tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81334144352393468282024-03-12T21:05:52.341-07:00WTF EtsyExploring the wild and wonderful handmade world behind EtsyWTF Etsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06644767916649317067noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8133414435239346828.post-14550772989606071892010-12-16T17:20:00.000-08:002010-12-19T15:48:17.151-08:00Etsy Shop Critique - Rogue Magnolia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/RogueMagnolia"><img border="0" src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/iusb_760x100.7366642.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">First impressions matter a lot, and we all know this to be fact. Even the enlightened capitalists who buy handmade on Etsy can't escape the urge to be visually stimulated and wowed by visiting our stores before spending their hard-earned dollars from being a barista or shelving books.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And, your shop makes quite an impression. Let's examine why...</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; color: #cc0000; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmQKnTb_qMC3DS34ggGqOJzQP1CHOvW5hfpaD71q39-s_6yRN_WUn0vIeZQwSUWatakQQQwaS9LKL6neIoe5p6FpGa0UEJgQB5uO4jlDz_LkyiLoRlNuBWwbcnn9x6tMDQq5r_xI0-XaEL/s1600/rmagofilm+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmQKnTb_qMC3DS34ggGqOJzQP1CHOvW5hfpaD71q39-s_6yRN_WUn0vIeZQwSUWatakQQQwaS9LKL6neIoe5p6FpGa0UEJgQB5uO4jlDz_LkyiLoRlNuBWwbcnn9x6tMDQq5r_xI0-XaEL/s320/rmagofilm+copy.jpg" width="212" /></a><b> Shop Name: </b><span style="color: black;">Rogue Magnolia is perfect for your shop. The "rogue" suggests that it's edgy, daring, and progressively fashionable, while the "magnolia" tempers it back to a refined, feminine image. With your products, the edgy/floral amalgam is perfect. Kudos to that.</span><b> <br />
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Banner:</b> <span style="color: black;">Your banner is perfect. It looks like it should be on the cover of a visually striking indie film about forbidden love in South America. I dig it. The font, the colors, the contrast... very clean, sharp, and it matches your shop's theme. It suggests just enough malice to be enticing without crossing the border into risque. </span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #cc0000; text-align: left;"><b>Overall shop appearance:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It should be clear that your products are the focus of your shop, but it's not... and this is where you get your first <b style="color: #cc0000;">WTF!?</b> point.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL_RoRRFnK9SQICAhKPI296q0-eAA-gV_EjTFkWRAIF6bSpwZk38L7glr-X_Nb55nnnip1kOzIgwuETh1nsLuiM9WIBDzL98ikRt2UCbyVeJGbCUJh86DvuCVQEArBiX__KNNvAcGemiqH/s1600/head.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL_RoRRFnK9SQICAhKPI296q0-eAA-gV_EjTFkWRAIF6bSpwZk38L7glr-X_Nb55nnnip1kOzIgwuETh1nsLuiM9WIBDzL98ikRt2UCbyVeJGbCUJh86DvuCVQEArBiX__KNNvAcGemiqH/s640/head.jpg" width="501" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Damn, that's a lot of head!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_570xN.141521880.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_570xN.141521880.jpg" width="236" /></a>The focus of your shop is your dome, not your flowers. Almost every picture is a picture of the top of your head. It is overwhelming... just heads everywhere. And why are your eyes closed? Are you in rapture at the luxury on your head? While some people may not mind the fact that the hairbow they are buying has been on someone's head, it certainly bothers others. I would stick with just putting one picture of you with a hairbow on (pick a fave), and put that same picture on every listing at the bottom. Leave a note in your item descriptions that says the last picture is an example of a similar hair flower, shown as an example. Make your products take the spotlight, not the top half of your cranium. <br />
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</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_570xN.163168194.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_570xN.163168194.jpg" width="150" /></a>There are some shots, though that would be much better options to use if you are going with the live models for display of your products. I think the image (above left) with the poinsettia is much more marketable than the awkward decapitated forehead shots.<br />
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The way your brooches are photographed is great. The snazzy dress form suits your flowers. I'm not loving the wood grain in the background, though. Don't you have some drywall somewhere? Drapes? A shower curtain? <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_570xN.158651840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_570xN.158651840.jpg" width="320" /></a>Sometimes, though... wood isn't a bad thing [ insert jokes here ]. For example, the natural, dark grain you have as a backdrop for some of your pieces is rustic and has character while providing a brilliant contrast for your products. </div><br />
<b style="color: #cc0000;">Photography:</b><br />
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Overall, the photography is fantastic. You have used natural lighting, which makes for accurate color representation, an uncontrived balance of light and shadow, and simply more attractive images. <br />
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<b style="color: #cc0000;">Pricing: </b><br />
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I'm a little concerned about the pricing of your items, not because I don't think they are worth the price, but because the competition on Etsy has them priced generally lower. While Etsy is a global market, the majority of Etsy shoppers and sellers are in the US. You are already battling with them over vicinity, but then your prices are higher than the average US flower brooch/headband sellers. You should certainly make shipping free, or lower your prices. The second item should ship for free. <br />
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You are just going to have to make a decision about whether you want to sell them for what they are worth to you, or whether you are going to lose business to desperate people selling them for less. <br />
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<b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Wrap-up:</span></b><br />
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Your products are great, and with a little tweaking to your marketing (and maybe your pricing), you should see a lot more sales come your way. I think one major thing that will increase the volume of your sales is to simply increase the amount of products you have available. You have a better chance of someone finding just what she was looking for on your site if you have more designs from which to choose. Put your dress form in front of a plain wall next time you take a brooch picture, and stop chopping off your own head!<br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8133414435239346828.post-71629602289883677162010-12-12T15:47:00.000-08:002010-12-12T21:08:53.604-08:00These are a few of my favorite thingsEtsy is the next-door-artist supermall to get your personal, esoteric, idiosyncratic holiday gifts. I had a big, philosophical introspection about why Etsy is the great economic equalizer in dire economic blah blah blah, but a formatting error caused me to lose all of that... BAH HUMBUG, assholes. Just look at the pictures and imagine that I said something clever first. <br />
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<table border="0" bordercolor="#cc0000" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2" style="background-color: white; height: 894px; width: 499px;"><tbody>
<tr> <td><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/62950905/red-black-gold-white-multi-strand-the" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_570xN.196721390.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 254px; margin: 0pt 5px 5px 0pt; width: 255px;" /></a></td> <td>This bracelet from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/62950905/red-black-gold-white-multi-strand-the">Lenokeidesigns</a> is a gorgeous statement piece. I love the unexpected color palette, with the rich, creamy pearls, the antiqued gold, and the lush red.<br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 130%;">$54</span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/61761232/hand-crank-wooden-boat-automata" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_570xN.192680798.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 191px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 256px;" /></a></td> <td>This is a hand-cranked wooden toy from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/61761232/hand-crank-wooden-boat-automata">Cartoo</a><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/61761232/hand-crank-wooden-boat-automata">nMonster</a>, one of Etsy's "dudes." Am I too old to want one of these for my desk?<br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 130%;">$24</span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/45568884/heart-3d-carveboardart-by-sointoit" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_570xN.163706937.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 266px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 254px;" /></a></td> <td>One of my favorite Etsy artists, a former school teacher and an artist, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/45568884/heart-3d-carveboardart-by-sointoit">SOiNTOiT</a>, carved and created this piece of artwork. I have one of these in my bedroom. Worth the investment, definitely, as you will smile every time you see it.<br />
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<span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">$35</span></span></td> </tr>
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<tr> <td><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/62641293/dont-wait-for-love-print-30x42cm" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_570xN.195631312.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 290px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 257px;" /></a></td> <td>This is another piece of art from one of Etsy's most creative artists, Serden of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/62641293/dont-wait-for-love-print-30x42cm" style="color: #cc0000; font-weight: bold;">Serdomania</a>, that is on the top of my "buy this" list. From his "I draw my dreams" collection, this ethereal and evocative work needs to be on your wall.<br />
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<span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">$18</span></span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/60767715/smart-girls-are-sexy-small-medium-large" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_570xN.189345584.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 261px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 261px;" /></a></td> <td>This T-shirt from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/60767715/smart-girls-are-sexy-small-medium-large"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-weight: bold;">SpeakforYourself</span></a>, well, speaks for itself. Because being called smart and sexy is an alliterative epic win in the gift-giving arena.<br />
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<span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-weight: bold;">$18</span></span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/62352107/vintage-inspired-old-world-map-gift-tags" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_570xN.194654030.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 196px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 262px;" /></a></td> <td>These vintage-inspired old world map gift tags from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/62352107/vintage-inspired-old-world-map-gift-tags"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-weight: bold;">FoxesandRobbers</span></a> might just be the proverbial icing on your gift-giving cake.<br />
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<span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-weight: bold;">$5</span></span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/61617106/custom-bridal-fascinator-and-veil-your" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_570xN.192197526.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 260px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 260px;" /></a></td> <td>I love everything from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/61617106/custom-bridal-fascinator-and-veil-your"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-weight: bold;">10eisha's</span></a> Etsy shop, but this is one sexy, edgy bridal fascinator and veil. Her products are cruelty-free and customizable to your specifications.<br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;">$40</span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/51603848/red-fabric-flower-accented-with-black" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_570xN.158669833.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 194px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 261px;" /></a></td> <td><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/51603848/red-fabric-flower-accented-with-black"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-weight: bold;">RogueMagnolia's</span></a> hair accessories are a must. While this red and black handmade hair treat might be classy, it still can't live up to the sophistication and elegance of her WTF!?Etsy debut, at which point she showcased hair bacon.<br />
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<span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-weight: bold;">$24</span></span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/61041147/stfu-noob-glass-internet-gaming" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_570xN.190266502.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 262px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 262px;" /></a></td> <td>And for a find so inspiring that I broke my own aesthetic red theme to feature it... <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/61041147/stfu-noob-glass-internet-gaming"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-weight: bold;">Sabrieth's</span></a> gaming-themed hand candy, the STFU Noob ring.<br />
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I will probably buy this before anyone reads this blog. Just sayin...<br />
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<span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-weight: bold;">$8</span></span></td> </tr>
</tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8133414435239346828.post-75249537163327442872010-09-11T16:49:00.000-07:002010-09-11T16:56:10.327-07:00I am Red<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/serdomania"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 1px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 516px; height: 67px;" src="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/iusb_760x100.7270801.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I haven't ever bought from an artist on Etsy, but I saw something I had to have from a very talented artist named <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/serdomania">Serden </a>from Istanbul, Turkey. It's from his "I draw my dreams" collection. I would buy the original if I could.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/serdomania"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 1px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 509px; height: 450px;" src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.172801020.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8133414435239346828.post-48304970780975067172010-08-27T16:49:00.000-07:002010-09-12T09:26:33.688-07:00Etsy Shop Critique - Fresh Urban Vintage<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/FreshUrbanVintage"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 3px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 510px; height: 67px;" src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/iusb_760x100.7655015.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/FreshUrbanVintage"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 0pt 3px 3px; cursor: pointer; width: 321px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDDt6JHqpknkK9C_5ki_tN9EVtnEbYXfLJC0lYNOm8hbq2btObFx7irrFFS5eh4ugNMRE3ykeFkDlHVHpc0bF8AowErXkhoqBjLMDI_Q7a7Cwyooxwm36a6-MHh4G53FD3YI5F8Y7GtrKu/s320/il_430xN.163547990.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513287385475261682" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Review Foreplay:</span> I have to admit, I was almost salivating with excitement when Vicky of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/FreshUrbanVintage"><span style="font-weight: bold;">FreshUr</span></a><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/FreshUrbanVintage"><span style="font-weight: bold;">ba</span></a><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/FreshUrbanVintage"><span style="font-weight: bold;">n</span></a><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/FreshUrbanVintage"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Vi</span></a><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/FreshUrbanVintage"><span style="font-weight: bold;">ntage</span></a> gave me full license to be brutal with this review. After taking a very, very thorough look, I was shocked at what I found. There isn't anything to gripe about.