Saturday, April 9, 2011

Spotlight Saturday Daisies and Damsels

This week's Spotlight Saturday is Daisies and Damsels a wonderful Etsy shop filled with ADORABLE boutique dresses and accessories. If you are looking for the perfect Easter, Flower girl, or Pageant dress and accessories then look no further! Let's get to know Rachel, the talented designer.


1. What made you start designing?
I think I was born with the gene. My mom taught me to sew when I was 10. I loved to cross-stitch as a kid also. Later on I realized that I loved to design girls dresses, I just started making hair accessories last September, and have had so much fun with every creation.

2. Where do you get your design ideas?
I actually get most my ideas at night when I'm laying in bed, when I'm supposed to be sleeping. I don't get ideas like some designers how they look at the sea, and come up with a collection.

3. How long have you been designing?
I've been sewing for 21 years.
4. What was the first thing you ever made?
The first thing I ever crafted was a really ugly drop waisted jumper. I remember being 10 and getting super frustrated cause I kept catching the skirt in the sewing machine. My Mom was super patient, and kept encouraging me to keep going.

5. How did you find Etsy?
I think right when Etsy started I came across their website while searching for vintage girls patterns through Google.
6. What inspired your Etsy shop name?
That took some thought. My husband helped me on the Damsel part, and I threw in the Daisies, and it just clicked. It was after much deliberation though.

7. What Etsy shops are on your favorites list?
 I love catssoftstitches, she crochets the most beautiful bonnets, and booties for little babies.

8.  What is your favorite item in your Etsy shop?
My favorite item in my shp would be my "In Full Bloom" dress. That was a vision in my head for a couple years, until a dear friend let me put it to reality.


9. What was your first Esty sale?
 My first Etsy sale was a huge custom order for capelets. It was such a boost, I could hardly believe it at the time.
10. Where else can we find you?
 You can find me on Facebook here.
Also on Twitter here. twitter.com/#!/DaisiesDamsels

Thank you Daisies and Damsels. It has been a pleasure getting to know you. To purchase any of the items featured here and see even more of Rachel's beautiful work, please visit her Etsy shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/DaisiesandDamsels

Friday, April 8, 2011

Fun Finds Friday

It's FRIDAY!!!! What better way to start off your weekend than with a few fun Friday finds?/! There are so many great shops on Etsy that it is always easy to find something awesome. This week's items are a wonderful mixture that I just thought were AWESOME!

In honor of Autism week this keychain would make a great acessory to support such a wonderful cause. Brightter is donating all the profits from the sale to ASPEN, the Asperger's Education Network in New Jersey.  http://www.etsy.com/listing/70729634/different-not-less-keychain  Brightter also has many Autisim support jewelry items that you could also purchase at http://www.etsy.com/shop/brighttgr?ref=seller_info

This vintage picture is stunning and the aqua frame really makes it pop! This picture reminds me of the little girl on the Sunbeam bread. It captures all the warmth and comfort of Southern country and would make a great addition to any home.  http://www.etsy.com/listing/51268937/picture-of-girl-in-aqua Lady Green Jeans has a wonderful assortment of vintage and retro items available for purchase at http://www.etsy.com/shop/ladygreenjeans

This ADORABLE body suit makes me wish my son was a baby still. I just love the mixture of colors with dark blue, aqua blue, brown, and cream! It would look great with a pair of jeans on your little one. Baby Pear has a wonderful assortment of onesies and burp cloths for the little one in your life at http://www.etsy.com/shop/BabyPear


Check back again next week for another Fun Finds Friday and tomorrow for my Spotlight Saturday- where I interview an Etsy shop.

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Spotlight Saturday Double Feature

Okay last week was really crazy for me and I forgot all about my Saturday feature until the end of the week and by then it was too late. So I figured that I'd feature 2 wonderful shops in a Saturday Double Feature. 

The first shop who was supposed to be featured on 3/26 is Babes and Sages- a wonderful little shop that focuses on handmade hair and jewelry accessories. Let's take a moment to get to know the talented creator behind the designs, Sophie.




