Search results (tags) for: "custom"

Etsy Finds: Big in 2009

2009-12-31T11:00:00-05:00

I'm continually in awe of Etsy designers' ability to hone in on (and create) the next must-have styles. This innovative spirit keeps Etsy fresh and a step ahead of the mainstream. Love 'em or hate 'em, today's Etsy Finds topped Etsy's 2009 trend charts. Here's to uncovering the cutting-edge flavors of the new year!

Woodland Creatures

Mounted Deer Necklace

By Fountainhead, $325.

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Spring Green Rabbit

By erachel, $400.

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Modern the Hedgehog

By OdeliaLa, $35.

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Collared Scops Owl - collograph

By koelleart, $125.

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skater squirrel

By bunnywithatoolbelt, $200.

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14kt gold Fox ring

By pacificgrovejewelers, $575.

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Vintage Decor

Vintage French wooden sign

From bluebellbazaar, $68.

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Remington manual typewriter

From Boomboxblitz, $250.

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Antique Bolex S1 Video Camera

From PotKettleBlack, $68.

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Wood Prune Box

From Hindsvik, $47.

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Mini Distressed Bowling Pins

From oldcrowfarm, $32.

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POLAROID land camera

From HelloVictory, $35.

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Neon

snow bunny hoodie . OOAK custom

By stuffbykate, $190.

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beijo de framboesa hoops

By BeijoFlor, $49.

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Knitted Laptop sleeve

By martice, $35.

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THE MADDY

By LaFeteMontreal, $85.

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INVADER ZIM retro APRON

By PoppysGardenGate, $43.

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Blue Recycled Cassette Wallet

By sallyannk, $15.

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Beards and Mustaches

Chocolate Chuck Beardaclava

By Freight, $79.

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WOW Giant Mustache Pillow

By MrRaccoonsempire, $37.

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Monostache

By idlehandsdesigns, $53.

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old men white haired nesting dolls

By mooshoopork, $90.

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Letterpress Whiskers Poster

By ladiesofletterpress, $30.

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Mustachio Necklace

By neawear, $45.

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Vampires

Sutured Heart Necklace

By idlehandsdesigns, $96.

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Vampire Cape

By burchanddaughters, $70.

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Custom Tight Lacing Corset

By VampiresCouture, $450.

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Fangs

By designsbygalina, $18.

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Dracula Insta-Face Bandana

By CyanideStitches, $14.

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His/Hers Coffin Custom Monogram

By Pillboxdesigns, $39.99.

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Customization

Double Fingerprint Heart Necklace

By rockmyworldinc, $99.99.

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CUSTOM birthday cake plate.

By raedunn, $62.

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Scrabble Pillow PERSONALIZE

By bambina, $160.

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custom heart tree print pillow cover

By cozyblue, $30.

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Child's Name Blocks photograph

By jenniferdennispotter, $45.

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Mustache Cups Set 2

By JaekieLou, $75.

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Plaid

Upcycled Holiday Keystone Tote

By SandBagsDesigns, $32.

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Sneezy Sheets

By TheHoneyPress, $29.

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Plaid Corset Woman's Medium

By ScandalousCouture, $150.

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Key Lime... Knit Slouch Scarf

By phoebeslanding, $15.

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Chicken and pinback button set

By craftycrafterson, $21.

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Plaid Ollie Cap/Hat

By Soil, $28.

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Faux Bois

Plush log baby rattle

By chunkychooky, $19.90.

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Knot Love Gocco Print--Cream

By paperdaystudio, $30.

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woodgrain laptop decal

By beepart, $10.

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Set of 2 Tree Ring Mugs

By KarinLorenc, $40.

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Faux bois bark pillow cover

By sewfaux, $130.

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Woody Bag - Leather in Antique Black

By moxieandoliver, $265.

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Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links:

Gift Guides | Guest Curators | Trends | Gift Ideas

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How a Piece of Jewelry Leaves Its Imprint

2009-12-10T14:11:00-05:00

My husband's family has a tradition of setting an extra place at the holiday table for any family member who passed away that year. I'm always moved by this way to celebrate loved ones who can't be with us. Jackie Kaufman, Etsy jeweler rockmyworldinc, sent us this note, and I asked her to share her story of how, in her way, she plays a role in thoughtful remembrance. This post goes out to those of you whose holidays are times of reflection.

Have you ever thought you could create an item that could actually help people and change your own life in the process?

I am a jewelry caster, and per a special request from a customer, I created a Heart Fingerprint Necklace, taking two actual fingerprints from the customer and blending them to create a heart necklace. It was a great success, and I decided to put it up on Etsy.

Then the requests started coming in. I was overwhelmed by the stories I was hearing. One woman whose child just passed away wanted one with her and her child's prints together. A caretaker who had an elderly patient who she loved wanted both their prints on a necklace. A child whose parents died within one week of each other wanted her two parents' prints together and enough of the pieces to give to each child in the family. A woman with a heart transplant wanted to give one to her donor family. An army wife whose husband is going overseas in January wants one that he can hang on his dog tag. I could go on and on.

Of course there are many happy occasions as well. But the most emotional ones — the ones that have changed me — are the sad times in peoples lives.

When I make each necklace, I run my fingers over the prints, and I feel like I am able to feel the person, and the life they have or had. It is quite emotional, especially when people let me know the history of the prints. I am so grateful and humble this season that what I do is able to give joy to people going through hard times, and emotional times. It has changed me forever.

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

Customer Care: Improving Etsy Support

2009-11-12T12:30:00-05:00

Etsy's Support Team is committed to providing the best possible service to the Etsy community. We are delighted to announce that we are launching a brand new Help section and a new set of internal tools for Etsy's Support Team.

As we have with other recent features, we are going to roll out use of the new Help system over the next few days instead of all at once. We appreciate your patience and participation as we get the new Help system up and running.

Here are the highlights:

Searchable Help. Wave goodbye to those long, clunky, list-style Help pages. For the first time, Etsy's Frequently Asked Questions knowledge base (FAQs) is searchable! View FAQs by topic on Help Home, or quickly find answers by searching for a keyword or phase.

Contact Etsy Support. The new Help site allows you to contact Etsy's Support Team via a web form, instead of leaving Etsy to use email. Super convenient! (Note: You must be signed in to your Etsy account to use this feature, and we're gradually rolling this out to members. Until you your account comes up in the queue, this section will direct to the old FAQ.)

Help History. You can view and update your questions to Etsy's Support Team — and see our responses — right from the Help site using the My Help History page. In addition, a copy of the response from Etsy's Support Team will be sent to the email address on file in Your Etsy > Account Info. (Note: You must be signed in to your Etsy account to access My Help History, and we're gradually rolling this out to members. Until you your account comes up in the queue, this section will direct to the old FAQ.)

Submit a Suggestion. Have an idea to make Etsy even better? Want to offer us your point of view about Etsy? Use this handy form to let us know. (Note: You can alternatively discuss your ideas with other members in the community Ideas Forum.)

Teach Etsy How to Help. The new Help site allows members to rate the helpfulness of each FAQ. This provides us with valuable information so we can continually improve our resources for you. The Help site "learns" which FAQs are the most popular and automatically keeps these near the top for easier access.

Better Admin Tools. Etsy's Support Team has a new set of internal tools that integrate directly with the Help site to better serve our community. Every message sent to Etsy's Support Team is read and responded to by a real person. This human touch is vital to provide personalized assistance to every member who needs help. As we ramp up to full speed with these new tools, we have the ever-present goal in mind of improving the quality and timeliness of our customer support.

You may notice this week that emails you receive from Etsy's Support Team will look a little different. You can now easily see both your question to Support and our reply as a discussion thread. In addition, you will receive a reference number for your issue to improve correspondence tracking.

If you've recently sent an email to Etsy's Support Team, don't worry! You do not need to resubmit your question through the new Help site. We will respond as usual. Currently, you can still contact Etsy's Support Team by email to support@etsy.com, abuse@etsy.com, billng@etsy.com or content@etsy.com. We will forward emails to these addresses into our new Help system. (Be sure to send your message from the email address on file in Your Etsy > Account Info.) Over time, we will phase out the use of these email addresses and transition to using the Contact Etsy Support web form to contact the different areas of Etsy's Support Team.

P.S. If you would like to receive breaking, vital Etsy news as it happens — delivered straight to your email inbox — then sign up for Etsy News Alerts emails. Read more about it here. Expect this as an Etsy Alert email in your inbox if you already subscribe to the list.

You can also get an RSS feed of all TechUpdates here.

Etsy Finds: Now It's Personal

2009-11-05T11:33:00-05:00

In today's Etsy Finds, you'll find personalized and monogrammed gift ideas for all ages and genders, holidays and milestone occasions. These instant heirlooms get my stamp of approval for being fun and creative takes on a traditional craft. Don't miss out on Etsy's huge selection of personalized and custom gifts, and be sure to shop the Personalized Gift Guide for the coming holiday season.

Print Portrait

By SpoolSpectrum, $75.

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Empire Letters - Metal Sculptures

By gaugenyc, $10.

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Custom Fingerprint Wedding Ring

By fabuluster, $150.

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White Gold Monogram Necklace

By EchodAmour, $990.

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Trio of Nantucket Basket Purses

By upmysleeveboutique, $425.

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Personalized Stationery Set & Folio

By InkspotWorkshop, $36.

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Personalized Night Light

By FogAndThistle, $27.

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Letter E Monogram Room Decor

By GennyDiddly, $45.

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Multiple Charms Necklace

By TheVintageChain, $36.

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Hand Stamped Collar Stays

By underhercharm, $54.

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Custom Belt Buckle

By QUID, $25.

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Initialized Note Cards

By postalpress, $36.

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Princess Glitter Cake Toppers

By bugandboo, $26.

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Vintage Monogrammed Forks

From sadieolive, $12.

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Loveprint Plated Brass Pendants

By loveprint, $75.

