On the main page of the store is my photo. Click on it to read my background and motivations for opening The Blue Willow Tea Shop. Here I thought I would give you an idea of what goes on before you see an item listed in the store. I enjoy all of these tasks so having an Etsy vintage and handmade items shop is a great fit for me!
FINDING THE RIGHT ITEMS:
Any kind of sale or vintage shop you can think of, I am there. You would not believe what you can find and I am good at looking at a piece and visualizing a tea use for it even though it might not be made for that purpose.
WASHING AND EXAMINING THESE ITEMS CLOSELY:
This step reveals amazing information. Things I thought were great can turn out to be no goes and iffy items can turn out to be gems!
RESEARCH:
I want to know the item's age, who made it, where was it made and what should I charge for it. This is all done by consulting reference books, doing Internet research and just plain experience. I get better at this end of things the more I do it.
MEASURING:
Everything must be measured and these figures need to appear in the listing. This information is a very important consideration for a buyer. It's funny but some buyers don't pay attention to the measurements and then get a surprise when the item arrives in the mail.
WRITING UP THE LISTING:
I include everything I know and have learned about the object, a description of it, its measurements, how it can be used, and a clear assessment of its condition.
STAGING:
Before I photograph the item I create a background for it with linens, other china, flowers, food and so on. Often I will show the item with multiple backgrounds.
PHOTOGRAPHING:
Each Etsy listing is allowed 5 photographs, a main one and four other ones. I usually take 10-12 photographs before I get 5 good ones I can use. Once I take the photographs they have to be stored online, photo shopped and then exported to online folders.
COMPLETING THE ETSY LISTING TEMPLATE:
Lots of information needs to be filled in, tag words need to be thought of so buyers can find the item online and shipping costs need to be estimated.
PREVIEW AND PUBLISH:
I then preview the listing and if all is a go it is published and appears in my store!
CHECKING MY STORE:
I look at my store innumerable times a day. If an order has come in, I acknowledge it and tell the buyer when I will ship it. People often write in with questions so these need to be answered as well.
MAILING:
Most of my large items and sets of china have been bubble wrapped and stored after I list them. This saves much time on the mailing process as the purchased item needs only to be securely nestled into a box and surrounded by packing peanuts. I include a purchase slip confirming the transaction details and a thank you tea pouch and business card. Off I go to the Post Office or I have the mailman pick up the package.
THERE YOU HAVE IT. HOPE THIS WAS FUN TO READ AND THAT IT GAVE YOU AN IDEA OF WHAT GOES ON AT THE BLUE WILLOW TEA SHOP!