Etsy Tips and How to's

If you haven't already checked out the ETSY FORUMS , You really should. There you can find so many helpful tips and get your shop noticed by posting there. Click here to view the ETSY FORUMS

A little Secret about Promoting

	TheHouseOfMouse  From ETSY says:
	Yesterday my Sister was asking me advice on how to promote her Etsy Store. I had already given her a long list of ways to promote, including using facebook, twitter, blogging, giveaways and the Etsy forums (see the end of this post for useful links to these) which she is already doing. My sister was asking if there was anything else she could do, and then it dawned on me that there *was* something else. Something that I had not ever really considered "promoting" as such, but it had definitely helped me become a relativity well known face on Etsy. What is this secret you ask? Well, it is *sharing tutorials and bits of advice*... just like I am doing right now. By giving back to the community you become better known and at the same time you are boosting what I like to call your Etsy Karma. Giving your time to help others really is a reward in it's self, a little bonus is that you become known for being a helpful person, which will really help your brand. "But what advice can I give?" You say to me "Everything has already been written! There are already loads of articles and blog posts about every aspect of Etsy and running a business" Well yes, this is true! I am not certainly not the first to write articles on how to compile your Shop Policies, or how to make a light-box and edit your photos. But I did not copy these other authors (Plagiarism is a plague on the internet, please do not lower yourself to this level - people will be able to tell when the writing is not yours) I simply wrote from my own experience and understanding. I include things that I have discovered for myself, and share my knowledge in a way that I hope will help other sellers succeed on Etsy. Still stuck? Here are a few ideas to get you going: - Choose a topic you are interested in. Readers will be more interested in your subject if you are. - Share tutorials on how to make things, use lots of photographs to explain the steps. - Is there something you know that could help other Etsy sellers? Perhaps you found a useful website to help you collect together data, did you discover a clever way to pack shipping boxes faster? Share with your fellow sellers and they will remember you. - If tutorials and blog posts are not your thing, is there something else you could do for the community instead? (this is why making treasuries is such a beautiful idea, you are helping others and boosting your Etsy Karma) - Has someone asked you for help with something recently, or expressed a frustration that they don't understand an aspect of Etsy properly? Did you know the answer? This is a great way to find ideas on what knowledge you have to share. - Did you spend hours trying to figure something out when you first started on Etsy? Share what you know! - DO NOT directly copy other people articles or use their photos. Doing this and getting caught (and you will get caught) will only serve to make your store very very unpopular! The Etsy community does not take kindly to this kind of behaviour. So there it is, a little secret that could make a big difference to your store and help others at the same time. ~-~ Here are the other links I promised: Get the Etsy Sales you want: http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6356278 Pimp your shop: http://tinyurl.com/yghs9kh Places to promote: http://tinyurl.com/crj8ya Etsy forum threads on promotions: http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6120752 http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5797668 http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5453881&page=2 How to compile your Shop Policies: http://lifecraftinessandeverythingelse.blogspot.com/2009/05/etsy-sellers-tips-shop-policies.html How to make a lightbox and Edit your photos: http://lifecraftinessandeverythingelse.blogspot.com/2009/11/how-to-use-lightbox-and-photo-editing.html A Free 5 day Marketing Course: Day 1: http://handmadeologyuniversity.com/members/?p=240 Day 2: http://handmadeologyuniversity.com/members/?p=31 Day 3: http://handmadeologyuniversity.com/members/?p=38 Day 4: http://handmadeologyuniversity.com/members/?p=43 Day 5: http://handmadeologyuniversity.com/members/?p=53

Sand casting class

For all you jewelry makers out there- or interested parties:

I have been obsessed with jewelry making lately- and ever since I found Jane Frank, a goldsmith in Burlington, I have been creating new and different things classes with her.

This past weekend I took a class on sand casting at Alchemy Studio in Burlington . It is an ancient method of casting where you make an impression in very fine sand and then pour molten silver into the mold. VERY cool.

