Search results (title) for: "blogging how-to"

Seller How-To: Banner Tips

2009-12-01T12:20:00-05:00

There are many techniques and free resources out there to help you create your Etsy Shop banner. I've gathered a few of my favorite tutorials and links to help you get started. Before you go off exploring these, I thought I'd share a few of my favorites banners — think of these as ideas to spark your own experiments. Make your banner work for your shop!

1. Give viewers a good idea of what they'll find in your shop.

2. Crop a photo to the correct banner size (760 x 100 pixels) and you are good to go!

3. Make sure your banner ties in with the colors and branding of your item listings.

4. Use your banner to punch up your promotions.

5. Use your banner to share more about you as an artist — give a little insight into your process.

6. Don't stress! You can update your banner whenever you want. Keep in mind that your banner is only seen on the front page of your Etsy shop, and if you use the My Etsy Facebook application, people will see your banner there as well. I suggest making sure your avatar is a current representation of your shop. After all, your avatar is seen on every single page of your Etsy shop, and in other areas of Etsy (the Forums, Pounce, etc.) You can use the tips and techniques below to help you create a great avatar, too!

Video Tutorial:

DIY Shop Banner by (the unofficial) Etsy Business Blog

Blog Tutorials:

Boston Handmade presents: How to Make an Etsy Banner

PowerPoint Banner Designs from strumpfkunst

Forum Posts:

How to make a banner without a fancy program

Tutorial: How to Make an Etsy Banner Using Picnik

Cool Resources:

Etsy's Bannerator — Enter your text on one of our pre-made designs

Pre-made Announcement Etsy Banners on our Resources page

Free Etsy Banner Holiday Templates from Etsy member catherinetterings

Free Photo Editors:

Picasa - Free photo editing software from Google

Picnik - Online photo editing service

Aviary - Web-based photo editing with lots of fun tools

Gimp - Free image editor, alternative to Photoshop

Don't forget about all the designers on Etsy that can customize a banner for your shop. Try searching "Etsy shop banner" to browse the banner designs currently available.

Have a helpful link of your own to share? Please post it in the comments below!

More seller how-to's about banners can be found here.
Etsy Banner help can be found in Etsy's Help Guide.

Seller Tip: Present Yourself to the Press

2009-10-19T14:20:00-05:00

Attention, sellers! I have been your faithful blogger for the past two years and I have an important tip for you:

You need to be prepared with photos that represent you and your business.

I cannot tell you how many times I've been working on a blog post spotlighting an excellent person — seller, blogger, figure in the arts and crafts world — but they either don't have a headshot or they send me the most low-quality, blurry photo. It's driving me crazy!

And here's the thing — it's not just the Storque editors who may come to call. We're gearing up for a busy holiday shopping season, and bloggers and members of the press will be looking for unique gifts with interesting angles. The stories of crafters, artists, and small business owners should get out there, but in order to take part and get the most out of any exposure, you need to have a mini media kit at hand.

I know, I know, you are creators and you're busy making things! Yes, I hear you. You are makers of objects and art, not self-portraits! But I'm begging you, take a day to invite a photographer friend to come over and style some photos for you.

Here are the basic shots I look for and what many bloggers and journalists are seeking:

Nick and Kimber of littlesaplingtoys | Karin of ValhallaBrooklyn

A nice headshot — This is a portrait that is NOT a fuzzy, grainy photo that you obviously took of yourself with your cell phone. It's NOT a snapshot cropped to include your ex-boyfriend's hairy limb draped around your shoulders. This is a high quality, professional portrait of you looking your best. Like any good portrait, it gets across your vibe and makes you look good. You are the center of the photo, not the Statue of Liberty you're posed in front of with your group of friends. Want to get artsy? Do it! As long as it intentionally reflects your personality and your brand.
A photo of your studio or workspace — Use natural light, not flash. If the room is too dark even in the day time, set up some lights. Tidy up your work area, or if a workspace crammed with stuff is your vibe, make sure it's artfully portrayed.

Kara Ginther, a.k.a. KGLeather, via ToBeInspired on Flickr

A photo of you in the creative process — Have a photographer friend take some action shots of you in the midst of making. Don't be afraid to strike some natural poses and style these shots as you would a magazine shoot. Arrange your supplies, tools and background just so, make sure your outfit, hair and makeup are done the way you like it. Capture some of the action. Experiment with different angles.
Your items in context — If you make paintings, show some of your pieces arranged beautifully on a wall. If you're a potter, show some of your excellent tableware displayed on a kitchen shelf or in a dining room setting. Take some close-up detail shots and some shots that show the whole room. These photos are great for your listings as well as for press outreach.
Your items against a plain background — Shoot some well-lit shots of your items against a plain white background. Some bloggers and magazines prefer simple photos with solid backgrounds. These make it easier for them to incorporate your items into their posts or spreads. (An item on a white background won't compete with the design of their website or blog.) Learn how to remove your colored background in this how-to by Etsy 101.
Keep a high resolution version — Have on hand a version that is at least 300 dpi and 2500 pixels across. You can always size it down and send that copy. Learn more about photo resolution here.

atelierpompadour's studio, featured in the Etsy Open Studio Flickr pool

Now you'll be prepared when you get that call from a blogger or journalist, and with these new photos you can get out there and do some outreach of your own. They may not even use these photos, but the images may speak to them and get across the essence of what you're all about. Here are some of the other uses for these photos:

About Me or Contact Me page of your business website
Your blog
Facebook Fan page
Your Flickr stream
One of the images in your Etsy listings
A blog, magazine, or newspaper interview
Applications for a grant, artist in residency, gallery show or craft show
If you're picked for Featured Seller on Etsy
Etsy Open Studios Tour series on The Storque and its Flickr group
For another example, check out ShareSomeCandy's Workspaces series
Other Storque posts

Take a look at the Etsy Open Studios Flickr group. Which of these photos can you imagine being featured on a blog? Why? Post in the comments below.

More PR Tips | Seller Handbook

How-Tuesday: Three Projects From the Blogosphere

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

In true DIY fashion, Etsians know that craft expertise doesn't necessarily have to come from book deals or extensive degrees. Sharing the bliss of trying something new and learning tips along the way is ever-present in the Etsy community. This week's How-Tuesday is a sampling of some of the fresh tutorials Etsy members are exhibiting on their blogs, including reupholstering a thrift store sofa courtesy of jstephens13, vibrant watercolor portraits from SusanFaye, and delicate wire knot rings thanks to decors. What I love most about these how-to's is the emphatic encouragement and excitement throughout, sure to ignite your creative fire.

Loveseat Upholstery from jstephens13

An all furniture thrift store was recently introduced to my town. Being forever inspired by "old treasures made new," I immediately gravitated to the Vine Home Thrift. Having spent the last 20 years sewing, creating and designing smaller scale pieces of fashion, recently, I have been pushing for something more, something larger!

My first upholstery installation was an 80s headboard passed down from my parents years ago (a large half-moon shape with plenty of faux bois paneling). From there I covered many dining chairs, a headboard for my sons’ toddler bed...mostly 1-sided objects. When I found a sweet little loveseat on sale for $10 at my NEW FAVORITE STORE, I knew I had nothing to lose.

The emotion and therapy available in tearing a piece of furniture limb from limb is fantastic; stretching your chosen fabric tightly for a finished look can be breathtaking. Upholstery immediately grabbed me. Returning to the store and feeling a bit cocky, I sought the ugliest monstrosity in the store.

This photo tutorial will demonstrate upholstery techniques and furniture modification (once an enormous davenport/sleeper sofa, now a modern loveseat). Re-use what you can, seek new where needed, and in the end, curl up with a great book!

You can find my upholstery tutorial here.

Watercolor Portrait from SusanFaye

For me, watercolor painting is all about the luminosity, flow, and clarity of colors. I began flirting with watercolor during high school, took a class in college, and designed and marketed my first set of watercolor notecards shortly thereafter. Happiness ensued until a chance encounter with clay distracted me for the next 20 years as I became consumed with all things ceramic, porcelain and stoneware. Then carpal tunnel syndrome reared its ugly head. Clay and I were forced to part ways.

It was then that I took up again with my old flame, watercolor, and discovered true bliss. In addition to painting and selling traditional nature studies of flora and fauna, I also create whimsical custom Pet People portraits right here on Etsy in my shop. I have painted portraits of feline fanatics from across the U.S., plus cat ladies and lads in Canada, Great Britain, Greece, and Finland! You can see many of these portraits and read their stories on my daily blog.

As an occasional workshop instructor, I have discovered that watercolor is one of the most-feared mediums in the art world. Trust me when I tell you, it DOES NOT have to be so scary! I have put together a step-by-step tutorial on "How to Paint a Cat Lady and Lad" in a fun, illustrative style that I hope will inspire you to give it a try!

I cover a few watercolor basics such as materials, tools, and color mixing, then show simple techniques for creating an image by painting just one section or shape at a time, with a little blending and layering. Just remember to take your time, and if you goof up, IT'S ONLY PAPER! It's okay to try, try again as many times as you want to (as long as you remember to recycle all that paper)!

Important note: It is not cheating to trace, or to pencil in your lines first! (I once "got hell" from a student who had been taught at parochial school that tracing was CHEATING!) A real artist knows this simple rule of thumb: Try everything, and whatever works, just do it... and have FUN!

