featured artist: tesorilove on how to promote Etsy treasuries

A few weeks back Kiana from tesorilove.etsy.com made an interesting post in the forums about treasury promotion, and I thought it'd be really interesting to hear from someone who's good at promoting treasuries about the steps they go through to make them. Kiana's treasuries get literally hundreds of views and clicks, are well promoted and absolutely stunning. She has a lovely shop and is very active on Etsy, which just goes to show you never know who you'll run into or what you'll learn from Etsy's community members. I asked some questions and here's what she had to say...


Tell us a little about yourself and your shop.
My name is Kiana and I'm an undergraduate student at the University of Connecticut (go Huskies!) studying Art History and planning to go to grad school for Library Science. Two years ago my Aunt Terri and I started Tesorilove in order to sell some of the beautiful vintage jewelry and art that we were finding during our thrift store and flea market hunts. After about a year of not being too serious about the shop, I got into jewelry making and decided to add my creations to the mix, and I began getting more serious about finding ways to promote the shop. So now Terri searches for most of the vintage finds, and I work on the handmade jewelry as well as shop promotion and sending out orders.

Gold Vine Earrings, Handmade Earrings, Gift for Her, Gold Earrings, Dangle Earrings, Brass Earrings
by tesorilove

Why do you love making treasuries?
I love making treasuries first of all because of the curation aspect of making them. I love finding the best of what Etsy has to offer and bringing all of the unique finds together to make one beautiful thing: a treasury. The second reason is because I have a passion for the handmade and wholeheartedly believe in promoting it. Etsy has given us the option to make treasuries to do just that. It can be a great resource for people who may not have great luck with search ads but get found either through creating treasuries for others or by being included in them by curators.

Vintage Pearl Necklace With Cream Colored Pearls on Gold, Gift for Her, Vintage Necklace
by tesorilove

What are some things you look for when selecting items for a treasury?
When selecting items for treasuries I often like to mix "trending" items with items that may not have received much exposure yet but are unique and creative and deserve to be seen by others. At the beginning I usually search for an item that inspires me (whether it be the item itself, the color, the way the photograph was taken, whether it fits with an upcoming holiday or time of year, etc). After that I either use other items that have a similar theme or color, or sometimes I'll contrast or match separate colors. My favorite treasuries, though, are ones that tell a story and that as a whole speak to the viewer in a way that makes them want to favorite every single item in the treasury or leave a wonderful and genuine comment about it.

What's your favorite treasury that you've made recently?
Here are a few of my favorite treasuries that I've made this year (it's hard to choose one, but maybe the one that was featured on New Year's Day)

1.1.2014

hello

Spring Morning

Green and Gold Earrings, Green Crystal Earrings, Gift for Her, Green Earrings, Handmade Earrings, Dangle Earrings
by tesorilove

What are your favorite treasury teams?
Top Treasury
AvidTreasurers
Ace Team
Team 7
Ten Favorites Treasury Team
Treasury Extreme Team
Treasury Hunt
Trendsetting Treasury Team
Treasury Punks
123 Treasury Promo Team

Grapefruit Glass Earrings, Handmade Earrings, Gift for Her, Czech Glass and Gunmetal
by tesorilove

What other methods do you use to promote your treasuries?
To promote my treasury I always personally inbox the person I've treasured unless their shop is on vacation. I also tweet the treasury to @Etsy and @EtsyTreasury on Twitter. I submit the treasury link to Stumbleupon, I post the link to the above treasury teams multiple times, and I always use treasurypin.com to pin the treasury to my Pinterest Etsy Treasuries board.

Opal Green Czech Glass Earrings, Handmade Earrings, Gift for Her, Milky Malachite
by tesorilove

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.