Featured artist: Kellie Christie Design colorful jewelry, resin, and shrink plastic

So a week or so ago I was voting away in the etsy contest and came across this adorable little brooch:

56th place January 15th, 2013
Hue Tuesday! Blue items from $15-$17.99.
Retro Caravan Brooch - Pink - Made to Order
by kelliechristie

It was SO CUTE I had to click on the whole shop, favorite it, and interview the artist, you know how it is. kelliechristie's shop is colorful and delightful, and you can find her on facebook as well.

What got started making handmade items?
Kellie Christie Design developed from a serious jewellery obsession. I love my jewellery and never leave the house without wearing a necklace, earrings and a bangle or a chunky ring. However I love unique pieces that you can't buy just anywhere and used to struggle to find those special pieces so began making my own.

Square Earrings - Vintage Rose Garden - Turquoise Pink - Surgical Steel Posts Hypoallergenic
by kelliechristie

Kellie Christie Design was born after I finished my university degree in Fine Art. I was working full time by day and creating by night. As I developed my products and brand I began selling through various retail stores and also at local handmade craft markets.

Bunting Necklace - Nautical - Red Blue White - Made to Order
by kelliechristie

Becoming a full time parent has given me the time and freedom to develop my brand and learn exciting new techniques. I have worked with many different techniques from simple beading with resin beads and buttons, making my own resin buttons, resin jewellery and more recently shrink plastic jewellery.

Hexagon Earrings - Geometric Triangles - Blue - Surgical Steel Posts Hypoallergenic
by kelliechristie

What got you to open your shop on etsy?
I discovered the world of etsy completely by accident and then spent hours and days just looking at the amazing creations by other people. I felt really inspired and loved that Etsy was all about handmade products and created my shop straight away.

What's your home like?
VERY LOUD! I have 2 boys who are into the usual boy stuff so my house has lego, matchbox cars and skylanders everywhere. My creating time is usually at night time after the boys have gone to bed. A few years ago we converted our garage into a studio which I share with my husband. He is a gamer so our space is part computer room and part studio.

Bunting Necklace - Geometric Triangles - Purple - Made to Order
by kelliechristie

Tips for other etsy artists?
PHOTOGRAPHY! There is nothing worse then bad photos on Etsy. When customers can't physically see and touch the product you really need to make sure your photos are fantastic and accurately portray your products.

Most important thing you've changed about your shop or products since starting on etsy?
My whole product range has changed completely since I first joined Etsy. I used to make button jewellery however in the last 18 months my style has changed dramatically and I have been working with shrink plastics and resin.

Green Kombi - Post Earrings - Hypoallergenic Surgical Steel
by kelliechristie

Have you bought anything cool off etsy lately?
I am obsessed with jewellery so I have bought a few things lately from fellow Aussie designers Danidot and ikandi.

My 100th purchase!

This week marked some real milestones for me as a buyer on etsy.

First, I made my 100th purchase! It was a trade, actually, and for a lovely bracelet from HouseDeFleur.. who happens to be running a valentine sale if you're interested. Use code BEMINE2013 for 10% OFF your entire order AND your purchase will have complimentary gift wrapping for V-Day! I love the purple bracelet I got, here are some other items from that shop:

Purple Agate Necklace - Sterling Silver Purple and Green Gemstone Handmade Beaded Necklace
by HouseDeFleur

Gemstone Necklace - Cherry quartz, Amazonite and Fluorite Sterling Silver Handmade Beaded Necklace - Multicolor
by HouseDeFleur

And to celebrate my 100th purchase I went for #101 because I needed more zippers, so I headed to zipit, which must house some kind of giant zipper warehouse the size of who-knows-what because she's been around forever and is incredibly reliable. Seriously, last year she went on vacation, I tried another supplier, had nothing but a string of problems and slow shipping that I had to remind them to DO, and went right back to zipit. When it comes to zippers you can't beat wholesale prices, I think discovering that I could get them for cents instead of dollars was the beginning of my etsy addiction. Zipit makes handmade items too, like these fun zipper pulls:

25 Assorted Kaleidoscope Zipper Pulls
by zipit

As usual, my zipper order showed up the same WEEK I placed the order. Perfect quantities of the weird combination of colors I wanted and everything. Just awesome.

