Search results (title) for: "packaging "

How-Tuesday: Snowflake Gift Wrap with the NewNew Team

2009-12-17T17:00:00-05:00

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We published this how-to last year but we're bring it back up for your holiday preparations!

Etsy How-Tuesday presents Kari aka ikyoto and Stella aka lookcloselypress of The {NewNew} York Team. Today we're going to learn how to screenprint our own snowflake gift wrap for the holidays. Kari and Stella remind us that recycling paper bags is a great source for materials for this kind of project.

The snowflake screenprint graphic was designed by the NewNew Street Team with each individual snowflake from a different member of the team. To download the unique snowflake graphic for this project, check out their team blog. The following members contributed a design:

redbridge.etsy.com
pulpsushi.etsy.com
cakehouse.etsy.com
Jantar.etsy.com
mshoelace.etsy.com
AdornmentsNYC.etsy.com
ikyoto.etsy.com
lookcloselypress.etsy.com
Kimmchi.etsy.com
karensmonsters.etsy.com
citybitz.etsy.com
allenelaspina.etsy.com
bungaloe.etsy.com
mayluk.etsy.com
luckx4.etsy.com
cajajewelry.etsy.com
bshorr.etsy.com
lapistolera.etsy.com
linguanigra.etsy.com
Fubabee.etsy.com
wabisabibrooklyn.etsy.com
jdavisstudio.etsy.com
bluestitchbooks.etsy.com

For more of their work, simply search "newnewteam".

Materials Needed:

Silk Screen
Squeegee
Paper Bags / Junk Mail / Card Stock
Scissors
Ink Spreader / Spatula / Stirring Stick
Iron
Ironing Board
A flat protected surface (table with construction paper works just fine)

Steps for Making Screenprinted Gift Wrap:

Cut up your bags until they lay flat.
Iron the bags with the iron on a cotton setting with some steam.
Lay one bag on a flat protected surface (you can tape the edges down if you like).
- Place the screen over the bag.
- Have a friend hold the screen firmly in place.
- Use an ink spreader, spatula, or stirring stick to put some ink evenly along one edge of the screen.
- Using a squeegee firmly press down and pull the ink across the design holding the squeegee at a 45º angle.
- Carefully lift the screen, while holding the paper down to separate the two.
- Repeat swiftly until you notice the ink starting to gum in the screen at which point: rinse!

For more about burning your own screen to print with, check out this tutorial with Pete and Matt.

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

Seller How-To: Shipping

2009-11-25T10:15:00-05:00

On Etsy, shipping and fulfillment are handled by sellers individually. This leaves a lot of flexibility for a seller's shipping options — which means it also presents a lot of decisions! This post will give you an outline of the most important shipping issues to consider as well as some tips and links to more in-depth information. We've included relevant links for US, Canada, UK, and Australia, thanks to help from these sellers: PeculiarForest, estasketch, terrain, Dancingcircle, memake, magicjelly, fenrislorsrai, lamarquisedesanges and katsai. Soon, we hope to translate this post into other languages, including German and French.

General Shipping Information

Shipping as Customer Service
With the general population increasingly shopping online, buyers are looking for more in the way of customer service, expediency, and convenience. Sellers should come up with a plan for what types of shipping they offer, whether they offer express services, insurance, etc. Most of all, providing clear, friendly information will prevent any miscommunication — which can really put a damper on customer service. Along with the shipping costs outlined in the listing, many sellers put additional shipping details on their Shop Policies page, and link to that at the bottom of each listing.

Further Reading: Creating Policies That Work, Policy Overview in the Help section

Felt Watches by BraveMoonman

Calculating Rates

Depending on the shipping service you use, you may need to calculate weights. For example, US First Class Mail uses weights, while Priority Mail rates may depend on the type of box or envelope you send the item in.

So whip out your measuring tape, kitchen or shipping scale, or take note of the weight of your packages when you take them to the post office. Now that you know the weights and dimensions of the packages you offer, you can use your country's postal service shipping calculator to determine the domestic and international rates for the countries you want to ship to. You may decide to factor in the price of your shipping materials into your shipping cost.

Holiday Deadlines

The holiday rush can be a frantic time! Plan ahead with shipping deadlines. You may want to refer to these in your Shop Announcement as a courtesy to your holiday shoppers.

Etsy Shipping Profiles

Etsy Shipping Profiles are a way to save a specific set of shipping information, which you can then quickly apply to any item listing during the listing or editing process. Shipping Profiles work well if you have similar items that ship for the same costs. Determine your shipping costs for an item of a specific size, weight and shipping method, then create a Shipping Profile you can quickly add to your new listings for such items.

Further Reading: Find out how to set up your shipping profiles in our Help section here.
The difference between Regions Shipping and Country Specific Shipping.

Combined Shipping

Combined Shipping allows you to specify a special shipping cost in the event that a buyer checks out with multiple items from your shop at the same time.

Further Reading: Find out how to apply this option to your shipping settings in our Help section here.

Expedited Shipping

You may want to consider offering expedited shipping options. If you end up using these services a lot, you may even be eligible to a discount through your chosen carrier. Chances are, you'll get a customer who needs an item by a certain date, so do your research ahead of time.

I started off this post with a section on customer service, and I think it applies here. If you plan to offer express shipping, figure out how to make it as easy as possible for your buyer. Let them know up front how much additional services cost. Perhaps include some helpful text in your listings and Shop Announcement. Here's an example: "I also offer expedited shipping for an additional cost of $x.xx. If you would like this service, please write a note in the Message to Seller when you check out. I will send you an updated invoice from PayPal for the additional service."

Dancingcircle pointed out in this post that it's "easy to set up your own account through USPS, UPS or FedEx by visiting their websites. Make sure you clearly understand each carrier’s shipping time frames, if they include delivery confirmation, and where you will need to drop off packages or how to schedule a pick up. Don’t forget to check out their claims or lost package policies."

You can compare expedited services offered by the USPS here.
Terrain notes that Canada Post offers a variety of expedited shipping services, and "each parcel delivery type indicates whether or not it includes a) delivery confirmation, b) insurance up to $100, and c) supplemental insurance." Click here to check these out.
Sending Urgent Mail through UK Royal Post
estasketch details the shipping options for Australians, "Auspost offers express post for domestic, or express post and express courier services for international. Express post has quite reasonable rates and good shipping times considering how far away we are from everything! Express courier offers a few more services and faster, but also more expensive."
Express post for domestic
Info on express post international
Info on express courier international

Insurance

Insurance is to protect you, the seller. As noted earlier, shipping is an aspect of customer service, and in the event there is a shipping problem, you may face an unhappy customer and negative feedback on Etsy. Third-party services like PayPal offer protection policies for sellers if certain criteria are met in the event of a delivery dispute (more information on this here). Additionally, there may be local laws in your area that would place responsibility on the seller for a shipping problem. Consider purchasing insurance on big-ticket items, or adding a small amount to each item cost so that in the rare cases where packages get lost, you have a fund that can cover you (or include the price of insurance in your shipping price and let the buyer know you have done so in the item description).

