Search results (tags) for: "community"

From Etsy's Merchandising Desk: January Beginnings

2009-12-07T15:23:00-05:00

It's that time again, and those of us behind the scenes at Etsy would like to share our merchandising plans for January. As we continue to plan Etsy’s calendar for the year ahead with thematic merchandising, we will be incorporating many of the concepts you shared in response to December's report and continue to welcome your input. It is our goal to create a healthy balance between promotions for traditional holidays, seasonal changes, and lifestyle trends.

Rounding Out December

Keep abreast of the December seasonal themes, holidays, dates to remember, and trends we are looking to highlight in December's Merchandising Desk edition.
Promotional opportunities for sellers in December:
- Nominate your favorite birthstones for our December Turquoise Guide in this Forum thread.
- Post your last promotions of the year in this Forum thread for a chance to have your promotion highlighted in a December 11, 2009 through December 13, 2009 Etsy Finds email.
- Offer expedited shipping options guaranteed for the holidays? Tell us in this Forum thread for your chance to be highlighted in a December 18, 2009 Etsy Finds email.
- Suggest and nominate items for Etsy's Holiday Gift Guides in this Forum thread.

Stay Engaged in January
January marks a fresh start and with it, optimism for the possibilities in the new year ahead. Our critical merchandising focus this month will center around handmade resolutions and love in the air. Below you will find the extended list of topics we'll be looking to highlight throughout the month of January. We're looking for your creative interpretation and spin on each of the upcoming seasonal themes.

Calendars and Thank You Notes: 2010 calendars and thank you notes begin the new year and express gratitude to those who remembered you this holiday season.
New Beginnings: Handmade resolutions, learning a new skill or hobby (for example, learning a new instrument, recipes, crafting, journaling, etc.), self-reflection and appreciation, active-wear, spa, bath and beauty, organization (home, studio, office, etc.).
Nesting: Focusing on the home, organization and fresh decor. We'll be scouting for home accents that evoke a cozy dwelling (candles, baskets, furniture, tabletop, quilts, blankets, pillows, storage solutions, rugs, windows, lighting, bedding, and bath). Rich materials and fabrics remain at the forefront of style.
Winter Fashion: Emerging designs and classic takes on warm layers, coats, knit, woven and crochet accessories, boots, sturdy bags, and jewelry.
Intro to Valentines: Valentine's Day is quickly approaching; look for highlights in early January with a stronger focus mid-month on all things amorous, conventional and not-so-conventional. We'll be highlighting the following topics and themes: cards, jewelry, relationships, engagements, romance, gifts for her, him, the little ones, and for friends. Also look for the funny Valentine, naughty side, the anti-Valentine, DIY solutions for parties, decor, and edible delights.
The International Vacation: Global adventures, features on warmer weather destinations, taking a holiday, romantic getaways, beach gear, and highlights of spring/summer fashion in the Southern Hemisphere.
Winter Weddings: Attire, decor, invitations, favors, and gift ideas.
January trends: Vintage decor, organizational solutions, knits, rustic and natural motifs. Geometric patterns, floral and foliage motifs, nostalgic and modern design, and personalization across many categories. In fashion, statement jewelry to dress up a simple wardrobe, carryall bags, and oxford style shoes and boots remain at the top of the trends. Color trend forecasts for January include vibrant and pastel shades of champagne, gold, ivory, silver, white, pink and red, hues of plum and lavender, and tones of natural to dark, rich browns.
Shop Makeover Series: In the vein of our handmade resolutions highlights, we'll be expanding the Shop Makeover Series to help sellers interested in revamping their shops with a fresh face and new tips and tricks for success.
Garnet is January's birthstone, and January's astrological signs are Capricorn and Aquarius (December 22 - January 20: Capricorn and January 21 - February 19: Aquarius).
Promotional Opportunities for Sellers:
- In preparation for our Garnet Gift Guide, we will be looking for community suggestions and nominations for what items you'd like to see in the guide. Suggest your favorite garnet-related items in this nomination thread.
- Suggest and nominate items for Etsy's Gift Guides in this Forum thread.
- Stay tuned to the Selling section of The Storque for additional promotional opportunities through January.

If you'd like to stay engaged and involved with the approaching merchandising themes, interpret them in your own artistic voice. This can be translated in your listings, photos, shop announcement, descriptions, tags, titles, sales promotions and more. We're excited to see your creative interpretations!

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 on 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 shoppers might be looking for this time of year. This is also a great opportunity to revamp your item photography with a new look, if you think they need some work. Check out some great how-to's for item photography to get started.

If your items fall under the main thematic categories we'll be highlighting this month, it might be a great time to consider purchasing a spot in a Category Showcase. For those of you who enjoy making Treasuries, we'll be looking to highlight lists that interpret December and January's themes in a creative and cohesive way, as well as the many innovative and beautiful collections that we normally feature.

Upcoming Dates to Remember

January is known as National Blood Donor Month, National Hobby Month, and Hot Tea Month.
January 1: New Year's Day
January 2: Berchtoldstag (Switzerland)
January 6: Epiphany, Three Kings Day
January 12: Holy Thursday (Argentina)
January 15: Martin Luther King's birthday (to be observed on January 18)
January 19: Edgar Allan Poe's birthday
January 24-26: Lunar New Years
January 25: Foundation Day (Brazil)
January 26: Chinese New Year
January 26: Australia Day

Do you have a date to remember that you don't see on the list? Let us know in the comments section below. We are currently working towards incorporating a more detailed calendar of international holidays into Etsy's thematic merchandising plans, so we're eager to hear which dates you would like to see included.

We’d like to hear from you!
We appreciate your support and look forward to your feedback and suggestions in the comments section below.

View More Merchandising Posts | Gift Guides

ArtMind Lives the Luxe Life

2009-12-07T10:04:00-05:00

We asked our readers to nominate their favorite high-end holiday gifts — Etsy items bearing price tags of $500 or more. You voted on this stunning collection, and now we have a winner. (Drum roll, please...) Congrats to ArtMind. Her sculptures are the community favorite! Here are some details about this Belgian artist's ongoing project:

"These nine baboeschkas have been part of my subject for my final project at the Academy of Fine Arts.

The assignment was to create a self-portrait.
The idea to make a few Russian dolls and to add a feeling to them, appealed to me.
In my daily being, emotions and feelings play an important role. They define my personality and my state of mind.
They are the mirrors of my soul."

You can even do a custom order with her — send her your emotion and she'll interpret it in clay.

The winner, along with some of the top picks below, will be featured in the Members' Choice Gift Guide. Thank you to all who voted.

Get Involved in the Next Round
For next week's round, our theme will be Etsy New Year's Eve Party — glitz and glamour. Think champagne, entertaining and hosting items, party decor, cocktail dresses and statement jewelry. Paste a link to your nomination in the comments below. (If you're a seller nominating one of your own items, please just nominate one — even if you have more than one shop!)

Voting Posts | Voter FAQ

Handmade Code: ESellerAds

2009-12-04T14:37:00-05:00

As part of our Handmade Code series, we're bringing you news and how-to's about the innovations emerging from the Etsy Developer Community. Located at developer.etsy.com, the Etsy Developer Community serves as a hub for third-party software developers who are making neat and helpful programs for Etsy shoppers and sellers. In this edition, Kael Goodman tells us all about his application ESellerAds.

I run a web development shop called Blank Slate Factory that’s located in the awesome Brooklyn neighborhood called DUMBO. Etsy moved its offices to DUMBO recently and this led me to taking a deeper look at the tools Etsy offers to software developers. Developer tools are to software developers as knitting needles are to knitters, or brushes are to painters. We had already made some great software that makes ads and just needed to figure out how it would work with the Etsy developer tools. So, over a few weeks we made a couple of versions of ESellerAds and launched it on October 26, a little over one month ago.

Kael with his son Max, who is wearing a T-shirt by charlieandsarah.

What's the basic idea of the application? What need does it fill?
The idea behind ESellerAds is that your customers should be able to shop anywhere and buy your products on Etsy. Etsy has given us the means to do this through the Etsy API. All we needed to do was make an ad builder. When I say make ads, I mean with a single click... and maybe (in the future) customizable ads with a few more clicks. This is the ESellerAds home page where you enter your Etsy username or seller ID to make your ads.