<br />From the first time I saw this shop until the time came for me to do a review, it looks like a different shop altogether.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">First impression:</span> the overall visual theme is gorgeous. It's tasteful and bright without being too busy. The banner is one of the best I've seen. It's not easy to incorporate a photo into a banner with text, but you've pulled it off flawlessly. The font is clean, the image reflects what is in your shop, and the font is clean, crisp, and easy to read.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/FreshUrbanVintage"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpFuC2KFtBk9SgQEMMYKSyRAWkwMakMZfgwpqeIxWWI7_71dc9ZisBtfNau5WeMnLIkZQFmWvWZmP5mMMsvWt9Z69d1rF6nwO4q-jFOuRxfmPEVSuUOAsge0RaaGytlJ4ULFYExp9rw1J3/s320/il_430xN.165009639.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515068088089244818" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Avatar & Photography:</span> The avatar epitomizes what an Etsy seller should be: fun, quirky, confident. The photography is phenomenal. The contrasting colors, the salient detail, the vibrant angles, the fresh backgrounds, the sharpness of the lines... your photography has exactly the artistic flair that distinguishes vintage and upcycled wares from looking thrift-store/yard-sale to boutique.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Live Models:</span> I have to comment on the photo below (left) with the vintage frames. I want other Etsy sellers to see what I mean when I am telling people to have confidence when they appear in their photos. These are adorable. Fun, quirky, and unabashed. The three-frame image is extra cool, a perfect trio for your avatar. I wish that I had this picture as a reference to use for many of the other reviews I've done in the past to show as the epitome of how to take great live-model pics. The background, the hairstyle, the expressions... they suit the glasses frames perfectly. It makes me want to buy them! I could so pull off the sexy English teacher look in those...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Matters of the Pocket:</span> Generally, your prices are great-- not so high that they are unreasonable or inaccessible to the masses, but not so low that they devalue your products. There are a few items that are a little puzzling in regards to the price, though. For instance, the Charlotte's Web book. Maybe because I'm an English teacher in an old middle school, but I have seen so many copies of that book and other books lying around and in used book stores (I am always there), that I don't understand how $38 is a reasonable price for it. After taking a look at the listing, though, I read this:<br /><br /><blockquote style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Please Note:**********************************************<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/FreshUrbanVintage"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 226px; height: 170px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAaUvtkb31VmWyg2tq1QpRFDcAGWhe_xnQULJh0RY_avCG5k_j98AI1pZhF8Flg_TdKW3Rxq3U-43o54J6lAGUbGACB8-HNdpamiJGPpcorVcGcjYKbPhZsNoceuuDCL1i8VN3IllQt_-Z/s320/il_430xN.163264625.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515793816105097410" border="0" /></a>*********<br />If you are looking for a reading copy for your children or grandchildren this isn't the best copy for you- there are many nice reading copies available on the internet for much less money. This is a copy for a collector, a book lover, an avid fan, or to give as a gift for someone like that.<br />*********************************************************</blockquote>And even though I still think $38 is high, seeing that it came from your personal collection and that you qualified the price by saying it's good for a collector, I at least understood that you are offering something that is valuable to you, and it's hard to put<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/FreshUrbanVintage"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3bsGRd-XBVdE14d1WIPTmwi3I7-PJ-kWf31LFiQbpuSOEe59nOMojhmQw8thKqQCOe37nHzJgbhrZeCnO39LvCxLEalSogvzMDjGF8CTzZKtG2YLVgekTkI-8MRRsahznTNAu9Czqnhvh/s320/il_430xN.163547261.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515067393169430722" border="0" /></a> a number on a special item. With vintage, it's hard to put a monetary value because the appeal and the sentiment and the history attached to it is worth more than a new version would be.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Descriptions:</span> Your descriptions are exemplary: thoughtful, witty, informative. The clarity and organization are brilliant. The details of the process involved, the materials, dimensions, and history are fabulous. I really want the box of maps. I mostly just want the box, not the maps, lol. It's awesome, and seeing the description made me want more of your items. You offered something of yourself without oversharing by talking about the history of those maps and why you find them important. The quote in the bottom made that item seem even more special. Seeing in your shop the little quotes, the pieces of poetry, the quirky <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/FreshUrbanVintage"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQHB14CnbVBwlz3HY9Xcce7PbRMQkpsGt6bDMjqnt1MYFh4s9rn992HIXzB89Deot4GMVG5VUHv4IeMQkoSIoHaLErOsSj5qATk0SzXjMmWUfTwJO5pP4ZMBCau_8zxkGVIh_lzbII5fIJ/s320/il_430xN.156656088.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515792767883330866" border="0" /></a>post scripts... sold me even more on how a buy from your shop would be worthy of my very limited funds. It's hard for me to even write this review for want of your box <span style="font-weight: bold;">[ </span><span style="font-style: italic;">that's what s</span><span style="font-style: italic;">he said</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> ]</span>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Shop Announcement:</span> Your shop announcement is also perfect. It's minimalistic, not extending beyond Etsy's new layout, and not a wall of text which could detract attention from your items. It says what you have, it makes your name associated with your shop name, and it invites customers to be "spoiled" by you. And the ever-important connection: the blog link. Adding a Blogger, Facebook, or Twitter [ myspace is so 2008 ] profile to your page gives customers an occasional reminder to take a look at your shop without the annoying over-advertising of something like an email mailing list.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/FreshUrbanVintage"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik04o4OQQR4-uLKaq_OdaVvWxy3CJa5bxMk8iOFksZSOwTwuGHTCqYaddIilPwGkQrT0YaP7GHz9lrgAxnObVFZdWzW3UPX2zIyeLa2heyPUEEpjVaFc-D5YOK_IbjpDnicdRO0U2Fr99h/s320/il_430xN.170299986.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515793827331182994" border="0" /></a><blockquote><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Announcement:</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Recycled, upcycled, art, accessories, & vintage.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Created & curated by Vicky Bell for Fresh Urban Vintage on Etsy.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">I am customer friendly- let me spoil you. </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">You can also find me at </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://vicky-bell.blogspot.com/">vicky-bell.blogspot.com</a><span style="font-style: italic;">. </span></span></blockquote><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Wrapping up: </span>I really wanted to have that review that I could just let loose the full extent of my acidic, bombastic wit and unload on this, but the only WTF!? moment I experienced is when I saw how much better it is since I first started doing the reviews way back in the day.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Abstract:</span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> </span>Well done, <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/FreshUrbanVintage">FreshUrbanVintage</a>. Well done.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8133414435239346828.post-49769091551565938122010-08-21T22:10:00.001-07:002010-08-25T03:48:00.405-07:00Etsy Shop Critique - Jinglebat<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/jinglebat"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 509px; height: 67px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaIOsFfFMqoIybiby1LoKtyYExULuW52vq94C7f-bxp-5H31d8llwoIkGPkiEdf3VxpuTqC2Y1BO8xgTNyFok-8hmVR9w2lDTuiOZqr5zN7XOhVe14koy8gKXFEZbdvrIA74NPyXxTIy-q/s400/iusb_760x100.5703437.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508097394214941666" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc1DA7Nq4qZ3U0X4E989icAI_yDDoP-vdKLH962ILTyU9kj0DQjRpfpakK624YppPd9UTv6fxH8BcTos41K28f_IQ7df-t0Ecsz_K6IKsIqUWFsbe2ge2cRGp5ZrY8Py567oIcsFUhOC_-/s1600/ms_jay_alexander_blueflys_blog_flypaper_1.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 166px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc1DA7Nq4qZ3U0X4E989icAI_yDDoP-vdKLH962ILTyU9kj0DQjRpfpakK624YppPd9UTv6fxH8BcTos41K28f_IQ7df-t0Ecsz_K6IKsIqUWFsbe2ge2cRGp5ZrY8Py567oIcsFUhOC_-/s400/ms_jay_alexander_blueflys_blog_flypaper_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508420350739980338" border="0" /></a><br />First impression: we need a major makeover; and by major, I mean bring out the wrecking ball, the bulldozers, and Miss Jay Alexander. We will start with the banner. I can understand if you are experimenting with Photoshop or another graphics program that the text effects are fun, but they aren't professional looking. I can see that font on a middle school Halloween Dance flier. It needs a lot of help. I will make one for you, should you desire. But that one is just bad enough, especially with your big black block of a box (how's that for alliteration?) you have pasted at the top of your page, to warrant you a <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">WTF!?</span> Point. Your avatar is actually cute, though... so leave him!<br /><br />The next prominent matter of aesthetics we need to discuss is the pictures. They are beyond terrible. The quality is not so bad, but they do not sell the products at all. It looks like you had a bunch of friends over, went through your mom's closet, and had a slumber party fashion show with her old digs. Go outside and sit in some tall grass in the sunlight and let someone photograph you or your models while they whimsically tie dandelions together to make a necklace or hair band. Go to a solid white wall and do some serious poses in a well-lit room filled with natural light. Your items don't seem "for sale" or like you're wanting them to look special. The way the pictu<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-nU4CXWpGi0p0hFGJ0KDkYMoc_6UfLXNDCHGjsF4rU2b89hBeGK4xQEOxHzjOtnZ_1VDqJXt5etKce-WVYh-ePHll0tFWtrlRNl0GYUbk2JfA-tqikKrXtnKtt73AgrB97OpXnaYhGbQ/s1600/il_430xN.118983494.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-nU4CXWpGi0p0hFGJ0KDkYMoc_6UfLXNDCHGjsF4rU2b89hBeGK4xQEOxHzjOtnZ_1VDqJXt5etKce-WVYh-ePHll0tFWtrlRNl0GYUbk2JfA-tqikKrXtnKtt73AgrB97OpXnaYhGbQ/s320/il_430xN.118983494.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508547886948048674" border="0" /></a>res have been taken is like someone is messing around and playing dress-up in silly old clothes. If you want customers to buy your clothes and accessories, then you have to have to make them look special.<br /><br />Let's examine some of the bad photos:<br />This is probably the worst-photographed item in your shop. Look at this picture: 98% face, 2% product. And this is not a shop-worthy picture. Bad lighting, terrible angle, and it looks like you even used a flash! See the detail in the earring? No, you don't. You can't. The picture is too bad!<br /><br />And then you have a different person wearing the same pair of earrings! I think a lot of people are bothered by seeing earrings on someone else. Granted, if they are vintage they have probably been worn before, but that can make some people skiddish.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTzkNFrO6j1zwbPBrFiIFCRjEBMMse-BmBzXcLFiVh8lZyqeGozxjtymm7Y1gWJQAE8VUeTxtuLkEdKel1qVfkeboalo4denZqHeZr_zltdzIAhMf3dIAV36pgo2qcuWb0Q5bbTMBjT_2y/s1600/il_430xN.114432933.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTzkNFrO6j1zwbPBrFiIFCRjEBMMse-BmBzXcLFiVh8lZyqeGozxjtymm7Y1gWJQAE8VUeTxtuLkEdKel1qVfkeboalo4denZqHeZr_zltdzIAhMf3dIAV36pgo2qcuWb0Q5bbTMBjT_2y/s320/il_430xN.114432933.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508785399601412386" border="0" /></a><br />The worst, though, is your close-up shots. So blurry and yucky. Never use wood or faux wood as an indoor background for pictures.<br /><br />When you saw this picture on your computer, you should have right-clicked on it, selected the delete button, then immediately went to the recycle bin and emptied it.<br /><br />I have a guide for photography which can be viewed by <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.wtfetsy.com/2010/05/toilet-humor-guide-to-taking-beautiful.html">clicking here</a>.<br /><br />And descriptions... You are an excellent writer, and I envy your natural knack for describing your wares; however, it seems that you downplay the glamour or appeal of many items right before finishing the listing. For example, with the same pair of earrings listed above, here's what you have:<br /><blockquote>These are gorgeous pierced earrings from the 1960's. Silvertone metal, faux pears and irridescent rhinestones, make for a very glamorous look even though I must admit they always made me think of snowballs.<br />These earrings used to belong to my mom and they are in excellent condition. I've always loved them,</blockquote>That was all fantastic. Photographed properly, these leverback vintage earrings have easy selling potential on Etsy; however, you had to follow up with this:<br /><blockquote>but the truth is they are too heavy for me which is why I think I only wore them once, and I think she gave them to me over 20 years ago. A lifetime of several hoops in my ears left me with no tolerance for big dangling vintage earrings which is why I have quite a few more in my shop.</blockquote>You just told your potential buyers that you find this item intolerable and bulky. You don't have to be dishonest, but some people want big and bold earrings. Say something about how the earrings are for people who want to stand out. Never tell people you're parting with your items because you don't have use for them or don't want them. You went from boutique to thrift store when you did that.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfjiA1OU25acAMKZkUucfm7cmqjmuQn0XQ6ZRLfQkRqH8HbWZ2DWoIkDGDS3Gl6oKEGd2jBemU7t2ELgkABDMOZXk9FZblQcJPK43SzTIAW61GM1gUpj4APLLo5xwCJgyU_o-EtrqSHMUI/s1600/il_430xN.118984317.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 211px; height: 282px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfjiA1OU25acAMKZkUucfm7cmqjmuQn0XQ6ZRLfQkRqH8HbWZ2DWoIkDGDS3Gl6oKEGd2jBemU7t2ELgkABDMOZXk9FZblQcJPK43SzTIAW61GM1gUpj4APLLo5xwCJgyU_o-EtrqSHMUI/s320/il_430xN.118984317.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509202231304865826" border="0" /></a><br />And, if you are selling previously-worn earrings, explain to your shoppers that you sanitize them, or even offer to put new hooks on them.<br /><br />This lilac gingham dress another example of the kind of image you shouldn't use. >This is an adorable vintage prize, but the presentation doesn't do it justice. The model's facial expression looks miserable, like some serial killer has her held up in the basement making her wear his mothers old clothes and pose for a camera. This model could be great for pictures, but the theme is just glaringly awkward. Your models should be smiling, posed artfully, and doing things people would do in a dress like the one in the picture.<br /><br />The black and white vintage hat: brilliant! What a fabulous item! With the right presentation, you can easily get $40 out of it.<br /><br />Let me point something out to you. Take the picture below:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/27943943/black-and-white-sixties-vintage-hat?ref=v1_other_2"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHI8WH5Bwq7IirWHG1FVBaCMwwWsCwl1-7ajgRSbIf4Ibte8UtzBwZ4PCi87CmXtLD-T-N_q6DTcfQpaK2BiE5LtYBuzMhkB6-PHaM4DNGZYtr4Sj2ugSpfCDZttoUQ23CrfRts2O9P3m3/s400/il_430xN.118985219.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509204534516276354" border="2" /></a>This model is gorgeous. Look at that long, elegant neck and those full lips. Dress her up, put on a little lip gloss, and do this hat justice. This hat is front-page worthy and is in excellent condition for vintage. A little black dress, a cocktail table, some red lipstick... something! I have seen similar items, not as nice as this, sell for more than $100 on Etsy. This is one of those items that needs to be photographed with a little red for contrast and against a bright, glaring white background.<br /><br />And you have another, "this is great, but..." clause in your description. Any time you have the word "but" in a description, just go delete it right now. That's priority number one.