Rabbit Hollow Prims

Shipping Strategies

2012-01-13T03:36:00.000-08:00

Getting Started: Package Size, Shape and Weight

Story by knickey

Published on Dec 08, 2011 in Seller Handbook

Measuring and weighing: “After I photograph and take the measurements of the item, I pack it into the box I intend to use with all of the packaging materials to protect it. I weigh it on a digital scale and then I go directly to the USPS and UPS website to figure out the most economical way to ship it to my customer.” — frenchpackrat

Shipping system: “I keep a ruler and scale in the same area I photograph. I weigh and measure the items and jot it down on a notepad. Then I photograph, check the photos to be sure they are not blurry and then wrap up items and place them in a box that is labeled for retrieval later. I have found this system works pretty well. Having a routine is essential in keeping everything organized.” — GSArcheologist

Calculating Shipping

After you’ve weighed and measured your package, turn to a shipping calculator. Plug in destinations, both near and far, and you’ll get an accurate estimate of how much it will cost to ship your package. Here are a few handy links to some commonly used shipping calculators:

Shipping calculator: “An accurate postage scale will be your best friend. That and a link to the USPS rates. Weighing your object, then referencing the USPS rates, will save you loads of frustration. Just be sure you take into account your box and packing supplies: a well-packaged item can add up to 1 pound to your final weight.” — nellsvintagehouse

When measuring your items and packaging, keep in mind that shipping carriers determine postage pricing not only by weight, but also by dimension and destination. When choosing packaging materials for your items, the smaller the size and the lighter the materials — the cheaper the price.

Using USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes for heavy items: “I find that most of my items fit into the USPS Flat Rate Priority boxes very easily. There are three different sizes available, which give me a good range, and they ship for the same rate all over the U.S., which is efficient and cuts down on the guesswork. And since many of my items are heavy — vintage cameras, or silver holloware, for example — it ends up being economical for a lot of buyers.” — FalconandFinch

Shipping Furniture

Heavy and large in size, determining accurate shipping costs for furniture can be a challenge. Here are a few tips and elements to consider when shipping vintage furniture:

Estimate. Provide a shipping estimate in the shipping profile and direct buyers to reach out to you for an accurate quote. You can then customize the listing with the accurate shipping cost.
Overages. Determine the costs of shipping a heavy item to a destination far away from you. Let buyers know you’ll refund overages over a certain amount.
Local only. Listing items for local pick-up or local delivery only. For more tips on selling local, check out this blog post.
Policies. Rely on your Shipping Policies to help educate a buyer on your shipping processes.

Greyhound: “Greyhound is great for furniture shipping. If the measurements fit their requirement, a lot of smaller furniture items ship for a fraction of the cost.” — 4EnvisioningVintage

“I ship furniture through Greyhound Package Xpress. It’s fast and affordable. Items ship from station to station and the customer can pick it up or arrange for a third party courier service to deliver it.” — thewhitepepper

Shipping Profiles

Now, what to do with all this information? First step, create a Shipping Profile. Shipping Profiles on Etsy are a simple way to save a specific set of shipping information, which you can then apply to listings. If you sell items that weigh a similar amount and ship in similar packaging, save time in the future by setting up a shipping profile which you can quickly add to those items while listing.

VintageScraps

Recordkeeping

Mistakes and miscalculations happen occasionally. One way to account for your mistakes and speed up your process is to keep a record of your shipping costs.

Keeping track of shipping costs: “I have a list of the most common weights for the vintage items I sell in a Word document, as well as box sizes. I use this as a fast guide and rarely have problems with shipping costs. For instance, if I have shipped a fondue set in the past, I add a note to the document as to how much it cost for shipping and packing materials. That way I don’t have to weigh and measure every fondue set for shipping. It makes things easy when I go to list something because all I have to do is refer to the Word document.” — GSArcheologist

And, account for those mistakes. If you realize you underestimated a shipping cost, go back and update your Shipping Profile and similar listings to ensure that you’re protected in the future.

Update Shipping Profiles based on experience: “I know this sounds too obvious, but keep up with shipping costs for sold items! When I first started selling on Etsy I lost money shipping a few items. You bet I went back and updated shipping on similar things in my shop! If you aren’t sure, there are always people you can ask!” — NaturalandVintage

Insurance

Shipping fragile, collectible, and valuable vintage items is no easy feat. One way to cover yourself in the off chance that a package will get lost or broken in transit is to purchase insurance. Here are some things to consider if you offer insurance:

2 Mammy's Up for Adoption

2012-01-07T13:22:00.000-08:00

On Etsy:
Last day for my sale is tomorrow at 7pm EST
http://www.rabbithollowprims.etsy.com

Don't like Etsy well you can buy the mammy dolls and all my dolls on my website also and we accept all credit cards....
http://www.rabbithollowprims.com/blackdolls4.html

How to Make Money On Etsy

2012-01-03T11:40:00.000-08:00

Be Different...
"Find a niche, even if it's rather esoteric"
"Don't try to cater to everyone"
You have to think: why would customers want to buy from you? The more special your product is, the more likely people will buy only from you."

Dig Deeper is You Business Unique?
Like any e-commerce site, Etsy buyers are generally purchasing items sight unseen. They'll be shelling out money for the product before they get the chance to try it on, touch it, or smell it – which means photographs and product descriptions need to be spot-on.
Etsy is very focused on photography.
While many Etsy sellers can't afford to hire professionals to shoot their products, there are a ton of great resources on the site itself. Etsy's blog features sections like "The Seller Handbook" and "Your Shop 101.

The Art of Listing

A lot of strategy goes into the way items are listed, how often they're listed, and the number of items an Etsy store has at any given time. The item's title is of the utmost importance. When an item is listed, it can be marked with up to fourteen search 'tags' that allow the item to be searchable for potential buyers. "The tags have to be relevant. If you try to cast a huge net, you get bad results, but when you're very specific and descriptive, you'll have better luck. Shorter titles are better than longer ones.

Instead of naming a doll Horace, think about what people would be searching for to find that type of doll. The number of listings, and how often you list, really depend on what type of product you're selling. Statistically, people browse through two to three pages of listings (each page features about 20 items). So 60 items is about all you'll have the chance to get their attention with. If you don't give them what they want within the first 60, you've lost them." Sellers have also found that if you only have a few items in your store, people won't stay to click around. List two or three new items each week.

Get Involved

Join teams, use the community, the blog, the activity pages. This not only gets you known but also answers questions you may have.

Newbies ready to ship

2011-12-31T14:18:00.000-08:00

http://www.rabbithollowprims.etsy.com

Sale sale sale ring in the New Year sale going on right now......

New Dollies Designed by Mwah

2011-12-26T12:26:00.000-08:00

These are now up for sale on Etsy and my website http://www.rabbithollowprims.com

http://www.rabbithollowprims.etsy.com

Are Your Customers Tuning You Out?

2011-12-24T03:04:00.001-08:00

It’s a noisy world out there. Add to it with unneeded, poorly targeted communication, and you’ll be tuned out. Or worse, you’ll be viewed as simply a source of irritation.I was reminded of this fact when I boarded a plane on a recent trip. A flight attendant at the front of the cabin noticed that a passenger just three rows down had incorrectly loaded their suitcase such that it would not allow the overhead bin to close.Instead of walking the three feet to talk to the passenger personally, the flight attendant got on the PA system and announced that “passengers should mind how they put their suitcases in the overheads, and that they should make sure the wheels are facing out so that the bin can close properly.” To make matters worse, or perhaps because the flight attendant was concerned that he would be ignored, he added “all improperly stowed baggage will be removed from the overhead, checked and sent to the baggage hold, causing a flight delay for everyone.”The targeted person didn’t respond, and neither did anyone else.So the attendant waited a minute or so, then repeated the same announcement…four times. While most passengers were able to tune him out, there were some like me for whom the announcement began to feel like a verbal version of water torture. No, I didn’t cry out begging for mercy, but ultimately I was carelessly interrupted five times.The careless flight attendant’s message never hit its intended target. What it did do is cause the passengers to simply tune out as best they could. And therein lies the lesson.Asking for the public’s attention, or anyone’s attention, is a delicate balance. Get it, but don’t respect it, and you’ll be tuned out, or perhaps worse, you’ll be viewed as nothing other than a source of irritating noise.Thus, my rule is to always make sure that what I have to say has value to the audience. Note that I didn’t say “value to me.” If you have a message intended for a few that would likely interrupt many, come up with a different message delivery method. If not, your audience will tune you out the more you try to drive home your messaging.In my business, it has been our philosophy to avoid calls to action. Phrases such as: “Try one today.” “Get yours before they’re all gone.” “Act now.” Instead, we’ve focused on doing things that are worth giving you a reason to act.Which do you choose in your own marketing and communication efforts? Shouting too loudly to many with requests or urges to take action, not caring if the message is relevant or welcomed, or communicating directly and simply to those who are interested in what you have to say? If your message has any real value, the only option is the latter.And the improperly loaded suitcase? Once the aisles were cleared of passengers finding their way to their seats, the flight attendant simply took the suitcase out of the overhead, turned it around, and successfully closed the bin. After all, that was his job.Ask yourself: Are you doing yours?

New Spring Offerins

2011-12-23T05:21:00.001-08:00

Have added many new offerings for spring, Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day and Easter to my Etsy shoppe. Below is a preview of some of the items in there but go take a look at the wide range of offerins I have up :) All on sale for the New Year! http://www.rabbithollowprims.etsy.com

2011-12-23T00:53:00.001-08:00

Hi all,I know it has been a long time since I posted Nything but I am having health issues and have been trying to get better.I wanted to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and I am definitely getting my butt back into writing great posts for the blog so please stay tuned :)

Had my surgery

2011-12-10T16:01:00.001-08:00

Had my major surgery Monday healing and resting now :)

Holiday Shipping Deadlines

2011-11-26T04:59:00.001-08:00

This holiday season, let the United States Postal Service® show you how easy it is to ship all of your holiday packages. With many choices for flat-rate shipping, free package pickup, new holiday forever stamps, select Post Offices™ and USPS.com® are carrying a wide variety of products for holiday gift giving, gift wrapping and gift sending. Please consider using Postal Service™ products and services to make your holiday shipping less stressful and hectic.