In order to really show your products, we designed ESellerAds as slide shows with photos as big as we could get them. Your customers can scroll through the items, left and right, and zoom in to see more detail. We made the ads in standard sizes so that they can fit anywhere on the Internet, for example on ad spaces available on blogs, on social networks, and on websites. We currently have three sizes: rectangle, wide skyscraper, and narrow skyscraper. We can make more sizes if people need them. Here's an example from Craftsquatch.

Another important aspect to ESellerAds is that you can place them all over the Internet by clicking the Share link in the lower left corner of the ad. It opens up some screens that look like this.

There is also an embed code that you can copy and paste into a web page yourself. Once your ad is on the Internet your friends and customers can also copy the ads onto their sites. If you want to put the ads on your Facebook fan page or tweet a link to your ads, you can do that too.

Where do we go to find it? What's the URL, etc.?
Go to www.esellerads.com and type in your Etsy username or seller ID number.

Who is it for? How many people are using it right now?
ESellerAds is only for Etsy sellers. ESellerAds does not work with other shopping venues. Over the last four weeks about 300 sellers have registered. Here is a chart from zero to 40,000 impressions per day. Dips are weekends.

Here are the countries where people have installed ESellerAds so far.

How do you use it?
Go to our site, enter your username, wait a few seconds for your ads, and then enter your email address to activate. You'll get an email with a link to your dashboard where you can access your ads and performance reports. Here is a sample performance report that shows views for a charlieandsarah ad on a site called brooklynheightsblog.com.

You can also track how many visitors come to your Etsy shop from ESellerAds through your Google Analytics account. Here is a report that shows traffic from an ESellerAd on www.brownstoner.com to Tinahdee's Etsy shop. Notice that the ad sent 105 visitors in just under two weeks.

Are there any costs or further opportunities/ways to get involved?
ESellerAds is free. Why is ESellerAds free? In the future, we plan to offer enhancements and additional products that we will charge for. Also, we are actively looking for people to get involved: developers to help us add new features and make additional products, experienced sellers to help us get the word out.

What should one do if there's a bug or a problem? Who should one contact?
We provide an FAQ and you can always reach us through the Feedback tab on our website.

What's one surprising/fun/amazing story you've heard about someone using your app? Or what is your favorite part about the app?
I love to see the amazing range of things that people are selling on Etsy. I often go to the ESellerAds Gallery and scroll through the ads.

This was the first review of ESellerAds that I saw:

"With a tag line of 'Shop anywhere, buy on Etsy,' it's clear that this free ad producing site is geared towards the Etsy handmade seller. Basically, it's an upgrade to the regular Etsy mini used on blogs, social networks, and other sites. It's easy to set up with only having to enter your shop name and a click of a button. There are three sizes to choose from and each ad features an animated slideshow of items from your shop. When you update your shop items, they automatically update. People can also share your shop by clicking share and copying the html." — Akane Designs

We found the items below using the ESellerAds Gallery.

Sellers, let us know what you think in the comments below!

Read Posts About Etsy Addiction | Handmade Code Posts

Come Craft With KnitKnit at the Etsy Labs

2009-12-03T14:00:00-05:00

Why stay in and craft all by your lonesome? Come join us for a needle felting workshop with KnitKnit — whether you're in Brooklyn or anywhere in the world. Stop by for our weekly Craft Night in our online multi-user chat room, the Virtual Labs, for a live online demo at 5 p.m. ET, or in person at the Etsy Labs in Brooklyn anytime between 4-8 p.m. at 55 Washington Street, Suite 512 in Brooklyn, New York. (Click here to see what time 5 p.m. ET is in your hometown.) Craft Night is a time to make things, sharpen your craft skills, and connect with fellow crafters.

This week, on Monday, December 7, join us for a needle felt ornament Craft Night! You'll learn how to "sculpt" with a felting needle and wool with Nguyen Le from KnitKnit (pictured right). We'll start out with the basics, and let your imagination go from there — the possibilities are endless! This craft is not recommended for children due to the sharp needles.

If you are attending Craft Night virtually this week and would like to felt up some ornaments along with us, you'll need to gather the following supplies:

Felting needles
Wool
Foam cushion to felt upon
Ribbon or embroidery thread for ornament

Upcoming Events at the Etsy Labs in Brooklyn:

12/14: Plush toys with Wendy of Scary Stories
12/21: Bottlebrush trees with Daniellexo
12/28/09 through 1/18/10: Craft Night Hiatus (No Craft Nights at the Etsy Labs during this time.)

Looking for further crafting inspiration? Check out the video we made with KnitKnit!

How-To Needlefelt a Turkey | How-Tuesday Projects | The Do-It-Yourselfer Gift Guide

Will we see you next week? Let us know in the comments below.

Vote! High-End Holiday

2009-12-01T11:00:00-05:00

Vote for the most jaw-dropping gift in this week's poll! We asked our readers to nominate their favorite luxury items on Etsy — they all had to be $500 and up. This is a stunning collection, full of fine craftsmanship and unique artistic vision.

Next Monday we'll announce the winner, which, along with some of the top picks, will be featured in the Members' Choice Gift Guide and here on the Etsy blog. Show your favorite sellers some love and get out the vote!

Voting Posts | Voter FAQ

Starless Wins the Community Vote for Favorite Holiday Ornament

2009-11-30T14:00:00-05:00

We asked our readers to nominate their favorite holiday ornaments, and in the process we collected more nominations than we've ever gotten in the full year that we've been doing these votes. It also confirmed my theory that Etsy is the best place on the Web to buy unique holiday ornaments, both vintage and handmade!

Our congratulations go out to the winner, starless, whose Leaves Polymer Clay Filigree Ornament should be topping many a tree this season! Thank you to all who nominated items and voted, and a hearty dose of admiration goes out to our runners-up, featured below and in the Members' Choice Gift Guide.

Get Involved in the Next Round
For next week's round, we're taking nominations for items that would make the perfect "gift for her." Paste links to your nominations in the comments below. (If you're a seller nominating one of your own items, please just nominate one — even if you have more than one shop!) There's one small caveat: I may narrow down the nominations to display the breadth of items available across Etsy's Categories, whereas normally I just go in order of first-come-first-serve.

Voting Posts | Voter FAQ

Thank You, Etsy Community

2009-11-26T10:35:00-05:00

In the United States, we are gathering together with family and friends this Thursday to celebrate Thanksgiving, a day of gratitude for all we have. For fellow Etsians outside the U.S., it may be just another day hard at work; nevertheless, it is a good reason to take pause and thank each of you for being our partners in this wildly wonderful and inspiring venture we call Etsy.

As Etsy grows, the responsibilities we have to our community also grow. We take our responsibility very seriously. It is humbling to know that so many of you have come to depend on the service we provide. We are grateful for your support and will strive to continually earn your loyalty.

Over the course of 2009, I’ve had the great pleasure of meeting many Etsy sellers not only in the U.S., but also in Canada and Europe. Next year, I hope to meet in person with many more members of our global community. It is incredibly motivating to hear your stories and to understand what Etsy means to you. I am excited and inspired by the possibilities of what we can accomplish together.

Here’s to you, your many achievements, your vast creativity, and your immense talent.

Warm wishes and a heartfelt thank you.

Maria

Coast-to-Coast: Craft with Etsy Labs in Brooklyn and San Francisco

2009-11-26T10:30:00-05:00

This week we are pleased to announce crafting events across the United States! Join the Etsy Labs in both Brooklyn and San Francisco (and online!) for free hands-on workshops.

So, read on for double the crafty events this week...

Crafting in Brooklyn, NY:

Open Craft Night at the Etsy Labs in Brooklyn, NY

This week we're hosting an open Craft Night, as we usually do on the last Monday of each month. Instead of an organized project, this week we are throwing the doors of the Etsy Labs wide open and letting you dive into any project that strikes your fancy.

Bring along any project you'd like to develop during this week's Craft Night, or start a brand new project using our tools and extra supplies. To craft-finity and beyond!

When: Monday, November 30; drop in any time between 4 to 8 p.m. ET.
Where: Etsy Labs at 55 Washington Street, Suite 512, Brooklyn, NY

Upcoming Events at the Etsy Labs in Brooklyn:

12/7: Needle-felted ornaments with Nguyen from KnitKnit
12/14: Plush toys with Wendy from Scary Stories
12/21: Bottlebrush trees with Daniellexo
12/28/09 through 1/18/10: Craft Night Hiatus (No Craft Nights at the Etsy Labs during this time.)

