Search results (tags) for: "organizations"

Seller How-to: Guiding Buyers with Shop Sections

2008-11-12T12:00:00Z

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?

Fresh News from Etsy Teams!

2008-10-17T10:51:00Z

We asked the Etsy Teams based on craft, medium or general interest what new things they have up their sleeves for the coming weeks. Below you can find charitable events, sales, specials and calls for new members from a handful of some active Etsy Teams. To join an Etsy Team, check out the Join page here!

The Natural Kids Team, with a focus on Waldorf-inspired and eco-friendly treasures for you, your children and your home, has begun some great cooperative advertising for the holidays! You can find more of their products compiled at the Natural Kids Store.

Pictured at left, Custom flower gnomes from paintingpixie of the Natural Kids Team.

The Etsy Jewelry Design and Supply Shops Team will be holding a Team-wide sale from October 17 - 31, 2008. To see a complete list of the participating shops, visit their Team blog!

On October 24 & 25, the Etsy Kids Team is having a buy one get one (also known as a BOGO) sale! You can see the list of participating shops on their Team blog.

Eco-Friendly Baby-Safe Crocheted Organic Cotton Baby Rattle - Mr. Monkey by locoMomma of the Etsy Kids Team.

Team Eco Etsy will be holding an eco-friendly basket auction from October 20th - October 30th, 2008, featuring eco-friendly handmade goods donated generously by Eco Etsy Team members. The contents of the basket are worth $300, and the Team is looking to raise money to donate to the Nature Conservancy by auctioning this basket off. For full details on the auction and how to participate, those interested should visit the Eco Team's website. To find items made by the Eco Team, search "TeamEcoEtsy".

The brand new Queer Etsy Street Team is currently seeking new members. Each week the Queer Team hops into the Etsy forum with FRI-GAY! The FRI-GAY thread is dedicated to special promos from Team members and the deals are sweet, hot and only last for a week. If you miss them at least there's always next FRI-GAY! The Queer Team welcomes all LGBTQIQ Etsians to join our frolicsome quest for world art domination through mutually supportive cross promotional efforts. If you want in on the action, visit the Team profile page or contact their fearless leader, queenofqueens.

Pictured at left, Happiness Wall Square from adorablefiend of the Queer Etsy Street Team.

The Etsy Friends Team is gearing up for their first monthly Team sale, “Sweet Treat Sale.” The sale will be from October 16th through October 19th and each participating Team shop will have its own unique and special sale. Discounts range from free gifts with purchases, to a certain percentage off. The information of what discounts will be available will be posted right before the sale kicks off on the Etsy Friends’ Promotional Blog.

At right, Waist Apron - Craft Show, Festival, Fair (Black Skulls Roses) by Sygnetcreations of the Etsy Friends Team.

Thanks, Etsy Teams, for your continued hard work in promoting Etsy! We can't wait to see all the wonderful projects Teams take on this Holiday season. Is your Etsy Team having a special event soon? Let us know in the comments!

Etsy Finds: Ode to Project Runway's Leanne Marshall

2008-10-16T09:20:00Z

SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER: Do not read if you haven't watched the finale of Project Runway!

Squirming yet? Well, here's the verdict:

UPDATE: LEANNE WON!!!!! Congrats!

[We posted the following on Oct 15, 2008]

After much anticipation and excitement, the day has finally come: Etsy's own Leanimal, aka Leanne Marshall, is one of the top three contestants on the television season finale of fashion phenomenon Project Runway!

In honor of Leanne's final collection, shown at New York Fashion Week, I decided to create a collection of my own (Etsy favorites, that is!) that would mirror her brilliant designs. I wanted to stick with her muted, dreamy color scheme and reflect her love of architectural, organic, precise design. With that in mind, here's to you, Leanne! (And don't miss the finale on Bravo tonight! Go, Leanne, go!)

Fire King Golden Shell Dinner Plates Set of 5

Gold and cream and simple vintage plates from jenscloset, $16.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

gradation felted muffler /corsage brooch

I love how this scarf plays with negative space and pattern. I could see Leanne in this on a cold Portland winter day. By akinamina, $80.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

vintage eyeglasses

Perhaps these aren't inspired by Leanne's collection, but I can imagine her wearing them on the show. From deadtreedesigns, $14.99.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

pearl - fabric bead

All of Leanne's garments incorporate intricate folds, much like this fabric pendant by tinctory, $39.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Micro Tile Hydrangea

I love how this ceramic tile is hard, soft, organic and modern at the same time. By elementclaystudio, $72.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Aqua-licious scallop dish.

This scalloped edge and geometric pattern really reminds me of Leanne's design sensibility. By vesselsandwares, $20.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Custom Order, Medium Coffee/Cocktail Table

Impressive design marrying organic shapes with a modern feel. By michaelarras, $500.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Deco Layers Cushion - large

Wow! I can imagine this on Leanne's wishlist. Very luxurious in that gorgeous soft gold silk. By emmajanedesigns, $270.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Industrial Felt Vase

In Leanne's final collection, we see how she loves simple and bold shapes in repetition. A similar design concept is visible in JoshuaStone's work. $290.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

original pinhole - small hollyhock leaf

Gorgeous texture! This looks quite labor intensive and meticulous. By hrsmithjones, $45.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links:

Luxury Gift Guide | Clothing Items Tagged "Couture" | Trends

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

Check out Leanne's Featured Buyer article here.

High End Etsy: Fiber Arts

2008-10-09T16:05:00Z

What does one gain from raising one's own alpacas? Bonnie Samuel aka bonniesamueldesign.etsy.com knows the value of homegrown fiber, the material she works with to create unique knit and woven pieces. "My knowledge of the nature and structure of natural fibers — from the impact of animal husbandry on quality production to the end product — gives me a unique understanding of certain fibers in design." But it's not just the intimate knowledge of raising animals — she has also trained in how to sort and grade her annual clip. "Working with natural fibers brings the beauty of nature's palette and textures to your work."

Bonnie approached Etsy's blog, the Storque, with her story and with those of other high-end fiber artists on Etsy. These artisans steep their fibers in their deep skill and knowledge, and their high-end items' price points reflect that. We invited them to explain what's behind the drape of a sumptuously woven shawl or the details of a painstakingly crocheted art necklace.

[Jesse James & John Brown, two of Bonnie's alpacas]

Etsy offers a grand opportunity to both emerging and established fiber artisans. Since its inception, Etsy has evolved through layers of quality each in turn attracting buyers at the emerging level.