The Postal Service wants to make sure that you send all of your holiday mail in time for your family and friends to receive and enjoy for the holidays. Therefore, in order to ensure timely delivery of your cards, letters or packages, please note the shipping deadlines for the following different types of mail:

DOMESTIC MAIL DEADLINES

Domestic Mail Class	Deadline
FIRST CLASS MAIL®	DEC. 20
PRIORITY MAIL®	DEC. 21
EXPRESS MAIL®	DEC. 22 (Check your local Post Office)
PARCEL POST®	DEC. 15

Following is a list of related holiday dates:

First night of Hanukkah (Chanukah ) - Dec. 20th at Sunset
Christmas Eve - Dec. 24th
Christmas Day - Dec. 25th
Kwanzaa - Dec. 26, 2011 - Jan. 1, 2012

Top of Page

MILITARY MAIL DEADLINES

Military Mail Addressed To	Express Mail® Military Service (EMMS)¹	First-Class Mail® Letters/Cards	Priority Mail®	Parcel Airlift Mail (PAL)²	Space Available Mail (SAM)³	Parcel Post®
APO / FPO / DPO AE (Iraq and Afghanistan) ZIP 093	N/A	Dec. 3	Dec. 3	Dec. 1	Nov. 26	Nov. 12
APO / FPO / DPO AE (all others) ZIPs 090-092, 094-098, 340, 962-966	Dec. 17	Dec. 10	Dec. 10	Dec. 3	Nov. 26	Nov. 12

Notes:

¹ EMMS: is available to selected military post offices. Check with your local Post Office to determine if this service is available to your APO/FPO address.

² PAL: is a service that provides air transportation for parcels on a space-available basis. It is available for Parcel Post items not exceeding 30 pounds in weight or 60 inches in length and girth combined. The applicable PAL fee must be paid in addition to the regular surface rate of postage for each addressed piece sent by PAL service.

³ SAM: parcels are paid at Parcel Post postage rate of postage with maximum weight and size limits of 15 pounds and 60 inches in length and girth combined. SAM parcels are first transported domestically by surface and then to overseas destinations by air on a space-available basis.

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OUTBOUND INTERNATIONAL MAIL DEADLINES (SHIPPING TO A FOREIGN COUNTRY)

International Mail Addressed To:	Global Express Guaranteed® (GXG)4	Express Mail International® (EMS)5	Priority Mail International™ (PMI)6	First-Class Mail International™
AFRICA	DEC. 20	DEC. 10	DEC. 2	DEC. 2
ASIA/PACIFIC RIM	DEC. 19	DEC. 15	DEC. 9	DEC. 9
AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND	DEC. 19	DEC. 15	DEC. 9	DEC. 9
CANADA	DEC. 21	DEC. 16	DEC. 12	DEC. 9
CARIBBEAN	DEC. 20	DEC. 15	DEC. 12	DEC. 9
CENTRAL & SOUTH AMERICA	DEC. 20	DEC. 10	DEC. 2	DEC. 2
MEXICO	DEC. 21	DEC. 15	DEC. 9	DEC. 9
EUROPE	DEC. 20	DEC. 15	DEC. 12	DEC. 9
MIDDLE EAST	DEC. 20	DEC. 15	DEC. 12	DEC. 9

Black Friday/Cyber Monday Sale

2011-11-23T02:12:00.000-08:00

I'm having a sale going on now until Weds of next week in my Etsy shoppe be sure to check it out for all the nice ready to shp offerings I have available :)

http://www.rabbithollowprims.etsy.com

Here are some ready to ship items :

Fostering Repeat Business

2011-11-16T17:14:00.000-08:00

Before the Sale

DNTX
Label your work. Branding is important. Not the plastering-a-giant-logo on the front of a T-shirt kind of branding, but how about a simple tag with your Etsy shop name sewn under the collar? Do your art prints have your Etsy shop name on the back? Branding and labeling will help your buyers know where to return!
Customer service is the key to fostering repeat business, and this starts with setting up the right expectations. Be sure to have up-to-date and thorough Shop Policies. (If you are in the EU, you’ll be happy to see we’ve added a Seller Information field for you to comply with customer protection laws. More info here.)

Include shipping information in your Message to Buyer. (Do you ship on Tuesdays? First Class mail? Is there a way the buyer can contact you for a shipping upgrade?)

Entice loyalty before the sale by encouraging fans of your work to participate in your business without even making a purchase. Can they fan your Facebook page? Donate to a Kickstarter campaign? Sign up for your MailChimp newsletter? (All of these tools will give you access to contact these fans again!)

After the Sale

paperandpinafore
Check the Notes to Seller area on your Etsy and PayPal invoices to avoid missing a request from your buyer.
Try to ship slightly faster than your policies and Note to Buyer state. Quote a slightly long shipping timeframe and drop that package off a day before. Your buyer will be thrilled!

Creative packaging and a handwritten note is just enough to turn that casual buyer into a fan. If this item could be a gift, think about including something fun for the buyer that they can keep for themselves. (Be creative and try not to eat into your profits with this one!)

Create and share coupon codes to reward and track repeat sales. Find more coupon code tips here.

Utilize the Shipping Notification tool. Here are some great pointers.

Stay Connected With Your Fans

Think of your core group of customers as your fan base. Here are some ways to keep in touch:

Leave thoughtful feedback instead of a generic, “Great buyer!” Look for clues in your buyer’s profile, the Note to Seller or other communications.

sakao

Ask your buyers to sign up for your mailing list. (Many mailing list providers offer a landing page where you can direct your new buyers to sign up.)

“Shout out” return buyers on your blog, Facebook page or via Twitter. (This can even be anonymous: “Just wanted to send a big ‘Thank you!’ to my lovely buyer from Hawaii. I know she’s going to rock these handprinted leggings!”)

Ask your customers for their help getting the word out! You’d be surprised how willing they are to support you! (And reward those who do.)

Unveiling a new line? Let your past buyers, blog readers and followers in on the secret first.

Team up! Work out a cross-promotion with a complementary Etsy seller, small business or your Etsy team. Supporting handmade, vintage and other small businesses in general will keep us all thriving!

There you have it: my tips to keeping buyers “tuned in” to your Etsy channel. So, sellers, how do you keep your buyers coming back? I’d love to hear it in the comments below!

Source: http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2011/seller-how-to-fostering-repeat-business/?utm_source=bronto&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Fostering+Repeat+Business&utm_content=etsy_success_111011_bc&utm_campaign=etsy_success_111011_bc

November on Etsy

2011-11-16T02:15:00.000-08:00

Our central merchandising themes will focus on autumn, winter, entertaining, and the holidays. While emphasis will be placed upon the seasonality of the Northern Hemisphere, it’s important to remember that the Southern Hemisphere is preparing for summer. Maintaining seasonally appropriate options year-round is good practice for boosting international and overall sales.

Movember: An annual month-long event involving the growing of moustaches during the month of November. Charitable events are held to raise awareness and funds for men’s health issues. Think moustaches!
Entertaining: The season for holiday parties begins. Think invitations, hostessing, hostess gifts, table settings, accessories, food, cocktails, recipes, seasonal decor, lighting and favors.
Holidays: The holidays consist of two central themes — decor and gifting. Shoppers are already planning and searching for holiday-themed gifts: Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa. Major gifting categories include price, recipient, and type of gift. Think in terms of the following groupings: under $25, under $50, under $75, statement gifts, women, men, teens, children, babies, coworkers, friends, the person who has it all, pets, personalization, eco-friendly, cards, calendars, gadgets, jewelry, fashion, one-of-a-kind, gag gifts, decor, DIY options, and parties & entertaining.
Thanksgiving: Entertaining, family, food and football. Classic Thanksgiving symbols include the turkey, cornucopia, Pilgrims and Native Americans, seasonal food, and fall foliage. Hostess gifts, table settings, and hearty treats are all items shoppers will be looking for.
Black Friday & Cyber Monday: Recognized shopping holidays — see promotional opportunities section above to find out how you can participate in site-wide efforts.
Winter Fashion: Shift in materials, colors, and layers in the categories of clothing, accessories, and jewelry. More specifically, key basics, layering elements, the introduction of winter accessories and outerwear components, thick fabrics and rich leathers, autumnal tones, vintage boots and heavy-weight all-weather bags. Tagging Tip: Try adding the term “fashion” to appropriate items to reach a broader shopping audience.
Autumn & Winter: Home decor, entertaining, food and recipes, seasonal activities, woodland motifs and nature’s symbols.
Weddings: Late autumn and winter weddings are currently underway; take advantage of seasonally-themed gift ideas, guest attire, as well as any final details that last-minute buyers may still need to purchase. Don’t forget to stay a step ahead for brides currently planning and shopping for 2012 spring and summer weddings.
Birthdays: November’s birthstone is Citrine and astrological signs are Scorpio andSagittarius (October 24 — November 22: Scorpio, November 23 — December 21: Sagittarius).