You can find my watercolor how-to here.

Wire Knot Ring from decors

Born and raised in the bustling suburb of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, I graduated from my adopted home of Melbourne, Australia, with a Bachelor's Degree in Computing. Starting with basic jewelry craft in December 2007, I quickly moved on to wire jewelry two weeks later and was instantly hooked. Thinking of a way to innovate, I realized that the art of Chinese knotting would introduce a certain je ne sais quoi to my creations, and thus began my fascination and passion for creation in this style and medium.

Amidst the encouragement that accompanied my first tutorial, though, there were some who felt that I should be writing tutorials in my mother tongue, on the narrow-minded pretext of there being a glut of tutorials for the English speaking audience.

I believe art should live naturally and be expressed as freely as breathing, which is why I continue to write and design as much as I can, in as many languages as I can. Wires taught me to be humble, and I give a short prayer of thanks each time they survive my designs.

You can find my wire knot ring tutorial here.

Do you include how-to's on your blog? Share in the comments below! Thanks to jstephens13, SusanFaye, and decors for these inspiring tutorials. I am grateful for how much I learn every day from the Etsy community!

More How-Tuesday Posts | Supplies Category | DIY Made Simple Gift Guide

Top Modish BizTips for Etsy Sellers

2009-07-16T11:00:00-05:00

We all know that marketing and promotion are vital in order to make your shop a success. However, the constant focus on sales, marketing, photography, etc., can start to take a toll on your psyche. It's easy to get overwhelmed, and often we can work so hard we zap the very spirit that set us into self-employment in the first place. So, my goal today is to remind you that to truly make your shop a success, you need to go easier on yourself, don't get discouraged when you're feeling overwhelmed and above all, to remember that you're not alone. Here are my the top tips I have for Etsy sellers, all from my blog Modish BizTips.

Dealing with Distraction

How can you possibly focus on your Etsy Shop when there's family and pets and laundry and flickr and sunny days to think about too, not to mention your day job? Phew! I'm tired just thinking about it! It's easy to be distracted, but to get your business into gear, you need to get on course. If you're too distracted, pull yourself out of the situation to refocus. Make a list of all your to-do's (a really big one) to get them out of your head and where you can see them. And above all, don't be too hard on yourself when you find productivity is just not in your favor. A day of too much distraction can be your motivation to make tomorrow better.
Read on for more tips on dealing with distraction.

Photo by angrypenguin.

Are you Selling Your Creative Inspiration Away?

Turning one of your favorite creative hobbies into an income source can blur the lines between business and fun. What used to be your artistic escape gets tangled up with marketing, money, deadlines, and the constant feeling of needing to produce. Suddenly, it isn't where you escape to anymore; instead it's the job you wish you could escape from! It helps to keep a creative pursuit: make things just for yourself or friends, keep some of your favorite thrift finds for yourself. Don't always gear towards sell, sell, sell. Remember the passion that brought you to your work in the first place and make sure you don't successfully over-sell yourself into a creative rut. More BizTips here.

Photo by CosmicFirefly.

When you Feel Like You Just Don't Measure Up

As an Etsy seller, it's easy to constantly compare yourself to others, as you are literally surrounded by a hotbed of creativity and talent. The more people you discover and admire, the more you may feel like you just don't quite measure up. But remember what brought you to Etsy — you're creative and talented too, you have something special to offer that no one else can, and you only have yourself to answer to. Work at your own pace. Realize how much you've achieved! Give yourself a moment to feel accomplished and proud of your efforts — you deserve it. And remember, you're worthy of admiration too. More on this topic.

Photo by MadameCupcake.

Dealing with Competition, Resentment and Your Ego

On the flip side to being surrounded by all those other creative people, you may have moments when you feel jealousy or resentment towards others' apparent successes. These are moments when you can't understand why they are getting all the sales and attention, and you're not. That's your ego popping in to say "Hello, what about me?" We don't want to let our egos guide our actions. So, what do you do with ill feelings of competition towards your fellow sellers? How do you quiet the hater voices in your head? You need to stop comparing yourself to others. Realize that you can't control anyone else's actions or the success they may receive. Let things go. Find the joy in what you're doing and try not to let competition and comparison distract you. More words of wisdom on this subject here.

Photo by BigHelmetHead.

Learn to Say No

When you're in business for yourself, it's easy to say yes to any opportunity that might help you get more exposure. Saying yes to opportunity is a good thing. But when you say yes to too many things, you may find yourself in up-all-night and tired-all-day zombie work sessions that can lead to burnout. Whether your Etsy shop is your full-time gig or a way to make some extra income, it's important to find a balance. Weigh what you realistically can and can't get done depending on your other commitments. Don't take on too much at once. Don't feel bad saying no to someone if you need to. It'll make for a happier, healthier and saner you, which can only benefit your business in the long run. More tips for "When to say yes" on Modish BIZTips.

Photo by shesells.

Well, hopefully this post will be a little morale boost to help keep you going even when the going gets tough. You can catch me over at Modish BIZtips for more creative business tips.

Check out the Seller Handbook | Visit the Virtual Labs

How-Tuesday: Rustic Wedding Cake Stand from OnceWed

2009-07-07T13:45:00-05:00

Once Wed is the kind of wedding blog that consistently makes me drool. Their featured one-of-a-kind receptions rely heavily on vintage and handmade, from the capelets to the guest books. For this week's How-Tuesday, Once Wed's contributor lalalaurie shares an easy-to-follow cake stand project that would instantly transform a tablescape from generic to woodland-magical.

What You’ll Need:

A Cross-Cut Wood Plaque (round or oval)
A Cross-Section of a Tree Limb (Make sure the top and bottom are parallel)
Titebond Ultimate Wood Glue (or a similar extra strong wood glue)
A Large Wood Clamp

Instructions:
Cross-cut wood plaques can be found in your local craft store or online at Hofcraft. They come in a variety of sizes ranging from 5 inches to 12 inches in diameter. They are usually found in the section with the wood-burning kits and other wood crafts. They are clean, sanded and ready to use.

1. Take your tree limb section and wipe the cut surface clean. Put a generous amount of extra strong wood glue on the surface.

2. Place the limb section in the center of the wood plaque's back side and press down firmly. Wipe away any excess glue with a clean, damp cloth.

3. Place the two joined pieces in a wood clamp and let dry for at least one hour. If you don’t have a wood clamp, you can stack a few heavy books on top of your pedestal until it’s dry.

4. Use your pedestals to display cakes and desserts or use as a base for a centerpiece. If you want to place food directly on the wood surface, coat it first with a food-safe wood sealer. If you would like the wood to keep its natural color, place a piece of parchment paper beneath your cake or dessert.

More crafty projects can be found in our How-Tuesday series on the Etsy blog. And did you know that you can buy Supplies on Etsy?

Wedding Decor Gift Guide | More Handmade Weddings Posts | Weddings Category

Handmade Weddings: A Guide for the Bride (and Groom)

2009-03-18T16:00:00-05:00

Are you getting married, but feel lost in a sea of big name bridal magazines filled with traditional and often cliché wedding ideas? If so, you may not know where to turn for touches such as that vintage gown, that one-of-a-kind button bouquet, and what about those handmade cufflinks?

After you have perused the many amazing vendors on Etsy, if you find yourself still in need of some guidance, here is a handy list of some valuable resources. Instead of the bridal mags, why not save some trees and go cyber instead? These are some of the many amazing blogs and websites that make it a point to source those unique and creative touches for your big day:

Style Me Pretty

Brooklyn Bride

Offbeat Bride

Eco Chic Weddings

WeddingBee

Great Green Wedding

WedSmack

Portovert

BRIDE TO BE - Mini Jot and Go Recycled / Upcycled Journal Notebook
by ivylanedesigns, $6.

If you still prefer the printed page to the digital type, here are a few books that may give you a spark:

Eco-Chic Weddings: Simple Tips to Plan an Earth-Friendly, Socially Responsible, Affordable Green Wedding by Emily Elizabeth Anderson

The DIY Wedding: Celebrate Your Day Your Way by Kelly Bare

Offbeat Bride: Taffeta-Free Alternatives for Independent Brides by Ariel Meadow Stallings

Anti-Bride Guide: Tying the Knot Outside of the Box by Carolyn Gerin

The DIY Bride: 40 Fun Projects for Your Ultimate One-of-a-Kind Wedding by Khris Cochran

For those who like to get some exercise while planning a wedding, you may be tempted to attend one of those big bridal fairs you see advertised on television. What a great way to sample some cake, watch a fashion show and pick up some business cards! However, many of the exhibitors at these types of event may not appeal to the more unconventional couple. So what is a gal or guy to do? Check your local city paper for any events in your area that may have interesting artists or designers. Try a local craft fair or two. You may just find that one of the jewelry designers at the show has an amazing bridal collection or your favorite paper goods company also does a wicked wedding invitation. To find a craft fair in your area, you can look to resources such as the Indie Craft Show Directory.

"Indie I Do" craft fair in Vancouver, courtesy of Tracey Heppner

Alternative bridal fairs are a new trend, which cater especially towards the non-traditional couple. These are great places, not only to shop, but also to exhibit if you are a maker of anything potentially wedding related. So far, the few lucky cities hosting such an event are Vancouver’s Indie I Do, Unbridaled Expo in Philadelphia, and Indie Wed in Chicago.