Truly talented fiber artists – weavers, dyers, textile designers, skilled knitters, art quilters and those reviving traditional fiber crafts in new dimensions – are now establishing shops on Etsy. The traditional “art” market is out of reach for many artists because of costs to enter the market of galleries, agents and promotion, while Etsy, however, offers wide internet exposure for little cost. Indeed, this trend may be changing the way art is marketed and sold as Etsy increasingly becomes the place to find and purchase unique and finely crafted, high quality art pieces in many mediums.

We’ve chosen just a few fiber artisans of the many talented on Etsy to showcase here...

Hedda Vatter aka HeddaVatter, who lives in Rapina, Estonia, creates wearable beauty in crochet.

As a romantic, I love crocheting and lace. I learned to crochet in school when I was eight years old. My favorite materials are high quality cotton crochet thread, linen and worsted for the woolen lace.

I am inspired by Irish lace in all of its richness and beauty. I try to bring the elements of the old lace into modern day using the lace for accessories and jewelry. I also add beads to Irish lace which makes it even more gorgeous. I have added felt, Irish lace and mond stones to my jewelry – the result is an interesting contrast. Red mélange crocheted necklace (pictured above) is inspired by Irish lace. The cotton thread is hand dyed, making the necklace unique.

As I was studying in art school, textile was my favourite subject. After graduating, I studied three years of calligraphy and two years of decorating. I acquired my higher education in library science. Most of my life I have worked as an artist. The last three years I have worked as a self-employed entrepreneur/artist. I have sold my work in Finland, Sweden, Italy, Germany and in France. And of course, I have made handcrafts for myself, my three children and for my home.

Scarfguy on Etsy is Fred Ullom, who is an accomplished weaver from Ohio.

As a career mathematician and computer scientist, my initial interest in weaving was as a science. It is, after all, an exercise in applied binary mathematics. When you look closely, all cloth is "pixelated". Beginning as a diversion from the stress of a high-tech career, I soon discovered that creating something tangible with my hands was much more rewarding than the abstraction of creating lines of programming code. There is no greater enjoyment than to take an idea and turn it into something real: a piece of cloth, a scarf, a garment that stands on its own, and provides warmth, softness, and pleasure for its owner. Unlike most fiber "artists", who are artists first, my greatest struggle has been to allow my creativity to flourish. I retired early from the high-tech world and now weave full-time (although at a leisurely pace). I don't often take inspiration from my surrounding as many do.

[Scarfguy at the loom]

My structures are usually just mathematical "play" with twill progressions. My color combinations are usually spontaneously sparked by fondling through my yarn inventory. I have a passion for exotic natural fibers. I'm always searching for the finest Merino wools, cashmere, silk, yak, and the elusive arctic muskox (qiviut).

Artmixter is Marion Barnett’s shop on Etsy, which features imaginative fabric art.

I am Marion Barnett, a Scottish artist living and working in Norfolk, England. In creating my art quilts and other fiber works, I work predominantly with lutradur, a non woven polyester fabric that is versatile and easy to use. I even wrote a book about it, 'Lovely Lutradur', with Dijanne Cevaal. I have a passion for layers and texture; as lutradur is semi transparent, it is an ideal medium for such work. Most of my work has pattern and texture combined over several layers of cloth, with some areas of cloth cut back to show clearly what is lying underneath. Colour, too, is an essential part of my art; I dye or paint much of my own cloth, cottons, silks and lutradur, and use a wide range of paints to get the effects I want. It’s very rewarding when people are drawn to touch the work; textiles are a very tactile medium, and I encourages people to pat and stroke the cloth and the finished works.

Rebecca Burgess' fiber art and skills fulfill a mission. Her Etsy shop is ecologicalartist.

My work, my passion, lives within the relationship between restoration ecology and sustainable art materials. I seek to create art whose strength lies within its process: a process that is restorative for the native plants that I harvest for dyes, for the women ranchers I buy my wool from, and is, most importantly, restorative for me as the composer and creator. I use local natural resources in a manner that supports the thriving and regenerative cycles of those resources. The end product is equally important for me, in its quality, attention to detail, and how well it functions.

[ecologicalartist at work with some natural dying]

I envision a growing world of artisans and interested folks, making beautiful art from naturally dyed yarns and batts, and wearing naturally dyed organic clothes. As this happens, our culture will become both aesthetically and ecologically richer. While I enjoy the larger vision, I personally am restored by the feel of soft angora moving through my hands and onto the spinning wheel, or counting my warp threads in preparation for my loom. The value of having one more happy and restored person on the planet is an immeasurable gift in itself.

designbynihan is the Etsy shop of Nihan Altuntas, a very creative designer and handknitter from Istanbul, Turkey.

I’m Nihan Altuntas, a 27 year old Turkish woman, whose passion is creating and designing. I’ve been crafting since I was old enough to pick up a crayon. My favorite childhood toys were boxes, yarns, pieces of cloth and all kinds of paints… I should add that I’m thankful for the support of my family. When I converted my jeans into bags or painted my canvas shoes, they never said a word!

I majored in cinema studies with a minor in marketing. During college, I got back to knitting to relax and to express myself. I never liked pattern books or reproducing brand sweaters. I would design authentic knitwear by improvising with needles, sometimes not even knowing what the result would be. The appreciation and approval for all of that hard work is the basis of my motivation to improve myself in this field.

I’m inspired by almost everything, even a simple button. I can suddenly decide to knit a sweater suitable for that button. My favorite material is cashmere, but the most important thing is to be able to discover the perfect match of the yarn and the pattern.

“Design by Nihan’s” success on Etsy is a combination of my talent, marketing and business knowledge and my personality too. I try to bring customer preferences and original patterns together. All “Design by Nihan” customers have an opportunity to choose the color and material, since all of the products are always knitted according to the customers' measurements. Each item is totally unique to its owner.

Dottie Scher, aka ccdzs, whose excellent crochet skill reflects her heritage.

My mother was an old fashioned Southern Lady who taught me the age old art of handcrafts as we were growing up. I started knitting when I was five and needlepoint, embroidery, tatting, pottery, sewing soon followed. When I was 15 I found a book of crochet motifs and I was hooked, literally. I love the way the work flows and how quickly something can come together in my hands. This is an art that has been passed down through the generations of my family.

I work "during the day" as a Child Protective Services In Home Services/Foster Care Supervisor. My days are long and quite hectic. When I get home, after homework, supper, baths and smaller people's bedtime, I can sit down with a hook and thread and just shut out everything else. Crochet is my refuge, my special place where everything is simply the hook, the yarn or thread, the colors, the texture.

When I'm designing my own patterns, it's all about texture and counting stitches. The doilies are designed with their appearance from a distance in mind. So much of the design is not apparent unless you look at it from across a room or down a hallway. I love the symmetry and the geometrical design. I have been heavily influenced by Patricia Kristoffersen, a renowned crochet artist. Many of my framed pieces are based on her designs. But I also feel I learn from anyone's designs and thus can bring my own ideas to bear, such as my two nautical sunbursts.

