Search results (tags) for: "cards"

Holiday 2008: Our Favorite Cards

2008-11-14T13:18:00Z

According to popular vote, the best of the best Holiday Cards 2008 is (drumroll...) a tie!! Insult Family & Leave in Huff - a Modern Twist on an Old Favorite by dippylulu! Congrats!

And the always amusing CarolLeeDesigns and her "Restraining Order be Damned - I'll See You at Christmas" - Hatemail card.

Apparently, Etsians have some family issues...and a sense of humor about it, which is good. Seriously, congrats to these fine artists! Below you'll find the top 21 cards you voted for! Look for some of these cards in the Gift Guides too.

We will launch our next round of voting on Monday, November 17th — Holiday 2008: Ornaments. So stay tuned!

See the original call for votes post.

Holiday 2008: Choose Your Favorite Greeting Cards!

2008-11-11T16:34:00Z

UPDATE! The results are posted here!

Come on down to Etsy's voter tool and select your favorite holiday card from a pool of 60! Since there are so many talented Etsy artists to choose from in the Paper Goods Category and Holiday Category, help the Storque editors pick which top cards should be featured in the Gift Guides and here, on Etsy's blog.

Click here to vote!

Voting ends at 12:30pm (EST) on Friday, November 14, 2008. Tell your friends to come and vote (see the "email to a friend" link below ). Tell 'em to come in a hurry so they can get their cards before they sell out! Don't be like me: one of those slow pokes who forgets to send holiday cards until halfway through January!

Paper Goods Category | Holiday Category | More Cards Posts | Etsy Greetings Team

Vote here

Wrap Up Your Gifts, All Pretty-like and Eco-friendly Too

2008-10-27T13:33:00Z

Some great items have popped up in this week's special Holiday Showcase for Gift Wrap, Cards and more. Holiday shoppers buying handmade gifts can complete the whole package with handmade holiday cards and pretty ribbons from Etsy Supplies sellers. It's time to stock up — early bird catches the worm. Check the Showcase while you still can — it's this week only!

You can also find inventive options for eco-friendly gift wrap on Etsy: reusable holiday bags, recycled holiday tags, recycling wrapping.

Sellers, if you make cards, gift wrap, tags, ornaments that can be gift toppers, and other items for embellishing presents, you should get in on this Showcase. Click here for details.

Gifting Gift Guide | Showcase for Gift Wrap, Cards, Etc | Earth Tones Series

Tech Update: Credit Card Gateway Issue

2008-08-11T19:03:00Z

Update 8/11/08:

We spoke with our credit card gateway provider, and while they assured us that the refunds were imminent, they told us that those involved may not see their refunds reflected until later this week or beyond depending on how their banks process the payments. We are truly sorry for the delay, and promise to share any information as it becomes available from them.

We will be directly contacting the sellers involved to share this development with them. I will also be sure to update this article and the forums once we have confirmed that the refund process has been initiated.

I do want to be abundantly clear that this was an isolated incident at our payment gateway. The problem was completely rectified hours after it occurred and no longer effects the functionality of Etsy's billing system.

We truly appreciate your continued understanding and patience in this matter.

____

Original Post from 8/4/08

Yesterday (Sunday, August 3) from approximately 4:00 AM to 11:30 AM EDT a small percentage of our sellers experienced a problem paying their Etsy bills. This was due to a malfunction at one of our third-party credit card processor's gateways. As a result, these sellers were informed that their cards were not charged, when in fact they had been. Some sellers attempted to pay their bills more than once and subsequently were charged more than once.

The third-party credit card processor resolved the malfunction by 11:30 AM EDT Sunday and all subsequent Etsy bill payments have been recorded and processed correctly. At no time were any credit card numbers or sellers' personal data exposed.

In order to clear up this problem, our credit card processing company is crediting back all impacted bill payments that occurred during this time period. We are contacting the sellers that were affected to let them know what happened.

We apologize for the inconvenience. Since this is a billing matter, we will work privately with the sellers who were affected. Please contact billing@etsy.com if you have a concern or question regarding this matter or your Etsy bill. Thank you.

We have closed commenting on this post and would like to direct discussion to this forum thread.

Team Tip: Card Swap!

2008-08-04T14:52:00Z

Card swapping is a low-cost, easy way to get your shop's name out. By swapping cards with members of your Team, you can promote each other's shops by word of mouth and give potential customers something to remember to check it out. Team members personally recommending a shop means the buyer is more likely visit, mark as a favorite, recommend to a friend, or even buy something for themselves. Most Etsy Team members who are sellers have business cards with their Etsy shop addresses on them. There are countless ways to make these cards to promote your shop, including inexpensive ways to make cards yourself, using stamps or having them printed in bulk.

To begin the swap, post publicly however your Team communicates (through email, a Flickr or Google group, etc.) announcing a call for participants in the swap. Card swaps are most effective when the swapping occurs between shops with complementary styles. Consider your target demographic and the demographic of the other shops you are swapping with.
One person should be in charge of collecting all the mailing addresses via email from participants. Set a deadline for sending in addresses (there should be an end date to the swap).
Once the emails are collected, compile a list or spreadsheet with all of the addresses. If there are fewer than 12-15 participants, send the whole spreadsheet to everyone on the list. If there are more than 15-20 participants, break the list into smaller, more manageable lists, and send each list to the members of that list.
Each participant sends a small stack of their business cards to each address on the list.
Once the cards are received, each participant includes cards from other members in packages they mail out from sales in their shop, or distributes the cards in person to potential buyers or at craft shows or markets.