Hopefully this list provides you with a few options for finding those distinctive and personal touches for your special event. If you know of any other resources, feel free to list them in the comments below!

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

How-Tuesday: Favor Bags with Brooklyn Bride

2009-02-24T13:41:00-05:00

YouTube | Mp4 | blip.tv | Subscribe in iTunes

While a drawstring favor bag is a simple project, the idea behind it is big: fabric is an excellent way to add a personal touch to your special event! Whether you're planning a wedding, birthday party, or baby shower, think fabric for a unique — and inexpensive! — splash of color. The wrapping becomes part of the gift: a reusable bag is an eco-friendly alternative to wrapping paper. Your guests would never chuck your cute handmade bag into the trash, right?

Vane Broussard of Brooklyn Bride Blog (and bklynpillow right here on Etsy) joins us to share this design she developed while planning her own wedding. Her frustration at the lack of modern and affordable wedding decor options led her to become very creative — and got her started blogging! She's been going full speed ever since.

Drawstring Favor Bag

Materials You'll Need:

Fabric
Ribbon
Sewing machine with thread to complement fabric
Scissors or rotary cutter
Pins
Safety pin
Iron and ironing board
Embroidery thread, needle and hoop
Pencil or fabric marker
Ruler

Making a Favor Bag:

Measure and cut a piece of fabric that is 15" x 6 1/2". (You can really make this any size, I just like them petite.)
With the wrong side of the fabric facing up, at each of the shorter sides, fold and iron the fabric a 1/2", then again by 1". These sizes can be adjusted depending on the width of your ribbon.
Sew along the very bottom of that inch to make a pocket or channel for the ribbon on both ends.
Plan where you'd like to place an embroidered design. (Remember, you'll be losing at least a 1/4" on either side of the bag for seam allowance.)
Use a pencil or fabric marker to lightly sketch your design on the fabric; with an embroidery needle and four strands of floss, follow the path with a backstitch. (Keep stitches small so that the curves of any letters don't look choppy.) If you want to get fancy, you can try other stitches, like French knots!
Bring right sides of the fabric together and pin the sides, leaving the top of the bag open.
Sew using a 1/4" seam allowance along the sides, stopping once you reach the channels for the ribbon.
Turn the bag right-side out. To thread the ribbon for the drawstring, use a safety pin to catch one side of the ribbon to help you feed it through the channel created. Tie the ends together and trim the excess to finish.

Start with some fun favor bags, then try your hand at wrapped vases and a ring pillow... The possibilities are endless! What handmade touches did you add to your wedding? Tell us in the comments below!

If you're feeling crafty, check out the Stamping Metal Tutorial on Tuesday, February 24th at 3PM EST in the Virtual Labs. Catch more Etsy how-to videos and more wedding posts right here:

How Tuesday Videos | Handmade Wedding Series | Fabric Supplies Tagged "Organic"

Seller How-To: Get Noticed by the Blogosphere

2009-02-24T12:09:00-05:00

Today I opened up my email inbox, and guess what! I found a letter to you from Liz and Kegan, designers and bloggers from Design Glut. Liz and Kegan are going to be answering questions live from their studio via the technically magical Virtual Labs and they want to give you a few tips beforehand. Dig into this advice, and come on by with questions on getting noticed by the blogosphere, this Wednesday, February 25th at 4pm EST in the Virtual Labs.

Dear Etsy Sellers,

If you really want to get the word out about your shop and your creations, you need to become familiar with the blogosphere. We are forever indebted to friendly bloggers for helping us to get our product line noticed.

Why are blogs so important to an indie business?

1. Blogs drive traffic.
The more people see your products, and visit your web store, the more orders you'll take.

2. Magazine editors read blogs.
It's really, really hard to approach a magazine and get them to cover your work. But if you get your work posted on a blog, there's a good chance someone from a magazine will see it there and want to cover it.

3. Store and gallery owners read blogs.
Again, if these people see your work on a blog, there's a better chance they'll approach you.

4. It's a great way to get feedback on your work.
When you start getting your work in front of more and more people, you can really see what people respond to the most, and push your future work in that direction.

So how do you break into the blogosphere?

1. Feel the trickle-down effect.
If you get posted on one big blog that gets a lot of traffic (Design*Sponge, NOTCOT, Coolhunting, Josh Spear, MoCoLoco, Core77...), it will probably get picked up and spread around on a lot of smaller blogs as well, who saw it there first.

2. Don't blast every blog at once.
Everyone wants an exclusive story first! Pick your favorite blog, tell them they're your favorite, and that you're giving it to them first. But again, keep your message short and sweet. They don't have time to read paragraphs.

3. Follow instructions.
If a blog asks for submissions in a certain way, do it that way. Bloggers receive tons of emails and they set those guidelines for a reason. If you make their lives easier, you're more likely to get posted.

4. NOTCOT.org is a good place to start.
Their user-submission model makes it easy for you to get the content in front of the editors. And when they post something, it drives tons of traffic.

What do you need to prepare?

1. Take great photos.
We just interviewed the blogger Josh Spear, and he told us: "The internet is one big picture book." People are looking for eye candy. Give it to them.

2. Write the copy.
Bloggers are busy, busy bees. If you write something they can just copy and paste, it makes their lives easier. Don't be too wordy, though. Keep it short and sweet. The pictures should sell your product.

3. Get ready to be persistent.
If you've submitted one of your creations to the bloggers and not gotten any response, try taking new pictures and resending it. Or try submitting something else you've done. (But don't send the same thing over and over again. That just gets annoying. Make sure you have something new to show if you're emailing the same person again.)

See you on Wednesday!

Liz & Kegan

Thelongthread's Top 100 Tutorials of 2008

2009-01-08T11:15:00-05:00

Here are the Top 100 Tutorials of 2008 as impressively compiled and posted on thelongthread's blog.

Happy New Year! Here’s a list of free tutorials and craft projects from 2008 to inspire you to create something in 2009. Projects pictured above noted with asterisks in the list below.

I’ve sorted the tutorials by category to help make some sense of this list, but otherwise they are in no particular order. I’ve tried to include all of my favorite blogs and tutorials from the past year, but I’m sure that I’ve made some omissions. There are many sewing tutorials, plus lots of other crafty projects. So go make something!

Thanks to Craft, Whip Up, Design Sponge, Sew Mama Sew and TipNut for pointing me to some of these great projects.

For Baby:

Baby Bib, Chickpea Sewing Studio
Fabric Beach Balls, The Purl Bee
Bias Tape Bib, The Purl Bee
Quick Cozy Blankie, The Purl Bee
Reversible Baby Shoes, Maked

For Kids:

Blind Contour Drawing, Camp Creek Blog
Shadow Puppets, Arounna Khounnaraj for Bloesem Kids
Fabric Collage, Arounna Khounnaraj for Bloesem Kids
Fabric Skittles, London Mummy
Fabric Dollhouse, UK Lass in US
Black Apple Doll, The Black Apple
Kids Art T-Shirt, A Bit of This and a Bit of That
Pencil Roll & Art Bag, Red Current for Whip Up
Lunch Bag, Skip to my Lou
Felt Doughnuts, Skip to my Lou
Matryoshka Doll Tooth Fairy Pillow, Goody-Goody
Bean Bag Chair, Michael Miller Fabrics
Molly Monkey, Mmmcrafts
Pillowcase Dress, Maya Made
Eve Softie Toy, Instructables
Child’s Tent, Boutique Nutmeg Designs for Sew, Mama, Sew
Kimono Wrap*, Habitual
Toadstool Cottage & Mushroom House*, The Little House by the Sea
Growth Chart, Unraveled
Five Stones: Japanese Bean Bags, Honey & Daisy
Felted Sweater Animals, Martha Stewart
Calico Kitty*, Cherryskin
Paper Pinwheels, Ohdeedoh
Eraser Stamps, Geninne’s Art Blog
Lazy Days Skirt, Oliver + S
Recycled Cardboard Dollhouse, Esprit Cabane
Snow Globe Soap, Secret Agent Josephine for Alpha Mom
I Spy Quilts, Make and Takes

For the Home:

Crochet Heart, Bella Dia
Fabric Gift Bags, Jo Calvert for Canadian Living
Fabric Vase Covers, How About Orange
Papier Mâché Bowls, Painted Fish Studio
Easy Roman Shades, A Merry Mishap
Fabric Bird, Spool Sewing
Fabric Calendar, I Heart Linen
Wine Tote, Kathryn Goodman for Sewing Republic
Mushroom, My Little Mochi
Pom Pom, Molly Chicken
Butterfly Collage*, Ali Edwards
Toadstool, Lucy Kate Crafts
Rice Pillow, Wise Craft
Napkin Set, Angharad
Quilted Patchwork Hot Pads, Coyote Craft for Sew Mama, Sew
Picnic Blanket with Rock Pockets, House on Hill Road for Sew, Mama, Sew
Phone Charging Basket, Oh, Fransson!
Matryoshka Note Paper & Labels, A Print a Day
Fortune Cookie, Lady Harvatine
Yoyo Coaster*, Sew Take a Hike
Pleasant Kitchen Dishtowels, Alicia Paulson
Oven Mitts, Soozs
Fabric Covered Boxes, Wink Designs
Plate Transfers, Skinny Laminx for Design Sponge
Doily Bowl*, Jane Schouten for Design Sponge
Felt Votive Holder, Kate Pruitt for Design Sponge
Felted Sweater Flowers, Betz White for Craft Magazine
Ribbon Bookmarks*, Wee Wonderfuls
Fabric Bucket, Pippijoe
Recycled Bath Mat, New York Etsy Street Team

