Search results (tags) for: "organizations"

Quit Your Day Job: FarmsteadOrganics

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 22:46:00 -0000

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

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 18:05:00 -0000

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

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:51:00 -0000

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.

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Vintage Mini Memo Corkboard

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

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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.

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Vintage 1950s Baby Ben

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

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Group of 3 Vintage Wood Office Stamps

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

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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.

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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

Sat, 16 Aug 2008 18:36:00 -0000

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

Sat, 02 Aug 2008 18:59:00 -0000

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 | Special Kids Showcase | Baby Gift Guide | Children Gift Guide

Etsy Finds: Grocery Getters*

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 13:14:00 -0000

I need to go to the grocery store, but this trillion-degree July weather has made the thought of even stepping outside for one second an unthinkable concept. Until I summon enough fortitude to brave the miserable heat with an armful of canvas totebags, I'm peering into my fridge hopefully (did food automagically appear yet?) and browsing grocery-themed Etsy items for you, friend:

Supermarket Chic Shopping Bag

This is one of those Finds that I had a little debate with myself about—should I buy it? Or use it in the email? Someone will definitely buy it first if I do...but this shop deserves the recognition...until I eventually ended up not only featuring the item, but also building an entire theme around it. The race is on, who will own this? At NeverEver, $10.

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Farmers Market Billfold, Checkbook Cover

My parents would also call this a billfold. I don't write many checks in these Internet Age days of ours (except to pay my rent), but I am still a voracious coupon clipper and this little wallet is a perfect organizer for those. Found at mountainashdesign, $16.

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Memo Minder - Birds on a wire - green

Jot down grocery lists whenever the mood strikes. Refillable with standard receipt paper rolls! Adorable and totally useful. From Reincarnations, $30.

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Gator mix tape Bracelet

Yet another crafty (and fashionable) use for plastic grocery bags. By ivyteakettle, $8.

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bird SHOPPING LIST by boygirlparty, 3x9 list memo with bird illustration, original art note pad bold colorful polka dot green grocery

Susie Ghahremani, aka boygirlparty, is an amazing illustrator and everyone should have her art hanging functionally in their kitchen. If you don't know, now you know. $8.

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the STELLA Market Tote in Apple

Bright, cheerful and sturdy-looking grocery tote by PopulationOne (who has a host of impeccable-looking clutches and other purses in their shop—go look), $38.

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Peas and Carrots

What a cute way to store your pantry's dry goods! At PickalaPoopa, $15.

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Sale GO ORGANIC GRAPES

You're not going to even want to mop up kitchen mishaps with this pretty towel. At creativebabies, $9.

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vintage recipe box - town market square

Moxiethrift is one of my favorite Etsy Vintage stores! This vintage recipe box is such a great find. $9.09.

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* P.S. Grocery Getter was a type of automobile that used to race in the stock car races I would attend every Saturday night in the summer with my pop when I was small. Even though this Find has nothing to do with stock car racing, I always liked the term.

Looking for more Houseware and Kitchen Finds? Try these Etsy links:

Housewares Category | Housewarming Gift Guide | Gourmet Gift Guide

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Etsy Finds: Babies Galore!

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:02:00 -0000

My friend is having a baby! Congratulations, Rhiannon!

Etsy is a great place to find baby and maternity items, and I've picked out a few favorites. I love the shoes made by MiaJoie and AureliaandAnnalise. smallestfriend makes adorable little baby toys, and 100% organic (like most items I feature). Check out these burp cloths by rogelitoscloset and give a new seller some Etsy love. For those of you with babies old enough for toys (or those of you who want to support one of our international sellers), take a gander at ruprecht's shop. And finally, a baby quilt from my friend abbsmcnabbs out in Seattle.

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Handmade Kids Series | Special Kids Showcase | Baby Gift Guide | Children Gift Guide

Handmade Kids: Eco-Friendly Gear for Toddler Boys

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 16:23:00 -0000

When we started brainstorming ideas for the Handmade Kids Series, there were two ideas that came through loud and clear: eco-friendly items and finds for little boys. There is so much cute stuff for girls, so we decided to share the love! cloud9designstudio, an Etsy seller with an eco-mission and a lil' boy of her own, stepped up to the plate.