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Tiny Signet Ring - Personalized

By cherrycreek, $24.

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Monogram Pillow

By RedDoorHome, $69.95.

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Initial Monogram Tiny Bowl

By palomasnest, $24.

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Monogram Vase

By MaidOfClay, $48.

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Monogrammed Gingham Shortall

By PattieCakePretties, $34.95.

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Custom Silhouette Pillow

By TuttieLou, $75.

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75 Custom Letterpress Coasters

By redbirdink, $75.

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Personalized Snowflake Ornament

By SeptemberHouse, $25.

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Digital Personalized Christmas Card

By armatodesign, $20.

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Personalized Linen Stocking

By onegirl, $30.

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Baby's First Christmas Ornament

By BeadsInTheBelfry, $40.

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Couple Silhouette Ornament

By lepapierstudio, $34.

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Custom Pet Portrait Painting

By sharonlamb, $125.

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Hand Embroidered Dog Collar

By shopmimigreen, $37.95.

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Turtle Keychain

By patsdesign, $17.

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Custom Baby Shoes

By amujpn, $75.

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Heirloom Wooden Baby Ball Toy

By ElementalHandcrafts, $14.99.

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Embroidered Monogram Hoop

By SaysYou, $25.

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Mom's Nest - Set of 6 Stones

By sjengraving, $68.

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Custom Wedding Cake Toppers

By RedLightStudio, $180.

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Personalized Christmas Ornaments

By lavecar1124, $12.95.

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Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links:

Gift Guides | Guest Curators | Trends | Gift Ideas

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Being Safe on Etsy: Spotting and Avoiding Advance Fee Fraud

2009-10-26T18:15:00-05:00

It's important for us at Etsy to ensure our community is safe while using the site. Unfortunately there is no foolproof way to ensure safety online at all times. Sometimes all we can do is give information and hope that well informed users will be able to protect themselves. As the Etsy name spreads throughout popular culture and the world, it is bound to attract more and more unscrupulous individuals with ulterior motives. Unfortunately, this happens to web companies as they become more popular.

One of the most common scams is known as Advance-fee fraud. Also called the "Nigerian scam" or the "419 scam," this type of scam is frequently seen in emails where a person claims to be looking to engage in a business deal involving a large some of money, but these scams are now cropping up more and more on online retail sites.

How this scam shows up on Etsy:

Typically this scam begins with the scammer sending out conversations (also known as "convos," Etsy's internal messaging system) to a wide range of Etsy sellers, specifically those that list one or more high priced items. In some cases the scammer may simply purchase a large number of these expensive listings. If they have checked out and committed to buy these listings, it's likely they have not "paid" in any sense and will send a conversation along with their purchase.

The convo will usually indicate that this buyer will pay with a money order or a check and will need to tack on an extra amount for their "shipping agent." Usually this amount is very high — sometimes even higher than the original cost of the listing. If this is agreed upon, then the buyer will send out the money order or check and typically a fake "invoice" from the shipping agent. They will then request that any over-payment from the money order be sent back to them.

This works because the check or money order (typically from an overseas bank) is a forgery. Your bank will allow you to deposit it, and then by the time the bank realizes it is a forgery, you have already sent back the over-payment to the scammer. Once the forgery is detected your bank will hold you liable for the amount, and now that the con artist has their money, you will not hear from them again.

What to do:

If you receive any suspicious convos like this the best thing to do is ignore them and report it to abuse@etsy.com. You can cancel the transaction as well.

Sellers should never send any money in a situation like this, no matter what reason is given. If you do find yourself facing a potential loss, or realize too late that you were being targeted by a scam, be sure to contact your financial institution as soon as possible. You may also want to contact local law enforcement. Again, let us know about this and send us the pertinent information, so we can take steps to remove and block these types of users from our site. Please share this article with your family and friends so we can spread awareness!

More posts about Scams | Seller Handbook

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.

Handmade Weddings: Personalized Wedding Gifts From Fashion Illustrator Brooke Hagel

2009-10-15T10:15:00-05:00

I graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology with a BFA in Fashion Design. Illustrating was always my favorite part of the design process, but I was told repeatedly that there was no longer any demand for fashion illustrators.

I’m now at the age where many of my friends are getting married, so I had to figure out the perfect custom gift to give them. I started drawing bridal illustrations of my friends for their wedding gifts. They’d hang in their homes, friends and neighbors would see them and want one for themselves, and before I knew it I had a fledgling illustration business with brides and grooms being my core clientele.

Whether it’s a baby shower, engagement party, birthday or wedding, I pride myself on giving a gift that is so fabulous, personal, and creative that it nearly brings the recipient to tears. I’m an artist, always have been. That being the case, gifts that really leave an impression usually involved me personally creating something or adding that special artistic touch to customize a store bought item.

Here are some of my favorite Etsy picks that would make perfect custom gifts — gifts that stand out from the crowd and have that personal touch.

If you're interested in giving one of my custom drawings as a gift, feel free to Convo me. I have some custom listings in my shop with more details too.
For the engagement party (or as a congratulatory engagement gift), this adorable customized vase with your newly engaged friends' initials on it would be ideal. After all, a newly engaged and excited couple is reminiscent of young love. And what symbolizes that more than carving you and your sweetheart’s initials in a tree or doodling your names in your notebook? By LittleRetreats, $40.
As a bridal shower gift, one idea is to order monogrammed or custom stationery. Brides get a lot of help along the way in planning a wedding, so some nice custom letter pressed stationery would really come in handy, especially before the invitations and thank you cards are ordered. It’s also her last few months of having her maiden name so why not feature it! By simplesongdesigns, $27.
There are also many gifts to help the bride personalize the wedding day. One of my closest friends made charms and lockets that she incorporated by hanging from her bouquet. Each one had a memory or photo of her grandparents who had passed away, so they were there with her on her special day. These custom silhouette charms would be great to remember those who couldn’t be there. By luckymebeads, $88.50.
Another unique and sentimental gift for the actual wedding day is this custom ribbon label that can easily be sewn into the dress. Have it embroidered with her new initials or new name and the wedding date. She will now have her something blue! EmbroiderybyLinda, $10.
For the “big” wedding gift there are tons of options available to make it something special and truly unique to the couple. These custom hair portraits would be ideal for the artsy modern couple. And the couple portrait option would be great if you have a fantastic photo from their wedding. You do have up to a year to send your wedding gift, so it’s perfectly fine to wait until after the wedding to have their gift made, especially if you're using wedding photos and making the gift all the more special. By MissCrowland, $41.
Their new last name captured in architectural photography is another distinctive custom gift option. By kelsyhenke, $100.

Further Resources:

http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/gifts

http://www.rustdesigns.com/

http://toastandtables.blogspot.com/

http://bklynbrideonline.com/category/gift-ideas/

http://www.polkadotbride.com/wp/index.php/category/gifts/

http://etsywedding.blogspot.com/

http://designyourown.jonathanadler.com/

Handmade Weddings | Wedding Gift Ideas

Handmade Weddings: Gifts for Maids & Men from Brides Local Magazine

2009-09-29T17:11:00-05:00

Julie Raimondi is the editor-in-chief of Brides New York and Condé Nast’s 15 other regional wedding magazines (known collectively as Brides Local Magazines), which have been featuring Etsy sellers on their pages for years. Julie’s particular Etsy addiction has made her the butt of many office jokes; her magazines are a testament to her passion for original style (and so are the decorative, found-it-on-Etsy contents of her living room!). Julie knows that the options for bridesmaid and groomsman gifts are usually limited (which is probably why money clips and engraved jewelry boxes have been de rigueur for decades). But Etsy sellers create items that consistently fulfill her good-gift criteria by offering quality, originality, and customization opportunities.

The real style-makers are not the marquee names offering "witty" commentary on morning TV or the authors of glossy party-planning books. They are real brides and vendors who have the guts to do things differently. When I created Brides Local Magazines in 2005, I wanted to celebrate these folks, and show our readers creative, alternative ideas and options they won’t see anywhere else. When I was asked to guest curate a selection of bridal party gifts, you can imagine my delight, then hours and hours of guilt-free browsing. There are a million things on Etsy that I would love to give or receive, but I forced myself to approach this task within the context of what brides and grooms are really after: a single, affordable item that appeals to a very broad range of tastes.

Here are some of my favorites:

Bridesmaids

Merit Badge for 'going out on a limb'

Give leemeszaros’s merit badges for things like “being sweet as pie” or for “going out on a limb” — it’s like graduating from bridesmaid scouts. $24.

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Custom UnNaked Family of 5 - Peggie Style

If you have a whole family of helpers, a custom portrait from nakedpeggies would be an exceptional gift. (We love the cake toppers too, natch.) $70.

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cranberry weeds bottle set

Many of annaspots cool bud vases are angled as “romantic” but many could apply to friendship as well. Love the cranberry weeds in particular. $39.

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salmon pink and black peacock 4-tier antique jewelry stand

Jewelry boxes are a classic choice in the bridesmaid gift arena — but these antique jewelry stands are so much more functional and beautiful, thanks to vintage plates and whomadeit. $80.50.

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Poppy note cards - set of 12 personalized

Gorgeous custom stationery never goes out of style. PeonyPaperie’s stock is superb — notecards can be ordered with names and colors to suit every bridesmaid’s preferences. $12.

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Chain Calling Cards

I own, have given these as gifts, and put them in our magazine — the aesthetic (with lots of options) all cross between girly and modern. By avie, $15.

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Double Initial Silver-plated Letterpress Necklace

This letterpress initial necklace is an edgier and more interesting take on the always-popular initial necklace gift for bridesmaids. By EricaWeinerJewelry, $65.

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Leather Poppy Wristlet- Raspberry

A serious handbag would be too specific (and expensive) for a group of friends, but a fun leather poppy wristlet that comes in a variety of colors is exactly right. By tmStudioDesigns, $62.