New Arrivals Ready to Ship in from Mom

2011-11-14T15:37:00.000-08:00

These are in my Etsy shoppe now
http://www.rabbithollowprims.etsy.com

Etsy Promotional Opportunites

2011-11-13T14:39:00.000-08:00

Holiday Tip: Etsy’s seasonal Gifts Email has relaunched for the holiday season. Now is the time to list your full holiday line with clear seasonal tags.
Shopping Pages: We are delighted to introduce four new ways to shop and explore Etsy: Fashion, Home and Garden, Kids, and Holidays. These new pages are a blend of curated content and category-based searches, changing frequently to represent trends in the Etsy marketplace and beyond. Following appropriate guidelines for tagging, use matching keywords on your relevant item listings to appear within search results linking from these new pages.
Treasury tip: Create and label treasuries fitting seasonal themes for a chance to have your collection featured on Etsy’s homepage or linked from promotional emails and new shopping pages. We’ll be looking to highlight specifically themed gift guides throughout the holiday season. If you’d like to create a gift guide encompassing a full theme throughout your treasury, be sure to use the term “gift guide” as one of your treasury tags, along with the overarching theme of your guide (using the “gift guide” term with several smaller themes is not the ideal use here).
Black Friday through Cyber Monday Weekend: Black Friday and Cyber Monday are shopping holidays gaining a reputation as the best days of the year to find sales. Etsy will be supporting sellers’ site-wide promotions throughout the 11/25 – 11/28 weekend. All sellers are welcome to participate with any and all special promotions you may be running on these dates. Etsy will be promoting sales via three universal predetermined tags that will be promoted from featured areas of the site.
How to Get Involved: Sellers conducting a promotion during these dates may use these tags to be included in the site wide promotions: 1. Black Friday Etsy, 2. Cyber Monday Etsy, and 3. Free Shipping Etsy. Use one or all of the appropriate tags for your sale items and specify the details of your promotion clearly at the top of the item description for each item. Note: Please do not use these designated tags unless you are promoting a sale during the 11/25 – 11/28 weekend, with the details clearly laid out in the item description. Please only apply the Free Shipping Etsy tag to listings that have already been adjusted for free shipping.

Etsy November Trends

2011-11-12T18:49:00.000-08:00

Wizardry, magic, owls, and mysticism with the DVD release of the final chapter of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
Vampires: They’re back on the radar with November’s premiere of Twilight: Breaking Dawn.
Moustaches & Beards: In honor of Movember.
Personalization: Gift ideas with monograms, initials, text, numbers, zodiac, constellations, portraits, custom labels, stamps, fingerprints and family trees.
Sports: Football, college basketball, and horse racing (in Australia) are in focus this month.
Weddings: Handmade and vintage variations on the wedding dress, engagement rings, creative invitations, save the dates, and signage are on the rise.
Fashion: Fall and winter accessories, vintage boots and patterned leggings. Sheer layers, lace sleeves, brocade, trenches, tailored jackets and blazers. Bright solids paired with black, platform pumps, cocktail rings, tribal and native references.
Colors: Pantone’s color trend report for fall 2o11 includes quarry, cedar, and teal greens, nougat and coffee browns, orchid and phlox purples, bamboo mustard yellow, honeysuckle pink, and ember-glow coral. We’re also noticing interest in scarlet, golds, pale hues of gray, pink, and lilac, classic neutrals and nudes, rustic fall colors, jade greens and mustards.
Culinary Trends: DIY culinary kits are on the rise. Classic cocktails, home brewing, beer and wine accessories, herb infusions and kits, garden to table.
Designer Vintage: Authentic fashion, collectibles, bikes, and auto accessories.
Letters, Numbers, and Symbols: Large vintage signage letters, letterpress blocks, monogram housewares, and typewriter keys.
Natural History: Woodland forest themes and animals, namely birds, owls, squirrels, hedgehogs, chipmunks, bunnies, butterflies, feathers, nests, eggs, acorns, leaves, trees, branches, woodgrain, and natural colors.
Lockets, secret hiding places, skeleton keys, arrows, diamonds, paper cuts, silhouettes, fortune cookies, wishbones, constellations, fortune telling.
Creative gadget cases, docking stations and accessories, especially geared around the iPhone 4S and iPad.
Large scale vintage and handmade paper maps, botanical and anatomy charts.
Upcycled lights, lamps, exposed bulbs, and chandeliers.
Vintage cameras, especially polaroids with film.
Bike caddies, baskets, and creative accessories.
Cottage chic decor and accessories
Video game-inspired references
Writable chalkboard surfaces
Wall and laptop decals
All things steampunk
Mermaids
Peacocks
If you make items that would fit well with the themes outlined, try stocking up and listing them in advance to take advantage of potential shipping deadlines and site features. Do you already have items in your shop that meld well? That’s great! Now it’s time to revisit those items to make sure your tags, titles and descriptions reflect keywords that shoppers might be looking for during this time of year. This is also a great opportunity to revamp your item photography with a new look. Check out some great how-to’s for item photography to get started. For those of your who enjoy making Treasury lists, we’ll be looking to highlight lists that interpret these themes in a creative and cohesive way throughout the site. Please tag your treasuries accordingly.

Swap Gift Fall

2011-11-11T14:35:00.000-08:00

I just got in my swap gift from Carol and it is great! thanks so much!
I got a Kirk's Folly owl pin, a great color changing skeleton candle, a tombstone with skeletons, candy that the kids ate LOL, a picture book keychain and a wonderful artist print of a witch with a cat!

Newest Make Primitive Christmas Mr. Soot and Sticks

2011-11-10T16:05:00.000-08:00

You can find him in my Etsy shoppe :)

http://www.rabbithollowprims.etsy.com

SOLD Thank You!

10 Real Tips to Be Successful on Etsy

2011-11-06T02:07:00.000-08:00

My good friend Tim over at Handmadeology has a great article today with loads of links and things to do to help your etsy shoppe grow from a hobby into a business. Be sure to head on over and check out this wonderful article!

http://www.handmadeology.com/10-real-tips-for-successfully-selling-on-etsy/

Etsy Seller Offers

2011-11-03T15:06:00.000-07:00

Show Off Your Style with MOO Cards

About

MOO.com make a range of premium quality printed products, including business cards, minicards, postcards and a variety of stickers—great for labeling, packaging and branding your business. You can upload your artwork, designs or photography, and get a different image on every single sticker or card in the pack. Just imagine the possibilities for your business! And if you don’t have your own images, you can always use one of MOO’s original designs.

Etsy Special Offer

To kickstart the notoriously busy holiday season, MOO is offering Etsy sellers 15% off all printed products—so you can go crazy with branded gift wrapping and special offers for all your best customers.

Plus, order a free pack of Etsy Business Cards - even if you've ordered a free Etsy pack before! Also, be sure to check out the MOO API.

About

Outright is easy online accountingfor small-business owners, and is great for Etsy sellers. Outright will automatically gather and categorize your PayPal, credit card and bank transactions.

Let Outright keep your finances up to date and organized for taxes, so you can spend more time on what you love. Setup is super easy and no accounting knowledge is needed—Outright was built for small-business owners, not finance geeks and accountants.

Etsy Special Offer

To learn more about small-business financial management check out the great videos presented by Outright during Hello Etsy at our satellite events inBrooklyn and Los Angeles. These are especially informative for beginners and anyone unfamiliar with or intimidated by accounting, taxes and financial management.

Outright is FREE. No trial, no credit card, no payment.

Get started today at Outright.com/Etsy.

Try Docstoc Premium for Free

About

Docstoc provides the documents, templates and forms you need to most effectively manage your Etsy business. From protecting your designs to keeping track of your accounting, Docstoc has you covered.

As a Docstoc Premium member, you'll gain immediate access to over 1,500 certified legal contracts and business forms created by experts and approved by lawyers. Best of all, the service is tailored to your areas of focus. Join more than 11,000,000 registered users who use Docstoc to start, manage and grow their business.

Etsy Special Offer

Try Docstoc Premium for free for 14 days! It’s their best offer anywhere. Enjoy unlimited downloading, editing and printing of every document you’ll ever need to manage your Etsy business.

Claim your free trial today.

UK-based Sellers: Get 20% Off One Collect+ Order per Day

About

Collect+ is an award-winning parcel delivery service in the United Kingdom that is cheaper than Royal Mail for Parcels between 2kg and10kg. Send parcels with Collect+ from £3.99 including VAT (up to 2kg)—Royal Mail will cost £4.41.

Simply print a label online atwww.collectplus.co.uk and then drop your parcels at one of 4,000 local corner shops—giving greater freedom and convenience when your time is so important.

Collect+ is ideal for UK-based Etsy sellers because:

• You can send parcels from early ‘til late, 7 days a week, from your local shop.

• All parcels are tracked en route at no extra charge.

• A £50 compensation cover is included FREE (higher levels available at additional cost).

• It is easy to book and print delivery labels online.

Etsy Special Offer

Etsy sellers in the United Kingdom can get 20% off one order per day until November 31, 2011.

Visit this page, created especially for Etsy sellers in the UK.

Collect+ delivers millions of parcels every year and in 2011 won the Retail Week "Third Party Logistics Provider of the Year" award.

Ship Worldwide with ATS—20% Off Your First Order

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FedEx Disclaimers

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Now more than ever, you need to get the most value for your shipping dollar. FedEx is offering Etsy sellers special discounts up to 21% on select FedEx® services plus an additional 5% when creating shipping labels at fedex.com.

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Swap Gift Fall

2011-10-29T07:17:00.000-07:00

So if you didn't know I love Kirk's Folly jewelry and in the forums there they had a swap. I got this wonderful box of items in yesterday.

A spider web necklace
handmade soap with scarecrow
a scarf
a cute card with my swap partners dogs dressed for Halloween

I love it all and thanks so much Jean

40 Low Budget Advertising For Etsy

2011-10-19T03:24:00.000-07:00

1. Take great photos so your items reach Etsy’s Front Page – this has been the most successful free advertising we’ve had in our two years on Etsy
2. Create Treasuries, Be in Treasuries
3. Make connections with Twitter
4. Make connections with Facebook
5. Post photos of your process on Flickr and participate in Flickr groups, Tumblr is another great blog/photo site
6. Comment on the Etsy blog, The Storque
7. Write your own blog, create meaningful content
8. Comment on other blogs, many blogs will link your name back to your website. When you comment make sure you enter your website in the field that asks for it.
9. Do a giveaway on a blog or website
10. Use all 14 tags to describe your item, use a few unique words/colors/descriptors
11 Offer promo codes on Facebook, Twitter, your blog, etc.
12. Post promo codes to sites like Etsy Saver
13. Include promo codes for returning buyers in your orders
14. Send out a monthly/quarterly shop newsletter with a free site like MailChimp
15. Hand out business cards, take them with you everywhere
16. Participate in a craft show, make sure to hand out business cards or postcards
17. Participate in Etsy Forums/ teams
18. Shop Etsy

Read more here

Newbie 4 Sale

2011-10-14T16:26:00.000-07:00

These can all be found in my Etsy Shoppe at http://www.rabbithollowprims.etsy.com

SEO Tips for the Holidays

2011-10-14T03:16:00.001-07:00

Story by HeyMichelle

Published on Oct 13, 2011 in Seller Handbook

Photo by Photo by Nicole Licht

One of the most effective ways to get holiday shoppers into your shop is to bring them in through search. SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the art and science of helping search engines like Google and Etsy search find you.