The eco-movement, with regards to clothing, is a conscious effort to shift the public's thought process from buying at mainstream big box stores toward buying local, organic and earth friendly items. This effort to save our planet is important because it helps reduce our carbon footprint, brings awareness to global warming and helps us tread a little lighter on this earth. The future is in our hands. What will the world be like for our children if we don't start making greener choices?

From Organic Consumers:

"Just 2.4% of the world's arable land is planted with cotton, yet it accounts for 24% of the world's insecticide market and 11% of sale of global pesticides, making it the most pesticide-intensive crop grown on the planet. $2.6 Billion worth of pesticides are used on cotton worldwide each year."

The health of our planet has also been adversely affected by pesticides. The pesticides and synthetic fertilizers used on cotton routinely contaminate groundwater, surface water and pollute the water we drink. Fish, birds and other wildlife are also affected by the movement of these chemicals through the ecosystem. Many of these problems have been documented by the Pesticide Action Network North America.

[Cotton ball photographed by that owl]

Here's how you can get involved in the eco movement: You can support local farmers and workers and cut down on pollution caused by shipping, support fair wage labor practices (fair trade), and buy recycled or upcycled items.

Here’s what to look for:
1) Organic or fair trade clothing
2) USA made, local or sweatshop free clothing
3) Recycled, upcycled, thrifted or reused clothing

As a mom to a 2 and a 1/2 year old toddler boy, I know how hard it is to find cute clothes for little boys, much less eco-friendly clothes. So I scoured Etsy to bring you the very best eco-gear for boys. I found some cool handmade items sure to look hip on your eco-tot while he's out there huggin' trees!

This tie from redpajamas is adorable.

Like this hand dyed block printed and appliquéd Owl long sleeve shirt from 1girl1boy.

Or these darling upcycled wide leg pants from earthbabyee that are made from a man’s dress shirt.

How cute is this lightening bolt appliqued shirt from trustysidekick.

And MaryZoom has a cute art smock made from a repurposed 100% cotton shirt.

This upcycled shirt from SarahBird is so colorful.

This organic hoodie by SweetMemoriesQuilts is too sweet.

Here’s a bright blue organic dragonfly shirt from inkyspider.

An organic “strong” tee from littlegorganics.

Sandcookies has this precious set.

And this “I’m like totally organic” tee from ninaandtom says it all.

For More Info on Being an Eco-Friendly Parent...

Healthy Child
Simple Steps
Green Mom Finds
Organic Consumers
Sustainable Cotton
Environmental Working Group's Advice for Parents
Treehugger
Green Living Online
Green Mom
Green Hour
Organic Cotton Association
Friends of the Earth
Climate Crisis
Stop Global Warming
Team EcoEtsy
Team EtsyKids
Team EtsyMoms
Trailer for Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth

For more information on being a friend of the environment, check out the Storque's Earth Tones series. For more child related content, continue reading the Handmade Kids series!

Handmade Kids Series | Special Kids Showcase | Baby Gift Guide | Children Gift Guide

Etsy Finds from Spongetta: Hold Me

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 14:18:00 -0000

Spongetta, aka Betsy, claims she is the custodian of The Land of Misfit Fabric. She studied photography in college, went on to a career in public service, and now sews to her heart's content. (Just check out her Etsy shop for proof.) Betsy tells us that she enjoys experimenting with materials in unexpected ways to create practical items. This same approach has lead to some very interesting collections we've noticed in Etsy's Treasury! Read on to see what she's found for Etsy Finds...

Hold Me

As a perpetually disorganized person, I gravitate toward containers of all sorts to consolidate the stuff I hoard. My studio is crammed floor to ceiling with just enough room for me to twirl in the middle. Here are just a few of the fabulous Etsy items I found inspirational enough to clean up my mess. And a couple more that are just fun!

Coin Purse

The bottom of my purse is like a treasure trove. This coin pouch is just the ticket to contain all my wealth. By dailythreads, $8.75.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Lake Isle Box

The Lake Isle Box is begging to be filled with treasures. By SuzeesJubileeZ, $87.