Constance Rose aka constancerosedesigns

I have been a textile artist since the early 1970s. Prior to becoming a weaver, I was a custom clothing designer, silk painter, papermaker, beaded jewelry designer, knitter, crocheter and handspinner. I've had a lifelong interest in fabric and thread/yarn, so I've explored any number of ways to create them and work with them. I started college as an art major, then veered into and graduated in psychology. Making art, although my first love, was always something "else" to do; that is, until I retired, recently, from the work world as we know it to focus on my art. Although I've taken an art class here and there over the years, essentially I am self taught, propelling myself toward whatever felt like the next technique for me to learn.

I've always been inspired by nature, as well as art of other times and places — including the florescence of Art Nouveau and Victoriana, the stylized and repetitive geometrics of Art Deco and ancient Egyptian designs, Native American and ethnic tribal patterns, and the Arts & Crafts and Craftsman styles in functional and decorative arts and architecture. My recent work creating woven shibori has been a way for me to pull together all of these design genre.

My work today is about TEXTURE — the tactility of cloth and fiber surfaces, what textiles feel like in your hands, as well as visual texture, the orchestration of patterns and colors that your eyes see. My work is also about PATTERN — line, shape, form, and directionality inherent in the woven cloth or imprinted or dyed onto the fabric. And it is about COLOR — how color lays on or becomes part of the cloth, how colors interact together, the patterns that areas of color create on a piece. My textiles explore the fusion of these components on handwoven fiber structures. Most recently I have begun creating Art Cloth — non-wearable fabric, wall and space hangings — combining loom-controlled and handstitched shibori, and surface design techniques on handwoven fabrics.

Thanks to bonniesamueldesign for putting this post together! If you want to find more great fiber work, check out items tagged EtsyFAST team. You might also want to read more Storque posts tagged "Fiber".

Holiday How-To: Organizing for the Holidays (and Beyond)

2008-10-03T12:43:00Z

Managing time can feel like a nearly impossible hurdle. There are lots of books and resources on this topic — most sitting on well-intentioned and very busy readers' bookshelves waiting to be read. We recently had a few Virtual Labs sessions on the topic and we have summarized the highlights below.

Before you start, take some time to think about why time management is so challenging. You may think that it should be an easy concept to master, but it's important to understand why you're having difficulty managing your time in order to address those challenges. Most of us like to focus on the easy tasks so we can feel like we are crossing things off our to-do lists. You may find yourself doing the things that have been requested by others, time sensitive tasks and scheduled or planned activities. Phew! When that is all done, there is not much time for things like attending to your shop, fulfilling orders and all of the creating you want to do for the holidays.

So what to do? There are three key components to time management:

Plan – What do I need to do? When do I need to do it?
Manage – How do I set up a personal system to be most effective and efficient?
Organize – What do I need to do to focus my work and decrease time wasters?

Planning. Start the planning process by setting goals. Make a detailed list of actionable tasks necessary to accomplish that goal. Rank what you will do in the order you plan to achieve it. Below is an example of a goal to reach out to blogs, and the steps necessary to achieve it.

Estimate the time it will take to do each task, remembering to keep in mind all of the other commitments you have. I like to take a calendar and map out the time so I can visually see how long everything will take. Remember to be realistic!

In the planning stages, some other ideas that will help save you time in the long run include:

Pre-ordering Packaging Supplies – Including boxes, international custom forms, bubble wrap and gift wrapping. (Offering gift wrapping is a great service to offer to your buyers.)
Create a Mailing List of Your Customers – For all of those updates you plan to send during the holidays. (Only for those people who have opted in, of course.)
Plan Your Promotional Activities – Order your business cards, stickers, etc. ahead of time and outline other activities such as pitching to blogs or local press.

Manage. It is easy to get distracted during the day, particularly with phone calls, drop in visitors, emails and instant messaging potentially filling up a big portion of the day. Take some time to measure how much of your day you spend doing these activities and you may find there are some hours to take back.

Overall Tips:

Prioritize Your To-do Lists - Accomplish all of the high priority items on your list and fill in with the other tasks as you have time.
Focus on a Few Key Priorities – Decide up front what those are.
Attack the Important and Unpleasant Tasks Early – This will not only give you a big sense of accomplishment for the day, it will also be a huge relief!
Batch Processes – Think about answering emails every two hours, instead of every two minutes. This will save time and will keep you focused on the tasks at hand. You can also do this with instant messaging, making yourself available only at certain times of the day.
Block Time to Do Your Work, Ideally Without Interruptions - This is easier said than done, but if you can do more continuous work, you will get more done in less time.

Organize. There are 3 key areas where you might want to start organizing.

1. Record Keeping: Detailed and accurate record keeping is critical to track your costs, inventory, orders, supply purchase, tracking numbers and payments. You don’t need anything fancy for record keeping. Some options:

Pen & Paper: You can use a notebook, journal or bound general ledger.

Spreadsheets: We have an inventory spreadsheet you can download for free. There are also Etsy sellers that have a wide variety of spreadsheets to fit different needs, including JMMFinance, serena, simple solutions, Lldesign and lots of others.

Accounting Software: For large volumes or more detailed inventory tracking, you might want to consider accounting software packages like Quickbooks or Peachtree.

2. Organizing your computer and email: The ideas below work well for both your desktop and your email inbox.

Organized Desktop. A well organized desktop can help to alleviate many headaches during the holidays. Think about a filing system and what each file will be called. For instance, you might have a file for shipped orders, item descriptions and other components of your Etsy business.
Keep all Etsy-related files together.
Back up your work.
Create templates. Save time when it comes to frequently sent emails and answers to questions.

3. Organize your Space. Some people are fortunate to have a dedicated place in their home for their craft-related work and fulfillment supplies. If you don’t have a dedicated place, you still need to create a system using baskets, closets or whatever space you have. Regardless of your space, thinking about where you will keep your supplies, finished items and shipping supplies, as well as creating a system to utilize those supplies will help keep stress at bay. Mary Ink's work space is a great example of well-functioning, organized place to work. Rachelaustin and many of the other sellers in the Quit Your Day Job series also have great pictures of their organized work spaces that you can peruse for inspiration.

Tips You Can Try Today

1. Identify non-productive habits that absorb your time (and creates ways to limit them).

2. Create a plan and use it. Set goals and plan ahead by breaking down goals into smaller projects with deadlines.

3. Prioritize "to-do" lists every night for the next day.

4. Do the #1 priority task first and stick with it until it is done.

5. Use a calendar to help stay organized.

6. Block time on your calendar to create, or specific goals you are having difficulty accomplishing.

7. Keep specific lists.

8. Manage distractions and control interruptions (e.g. batch email).

9. Learn how to say no politely. (Don't take on more than you can do!)

10. Just do it!!! Even when you are feeling overwhelmed, starting on one piece of work is a great start.

If you have any ideas or input on how you stay organized, leave it in the comments below!