I made a number of things, including this: (unfinished)

and these (soon to be) pendants.

I really enjoyed the technique, and plan on using it again! I began to think about

casting wherever I looked- could this be cast? Could that be cast?

Lately I have been looking into materials I would need to continue using this technique. you need aluminum molds, and a casting sand, as well as some way to heat your metal till it turns to liquid.

I look forward to even expanding by casting experience and trying out different types of casting: silicone casting and ultimately I would like to learn the lost wax casting technique.

I know that Jane is planning on teaching this class again at her studio (Alchemy in Burlington), and she is a fantastic teacher I would definitely recommend it!

Sweet Avenue

Hello everyone!  My name is Martha, and I am 29 years old.  I was born and raised in Vermont, went to UVM, then moved to Massachusetts for a few years to get my Master's in Music Performance at UMass Amherst (I play the French horn).  I currently live in Colchester with my boyfriend Eric, and I work as the administrative assistant for Melvin Kaplan Inc., a company that manages classical musicians.  (You may recognize the name Melvin Kaplan because he is the man who founded the Vermont Mozart Festival.)

Growing up, I danced, played music, and of course, loved all kinds of arts and crafts.  I started beading with seed beads at summer camp when I was eight.  I've sold my jewelry off and on my whole life.  As an adult, I became more interested in fashion jewelry, and painting with acrylics sparked an interest in all kinds of multimedia projects.  I worked for many years (and still do, occasionally) at Spirit Dancer Books & Gifts in downtown Burlington, where, among other things, I've ordered the beads there off and on for years.  I also have taught basic beading classes there, and done some jewelry repair.  Last Christmas, I started selling some of my earrings there, which have been pretty popular.   

My current job, where I have been for almost two years, is 9-5 desk job.  My coworkers are great, but sitting at a desk most of the day can drive me crazy.  I find little ways to add color to my day (before I came, all of the post-it notes were yellow or blue - now they are every color I can get!) but honestly, I am bored.  I heard about Etsy for the first time last fall, but didn't really check it out until January.  I was really impressed with the site, and slowly worked towards opening my shop.

I knew that I wanted to sell jewelry, but I also knew that there are tons of jewelry shops on Etsy, and I wanted to find something at least slightly different.  At the same time, I had been playing around with all kinds of mixed media ideas and techniques, and also discovered that scrapbooking supplies could have very interesting uses in jewelry-making.  Eventually, I started making my collage pendants (I don't know what else to call them) using acrylic tiles, transferred images, and pretty scrapbooking papers.  Once I started making these, I felt like I at least had a bit of a niche and something different to offer, so I chose a name, and opened shop!  Sweet Avenue is the name of a beautiful song by the band Jets to Brazil, and it also happens to be the song that my sister and her husband danced to at their wedding, so it holds good memories for me!  The shop focuses on these collage pendants, but I plan on listing whatever I want to and letting the shop evolve as necessary.

Since "officially" opening around May 1st, I've had four sales and currently have almost 20 items in my store.  I've learned so much from the Etsy blog and from the forums.  I started a Facebook page, and my friends have been really supportive.  I am even going to be featured on Queen City Craft's blog at some point this summer in one of their "crafter spotlights!"  I'd like to begin selling at small craft fairs and flea markets wherever I can, and possibly get my items into a few more local stores.  (In fact, this very Saturday, from 8-3, I am going to be selling my jewelry at the Essex Fire Department Flea Market at the Hiawatha School - stop by and say hi, or set up a table - they're only $25.)  It has been so wonderful to have a creative outlet that doubles as a business venture!    

I'm looking forward to working with all of you to promote our businesses and provide support to one another.

Ten Qualities of an Effective Team Player

Teams need strong team players to perform well. But what defines such people? Read on.

Demonstrates reliability

You can count on a reliable team member who gets work done and does his fair share to work hard and meet commitments. He or she follows through on assignments. Consistency is key. You can count on him or her to deliver good performance all the time, not just some of the time.

