Wednesday, 26 June 2013
How To Take Better Product & Blog Photos
Tuesday, 12 April 2011
Handmade Seller Interview: Pillow Pallooza
What first made you want to become an artist/crafts person ?
What handmade possession do you most cherish?
What is your earliest memory of creating something you were proud of?Tuesday, 5 April 2011
Handmade Seller Interview: RACHELelise
The Handmade Feature today is an interview with the owner of RACHELelise on Etsy, a seller of beautiful bags and satchels that are right up my street! Tell us a bit about yourself.
I'm Rachel, a recent college graduate and newlywed. I work at home on my bag business full-time and enjoy cooking, traveling, and lounging around when I'm not busy sewing up a storm.
How did you get started in your handmade business?
I've been sewing since I was in grade school, and when I got to college, I started selling handmade tote bags at a local coffee shop to earn a little extra cash. I got a really good response from the community, and someone told me about Etsy; I started selling on Etsy during college, and by the time I graduated, it was a full-time job!
What first made you want to become an artist/craftsperson?
I really love creating and knew that I would always find satisfaction in working for myself and being allowed to be creative on my own terms.
Apart from crafts, what do you like to do in your spare time?
I spend a lot of time curled up on the couch with my husband and our cat. Relaxing after a long day of sewing is the best! I also enjoy reading, cooking, and eating cheeseburgers.

How long have you been creating art/crafts and how long have you been selling online?
I've been doing crafts since I was allowed to use safety scissors. I come from a long line of artsy/craftsy folks, and I carry on the tradition proudly. I started sewing, specifically, 12 years ago, and I've been selling online for 3 years.
How many different places do you sell from?
Etsy is the most consistent market for me year around. In the spring and fall, I take part in a lot of trade/craft shows in the Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas area. You can get information on those shows at my website: www.rachelelise.com. I also sell wholesale to boutiques, mostly in the U.S., but sometimes internationally.
Have any pets?
I have a cat named Dagny that likes to sleep in the window of my studio while I sew.
How did you come up with your shop name?
Pretty simple- It's my first and middle name. I always liked the way they sounded together. The name confuses some people, though... they always ask if it's my maiden name, or if I'm "Rachel" or "Elise"... I'm both! :) Every once in a blue moon, I run into another Rachel Elise, and we get really excited haha.
What would your dream job be?
I have my dream job! Yay!
What are three tools in your workspace that you could not live without?
My Bernina sewing machine, for one. My mom got it for me when I turned 13... I'm 22 now, and it's still a trooper! Second would be my super-fantastic spring-loaded fabric scissors. I cut a lot of canvas and vinyl, and they are a life saver! The third is a custom table that my friends Shelley and Vaughan built for me. It's great for cutting out bags, designing bags, and has built-in storage for bags that are in the shop, waiting to be sold!
Any other handmade shops you’d like to recommend?
HomeAgain2 - They don't a have a lot in their Etsy right now, but these are the folks that made the awesome worktable for my studio. They make amazing furniture and are great people on top of that!
IndieThrift - Melissa is super nice and makes adorable accessories!
ZenAndCoffee - Wren makes beautiful and unique gloves. She made a pair for me to wear at my wedding, and I got so many compliments!
Tuesday, 8 March 2011
Handmade Seller Interview: Snappin Studio
The Handmade Feature today is an interview with the owner of Snappin Studio on Etsy, which sells lovely stamped copper and aluminium products, including keyrings, jewellery, wall art and bookmarks:How did you get started in your handmade business?
Apart fom crafts, what do you like to do in your spare time?
How long have you been creating art/crafts and how long have you been selling online?
About one year in the craft and about 3 months online.
How many different places do you sell from?
Last week it was one place, this week it is two! We have bought our own web site www.snappinstudio.com, and we also use Etsy.com
We plan on expanding soon, and are going to consider offers to put our stuff into some smaller shops in Birmingham, AL.
In ten years, where would you like to be?
Married with children, still stamping and running track...dream world!

