Shop of the Week: Pretty Whimsical

This Shop of the Week is a really cool one! Stacey Gaar, of PrettyWhimsical.etsy.com, is an exceedingly talented artist. She makes the most delightful Scrabble tile pendants!! You can find something for everyone on your list this holiday season in Stacey’s shop. She has Halloween covered, too! Her selection encompasses many styles and includes everything from birds, quotes, holidays, vintage to steampunk and modern. These affordable, handmade charms are perfect for teachers, co-workers, friends and family. She can also turn any pendant she has listed in her shop into a ring or magnet, upon request.

“I have always loved art and crafts. I'm inspired by colors, textures and designs. No matter how busy I am with my family and their activities I have to find time to create. It relaxes me after a hectic day and I enjoy working on my pendants to unwind. I have so much fun looking for designs. I'm always hunting for something new that I think will work on the tile and my customers will be excited about.”

Stacey gets the word out about her work though Twitter. She says, “I enjoy using Twitter to keep everyone up-to-date on what's happening in my Etsy shop. I tweet about new pendants and specials in my shop. Twitter helps to boost my store traffic. I appreciate the team [Etsy Twitter Team] and all the support we offer to each other. It's always nice to find that someone from the team has taken the time to retweet or give a word of encouragement about a new item.”

She is having a month long sale, too! All Halloween pendants are only $5 this month.

This week's special: Buy two pendants and get one free. (Note: Do not add free pendant to your cart. Simply add the name of the pendant you would like free in the “Message to Seller” section of your checkout form.) Don’t forget to add your chain onto your order if you need one!

Follow her on Twitter @prettywhimsical
Read her blog: prettywhimsical.blogspot.com

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade prettywhimsical.etsy.com

Happy Etsy-versary, Foxy G Knits!

Lois, from FoxyGKnits.etsy.com, was kind enough to share her stats for her first year on Etsy. She has accomplished a lot this year - more than mere numbers can convey. She has connected people and created community through her business. She is truly one of those kind souls many are lucky to know, myself included.

Today (9/29/09) is one year to the day that I signed up on Etsy, although I didn't list my first items until October 15th. Anniversaries cause me to be reflective; here is a wrap-up of my first 365 days in 371 words:

Sales: 59 sales (actually more because I bundled some orders for customer convenience)


Most unusual sale: In August, an art director who was filming a Georgia Lottery commercial featuring Atlanta Falcons contacted me by convo and Facebook 36 hours before I was leaving for California and asked me to call her as she wanted to purchase a red and black scarf. This might not have been unusual, but it was between 11:30 p.m. and midnight. She e-mailed me the next day to let me know which scarves she wanted to see and then came by my house at 7 p.m. that evening and purchased two. BTW, I did not let her in my house, but met her in front!

In August, I also had a shawl purchased by a playhouse costume shop.

Hearts: 300 shop hearts

Number of visitors to site: About 1,300 visitors last month and again this month

Made front page of Etsy on September 18th netting 294 visits and 19 shop hearts

The top five states from where my visitors come (GA, CA, NY, TX and FL) account for 49% of the visits.

I have been honored to be included in about 25 Treasuries, most put together by colleagues, a few by sellers I did not know.

I have been featured on various blogs with mentions on others. Written up most about Paying it Forward.

Started Foxy G.’s Den of i-KNIT-quity blog as part of marketing mix. Most viewers on one day: 119

Built Facebook biz page: 439 fans; established myself on Twitter. At #3 traffic source to my shop, Twitter appears to account for 13%. At #4 traffic source, Facebook accounts for 7.25% - for a combine total of 20%+.

Not being a numbers person, I have no idea how to put these facts and figures into context. I do know, however, that that most meaningful to me is my association with the EtsyTwitter Team and the wonderful, supportive people I am honored to call my friends.

- Lois

Thanks for sharing your numbers and your beautiful heart with us, Lois!! You are truly a valued member of this community and we all love you very much! We wish you much success as you head into year two!

- The Whole Etsy Twitter Team

Shop of the Week: Ambient Lights

Becki Krska, of AmbientLights.etsy.com, creates several types of items for home fragrancing as well as bath and body items. She’s on a mission to make you and your home smell like heaven!