Clothing & Accessories:

5-Minute Skirt, Angry Chicken
DIY ipod Cover, Jannypie
Tape Measure Pouch, Ric Rac
1-Hour Bag, Ric Rac
10-Minute Headband, Blue Bird Studio
Felted Wool Bag, JCasa Handmade
Reversible Shoulder Bag, Lula Louise
Japanese Knot Bag, Show Your Workings
Camera Case, Pink Penguin
Tea Towel Apron, My Spare Time
Doily Produce Bag, Scrumdillydilly
Piggy Bank Purse, Nosey Nest
Apron in an Hour, Stop Staring & Start Sewing
Bamboo Handle Purse*, Little Birdie Secrets
Monogrammed Handkerchiefs, Grosgrain
Pinch Frame Pouch, The Small Object
Japanese Coin Purse, The Purl Bee
Hobo Lunch Bag, Sewing Notions
The Gathering Apron, The Cottage at Frog Creek

For Sewing:

Wildflower Pincushion*, Anna Maria Horner for Better Homes and Gardens
Five Point Ribbon Flower, Pin Tangle
Ric Rac Dahlias, Made with Love by Hannah
Simple Machine Applique, Oh, Fransson! for Sew, Mama, Sew
Fabric Labels, Linda Permann for Craft Stylish
How to Felt Sweaters, Crafty Pod for Craft Stylish
Fabric Stamping, Lena Corwin for Design Sponge
Square Deal Pincushion, Heather Bailey

For the Holidays:

Felt Snowflakes, The Purl Bee
Flower Garland, Zakka Life
Little House Ornaments, Pimp Stitch
Recycled Christmas Tree, Just Like Martha
Elfies Embroidery Pattern, Allsorts
Tomorrowland Trees, Wise Craft
Felted Candy Canes, Felt Café
Pomander, Betz White
Paperless Origami, Jeffery Rudell for Craft Stylish
Woodland Ornaments, Elsie Marley for Sew, Mama, Sew

*pictured above.

Watch more how-to videos and check out these how-to projects too.

Check out thelongthread's picks in the related items below.

Shop Makeover Series: Pimp Your Shop for 2009

2008-11-21T14:34:00-05:00

This installment of the Etsy Shop Makeover Series brings you to an important step: now that your shop is fit for public consumption, you gotta spread the word! Daniellexo gives you some tips on social networking and grassroots marketing. (Note: This post was originally published on January 28, 2008, but we've updated and revamped it for the coming year!)

I started on Etsy with blurry pictures and no idea how to run a successful shop. It took a year to make it to the now extinct Top Sellers list, but I did it. I spent roughly 10 hours a day learning about photography, d.i.y. marketing, the right time to list and renew and the other ins and outs of a successful Etsy shop. My first boost of sales came when I was mentioned in a rather popular blog. How did this happen? Not by accident. It took a lot of work. Read on to hear my formula for pimping your shop and getting sales.

Social Networking

Above: NeaWear tastefully "pimps" her shop on Facebook

Sure, you can spend a $1,000 on a tiny, tiny magazine ad. But, unfortunately, you can't click a magazine ad. I'm not saying they aren't good for building a brand, but it takes a lot of work to get a shopper from a magazine to their computer and then to your Etsy shop. I would work on your online presence instead if you are just starting out.

Where to start? First make sure your shop is focused. You need a target market; if you have a shop that's all over the map it will much harder to find your customers. Stick to a demographic, ie. teenage girls, new mothers or hipsters. Of course you can welcome all buyers, but it's easier to market with someone specific in mind.

Now what? Surf around and get familiar with the sites I link to in the rest of this article. Which ones look like the most fun to you? Sign up for those and test them out! When signing up, I suggest using your Etsy username and keeping all your accounts cohesive. You'll be easier to find that way. Now have a look at how much time you have per week. If you have a few extra hours a week, then focus on one or two social networking websites like Facebook, Twitter and Myspace.

Now don't get overwhelmed. Check out these sites and see which ones look the best for your market. It's better to have a few accounts on these sites and stake your own little area of the site instead of spreading yourself too thin. You want to build up your online presence with these tools. Make your accounts attractive to people browsing. The trick is to keep it fun, for you and your followers! Don't just post photos of your products that people can already find in your Etsy shop. Make sure you show them a bit about the maker behind the curtain; describe your process, your studio, your favorites, etc. Talk up your Etsy buddies too — share the love!

Social Networking Sites:
Facebook
Myspace
Virb
Twitter

Social Shopping & Bookmarking

Above: TomokoTahara socially shops on ThisNext, mixing her items with other great finds!

Sharing your picks with others through accounts on social shopping and bookmarking sites can be a great way to promote buying handmade. Make sure you mix promoting your own work with other great finds! Link to your accounts on your blog and in your shop profile.

Social Shopping Sites:

ThisNext
Stylehive
Stylefeeder
Kaboodle
Wishpot
Zebo

Social Bookmarking Sites:
Digg
Squidoo
StumbleUpon
Wists
Magnolia
del.icio.us

Photo Sharing

Above: mLee uses Flickr like a photo journal. I love how her Flickr account is organized into sets.

Flickr is a great site for telling your story through photos. Buyers can start to connect with the maker this way. Showing your family life, process, studios, pets, and more can remind your buyers and friends that there is a real artist behind the work in your Etsy shop! This gives your work an intrinsic value and authenticity you just can't get with a mass produced item!

Blogging

Above: the {NewNew} Team all works together to maintain their well read blog. If you don't have time to regularly update your own blog, sharing the workload by creating a Team blog is a great idea!

A blog is an online journal that your readers can subscribe to in order to learn more about your work, process and life. I would recommend Blogger.com to get started. It's pretty easy to set up. Just like the social networking sites, you want to make your blog interesting and fun. Show your readers a bit about your life, your process, things you've purchased, places you've been, etc. Join the Etsy blog ring once you get going! I started a shopping blog, Gold School. I still have about 50 readers a day. I show them items I like that are reasonably priced (90% Etsy items by the way). I also have a link in my blog to my Etsy shop. That way, my faithful readers might think, "Wow. I like this gal's taste! I wonder what she makes?"

Above: PearsonMaron's Twitter always makes me smile!

Don't have time for blogging? How about micro-blogging? Twitter.com asks one question: 'What are you doing?' Answers must be under 140 characters in length and can be sent via mobile texting, instant message, or the web. You can follow your contacts and gather followers. It's fun and addicting! Make sure you aren't just blogging about your work though — like usual, keep it interesting and fun! (Like PearsonMaron's tweets above!)

More sites to check out:

Niche Networking:
Ravelry (knit & crochet)
Designs To Love
DeviantArt (fine art)
Craftster.org (crafting)
DIYscene (D.I.Y. & alternative crafting)
BurdaStyle (sewing)

Skill Sharing:
Instructibles
Thingiverse

Video:
YouTube
Vimeo
Blip

Now get down a little routine.
Perhaps when you wake up you take a few pictures and upload them to Flickr. Then you blog about your strange dreams. Then you add a new item to Etsy and send it to all your social shopping sites. (Tip: Send your favorites to these social shopping and bookmarking sites too! If it's obvious you are just trying to pimp yourself people won't come back to see what else you've added.) Before bed work on your Myspace, perhaps.

From here you'll start collecting like minded social shoppers and perhaps you've bumped into a few blogs you like. Good! Bookmark those. You're going to need them. Find a day to yourself. Lock yourself up with some coffee and get motivated. Today you're going to get into a blog! It's cold-calling time.

I'm not going to list any blogs here for fear of 1,000 Etsy sellers contacting the same ones over and over. The trick is to find the blogs your potential shoppers read. Keep your target market in mind. Start with the smaller ones to build up your confidence. Find the bloggers email and really inspect it. What do they value most in the items they feature? How can you pitch your items in a way that would interest them and their readers? Make each email personal and specific to the blog you are writing to. Bloggers can smell a mass email a mile away. And it's not a nice smell. Oh, one more thing: don't just send them a link to your shop. Find the BEST item in your shop (and make sure its a nice clear photograph). Include a little something interesting about this item, how you made it, or about yourself. Make it easy for the blogger if they did choose to blog about your work. Send out as many of these are you can. If you don't get a response or only get one or two do not take it personally. Shopping bloggers get tons of unsolicited items sent to them. Start collecting another set of blogs to write to and have another stab at it.

Here's a sample letter:

Dear Gold School Creator,

I've been reading your blog for a few weeks now and I really love your finds (especially the weiner dog special last week!). They are all really fresh (and cheap)!

I'm writing because I think my work would interest your readers. Here's a link to my most popular item. I started making these when I broke my leg last summer and was immobile. I was so bored watching soaps all day so I decided to start embroidering these Soap Star Hankies.

Thanks for your blog and for supporting independant artist like me!