So finally, some bad news! I had to open my first CASE against a seller! I won't say who it was, this has never happened before, it's a supply dealer who I have used before and they're not the fastest, but the supplies have come through. Well not this time. Totally AWOL, no answers to anything.

It kinda makes me feel good though that it took me literally 100 transactions to get to this point, where someone really didn't deliver. 99% of the time, everything on Etsy is just perfect... I've never had to leave negative feedback, never filed a case or a paypal dispute, never had to bring anything up to Etsy. Everyone is just professional and does great.

I think 99% is pretty awesome... certainly enough to keep me around.

Featured artist: KozyCanines handmade dog coats & jackets

I'm always glancing through the most winning contest shops and a few weeks ago ran across KozyCanines, a shop based in Canada full of jackets & coats for dogs! The designs are unique, fully lined, well-made, and great for keeping your best friend nice and warm. I contacted Mary for a few questions about herself and what goes into her wonderful shop!

14th place December 28th, 2012
December 28th! Items from $28-$28.99.
Dog Coat - Black Gray and White Houndstooth Fleece Coat- Size XX Small- 8 to 10 Inch Back Length - Or Custom Size
by Kozycanines

Tell us a bit about yourself?
I'm a stay at home Mom whose kids have grown and almost left, and live in beautiful British Columbia, Canada. I've always been a crafter, but never came into my own until about 10 years ago. I spent many years as a cashier for a big grocery chain and it stopped being fun when they stopped offering any kind of customer service. I found I was taking my stress home, on top of shift work, so I quit. After struggling for many years to find that 'impossible' budget, I looked around for ways to contribute but still give my kids the mom at home experience they loved.

Featured December 25th, 2012
Hue Tuesday! White items from $25-$27.99.
Dog Jacket - Gray and Wine Fleece Plaid Dog Coat- XX Small- 8 to 10 Inch Back Length - Or Custom Size
by Kozycanines

What got started making handmade items?
My mother was an excellent seamstress, she made all the dresses for my sister's wedding. But I had a bad experience in Home Economics in Grade 8 with an atrocious skort, so I lost interest for years. I started again when my kids needed Halloween costumes, then dress up clothes, then following the latest fad. Fast forward, and I'm a total sewaholic!! My mom is still better than me.

49th place December 13th, 2012
Theme Thursday! Plaid items from $1-$50.
Dog Jacket - Fleece Plaid Dog Coat- XX Small- 8 to 10 Inch Back Length - Or Custom Size
by Kozycanines

What got you to open your shop on etsy?
I have always had lots of animals, strays, rescues and fosters and genuinely enjoy making clothes, tents, and toys for them. My husband and kids were pretty relieved when I found a creative outlet for all my dog coats instead of showing them to them all the time! Plus, all my family and friends had too many coats for their dogs to wear for the next ten years!

Dog Coat - No Velcro- Buckle Black and White Houndstooth Coat- Size XX Small
by KozyCanines

What's your home like?
My home is very, very small and very, very full! Full of animals and love and lots of sewing stuff. When my son moves out, I'm claiming his room as my sewing room, since I have two unofficial sewing rooms tucked into small corners of the house. It's hard to sew in the living room when my lovebirds climb all over the machine! I'm afraid I'll attach one to a coat! Also, my fabric stash is ENTIRELY out of hand, as every seamstress knows!

Dog Coat - Red and White Polka Dot Raincoat- Size XX Small- 8 to 10 Inch Back Length - Or Custom Size
by KozyCanines

What inspires you?
I like to wander through fabric stores or ebay and look for different pieces of fabric, something different than all the other dog coats out there. I have a really good memory of the types of fleece in my stash, so I can always buy a fabric to match up with the perfect fleece for the lining. I also never buy whole bolts of fabric and just crank out coats, I may make a dozen or so of some of the more popular types of fabrics, but really enjoy making limited editions (if I only found a small piece of fabric) or even one of a kind!