A photo of Susan and Amy from a recent needlepoint Craft Night at the Etsy Labs.

Crafting in San Francisco, CA:

Student Night + Craft Bar With Etsy Labs at the Museum of Craft and Folk Art in San Francisco

Escape winter’s chill at the Museum of Craft & Folk Art! Join us for Craft Bar with Etsy Labs @ MOCFA, a free event co-sponsored by Etsy. MOCFA is throwing the gallery doors open for you to brush up on your knitting skills with a quick and easy hat project that will keep you warm and stylish during the winter months — it's perfect for gift-giving. Sessions are free and open to all skill levels, from beginner to expert. Materials and instruction will be provided.

Local artists Jackie Huang will be on hand for a plushie felting demo, and fiber store, A Verb for Keeping Warm, will share techniques for spinning yarn. Sip locally brewed Trumer Pils at the custom-built Craft Bar, visit the Open Source Embroidery Exhibition and pick up a new hobby.

Don't live in California? Fear not, MOCFA will also host a live demo of the evening's craft projects via webcam in Etsy's Virtual Labs for all of our faraway friends. If you would like to knit along with us, please download this free pattern.

When: Thursday, December 3 from 6 - 8 p.m. PT. Online demo at 1 p.m. PT in the Virtual Labs.

Where: Museum of Craft and Folk Art at 51 Yerba Buena Lane, San Francisco, CA

Looking for further crafting inspiration?

How-Tuesday Projects | Supplies Category | DIY Made Simple Gift Guide

Will we see you next week? Let us know in the comments below.

Vote for Your Favorite Holiday Ornament

2009-11-24T10:36:00-05:00

We asked our readers to nominate their favorite holiday ornaments. Now it's your turn to vote!

Are you an ornament hound? Are the boughs of your tree laden with flocks of angels, snowflakes, glass baubles, and such? Any kooky or nostalgic ornaments you can't wait to hang year after year? Let us know how you trim your tree in the comments below. And for those of you who just can't get enough, there were so many nominations that I definitely recommend checking out the extended comments here.

Next Monday we'll announce the winner, which, along with some of the top picks, will be featured in the Members' Choice Gift Guide and here on the Etsy blog.

Etsy is the best place on the internet for ornaments. Spread the word!

Voting Posts | Voter FAQ

RedMarionette Wins the Holiday Decor Vote

2009-11-23T10:40:00-05:00

Congratulations to RedMarionette whose Green Holiday Wreath was picked as the community favorite! This winner, along with some of the top picks shown below, will be featured in the Members' Choice Gift Guide.

Thanks to everyone who voted. I would love to see photos of your homes, festively decorated for the holiday season. (You can share photos of your home decor in the There's No Place Like Here Flickr group.)

Get Involved in the Next Round

For next week's round, we'll be featuring high-end holiday gifts on Etsy. While this is a pretty subjective term, for the sake of clarity I'm going to say items $500 and above. Nominate your favorite by pasting a link in the comments below. (If you're a seller nominating one of your own items, please just nominate one — even if you have more than one shop!)

Voting Posts | Voter FAQ

Come Craft With the Etsy Labs & Esther K. Smith: Rolling Ball Books and Ornaments

2009-11-19T10:30:00-05:00

Want to test out our latest How-Tuesday project with us at the Etsy Labs? Come join us for a free workshop with artist and author Esther K. Smith— whether you're in Brooklyn or anywhere in the world. Stop by for our weekly Craft Night in our online, interactive classroom, the Virtual Labs, for a live demo via webcam at 5 p.m. ET, or in person at the Etsy Labs in Brooklyn anytime between 4-8 p.m. ET at 55 Washington Street, Suite 512 in Brooklyn, New York. (Click here to see what time 5 p.m. ET is in your hometown.) Craft Night is a time to make things, sharpen your craft skills, and meet new friends.

This week, on Monday, November 23, Esther K. Smith will show us how to make rolling ball books and ornaments. Is it a book or a toy? You decide!

Esther K. Smith is Purgatory Pie Press designer and author of How to Make Books and Magic Books & Paper Toys. She handcrafts artist books and limited editions at Purgatory Pie Press in New York City, collaborating with typographer Dikko Faust and other artists and writers. Keep an eye out for her new book, The Paper Bride, in December 2009.

Looking for more paper projects? Try these how-to's:

Paper Flowers | Do-Si-Do Books

Will we see you on Monday? Let us know in the comments below.

Vote for Your Favorite Holiday Decoration

2009-11-17T10:07:00-05:00

We asked our readers to nominate their favorite holiday decor. Now it's your turn to vote!

Next Monday we'll announce the winner, which, along with some of the top picks, will be featured in the Members' Choice Gift Guide and here on the Etsy blog. Show your favorite sellers some love and get out the vote!

Voting Posts | Voter FAQ

Tracychong Wins the Holiday Card Vote

2009-11-16T11:00:00-05:00

Congratulations to tracychong whose Red Nosed Rudolph Pop-Up Card was chosen as the community favorite!

Are you inspired to send handwritten cards this season? Check out the Members' Choice Gift Guide where this winning card and runners-up will be featured. Thank you to everyone who voted!

Get Involved in the Next Round

For next week's round, we'll be featuring holiday ornaments on Etsy. Last week's nominations for decor overflowed with ornaments so the Voter is already almost full! So be quick like a ... reindeer? ... and paste a link to your favorite in the comments below. (If you're a seller nominating one of your own items, please just nominate one — even if you have more than one shop!)

Voting Posts | Voter FAQ

Check out the Etsy Greetings Team's Items

Come Craft With Bags for the People & Katherine Bell at Etsy Labs

2009-11-12T17:00:00-05:00

Why stay in and sew all by your lonesome? Come join us for a bag-making workshop with Bags for the People and Katherine Bell — whether you're in Brooklyn or anywhere in the world. Stop by for our weekly Craft Night in our online multi-user chat room, the Virtual Labs, for a live online demo at 5 p.m. ET, or in person at the Etsy Labs in Brooklyn anytime between 4-8 p.m. at 55 Washington Street, Suite 512 in Brooklyn, New York. (Click here to see what time 5 p.m. ET is in your hometown.) Craft Night is a time to make things, sharpen your craft skills, and meet new friends.

This week, on Monday, November 16, we will be making bags with Bags for the People and Katherine Bell, author of Quilting for Peace. (Check out a bag-making how-to project from her book here.)

Bags for the People is a non-profit organization that provides the public with a sustainable alternative to plastic bags. They use all repurposed materials and give bags out for free. Bags for the People also perform community building workshops and events (like this one!) to convince people to make the switch from plastic to reusable and inspire the public to take an active and creative role in life. Learn all about Bags for the People and what they do here.

We'll have all the materials you'll need to sew a bag of your own here at the Etsy Labs, including beautiful surplus fabrics donated by Serena and Lily! If you have any other fabrics or old clothing that you would like to turn into bags, please bring them along.

If you are attending Craft Night virtually this week and would like to stitch up some bags along with us, you'll need to gather the following supplies:

Fabric (an old T-shirt would do the trick)
Sewing machine, or a sewing needle
Thread
Scissors
Pins
Iron
Download Bags for the People's instructions

Upcoming Events at the Etsy Labs:
11/23: Rolling Ball Book Ornaments with Esther K. Smith
11/30: Open Craft Night
12/7: Needle-Felted Ornaments with Nguyen of KnitKnit
12/13: Plush Toys with Wendy of Scary Stories

Looking for more bag-making projects? Try these how-to's:

Quilting for Peace: Stitch Your Own Shopping Bag | Lunch Bag | Eco-Friendly Bags

Will we see you on Monday? Let us know in the comments below!