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Four Fiber Wrapped Ceramic Napkin Rings

Set a classy table with these napkin rings. By scarfitup. $32.

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Paper Bead Purse-ADVANCE ORDER FOR RED

I'm fascinated by techniques I can't do and these paper beads are my latest obsession. By radrb8vicki $89.50.

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Large Fern Bud Vase

A perfect vase for cut flowers from my garden. By CorsockGlass, $160.

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Pod Gathering Basket

And this one for the herbs that are taking over! happylake, $75.

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Rustic Sling - Edgy Grey - Our Most Popular

There is something so elegant about RaspberryBaby's slings. $30.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

cozy

Anyone who follows my Treasury lists knows I'm just a bit obsessed with my porch. These cozies will make relaxing with a beer even cooler. By zachcrain, $8.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Quilted eyeglass case - laurentian

More and more lately I find myself relying on my glasses, which means opportunities to misplace them. Btaylorquilts' sweet case is just the solution for keeping them safe. By btaylorquilts, $12.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

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Organ Transplant

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 16:53:00 -0000

Hey, Etsy! I'm Michelle T aka mtraub, the new Storque Summer Intern. I'm a born and bred Brooklynite, raised on Walt Whitman and Biggie Smalls. I love the process of crafting, and I've experimented in stencils, decoupage, crochet, holga photography, and welding, to name a few. Hopefully, over the course of this summer, I will get to explore further into this addictive world of the handmade. Hope you enjoy my first post!

There is a Kurdish proverb: a hungry stomach has no ears. The Chinese say: the heart that loves is always young. My mother would always say: it's what's on the inside that counts. Here at Etsy, those insides are carved, sewed, and sealed, to reveal splendor that is universal. From cuff links to greeting cards, there is an abundance of organs ready to transplant. With detailed arteries, valves, and sphincters, these handmade and vintage gems are celebrating the human body with enthusiasm. Whether you enjoy organs in your philanthropy, on your plate, or in your movies, there is always room for more anatomy in your life. In this time of deep self-exploration, resuscitate your collections from the inside, out.

See my other post today on travel and local cheese.

Team Tip: Committees!

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 17:48:00 -0000

For creative people, working in large groups can be difficult. Everyone has different strengths and weaknesses, and organization among many members can be a daunting task. The best solution is to group your Team into different committees, according to people's time and talents. This gives everyone a chance to get involved, and helps delegate the work from one or two people onto the group as a whole.

Some ideas for Team Committees for getting things done might include (but are, of course, in no way limited to):

Membership: This committee would work together to get new members in the loop of communication and make them feel welcome on the Team. A member would be in contact with teams@etsy.com to keep the Team's profile page up to date, and the committee might coordinate keeping contact information for the membership up to date.
Outreach: Reaching out to other communities on the internet and in real life is an important aspect of promoting your Team. An outreach committee might consist of people who like to keep the Team's blog fresh, exchanging links with other blogs (other Etsy Teams are probably great candidates for this!), helping to ensure great photos are added to the Team's Flickr pool and writing press releases for notable events your Team is undertaking. You can also submit photos of your Team's goings-on to the Etsy in Action flickr pool (there's a feed in the Storque's Events Section).
Treasuries: Yes! Everyone loves making Treasuries! Curating beautiful Treasuries full of items made by your Team members means a chance for your Team to land some time on the front page. Be sure to include your Team's name somewhere in the Treasury name or description.
Design: Does your Team have members with graphic design skills? You should form a small committee dedicated to making beautiful banners and graphics for your Team's blog, which are also great for personal blogs or in extra photos on item listings in Team shops. This committee should also undertake making flyers (for printing or posting virtually around the web) and just making sure things are aesthetically pleasing and consistent with the message your Team wishes to spread.
Ideas: This committee is charged with the responsibility of brainstorming what the Team's next moves should be. The Idea Committee should read the Team Guides and weekly Team Tips, as well as the Team Digests, to inspire their own ideas and see what has worked for other Teams.

These are just some ideas to get you started organizing a large group of creative people among people who all want to achieve the same thing. Yay teamwork! A strict, stringent hierarchical system of long titles and assigning authority doesn't seem very Etsian. Every Team will be different, based on the expertise and time availability of its members, and we want to hear what's worked for you too. Post in the comments below: how has your Team facilitated productivity?

