Search results (tags) for: "entrepreneurship"

The Outsiders: Finding a Way into the Art World

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 19:00:00 -0000

This article was originally published on September 26, 2007. We are reviving it as part of the Best of the Storque series. Enjoy!

When it comes to the art world, everyone always seems to be looking for the next big thing. If it isn’t an artist, it’s a concept, a style or a shtick. However, if there is one genre that exists solely to contradict the idea of trendiness, it is the often misunderstood, always intriguing, idea of outsider art.

As far as modes of artwork are concerned, "outsider art” (otherwise known as art brut, visionary, contemporary folk, naïve or intuitive art) has become a phenomenon that forces us to rethink the relationship between mainstream society and who is culturally "accepted" as an artist. Michel Thevoz, curator of the Collection de l'Art Brut in Lausanne, defines outsider art as “works produced by people who, for various reasons, have not been culturally indoctrinated or socially conditioned. They are all kinds of dwellers on the fringes of society. Working outside the fine art ‘system’ (schools, galleries, museums and so on), these people have produced, from the depths of their own personalities and for themselves and no one else, works of outstanding originality in concept, subject and techniques. They are works which owe nothing to tradition or fashion.”

Artists typically grouped under the outsider art umbrella are those who exist outside the confines of conventional society, with little to no contact with “high art”: prison inmates, the mentally ill, religious zealots, and the developmentally challenged. These intricate, often compulsive works are typically characterized by a certain “raw” quality: colorful images, recurring idiosyncratic patterns and a childish naïveté usually not present in the works of a “trained” artist.

These works were first documented in 1922 by Dr. Hans Prinzhorn, who collected thousands of works by psychiatric patients (including the incredible Adolf Wolfli) to publish Bildernerei der Geisteskranken (Artistry of the Mentally Ill). According to outsider art journal Raw Vision, struggling French artist Jean Dubuffet was so inspired by the these works that he formed the Compagnie de l'Art Brut in 1948, an organization that “strove to seek out and collect works of extreme individuality and inventiveness by creators who were not only untrained artists but often had little concept of an art gallery or even any other forms of art other than their own.”

Outsider art has since come into the public eye via institutions such as the American Folk Art Museum in New York and the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore, showcasing the works of many disenfranchised individuals whose work had long been overlooked, often until after their death. (A prime example being brilliant visionary artist Henry Darger, recently profiled in In the Realms of the Unreal, a documentary of his life and work. An example is shown below.)

However, the idea of outsider art has changed in recent years. Artists that once lived and worked in the relative obscurity of basements and institutions are being brought to light and encouraged to produce via art programs built to foster their work during their lifetimes, such as the Creative Growth facility and National Institute of Art & Disabilities program based in California, as well as Project Onward and Inklude (who have an Etsy store, Inklude.etsy.com) in Chicago.

As a casual art student, I’ve been interested in the eclectic nature of outsider art for a while. When I first read about Art Enables, an arts-and-enterprise program for adults with developmental and/or mental disabilities based in Washington, DC., I decided that I had to visit and see the work that people were producing in the present. The inspiring facility functions as a studio and gallery space to those who are enthusiastic about working toward becoming professional artists. These individuals, affected by an array of disabilities ranging from autism to Down's syndrome to schizophrenia, are encouraged to work in the studio a few days a week to produce work, which is then marketed and featured on the Art Enables website and in their gallery for purchase.

This set-up allows the artists-in-residence to work in the entrepreneurial spirit while cultivating an income from their work during their lifetime. “Artists with disabilities have the same drive, the same ability to create, and the same desire to sell their artwork and earn an income from it as any other artist would. This program was founded on that model – to provide that marketing element so that people could earn money from their artwork, as opposed to just doing it for a recreational activity,” said Jill Scheibler, marketing associate at Art Enables.

Art Enables’ humble beginnings commenced five years ago. As executive director Joyce Muis-Lowery explains, “The program was originally designed as a vocational training program. The arts would be used as an employment training vehicle and people would be prepared for a move off into mainstream employment. [However], no one wanted to leave. They wanted to continue to create art as a permanent part of their lives. We shifted the focus and ultimately redefined ourselves as offering the opportunity for adults with developmental and/or mental disabilities to work toward becoming professional artists.”