<br /><br />I'm going to post your shop announcement in its entirety and respond to lines individually. My responses are in red.<br /><br />My shop is really a big combination of things, hence the name. <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">You are an inventive writer. Don't use the words "big" and "things." </span>I will be posting some of my own artwork as well as a a lot of stuff from my vintage collections. <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Don't say "stuff" either.</span><br /><br />I am a big <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">big again</span> fan of vintage and have a big <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">big... really?</span> collection of clothes, jewelry and other random things <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic;">things</span> is now a banned swear word</span> and have been collecting them since I was in high school. The problem is, that's a lot of stuff <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">so is stuff</span>, and I've run out of space. Add to that the horrible realization that I really shouldn't wear at 40 the same same mini-dresses I was wearing at 20 <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">do you realize you just lost an entire demographic of middle-aged women by saying that?</span>, and I'm left with a bunch of stuff okay, don't say bunch either. and what's up with all this <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">"stuff" stuff? stuff has the same negative connotation as "junk"</span> on my hands that I really need to part with <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">instead of saying you're parting with your items to save space, say that it's time to share your decades of fashion legacy</span>. I try to keep my prices low, that way I can get rid of them faster <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">don't say "get rid" either. you make your items sound undesirable</span>; you get a good deal and and the stuff <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">NO MORE STUFF!</span> <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">HOT DAMN!</span> gets put to good use - everybody wins! <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">If you're adding a note about your prices, then give a better reason. Call it "recession-friendly," or talk about how everyone deserves to own a piece of pop culture history. They do, right?</span><br /><br />Most of the vintage clothes I will be posting have been in storage for quite some time, so I will be washing everything before I even take any photos. You might not get a mint item that has never been tainted by modern soap, but at least you'll know it's clean. <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Scrap this paragraph and just mention that your items have been cleaned and have been stored in a pet-free, smoke-free environment. </span><br /><br />There are a few innuendos around your shop which suggest that there is something negative about being 40. Really be mindful about making an age (any age) seem like something undesirable. Even if mainstream models are generally between 17-23, Etsy's consumer base is not the mainstream. As long as you present yourself and your models as elegant or fun or quirky and confident and beautiful, then your customers will feel like the items they're buying are something that will make them feel the same.<br /><br />If your camera sucks, then take advantage of natural lighting and go outside. Practice, practice, practice. Approach your picture-taking with the same artful consideration and precision you use when you create your art.<br /><br />You're going to need a lot more items before you can expect to make many sales on Etsy, but items like some of your clothes and that black and white hat will sell quickly when you have them presented well. Your avatar is cute, but how does it relate to your shop? That hat needs to be your avatar. ;-)<br /><br />I know I focus more on the negative aspects than the positive when I do these reviews, but I'm doing these to help you get sales. Put more of your artwork up, list more items, and work on your pictures [ a lot ]. If graphic design isn't your forte, then you can get a great banner made for your shop for five bucks all over Etsy. I see people offering free banners in the forums often, too. Etsy takes hard work, and your efforts have to be effective. You can spin your wheels and work your ass off, but if you're not taking the right measures, then you'll not get anywhere.<br /><br />And work on that bio! One line? That's all there is to you?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8133414435239346828.post-46385629298731967222010-08-06T18:14:00.001-07:002010-08-09T01:09:20.174-07:00How an Etsy front page should lookI came across the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Rockology3">Rockology3</a> Etsy store today and was extremely impressed with the aesthetics of the front page. First impressions are everything, and this is what I saw when I opened the page:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Rockology3" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Rockology3" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502470988347046978" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiktghHc7SlsDcyv-9us-9CI-_A9dHlFz2jYtfxf_y186lhyphenhyphenpwGzdAv5zBzCMrG-_eFDvgXfpk1XOehzsjPwGQTK_S-QFyHxG-V02VLF0TqVbNJ40jgJnldM3kMPVZiaqCK18GraJWLuVR2/s400/handmade+jewelry+vintagevictorianvamp+couture+%26+more+by+Rockology3_1281143637178.png" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 500px;" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Rockology3" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgICefN3rXrHJC7Snxn25au3Sn-Fo1iBySI_sN2mBJzfWp4GQIJxbACBzIIZOhNx0uS6vvAjUxclAfLpqXRzvVQ33cModrQH0AP_jk4FGUAqHILWONFfxaf1KQcs7ZOGQ4vDydx74mpvHRZ/s640/handmade+jewelry+vintagevictorianvamp+couture+%26+more+by+Rockology3_1281155767939.png" border="0" width="500" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiGkalUwG2cb4yP4XMs-fVTTq49BVTI_w9Pa-ZjUsClMTkTdGcn-N1CNWpr-wfbKdRsbnRAINX-s68IK_GGns_W9w8h2vhbM7JekCmPKar2dbsGaRL_Pdvv6t1mgft5pqn2R5emcvBQydb/s1600/handmade+jewelry+vintagevictorianvamp+couture+%26+more+by+Rockology3_1281143637178.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br /></a><br />The monochrome theme is supreme. Well done.<br /><br />I also thought this page from Etsy seller <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/IvoryMorgan">IvoryMorgan</a> was very visually consistent and brilliantly coordinated. This shop even looks complementary with the orange of the Etsy logo:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/IvoryMorgan" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaZwT1o_2-_COcyEQ8VQ1kmq16nIAt_-DU8PDSYdWAw8AbSa2o4vy5yISyOCiD042mkkhr80gqA8x6bQmuJDQ5oLoB4-zG23nMgUxbSDsTnYEKO1S67OcIpQNN0IYJJ6Kz6dWm093yP9gG/s640/contemporary+jewelry+%26+accessories+for+women+%26+men+by+IvoryMorgan_1281155258310.png" border="0" width="500" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/IvoryMorgan" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img imageanchor="1" src="http://www.etsy.com/shop/IvoryMorgan" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" border="0" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6aAKw45F1vjsHSlA1zldB5cTg0Rxsel0GPcD84Fvg_nM_uY87nvTCyNEMasMIF1jGePfSPiuL6ms5wg0H3B2xGc6dojJ4oobAvLC8lKJ9AP7o-3rn0E_eLyFLpYa913nDENmcQT6EVUEv/s640/contemporary+jewelry+%26+accessories+for+women+%26+men+by+IvoryMorgan_1281155446174.png" border="0" width="500" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8133414435239346828.post-3283633523965975752010-07-27T10:03:00.000-07:002010-08-04T23:17:23.164-07:00Etsy Shop Critique - KelliGBarnettDesigns<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/kelligbarnettdesigns?ref=seller_info"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 430px; height: 57px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNjCBrkZ-xsPwXN3cLNvt4ned7kRrR6zE2VBN5seQOzWQ09ldZS3PHu7OCOI6HG4Rzm0qUxewahHlxolmXOYsFUKjPzsSD_5GOhWGQ7YR2ozrAMBGQVgZa-52PhXpUTFBVfnFDzRvSsHBn/s400/iusb_760x100.7336417.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498639068363783122" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/51080028/shimmering-shades-of-orange-mixed-bead"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 294px; height: 305px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1RZb3ST4ZlalbCtbJRuMW3LPoaFcAZHnEOHDkVQUv1jyrbH8_0iRJC2eR6gtibjQ7eAZgi797fMgT1uSKiudqVb8RLGz3OSFeECc6ltmX_6oC_uV_QyWJXUO7kPEJAQ4n5XHKZHlJfPMS/s400/il_fullxfull.156917778.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500735716393561170" border="0" /></a>First impression: Your shop announcement is way too long. Let me tell you why that's bad. You want your customers to see lots of pretty products when they open your shop. Right now, they see a big wall of text and links. While it's nice to be featured in treasuries, the link list might be better suited for your profile instead of the announcement.<br /><br />A big suggestion -- a very, very strong one -- would be for you to mention the names of the stones in your jewelry. When people shop, they often shop for their favorite stones by entering them into search engines. If not, and they just happen upon your jewelry, then they will see the value of your pieces more if you impress upon them the stones used and maybe even a description of them. I noticed you used sun sitara (or goldstone) in your shimmering shades of orange necklace. While it's not a gemstone, it is a very special type of glass with an interesting history. It looks like there may be some carnelian<br /><br />Another jewelry s<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.156941920.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 256px; height: 222px;" src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.156941920.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>uggestion is that you might consider linking each individual bead with pins or by wire-wrapping instead of stringing necklaces and bracelets together. Just from personal experience, those seem to sell much more quickly. Also, using some chain with the beads might be a plus. These are merely suggestions, but in my experience those are more marketable. On the plus side for you, you will save beads and your items will weigh less.<br /><br />Kelli, what in Sam's green hell are you doing posting a tiny little painting for $11!?!? It's petrified wood! It can't weigh that much unless you're using lead paint, which I think is against the law. Take that down to like $5! That gets a big WTF point. Also, you need to sale to "everywhere else" for an additional $3. International shipping isn't really all that expensive, and you can always adjust the price of your shipping if your first order costs more than you thought it was going to be.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/49232724/red-and-green-mod-style-hair-clip-set"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 322px; height: 278px;" src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.150749011.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />That said, I do love the original art on barn wood. Everyone wants to have ooak art in his or her home, and that is a neat little rustic piece for someone to start a collection. I especially love the painting (above right) here with the swirling branches. There's something a little starry-nightish about it.<br /><br />I don't know if I understand the benefit to you of making $2 hair clip sets. Maybe if you made hundreds and hundreds and sold them at fairs, but that seems like a lot of work with very little profit margin. Is it even worth $2 to list an item on Etsy unless you have a lot of them and can keep re-listing it? Etsy is so competitive, maybe this is just a little too simple? Another thing it does is drive traffic to your shop of people who are wanting to spend just a couple dollars, which might be detracting from the buyers who would spend more to buy your paintings.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/50160696/upcycled-barn-wood-rustic-bird-painting"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 226px;" src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.153844710.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I think your item descriptions are peachy. It's always good to keep them factual and objective, with dimensions, materials, and a description of the process without sounding too QVC-- which you have done nicely. Your bio is tastefully done, a clean description of what you do and who you are.<br /><br />The bottom line is that I believe if you focus mostly on your paintings, that is your best bet at being successful on Etsy. I am afraid that the hair clips might take attention away from the art, but that is just my WTF opinion and completely conjecture. It's possible that the traffic from people doing a price-based search might get your art noticed by a few people here and there, but I believe they might do less good for your shop than the money is worth.<br /><br />Focus on your international customers, and go ahead and make your shipping policies friendlier for the global market. Do a little research on what size flat-rate boxes you might need for various items and how much they will cost. Your international shoppers will be good to you, but most people are not going to go through the trouble of convo'ing you if they want something-- especially if English is not their first language.<br /><br />Tags: well done. You are a smart cookie. ;-)<br /><br />Even though I am guilty of the same, you might deactivate your empty sections until you have some products for them.<br /><br />Lastly, your photos are great. The clarity and quality is vivid and clear. The only suggestion I have there is to get some interesting angles on your macro shots with smaller items. Those interesting photos are what make treasuries and the front page.<br /><br />I would love to see some of your repurposed/painted/upcycled furniture! Why not post that?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdo8iK3toPMvsaPfgtOvANdDuyVt3EZRePRplL6sGlOAiFjbQDwwQPXDjCuG-aMj1DQ1XMVrinOXldnuezIWka2pwDynvVKFLyqC6zUU0jhQ28UZlZ-p1BvfP8wWYNjoFEYg-0Dy32Y1ZV/s1600/stamprating2.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 318px; height: 54px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdo8iK3toPMvsaPfgtOvANdDuyVt3EZRePRplL6sGlOAiFjbQDwwQPXDjCuG-aMj1DQ1XMVrinOXldnuezIWka2pwDynvVKFLyqC6zUU0jhQ28UZlZ-p1BvfP8wWYNjoFEYg-0Dy32Y1ZV/s320/stamprating2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501797130979052306" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8133414435239346828.post-56468876305216046162010-07-20T13:49:00.000-07:002010-09-12T10:02:47.723-07:00WTF!? Christmas in July<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4PlxyK0-fF9wE9ViFkEsHfNPT7hJh8WOBQ-2vTf2U13vBAyNjLWzhwGQgWEk_trJy9baJth4sh1kZ-mjOKSYHlRLhZ0bNMJQCk1ltU0X4Edp7QDhi-uh4LIGBUBGeaSGi7sMA7sDfMc5d/s1600/felttofresh1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 145px; height: 109px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4PlxyK0-fF9wE9ViFkEsHfNPT7hJh8WOBQ-2vTf2U13vBAyNjLWzhwGQgWEk_trJy9baJth4sh1kZ-mjOKSYHlRLhZ0bNMJQCk1ltU0X4Edp7QDhi-uh4LIGBUBGeaSGi7sMA7sDfMc5d/s400/felttofresh1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516071263344784402" border="0" /></a><br />Vicky of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/freshurbanvintage"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">FreshUrbanVintage</span></a> received a made-for-her bag [ literally ] of goodies from Feltie of <a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/feltonthefly">FeltontheFly</a><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Vicky says: </span><br /><blockquote style="font-style: italic;">I received a lovely package with a wonderful bag hand-stitched and beaded from Feltonthefly. I love it- it has a ribbon closure and will be perfect for safely holding my earrings and bracelets when I'm on the run (I'm known for throwing my accouterments in my bottomless pit of a bag on my way out the door so I can finish "dressing" at work, then finding things broken or tangled up with paper clips and smelling like old lifesavers). I could tell that this bag was made for me, made with kindness, and filled with good karma. Thanks Felt!</blockquote><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMPaYXBjwm0JEj2o6MwrWoEFZ9C9U8M5KWy3gJufu-3UmzuciQjJxydHB5PzqgSuo9KthJjvpWuR2e-PjVg_JV2FIbgKciYQE70An4z8MZ_v52HLy1LirAKxpJMLoCi1IVPBP2XDTSlQ7/s1600/felttofresh2.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 30px; cursor: pointer; width: 224px; height: 167px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMPaYXBjwm0JEj2o6MwrWoEFZ9C9U8M5KWy3gJufu-3UmzuciQjJxydHB5PzqgSuo9KthJjvpWuR2e-PjVg_JV2FIbgKciYQE70An4z8MZ_v52HLy1LirAKxpJMLoCi1IVPBP2XDTSlQ7/s200/felttofresh2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516071450008454690" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDiIZCrvdwcsRW3WLZ6HWg0RGDX2V3k6FuKKFgP-hK0JPM3XlifgaKolBz-RxDr3vnFS5hzyHXTPhyphenhyphenjqYcqIGxZffeadNEmEF-yH0GJPOfAcBjskb-flgb-6lhmzo4Cs8bINoptcIi__nI/s1600/felttofresh3.