Team Tips are a weekly series of tips and ideas from the Etsy Teams. You can find more Teams Guides and Resources at team.etsy.com. Etsy Teams are growing really 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. Keep up the great work, Etsy Teams!

Etsy Finds: A Place for Everything

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 14:21:00 -0000

When I'm traveling, I usually have a lot of things to keep track of. If it's not my tickets, passport, or I.D., it's all those little things that fly around in my enormous bag: gum for the plane, lipgloss, my iPod, etc. That's when a small zippered pouch can do wonders for your organizational skills. This bright and brilliant little number by DrikaB is the perfect little place to keep all my make up and keepsakes safe and sound during my turbulent journey.

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Gotta Travel On | Travel Showcase | Etsy World Tour

Etsy in Action: Upcoming Events June 6 - 13

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 16:03:00 -0000

Hey Etsians! Get off the internet (but come back to us later) and meet your crafty friends in person at the following events...

Friday, June 6th

World's Largest Plush Show: Crammed Organisms from 7pm - 11pm, June 6th in St. Louis, Missouri. Starclipper's gallery will be filled to the brim with a collection of unique plush art. Browse the exhibition and see pieces from some of the best plush designers working today! Check out the featured items to see Etsy sellers who are participating in this show!

Saturday, June 7th

Indie Craft Experience (or ICE), kicking off in Atlanta, Georgia from 11am - 6pm in Centennial Olympic Park. In addition to an amazing assortment of handmade goodies, ICE offers crafting workshops, vegan baked goods, live bands and a clothing swap benefiting local charities.

Connecticut Etsy Team Jewelry Spectacular in North Haven, Connecticut from 10am - 4pm. Get to this early — they are giving away 200 pieces of jewelry to the first people to attend! See their Jewelry Spectacular site for details.

Printing Party with Lotta Jansdotter in San Francisco, California from 5pm - 8pm. Get your hands dirty with Lotta Jansdotter, the fabric printing queen! Wine, music and crafting? What else do you need in life? See Lotta's blog for the details. Not on the west coast? Keep reading for a Lotta event near you!

Monday, June 9th

Craft Night at the EtsyLabs in Brooklyn, NY from 4pm - 8pm. Join us and learn how to make lip balm! You can also bring your own project if you wish. Lots of chit chat and giggling.

Coming Soon!!!

And don't make any plans for next weekend if you are close to NYC. You're not going to want to miss this summer's Renegade Craft Fair, June 14th & 15th, featuring a whole slew of Etsy sellers and a giant Etsy booth!

If you are coming into town for Renegade, do not miss Lotta Jansdotter's printing party here on the east coast on June 13th in her studio in Brooklyn. See Lotta's blog for the details.

Etsy Finds: Organic

Tue, 13 May 2008 14:27:00 -0000

First off, hello Etsians! I'm Dave, the newest addition to Etsy's office in Brooklyn, NY. The lovely people at the Storque asked me to write an Etsy Finds article, so here we go!

After growing up in New Jersey (the nice part, of course. Really, there is a nice part), I spent the last two years in Seattle, WA — an amazing city full of people who care about the same ideas that many Etsians' care about: local industry, organic and sustainable living, etc. So I thought to myself, what better topic for my first Etsy Finds article than a selection of some great organic items available on Etsy.

I hope you enjoy the ones I've found. There are many, many more. It's great to see people taking organic beyond food into categories like clothing, scarves, toys, and housewares. Keep it up!

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The Dog Made Me Do It!

Sat, 03 May 2008 19:39:00 -0000

That’s what I tell people when they ask me how I came to the wonderful land of Etsy. Now granted, I wasn’t tied and held at paw point, but without my two canine companions, I wouldn’t be here.