Communicates constructively

Teams need people who speak up and express their thoughts and ideas clearly, directly, honestly, and with respect for others and for the work of the team. That's what it means to communicate constructively. Such a team member does not shy away from making a point but makes it in the best way possible — in a positive, confident, and respectful manner.

Listens actively

Good listeners are essential for teams to function effectively. Teams need team players who can absorb, understand, and consider ideas and points of view from other people without debating and arguing every point. Such a team member also can receive criticism without reacting defensively. Most important, for effective communication and problem solving, team members need the discipline to listen first and speak second so that meaningful dialogue results.

Functions as an active participant

Good team players are active participants. They come prepared for team meetings and listen and speak up in discussions. They're fully engaged in the work of the team and do not sit passively on the sidelines.

Team members who function as active participants take the initiative to help make things happen, and they volunteer for assignments. Their whole approach is can-do: "What contribution can I make to help the team achieve success?"

Shares openly and willingly

Good team players share. They're willing to share information, knowledge, and experience. They take the initiative to keep other team members informed.

Much of the communication within teams takes place informally. Beyond discussion at organized meetings, team members need to feel comfortable talking with one another and passing along important news and information day-to-day. Good team players are active in this informal sharing. They keep other team members in the loop with information and expertise that helps get the job done and prevents surprises.

Cooperates and pitches in to help

Cooperation is the act of working with others and acting together to accomplish a job. Effective team players work this way by second nature. Good team players, despite differences they may have with other team members concerning style and perspective, figure out ways to work together to solve problems and get work done. They respond to requests for assistance and take the initiative to offer help.

Exhibits flexibility

Teams often deal with changing conditions — and often create changes themselves. Good team players roll with the punches; they adapt to ever-changing situations. They don't complain or get stressed out because something new is being tried or some new direction is being set.

In addition, a flexible team member can consider different points of views and compromise when needed. He or she doesn't hold rigidly to a point of view and argue it to death, especially when the team needs to move forward to make a decision or get something done. Strong team players are firm in their thoughts yet open to what others have to offer — flexibility at its best.

Shows commitment to the team

Strong team players care about their work, the team, and the team's work. They show up every day with this care and commitment up front. They want to give a good effort, and they want other team members to do the same.

Works as a problem-solver

Teams, of course, deal with problems. Sometimes, it appears, that's the whole reason why a team is created — to address problems. Good team players are willing to deal with all kinds of problems in a solutions-oriented manner. They're problem-solvers, not problem-dwellers, problem-blamers, or problem-avoiders. They don't simply rehash a problem the way problem-dwellers do. They don't look for others to fault, as the blamers do. And they don't put off dealing with issues, the way avoiders do.

Team players get problems out in the open for discussion and then collaborate with others to find solutions and form action plans.

Treats others in a respectful and supportive manner

Team players treat fellow team members with courtesy and consideration — not just some of the time but consistently. In addition, they show understanding and the appropriate support of other team members to help get the job done. They don't place conditions on when they'll provide assistance, when they'll choose to listen, and when they'll share information. Good team players also have a sense of humor and know how to have fun (and all teams can use a bit of both), but they don't have fun at someone else's expense. Quite simply, effective team players deal with other people in a professional manner.

Team players who show commitment don't come in any particular style or personality. They don't need to be rah-rah, cheerleader types. In fact, they may even be soft-spoken, but they aren't passive. They care about what the team is doing and they contribute to its success — without needing a push.

Team players with commitment look beyond their own piece of the work and care about the team's overall work. In the end, their commitment is about winning — not in the sports sense of beating your opponent but about seeing the team succeed and knowing they have contributed to this success. Winning as a team is one of the great motivators of employee performance. Good team players have and show this motivation.