You can find out the cost of insuring your package from your postal service. Some expedited services have certain insurance packages built in, so look into that before buying additional insurance.

USPS Insurance
Canada Post Insurance
Check the UK Royal Mail shipping services' details individually
Australian Insurance (Extra Cover)

Certificate of Mailing

If the buyer happens to claim they have not received their package, this proof of shipping is the key to clearing your name, should the buyer report this to PayPal. Ask for this service in person at the post office. Further, we encourage our sellers to keep detailed and accurate records of shipping, as our Support Team may ask you to provide proof of shipping in a non-delivery case on Etsy.

A Certificate of Mailing from USPS only cost $1.15 (at the time of this blog post).
Canada Post has a DCC, Delivery Confirmation Certificate. Terrain notes that "delivery confirmation is a part of Canada Post's electronic tracking system. PayPal will accept a Canada Post Tracking Number that shows delivery as proof of delivery. To get a refund from the post office for a lost or damaged item, you would present the receipt you obtained when you sent it, which also shows the tracking number. Proof of shipping for Small Packet, which doesn't include DCC, would be your receipt plus the copy of the customs form."
UK Royal Mail's Track and Trace. PeculiarForest points out, "If you have a tracked item (Special Delivery 9am, Special Delivery Next Day, Recorded Signed For, Airsure, International Recorded Signed For) you must take the item to your local Post Office to have it accepted. The Post Office will also provide a signature for your Certificate of Posting document.
Australian seller estasketch says, "To get any proof of mailing you'd need to use an express or registered services. Registered post prepaid satchels seem to be the most affordable way of do this for international packages currently. Delivery confirmation is available but only on parcels over a certain size, and only with insurance. Proof of mailing also comes included with all express post services. Registered post information for domestic mail here."

Further Reading: Proof of Shipping with SCAN by ThePaintedTiger

Tolkien Travel Case by Beesnetta

International Shipping

As of November 2009, 30% of transactions on Etsy are cross-border or involve both a non-US buyer and non-US seller. Part of the excitement of being on Etsy is shopping and selling across borders. Offering international shipping opens up your shop to the world. That said, sellers need to be comfortable with the ins and outs of shipping internationally if they are going to offer this service to their customers. It is easy to learn, and once you do, you will open up your shop to many more customers!

If you are selling to a lot of international buyers you might want to check out Endicia.com. This service allows you to print shipping labels online that integrate customs forms as well. Shipping internationally is much easier when you use Endicia.com. You enter all your customs information in an online form, and this information is printed out along with proper postage.

Further Reading: "How to use Shipping Profiles on Etsy" on Cute, Cuddly, and Cannibalistic, a blog by Etsy seller, fenrislorsrai.

Customs Forms

If you are shipping to another country, you'll need to include the proper customs documentation. Do not mark it a "gift" if you're mailing an item you've sold to a customer. Check with your country's postal service to find out exactly what forms you'll need to attach to your package. In general, filling out these forms thoroughly with information should actually prevent your package from getting held up in Customs.

Shipping internationally will go smoothly most of the time. Every so often a package can get stuck in customs. Make sure your customers are aware that you can't be responsible for these delays. It's nearly impossible to track a package once it leaves your country.

The buyer is responsible for any additional fees that may be charged at customs. You should add this to your Shop Policies page.

In the U.S. you'll need a green CN 22 customs form which you can pick up at the post office or order for free from USPS.com.
In Canada, refer to this link on the Canada Post website. Terrain adds, "For U.S. and International Xpresspost and Expedited parcel services, fill out the 'Customs Declaration' section of the shipping label. For U.S. Small Packet/Light Packet, CN22 Customs Label (white for SP, green for LP)."
PeculiarForest notes that for UK sellers, "Customs forms will need to be filled out at the post office if parcels are being sent outside of the European Union." Memake notes that you may also download a PDF form from the Royal Mail website here.
Australians need the green forms available from your post office for free.

Further Reading: Seller Tip from Katsai

Know What You Can Ship

Some items are prohibited or restricted to individual countries. Did you know you can't send platinum, gold, and silver or precious stones via USPS Express Mail International Australia? Magicjelly underscored that it is "absolutely imperative that non-Australian sellers know about customs restrictions on items being mailed into Australia. Here's a helpful page about what you can't mail to Australia. Also, some Australian buyers may not be aware of what they shouldn't buy from overseas sellers... Australia doesn't have a lot of the plant diseases and pests you have [in other parts of the world], so the Quarantine Dept is very vigilant."

USPS's Country Conditions
Search restrictions by country on the Canadian Post here and here.
UK Restricted and Prohibited Goods
Prohibited goods list on the Australian Post website

Pricing and Sales Considerations

If it costs you little to nothing to ship an additional item to a customer, think about offering free shipping for additional items. This can be an incentive for the customer to look through your shop and see if there is anything else she wants. You may even mention that you offer free shipping on additional items in your listing to entice her.

Free Shipping: Some sellers use free shipping as a promotion. If you plan to do so, first consider your profits and realize that for lower-priced items, this may not be cost effective. If you decide to do free shipping, you may consider using "free shipping" as a tag or otherwise call attention to it in your Shop Announcement and listing description. Really, free shipping is only effective as a promotion if the buyer is aware of it before she decides to make the purchase! You may also consider just using free shipping as an occasional promotion for your shop, or as a special benefit that you give to great or repeat customers, or for orders over a certain dollar amount.
Balancing Shipping Cost with Item Price: It can be challenging to try to find a good shipping cost for heavy yet relatively inexpensive items such as baked goods. If your shipping cost is very high or even higher relative to your item price, you might consider the following ideas: Add a bit to your item price to balance the shipping cost, research and find the least expensive method possible, encourage multiple sales in one order if you are using a flat-rate service that will not cost additional money to ship.

Packaging

Packaging presentation and managing your mailing station is a whole other topic, my friends! But here are a few tips:

Purchase and print some shipping services through PayPal.
SmartStamp in the UK offers printing postage self-services.
Terrain posted a how-to about shipping with Canada Post.

We have many more tips for you, so check out these links:

More Shipping Articles | Packaging Your Items

A great, big thank you goes out to these sellers for their help: PeculiarForest for the UK links, terrain for Canadian links, and as well as Dancingcircle, magicjelly and estasketch for the Australian links, memake, fenrislorsrai, and katsai for their contributions.

Lots to think about, we know! But once you've got your shipping practices and policies down, I'm sure you'll feel a weight lifted. Have a tip for shipping from your country? Let us know in the comments below.

