Search results (tags) for: "mini"

If You Know It, Teach It!

2009-07-30T13:00:00-05:00

UPDATE: TeachStreet.com announced the winners of the Arts & Crafts Contest! Congrats to these awesome Etsian-teachers:

Grand Prize: Lisa Whiting
TS: http://www.teachstreet.com/teacher/lisa-whiting
Etsy: sifudesignstudio
Prize: Bea Sharp
TS: http://www.teachstreet.com/teacher/bea-sharp
Etsy: bsharpaccessories
Prize: Barbara Dunshee Pottery
TS: http://www.teachstreet.com/teacher/barbara-dunshee-pottery
Etsy: barbdunshee
Prize: Elizabeth Lafferty
TS: http://www.teachstreet.com/teacher/elizabeth-lafferty
Etsy: laffertybydesign
Prize: hodge podge farm
TS: http://www.teachstreet.com/teacher/hodge-podge-farm
Etsy: hodgepodgefarm

[The following was originally posted on July 2, 2009.]

School might be out for the summer, but crafting teachers and continuing education instructors are keeping active. Marlo Miyashiro, a.k.a. imakecutestuff and marlom, is a jeweler, crafter, teacher, mentor and an arts business consultant living in Seattle, WA. She’s been in the crafts industry for over 20 years and thrives on helping others avoid the mistakes she’s made. She uses a site called TeachStreet.com to promote and organize classes she teaches. And since Etsy is partnering with TeachStreet, we asked Marlo to tell the story of how she got involved in teaching.

"When you learn, teach. When you get, give." – Maya Angelou

How did you learn your craft? Did you read a book? Take a class? Learn from a friend or relative? Have you ever thought about expanding your business by teaching people how to do what you do? Teaching is a great way to give back to the creative community while adding to your bottom line — and that is worth some consideration in times like these.

If you’ve ever participated in a class, attended a workshop or even spent time sitting around a table chatting with other creative people, you’ll agree that learning doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Sharing what you know with others not only helps others learn, it also helps to improve your techniques as well.

Okay. I know what you’re thinking; “Now why in the world would I teach anyone how to do what I do? Wouldn’t that be creating my own competition?”

Children's play money by mamaroots.

I agree — teaching someone how to make exactly what you make right now is probably not what you want to do. But let’s think about the bigger picture for a bit: it’s probably taken you a long time to perfect your techniques, right? You started somewhere and probably had some level of help along the way. That accumulation of knowledge — the little things that are easily taken for granted — is valuable and teachable.

As a jeweler, I began by teaching the techniques with which I started: wire-wrapping, beading and stringing. I taught small groups of people and enjoyed the process of discovery with my students. When my techniques advanced, I eventually found the confidence to start teaching beginning metalsmithing. Then, after ten years of making and selling my work to stores and galleries across the country, I began mentoring artists by helping them learn what it takes to make a living doing what they love. It has been incredibly rewarding work to be sure.

Marlo M’s Top 3 Jewelry Designer Tips:
1. Strive for perfection, but allow yourself to be human.
2. Be kind to your body – take numerous stretch breaks.
3. Design to your liking – not what you think will sell!

Once you reach the decision to start teaching, how do you find students? Thankfully, you can build a teaching business with the same techniques you use to promote your Etsy shop. You can start by word of mouth: whenever you’re in creative company, showing your work or talking with friends, be sure to let them know that you’re available for lessons in your medium. Write a blog. Build a Facebook page. Join Twitter. Check out what other teachers are doing in your area and network with them to find students.

One thing I highly recommend is posting a free teacher’s profile on TeachStreet.com. They’ve made the process of promoting your teaching services quite painless. It’s also a great place to do some research to figure out how much to charge. You can then price your time accordingly. Just remember, your time is valuable and your knowledge has taken years to acquire. Avoid the temptation to undercharge for your efforts. To get a taste, browse the jewelry-making classes on TeachStreet.

Marlo M’s Top 3 Private Class Teaching Tips:
1. Discuss your students' expectations and strive to exceed them!
2. Have your basic lesson planned — but be flexible.
3. Patience and good humor are key to a successful class.

If this advice sounds familiar, it should. It’s the same advice I would give to a beginning Etsy seller! Using sites like TeachStreet and Etsy to promote your creative offerings go hand in hand. In fact, the two websites have partnered with each other: Now your Etsy mini can be integrated on your TeachStreet profile page. Cross promotion at its finest. And, to give you an extra incentive to add a class and include your Etsy Mini on TeachStreet, TeachStreet is giving away an iPhone 3GS and other prizes to Etsians!

I encourage you to consider opening up your creativity and sharing it with others. While some think that sharing is diminishing their piece of the success pie, I believe that the more we share and help each other, the wider the road to success becomes. Let’s help each other get there, shall we? For good measure, here are a few more tips.