In 2003, I had the wonderful experience of becoming a doggie mom to my Siberian Husky mix, Anakin. As a first time puppy parent, I wanted to make sure that not only would he have a loving and nurturing home, but a healthy, plentiful source of nutrition. With all of the kibble and treat options filling the grocery store shelves, I was confused and overwhelmed with what would be the most beneficial choice for my little guy’s diet. I took my query to the internet and what I saw was disturbing. The bags of commercially produced of kibble I inquired about promised “whole chunks of chicken and fresh garden vegetables.” Digging deeper into the translations of “chicken meal” and “lamb by-products,” I found synthetic vitamins, beaks, hooves, chemical preservatives and other not-so-appetizing ingredients littering my pup's choices for dinner. With no readily available alternatives to this problem, I began my quest to provide my dog with a healthy alternative to processed dog food and dog treats.

I researched the ins and outs of canine nutrition and found what ingredients were beneficial to the growth and overall wellness of my pup such as omega three fatty acids, Vitamin A, Vitamin B complex, and Vitamins D, E, and K, which are crucial for growth, appetite, gastrointestinal regulation, and skin and coat health. I also kept close eye on what ingredients I needed to steer clear from, such as theobromine, grapes, raisins, and onions.

As a wholehearted supporter of organic farming, I wanted to incorporate a mission for chemical free diet as well. Specifically, organic refers to the way food is grown, as well as the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to preserve the environment for years to come. Organic products such as meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that have not and will not be given antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic food is produced without using pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. Foods can be labeled organic only after a government-approved USDA inspector inspects the farm where the food is grown to make sure the farmer is compliant with each and every rule necessary to meet USDA organic standards.

In experimentation with ingredients, I conjured my own recipes, and before long, I had created a healthy and tasty diet that not only my own dog enjoyed, but the dogs of my neighbors and friends. I began to sell my dog treats in small volume, but after several years, I decided that it was time for me to share my wholesome healthy goodness with a larger market. I stumbled upon Etsy during the summer of 2007 and have been here spreading the good word since! Etsy has been key in my ongoing quest to reach and teach as many doggie parents as I can. I’m a proud member of the Dog Mafia Team, where a fabulous group of Etsians meet to discuss and promote all things dog.

I run my Etsy shop Organidog with the help of Anakin and the newest four-legged addition my household, my adopted Siberian Husky, Vader. Running shop can be quite tedious with eight paws in charge of quality control. They taste test a sample from each and every batch to ensure it is 100% deelish.

While what each doggie parent chooses to feed their pup is a personal decision — raw versus cooked diets, what is best for their breed, advice from their veterinarian, and personal convictions — all of these factors weigh heavily on what we feed our furry companions. Etsy has a multitude of dog treat sellers to satisfy the most persnickety of pup parents.

While I am all about the dogs, we can’t forget our other four-legged pals, the kitties. From freeze dried salmon treats to kitty collars and catnip lovies, our feline friends make their mark on Etsy as well with a plethora of shops offering fabulous items to choose from! My fellow Dog Mafia Team members LuckyFiona and BentleysBones have catered to this calling. While Lucky Fiona makes small-scale collars for our kitty companions, Bentleys Bones creates a catnip toy in the shape of fortune cookies. With over 6,200 pet items for sale here at Etsy, it is clear that we value our furry, scaly, fluffy, and slimy friends.

Etsy Find: Tattoo Onesie

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 15:23:00 -0000

Hi, my name is Sinohe aka sinoheterrero, and I am a new member of the Accounting Team at Etsy! I know accountants are supposed to be boring bean counters with no artistic taste nor talent; but I’m going to try to break that stereotype! (Though I do love counting beans.)

I’m expecting my second child so I look for a lot of children's items on Etsy. In keeping up with our Earth Tones theme, I was looking for the right gift (or suggestion for the baby shower) that I can outfit the baby with, while keeping it green. I think that onesies (a word I didn’t know existed until I became a parent) are the perfect gift because you need 3-4 a day! WonderfullyMade4You creates a nice variety of organic onesies. I really like the My First Tattoo organic onesie.

Instead of a onesie with a weekday on it, you can have one with your child's name — talk about custom made! I think anyone with an infant or anyone that wants to give an infant a great gift should check out.

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EGCG | Trashion | EcoEtsy | Environmentally Friendly Gift Guides | Earth Tones Series

Share your ideas: Organizing Favorites

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 20:42:00 -0000

Hi all!