For more how-tos about selling, see the Seller Handbook.

Holiday How-To: Top Ten Financial Tips for the Holiday Rush

2008-10-01T11:00:00Z

The Holidays are a busy time of the year for most people — parties, shopping, traveling, baking, and various errands. If you are a seller on Etsy, you have one more responsibility to add to that list . . . managing the holiday rush that is associated with your business.

I hope the holiday season for your business will be stress-free, enjoyable, and successful. Here are some tips to help you manage your shop's finances successfully during the holiday rush.

10. Remember Tax Time is Near—The Holidays approaching also means that it is almost the end of the year (including the tax year). Now is a good time to know what your taxable income or loss for your business will be for the year. Maybe you can plan on buying some last minute equipment or incur necessary business expenses that will benefit what you owe to the tax man. If you plan on using an accountant to help you with your taxes, now would be a good time to start talking to them. Accountants get very busy after the first of the year.

9. Intelligent Short Term Debt—Too much debt can kill your business faster than you can pull out your credit card. Sometimes taking a little debt on can be a risk that has rewards. If you think you have a product that is absolutely going to be the bright spot in every shopper's eye, but you don't have enough cash to buy the materials—short term debt might be for you. If you are already in debt, I suggest you not go in any deeper, but promote what you have for sale even harder.   Talk with someone you trust if you are unsure if you should take on the additional debt.

8. Make Your Advertising Dollar Work Hard—This is the time of year to advertise intelligently.   Customers are ready with vast supplies of dollar bills to hand out to thousands of sellers. You need to give your shop an opportunity to stand out from the crowd. Look for promoting where you get the biggest bang for your advertising buck. Don't be afraid to ask for a "deal" when it comes to advertising on someone's website—the worst they can do is tell you is "no".

7. Inventory Management—Increased sales can put increased demand on your inventory. It might be beneficial to make sure that you have a ready supply of products to take the place of the items you sell. Also, make sure you have adequate supplies of raw materials on hand. Inventory problems can hamper your holiday success.

6. Avoid Cash Flow Nightmares—No one likes being short on cash, and it seems that during the holidays, this can be an easy predicament to be in. If you are going to have a lot of cash inflows and outflows in the coming months, you might benefit from looking when that money will come in and when it will go out. The biggest problem that comes from having a cash flow nightmare is the unwanted debt that it puts you in. Avoid confusing your business cash with your personal holiday spending money.

5. Everyone Loves a Sale—Tis the season for sales, promotions, and discounts. Many retailers offer customers incentives to buy from their store at this time of year—this method might benefit your shop as well. You don't have to sell yourself short though—make a profit and give your customers something to be happy with. A good transaction is when both the seller and the buyer feel like they came out well.

4. Cure Your Bookkeeping Headache—If you think your record keeping is out of control now, wait until the holiday rush is upon you. Don't hate yourself come tax time—devise a system of record keeping that works for you. You should be keeping track of your sales, expenses, and inventory at a bare minimum. If you don't feel comfortable with your method, you probably won't use it. Use paper and pencil, a spreadsheet, or keep it in your head if you are a mathematical genius.   Whatever you do—don't avoid it!

3. Budget Wisely—Don't go into the holiday season without a financial plan. Set some financial goals for your shop to achieve. Set some limits on your spending. Proceeding without a plan is like telling Santa you don't care what you get for Christmas—go ahead and make your list and check it twice!

2. Plan for Time Management—Time is a precious commodity and you probably don't want to just focus on your business during the holidays. Plan ahead and realize you can't do it all. Take some time to bake holiday cookies. Go for a walk in a winter wonderland. Snuggle up next to the fire and sing a carol. Your business is important, but there are plenty of things that are a lot more important.

1. Keep Your Sanity—No one can run a perfect business and anticipate everything that comes your way. Learn from your mistakes. If you make 1,000 sales in one day—great! If you make 1 sale in 3 months—great! The Holidays are an enjoyable time of year—don't let your success or lack of success determine the joy you experience during this time of the year.

I wish you a happy holiday season and may your business be blessed!

For more how-tos about selling, see the Seller Handbook.

Holiday How-To in the Virtual Labs: Getting Organized for the Holidays with Beth & Julie

2008-09-22T17:09:00Z

Dear Sellers,

If you missed her past talk, Etsy admin Beth aka bethela will be presenting again in the Treehouse Room of the Virtual Labs on Thursday September 25, 2008 at 4pm (Eastern Daylight Time).

And she means business:

"I will give an overview on how to plan, manage and organize for the holidays. We'll work on goal setting, prioritizing and managing your time and organizing not only your work space, but your records and your computer and email."

Please come prepared to follow along! You can download materials for this class here. Julie will be co-hosting and giving some tips too.

Want more how-tos for sellers? Check out the Seller Handbook! If you want the latest events in the Virtual Labs, see the Virtual Labs Schedule.

Holiday How-To: Sagittariusgallery's Top 10 Tips for Newbie Sellers

2008-09-18T11:25:00Z

Attention Newbie Sellers!

If you don't know Sagittariusgallery, you should. Not only a painter and an experienced seller, she takes it upon herself to share informative Newbie Guides on the forums (and on the Storque too — see here for her past posts). We invited her to list her Top 10 Crucial Holiday Rush Tips for Newbie Sellers.

The holiday season can be a maddening, glorious time for veteran sellers and newbies alike. For sellers who call the 2008 Holiday Season their first, it can be especially confusing, exciting, and stressful, not knowing what to expect and how to prepare. As a natural "fact finder" (not to mention online sales veteran of six years and Etsy seller since January 2007), I'm constantly looking for ways to make things more manageable, and of course, obsessively categorizing my findings and presenting them in countless forum threads ;)

So, without further ado, I present to you a list of 10 ways to make your life a little bit sweeter as a seller this Holiday season.

P.S. If you have your own helpful holiday tips, please feel free to share them in the comments! We're all in this together :)

1. Just because you post it, doesn't necessarily mean they will come. It is true that there is a "holiday rush" — but even the most successful Etsy businesses had to start somewhere. They needed to learn the ins and outs. They needed to advertise. They needed to learn their demographic, know their target audience...they had to teach themselves the marketing savvy they needed for their businesses to flourish. You need to figure out who you are selling to, find them, and bring them to you. Which brings me to....