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2 Side Inscribed Hammered Circle Pendant . Add a quote, poem or names . your choice of chain included

Say something nice and unique on this inscribed pendant. By bddesigns, $49.

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Sea Bubbles, Leather Journal, Notebook Suede

Beautiful journals like this one cover a variety of hobbies and interests so each one feels hand-picked and unique. By Kreativlink, $46.

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custom embroidered frame pouch - personalized with initial

We included oktak’s personalized embroidered pouch in the magazine because it comes in a beautiful array of colors with adorable embroidery. There are tons of non-custom, less expensive options too. $72.

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No. 6 Custom Address STAMP (self inking) Calligraphy in middle (HOLLY style)

Beautifully utilitarian, emililies’ custom hand calligraphy stamp can be created in a variety of calligraphy styles. $37.

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Reading the Stars

I like the idea of giving her the stars with this embroidered wall hanging, and you can customize it. Check out MiniatureRhino’s needlepoint custom heart sample if you’d like to pick up something for yourself. $28.

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Groomsmen

Custom Groomsmen Poster Gift

A customized groomsmen poster can make any rag-tag band of bros look cool. By DropletStudio, $75.

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Elegant Custom Vintage Map Cuff Links

Every friendship has a city — the hometown, the college town, the vacation spot — where you and he ruled. These custom vintage map cufflinks can honor that reign. By sherrytruitt, $50.

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CUSTOM Leather Keychain - Fobs - text on one side

Simple, clean, classic — a custom leather keychain never goes out of style. By leathermadenice, $10.

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Set of 4 Mustache Pint Glasses

It’s hard to imagine a guy who wouldn’t find BreadandBadger’s Mustache Glasses funny. And if he doesn’t, do you want him in the wedding party anyway? $52.

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flask safe ''going places, the guide to travel guides'' (flask included)

Nothing we love more than a very classic groomsman gift re-tooled as a more inventive, slightly subversive, work of art. By pommesfrites, $40.

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Experiment, science and chemistry silkscreened necktie

Even guys employed at jobs with permanent casual dress codes will want one of these silkscreened neckties. They come in a huge array of motifs. By toybreaker, $30.

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Looking for more Handmade Weddings posts? Check out our archive!

Wedding Invites and Favors Guide | Weddings Category | Wedding Attire Guide

Prep Your Shop for the Holiday Rush: 2009 Seller Workshops

2009-09-24T10:29:00-05:00

Looking at the upcoming calendar can be a daunting prospect for Etsy sellers this time of year. If you're wondering how to optimize your shop to appeal to the coming influx of holiday shoppers, you're in luck! We've created a series of live workshops in our Virtual Labs, hosted by your fellow Etsy sellers and Etsy Admin. We'll talk about everything from developing the perfect gifts that will fly off your virtual shelves, to making sure you're prepared to ship all of those items.

These workshops are sure to whip you into shape for the holidays! Most will be held on Thursday afternoon at 4 p.m. ET in Etsy's Virtual Labs. Core tips from these sessions will also be shared in the Etsy Success newsletters, so be sure to sign up here.

Wondering how our online workshops work? Have a look at this blog post to get a quick understanding of Etsy's Virtual Labs.

Sept. 24, 2009 at 4 p.m. ET	Product Development and Photography Hosts: Daniellexo & MaryMary Topics covered: Product development brainstorming session Colors and styles that will be hot this season Tips for photography and tagging from a merchandising expert For more info, check out these posts on creating great products.
Sept. 28, 2009 at 9 p.m. ET	Creative Ways to Gain Exposure Host: Amy from Pikaland Brilliant ways to gain exposure Building a solid reputation Start thinking outside the box! Recommended reading: Creativity, Competition and Copycats by Pikaland.
Sept 30, 2009 at 8:00pm ET Oct 1, 2009 at 3:30 p.m. ET Oct. 1, 2009 at 4:30 p.m. ET	Bigger Than a Breadbox: Photography for Medium to Large Items Host: Amby from JulipBags For more info on JulipBags, check out this Quit Your Day Job interview. Photography for 2-D Artists JenKiaba will cover taking photos of paintings, prints, collages and drawings. Jewelry Photographing for Etsy Host: Rhonda from ProlifiqueJewelry For more info on ProlifiqueJewelry, check out this Quit Your Day Job interview.
Oct. 8, 2009 at 5 p.m. ET	How to survive your first Holiday Season on Etsy Host: Aja from SagittariusGallery Topics covered: Question and Answer session for newbies Making your first sales on Etsy Lots of tips and insights for your first holiday season Check out SagittariusGallery's Ultimate Newbie Guide.
Oct. 15, 2009 at 4 p.m. ET	Tagging, Titles and Descriptions Hosts: Daniellexo, HeyMichelle, MaryMary, JulieinCharge Topics covered: Using tags to get noticed Creative descriptions to woo buyers Optimizing tagging, titles and descriptions for SEO Recommended reading: Guidelines and Tips to Tagging on Etsy.
Oct. 22, 2009 at 4 p.m. ET	Promo Mojo: Get Recognized This Season Host: Jen from JStephens13 Topics Covered: Spice up your shop How to coordinate your look and get recognized A complete look, from your shop banner to your packaging Etsy friends who can help Where to get labels, banners, tech help and packaging How to get the word out there For more info on JStephens13 check out this Quit Your Day Job interview.
Oct. 29, 2009 at 4 p.m. ET	Brown Paper Packages Tied up With String Host: Kristal from RikRak Topics covered: Beautiful, budget-savvy, eco-friendly DIY packaging ideas How to make a great first impression with your package How to efficiently organize your packaging supplies Packaging and shipping materials and shop branding For more info on RikRak check out this Quit Your Day Job interview.
Nov. 5, 2009 at 4 p.m. ET	Shipping Tips Host: TBA
Nov. 12, 2009 at 4 p.m. ET	Make the Most of Cyber Monday Host: Beth from DiffractionFiber Topics covered: Product tips Having a sale Promoting Customer service and more For more info check out these videos from DiffractionFiber's last workshop.
Nov. 19, 2009 at 4 p.m. ET	Customer Service for Your Handmade Business Host: Stephanie from StephanieFizer Topics covered: Great customer service communication Handling tricky situations with style and grace More nifty skills to help run your business For more info on StephanieFizer check out this Quit Your Day Job interview.
Nov. 24, 2009 at 4 p.m. ET	Staying Organized in the Holiday Rush Host: Nicole from Lillyella Topics covered: How to prepare your shop Maintain your sanity and stay on top of your work load Organization, time management and efficiency For more info on Lillyella check out this Quit Your Day Job interview.
Dec. 3, 2009 at 4 p.m. ET	Top Ten Tips to Bring in Last-Minute Holiday Sales Host: Corrina from Piddix Topics covered: Small changes that make a huge difference Research on holiday buying trends for 2009 Great places to find last-minute packaging supplies What to do if and when those sales start pouring in For more info on Piddix check out this Quit Your Day Job interview.
Dec. 17, 2009 at 4 p.m. ET	Holiday Recap and Party Host: Etsy Lab Rats Team Reflections, reactions, and fun!

Looking for more Holiday Tips? Check out this list of all our Holiday How-To's:

The Seller Handbook | Visit the Virtual Labs | Virtual Labs FAQ

My Top 10 Monogram Pendants

2009-07-31T13:20:00-05:00

Giving (and receiving) a generic gift is always such a letdown ("Another toaster? ...You shouldn't have..."). Becoming a guru in the art of gift giving need not be brain surgery: simply give the joy of customization! Knowing that something was handmade just for you elicits a warm and fuzzy feeling, and if you've been looking for ideas to get you started, you need look no further. This Top 10 collection is devoted to the art of custom monogram pendants. Show off your birthright by wearing your initials!

1. Fine Silver Monogram Necklace

I adore the muted lines of this primitive-style hand-sculpted metal clay pendant. Once fired it becomes fine silver. By MadisonReeceDesigns, $34.

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2. Tiny Initial Necklace

Simple and sweet, this tiny initial necklace by simplyuboutique is perfect for those with an affinity for modern typography. (Sans-serif fans, put your hands up!) $16.

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3. Custom Initial Pendant

Looking for something a little fancier? The cursive lettering of these pendants is quite effusive! By Laladesignstudio, $25.

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4. Two Initial Square Pendant in 14K Yellow, White, or Rose Gold

You and your honey can wear your hearts on your sleeves (er, necks) with this custom pair of initial pendants. By SorellaJewelry, $335.

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5. 1877 Sterling Silver Antique Signature Monogram Necklace

These monogram necklaces come with a bit of history. According to dlkdesigns, "While looking through my old book collection, one of my favorite pastimes is coming to margin notes and signatures from those who have held the books before me. This 'e' is an original clipping snipped from an antique dictionary from 1877. The first page includes many names signed almost like you would in a yearbook. Own a piece of history, 132 years old." Amazing! By dlkdesigns, $36.

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6. Black and White Nouveau Monogram Glass Frame Pendant

This Art Nouveau beauty is fit for a queen! Best of all, you can unlatch the frame and slip in a photograph if you elect to change the design. By theMIX, $25.

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7. Custom Vintage Initial Locket Necklaces

These charming lockets are made from vintage West German glass cabochons. Get yours before they're gone! By shescraftyhandmade, $23.

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8. AQUA letter of your choice monogrammed wax seal pendant

Does this pendant look familiar? It just may be if you're a watcher of reality television phenomenon The Bachelorette! This particular piece was proudly worn by Jillian (with the letter "J" emblazoned upon it) this season. Publicist Lisa Hanson told us how this necklace came to be on the show: "Recently I purchased a necklace for myself from little miss RitzyMisfit. Her customer service was so fabulous and I loved her necklace so much that I decided I wanted to help her grow her business. I emailed and asked if she was interested in sending one of her necklaces to Jillian, this season's Bachelorette, while the show was filming in Hawaii. She made and overnighted the necklace and, of course, Jillian wore it on the show!" By RitzyMisfit, $28.