 

 Hi everyone :) My name is Sophie and I am the owner and designer of the wonderful Etsy shop Babes and Sages. I am originally from Germany but moved to the Pittsburgh, PA area because of my wonderful American hubby. If you would like to find out more about how we met and our crazy love story, please visit the about page on my blog at babesandsages.blogspot.com. The hubby and I live in a home we built ourselves, with our two puppies Penny and Melvin and are also expecting a little baby boy in May. We are beyond excited :) I have always been a creative and hands-on person with a love for art and great design. I have a bachelors degree in Graphic Design and love to do branding, logo design and photography. I am currently focusing most of my creative attention on promoting and growing my handmade accessories business, but am always up for interesting design projects. My shop currently features jewelry and hair accessories but will hopefully expand its range as time goes by. I get inspired by everything around me, colors, nature and of course the fantastic resources the internet provides. I sometimes have a hard time going to sleep at night because there are so many ideas swirling around in my head. I have been creating things since I can remember but my accessory business is still in its infancy. My dream is to one day be able to help support my family by doing what I love and being my own boss at the same time. I am very lucky to have a wonderful husband who supports and pushes me to go after my dreams. I love meeting new people, in real life and in the blogosphere so please stop by and drop me a line or two, I would love to hear from you.

Links:
-Etsy shop: www.etsy.com/shop/babesandsages
-FB profile: www.facebook.com/pages/Babes-and-Sages/190611774305224
-Twitter: twitter.com/#!/babesnsages
-Blog: babesandsages.blogspot.com


Thank you Sophie for taking time to tell us about yourself. Visit Babes and Sages Etsy shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/babesandsages and see even more of her beautiful creations. Babes and Sages is also graciously offered blog readers 25% off thier purchases.
Just enter JAZZY25 when you check out.


The second shop in this week's Saturday Spotlight Double Feature is Coquette Bath- an amazing shop that has all your bath time needs. Let's take the time to get to know Cari the amazingly talented creator of the luxury bath products in her Etsy shop!

1. What made you become a crafter/artist?
I used to own a B&M. When I went to Market to find things to sell, I just couldn’t find what I envisioned. I began with candles, moved into soap, along the way segued into jewelry and such, and then more bath & body items. I no longer sell jewelry online, but have more than 300 different products for sale in my home fragrance and bath/body products. I just opened a new shop on Etsy: ArtPOPgifts to sell my graphic designs that I’m currently offering in magnets.

2. Where do you get your inspirations?
I love things. But I require that things not only be beautiful but that they also be usable. So when I’m out shopping, and don’t see what I want to buy, I generally decide to make it for myself! Sometimes, items come into my world because I had a specific need, such as when I was trying to stock my store.

3. How long have you been crafting/drawing?
Ever since I can remember! About age 6, knowing that our family finances were very tight, and wanting some candy, I took notebook paper (with the blue lines) made them into little hats (that probably only fit my little head!) and went door to door selling them. I think I made about .20 before someone called my mom. She was embarrassed, but this was back in the day of penny candy, so I wasn’t.

4. What was the first thing you ever crafted/drew?
Those little paper hats! I also paint, sew, do needlepoint, and make stained glass. But if you mean ‘for sale’, it would be jewelry. I was beading bracelets and selling them in 4th grade! For the store, and onward, it was candles first. And that lead me into everything else.

5. How did you learn about Etsy? When did you open your Etsy shop?
I was on a soap board and heard about this venue. Honestly, if not for that, I probably would never have found it, to this day. No one I know has ever heard of Etsy, except through me.

6. How did you decide on your shop's name?
My original name here at Etsy was GoodScents. I called my biz Good Scents Bath Company™. That was okay in 2001. But within a few years, every search would turn up more and more folks with the name. At the same time, I was trying to get the trademark. The end came when another Texas seller started using a variation on the name. I knew I wouldn’t get the tm (and after spending a ton of money...to me...that was a bitter pill to swallow), so I changed to Coquette Bath & Home™. Coquette means flirt. And my shop is definitely girly and flirty. I added the ‘Home’ to the name to cover my home fragrance products like wax melts (my Nuggets™) and jar candles.

7. What's on your favorite's list? What Etsy shops would you recommend and why?
Oh wow, that’s tough. Since I make ‘stuff’, I generally only buy what I cannot make for myself. I also have friends who also make soap, so swapping keeps me well supplied. But I love jewelry and I’ve bought quite a few big hole beads and other bits and pieces. I recently bought a lovely painting from Etsy artist Eastwitching. I’ve bought quite a few beads from CecileStewartjewelry, too. I really love the incredible diversity on Etsy.