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 5px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 224px; height: 167px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDiIZCrvdwcsRW3WLZ6HWg0RGDX2V3k6FuKKFgP-hK0JPM3XlifgaKolBz-RxDr3vnFS5hzyHXTPhyphenhyphenjqYcqIGxZffeadNEmEF-yH0GJPOfAcBjskb-flgb-6lhmzo4Cs8bINoptcIi__nI/s200/felttofresh3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516072200664084546" border="0" /></a><br />________________________________________________<br />Kelli from <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/kelligbarnettdesigns">KelliGBarnettDesigns</a> received this bundle of goodies from BethMac of <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/bethmac2186">Bookworm Bookmarks</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Kelli says:</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEginbGSgnL7_fa-r0fBM8a6UkJn7o7a6sLJCRbRcvyBU0-zKeFJUwBmmaNLhRSoDkJhjB8DQdQy92Zq6HmBFsFYVazb-pj-_IsZIbOJlQBQZt4mz_tb8WdLCLFos8OGAYItVXh2NVMlLcIR/s1600/upload83010+498.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 354px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEginbGSgnL7_fa-r0fBM8a6UkJn7o7a6sLJCRbRcvyBU0-zKeFJUwBmmaNLhRSoDkJhjB8DQdQy92Zq6HmBFsFYVazb-pj-_IsZIbOJlQBQZt4mz_tb8WdLCLFos8OGAYItVXh2NVMlLcIR/s400/upload83010+498.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516068695091493634" border="0" /></a><blockquote style="font-style: italic;">I recieved an assortment of bookmarks. Beth was kind enough to include one for my little girl and one for my son, and they both love them! Thanks so much for the oh-so-fun swap!</blockquote><br />________________________________________________<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitPF3vTEOBk8Fu0SOn6fcriOpkX1cKN85G17hKgdhvMqZBWfUTiKWS88pLhDtUeqyyemhJknxeLOzTZ4Hu2s7C9k-xDNih4TKoRluSKp59NSk-CLVrDVtNhWKKPDEUovkZNt_fCoj9X8s8/s1600/hen3.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 3px 3px; cursor: pointer; width: 232px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitPF3vTEOBk8Fu0SOn6fcriOpkX1cKN85G17hKgdhvMqZBWfUTiKWS88pLhDtUeqyyemhJknxeLOzTZ4Hu2s7C9k-xDNih4TKoRluSKp59NSk-CLVrDVtNhWKKPDEUovkZNt_fCoj9X8s8/s400/hen3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511044673646866194" border="0" /></a><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/feltonthefly">FeltOnTheFly</a> was elated with her very special gift from <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/HennessyHandbags">HennessyHandbags</a>:<br /><blockquote>I was over the moon happy and excited when I got a real live Hennessy Handbag all of my very own (thanks for the hook up). Here are some pics of the bag and the card she made.</blockquote><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1fHa0UNJvRAfOxnH7t1S_emCBtnV6ioPfNynHejH3_GwlZLaiucWlRkTJig3IADYaCg10-dPLfHKBrCOTPkSwABFohELTe4l-hKyZMYDjDAZkbJYWaXpP7kwGGh6l1Jpu8Md_I2xu0Udd/s1600/hen2.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 3px 3px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 216px; height: 121px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1fHa0UNJvRAfOxnH7t1S_emCBtnV6ioPfNynHejH3_GwlZLaiucWlRkTJig3IADYaCg10-dPLfHKBrCOTPkSwABFohELTe4l-hKyZMYDjDAZkbJYWaXpP7kwGGh6l1Jpu8Md_I2xu0Udd/s320/hen2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511044816144377426" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5FnWB_cmgc6-oyGo4Gf8q0qbK4meE1H8IPWfFUUTBlx5oOHaU-rU1Ov7LYgHhF96UgV9i3KnYdRhZtQvKP-nNi3wzjshCbgw8EWUKyQA6Az89jNuYOpk_ka2TmlL1ubhYLCtWUYiNSqWx/s1600/hen1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 3px 3px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 412px; height: 260px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5FnWB_cmgc6-oyGo4Gf8q0qbK4meE1H8IPWfFUUTBlx5oOHaU-rU1Ov7LYgHhF96UgV9i3KnYdRhZtQvKP-nNi3wzjshCbgw8EWUKyQA6Az89jNuYOpk_ka2TmlL1ubhYLCtWUYiNSqWx/s320/hen1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511044822902009186" border="0" /></a><br />________________________________________________<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvmqVCe2yOYme25TuDLXRj91QpJGuSBbNzxVCXO5GExxNznVa-lmnh9MzVJqv1fEKadeXnVGKothCIs351gTe51dYBK54S4QlcSr1cqgiatLMmIVs0etUH69TQblgIDx2N5sDCBjorP8Kz/s1600/003_edited-1.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 0px 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 205px; height: 275px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvmqVCe2yOYme25TuDLXRj91QpJGuSBbNzxVCXO5GExxNznVa-lmnh9MzVJqv1fEKadeXnVGKothCIs351gTe51dYBK54S4QlcSr1cqgiatLMmIVs0etUH69TQblgIDx2N5sDCBjorP8Kz/s200/003_edited-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509541360451303282" border="0" /></a>Beth from <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/bethmac2186">Bookworm Bookmarks</a> was very happy with her gifts from Kelli of <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/kelligbarnettdesigns">KelliGBarnettDesigns</a>. This is what Beth had to say:<br /><blockquote>I received a beautiful painting of a butterfly on upcycled barn wood and cannot wait to put it on my wall! She also sent me the most gorgeous necklace. I love its simple elegance! Great choices for me. Can we please do this again for Christmas!? : )</blockquote>I think that having a Christmas swap sounds like a great idea! Maybe WTF!? can do a post-Christmas swap, when the gift-giving of the holiday season is over and everyone is experiencing the post-rush slump when business goes from crazy busy to nil.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdOnW9NFVlKLCjwFpNxTz1EyOXeSNUozSirkxu464YWTTJWHmR3WkwbLKLMq7FPaFnu-4lKtWm6dh5WoCHF7YkU_XoN9cXf4OFNtAoHhv-9MqiSS0ZUfjGxr1yk0E9GbxK95P1k4LkGAUu/s1600/016_edited-1.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 0px -10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 187px; height: 140px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdOnW9NFVlKLCjwFpNxTz1EyOXeSNUozSirkxu464YWTTJWHmR3WkwbLKLMq7FPaFnu-4lKtWm6dh5WoCHF7YkU_XoN9cXf4OFNtAoHhv-9MqiSS0ZUfjGxr1yk0E9GbxK95P1k4LkGAUu/s200/016_edited-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509542795107479858" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlnrv_OvhT47Dgk0CpxzThBpqOJTslELvR4c47gQ_ZYud5fIJrRLfaHtirpQ0QJjhxVGrKHqW5SxcYnzIsOlB2pQTlzbkjYJas7cs6L3vmA2RPM_F8skaO22gFNYX0WJ11QnT872-A6Su7/s1600/012_edited-1.JPG"><img style="float: left; display: block; margin: 0px auto; text-align: left; cursor: pointer; width: 105px; height: 140px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlnrv_OvhT47Dgk0CpxzThBpqOJTslELvR4c47gQ_ZYud5fIJrRLfaHtirpQ0QJjhxVGrKHqW5SxcYnzIsOlB2pQTlzbkjYJas7cs6L3vmA2RPM_F8skaO22gFNYX0WJ11QnT872-A6Su7/s200/012_edited-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509543095336446370" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhac2P5XaVsbAioWNkUqBOVzC4EcIPqr5EucI31JwZ7Wkh1-CZYecx1L1QLfOmSMoi4yqtQnFuW682MUF2-GriypwJ_o1Vi35_bZsKpNVHLuvpafLmmGyrOd31Ft-I2EbDk1AxqOF8vxPR-/s1600/015_edited-1.JPG"><img style="float: left; display: block; margin: 0px auto; text-align: left; cursor: pointer; width: 186px; height: 140px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhac2P5XaVsbAioWNkUqBOVzC4EcIPqr5EucI31JwZ7Wkh1-CZYecx1L1QLfOmSMoi4yqtQnFuW682MUF2-GriypwJ_o1Vi35_bZsKpNVHLuvpafLmmGyrOd31Ft-I2EbDk1AxqOF8vxPR-/s200/015_edited-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509543409996143618" border="0" /></a><br /><br />_________________________________________________<br /><br />Here is what <a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/HennessyHandbags">Hen</a><a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/HennessyHandbags">nesseyHand</a><a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/HennessyHandbags">bags</a> got from <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsYmpJdwfdyKkfNQK2n_v7atd6vZO4h9j83zBJFwjeb2dCIrimbqho0BNycU4pH7hyphenhyphenraMtqXXWPdgdwgmMXWnVvkR7WoHzynseTMRu-r56DfG3AM42niID-oJBtE1d2_yAfp6_Oy9Xnzgy/s1600/creativity+to+hennessey2.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 2px 2px; cursor: pointer; width: 261px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsYmpJdwfdyKkfNQK2n_v7atd6vZO4h9j83zBJFwjeb2dCIrimbqho0BNycU4pH7hyphenhyphenraMtqXXWPdgdwgmMXWnVvkR7WoHzynseTMRu-r56DfG3AM42niID-oJBtE1d2_yAfp6_Oy9Xnzgy/s320/creativity+to+hennessey2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509471854296037074" border="0" /></a><a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/creativityismessy">CreativityIsMessy</a>. Hennessey says: <blockquote>I received my secret santa in the mail the other day and in it were two really well designed business cards with the items attached. There were two bobby pins each with a purple stripped button attached to it and the other card came with a ring to match. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7zBXhkHrNt87N9vBTNB5VwXj7TB7i5TVUw9OHt74Xqe5dIVVauBWTcCBK7kt1CzmLyB5gwq0e8lHqA3JVRpXMSSU9fUjv8cgQIRlzsbnUX4sksm05cFUil2QWBMrzcblgY47Ix4TePgcO/s1600/creativity+to+hennessey.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 5pt 5pt 2px -35px; cursor: pointer; width: 155px; height: 111px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7zBXhkHrNt87N9vBTNB5VwXj7TB7i5TVUw9OHt74Xqe5dIVVauBWTcCBK7kt1CzmLyB5gwq0e8lHqA3JVRpXMSSU9fUjv8cgQIRlzsbnUX4sksm05cFUil2QWBMrzcblgY47Ix4TePgcO/s320/creativity+to+hennessey.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509471541949335570" border="0" /></a>They were both lovely, and the ring fit perfectly with an adjustable band. You can see how nicely they match my fingernail polish!!! Her card says that her shop name is Creativity Is Messy. It didn't look too messy to me! Thanks a bunch!! Oh, and I forgot to mention that it came with a cute little Christmas tag wishing me a Merry Christmas in July. </blockquote>_________________________________________<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv4ojjpq2nhY9nXeDZTFK1R2wIQ7Tt1fY3HV6T0JEre942unnhXfT1tj9hyphenhyphenmqk4lDN0tmKXDkHbmkD2THBdqdw3dtjc9W-z91XKbqmhQ3FaHYtcojK6sbBo42NUIKXukHA-vw3Q-RkMvGf/s1600/fromimpandpetal.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 3px 3px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 229px; height: 229px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv4ojjpq2nhY9nXeDZTFK1R2wIQ7Tt1fY3HV6T0JEre942unnhXfT1tj9hyphenhyphenmqk4lDN0tmKXDkHbmkD2THBdqdw3dtjc9W-z91XKbqmhQ3FaHYtcojK6sbBo42NUIKXukHA-vw3Q-RkMvGf/s320/fromimpandpetal.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508415517107692802" border="0" /></a><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/10eisha">10eisha</a> received a very generous package from <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/impandpetal">ImpandPetal</a>, and this is what she had to say:<br /><blockquote>I received my goody box of a secret Santa package from ImpAndPetal. It included a bunch of tea, which is awesome because i am a huge tea drinker, a wonderful smelling candle, a beautiful set of handmade earrings and a bracelet, a handmade scarf, and last but not least a handful of synthetic dreadlocks which I have always wanted for my pig tails! I have to admit that both of my cats and my Chihuahua have completely fallen in love with the dreads and have been spending their time stealing the from each other and chewing on them...sorry ImpAndPetal!</blockquote><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjucTvXKmOfPpN7tnwD2rUtEDK5BjG6atqrdAX65l4gGxiE9jYbqtLm1HAIgU1oM89WLa0N39IwshOU0x9mpMSzULANnfYiRXaJ88Nsxb9I3vqtF0YJcIP-W-yIM6ulAsgxtfqZGkLHZBHc/s1600/impandpetal3.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 3px 3px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 244px; height: 244px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjucTvXKmOfPpN7tnwD2rUtEDK5BjG6atqrdAX65l4gGxiE9jYbqtLm1HAIgU1oM89WLa0N39IwshOU0x9mpMSzULANnfYiRXaJ88Nsxb9I3vqtF0YJcIP-W-yIM6ulAsgxtfqZGkLHZBHc/s320/impandpetal3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508415267063646514" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS1FzGLxZHeWh_URnJXx7RGr62skGSXgkvFMMFQCezLeC6PLsGL2h6ViPSlqO6yfcLfrmajz2N2JWI5qVpgGRzuw1XS1I8c9aMO2FVfNKFz7ppVgfTcx4SRAUME4PNXINHnnV6upOl87F7/s1600/fromimp2.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 3px 3px; cursor: pointer; width: 246px; height: 246px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS1FzGLxZHeWh_URnJXx7RGr62skGSXgkvFMMFQCezLeC6PLsGL2h6ViPSlqO6yfcLfrmajz2N2JWI5qVpgGRzuw1XS1I8c9aMO2FVfNKFz7ppVgfTcx4SRAUME4PNXINHnnV6upOl87F7/s320/fromimp2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508415393575000690" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />________________________________________________<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDPHeNdVwcmeXGvyybg-eDHzCexNNfmh6DcjcA7tcTSYqmBnvOXbC93Ukm28f2Tu3lc1uvz3E1MXGAoSbvqmAfQvNGAn55791HuykYd-Qacv4saNGRuDCERCoJlWn8Auj9nxI0X81mVNpy/s1600/silvine1.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 5px 5px; cursor: pointer; width: 258px; height: 194px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDPHeNdVwcmeXGvyybg-eDHzCexNNfmh6DcjcA7tcTSYqmBnvOXbC93Ukm28f2Tu3lc1uvz3E1MXGAoSbvqmAfQvNGAn55791HuykYd-Qacv4saNGRuDCERCoJlWn8Auj9nxI0X81mVNpy/s400/silvine1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508035071049870674" border="0" /></a>This badass necklace was mailed from <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/silvinephotography">SilvinePhotog</a><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/silvinephotography"><span style="font-weight: bold;">raphy</span> </a>to the lovely <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ImpAndPetal">ImpAndPetal</a>. It's reversible!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7ArK7FVyWHg5ggsYmsXTP7MXT5rKYoK5pQDpsqFjy9JT7e1IprixI5F_XCW8roAglgPgM0ltREv5lWpgKgM_g7ux5tgM2r5IYEPwcOZR6v-U1IStb_KkjsXYvudzR1zvvwEqOK16vF_o/s1600/silvine2.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 5px 5px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 227px; height: 170px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7ArK7FVyWHg5ggsYmsXTP7MXT5rKYoK5pQDpsqFjy9JT7e1IprixI5F_XCW8roAglgPgM0ltREv5lWpgKgM_g7ux5tgM2r5IYEPwcOZR6v-U1IStb_KkjsXYvudzR1zvvwEqOK16vF_o/s400/silvine2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508034959033535986" border="0" /></a><br /><br />______________________________________________________<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS7qoMBtbleDiZLs3q_gGuA4ZSZbmN8C_iG5hVh3i7vopA4DWHreC8UGzFIuW0r_nb9BJEJB57pquA4EnDO-LxAdVu_ChxyuKTQnJbvrm_jZHQdzYyQXeM2aPa23fHJJQGn_wbHkcydvGs/s1600/P1060515.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 5px 5px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 329px; height: 248px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS7qoMBtbleDiZLs3q_gGuA4ZSZbmN8C_iG5hVh3i7vopA4DWHreC8UGzFIuW0r_nb9BJEJB57pquA4EnDO-LxAdVu_ChxyuKTQnJbvrm_jZHQdzYyQXeM2aPa23fHJJQGn_wbHkcydvGs/s400/P1060515.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508027326579429106" border="0" /></a>This lovely necklace-and-earring combo comes from Sarah at <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Armillatadesigns">ArmillataDesigns</a> to Rachel of <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/theyellowhobbit">TheYellowHobbit</a>. Damn... I knew I should have given everyone *my* address in the buddy exchange.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge4G4GonrRjpaf-sg_-rIGR0_wBXNdc2pKT2Pvvpch9-gEl8aW2wm6WdbkILBXemEfbzlt8FUKf1IarCCs99neiMiuFIvbF38JXct8LKhf-x67O1yqxVbVZMkMROCmo7VfAUlp8e0B5oe8/s1600/P1060513.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 5px 5px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 155px; height: 115px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge4G4GonrRjpaf-sg_-rIGR0_wBXNdc2pKT2Pvvpch9-gEl8aW2wm6WdbkILBXemEfbzlt8FUKf1IarCCs99neiMiuFIvbF38JXct8LKhf-x67O1yqxVbVZMkMROCmo7VfAUlp8e0B5oe8/s400/P1060513.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508024451317384962" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhykK814pwA_VJb30gwqwhiEy0eL4flTJUkMgbqM7qX-m3dhMIWq8v5rHMtVcqFOHLbVBK4AkegczryC_rKyg7rdUZOO1JvjmxbAa6u4DpBn9So-6owANp-VmIqoh7gs-x0yH1_GJNtWvNc/s1600/P1060511.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 5px 5px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 371px; height: 279px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhykK814pwA_VJb30gwqwhiEy0eL4flTJUkMgbqM7qX-m3dhMIWq8v5rHMtVcqFOHLbVBK4AkegczryC_rKyg7rdUZOO1JvjmxbAa6u4DpBn9So-6owANp-VmIqoh7gs-x0yH1_GJNtWvNc/s400/P1060511.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508024300515748418" border="0" /></a><br /><br />_______________________________________________<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinsvyzS2vY10DHSwJWuOG_FFPzo9WfAmnBgbLg8ZD-JOzoAyrVFwtnhb90CdL1LdmGeso3evUCMA42vpehg_wdSLz2QOzg9ZlrgpY60xfEJtBoGgoesxMyKxgtrpRWZ6kqGlk4xxx5dhgA/s1600/wtfjuly.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 249px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinsvyzS2vY10DHSwJWuOG_FFPzo9WfAmnBgbLg8ZD-JOzoAyrVFwtnhb90CdL1LdmGeso3evUCMA42vpehg_wdSLz2QOzg9ZlrgpY60xfEJtBoGgoesxMyKxgtrpRWZ6kqGlk4xxx5dhgA/s400/wtfjuly.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496119379438946770" border="0" /></a><br />Etsy is having its annual Christmas in July event, in which shopkeepers have the option to offer special sales throughout the second half of July.<br /><br />Here at <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">WTF</span>, we're commemorating this event by starting our own tradition, <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">WTF!? in July</span>. If you opt to participate, then you will privately be contacted by me (<span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">WTF Terra</span>) with the name, address, and shopkeeper Etsy link of another participant. You will have two weeks to choose a gift from your wares and send it to your participant. Once you have received your gift, you can come back to this page to share with us what you received (or send pictures!) and from who you received the gift. This is a great way to <span style="font-weight: bold;">A. )</span> get something in the mail without making a purchase, <span style="font-weight: bold;">B.)