Your Team can organize card swaps as often as you see fit, and organizers can take turns putting the swaps together. Enjoy! And get creative about what types of promo items and cards you swap, and how you distribute the cards you receive from the swap!

Team Tips are a weekly series of tips and ideas from the Etsy Teams. You can find more Resources at team.etsy.com. Etsy Teams are growing really quickly, and we love that so many sellers want to join in to promote their shops, Teams and Etsy. For more information on Etsy Teams, check out the Teams pages and this page of Frequently Asked Questions. Don't forget to read our interview with this week's Featured Etsy Team. Keep up the great work, Etsy Teams!

MOO Now Offering Full-Sized Business Cards

2008-07-24T16:30:00Z

Dear Sellers,

I love the small MOO minicards, and they certainly have their place, but there are some times when only a standard-sized business card will do. That is why I am so pleased to say that our pals at MOO have now added this option for you.

In case you didn't know, MOO is a printing company. They print beautiful products using images you upload directly to their site, and, thanks to an ingenious combination of magic and science, Etsy sellers can have minicards, stickers, postcards, and now full-sized business cards printed DIRECTLY from the product images in their shops.

Here's how it works:

1. Go to http://moo.com/etsy

2. Select the MOO product you would like to make with your Etsy images (in the following example, we’ll select MOO minicards).

2. You will be prompted to log into your Etsy account.

3. Once logged in, drag the images you wish to make into cards from the scrollable picture bar into the large white box underneath. You have the option to add all photos, add 10 random photos, or clear all of the photos from the screen by clicking the blue text above the white box. You can drag images to the left sidebar if you wish to remove them from being designed (we all make mistakes).

4. The next screen allows you to control the part of the image displayed on the card. You can crop, zoom, change positions, preview, reset, and even remove a photo if you don’t like the way it looks. When you have the desired look for your images, click next step.

5. The next screen allows you to design the back of your Moo cards. You can leave them blank, add a logo, or write up to 6 lines of text with the option to bold or color. For creative ways to use text on your cards, check out the article we wrote specifically for uses of MOO products!

6. The next screen adds your designed product to your cart and allows you to make more products if you like.

7. Click “go to payment,” review the items in your cart, edit them if you like, and check out with either Paypal or your credit card!

Click here to get started making fresh products for your Etsy shop now!

Remember, it's not the size of your MOO cards, it's how you use them.

Check out the Labs' how-to with a plethora of ideas for using MOO products for your Etsy shop.

Etsy Find: Happy Birthday, Etsy!

2008-06-18T10:09:00Z

Today, June 18, 2008, marks Etsy's third birthday! What better way to celebrate our little milestone than this totally awesome birthday card by FranticMeerkat, featuring a ridiculous 19th century illustration of a giant ball with stars and a tiger wearing a brightly colored party hat? There are tons of handmade birthday greetings, decorations, party dresses, streamers, birthday candles and anything else you could need for one great birthday bash on Etsy, but this one takes the cake.

Happy Birthday, Etsy, and many more!

Need a daily fix of Etsy Finds? Sign up for the Etsy Finds e-mail! Conveniently delivered to your inbox on the daily!

See which other Etsians have birthdays today with the Birthdays site feature.

Let's Trade: Behind the Scenes at the National Stationery Trade Show

2008-06-16T15:08:00Z

Back in January I wrote an article for the Storque reviewing the book Craft, Inc by Meg Mateo Ilasco. The book is a business primer for anyone in the craft field. One section of the book discussed the basics of showing your work at a trade show. Since I was already planning to attend the National Stationery Show (NSS) in New York, I decided this would be a great opportunity to pop in on several Etsians who were participating in a large trade event. Prior to the show, I interviewed six designers but was lucky to run into several more during the show. Those I interviewed included my friend Hannah at piebirdpress, Katie at micahandme, Shelley at albertinepress, Marty at letterarypress, Lisa at sweetbeets, and Jennifer at jhilldesign. They gave wonderful insight for anyone interested in this often daunting and sometimes mysterious scene.

A trade show is a ‘trade only’ event where sellers (you, the craftsperson) show their wares to buyers (retailers from small boutique shops to big box stores) in hopes of landing wholesale accounts. Trade shows are not open to the public and to “walk the floor” you usually have to either have a press pass, an exhibitor pass, a retailer pass or otherwise prove you are in the biz. Most trade shows occur over several long days in which the buyers can either place orders at the show, or take your catalog home for what you hope will they will buy later. One thing to note is that you do not actually give them the goods at the show. You simply have a display featuring your items. When buyers place orders, it is up to you to set your terms which include how soon after the show you will ship them their items.

If you do decide that you are interested in selling wholesale, and you have the means to produce larger quantities of your products, as well as having enough items to attract a variety of buyers, then a trade show may be a worthwhile investment. But note that it IS an investment which can quickly add up to a pretty penny. Booths can cost $2000+ for only a 10’ x 8’ booth. This doesn’t include electricity, flooring, walls, furnishings/display, not to mention travel and hotel expenses for the week. For this reason, I would suggest making sure you have a well developed line with several years in business under your belt before tackling the trade show circuit. Also, once you commit to exhibiting at a large trade show, it is often an unwritten expectation that you will exhibit every year (unless you ask for a sabbatical).