8. What is your favorite item in your shop? Why?
That’s like impossible to say. If I don’t use it, I don’t sell it. Now, certain fragrances aren’t my favorites (Lavender...not a fan) but I use everything. My Kiss™ lip balm (current favorites are Bee My Honey and Jasmine Tea). My sugar cube scrub (LOVE Dream). My rollon perfume (my personal favorite is Mystic). And on and on and on. I love my items. If I didn’t think they were the best, I wouldn’t sell them.

9. Tell us about your first Etsy sale. What was it? How did you feel?
Incredible. It is like that ‘Sally Field’ moment...’you really like me, you really really like me!’ I was over the moon, and still get a rush whenever I see a new sale.

10. What do you listen to when you are crafting/drawing?
Silence. Really. I prefer to get into the zone, and since I can tune out any noise, I generally just go into my own headspace and work. I find too much noise distracting.

11. Where's your favorite craft/drawing spot?
I have a space in my home office which works best. Maybe not for the actual production, but definitely to think out ideas and work up labels, etc.

12. What makes your product better than others in your field?
There are a lot of great soapmakers. I would be seriously amiss if I didn’t say that. A lot of them. But what sets my products out front, to me, is my use of scent, color and design. I don’t like bland colors. I don’t get into the ‘basic granola’ mentality. That’s perfectly fine, but for me, I like a vivid fragrance. I want lively color and I want products that will help enhance my personal serenity. And that means happy color! For jar candles, and other home fragrancing products, I’ve used a lot of different products. I still think that my candles offer more fragrance and burn better than anyone else’s. Definitely far superior to anything mass produced! But also head of the class when compared to other handcrafted products, too.

13. What are your favorite materials to work with?
I don’t have a favorite! I generally work with vegetable oils and beeswax. I love beeswax. But I like products that offer a great benefit to the consumer and also are cost effective. In fact, one of my taglines is that you get spa quality without paying a high price. And that’s really true with my line.

14. What is your favorite part of having an online business?
Being a total control freak over my line. No one can tell me ‘no’ regarding anything that I want to do. I do self monitor. And at times, yeah, I do get a bit ahead of myself. For example, right now, I offer like 20 lip balm flavors. I’ve done this before, and had to retreat back to maybe 10-12. But I WANT to offer 20 flavors. So I do.

15. What is your least favorite part of having an online business?
Finding ways to let people know that I exist. I obtained my BS degree in Marketing/management back when the internet was just someone’s idea. Social networking is also a vague thing to me. I do use it, but not to the best, I think.

16. How do you advertise your business?
I do some Project Wonderful ads. I’m on my second campaign of the year. I also changed my ads a month or so ago. Only time will tell if this is working. But my sales are increasing this year. I’m probably double last year...not that there isn’t a lot of room for improvement!

17. What are your goals this year for your shop?
This year my goal is to hit 500 sales on my Etsy shop. Since my sales, dollar volume, on my standalone are about triple Etsy, that will mean a very nice year for me. Show sales are also increasing. So everything is an upward movement, which is really cool!

18. What do you do in your spare time?
Well, I’m a single parent. And that means, even though both kids are teens, a lot of laundry and shopping! But when I have time, I write, read and paint. I love doing something creative.

19. Do you have a job other than crafting/drawing? What is it?
Yes, I’m a planner at a local corporation. Very different from my creative self but I get to use a lot of my skills in organizing and managing data. I’m also very good at figuring out ways to fix issues, which is a skill that helps with my online biz, too, as I do often have to find a very cost effective way to do something.

20. How do you manage your time?
Every day is a new challenge. I’ve finally faced it that I cannot get everything done when I’d like to have it done. There just aren’t ‘enough’ of me! But every day, I do spend at least 2 hours on my biz. Either making new items, designing new labels, photographing, etc. Sometimes this happens late at night so that I can get something accomplished. It is a rare day when I’m not working on the biz!


21. Do you have any discounts, sales, PIFs or specials available in your shop? I’d love to offer everyone reading this a special coupon code. Please use CoquetteRox for 15% off my online store (at http://www.coquettebath.com/) or at my Etsy shop!

22. Do you offer custom orders? How does it work?
Bath and body products do have quantity minimums, but sometimes I do find people who want a particular scent, and if that’s you, know that I can, and will, create something special. You just have to purchase the entire quantity made. In soap, that could be as few as 6 bars of soap. But in lip balm or other body products, the quantity can be greater. Each product has minimum manufacturing amounts, but if you love something, chat with me. I do require payment in advance and it generally will take me a few weeks to complete, and ship, your order.