2. Utilize targeted outside advertisement. It is up to us to bring potential customers to our storefronts. For example, several artists came together under AndyMathis' The Artist Collective and split the cost of a co-op ad in American Art Collector Magazine – our demographic. Know who your audience is and devise a marketing plan. You are directly responsible for your own success: Don't leave it to chance by dropping links everywhere without a plan. (See here for more advertising how-tos.)

3. Diversify your price points. Etsy has new buyers and sellers signing up every single minute of every single day, so there is no shortage of patrons for what it is you are offering. However, if you only offer products at one price point, you could be cutting out a big chunk of a viable customer base. As an artist, my originals are at a higher price point. I began offering prints of my work to be able to offer my artwork to a wider range of patrons who might not be in the market for a pricey original. My sister, a jewelry artist, offers lower priced earrings and zipper pulls as an alternative to her more expensive pieces utilizing higher end gemstones and metals. (See here for more pricing how-tos.)

4. Set certain times of the day or days of the week aside for certain tasks. Organization is key! For example, I ship on Tuesdays and Fridays. You might want to set aside certain days to ship, certain times of the day to check your email and respond to convos, etc. If it becomes a part of your routine, it becomes easier to keep it all under control. Budget your time accordingly and you'll be less pressed for time and end up less stressed at the end of the day. We all know stress kills productivity! (This post from a WAHM deals with organizing your work day.)

5. Have your shop policies clearly outlined and in order. During a busy retail season, it is wise to keep all pertinent information about your shop at your customer's fingertips. You need to account for the all important impulse purchases. It's not going to be an impulse purchase if a buyer needs to convo you and ask a question. Think of all of the questions you might ask a seller, and answer them within your shop, be it in the shop policies, profile, or the descriptions themselves. What courier do you use to ship your packages? What is your return policy? Do you offer expedited shipping? Do you offer multiple item discounts? Will you offer gift wrapping services? Would you consider sending the package straight to the gift recipient? Do you insure your items during transit? What about tracking? (See here for more policy how-tos.) Ahh...that brings me to another important tip....

6. Try to utilize courier pick up. USPS, FedEX, UPS and DHL all offer online shipping services. Don't want to stand in long post office lines this holiday season? Got a working printer with ink just begging to be used? This is the way to go. All you need is a postal scale (I got mine for 15 bucks on discount – just search online and you'll find them!). You can even order shipping supplies for free for Priority shipments through the Postal Service. (Remember, these free supplies are for Priority shipments only!) It's also important to remember that international shipments will still need to go to the post office directly, but having currier pick up for domestic packages is truly a time saver. (See here for more shipping how-tos.) Speaking of international shipments....

7. Offer international shipping! Etsy is an international site. If you are from the United States and only offer domestic shipping you are cutting out a huge customer base. Shipping internationally is not as scary as you might think. I know that is a big reason people end up holding back. Forms, rules, regulations: it seems daunting, I know. However, it's nothing to shy away from. If you have a question about a country's rules, USPS has a nifty area of their site where you can read up on what is and isn't acceptable as well as how much it will cost you to ship to any destination you choose. Bookmark it and pull it up anytime you have a question.

You can also go to your local post office and ask for a big stack of customs forms so you can fill them out at home instead of in one of the long lines at the post office. It saves time. I will say that the postal service is least expensive shipping option by far for international shipments. The rule of thumb: If it is under 78 inches when you add length and girth (you get the girth by wrapping the measuring tape around the package width wise), then you can send it through the post office to any international destination. Of course, it's important to consult your local post office if you have any questions. They are usually more than willing to help you out!

8. Expect the unexpected. You never know what could happen. Say you advertise in the right spot, a blog picks you up, you get featured, or you end up creating the "it item" for the Holiday season. Are you ready? Start preparation as early as you can to ensure you have enough stock, just in case. This is not to say everyone's shops are going to blow up with orders, but yours could. Plan accordingly.

9. Have a "stop date" in mind for shipping *and* custom orders. Keep in mind many people will be ordering closer and closer to Christmas for a special someone and will expect their gifts in time for the holiday. It might be best to put in your shop announcement the cut off date. With international purchases, it's important to remember that unless you send it guaranteed for a certain date delivery or express, there is no way you can guarantee that a purchase will be there on time. Be up front with your customers about what you can and cannot guarantee to them. They will appreciate it.

10. Last but not least, enjoy the time of year! Don't allow yourself to get overstressed and overworked. Only you know what you can handle. If you have too many custom orders and you've got a convo from someone about one more? Politely let them know you're booked, but appreciate their interest, and ask if you can put them on a waiting list. It's not rude to be upfront (but polite, of course!) that you already have enough on your plate. When you're stressed, it shows in your work — and you want to be able to give each piece (and customer!) the attention they deserve! We do this, after all, because it's what we love to do — and stress can make you want to tear your hair out and make you start to forget why you love what you're doing. Nobody wants that. So sit down, have a cup of cocoa in some cozy pj's, create something awesome and remember how cool it is to be doing what you do!

Read more how-tos for sellers. And post YOUR suggestions for newbie sellers in the comments below!

Team Tip: Membership Levels

2008-09-15T16:22:00Z

Is your Etsy Team experiencing some growing pains? Having a hard time getting all of the members who have signed up to participate? These are common problems that groups face, and while I'm sorry to say there is no perfect solution, here are some ideas to inspire your members to get a little more involved.

Some Teams have been devising Membership Levels. Interested sellers (or buyers, too!) can join the Team, and decide which level of participation is right for them. Consider what incentives your Team has in place for more active participation. Some ideas to motivate seller members might be: a Feature on the Team's blog and social networking sites, links from other members' Etsy shops, a prominent Etsy Mini on the Team's blog, or even first dibs at participation in events the Team sells at, if applicable. Clearly setting out what's expected of members and how their time will be rewarded is important.

Here are some examples of membership levels your Team may consider:

Extra-Super Level: These highly active members might be responsible for general organization of the Team. Perhaps this level of membership means the person is a committee chair. There might be a minimum number of blog posts expected of these super members in return for the perks of being Featured. These tasks should be well organized and communicated among the Team so people know who is responsible for what and can see that things get done.

Great Level: A middle level for the typical Team member who wants to be involved, but might not feel comfortable with a lot of responsibility is useful. Mid-level members are valuable perhaps for their expert Treasury creation skills, their amazing social networking expertise or interesting and clever blog posts submitted often. Creating guidelines for mid-level members' minimum promotional efforts will really ease the workload for Team leaders and make the Team visible!

Quick Level: This is a minimum amount of participation that a member can have and still be part of the Team. Members might not be able to attend meetings, but could still promote the Team through Treasuries and can participate in Team events, like Virtual Trunk shows, in person selling events or group advertisements. They should be expected to promote the Team when they have the opportunity — for example, by including promotional items from fellow Team members in packages or distributing Team cards at shows — but have a minimum time commitment to the Team, and, in turn, doesn't get all the rewards the Team offers.