Trading for Art and Odd Objects With bARTer Sauce

2009-11-12T16:00:00-05:00

Rosalie Gale, a.k.a. UglyBaby, is a waterproof shower art maker, stand-up comedian and blogger, who is currently obsessed with German board games (Settlers of Catan, anyone?) and embroidery. She likes to ride bikes that fold up into small pieces and develop websites (like the Seattle Street Team site) in Drupal, an open source, database-driven, content management system that is currently her true love (along with her human husband, Doug).

bARTer Sauce is an experiment in trading for art and odd objects. The idea behind the project is that whatever I get, I trade for something else — and everyone I trade with has to tell me a story. I document it all on http://www.bartersauce.com. When I started this project, I planned to only run it for one year but I have been so captivated by people’s stories that three years have flown by already and I’m nowhere near stopping.

In the beginning, I was going to examine the transitory nature of objects that we "own." That’s just a highfalutin way of saying that I like weird stuff in my life — but I don’t like it to stay around too long. I live in a tiny apartment so starting bARTer Sauce allowed me to trade for weird things, live with them for a bit, and then send them along on their way to a new home.

A few things I’ve learned along the way:

It’s pretty easy to let things go. The question I am most often asked is whether I’ve ever gotten something I’ve been tempted to keep. I really haven’t*. I think I get more excited knowing that a really great item will lead to lots of trade offers with interesting stories from people I would have never met otherwise. *There is one exception to this rule (isn’t there always?). A nice lady named Ariane traded in a cardboard cutout shaped like me. I traded for that. Who wants a cardboard cutout of themselves hanging out in someone else’s house? No one.
Good stories can increase the value of an item. Sometimes I’ll trade for a terrible item that has a great story just because I want the story to be part of the project. It’s great to have an item with an interesting story behind it. It makes you feel closer to the person who gave it to you. And it lets you have a tiny glimpse into what their life might be like.
Bartering works. Period. Are you in need of something? Chances are you can trade for it and not spend a dime.
Event planning sucks. One of my original ideas was to end the project with a big event where I invite everyone I’ve traded with to bring the item they received and we all get to exchange stories. I think this is part of the reason I’m hesitant to end the project. You see, over the years I’ve learned more and more about myself and I found that I really hate event planning. More than pretty much anything. Except spiders.

If bARTer Sauce does nothing else, at the very least it starts a conversation. I’ve traded with old friends. I’ve traded with new friends. I’ve traded with a friend of my boss. I’ve traded with countless people that I met once and with whom I would — under other circumstances — have never kept in touch. I’ve traded with total strangers. I once traded with myself. And whether the trade takes place in person or oceans away, I still get a little interaction with someone I would have never known otherwise.

I’ve traded with many Etsy folks during my project — and here are some of my favorites.

Betsy, a.k.a. baddinsdesign and happybetsy

We’ve traded twice. The first time she traded me Jar Grandma for a Tiny Landscape Painted on a Pill. Read my interview with Betsy after trade number one here.

In our second trade, she gave me Lord Bratnose in exchange for two Glitter Cats. Read my interview with Betsy after trade number two here.

Betsy’s thoughts about The Sauce:
“I think one of the most fun parts of the bARTer Sauce experience for me was writing the stories for the objects I traded. As an adult, I'm just not given enough short creative writing assignments. The challenge of coming up with a back-story for my barter items is a really fun, creative exercise that reminded me of everything I loved from my high school creative writing class. I still remember my teacher's awesome mustache and brilliant poetry. Free entertainment + rekindling old interests + kitsch is a pretty awesome combo.”

Sara, a.k.a. rekoj

Sara traded me Two Red Screamers in exchange for the “Mona Didn’t Need Bling” shadowbox. Read my interview with Sara after the trade here.

Sara’s thoughts about The Sauce:
“My bARTer Sauce trade has graced my kitchen with a wonderful art shadow box. Many of my housemates have commented on just how lovely "Mona Didn't Need Bling" is. It enhances our dining experience with a curious stare and lots of shiny stuff to look at. Basically, ever since I heard about bARTer Sauce (through our EtsyRain connection) I had my eye out for something rad to bring in to trade. When Marlo and I found the Two Red Screamers discarded and hiding in the bushes near her studio, I knew I had found my trade. The red screaming guys had to be brought to The Sauce right away!”

Tara, a.k.a. RevivalInk

Tara traded me a Twisted Tree Tee in exchange for Two-Headed Boy painting. Read my interview with Tara after the trade here.

Tara’s thoughts about The Sauce:
“I think bARTer Sauce is important because it brings people together both online, and in the real world. I think trading is always better than using cash, and I like to do it whenever possible. In fact, most of my favorite items were obtained by trading. Usually I only get to trade at craft shows and markets, but bARTer Sauce brings that experience to my computer! I was very happy with my trade because it was a gift for my nephew. When I get gifts for people, it’s very important that they are original. It's also important that they are made locally. It's my way of supporting other local artists, and letting my friends and family know what great things you can get that are made in Seattle. Most of my family is unaware of this, so it has become my mission to inform them. The painting I traded for was a perfect gift for my 3-year-old nephew. Initially, it frightened him very badly but he has warmed up to it. In fact, for Halloween this year he wants to be a monster, like the one in the painting.”

Sauce It Up Yourself:
If you would like to participate in the bARTer Sauce project, check out the Available Items. Then, make a Trade Offer that includes a picture and a story — about anything at all.

You can also keep in touch with The Sauce on Facebook and my blog, I Like Pretty.

Stay warm and eat more potatoes.

Items on Etsy Tagged "Object" | More This Handmade Life Posts | Keep it Weird Series

From Etsy's Merchandising Desk: December Festivites

2009-11-12T14:15:00-05:00

It's that time again, and those of us behind the scenes at Etsy would like to share our merchandising plans for December. As we continue to plan Etsy’s calendar for the year ahead with thematic merchandising, we will be incorporating many of the concepts you shared in response to November's report and continue to welcome your input. It is our goal to create a healthy balance between promotions for traditional holidays, seasonal changes, and lifestyle trends.

Rounding out November

Keep abreast of the November seasonal themes, holidays, dates to remember, and trends we are looking to highlight in November's Merchandising Desk edition.
Promotional opportunities for sellers in November:
- Nominate your favorite birthstones for our November Citrine Guide in this Forum thread.
- Learn how to participate in Friday Etsy Finds emails in this Forum thread.
- Suggest and nominate items for Etsy's Holiday Gift Guides in this Forum thread.
- Stay tuned to the Selling section of The Storque, Etsy's blog, to learn how to get involved with our broader promotional plans for Black Friday through Cyber Monday.

Stay Engaged in December
December sets the stage for a fast-paced approach toward the holidays. However, we'll soon relax and enjoy the company of family and close friends over delicious seasonal treats. Our critical merchandising focus this month will center around the holiday gift-giving season. Below you will find the extended list of topics we'll be looking to highlight throughout the month of December. We're looking for your creative interpretation and spin on each of the upcoming seasonal themes.

Seasonal Holiday Gift-Giving: Find our full list of seasonal gift-giving thematic topics in the newly released Holiday Gift Guides. Reevaluate your line and describe why your items make great gift ideas; take the time to photograph your items in a way that shows the potential uses it could have.
Seasonal Home Decor: Winter and holiday home decor accents, displays, accessories, centerpieces, ornaments, and all the home accoutrement that make us think of a cozy dwelling. Think candles, baskets, wreaths, garlands, furniture, tabletop, quilts, blankets, pillows, storage solutions, rugs, windows, lighting, bedding, and bath. Rich materials and fabrics remain at the forefront of styling options.
Entertaining: Celebrations including dinner with the family, holiday parties, and those notorious over-the-top New Year's galas abound. We'll be looking for creative and unique seasonal tabletop solutions, dinnerware, glassware and bar, table linens, food for your feast, centerpieces, place settings, place cards, invitations, menus, favors, and hostess gifts.
Winter and Holiday Fashion: Vamped up holiday, formal, and party fashions along with warm layers, winter coats, winter accessories, boots, bags, and jewelry all sparkle this season.
New Year's Eve: Ring in the new year in style. We'll be highlighting party options, celebration accessories and party fashion. Keep in mind with New Year's Eve, resolution time is right around the corner. January sneek peek: Health and wellness, relaxation, detox, reorganization, and all that emphasizes a fresh new start.
Calendars and Paper Goods: Thank you card sets, stationery sets, 2010 calendars, and gift wrapping elements.
Shopping Local: With online shopping, comes shipping deadlines. As we near these deadlines, we'll be looking to promote the Shop Local Etsy shopping feature along with other location-based highlights. Make sure your location is up to date in order take advantage of last-minute shoppers in your area.
Boxing Day: Boxing Day is a recognized day of rest in many countries, originating as a day of extending goodwill to those less fortunate. Over time, it has traditionally become known as a shopping holiday for sales and promotions. For many retail merchants, this marketing strategy has become their highest revenue driving day of the year. We'll be hosting a special Boxing Day extended promotion for sellers interested in participating. Stay tuned for details as we get closer to December including how to participate as a seller.
Winter Weddings: Attire, decor, invitations, favors, and gift ideas.
The International Vacation: Global adventures, features on warmer weather destinations, highlights of spring/summer fashion in the Southern Hemisphere.
December trends: The all-encompassing forest imagery including holly, branches, berries, pine cones, acorns, and related animals (deer, squirrels, chipmunks). Boots, pumps, Oxfords, and ballet flats. Winter accessories. Statement jewelry, metallics and sequined clothing and accessories. Gem tones, deep berry, plum, forest green, and classic combinations of red, white, black, green and royal blues. Vintage decor, eco-friendly options, and tribal motifs continue to top the trends this season.
Turquoise is December's birthstone, and December's astrological signs are Sagittarius and Capricorn (November 23 - December 21: Sagittarius and December 22 - January 20: Capricorn).
Promotional Opportunities for Sellers:
- In preparation for our Turquoise Gift Guide, we will be looking for community suggestions and nominations for what items you'd like to see in the guide. Suggest your favorite turquoise-related items in this nomination thread.
- Suggest and nominate items for Etsy's Holiday Gift Guides in this Forum thread.
- Stay tuned to the Selling section of The Storque for additional promotional opportunities through December.

