Artfire VS ETSY: Where Are You Selling?

June 17, 2009 at 10:55 pm (Uncategorized)
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Red Coin Shell Bracelet

 

Everyone who loves handmade has heard of ETSY, and many artists sell on their everyday, but with the increasing amount of sellers on the handmade site artists are looking to branch to other venues, one of these particular ones is Artfire.  Today I took the plunge and finally opened my shop on Artfire, NaturalAmberDesigns.  I have no intentions in replacing my ETSY shop NaturalAmber but I am looking to not keep all my eggs in one basket. The Google SEO is having some issues on ETSY, there are increasing amount of sellers on a daily basis, and the jewelry section is just tremendous. Being in such a saturated category makes me feel like a needle in the haystack, but I will never leave ETSY. Within my short observation of Artfire, this is what I have concluded between the two:

 

* Artfire is quick to setup, and has a wonderful virtual studio for your shop. There is definitely nothing wrong with the shop that ETSY provides but I do love being able to have 10 pictures, custom background colors, endless amount of tags, and not onlya  description space but a space on what inspired me to make the piece.

 

* Right now ETSY gets more views, but the jury is really still out on that. For being  a new handmade site, just beginning in October 2008 you really can’t expect the same amount of traffic. The site is wonderful though and I can imagine it booming in the near future.

 

* Artfire automatically puts your items in Google Base. No more Letsets tool (except for you ETSY shop).

 

* There are so many promotional tools on Artfire to market your items, you can list them in Kaboodle, Tweet about them on Twitter, and so much more. They have over 30 widgets to choose from!

 

* ETSY forums look pretty and are more cleaner looking, but Artfire’s seem more friendly and admin more responsive in helping sort out issues.

 

Those are the main difference I see right now, but as I said this is just my first day. I will post more in the months to come about my experience with Artfire. Unlike 1000markets and Shophandmade, I think this place is really going to grow! The jury is still out on Artfire, but as I said I think I see promising results in the horizon for Artfire sellers.

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ETSY: Yart Finds For Under $10.00

June 11, 2009 at 5:08 pm (Uncategorized)
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Glam Beaded Shell Earrings

 

ETSY’s second annual Yart Sale sponsered by the ETSY Supplies Team is underway June 10th-14th 2009 and there are so many wonderfulk buys for under $10.00. My shop NaturalAmber is also participating for the first time this year. Here is a selection of some of my favorites items from my shop as well as around ETSY, all under $10.00

 

Dainty Turquoise Earrings: $7.00 and Free Shipping

Purple Iris Greeting Card: $5.00 

Tie Dye Tank Shirt, $5.00

Funky Plum and Emerald Gemstone Earrings, $7.00 and Free Shipping

 Cute Heart Ipod Case: $5.00

Pastel Green and Circles Clutch Purse: $7.00

Magenta and Moss Green Lantern Earrings: $5.60 and Free Shipping

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~Breaking News~ Baby Laith Dougherty

February 26, 2009 at 10:49 pm (Uncategorized)

 

I can not begin to explain the joy that has filled my heart for a baby and a family I do not know, to read on their site today that their story got to Pittsburg Children’s hospital where Baby Laith has now been transported awaiting a transplant. I checked on this link since I first stumbled on it yesterday at 3pm PST regularly. I wrote to Katie Couric after reading the letter in hopes that they could air the link. I am just so overwhlemed that a broken health care system could of prevented this child from a full life. There will be recovery ahead for this child, but at least this child now has a shot at life.  It makes you stop and think that there still is good in this world, that a community of people who don’t know this child can step forward and give donations to save his life. Good luck to the Dougherty Family — you will always be in my thoughts and prayers, and a constant reminder that someone needs to step up and start making a change to a health system that puts money on the price of life.

*************************************************************************

I often times use my blog to promote ETSY and my ETSY shop but today I learned a 10 week old needs a new heart. Please follow this link to read his story, and help this family raise 1.5 million dollars to save their child. Their health insurance does not cover it. Please read his story. Every penny helps.

 

http://laithdougherty.info/

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Why Twitter?

October 24, 2008 at 8:11 pm (Uncategorized)
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Pink and Marble Necklace

Pink and Marble Necklace

 

So are you Twittering yet? Twitter is one of the newest and fastest fads in social networking, the quickest and easiest way to follow and stay in touch with friends, family, co-workers, and just plain interesting people through the power of what you’re doing updates! I recently joined Twitter this past week, and have already met some great new people on the handmade website ETSY that I sell on as well as Natural Amber Designs, that I may have never ran into.