Each Team is different, so it's important to come up with a system that works for your Team. Some Teams may choose to incorporate a dues system, to cover the cost of advertisements and promotional items.

For more information on organizing your Team, see:

Committees! | Card Swap with your Team | Team Goals | Growing Your Team

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

Quit Your Day Job: FarmsteadOrganics

2008-09-02T18:46:00Z

Jennifer of FarmsteadOrganics recently contacted me with her story of selling on Etsy full time. Jennifer and her husband decided to make the most of some bad news when they found out her husband's company would be making some cut backs and he would be losing his job. After some consideration and noticing an increase in sales, they decided to work together and turn their brand new Etsy shop into a full time family run business. Keep reading to find out how they make it all work, what her husband can't stand about an unorganized house, how the children pitch in the family business, and the new baby on the way!

When you first started selling on Etsy did you have dreams or goals of eventually quitting your day job?
When I first started selling on Etsy, it was my dream to make some extra cash and contribute a healthy second income that would allow my husband to possibly eventually take a lesser paying job closer to home. When the gas prices sky-rocketed, our income basically dwindled to a ridiculous new low because of my husband's daily commute to work. The thought of having a full-time family business was a "dream," but not something that we ever really thought would happen...at least not for several years.

How long were you selling on Etsy before taking the plunge into selling full time?
The plunge into full-time came only 5 months into the Etsy gig when my husband's company began laying off workers left and right...and he was one of them. We were a little freaked out, to say the least. I mean, Etsy has been going pretty well, especially considering how new our shop is, but, to actually support our family on it is another story! Thankfully we have a few months of unemployment to keep us afloat and he can look for other work in the mean time. We also figured that by the time unemployment runs out, we will be smack in the middle of the busy online shopping season (November). The funny thing is that around the time he lost his job our business really started to pick up and the thought that maybe we could actually survive off of this deal started to become a possibility in our minds.

What was the deciding factor resulting in your pursuing Etsy as your full time job?
With the gas prices as high as they are, we find that we save a significant amount of money just by having Dave home. My husband is also a "grab a snack and a newspaper" kinda guy and he would waste a lot of money on little stuff everyday. What we are finding out is that we save such a huge amount of money by him not working, and if we can increase our sales over the next few months and secure some loyal customers, we might end up in better financial shape than what we were in before. So, the money saved, rather than the money earned, by both of us working at home has been the deciding factor in actually pursuing this as a full-time job.

Did you do anything to prepare ahead of time before taking the plunge?
We did have our DBA and had stocked up on some supplies before this all happened, but that was basically just how luck would have it. We had no idea that he would lose his job and that we would be depending on this business to take off...so, we really did not prepare. I wish we would have been more prepared! But, everything has worked out ok. Dave has gotten us a lot more organized since he has been home. He has organized labels and taken an inventory, built some better shelves and storage space. I am not an organized person at all! I am very creative, but not neat about it. He hates that. I had been trying to build up our inventory like mad because we have another baby due in November but that didn't have anything to do with taking the plunge into full time business, either. Everything has been really like riding the wind the past couple of months!

What are the most effective ways you have promoted and marketed your Etsy business? What's your best marketing tip?
I am a natural health and nutrition researcher, writer, and herbalist by trade. Because of this, we already had an established web site up and running for a couple of years before Etsy. Obviously, this allowed me to bring some customers with me. I have promoted our shop through my simple living newsletter and through some of my articles. Other than that, we promote the shop by listing items...often! I have found that you have to list and relist everyday on Etsy. Especially when you have so many other bath and body sellers. If you don't keep yourself visible, you'll get lost in the crowd. I do post on the forums sometimes, but I am so insanely busy with our children and school and home-life that it is pretty nearly impossible for me to be a forum regular. I did join an Etsy team (The Old Farmhouse Gathering), which I highly recommend doing. We have also branched out into other handmade crafts. I don't want to keep all of my eggs in one basket, so to speak. That would be boring. I think that it has helped us in that someone who is looking at one of our aprons or dolls might end up buying soap even though that is not what they were in the market for originally when they clicked on our shop. Once a person tries our soap or lotion, we usually have them hooked. We have a lot of return customers. It is good to be diverse, I think. Same thing goes for someone who might be looking for soap and they end buying an apron. This cross promotion with unrelated products really helps when you are in such a saturated market like soap. Any promotion is probably good promotion when you are first starting out. Even 1 or 2 customers brought in is a bonus!

Would you walk us through what a typical workday might entail being your own boss?
A typical day at our house is a hoot! We have 5 children, 4 dogs, 4 cats, chickens, ducks, goats, we homeschool, and we run a business...need I say more? It can be crazy...but never a dull moment! Not to mention that we tend to be very creative and are always doing a number of different projects at one time!

When we wake up, usually it is me or my oldest daughter, Savannah, who makes breakfast. We eat meals in this house. I am not into just grab and go food.
While breakfast is cooking, my husband is printing orders that came in overnight or early morning.
We eat.
Dave then heads out with a few children to do chores and milk the goats.
Savannah stays inside and begins taking an inventory on what we need to make that day and what is ready to be shipped.
I answer conversations and emails.
Usually in the midst of this we are already making some soap or mixing up some concoction. When the chores are done, school begins.
The computer usually gets shut down until after lunch.
I am making stuff on and off all day. Dave packages our orders. Savannah does our labels and helps me.

She is thankfully extremely smart and quick to finish her school work which means that by lunch time she is helping fill orders or sewing laundry bags. I can only imagine what that girl will do as an adult. She is so unbelievably talented at her age and has so many good ideas! All of our children help out and even the younger ones are an asset to our business because they give me ideas...and ideas are the key to keeping this business fresh and competitive. Dave tries to get to the post office each afternoon. Thankfully, even though we live out in the middle of an Old Order Amish community, we are only 3 miles from a small town that has a post office! How cool is that? I love that we can ship often and quickly to our customers. That is very important. My husband can't stand to have a messy house, so we stay on top of that throughout the day so that things don't get too out of control, which you can imagine is not easy. He has had to learn to ease up...some serious battles have taken place. In fact, that is something to take into consideration if you are planning a home-based family business. If you will be working with your husband, will you kill each other or can you work well together? Believe me, we have our moments!

Once the children are in bed for the night, we make our big batches of soap. I don't like to bring out the lye until they are all in bed and far away.
During the day we do our rebatching and other things they can help with. I also try to do my writing in the evenings and in general, it is nice to relax a bit.