Marlo M’s Top 3 Etsy Selling Tips:
1. Price your work according to what you are worth — not what you think others will buy it for.
2. Doing a bit of research is fine — but avoid comparing yourself to others.
3. Learn how to take amazing photographs (or hire someone) — a good photograph sells!

Here are a couple more categories of classes to browse:

Arts and Crafts: http://www.teachstreet.com/c/427
Knitting: http://www.teachstreet.com/c/366

Marlo can be found online as the organizer of EtsyRAIN.com — a Team of Etsy sellers based in Seattle — and on TeachStreet at teachstreet.com/teacher/marlo-m.

Find more Competitions & Opportunities | Dive into the Seller Handbook

Another Etsy & Moo Partnership: Special Extra Limited Time Offer for Sellers

2009-05-06T15:00:00-05:00

Etsy and MOO have teamed up yet again to offer a great deal to Etsy sellers! Buy 1 pack of MOO MiniCards and get your second pack at half price, now through May 19th, 2009.

In case you didn't know, MOO is a printing company. They print beautiful products using images you upload directly to their site, and we long ago said that they are one of our BFFs. In fact, MOO let's you print a box of cards with a different image on each card. That's neat. And now they print and ship from the good old USA as well as England. And that means it's quicker and more affordable for US folks.

Here are the instructions: Add 2 packs of MiniCards to your basket on MOO.com. Then use coupon code 'etsymoomini' at checkout before May 19, 2009. Remember, both packs need to already be in your basket for the code to work. Voila! You'll get the 2nd pack for half price.

Etsy sellers have been using MOO MiniCards in many ways. The traditional: business cards, promotion & coupon cards and trade show cards. And the non-traditional: price tags, hang tags and earring cards. So dive in and print MOO's famous mini-cards, business cards, postcards, greeting cards and stickers. At right, you can see how peelapom gives her packaging that special handmade feel that her customers love. What will you come up with? Let us know in the comments!

Click here to get started making fresh printed products for your Etsy shop now! Check out the Labs' how-to with a plethora of ideas for using Moo products for your Etsy shop.

Please note: this offer is only good through May 19th, 2009 and cannot be combined with any other MOO promotions or discounts.

Handmade Weddings: Off-Road Wedding Gift Guide

2009-03-06T16:05:00-05:00

We've all received the wedding registry wishlist from friends. In some ways, I think registries are great: I can see whether my friends need sheets or already have a blender. On the other hand, I work for — and am completely obsessed with — Etsy. If I can buy a handmade or vintage gift, why oh why would I get it at the mall?

In this wedding guide, I go the "off-road" approach to wedding gift shopping. In case you don't think these exact items fit the taste of your newlyweds-to-be, I've posted some handy search results links below. These are some of the classic items you might see on the average registry. Go rogue! Go Etsy!

Dinnerware (First stop, the Handmade Ceramics and Pottery Category, next stop Vintage.)
Tea towels (Check out this post for some truly inspiring tea towel action. There's a tea towel renaissance going on right now!)
Bedding, pillows and linens (There's Vintage too, if your newlyweds are cool with secondhand sheets.)
Picture frames (Handmade and Vintage. Try wall decals too.)
Clocks (Handmade and Vintage)
Cake stands
Teapots (There are some amazing handmade teapots in the Ceramics and Pottery Category.)
Mugs and glasses
Photo Albums (Handmade or Vintage)
Vases (Handmade or Vintage)
Cutting boards
Strainers
Rugs (Handmade or Vintage)
Other kitchen items (Try searching kitchen pots in Vintage!)

If you're getting married and want to get your family and friends into the Etsy gift-giving state of mind, check out Etsian dorana's Ning registry site, MyHandmadeRegistry.com.

Find out how it works. She's adapted the Etsy Favorites Mini to be used as a custom registry. Very cool, dorana! You can also check out these posts for some other custom registry sites.

Handmade Weddings | Vintage Wedding Items | Weddings and Celebrations Gift Guide

News from the Etsy Labs: 11/10 Craft Night

2008-11-05T12:02:00-05:00

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

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

This week, on Monday, November 10, Wendy, a regular craft night superstar, will be teaching us how to transform junk mail into snazzy envelopes and mini matchbook-style notebooks. These techniques are great for making eco-friendly holiday cards and small gifts. This project is open to everyone, regardless of crafting experience. Please bring along your finest junk mail, including old envelopes with security lining and old greeting cards or postcards. All other supplies will be provided. We'll start demos on this week's project at 5pm (rather than 4pm). If you're an early-bird, you are welcome to participate in open crafting from 4-5pm.