So much has been written on SEO that the amount of information can seem overwhelming! Luckily, the best tips are the simplest, and will leave you with plenty of time for all of your other holiday preparations. Here are my top tips for making search work for you this holiday season:

verlaivans

1. Improve your relevancy: Read our post onmaking your items more relevant in search. Want the short version of that article? Just put important keywords and phrases in both your tags and titles and describe your item as if you are talking to someone who can’t see it. Make sure to vary your titles within your shop, as this helps you to be found in a variety of searches. Titling and tagging all similar items in the shop almost exactly the same is the biggest SEO pitfall, so sidestep it by mixing it up!

2. Learn about holiday search trends: Scan the merchandising articles each month, and our holiday shopping insights and trends. Use these posts to find keywords and phrases that apply to your items, and add them in!

FunctionalSculpture

3. Consider the recipient: Use words that describe who your item would be a great gift for in your tags and titles. Try synonyms as well! For example: men/man, women/woman, girls, boys, kids, children, baby, infant, toddler.

4. Use the search bar to find what shoppers are searching for: Select Handmade, Vintage, or Supplies, and then start typing what you sell. A list of recent shoppers’ searches will appear. Incorporate any that are relevant to your items in your tags and titles.

5. Make your shop Googleable: Work in gifting related keywords into your Shop Announcement and Shop Title, name Shop Sections with terms that reflect the holidays. These fields, in addition to your item titles and other areas of your shop, are picked up by Google.

PokeberryToyBox

6. Work smarter, not harder: Make SEO changes gradually! Try changing the titles and tags of a few items at a time, and then look in your Shop Stats over the next few days to see the effects.

Want some more tips on getting found in search? Check out the SEO section in the Seller Handbook. Also, stop on by the Etsy Success Team to let us know how you’re doing, and to ask for advice!

Published Dollies for Sale

2011-10-09T04:08:00.000-07:00

I have been published again this time in the Fall 2011 PRIMS magazine. I am now taking orders for the Yoders and Tofu Turkey See below. You can find them in my Etsy shoppe or on my website.

http://www.rabbithollowprims.com

http://www.etsy.com/listing/83418523/fall-fling-sale-primitive-thanksgiving
http://www.etsy.com/listing/83418430/fall-fling-sale-primitive-thanksgiving

New Etsy App Meticorn

2011-10-04T13:52:00.001-07:00

We have some news for you! We just launched our newest Etsy app, Metricorn!

While we don't like to be the one to spoil surprises, we do have some serious goodies in store for you!

Current Metricorn Features

Easily view all of your Etsy sales, expenses, and shipping data in one place.
Import an unlimited number of sales and expenses from Etsy.
Easy taxes! See all of your sales grouped by country, U.S. state, and Canadian provinces.
New! Add as many Etsy shops to your account as you like.
New! Updated every 10 minutes, not nightly—nearly real-time!
New! View all of your data by year, by quarter, or by month.
New! Beautiful charts to give you a quick visual of how you're doing.

Upcoming Metricorn Features

Add and track sales outside of Etsy. Great for craft fairs or eBay stores.
Add and track expenses outside of Etsy. Add your materials costs easily.
Import Paypal history and track new Paypal payments and expenses.
Add and track shipping details. Never overlook a shipping issue.
View a dashboard of all of your data, and watch it update instantly as new sales come in. (Especially fun to watch on an iPad or a flat-panel TV!)

Thanks a million! We love our Favoritizer users. It is your feedback that helped us to know more about what our customers want. This one's for you!
-Ashley, Katrina, Eric, and Sander

Increase Etsy shop views

2011-09-30T02:19:00.001-07:00

BrickHouseFabrics says

My basics for being found on the net, and places I use:

The basics:

The shop title is searchable. Fill it w/ keywords about your product.

Get your announcements set for search engines: fill the first paragraph w/ keywords about what you make/sell. Move everything down below it- no one googles hello, or welcome.

Titles: the title should be what a person would google to find the item. 54-56 characters are pulled by search engines. Fill them w/ keywords. The first 2 words are the most important. Remove words like and, the, or, they lower searchability.

Reuse the keywords in the first sentence of the listing.

Give measurements in both inches and metric. I use an on-line metric convertor:
www.worldwidemetric.com/Measurements.html

Write the description as if there weren't a pic. Take the pics as if there weren't a description.

The thumbnail is crucial to being successful: the average buyer on the net spends 3-5 sec. before clicking or moving on. Take pics of everything about the item.

Use an photo editor: pic nik, picassa, photoscape are all free.
And use a tripod! It eliminates a lot of issues!

Artists- most people show a picture of the item very cropped. Take another one of the item on an easel- table or full sized, to give a sense of scale, and to let the buyer know exactly what they are gettting.

Make certain, if you sell internationally- to have a disclaimer that the buyer is responsible for all customs fees, duties, and import charges that are levied at the time of delivery.
I have it on every listing, and add a link to www.sloanefox.freeserve.co.uk/importukduty.htm

Make certain your policies are filled out, and your profile, and location.

Join twitter; even if you don't tweet- you can use twit pic to upload a keyword filled message, and link it back to the shop w/ Bitly. That message is searchable, and the link is good.

Upload items to Kaboodle.

Do a Squidoo lens about your shop:
www.squidoo.com/how-to-use-the-etsy-module

Then do another about your things, your craft, whatever, and link it back as well.

These are all fast, free ways to do some promoting.
Also remember- the net works off of new. Once a month change the announcement, or titles, or shop categories. If you do a lens, or publish anything on the net, make certain to tweak it, or add to it, even a RSS feed, anything to keep those bots happy and coming back for more!
--------------
The problem is that the net changes. What worked 2 yrs ago, or even 1 year ago is vastly different than what will work now.

In December, 2009 google changed their google shopping requirements. This spring Google (not google shopping) went to a 2 word keyword string. That changed EVERYTHING. Putting the most important keyword at the end of a lot of descriptive words no longer works now.

If things aren't working for you, step back, do some reading, and see what does work for others. That is what you have to do on the net- morph w/ it.

Posted at 5:58 pm Oct 2, 2010 EDT

Cookie Dough and Boy Scout Popcorn 4 Sale

2011-09-25T17:13:00.000-07:00

My Sons are selling cookie dough for their school to get a new playground. Please email me with orders and pay through paypal. Money Due by Oct 3rd. I will ship out as soon as they come in which I was told is Mid November. Great for the upcoming holidays. Can be frozen or thawed and refrozen. 2.75 lb tub makes 4 dozen cookies.
Also boy scout popcorn for sale too to support their troop. See brochure pics.

Cozy Autumn Finds At the Farmhouse

2011-09-25T17:07:00.001-07:00

'Cozy Autumn Colors at the Farmhouse' by Rabbithollowprims

Cozy Autumn style

Autumn Pumpkin n Crow Primit... scaredycatprim... $17.00	Hand Blended Scented Putka P... harvestmoonpri... $4.75
Three Prim How Tos , WELCOME... PigeonCreekPri... $4.99	Primitive Pumpkin Door Greet... Rabbithollowpr... $38.95
Autumn- The Year's Last,... PunkinSeedProd... $35.00	Rustic Boho Bracelet, Copper... ForElephant $25.00
Autumn - Doll Quilt - A66 UglyDucklingSt... $23.00	Grapevine and Orange Pip Ber... theoldloghouse $22.00
Tote Purse Bag Homespun Autu... KeepsakeKorner $17.99	Autumn Leaves Thanksgiving N... cookiedoughcre... $13.95
Turkey Penny Rug with Pumpki... happyvalleypri... $24.95	Handwoven Oval Wooden Base B... basketsbyrose $40.00
Thanksgiving Prayer - Small ... farmersattic $14.99	Fall Gathering Prim Acorns primgirl62 $18.95
Cowl - Betty's Chunky - ... tinsandtreasur... $28.00	Fall/Autumn Sign strokesoffancy $7.99

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

101 Handmade Ornaments Tutorials

2011-09-24T15:55:00.001-07:00

Kim over at Everything Etsy has this wonderful link to 101 tutorials on ornaments. head on over and check it all out!

http://www.everythingetsy.com/2011/09/101-handmade-ornament-tutorials/

WInter Celebration on Etsy OFG

2011-09-18T13:45:00.000-07:00

Search WWHOFG

New in my Etsy Shoppe and Ready to Ship

2011-09-17T10:01:00.000-07:00

Matilda Long Nose Witch

Percy the Treat Hound

Sid Viscious

http://www.rabbithollowprims.etsy.com

Important News Please Read

2011-09-15T17:14:00.001-07:00

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to send a quick note to let you all know that I am going to go on a major surgery Dec 5th. I am taking xmas orders now so that I can get them done before I go on surgery. I will not be able to take orders after mid november as the whole month of Dec I will be healing. Thanks for your support and happy shopping.....

Etsy Success Holiday Boot Camp 2011

2011-09-06T16:23:00.000-07:00

Remember last year’s Etsy Success Holiday Boot Camp, where Etsy sellers received weekly tips, to-do lists and encouragement through a series of blog posts, newsletters and forum threads (and a monster for a mascot)? This year’s Holiday Boot Camp programming is almost ready, and I want to make sure you’ve marked your calendars. In addition to last year’s festivities, I’ve lined up worksheets, Online Labs, a success-focused advent calendar and tips from expert small business drill instructors. All this will help us get ready for the best holiday season on Etsy,ever!

Here’s your prep list for this year’s boot camp:

Sign up for the Etsy Success Newsletter. Boot Camp newsletters with full instructions for the upcoming week will go out every Thursday afternoon, startingSeptember 22, 2011. (However, I’ll send you a few things to do before boot camp gets serious!)