How did you come up with your shop name?
We wanted to name it after something meaningful and so we chose our dog. His name is "Snappin Turtle Bailey Man Seaman", thus we got SnappinStudio
Do you have another job? What is it?
Yes, students at Samford University
What is your favorite part of your handmade business?
It funds date night, and gives us both something constructive to do together. We get along great when we are both being creative, or trying to figure something out about the business. It has created shopping trips, hunts for supplies, and many learning experiences.
What are three tools in your workspace that you could not live without?
Hammer, stamps, towels under the stamping block to cut down on the noise!
If you had the opportunity to learn one more craft you don’t already do, what would it be?
Glass Blowing.
Any other handmade shops you’d like to recommend?
My momma's shop http://www.laureltreestudio.etsy.com/
Hope you enjoyed the interview!
Tuesday, 8 February 2011
Handmade Seller Interview: Too Cute Kawaii
How many different places do you sell from?
Friday, 4 February 2011
Handmade Sellers Series Begins!
Well I've been buying and selling online since I was 15 so I was already well accustomed to the ins and outs of that side of things by the time I set up my business aged 22. I had begun this craft blog quite a few months before and it was this that made me consider selling jewellery that I'd handmade myself rather than buying products in and re-selling them (which was my first idea). I don't do things by halfs so once I'd decided on handmade jewellery I spent pretty much all my savings on tools and more pendants and chains than you'd have ever seen in your life!
I then set up a website and ran that until about June '10 when I switched to Etsy.
What first made you want to become an artist/craftsperson?
I'd always loved crafts and design technology was always my favourite subject from a very early age. I just combined my favourite hobby with my second favourite hobby (selling online) and 'The Wellington Boot' was the result.
Apart fom crafts, what do you like to do in your spare time?
Blogging, photography, reading, TV (bit of an addict of reality shows!), shopping, designing and doodling, watching films, baking and making lists, lots and lots of lists.

If you had to recommend one movie, which perhaps isn’t so well known, which one would it be?
I'd probably say 'Cruel Intentions' which is targeted at teenagers but I really like it and I'm sure anyone who likes edgier rom coms would do too - the soundtrack is great, as is the ending - but I won't spoil it :-)
Do you collect anything?
I did start a collection of vintage products which show how people did things differently 'back then', or are a bit bizarre, (I have a lipstick applicator which lets you apply lippie all in one go as a sort of 'stamp' - not very successfully I'd imagine) but I've only got about 4 things in the collection! I also have a large collection of recipe books although that was an unintentional collection lol. I've got at least 30 'Good Food' books alone.
What's your biggest non craft-related ambition?
To go to New Zealand and explore, bungee jump and skydive (eek).
If you had the opportunity to learn one more craft you don’t already do, what would it be?
There are soooo many and this craft blogging lark has opened my eyes to them all - this question is very tough! I want to learn everything from screen printing to weaving, pottery and mosaic. I guess if I had to choose I'd go for ice sculpting though - for something a bit different.
What was the best holiday you’ve ever been on?
Well all of my Disneyland and Disneyworld holidays have been amazing, but I guess the one where I went to Florida has to top the list as it was my 11th birthday whilst I was there and we went to a fab restaurant on International Drive and I fed the dolphins at Sea World, so yep, that was fantastic. Although, one of my favourite moments on holiday was when my brother and I were in the hotel swimming pool in Majorca and a storm started up and everyone went inside whilst we stayed in the pool with the rain bouncing on the water. Was awesome :-)
What is your earliest memory of creating something you were proud of?
I think it was probably a cardboard and paper mache boat I made in primary school. I loved that boat.

P.S. If you have an online shop which sells handmade and would like to be featured, please contact me via my shop for details, thanks!
Wednesday, 29 September 2010
More Jewellery!