Sweet and simple sums up the sweetbeets booth display:

The National Stationery Show is the largest paper goods trade event in the country with approximately 1300 exhibitors and nearly 15,000 national and international retailers. Sweetbeets says it best: “I decided to go to NSS because it is THE show for my market and will help me expand the wholesale side of my business.” It runs 8 hours a day from Sunday till Wednesday annually in mid-May. While the smaller booths chosen ranged from 10x6’ to 10x10’, the majority of these lovely gals chose the 10x8’ booth as their temporary home away from home. As for years of experience, this was the third year for two of them, the second for one, and for three of them, this was their very first year. When I asked how long they had been preparing for the show, many of the first year exhibitors said they started planning for the show 1 ½ to 2 years prior. As micahandme put it, “About a year and a half ago… I came across an article online about a girl who attended (NSS) the year before. I made a promise to myself that day that I would be an exhibitor at the 2008 show …and it’s a promise that I’ve kept!”

A gorgeous wall of cards by micahandme:

When it came to the money, most of the exhibitors I interviewed had budgeted roughly $5000-7000 for exhibiting. Some were spending as much as $10,000 and one as little as $3000. The discrepancy in costs often is attributed to where you stay (with friends vs. nearly a week in a hotel, if you have to travel far to get there and even the costs of getting your display to the show). These costs also don’t include the expenses involved with developing and manufacturing their lines.

So how many products do you need to have at a show like this? Obviously the more products the better, with more choices for the finicky buyer to choose from. But a large line also means that many more designs you will have to produce. The number of items available at these ladies’ booths varied from around 50 up to nearly 150 different designs. Some of the larger companies had designs running in the hundreds of items. While hundreds of products may be a little out of your capability, it is important to have realistic goals. letterarypress told me, “If I take enough orders to cover expenses, I will be thrilled. My main goal is to open as many new accounts as I can, meet with reps, and maintain a presence in the industry.”

A fun display for letterarypress’ cards:

Of all the ladies I spoke with, jhilldesign was the only one sharing a booth with three other companies (two of which also have Etsy shops — Tara Hogan of Ink + Wit and Anna and Sean of Sub-Studio). This allowed them to afford a larger booth than they would individually. But don’t think you can cram 10 of your best buds in a booth with you. Large trade shows have serious rules, many of which involve how you can and cannot share a booth. Typically everyone sharing must be represented by a larger "rep group." Some of Jennifer’s best advice on gleaning info: “I always tell people to find someone who does what they want to do and ask them every question under the sun.”

A trio of beautiful displays from tarahogan, substudio, jhilldesign:

So if you are considering a future in the trade show market, hopefully these final words of advice from the two veterans of those I interviewed will inspire you — yet keep you grounded at the same time. Piebirdpress mentions, “The wholesale world is pretty brutal, and you have to be really serious about your business to get involved. You really can’t go to a show like NSS and expect to print cards per order, or produce editions of 50 cards at a time. If you aren’t equipped to step up production, you will flounder….If you do decide to go, a creative booth display is really important. Make sure you wear good shoes and dress comfortably…You should have plenty of promotional materials available: linesheets, business cards, giveaways… It’s important to be really friendly to everyone, and be prepared to point out what makes your cards special, even if nobody asks.”

A deliciously decorated booth from piebirdpress:

Lastly, according to albertinepress, “Participating at NSS or any other trade show is a huge endeavor. Don’t go in unprepared, and don’t expect to be a huge success overnight. Spend a lot of time to make sure that you’re reflecting yourself and your work in your booth display. Buyers are visiting over 1000 booths (or rather, walking by over 1000 booths). You need to give them a reason to stop at yours. Then you need the products to keep them there. But have fun!”

Stunning patterns and colors from albertinepress:

Some other Etsians I ran into include:

The orangebeautiful ladies are sitting pretty in their lovely booth:

A warm and welcoming feel from dutchdoor:

Overall, the show was wonderful to see. Every year I come away with a new list of designers I admire. My favorite part, hands down, was meeting the talented and lovely Etsians exhibiting. Even in the larger booths, when I asked if they knew of Etsy, they all were like… "Oh yeah, yeah.. I know Etsy." That was a nice feeling.

Some other Etsians who exhibited at NSS include:
Susyjack, pearlmarmalade, angelaliguori, and magnoliamoonlight

Further Resources:
American Craft Council Baltimore Show
Craft and Hobby Association
EXTRACTS (bath and body trade show)
George Little Management: A trade show organizer
International Contemporary Furniture Fair
New York International Gift Fair
Philadelphia Buyers Market of American Craft

For extended coverage of the show from more of a design perspective that includes Etsians and non-Etsians alike, visit my blog at www.paper-stories.blogspot.com.

Looking for more info about trade shows? Check out this post on the International Gem and Mineral Show!

News from the Etsy Labs: 6/16 Craft Night

2008-06-11T12:59:00Z

Have plans on Monday night? Well, you do now! Dust off your crafty pants and come join us for our weekly Craft Night at the Etsy Labs in Brooklyn. Each craft night is also broadcast live in the Treehouse room of the Virtual Labs. All demos will be shown both in the Labs in Brooklyn and in the Treehouse online.

Craft Night occurs every Monday from 4-8pm at 325 Gold Street, 3rd floor in Brooklyn, New York. Each week the Etsy Labs organize a skill-sharing project. We provide supplies, tools, snacks, and know-how. Participants are also welcome to bring their own project to work on independently. Craft night is a time to make things, learn new skills, and hang out.

This week's craft night falls just two days before Etsy's third birthday. In honor of our big day, we will be making birthday cards and recycled envelopes during our Monday, June 16 craft night. We will demonstrate a sampling of tips and tricks on folding your own envelopes, Gocco printing, and collage techniques. Come craft with us and make cards for all the upcoming summer birthdays in your life. Or, get started on that birthday card line for your Etsy shop!