23. What tips do you have for anyone just starting out in the crafting business?
Read. Learn as much as you can. Find a mentor or three. And if you are selling a product that can have liability issues (which are most of them) have some insurance. Please. I always cringe when I meet new soap sellers and find out that they don’t have it.

24. Where can we find you? Post your links to Facebook, Twitter, Blog, etc.
My facebook is rather messed up at present. But it should be www.facebook/coquettebath
http://www.coquettebath.com/ is my main shop
www.etsy.com/coquettebath is my Etsy shop
www.artfire.com/coquettebath is my Artfire shop
http://www.coquettebath.ecrater.com/ is my eCrater shop

My twitter is @coquettebath

I also have shops on a few other venues, but these are the major ones. And if folks want to read my (hopefully humorous) musings, check out my blog at www.coquettebath.com/blog

25. Anything else we should know about you and your shop?
I love making wonderful things. I love shipping my creations off to folks around the world. I feel blessed to be able to do what I love. I do dream, however, of doing this full time. I used to have a B&M store and it was one of the first casualties of the recent economic downturn. I dream of having one again. To do that, reliable online sales is critical. So I hope that customers not only love my products, but also recommend me to their friends and family. I care about each of my customers and I hope they all know how important they are to me and mine. As a single parent, I carry all the loads and my goal is to over deliver on my promises and to make the very best I possibly can. Thanks!


Thank you for allowing us to get to know you better Cari. If you are interested in any of the items pictured in Coquette Bath's interview please check out her Etsy shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/CoquetteBath

Friday, April 1, 2011

Jazzy Custom Creations: Fun Finds Friday

Jazzy Custom Creations: Fun Finds Friday: "Some fun finds from Etsy shops and maybe get a few specials too :o) Just in time for Easter- these items would make adorable additions to a ..."

Monday, March 21, 2011

Jazzy Custom Creations: Spotlight Saturday

Jazzy Custom Creations: Spotlight Saturday: "Yay!! The first Spotlight Saturday!!!! This week's Spotlight Saturday is Annie Dee's Designs who makes beautiful hair accessories for women,..."

Jazzy Custom Creations: Tipsy Tuesday

Jazzy Custom Creations: Tipsy Tuesday: "This month is the start of Spring and spring cleaning time. If there is one thing that I hate to do the most is clean. I mean don't get..."

Jazzy Custom Creations: Meal Time Monday

Jazzy Custom Creations: Meal Time Monday: "Keeping with the St. Patty's day theme is my kids' favorite side dish- Broccoli, Rice, and Cheese Casserole. My picky eater son does no..."

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Off schedule so soon :(

Well this is the first week that I decided to make a schedule and stick to it, and wouldn't you know something came up. My grandma is staying at my house while they work on the water line in her condo complex. While she is so much fun to have around, there is not much time to make and post much. I promise I will as soon as she goes home.

Monday, March 14, 2011

This weeks schedule

This month's theme is St. Patrick's day and spring cleaning. Here is the schedule for this week.

Mealtime Monday: Broccoli, rice and cheese casserole
Tipsy Tuesday: Organizing your workspace
What's New Wednesday: ChaCha bracelet
How to Thursday: Learn how to make a ChaCha bracelet
Funny Friday: With my kids who knows what this will be about!
Spotlight Saturday:  Annie Dee's Designs

Blog post schedule

Well since I started this blog I never really had a plan about what I would do with it. I mainly started it because so many people raved about how much extra business they recieve at their Etsy shop as a result of thier blog. So I started the blog thinking, well it could kind of be like a virtual diary about my jewelry that everyone can see. What was I thinking?/! I have never been much of a diary person, so I should have known that I'd never keep up with the blog with that mind set. I decided to join a blog team on Etsy to motivate me to spend more time on my blog. As a result, I spent the week sitting with my blog post open most nights and start typing, then delete, and try again, before I  would finally log off fustrated. 

I decided to ask my blog team members what they do for thier blogs, and recieved many wonderful suggestions. As a teacher I find that planning ahead is very beneficial for me, so when I read a suggestion to make a schedule of what I want to post each day, I had one of those slap yourself on the forehead DUH moments and decided to create a schedule for my blog. Anyhow here is the tentative schedule that I will follow:

Meal time Monday                     A recipe of the week
Tipsy Tuesday                            A business related tip                   
What's new Wednesday             What I am working on this week
How To Thursday                      A little project you can try to make
Funny Friday                              Something funny that has happened this week
Spotlight Saturday                      Putting that spotlight on an Etsy shop

If it all works out this week, this will be my blog schedule. Feel free to leave comments- I love hearing feedback on what you like and what needs to be improved.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Pics of Custom Items in my Etsy shop

Here are some pics of new items in my shop.