Artists tend be referred to the program by other DC area programs, family members or simply by exhibiting the interest and motivation necessary to pursuing their love of art. As Scheibler states, “All of the artists in our program were already creating and working, and they came to us because they wanted a place to commit to their art and create an income from it.”

To the casual observer, the next question that comes to mind is how the Art Enables artists can be considered truly “outsider” if they’re working within the framework of a facility, producing work to market during their lifetime. Scheibler asserts that “[Art Enables] uses the rough heading of 'outsider,' with the caveat that, because people are working in this sort of setting, it doesn’t really fit the definition of outsider art. Traditionally outsider art is defined as working in private, without coming in contact with traditional art modes.”

Director Muis-Lowery was quick to add that “‘Outsider,’ in our case, is probably a more consistently accurate descriptor of the artists themselves than the art. Everyone in the program is in major ways cut off from the mainstream…Also, [it’s important to add that] we don’t teach. We facilitate. The role of staff is to be sure people have access to and are using the correct materials correctly, to help them when they get stuck, to make suggestions or push them out of their comfort zones, but above all, not to intervene in or encroach on the individual way of expressing themselves in images which they brought into the program…What is a constant source of delight and amazement to me is that not a single one of them ever tries to imitate someone else. They are just so wonderfully driven from the inside to make the art the way they make it.”

So just what is it that makes outsider art so interesting, so mysterious, so intriguing to collectors? For many, it’s the back story to the artwork — the fact that each of the artists exists in a unique world seemingly distant from the experiences of the typical audience. As Scheibler explained, “There’s a fascination with sordid stories and artists that are very compulsive…From the gallerists’ perspective, they want that intrigue, that romantic idea applied to artists like Van Gogh with inner demons and cutting off his ears. I think the public is entranced by that. However, there’s a trade-off there: if someone like Van Vogh had been medicated, his art would’ve been much more mainstream, but the quality of his life would have increased.”

Muis-Lowery added that the appeal of outsider art for the contemporary collector is “the biographical element: that so much of [the artwork] is borne of fundamental social, economic or educational deprivation or psychosis. [And] the fact of a lot of it is being legitimately [produced] from the heart rather than the brain.”

Ultimately, outsider art has become increasingly trendy in recent years, for a variety of reasons: the inexpensive nature of the pieces, the excitement and rarity of finding a treasure trove of self-taught work, and the “relatable” quality of the work. Art Enables artists Charles Meissner’s aerial views in watercolor and Paul Lewis’s odes to pop culture icons such as “The Munsters” are big sellers.

As Muis-Lowery put it, “Gallerists are in hot pursuit of new outsider artists because the first ‘discovered’ generation is dead or dying and their well is drying up. I personally think that one is unlikely to find a lot of ‘old school’ outsider artists today in developed countries for the simple reason that we no longer isolate people the way we used to. We have stopped hiding them in the woodshed or the asylums or leaving them to fend for themselves on the farm while everyone else goes off to the fields to work. In that sense we’ve come a long way.”

As of yet, few of the approximately thirty artists that work at Art Enables are self-sufficient. However, many are well on their way, as all of the artists make at least one sale each month, with some making sales of up to $1000 in a single month. There is even talk of certain artists being picked up by galleries. As Muis-Lowery put it, “Everyone makes money, but it isn’t a lot of money — although for about half of them, it’s their only earned income. The point is that they’re making money from their abilities and not by putting in time someplace, or by doing work that is created for people with disabilities of whom little is expected. We expect a lot. This is not a hobby. This is their job and they are wonderfully focused on doing it well.”

Outsider Art Resources
More photos from Alison’s trip to Art Enables
To meet the artists from Art Enables through video and see their work
What is “outsider art”?
What is "visionary art"?

Organizations
Art Enables
NIAD
Project Onward
VSArts
Inklude
Inklude’s Etsy shop
Gateway Arts
Gugging Center
Creative Growth

Museums
American Folk Art Museum
Folk Art Society of America
American Visionary Art Museum

Prominent Outsider Artists of Note
Adolf Wolfli
Howard Finster
Henry Darger
Bill Traylor
Martin Ramirez
William Hawkins

Academic Journals and Written Resources
Raw Vision
“Folk Art Notebook” article
Outsider Art Links
John Maizels, founder of outsider art journal Raw Vision, on raw/outsider art
“On Outsider Art and the Margins of the Mainstream”

Visit The Storque's This Handmade Life section for more inspiring stories, and check out the rest of our Best of the Storque content!