Grey Black Red and White Houndstooth Coat- Size Medium- 16 to 18 Inch Back Length - Or Custom Size
by KozyCanines

Tips for other etsy artists?
It's the same answer you probably get over and over but, love what you do! If you truly love your work, it shows! Your customers will feel it and know that you made their item with care. I love getting pictures of all the dogs in their coats! I imagine all these dogs walking around in countries all over the world in my coats! Yes, I've sold all over the world! I keep a big map and fill it with pins to see where my coats go.

Dog Jacket - Orange Sorbet Argyle Fleece Dog Coat- Size XX Small- 8 to 10 Inch Back Length - Or Custom Size
by KozyCanines

Have you bought anything cool off etsy lately?
Tons of stuff! That's where all my profit goes! Don't tell my husband. A sterling silver 'Mary' bracelet from CharminglyFun and a stained glass christmas tree from DesignsStainedGlass. Both so beautiful!!

This week in Etsy coupons

Realized I hadn't blogged about coupons in a while, but let me just say we get some really cool ones in the contest all the time. The whole big coupon list is over on our coupon code page. Right now we have over 300... WOW! And the cool thing about our page is that the coupons auto-expire, so nothing is over six weeks old, you know they're active sellers interested in giving you a deal on something. And January is a great time for that!

So here are some of my recent favorite items with coupons:

Featured January 10th, 2013
Theme Thursday! Rock items from $1-$50.
Rock Star Unisex Cuff Bracelet Recycled Vinyl Record Guitar Shaped
by kermitsdaughter

Coupon code: 050287 20% off

Featured January 10th, 2013
Theme Thursday! Rock items from $1-$50.
CLEARANCE SALE Tribal Tattoo Womens Alternative Apparel Pigment Black Short Sleeve T-shirt
by banyantreeclothing

Coupon code: BTBIGETSY 20% off

14th place January 11th, 2013
January 11th! Items from $11-$11.99.
Two Vanilla Soaps / Cold Process Soap / Scented Soap Sampler / Valentines Day Set
by SoapForYourSoul

Coupon code: HAPPY2012 12% off

22nd place January 11th, 2013
January 11th! Items from $11-$11.99.
Lemon Drop Massage Lotion Bar with Organic Fair Trade Shea Butter /// Essential Oils of Jasmine, Grapefruit and Lemongrass
by urthtones

Coupon code: big10 10% off

Featured artist: TreeCraftDiary Gemstone, Bead & Charm Jewelry

We've had some amazing jewelry in the contest lately by Tree Craft Diary so of course I wanted to feature a few amazing items and ask artist Cindy Kuo a bit more about what makes her shop so wonderful! Her shop is currently in our top 10 and has such a colorful array of unique pieces it's definitely worth checking out:

16th place December 29th, 2012
December 29th! Items from $29-$29.99.
Friendship Necklace, Statement Necklace, Wire Wrapped Stone, Wired Agate Pendant, Wired Jewelry
by treecraftdiary

Tell us a bit about yourself. What got started making handmade items?
My name is Cindy Kuo (call me Cindy). I was born and raised in Jakarta-Indonesia, gained my first degree in Bachelor of Art and Design in Kuala Lumpur-Malaysia, and was working as a product designer in Singapore for a year before I decided to came back to my hometown, Jakarta. Since I was small, I love DIY, creating new things by my hands, I always like to combine any different or unwanted materials into a new piece of handmade product which somehow would make myself proud and bring satisfaction in me.

Turquoise Stone Ring, Wire Wrapped Flat Stone Adjustable Ring, Golden Wire Natural Stone Ring, One Of A Kind Stone Ring
by TreeCraftDiary

The thought of opening Tree Craft Diary shop was begun in a few months after I worked in Singapore. I felt that doing and creating handmade stuff is still my biggest passion and I had a vision that one day I will be running a handmade product biz. Therefore, by compiling the ideas into my dream diary day by day, I finally decided to take the first step to draw myself closer to my future desire. And so I began to create these stunning handcrafted jewelries.