Happy Holidays,

Sally the Soap Star Hanky Maker

Keep these emails short, sweet, personalized and fun.

Getting Seen on Etsy

Above: ThePeachTree makes some gorgeous Front Page worthy Treasuries. And when these happen to land on the Front Page of Etsy, a link to her shop (just above the items) also gets a little bit of Front Page action!

Here are a few ways to pimp your shop on Etsy:

Make a treasury. I know it's not always easy getting a treasury, but try anyway. Set a timer for the next time a batch of them are about to expire and POUNCE! Keep your favorite items bookmarked and try to create a visually pleasing mix of goods. If you make a great treasury people will be interested in what you are doing in your own shop!
Renew. If you have the budget to renew once or twice a day (or more if you have lots of items in your shop) then I would really suggest it. It keeps you fresh in your category and puts it above other items that were listed before it on Etsy. Try different time of the day as well — I used to wake up in the middle of the night to renew!
(edit 1/30/09- Please note that relisting or renewing will place it above previously listed items on the site, but does not guarantee that it will show up on the front page ticker or in Time Machine 1 or Time Machine 2)
Use your shop name as a tag in your item listings. That way if someone comes to the site and searches for you but mistakenly doesn't change the search drop-down menu to "seller" — your work will still pop up. Also use your shop name in your listings. The more the name of your shop is used on the internet, the more likely it is to come up in a web search.
Forums. Be helpful on the forums. Sure you can also post in the promotions section but you are more likely to be seen in Site Help giving some advice to a newbie. And make sure your avatar is interesting and clear so people will want to check out your shop!
Pitch an article to the Storque here. What are you the most passionate about? Can you write about your process? About your local craft scene? A review on a great sewing machine you just purchased? Let the Storque editors know why this would be a great article, who would be interested in it and why you should be the one to write it.
Comment on Storque articles that you really like. I'm not suggesting to comment on every article. Just those that really call to you. Leave a thoughtful comment and others will see your avatar and might just have a peek at your shop!
Attend Virtual Labs events. They are fun and informative (ok maybe I am a little biased). But they are a great place to connect with the Etsy community and get seen as an active member.
Join an Etsy Team. Of course, don't just join a Team to promote yourself. Join one to bond with other Etsy members and to help each other promote your work and Etsy together!

Troubleshooting

So you've done all this and aren't getting the kind of response you would like? Here are a few things you can do now:

Hire a photographer. This could even be someone who is technically savvy in your family that has a nice camera. Get them to take some pictures for you and give you some tips on working with your own digital camera.
Attend the Etsy Labs critiques and workshops. (Usually every Wednesday and Friday — see the Storque's Online Workshops featured column for times.) You can really pick up some great tips at the critiques and workshops.
Ask a seasoned shopper for advice. Don't be too shy or sensitive! Ask them for their most honest opinion.
Try something new! Keep your shop fresh and dip into another category. Perhaps you'll find a technique or craft you may like even more. Think about a niche or need that may not be met yet on Etsy.

Whew. I hope that helps you and your shop in 2009. If you have any further suggestions for marketing your shop, let everyone know by commenting below! For further questions about selling, check out The Etsy Seller Handbook and the Shop Makeover Series.

[October 5, 2009 UPDATE: We have to close comments here because there are so many, it's slowing down the load of the page!]

Etsy's Guide to Blogging

2008-10-09T10:49:00-05:00

Starting a blog can be a little intimidating. Where should you start one? What should you write about? How do you get people to read your blog? I popped over to the Etsy Forums to gather tips from some Etsy bloggers. I knew I would find nuggets of blogging wisdom to share, and I was not let down. Read on to hear the Etsy community's tips, plus some of my own!

"Open Book" photograph by nicholasbartle

Getting Started

Recycledideas says: I chose Blogger.com because it's free and requires no familiarity whatsoever with HTML, which is perfect for me; although I like learning new languages, I really have no interest in talking to computers in their language. http://newfoundlandnews.blogspot.com

I like Blogger, too. It's free and pretty user friendly. Some other popular blog publishers are: Typepad, LiveJournal, and Wordpress. You're going to need to choose a layout, and if you don't know html, these publishers have templates for you to choose from. You can also search for free layouts on the internet or hire a designer to create something original for your blog. There are even some blog designs you can purchase from Etsy graphic artists!

When thinking about naming your blog ...

elanknits says: Have your blog name the same as your shop or brand name so you're easier to find. http://elanknits.blogspot.com

Many Etsians preferred simple designs, without too much flair. A lot of bells and whistles can drive away your readers.

fenrislorsrai says: Many folks read at work and nothing will get you off their reading list faster than music announcing that they are slacking at work! If you want to have a music player, set it to play only when someone clicks on it. http://fenris-lorsrai.livejournal.com

Once you have your blog set up ...

melsdolls says: The first thing any new blogger should do is claim their blog on Technorati. Technorati is the largest directory for blogs, and having a presence there is essential to your blog's success. http://pinkcrabcreations.blogspot.com

and...

poshdoodles says: My tip is for those who use Blogger to try Google's free analytics tool: http://www.google.com/analytics.

It can tell you:

How long people stay at your blog. (If they only stay a few seconds, you may need to rethink your approach.)
How people find your blog — where they come from and what keywords they're using, so you can see what promotional sites work best for you.
What entries people are reading.

And loads more. If you are keen to promote and expand your business, stats really help. http://poshdoodles.blogspot.com

Computer Ring by Sypria

Creating Interesting Posts

I think most Etsians in our forums discussion would agree that your blog should not just be about the work you sell. If we wanted to read that, we would just have a look at your shop! Your blog is a place where you can connect on a personal level with your readers (and potential customers). Write about your process, your inspiration, your favorite restaurant, your exciting family news.

Stockton says: Blog about your work and the things that inspire you ... but also write about others' work! Not only does it make your blog more interesting, but it draws in a bigger readership as you start linking to other sites and blogs. http://www.stocktonandco.com/blog

(Stockton features this button for TorontoCraftAlert.com on her blog.)

melissakate says: Mention Willie Nelson and Taxes :) That brought a lot of viewers my way!

T-shirt design by HonkyTonkTees

InkspotWorkshop says: I like coming up with weekly features; this way I can anticipate topics each week. For example, I have a weekly feature called iCANDY, where I feature my favorite Etsy sellers. I also have a feature called Bespoke Corner, where I feature different custom work, not necessarily every week, but definitely each month. http://inkspotworkshopblog.blogspot.com

LittlePaperDog says: Show work in progress. I love seeing how people create such amazing stuff. http://LittlePaperDog.blogspot.com

LittlePaperDog working on her tea towels

lookmamamadeit says: People LOVE tutorials and are always searching for them. If you can make and post a tutorial or two, and name it and tag it properly, it will keep bringing traffic to your blog. All kinds of tutorials, I guess!

As on Etsy, try to be original, professional, and to have good texts and photos. I advise non-English native speakers, like me, to try to blog both in your language and in English, and to use a good spelling tool.
http://ameninabrinca.blogspot.com

notagoose says: Have contests. People LOVE contests. Honestly, I'm sure there are legalities involved that you may want to look into, but I'd just do these random contests for piddly prizes and people flocked. For example, I'd have people design banners for my site, then post them and have people vote on their favorite. The ones who made submissions would invariably post a link to my blog on their site begging their readers to come vote for them, and those people would end up subscribing to my site.

EyePopArt says: Try a poll now and then! I just posted one on mine at http://eyepopart.blogspot.com

SunshineandRavioli says: I would suggest posting lots of good pictures. I prefer blogs with lots of eye candy, and I'm sure I'm not alone ... more great pictures, less words. There are too many great blogs out there to visit to be able to spend 20 minutes reading one post. http://sunshinenravioli.blogspot.com

Print by BluLima

Staying Motivated

larsandaddie says: I carry my camera with me almost everywhere — having pictures to post keeps me motivated to update. http://larsandaddie.blogspot.com

This is a great tip! In addition, if you have a Flickr account, set up the "Post to Blog" function. This motivates me to blog more. I upload a photo and then can easily create a blog post with it.

Diffraction says: Chances are you won't feel like blogging every single day, but you must really have a new post for your readers. So on the days you are feeling very productive, schedule two or three days in advance. This feature is available on most blogging platforms and enables you to take a breather if you need it, without letting down your readers.
dif-fraction.blogspot.com

TotusMel says: I've made blogging part of my morning routine so it's never hard to do. http://totusmel.blogspot.com

tizzalicious says: I stay motivated by having a few theme days, like on Sunday I feature a Cute Craftster of The Week, an Etsian with a shop full of cuteness. I also stay motivated from the nice comments I get (ask questions in your posts!) and from seeing how many visitors I had on my stats. http://blog.tizzalicious.com

talkproof, one of tizzalicious's "Cute Crafter of the Week"

Building a Readership

DirtySanchez says: My best advice is to be a blogger, not a crafter who has a blog. My blog has been going for well over six years now, and it covers everything — family, work, beekeeping, soapmaking, random inspirations, the whole nine yards. To gain and keep a readership, the blog needs to be interesting for everyone, not just other crafters.

susansheehan says: Put your blog link in your shop announcement, in all email signatures and on forum signatures. Join blog rings or collective groups. Can't find one? Start one of your own. I started flaminghot.wordpress.com as a way to get flameworkers blogging and provide a way to generate traffic to their sites.