If your items fall under the main thematic categories we'll be highlighting this month, it might be a great time to consider purchasing a spot in a Category Showcase. For those of you who enjoy making Treasuries, we'll be looking to highlight lists that interpret November and December's themes in a creative and cohesive way, as well as the many innovative and beautiful collections that we normally feature.

Upcoming Dates to Remember:

November is known as Real Jewelry Month, Peanut Butter Lovers Month, and Aviation History Month.
December 1: World AIDS Awareness Day
December 6: Spain's Constitution Day
December 6: Saint Nicholas Day
December 9: Christmas Card Day and National Pastry Day
December 10: Final safe date for international shipping deadlines (save for express and overnight)
December 10: Nobel prizes presented
December 11: Hanukkah begins at sundown
December 12: Poinsettia Day
December 12: Feast of Our Lady Guadalupe in Mexico
December 17: Hari Raja Puasa
December 17: South Africa's Day of Reconciliation
December 18: Final safe date for online shipping deadlines (save for express and overnight)
December 18: Muharram
December 21: Winter Solstice — shortest day of the year
December 25: Christmas Day
December 25: England's Constitution Day
December 26: Boxing Day — also known as the Day of Goodwill
December 26: Saint Stephen's Day
December 26: Kwanzaa begins
December 31: New Year's Eve

Do you have a date to remember that you don't see on the list? Let us know in the comments section below. We are currently working toward incorporating a more detailed calendar of international holidays into Etsy's thematic merchandising plans, so we're eager to hear which dates you would like to see included.

We’d like to hear from you!
We appreciate your support and look forward to your feedback and suggestions in the comments section below.

View More Merchandising Posts | Gift Guides

Etsy International: We're Visiting Europe...Again!

2009-11-12T10:00:00-05:00

UPDATE: Just a friendly reminder!

[The following was originally published on October 31, 2009.]

Etsy International: We're visiting Europe...again! Nous retournons visiter l'Europe! Wir kommen zurück nach Europa!

English

I'm happy to announce that Matt and I will be making a quick trip to Europe this November 16-24. As you may have heard, later this fall we'll be launching localized blogs in Germany, France and the UK.

As part of this trip, we of course hope to meet with many of you. We'll be holding some informal open meetings, similar to what Maria and I did last spring, where people can come to learn more about our 2010 plans, share ideas, ask questions, offer suggestions, and enjoy some time with other Etsy members.

The basic information is below and we'll update it as specific details become available — for now just save the dates!

Berlin: Wednesday, November 18, 18:00-20:00 / Cafe Morgenland (note the day is now the 18th!)

Paris: Thursday, November 19, 18:30-20:30 / Cafe La place verte 105 rue Oberkampf

London: Monday, November 23, 18:00-20:00 / Columbia Hotel

Hope to see you on the road!

Français

Je suis heureuse de vous annoncer que Matt et moi allons faire un petit voyage en Europe du 16 au 24 Novembre. Comme vous en avez peut-être déjà entendu parler, nous lancerons plus tard dans l'automne des blogs locaux en Allemagne, en France et en Grande-Bretagne.

Nous espérons évidemment vous rencontrer nombreux pendant ce séjour. Nous tiendrons des rencontres ouvertes et informelles, similaires à ce que moi et Maria avons fait le printemps dernier, où les gens pourront venir en apprendre un peu plus sur nos projets de 2010, partager des idées, poser des questions, offrir des suggestions et profiter d'un moment passé en compagnie d'autres Etsiens.

Vous trouverez les informations essentielles ci-dessous et nous les mettrons à jour dès que nous disposerons de détails plus spécifiques. Pour le moment, vous pouvez noter les dates!

Berlin: Mercredi 18 Novembre, 18:00-20:00 / Cafe Morgenland

Paris: Jeudi 19 Novembre, Cafe La place verte 105 rue Oberkampf

London: Lundi 23 Novembre, 18:00-20:00 / Columbia Hotel

En espérant vous croiser sur notre route!

Deutsch

Ich freue mich Ihnen mitteilen zu können, dass Matt und ich vom 16. November bis 24. November in Europa sein werden. Wie Sie vielleicht schon wissen, haben wir vor gegen Ende des Jahres blogs in Deutschland, Frankreich und Großbritannien zu veröffentlichen.

Als Teil dieser Reise hoffen wir natürlich viele von Ihnen zu treffen. Wir werden ein paar informelle Meetings abhalten, ähnlich denen von Maria und mir letzten Frühling. Kommen Sie einfach vorbei und erfahren Sie mehr von unseren Plänen für 2010. Es wird auch möglich sein Fragen zu stellen, Ideen mit uns zu teilen, Vorschläge zu machen oder einfach etwas Zeit mit anderen Etsianern zu verbringen. Die wichtigtsten Informationen finden Sie etwas weiter unten. Wir werden gegebenenfalls weitere Details hinzufügen, aber merken Sie sich erst einmal diese Daten.

Berlin: Mittwoch, 18. November, 18:00-20:00 / Cafe Morgenland

Paris: Donnerstag, 19. November, Cafe La place verte 105 rue Oberkampf

London: Montag, 23. November, 18:00-20:00 / Columbia Hotel

Man sieht sich bald!

UPDATED Friday, November 13, 12:00 p.m.

Etsy International Posts | Multi-Lingual Posts

Vote! Which is Your Favorite Holiday Card?

2009-11-10T10:30:00-05:00

We asked our readers to nominate their favorite holiday cards. Now it's your turn to vote.

Next Monday we'll announce the winner, which, along with some of the top picks, will be featured in the Members' Choice Gift Guide and here on the Etsy blog. Show your favorite sellers some love and get out the vote!

Voting Posts | Voter FAQ

Loveartworks Wins the Vote for Best Thanksgiving Hosting Item

2009-11-09T10:56:00-05:00

We asked our readers to nominate items that would inspire us to host family and friends for the holidays. You voted and now we have a winner. Congratulations to loveartworks, whose Change bowl reminds us of the beautiful changing foliage, as well as getting my tummy a'grumbling in anticipation of feasting. loveartworks says,

"I painted this bowl while literally watching the leaves start to turn on the maple tree outside my window and contemplating change in nature, in our world and in myself and relishing the beautiful colors of autumn while I'm doing so...."

Congratulations to you, loveartworks! This item, along with some of the top picks, will be featured in the Members' Choice Gift Guide.

Get Involved in the Next Round

For next week's round, we'll be taking your suggestions for the best holiday decor on Etsy — garlands, wreaths, candles, ornaments, and other decorations for the home. We're getting into that wintery, Christmas and Hanukkah season. Paste a link to your favorite in the comments below. (If you're a seller nominating one of your own items, please just nominate one — even if you have more than one shop!)