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9. copper CUSTOM dot

Spice up your neckline with a custom copper dot (and maybe show off your allegiance to Etsy while you're at it!). By museglass, $22.

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10. Silver Petite Initial Necklace

I love the delicate simplicity of this tiny letter. Make a statement — subtly. By threebirdsdesigns, $17.

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Trends | Summer Fashion Gift Guide | Search for Custom Initial Jewelry

Sponsored Jewelry and Pendant Picks | More Top Ten Lists | Jewelry Category

Guest Curator: CityDog Magazine

2009-07-22T14:17:00-05:00

This week's Guest Curator is Brandie Ahlgren, founder and editor of Seattle's CityDog Magazine. Brandie is constantly on the lookout for interesting pet products to share with discerning CityDog readers. She particularly loves custom handmade items that are not only unique to each dog's character, but also reflects the creativity of the artist who makes them.

Brandie resides in Seattle with the two loves of her life, Scout (a boxer) and Ziggy (a schnoodle), and can often be found hanging out at the dog park, hosting a fundraiser for animals, or scouring the West Coast in search of dog-friendly places to sit, stay, and play to showcase in the pages of CityDog Magazine. Launched in 2005, CityDog covers the canine scene, bringing the joys of life with our four-legged friends to dog lovers throughout the West.

I discovered Etsy a couple of years ago while searching for custom handmade dog products to feature in CityDog. Ever since, I’ve found Etsy to be a terrific resource, with a seemingly endless number of talented artisans who have an obvious passion for dogs. Thanks to Etsy, we’ve been able to share numerous unique and often one-of-a-kind products with our readers.

Mimi Green Hand Embroiderd 'Hunter' Dog Collar, Your Pup's Name

These personalized, hand-embroidered collars are not only pretty, but I also love the fact that although they are velvet, they can be machine washed after a hard day at the dog park. They’re also available in a variety of sizes and colors. By shopmimigreen, $34.95.

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Doggie Wash and Splash Fun Pack...by COOKIE MOON (Strawberry Shortbread Cookie)

The Doggie Wash and Splash set from cookiemoon comes with dog shampoo (conveniently packaged in both regular and travel-size) and a doggie spray for days in between baths. They’re natural, organic and deliciously fragrant with scents like Lemon Drop Cookie and Strawberry Shortcake Cookie. $20.95.

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gus - fused glass dog pendant

I love custom, wearable dog art. These fused-glass pendants by thirtydash9 are beautiful and absolutely unique. Simply email a picture of your pooch and thirtydash9 takes care of the rest. $18.

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Lucky Fiona Custom Dog Collar... The Mod Dot Sequel

Luckyfiona’s preppy, colorful collars are fun and fresh. They’re also very sturdy and can be washed in the dishwasher or washing machine, which is a major plus for those extra dirty dogs. $16.99.

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Birthday Blue Print Dog Tie

Okay, maybe dogs don’t need ties, but it’s a nice accessory for fur-fancy occasions. Terrier Tie Company fashions ties for male, female and “professional” dogs. They’re the perfect touch for when the casual “collar and tag” just won’t doo (er, do). By dogties, $8.

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Handstamped Custom Round Pet ID Tag for Dogs and Cats or Pendant - Solid Copper

anandi’s custom dog tags, made from nickel silver and hand-stamped, are fun, functional and compassionate; for each tag sold, $1 is donated to the Humane Society. $15.

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Dog Park Tennis Ball Pendant

When you can’t be at the dog park, take the dog park with you. LegionCreative’s playful pendants are made from original designs printed on waterproof paper, hand-cut, then mounted on glass. $15.

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EcoDog Collar - Size L - Pink and Brown Leather Cut Flowers on Rustic Pierced Band

greenbelts’ recycled belt collars are not only hip, but also eco-friendly. They come with decorative add-ons such as buttons, bottle caps and scrap leather, most of which is recycled as well. $45.

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Commission a REALISTIC Needle Felted Likeness of your Dog or Cat - Custom Order Sculpture

I love anything custom, especially when it features one of my dogs. These hand-felted, amazingly lifelike felted sculptures are some of my favorites. Her creations are a must-see-to-believe. By KaysK9s, $250.

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Customized Leash Hook...for your puppy dogs - 3 hook - PINK with LIME andTURQ bones

These leash hooks are more than just functional; they’re a work of art. Made from recycled wood and sold with one hook ($22) or three ($27), they jazz up any dog-loving home. By Reincarnations, $27.

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Summer of 42 - Adjustable Dog Collar

With several styles and prints to choose from at BigDoggyBling, you’re sure to find a collar and leash set to suit your dog’s unique personality. My favorites are Summer of ’42 and More Than Words. 20% of all sales are donated to HeavenSent Bulldog Rescue. $20.

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Shampoochie All Natural Anti- Flea Bar Soap for Dogs- Handmade

For a chemical-free way to repel mosquitoes, fleas and ticks, I prefer ShamPoochie Soap for Dogs. Handmade by bubblyseahorsesoap, it’s vegan, all-natural and fits in the palm of your hand for easy scrubbing. $3.49.

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Tattoo DOG bowl LUCKY ceramic handpainted horseshoe roses FOOD SAFE

Tattoos are in, and so are the custom collars and bowls designed and hand-painted by Anna Graham. Featuring her custom tattoo flash art, they’re a less painful way to still look hip. By Anagramfineart, $58.99.

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B is for Boxer

My favorite key chain from popdogpress is of course, “b is for boxer,” but there are plenty of other breeds to choose from for your non-boxer buddy. Others celebrate your dog’s favorite activities such as “d is for dock diver” or “f is for flyball”. At $5 each, their affordability makes them even cuter. $5.

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Looking for past Guest Curator posts? Check out our archive.

Pets Gift Guide | Etsy Pets Series | Personalized Gifts Guide

About Us: Bernadette a.k.a. bernsweeney

2009-06-26T14:10:00-05:00

Bernadette Sweeney, a.k.a. bernsweeney, heads up Etsy's Support Team. Before starting at Etsy in May 2009, Bernadette worked for companies such as Community Connect Inc. (now Interactive One) and 1-800-Flowers.com. She brings with her a wealth of professional experience and also her warmth and concern for our members. Please join us in officially welcoming Bernadette!

Fun Facts:

Bernadette, KC, Ahmed and Tara share Queens as their hometown.
She's a Mets fan.
Bernadette is a first-generation American. Both her parents are from Ireland, and many of her relatives still live in the Motherland. Lucky for Bernadette, she gets to visit them every other year or so. Unlucky for Bernadette, they get to come visit her, and consequently, she's taken the tourist trolley around Manhattan more times than she can remember and will be taking the Sex and the City tour with her cousins visiting from England this week.
She has kissed the Blarney Stone which is supposed to give you the "gift of gab." She says this could explain why she "can't stop talking."
She adores Bono and is so excited to go see U2 in the fall. Her first concert was Molly Hatchet, but she wishes it had been U2 or Bruce Springsteen or the Police.
After college, Bernadette backpacked for three months in Australia. She blew her life savings and had to move back in with her parents. She still loves to travel and recently went to a wedding in Spain.
Facebook lost some of its cool appeal for Bernadette when her 70-year-old mother joined. But that said, her mom is pretty cool.
"She completed her doctoral research Performing the Body in Irish Theatre" at the University College in Cork, Ireland. Oh. Wait, I think that's a different Bernadette Sweeney.
Tim says she was named after the song "Bernadette" — not The Four Tops one, but the gospel song about St. Bernadette. ("Bernadette!")
She took part in a special task force on internet safety held at Harvard Law School's Berkman Center for Internet and Society.
Bernadette is very sporty: She rides her bike, kayaks, and hikes.
She bribed the Support Team with cookies after her first interview at Etsy.

Family photos by the Christmas tree. Classic! Bernadette's mom is an expert knitter and made those cabled Irish fisherman's sweaters!

First Communion Bernadette looks like a little angel. But what is with that guilty look and that imprisoned baby crying for help in the background, hmmmm?

Etsy has had quite a growth spurt in the past year, and we have the awkward pictures to prove it. We've been posting a series of About Us pieces to help you get to know the Etsy admin (and since many of us work remotely, for the admin to get to know each other!). You've seen the admin badge, and maybe you're a bit curious about the person behind it! For more on Etsy's mission and about the company, please see our About page (the link is in the little blue footer of every Etsy page).

Some favorite shops below...

Handmade Weddings: Five Sisters = One Amazing Day

2009-06-02T17:00:00-05:00

Ann Marie Popko, a.k.a. superduper and cocktailparty, lives in the French Quarter of New Orleans and has been designing accessories for almost 20 years. Her professional creative life includes hair accessories and hats, Mardi Gras costumes, nature photography, pecan cookery and newsletter writing. In this installment of Handmade Weddings, Ann Marie and her family share their story of putting their creative brains together for their sister's big day.

There are five sisters in my family. Growing up, our parents always encouraged creativity, and as adults living in the age of Etsy, the Popko family operates seven Etsy shops! When our little sister Crystal announced that she was going to get married, we all pulled out our specialties (and learned a few new ones) to grant her wishes in style.

The Shower

Crystal’s creative mastermind jumped into gear as soon as her boyfriend John proposed. She is incredibly talented; she studied sculpture at her university and has a thriving Etsy shop, popko, where she sells her butterfly wing and fused glass jewelry. It was no surprise that she would design her own wedding, or that she would enlist her uniquely creative family to carry out her vision.

The bride-to-be chose a delicious pink and orange color scheme, so our crafty Mom, a.k.a. sewsoft, whipped up 40 cheerful cotton napkins and cooked all of the food for the shower. I made my Love at First Bite sweet and spicy pecans, put them in white organza bags for all of our guests, and designed custom photo hang tags to make them extra special.