Based on the feedback we received from this survey, we have moved the Favorities Organization project up on our to-do list.

Do you have some ideas about how you'd like to organize your Favorites on Etsy? Or just wanna help us out with a fun little survey? Well, come on over to this forum thread...we'd love to hear what you have to say!

Thank you!

Etsy Finds: Auntie MaryMary

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 15:25:00 -0000

I just found out this week that my sister is pregnant! This will be the very first baby in our family and we couldn't be more excited! So what do I do upon hearing the news that I'll soon be an aunt, you ask? I go on an Etsy mission to shower the baby with gifts and be deemed winner of the "coolest aunt" contest! (My sister has two other sisters-in-law, so I am determined to be the favorite aunt...can you blame me?)

While perusing for the best eco-friendly gifts I could find, I stumbled across this totally environmentally friendly baby gift set from shescrafty: it's the total package! This beautiful suitcase gift set is full of knitted baby goodies that are handmade with naturally organic merino yarn, which is good for baby and the environment!

I figure with Etsy up my sleeves, there's no way the other aunts can win against me! Muuuaaahaha! (Evil coolest aunt laugh.)

xoxo,
Mary

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EGCG | Trashion | EcoEtsy | Environmentally Friendly Gift Guides | Earth Tones Series

Craft Congress: San Francisco, Here I Come

Sat, 05 Apr 2008 16:39:00 -0000

UPDATE: I'm HERE!! And I'm live-blogging off and on today in the Storque room of the Virtual Labs!

[This was originally published on March 25]
I'm so excited! I'm going to San Francisco to unite with other people in the handmade movement! I will be representing Etsy at the April Craft Congress. Matt went to the last one in Pittsburgh and got a lot out of it.

About Craft Congress:

"Craft Con was born in 2007 as Craft Congress in Pittsburgh, PA . This launch event brought together more than fifty indie craft show organizers from across the US, Canada, as well as the UK, to share knowledge, skills and experiences. Topics ranged all the way from guerrilla marketing strategy to securing corporate sponsorship. Colleagues from across the world were able to meet face to face for the first time. Establishing a strong and supportive network for those who attended, the event also sparked crucial discussion about the future of the craft movement.
Read more about 2007:
New York Times
Washington City Paper
Craft Con 2008 heralds huge growth for the project. The event in San Francisco has been planned via the internet by crafters from all over the world. April’s conference will welcome participants from all areas of crafting, making a special effort to connect younger and upcoming crafters with the experience and savvy of their antecedents. Craft Con will facilitate much broader discussion and planning in key areas of concern for the movement, in particular the viability of sustainable business and enterprise and establishing the permanence of crafting in society."

Take the CraftCon's Survey:
Part of the mission of the Craft Congress is to conduct some research about crafters. Please help out the movement by taking this survey. It will help us get a more accurate picture of how we crafters get supplies.

How Etsy is Helping:
Etsy is donating money to sponsor three people who want to attend. We give the money; the Craft Con decides who gets a leg up.

How to Register:
Go here to register. Be forewarned: we have a sneaking suspicion that their form doesn't like Firefox. The organizers announced that they've had some problems with registration. So if you haven't gotten a confiramtion, you may need to register again!

"If you had filled out an application but did not receive a copy of it in your own inbox, then we didn’t get it either. However, we really want you to come to Craft Con, so you should definitely head over to the application page and give it another shot. There is little more annoying on the internet than losing info you typed to a glitch in the system, and we apologize for any frustration this may have caused. Please contact us at info@craftcon.org if you have any questions."

So let me know if you're going in the comments below. I hope to see you there! Below you'll find some picks from San Francisco shops that I found through Shop Local and some other choice items.

National Craft Month & The Craft Congress

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 17:34:00 -0000

Did you know March is National Craft Month in the US?

But hey, for Storque readers, when is it not Craft Month, anyway? Not to poo-poo this celebration at all: we should take the time to reflect on our collective project here: the indie craft movement. It's an opportunity to spread awareness about consumerism, and to think about how entrepreneurship and hands-on learning can improve people's lives. CHA (the Craft and Hobby Association) is spearheading the "National Craft Month" promotion, and you can find out more about events they're sponsoring and ways to get involved here.