For home fragrancing she makes 100% Soy wax candles, 100% Palm wax Warmer Melts, Aromatic Sink Freshener & Gentle Cleansers (these are neat, be sure to check them out!). For bath and body items she makes goat’s milk hand and body oval soap bars (dye free) and goat’s milk Soap on a Pouf, which is similar to soap on a rope but it's on a shower pouf! Her shop also carries Natural Lip Balms (both flavored and unflavored), and Hair and Body Mist with Aloe and Vitamin E.

“I have spent countless hours and many months researching and testing my items to find the best materials available that I can use to create premium quality products at an affordable price. I don't make any item available for sale unless I love it and I have proven through thorough testing that it is a fantastic item!

“My inspiration to create comes from within. I have always enjoyed crafting and creating things; it's a part of who I am. I love the satisfying feeling of making something with my own two hands. For me it's thrilling and exhilarating to create items. It makes me feel good! Also, I always smell great because I spend so much time around fantastic fragrances, that's a good thing!”

She ships internationally. All US orders have flat rate shipping no matter how much you purchase. I know you want to smell good, too, so take advantage of this one-week-only special offer:

15% off ALL items OR Purchase three 7.50oz 100% Soy Jar Candles for only $20.00 (regularly priced 8.50 each) (15% off does not apply to the 3 for $20.00 special, it is already more then 20% savings!)

Special discounts do not apply to shipping. She can send you an invoice reflecting your savings before you make your payment or you can pay for your items and she will refund your savings via PayPal.

Most of her items have a quantity of one listed but she has more! Please feel free to contact her if you would like additional quantities of any item and she will create a custom listing just for you.

Follow her on Twitter @AmbientLights

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade AmbientLights.etsy.com

Shop of the Week: Handmade by Sandi

Sandi Myers, of HandmadeBySandi.etsy.com, creates wonderful handmade items. Her shop is a smorgasbord of crocheted items, shawls, coffee cozies, felted bowls, earrings, sewn items, and aprons. Her talent is amazing that she makes so many different handmade items!

She takes special care to make the items for her customers as if she were going to use them herself. If she’s not satisfied with them, she won't sell them! Her jewelry craftsmanship is divine. Her felted bowls are a lot of fun! And she makes the cutest aprons for your littlest cooks!

She is always on the lookout for new inspiration. “When ever I see something that has been crocheted - I try to figure out how it's done, and try it. When thinking about my next felted bowl project, I look for unusual containers that I can use to shape my bowls.”

I really love Sandi's felted bowls. This is a relatively new project for her and she's jumped right in trying new things and making great bowls to hold pretty much anything such as your cell phone, jewelry, coins, odds and ends in the kitchen, office, or craft room, and even business cards at craft shows. They are great for kids, too, because it can hold their little trinkets and they can't break the bowl!

Her favorite thing about her craft: “It's relaxing - I enjoy sitting in the evening crocheting something and seeing it come together. When that project is done, I have to decide which one I want to do next - and with so many projects in mind - I'll not run out anytime soon!”

Sandi is also one of the Etsy Twitter Team’s top tweeters! “I tweet when I list a new item, I write about it on Facebook, and try to make my tweets interesting so people might be interested in visiting my shop and finding out more about me!” She’s really good at retweeting other team members’ items and always has a nice word to say about everybody! She’s an absolute delight to work with and I really enjoy having her on our team!

Follow her on Twitter: @SandisTs
Read her blog: www.sandists.com/Wordpress
Fan her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/HandmadeBySandi
Shop her supply shop on Etsy: SandisTs.etsy.com

*Special Deal for the Week* - Free Shipping on all items in her “End of Summer Sale” Section

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade HandmadeBySandi.etsy.com

All photos © Sandi Myers/Handmade By Sandi

Shop of the Week: Nikky Lee Designs

Nicole Husnik, of NikkyLeeDesigns.etsy.com, creates stunning handmade jewelry and very professional photographs. I like the juxtaposition of her work styles. The two seem to complement each other nicely in terms of design, color, and composition.