The Ceremony

The August wedding was held in an historic 1820’s building on top of a mountain in western Massachusetts. The stunning panoramic view of the Connecticut River Valley was glazed with sun and sparkled all around with bright blue skies. John painted plenty of signs to make sure all of the guests found their way up and down the winding mountain trail.

The ring bearer was our year-old nephew Julian, and his job was to carry token rings up the aisle in a nest created by our sister, April (his mommy and Crystal’s maid-of-honor). She decorated a straw nest with marabou feathers, ivy, birds and miniature eggs.

April also used leather, buttons and embroidered ribbon to create tiny lederhosen suspenders for Julian to wear — a nod to our eastern European heritage.

I designed the bride’s hair accessory, the “Velvet Kiss,” made with peach velvet millinery leaves, antique silver sequins and a tiny spray of ostrich feathers. It was made to highlight the peach details in her sandy-metallic wedding dress. The groom and his groomsmen wore boutonnieres I made to coordinate with Crystal’s hair accessory. The great part about all of these accessories is that they are everlasting mementos of a special day, unlike fresh flowers which usually don’t make it past the conga line!

The wedding bands were designed and created by our sister Monique, a.k.a. gurlygirl, using the lost wax method. She hand-carved the rings out of wax, cast them in white gold and set the stones. (In a nutshell…she’s a professional metalsmith and it’s not as easy as it looks!) Since John spends lots of time around trees as a leader of adventure and sports trips, Monique carved a leaf texture into his ring. Crystal was inspired by a 50-cent thrift shop ring and asked Monique to recreate it as a continuous golden circle of hearts and diamonds.

The Reception

As guests walked into the reception (a rustic red barn a few miles down from the mountain ceremony), they knew right away that this was a handmade wedding. It was my job to grow flower boxes full of wheat grass to use as bases for the seating designations. I had never grown wheat grass before, but when the bride asks, one must deliver! Big sis Monique hand-wrote each guest’s name on a card and attached them to twigs we had gathered from the yard, and then we stuck the twigs in the grass. It was a fresh and lovely welcome to the festivities and it wasn’t very expensive to create.
Guests were asked to write well-wishes and advice for the newlyweds on one of 100 yellow cardstock birds (lovingly hand cut by our mom and sister April), and hang them on a tabletop wish Ttee. Also at the entrance was a wonderful clothesline display of images featuring Crystal and John throughout their six years together leading up to their wedding.

The maid-of-honor designed the cake toppers. She gave Crystal’s lovebird a veil (I guess because the bride didn’t wear one herself!) and she gave John’s a flotation vest and a paddle (he's an avid kayaker). The dinner tables were decorated in the pink and orange color scheme, and we created everything on the tables: hand-etched glass vases with rocks picked from our beach in Cape Cod, leaf-shaped table numbers, menu cards, flower arrangements, centerpiece plates. We were a hardworking and faithful crew!

Crystal and John gave their 100 wedding guests favors from the heart. They made fresh strawberry jam and mango-ginger waffle syrup. (Can you believe that even the fruit colors are on theme?) Middle sister Noel hosted a wrapping party at her house, where we poured some wine and went to town with cellophane, ribbon and hang tags designed by Crystal. (Note the rounded corners on each tag, done by us with a special craft punch.) Making all of these things for our sister’s wedding day was an extra special honor. If we could do it all over again, I think we would…there are still two more single sisters in the family!

(Above Photo: Alan Arsenault)

Weddings and Celebrations Gift Guide | Handmade Weddings on Etsy's Blog

Shop the Wedding Category | Sponsored Items from Wedding Vendors

Etsy Finds: One for the Memory Books

2009-04-28T12:20:00-05:00

Mother's Day is right around the corner. There aren't many people in this world who still show you unconditional love after being put through temper tantrums, dirty diapers, car sickness in the back seat, late nights worrying and waiting for you to come home, monetary loans, broken bones, hair color experimentation, or a few minor driving mishaps. I can't think of a better way to celebrate this special day than to present Mom with a photo album filled with memories of days gone by. Say thanks to her for always sticking by your side.

White Scroll Photo Album with Spring Green Japanese Silk

By brooklynbookbinder, $95.

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Chalkboard Accordion Photo Album

By moonlightbindery, $18.

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Journal 26

By dailythreads, $25.

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powerline etching book

By grimm, $34.

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Folksy Floral Photo Album

By maydaystudio, $65.

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Pink Roadster Photo Album

By charliewarlie, $45.

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Tangerine Suns 10x10 Photo Album

By watermarkbindery, $47.

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polaroid.album

By paintedfishstudio, $6.

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Pink Paper Cut Journal

By artkitten, $25.

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Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links:

Gift Guides | More Photos Albums | Books and Zines Posts | Gift Ideas

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Etsy Finds: This Time, It's Personal

2009-04-21T12:10:00-05:00

Anyone can run into a random store at the last minute and buy a generic, mass-produced candle for a present. However, those aren't the gifts you remember; they're the ones that linger on shelves, gathering dust. Today I've put together a collection of custom, personalized gift ideas that will show you really thought about the person in question. (Mom, perhaps? Mother's Day is a'comin'!) Here are some of my favorites.

Custom Silhouette Pillow - 12x12

You plus me, and baby makes three! Customized silhouettes make the facts of life totally adorable (and a functional family portrait!). By lepapierstudio, $24.

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Let me do a quirky custom portrait for you

Do you have a cherished family photo? A favorite in-joke that's best illustrated with a snapshot from that one crazy afternoon? Have it immortalized in a quirky custom portrait by EmmieBean. $50.

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floral bookplate mug, made to order

Bookplates ensure that your favorite tomes are returned in a timely manner. A monogrammed mug will do just the same, but with delicious coffee filled to the brim. By fieldguided, $20.

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Custom antiqued sterling heart charm necklace

Heart necklaces are so romantic. This antiqued sterling version would look great with engraved initials! By modernmama, $42.

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Personalized Peony Notes Boxed Set of 8

Personalized stationery gives notes so much more authority and aplomb. I want mine to say "From the desk of A.A.F." By MichelleBrusegaard, $18.

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Custom Name Tooled Hand Painted Leather Cuff

Leather jewelry will last forever. Customize a leather cuff with a name or saying for a meaningful gift. By valentinoink, $25.

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Custom Handstamped Photo Charm Bracelet or Necklace

My mom would love a custom handstamped bracelet with the names and birthdates of myself and my sisters: wouldn't yours? By MetalPressions, $120.

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CUSTOM BUST (Commission Your Own OOAK Art Doll Bust)

To all the doll lovers out there: Wouldn't you love to receive a custom bust of yourself or a loved one? Amazing work by blackeyedsuzie. $150.

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Custom Sewn Pet Portrait

Yes, yes, and more yes: I want a custom pet portrait showing my dogs marrying each other! This would be the gift to end all gifts. By pidgepidge, $350.

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Smokey Trifold Wallet - Leather in Antique Brown

This leather wallet rocks my world! I'd have mine engraved with a poem or lyrics to a favorite song. By moxieandoliver, $95.

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P.S. What's your idea of a great personalized gift? Leave it in the comments!

Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links:

Personalized Gift Ideas | Search for Custom Items | More Personalized Posts | Gift Ideas

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Etsy Finds: Objects of Affection

2009-04-20T12:20:00-05:00

I've always felt a connection with jewelry, especially the kind that possesses a personal message. Spoil mom this May 10th with a piece of personalized jewelry she'll know you really thought about; it's so easy to get creative with custom names, the number of children, birthstones, and photos incorporated your selection. Each of the baubles below would make a meaningful gift for mom this Mother's Day. Find more gifts ideas for mom in our Jewelry for Mothers Gift Guide.

Mother's Hammered Circle Pendant

By bddesigns, $58.

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follow me...

By alibli, $20.

View Item | View Shop

Spoon Endz Necklace

By SpoonerZ, $29.99.

View Item | View Shop

Two Peas in a Pod Necklace

By sudlow, $37.

View Item | View Shop

Candy diamond ring

By dafnadagan, $195.

View Item | View Shop

Funky Custom initial necklace

By artdi, $60.

View Item | View Shop

Fawn Family Necklace 2baby Fawns

By FigsAndGinger, $73.

View Item | View Shop

Pasqua Ring --FREE SHIPPING--

By blissiful, $75.

View Item | View Shop

Necklace - 3 Customized Photocharms with Monogram Initials

By BSidesMetal, $90.

View Item | View Shop

Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links:

Gift Guides | More Mother's Day Posts | Trends | Gift Ideas

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Etsy’s Treasury: Finding Focus

2009-04-15T15:15:00-05:00

Recently, we've decided it's time to revisit the way we utilize and maintain the integrity of our Treasury feature. Below we will walk you through a brief history of the feature, where we find ourselves today and our plans for the Treasury moving forward.

Where we've come from
Upon launching the Treasury on Etsy in August of 2006, our original goals for the feature were to create an interactive place where members could create and share their own featured lists of Etsy items. Over time, it evolved into a community feature, and Etsy staff (“Admins”) would occasionally promote outstanding lists from the Treasury pool to the front page of Etsy. As the Etsy community and Admins have worked together using the Treasury, gathered feedback and discussed the rules for creating lists, a few guidelines for the feature organically evolved. Collectively, with the community's input, a general understanding has developed that the Treasury feature is:

A community space for members to create and share handpicked lists of items on Etsy.
Treasury lists are not intended for self-promotion, but members may add one of their own items to to their handpicked list.
If a list containing an item from the curator’s Etsy shop is promoted to the front page of Etsy, then that one item will automatically be excluded from the front page collection.
Similarly, if a list contains more than one item from a shop, only one item per shop will be included on the front page.
Etsy generally has not changed a curated Treasury list from its original state when promoting it to the front page.

Again, the above guidelines have evolved over time and represent the way Etsy’s Treasury is understood and loved today.