Monday, 28 June 2010
Moving To Etsy!
I'm just in the process of moving all of the jewellery from my website to my new Etsy shop, plus gradually adding over 30 new designs too (yay!).Sunday, 23 May 2010
THE BEST Etsy Shops & Handmade Products
Tuesday, 2 March 2010
Making & Selling Handmade
I've just made a new page all about making and selling handmade products on the web, and I hope you'll find it useful!Monday, 1 February 2010
How To Have A Successful Business
Lots of Useful Tool and Websites
Adding Items to Google
Increase Etsy Shop Traffic
Understanding Online Advertising
Graphic Design to Give Your Shop the Edge
Best of my tips: Concentrate on getting nice and clear photos, have some unique products (find a niche), create pretty but simple and consistent packaging, have a memorable name and logo, use Metatag Analyser on each website page to check your meta tags and descriptions are search-engine friendly, use Project Wonderful if you want to advertise on other sites, approach suitable blogs to try and get your shop featured, have regularly updated information and perhaps tutorials on your website to try and drive traffic to it, and lastly (if you have good photos) submit your products on Craft Gawker.
Thursday, 19 November 2009
Best Etsy Shops (cont...)
It's getting ever closer to Christmas, so it's time to start thinking about prezzies! The following list contains amazing Etsy shops that may give you some gift ideas. Have fun :-)
http://www.etsy.com/shop/tekaandzoe
Other:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Spiderbite
http://www.etsy.com/shop/LoveLeeSoaps
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Elephannie
http://www.etsy.com/shop/joojooland
http://www.etsy.com/shop/houseofharriet
http://www.etsy.com/shop/cottonbirddesigns
http://www.etsy.com/shop/trixiedelicious
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Brookish
http://www.etsy.com/shop/reclaim2fame
http://www.etsy.com/shop/hilarycosgrove
http://www.etsy.com/shop/rachelaustin
http://www.etsy.com/shop/cocoondesigns
Thursday, 29 October 2009
Elite Eight
Sunday, 23 August 2009
Woo!
Monday, 20 July 2009
Friday, 9 January 2009
Saturday, 1 November 2008
Best Etsy Shops (cont...)
FABRIC:http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5166892
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5088741
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5452025
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5593282
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5579277
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5111444
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5525146
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5039982
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5068598
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5488446
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5594097
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=71564
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5865713
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5230506
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5494670
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5013842
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5599685
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=70286
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5290164
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5053816
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5401792
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5679428
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=51942
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5764453
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=14697956
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5126595
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5295903
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5506714
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5114099
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5250316
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6206448
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5988949
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5675318
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5208139
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5226382
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6330912
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6259911
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5720663
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6295160
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5768543
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5717811

Thursday, 18 September 2008
Best Etsy Shops
FABRIChttps://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/namolio
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/fabricsgalore
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/FromJapanWithLove
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/downshadowlane
FOR THE HOUSE
https://www.etsy.com/shop/olivehandmade
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/singlestonestudios
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/woodmouse
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Artsy
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/CitrusTreeDesigns
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/BACLORI
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/AliciaBock
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/CarlChristensen
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/AmyGiacomelli
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/FriendlyMade
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/karenfieldsgallery
JEWELLERY
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/nervoussystem
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/sofiamasri
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/3FUN
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/ButtonBoutique
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/thelovelyteaspoon
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/MAKUstudio
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/fleurfatale
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/fluffsstuffs
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/minorthread
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/byMarianneS
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/jelene
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/tanisalexis
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/PearsonMaron
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/materialised
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/inmybackyard
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/stoopidgerl
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/SillyDogMagnets
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/chARiTyelise
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/NatureMadeScents
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/papermoongallery
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/lupin
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/ValeriesGallery
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/retrofied
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/tinymeat
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/simbiosisbyjulia
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/WolfBait
BUTTONS/MAGNETS/PINS
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/butterflymosaics
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/TheBeedle
Wednesday, 17 September 2008
Etsy Coupons and Offers
Etsy Secrets is a blog where you can browse coupons that can be used to recieve money off your next purchase at specific Etsy shops. Also a great way to discover new sellers!



