I'm Baaaack!

Hello again everyone, I'm back from my short jaunt off the blogosphere. It's been busy busy busy at home and work - fortunately, the good kind of busy. I've adjusted my daily schedule to support my hubby's endeavor to get some money-making skills (you know, like nunchuck skills, bow-hunting skills, computer hacking skills). Also, I've got my family visiting from out-of-state - sooo good to see them. This means I've got to get much more Etsy work done in far less time. Fortunately, I am blessed with understanding clients.

Speaking of my fabuloso clients, I have decided that for anyone who purchases a gift for the upcoming holidays, birthdays, etcetera - I will be making custom gift wrap which doubles as art. I've always really enjoyed wrapping presents, since I was a youngster reading Martha Stewart Living, I've tried to make my own wrapping. It's so much fun to do - and I believe my clients will really appreciate it. The photo is a gift wrap I just recently made for a client who purchased the last "Rex the Snuggle Pup" for her young son.

As my mind is numb from sewing, wrapping, emailing, tweeting, all the while entertaining family - I can't recall if I've brought your attention to Jordan Moore's Handmade Success blog. I definitely want to point out her blog right now, as she's having the best Etsy giveaway imaginable to Sellers. Jordan is giving away five free half hour consultations to assist the lucky winners with whatever areas of business/marketing strategies they most need help in. To enter the giveaway, just visit her blog - and post a comment about what your biggest business frustration is.

I Can't Wait to Join Team SASsy!

For a minute there, I nearly gave up on my Etsy shop. I lost faith in myself, my product, and Etsy. And then I picked myself up off the ground, and started doing some research. Some I paid for, most was free - I'm still up to my eyeballs in the research. There's a common misconception for most Etsy Newbies that they will open a shop, and the sales will rush in. I, admittedly, had the same fantasy, which landed me in the dirt I was discussing at the beginning of this post.

I wanted to tell you about some of the resources I've found, free of any charge whatsoever - because I'm frankly annoyed I spent any money. Also, I don't want anyone to go through what I've been going through - it's SO unproductive.

I say I can't wait to join Team SASsy, because they are one of the most fabulous networks of Etsy Sellers I have found. Every member is devoted to assisting others. Like a co-op, there are responsibilities that come with the membership; such as posting to the blog, being a mentor to a newbie, etc. I currently love helping other Etsy sellers whether through Shop Critiques, Blog Features, or Forum Threads and Chat. I want to be a part of a community which is like minded. Aside from the seemingly entirely altruistic nature of SASsy, one can deduce there must be an amazing ROI for members.

Team SASsy's blog led me to the EtsyWiki - I can't believe I didn't know this existed. My fault for not Googling Etsy more, I guess. But honestly, this thing is chalk full of amazingly useful material - from Etsy sellers! It is clear, you can relate to the author, and it seems the answers to the most urgent of questions about Etsy Success are THERE. Sure it's all in the forums, too - but it's organized amazingly well here.

Bonus, there are links to other great blogs, shops, etc.

If you aren't sure about how to price your listings - here's a great downloadable spreadsheet which will calculate it for you based on wants and needs.

AND, if you still can't get that photography down (I thought I had it - gotta go back to the drawing board!), check out this spot for how to make that cool light box seen on Team SASsy's blog.

Honestly, if you have an online shop anywhere in the world, and you are new to ecommerce, business, and marketing - all of these resources are fabulous!