Quit Your Day Job: DennisAnderson Takes the Plunge!

Thu, 08 May 2008 22:12:00 -0000

In the last couple weeks in the forums and in the Virtual Labs, I discovered that one of Etsy's famous soap makers, DennisAnderson, had very recently quit his day job to sell full time on Etsy! I was very excited to hear this news and proceeded to ask him tons of questions and wish him the best of luck when I thought, "this would make a great article for those thinking about taking the plunge themselves or for those that already have and want to compare notes!"

Dennis graciously accepted my proposal for an interview to find out exactly what allowed him to take the plunge from working a full time day job to becoming a full time Etsy seller. Keep reading to learn how he is taking the plunge.

When you first started selling on Etsy did you have dreams or goals of eventually quitting your day job?
The first day I started selling on Etsy was on May 13, 2007. I had signed up about a month earlier and was getting a feel for the site. My girlfriend opened a jewelry shop a few months before I did. I worked for a lawn care company fertilizing lawns in over 100 degree temperatures, so I would have to say that after last summer, quitting my day job was a goal I wanted to meet.

How long were you selling on Etsy and working your day job before deciding you were ready to switch over to Etsy full time?
I quit my day-job on April 7, 2008 so it was a little under 11 months selling here on Etsy. I did want to wait another month or two to quit, but circumstances came up which I did not agree with, so I decided to take the plunge.

What made you decide to quit your day job?
Well, it's been a dream of mine for the last 6 months. I worried about financial stability and think I hesitated longer then I should have. When I decided to leave my day-job, it was a spur of the moment decision that scared me to death but it has been a blessing. I'm learning new things about business everyday and love my new found freedom.

How did you know you were ready to take the plunge?
Last October my sales were not too great. Then November and December hit and I got swamped (with the holiday rush). I loved it! Since then sales have been constant, so I just had to do it.

Did you do anything to prepare ahead of time before taking the plunge?
Yes I did. First, you have to make an inventory list and a costs list (for your business materials). A costs list is basically how much money in supplies and personal labor. Figure out how much it costs you per item (to make). I figure that after the costs I needed to take x amount of dollars a week to pay the bills and rent for the month and at least 100 dollars a week for supplies (although lately I'm spending a lot more) the rest gets put into an emergency account in case I need to order something in bulk or if I just need some rainy day money.

What goals have you set for your Etsy business in the next few months and year?
I definitely want to grow; doesn't everyone want that for their business? I want to be able to compare last year's financial statements to this year's and see an improvement, and I want to see that every year. I haven't yet decided on what kind of percentage of improvement but most likely it will be between 10 and 25 percent depending on the month.

What are the most effective ways you have promoted and marketed your Etsy business?
I use other sites to promote my Etsy shop. You was surprised at how inexpensive it can be to put up a banner on their sites. Also, word of mouth is HUGE. I am a member of the CCCOE (California Crafters Club of Etsy) and there have been so many wonderful people who have tried my products and refer customers who want a wholesale account with me. I also effectively use the Promotions section in the Etsy forums. Many sales have generated from there. Hasn't everyone seen my "I want a sale" threads every day?

How's it going so far, are you getting by?
So far in 3 weeks it's been going great. I have met all of my quotas financially and have had more time to produce more and new items. I am getting by, but at some points of the week after I make an order or have to spend money, I get uptight a little but it's all good!

What piece of advice would you give someone thinking about quitting her/his day-job to sell full time on Etsy?
If you have constant sales and you are making enough after expenses to live free and independent, I'd say do it. The only person looking over you is yourself. You will be like "there is no way I can afford that," but I will tell you, the three weeks after I left work, I only used 1 tank of gas, so I saved between 60 - 75 dollars that way. I'm kinda happy I don't have to look at 4+ dollars a gallon gas prices every week anymore.