Start to think about what kind of time and resources you want to invest in this year’s holiday rush.

Clear some time in your schedule — preferably the same time every week — to finish up your Boot Camp tasks.

Make sure you have Adobe Reader so you can open and print our weekly downloads.

Join the Etsy Success Team. We’ll be discussing the weekly tasks and supporting each other through the exercises.

Etsy Success Holiday Boot Camp

2011-09-01T15:28:00.001-07:00

Here’s your prep list for this year’s boot camp:

Start to think about what kind of time and resources you want to invest in this year’s holiday rush.

Clear some time in your schedule — preferably the same time every week — to finish up your Boot Camp tasks.

Make sure you have Adobe Reader so you can open and print our weekly downloads.

Join the Etsy Success Team. We’ll be discussing the weekly tasks and supporting each other through the exercises.

Links to Pricing Tips

2011-08-30T15:59:00.001-07:00

http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/tags/etsy-success-pricing/?utm_source=bronto&utm_medium=email&utm_term=The+Art+of+Pricing%C2%A0&utm_content=etsy_success_083011&utm_campaign=etsy_success_083011

Pricing Tips

2011-08-30T15:58:00.000-07:00

Kelly Rae Roberts is the author of Taking Flight: Inspiration + Techniques to Give Your Creative Spirit Wings, a bestselling book that encompasses all aspects of what it means to live the creative life. Her work has been featured in a variety of media, including Cloth Paper Scissors, Somerset Studios (her artwork was on the 03/2010 cover!), Where Women Create, Memory Makers, and more. Kelly will be participating in this year’s THE CREATIVE CONNECTION EVENT, a national conference and market celebrating creative women and entrepreneurs in St. Paul, Minnesota, from September 15 – 17, 2011.

Pricing: It’s a tricky thing. I’ve struggled with it (and still do), but especially when I started out. Original works are very hard to price because they are, indeed, one of a kind works that likely took a lot of time to create. In my first attempts at pricing my originals, I sold them at or around $100-200. Many years later (and with much more experience), I now charge anywhere from $200-$900 for a painting.

Here are some factors to consider when pricing your own work:

Time: How long did it take you to create that piece? Was it three hours? Ten hours? Give yourself an hourly wage. When I first started out, I paid myself $20 an hour, so if a painting took me five hours to paint, I’d consider starting my price analysis at $100. However, I wouldn’t stop there. That price could go up with the following considerations…

Experience: How long have you been doing this? A long time? A short time? Using the example above of paying myself $20 an hour when I was a beginner, let’s say some time has passed and I’ve gained more experience. Let’s even say I have some press mentions, a larger audience, maybe I’ve even been published. That $20 per hour may need to jump up to $30 an hour, or maybe more! Just remember, be sure to pay yourself and give yourself raises as your accomplishments increase – just like any other job.

Look What I Won!

2011-08-25T17:44:00.000-07:00

I was over at my friend an OFG Sisters blog Firecrackerkid Primitives an she just happened to be having a giveaway. I signed up for it and I won this lovely antique rolling pin with handmade sleeve. Thanks so much Carol, now I need a rack LOL

Be sure to check out all the wonderful items she has there and check for giveaways :)

Etsy Marketing

2011-08-24T02:51:00.000-07:00

One of the most important things to remember when faced with all aspects of your business is that you are your own best marketing agent. Who better to promote your product than you? Who else knows the sweat and tears of love that goes into creating your product? Furthermore, who else can explain the benefits of your organic lip gloss or plaid Eco-friendly recycled purse?
Here are a few suggestions (and I’m sure you’ve heard them all) to further promote and market yourself and your product.

Wear and Use Your Own Product
Do you make handbags, jewelry, or lip gloss? Is your claim to fame rainbow note pads or organic t-shirts? Whatever it is you do or make, utilize your own product in life. Show it, love it, use it and promote it. Someone will surely ask “Where did you get that cute t-shirt?” Believe in your product and wear it to work to get it noticed!

Your Friends and Family Are Your Co-Marketers, Don’t Be Scared
I’m here to tell you that your family and friends are your best outlets for helping share your product. Does someone in your family work a front desk at a busy company? Adorn them with your jewelry and business cards.

Read more here:

My Art Doll Quarterly Debut

2011-08-21T15:29:00.000-07:00

I finally got the issue and the article was great! Here is the article preview an the Magazine cover. I am so in awe to be in this magazine with such big name artists.....Medusa is also back with me and I am going to be selling her off on my website to the highest bidder :)

Etsy Rolling Out a New Surprise Want to Be the first to know?

2011-08-19T02:43:00.002-07:00

Sign up here:
http://www.handmadeology.com/so-what-is-etsys-next-surprise/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+handmadeologytoday+%28Handmadeology%29

Getting Your Etsy Treasury to the Front Page

2011-08-19T02:43:00.000-07:00

Need help getting a treasury to the front page of Etsy? Here are a few tips I have come up with from my experience.

Watch the front page and see what is being featured. That will give you an idea of what to do. Another way to do this is to use the CraftCult Vault tool. You can scroll through and look at the first four items for every treasury that has made the front page. It gives you a quick look.
Follow the Etsy trends. The trends are what Etsy has deemed hot right now so it only makes sense to use them to make a treasury.
Pick a theme. This will give your treasury a cohesive feel and give you an idea of where you want the treasury to go.
Use some common sense when selecting your items. What will people be purchasing right now? Reading the trends helps with this. For instance, most people will not be purchasing heavy scarves and hats. They will be purchasing garden items and wedding gifts. Think about the season.
Choose the absolute best images you can find that fits the theme.
Try to keep the backgrounds of the photos that you choose all the same color. It makes the treasury flow.

Etsy Relavancy what is it?

2011-08-16T04:04:00.000-07:00

It might seem like a no-brainer to sort search results by most relevant items rather than most recent. But on marketplaces that allow third-party merchants to post listings with expiration dates, it's not so simple, as eBay found out when it made "Best Match" the default sort order on its search pages.
Yesterday, Etsy made the same move by making relevancy the default sort order on its search engine. And it says it has the data to back up the decision from tests it ran on the site:

Shoppers were 4.4% more likely to click on a listing from a search results page when given results sorted by relevancy.
Shoppers viewed 5.5% more listings per search visit when they were given results sorted by relevancy, vs. sorted by recency.
Listing views and favorites were significantly higher when results were sorted by relevancy, resulting in higher sales.

Etsy obtained those statistics from A/B tests it ran over the past few months that compared member behaviors when given two different search results, one sorted by relevancy and the other sorted by recency. It then evaluated how many items a buyer clicked on from a search and compared the number of items clicked and hearted when the results were sorted by recency (the previous default) vs. sorted by most relevant.
Etsy also said its relevancy sort allowed it to show items from multiple shops so that a single shop would not dominate the search results.
Previously, sellers were able to list new items and renew current ones in order to boost an item's visibility in search results sorted by recency. In responding to a seller's concerns, an Etsy administrator wrote, "Today we changed to relevancy exactly FOR the small shops, so that sellers with more money wouldn't dominate the marketplace."
The administrator later clarified her post, writing, "I wanted to clarify my post. Today we changed to relevancy to establish fairness between sellers big and small in the marketplace, so that sellers who paid more money to renew their items wouldn't displace relevant content in the marketplace and so that all items that are properly titled and tagged have a fair chance to rank at the top of search results. We do not in fact prefer big or small sellers, that has nothing to do with our algorithm, the point is that sort by relevancy levels the playing field. We feel that showing more variety gives buyers more chances to find shops that interest them."
Recency of items does factor into Etsy's algorithm, especially when searches are broad. Etsy also displays the top four most recent items in a section at the top of the search results; clicking arrows allows searchers to view more recent items.
Sellers commented about the importance tags played in Etsy's relevancy algorithm, and expressed concern about "tag stuffing" by sellers to try and get higher placement in search results.
Etsy provided tips to sellers on optimizing their listings for new relevancy sort in this blog post last week, and it will stream a Q&A with the search team in the Online Labs on August 11, 2011 at 3 pm ET.

source:
http://www.auctionbytes.com/cab/abn/y11/m08/i10/s01

Sorry Haven't Been Around

2011-08-16T03:55:00.001-07:00

I am starting back to work this week after a long summer so it is going to be hard to be able to write like I was. I am going to have to get back into the habit of writing daily again.

Top 5 Resources to Optimize Your Etsy Shop

2011-08-11T17:13:00.000-07:00

1. Putting Your Shop on Top
Find out which areas of your item listings can be optimized for relevancy.

2. Shop Stats Insights
Keywords are, well, key to getting those items found!

3. Policy Update: Labeling Items
Did you know you may use a short descriptive phrase as a tag if it accurately describes your item? Here are a few examples: "sterling silver," "messenger bag," "blue scarf."

4. Submit Your Shop
Are you an active Etsy seller? Submit your shop and become an example on using Shop Stats to optimize for search engines.

5. Admin Tips for Relevancy
HeyMichelle advises slowly making small changes and monitoring how they affect views, hearts and sales.

New Dollies for Sale Halloween and More

2011-08-07T16:43:00.000-07:00

Ok I know the pics are not that great LOL I had to take them inside due to the heat. Going out early in morning to get good pics.

All of these can be found on my website and etsy shoppe

http://www.rabbithollowprims.etsy.com

http://www.rabbithollowprims.com

How to Make it to the Front Page on Etsy

2011-08-07T16:41:00.001-07:00

Use all 14 tags when listing your item. Think of all the ways someone could search for what you've made, and include those keywords in your tags. Make sure to list the main colors of your item. If someone is doing a treasury of all yellow items, they're probably going to search for the term "yellow" instead of scrolling through pages of listings and looking for yellow in the photos.
Have bright, clear photos. The common theme in all the Front Pages is great photos. I used to upload my photos directly from my camera to my online shop. No more. Now I always first open the photos in GIMP to lighten them up, sharpen them if needed, and then upload them. It always makes a difference. Even if I thought the original photo looked pretty good, it's much better post-editing.