</span> advertise your wares when your recipient shares what you sent, <span style="font-weight: bold;">C.)</span> have a little fun while connecting with other shopkeepers.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:courier new;" >Deadline to enter:</span> </span>Friday, July 30<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;" >Here's how to participate:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1.</span> Fill out the form below. You must include your first and last name, full address, and shop URL or your entry will not be valid.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2.</span> Wait until the entry deadline to be contacted via Etsy convo with the name, address, details (optional part of form below) and URL of your "WTF!? Buddy."<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3.</span> Browse his or her shop, profile, and details and choose a gift/gift package from your wares (vintage, supplies, or handmade) or make a new gift to mail to your "Buddy." Do not contact him or her until you have allowed a reasonable amount of time for your package to arrive. You will have no longer than two weeks to choose/make your gift and mail it. Make sure you include a business card or personal note with your Etsy shop name and URL with your gift.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">4.</span> Receive a gift in the mail from your WTF buddy.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">5.</span> Come back to WTF Etsy and tell who sent you a gift and what you received. (pictures and stories will be posted permanently to WTF!? Etsy)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;" >Suggestions, Disclaimers, and Guidelines:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1.</span> Your address and personal information will only be shared with your WTF!? Secret Santa Buddy.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2.</span> I, WTF!? Terra, am not in any way responsible for the actions or gifts from shopkeepers. If you don't like or don't receive a gift from your Buddy, then WTF!? will not compensate you for your displeasure. I will, however, contact your secret Buddy at your request if you haven't received your package within 2-3 weeks of the deadline.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3.</span> This is <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">WTF!? Etsy</span>, and it is safe to assume that anyone who participates in this contest has a sense of humor. Your gift can be-- but does not have to be-- funny.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">4.</span> In the form below, the "details" section could help me to match you with a reasonable recipient and could help your Buddy choose something relevant for you. You could say things like, "I love vintage items," "I am a parent of a 2 year old girl," "I would love a gift for my grandmother," "I am a chain-smoking alcoholic," "I love anything music related," or "I don't wear jewelry." If you want to ask your Buddy a question so you can personalize a gift, then send your query to me through <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.etsy.com/wtfsupplies/shop">WTFSupplies</a> via <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.etsy.com/wtfsupplies/shop">Etsy convo</a>, and I will contact them on your behalf.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">5.</span> There is no legal responsibility attached to this exchange; however, don't be an ass. If you agree to participate, then send a gift. It does not have to be expensive or elaborate, but make it thoughtful. You also are not legally obligated to respond once you receive your gift in the mail, but it would be cruel to not allow your "Buddy" the opportunity to be advertised on this site.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">6.</span> This is WTF!? Etsy. Your gift can be funny or a gag gift, but it can not be disgusting, unsanitary, cruel, or offensive.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">7.</span> It is entirely up to you what you choose to send. There is no upper or lower limit on the monetary value of your items, and we all understand that "it's the though that counts."<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">8.</span> Your gift must be physical. If you do digital work (like photography or graphic design), then mail a physical print of your item.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">9.</span> YOU MUST BE AT LEAST 18!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">10.</span> By filling out the form below, you are agreeing to receive a gift, send a gift, and then come back to tell who your buddy is and what they sent.<br /><style type="text/css">.nobrtable br { display: none }</style>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8133414435239346828.post-62461932900796569272010-07-20T02:30:00.001-07:002010-08-04T23:17:48.479-07:00Etsy Shop Critique - HennessyHandbags<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/iusb_760x100.6366077.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 396px; height: 52px;" src="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/iusb_760x100.6366077.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>First impression: I really like you, Hennessy. To be great, you have to break rules and be unique, which you obviously have the courage to do. You've got initiative and you're not afraid to take creative risks. You get a badass point.<br /><br />The nagging issue that is just over<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/26292718/brown-dreamy-face-wallet?ref=v1_other_1"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 343px; height: 258px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAl-Oa4LPQBFXc-9yQ0V555ZBE-DFYUpGo9oha_OjmDEMthSbwjUK72Qh45nyp2kXIBDgptFdUP91R4YgKQuG5xjffIXVORH9VfzuAcVzb5BNvRSHHSKdKnvtOVztwwS7l2ZERas14DNgl/s400/il_430xN.76469334.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496784481590428530" border="0" /></a>whelming for me is that while you are one amazing artist, there is something I just don't get. Just looking at the detail of the eyes in your banner is indicative of the level of skill you have as an artist, but WTF is up with the jaws of your women? They are either missing, wide and masculine, or overemphasized/thick. I don't mean this at all to be insulting to you or anyone else, but they look like transgendered women. Why is it that you spend so much time detailing the women of your purses, but you neglect the jaws or draw them disproportionately? It seems that many of the women's faces just immediately transition into the shoulders with no neck. It makes the faces seem like they belong to someone very large, but the bodies are slender, long, and feminine.<br /><br />The hair on your purse vixens is really cool, the spiral being a universal symbol of femininity or feminine strength. I also love the eyes of the women on your purses, each one representing a different mood. This is a stretch, but are you mixed or in a relationship with someone from a different religion or background? Your works have a lot of harmonizing contrasts, black and white being predominant themes. It is really cool how most of your purses have two faces, reflecting a dark and a light side, either literally or dark/light with mood. One side of your purses usually has a passive or reticent side, the other a dominant and confident side. It's very yin and yang. :-)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/50187497/vintage-cream-painted-purse?ref=v1_other_1"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 351px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7gvNdvQT1vEk2NhOHbsre00SOJ5AR2osEBSLULVtduvpRuizxiG4bFH4boTnJn00WtXclm49CvmZibLDcxF0M-U-CEdRQzm9m-cCwiJVDVhEJucDm7LUd9sESGGl8ExhW2nsIMGVIAfF5/s400/il_fullxfull.153934278.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496784038139642258" border="0" /></a>I love the purse with the old book pages. That was a really clever integration, especially with the way you incorporated it into her hair. I like the purse itself, too.<br /><br />Your photography is great. You have a combination of simple, organic backgrounds and high-contrast white, which is always a great way to put the focus on the products.<br /><br />I can't really fault your shop announcement because there's not much there for me to critique. You might use it to write a little blurb about how you revitalize retired purses or how people can carry an original painting with them.<br /><br />I think Etsy is going to be a hard venue for you to sell your bags. Trying to find a purse on Etsy is nearly impossible, especially since people tag so many non-purse items as purses. Discovering one single seller in the ocean of etsy purses is a long shot, especially if people sort by price. I would say you need to do exactly what you're doing now, which is to get recognized by bloggers and people with high-traffic sites so your unique designs can be seen.<br /><br />Another thing you need to do is list more. You don't have a lot of items, which is understandable since art is not exactly something you can mass-produce, but i would suggest maybe doing some less labor-intensive<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxCa-2mDMJ0gIcYATYZHHfsAl6wWnB0cEsrDq91sMU_HL-wsH7Ad19owutKm3oicmV0gRtLztCj8WU8tMHwhx01qjX1IZU2vzyJOcO_5q8NlhhBhyubripF-v6dRFLQFesBBoqZI7bTdmU/s1600/il_430xN.74898301.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxCa-2mDMJ0gIcYATYZHHfsAl6wWnB0cEsrDq91sMU_HL-wsH7Ad19owutKm3oicmV0gRtLztCj8WU8tMHwhx01qjX1IZU2vzyJOcO_5q8NlhhBhyubripF-v6dRFLQFesBBoqZI7bTdmU/s400/il_430xN.74898301.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496919793437421186" border="0" /></a>, less specific designs for a smaller price range to drive traffic to your shop. Make sure when you make sales to stick a bunch of business cards in your purse. The purses themselves will be a great advertisement.<br /><br />One thing that has really helped me is when customers from other forums and websites outside of Etsy buy from me, they are buying from *me* as a person, not my shop. I can get to know them and some people have taken a ton of my business cards and put them around workstations at their job. This one beautiful, beautiful and now very dear friend from Canada has been responsible for nearly 1/4 of my sales because she has gotten her family and co-workers to buy from me.<br /><br />Another thing I suggest is that you do some artwork that is more generic than faces, which might appeal to a broader customer base. I know it might seem cliche, but people aren't as fearless as you when it comes to taking a fashion risk, so they will feel a little more safe buying something with a design or symbol that stands out but not as much as a face.<br /><br />Your profile is cool. It's zany and free-spirited, like you. I think you've captured yourself, there. I always tell my students that I'm a treasure hunter, not a teacher. I like to find treasures which are in plain sight, but my trained eye and knowledge allow me to know how very rare and special some things are that others may think are just junk. I like to show a geode that I cut in half to my kids, first whole as a lumpy brown rock, then the amazing crystal formation in the middle. Maybe you could use your treasure-hunting idea as inspiration to help people find your shop. You could even blog about how shitty the experience can be if you're looking for a purse on Etsy, and how HennessyHandbags is the place to be if you want a truly unique treasure.<br /><br />You have a great business idea and your shop is set up nicely. I am afraid that no matter how hard you try, Etsy is going to be a hard venue for you to sell unless you get your product volume up and add some variety to your designs so you have a more broad chance of keyword searches coming across your shop.<br /><br />You get five WTF points for this:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/51045652/my-wtf-etsy-contest-purse"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 397px; height: 295px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVNnYpqcaq8aLWT0hvRQGdnzvkzSiP3a-_vSbGYtu4DQCHqymaJmXIzfazmviMcb8ZCdII0rO8uI6qkgLIsNcPRvLtMQQh8HQq2aG8yhNGWnCEGp8XbEDzPqLB7ItsmMDiPYKA09Uu-eNA/s400/il_fullxfull.156809728.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496918357554414866" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2RK5Bmb-bkQKopZFh5mX0r1WyGxfd-EfQHVT_aWgpJ_PLUA0kiR0jmZO9tNuHQCTU4OAhyphenhyphenwzhJxOD3KFba2lSzDXa1BeLOuflalTFF0SaCyrg8LybyDQ-cymIEW89DrNXyUugPGYFWtbg/s1600/stamprating5.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 46px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2RK5Bmb-bkQKopZFh5mX0r1WyGxfd-EfQHVT_aWgpJ_PLUA0kiR0jmZO9tNuHQCTU4OAhyphenhyphenwzhJxOD3KFba2lSzDXa1BeLOuflalTFF0SaCyrg8LybyDQ-cymIEW89DrNXyUugPGYFWtbg/s400/stamprating5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496918918997916466" border="0" /></a>WTF Etsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06644767916649317067noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8133414435239346828.post-51579334080946008252010-07-16T16:45:00.000-07:002010-08-04T23:17:06.660-07:00Some WTF!? Moments Still Shock Even Me...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/iusb_760x100.6802269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img style="width: 397px; height: 52px;" src="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/iusb_760x100.6802269.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/46720895/reborn-lizard-alien-demon-doll" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.143741521.jpg" border="0" height="320" width="282" /></a></div>This shop was brought to my attention from the ever-growing <a href="http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6540373">WTF!? thread on Etsy's critique forum</a>. I just had to bring this to the light.<br /><br />For instance, if you'll take a look at this very unique doll to the left, you probably will experience a similar reaction. And yes, it is exactly what you're thinking it is, a reborn lizard alien demon doll (as stated in the title).<br /><blockquote>According to HeavenLeigh, the creator: </blockquote><blockquote><i>Meet Abe! What IS Abe? A chameleon? An alien? A fish hybrid? A lizard demon? Who knows. But he's weird and creepy and cute as heck. </i></blockquote>Dude, she even gave this little guy a name! Abe isn't the only shocker in the group, though. HeavenLeigh's shop elicits an emotional response much like a visit to the local Humane Society shelter, where you see how sad and pitiful the little mangled animals are and end up taking home an animal with only three legs and looking fresh off the set of an episode of South Park. But, somehow, he is cute.<br /><br />And then there's the advice you wish you had taken from your mother:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/50550696/bloody-wedding-day-disaster-doll-with" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_430xN.155143546.jpg" border="0" height="400" width="328" /></a></div><br />Depleted uranium is not listed in the materials for this item:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/51520442/newborn-vampire-baby-doll" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img style="width: 388px; height: 291px;" src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.158389362.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br />And she even has seasonal holiday decor! How festive!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/48368704/demonic-feast-centerpiece?ref=v1_other_2" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img style="width: 394px; height: 162px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV0q2imAKpQjK7G_BAi062FVm8cXAQzJrKNaMZ6F4xC6SOwoOheDX2TgfbEQ2OTV-f_SbGjdoheCd9vz0h9fngPQ6jIR5uJ-MU8aE95rd03oZFmcLZGEcKmt1WIkHbSHzxIAuiBwbwZTdz/s640/Untitled-5.jpg" border="0" /></a></div>WTF Etsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06644767916649317067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8133414435239346828.post-34515887271457603742010-07-14T11:44:00.000-07:002010-08-04T23:18:00.502-07:00Etsy Shop Critique - Tazzybaby<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP5UncDhZkQ4CAHOfAjkNk7ZeUsVim4QU7kP8qkJh6jSSPWUvQs77MqT9YvcdGolFcXmiY_ivr85jfswVW0jQKrTY66vQjhKoSRT1_7olgSAiW_gG19VroSoBjQ6UcvHixG8Adb3X9Q5hm/s1600/iusb_760x100.7378875.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492829165120934482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP5UncDhZkQ4CAHOfAjkNk7ZeUsVim4QU7kP8qkJh6jSSPWUvQs77MqT9YvcdGolFcXmiY_ivr85jfswVW0jQKrTY66vQjhKoSRT1_7olgSAiW_gG19VroSoBjQ6UcvHixG8Adb3X9Q5hm/s400/iusb_760x100.7378875.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 52px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 397px;" border="0" /></a>Tazzy, I have good news and bad news. I'm afraid that I am going to have to give you the good news first in hopes that you don't end up in the fetal position by the end of this critique. The good news is that we can fix it....