Come Craft With the Etsy Labs & AMH Design: Needlepoint Gift Tags

2009-11-05T10:30:00-05:00

Why stay in and craft all by your lonesome? Come join us for a free needlepoint workshop — whether you're in Brooklyn or anywhere in the world. Stop by for our weekly Craft Night in our online, interactive classroom, the Virtual Labs, for a live demo via webcam at 5 p.m. ET, or in person at the Etsy Labs in Brooklyn anytime between 4-8 p.m. ET at 55 Washington Street, Suite 512 in Brooklyn, New York. (Click here to see what time 5 p.m. ET is in your hometown.) Craft Night is a time to make things, sharpen your craft skills, and make new friends.

This week, on Monday, November 9, we will be making needlepoint gift tags with artist Amy Holbrook of AMH Design. (She is also our neighbor here on Washington Street.) Make your own needlepoint gift tags for the upcoming holiday season. This project is an easy and fun way to learn the basics of needlepoint while making some cute gift tags. Needlepoint adds a personal touch to your gift without a lot of effort!

Amy Holbrook, the founder of AMH Design, is bringing needlepoint into the 21st century with her collection of contemporary needlepoint kits. Easy, stylish, portable and all-inclusive, AMH Design needlepoint kits are perfect for beginner and veteran stitchers alike.

If you are attending Craft Night virtually this week and would like to stitch needlepoint gift tags along with us, you'll need to gather the following supplies:

Perforated paper sheet
Perle cotton floss size 5 (embroidery floss is okay)
Tapestry needle — size 24
Needle threader
Scissors
Colored cardstock paper
X-acto blade
Paper glue
Hole punch
Download the instructions

Upcoming Events at the Etsy Labs:

Saturday, November 7: Sock Monkey Workshop at the Etsy Labs

Join us this weekend for an afternoon of creating original sock monkeys for Fresh Art's Sock Monkey Program.

Fresh Art is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing expanded artistic, personal development, and entrepreneurial opportunities to New York City artists with special needs. The sock monkeys we create this afternoon will be sold to raise funds to support Fresh Art's programs. All skill levels are welcome, though basic hand sewing skills are helpful.

When: Saturday, November 7, 2009; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Etsy Labs at 55 Washington Street, Suite 512, Brooklyn, NY

Please RSVP for this free workshop at rsvp@etsy.com or on the Etsy Labs Meetup page.

Additonal Upcoming Events
11/16: Bag-making workshop with Bags for the People
11/23: Rolling Ball Book Ornaments with Esther K. Smith
11/30: Open Craft Night
12/7: Needle-felted Ornaments with KnitKnit

Looking for more holiday craft projects? Try these how-to's:

Felt Garlands | Snowflake Gift Wrap | Holiday Table Decor

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

Fabulous Packaging and Wrapping With rikrak

2009-11-03T10:30:00-05:00

Have you missed the first half of our series of holiday workshops for sellers? Don't worry, there are many workshops left to help you get your shop in shape this season. (View the entire schedule here.) Last week's workshop was hosted by Etsy seller, rikrak, our resident branding-with-packaging specialist! I've put together some great references from her workshop here, but make sure you read the thorough notes she's provided on her own blog, the rikrak studio.

Packaging How-To Videos:

Etsy Holiday How-To #1: Packaging

Etsy Holiday How-To #2: Packaging

Etsy Holiday How-To #3: Creating Labels and Hang-Tags

Furoshiki Gift Wrapping

Packaging Blog Tutorials:

Holiday How-To's: Sellers, Wrap It Up With Gift Wrap!

Team EcoEtsy Tip of the Week: That's a Wrap

Team Eco-Etsy: Make Your Own Waterproof Shipping Envelope

Furoshiki Fabric Wrap Techniques

Funky Felter's Blog: All About Labels for Handmade Items

Craftster Tutorial: Making Personalized Labels

Team Canada: Making a Cereal Box into a Beautiful Mailer

Packaging Downloads:

Envelope Pattern

Flying Floating Mailing Labels by the Small Object

Free Printable Mailing Labels by Creature Comforts

Free Printable Labels and Gift Cards by oh smile

Sweet Mailing Labs by Elephantom Knits

For more packaging tips and tricks, don't forget to read all of rikrak's workshop notes here. Happy packaging!

More Packaging Tips | Holiday Tips for Sellers | Holiday Workshop Schedule

Seller How-To: Pretty as a Package

2009-09-30T17:08:00-05:00

Danielle Thompson is a blogger, graphic designer, illustrator, crafter, photographer and Etsy seller. She is a part-time graphic designer and also designs her own digital and printable kits, which you can find at Kitschy Digitals online. She also designs her own embroidery patterns, vinyl wall decals, paper goods, stamps, Blythe accessories and more, which you can find in her Etsy shop, TinyBazaar. She loves to spend time with her husband and two young boys in their home of Atlanta, GA, loves Japanese Kawaii, playing with Blythe, photographing anything and everything, and is currently loving her new adventure with instant cameras. You can find out more about her at her personal blog, Thompson Family-Life.

I don't know about you, but walking down my driveway each day to get my mail is one of the highlights of my day. In the age of MySpace, Twitter, Facebook and email, correspondence through snail mail is becoming a dying art form. But as an Etsy seller, you have the opportunity to revel in the act of sending snail mail all the time as you ship out your orders. So why not have fun with it? And with the holidays quickly approaching, you can stand out from the Big Box store orders by making your packages fun, colorful, clever and eye-catching!

I remember the first order I received from an Etsy seller several years ago. It of course had a few freebies thrown in (which I love about so many generous Etsians!), but even more delightful was the fact that when I pulled the package out of my mailbox, it was a feast for my eyes. Decorated with brightly colored Cram-Cream deco tape and stickers, I thought "Now, this is a package!"

Smile Recipe Stickers - Red and Wolf

By SmileRecipe, $4.

View Item | View Shop

Deco adhesive Tape - Mary Poppins

From missmacau, $3.60.

View Item | View Shop

You can stand out from other packages, grab the eye of your customer and really make their day by adding a couple of inexpensive touches like labels, stickers, stamps or patterned packing tape, just to name a few. It doesn't take a lot, but it's those small touches that show your customer you made the extra effort and that you appreciate them. Show them that they're not just a number in a warehouse, but a valued customer!

Dress up your addressee area with a decorative polymer stamp. Just stamp your image and then handwrite (which always adds a personal touch) the address in the open area that the stamp provides.

Deco Stamp - Cheer up

From nothingelegant, $7.99.

View Item | View Shop

Custom rubber stamp

By RobertoSand, $17.

View Item | View Shop

Or use a decorative blank label! It doesn't matter if the label is self-adhesive or not, you can always cover the label with clear package tape to adhere it to your package.

The County Fair Journaling Tags

By elles, $3.75.

View Item | View Shop

Self Adhesive Address/Gift Label

By ahyingmui, $5.50.

View Item | View Shop

Not only can you attach things to your package to make it stand out, but the vessel in which you send your product can also have a big impact. A recycled envelope can be much more eye-catching (and also environmentally friendly) then a typical mailer you buy at a post-supply.

