Saturday, June 30, 2012

MY FAVOURITE ITEM OF THE DAY - Red Flower Ceramic Dish


Favourite Item of the Day: Handmade 6 inch Red Flower Serving Plate

FROM: Michaela at IRIHANAARTS on Etsy

I ordered this a few months ago because lets face it, we are visual creatures and this gorgeous dish drove me to click buy in a frenzy since she only had one in her shop. It is molded lovingly by hand with a wonderful sand speckled clay and glazed a bright vivid red. This is perfect for cookies and wee little snacks on my coffee table where it has been displayed every since I bought it.

All her pieces are lead free and glazes are foodsafe and she makes everything from sushi sets, cute little trivet dishes, serving dishes, focal pendants and even decorative wine charms. Perfect for gifting or hoarding just for yourself!

Friday, June 29, 2012

MY FAVOURITE ITEM OF THE DAY- Folk Art Handmade Decor







FAVOURITE ITEM OF THE DAY: Pillow Cases Folk Art Octopus, Fox, Swan, Fish in Rust, Green and Blue

FROM: Nancy at NHQUILTARTS

I bought this 18 inch pillowcase set with black and rust in a set of 4. They are excellent quality and have a fold over back. I have gotten tons of compliments on them since they are wonderful bold colors and very unique. Check out her sold orders to see all the wonderful items she can make that sell as quick as she can make them.



Thursday, June 28, 2012

Christmas In July - HUGE Auction On Tophatter

There will be a huge auction on Saturday July 21 at 10am EST featuring over 100 items from wonderful crafters and artists on Etsy!! The theme is Christmas in July but will also feature art, prints, pottery, jewelry, soap, bath and body sets and so much more! You will be able to get some incredible deals and start your Christmas shopping early

Remember, only 180 days until Christmas!

RSVP to get an email reminder that morning and to save your spot
CHRISTMAS IN JULY AUCTION

MY FAVOURITE ITEM OF THE DAY- Bacon Caramel Heaven


FAVOURITE ITEM OF THE DAY: Bacon flavored Fleur de Sel Caramels

From: Lesa at ThePoisonedApples

Incredible homemade caramel from an old family recipe, little bits of cripy bacon and sea salt that explodes in your mouth as it melts. Sigh...........I am on batch #4 and this is to die for!!

Check out her fondant, chocolate and caramel dipped tart apples!

5 FREE SITES OF THE DAY TO PROMOTE YOUR SHOP

Advertising is everything........we hear all the time that it costs money to make money......BUT....... advertising to create your brand and getting started as a small business as an artist is the hardest thing. Where do you start?


This is not an exhaustive list by any means but it will give you some starting points and there are new sites being created all the time. If you notice any of these sites are no longer free, please let me know so I can update the information. I will add 5 sites at a time to make checking each one out easier.


PINTEREST
add me
You can make boards and treasuries, add friends, follow others and you can pin and repin items you like and others can do it for you.

Whats cool: Once you have created a board, you can also add your own items too as long as your focus is not entirely self promotion.

Not so cool: It takes a while to build up a big following of your board, but the more content and boards you have that are well labelled, the more pinners you have repinning or liking your items

ETSYLUSH
Upload an item to a main category for free to get a chance to be featured for a month. This links to your website when you click on the picture.

Whats cool: you get a little tag you can add to your pics anytime you are chosen.You can also upload a new pic every 24 hours and your image is clickable to your Etsy shop. Then you can use the tag shown on my Etsy shop for advertising.

Not so cool: The pictures have to be a very specific size for best display. It took me 4 times to get it right. You have to keep checking back to see if you were accepted but I got my Sleeping Hummingbird featured last month.


SLEEPING HUMMINGBIRD




ESTSYCONTEST
Add your shop to the list, choose a $ range where some of your items fits in and then on that day they will randomly pick one of your items and post it with another artist to 'which one do you like best'.

Whats cool: you can also promote a discount while being featured

Not so cool: you don't get any choice in what they pick other than $ range


EVERYTHINGETSY
Add your shop to be included in their free directory

Whats cool: you can list all the types of items you carry in your shop and the link is clickable right to your Etsy shop

Not so cool: you can't add your logo for branding yet, and the site is down temporarily to add your shop


ITSBETTERHANDMADE
Any handmade items will be featured after you submit a request

Whats cool: you can use this to feature any site, Artfire, website, Etsy, etc., and you can submit multiple items.

Not so cool: there seems to be some issues with picture sizes that you add and does not tell you if the item didn't submit so you will have to check back









Wednesday, June 27, 2012

WELCOME

Welcome to my new blog!

This is to welcome you to my newest blog that will feature my favourite artists and creators on Etsy as well as helpful hints and tips that they have also learned along the way that they can share. We can all use a helping hand and any tips or hints on creating or selling items online will be posted.

I know that when I first started selling online I spent hours researching and finding nothing but conflicting information and only by trial and error do you find the best sites to sell on, advertise with and helpful friends along the way.

If you have any helpful suggestions or information and would like to be featured, please contact me

MY SITES TO FOLLOW (I follow back)

THEVENUSCOLLECTION on ETSY
THEVENUSFLYTRAPCOLLECTION on ARTFIRE
PINTEREST
TWITTER
FACEBOOK

WEBSITE


MY TEAM VENUS ON ETSY