Make yourself visible on Etsy. So say you have the perfect tags for your items, crisp clean photos, but you haven't listed anything in your shop since last week. Your items might be perfect for someone creating a treasury at this very moment, but you're going to be on page 25 of the search results, or worse if you're in a popular category like jewelry or paper goods. Etsy's popularity means that new items are constantly being listed, so you have to do some work to make sure you stay in the first few pages of search results, where shoppers and treasury-makers can find you. Relisting often is one way to do this. Promoting your shop on and off Etsy is another way. Just make sure to get the word out any way you can.

Artfire's New Look

2011-08-06T04:29:00.000-07:00

The new ArtFire shopping cart is now live. This cart is a dramatic improvement over the past shopping cart process. Inline checkout via ProPay credit card processing now allows shoppers to complete purchases in a seller-branded environment, with the sale occurring entirely within the seller’s own store.

The ArtFire team has spent the past few months researching, building and testing this new shopping cart for the community. The cart includes a host of new features and benefits, including:
Inline, two-step checkout with ProPay, which keeps the shopper in your studio and results in fewer abandoned carts.

Tax tables are now integrated for all 50 states and work with all payment providers available to ArtFire sellers.

Sellers can opt out their entire studio or individual items from the tax calculations on ArtFire. Depending on the state, some items like food and clothing are exempt from sales tax: opting out is in place for the sellers of those types of items.

The coupon code entry field only shows up if you have a coupon code. Shoppers don’t leave the cart to go look for a coupon code if you don’t have one.

Non-paying buyers are eliminated. Until the order is paid for, the product is not marked as “sold.”

The cart is branded to the seller, in the seller’s studio. The shopper is buying from you, not just the marketplace.

Improved emails and invoices for both buyer and seller, with better graphics and simpler layouts.

Complete tie-in with a new improved Facebook Kiosk and RapidCart system. Items in a guest shopper's cart will still be there if they visit ArtFire from the Facebook Kiosk.

Cleaner, faster, more intuitive user interface that has been focus-group tested with everyday internet shoppers.

Item memory, even for guest shoppers. When a shopper comes back to ArtFire, their cart will still have your items, if they did not buy the items last time.

Go check it out and get your free 30 day trial of the pro version of the shoppe

Halloween's A Comin

2011-08-04T16:10:00.001-07:00

All in my Etsy shoppe
http://www.rabbithollowprims.etsy.com

New Halloween for Sale

2011-08-03T17:13:00.000-07:00

New Halloween Smidge and Smudge
Each one is only $18.95 + shipping
You can find them in my Etsy shoppe
http://www.rabbithollowprims.etsy.com

What Makes A Good Online Shopping Experience?

2011-08-02T18:21:00.000-07:00

This is what people have said makes their shopping experience fun and enjoyable:

Searchability – When shopping online, I need to be able to easily find what I’m looking for. I don’t have the time or the patience to click through multiple pages, requiring reloading. In an offline store, I can scan over an area within seconds to see if they have what I’m looking for. I need that same efficiency with my online experience.

Product Info and Photos – Since my preference is to touch and feel something before buying it, I want to be able to virtually touch and feel it online. eBags does an excellent job of communicating a bag’s size, scale and look via multiple photo angles and techniques. They put items (running shoes, water bottle, ipod) into the bags, as well as take a shot with the bag on a mannequin.

Free Shipping and Returns – All three sites offered free shipping if you spend over a certain amount. However, eBags was the only one who offered free returns as well. This makes ordering from them virtually risk free. Victoria’s Secret also makes returns easier – providing a pre-addressed label, but users are charged $5.95 for returns. Free returns from VS would be a big plus, since swimsuit cuts and sizing vary so widely.

Customer Ratings – I love to know what other people who bought the bag thought of it. Consumers have less incentive to lie/mislead – unlike product manufacturers. So, I weigh their objective opinions much more heavily. I have often changed my product selections based on customer ratings…and have never been disappointed. ebags has customer ratings, plus a “Best of the Best” category that highlights bags customers rated highest.

Upsells/You May Also Like/Recommendations – Just like when I’m at the grocery store and I throw in a pack of gum and a magazine while in line waiting, I will usually fall for an impulse buy if presented with a targeted, easy offer. When buying a swimsuit, the odds are good that I’ll add flip flops or a cover up, especially when the site features them on a page I’m already on and makes it easy to add them to my cart.

FirecrackerKid Giveaway

2011-08-02T03:25:00.000-07:00

My good friend an olde farmhouse sister Carol is having a wonderful giveaway on her blog for a spice rack. Please be surevto head on over to her blog and join in the fun.

http://firecrackerkid.blogspot.com/2011/07/dog-days-of-summer-giveaway.html

Referral Candy

2011-08-01T06:27:00.000-07:00

This is an awesome promotional tool and you only pay per click. No clicks no pay.

Here is how it works:

Nancy receives an email*from us inviting her to your referral program after she makes a purchase at your store.

She recommends your store to her friends by forwarding the email or sharing the discount coupon link inside.

Her friends buy from your store using the discount coupon. You get new customers!

Nancy gets rewarded for the recommendation with a referral bonus discount.

http://www.referralcandy.com/

Check it out!

Last Years Prices Effective Immediately

2011-07-31T09:11:00.000-07:00

*NOW* Check out my website. I went back to last years prices starting today all new purchases and order will get last years prices excludes previous orders or purchases....http://www.rabbithollowprims.com/

Separating Your Business Life from Personal Life

2011-07-30T05:40:00.000-07:00

I have read that it is impossible for home-based entrepreneurs to keep business life and personal life separate. To the extent that no business or job can be kept entirely isolated from personal or family affairs, I would agree. But it is essential for the success of your business and well-being of your personal life that you make every effort to keep the two apart.

If you have a family, your home-based business is going to affect it in some way and vice versa. If your business is only in the preliminary stages, waste no time in bringing in certain family members, making clear to them what your plans are and how they might affect family life. A spouse should be in your planning from the start. You may want to postpone discussing ventures with young children until you're ready to launch the business, but you should talk with older children early on.

Moreover, you must make it clear to your family, friends, neighbors, etc that although you will be working from home in your new business, you are indeed working, and during work hours you are not available for chores, baby-sitting, ball-playing, shopping, shuttle service, or anything else not related to your craft business.

For some baffling reason, people tend to think that a person who works from home isn't really working. Consequently, you can count on them to try to impose on you in every imaginable way. Friends, neighbors, and even family members will think nothing of phoning or dropping in during business hours just to chat, when they would never dream of doing such a thing to a chef, a physician, a teacher, or an auto mechanic, who works away from their home.

Sometimes home-based entrepreneurs get what they ask for- no respect. I've heard some delight in the fact that they're able to work at home all day in robe and slippers. I can't imagine taking my business seriously, or expecting others to, while lounging around all day in bed clothing. I certainly can't entertain or meet with clients so attired. And what are drop-ins and coffee klatchers to think if I greet them at the door in pajamas and try to convince them I'm busy?

Of course, I might catch up on paperwork late at night in the bedroom. I often see too early-morning phone calls during my first cup of coffee, before I've showered and donned my work duds. When it's time for business, however, I am dresses for it.

It's also important for your business image and peace of mind that you establish a business routine. You must have operating days and hours, and you must make these known to family, friends, and neighbors. Otherwise, they'll be all to quick to assume you're not really working.

3,653 Post Offices May Close Is Yours One?

2011-07-27T05:56:00.000-07:00

I read over on Handmadeology that 3,653 post offices are getting ready to close. Most of them are in small rural towns. Will you be affected? How will this affect your online business? Here is where to read the article
click here

and here is where to see if your post office is set to be shut down click here

How To Write A Linesheet Catalog for Wholesale

2011-07-26T11:00:00.000-07:00

Wholesale is a large part of my Etsy sales each year. Offering wholesale if you can boost your sales and income of your Etsy shop. Here are some great tips on setting up a wholesale linesheet. Thanks Epheriell!!

Epheriell says:

Just recently I was lucky enough to get my first serious wholesale inquiry.
My first response was ‘yay!!’.
My second response was ‘huh?’ The retailer had asked me for my wholesale linesheet…. and I had no idea what that was. I figured, by the name, that it was a document showing my different ‘lines’/items… but I had no idea what else I should have on there.
After a bit of research, I figured it out – and I thought I’d share it all here today for people who might be in the same boat as I was!
*The Basics
Business Name/Logo
Your name
E-mail, phone and addresss
A short statement about your business – what makes it special
*Wholesale Policies

Success Challenge

2011-07-25T17:01:00.000-07:00

I wanted to share this experience with the rest of you. There’s some aspect of running your small online business that you, too, are really, really good at. Do you ever acknowledge it?

So here’s the challenge, brainstorm a list of what you know you are doing right with your business. Ruminate on each strength and decide which three you are the best at.

Now, turn the page of your sketchbook and brainstorm how you can expand those skills/abilities/efforts. Get creative! Here are a few examples from the Etsy Success Team to get the wheels turning:

Example by My Zoetrope

Example by FlourishandDebonair

Example by quiltish

Click to zoom in on examples by BearStitches, elegantgirl, newhopebeading,

nightowlcraftworks and dearpumpernickel.

Ready to take on the challenge? Awesome! Be sure to share your homework by taking a photo or scanning your work, then blog about it

Source: http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2011/etsy-success-challenge-whats-your-biggest-strength/

Source:

Home Business Part 2 Part time vs Full time

2011-07-22T16:12:00.000-07:00

The artisan who decides to work as a home-based professional is faced with deciding between part-time and full-time work. I suspect most of us begin working part time and gradually or eventually steer our businesses into full time operation. Starting part time offers many advantages, and I recommend you seriously consider this route. Here are some of the things you can do when starting out part time:

Work at home in your spare time while retaining a full time job and its steady income.

Run a part time home-based craft business and work at another part-time job to make ends meet.

Retain the benefits packages your employer offers while establishing your home-based business.

Gain professional experience that will prove invaluable when you go full time.

Set up adequate business facilities in your spare time without financial hardship.

