsy. Is it promoting in the forums, starting treasuries, handing out business cards, or just luck. I am just as interested to learn their secrets as you are.

Check back at least weekly to find out more about these ladies and their abilities!