She says about her two styles, “They're both a passion that I don't think I could live without. Every jewelry piece and photo I take is made with beauty and pride in mind.”

What inspires Nicole to create? “Mostly nature and its ability to be beautiful with such little effort.” Her work seems to require little effort, too, and that is a hallmark of excellent design and craftsmanship. She chooses many different styles of beads and stones to work with. Some of her work is funky and some of it is more traditional beadwork.

Her favorite thing about her craft: “The pure exhilaration when a piece is finished, or a photo turns out, just as I hoped... amazing feeling of satisfaction!”


What are her Twitter tricks of the trade? “Lots of personal tweets, cross promo tweets with personal promo scattered about. Share the love and it will be returned!” Nicole tweets a lot for the team and is always at the ready to retweet a sale, special, or just good news from other Etsy Twitter Team members.

Follow her on Twitter @nikkyleedesigns

Read her blog: www.nikkyleedesigns.blogspot.com

Special for this week: Free earrings of her choice with any jewelry purchase $15 or more. Enter code "Feature Shop" in comments at checkout.

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade NikkyLeeDesigns.etsy.com

Shop of the Week: Safiya Beauty

Everything about Nailah Safiya Blades’ shop at SafiyaBeauty.etsy.com is sumptuous. She creates natural bath and body products that merge natural and eco-friendly ingredients with luxurious indulgence. You can moisturize, polish, make suds, lather, and soak with her products.

Her shop announcement says, “Safiya’s philosophy is to provide you with the finest, purest natural and organic products, but never at the risk of neglecting your need to feel beautiful and smell delicious. Our products contain only what is absolutely necessary to make the absolute best product for your body without sacrificing your desire to feel fantastic.” It makes me want to check out her shop for something that will make me feel soft and pretty. I’m sure I won’t be disappointed!!

Nailah wants you to know that she works “very hard to make sure that my products are made with the very best ingredients I can find. I think as a culture, we pay very close attention to what we put into our bodies but not so much what we put on them, which is just as important. Because of that, all of my products are made with natural ingredients and contain no parabens, phthalates, or harsh preservatives. I also strive to provide an environmentally friendly product and go to great lengths to ensure this.

“I’m an indulgent person and I think that shows through with my products. I really enjoy creating products that will transport my consumer to their own little private spa. I love using creamy butters and skin-loving vegetable oils because they create such opulent products. I’m also slightly inspired by food! All of my bath bombs are cookies or cupcakes – I have a major sweet tooth.”


You can even see the indulgence in her products through her photos. The way the butters peak up firmly, you can tell they have a lot of body to them and will be luxuriously creamy.

Her favorite thing about her craft is “how the finished product makes others feel. I love watching someone try my body butters for the first time and see their eyes light up as they rub it into their skin or as they smell the scents. That’s definitely my favorite part!”

About Twitter: “I love Twitter! I think my biggest piece of Twitter advice would be to make sure it’s not all about you. I try to ‘RT’ [retweet] others or share articles that others may find helpful. I also use Twitter to announce any specials on my shop or when I have new blog posts.”

Are you looking for the perfect gift or favor? Custom and wholesale orders are welcomed by Safiya Beauty! They offer private labeling for weddings, showers and parties.

Follow her on Twitter @safiyabeauty
Read her blog at www.safiyabeauty.wordpress.com

Special for this Week: 15% off your entire order – just mention “EtsyTwitter” in the seller’s notes and she will reimburse you via PayPal refund.

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade SafiyaBeauty.etsy.com

All photos copyright to Safiya Beauty/Nailah Safiya Blades

Open for 25 New Membership Spots

UPDATE: All the spots are filled!! Thanks!!

It’s 7 PM EST! Do you know what that means? We are officially open for 25 membership spots on the Etsy Twitter Team!

Before you apply, please read the Team Participation Policies. You will be asked to agree to these policies when you join. If you don’t like the policies, please don’t apply. All members are expected to adhere to the policies.

How to Join:

Send an email to etsytwitterteam@gmail.com with the subject “July: New Membership”.

In the email include:

1. Your Etsy shop name (http://username.etsy.com)
2. Your full Twitter address (http://twitter.com/username).
3. Tell me why you would like to join and how long you have been using Etsy and Twitter.