Is there anything else you'd like to add?
I'm so happy that I found this site. It has changed my life. There is a kid's song from a show my daughter watches, I believe the show is "Yo-Gaba-Gaba" and they have this song and it's stuck to my head permanently. It's basically a song that tells you to keep trying and too not give up, because you will make it right. If you keep plugging away, have great pictures with natural light, an avatar that shows off one of your popular items you sell, there is no reason why someone wouldn't be interested in purchasing from you. Sometimes it takes a while to get noticed. I am a seller, but also a buyer on Etsy.... I bought all of the gifts I gave away this last holiday season and any special occasions from Etsy...except for a video game.

Thank you so much Dennis for sharing your story with us! You are an inspiration to many and we wish you the best of luck making it full time selling on Etsy! Did you recently quit your day job or are you thinking about it to sell full time on Etsy? We'd love to hear your story and how it's working out for you. Please send me an email to mary@etsy.com and let's chat!

Kiva and Etsy Get Down in NYC

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 21:00:00 -0000

If you're in the New York City area, join us Tuesday, March 4th, for a good cause and a good time as we team up with Design 21 and Good magazine for Kiva's first local event.

Be sure to RSVP as space is limited. We hope to see you there, but even if you can't make it, take a moment to learn a little bit about Kiva, the organization "that lets you lend to a specific entrepreneur in the developing world: empowering them to lift themselves out of poverty."

Etsy wants to help spread the word about micro-development. Rob Kalin, Etsy's founder, is very interested in new models for helping independent artists and entrepreneurs make a living making things. To read more about his vision and what we're trying to achieve with the company, see Rob's post Etsy's First Five Years. We recommend Banker to the Poor by Muhamamd Yunus, about the Grameen Bank — a project in the same vein as Kiva.

Required Reading for Etsy Sellers: Craft Inc.

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 17:28:00 -0000

Reviews of Meg Mateo Ilasco's book Craft Inc: Turn Your Creative Hobby Into a Business had been swirling around the blogosphere since the book came out this summer. I hadn’t had a chance to pick up a copy and was thrilled to see that Santa had put one in my stocking. Finally I could read what all the buzz was about.

While I am already past hobby-mode and have been running my little letterpress business Paperstories for a few years now, I still found this book to be very helpful. Craft Inc. starts you at the beginning, giving advice on all the necessary stuff like getting a business license, setting up your product line, and even choosing an appropriate name. Once you get through the basics, the book gives lots of helpful tips on everything from setting up wholesale accounts, creating a marketing plan, and how to grow the business. With chapters like “Your Creative Mind,” “Production and Pricing Plans,” and “Ups, Downs, and Next Steps,” there is a wealth of useful information not only for the newest crafter but for the seasoned veteran as well. Also, as a new mom, there were some wonderful words of wisdom for about running your business during major life changes such as having a baby.

In my opinion, one of the best aspects of the book is its integration of fourteen interviews with some current craft and design heavyweights. Here's just a sampling: home-goods designer Lotta Anderson (aka Lotta Jansdotter, who did a Open Studio Tour video with the Storque) to design-blog heartthrob Grace Bonney of Design*Sponge (see Grace's Trends piece on the Storque) to shopkeeper Rena Tom of the Brooklyn based Rare Device (see the Storque's Featured Buyer piece with Rena's partner Lisa Congdon and another video piece on an American Craft Council event with Rena). Each interview is thoughtfully interjected into the chapter that best fits the tone of the interview. For me, these interviews were pure inspiration.

A quick read and beautifully laid out, Craft Inc. also covers topics that have been the source of many lengthy forum threads on Etsy, such as the copyright issues involved using commercially purchased fabrics or patterns. This book answers a variety of questions related to good business practices and is full of appropriate resources. In the back there is a handy internet resource guide that even gives a nod to Etsy. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to every shop owner on Etsy. In fact, I think it should be required reading prior to opening a shop. You will learn a lot and hopefully be inspired along the way.

Further Resources:
Meg Mateo Ilasco's website
www.mateoilasco.com

U.S. Small Business Administration
www.sba.gov

American Craft Council
www.craftcouncil.org

Etsy in the Press: Right in the Middle of the Top 100

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 14:35:00 -0000

Silicon Alley Insider named Robert Kalin as #50 in their list of the Top 100 most influential people in digital business in NYC... not to mention one of the youngest. Silicon Alley Insider, "a new business site produced by and for the New York digital business community," placed Rob at the core of a digital biz field of seasoned executives, venture capitalists, and other start-up founders that includes New York City mayor and founder of Bloomberg LP Michael Bloomberg (#1), Tim Armstrong of Google (#6), and Wenda Harris Millard, President of Media at Martha Stewart Living, Omnimedia (#38). That's pretty awesome company!