 

So why Twitter?

 

1. Keep up with all your friends, family, and co-workers.

 

2. Market your craft, your store, and your services.

 

3. Make new friends!

 

Embrace the power of social networking. You may never know what you are missing out on unless you try it.

 

Love the necklace above? Come see the Pink and Marble Necklace in my on-line jewelry store!

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My Top 10 ETSY Picks, 9/21/2008 – Holiday Special

September 22, 2008 at 3:59 am (I Love ETSY, Uncategorized)
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Beaded Blue Bangle

Beaded Blue Bangle

With September almost over, and the holidays inching quick are you ready for season buying? Just like many other ETSY sellers, I have been stocking my shop so there is plenty of variety for buyers! While browsing around on ETSY, I am very pleased to bring you a quick peek into 10 very talented ETSY seller shops. Who knows, maybe you’ll find a gift you want to buy early, before you know Christmas EVE will be here and you want to make sure you didn’t forget any presents. The items you find on ETSY are so unique since must of them are handmade and vintage, that you may not have another opportunity to buy an item like it again.

The item that I am showcasing for the holiday season is a handcrafted heart of turquoise necklace.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15242800

So please take a look into these 10 very special ETSY shops, browse around, and start thinking about the holidays. For those buyers who have an appreciation for handmade goods, ETSY is your place to shop.

1. AllOverArt. If you love oil paintings or have a loved one you are buying a present for who does, then AllOverArt is a must see shop and browse shop for you. What is really special about her shop is she does custom paintings as well (keep in mind with the holidays you want to buy early since her studio gets busy!). How special would it be to have a custom picture of the family wrapped and waiting to be opened under the Christmas tree?  Please take a peek in AllOverArt’s store, you will see why I absolutely love the work in it! Please see this stunning oil painting she created at:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15145032

2. Kale. Do you enjoy water colors and small sewn items? I know my mom does and looking around in her shop there are so many items I know my mom would just adore. She makes items that are very unique, and I am sure a buyer would have a hard time finding anything similar to what she makes. I really enjoyed looking in her shop, and I just know that buyers will too. Please come visit Kale’s shop at and enjoy this “fabric pendant” at:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15386506

3. ljfuller. She makes beautiful jewelry, and currently she is also collecting donations for Hurricane IKE. She uses beautiful colors, and beads within her art, and she has a wonderful shop. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know her, and being able to stumble on her shop. Please take a look at ljfuller’s shop at look at this stunning pair of beaded dangle earrings:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15244592

4. FreckledHound. How many times have you heard a family member or friend tell you that they would love to add some pizazz to their room but just don’t have the time to give it a makeover?  I know I have, and I would love the opportunity to dazzle their walls with some of FreckledHound’s wall art. The work is absolutely amazing! Please check out FreckledHound’s shop, and this humorous wall art about laundry:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15291302

5. LieBlingDesigns. This shop has some beautiful, bold and natural looking, pendant necklaces. She makes a little of everything with jewelry, and she has a great taste for color. If you have an appreciation for jewelry please come take a look at LieBlingDesign’s and this dazzling black pendant necklace:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=13266193

6. Lifesworkbylaura. I don’t know a single woman who doesn’t like getting bath products for a gift. I know I love getting all the different scented soaps, and really could never have enough of them! Laura makes a wide variety of different scented soaps, scents I would never imagined were possible to be a soap! This gift idea is absolutely wonderful, affordable, and gives your loved one a variety of different soaps to use. Please see Lifesworkbylaura and her cute soap sampler at:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15243740

7. rhinestonebits. What I love most about her shop is that she reuses materials, she loves using broken china, and for those of us who love the green lifestyle she makes absolutely stunning jewelry and other gifts out of recycled pieces! I fell in love with her store, and she truly is a unique artists who has a great flare for art! Please come see this dazzling piece of rhinestonebits at:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15288598

8. Magination. I love getitng practical items for the holidays, but it takes alot of creativity to make something creative and useful as well! Magination captures that uniqueness in one of my favorite creations from her shop. With everyone being so technology driven, carrying around cells and MP3 players she has made a beautiful carrying case to tote those small handheld gadgets. Please take a look at Magination’s shop and her carrying case at:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9328696

9. bddesigns. I instantly fell in love with bddesigns jewelry metal work, and her specialty in engraved pieces. There is nothing more special in my mind then recieving a piece of jewelry (I would love an engraved bangle) that has something special to say. This piece in bddesigns shop is a perfect gift for your mother, it is absolutely beautiful and would bring moms to tears:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=12852324