Upcycled Designer Envelopes

By thecardstall, $3.

View Item | View Shop

set of 12 recycled map envelopes

By picklehead, $5.

View Item | View Shop

Or what about a super cute, totally unique mailer that sets itself apart from your typical, boring, utilitarian package?

Fun Miss J Big Paper Envelope Set of 3

From nothingelegant, $6.99.

View Item | View Shop

Padded Pear Envelopes (set of 2)

By PickalaPoopa, $5.

View Item | View Shop

It's always important that your customer knows how much you appreciate their purchase. Before your customer even opens your package, you can say "thank you!" with a stamp, sticker or deco tape. Check out these from your fellow Etsians.

Thank You Owl Rubber Stamp

By nikoart, $7.

View Item | View Shop

Kawaii birdy thank you sticker

By ahyingmui, $4.75.

View Item | View Shop

And perhaps most importantly, make sure you protect your packages while en route. The post office can stamp your package with a "Fragile" or "Do Not Bend" message, but why use their boring images?

Fragile No.3 Handcarved Rubber Stamp

By kirkus, $10.

View Item | View Shop

Photos Inside Label Collection

By TinyBazaar, $9.50.

View Item | View Shop

Hopefully this has inspired you to not only make the inside of your packages fun and creative, but also the outside. In this case, maybe you can judge a book by its cover!

Further Resources:

More of The Storque's Packaging How-To's for Sellers
Lovely Package Exchange at Oh, Hello Friend
Nice Package Flickr Group
Etsy Packaging Flickr Group
Packages in the Mail Flickr Group
Snail Mail Joy Flickr Group
5 Awesome Snail Mail Powered Art Projects

Heads up! Etsy will be hosting a packaging workshop in the Virtual Labs October 29, 2009 at 4 p.m. ET with Kristal from rikrak.

Topics covered:

Beautiful, budget-savvy, eco-friendly DIY packaging ideas
How to make a great first impression with your package
How to efficiently organize your packaging supplies
Packaging & shipping materials and shop branding

The Seller Handbook | Holiday Virtual Labs Workshop Schedule | Shop Makeover Series

Prep Your Shop for the Holiday Rush: 2009 Seller Workshops

2009-09-24T10:29:00-05:00

Looking at the upcoming calendar can be a daunting prospect for Etsy sellers this time of year. If you're wondering how to optimize your shop to appeal to the coming influx of holiday shoppers, you're in luck! We've created a series of live workshops in our Virtual Labs, hosted by your fellow Etsy sellers and Etsy Admin. We'll talk about everything from developing the perfect gifts that will fly off your virtual shelves, to making sure you're prepared to ship all of those items.

These workshops are sure to whip you into shape for the holidays! Most will be held on Thursday afternoon at 4 p.m. ET in Etsy's Virtual Labs. Core tips from these sessions will also be shared in the Etsy Success newsletters, so be sure to sign up here.

Wondering how our online workshops work? Have a look at this blog post to get a quick understanding of Etsy's Virtual Labs.

Sept. 24, 2009 at 4 p.m. ET	Product Development and Photography Hosts: Daniellexo & MaryMary Topics covered: Product development brainstorming session Colors and styles that will be hot this season Tips for photography and tagging from a merchandising expert For more info, check out these posts on creating great products.
Sept. 28, 2009 at 9 p.m. ET	Creative Ways to Gain Exposure Host: Amy from Pikaland Brilliant ways to gain exposure Building a solid reputation Start thinking outside the box! Recommended reading: Creativity, Competition and Copycats by Pikaland.
Sept 30, 2009 at 8:00pm ET Oct 1, 2009 at 3:30 p.m. ET Oct. 1, 2009 at 4:30 p.m. ET	Bigger Than a Breadbox: Photography for Medium to Large Items Host: Amby from JulipBags For more info on JulipBags, check out this Quit Your Day Job interview. Photography for 2-D Artists JenKiaba will cover taking photos of paintings, prints, collages and drawings. Jewelry Photographing for Etsy Host: Rhonda from ProlifiqueJewelry For more info on ProlifiqueJewelry, check out this Quit Your Day Job interview.
Oct. 8, 2009 at 5 p.m. ET	How to survive your first Holiday Season on Etsy Host: Aja from SagittariusGallery Topics covered: Question and Answer session for newbies Making your first sales on Etsy Lots of tips and insights for your first holiday season Check out SagittariusGallery's Ultimate Newbie Guide.
Oct. 15, 2009 at 4 p.m. ET	Tagging, Titles and Descriptions Hosts: Daniellexo, HeyMichelle, MaryMary, JulieinCharge Topics covered: Using tags to get noticed Creative descriptions to woo buyers Optimizing tagging, titles and descriptions for SEO Recommended reading: Guidelines and Tips to Tagging on Etsy.
Oct. 22, 2009 at 4 p.m. ET	Promo Mojo: Get Recognized This Season Host: Jen from JStephens13 Topics Covered: Spice up your shop How to coordinate your look and get recognized A complete look, from your shop banner to your packaging Etsy friends who can help Where to get labels, banners, tech help and packaging How to get the word out there For more info on JStephens13 check out this Quit Your Day Job interview.
Oct. 29, 2009 at 4 p.m. ET	Brown Paper Packages Tied up With String Host: Kristal from RikRak Topics covered: Beautiful, budget-savvy, eco-friendly DIY packaging ideas How to make a great first impression with your package How to efficiently organize your packaging supplies Packaging and shipping materials and shop branding For more info on RikRak check out this Quit Your Day Job interview.
Nov. 5, 2009 at 4 p.m. ET	Shipping Tips Host: TBA
Nov. 12, 2009 at 4 p.m. ET	Make the Most of Cyber Monday Host: Beth from DiffractionFiber Topics covered: Product tips Having a sale Promoting Customer service and more For more info check out these videos from DiffractionFiber's last workshop.
Nov. 19, 2009 at 4 p.m. ET	Customer Service for Your Handmade Business Host: Stephanie from StephanieFizer Topics covered: Great customer service communication Handling tricky situations with style and grace More nifty skills to help run your business For more info on StephanieFizer check out this Quit Your Day Job interview.
Nov. 24, 2009 at 4 p.m. ET	Staying Organized in the Holiday Rush Host: Nicole from Lillyella Topics covered: How to prepare your shop Maintain your sanity and stay on top of your work load Organization, time management and efficiency For more info on Lillyella check out this Quit Your Day Job interview.
Dec. 3, 2009 at 4 p.m. ET	Top Ten Tips to Bring in Last-Minute Holiday Sales Host: Corrina from Piddix Topics covered: Small changes that make a huge difference Research on holiday buying trends for 2009 Great places to find last-minute packaging supplies What to do if and when those sales start pouring in For more info on Piddix check out this Quit Your Day Job interview.
Dec. 17, 2009 at 4 p.m. ET	Holiday Recap and Party Host: Etsy Lab Rats Team Reflections, reactions, and fun!