If you are joining us virtually for Craft Night this week and would like to craft along with us, you'll need a few supplies:

old envelopes from credit card, utility, bank companies with security lining on the inside (make sure not to include private info!)
old greeting cards or post cards
scrap paper, envelopes or copy paper that's been printed to make pages for the notebook
paper scissors and craft scissors (the kind that cut interesting shapes)
stapler and staples
glue sticks
templates (circles or different shapes) to make designs to collage onto envelopes
trimmings, glitter, beads, sequins to add onto notebooks

Or, just be ready to take some notes and see if this is a project you'd like to try out later on.

Upcoming Craft Night Projects

11/17: Making Lip Balm

11/24: Open Craft Night

Would you like to lead a craft night project? Send your ideas to labs@etsy.com with "Craft Night idea" as the subject line. Have you participated in Craft Night? Share your photos with the Etsy Labs Show and Tell Flickr group! Want to learn more about the Labs? Check out our FAQs. If you'd like to receive email updates, join our Etsy Labs mailing list.

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

Team Tips: Etsy Mini Swap!

2008-05-05T09:16:00-05:00

This Team Tip is to exchange Etsy Minis with another team! Use at least one blog post this week to highlight the exceptional handmade goods of another team — a complimentary Global Team's work, or the wares of a Team from cross the country or around the world. You can contact the leader of the team you'd like to highlight (check the Teams profile page to figure out who that is) and get the Mini embed code from them, or mark their work as favorites to make a Mini yourself. This is a great way to become familiar with one of the many new Etsy Teams that are always forming, or to promote a Team you really admire. To find out how to use the Etsy Mini tool see this past Team Tip!

Check out some Teams using Etsy Minis in a fantastic way on their blogs, and leave a comment below if your Team is using some Etsy Minis in its blog!

Etsy Vintage: EtsyVintageDirectory.blogspot.com
Jewelry on Etsy Team: Jewelryonetsyteam.blogspot.com
Arts in Rhode Island: Arts-in-ri.blogspot.com
SF Etsy: SFEtsy.blogspot.com

For more Team Tips, please check the Teams Resource page. Also, we discuss the Team Tips, news and ideas in the Etsy Teams email list! Keep up the great work, Etsy Teams!

TimothyAdamDesigns' Etsy Mini How-to Video

2008-03-27T17:52:00-05:00

Etsy Mini is a great was to show off your Etsy store or your favorites on your blog. Timothy, of TimothyAdamDesigns took it upon himself to create this video showing you how to add an Etsy Mini to your blog. For a better quality video be sure to check out his personal blog, and also his new blog that is dedicated to helping Etsy sellers with their shops.

If you use Etsy Mini on your blog, go ahead paste your links in the comments below! Also check out these related articles:

Etsy Team Tip: Build a Team Etsy Mini

Tech Updates: Etsy Mini

Etsy Team Tip: Build a Team Etsy Mini

2007-10-09T13:19:00-05:00

Did you know that you can make an Etsy mini to show off your team's items?

Our tip this week is to make an Etsy mini for your team that members can put on their individual blogs and web sites.

If you don't have one already, create an Etsy buyer account for your team. Then stock the "favorites" with the best items from team members' shops. Use this great collection of images to build Etsy Minis, which you can paste in your personal and team blogs, and any other place your Team members hang out on the web.

What is an Etsy mini, you ask?

An Etsy mini is like a little dynamic treasury you can make and import into your other web spaces, like on your personal web site or into the sidebar of a blog. If you go to "Your Etsy" and click on "Etsy Mini" in the sidebar, you can walk through the steps of building one of your own. A mini can have images drawn from your favorites or your shop inventory. It's a groovy tool!

Check out our past Team Tips in The Storque for more ways to promote your team!

Tech Updates: Etsy Mini

2007-03-07T19:00:00-05:00

The Etsy Mini is now ready for you to use! This customizable widget allows you to post a neat little block of Etsy item images onto your own Web pages. The Etsy Mini can show either items from your shop (for sellers) or your favorites (for everyone). The Etsy Mini automatically updates your own Etsy shop or Hearts list updates. Think of it as an outpost of your Etsy shop or a visual wish list of your favorite items, trailblazing out there in the big wide world of the Internet.

How to add an Etsy mini to your website:
Step 1: Click on “Your Etsy” in the navbar on the very top of the site.
Step 2: Look in the bottom left of the sidebar, click on Etsy Mini.
Step 3: Choose whether you want to display items from your shop or from your favorites.
Step 4: Decide what size images you would like displayed on your website.
Step 5: Select the layout you would like from the drop down menu. Suddenly, a preview of your desired layout and products will magically appear below.

Wow! That looks great. Like what you see? Right below the preview you will see a few lines of code.
Step 6: Highlight and copy this code
Step 7: Paste this code into your own website
Step 8: Reap the rewards.

NOTE:
This was originally posted on the old Etsy Garden blog.