What do you enjoy most about not having a day job? Is there anything you miss?
Some days it is exhausting and it feels like from the time my feet hit the ground I am going non stop, but other days are slower and more leisurely. We like the flexibility that we have as a family. If we want to go pick blueberries, we go. If we want to head to my grandparent's for the day, we do it. If the sun is shining and I feel like taking a break out to the garden, I can. Being your own boss is great. I would never want to work for anybody else again. My husband likes being home all day and I love the extra help around the house. I really enjoy having a business that involves our whole family and our kids are learning amazing things! It is so great being able to give them this kind of experience and the freedom to be creative themselves. I would like to see each one of them grow up to have their own businesses based on a trade or skill that they choose to perfect themselves. I believe in artistic entrepreneurship. I believe that we are all created to be creative at something.

How's it going so far? Are you supporting yourself?
Obviously, if we had known that Dave would lose his job, we would have invested more of our time and money in the business before hand. It would have been great if we would have started on Etsy a year ago and had more time to build up a clientele. Things I put off, I wish I hadn't. I would suggest to anyone considering taking the plunge to sell full time of Etsy to build up an inventory and make sure you have enough supplies and materials to carry you through the first several months. The hardest part for us has been having to put our money back into the business right now and not having much surplus left over. Have a business plan, even if it is just handwritten into a notebook. Make a list, set goals, be realistic, but don't be afraid to dream big and take some chances.

Thankfully, like I said, Dave is still collecting some unemployment. He is also most likely going to take a part-time job this fall until we see for sure how we do after the shopping rush slows down at the end of the year. I can honestly say though that we have been shocked at how much business we get on Etsy. It is amazing! I can only wonder how we'll be doing next year at this time. We have only been selling here since March! Considering that, things are looking bright for the future. But, I also know that life can take unexpected turns...I don't count my chickens before they hatch. Nobody should!

What goals do you wish to accomplish in the coming year for your Etsy business?
We are planning on expanding our handmade goods extensively in the next few months. I have a zillion ideas flowing through my mind at any given moment, but on the front burner is to start selling more of our tote bags, aprons, and launch our baby rag blankets with matching crib sheets, cloth diapers, burp cloths...and we'll never stop creating our goat milk skin care products! I am especially eager to add more skin care for babies and children. Those goats are near and dear to our hearts and I have a burning passion for making soap and lotion with that creamy, wonderful milk! We are very dedicated to keeping everything as natural as possible and we are always looking for more ways to eliminate waste, as well. One thing that we are hoping to do in the next year is to switch all of our packaging back to glass and paper. We began packaging some of our items in plastic due to cost restraints and easier and cheaper shipping but we have not been happy or at ease with that decision. Plastics are getting better. Phthalate free is available now and recycled, but glass is more easily reused, recycled, and does not absorb or release chemicals. I am constantly coming up with new ideas based on my own needs as a mom of a growing family. That is what started all of this in the first place. My kids are all coming up with ideas for their own Etsy shops that they will open in the future too. Who knows where it will all end up! It is one big craft fair around here!

Is there anything else you'd like to share?
I can't thank Etsy enough for providing us with this amazing outlet to showcase our goods and for supporting handmade crafts! The world needs to get back to supporting small businesses and purchasing based on quality rather than cheap cost. I know of so many talented people who will spend their lives slaving away in a factory or in a job they hate because they don't know how to market their product or their skilled trade. It is sad. People don't think that soap-making is a real "job." We have forgotten that soap-making was once a legitimate and lucrative business in this country...Benjamin Franklin's father was a very successful soapmaker. Painters, seamstresses, woodcarvers, welders (like my husband), goat herders, beekeepers, sheep shearers...those are all real jobs! I would love to see things like they were before the industrial revolution when families could actually support themselves by being creative, smart, skilled, and hardworking! Etsy is a move in that direction!

Thanks to FarmsteadOrganics for sharing her story and business with us! Check out the related items below to see some of her items. You can find some of our previous Quit Your Day Job posts here.

How-To Make Natural Dye with the Etsy Labs

2008-08-29T14:05:00Z

This week Kim Hall, a teacher here at the Etsy Labs and an Etsy seller (nottene), came by to show us her technique for dying natural fabric with organic ingredients. Kim has worked with many different dying and printing methods, and we're honored to have her as an instructor! If you've always wanted to dye your own fabrics or yarn, this is a great video to get you started. If you try out this technique, make sure you take some pics and post them in our Show and Tell Flickr Pool.

MP4 | Youtube | Blip.tv | Subscribe in iTunes

Here is the basic recipe for this method:

1 tablespoon Turmeric OR the crispy skins from 5 yellow onions OR 1/2 red cabbage
4 cups water
2 tablespoons salt

Boil 1 of the dyestuffs with the water and salt for 15-30 minutes (15 for tumeric; 30 for cabbage; and until the water is reddish for the onion skins, it's variable depending on your onions).

Meanwhile, presoak a few small pieces (6"x6") of natural fabric or a small skein of natural fiber yarn in warm water to remove starch/detergent/soiling.

Strain the vegetable matter out of the dye and return the dye to the pot. Add the presoaked material and bring to a boil. Simmer for 45 minutes. Your material is finished when it is one or two shades darker than you think it should be. Cool, rinse thoroughly, and dry the fabric or yarn!

Natural dyeing tips:

Chop up your dyestuffs smaller for a stronger dye.
When you prepare the yarn for presoaking and then dying, unwind it from the skein and loop it around your thumb and elbow to form loops and tie off in at least 3 or 4 places to keep it from tangling in the dye bath. Make sure the ties are not too tight or you will have tie-dyed yarn!
After you've boiled and strained the dye, try adding some cold water to reduce the temperature before you add your presoaked fabric or yarn. This lower temperature can help the pickup of the dye into the fabric.
Cotton and silk can be boiled thoroughly when dying, but wool should be gently simmered to prevent felting.
When your dye time is finished, you can leave the material to cool in the pot for stronger color. Remember the material will dry one or two shades lighter than what you see at the end of the dye time.

There are so many organic ingredients that you can use to dye, have fun and experiment! Perhaps you have another recipe to share? Go ahead and post it in the comments below!

Etsy Finds Vintage: Office Supplies

2008-08-22T09:51:00Z

As September rolls around, it seems as though everyone is going back to school. Though I'm not heading back to the halls of academia anytime soon (sadly!), I like to take the beginning of a new season as an opportunity to reorganize my office, both at home and at work. These vintage office supplies will bring a unique sense of character to any desk. Don't let the students have all the fun! This fall, revamp your office and go back to school on your own terms.

Old Ledger book

Mind your checks and balances with this ledger by bluebellbazaar, $36.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Vintage Mini Memo Corkboard

Keep track of your business engagements and memos the old fashioned way: corkboard! By MyVintageBackyard, $24.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Retro Jumbo Calculator

Balance your checkbook in style. By phebelou, $5.

