Sunday, January 27, 2013

A new look for Creative Corner

So it is a new year time for an updated look for the shop, blog, facebook

I have been on the hunt for a new design for about 6 months now, I kept thinking about my wallet and the fact that I don't have a lot of extra for expenses like this.  I really wanted a new banner, avatar, reserved listings, and sale images for my shop but could not justify spending $$$ lots of money$$$ for it 
I began searching for free things but nothing that looked good enough for a professional shop.  What should I do now,I just started playing with different things on the computer and came up with my new hang-tags for jewelry and then I thought I needed to make my banner and avatar to match the new hang-tags.  I came up with this
I am in love with my new look, I feel it is a clean modern look for my boutique my favorite color combination is a hot pink and orange-- bright and cheery!

In my shop you will find Pendants-- Scrabble tile, glass tile, resin, and others!  I will also be offering jewelry (earrings, bracelets, necklaces, and rings), greeting cards, crochet (scarves, dishcloths, blankets), and more

Come check the Boutique out 
www.misscreative.etsy.com

Happy Crafting 
Danielle C

Saturday, January 26, 2013

New Packaging for shop

So as we go through life we make changes hopefully for the better, the same thing goes for my shop!

I Love getting gifts so my goal was to package up my goodies like a gift even if it was a personal purchase!

I came up with this for the packaging
A photo from a recent sale--
I used a celophane bag 
inside the bag I placed
  • bright orange and fuscia paper shreads
  • I also created a unique hang card for my pendants
Tied the bag up with a orange and pink ribbon and attached a gift tag created by Shutterfly

A view from the back
in the back of the bag I placed the following:
  • a hand written note of thanks
  • and a business card

I love my new packaging a neat way to showcase my pendants and other jewelry pieces and best part it doesn't break the bank:)

I hope my customers like the packaging as much as I do!

Until next time
Happy Creating
Danielle

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

How to run a Successful ETSY business

That is a great question that many ETSIANS have asked and tried to figure out for years!  What is crazy is that what may be successful for one ETSY shop may not work at all for another ETSY shop, Crazy I know!

Here is my list of what is helping me to become successful

Good Photography:
I first opened my shop selling my greeting cards in 2008 and here is a example of a photo I had
not the best but at the time I thought it was fine.
What is wrong with the photo?
  • needs cropped
  • needs straightened
  • taken at a bad angle
  • the background makes it too dark 
  • fuzzy picture
  • lighting was bad
I think that my photos have gotten better

fixed the photo
  • cropped the photo
  • straightened the photo more(could probably be straightened more)
  • took the photo and tried to get a birds eye view of the card
  • this photo is more in focus
  • lighting was much better
  • notice the different background
 Listings:
the key is to list product and to have a full shop, never thought about it the first go around but really who wants to shop in a store that only has a handful of product, not me I want choices!
Imagine going into a big dept store and only having 3 options to buy-- You probably wont want to shop there a lot. 

I try to list at least 2 items per day if not more, and space the listings out throughout the day so that your shop is gaining more exposure!

Budget:
Now however this may be common sense It was the last thing on my mind the first go around and so now I budget tightly!

Figure out what  you can personally spend per month remember that it takes money to make money!  Dont overspend on supplies however it may be tempting to do just that.  You need to figure out what the max amount you can personally add to the etsy shop from your personal budget(keep personal money separate from ETSY money)

each time you make a sale figure out what your profit was by taking the fees and the expenses of creating the product from the price sold at.  You will probably be surprised to find out that you really don't make as much as you would think :( You may have to adjust your prices a little the first 6 months to a year.

No one wants to work for FREE

Excellent Customer Service
You have to be conscious that there is a person on the other end of your purchase
I not only sell on ETSY but I also buy on ETSY, there is nothing better than opening a package and seeing pretty packaging a free sample or coupon code, a handwritten note of thanks!  I also enjoy getting convos from the buyer throughout the process just letting me know where we stand.
Some things I do
  • e-mail customers with thanks and approximate shipping times 
  • send a convo through ETSY when I ship the product(the shipping label usually gets to them before the product gets shipped and I just want them to be aware of when I ship)
  • Package my products in a cute way 
  • includes a handwritten note with each purchase
  • includes a coupon code with each purchase
  • during holidays I include a free gift
     
 Advertise and market shop:
This is something that I struggle with most!  How do you market your shop? how to advertise?  many etsy sellers advertise through ETSY, some others advertise through a blog, twitter, facebook, pinterest, and others get published in a magazine, Others pass cards and samples out through out their neighborhood
I dont know if there is a right or wrong way to market I am still trying to figure it all out!
 

Sunday, January 20, 2013

My first youtube video

Good Morning Blog Readers!

I can hardly believe it is already January 20th but that just means we are closer to Spring, Right?

So I have had my shop open for 3 months now and I would have to say I am more successful this go around than ever(yeah I am averaging 1 sale per month, my goal is to increase that to 1 sale per week)  I had a epiphany well probably more like a thought but epiphany sounded better:) 

My thought was that I could make a youtube video about my shop.  I logged into my google account and searched how I could produce a video, They have several options to make your own videos but I chose the slideshow option, this way I could show a variety of my products! 

Come check it out at You Tube  I titled it Creative Corner Valentines Day Gift Showcase 

Are you struggling with what to get that special person? Give Handmade this Valentines Day!

Have a Blessed Day!
Danielle 

BTW: new listings being added, just added 2 this morning (a scrabble tile and a fresh water pearl bracelet)

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

New Listings--- New year

Happy New Year
For the New Year I have lots of fun new listings for Creative Corner Designs
Up first is 
Chains and upgrades a whole new section of the shop, due to a raise in prices for chains I will no longer be including the chain for the $4.95 price of a Scrabble Tile pendant.  Chains will be priced affordably at less than $5.00 and this way the customer can choose the chain that best fits their style!  I will have several options including the traditional ball chain, snake chain, linked chain, charm bracelet, key chains and more!


and Introducing Creative Corner Greetings another brand new section for Creative Corner

New Pendant collections coming in 2013 super excited 



Last but definitely not least I have been busy baking this holiday season and I want to share with my shop customers, do I have your attention yet?  I am pleased to introduce to you Creative Corner Cupcakes a collection of faux cupcakes that are perfect for any kitchen, party decor, photo props, Birthday gifts and more, I use mine as a paperweight in my office!



Be sure to stop by today and in the coming days to see new listings 
Until next time 
Happy Crafting
Danielle C.