<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6DOUXCioRhfZZgJM8JlPTARyHeetVry5iPwIkc0ms-m9ymhfPOCL2kMlFcODJHbewS-HF_zVbe1u-7NcNJU76b8XpIbgAfRqZBSQBj3mDAyWOEplbgLMb1S7cxx_chewsYUrtpWMiXe8s/s1600/577744.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492837019240978610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6DOUXCioRhfZZgJM8JlPTARyHeetVry5iPwIkc0ms-m9ymhfPOCL2kMlFcODJHbewS-HF_zVbe1u-7NcNJU76b8XpIbgAfRqZBSQBj3mDAyWOEplbgLMb1S7cxx_chewsYUrtpWMiXe8s/s400/577744.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 17px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 244px;" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />What do we need to fix? Everything.<br />The first thing that we need to talk about is the overall visual theme. You can have a shop in which all different kinds of products are sold, but you need to at least have some sort of visual theme or consistency. Yours has a theme, and it's the theme of a grandmother's yard sale. I'm not talking about a nice estate sale; I'm referring to mothball-scented, 60 years of dime-store-clearance-bin-shopping-and-hoarding grandmother's yardsale. Your shop is just ugly for no good reason. This is a store that is going to take a lot of work, but you can make it a successful place with your talents and with some business savvy.<br />There is art and there is science, and we are going to work on the science of your shop. The art is your talent, and the science is what we learn, practice, and continually refine to improve our shops. This is going to be a crash course in the science of Etsy selling. The first thing I want to talk about in regards to your shop's visual unseemly inelegance is the banner. Now, this isn't a terrible banner, but it does need work. The font is bulky, and the colors are not appealing or complementary. Eggplant purple font with periwinkle and baby blue is just not a good combination. You want to think of crisp, bold, clean imagery, and less is usually better. Let's draw a contrast:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ8wMLpuXCXuFoab9QCQIE2ktwrE-50NpqvHADTIZJtpr3sIOu0fJcXeqHxqQWtex_ix9tfkackl93m2n5tOlBIHjXW291oLGvi96tqSSeaAnSs_Afq2hsT5EpzIMgCs7PypanmROH4jxO/s1600/tazzy.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492853424546782322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ8wMLpuXCXuFoab9QCQIE2ktwrE-50NpqvHADTIZJtpr3sIOu0fJcXeqHxqQWtex_ix9tfkackl93m2n5tOlBIHjXW291oLGvi96tqSSeaAnSs_Afq2hsT5EpzIMgCs7PypanmROH4jxO/s400/tazzy.jpg" style="display: block; height: 51px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 390px;" border="0" /></a></div><br />In the banner above, the edges are rounded and the image is framed in a border so that it doesn't just clumsily form a block at the top of the page. The colors provide a vivid contrast for a bigger impact. I put "gallery" instead of "yarnables" because I don't know too many people who get excited about "yarn." Another reason I changed it to gallery is because you absolutely MUST [ don't make me take my belt off ] consolidate your two shops. You do not have enough products to justify two stores. See my <a href="http://www.wtfetsy.com/2010/04/almighty-law-of-odds-and-averages.html">laws of odds and averages here</a> if you'd like more of a justification on why that would be a better move. [ feel free to use the banner ]<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Now, your product pictures are Fugly. I'm not referring to the image resolution or the lighting, I'm talking about the pictures themselves. Your products need to be showcased. The quality of a product is what ensures you have return customers, but the packaging and the marketing is what gets you the customers in the first place. People shopping online have nothing to go on when choosing a product outside of what you show them, so you have to make it *look* pretty. Your biggest infraction is your choice of backgrounds. For instance, check out these images:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgswqEA2CStwnSDcIr7sW_bWXdQ13vdIcp48jANH02rSmvMb_2eeK-g7DA7x0s81_7deg_LkZRsXC34AcYLN7FbfrfznV0IA7YdhDzEhBK4CoKhhtYC3Z2Uw8pz6anu35TKeNNGv-tGL83T/s1600/beforeafter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img style="width: 391px; height: 229px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgswqEA2CStwnSDcIr7sW_bWXdQ13vdIcp48jANH02rSmvMb_2eeK-g7DA7x0s81_7deg_LkZRsXC34AcYLN7FbfrfznV0IA7YdhDzEhBK4CoKhhtYC3Z2Uw8pz6anu35TKeNNGv-tGL83T/s640/beforeafter.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br />Ideally, you wouldn't use a patterned, fabric background, but see how the original colors just do not look right with red, but how using a colorless background in the second images makes the red pop? The colors in the original images look dirty and just exactly the wrong colors to complement a red ring. With a little experimentation, a white sheet of poster board, and some sunlight, you could do some fantastic photography. Pick up a magazine, find some well-photographed products, then don't press the shutter on your digital camera until the scene on the viewfinder (color, angle, lighting) looks very similar to the one in the magazine.<br /><br />So, no more couches, no more lumpy fabric, no more old floral patterned sheets, and no more browns as background colors.<br /><br />Now, if you can crochet well enough to come up with an item like that teddy bear, then you need to get creative with your stuffed animals. Make some unique stuffed animals which can't be found at a traditional store. If I could sew/knit/crochet or any other means of assembling textiles, I would make some weird stuff. Other people would buy that stuff. Get creative. Make an amoeba, a soda can, a rainbow, a bumble bee dressed as a dominatrix, a jellyfish, a pincushion shaped like a megaphone [ the riot variety, not the cheerleading sort ], etc.<br /><br />Some of your products, like your ruffle scarf, have potential to be very high fashion, but your shop just needs to be a better frame for it. Your dull colors, bad background images, and reluctant models just make your shop look frumpy. It's got such potential, like a model wearing sweatpants, no make-up, no bra, and not having brushed her hair in a week. For instance, imagine a little edge to your products. Here is your ruffle scarf:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/41351745/hand-crochet-ruffle-scarf-includes" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitxF5JRrCcsgs3TvJXDqxE5ViZar1COIvGM5KRAbdFo3YS_1ocjy4Hy2NA29w_XUh0jpaIsuETNv7U5MVi1QmWtn6yP0Ysb4xkWwsHc1ShT7HW-u2UTKuxA3Q2g7mSSlo_idsCu1Vnv5E-/s320/i2l_fullxfull.jpg" border="0" width="270" /></a></div><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/41351745/hand-crochet-ruffle-scarf-includes" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDXqcuDLQTO7DAOq9zHxiZfn_won-joKYJI13YFOIEZgZWM3KrCqobY1fc1cAmauWcIQx_fJ1KmWf8D1gYif7rne7a7izumoMxpl5pQ9ECsEAYtSoY4Hpx5uq_1Im53tlnWQ6k6mUwOakx/s320/il_fullxfull.150063482.jpg" border="0" width="270" /></a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />All I did was adjust the colors some, but that item went from shabby to shabby chic.<br /><br />In the few photos you have a person modeling the products, the model looks like she does not want to be in the picture. There's one with a hat and hair covering the eyes, and the image is cropped right up to the image. Whoever your model is, if he/she doesn't want to be in pictures, then just skip the model. I would love to have live models for my products, but I don't want to bother my friends to come over and take pictures and that just means more time and photoshopping to sell a product that isn't making enough money to justify the time and effort. You could buy a mannequin for very cheap (or a dress form), or just find something cute at a thrift shop to use as a prop. <b style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">NO BROWNS</b> [ unless it's some cute distressed bronze, like a globe or wine rack. ]<br /><br /><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd3uQkw_pBZCH2iWj0ysX6oKCRo1uYvIbMyJ_VwkuTeaNGotYFFO7Qdq0G_R1J6oiH93IKGkz8XBe1G1nybYTA8fvkOPNEAqWDEEG30aeH-x9umMVQOSu8LjZOKddbTrXtXzvfEoaq6KBq/s1600/il_430xN.150060110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd3uQkw_pBZCH2iWj0ysX6oKCRo1uYvIbMyJ_VwkuTeaNGotYFFO7Qdq0G_R1J6oiH93IKGkz8XBe1G1nybYTA8fvkOPNEAqWDEEG30aeH-x9umMVQOSu8LjZOKddbTrXtXzvfEoaq6KBq/s200/il_430xN.150060110.jpg" border="0" height="200" width="181" /></a></div><span style=";font-family:Times,";" >Oh, Shit! I just found this image and had to come back to make a point. This is a picture of a model wearing a frumpy old T-shirt, SWEAT PANTS, and standing in front of a big tire in a patch of muddy unmanicured lawn! This can't happen... ever. This just epitomizes what makes your shop less inviting than it should be. How much time did you spend making that purse? What is your target audience? Do you want to send a message that your hard work was for a purse that people wear when going out to feed the pigs? </span></blockquote><br />This is an excerpt from your profile:<br /><blockquote style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMqHAlYBEVGBYLWWToe4GW-m4cFMen3lH1S2DN6uBeTNj2BW7gmgUgHKLmC_bq4nh1niLtyEfMGJErTC6xv59nYHmFxDy0gs_4EOeeVJz3OlXRIjSA4wzlHyhK4cUqgSDFJuuMCi-u-b40/s1600/1b680d7e71177c1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMqHAlYBEVGBYLWWToe4GW-m4cFMen3lH1S2DN6uBeTNj2BW7gmgUgHKLmC_bq4nh1niLtyEfMGJErTC6xv59nYHmFxDy0gs_4EOeeVJz3OlXRIjSA4wzlHyhK4cUqgSDFJuuMCi-u-b40/s320/1b680d7e71177c1a.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><h3>Bio</h3>I'm going to give a short bio because quite frankly I am a talker and it sometimes comes out in writing also. It can be quite annoying to my audience as well as myself. I may add some more at a later date. We'll see.</blockquote><br />This is rancid and rife with insecurity. This isn't the kind of self-effacing that's funny, this is like Eeyore on Valium. Your bio and your shop reflect a person who doesn't have enough pride in herself and her work. WOMAN, SNAP OUT OF IT! Damn. You have serious talent, so stop being so lazy and work on your presentation. One of my favorite quotes, right up there with the epic Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. caveats, is <b><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:";" >"You better fake it 'til you make it!"</span></b><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuXNb1mS1JqebKmp77AQAKRpzvqXLmXS5_6_HbxgVe-bLcxQvjlxkep2J6e131f1_1Wt02t9OoroPYtNM-gTwFBObJh3yvyJye3xQsIW4Y0V-Z-en0kADK97ucVBYVp6ij_vJU-dAh325k/s1600/il_430xN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuXNb1mS1JqebKmp77AQAKRpzvqXLmXS5_6_HbxgVe-bLcxQvjlxkep2J6e131f1_1Wt02t9OoroPYtNM-gTwFBObJh3yvyJye3xQsIW4Y0V-Z-en0kADK97ucVBYVp6ij_vJU-dAh325k/s320/il_430xN.jpg" border="0" /></a>If you just list five things in a month, take the time to get five good, well-photographed, well-described items that you can feel proud to put online. There are a lot of sellers on Etsy who get serious sales with their crochet and knit items, and you should be one of those.<br /><br />You have some great photographs on your OSG Designs website, but this is something I can't get past:<br />It's okay if you're not a prissy girly-girl. I'm not either, but at least cut them off before putting it out there. On a side note, and this is totally not your fault, but those aren't Swarovski crystals. They could be as good as or better than Swarovski, but a lot of sellers list their crystals as Swarovski when they aren't. If it's beautiful, people won't care either way [ unless they are of low cognitive capacity ].<br /><br />On to your products: you do have some great items, and you have some items that might be hurting your shop more than helping it. If you have a product or two or three on your shop that is just not up to par with the competition, then that might send a subconscious message to buyers that you don't have pride in your work or that you aren't savvy on what is attractive. Really evaluate if what you've made is something people will want to buy over other things on the Etsy marketplace. Experiment and ask for honest opinions if people would want to buy something that you just made, or if there are other items people would want for 15-30 in the same category.<br /><br />My personal feeling is this: I think you should think about the items that you want to sell and the craft you are best at, then focus on that arena. My opinion is that your crocheted items are better and more marketable than your jewelry items. I think you could very easily sell your crocheted gift bags as reusable gift bags, and then people on Etsy would buy them from your shop to add as a gift for their items. They are cute, practical, and "green." Other people would buy them for gift-giving, too. Just make some complimentary colors and sell them in lots of 3-5, add a rich satin ribbon (Tiffany style), and voila! You have a niche market that is unique to your shop. I would buy those.<br /><br />Go look at some color palletes online, or even look at the color swatches in the paint section of department/home improvement stores to see what colors look good together if you're having an artistic block. It's like creative viagra when you're lost on what to make.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoZSqVPDoqYjrRJXiZtCKK4Mx7dNd-IwzZb_FtjovbBB1jOddAkjiB6d0YC2xViztpfJFNOc7VShYI0xmw7NKK7dVoS5VYg4HhkpZjA6ui586lzU6wsv0kQ-Qd5GUrSNMib4jn5zIQG2Ng/s1600/il_fullxfull.150065488.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoZSqVPDoqYjrRJXiZtCKK4Mx7dNd-IwzZb_FtjovbBB1jOddAkjiB6d0YC2xViztpfJFNOc7VShYI0xmw7NKK7dVoS5VYg4HhkpZjA6ui586lzU6wsv0kQ-Qd5GUrSNMib4jn5zIQG2Ng/s200/il_fullxfull.150065488.jpg" border="0" height="200" width="179" /></a></div>Lastly, just look at this image. Why is this model wearing a frumpy black T-shirt with a hole in it? This looks to me like someone with beautiful, clear ivory skin, and it even looks like I see red hair, one of the sexiest genetic gifts with which a person could ever be bestowed. Why is this person wearing this shirt to model jewelry? It's okay if she just painted a house, but that is the extent of it. Red heads are supposed to be fierce! [ I personally fit every red-head stereotype out there, so I have no hesitation about using sweeping generalizations in regards to us fiery femmes. ]<br /><br />I don't want you to change how you are, but you have to change how your shop is if you want to make money from it. You don't have to be superficial or materialistic to make sales, but you do have to be proud, confident, and enthusiastic about your products and about yourself as the artist. You can buy a tank top or a sexy V-neck shirt for your model for under ten dollars in whatever style you want. Would you take a trophy for your crowning achievement or an heirloom from your favorite relative and sit it in the bathroom floor right beside the toilet plunger? You'd put it somewhere on display, somewhere special, clean, and pretty, or you'd keep it somewhere private where you can look at it when you need to be reminded. Etsy needs to be your trophy case, and you need to be proud of your trophies.<br /><br />Tazzy, I want you to message me as often as you want if there is anything I can do (banners, photo tips, product advice, etc.) until we get your shop WTF'n awesome.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheoA7ICoHRuKjUzNODEfrWQMpwB4Q4Ymw5oC_fY4pl7L86sfuBc5GE-93xO8XG40T_SDQOhwcCwmZlf59FYKAAi3r9UKx4hfHCnYodEw6fevBAWypFDPorclgr9xK_tlY4XrdN-GvLM9WO/s1600/stamprating2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheoA7ICoHRuKjUzNODEfrWQMpwB4Q4Ymw5oC_fY4pl7L86sfuBc5GE-93xO8XG40T_SDQOhwcCwmZlf59FYKAAi3r9UKx4hfHCnYodEw6fevBAWypFDPorclgr9xK_tlY4XrdN-GvLM9WO/s320/stamprating2.jpg" border="0" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8133414435239346828.post-66903573130183308922010-07-07T21:01:00.000-07:002010-08-04T23:18:13.449-07:00Etsy Shop Critique - ArtAngel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/artangel" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img style="width: 413px; height: 54px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv-zeebpmZcwFgQJSPp_iKLvoelmh0BB3A6j1eUdDyLFKoDvRtnIYF19r3SLtk62JYCP29FDoqCN70s8HYhhgzZL0FjQhAf95Vq17yuhoUJveLRCmL5bFaEViBGICJMwRsx42BYLNqf90L/s640/iusb_760x100.7078045.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/39704763/original-affordable-art-modern-abstract" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.120026202.jpg" border="0" height="269" width="320" /></a> First impression is that this shop really suits my style. I like the art, the theme, and the prevalent colors with the rich reds, teals, and browns. The imagery in this collection is representative of what's "in" in the art world right now, a conglomeration of antique-influenced elements, mixed media, and iconic images like birds, keys, flowers, hearts, and butterflies. I recognize that a lot of people may criticize some artists who use images which are "in," saying that the art is cliche or unoriginal, but those people are idiots.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/39704763/original-affordable-art-modern-abstract" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_430xN.120027167.jpg" border="0" height="250" width="320" /></a>[ <i>Soapbox dissertation: If you feel like you are the arbiter of what is valid artistically, then you are probably just some pissed-off emo artist who is angry because nobody is making a connection to your obscuro pseudodark recycled scrapyard sculptures. Your whining is cliche, an age-old argument made by broke and disgruntled creatives for centuries. In fact, your ancestors were probably the impotent tribesmen at the bottom of the caste sitting around complaining about how prosaic and banal the commoners' cave drawings were. Art is practiced best when a collective consciousness is involved, and people individualize what inspires them.