From Dummies.com
Read more: http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/ten-qualities-of-an-effective-team-player.html#ixzz0qJdNmM78

craft show site

Hi Folks,

This is a link to a site that lists craft shows and will send you periodic newsletters with updates on shows you're interested in.

http://www.craftlister.com

Mary
byathread2

LADYBUG BEADS

I was so excited to step into my new craftroom once I had it all set up! New carpeting, 1960's
wall paneling still in good shape, a contemporary white desk/work table in front of two windows
overlooking both my street, and the soothing, quick-flowing Wells River. Every bead in its
correct bead box, all three dozen stacked, by category, on the desk's L-extension. My vintage
fabric stash along the back wall, in tidy plastic crates. Sewing machine on an oval, butcher block
table in the center of the room. Sun streaming through the open balcony door. It was a long
time coming! All my collections had waited patiently, for years -- it took a relocation to
Vermont, from Cleveland, Ohio, to allow the creation of the inspiring workroom I'd always
dreamed of!

I designed my first necklace , choosing jewel colors of garnet red, a deep amethyst,
and some white pearls. Oops! There went a few stray beads onto the carpet...oh
well, I'll rescue them later I thought, and continued to pick & choose, just the right-sized
beads, the right combinations, sequences and spacers. By the time I was done, more than a
few beads, crimps, and sterling balls had slipped through my fingers.

I usually leave my current piece in the bead tray until the next day, "sleeping on it", making
sure I'm happy with the final design. Before leaving the room I decided to get down on the
carpet and pick up those errant beads. Whoa! Couldn't really see them at first. Got a
flashlight and started crawling around. Well, my penchant for jewel tones had also led me to
select a carpet with flecks of the whole jewel pallette in it! Seems like I'd doomed myself
to a lot of long recovery missions down on the floor! Not wanting to step on any beads
and push them down into the pile any further, I sat down and started a sweep of my hand
in wide arcs, "feeling" those beads back into their little cribs!

My right knee moved ever so slightly and I felt a little crunch. Ah! Got another one! I picked
up some more beads and put them in my other hand. In a moment I moved over to my open
boxes and started putting more beads where they belonged. Uh oh! Seems I was also picking
up some ladybugs. I looked more closely into the sections of my open boxes and saw a few
more sitting there among the Czech beads. I picked them out with a tweezer and dropped them
into my rattan wastebasket.

The next afternoon I returned to my workroom to put the clasp on my necklace.
It was a warm day and just as I sat down in my swivel chair, an asian ladybug
dropped from the ceiling onto my arm. I heard some muted buzzing and noticed about
a dozen more flying around the windows. I'd left one of my bead boxes open overnite
and wouldn't you know there were five more bugs in the box!

Well, that was a few weeks ago, and while I've never been especially bothered by insects,
and know that ladybugs can be a sign of good luck, I now have a good sized plastic
bag full of several varieties of the little beauties, sealed up for eventual disposal, 'cause
I'm just not going to start stringing them up into some avant garde bracelet to put on Etsy
as an organic work of art!

What do you deal with in your work space?!

Written By Candice  On Tuesday, May 18th, 2010
Candice's Etsy Shops: Art By Candice and Reams Of Fun

A List Of Craft Fairs & Events In Vermont

Hey everybody, I have complied a list of craft fairs, farmers markets, and events in Vermont. I hope this helps out. I know it is far from complete, so if you have any other ones to add, add away! I have added the info. that I have, you may have to google for more info. or make some phone calls. But, here is a skeleton list to help direct your efforts and interests. Maybe see you at one of the fairs!!!!

First off.....check out these sites for various craft fairs across New England....
http://www.craftproducers.com/
http://www.castleberryfairs.com/index.php

August 28th & 29th

Quechee Gorge Craft Festival

Vergennes Day marguerite@addisoncounty.com

September 4th & 5th

Mad River Valley Craft Fair Kenyon's Field, Rte. 100, Waitsfield, VT1
www.madrivercraftfair.com

September 26th

Bristol Harvest Festival- 388-7951

Oct 9th , & 10th

Harvest Arts & Crafts Show- Mount Snow West Dover VT. vlewis@mountsnow.com

South Hero AppleFest & Craft Show

JAY PEAKS ANNUAL ARTS & CRAFTS FAIR Main Lodge, Jay Peak 10am-4pm 10am-4pm fee….