The Craft Congress will be holding its second event in April in San Francisco. Matt went to the first one in Pittsburgh and talked with the crafting community about Etsy's mission to help indie artists and crafters make a living making things. You can read more about the upcoming event and the Craft Con in general here:

"Craft Con was born in 2007 as Craft Congress in Pittsburgh, PA . This launch event brought together more than fifty indie craft show organizers from across the US, Canada, as well as the UK, to share knowledge, skills and experiences. Topics ranged all the way from guerrilla marketing strategy to securing corporate sponsorship. Colleagues from across the world were able to meet face to face for the first time. Establishing a strong and supportive network for those who attended, the event also sparked crucial discussion about the future of the craft movement.
Read more about 2007:
New York Times
Washington City Paper
Craft Con 2008 heralds huge growth for the project. The event in San Francisco has been planned via the internet by crafters from all over the world. April’s conference will welcome participants from all areas of crafting, making a special effort to connect younger and upcoming crafters with the experience and savvy of their antecedents. Craft Con will facilitate much broader discussion and planning in key areas of concern for the movement, in particular the viability of sustainable business and enterprise and establishing the permanence of crafting in society."

Crafters can also intentionally take this month as an opportunity to teach a friend or loved one how to make something. There's nothing more empowering than experiencing the process of learning something new with one's hands.

Comment below and let us know what skill you can share!

Etsy Finds: Baby Steps

Sun, 09 Mar 2008 17:55:00 -0000

With spring (almost) in the air and the two new additions to the Etsy family (hi Sidonie and Owen!), I can't help but have babies on the brain! To satisfy the cravings for cuteness, without the long-term commitment, I find myself scoping Etsy for the latest in tiny treasures.

I used my new favorite search tool, Pounce, to discover haleybaker's brand new Etsy shop and these adorable baby shoes. I just love the rustic, yet fancy feel with their sweet ribbon straps and toile accent flowers. The fact that they're made with organic cotton is a huge plus. Why not set baby off on the right foot?

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Shop Makeover series: Introducing a New Line

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 18:10:00 -0000

As part of our Shop Makeover series, we're sharing some tips and tricks for organizing your shop. You can think of this as introducing a new line or just using the sections function of your shop to better entice customers.

One of the fastest ways to give your shop a makeover for the New Year is to create and introduce a new line in your shop. You can create a new look and line by utilizing these handy steps:

Change and reorganize your shop sections.

You can get creative with the names of your sections, but remember that your customer should be able to intuitively and easily navigate your shop without being confused by section names that are too abstract.
Organizing and naming your sections by category, function, size, shape, color, price, style, gender, age, etc. are all great ways to help your buyers navigate your store; just remember to name and organize in a cohesive theme that your shoppers will understand.
An interesting way to make your sections stand out is by manipulating the text. Changing the names of your sections to all capital letters or putting a space between each letter of the section names will make them stand out from the crowd.

Offering a new design or upgrade a previous line with new price points.

Been itching to create a new design? Now is the perfect time to make one and coin it your “New Line for the New Year!” Surprise your shoppers with something fresh to look at and keep them coming back to see what new designs you'll come up with next!
A new line could be a variation on a current design or even something as simple as offering your best sellers in new colors. If you offer a lot of items within one style or medium, try coming up with a new item using the same medium and style but with a new twist or function!
Try introducing a new line of items that are at a different price point than the rest of your items. For example, if you make a lot of high-end items with pricier price tags, try introducing a smaller scale (that still fits in with your current line) line of items with a lower price point to match. The same goes if you tend to make and sell things at the lower price end of the price spectrum; go ahead and make a few more exclusive items. Different and varied prices can attract a new range of buyers. Someone who buys small at first is likely to come back and buy more higher priced items once you have built that initial trust during the first transaction (for more on this see Beth's pricing series).

We can't wait to see your new lines and sections! And don't forget to check out the other posts in this Shop Makeover series. Please comment below if you have questions and tips of your own.

Remember to take your before and after screenshots. Upload them to flickr and share the link here. At the end of the month, we'll be choosing the most radical Shop Makeover success stories!