Rob was singled out because Etsy was "born in [his] living room", which goes to show just how much the handmade revolution has resonated both with the business world and crafters alike. It's what propels Etsy as a company as well as the artists worldwide who use it to make a living making things.

Etsy in the Press: Behind the Money with Rokali

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 23:34:00 -0000

"I have mixed feeling about pretty much everything in life." — Robert Kalin.

Rob was interviewed by Behind the Money about cash flow matters and Etsy. Get the inside scoop on investors, not-selling-out, and the passion that drives Etsy founders.

Plus, Rob's wardrobe is courtesy of RuffeoheartslilSnoty, who were at the Etsy Labs for the Majestica artist-in-residency, the artist collective with MixenDixon and EmpireEmpire.

Etsy in the Press: Entrepreneur Magazine and Meaningful Marketplaces

Thu, 04 Oct 2007 14:15:00 -0000

Entrepreneur Magazine just wrote an article about Etsy's founder Rob Kalin (better known to us here as Rokali). If you go to Entrepreneur.com right now (Oct 4, 2007), and wait for it...Rob pops up!

We're happy about the article because it focuses on our mission to build a sustainable business and to foster the entrepreneurial spirit in an online community.

"After speaking with Rob Kalin, the founder of handmade products marketplace Etsy.com, it's apparent that like any true entrepreneur, his company isn't just a means to a paycheck. It's a mission: A mission to change the way commerce works; a mission to promote sustainable products..."

Also, The Storque's got its first mention in the press (not counting blogs, of course) since launch, and we're really pleased!

"The latest feature on Etsy, The Storque, is an online magazine written by members."

Open Studio Tours: Lotta Jansdotter

Fri, 28 Sep 2007 12:44:00 -0000

Lotta Jansdotter has been creating simple yet luxurious housewares and clothing for over 10 years. Starting her business by silk-screening pillowcases in her cramped apartment, Jansdotter's wares are now sold internationally. She was a gracious host as she gave us a tour of her studio and spoke about how she got her start as an artisan and businesswoman. Lotta has built her business up to the point where many Etsians would like to be: she's making a living from what she makes while remaining in creative control of her products. We thought it would be interesting to hear her story.

Watch the Video

Further Resources:

Lotta Jansdotter's studio is now open to the public on Saturdays, see www.jansdotter.com for details.

IndieEntrepreneur blog

CraftRevolution.com

Team Spotlights: Etsy MUD

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 12:00:00 -0000

The Etsy Mud Team is a Global Team on Etsy. Global teams face some challenges due to their membership across the globe, but Etsy Teams have been fantastic at creating innovative solutions to bridge the distances between them. They share tips, techniques, stories and create valuable networks among themselves within the community. The Etsy Mud Team has a gorgeous Flickr photo pool where members regularly post their work, and the team maintains a great blog, where they feature pottery, ceramics and other artists from their team, as well as news and highlights for the team. The goal of the Etsy Mud Team is quite straight-forward: to more effectively promote their art on Etsy by offering unique hand-made pottery; pottery made the old fashioned way - one at a time and with care.

The following interview is with Phyllis of montezumamudd, on behalf of the Etsy Mud Team.

What do you find most challenging about being on/running a global Etsy team?

The Mud Team has members from the US, United Kingdom, Scotland and Australia. At first, I worried that it would be quite a challenge trying to organize team discussions given the difference in time zones, but once we discovered the forum, my worry disappeared. We all grab our morning coffee, log-on to Etsy and check out the thread. Sometimes we get quite involved in our discussions, and before we realize it, an hour or so has passed. It’s great – sharing a cup of coffee and good conversation with your friends. For those members who couldn’t join the chat in progress, they can read through the posts and stay current with the team news. Challenges? What challenges?

What's most rewarding about the team for you?