Springfield Craft show, riverside middle school. 9am-7pm.

October 17th

CVU Annual Handcrafters Fair.

October 29th, 30th & 31st

ESSEX FALL CRAFT & FINE ART SHOW
Essex Junction, VT October 29 - 12 p.m. - 8 p.m. October 30 - 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
October 31 - 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. http://www.vtcrafts.com/interior.php/pid/4 - no deadline-

November 13th or November 6th-

Crafts for All Seasons- MEMS Manchester, Reberta Reed 362-3470. date is undecided.

November 13th

Project Graduation- Mt. Abe Gym- Saturday 10am-330pm.

November 18th, 19th, 20th & 21st

VERMONT HAND CRAFTERS HOLIDAY CRAFT SHOW
Sheraton Conference Center, South Burlington,VT
http://www.vermonthandcrafters.com/jury.php

Nov. 27 & 28

VT Womans Festival of Crafts- city hall- meganh@sover.net-

December 4th

NNUAL NE Winter Holiday Craft Fair, Vergennes Union Elementary School, Lisa Sprague

VERMONT FARMERS MARKET

TUESDAY

Old North End Farmers Market HO Wheeler School 3pm-630pm June 23-Oct 27th 324-3073 sra@riseup.net

WEDNESDAY

SOUTH HERO FARMERS MARKET St. Rose of Lima Church on Rte 2 4pm-7pm. June 3rd- Oct 7th

MIDDLEBURY 9am-1230pm June 17th-Oct 14th. Pam Taylor_middleburyfm@yahoo.com

BARRE GRANITE FARMERS MARKET 3pm-7pm until October 14th
plantstarter@gmail.com

THURSDAY
Winooski Farmers Market www.winooskidowntown.com

FRIDAY
MT PHILO STATE PARK FARMERS MARKET Charlotte Fridays Visitors parking lot at the intersection of Mount Philo Road and State Park road in Charlotte. 330pm-630pm. June 12th-October 9th.

RICHMOND FARMERS MARKET 3pm-630pm until October 16th cmader@surfglobal.net

STOWE aug 21st, September 4th, September 25th 11am-3pm dhatoff@sprucepeak.com- stowe mountain

SATURDAY

BRISTOL FARMERS MARKET 3pm-6pm June 10th-Oct 14th. www.bristolfarmers.org.

CHAMPLAIN ISLANDS FARMERS MARKET St. Josephs Church on Rte. 2 10am-2pm June 6th-October 3rd. Grande Isle

BURLINGTON FARMERS MARKET City Hall Park. Saturdays 830am-2pm

SHELBURNE FARMERS MARKET Shelburne Parade Ground, Church St. Satudays 9am-1pm May 30th-Oct 10th. http://www.sbpavt.org/farmers_market.php

S.B. FARMERS MARKET at Healthy Living S.B. Saturdays
Nina Lesser-Goldsmith 863-2569 nina@healthylivingmarket.com WWW.healthylivingmarket.com

WILLISTON FARMERS MARKET Saturdays Rte 2 on the village green, next to the library 10am-2pm May 30-Oct 10th Cristina Mead 872-7728. www.willistonfarmersmarket.com

MIDDLEBURY FARMERS MARKET 9am-1230pm May 9-Oct 31st

MONTPELIER CAPITAL FARMERS MARKET 9am-1pm manager@montpelierfarmersmarket.com

Shelburne Art Center- Artists Market. May 29th-October 2nd. 10am-2pm 985-3648 sarahleegrillo@gmail.com

SUNDAY

Stowefarmersmarket.com May-Oct 1030am-3pm. Info@stowevtfarmersmarket.com


Etsy has a great HOW TO DO CRAFT FAIRS, in their Etsy seller handbook, if you are going to apply for some shows, I suggest you read and check it out, it may lend another helping hand!

Hope I helped. Good Luck!!!!!