Failure to do these three things will disqualify your application.

When I receive your email, I will send you the Participation Policies in full for you to look over. You have not officially joined until you get back to me agreeing to the Policies.

The first 25 people who agree to the Participation Policies are our newest members. If someone doesn’t agree with the policies after I send them, I will move down the list to #26 and so on.

I am not saving the emails for future membership openings. If you don’t get in this time around you will have to apply again.

Let me know if you have any questions in the comments.

Thanks and good luck!

Vickie
Etsy Twitter Team Leader

Go Green with the Etsy Twitter Team

It’s time for our eco-party!! The Etsy Twitter Team has rounded up our best and brightest eco-friendly handmade items and supplies all for your enjoyment. Step right up and see how you can support handmade and the environment at the same time. Win-win for all involved!!

Why is buying handmade and environmentally friendly an important thing to do? The two go hand in hand. Buying handmade items supports small local businesses that do not have a huge impact on the environment like major corporations do. The accumulative effects of mass production contribute to global warming and pollution. You have not used up gas to go to the store to buy a gift and that gift is handmade and one-of-a-kind. Buying handmade helps us to reconnect with actual people in ways we don’t when we buy at “big-box” stores. That connection fosters community and community fosters care and concern for the world around us. So help us support our artists and our Earth!

Many of these shops have created items just for this event. Most are offering great sales like 10% off or free shipping. Take a look through the list and check them out!

Along with this event we are hosting a scavenger hunt. Hidden in 8 shops on this list is the graphic you see above. It’s hidden in one of their shop listings. Find them and email the URL to etsytwitterteam@gmail.com. If you blog about this event or tweet it on Twitter leave a comment on this post for extra entries into the contest - one per blog post and one per tweet. I will choose 5 winners at random for eco-friendly prizes at the end of the week. Contest ends at midnight July 27th. Watch the blog tomorrow for photos of the prizes! They’re really neat!

Now go on and shop till your green self drops!!

Threepeats.etsy.com

25% off the price of everything in the store (not including shipping). Refunds will be sent to your Paypal account after purchase. This offer may not be combined with other specials such as gift certificates.

PrettyWhimsical.etsy.com

Pendants are assembled from repurposed poker chips, silver plated bails and quality papers. They are sealed with a non-toxic sealer and glaze that give the pendant a glass-like shine.

HerbanLifestyle.etsy.com

This lovely herbal facial masque is made from skin-nourishing lavender and chamomile. 20% off everything in the shop.

AquarianBath.etsy.com

This is a great salve to use if you or your loved ones have been out in the sun a bit too long. 15% off herbal salves when you mention "EtsyTwitter" at check out. The discount will be refunded by PayPal.

InMyHeadStudios.etsy.com

Created from an upcycled vintage wood domino and vintage beads. 15% off all orders over $10 (not including shipping). Refund given through PayPal for amount of discount.

WaysideViolet.etsy.com

This lovely mossy green coffee cup cozy is hand knit with a gorgeous cable stitch. An eco-friendly alternative to disposable paper sleeves. Free shipping when you type "Go Green" in the message to seller. Refunded via PayPal after payment.

NovaScotiaBeachGlass.etsy.com

A beautiful piece of a flawless icy white beach glass that hangs with a seashell found along the Canadian shores. Now accepting par payments to Canadians. After you buy, she will send a PayPal invoice in Canadian money.

GreenBubble.etsy.com

This shop features all plant-based, non-toxic body care items as well as eco-friendly supplies for crafters.

CuriousMess.etsy.com

Recycled and embroidered olive oil bottle. 20% off of everything in the shop this week!

BeadsofGlass.etsy.com

Created from Precious Metal Clay which is recycled from silver used in photographic practices. Free shipping for any order over $50 in USA. Insurance will be extra.

GeekDetails.etsy.com

This particular specimen consists of a blue singing flower under a vintage glass dome with a handwritten specimen label.

KnittingGuru.etsy.com

Knitted and crocheted this with a soft and silky all natural pure wool yarn.