Where we are now
As we've grown, this more relaxed evolution and set of guidelines isn't working as well as it had previously. While the original purpose of the Treasury was a community feature not intended for self-promotion, we realize that by promoting lists to the front page, this creates a sense of competition and leaves room for abuse of the feature. The integrity of the Treasury is something we know is important to each of you – and it’s important to us, too, and so with your help we are taking steps to keep the feature one that can benefit both the community and Etsy as a whole.

Where we are headed
We realize the current set of Treasury guidelines has been shaped as we have grown together and that we have not been as clear as we could have been in laying out concrete, visible guidelines for the feature as it has grown and changed. Moving forward, we are laying out clear guidelines for the Treasury which you will find below. We will actively be upholding these clearly-posted guidelines. Violating Treasury guidelines may result in suspension of privileges and/or account termination.

With this transition, we will also begin using our more focused merchandising themes as a criterion in choosing Treasury lists that are promoted to the front page. Whole lists or partial selections from a list may be promoted. When a partial list is promoted to the front page, we will still be giving credit to the original Treasury list as inspiration. The original list within the Treasury will remain just as the curator created it, even if only a partial selection is promoted to the front page.

Revised Treasury guidelines

Only one Treasury list per person. Do not create lists with multiple accounts at the same time.
Treasury is not intended for personal promotion. Please do not include more than one of your own items.
Etsy may, at times, promote whole or partial selections from a Treasury list to the front page.
This list will expire two days after creation. Bonus time (up to 24 hours) may be randomly added to the lifetime of your list.
Etsy reserves the right to remove Treasury lists at any time.

We've come this far together, and we welcome your comments and feedback in the Forums.

Quit Your Day Job: nelladesigns

2009-03-30T16:59:00-05:00

Elizabeth of nelladesigns opened up shop on Etsy after the persistent urging of one of her close friends. Her sales started picking up and she began to rethink her Etsy shop as more than just a favorite pastime. After leaving her full time graphic design job, she's been making a living through her shop sales and wishes now that she had taken the advice from her friend much sooner!

How did you originally get into the business of making things?

Growing up, I always loved to make things for friends and family in lieu of store-bought gifts. I enjoyed seeing their faces when they first laid eyes on whatever it was I had created for them. However, I would have to say that over the past decade or so I began to delve more into this pastime, as it became a great stress reliever from my 9 to 5 graphic design job.

When you first started selling on Etsy, did you have dreams or goals of eventually quitting your day job?

Being my own boss and doing things on my own terms has ALWAYS been a dream of mine. I just never knew how to go about doing it. Joining Etsy and opening up my own store was a bit of a fluke, actually. One of my oldest friends kept mentioning over and over in passing how I needed to open a shop on Etsy. I kept blowing her off until one day on a whim I decided to take the plunge.

At first I had no idea what I would sell, but knew that I had always loved all things paper. I was the kid that got a stationery set with stickers, but would never use it because it was too pretty. Being a full time designer for a magazine, I really went into it as more of a hobby and had no idea that it would turn into what it has. I would have to say though that in the last 6 months or so I started to get serious about it and really had high hopes of quitting my design job and focusing full time on Nella. I had only been in business a little over a year when I took the plunge. Having been the latest victim of the recession and cutbacks, I was really forced into running Nella full time a smidge sooner than I had hoped, but I am a firm believer of the whole sink or swim mentality.

Did you do anything to prepare ahead of time?

As I said above, I really jumped into it feet first. It wasn’t until after I started making sales that I realized I should probably look into getting the proper licenses, etc. and start saving money for the following tax season. Luckily, I was able to get in contact with several wonderful fellow Etsians who gave me fantastic advice on how to go about doing things the right way and also sharing with me some of their mistakes. The Etsy blog articles were also a big help and vital resource for me. I also just recently sat down with my first ever CPA and it was a big eye opener for me. I highly recommend doing so if you think that having your own business is something you are really serious about. For me, this has really been a learn-as-you-go kind of experience, but so far so good.

What are the most effective ways you have promoted and marketed your Etsy business? What's your best marketing tip?

There are several things that have worked well for me. One is getting my name out there. Word of mouth is vital and can really help with sales in the long run. Blog features have also helped with sales a great deal. I recommend compiling a list of favorite blogs and contacting them. Introduce yourself and your product and they just might do a write up on you. One of the highlights of this past year was having the honor of being featured in Mary Englebreit’s Home Companion magazine! It was a case of sheer luck, as I was lucky enough to be spotted by their style editor. Nothing beats national exposure! I am still getting business from that feature months later.

My best marketing tip is something very, very simple. Posting items throughout the day will help you gain exposure and keep you at or near the top of each category. Experimenting with this has really helped me. After a while a pattern will emerge and you can begin to see what times are best to post.

What have you found to be an unsuccessful promotion?

In the past I have had the opportunity to run ads in local publications. It really didn’t churn up any business for me.

Walk us through your typical workday.

One great perk of being your own boss is that every day is different! I generally separate my days into design days and shipping days.

On an average design day I usually start out by checking emails and writing down any orders that I may have gotten overnight.
I will then spend time emailing anyone that I received convos from.
I usually do a glance over the Paper Goods category of Etsy to see what has posted and then determine which items I would like to re-post.
After posting, I get down to designing either existing orders or a new design that might have been percolating overnight.
Time for breakfast! After a quick bowl of cereal and a 10-minute visit with the ladies of The View, I am back to designing and printing.
I usually take a break in the early afternoon to run any errands that I might need to do or even go for a quick run! (Ah, the joys of being your own boss.)
More item posts!
Then mid to late afternoon and evening usually have me prepping and packaging orders to go out the next shipping day.
And if I can muster up any more creative flow after that, I will go over any new designs I have in the works.

What do you enjoy most about not having a day job? Is there anything you miss?

The freedom to do whatever, whenever I like. I am enjoying the thought that I can take off whenever I like and not have to run it by anyone! Go to the beach on a Tuesday? Sure! Not having to put up with corporate rules and regulations is nice too. I can wear jeans as much as I want! For me, the perks outweigh anything else. I don’t mind working alone; in fact, I find that I flourish in doing so and really produce better results. The only thing I somewhat miss are the events that I used to go to with my creative team.

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give yourself? What advice would you give someone else?

I would have listened to my friend's urging and done it sooner! I am a person that likes to be prepared, so I think I really did everything the right way the first go round. Advice I would give to someone looking to take the leap is to plan, plan, plan. Try and start it out just as a side gig for a while to see if you can really make a go of it. And talk to people in the know. A CPA. Fellow Etsy shop owners, etc. Also, BE PATIENT...success doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a process, and one that cannot be rushed no matter how anxious you are! I am still learning this after a year!

What goals do you wish to accomplish in the coming year for your Etsy business?

GROW. GROW. GROW. I hope to continue to get my name out there and share my products with as many folks as I can. I want to stay positive and focused and to continue to dream big! After all, this one came true and maybe if I am lucky, I will even get one of my products featured on Oprah’s Favorite Things one day. Oprah, call me.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

I would like to give a big thank you to the entire Etsy team for making dreams come true for lots of people during these tough economic times. Keep up the good work!

Please join Elizabeth for a follow-up Question and Answer session this Tuesday, March 31st, 2009 at 3pm EDT in the Auditorium room of the Virtual Labs (the VL schedule is magically in your local time). See you there!

You can find some of our previous Quit Your Day Job posts here.

How-To: Framing Your Artwork

2009-03-05T12:15:00-05:00

Siiri Poldmae is an new artist on Etsy (TheSeed) and the owner of a Baltimore picture framing business by day. Please welcome her and bask in the wealth of framing knowledge she's sharing!

I know I can't be the only one who tends to buy artwork without getting around to the framing and hanging part. Here's a quick tutorial to help you put a dent in those piles! For a successful framing project, remember to handle your artwork as little as possible, never eat or drink while framing, and always use acid free materials (use conservation grade for very valuable art).

You will need:

A frame
- For canvases, choose one with extra depth to accommodate the stretcher bars.
- For works on paper, you'll also need glass, foam board, matting or spacers, and mounting corners.

Brads for securing the artwork in the frame. There are 3 ways to do this:

Hammer: difficult but cheap

Brad Pusher: easy and a moderate investment

Brad Gun: easy and great if you're going to be doing a lot of framing or sharing it with friends

Dust Cover: Use brown Kraft paper, shopping bags, or scrap booking paper — anything that won't tear easily.

A way to make the dust cover stick to the back of your frame:

Glue: messy but cheap

Double-stick Tape: fairly easy and cheap

Double-stick Tape Gun: easy and great if you're going to be doing a lot of framing

Hanging Hardware: For smaller frames, use a sawtooth hanger. Anything 8"x10" or larger should have screw eyes and wire, for which you'll need an awl or other sharp pointy object to make starter holes. Very large or heavy frames need mirror hangers for maximum safety.

Let's get started with an 8"x10" print.

If you don't want to use matting, you'll need to use spacers in order to keep the glass off of the artwork. This is vital for photographs especially. Glass on artwork + moisture = everything's ruined! If you do use matting, determine the dimensions of the frame you'll need to purchase. I like to show a little bit of the white border around my work, let's say 1/2" on every side, and 2 1/2" of matting will look nice for this size so:

8x10

1 1

5 5

_____

14x16

Have your mat cut for you or, if you're handy with an Exacto knife or razor blade, cut it yourself:

Turn the mat upside down and use a ruler and pencil to draw a line 2 1/2" from the edge onto all four sides, making sure they intersect. Press the ruler to one of the lines firmly with one hand, and hold the razor blade at an angle in the other hand.

Cut along the line, overlapping the intersecting lines by about 1/8" (work on a self-healing cutting mat.) Repeat for all 4 sides.

You may need to touch up the corners from the front to completely free your mat (until you get the hang of it.) You can purchase

a mat cutting tool to make this step easier.