When I initially started the Mud Team, I posted a note in the forums and then wondered if I would get a response – seriously, who would be interested in a potter's street team? I was stunned - not only by the number of people who wanted to join, but by how quickly we connected and came together as a team. By the end of the first week, we were sharing names, ages and children’s ages, as well as glaze recipes and throwing techniques. We work well together and have accomplished a great deal in a very short period of time. We have been a team for a little over a month and have recently opened our team shop on Etsy – Etsy Mud Team. We had our first sale within the first hour of opening our doors! That’s quite rewarding!

What are the team's general goals, and what do you consider success for the team?

My reason for starting the Etsy Mud Team was to bring more exposure to pottery and ceramics. I am passionate about ceramics and really wanted to share my enthusiasm with the greater Etsy community – basically with anyone who would listen. I felt that by working together as a team, we could more effectively promote our art on Etsy, and hopefully increase our sales. What I really, really wanted was an all pottery Front Page – selfish, I know. I thought it would take months just to get noticed, but surprisingly within a few weeks the Mud Team made their Front Page debut – an all pottery Front Page! Now that is success!

We have been a team for a little more than a month and are beginning to see the results of our efforts. Pottery and ceramics are being featured in more treasuries and front pages than ever before, and sales among our team members have increased, as well as the number of hearts our shops have received. Next step – Etsy featured seller. If one of our team members were to be selected as the featured seller – that would be amazing. I can hear the buzz in the thread already!!

Our goal is to maintain this level of exposure on Etsy and elsewhere and to continue to improve our sales. After all, we would all like to be able to make a living from our art – someday.

How do you all delegate work amongst the team?

We don’t really delegate work. When a task arises, someone usually jumps in and volunteers; although we do have a designated blog master, graphics designer, mailings person and shop keeper. No arm twisting here – they all volunteered!

In what ways does your team communicate? Do you communicate daily, weekly, etc.?

With team members spanning the globe, with schedules that are quite varied due to children, work, etc., chat rooms are very difficult. Finding a time that will work for a majority of members is impossible. We would be lost without the forum - it is our main source of communication and team discussion. We keep a thread going at all times – we start a new one weekly because we are actively chatting on a daily basis and the thread soon becomes an ocean of posts. We share ideas, techniques, and glaze recipes; we share secrets for repairing cracks and making pots plump; we offer support to beginning potters and new Etsy sellers. And of course we share life stories and chat about nothing at all! We’re a bunch of women (and 4 guys), what do you expect!

How do you balance running a successful Etsy shop and leading up a large team?

The team pretty much runs itself – I’m nothing more than a cheerleader encouraging (nagging is probably a better word) members to snag a treasury whenever possible. We don’t have any set rules – we’re a fairly relaxed, but active, team. We would rather spend our time creating pots, than sitting in front of our computers. Truth be told, Etsy really does all the work – I simply list items for my shop and the Mud Team shop, sit back, relax and wait for sales! Doesn’t get much simpler.

Any other thoughts on teams and Etsy?

It would be really nice if the financial information of a shop could be password protected and stored separately from all other information. This would allow for a multi-member shop, such as Etsy Mud Team shop, to be run by all members without risking the financial information of the “shop owner”. All members could list their own items, but all other functions would be under the control of the shop owner.

The ability to more easily donate to charities would be awesome. I would like to see a “charity” option offered when listing an item. I would like to be able to choose a charity and the percentage of the sales price to be donated when listing my item. I would like to have all the proper deductions made and money sent at check-out. Buyers would also be more confident about donations if we could have a company such as MissionFish working with Etsy. Strong buyer confidence = sales!!

MontezumaMudd lives in Mancos, Colorado, and likes her coffee mug to fit my hand perfectly, as though it were a part of her.

See more photos at the Storque's flickr stream

Quit Your Day-job: LittleputBooks

Tue, 18 Sep 2007 12:00:00 -0000

No one was more surprised then I when my little shop littleputbooks.etsy.com took off like a rocket in December of 2006. I have run this struggling little craft business since 2002 with very little recognition and even less wage. I was and still am unprepared for the success I have found with Etsy. It has been an interesting ride, trying to be an artist and run a business all at once. I'm still stumbling along and learning a lot along the way.