FirebirdHouse.etsy.com

This lovely pillow was once a wild vintage sweater made of a thick, soft 100% Shetland wool in a pattern of turquoise, charcoal grey, pinks, yellows, and a darker blue!

20% off purchases of $35 or more thru July 27th! Use code GG09 in message to seller and your refund will come via Paypal.

HandmadeBySandi.etsy.com

Ready to Go Green? Tired of those plastic bags from the grocery store? Well, here's the solution!

LindaB142.etsy.com

This black round shell beaded white necklace is upcycled from a resale shop find. Free shipping on her Go Green and Christmas in July items over $6. Code is "Sh6".

Jenco13.etsy.com

This item is a eco-friendly alternative to disposable paper sleeves. 25% off everything – prices already reduced.

PrettyCheap.etsy.com

Recycled silk upholstery fabric in two-toned stripe used on the front and back covers. Inside are 28 pages of re-purposed discarded blank office paper. Receive a FREE treasure bag of craft supplies with any order from PrettyCheap (one bag per order please).

ACageyBee.etsy.com

Upcycled from a Scrabble Tile! Two for one prints if you mention "Etsy Twitter" on check out. Just buy one print at the regular price & then include the name of the 2nd print you'd like (for free!) in the notes to seller section.

HuayruroPeru.etsy.com

This is an elastic Bracelet made of Baby Huayruro Seeds. 10% off if the buyer types "GGETT" in the message to the seller.

PinsWithFury.etsy.com

Free standard shipping on any bag with the "Go Green" code. Shipping will be reimbursed after the sale.

WellspringCreations.Etsy.com

The ring is wrapped in sterling silver wire that is recycled from American jewelers and manufacturers! The stone is colored and shaped by nature alone.

JaybirdDesigns.etsy.com

Organic cotton market bag

CrochetGal.etsy.com

A yarn made from 30% recycled polyester from plastics found in soda and water bottles, this yarn helps lessen the impact on the environment and landfills.

ScrapWithStyle.etsy.com

This pre-made, REcycled/UPcycled scrapbook album is just waiting for you to add your photos to or give as a gift! With code "Go Green" sales for this week get 20% off in this shop.

ThatsHeadley.etsy.com

A bracelet made from an upcycled vintage tin from Japan, with a graphic design of tropical hibiscus on one side, and white polka dots on a pink field on the other. Free shipping in the US, affordable shipping worldwide.

KimWhiteCreations.etsy.com

This Cozie SET contains a super cute, crocheted cozie for your personal ice cream container! Plus one cozie for your significant other to use around their favorite flavor! Your choice of any Reusable Coffee or Cola Cozie FREE with any purchase during the Go Green Event! Just note your selection in message to seller.

AmieVoltaire.etsy.com

She recycled a favorite shirt into a preschoolers pillowcase dress. Free Shipping on all Go Green items.

Jusshar.etsy.com

Let everyone know you care for the environment with this stylish market bag. Free shipping in ETT Go Green Event Section.

SalonDArte.etsy.com

Cherish your Disney Memories with this adorable mini album! The pages are made out of recycled AOL installer CDs. Receive Free Shipping & free gift on all Think GREEN items in this shop. Please mention GREEN TWEETS in message at checkout to receive credit of shipping costs.

EchoDAmour.etsy.com

20% off list prices for buyers using the discount code "Go Green"

DeeJayPhotography.etsy.com

This is a set of 4 black and white images attached to 100% recycled cards with 100% recycled envelopes. Free shipping for the rest of July (refunded through PayPal).

PunkyJane.etsy.com

This fine silver [.999] pendant is made from an actual leaf with precious metal clay. Free shipping on any item in the Etsy Goes Green section.

BeadworkbyAmanda.etsy.com

Upcycled circuit board jewelry and key chains. All items are marked down 15% and items in the SALE section have been marked down 20%! PLUS purchase any kit and tutorial and she will refund $2!

__~~__~~__~~__~~__~~__

Come by tomorrow for a look at the 5 fabulous prizes we are awarding at random to the scavenger hunt winners!! Plus all week we will be talking about going green! See you back here tomorrow!

Follow us @EtsyTwitrTeam on Twitter for all the Earth-loving updates! See the whole team's tweets here.