TheBrassHussy says: My best blogging tip is not about your own blog, but to find other blogs that interest you and comment on them. The blog owner will probably check your profile out and could buy from you or include you on their blog. Which I think is a great way to bring in traffic to your blog.

sewbettie says: To gain readership, participate in the blog community. I try to visit about ten new blogs a week and leave a comment. They almost always come check out my blog and I come across new ideas, inspiration, and resources. You can find new blogs on the Etsy Forums or by clicking the blog links on your favorite blogs. http://craftyourselfrich.blogspot.com

That happens to be my very favorite blogging tip (I give it often!): Participate on other blogs. For more blogging inspiration, check out TeenAngster's series on the Storque — News from the Craft & Style Blogosphere.

RenewedResources says: I am using Scoutle and Entrecard to help bring in folks to my blog. http://etsysupplyshoppe.blogspot.com

There were a few mentions of Entrecard, which I had never heard of! Great tip!

I hope these ideas motivate you to get started blogging or to update your blog today! If you have any additional tips (or questions) please post them in the comments below.

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

Team Tip: Success!

2008-09-08T14:53:00-05:00

This article was originally published on April 22, 2008. We are reviving it as part of the Best of the Storque series. Enjoy!

How do you measure success of your Etsy Team? Well, if you define success as meeting or achieving your goals, then it looks like your Team should be sure it has clear goals! Each Etsy Team is different. While Teams can be similar — for instance, two Teams formed of sellers working in the same craft or medium, or multiple Teams within the same state or location — all groups of creative people are going to be as unique as each person in the group. Since each Etsy Team is different, it only makes sense that Teams will have any number of different goals.

It's probably safe to say that most people join Etsy Teams ultimately to improve their Etsy experience — this might mean through garnering more sales, improving their skills or their Etsy shop, networking or simply meeting people to share common interests. These are all excellent reasons to join a Team and really great overall goals for Teams to have.

Let's get a little more specific, though, and consider some attainable goals an Etsy Team can pursue. Your Team might strive to have a really useful, well-read blog, like the Eco-Etsy Team's blog, which features different helpful environmentally friendly tips weekly. A Team might decide upon a mission to educate shoppers on the value of handmade, like the EGCG Team's mission to show people that handmade bath and body products are amazing. Perhaps the Team decides that they'd like to participate in local art fairs as a group, as the Plush Team decided to do when they applied to participate in the Renegade Craft Fair in Brooklyn this summer. If you're a local Team, maybe you can organize a handful of events, like classes, shows or workshops to engage your real life community in learning about local artists and the value of handmade work.

No matter what your Team's goals are, you should be sure that you've spelled them out clearly and that all Team members are not only aware of the goals, but can participate in helping the Team actively achieve them. Having a mission statement is great, but it's also important to determine how you will achieve it and what that means on a weekly or monthly basis. For example, if your Etsy Team's goal is to support one another, perhaps meet in chat once a month to do a group critique on one aspect of your Team's shops or share links to one anothers' shops on your personal blogs, social networking sites or even give them a shout-out in your Etsy profiles. The possibilities of goals and ways to achieve them are endless!

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

Team Tip: Is Blogging Important?

2008-08-25T14:41:00-05:00

Blogs can play a vital role in marketing your Etsy Team on the web. Many people choose to buy handmade to support artists. A good blog gives your customer base a glimpse into the lives of the artists they're supporting. Sneak peeks into studio spaces, interviews on artistic beginnings and techniques make for interesting content. You can promote your colleagues and Teammates easily with a blog, and relevant tutorials, tips, tricks and other useful information will keep readers checking in often.

Blogging doesn't come naturally to everyone, so it's best to pick someone on your Team who enjoys blogging to be responsible for posting often. There's no harm in starting a blog to see how it works for your Team, and delegating posting responsibilities will ensure the blog gets updated regularly. Here are some simple steps your Team can take to set up a blog and maintain it successfully.

What types of things would your Team like to cover in its blog? Keep in mind your Team's goals and pick topics that members of your Team feel comfortable and knowledgable enough about to talk about every day: a type of craft, information on where your Team lives, or something that makes your Team unique that will be engaging for your target demographic. Remember, you won't want to be too personal (no gossip!), as this is a professional blog created to drive traffic to your Etsy shops. You want to connect with a specific group of people (your readers and potential customers!) by making the blog fairly specific and full of information, but keeping it broad enough that you can eventually have a pretty large readership.
Find your tone. What type of voice should the blog to have? For example, it can be an instructional blog, you can adopt a professional voice or you can really be yourself. Setting a tone and being consistent makes a blog easy to read.
Blog often. Blogs are an interesting medium because they can literally be up-to-the-minute information. No one wants to read a stale blog.
A wise blogger once told me "No one cares what you had for lunch today." (Unless your blog is all about food, I suppose...) Make sure you're blogging about things that engage your readers!
Include great photos! These could be photos of members' studios or workspaces, little snapshots of members' everyday life, in-progress shots of items, or photos of your Team in action. Photos can make a blog-reader feel like they're being treated to a behind-the-scenes tour.
Have actual content. It's not hard to distinguish between an interesting blog you'd like to revisit and a series of advertisements upon first visiting a blog.
Blog often. This is the most important tip.
Use widgets! Etsy, Twitter, Flickr, Amazon and other sites all have applications you can include in your blog's side bars to keep the page dynamic even when you can't update it. Etsy Minis are a great tool to get your work—and the work of people you admire—noticed without writing dull posts about your own shop over and over again.
Blog often! The more often you blog, the more people will check your blog.
If you find it's not working, don't let your blog sit around decaying! Remove your blog from the web—there's nothing sillier than a blog that hasn't been updated in eight or nine months.

Here are some useful places to get started with a Team blog, or spruce up your existing blog:

http://www.blogger.com — Free online blogging site
http://www.typepad.com — Inexpensive online blogging networking site
http://www.flickr.com/badge.gne — A photo widget that puts photos from your Flickr group onto your blog
http://www.twitter.com — Free mini-updating messaging site
http://www.wordpress.com — Online blogging tool
http://sethgodin.typepad.com — Marketing guru Seth Godin on how to get blog traffic
http://team.etsy.com/blogring.html — Ablog ring of Etsy Team blogs — New blogs are added monthly!

Blogging should be an enjoyable way to get to know your Team better, as well as attract fans (and buyers!) of your work. It's a way to let people meet your Team, and should highlight positive aspects of what you're doing and the things you learn along the way. Exchange links with other bloggers (especially other Teams!), include lots of Etsy Minis, read and comment on other blogs to increase your readership. Have fun!

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

Team Tip: Improved Etsy Teams Blog Ring

2008-07-28T13:00:00-05:00

Ever wish there was a way to browse through all of the Etsy Teams blogs and catch up on all the wonderful, amazing things Teams are up to? Look no further, faithful Etsy Team Blog reader, as we introduce a new Etsy Teams Blog Ring. All Blogs run by Etsy Teams (this Blog Ring is not personal blogs, sorry!) are welcome to join in, and can find instructions on how to do so here.

What is a Blog Ring and why should you check this out? A Blog Ring is links that have been placed in the sidebar of a series of blogs, that enables you to click through and read related blogs. With the Teams Blog Ring, you can now easily flip through to learn what the most active Etsy Teams are up to, find specials, information on events, and learn a lot more about many Etsy Teams. We're really excited about this tool for catching up with fantastic Teams!

There are probably some of you scratching your heads and thinking, "But I thought there was already a Teams blog ring?" And you're right, there was. The previous Teams Blog Ring had some technical issues, so this Teams Blog Ring is the real deal from here on out!

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

Handmade Weddings: Eco-friendly Flower Ideas with Maria Finn

2008-04-07T14:51:00-05:00

We invited Maria Finn aka citydirt to share some insights into incorporating plants and flowers into your Handmade Weddings. Maria has written about nature for the New York Times and Audobon, and has also published travel books and taught writing to college students. In addition to being an award-winning author, Maria runs a hands-on, eco-friendly gardening company called Prospect & Refuge, and blogs about the experience at CityDirt.net.

Nobody wants to think of herself as a Bridezilla, but all the details can be daunting — especially if you’re someone who considers her or himself eco-sensitive. Are your wedding flowers filled with pesticides that are polluting the rivers and exploiting workers in Colombia? Does rice thrown for good luck really explode in the stomachs of songbirds? Ahhh, the horror of unintended consequences. Etsy has asked me to make these details a little easier. And since you’re here, reading this, I’m assuming you like things creative and a little funky, so let’s make this wedding planning fun.

Carry an elegant bouquet of white calla lilies wrapped in your grandmother’s handkerchief, or mix together chartreuse and romantic sunset roses, both available from Organic Bouquet. (Remember, you’ll need a few days to let them open, so timing is everything here. And there aren't really any organic fillers, so just go outside and pick some ornamental grass or ivy vines and bind them all together with floral tape and then cover that with ribbon.) To find other Fair Trade flowers vendors click transfairusa.org/content/flowers/index.php.

Centerpieces at the reception don’t even need to be flowers. If you’re Buddhists, you can find statues and incense burners; for bird lovers, place botanicraft's bird houses on the table and scatter dried flowers or petals around them.