This fiirst pic is of the custom stretch necklaces that can be made in a variety of patterns. I have one necklace that us multiple colors made from these beads and ALWAYS get a compliment on it when I were it. These necklaces are perfect for women, teens, and school aged children. 

Here are some more options that I made over Christmas time for a charity
As you can see there are many options with the design of the necklaces. Each necklace is $10 and bracelets made with the same beads are $5. They would make excellent Easter gifts and party favors. Follow the link to my Etsy website found on the left of your screen and Convo me if you would like more than one necklace or bracelet. I will offer a discount on mulitple necklaces/bracelets. Plus you can still use the coupon code for this month (found in my shop's announcement) for an even better discount!


The Fringe Bracelet $40-$55

This necklace is very cool and funky. It can be made in a variety of colors and with so many different beads. The hot pink and black bracelet is made with catherdal beads and Swarovski crystal it is finshed with a sterling silver clasp. It costs about $55 due to the quality of materials. The purple bracelet is made with gemstone chips- in this case amethyst- and is finished with a sterling silver clasp. It costs about $50; depending on the gemstone used the price could be higher or lower. The blue bracelet is made with acrylic beads and costs $40. It is finished with a handmade clasp.

Fringe bracelets are very time consuming to make because each bead is hand "stitched" it can take about a 3-5 days just to make. But they are well worth the time and effort since they are so beautiful!

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Busy Bee

I have been a busy be this week and have loaded a bunch of new lotion candles, custom jewelry options, and a new line for men.

Since the weather is warming up, I have tried to locate some spring and summer inspired lotion candles. I have created a multitude of scents for the season and also sale samples of all my scents should you want to try any out. My newest scents are Summer Smoothie, Lemonade, Cherry Passion, Banana Split, Gone Bananas, Sage and Citrus, Fun in the Sun, as well as 2 men scents called Cool Dude and Hot Dude.

I have noticed that custom jewelry seems to sale well on Etsy, so I have attempted to jump on the band waggon. I created 3 custom options, 1 for a custom necklace and 2 for custom bracelets. My target market here is as party  favors for my stretchy necklace and bracelets, and hope to get some custom orders for my fringe bracelets too. I will also be adding a custom option for some Cha-Cha bracelets in the near future.

An area that seems to not have much competition in Etsy is products for men. While there are many amazing things on Etsy, most items aregeared toward women. At first I was afraid of making men's jewelry because I thought it might not be that creatively inspiring but I was wrong. I found that the creative challenge with men's jewelry is knowing when to stop. For women jewelry, one can go all out- the possibilities are daunting- I often find myself planning, then taking apart, and planning again. Whereas for men jewelry, simple lines are key and the only issue is what beads or color combinations to use. I found this limitation to be helpful in focusing my creative energy since it has been a while since I have made jewelry items in general.

Anyway, hopefully all these additions help bring in more sales- we'll see...

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Man Product Line?

I'm thinking of starting a product line for men. Some soaps, maybe some lotion candles, and jewelry. I am a a loss for what scents to get for bath products and what designs to make for jewelry. I like mixing scents when I am making candles and making intricately designed jewelry so this is hard for me. I feel limited and confined because men designs are simple (no offense). My hubby will be my guinea pig with whatever I make. I'm thinking something earthy for both bath products and jewelry but can't put my finger on exactly what. What are your favorite manly scents? What type of jewelry would you buy for a man?

Friday, January 21, 2011

Friday Feature

It has taken me a while to create another blog post. I have to remember to log on once a day. We've been having so much going on here that I kind of forgotten until I received a convo from a Etsy friend.  She featured me and my Etsy shop on her blog. Here's the link feel free to check it out.

http://silverrosesewing.blogspot.com/2011/01/feature-friday-jazzy-custom-creations.html

It was a really in depth interview and really lets you get to know me. She happened to catch me on a long winded day so my responses are pretty lengthy! Enjoy!

Sunday, January 9, 2011

First blog post!!!

Whoo-hoo!!! This is my first blog post! I am a blog newbie but am a fast learner. I will post something of substance tomorrow. I had to wait until my kids were asleep and the house was quiet before I could try to create this blog. Now that I have it set up the way I think I like it, I am going to get some shut eye! so Hello and Good night!