If you are joining us virtually for Craft Night this week and would like to craft along with us, you'll need a few supplies: paper, scissors, thread, pens, glue, and any other embellishments you would like to use.

Would you like to lead a craft night project? Send your ideas to labs@etsy.com with "Craft Night idea" as the subject line.

Have you participated in Craft Night? Share your photos with the Etsy Labs Show and Tell Flickr group!

See you Monday!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Keep an eye on the Storque Events calendar for future updates from the Etsy Labs.

Want to learn more about the Labs? Check out our FAQs. Want to receive email updates? Join our Etsy Labs mailing list.

MixedSpecies Unboxed

2008-05-27T17:40:00Z

David Crosby-Etheridge, Jr made a delightful video unboxing cards from Mixedspecies. Very cool that that they're friends with Dave.
See more videos in the Multi-media section.

Father's Day Showcase | Gift Guide for Him | Father's Day Gift Guide | A Dude's Perspective

Mother's Day: Special Notes for Special Ladies!

2008-05-04T23:51:00Z

Dear Etsy Shoppers,

When I was a kid, my mother preferred an endearing, crayon-scrawled handmade Mother's Day card from her darling daughter. But now that I'm older, it isn't quite as cute to send one of my (still crayon-scrawled) drawings to mum. Below you'll find some nice handmade cards, fit for the picking, by talented artists. You can find all sorts here.

Sellers, post a link to your shop in the comments if you have Mother's Day cards listed!

Etsy Finds: ACEOs, Small Wonder

2008-04-25T09:04:00Z

Even if you're not new to Etsy, you may still find yourself wondering about the meanings of the acronyms that pop up in so many tag lists. (I certainly do!) A great primer on the topic was offered recently in the Storque, check it out here. One mystery uncovered was “ACEO or ATC,” which stands for Art Cards Editions & Originals or Artist Trading Card, respectively. Collected and traded around the world, they're a unique and affordable way to start your own art collection. To qualify for the genre, these art cards must measure 2.5” x 3.5” (the size of a traditional baseball card). Check out some artful examples of water and ocean life in these original art ACEO:

Original watercolor KOI ACEO by artist Barry Singer

Intense color and keen observation capture these koi in all their glory. By fishfanatic, $14.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Threads

Sea siren, or just a girl by the waves? Either way, aussiepatches' line drawing is simply fetching! By aussiepatches, $15.50.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

When I Dream, I Always Dream of Cupcakes Instead of Rock Pillows

Love the title, love the drawing. What do seals know from cupcakes? Who cares! Anything is possible in this tiny treasure. By maryjill, $28.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

micro world 17

A summery snapshot in watercolor and ink, has me ready to pack my bags and head for the coast! By alda59, $15.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

NAUTILUS SHELL 26

I'd love to see a grouping of these modern shell paintings all framed up together. By KathyMortonStanion, $15.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Green Sea Turtle King

This regal king of the deep is just one of many royal animals in poordogfarm's shop. Why not take an audience with the Hippo Queen or Jackalope King while you're there? By poordogfarm, $10.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Sea Fan Inspired Tree - Study 3

The title may hint at a tree, but I see a shimmering tide pool at night in this abstract gem by NaturesStudio, $15.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Fish 3 Collage/Mixed Media Original ACEO

Bits of magazines and what looks like a picture of butterfly wings make up the flashy fins of this collage by EclecticOriginals a fine catch at $15.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Laguna- Lagoon. original Aceo painting

It doesn't take much space for floradelgiudice to sketch this tranquil scene. Just imagine what she could do with 5” x 7”. $12.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Today's Etsy Finds were curated by Christina aka MissBatch, a real peach.

Need a daily fix of Etsy Finds? Sign up for the Etsy Finds e-mail! Conveniently delivered to your inbox on the daily!

Etsy Finds: Greetings That Grow

2008-04-17T11:02:00Z

I've become a bit obsessed with indoor gardening lately, so I was so excited when I came across these very eco-friendly cards made by retrowhale. They are all made from biodegradable materials, and the paper itself contains seeds which your friends and family can plant in a pot indoors or add to their outdoor garden. They come in a variety of greetings and seedlings: choose from basil, chive or wildflower seeds. It's a great way to celebrate Earth Day, and send a message that keeps on giving. Your friends and family will think of you everytime they add a little chive to a baked potato or smell the flowers in their garden. Now that's love!

Retrowhale is also a member of the Etsy for Animals team, and 10% of the proceeds go to charities that help save animals. Check out her profile for more info.

Need a daily fix of Etsy Finds? Sign up for the Etsy Finds e-mail! Conveniently delivered to your inbox on the daily!

EGCG | Trashion | EcoEtsy | Environmentally Friendly Gift Guides | Earth Tones Series

Handmade Weddings: Thank You!

2008-04-11T17:13:00Z

Here's a big thanks to all the bloggers and Etsians that contributed to the Handmade Wedding Series! If you can believe it, there are many topics we didn't have time to cover this go-around, but we'll just have to save them for the next wedding series.

So have fun on your honeymoon and don't forget to write your thank you notes to your friends and families!

Handmade Weddings: Almost there...Crucial Last Minute Details!

2008-04-11T01:19:00Z

As we wrap up the Handmade Wedding Series, littlethings1 reminds us about some of those little details that will make your whole wedding come together!

The date is nearing, the chapel is booked, caterer is set, and the bridal party has been chosen. Hopefully you've stuck to your budget.