Terrariums are glass containers filled with tropical or desert eco-systems, and tres chic these days. Here's a good size: vintage Crushed Fruit Jar.

You can create a natural look by adding pieces of driftwood, shells, or pebbles, or you can add a kitschy bride and groom figurine and mulch with turquoise marbles or red lentils if you’d like. These can really keep a conversation flowing at the in-law table. Go to my blog for a guide to making a terrarium—and what to avoid.

You can also use live plants that can be given away to guests or can be replanted in your yard. Small bonsai trees make elegant centerpieces and will live for years — decades even. Scour your local China Town for ones already in ceramic dishes. Add a few of gamiworks's Japanese Candle Votives for a touch of color.

Also, OrganicBouquet.com sells California grapevine bonsai’s — so post nuptials, the Newlyweds can start their own vineyard.

If you must have cut flowers — and often we must — go seasonal or go native. WhatsInBloom sells a planning kit to help you know which flowers are available the month of your wedding. For natives, check out the Local Harvest Site to find wildflower venues near you and support growers of native wildflowers. Native plants are heartier, use less water, require fewer pesticides, and they provide food and shelter for our birds, bees, and butterflies. Although, I must admit, I love lavender.

It’s not a native to my Brooklyn area, but lavender is certainly hard to resist. In the Middle Ages, lavender was considered “the herb of love” and lavender bouquets were given to newly-married couples to bring good luck; as well, sprinkling dried lavender flowers in the home was said to bring peacefulness. So plant some live lavender in reclaimed redwood flowerpots from barwood.

For larger bouquets, mix miniature cascading red roses with lavender. Later, turn these into planted pots on your front porch or replant them into window boxes.

As for what to toss at the bride and groom, I’ve got you covered. At my Etsy store here, I sell native wildflower seeds in hand stamped small envelopes. By tossing these, you’re doing all sorts of great stuff for the environment, and seeds are symbolic; there’s something, well, fertile, so to speak.

For more eco-friendly and DIY wedding tips, see Portovert's post, ecochicwedding's post, Craftmagazine's DIY post, plus many others.

Wedding Gift Guide | Wedding Category | Wedding Showcase | Handmade Wedding Series

All about RSS

2008-03-31T12:42:00-05:00

Curious about the little orange RSS links you see all over the web? RSS feeds are a great way to keep tabs on websites that update frequently, like blogs and Etsy shops. Word on the street is that RSS stands for "real simple syndication."

Check out this video on how to use RSS with Alchemy:

[Music by Barry London]

To get started with RSS, you'll need an RSS reader and some feeds you want to follow. Some easy to use RSS readers include Google Reader and Bloglines. Firefox has a feature called "Live Bookmarks" which can be used to view RSS feeds. Thunderbird, Microsoft Outlook (2003 or later) and Apple Mail all have RSS readers built into them, so you can get RSS updates alongside your e-mail. RSSFWD will actually email RSS updates to any email account you like.

One handy Etsy feed you'll want to subscribe to is the Storque's Etsy News feed. The Etsy News feed pulls directly from the Etsy News section of the Storque, bringing important news to you in a timely fashion. There are RSS feeds for all sections of the Storque; check out the list of the Storque feeds available. In addition to section-based feeds, you can also get a feed for any of our featured columns. Just want to see our Etsy Success Stories articles? Click the "RSS Feed for this search" at the bottom of the page. You may need to copy and paste the feed URL into your RSS reader.

So be on the lookout for the orange RSS icon! It means that a website's content can be packaged and delivered directly to you. How handy!

TimothyAdamDesigns' Etsy Mini How-to Video

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

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

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

Etsy Team Tip: Build a Team Etsy Mini

Tech Updates: Etsy Mini

Handmade Weddings: Stepping back from the Planning Hype with creationsbylonni

2008-03-21T13:35:00-05:00

Handmade Wedding Series readers, creationsbylonni offers up some advise for keeping your wedding planning from spirally out of control.

You’re engaged! You’re excited! You’re off to do some wedding shopping! Now you’re… sober. Wow. How much? Everyone told you how expensive weddings were, but you did NOT see that coming. Remember that scene in Father of the Bride where they went to visit the oh-so charming wedding coordinator for the first time and he garbled out some prices with his barely intelligible accent? It was funny in the movie, but in real life… not so much.

Don’t get discouraged. “No” is not a dirty word (it doesn’t even have four letters). You can use it and still have a wedding with all the style and panache you hope for. If you arm yourself with some practical resources, and you are honest with your intentions about what’s important to you within the limits of what you can afford, you can plan without stressing and losing your joy. Focusing on goals like “meaningful” and “personal” can keep you centered amid any chaos.

Let’s talk about some practical resources and some “outside the box” ideas. Believe it or not, there are some in the wedding industry who actually want to help you SAVE money! Here are a few suggestions to “gird your loins.”

Books:

Bridal Bargains, 8th Edition: Secrets to throwing a fantastic wedding on a realistic budget

Author: Denise Fields

This book is amazing… talk about cut the crap! There are no pictures, no chi-chi, no frou-frou, just straight talk about what’s REALLY worth paying for and — if it is worth paying for — how to pay as little as possible. It has some great suggestions for DIY if you just CAN’T pay for it, whether it’s worth it or not. Read the book that had many in the wedding industry feeling outed and downright upset!

DIYBride.com

Khris Cochran writes a wonderful blog with all kinds of money-saving DIY projects. Weddings are an expression of who you are as a couple, and nothing says unique like something you made yourself. She now has an accompanying book: The DIY Bride: 40 Fun Projects for Your Ultimate One-of-a-Kind Wedding. (Read Khris' piece in this series.)

Some Ideas on Etsy:
Etsy.com is a wonderful place to find all kinds of supplies and items for your wedding that you won’t find anywhere else. DIY is wonderful for weddings, but some things may require a skill you just don’t possess or a time commitment you can’t make. That doesn’t mean you have to go the cookie-cutter route. There are so many talented artists on Etsy, many of whom will create something one of a kind and just for you at a price that is reasonable using Alchemy. Have Grandma’s antique necklace transformed into a tiara or reinvented as fresh and modern jewelry. Use a custom stamp on your wedding stationery with your couple’s initials. The supplies category has all kinds of unique items to make your DIY project a hit! You may find yourself struck by inspiration just perusing the site.

Custom Stamps

Custom Wedding Favor or Save the Date Personalized Damask Stamp

by sweetpaperie

Custom Rubber Stamp

by absolutecreations

Vintage Paper

Luxurios Vintage Paper Sampler Pack

by creationsbychar

Paper Flowers

Haralequin Romance Flowers Recycled Embellishments

by katskrafts

Wedding Blogs:
Wedding Blogs are a great way to get in the loop with the most up-to-date wedding tips and trends. Have wedding experts at your disposal with these wonderful gems:

Bridalwave — Camilla Chafer dishes unusual wedding tips in an irreverent, saucy style

The Bride’s Café — Floral designer Janie Medley puts you in the know, interviewing the hottest talent in the wedding industry such as designer Monique Lhuiller and planner Jung Lee, and the pictures are fabulous.

The Brides Guide from Martha Stewart — By editor in chief Darcy Miller of Martha Stewart Weddings magazine.

What Junebug Loves — Christy Weber sweeps you away with lush, delicious color palettes. The wedding beauty and fashion tips are always fresh and stylish. This is a great blog for inspiration.

In planning your wedding, there is no one thing you HAVE to do except say “I do.” The most beautiful weddings are the ones where the couple’s have the most beautiful relationships. But… great decorations don’t hurt, either.

Here's a video to watch with your fiance when you guys "need a laugh." (Warning, if you have a child on your lap while watching this: there are a few naughty words!)

Should you decide to do some DIY projects, here are some...
Further Resources for Supplies:
firemountaingems.com

caravanbeads.com

artbeads.com

papermart.com

Wedding Gift Guide | Wedding Category | Wedding Showcase | Handmade Wedding Series

Tweeting for Dollars

2008-03-05T15:02:00-05:00

Tweet tweet. A bunch of us here at Etsy (including me) have become obsessed with Twitter, a micro-blogging site that allows us to tweet about what we’re doing all day. We saw a few posts in the forums and realized that it could be a very powerful tool for our sellers. It is very simple to use: sign up at Twitter.com, invite some friends to follow you and start tweeting!

We talked to two Etsy sellers who are using Twitter: Carprichos and strangelittlebird and here’s what they had to say about it:

1. Why did you start using Twitter?
Caprichos: I started using Twitter because my podcaster friend at geekischic.org told me it was great advertising for her, more fun than regular blogging, and a great way to spread the word about your work. I decided to try it, and I love it.

Strangelittlebird: About a year and a half ago my husband sent me a link to Twitter and convinced me to join so I could keep track of him and meet his awesomely geeky friends. At first I didn't get it, but then it became addictive.

2. How many of your followers are buyers of your jewelry on Etsy?
Caprichos: As with many advertising options, it's hard to tell exactly how many sales come directly from Twitter. I do notice, however, that views and hearts increase when I tweet about an item.

Strangelittlebird: So far about 10%.

3. Are most of your posts related to Etsy items?
Caprichos: Sometimes I tweet about work or the weather, but I try to relate back to treasuries, new items and blog posts, Storque articles and purchases I have made, all to increase traffic to my shop.