What got you to open your shop on etsy?
Like every creative handmade crafter knows, Etsy is the best place to sell and show off their own creations. When I discovered Etsy in the first time, I was thrilled because I finally found the right place to show my creations to the world. It is more than a place to sell, but it also becomes my web portfolio on my handcrafted creations.

Raspberry Pink Stone Ring, Pink Carnelian Gemstone Adjustable Ring, Wire Wrapped Stone, Valentine's Ring
by TreeCraftDiary

What inspires you?
Looking at how other people can achieve their success, getting known worldwide and being famous always inspires me to do better and to find any other opportunities to expand the current business. I like challenging myself and I am sure one day, through my hard works, I will shine brightly in my own way.

Wire Wrapped Blue Stone Pendant, Blue Agate Wired Necklace, Simple Stone Pendant, One Of A Kind Jewelry
by TreeCraftDiary

Do you have any tips for other etsy artists?
Don’t hesitate to start doing on what you really like. Once you discover your own interest and you feel that it is what you want to do or sell, then just go ahead! Take the note, write them down and make that things work! The world will help you to achieve what you want, only if you keep the faith. My motto is: dare to dream and be amazed!

Little Elephant Charm Necklace, Purple Amethyst Faceted Stone, Cute Gift For Little Girl, Girls Jewelry
by TreeCraftDiary

Any other links to yourself on other websites you'd like to share with us?

Etsy shop: treecraftdiary.etsy.com
Tumblr: treecraftdiary.tumblr.com
Pinterest: @treecraftdiary
Facebook page: TreeCraftDiary
Twitter: @TreeCraftDiary
Email: treecraftdiary@gmail.com

Beware of the Etsy Seller Bubble

Recently there was a thread in Etsy Business Topics asking people if they print an receipt and invoice along with their order, and the first big batch of people said YES which amazed me! Because as a buyer, when I get extra paperwork with an order, it goes straight to the recycle bin. I don't need it. It's online if I need it. I don't need clutter and don't care to see any confirmation of my order.

Sellers in the forum said they thought it made them look more professional. So I ran a poll over at my livejournal where most of my friends are not etsy sellers, just plain old regular people. Results?

- 30% of the people were ANNOYED when they get a printed receipt, because it's bad for the environment

- 60% of the people didn't care either way

- 5% said they thought it was nice

- 5% said it was important to get that receipt

So basically if you get 20 orders and print receipts out for all of them, you'll end up pissing off six people and in order to make friends with one. Maybe two.

That sucks.

Which is my main complaint about the etsy forums in general... everything discussed there is within the bubble of seller-dom. It's sellers staring at each other, all thinking about things that *might* make customers happy, but no one's actually talking to customers.

Remember how I've written before that the #1 way to promote your etsy shop is just to list something new? That's because etsy customers may or may not click on it... you get statistics, you can see how it's doing compared to something else! That's paying attention to your target audience. Not promoting to other etsy sellers. Not talking to other etsy sellers.

Sometimes other sellers can help you with shop critiques or photos or other things that customers just don't think about as often. But never forget who you're talking to, and every so often, get out and ask a normal person how they feel!

Featured shop: RedHillHome antique and vintage

New year, new round of wonderful etsians to feature! Today's shop is RedHillHome, which has had some amazing vintage items in recent contests that we just love! I think the photography in her shop is fantastic too, with lovely examples of how to stage things in case you're looking for inspiration:

Vintage Brass Elegant Romantic Candelabra Candleholder Regency
by RedHillHome

Tell us a bit about yourself?
I am mom to two wonderful teens, 17 and 18 and have been married for almost 30 years! I am very fortunate as I live in what I think is one of the most beautiful places in the world- the foothills of the White Mountains of New Hampshire. I started hiking those mountains at the ripe age of 50 and love it! I have been a social worker and life coach, but stayed home the last 4 years to be my mom’s caregiver. She has Alzheimer’s and recently entered a nursing home. I owe her and my family so much for that experience.