Voting Posts | Voter FAQ

Come Craft With the Etsy Labs & AMH Design: Needlepoint Gift Tags

2009-11-05T10:30:00-05:00

Why stay in and craft all by your lonesome? Come join us for a free needlepoint workshop — whether you're in Brooklyn or anywhere in the world. Stop by for our weekly Craft Night in our online, interactive classroom, the Virtual Labs, for a live demo via webcam at 5 p.m. ET, or in person at the Etsy Labs in Brooklyn anytime between 4-8 p.m. ET at 55 Washington Street, Suite 512 in Brooklyn, New York. (Click here to see what time 5 p.m. ET is in your hometown.) Craft Night is a time to make things, sharpen your craft skills, and make new friends.

This week, on Monday, November 9, we will be making needlepoint gift tags with artist Amy Holbrook of AMH Design. (She is also our neighbor here on Washington Street.) Make your own needlepoint gift tags for the upcoming holiday season. This project is an easy and fun way to learn the basics of needlepoint while making some cute gift tags. Needlepoint adds a personal touch to your gift without a lot of effort!

Amy Holbrook, the founder of AMH Design, is bringing needlepoint into the 21st century with her collection of contemporary needlepoint kits. Easy, stylish, portable and all-inclusive, AMH Design needlepoint kits are perfect for beginner and veteran stitchers alike.

If you are attending Craft Night virtually this week and would like to stitch needlepoint gift tags along with us, you'll need to gather the following supplies:

Perforated paper sheet
Perle cotton floss size 5 (embroidery floss is okay)
Tapestry needle — size 24
Needle threader
Scissors
Colored cardstock paper
X-acto blade
Paper glue
Hole punch
Download the instructions

Upcoming Events at the Etsy Labs:

Saturday, November 7: Sock Monkey Workshop at the Etsy Labs

Join us this weekend for an afternoon of creating original sock monkeys for Fresh Art's Sock Monkey Program.

Fresh Art is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing expanded artistic, personal development, and entrepreneurial opportunities to New York City artists with special needs. The sock monkeys we create this afternoon will be sold to raise funds to support Fresh Art's programs. All skill levels are welcome, though basic hand sewing skills are helpful.

When: Saturday, November 7, 2009; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Etsy Labs at 55 Washington Street, Suite 512, Brooklyn, NY

Please RSVP for this free workshop at rsvp@etsy.com or on the Etsy Labs Meetup page.

Additonal Upcoming Events
11/16: Bag-making workshop with Bags for the People
11/23: Rolling Ball Book Ornaments with Esther K. Smith
11/30: Open Craft Night
12/7: Needle-felted Ornaments with KnitKnit

Looking for more holiday craft projects? Try these how-to's:

Felt Garlands | Snowflake Gift Wrap | Holiday Table Decor

Will we see you on Monday? Let us know in the comments below.

Vote! Which Thanksgiving Item Would Get You in the Kitchen?

2009-11-03T12:30:00-05:00

We asked our readers to nominate their favorite items for hosting family meals for the holidays. Now it's your turn to vote!

Next Monday we'll announce the winner, which, along with some of the other top picks, will be featured in the Members' Choice Gift Guide and here on the Etsy blog. Show your favorite sellers some love and get out the vote!

Voting Posts | Voter FAQ

VintageConfections is Sweeter Than Candy & Wins the Vote!

2009-11-02T10:30:00-05:00

Did you overindulge this weekend? Or are you still dipping into your kids' Halloween stash?

Get ready for some more, my sugar-fiend friends! We have a candy-coated winner from last week's poll: VintageConfections with her Jupita Caramel Espresso Truffles. Thank you to everyone who voted in this sweets-themed round. Make sure to check out the winner, along with some of the top picks shown below, in the Members' Choice Gift Guide.

Get Involved in the Next Round

For next week's round, we'll be taking your suggestions for the best holiday cards on Etsy. So dive into the Paper Goods Category and paste a link to your favorite in the comments below. (If you're a seller nominating one of your own items, please just nominate one — even if you have more than one shop!)

Voting Posts | Voter FAQ

Coast-to-Coast: Come Rock and Craft With Etsy Labs

2009-10-29T16:33:00-05:00

This week we are pleased to announce crafting events across the United States! Join the Etsy Labs in both Brooklyn and San Francisco (and online!) for free hands-on workshops to kick off a crafty month of November.

So, read on for twice the fun...

Crafting in Brooklyn, NY:

Open Craft Night at the Etsy Labs in Brooklyn, NY

This week we will stitch pincushions with Elizabeth from the band Elizabeth & The Catapult (pictured in the red dress above). The band will perform a very special live acoustic set of songs from their new album, Taller Children, at 6 p.m. ET in the Etsy Labs. For a preview of their music, be sure to listen to the songs streaming on their website.

When: Monday, November 2; drop in any time between 4 to 8 p.m. ET. Live acoustic set at 6 p.m.

Not in Brooklyn? Be sure to tune in to the Virtual Labs at 5 p.m. ET to catch the pincushion demo.

Where: Etsy Labs at 55 Washington Street, Suite 512, Brooklyn, NY

A big thanks to Spoonflower for donating the custom printed fabric we will be working with this evening!

Upcoming Events at the Etsy Labs in Brooklyn:

11/7: Sock Monkey Workshop (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) with Fresh Art
11/9: Needlepoint with AMH Design
11/16: Bag-making workshop with Bags for the People
11/23: Rolling Ball Book Ornaments with Esther K. Smith

A photo of rawfish from last week's Craft Night at the Etsy Labs.

Crafting in San Francisco, CA:

Student Night + Craft Bar With Etsy Labs at the Museum of Craft and Folk Art in San Francisco

Get off campus and out of the cubicle! Come to the free Student & Young Professionals Night at the Museum of Craft & Folk Art, co-sponsored by Etsy. Join us for Craft Bar with Etsy Labs @MOCFA SF, see the Open Source Embroidery Exhibition, listen to a live performance by Bay Area artist, Beep!, and enjoy tasty refreshments from local artisans. Stroll through the gallery, visit the museum store, relax with your favorite drink, dance to the music or even pick up a new hobby. Crafting sessions are free and all materials will be provided.

Don't live in California? Fear not, MOCFA will also host a live demo of the evening's craft projects via webcam in Etsy's Virtual Labs for all of our faraway friends. If you'll be crafting along with us, be sure to download this knitting pattern.

When: Thursday, November 5 from 6 to 8 p.m. PT

Where: Museum of Craft and Folk Art at 51 Yerba Buena Lane, San Francisco, CA

Looking for further inspiration?

Handmade Instruments | Handmade Portraits: Armor Guitars | Etsy Finds: Smells Like Teen Spirit

Will we see you on Monday for sewing and singing? Let us know in the comments below.

Vote! Which Candy-Themed Item Gives You a Sugar High?

2009-10-27T10:11:00-05:00

We asked our readers to nominate their favorite candy-themed items, and now, my sweet-toothed friends, it's up to you to pick a winner!

Remember when you and your siblings would come home after trick-or-treating? I want to know what candy you'd swap and what you'd swap for. Post in the comments below! Nom nom nom!

On Monday we'll announce the winner of this vote, which, along with some of the top picks, will be featured in the Members' Choice Gift Guide and here on the Etsy blog. Show your favorite sellers some love and get out the vote!

Voting Posts | Voter FAQ

SeaPinks Wins the Vote for Your Favorite Autumn Decor

2009-10-26T10:30:00-05:00

We asked our readers to nominate their favorite autumn decor on Etsy. You voted, and now we've got a winner! Congratulations to SeaPinks whose Flora and Fauna Decorative Pumpkin is a superb example of the handmade touches that make a house a home.

SeaPinks, along with some of the top favorites shown below, will be featured in the Members' Choice Gift Guide and here on the Etsy blog.

Get Involved in the Next Round

For next week's round, we want your nomination for an item related to food, kitchenware, table decor and settings — anything that can be used for Thanksgiving meals and family time for the coming holiday. Post a link to an item in the comments below. (If you're a seller nominating one of your own items, please just one item — even if you have multiple shops).