Looking for more Holiday Tips? Check out this list of all our Holiday How-To's:

The Seller Handbook | Visit the Virtual Labs | Virtual Labs FAQ

Getting Creative with Moo

2009-06-29T15:21:00-05:00

Every time I'm at a craft show, there are always a few sellers giving away Moo MiniCards (which are mini business cards that display photos of your work). There's something about the compact size and design that draws a lot of attention. What's more, you can use up to 100 full color photos on your mini calling-cards, and these photos can be pulled right from your Etsy shop. Moo is offering a special deal just for Etsians for the next two weeks: Spend $30 (£15/€22.50) on Moo.com and get free shipping on your order. Use the code: "etsyjune." This promotion ends on July 13, 2009.

All these options seem to be inspiring Etsy sellers to get crafty with their Moo minis! Check out some cool examples below...

pretty buggie sachets by jekbot

sweet jewelry packaging by wiccked

Moo Bookmarks by Emmalynne

How I use my moo cards by clevergirl

MooPocket with window by splatgirl

tagged with a matching moo card by memake

So what can you do with your Moo cards? We want to see! Upload your photos to Flickr and tag them Etsy Moo MiniCard Challenge!

The items below are some of our previous top picks!

More Moo Posts | Seller Handbook | Help on Etsy

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How-Tuesday: Make a Stamp with Art Mind

2009-05-05T13:15:00-05:00

Are you looking for an easy way to make your own stamp? Handmade stamps are the perfect addition to scrapbooking, greeting cards, packages and more. Belgian Etsy seller Mitsy, aka ArtMind, would love to show you how to get started! First, gather your tools and materials. Here's what you'll need:

A lino cutting set
A pencil
A simple design to carve
A Sharpie marker
Ink
Gum (soft printing blocks like these)

Step 1: Trace the design with a pencil.

Step 2: Flip the pencil drawing over and rub it onto the gum.

Step 3: Trace the pencil outline on your block with a Sharpie marker.

Step 4: Cut away all of the gum, except for the black outlines.

Step 5: Put some ink on the stamp and press onto paper.

Step 6: You can clearly see that the stamp needs to be cut more. All of the black marks can be cut away. You can either use the lino cutters for this or a little scalpel knife.

Step 7: Repeat the process of stamping again to see if it looks better after cutting away some more gum.

Now you can glue your soft stamp to a block of wood or acrylic and stamp away!

ArtMind created this Babuschka stamp to help brand the packaging of her mini sculptures, 99 Feelings. They are amazing, so make sure you check them out!

Don't have the time to make your own? Check out these handmade stamps from our lovely Etsy sellers...

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

News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere: March 26, 2009

2009-03-26T13:40:00-05:00

"To whom does design address itself: to the greatest number, to the specialist of an enlightened matter, to a privileged social class? Design addresses itself to the need." - Charles Eames

This week's edition of News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere is jam packed with design, so a quote from the father of modern design seemed only too appropriate. Prepare yourself for sequins and fall fashion, brilliant and compelling packaging, the simple symmetry of nature as interpreted in fabric patterns, the beauty of a well-organized collection, and geometric compositions played out on canvas. Forethought produces beauty!

Read on!

Do you have a soft spot for smart design? Then you'll probably adore The Lovely Package. This design blog is dedicated to product packaging that's as covetable as the objects contained within. Very cool stuff! [Via Unruly Things]

I know spring is coming, but I'm already thinking about fall clothes. (I can't help it! I love tights, boots, and all the affectations of cold weather!) Matthew Williamson's fall '09 collection makes my day. The sequins, the silhouettes, the pants: sign me up!

Neville Trickett of Saint Verde has a beautiful blog and an inspiring home. This ingenious comparison of succulent close-ups and fabric details makes my love for plants soar. So beautiful! [Thanks to shavingkitsupplies for the links!]

I can't get enough of the Organized Collection flickr pool. As a rabid collector, this inspires me to go home, make orderly displays of my trinkets and submit, submit, submit! The photos above come from hellojenuine, Snail Forest, sassiline, and Lari Washburn. [Via Aesthetic Outburst]

I love the geometry and line work of Spanish company SuTurno. Their website is stop-motion cuteness! [Via Oh Joy!]

Wanna give me some more artsy, style or design blogs to peruse? Leave them in the comments! And check out past installments of News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere!

Seller How-To: Packaging Ideas

2008-11-12T13:00:00-05:00

Since I started working for Etsy I turned from a full time seller to a full time buyer. (Ok, maybe I'm exaggerating. I'm not shopping all the time...Sometimes I've spent all my money and I'm just adding to my favorites.) My very favorite thing about buying on Etsy is getting packages — it's like a little mini party each time, thanks to the thoughtful packaging Etsy sellers put together! Ribbons, stickers, stamps, extra little goodies, oh my. What a delight!

So, dear sellers, why not show this off in your item listings?! Use one of your photos to let your shoppers know how beautiful your handmade items (and packaging!) are! With the holidays around the corner, it's also good to let your buyers know your items will come ready for giving. I've selected a few sellers who do this already, and do it quite well. Click the items to see the gems that are hidden inside!

Want some more tips? Come check out our Packaging Workshop live in the Virtual Labs Wednesday, November 12, 2008 at 5pm EST.

Cup of Rosee by jewelera, $18.50

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Calling Cards of Mysterious Ladies by charmfoundry, $18.00

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Cats Gift Wrap/Padded Envelopes by PickalaPoopa, $5

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Master of the Universe Slug by lullabylily, $11

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Orange Octopus Screenprint by LittlePaperDog, $13

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Natural Girl Earrings by handsinpockets, $6

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Slim Stacking Rings - Set of 3 by PaysonWinters, $27

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Single Ox Rox Ring-Sterling Silver by ruralabandon, $12

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

slightly unsightly soap bars all wrapped up in a pretty little package by sweetpetula, $6.99

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

I recently received the sweetest handmade package in the mail from kitsandcaboodles! (See the main image for this article, up there at the top.) She offered to share the template to make your own — so here it is! Just print it on a heavy duty kraft paper, cut, fold and glue!

Click to download the PDF and print your own!

Don't forget to check out the Seller Handbook - all our how-tos about running your Etsy business!

Let me know in the comments below if you've seen an item that includes a photo of the packaging!

Etsy Holiday How-To #5: Shipping

2008-11-11T15:51:00-05:00

After giving you pointers on how to package, photograph and wrap items from your shop, we've finally reached our last Holiday How-To. In our last video, the Etsy Labs staff shows you how to get organized for the upcoming shipping frenzy. So sit back, chisel off another piece of Grandma's fruitcake and soak up our last tip for the holidays!