Many brides are now looking for a personal touch to add to their wedding celebrations by having custom and handmade details, as a way to show your own personal touch. Perhaps you've been DIYing some decorations, but trust me, you don’t want to be hot-gluing things the day before the wedding! The most important thing you can do is to have everything completed for your wedding day several weeks in advance, and to plan everything so your wedding day is stress free from last minute details! If you're running out of time and want to get some handmade items, do a search on Etsy.com for one of a kind handcrafted decorations to purchase for a one of a kind statement. A few custom ideas are:

engraved or hand painted votive holders:

cjoglasswareandgifts

flower-girl baskets:
BrassPaperclip adapts vintage doilies into baskets:

Or have her carry a pomander by EverythingButTheRing!

Here's a classic one from foreveryoursflowers:

ring bearer pillows:
EasterYu's dear ones with birdies

Sophisticated silk one by ShopBub

Another fresh option from tinarie21

cake toppers:

custom ones by tikiarnold

Whimsical topper by simplysweetbydawn

melabo's artistic squirrel and groom topper

Don't forget the pesky "something blue":

earrings by JenniferRydinDesigns

GarterLady

Having personalized bridal party gifts can show your bridesmaids and groomsmen that their support is truly appreciated. A few of the most common gifts include personalized watches, jewelry, flasks, and money clips. Some more original ideas include such things as one of a kind gifts suited for the individual; you can use Alchemy for custom orders. Here's an article with some tips for groomsmen gifts, and also this post about bridesmaid gifts.

Last, but not least, don’t neglect one of the most important items: thank you cards. A sweet note with a hand written appreciation of the gift received.

by dutchdoor

by woodenapples

Have a fabulous wedding day!!

Wedding Gift Guide | Wedding Category | Wedding Showcase | Handmade Wedding Series

Etsy Finds: Sorry!

2008-04-02T11:00:00Z

Didja screw up yesterday?

April Fool's Day joke went too far? You pulled the wool over someone's eyes...and inadvertenly irked the crap out of them? Is no one in the office is speaking to you this morning?

Do you, friend, need to apologise to someone out there?

Use these Finds to make amends today!

Sorry - Apologetic Greeting Card

To the point, but with an adorable edge. By MakingStrangers $4.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

I'm Sorry Cocktail Ring

Nothing makes things right like plastic jewelry. No seriously, this is real cute. By reddeliciousthings, $20.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Knit Coat greeting card

"Although this card is blank, I think this would be perfect for an apology. Doesn't she look like she's full of regret? Maybe it's just the diamond studded knit coat. Or the hair helmet. Or that fact that she's naked under there." By McYarnpants, $4.50.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

SORRY - mini cards

For those of us that have offended 6 or less people. You can basically hand these out like business cards if necessary. By chickrocks, $6.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

FORGIVE THEM

I was so excited when I found this shop I nearly peed my pants. Her work is almost entirely original sharpie drawings of Frieda Kahlo on white paper. I don't know, it just seems like the greatest thing ever. "Here Frida is a nun, looking very concerned." What? Amazing!! By FriedaInHeaven, $15.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

So Sorry Pendant

For when you want your apology to be more abstract. Also for people who like Feist. I think that might be everyone. By shinyblackshoes, $20.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Decorative Blank Card

For when you need your apology to be even more abstract, and have colors. And you are apologizing to your favorite graphic design professor. (I'm sorry I switched majors, Professor Day. But look at me now! Yours, Anda) By kingpopcorn, $4

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

SORRY

REALLY BASIC. By breadandbuttershop, $3.50.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

SO SORRY Bracelet

Whoa, I love this. No sorrowful occasion required at all. By cage40, $8

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Need a daily fix of Etsy Finds? Sign up for the Etsy Finds e-mail! Conveniently delivered to your inbox on the daily!

Call for Entries: 1000 Handmade Greeting Cards

2008-03-31T17:19:00Z

Attention card makers: it's time to show off your handmade best!

The folks over at Rockport Publishers/Quarry Books asked us to spread the word about their call for entries. So gather your greetings and submit them to the 1000 Handmade Cards book project by Rockport Publishers/Quarry Books. The publishers are seeking beautiful examples of handmade greeting cards, and you could be included in the published work!

Eligible cards may be:

■ Watercolors, acrylics or any painted media
■ Block prints, silkscreens, or stamped cards
■ Drawing and calligraphy
■ Paper art and scrapbooking techniques
■ Photography
■ Hand-sewn or hand-stitched cards
■ Collage and mixed media, anything from paper, plastic, and fabric to natural and found objects
■ The sky’s the limit as long as it’s handmade!

For more information, go here.

Deadline for entries is April 15, 2008, so finish up your taxes and get your cards in order.

Comment below if you entered into one of their books before! How did it go?

Etsy Finds: You're Invited

2008-03-30T14:27:00Z

I must be living in synch with Etsy seller, twoguitars, because it seems like every time I type in a search term one of his beautiful cards pops up! As a fan of eating, dinner parties, and Gocco printing, I am definitely a fan of these lovely invitations. These cards make we want to get out my finest linens, dust of the china cabinet fineries, and uncork that vintage bottle of French wine that I've been saving for the occasion! (That is, if I owned any of the above. Maybe one day....)

Need a daily fix of Etsy Finds? Sign up for the Etsy Finds e-mail! Conveniently delivered to your inbox on the daily!

Be sure to check out the other hand-selected invitations featured in the gallery below.

Don't Order Another 1,000 Business Cards!