I can’t explain my success or tell you the magic formula. There was luck involved. Imagination, creativity, a good camera, a strong sense of cute, good timing and a lot of trial and error played a big part, too. When I first started using Etsy, I was so enamored with the site that I set out to make and create new products just to impress the other sellers. Every little heart and every treasury star was encouragement that fueled my creativity and my desire for visibility. Each sale still feels like its own mini success. I list frequently, try new ideas often, post in the forums (Hi forums!), renew to stay visible and work hard on improving my photos. The more I work at it, the more I seem to be rewarded, which inspires me to work even more. All top sellers put in many, many hours. It isn't easy, but it's an amazing way to earn a living.

There are basic ideas that apply to anyone who wants to make a living as a craft artist and as an Etsy seller. I've made a lot of foolish items in the past five years, and I must say selling starts with a good product — and even better, a unique product. New and well-executed ideas stand out: they get you into treasuries, attract hearts and can even land you on the front page. If you are not sure about your talents, take classes of interest and really hone your skills. If you aren't sure about your products, hit the art markets in your area. Selling in the real world is a great way to test market your imagination and craft-abilities. After four years of selling paper in the rain at Portland's Saturday market, I can tell you what sells well and what I should never make again.

Because Etsy is an online venue, you need to take interesting, good quality photos of your work. Your photos should be the focus of your listings; your work should speak through them. Words are good for adding character, giving dimension, material and pertinent information. Long, wordy listings are not a good way make up for lack of pictures. It is hard to convince people to buy poorly photographed work, even if you write a lot.

Additionally, you need to find a good price for your item and a fair rate for shipping. Your price can make or break the sale. A lot of Etsy artists price their work too low, undervaluing their product: cheap does not equal quality. If your price is too high, your work will be coveted, but rarely owned. When I am thinking of price increases I poll the forums. Etsy users are honest, helpful and capable of giving experienced and unbiased opinions.

Lastly, make the right impression with your customers. If something breaks, gets lost or just isn’t right, do all you can to fix it. Even if the transaction is flawless, don’t forget to say thank you. Your customer is your biggest asset: the fact that they chose your work out of the billions of retail options is something to be recognized, respected and treated with gratitude.

Ultimately, Etsy is an art unto itself. This site's designers approached it as an artist making a piece. It is limitless and continually being re-invented for the better of all. Etsy's tools, workshops and search functions are an amazing source of inspiration and an incredible way to showcase your work. This site is built to reward the artist; if you have interesting, unique, colorful, playful or beautiful products, people will notice. They will share it with others and drive traffic to your shop. I cherish this about Etsy and find myself challenged to come up with new ideas all the time. I am incredibly thankful that Rob, Chris, Jared and Haim (and everyone else on the About Page) created this venue. Here, artists and crafters can put their imaginations to the test and be rewarded for it, and that is something worth mailing pie for :O)

I have a top ten list of selling tips on my blog www.littleput.blogspot.com, and to all those in or near New York on October 25th please come to my marketing workshop at the Etsy Labs or just stop by and say hi. If you’re in the Portland, Oregon area, please check the teams forum for weekly teas and skill shares. Come on by!

Ryan aka Littleput Books

Erin from Etsy: New Orleans Trip (Pt 2)

Fri, 14 Sep 2007 10:30:00 -0000

Four years ago, I spent a year in New Orleans. This past February, since I had begun working at Etsy, I decided to try to meet all the Etsy sellers of New Orleans, and see how they were spending their Mardis Gras. It was great to be back there to see how the city was doing. I hadn't been back there since Katrina, and now, just after the anniversary of the storm, I've revisited some of my New Orleans video footage. I'll be sharing those here on The Storque as a series. Here is Part 1 and below you'll find Part 2.

Watch the Video

I was in touch via email with Monique Leon from gurlygirl.etsy.com before my trip, but she missed our first face-to-face meet-up at the coffee shop. Later that night, at a circus-themed party, she overheard me talking about Etsy and we found each other! Luckily I had my video camera and I interviewed her right on the spot.

The next day I went to visit her at her home studio in the Bywater neighborhood, which is adjacent to the 9th Ward. In fact, Bywater used to be called the Upper 9th Ward until residents decided it needed a more specific name. They borrowed the telephone company’s designation, Bywater (by-the-water), and it has been known that way since the 1940s. It’s a special neighborhood situated right on the curve of the river between the Marigny and the Industrial Canal. The houses are all charming and close together. Stepping out onto the porch in the Bywater guarantees conversation with neighbors. When Monique came out to say hello to me, she saw several people she knew walking by, and they stopped to talk. We all shared a laugh about the skywriting overhead that protested the fact that people were having too much fun in the French Quarter!