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Vintage Modern Grey Lamp

Industrial and functional: the perfect desk lamp. By bouquet, $26.

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Vintage Letter Box

Keep all of your communiqué in one convenient location. By ladiesandgentlemen, $20.

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Vintage swivel office chair

This swivel chair will make you the envy of the office. By EmilyLynch, $175.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Vintage 1950s Baby Ben

Never underestimate the staying power of a wind-up clock. By PoeticHome, $20.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Group of 3 Vintage Wood Office Stamps

These stamps could be very useful for bills—and maybe your Etsy shop? By VintageEmbellishment, $10.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Vintage Pencil Leads Loose Leaf Reinforcements Protractor Office School Supplies Lot

Load up on office supplies with this vintage lot. You never know when you'll need a protractor! By Shefindsthings, $16.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Looking for more vintage Finds? Try these Etsy links:

Vintage Category | Vintage Showcase | Vintage Gift Guide

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Etsy Finds: Back To School Notebook

2008-08-16T14:36:00Z

I had what Oprah calls an "a ha!" moment yesterday. I was considering hiring a personal organizer and wondering why my apartment was so unorganized when I realized my year had no cycle. I wasn't going back to school, and thus, I didn't have that pre-back-to-school organizing frenzy: That time of year when you stock up on Trapper Keepers, clean out your desk and closet and get ready to start a new year. Take advantage of this new start, young students! There are lots of items on Etsy that can help you stay organized. This notebook by sallybean is a journal, mini filing system and organizer all in one! Sally also offers custom covers, so send her an Alchemy request if you're interested! See more of my favorite handmade and vintage organizing items below.

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Handmade Kids: Natural Kids Team Nurtures Naturally

2008-08-02T14:59:00Z

Woolcomesalive, a member of the Natural Kids Team, shares some of the smiles her team members have gotten — literally — from happy customers. Through Etsy's Appreciation Photo tool, buyers can give back to sellers and show their new items in action. And what is cuter than really cute kids?

Whether it’s your niece, neighbor, or your very own bundle of joy, you want the best for the next generation. What do you look for then, in a children’s product? When I buy a gift for a child, my #2 intention is to evoke a big bright smile. I love to see a little one’s eyes light up (or drool begin to flow) as they grasp, cuddle, and explore the new toy, doll, piece of clothing, or whatever the gift may be. Here, some members of the Natural Kids Team share this bliss through Appreciation Photos they have received, along with the product images.

There is something so contagious about a kid’s joy, fun, and comfort that I can’t help but encourage it.

[Appreciation Photo above by decembergirl. Baby Sheep Toy by woodmouse.]

In fact, I strive for the exceptional kid gift—one that becomes a favorite and is enjoyed again and again. First time wowers are wonderful, but it is pure magic when something finds its way into a child’s precious circle of friends. Remember your blankie, dollie, or big stuffed dog named Snowy who protected you while you slept and had a permanent hug indentation around his belly?

[Appreciation Photo above by purplepetunia. Waldorf Inspired Dolls by auntboosbabies.]

With that said, my #1 intention for kid gift-giving is making a purchase that is safe and healthy, both for the child and for the world he or she is growing up in. Who doesn’t want the children they love to be happy and safe? To inherit a world that supports their boundless potential? The Natural Kids Etsy Street Team has these intentions close at heart when we handmake our natural children’s items. Those are the gifts that keep on giving.

[Appreciation photograph by toyfoto, Waldorf Doll by auntboosbabies.]

NaturalKids Banner designed by OrangeInk.

When this group of artisans says “natural,” we mean materials that come from the earth and can go back to the earth (with a whole lot of lovin’ in between). We make heirloom quality kids’ items that can be enjoyed not only by the younger siblings, but by their children too. However, we still make sure that when the life of the product is over it will not be sitting in a landfill unchanged for hundreds of years. Not only would that be a poor legacy to leave for future generations, but it would be a dismal fate for a once-loved toy, shirt, doll, etc. So, we choose wood over plastic, and cotton, wool or silk over polyester and acrylics when we lovingly create by hand. There are no toxic chemicals off-gassing in our one-woman or man, at-home “factories.” Plus, our unique items don't come twist-tied in a box with lots of plastic packaging to throw away. They are instantly huggable, healthy, and wholesome.

[Felted Earth Ball by cozycottagecreations.]

Since most Natural Kids artists are parents ourselves, we witness daily the delightful way that children respond to natural materials. The items smell good, wear well, and simply feel more alive. This effortlessly fosters a healthy connection between the children and the living world.

Nushkie, one of our frequent blog authors, speaks on behalf of our toymakers:

“Our toys are 'open-ended,' meaning they are not so detailed as to make the toy one thing and one thing only; a child can bring the toy to life with his or her imagination. Further, because there are no buttons to press and no lights and music, the toy doesn't play for the child. The child must actively engage with the toy, thereby engaging her or his senses and developing his or her verbal skills and leadership qualities.”

Unwaveringfaith, homeschooling mother of six, who, like many of us, grew up on television and Happy Meals toys, adds:

“I think adults have just as much fun buying and playing with the toys as the children do...maybe more so...because we didn't have these wonderful things as children, and we are re-living our childhood, growing back part of our imagination that has been lost. We are retaining the warmth and comfort that these toys give us and hoping so much that by having these toys, in some way, it will make our children happier and more peaceful children than they would've been otherwise.”

In our high-tech fast-paced world, the value of toys that stimulate creativity and preserve innocence is immeasurable.

[Photo by BeneathTheRowanTree, featuring her Felted Raccoon Babe.]

This is what Natural Kids is about. We are an international community of independent artists that pour our hearts into our natural creations because we love our precious children and our beautiful world.

We rest easier at night knowing our babies and children, and your babies and children, have clothes and toys that contain living properties and can enhance the health, happiness, and development of these little miracles.

[Appreciation Photo by BellaWinter, Plush Manatee by freedomRainbow.]

In commitment to making natural children’s products more available for families, this summer we are sponsoring Make Baby Stuff's Natural Baby Nursery & Playroom Contest. Just look at some of the beautiful prizes from the Natural Kids team! If you love natural materials for your family, clean up your nursery or playspace, snap a photo and come on over and enter.

You just might win a prize lot like the one pictured. Three prize lots and two honorable mention prizes will be awarded. Contest ends August 15th, 2008. To find Natural Kids treasures available on Etsy anytime, search “naturalkids team."

Further Resources:
Natural Kids Blog
Make Baby Stuff
TreeHugger
Mothering.com
Living Crafts Magazine
Enviromom
Why Waldorf Works

Handmade Kids Series | Baby Gift Guide | Children Gift Guide