2008-03-26T15:46:00Z

Dear Sellers:

I've been to about a thousand craft shows and met about a hundred thousand crafters. Cleaning out my junk drawer this weekend, I had an epiphany after tossing out a huge pile of business cards: they just aren't the most effective or fun way to promote yourself. (Though not a bad idea to have!)

Do you really want your business info floating about in a junk drawer with coupons, take-out menus and other miscellany? Here at the labs we make Etsy bandanas, mini-posters, lip balm, stickers, temporary tattoos and other inexpensive handmade items to give away. Your objective is to be remembered, so make your promotional items memorable!

Where's the best place to look for promo inspiration? TheSampler! (Check out this Storque article if you haven't heard of TheSampler.) The promotional and sample items sent in to give away in fancy promo packs are really creative and inspiring. Check out this months donations here.

Below are some cool promo ideas on Etsy. Be sure to let us know how you creatively promote your Etsy shop in the comments!

Etsy Finds: The Politics of Love

2008-02-11T10:48:00Z

Now, I am not an overtly political person. (Which is to say, I don't push my political views on others. At least not on purpose... but I digress.) What I'm trying to say is that even if you're not a fan of Barack Obama, it's impossible not to get a chuckle from these cards by nowvember. The kitschy collages are sure to bring a smile to the face of your beloved. Also, after you've chosen your favorite for that special person, you still have two left to send to your grandma, sister, or favorite aunt.

Regardless of the outcome of the primaries, nowvember has won the race for my affection.

P.S.: Vote!

Making Cards at Etsy!

2008-02-08T21:00:00Z

Christina is off to the Craft and Hobby Association trade show this weekend and she needed cards! Etsy team to the rescue! Within half an hour, Rob, Matt, and Christina had whipped up a bunch of cards for her. Watch and learn how they did it!

MOV | Youtube | Blip

Etsy Finds: Valentine's Cards

2008-01-29T11:02:00Z

When I was a small girl, we used to exchange Valentine's Day cards at school. My mom and I would usually make a few for the family, those "special" Valentine's, but for class, we always bought some Valentine's from a big box store.

With my personal committment to buying handmade as often as possible, I wanted to let you moms know that it can still be affordable to buy cards from sellers on Etsy! Or, If you are a crafter yourself, you probably know the joy that can come from a family time craft night.

So, search for the supplies you might need on Etsy to make your cards, or enjoy some of my favorites from the site, like this luv machine card set by beesandbears. Happy Valentine's Day, everyone! (If you think Valentine's Day is just another Hallmark Greeting card day, then shop Etsy for some cards you won't find in Hallmark!)

Etsy Find: Love Letters

2008-01-25T11:15:00Z

When was the last time you sat down, picked up a pen, and scrawled out a love letter in your best (or worst) handwriting? As a lover of love letters and all handwritten correspondance, I was instantly attracted to this screenprinted Messenger Card Set created by MoxieMadness. I love writing letters, sometimes even to friends who live in my same city.

Really, what's better than receiving a surprise in your mailbox? With Valentine's Day lurking around the corner, snatch up a set for yourself and fill your sweetheart's mailbox with affection.

Etsy Finds: Will You Be My Valentine?

2008-01-22T10:32:00Z

Remember those days back in grade school when you would hand out special little valentines to all your classmates? There would always be that icky boy who kicked the back of your chair and ate his own boogers who you just wouldn't want to ask to be your valentine. However, on a mission to teach you an important life lesson, your parents would force you to send everyone in your class a card.

I've been on a mission to find the perfect cards to hand out to all my friends and co-workers (even the ones that eat their boogers), and I came across this funny series of Hate Mail cards by CarolLeeDesigns. My boss Rob Kalin is definitely getting one of these from me this Valentine's Day because while he is the best boss ever, he definitely eats his own boogers!

And I can't end this article with out saying it one more time...BOOGERS!

Etsy Teams: Valentine's Day Sweetness

2008-01-20T12:06:00Z

We asked the Etsy Teams what their plans are for the upcoming Valentine's Day holiday, and got some really great responses! To find out more about what an Etsy Team is, you can browse around the Team Pages. You can also join the Etsy Teams email list to keep up to date on important Teams information or visit us in our weekly workshop at noon (EST) on Thursdays!

The PLUSHTEAM is having a valentine's day contest called PlushLove. Plushteam members have been asked to create some love filled plush items within three Valentine's day themed categories and we are asking everyone at Etsy to pick their favorites within each group. Your vote is needed and as a plush perk, anyone who cast a ballot will randomly be placed into a drawing to win a $20 gift certificate into one of the participating plushteam shops. Voting begins Tuesday February 12-13 and you can vote at www.plushteam.com.

In Scandinavia, Valentines Day is not popular. Surveys done by local television show that most Nordic people feel Valentines Day is an example of North American commercial propoganda, with no history and therefore no place in that part of the world. With the new found interest in hand-made/heart-made products growing on a global level, maybe a commercialized Valentines Day can be turned back to something with more meaning, bringing forth the made-from-the-heart-values. Members of the Creative Scandinvian Etsy Team hope to help make this happen. Etsy has been the best thing for them, "and has allowed us to expand in our crafts in ways unimaginable, we do see some of the paradoxes between cultures." Nicole6697, a founder of the Creative Scandanavian Etsy Team says, "The same resistence many every-day Scandinavians feel about the overwhelming influence of American culture is usually echoed by other artists and crafters within Etsy." As this holiday approaches, check out the shops of the Creative Scandanavians to bring handmade, heartfelt items to your loved ones.