</i> ]<br /><br />Thank you, ArtAngel, for your patience in enduring my aside.<br /><br />I think that your square mini-paintings are a perfect product for an Etsy seller. They are recession-friendly, simple, chic, and fun. The way you've taken pictures of multiple similar items helps even more to encourage your customers to see the cohesive picture they create when combined with other mini-paintings. This is smart policy and marketing, greatly increasing your chances of repeat buyers.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/artangel" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8QGLRNPAlS6gZmiqrEnO_RMBnQ601YApPElxJuCO90HBEqqpLfhQ2w1bihZQTXpappoBJh4RzlkXaQzpgKy2jIqu7ahKrgdbr-uzncmlBBKLmGvbWzQCn7q9VXXg9_0Np_UqjBWSkjzH3/s320/Untitled-4.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Your profile is accessible and well-written. By stating your philosophy about the price of the art, you've sent the message that your low prices do not mean that your art is in some way less valuable. You found a way to communicate some of your credentials and technique without sounding arrogant, and also a way to relate personal information by making it relevant to your art. For example, this line was a great way to mention that you are a mother: "...and to my son's embarrassment I’m forever picking up bits of rusty metal in the street, or rescuing crumpled bits of paper from going into the bin!" The small change I would recommend with the written elements of your store (profile, descriptions, etc.) is that you abstain from use of the exclamation point. Picking up bits of metal from the street with a period at the end makes me think of a person with an artistic awareness of her surroundings. Picking up bits of metal from the street with an exclamation mark at the end makes me think of an insane homeless person with a scrap metal shrine in her cardboard box fashioned in the shape of the Taj Mahal. You do get a soft WTF point for your overuse of enthusiastic punctuation marks.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/38978341/forever-love-original-mixed-media-art-on" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.117546334.jpg" border="0" height="257" width="320" /></a></div>I think your item prices are fair and your shipping is reasonable. I would love to put your art around my house, and everything in your shop just seems to match what I already have. In fact, the Forever Love mini-painting is the same color as my bedroom walls, and the Lotus Flower is the same color as my bedroom floor. I am your target market.<br /><br />You're a talented writer, intuitive enough to have found a balance between personal and professional, and effective marketing seems to come natural to you. As I browse your descriptions and shop policies, I see signs of that intuition all over your shop.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://artangeloriginalart.blogspot.com/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHAYdq6m0MTqYKR0uynNap95C39v771MezTQV7B37IVP3beTB9_ChiMEEcuuXlmRnwnq6Q8iHQJo1j0BcIxRM3wEnTDPkxwCkfWBD87gKt8M8QG31IzZMAAM8grahNoOjwHQ3RNXDCJWpl/s320/Untitled-5.jpg" border="0" height="288" width="320" /></a></div>On a side note, I did visit your <a href="http://artangeloriginalart.blogspot.com/">blog</a> and was really pleased to see the little blurb about synesthesia on your most recent post. I'm a synesthete. You may have noticed in a few of the earlier critiques that I tried to express how I don't experience aesthetic stimuli in traditional ways. I have a host of neurological anomalies on my cerebral rap sheet, so it was just cool to come across that and the cool book recommendation. I am going to have to pick that one up next time I go out. This has nothing to do with anything, but I assign anthropomorphic qualities to numbers. When I resize images in photoshop, I often avoid certain number combinations because I feel that they may curse the blog/product/item to which the image is attached or that sometimes the object of the picture is not worthy of the number combination. Logically, that's silly, but such is the madness behind the WTF Empire.<br /><br />But, nice <a href="http://artangeloriginalart.blogspot.com/">blog</a>. :-) It's very refreshing when Etsy sellers promote other artists. It's just revealing of your character, which makes you a seller whose shop I would patronize.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje6mUogxrmYCTPId5UgGw4dnhw3PRBONHjpR1QJkhsZpo53_s55-U4ur41EmZKEBxg69006VBHL3TAE3cf0E2-Q5ccG319FKO-K1YKoX0IP-vq8XTwOeExcW9lUck11gsVxMEjzWDNazLm/s1600/stampratingsoft1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje6mUogxrmYCTPId5UgGw4dnhw3PRBONHjpR1QJkhsZpo53_s55-U4ur41EmZKEBxg69006VBHL3TAE3cf0E2-Q5ccG319FKO-K1YKoX0IP-vq8XTwOeExcW9lUck11gsVxMEjzWDNazLm/s320/stampratingsoft1.jpg" border="0" /></a></div>WTF Etsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06644767916649317067noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8133414435239346828.post-45424962665085884692010-07-07T18:29:00.000-07:002010-08-04T23:18:23.159-07:00Etsy Shop Critique - AmyCantini<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/amycantini" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img style="width: 420px; height: 55px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8nZBaWbcjHtH8v1w-O3n5v6J2H688hsDbaMM-pvRDAL05egNqU5xJQ2lgtDBlE4HCuI5ldg7rIkeN8Zk5jgcOFeSO0Uie79NeAfT7yjrvG0iHgV248VaTRNZmndw15oU1mCUWKb8b20f/s640/iusb_760x100.7466717.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/46770547/angel-and-iron-in-chrome-vellum" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.143906391.jpg" border="0" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>Before you ever ventured into <a href="http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6540373&page=1">this thread</a>, I had already favorited your shop. I'm starting to get a little performance anxiety about doing these critiques like I have to be funny and ruthless in them, but I'm not finding much around your place about which I can laugh.<br /><br />Your banner is great. The font is perfect, and the fingertips in the right corner give it an unearthly, ethereal air which complements the theme of your shop. I've seen a lot of etsy artists try to pull off the antique, ghosts-of-the-past motif in their shops, but they haven't gotten there. Your shop totally pulls it off. I love your greeting cards and framed pendants.<br /><br />I hope this doesn't disappoint, but I don't have a lot of advice to give you. One of the only things I can suggest is that since jewelry is such a lightweight, small item and relatively cheap to ship, you might put free shipping in your tags and offer free shipping on your items.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/amycantini" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_430xN.147878777.jpg" border="0" height="200" width="200" /></a>Your photos are stunning, and they meld with the theme of your shop. I like how you use some of your paper products as photo props in your other items. I think that other shopkeepers who sell small items should take a standard picture like the image you have of how your items look wrapped, which makes them a little more special than items which will show up in a wad of tape and bubble wrap.<br /><br />[ Just as an aside, if anyone out there sends your items in taped up styrofoam, so that when the recipient tried to open it, little balls of polystyrene mess ends up statically charged and stuck all over the recipient's floor, clothes, and the item, then you should be force-fed styrofoam and highly carbonated seltzer water until you explode ]<br /><br />This line from your profile is one of those subtle messages I've mentioned in other stores that brings thoughts from the subconscious to the conscious mind and causes them to make a personal connection with your store: "A one stop shop for the perfect little gift that you didn't know you wanted til you saw it."<br /><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/47868336/oil-slick-artisan-lampwork-necklace" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.146199822.jpg" border="0" height="320" width="320" /></a>I got a little turned on when I read your descriptions. You actually sent me to a dictionary once, which is a rare treat for me. I have a head full of trivia and will probably one day beat Ken Jennings on Jeopardy, but I now know the history and chemical composition behind borosilicate glass. I have the periodic table memorized, and I assumed that it was some boron/silicon dioxide amalgam, but didn't know the ties to pyrex glass and its thermal resilience.<br /><br />Your colors, item names, descriptions, avatar, and items themselves all work together to make a storybook shop like a dark fairytale, and I wish you the best. You've got a great shop.<br /><span style="font-size:xx-small;"> </span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT0HiXn24YBX1aGtPO3W6nnqlvJT0u4PWUj71UkteCy-7_e4VqjlJ3-AC0IYRbzVjeME5wb6YHUU9Skv_sSvR60ij-a-D98fTaQoKLEXFKSst10gbXNKFOHy7RwBZfuqicz0_eiSZoaJPx/s1600/stamprating0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT0HiXn24YBX1aGtPO3W6nnqlvJT0u4PWUj71UkteCy-7_e4VqjlJ3-AC0IYRbzVjeME5wb6YHUU9Skv_sSvR60ij-a-D98fTaQoKLEXFKSst10gbXNKFOHy7RwBZfuqicz0_eiSZoaJPx/s200/stamprating0.jpg" border="0" height="39" width="200" /></a>WTF Etsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06644767916649317067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8133414435239346828.post-14525314194516683472010-07-07T13:54:00.000-07:002010-08-04T23:18:35.422-07:00Oh my...Just saw this scrolling through the new listings on Etsy and had to blog it. This is WTFtacular. I don't usually post my random Etsy finds, but this just moved me to have to do it.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/19641520/pizazz-modern-art-object-sculpture?ref=fp_recent" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img style="width: 437px; height: 393px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZFH-5EOmrA29r4CN54HtEjszD3Fv5513bSegokiod_dxurphSEfbMdCt2xE5DXv9YwR8tpvrV9amSyQJTJ5FSIbdK5ubz0rwsxKIw4H79BtXsZIxqYz4fb8sJRCP7cdJWxSiFeHAZpRy/s640/Pizazz+Modern+Art+Object+-+Sculpture+by+Psculptures+on+Etsy_1278535810368.png" border="0" /></a></div><br />Pizzaz sculpture: 95<br />Shipping: 10<br />WTF Shock value: pricelessWTF Etsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06644767916649317067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8133414435239346828.post-40551763718839038682010-07-05T16:26:00.000-07:002010-08-04T23:18:46.053-07:00Etsy Shop Critique - CoolcorcCritique of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/CoolCorC"><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;">CoolCorC</span></a>'s <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;">Etsy</span> Shop:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/CoolCorC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.134551497.jpg" border="0" height="176" width="320" /></a></div>I love your shop and the idea. I like environmentally-friendly handmade shops.<br /><br />First reaction: when I see your items, I get excited thinking about how the natural brown "<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;">corc</span>" is like a canvas. I would find ways to customize your products to make them "mine." The journal is especially inviting. <br /><br />It's also nice when I see that people use their shops and tie them in with community/local business. that's a venture that i would like to get into, but the cultural/arts scene here pretty much doesn't go beyond the war monuments and civil war statues that pop up around town. <br /><br />you have a respectable business, and I like the fact that you have the informative website on your announcement to give more insight into your biz's purpose and motivation. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/CoolCorC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_430xN.137342161.jpg" border="0" height="182" width="320" /></a>The only suggestion I have (which earns you two <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;">WTF</span> points) is that you choose a different avatar picture. To someone who doesn't know what it is or what to expect, seeing that picture looks like a prison tattoo on a man's arm... which also made the banner (which is nice, by the way) slightly ironic that the last image frame has the word "beautiful" immediately under it. The item itself <i>is</i> beautiful, but it's not easy to see what it is in that picture. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg_MfNshE8noU9jd4kY_AGJNkr8cky8JhyphenhyphenjTLmYaDpLeNo0Mkjf2yRsheiRihoO4IXVLkoWtGQy85mPBiYkodawfXPIiqhzilt8WYznK5frqPmN_49Sv6Uf7rvFyj3UKcK3YhftbcBfKAg/s1600/stamprating2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg_MfNshE8noU9jd4kY_AGJNkr8cky8JhyphenhyphenjTLmYaDpLeNo0Mkjf2yRsheiRihoO4IXVLkoWtGQy85mPBiYkodawfXPIiqhzilt8WYznK5frqPmN_49Sv6Uf7rvFyj3UKcK3YhftbcBfKAg/s320/stamprating2.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.etsy.com/etsy_mini.js"></script><script type="text/javascript">new EtsyNameSpace.Mini(9052193, 'shop','thumbnail',3,5).renderIframe();</script>WTF Etsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06644767916649317067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8133414435239346828.post-18959215186720379312010-06-22T00:16:00.000-07:002010-08-04T23:19:00.785-07:00Show us your WTF craft space<div style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:";"><span style="font-size:large;">I'll show you mine if you show me yours...</span></div><br />This was a contest, but we've decided to keep it around as a fixture of WTF Etsy. Just for the sheer liberation you get from coming out of the crafting closet and making public your supply obsession, send me your pictures and a link to your Etsy shop (if you have an Etsy), and I'll post them to this page. You can attach the photos in an Etsy convo to <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/wtfsupplies">WTF Supplies</a> or email me at <a href="mailto:WTFetsy@gmail.com">WTFetsy@gmail.com</a>.<br /><br />The results are in:<br />With <span style="font-size:large;"><b><span style="color: rgb(56, 118, 29);">7%</span></b></span> of the vote, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/auntpamela">Aunt Pamela</a> gets off the hook easily with only a mild case of insanity<br />At <b style="color: rgb(191, 144, 0);"><span style="font-size:large;">27%</span></b>, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/SOiNTOiT">SOiNTOiT</a> has passed the obsessive benchmark and is moving dangerously close to maniacal<br />But at a staggering <b style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:large;">67%</span></b> of the vote, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/StoneTreasures">StoneTreasures</a> is going to need a young priest and an old priest<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8EpCEtqIxTbCsNVnXLdTpP2Rc6akbrXw9a9MxH2c-ZISKQidmLCi6eWcRk77ril40SHW3iw59dsDVo-1szbajESURvEeH9SPfrIeG-WT2nq0tQ5xlQ_d0qOMq7biVDgh3AD72Jay79daa/s1600/STONED.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img style="width: 463px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8EpCEtqIxTbCsNVnXLdTpP2Rc6akbrXw9a9MxH2c-ZISKQidmLCi6eWcRk77ril40SHW3iw59dsDVo-1szbajESURvEeH9SPfrIeG-WT2nq0tQ5xlQ_d0qOMq7biVDgh3AD72Jay79daa/s640/STONED.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><br />I was fortunate enough to get a couple extra pictures from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/StoneTreasures">StoneTreasures</a> after her initial submission.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGvxwUGOS6nLFkEOm30D_gEVhhSRdnQdhLcMNQOsNYW9gCICy9NtqjfeBx4DlBrgmZF08TKBpnUsrEqmt2RtxFxrXM9xkA-FLCLhFDM9t7mtDQogMRQCC_F2bDLTWfUIkiyG8yrDoSduN/s1600/DSC_0003_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img style="width: 189px; height: 284px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGvxwUGOS6nLFkEOm30D_gEVhhSRdnQdhLcMNQOsNYW9gCICy9NtqjfeBx4DlBrgmZF08TKBpnUsrEqmt2RtxFxrXM9xkA-FLCLhFDM9t7mtDQogMRQCC_F2bDLTWfUIkiyG8yrDoSduN/s320/DSC_0003_2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcXEywU8tbmY6QwPvWAQ2svNPEBmVoiqWZFzfDOFEWsd0iYXhX78FyNkEyYEQ8f-Zjey2k2DmWFkSJtqpHef_lGTExeryDspyc-rCaYjJptaJNW5A-ql6UKo5ZcDqHS-1UBqLAUs7CGyNO/s1600/DSC_0005222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcXEywU8tbmY6QwPvWAQ2svNPEBmVoiqWZFzfDOFEWsd0iYXhX78FyNkEyYEQ8f-Zjey2k2DmWFkSJtqpHef_lGTExeryDspyc-rCaYjJptaJNW5A-ql6UKo5ZcDqHS-1UBqLAUs7CGyNO/s320/DSC_0005222.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><br /><b>xXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX</b></div><br /><br />The whole premise of my Etsy supply store, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/wtfsupplies">WTF Supplies</a>, is that I'm a crafter out of control. As soon as I opened the shop, I started getting daily convos from other Etsians about how they are similarly insane and obsessive-compulsive when it comes to purchasing everything ever marketed in the range of your craft.