Gradually invest in office supplies and equipment and furniture.

See to numerous details at your leisure , such as a logo, business cards, letterheads, brochures, and yellow page listings.

Set up files and establish customer accounts, vendor accounts, and bank accounts.

Build an excellent credit rating and a solid professional reputation.

Let your business grow until its making your projected or required full time income.

Build a cash reserve thats large enough to finance your first year of operation.

Get a feel for the potential of your business and markets before making a major commitment.

You can do this all as a part-time home-based artisan or entrepreneur. You might continue working part time indefinitely, until you feel like going into full time business. Or you could do as I did and stow away cash from the income of your part-time business while gaining valuable experience in other related fields.
For nearly four years I was involved in gaining a tremendous amount of experience. By the time I was ready to work full time at it, I was making regular sales and earning a fairly steady income. I had established many contacts, set up good working facilities in my home, acquired the equipment I needed, and built good working files and a reference library. I had also established all the necessary accounts with vendors, banks, and credit card companies.

Of course there is a downside to starting and running a part-time home-based business while trying to hold down a full time job elsewhere. It's difficult to do justice to your business while giving your best efforts to an employer. Your first loyalties must go to that employer, which is often a stretch and a hectic way to live and work. But it's an excellent training and might be the only feasible way to realize your dream.

PAFA Simon Says Challenge

2011-07-22T05:21:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,
Miss Brenda Griffiths of The Rusty Thimble and one of the leaders of our Primitive and Folk Artists Etsy team has issued a challenge to the members of PAFA, a 'Simon Says' challenge! What's it all about? Well, when Brenda says 'Simon Says' we are to hurry on over to Etsy and pick three items created by our talented PAFA team members that we love.

So without further ado, here are three of my favourites. It was a VERY hard choice and believe me these three are just the tip of the iceberg so after taking a peek at these beauties, click here to see everything that PAFA has to offer!

My first fave is this sweet bunny made by Alexandrarosie. Check him out and all they have to offer here.

My second fave are these spell bags by OldGoatPrims. You can view these and other offerings here

My third fave is this witchy rug made by Happy Valley Primitives. You can view this and other items here

Be sure to check out PAFA team in the search bar for all the wonderful items offered by this group of talented artists :)

Starting Your Own Home Based Craft Business

2011-07-21T05:44:00.000-07:00

Should You Start Your Own Business?
No one but you can determine whether or not to start your own craft business but certain indicators can lead you to the right choice. Below are 10 questions you need to answer in detail before you start your business. So sit down with a pen and paper and answer as many of them as you can. You probably won't be able to respond to all of them in one sitting. Those left unanswered will guide you to your weaknesses or areas where you simply need to do some work or research or seek help. Answer the questions as completely and honestly as possible to do less is to fool yourself and court disaster.

1) Why do you want to start a home- based business? Provide as many reasons as you can for instance being your own boss, having more time to spend with family, gaining control of your career, getting out of a dead-end job, avoid the hassles of commuting, or anything else you can think of.

2) What craft experience and management skills can you bring to your new business? List craft-related jobs and management positions you've held, courses you've taken, books you've read, and how you plan to overcome them. If you've never held a management position, perhaps your plan to gain the necessary skills is to launch a research effort at your local library and bookstore, totake business courses at a local community college, to sign up for seminars offered by small business organizations or cooperatives, or a combination of these.

3) How much space will you need for your new business?

first determine what kind of space you will need: office, workshop, studio, warehouse, storage room, sales area or display room. Every home-based business must have an office. You'll need some kind of workroom, workshop, studio or a combination of these. Nobody ever has enough storage space. Some businesses might get by with a storage cabinet, most craft businesses require more, some far more. After determining your space requirements, estimate size in square feet. Sit down with a paper and pencil, ruler and lay out your work area. Allow for furniture and equipment so that you'll get an idea of how much space this business is going to take up.

4) How do you plan to accommodate the space demands of your new business?

Will you temporarily set up a home office at one end of the dining room table or put a desk in your bedroom and work there? There is nothing wrong with that: many home-based entrepreneurs start out this way. Will you set up a permanent office in an unused room? Can your office double as a studio or workroom, or do you need a separate room? Do you have a garage, basement, or attic space to convert? Can you build on? Everyone will have a different answer. Renters are more restricted than owners, and persons who live in small dwellings are more restricted than those who have plenty of space. If you plan to move within the next 5 years, you would do well to list short term and long term space considerations.

5) What are your immediate and future equipment needs and how will you meet them?

List all the arts-and-crafts equipment you will need to start to operate your business for one year. Depending on the nature of your craft that can include a wide assortment of hand tools, power tools, and other instruments. List all the office and other equipment you will need for that period: computer, calculator, telephones, office furniture, filing cabinets, vehicle.
Now list your equipment for the next 5 years. In each category list equipment you already own and note how you expect to acquire what you don't have. Remember you will need to update and upgrade within five years.

6) What licenses, permits and laws do you need to know about to operate a business from home?

Laws vary from state to state, county to county, city to city. Your state may require you to file your business name with a state agency or apply for a business/vendor license. You might have to obtain a permit from your county government. There may be city ordinances regulating the operation of home businesses even from one neighborhood to the next. You need to know about all obstacles and determine how to overcome them.

7) How much cash will you need to run your business for one year and where will it come from?

This is no place to fudge the figures. Be as honest and accurate as possible even though you're making an estimate, and possibly not a very educated one at that. Remember, if you must err on money matters, it always best to err on the side of fiscal conservatism: overestimating the payables and underestimating the receivables-any outcome to the contrary will be a pleasant surprise. Estimate what it will cost to run your business for a year and don't forget your salary. Now determine where the operating capital will come from: savings, spouse's income, pension or retirement income, the business itself or elsewhere.

8) Who are your competitors, how are they doing, and how do you expect to overtake them in the marketplace?

The way you deal with this question depends on the kinds of craft work you plan on doing and how many other local artisans work in the same area. If certain kinds of crafts are popular in your community or region, and you plan to work with those same crafts, you'll be in competition with many local artisans. If they are all driving fancy vehicles and living in expensive houses, there's obviously plenty of room for competition. If they're bare scratching out an existence, however, that could mean the supply is outstripping the demand, and you might need to look for another niche. Chances are, reality lies somewhere between the 2 extremes. If you have a particular area of expertise say clock making, in a small community, you could be the only artisan so skilled and may well fill the niche. Spend some time with this question and answer it carefully. This is your first step into the realm of market analysis.

9) What are your short-term financial and personal goals for your new business?

What do you expect to earn and accomplish during your first year of operation? Here you need to focus and get more specific. You should lay out objectives that go beyond mere subsistence or just getting by. What are your goals? What do you expect your income to be by the end of the first year? Will you have others working for you? What sort of hourly or daily rates or commission fees will you be demanding by then? How will you have improved or branched out? What will you have learned?

10) What are your long term financial and personal goals?

Now discuss everything that you covered in question 9 in terms of a five-year plan. How big do you expect your business to be in five years? How skilled an artisan do you hope to be? What sort of customers do you expect to have by then? Will your business continue to grow or will you want it to level off at some point? Do you plan to hire help? Will you branch out into other crafts, arts, or allied fields? Will you get rich?

Primitive Curtain Ideas

2011-07-18T17:43:00.001-07:00

Windows dressed with a primitive curtain design reflect the spirit of early American settler's pioneer resourcefulness, homespun creativity and folk art. Ornate draperies were once a decorating statement meant to impress visitors with their opulence. The wealthy often puddled extra curtain yardage on the floor---not to keep the room warmer---but to "wow" guests with their extravagance. In contrast, primitive curtains were more utilitarian, providing privacy, basic shade from the sun and much-needed warmth in the winter.

Pioneer Design Influence
The American frontier provided pioneers with both opportunities and challenges and, because of hardships, ornate furnishings were often discarded. Fabrics were recycled, and pieces of clothing were draped over a piece of twine tied to wooden pegs and put on a window.

You can recreate this primitive curtain design by clean finishing the edges of a square piece of fabric and folding it diagonally over a tightly stretched piece of twine tied to pegs on either side of the window.

Old table linens, with or without lace, tatting, embroidery or crocheted edging also make excellent primitive curtains. Draping three or more old linens in a diamond pattern at the window both creates a warm, homespun look.

Homespun Creativity
Primitive curtain fabric is characterized by low thread count per inch. Look for low thread count fabric in the drapery and home fabric/furnishings sections at your local fabric store. Linen is an example of low thread count fabric that can be used for primitive curtains. Other fabrics, like calico and gingham, also lend themselves to primitive curtain design. You can drape these fabrics over a piece of twine or a basic curtain rod. Another option is to sew a casing to thread the twine or curtain rod through.

Incorporating Folk Art
You can add folk art features to primitive curtains by appliqueing a folk art design onto the curtain fabric. Folk art designs can also be added with fabric paint and stencils.

Rather than traditional curtain rods, you can use tree branches to hang a primitive curtain. Forked branches can be used as tiebacks.

Other found items---like old faucet handles or doorknobs---can also be used for curtain hanging.

Read more: Primitive Curtain Ideas | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/list_5815448_primitive-curtain-ideas.html#ixzz1SB7Xpe3c

EBay Auctions I have Up

2011-07-16T05:16:00.000-07:00

I have a bunch of ebay auctions up right now
30+ lot of Plus size womens clothing
20+ lot of boys clothing sizes 4-8
Fisher Price Cool School Computer leaning system with 4 games brand new
Fisher Price Digital Art Studio
Thomas the Train Story reader cartridge
6 Videonow Junior Discs lot
Curious George Game for Gamecube or Wii
Follow the link
http://shop.ebay.com/rabbithollowprims/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=

Final Day to Save

2011-07-16T05:11:00.001-07:00

July 16th today is the final day to save in my Etsy shoppe take 15% off all items

http://www.rabbithollowprims.etsy.com

Successful Craft Show Tips

2011-07-15T05:53:00.001-07:00

So, for those of you looking for some tips on how to have a successful craft fair, here are my favorite links from the last year or so, with tips for having a successful craft fair:

From the fab Jessica at Funky Finds, here’s a brand new page chock full of useful information and helpful craft fair tips.