Etsy BeadWeavers have put their time, their love, and their passion into weaving wonderful creations in RED so that you can express your love. Twenty-nine members of the Etsy BeadWeavers team submitted 42 entries into the RED Challenge, and 276 people visited the EBW blog to vote for their favorite. The winner of the Challenge was Fennel Skellyman with his Fire Garden Necklace. Fennel has the honor of being the first male member of the Etsy BeadWeavers team, and this was his first entry into an EBW challenge.
Check out the Etsy BeadWeavers blog to see all the entries and the runners up in the RED Challenge. Stay tuned, as the team members are now working on their entries for the next challenge: Spring Break

Eco-Etsy, a team dedicated to spread the word about reducing, reusing and recycling, are doing a secret valentines swap. Members who participate will receive an Eco Friend gift from another member of the team as well as send an eco-friendly gift to their secret valentine. No one knows who there valentine is! The idea is to receive something eco friendly,recycled, sustainable, upcycled etc. You can also check their blog for an Eco tip of the week, where team members suggest ways Etsians can help reduce their global footprint.

In sunny Florida, EtsyFEST Team members across the state will be creating multiple handmade, stamped, designed valentines. They will then be taking our valentines to different senior homes, since Florida has a lot of older people who could use some handmade love this Valentine Season!

Team EJA, the Eclectic Jewelry Artisans, is doing another fantastic giveaway of handcrafted jewelry and gifts that is valued at $50! To enter the drawing: visit TeamEJA, click on "Collaboration", choose your favorite item to vote for. Then cast your vote by filling out this form. Please only one vote per person. Drawing will be held on Valentines Day, February 14, 2008.
Three people will win!

For in-person events, check out EtsyCREST, the Capitol Region Etsy Team. They are sponsoring a craft fair on February 16 - details can be found here. The Philadelphia Etsy Team is holding a trunk show at the Mew Gallery on February 8 (6:30-9pm).

Cupid needs your help to find his bow & arrow! Bow bear has been wondering around looking through the EtsyBABY Street Team shops trying to help cupid find special things for those special some ones, but now he's lost! Cupid is offering a reward and has been posting pictures of his bow & arrow in EtsyBABY shops. When you purchase the item where bow's picture is found you'll receive your cupids reward! This promotion runs from January 20 - February 29, and you can participate by searching the tag "EtsyBABY". For a complete list of shops included in this promotion, visit the EtsyBABY blog.

The etsyBEAD street team will be having a Valentine Themed Scavenger Hunt on February 3rd, 4th, and 5th. There will a different scavenger hunt held each day and players will be required to find specific Valentine's themed images hidden within participating etsyBEAD shops. Watch out, though! Some shops will have decoy images which will not count. The first hunter to find all the correct images for each day will be awarded a Valentine prize pack. Everyone is eligible (except members of etsyBEAD) so watch for game details in the etsyBead promo thread February 3rd, 4th and 5th. Detailed information of the event, a list of prizes, and links to the shops in this contest will be available in the team blog. Many of the team shops will also be running Valentine's Specials. Check out the team blog for more information on this, as well.

Many thanks to all the Etsy Teams for their enthusiam and creativity with these events! For more information on how to join a team, you can check the Team pages.

Handmade Correspondence in the Twenty-First Century

2008-01-09T17:51:00Z

My grandmother’s refrigerator was always covered with handmade cards we kids had sent to her as thank you messages for presents. She and my mother taught us the value of handmade things – and how to return the favor by sending a hand-written thank you note in return.

In today’s world, sometimes buying a card, locating a pen that still writes, jotting a note, finding a stamp and getting to a mail box can seem like a lot of work, especially when a couple of clicks will send your thoughts and feelings around the globe in seconds. Who can even keep track of postal rates, after all?

Bicycle Card Set by vanessakimball

Snail mail greetings on one-of-a-kind handmade cards have gone the way of the dodo, haven’t they? Not quite.

There’s a community of artists and crafters who are using the internet to both acquire unique correspondence materials - like handmade greeting cards - and to find friends with whom to exchange them. Upon receipt, members post photos of their handmade greetings to share the cards with others.

Cool Blue Leaves Personalized Stationery Set by crescentmoonpaper

But you don’t have to send something around the world to honor the dying art of hand-written correspondence. Perhaps you could write out your New Year's greetings on some handmade cards available from the EtsyGreetings Street Team. (Or anywhere else on Etsy!)

Personalized Stationery Set of 8 by InvitaPaperStudio

Further Resources:
History of Mail Art
Flickr.com/groups/LetterLovers
Nervousness.org
PostCrossing.com
EtsyGreetings.blogspot.com

Thank You Notes: Artful Expressions of Gratitude

2008-01-01T17:04:00Z

My husband and I live very far from our family and friends. For us, the winter holidays are a whirlwind of traveling and visiting, gifts and fun events.   Though I initially welcome the quieter space of our little home when we return, it is not long before I miss all the people with whom we were lucky enough to share the holiday.

I've learned this is the perfect time to begin writing thank you notes. For me, the purpose of this little note is not solely to acknowledge a gift or kindness, but also to let that person know he or she is still in my thoughts.   I find the process of choosing (or making) just the right card and thinking about what I want to write brings that person close for just a little while longer.

Not surprisingly, the same kinds of feelings that accompany sending a thank you note are also true on the receiving end.   When that hand-addressed envelope appears in my mailbox, I'm always pleased to find inside a reminder of the good time we shared.