Strangelittlebird: Not even close! I use Twitterfeed (which is great, btw) to automatically post my new items to Twitter, and sometimes my Etsy friends and I discuss projects and ideas, but mostly I use Twitter just to hang out and meet people. The more people you know from all over, the more of a potential customer base you have, plus, meeting people is fun!

4. Are you selling items as a result of twittering?
Caprichos: In the last two months I have changed my shop significantly and started to do a lot more outside promotion, including Twitter, and have definitely noticed results.

Strangelittlebird: I think so! My sales have increased since I started twittering. I think as sellers we're all looking for ways to get our great items just a few more seconds of publicity, an Twitter certainly offers that opportunity.

5. Do you blog more or twitter more?
Caprichos: I twitter a lot more than I blog. Twitter is a lot less time consuming than keeping up a regular blog. Plus, I get to quickly read through what my friends and contacts are doing, and get reminders of new items, blog posts, and other news from people I follow.

Strangelittlebird: I twitter more than I blog. While I enjoy blogging, I simply don't have time to post regularly. With Twitter I can keep up without investing a lot of time that I don't have.

6. What do you like/not like about Twitter?
Caprichos: I love how user-friendly it is! I think its so easy to communicate through Twitter, and it is so much fun. I do wish that more Etsy friends would be on it, or maybe even that Etsy had a profile to spread the word about storque articles or news [editorial note: Pssssst! We do! twitter.com/storque].

Strangelittlebird: I like the spontaneous nature of Twitter. I do wish we could add images, however. That would be my first suggestion to the Twitter folks.

A huge thanks to Carprichos and strangelittlebird for sharing their thoughts with us. Please sign up to follow the Storque — we tweet about what we’re working on and everything we post onto the site.

Etsy Team Tips: Etsy Teams Blog Ring!

2008-03-02T07:00:00-05:00

Etsy seller and Baltimore Etsy Team member JenMenkhaus has helped to create a Blog Ring for Etsy Team Blogs! This is a really wonderful way for the Teams to interconnect, catch up on what other Teams are doing, and direct more traffic to their blogs. To join, visit the blog created to host the blog ring. Update: To join, visit the Etsy Teams Blog Ring page.

A few things to note - this ring is not for personal blogs, even the personal blogs of members of Etsy Teams. Rather, it's a ring for blogs maintained on behalf of Etsy Teams. However, you don't have to be a member of Etsy Teams to click around the ring and check out all the fantastic things the Etsy Teams are up to! Anyone can read through this ring, which is what makes it such a great tool for the Teams.

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

Writing for an Online Audience: How-To

2008-02-25T15:53:00-05:00

Hi! My name is Deanna Roux, aka FancyFreeMe on Etsy. My last job was for a corporate communications department, in employee communications. I was assistant editor for an employee magazine and online publisher for an employee intranet. My experience granted me some valuable knowledge on the difference between writing for a print publication and an online audience. I have some helpful information to share that I think you can use for writing up shop listings and on your blog.

Let me begin by saying this – I’m not done learning. Times change, technology changes, and people's needs change. Things are always evolving and you have to keep up if you want to stand out.

With that said, here's where we were last I checked.

What’s in it for me?
People have little time and even less patience. Readers want to know “what’s in it for me?” in the first few seconds, otherwise they'll move on. Potential customers want to connect with you through your writing. Wow them with your art, but grab them with your voice first. And don’t wait until the end of your blog post to present a call to action (e.g. sign up, join, visit me, etc.).

[bowl by vesselsandwares]

Headlines and Titles

Shorter is better
- Susie’s Sassy Salsa NOT Sue Roberts Homemade Recipes Hot and Spicy Salsa - Hot

Words that pop
- Mohair Harry’s Skullcap NOT Black Hat With Hair-Like Fringe Around the Edge

Assign attributes
- Juicy Gemstone Choker NOT Watermelon Tourmaline, Ruby, Peridot, 14K Gold Filled 16” Necklace

Work a rhyme
- October 25, Blossoms Alive NOT My Garden is Still Blooming on October 25

KISS – Keep it Simple and Short
Yes, you need details, but don’t overwhelm the reader right to the nearest exit. Reserve space for sharing your personal views, techniques and inspirations. Go back and read what you wrote. Remove big words only used to impress and redundant information. Don’t drown your clever cut of meat with too much gravy.

[exemplary description by vesselsandwares]

Speed Bumps
It’s your job to slow the online eye. Give your reader something to stumble upon. Instead of using a large block of text, break it up. Use bullets to make a list easier to read. Use caps and/or boldface to make subtitles in your post pop. The use of whitespace will give the eye a break and it’ll make your blurb easier to read.

Write As If Your Audience Doesn’t Know Anything
You are the expert of what you create. You know the size, length, and dimensions. You know the materials and components. Your words should tell the story your photos can’t. Don’t make them search. A shopper wants to know if it’s sterling silver or plated; cotton or rayon; and porcelain or ceramic.

Things You Need

Word Processing Application: Type up your entries in Word or another application — it just helps to have an active spellchecker.
Camera: a digital camera is best for an easy snap and post.
Time: Don’t fake it — if you don’t have the time just put down the basics in a draft and fill it out later.

Things That Would Help

PFF (Proofreading Friend Forever): Have someone you trust take a peek for typos and general comprehension.
Photo Editor: Photoshop, Google’s free Picasa, or something like it — make your photos go from sloppy snapshots to pretty pics.

Ultimately, the challenge is not “writing.” The challenge is “taming the writer within.” So here’s your whip and here’s your chair. Now go tame!

So what do you think? Are you up for the challenge? Comment below with any tips you have to share!

For more information on writing for your shop, check out these helpful articles.

How-To's from the Seller Blogosphere: greenbeanbaby's 10 Steps to a Successful Shop

2008-02-04T16:50:00-05:00

What can you do to run a better Etsy shop? greenbeanbaby gives you her top 10 things to do in order to "run a successful etsy shop" and many of her ideas tie into blogging. In fact, her post is a great example of how blogging works. CRAFTzine blogged about her post, and that's how we here at the Storque found out about it! Get out there and give the world something beautiful/interesting/useful to get excited about!

"many of us like to create in some form, right?! and wouldn't it be wonderful if we could bring in oodles of dollars for making what we love?! well, while i am not an expert in this matter, i DO have a few opinions and ideas on how to run a successful etsy shop..."

So check it her full post and give the Storque a shout in the comments below if you keep a blog...

Burdastyle: Neighborly Sewing Patterns

2007-09-06T07:00:00-05:00

BurdaStyle is a new company on a mission to share sewing patterns freely and openly, spreading the word about do-it-yourself style. We like to think of our website as a virtual sewing circle, an open-source hub of ideas, expertise, and amazing patterns you can download and sew at home. We're offering our ideas, expertise and downloadable patterns to the BurdaStyle community, and we hope that you'll contribute, too.

In the beginning, Burdastyle was simply to sublet Etsy's office space. In the end, we found out how to share ideas with creative neighbors. We gained valuable expertise on so many levels during the building and launch of our website at the Etsy Labs: craft skills, website design, Fresh Direct delicacies. (Thanks for the great cheese, Rob!) However, even more important for us as a young start up was witnessing the challenges and returns of building a company and seeing it grow.

Every day there was something and someone new. Being part of a bustling hub full of excitement and ideas has contributed so much to BurdaStyle, our open source sewing community. Thank you, Etsy -- and congratulation on a great new venture: The Storque - a great platform and a chance for us to give back a little.

Here, we will share with you how to change the dress pattern Celestina, available on our website. You can download it for free here. To find more ideas and people that like to sew and make things, join us at BurdaStyle.

See you soon!
Nora

The Global Microbrand: Further Resources

2007-07-04T20:00:00-05:00

On July 2, 2007, the Etsy Labs had the pleasure of hosting new media consultant and educator Antonio Gould for an informative lecture, both in person and in our online Workshop. (Previously mentioned in the blog here...)

As a Digital Media Consultant, Antonio's talk "The Global Microbrand: Using the Web to Stay Small whilst Selling all over the World" focused on useful tools and methods for entrepreneurs to take small businesses to a global level, while maintaining a niche market. The goal for this type of business-person is to create a sustainable business but to remain hands-on and have creative control over their products.

Antonio's many business examples, brainstorming tools and helpful resources were enough to get anyone inspired about their small business! He also explained the value of utilizing podcasting and video on blogs, connecting with others through social networking sites, and keeping up to date on what your fellow bloggers are doing.

The list of resources Antonio referenced in his talk are here in PDF form, for your viewing pleasure. Thanks so much to Antonio for coming in and giving such a great lecture!

Video #1:

Video #2:

Video #3:

We've posted a series of videos from his talk on the web. Click above for the first installment and check out the Etsy blip page for the rest of our videos.

Special shout-out to Xiane for being the guinea pig shop which the group critiqued! The Labs and online Workshop audiences checked out her blog, MySpace, and Etsy shop. It was a challenge to integrate both the online and offline groups live and in real time. We learned a lot and the next event will be even better!

See our flickr photos.

Note: This was originally posted in the Etsy Garden.

Tech Updates: Etsy Mini

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

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

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

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

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