Cut a piece of foam board to 14"x16" and place the artwork so that it centers under the opening of the mat.

Position your mounting corners and press them firmly into place. Your artwork should now be secure! Place your glass on top and clean that side, then flip it over and clean the other side (please don't handle large pieces of glass if you're not comfortable doing so!). Check to make sure you haven't trapped any lint, streaks, dog fur, glitter, etc., then add the frame and flip the whole thing over.

Place a brad every 3 inches or so, making sure you get them close to the corners too.

Apply double-stick tape (or glue) all the way around and then place your dust cover on top, pressing down all around. If you're using glue, spray your Kraft paper with a little water and let it sit for a minute. When the paper dries, it will be nice and taut. This might not work if you're using something besides Kraft paper, though. Trim the excess paper using a ruler and Exacto knife.

For sawtooth hangers, simply center and hammer the nails in.

For screw eyes and wire, make a starter hole 1/3 of the way from the top of the frame on each side and attach the screw eyes (larger frames use larger screw eyes). Before cutting the wire, make sure you have about 4" excess on either side, and wrap this around itself after you've looped it through each screw eye in a pretzel pattern. You can also add bumpers to the bottom corners to help keep it from shifting around on the wall.

Finding supplies is easier than you think. Most art or craft supply stores sell everything you need, but also check your local hardware store for cheaper glass, and garage sales for old frames (don't forget, ugly frames can be painted) — try searching for wall frames in Etsy's Vintage Category. See if you can rescue an old window from a salvage yard, it will be forever grateful and will make a great frame! You can even find custom cut frames and supplies right here on Etsy!

We know you've found some great artwork in the Artistic Endeavors series — now show us how you've framed and displayed it in your home! Join our flickr group There's No Place Like Here.
If you want to get more ideas for framing projects, check out this How-Tuesday video!

Handmade Weddings: Spring Inspiration

2009-02-12T16:30:00-05:00

Winter gloomies have many of us yearning for spring. Lucky ladies planning their weddings right now can delve into that mood and daydream to their hearts delight. Think fresh designs, vines and shoots and plant patterns, earthy browns and creamy whites as complimentary colors to grassy green.

We were particularly inspired by Laura Hooper aka LHCalligraphy's shop. She does custom calligraphy and letterpress designs with personal care. These place cards look like they're sprouting right out of the box! Make sure to check out her oh so clever custom map invitations too.

If you want to learn more, see her blog www.luckyorchidwedding.blogspot.com.

Handmade Weddings | Spring Posts | Weddings and Celebrations Gift Guide

Seller How-To: Fostering Repeat Business

2008-12-18T11:15:00-05:00

I ran some very scientific and fancy tests here at the Etsy Labs and I found out a few things about customer loyalty.

It costs a whole lot more (or some might say, a heck of a lot more) to gain a new buyer than to retain your current buyers.
When those buyers come back, they spend more! This is because when they do come back, they trust you a little more and are willing to spend a little more.
Return customers are also more likely to chat up your shop to friends. So here are some things to think about to help you build a great group of loyal customers.

Create new “episodes”. I’m sure you’ve been a loyal follower of a sitcom or drama. Why is that? You felt “connected” to these characters and plot developments, right? How can you get your customers to tune in?

Be consistent! Give your customers something to tune into every week. A new design weekly, perhaps?
How about updates on your life as an artist? Put these in your shop announcement. Short, sweet, statements that keep your customers connected and wondering what you might be up to next week.
Weekly blog posts on certain subjects, etc. Tuesday Etsy Picks, Wednesday How-To’s, Thursday’s Free Print of the day. Make sure you link back to your Etsy shop often!
Be a little eccentric. Adding a little bit of intrigue always helps! Don't be afraid to be yourself.

Before the sale

There are a few things you can do, even before you've made a sale to your new loyal customers, to ensure they'll be satisfied.

Make sure you have great policies in order but don’t over promise!
Pay attention to all the little details - keep your item photos and listings as accurate as possible.

Wow Your New Customer

Make it personal right away! Just after a sale be sure to:

Let your buyer know the item has shipped and provide a tracking number if possible.
Ask them to let you know when the receive the item, and to leave feedback if they are happy!
Let them know if they have any “questions” (never use negative terms like “problems” or “issues”) that you are happy to answer them.

Turn That Package into a Gift

Packaging! Make sure that package is wrapped up properly. You want that item to arrive un-jostled!
Make it fun to open. A simple ribbon can turn that purchase into a personal gift for the buyer.
Include a handwritten note. Be sincere and as personal as possible. What do you know about the buyer? At least comment on their location if you have nothing else to go on.
Make sure they know how special they are to you (and they are!)

Stay Connected with your Fans

Think of your core group of customers as your fan base. Here are some things you can do to make sure you stay connected:

Feedback! (Personal feedback, look for clues in your buyers profile, note to seller, or other communications.)
Ask your buyers to sign up for your mailing list and send out questionnaires.
Follow up convo.
A “shout out" on your blog or twitter for special sales or return customers.
Customer appreciation specials (buy 6 soaps this year and your 7th soap is free!).
Chances are, those who have signed up for your mailing lists are past customers. Send out specials that only those who have signed up will know about.
Ask your customers for their help getting the word out! And reward those who do.
Going on vacation? Let them know with a mailing list blast, blog post, shop announcement and Etsy’s vacation mode.
Unveiling a new line? Let your past buyers in on the secret first!
Keep a file with those customers who are on your mailing list along with city. That way if you are doing a show near them you can send out an email!

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

Don't forget to check out the Seller Handbook - all our how-tos about running your Etsy business!

Saint Nicholas: The Story Behind the Myth

2008-12-02T16:43:00-05:00

Yes, Virginia – there really is a Santa Claus.

However, he’s not what you might think: you won’t find him hanging out at North Pole sweatshops, sipping triple-fudge espressos and cracking the whip on overworked persons of diminutive size. And contrary to what advertising says, he’s not the sweaty fat guy at the mall in the red velour suit handing out candy canes, either.

Many people do not know that the real Santa Claus was neither a storybook creation nor a marketing ploy. He was a real man. And while he didn’t have a reindeer-powered sleigh or slide down chimneys, he did become famous, in part, for his gift-giving.

St. Nicholas was born in Lycia (modern-day Turkey) in the fourth century AD, and was known for his kindness and charity. The most famous story of his generosity was about a rich man who had three daughters. The man fell suddenly into poverty and decided he had no choice but to sell his daughters into prostitution. St. Nicholas heard about it, and on three nights as everyone slept, he slipped past the man’s window and tossed in a bag of gold.

Classic Saint Nicholas Waldorf Needle Felted Doll by haddy2dogs

Eventually, Saint Nicholas became the patron saint of children. In Northern Europe his name was changed to Santa Claus, but he’s also known as Jolly Old Saint Nick, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle, Papai Noel, Sinterklaas and even Dun Che Lao Ren.

The real St. Nicholas was not fat or silly, but thin and sober. He was, however, the kindest of men. In the Orthodox Christian and Roman Catholic traditions, saints are usually honored on the day they die. In many parts of the world, Saint Nicholas delivers gifts on the eve of his Feast Day, December 6, and Christmas is reserved for the religious observance of Christ's birth, or the Nativity.

Orthodox Christian children around the world leave their shoes by the fireplace or in the church hall while they attend a service in St. Nicholas’ honor. Somehow, when they come back for their shoes, they find them stuffed with oranges, chocolate coins, nuts and small gifts.

Felted Wool Baby Slippers by woolybaby

These days, even as many parents line up at Walmart bright and early on the day after Thanksgiving to get the best deal on the latest cool toys, we often bemoan the fact that Christmas seems to have become all about the presents. This year, on December 6th, why not take a moment to tell your kids the story of the REAL Santa Claus, and why giving can be so much better than receiving.

Then tell them to check their shoes.

* For more information on the life of St. Nicholas, check out the Saint Nicholas Center.

Feeling a bit stressed about the holiday season? We're here to help!
Gift Idea Blog Posts | Etsy Finds

Stocking Stuffer Gift Guide | More Holiday Traditions

Seller How-to: Guiding Buyers with Shop Sections

2008-11-12T12:00:00-05:00

So sellers: you've stocked your shop with holiday goodies, you've taken great photos, you've cleared your calendar, and you are ready for the holiday stampede. Your shop looks fly, and you need your customers to look at more than just your cute featured items. Enter shop sections. Help your customers hone in on what they need, and make it easy for them to cross off each item on their holiday shopping lists. This is the time of year when we shoppers are super organized.

Organize by Shipping
Recent featured seller topsyturvydesign has a great way to get her customers looking at crafts that will ship to suit their holiday needs. This is especially excellent for the nearing Thanksgiving holiday, since she has made it easy for customers to look at the hats that will get to them on time.

Organize by Size
Another great use of the Shop Sections is to organize by size. As a shopper, I am so grateful when I can go right to the clothes, rings or shoes that fit me. This is great even for totes and bags, as it can be difficult to gauge size from a photo unless there is a scale reference. Small, medium and large is an economical way to use your shop sections, as you can create up to ten.

Organize by Price
Bath and body sellers, or other sellers that make use of gift baskets or groupings, can get a lot of mileage from using their shop sections to organize by basket and price. During the holidays, many shoppers have a budget that they have in mind for each one of their special people. For example, if I know that I'd like a luxurious bath basket for my mom, I am chuffed when I can use a shop section to go directly to: Gift Basket 70-100 dollars. And for my cousin? Gift Basket 30-50 dollars. Perfect. Check out this how-to on bundling items. For more info on pricing, see the Art of Pricing series.

You might also find this how-to, about introducing a new line, useful.

Don't forget to check out the Seller Handbook - all our how-tos about running your Etsy business!

Comment below if you've used these techniques and seen the effects! Shoppers, do you like to shop with sections?