Vintage Mid Century Pewter Wrapped Hand Painted Blue and White Small Porcelain Bowl Made in Hong Kong
by RedHillHome

What got you interested in vintage items?
I started going to vintage and antique shops and thrift stores as a teen with my mom and have never stopped. My dad was in the Army and we were lucky to have been stationed in several places in Europe and North Africa. One of my favorite antiquing memories is going frequently as a teen to the Marche aux Puces in Paris-one of the world’s largest and most exciting flea markets. I saved my summer work money and bought my first antique furniture item when I was 14 and we lived in Virginia– a Larkin desk. I still have it or my daughter does;it’s now in her room. When I was caring for my mom antiquing was something we still could do together. So I guess it runs in the family.

Instant Collection Vintage 4 Volume Set Joseph Conrad Classic Novels published 1924-1926 Mid Century Decor
by RedHillHome

What got you to open your shop on etsy?
I’ve always loved vintage and antique clothing, objects and furniture and now that I have free time have started my Etsy shop. I have realized that life is about following dreams, one step at a time, and this is part of my dream. Like many folks on Etsy I love old things. The history, patina and age give so much character and beauty to vintage and antique things. It gives me joy to find those things and then help them get to the right home! I am planning on opening an antique store seasonally on my front porch this year. We get a lot of tourism in my area so I hope to offer some fun shopping options to visitors and locals alike. Like my Etsy shop it’ll be called Red Hill Home. There is a small mountain, about a 3 mile hike, a few minutes from where I live called Red Hill. Hiking that several times a week with a good friend, and until recently my beloved dog, has been an inspiration to me-so I named my shop after that sacred, to me, place. I don’t have a blog or other site going yet but hope to soon.

Vintage Mid Century Modern Russell Wright Iroquois Chartreuse Pistachio Green Casual China Cup Mint Condition Set of 7
by RedHillHome

What's your home like?
My home is eclectic like my shop. I live in a federal style house that was built in 1812 and served as a lodge in the 1930s. I love oriental carpets and pillows, simple furniture, Asian antiques, mid century chairs, art pottery, silver, pewter, honey colored linen, primitives, old wood-well you get the idea-I like it all! People tell me my house is warm and unique. I am so glad if my vintage and antique decor makes them feel welcome and at home.

Automatically leave etsy feedback, one whole page at a time

Wrote a handy new widget that might help some of you fellow sellers out!

I got a little behind on my Etsy feedback lately. And by "behind" I mean I had 20 pages of "awaiting feedback" for many, many customers.

It started creeping up to me in November when the holiday rush started, I remember seeing 8 pages and thinking "There is no way I'm going to click my mouse 50 times (or whatever it is) on 8 pages of feedback. If Etsy cared about this, they'd make it easier for me!" Even the batch feedback method was not fast. I complained about it in the ideas forum, asked for feedback to default to positive... no luck.

Then I got past Christmas to January, things slowed down but the feedback was still piled up, and I felt bad about it... I did have wonderful customers, and they didn't deserve to have low feedback scores just because I was too lazy to fill stuff in.

That's when I remembered bookmarklets - little browser widgets that make your life easier, that do things for you like automated clicking! I surfed around, found some example scripts, and wrote my own.

Here's how it works: First, right-click this link and add it as a bookmark or favorite. This works in Firefox and IE, maybe other browsers, I didn't test it everywhere.

Bookmark me!

Then go to your etsy feedback page and MAKE SURE you're in batch mode!

Go select the bookmark.

ta-da, everything is filled out for you on that page! Makes it awfully fast to drill through 20 pages of feedback, I will say that.
------------

Update: Based on comments, I've created a new page for this:

Create your own auto-feedback script for Etsy

It will make you that bookmark-able link for an autocomplete bookmarklet, but you can enter the text you'd like to have it say. Nifty!