See more helpful how-tos about your indie biz in the Seller Handbook!

Envelopes in the Supplies Category | Packaging in the Supplies Category

Here are the previous articles in this series:

Etsy Holiday How-To #1: Packaging

Etsy Holiday How-To #2: Branding your Shipping Materials

Etsy Holiday How-To #3: Creating Labels and Hang-Tags

Etsy Holiday How-To #4: Photographing Your Items

[This video was originally published October 15, 2007. We're bringing it back for the '08 season!]

Etsy Holiday How-To #3: Creating Labels and Hang-Tags

2008-10-07T11:21:00-05:00

So, dear seller, you've just figured out how to wrap that 300 lb, giraffe-shaped menorah it took you 4 days to carve. Why not let your buyer know where it came from? Michelle from Etsy Labs gives you some creative techniques for labeling your loot in our third edition of the Holiday How-To series. Check out everyday materials you can use to make hang-tags and easy ways to put a little bling on your labels.

See more helpful how-tos about your indie biz in the Seller Handbook. Don't feel like making your own tags? Support your fellow crafters and get some from them! We'd also love to hear your crafty ideas for making hang-tags and labels in the comments below.

Handmade Hang Tags | Hang Tags in the Supplies Category

[This video was originally published October 12, 2007. We're bringing it back for the '08 season!]

Etsy Holiday How-To #2: Branding your Shipping Materials

2008-09-30T11:36:00-05:00

You know Dasher and Dancer... but do you know from which Etsy seller that fetching present came? In our second segment, Julie shows you how to brand your items by making clever and attractive shipping mailers and envelopes from recycled materials. Here is a PDF file with an envelope pattern.

Keep that coal out of your stocking and tune in to the rest of the series for more Etsy Labs Holiday How-tos on sprucing up your shop, shipping, photography and more!

See more helpful how-tos about your indie biz in the Seller Handbook.

[This video was originally published October 22, 2007. We're bringing it back for the '08 season!]

Etsy Holiday How-To #1: Packaging

2008-09-23T12:13:00-05:00

What? Too soon to start thinking about the holidays, you say?

Not at all. It takes some time to get your Etsy shop ready for the holiday shopping season, so it's best to start now. We know this can be a daunting task.

So we'll be presenting a series of video how-tos to help you get your Etsy shop ready for the holiday season. In our first segment, Mary shows you how to recycle items from around your home to make original, appealing, and eco-friendly packaging. Tune in to the rest of the series for more how-tos on sprucing up your shop, shipping, photography and more!

Click here for a How-To on making your own boxes out of recycled paper.

See the The Etsy Seller Handbook: All Our How-Tos about Selling.

[This video was originally published October 9, 2007. We're bringing it back for the '08 season!]

News from the Etsy Labs: 8/18 Craft Night

2008-08-13T14:59:00-05:00

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

For our Monday, August 18 craft night, we will be demonstrating how to make paper boxes. These boxes are wonderful to use as gift boxes, storing your favorite trinkets, using in displays at craft fairs....The list goes on! Creating these paper boxes is a great way to breathe new life into old papers, such as discarded magazines, junk mail, and any other paper scraps you may have around. You may wish to bring some paper if you have any on hand that you'd like to put to good use and a bone folder (if you have one). Bringing these supplies is totally optional, as all tools and supplies will be provided by the Labs.

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

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

paper (any paper will do, including fancy paper, junk paper, old magazine or book pages, etc)
scissors

Craft Night Study Tip: If you'd like to be ahead of the game for Craft Night, check out this video by marymary all about this box-making technique. We'll be on hand in the Virtual Labs to answer questions during the live broadcast of craft night.

See you Monday!

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Have you participated in Craft Night? Share your photos with the Etsy Labs Show and Tell Flickr group!

Would you like to lead craft night or do you have an idea for a craft night project? Send your ideas to labs@etsy.com with "Craft Night idea" as the subject line.

Keep an eye on the Storque Events calendar for future updates from the Etsy Labs.

Want to learn more about the Labs? Check out our FAQs. Want to receive email updates? Join our Etsy Labs mailing list.

Virtual Labs and How-To Schedule: July 28th to August 1st, 2008

2008-07-27T13:35:00-05:00

The Virtual Labs are Etsy's interactive classrooms, a place to hang out, throw paper airplanes and share skills. We've also started Show and Tell for Buyers, so if you have a bit of an Etsy shopping addiction, these are your peeps. Come on by and show us what you've bought on Etsy this week! It's also the last week of How-To Month, but don't worry we'll keep them coming in August. Hope to see ya around the Labs!

Want to host your own workshop or meeting in the Virtual Labs? Fill out an application here!

The following schedule covers Monday, July 28th to Friday, August 1st, 2008 (all Eastern Daylight Time). The schedule posted in the Virtual Labs is magically in *your* time. So if you are confused, just click here to see what's coming up in your real time.

Monday

Craft Night! — 5pm to 8pm in the Treehouse. Come by and shrink plastic with us! Click here for a list of supplies to have on hand.

Tuesday

Newbie Chat with Danielle and Julie — 4:15pm in the Treehouse. Newbies! Get your questions answered here! Julie and Danielle can help get your shop started on the right foot!

How-To: Packaging Your Items with SaraWearsSkirts — 5pm in the Treehouse.
- Supplies needed: pen and paper for your ideas!

Choosing The Right Fabric with BurdaStyle at Mood Fabrics at 6pm in the Treehouse. . Join us virtually while we shoot live at Mood Fabrics in NYC and learn how to choose the right fabrics with Mood Fabrics owner Eric Sauma and Nora and Benedikta of BurdaStyle. Exciting, no?

Shop Critiques with Michelle — 9pm in the Treehouse.

Wednesday

Show and Tell For Sellers — 4pm in the Lounge. Come share what you are working on! Everyone will get their own time to talk about a project they are working on and get feedback. Come with links to pictures of your work in progress or if you have a webcam, you can show us live!

How-To: Heat Transfer at Home with Kim — 7pm in the Treehouse.
- Supplies Needed: Iron-On transfer paper, iron, fabric, scissors
- Download this design we made for our own Iron-On patches if you like!

Thursday

Weekly Teams Meeting with Sara and Danielle — 12pm in the Teams Room.

Office Hours: Vanessa, Alison, Tara and Bre (Storque Admin) — 1pm in the Storque Room.

Show and Tell For Buyers — 4pm in the Lounge. Come share what you have purchased on Etsy! Come with links to your purchases in their new home or directly to the items you have collected this week!

Office Hours: Mary (Etsy Community Advocate) — 7pm in the Treehouse.

Friday

On-The-Fly Critiques with the Mary — 3pm in the Treehouse. Pop in for a mini-critique with some experienced sellers and Etsy admin.

How-To: Make Paper Boxes with Mary — 4pm in the Treehouse.
- Supplies needed: paper, scissors, bone folder (optional)
- Download this design and print it out if you like!