Etsy Finds: Personalized Just For You

2008-11-10T09:10:00-05:00

Etsy is the perfect place to find gifts that leave a lasting impression. In fact, many sellers specialize in custom and personalized gifts. Let your family and friends know you planned ahead this year by customizing your purchases (without breaking the bank!). Check out some of our selections below as well as our special Personalized Gift Guide for a good start.

Personalized Custom Silhouette Print

Freeze a moment in time with a custom silhouette (and name!) print. By lepapierdesigns, $20.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

akira - fused glass dog pendant

Turn an image of man's best friend into a keepsake. By thirtydash9, $18.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Handpainted customized portrait cup - made to order

For a truly unique gift, get a customized portrait made for the coffee or tea lover. By houseofharriet, $55.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Personalized Scroll notecards- Set of 6 notes w/envelopes

Customize a set of special note cards for the writer in your life. By sweetgrassprints, $10.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Vinyl Monogram Decor

Hop on one of this year's latest trends with a custom wall decal. By Paperazzi, $8.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

3 ONESIE WOODEN GIFT BOX SET ... at the zoo

Have a new baby in the family? Surprise the new Mommy and Daddy with a set of customized baby onesies. By handmadejig, $32.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Modern Circles - Personalized Paperweight

Need a gift for your boss or a coworker? Let them know you care with a monogrammed paperweight. By paperandink, $85.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

custom silver guitar pick

Stay on the fingertips of any guitar player with these completely customizable stamped silver guitar picks. By SilverSparrowDesigns, $46.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

coffee sachets (set of 2) - customized and HAND-embroidered

For a gift that really packs a punch, get one of these personalized coffee sachets and slip it in with the customized mug above! By pillowhead, $5.95.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links:

Gift Guides | Storque Featured Buyers | Trends | Gift Ideas

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

Gift Ideas: Personalized Gifts

2008-11-07T10:00:00-05:00

To make the act of giving even more magical this holiday, think about personalizing your gift for that special someone. Your personal touch will add a special feeling which your recipient is sure to cherish and appreciate for years to come.

There are so many different personalized gifts to choose from on Etsy. Some thoughtful ideas include custom portraits and silhouettes, engraved jewelry or guitar picks, monogrammed pillows and wall decals, or hand-painted signs with a special message. Whichever option you choose, you'll feel good when giving a gift that comes straight from the heart.

There's one thing to keep in mind when purchasing a personalized gift: orders can take a few weeks to be completed. So what are you waiting for? Check out the examples below for that perfect custom present.

Look for more Personalized Gifts | Personalized Gift Guide | More Gift Ideas

Fresh Shops: LuckyJackson

2008-10-02T13:09:00-05:00

"I like the idea of working really hard at being happy and I think that you should surround yourself with things that reflect this, including art. I like making art that is fun, that you get a chuckle out of when you see it, a bit of nostalgia that everyone gets. I hope that my fellow Estians find that in my work!" — LuckyJackson

During a recent jaunt through Pounce Undiscovered I discovered the work of LuckyJackson. Aside from LuckyJackson's refreshing outlook, I was immediately drawn to the bold lines and collage of elements used in her art. Vintage fabric, embroidered stitching, pastels, guache and wood grain are all employed to create graphic and strong, but still intimate and personal portraits. Even though I don't know who the people in her work are, the quirky moments Lucky captures makes them instantly relateable and yes, a lot of fun!

I was curious what made her decide to fill her shop only recently after opening over a year ago:

"The delay between when I opened my account and when I started listing coincides with the birth of my daughter. I had all these ideas for my 'lucky' work when she was first born (last August) and in the last few months have taken the time to execute them. All the originals featured in the shop right now will be available [soon]. I also have another 14 new works to add. (It's all a time thing with two kids!)"

I also had to find out about that name:

"Funny you should ask... I lost my Dad just a little over a year ago. I had just found out that I was pregnant with my second child just a few weeks prior to his death.

My Dad and I were best friends. He was a huge 'culture vulture,' loving music, art, literature and movies. I owe him for all the things he
exposed me to over the years. I was just in awe of all the artists that he introduced me to.

When he died I knew I had to focus on good things. My father often said 'You can't control what happens to you, only how you react to it.' So I realized how lucky I was to have the new baby inside me, to have known such a great and passionate and creative father, for having such a supportive husband, my beautiful kids and for having a gift for the arts. I decided that I was only going to create art that was optimistic, happy, witty and fun.

To make a long story short, it's a reminder when I am feeling down, to remember just how lucky I am.

My name is Jennifer Jackson, but I prefer Lucky!"

Wow, thank you Lucky for this beautiful reminder and art work to match!

...Why not be the lucky one yourself and snap up Lucky Jackson's first sale? Worth noting, she will be accepting custom orders, which makes me think: hello costumed Halloween portrait!

Looking for more Etsy newbies? Check out our previous Fresh Shops coverage!

Happy Rosh Hashanah

2008-09-30T22:00:00-05:00

The holiday has some beautiful symbolism and I found some items to illustrate that — honey, pomegranates, ram's horn.

Happy Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year!

Seller How-to: Craft Fair Tips

2008-09-29T13:00:00-05:00

You have spent many frenzied hours preparing your art and craft items for the craft fair, but does that mean you are really ready to make as much money as you can at the event? Probably not. As creatives, we tend to focus on our art and forget about everything else. (My house could fall down around me while I'm in the zone and I wouldn't notice.) You went through all that time and trouble to participate in a craft show, and I want to make sure you get as much out of the experience as you can while you are there. It's not just about what you sell at the show, it's about the contacts you make and how you use them.

Craft shows are great place to network and market. Here are some easy tips to make your next craft fair/show pay-off for months after everyone goes home.

Display is important. Dedicate some creative energy to your display. You want to stand out in the crowd. This is especially important if your artwork is currently a popular trend and you have lots of competition. If you sell jewelry right now, you know what I mean. At the majority of the shows I have attended, I see the jewelry laid out flat-sometimes on black velvet or in white bins at almost every table. What if you bought cool, retro mannequin heads and used them to display your jewelry? I know I would make a beeline to a table full of faux heads to check out what's going on.

Have a free drawing. Ask people to drop their business cards into a hat and raffle off a prize. Instant list!

GET MARKETING MATERIALS! I can't tell you how many artists don't have any information about themselves out on their tables. What if I don't want to buy today, but really like your stuff? How will I ever find you again? You absolutely must put out business cards. Business cards don't have to be expensive. You can even print them out from your home computer; just make sure you give people the opportunity to find you again.

Make flyers about trunk shows or any other venue (such as Etsy) where people can buy from you in the future. If you have catalogs bring them. Create a portfolio of your work and have it out for people to look at. You might get some special orders. I download digital pictures onto my laptop of past work and have a slide show of the work running on it during the show.

More on marketing materials…Every product should have a tag on it with all your contact information. I just use my business card, hole-punched with a ribbon. This gives both the buyer and, if the item is being purchased as a gift, the recipient your contact information. The recipient may want to collect your work, but won't be able to if there isn't a tag.

Use "gift with purchase" promotions. Everyone loves to get gifts. For the holiday boutique I am participating in this year, I created special, creative gift tags. Each customer gets a free set with the purchase of any item. Of course, the back of the gift card has all my contact information.

Set-up future sales. Once you have attracted clients to you with a great display, you need to capture their information. Have a guest book out and invite people to sign it and tell you what they think about your art. Make sure you ask them to check a box saying they would like to receive mailings from you. The book will give you an idea of what people like about your art and you will have their contact information. Create a snail mail list and make sure that you send out cool invites every time you are going to be at a show. Include a discount coupon on the postcard; that way you can track how effective your mailing was. For an even nicer touch, make sure you send out a thank you note, right after the show, telling them how glad you are that they stopped by to look at your work.

Network with the other artists and crafters. Make friends. Even your "competitors" are potential clients. Gather the business cards of everyone who is participating at the show and send a friendly email to each one within a week of the show. Tell them how much you enjoyed seeing their work. If you remember something specific about them or their work, mention it. Tell them a bit about yourself and tell them to contact you if they ever need anything. This is also just plain nice!

If you follow these few simple steps, you should have a nice list of clients, potential clients, friends and business partners in your possession. Now you must use this list to make it pay. Set up a schedule to touch base with each person on a regular basis. Send them invitations to all your shows, send them your monthly newsletter or just drop them a line or a note telling them you are thinking about them. Have fun and be prosperous!

Further Resources
Katy offers The Craft Show Worksheet through her shop, and if you want more information about networking and marketing your arts & crafts business, sign-up for katydid designs free monthly ezine, The Well-Fed Artist, at www.katydid-designs.com.

See other posts by the katydiddy. And click here for some other how-tos about craft fairs. For the motherload see the Seller Handbook!

Customer Care Tip: Creating a Reserved Listing

2008-09-16T16:38:00-05:00

Dear Sellers,

Wondering how to reserve a listing in your shop for an inquiring buyer? It's easy as pie! Here's how:

1) Edit your item listing by going to Your Etsy>Currently For Sale>Edit

2) Click the edit icon (pencil) next to your item's title to change the title. Here you want to boldly state that this listing is reserved for your customer. For example, *Reserved for DANIELLEXO only - Diamond Necklace*. Making "reserved" the first word in your listing ensures that buyers can clearly see the item is reserved in the search results, both Gallery and List views.

3) Scroll down and enter this info in the item description as well. (Just in case the title was not sufficiently obvious!)

4) It is optional to use a special graphic or add text to your first photo stating this item is reserved. This is an effective way of visually communicating to buyers that the item is not intended for them!

[Custom order image by CozyMoments]

5) Make sure you complete editing your listing by continuing to Step 5 and clicking "Finish".

And you're done! Now the item is back in your shop and clearly reserved for your customer.

For more support Tips and Updates, check out our CustomerCare Featured Column on the Storque.