The first thing I noticed about Monique’s home was the color. The outside of the house is painted bright lavender. People in New Orleans love to paint their houses in bright colors (not unlike Burano, one of the islands of Venice). A hot orange house with bright blue trim won’t turn a head. It just complements the turquoise house next door, whose bushes and trees are strewn with glittering beads, built up from past years’ Mardi Gras.

Monique’s home is a shotgun and it’s set up with her studio in the front room. Her jeweler’s bench takes up the majority of the space and her polishing station is nearby. She has all of the tools a professional jeweler needs and the enviroment of her studio is cheerful and inspiring! There was a striking hot pink Georgian era wig on the wall. Her television was gilded in gold from a previous experement just to see how it might look. Pretty amazing, it turns out! Her closet was stuffed with costumes. All the boas and sequins mixed unassumingly with her everyday clothes.

You'll find that her jewelery has a similar character to her home. Superb, traditional craftsmanship meets the whimsy of a costume ball, like in these "stearling heart fluff earrings".

I bought this ring from Monique -- and would you believe it, I ran in to a guy in Williamsburg, Brooklyn last week wearing the same ring! I think gurlygirl is catching on.....

Etsy Youth Sellers: Not Back to School

Sat, 01 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0000

My name is Sarah Higgins and I am a thirteen year old homeschooler. I became interested in selling online about six months ago. My mom and I own a children’s book and curriculum store called Blue Thistle Books, where I work part-time with my family. I started saving the money I earned to start selling my own items.

I got started on Etsy a few months ago when I renewed my macramé skills. My sister taught me how to make necklaces and bracelets when I was eight. I also learned how to crochet a couple years ago, with help from my aunt.

Before opening my little store, I decided that I was going to sell my items online, but I had never heard of Etsy. So, I looked and looked and found a free place to host my site. I listed my items and made two sales, but after that nothing happened and my website was just sitting there. Finally, I started looking for another website and found Etsy!

Etsy is a great place to have a shop. People look at your items, you meet wonderful friends and you have fun! It took me a while to make my first sale, but when you have a shop, I learned, you have to be patient.

Some of my most popular products are my Pink Ice earrings, my striped earrings, my double blue sunshine earrings, and my crocheted scrunchies. I also just discovered how to make crocheted bags and I’m going to start listing them very soon!

On Etsy I learned about how to run a business and how to be patient. I also found my photography skills have improved and I am learning valuable skills in ecommerce. I never knew running an online shop would be so simple!

Etsy Workshop Talk: Global Microbrand

Thu, 28 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0000

Many entrepreneurs want to grow their businesses but at the same time, they want to remain in control of what they produce. At Etsy, we would like to help more independent artists make a living from what they make. We've discussed trying to find an alternative model to "business-as-usual." This Monday July 2nd, we'll be opening our doors at the Labs and to the online Workshop to further discuss how to remain independent while creating a sustainable business. Part of this entails a new approach to marketing and communications.

On Monday July 2nd at 7pm, we'll be hosting an informal talk led by Englishman Antonio Gould: The Global Microbrand: Using the Web to Stay Small whilst Selling all over the World. Antonio will address many of the issues Etsy sellers face as they try to make a name for themselves. He has worked as a new media consultant in Europe and approached Etsy, seeing it as an interesting manifestation of many of his key points.

If you are NYC-area based, please join us in person for this free talk. As many of our members can't be there face-to-face, we'll be using the Workshop to open up the discussion to everyone. Please wait for the virtual doors to be unlocked in the Workshop Lobby at 7pm (Eastern time, see timezone info here) on July 2nd. You just have to be a logged in member of Etsy to get into the workshop (registering for Etsy is free and easy).

Anyone who has an interest in blogging, social-networking, online video, etc is much welcome. We want this to be a lively discussion with folks sharing their experiences and newbies raising important questions from their point of view.

Please RSVP@etsy.com and say whether you'll be coming in person or online via the Workshop. Here's my post in the forums about the talk. See you soon!

--Vanessa

We made a How-to from his talk.
Note: This was originally posted in the Etsy Garden.