Office Hours: RobWhite (Forum Admin) — 7pm in the Lounge.

Learn more about the Virtual Labs here! Apply to hold your own meetings or online workshops in the Virtual Labs here! Or send me a convo. You can also check out the Events Calendar in the Storque!

Handmade Kids: Care Packages to Campers

2008-07-16T17:18:00-05:00

Campers delight in care packages from home! Remember, cookies are a must. How about some handmade marshmallows by whimsyandspice to roast on the campfire?

Besides attending to the sweet tooth, you can do some long-distance soothing.

The bug-bitten campers will appreciate flyingbirdbotanicals' Bites, Stings, Burns and Ouchies ointment. Maybe throw in some extra natural bug spray and poison ivy ointment too.

Sleepover camp can introduce some kids to pencil and paper correspondence — a respite from incessant IMing and texting (do 10 year olds have cell phones these days?).

Paper goods category on Etsy has some fun stationery for little people. OopsyDoodleDesigns offers a starter kit for the kids not inclined to wax poetic unassisted.

skgpapers' invitations could be used as wee dioramas with a tender note tucked inside. Each comes with a toadstool bead, perfect for your kids' newfound passion for making jewelry with embroidery thread. (Editorial note: we are feeling so nostalgic for friendship bracelets!) Check out the Supplies Category's options for stashes of embroidery thread in every hue.

Are your kids at camp? Give a shout-out in the comments below! What's in your care package?

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

Service Tips for Sellers: Packaging and Shipping

2008-06-12T11:30:00-05:00

Dear Sellers,

Did you ever think that packaging or the way you ship your product says something about you, your product and your business?

Packaging and shipping services are some of the best opportunities you have to communicate with your customers and remind them why they should be shopping with you instead of somewhere else. Offering outstanding packaging and shipping services can promote repeat business for your shop. We've scoured the Etsy forums, Etsy flickr groups, and hunted down advice from some of the most experienced and successful Etsy sellers for the best advice, tips, and tricks about packaging and shipping.

What is your packaging saying about you and your business?
Taking a few extra steps to make sure your product is packaged and shipped with care might make the difference in your customers coming back to shop with you again and telling all their friends and family to shop with you too.

A well thought out, protected, and nicely presented package that arrives on time or sooner will likely make your customer feel confident that you are a professional business owner that cares about the products you sell and your customers.
A sloppy, unwrapped package that arrives later than the customer expected may indicate to the customer that you don't really care about your products and your business might be disorganized. While your products might speak for themselves, it could deter that person from coming back to your shop again.

Etsy testimonial from heartworksbylori: "I did receive a package a while back that I was really disappointed in. It was in a plastic sealed bag and my items weren't wrapped, just thrown in there....no receipt, no thank you note, no business card, no nothing! To me, that reeks of indifference...and makes me feel like my money and business aren't important to them. Packaging is so important to me because the customer gets an overall feel for my business and my ethics by the way my jewelry is presented. I'm thankful for each order and I make it a point to wrap up each order as if they bought something from the most expensive jewelry store in the world! I even go to these great lengths when someone buys a $5 chain....just so they feel special when opening it :)"

Use your packaging to communicate with your customer. The little details count and can make your shop stand out and create an experience to be remembered.
Put yourself in the buyer's shoes. Take a look at your shop and ask yourself "what type of package would I expect/hope to receive in the mail after ordering from this online business?"

Etsy testimonial from catnapcottage: "I have gotten items that made me feel like it was my birthday when I opened it, smiles and happy. I want my customers to feel that way too and that is what I try to do with my packaging. It is simple, neat, and looks professional. Presentation is everything!"

Packaging and shipping tips and tricks
To make sure you give your customers that "wow factor" that will have them coming back again and again, we've put together some tips and tricks you can adopt as your own practices.

Tips for top notch packaging on a budget: Your customers on Etsy are shopping for something that is handmade and a little more special than your average mass-produced products. Making your packaging by hand will not only save you money, but add to that handmade unique feel of your product and business. You can get creative and make almost everything from your own wrapping paper, tissue paper, shavings, confetti, labels, business cards to your very own handmade envelopes to ship out your items (here's a download PDF file with a template). Take advantage of all the different kinds of papers out there: magazine or book pages, menus, sheet music, pattern paper, newspapers, paper from an old sketchbook, etc. Another idea is to turn your used boxes inside out and stamp or use decorative writing to say you use recycled packaging; you could even use materials that they can use again. Check out our videos about branding and making your own packaging, branding and making your own shipping supplies, as well as the little details that go into your packaging.

Etsy testimonials from embellishedlife: "Packaging can cost little next to nothing. I pick up wrapping papers, ribbons and tissue papers at drug stores, Target after the holidays, clearance bins, craft stores. It is always on sale, you'd be surprised. The $1 stores are also great for little knickknacks that can serve as embellishments to the package. We are all crafty and I like that it shows in our packaging!"
PamperingBeki: "Packaging should reflect the feel of the shop. It should feel like a treat for the buyer to open their package! That doesn't mean there has to be lots of wasted papers and materials, but if you get creative the presentation can be fabulous while still using recycled materials."

Personal Notes: Mailing a package is the perfect opportunity to include a personal note. Take the time to write or print out a note even if it's a quick and short thank you. This would be the perfect time to ask them to leave you feedback. You can also tell them any additional information about the item, such as care instructions. Including a note is another chance to get creative with details, so think about how well it fits with the overall look of your package.

Etsy testimonial from Crafterall: "I bought an item from an Etsy shop and opening it was like opening a gift. From inside a big bubble envelope, I pulled a bundle wrapped in tissue paper. It was tied with a ribbon and had a tag with my name on it. Instantly, my purchase felt much more like a gift. Inside was the item, nicely folded, a small gift in line with what the store sells, a business card, and a handwritten thank-you note."

Freebies: A "freebie" is a small item that you include with a package at no additional cost. Freebies aren't something that is required to make your packaging outstanding, but they sure can help your buyer get excited about their shipment and remember their overall experience shopping with you. Think about including freebies with your packages like a promo button, a mini sample of something else you sell, a coupon or two that encourages them to come shopping with you again (or get their friends to check you out), or something small and useful that they can use again.
Other tips: A great way to show off your unique packaging is by using the 5th item photo of your listing so your customer can know what to expect. You should be including info about your regular shipping days in your shop policies and item description sections of your shop, so shoppers will know exactly when they can expect their packages. Try to make packaging details that are truly unique to you, your products, and your business. For some really great inspiration, check out all the photos in this Etsy Packaging Flickr pool that several of your Etsy peers have contributed to. We also made this video about shipping.

Etsy testimonial from toothfairyminiature: "As a seller I often do double box packing together with bubble wrapping, to make sure the package will not be crushed or damaged during its international shipping adventure. I put my first consideration on the safety and then, on the beauty."