10. Mysticsilks. I was so impressed when I went to MysticSilks store. Looking at her work you can tell how hard of work she puts into her shop. She paints on silk with dye, and makes gorgeous peices. I love her interpretation of the Joshua Tree, and she gives a great story about it in her description. Please take a look at MysticSilks artwork and the Joshua Tree at:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9083189

I run these feature weekly and you have an ETSY shop you would like me to consider please give me a shout-out either in this thread or send me a conversation, by store shop is http://naturalamber.etsy.com

Please come visit me at naturalamberdesigns.com and enjoy my custom jewelry corner where you can handpick out beads to make customer jewelry with! Custom jewelry is a great holiday gift, a wonderful way to personalize a special piece for your loved ones.

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$4.05 A Gallon: Rippling Effects on Small Business

August 14, 2008 at 4:42 pm (Uncategorized)
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Polymer and Nature

Polymer and Nature

Gas has dropped a few pennies,  but for small businesses all over the country those few pennies can not make up for some of the losses they already experienced. Those “future” small business owners dreams of opening shop, or expanding to other cities have been put on hold just because they can dip to far into their budget. I know I am one of those aspiring owners. Spokane is a nice market to sell my craft of beaded jewelry, but my hopes of returning to Seattle, my hometown of 22 years, has been put aside because I simply can not invest the $80.00 it would take to drive their and the $80.00 back, the $80.00 to setup my booth, and the expenses it would be to eat, and sleep. I would probably walk away from the two day fair at a loss.  I moved here to Spokane a little over a year ago, and I was fine with the $2.45 a gallon price, but now I just can not afford to drive at a $4.05 a gallon rate.

 

I know I am not the only small business owner who is feeling this pinch at the pump, and I know I am not the only small business owner who has tried to cut out costs in other areas of my business to make up for the loss that gas is eating at the profits of my company. Driving locally also has taken it’s toll. The funny thing is my head gasket of my 2001 Dodge Neon blew back in July and that’s when I first started noticing how much the gas was taking its toll. I was literally confused on where all this extra money was coming from, and I realized it was my gas budget that I wasn’t using at that time since I was out of commission on my car.  Who would of known? Does anyone pay attention to how much they really are using?

 

The recent trends in the Economy are  reflected at the pump, and it is no surprise that the price of the gallon may just keep climbing. So what does that mean for the small business owner? For those who are determined to be successful and manage their money wisely they will make it through.  For those who are investing in traveling, and losing money because of it, may struggle and may eventually fold. My hopes for the future are a new energy resource, American just needs to be weened off the addiction to oil. It is harming small business owners – and everyone else in this country. As a small business owner, no one will be able to afford to buy anything I offer if they can not afford to feed their family, and get to work unless there is change.

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For the Working Woman: Traveling Jewelry Parties

August 12, 2008 at 5:50 pm (Uncategorized)
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Twists of Nature

Twists of Nature

NaturalAmber: http://naturalamber.etsy.com
Jewelry parties can be so much fun, but who has time to host one for you when they are a working woman with little free time? The limited free time that they have is reserved for spending time with the family, getting together with their friends, and just having a moment of downtime. So what can you offer these woman who want to host one for you but just can’t pencil you in for three hours. The “Traveling Party”, is a great solution that can help them get free jewelry while feeling no pressure to overbook their life!
So how do you run one of these? I like to call my party the “Traveling Jewelry Basket”.
The “Traveling Jewelry Basket” is my simple solution for these busy women, and they are not complicated to put together. I put many of my best works in these baskets and include priced products from each level. I also include a few options for the baskets:
1. Themed baskets. (Fall, Summer, Spring……..Shells, Gemstones…..)
2. Size. (Smaller baskets, Middle, and Larger)
it is important when coming up with your own “Traveling Party”, that you do setup some written and verbal agreements with the hostess to ensure that if for some reason any of the product is lost, stolen, or damaged that you will be reimbursed for the loss. I have a simple written contact going over the details, that also includes all the prices for all the items in the basket.
To determine how much free jewelry they are getting as well as how much money they received from the “traveling” party I give them a book of sales receipts, as well as an inventory checklist sheet. As they sale the items in the basket they can check them off, and write the total sold at the bottom of the sheet.  That way I can easily figure how much free jewelry they received!
I also include information for jewelry parties to handout to her customers when they buy as well as my card, and if they hold a party of their own, I make sure she recieves credit with a coupon to use on a future order once the referred customer has a party.
There is so much you can do, and so much to offer with one of these parties! Make it your own, and find your target market. And like always, please remember to have fun!

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