Voting Posts | Voter FAQ

Handmade Code: Sellit.com

2009-10-23T15:00:00-05:00

As part of our Handmade Code series, we're bringing you news and how-to's about the innovations emerging from the Etsy Developer Community. Located at developer.etsy.com, the Etsy Developer Community serves as a hub for third-party software developers who are making neat and helpful programs for Etsy shoppers and sellers. In this edition, Katie (pictured below at a toga party!) tells us all about their application available at Sellit.com.

What's the basic idea of the application? What need does it fill?
We created Sellit to provide sellers with an easier way to display and discuss their handmade, vintage, or supplies in places they’re already hanging out and having conversations like Facebook, blogs and even Twitter. Also, we thought it was important to not reinvent the ecommerce wheel by asking you to upload more product images or designs in yet another shop. Sellit works with what you already have.

Sellit is already helping thousands of other online merchants gain the extra visibility and buzz, and now we have made the application available to Etsy sellers. The basic premise behind Sellit was to complement or add to what you’re already doing to create awareness for your shop‘s items.

Where do we go to find it? What's the URL, etc?
To get started, just visit www.Sellit.com and be ready with your personal Etsy shop address (http://www.username.etsy.com). You simply copy and paste that into the open text box at the top of the page and click Get Started. You can just plug in your existing Etsy shop and let us handle the setup for you.

After you register, you’re ready to go. It’s exactly the same as your original Etsy shop but now ready for additional activities like sharing to Facebook, easily tying product links to Twitter posts, blogs, advertising, etc.

How do you use it?
So let’s talk about this “Share” thing. In the bottom left corner of each Sellit Mini-Shop there is a Share button. If you click this, you’ll see all the places you can instantly share or discuss your shop’s products. Our motto: Why have one shop location when you can have hundreds? And we’re not kidding! Friends, supporters or customers who love your products can easily add your Etsy Mini-Shop to their social network pages or blogs too.

There are three ways to begin using your account to loop in friends, customers or like-minded folks:
1. Click-n-Post: As long as you are logged into your Facebook or MySpace account, Sellit will post your Mini-Shop directly into your profile where all your friends can see it, and yes, you get to choose what section or page you would like it to appear on. You can also copy and paste or grab the html code to embed it onto your blog or personal website.

2. Shout It! (When logged in): Using today’s most popular micro-blogging sites like Twitter and Plurk and places you can update your status like Facebook and Friendfeed, Sellit allows you to type a short sentence at the top of your admin screen where is says “What’s new with your shop?” After typing your sentence, you then click Shout It to update your selected destination with relevant posts about your products. We even include a short url linking to your items as not to take up the precious limited characters in Twitter, etc. Your buyers and customers can also "Shout” about your products from any Mini-Shop location wherever it’s been shared. You can even bookmark your new Etsy Mini-Shop to sites like Del.icio.us, Diigo and Reddit to help with SEO. Sellit allows you to administer all your social media outlets from one location. It’s all about simplicity and saving you time. For more info on this, check the Shout FAQ.

3. Copy & Paste: Just in case you want to point people to your Mini-Shop or link to it in a blog post or email blast, we make it easy for you to find.

So that’s the skinny on sharing. If you would like more info, check out the Selling Online 101 FAQ.

Are there any costs or further opportunities/ways to get involved?
For those of you wanting maybe a little more, Sellit now has some additional features for you to check out:

AdPAK: Imagine being able to turn your Etsy Mini-Shop into an instant advertisement without all of the normal advertising headaches. With no advertisement design needed, the Sellit AdPAK advertises your products or items on the best sites possible so you don’t have to lift a finger. Check out the AdPAK FAQ.

Sellit PRO: Everyone can use Sellit Basic for free, but if you desire even more visibility and marketing for your shop, Sellit Pro is for you. You’ll have access to automated Twitter and Facebook marketing, advertising and statistics and at least 3000 additional placements of your Sellit products. Check out the Sellit Pro FAQ.

Premium Shout: Just like Sellit Basic, everyone gets to use the manual Shout for free, but with Premium Shout everything is automated and you have access to advanced options for posting sales, new products or upcoming events.

What should one do if there's a bug or a problem? Who should one contact?
In case you have any additional questions, concerns or just need a little help, we are here for you 24/7 (by way of UserVoice) to get you the answers you need. Plus we really like talking to our users. Just look on the very left hand side of any Sellit page for the Feedback button. You can also follow us on Twitter, subscribe to our blog (we feature Etsy sellers!) and become a fan of our Facebook page.

What's one surprising/fun/amazing story you've heard about someone using your app? Or what is your favorite part about the app?
We love hearing from sellers who use it. Here's what a couple of them had to say:

“LOVE your Sellit network! I've been able to quickly post to Twitter, Facebook and my blog using your product AND I love how you guys promote all over the place! Less time promoting and more time sewing and selling — I'm all for that!! It's so easy to use! Love the layout! I'm just there!”
- Charlotte Blackwell, Bizzie*Lizzie*Creations

"Sellit is easy to set up and use. Within minutes I had a free personalized Mini-Shop that seamlessly integrated with my shop. Sellit easily supports the admin side of my business; from my workbench I can simply send one shout (message) across multiple networks. Less time on the computer gives me more time to work on my craft."
- Marcella Austenfeld, Good To Go Jewelry

Anything else you'd like to add?
On average, 40% of the people who interact with your Etsy Mini-Shop should convert to additional sales leads. In the Related Items below, find some Etsy shops who are already using Sellit.

Have you used Sellit? Post in the comments below!

Come Craft With the Etsy Labs and Rawfish

2009-10-22T16:16:00-05:00

Bring along any project you'd like to develop during this week's Craft Night. (Might I suggest working on your Halloween costume?) You are also welcome to start a brand new project using our tools and extra supplies, or finish a Craft Night project from a past week.

As a special spin on this month's open Craft Night, Laila of rawfish fame will be on hand with her Lendrum Double Treadle spinning wheel, shown at left. She will demonstrate the twists and turns of a variety of techniques for creating artful handspun yarns throughout the evening.

When: Monday, October 26; drop in any time between 4 to 8 p.m. ET.

Not in Brooklyn? Be sure to tune in to the Virtual Labs at 5 p.m. ET to catch the demo!

Where: Etsy Labs at 55 Washington Street, Suite 512, Brooklyn, NY

Upcoming Events at the Etsy Labs in Brooklyn:

11/1: Church of Craft meeting
11/2: Sewing Pincushions with Elizabeth & The Catapult
11/7: Sock Monkey Workshop with Fresh Art
11/9: Needlepoint with AMH Design
11/16: Bag-making workshop with Bags for the People
11/23: Rolling Ball Book Ornaments with Esther K. Smith

A photo of from last week's Craft Night at the Etsy Labs.

Looking for further fiber inspiration?

Stella Pixie Hat | Tatami Socks | Frog Suit

Will we see you on Monday? Let us know in the comments below.

Etsy Finds: One in a Million

2009-10-22T11:37:00-05:00

On Tuesday, October 20, 2009, Etsy's Twitter account reached its one millionth follower — a milestone to be celebrated! To thank everyone who's joined us in using the popular micro-blogging service (and to toast the millions of reasons to shop on Etsy), we asked our Twitter friends to help us pick items for a special Gift Guide by Tweeting links to their Etsy favorites using the hashtag #MyEtsy. The result is a vibrant and eclectic collection of undiscovered treasures, chosen by the Etsy community.

Of course, it's great fun to collect everyone's favorites in a curated guide on Etsy, but we decided it would be more fun to buy our followers a gift or two. We randomly chose Tweets from the many #myetsy nominations and spontaneously bought them as gifts for those coveting them.

Today's Etsy Finds show off our Twitter followers' favorites, as well as items from a few enthusiastic @Etsy followers that we recognize as familiar faces among our daily updates. Here's to another million! Thanks for all the love!

Gifts Purchased for Etsy Followers

Mini Winky Blinky

By kateendle, $55.

View Item | View Shop

custom red retro platform pumps

By zerkahloostrah, $500.

View Item | View Shop

Victorian Beaded Bracelet

By Nothingbutstring, $45.

View Item | View Shop

flight of monarchs headband

By charmschooldesign, $36.

View Item | View Shop

Upcycled Felted Wool Little Bird

By formydarling, $15.

View Item | View Shop

Baby Skull Necklace in Silver

By michellechangjewelry, $42.