I know that for many people the task of writing thank you notes is more chore than joy. This can be particularly true if your holidays are filled with many gifts and events, leading to a long list of thank you notes and some pressure to get them all done quickly.   Though etiquette may suggest you write and send these cards within a few days, I would like to encourage you to take your time.   The recipient will be as delighted to hear from you in three weeks as in three days. This is even more true if you are thoughtful about your choice of notecard and sentiment.

["Merci" card by moderncard]

Michelle from CicadaStudio was gracious enough to offer some tips on the art of writing the perfect thank you note:

First, grab yourself a fabulous EtsyGreetings thank you note and make sure your favorite pen has ink. Then, get a piece of scrap paper for an initial draft (you may not get another chance if your Etsy card is one of a kind!). Finally, get down to the business of writing!

Step 1

Salutation. This is easy! "Dear Aunt Sally"

Step 2

Thank the recipient of your note. Feel free to use adjectives to embellish! "Thanks so much for the lovely frame."

Step 3

Discuss its appropriateness and possible end use "I have so many pictures that I've wanted to display. Your timing couldn't be better."

Step 4

Try tying in the person somehow. Flattery will get you everywhere. "I've always loved the way you displayed your collection of family photos on your mantle."

Step 5

Say it again- it's okay, no one will think you're being redundant. "Thanks again!"

Step 6

Signature. "Your loving niece, _________"

That's all there is to it! Don't forget that thank you notes are not only for gifts, but for event hosts and favors given. You can even send one to someone for just being who they are.

[Thank you card by adorebynat]

Further Resources:
Members of the EtsyGreetings Team offer an incredible array of greeting cards, making it possible for you to send a thank you note that truly represents you. Our 350+ members are as diverse as they are creative. We feature letterpress, photography, watercolor, paper piecing, digital design and a host of other techniques for you and your recipients to savor. What we showcase below is just a glimpse of what is available to you here at Etsy!

The Team's blog can be found at http://etsygreetings.blogspot.com.

Wednesday Workshop Wrap-Up: Gift Certificates in Your Shop

2007-12-17T06:38:00Z

This article was originally published on December 17, 2007. We've updated the content to be current as of September 8, 2008 for the upcoming holiday selling season. Check out Holiday How-To: Offering Services for more great tips on providing those special extra touches for your holiday shoppers.

In this week's Wednesday workshop, we discussed and brainstormed ideas for selling gift certificates in your own shop. A great big thank you goes out to thankyouenjoy for taking such detailed notes on the workshop. Enjoy!

First and foremost, you must check local laws governing gift certificates. This is clearly stated in Etsy's DOs & DON'Ts, as detailed below:

Because gift certificates are governed by local law, it is the seller's responsibility to determine if they are in compliance. If you list a gift certificate on Etsy, you are responsible for this compliance.
You must include this sentence in the item listing: "This Gift Certificate is valid only in my Etsy shop and is only redeemable here."

If you are a U.S. seller, check out The Consumer's Union for a brief overview gift certificate laws. This website and this article are not legal advice. Please consult the laws of your state and/or country for more accurate, detailed and up-to-date information. Please consult an attorney for specific questions.

When offering gift certificates in your shop, be sure to create a physical gift certificate that you can mail to the buyer/recipient. This could be a traditional, formal paper certificate, notecard, Moo card or something the recipient might want to hang onto a little longer, like a sticker, coaster, patch or badge.

Be sure to include pertinent information on your actual gift certificate and in your item listing in your shop, even if it seems obvious to you:

the name of your shop
the words "gift certificate"
the amount the gift certificate is worth
a unique secret code, which the redeemer of the gift certificate will be instructed to type into the "message to seller" section of the checkout process (do not include this in your item listing!)
clear instructions on how to redeem the gift certificate (example: "Go to my Etsy shop and select the items you would like to buy with this fine gift certificate. Click the green Checkout button. In the "message to buyer" section, please type in the code. I will send you a convo to confirm your order. Thanks!")

Be organized and keep track of the code of every gift certificate that is purchased and redeemed in your shop. When the gift certificate is redeemed, you may need to send a revised Paypal invoice to the buyer if there is a remaining balance that needs to be paid on the sale.

Please see more how-tos about selling.

Call for Entries: 1000 Handmade Greeting Cards

2007-12-14T11:04:00Z

Are you a greeting card maker? Feel like your cards really pop?

If so, you should enter your wares as an entry for the 1000 Handmade Cards book project by Rockport Publishers/Quarry Books. The publishers are seeking beautiful examples of handmade greeting cards, and you could be included in the published work!

Cards eligible must be:

■ Watercolors, acrylics or any painted media
■ Block prints, silkscreens, or stamped cards
■ Drawing and calligraphy
■ Paper art and scrapbooking techniques
■ Photography
■ Hand-sewn or hand-stitched cards
■ Collage and mixed media, anything
from paper, plastic, and fabric to
natural and found objects
■ The sky’s the limit as long as it’s handmade!

For more information, go here!

Update: The deadline is March 15, 2008, but it is advised to submit your work sooner rather than later, as categories fill up quickly.

Wanna talk about it? Go to the associated Forum Thread!

How-to Italiano

2007-12-07T08:37:00Z

Amica italiana in prestito qui negli States ed "Etsian superstar" FrucciDesign ha un mucchio di belle idee. Per esempio, ha fatto la traduzione di alcune guide/HELP in italiano.
Ecco, qua:

COME REGISTRARSI SU ETSY
(How to register for an account)

GUIDA ALL'ACQUISTO
(how to buy an item on Etsy):

COME PAGARE CON CON LA CARTA DI CREDITO
(how to pay with credit card and set up a PayPal account):

Mille grazie!