From Craft Fair Explosion, a great set of tips on staying hydrated in hot weather (which is not an immediate threat this time of year, but we all know it’s coming!

From the Etsy blog, a great list of tips for craft show displays and a great list of seller tips for craft fairs.

From Meylah , a great article on how to make memorable product tags (because every single item that leaves your booth should be tagged) and because you can’t have too many ideas for setting up your craft booth, here are some additional tips for setting up a craft booth that customers can’t resist.

Read more here:

http://www.handmadeology.com/successful-craft-fair-tips/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+handmadeologytoday+%28Handmadeology%29

4 Low Cost Business Ideas

2011-07-14T05:41:00.000-07:00

So you want to own your own business, but you don't have much startup financing. Don't worry; there are lots of great business ideas that don't require significant startup financing.

BusinessNewsDaily has identified four smart business ideas that you can use as a springboard to starting your own business.

Business Opportunity: Personal Concierge

Regardless of the hours in a day, it seems that for many people there’s simply not enough time to get everything done.

The need to get more accomplished has fueled the demand for personal concierge services. The role of a personal concierge is simple: to assist busy clients in getting things done — whether it's paying bills, picking up the kids or doing the grocery shopping.

A recent study by the International Concierge and Lifestyle Management Association shows that new low-cost startup concierge businesses are turning profits at a quick rate.

Fifty-one percent of the survey’s respondents said they invested $5,000 or less to start, and nearly a quarter of them realized a profit in the first year.

Katherine Giovanni, founder of the International Concierge and Lifestyle Management Association, said she expects the industry to continue growing, regardless of the economy.

"People are trying to squeeze 36 hours into a 24-hour day, and when you do that you inevitably don’t do it very well," Giovanni said. "Although the concierge industry is fairly new, the number of companies that are catering to time-starved people is skyrocketing, as is the customer demand for such businesses."

What this means for entrepreneurs: There is money to be made in running other people's errands. The concierge study shows the average hourly rates of personal concierge services range from $30 to $55 per hour. You already run your own errands; think how nice it would be to get paid for doing it.

Business Opportunity: Senior Care Services

This year, the first of some 78 million Baby Boomers will officially take on the additional title of senior citizens. Born between 1946 and 1964, this group will lead an extensive increase in the senior citizen population.

While some will require advanced medical care, many will just need help with day-to-day activities — or just a little companionship.

According to research from Home Instead, a senior care franchise, the nation’s senior population will have increased by almost 3 million by year’s end, to nearly 49 million; by 2025 that number will grow to 72 million — more than double the 35 million seniors America had at the turn of the new century.

The numbers are creating an immediate need for those with patience and compassion to brighten the day of those in their twilight years.

And Steve Everhart, founder of The Senior's Choice, a network of independent senior care companies, said it’s not just the aging Baby Boomers that are increasing the demand for senior care services.

"It’s the parents of Baby Boomers that are living a whole lot longer than they used to because of medical breakthroughs," Everhart told BusinessNewsDaily. "This continued moderated demand in our in-home assisted living services for the next five to 10 years bodes well for our industry."

What this means for entrepreneurs: While opening your own care facility may be out of your immediate reach, there are other opportunities to specialize in senior care with your own business. Whether it's cleaning, retrofitting houses to be more accessible or offering some kind of paid companionship, the opportunities to dive into this market are limitless and can be inexpensive.

Read more here:
http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/low-cost-business-ideas-1494/2

5 Steps to Organize Your Blog

2011-07-13T03:43:00.001-07:00

5 Steps to Organize Your Blog by Regina Morrison
In order to gain much desired readership of your blog, it helps to have an organized space. And a blog which your readers can rely on and visit in search of daily information, humor, or inspiration. Flipping from topic to top without any symmetry, not blogging for days and then posting 4 posts in one day, typos, and clutter are a few things that might hold your blog back.
Everyone’s blog and situation is unique, but I find the following to be the most helpful when editing and organizing my personal blog, Acute Designs (www.acutedesigns.org).

1. Create an editorial calendar – This doesn’t need to be anything fancy. I just use a standard spreadsheet. At the beginning of each month type out the days in one column and then brainstorm ideas for posts – listing each one next to a day.

After you get all the info down that comes from brainstorming – start to organize. If you have a lot of posts that have to do with fashion, perhaps you could do one each Monday, photography each Tuesday, updates on your business each Wednesday, and so on.

It is ok to sway from the calendar when unforeseen events occur, but a decent amount of consistency will give your readers a sense of stability. They will have an idea of what to expect each day.

This consistency will also create trust with your readers. If you are a DIY expert and post your newest how-to advice every Friday, your readers will begin to trust that they can find a fantastic weekend project on your blog each Friday morning.

2. Proofread – Even though it is a blog and not a formal essay or business letter, there is value in proofreading your work. It helps to write your post, step away from the computer for a few hours and then proofread it. When the information is not fresh in your mind, you are more likely to catch silly mistakes.

Spelling and grammatical errors will happen and that is fine, however several errors in a post tends to look sloppy, which might give your readers the feel that you just threw something together – rather than put a bit of heart into it.

Handmade Secrets from an Etsy Pro

2011-07-11T13:55:00.000-07:00

I found this awesome write up about Tim Adam and I wanted to share it. Tim has 5 great ideas for being successful on Etsy and here they are:

Etsy is not magic. "You can't just list an item and think it's going to sell," Adam said. "There's a lot more to it. You're not going to be an overnight success. It's going to take work."
Treat it like a business. "Put as much time in as you want to get out of it," he said. "If you're going to treat it as a hobby, it won't become a business."
Have good photography. "If your pictures suck, you're not going to sell anything," said Adam. "Etsy is an online gallery. People can't touch it, so the pictures have to tell that story."
Have a full shop. "You have to have at least 15 items to start shop. You want to have diversity," Adam said.
Have varying price points. "I have from everything from expensive furniture to less expensive jewelry," Adam said. "There needs to be something for everyone."

To read more go to this article here:

http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/etsy-seller-book-1431/

Been On Vacation

2011-07-11T13:53:00.000-07:00

So I was on vacation but now I am back home so I will begin posting daily as usual.

6 Helpful tips when you are just starting a business

2011-06-30T02:47:00.001-07:00

Tim over at Handmadeology has a wonderful set of 6 links for some good reading

http://www.handmadeology.com/crafty-connections-etsy-shop-help-business-start-up-tips-e-mail-newsletters/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+handmadeologytoday+%28Handmadeology%29

Auctions Galore on my Website

2011-06-28T03:09:00.001-07:00

Clearance close out on my website bid now....items as low as $5
http://www.rabbithollowprims.com/auction/auction.php?merchant=rabbit&action=list

Hear Ye Hear Ye The New Halloween 2011 Dolls have arrived 4 sale

2011-06-27T05:38:00.000-07:00

Pumpkin Gal with Crow

$34.95 + shipping

email: spritetwig@msn.com

to purchase

Halloween Cheshire Cat

$34.95 + shipping

Email: spritetwig@msn.com

to purchase

Pumpkin Gus and Cat

$59.95 + shipping

Email: spritetwig@msn.com

to purchase

Rabbit Hollow Prims

Shipping Strategies

2 Mammy's Up for Adoption

How to Make Money On Etsy

Newbies ready to ship

New Dollies Designed by Mwah

Are Your Customers Tuning You Out?

New Spring Offerins

Had my surgery

Holiday Shipping Deadlines

Black Friday/Cyber Monday Sale

Fostering Repeat Business

November on Etsy

New Arrivals Ready to Ship in from Mom

Etsy Promotional Opportunites

Etsy November Trends

Swap Gift Fall

Newest Make Primitive Christmas Mr. Soot and Sticks

10 Real Tips to Be Successful on Etsy

Etsy Seller Offers

Show Off Your Style with MOO Cards

About

Etsy Special Offer

About

Etsy Special Offer

Try Docstoc Premium for Free

About

Etsy Special Offer

UK-based Sellers: Get 20% Off One Collect+ Order per Day

About

Etsy Special Offer

Ship Worldwide with ATS—20% Off Your First Order

About

Etsy Special Offer

Print Pre-Paid USPS Shipping Labels—Special Offer - 3 Months Free Service

About

Etsy Special Offer

Save up to 21% on a Variety of FedEx Services

About

Etsy Special Offer

Swap Gift Fall

40 Low Budget Advertising For Etsy

Newbie 4 Sale

SEO Tips for the Holidays

Published Dollies for Sale

New Etsy App Meticorn

We have some news for you! We just launched our newest Etsy app, Metricorn!

While we don't like to be the one to spoil surprises, we do have some serious goodies in store for you!

Current Metricorn Features

Thanks a million! We love our Favoritizer users. It is your feedback that helped us to know more about what our customers want. This one's for you!-Ashley, Katrina, Eric, and Sander

Increase Etsy shop views

Cookie Dough and Boy Scout Popcorn 4 Sale

Cozy Autumn Finds At the Farmhouse

'Cozy Autumn Colors at the Farmhouse' by Rabbithollowprims

Cozy Autumn style

101 Handmade Ornaments Tutorials

WInter Celebration on Etsy OFG

New in my Etsy Shoppe and Ready to Ship

Important News Please Read

Etsy Success Holiday Boot Camp 2011

Etsy Success Holiday Boot Camp

Links to Pricing Tips

Pricing Tips

Look What I Won!

Etsy Marketing

My Art Doll Quarterly Debut

Etsy Rolling Out a New Surprise Want to Be the first to know?

Getting Your Etsy Treasury to the Front Page

Etsy Relavancy what is it?

Sorry Haven't Been Around

Top 5 Resources to Optimize Your Etsy Shop

New Dollies for Sale Halloween and More

How to Make it to the Front Page on Etsy

Artfire's New Look

Halloween's A Comin

New Halloween for Sale

What Makes A Good Online Shopping Experience?

FirecrackerKid Giveaway

Referral Candy

Last Years Prices Effective Immediately

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