View Item | View Shop

Passionate @Etsy Followers

Gourdon the Tiny Jackalope Plush

By girlsavage, $30

View Item | View Shop | @girlsavage

Handspun yarn - Roam

By SpringtreeRoad, $33.

View Item | View Shop | @springtree

Vintage Kodak Duaflex II Camera

From shavingkitsuppplies, $40.

View Item | View Shop | @shavingkit

Le Jardin Pillow

By Mireio, $44.

View Item | View Shop | @Wende

Personalized felt stocking

By rikrak, $21.

View Item | View Shop | @therikrakshop

Gothic Vintage Rotary Telephone

From retrovertigo, $85.

View Item | View Shop | @retrovertigomn

Items Tweeted #MyEtsy

Vintage sequin pencil skirt

From NikitaJade, $125.

View Item | View Shop

To The Races Cloche - Vintage

From kirbyvintage, $15.

View Item | View Shop

Royal Soap-Black Tea and Rose

By thesoapseduction, $5.50.

View Item | View Shop

Black Snake Tshirt - size medium

By Toolgrrl, $45.

View Item | View Shop

Wide-Collar Wrapped Blouse

By MoonCircus, $93.

View Item | View Shop

Wool Slippers

By woolybaby, $40.

View Item | View Shop

Burger and Fries

By snappyshop, $47.

View Item | View Shop

Twill Topstitched Zippered Bag

By flyballbags, $85.

View Item | View Shop

LIAISON ORIGINAL CUFF

By liaison, $80.

View Item | View Shop

Beach Glass Necklace

By stonz, $175.

View Item | View Shop

Monogram personalized tea set

By Jrisco, $45.

View Item | View Shop

Unicorn leather mask in silver

By TomBanwell, $49.

View Item | View Shop

La Fleur Sweater

By LittleHouses, $130.

View Item | View Shop

Journal with Hand Painted Pages

By BooksByStephen, $34.

View Item | View Shop

chunky slouchy beret in citron

By emilymaysparks, $24.

View Item | View Shop

Small messenger wool bag

By mariforssell, $69.

View Item | View Shop

Vintage blossom -Bertha

By HeatherRoseDesign, $14.

View Item | View Shop

Custom Vintage Map Cufflinks

By dlkdesigns, $50.

View Item | View Shop

Velveteen Rose Boston bag

By tagodesign, $86.90.

View Item | View Shop

Pumpkin Ginger Sandwich Cookies

By whimsyandspice, $8.25.

View Item | View Shop

Custom Paper Silhouette Portrait

By papercutsbyjoe, $45.

View Item | View Shop

Vial Champagne Diamonds

By DreamsandJewelry, $110.

View Item | View Shop

Vintage brass horse, small

By highstreetmarket, $24.

View Item | View Shop

Handlebar Bag in Blue and White

By DNTX, $95.

View Item | View Shop

Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links:

Gift Guides | More Blog Posts on Twitter | Trends | Your Etsy Twitter Picks

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

Vote! What is Your Favorite Autumn Decor?

2009-10-20T16:04:00-05:00

We want to know which item gets you in the mood for food — I mean, for the fall holidays. A plush pumpkin on the stoop or a fall wreath on the door, a quaint quilted table runner or a cornucopia of acorns, find all this and more in this week's community vote.

Every week we ask our readers to nominate items for this series in the comments of the Monday blog post. Next Monday we'll also announce the winner of this poll, which, along with some of the top picks, will be featured in the Members' Choice Gift Guide and here on the Etsy blog. Show your favorite sellers some love and get out the vote!

Voting Posts | Voter FAQ | Woodland and Feathers Guide

Not-So-Top-Secret: Policy Sneak Peek

2009-10-20T10:32:00-05:00

Psst ... Secret Squirrels! You may not know this, but for the past few months, a special task force at Etsy has been locked away in a tiny conference room, buckling down to polish up Etsy's site policies. I've just smuggled some highly classified documents out of the heavily-guarded, steel-doored Lawyer Hole over at Etsy HQ. I think you'll want to take a look at this file — it contains proposed revisions to the DOs & DON'Ts of Etsy.*

It’s been over a year since we last updated the DOs & DON'Ts of Etsy. During that time, the team has received feedback on our existing policies from the Etsy community — through the Forums, emails, Virtual Labs and in-person meet ups. Thank you for your input! Keeping our policies clear and up-to-date is one way we can help preserve the integrity of the site. We want to continue working with the community to better our services and our marketplace. This sneak peek preview provides another way for us to improve the site together. The revised DOs & DON’Ts will be posted on a special page for about a week to offer the opportunity to read through the document and respond with your thoughts about the proposed changes. If necessary, we may make final tweaks before we go live with the new DOs & DON'Ts. Our other policy documents, as well as Help content, will be updated to reflect the revisions to the DOs & DON’Ts at that time.

We understand that the changes may have a direct impact on some members and shops. Once we go live with the new policies, we will institute a grace period of several weeks to allow all members to edit existing account information, shops and listings as needed.

Visit this special page to see the preview of the revised DOs & DON'Ts of Etsy.

As you will see, most policies remain the same. In many areas, we've just clarified existing information or elaborated upon current practices to include these items formally in the DOs & DON'Ts document. Below I’ll highlight the changes, but be sure you preview the updated DOs & DON'Ts in their entirety.

Membership: A few notable policies that apply to all members have been moved up to the Membership section, like our policy for linking from a shop or profile to another selling venue. Collectives (seller accounts involving multiple people) have been further defined with the categories of Collaboration, Sharing a Shop and Shop Management Help. We clarified our rules for younger Etsians; collectives that include minors under the age of 18 may not utilize community features unless otherwise stated.

Conversations: You may not use Conversations to interfere with a transaction (with details on this in the Transactions section, too). We've also elaborated on the definition of "spam" as it relates to Etsy Convos.

Transactions: We’ve added information to the Transactions section, describing the roles of the seller, the buyer and Etsy in a transaction. Additionally, we’ve detailed various concerns or scenarios in which a transaction may be disputed, including: non-payment, non-delivery, refusal of service, dissatisfaction and interference. We’ve also clarified the circumstances in which a transaction may be canceled. In general, the additions to this section outline in greater detail the processes and policies already in place for transactions.

Feedback: To better accommodate custom orders and international transactions, we will be increasing the timeframe for submitting feedback from 90 days to 120 days. (This will go into effect when the policies are "live.") Additionally, we’ve clarified the circumstances in which Etsy will review feedback for removal, and we've lifted the 30-day limitation to requesting a feedback review for policy violation.

Shops and Listings: Formerly called “Selling,” this section has been expanded to include detailed policies about shop set-up, listing items, tagging and specific rules for handmade items, vintage goods and supplies. The section on Tagging is entirely new to the DOs & DON’Ts, but most of this information was available in Etsy’s Help section or through guides posted on Etsy’s blog, The Storque. Expanded sections on rules for handmade, vintage and supplies items should help sellers understand what can be sold on Etsy and how to list items for sale.

Charitable Shops and Listings: Etsy appreciates the spirit of giving back. Due to some laws and the existence of unsavory individuals who may try to take advantage of this spirit, we have added a section for charitable shops and listings.

Prohibited Items: In response to a variety of community concerns, we have clarified our prohibited items list. These items — though they may be handmade, vintage or a crafting supply — are not allowed to be listed for sale on Etsy.

Showcase and Treasury: Making a first time appearance in the DOs & DON'Ts are specific sections for participation in the Showcase and the Treasury. We have gathered information from other areas of the site about these interactive features to formalize as policies in the DOs & DON'Ts.

The DOs & DON'Ts of Etsy, Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, Copyright and Intellectual Property Policy and the Help site all will be updated for consistency. Once we gather your feedback and make any changes, we will launch the final versions of everything together. At that time, we will send an email notice to all members. As stated above, we will also allow a grace period for all members to edit their existing content to comply with any changed policies.

*OK, so I admit it. I'm a lousy spy and a loyal Etsy employee. I totally made sure I had permission from the head honcho before I released this not-so-top-secret sneak peek of our new policies to you, the Etsy community. Truth is that we really want your feedback. Be sure to read the preview of the entire revised DOs & DON'Ts to provide us with the most accurate feedback, and then join us for discussion in this Forum thread.