We are looking forward to your feedback and questions. Etsians know the power of sharing best practices, so we want to hear from you. Please share your own tips and advice for providing outstanding packaging as an Etsy seller in the comments section below.

More about Service Tips for Sellers Series: Running an online business has many perks, like the ability to remain somewhat anonymous behind a computer screen (maybe even in your 'jammies). But that computer screen does not preclude interaction with customers. Rather, good online customer service may be even more important: it gives buyers the peace of mind that they are buying from a trustworthy and reputable seller. Being an online entrepreneur offers the opportunity to provide excellent communication, create a friendly face for your shop, and promote repeat business, all while remaining behind the curtain.

Art of Pricing | Legal Info for Artists | Shop Makeover Series | Service Tips for Sellers

Your Shop 101 in the Virtual Labs: Get Your Shop Ready for the Holiday Rush!

2007-10-16T07:26:00-05:00

Join us Wednesday, October 17th in the Virtual Labs, specifically the "shop setup" room at 3pm sharp for the very first live VL workshop!!!

We will be talking all about how to get your shop and business ready for the holiday rush this season. We firmly believe that everyone should be ready and prepared for the holiday rush by November the 1st (rumored the biggest shopping day of the year!!!), and we are trying our best to get you there!

We have been running a series of videos in an effort to help get you ready, but we want to hold this specific workshop to really recap everything we've been talking about and offer some extra advice and tips. We also want to answer any burning questions you might have about getting your shop ready.

We're really interested in YOUR ideas for getting ready for the holidays, so be sure to do your homework and come prepared with some links to pictures of how you get ready!

Please also see the following videos to catch up on how to get ready for the holiday buying rush on Etsy:

Packaging: wrapping your products
Packaging: shipping your products
Packaging: branding your products
Packaging: how to make a box for packaging using recyled papers

See you there!

Also, for discussion, visit the forums!

Your Shop 101 in the Virtual Labs: Packaging

2007-09-25T10:59:00-05:00

With the holiday buying rush soon approaching, we here in the Labs would really like to help you guys get your shops in gear to keep up with the pace and really wow your customers.

With that in mind, we would like to stress the importance of packaging.

Packaging is a great way to stand out among the crowd and make your customers remember you name and product. An important part of gaining repeat buyers is in your product presentation (before and after your sale). Once you have made a sale, don't stop there; try to create a specific brand for your shop through the ways you package your products in preparation for shipping. As a buyer, I know how much it means to me when I receive a package that has a really unique style to it. It says to me that the seller really cared about my purchase and went the extra mile to really wow me.

You may be thinking, "Why would I waste money trying to make a product look cute when they buyer is just going to throw it away?" This is a great point, and I agree that you shouldn't waste money on extravagant packaging when there are so many unique and creative ways to package your goodies with recycled materials!

Come join us tomorrow in the online workshop to learn fun easy ways to solve most of your packaging/branding solutions! We'll be showing you all the secrets, tips, and tricks we here in the labs use to package our goodies from the Labs shop as well as from our own Etsy shops!

Meet us here at 2:50pm, and bring links and photos of your own packaging know how so we can show off your ideas!

How to Make a Box Out of Paper Scraps

2007-09-24T12:06:00-05:00

In this video, the Etsy Labs' crafter extraordinaire Mary shows you how to make a box out of scrap paper, in a few simple steps! It's an easy way to create boxes for holiday and birthday presents, make holders for those paper clip and rubber band collections on your desk, or organize all those little tchotchkes you've collected.

A Seller How-to: Scanning & Shipping Made Easy with USPS SCAN Form's Proof of Shipping

2007-09-19T08:13:00-05:00

"Did you send my package?"

The convo title strikes terror into your heart, dear sellers. You check…Yep, you did send it, and two weeks ago. You even click the little “Check Shipment” button in PayPal. To your horror, it only reads “This item is scheduled to be shipped on XYZ." You are suddenly thrust into the reality that Delivery Confirmation does not equal Tracking. How can you prove you shipped your items without having to visit the post office and pay full retail for Delivery Confirmation? The answer? Print and use a SCAN form.

Shipment Confirmation Acceptance Notice, or SCAN, is available when you purchase shipping labels online from the USPS or PayPal. Some other postage companies, like Endicia, also offer it. The SCAN is a single piece of paper containing a bar code to be read by a hand-held scanner. The single code will activate, or accept, all of the packages included on the SCAN form. Voila! You can prove that you shipped packages, and your customers will have greater peace of mind. Having an acceptance scan is also vital if the package is completely lost and you must file for an insurance claim. Also, if your package does become lost, you should call the USPS 800 number, and they can help you track it down, especially if you did SCAN.

Once you have printed a SCAN form, you can either take it to the Post Office, or leave it with the packages for Carrier Pickup. They will scan the form with a hand-held, and then return it to you. You may have to help your postal worker the first time or two, as the feature was only launched in November 2006, and has not been widely used. The clerks often do not have the hand-helds at their station, so expect to wait a little bit. Carriers naturally have a hand-held, but they are not required to take your packages unless you requested Carrier Pickup (although many will if they have room in their bag). If the carrier does not take your packages, you will still need to get them to the Post Office the day the postage is printed for, or the SCAN form is void. Therefore, I highly suggest requesting Carrier Pickup when you wish to leave items for your carrier with a SCAN form.

How to obtain a SCAN form:

From USPS:
Prepare your Priority Mail shipping labels and line them all up in your shopping cart.

Click the box under each label to include it in your SCAN form. Check out and print your labels, then you will be prompted to print out your SCAN form.

In PayPal:
SCAN is only available if you use the Multi-Order Shipping tool. You can use the tool for a single package. This is also the only way you can use a SCAN form for First Class and Parcel Post packages.

Prepare your labels, and in the pop up Print Labels box, you can click the Print SCAN form button. BE SURE TO CLICK the SCAN button BEFORE you close the 'print postage' window, otherwise you will be unable to print SCAN forms for those items. The form will print after your labels print.

Other related information:

•   You may include up to 50 packages on one SCAN form in PayPal.
•   You can print more than one SCAN form a day, but only the first may be left for Carrier Pickup. Any others must be presented at the Post Office.
•   The postage & SCAN form need to be for the correct date (be sure to change the date when you prepare the labels if you are shipping them the next day) and all need to be shipped from the same ZIP code.
•   Unused labels included in a SCAN form are ineligible for a refund after the form is scanned.

Other helpful tips for smooth Online Postage:

•   Highlight around the DC box with green to encourage scanning. You can also purchase “Please Scan” stickers.
•   If your packages are First Class, be sure to write “First Class” on them in red. Sometimes they are mistaken for Parcel Post, and will take 7-14 days to arrive.
•   For Priority Mail, send in a Priority box, or put a Priority sticker on the box.

More information:

USPS Help on SCAN
PayPal Help on SCAN

Please see other shipping how-tos for sellers.