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigvQv6H-lG6AHzrW3GslRbVKo-rBDFin5tAxnEty1eOV8LNEEpaI-zEFNzT-Sl6DbR0MT4p7-fiyxfVtg7O01Q-AsMpDSTI8nTyP4Ht3jQZic1xCM-Bex_krJOCBFF9uvc8CeuPDuQuwBB/s1600/stamp2+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigvQv6H-lG6AHzrW3GslRbVKo-rBDFin5tAxnEty1eOV8LNEEpaI-zEFNzT-Sl6DbR0MT4p7-fiyxfVtg7O01Q-AsMpDSTI8nTyP4Ht3jQZic1xCM-Bex_krJOCBFF9uvc8CeuPDuQuwBB/s200/stamp2+copy.jpg" border="0" height="148" width="200" /></a><br />So, are you the messy kind of obsessive with a craft space that would rival a Dr. Phil special about hoarders, or are you the neat kind with alphabetized, neatly organized wares? Does your craft space look like a holy shrine at a Unitarian Universalist church, or are you crafting in a dark basement corner that would make your buyers want to have your items blessed before they put them to use?<br /><br />Whether it's a bedroom niche, a whole room, a ritzy studio, a basement, or you have your items spread out over several areas, send in your pictures. I'll post them here and on June 14 we'll vote on which craft space most deserves the WTF!? stamp.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:large;"><b style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">How to Enter:</b></span> Just send your images and your Etsy username to <a href="mailto:WTFetsy@gmail.com">WTFetsy@gmail.com</a> or attach them in a convo to <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/wtfsupplies">WTFSupplies</a> on Etsy. Send up to three images of your craft space.<br /><br />The prize for this one is a lovely necklace donated by one of WTF's featured sellers, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/mcgino">McGino</a>, to commemorate the opening of her new Etsy store, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/justharry">Justharry</a>. McGino will send this necklace to your address. No purchase necessary. :-)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_430xN.143419695.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_430xN.143419695.jpg" border="0" height="200" width="132" /></a><a href="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_430xN.143419543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_430xN.143419543.jpg" border="0" height="200" width="200" /></a><a href="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_430xN.143419619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_430xN.143419619.jpg" border="0" height="200" width="151" /></a><br /><br /><br />Below, just for reference, is McGino's craft space:<br /><br /><div class="separator"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZj_T5gPW0iF6t-YhxXtxUoypigApoSXeIiHc40gR4a3ESzYZ-fKw0h4obofj4I78VAljGRDA06m-hpVPCfKY9NNiEwPFpRzM9JLh0mtnZI5QpoSllBT634brlXCvMhRKb_akxcLX07nWa/s1600/get_convo_image2+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZj_T5gPW0iF6t-YhxXtxUoypigApoSXeIiHc40gR4a3ESzYZ-fKw0h4obofj4I78VAljGRDA06m-hpVPCfKY9NNiEwPFpRzM9JLh0mtnZI5QpoSllBT634brlXCvMhRKb_akxcLX07nWa/s400/get_convo_image2+copy.jpg" border="0" height="305" width="400" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfRDctEiCsMDVKIdbvpy0Q0QF09_p3g_IQJizRu2K6uDAvayk1Vh1_Nrdmi72zBVrLDZGkpLHeelm_iY1GyzYbhi9MuO6KguCDOMPqjqzbP4PRPKFbyoxmbK2R2RcNQ9oK7P0gdXHacxLV/s1600/35STAMP+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfRDctEiCsMDVKIdbvpy0Q0QF09_p3g_IQJizRu2K6uDAvayk1Vh1_Nrdmi72zBVrLDZGkpLHeelm_iY1GyzYbhi9MuO6KguCDOMPqjqzbP4PRPKFbyoxmbK2R2RcNQ9oK7P0gdXHacxLV/s320/35STAMP+copy.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="page-break-before: always;"><br />________________________________________<br />And, for our first entry, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/auntpamela">Aunt Pamela's</a> space is relatively organized and only marginally excessive, but does exhibit signs of mild crafter's insanity. Well done, Aunt Pamela. The dog in the background adds a few extra coolness points. </div><br /><div class="separator"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgibJa9bK1NM9DcL90SzlL0w1VVeC55oTcY4JE1VsHXCa2cdRGuKk7ejHLJhUC0OPbQm-OLJ2dZzlpduDbx37-oXmwz83t4QOt2s2SnhBraewdqqhyN-4Ht4v1sa6NmYDf4idkD0GJ815eO/s1600/get_convo_image22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgibJa9bK1NM9DcL90SzlL0w1VVeC55oTcY4JE1VsHXCa2cdRGuKk7ejHLJhUC0OPbQm-OLJ2dZzlpduDbx37-oXmwz83t4QOt2s2SnhBraewdqqhyN-4Ht4v1sa6NmYDf4idkD0GJ815eO/s1600/get_convo_image22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgibJa9bK1NM9DcL90SzlL0w1VVeC55oTcY4JE1VsHXCa2cdRGuKk7ejHLJhUC0OPbQm-OLJ2dZzlpduDbx37-oXmwz83t4QOt2s2SnhBraewdqqhyN-4Ht4v1sa6NmYDf4idkD0GJ815eO/s320/get_convo_image22.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX8VnA796cUBxD_mBB_yy9p0v7X53svJ4NopjOpEBYcIKzWUzQjjZSTLHaWgVxOKxVm1k_0FMst6tMC3UuXxOnzZ7gMRHbvgqbJGyEIST0FP_IIK3edYnAtCeiif1XG_YlC9fRzP6iEDH2/s1600/275STAMP+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX8VnA796cUBxD_mBB_yy9p0v7X53svJ4NopjOpEBYcIKzWUzQjjZSTLHaWgVxOKxVm1k_0FMst6tMC3UuXxOnzZ7gMRHbvgqbJGyEIST0FP_IIK3edYnAtCeiif1XG_YlC9fRzP6iEDH2/s320/275STAMP+copy.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="background-color: white; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><br /></div><br /><div style="background-color: white; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><br /></div><br /><div style="background-color: white; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><br /></div><br /><div style="background-color: white; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-size:xx-small;">XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx</span><br /><span style="font-size:xx-small;"><span style="color:white;"></span></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFv22URgYScac7KkiZB17F7FLFME4z8SKex91sBXjTM_TLL1ZpAOZMJW872SUaI3P96hz5LH9Oe9OVqLZYZ35gfX-LElZa53UBy_1KVVc88siQKSJxHZ2NInKyCu9T9E6UMdePYLb8Lsfz/s1600/DSC_0006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFv22URgYScac7KkiZB17F7FLFME4z8SKex91sBXjTM_TLL1ZpAOZMJW872SUaI3P96hz5LH9Oe9OVqLZYZ35gfX-LElZa53UBy_1KVVc88siQKSJxHZ2NInKyCu9T9E6UMdePYLb8Lsfz/s400/DSC_0006.jpg" border="0" height="266" width="400" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJfz2FSTBGIAZzhxdMHARpEgvLx3GwlZqAWkpT9bDCRkxgmfUTccITiRRq1ayM6THe1RcvOlAB6AxoSlAIIxRtdeQSGa0j0gNcB7_gf4GW5Cw2SlTaC_1ECJZU-Z-V2SobchtFTKnV23E/s1600/DSC_0005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJfz2FSTBGIAZzhxdMHARpEgvLx3GwlZqAWkpT9bDCRkxgmfUTccITiRRq1ayM6THe1RcvOlAB6AxoSlAIIxRtdeQSGa0j0gNcB7_gf4GW5Cw2SlTaC_1ECJZU-Z-V2SobchtFTKnV23E/s200/DSC_0005.jpg" border="0" height="200" width="160" /></a><br /><br />This entry had me laughing so hard that I almost cried. If anyone is as bad as I am, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/StoneTreasures">Stonetreasures</a> on Etsy is close! This is an admirable level of crazy that I deeply respect. I think I may have even saw StoneTreasures on this show where two British old nannies...<br /><br />Wow, this is quite the stash. I badly want to go through those baskets. You, my new friend and crafting counterpart, were quickly approaching a level 5 WTF Craftaholic status at this point. It was only after a little friendly email dissertation that I discovered the icing on the cake. You can't say that she's disorganized or messy, because everything is in baggies or baskets or boxes or containers. Look at the stack of bead containers on her desk! She has a system, but I would hate to have to fill out her tax information!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_oTa1sgWNoYLSla_5YrchZbAmLBoCxUf-o-cK1RBEFF8WTBQSKKVwBk7DZKQzq0G_IVQhHxJI32JB3R_FSyT-VDheCwzdmYlpAQLxkvbIZiJeLezwxaFYvewcJc5otWsO-OPl2YLnDgFA/s1600/DSC_0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_oTa1sgWNoYLSla_5YrchZbAmLBoCxUf-o-cK1RBEFF8WTBQSKKVwBk7DZKQzq0G_IVQhHxJI32JB3R_FSyT-VDheCwzdmYlpAQLxkvbIZiJeLezwxaFYvewcJc5otWsO-OPl2YLnDgFA/s320/DSC_0004.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I would be remiss if I didn't mention that <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/StoneTreasures">StoneTreasures</a> asked me to *not* give her a prize if she wins because she is working on necklace number 2860. Having made more than 2,000 necklaces does influence your WTF Rating, but knowing that you are on number 2860 qualifies you for the first certifiable WTF Award Winner!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijxZ0FR30KwvGygGvQvrzKgJ2bHPyPss1U2am_Gx95P3CQC7JLy81MFfmL6y8H7IJSWOhQH7ms9r5Ube291OFJ39pNxm-bc7N254o4V2BrMrcyXz0TZI7tI7vUsg7Gl-ZNTqnBEAhHxBlt/s1600/zeb+cert+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img style="width: 435px; height: 351px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijxZ0FR30KwvGygGvQvrzKgJ2bHPyPss1U2am_Gx95P3CQC7JLy81MFfmL6y8H7IJSWOhQH7ms9r5Ube291OFJ39pNxm-bc7N254o4V2BrMrcyXz0TZI7tI7vUsg7Gl-ZNTqnBEAhHxBlt/s640/zeb+cert+copy.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><br /><b><span style="font-size:xx-small;">XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx</span></b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAEgcDX-ouNb7H-VeW3cWl91kaA6xKP5V2wVXuzcaY_8EzNmV2YuZU-1dq-nOl2B14-UB_dQvr8X2ke4-XNKcCjRIWPqoT3rvuPdmYOUFq0UugyBpkxzeQ5PwJcSP6OCDgcLFBBQi6oiV0/s1600/DSC00727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img style="width: 438px; height: 584px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAEgcDX-ouNb7H-VeW3cWl91kaA6xKP5V2wVXuzcaY_8EzNmV2YuZU-1dq-nOl2B14-UB_dQvr8X2ke4-XNKcCjRIWPqoT3rvuPdmYOUFq0UugyBpkxzeQ5PwJcSP6OCDgcLFBBQi6oiV0/s640/DSC00727.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhldeTHA2qv0jLJPCENZkIcHF6MhTZheQvR8Pay9axPe2cbqKQ-W_qcljC163Z5hs4_64l-K-Z8m-iw3G67qRQg3xlKnfXaJNag8ZfwxkaCD6p_Hq1lvUyf6RhKry6HYCOqQXLw9UfNv3U_/s1600/DSC00729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhldeTHA2qv0jLJPCENZkIcHF6MhTZheQvR8Pay9axPe2cbqKQ-W_qcljC163Z5hs4_64l-K-Z8m-iw3G67qRQg3xlKnfXaJNag8ZfwxkaCD6p_Hq1lvUyf6RhKry6HYCOqQXLw9UfNv3U_/s200/DSC00729.JPG" border="0" height="150" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size:xx-small;"><span style="font-size:small;">So, based on the inspiration I gleaned from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/StoneTreasures">Stonetreasure</a>, I found the guts to show a portion of my own stash. This represents a small corner of one room. Add a second room and a walk-in closet, and that would represent my stash. Also, I have a couple snaps of my desk. It was clean the morning before I took the pictures. I don't know why, but I have to get out hundreds of beads and findings to make a pair of earrings. It takes so long to start and stop. Why do I do this? </span></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheSHCFOaJp2ov3UXj1i3iFxrGfczbJCJPBoANXnVACrmFou4BDhmBjalbDSRVvcUqkpa9GsRSLftFgGVDQ19-F0cgYja4Uw8dpcDoc4YW6uWWhmJaCgEFxuLkVSD0g12dvMqHHzSOt9aTr/s1600/DSC00728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheSHCFOaJp2ov3UXj1i3iFxrGfczbJCJPBoANXnVACrmFou4BDhmBjalbDSRVvcUqkpa9GsRSLftFgGVDQ19-F0cgYja4Uw8dpcDoc4YW6uWWhmJaCgEFxuLkVSD0g12dvMqHHzSOt9aTr/s320/DSC00728.JPG" border="0" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAEgcDX-ouNb7H-VeW3cWl91kaA6xKP5V2wVXuzcaY_8EzNmV2YuZU-1dq-nOl2B14-UB_dQvr8X2ke4-XNKcCjRIWPqoT3rvuPdmYOUFq0UugyBpkxzeQ5PwJcSP6OCDgcLFBBQi6oiV0/s1600/DSC00727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheSHCFOaJp2ov3UXj1i3iFxrGfczbJCJPBoANXnVACrmFou4BDhmBjalbDSRVvcUqkpa9GsRSLftFgGVDQ19-F0cgYja4Uw8dpcDoc4YW6uWWhmJaCgEFxuLkVSD0g12dvMqHHzSOt9aTr/s1600/DSC00728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />_______________________________________________________________<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP4H3qO5kqE8L-OUOOnJCIrFeBXxe32ZpTLhfcIfTNnrtgDswyMOwfYajeRZFBW3nDWkc5QbVL1U7V0vpHwKL546eQOtrvcZWMlncgU9ct4Cz_NXoKfNr5f0JO34U0daGeHC4o9eXS-zYN/s1600/DSCN2641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP4H3qO5kqE8L-OUOOnJCIrFeBXxe32ZpTLhfcIfTNnrtgDswyMOwfYajeRZFBW3nDWkc5QbVL1U7V0vpHwKL546eQOtrvcZWMlncgU9ct4Cz_NXoKfNr5f0JO34U0daGeHC4o9eXS-zYN/s320/DSCN2641.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I ran into a cool retired teacher on Etsy's forums, who not only lives in WTF-worthy chaos, but also creates WTF chaotic art. Her desk does reveal her love of color, her obsession with supplies, and a compulsive desire to overstimulate her creative side. Her name is Pam and her shop is <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/SOiNTOiT">SOiNTOiT</a>. She has prints, collage paintings, cards, linocuts, acrylics, etc. that remind me, in a strange-but-pleasant way of Harlem (oh, to go back there...)<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqf9HQiLwH7GtQj5mYPqySzKvhettAqISCS8giZi3LxEnzyszVkVOKiu50Z_u3RcPU43SMrCZpIMq-2-LwfNMot2rwnMhi2jQtgw-XZ6A2gXdRQZ2WTztQhh4LIPyvk1QwpZkwvpE1Ac3G/s1600/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img style="width: 442px; height: 468px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqf9HQiLwH7GtQj5mYPqySzKvhettAqISCS8giZi3LxEnzyszVkVOKiu50Z_u3RcPU43SMrCZpIMq-2-LwfNMot2rwnMhi2jQtgw-XZ6A2gXdRQZ2WTztQhh4LIPyvk1QwpZkwvpE1Ac3G/s640/11.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQMETd4-RZEVkTJtVicMaJYOeFYG08JU3rXf8fgfK-WDMlmjqlldg5DoLSr50-sMt03p8LLT5OcWhOwDLoA6huxRw8XS5Poqkq0DUd8m0gkunk-ADubS7zh0sOYJYagCZ5bsOnSsA26G82/s1600/35STAMP+c5opy+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQMETd4-RZEVkTJtVicMaJYOeFYG08JU3rXf8fgfK-WDMlmjqlldg5DoLSr50-sMt03p8LLT5OcWhOwDLoA6huxRw8XS5Poqkq0DUd8m0gkunk-ADubS7zh0sOYJYagCZ5bsOnSsA26G82/s320/35STAMP+c5opy+copy.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.etsy.com/etsy_mini.js"></script><script type="text/javascript">new EtsyNameSpace.Mini(9052193, 'shop','thumbnail',3,4).renderIframe();</script>WTF Etsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06644767916649317067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8133414435239346828.post-55418898201039281742010-06-20T20:13:00.000-07:002010-09-13T17:09:22.918-07:00WTF Images for your Blog or Website<table border="2" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5"><tbody><tr> <th colspan="2" style="background-color: rgb(153, 0, 0); color: white;">Large WTF Rating Survivor Badge</th> </tr><tr> <td width="20%"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wtfetsy.com/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYv9-X-UhTNG4k6m41zy9BIhb33Rk7K6fj-aE8OMmrCdItL2tsZ2HvviHNKnsbVnMQjHIsN_s_HA_Ll1g8J-umI2hetROI0s3kn0CwAiUYEF_1e1D9BBIL0cQV39FfQQ0VNKa71ifC66R/s320/wtfsurvivor.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></td><td>To put this image on your website, copy the code below and paste it onto your page's HTML editor<br /><textarea><a href="http://www.wtfetsy.com" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYv9-X-UhTNG4k6m41zy9BIhb33Rk7K6fj-aE8OMmrCdItL2tsZ2HvviHNKnsbVnMQjHIsN_s_HA_Ll1g8J-umI2hetROI0s3kn0CwAiUYEF_1e1D9BBIL0cQV39FfQQ0VNKa71ifC66R/s320/wtfsurvivor.jpg" /></a></textarea></td> </tr></tbody></table><br /><table border="2" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5"><tbody><tr> <th colspan="2" style="background-color: rgb(153, 0, 0); color: white;">Small WTF Rating Survivor Badge</th> </tr><tr> <td width="20%"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wtfetsy.com/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG9r582Y6XYy0yuYlT83ZDFRp2v0cyCvXF7qknfaar_IaoxE7nqd5d5mOYen8V25MP97T9bVhMbBQMeQ1edwg-bj1C4lJ0mOPZ9HeOc2CJaaL7r82tUl3MX9SQwjmBWt9P4AM7ayTLCNv2/s320/wtfsurvivor2.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></td><td>To put this image on your website, copy the code below and paste it onto your page's HTML editor<br /><textarea><a href="http://www.wtfetsy.com" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG9r582Y6XYy0yuYlT83ZDFRp2v0cyCvXF7qknfaar_IaoxE7nqd5d5mOYen8V25MP97T9bVhMbBQMeQ1edwg-bj1C4lJ0mOPZ9HeOc2CJaaL7r82tUl3MX9SQwjmBWt9P4AM7ayTLCNv2/s320/wtfsurvivor2.jpg" /></a></textarea></td> </tr></tbody></table><br /><table border="2" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2"><tbody><tr> <th colspan="2" style="background-color: rgb(153, 0, 0); color: white;">WTF Stamp Rating of 5</th> </tr><tr> <td width="20%"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wtfetsy.com/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9o0atM7kCMehj8PkJku2QHWF17HQX_qMAsu___trRSpDoTc4Wwdcgm5zhqPwvPMlY4AiUuq01eUeamjLNaTTR4axlaj8hjH1HWp0ufKBk2AS-JcU-P_WsNlK8gCsxo2fB6Pn27Z80aYl0/s320/stamprating5.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></td><td>To put this image on your website, copy the code below and paste it onto your page's HTML editor<br /><textarea><a href="http://www.wtfetsy.com" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9o0atM7kCMehj8PkJku2QHWF17HQX_qMAsu___trRSpDoTc4Wwdcgm5zhqPwvPMlY4AiUuq01eUeamjLNaTTR4axlaj8hjH1HWp0ufKBk2AS-JcU-P_WsNlK8gCsxo2fB6Pn27Z80aYl0/s320/stamprating5.jpg" /></a></textarea></td> </tr></tbody></table><br /><table border="2" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5"><tbody><tr> <th colspan="2" style="background-color: rgb(153, 0, 0); color: white;">WTF Stamp Rating of 4</th> </tr><tr> <td width="20%"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wtfetsy.com/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisq9aaxzqNVKeAIFVLdspq4tq5dmELltdL9p3zl4MRFXf0tZLptwnTJ93NeV7nteBH3ffX9TYuBoEEa3Zc47TXXZm0K-wwsQ1S5fu8nbVc1NIgBKXDbOlNlbJI0uA15ZEmMAkTQF76qUUw/s320/stamprating4.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></td><td>To put this image on your website, copy the code below and paste it onto your page's HTML editor<br /><textarea><a href="http://www.wtfetsy.com" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9o0atM7kCMehj8PkJku2QHWF17HQX_qMAsu___trRSpDoTc4Wwdcgm5zhqPwvPMlY4AiUuq01eUeamjLNaTTR4axlaj8hjH1HWp0ufKBk2AS-JcU-P_WsNlK8gCsxo2fB6Pn27Z80aYl0/s320/stamprating4.jpg" /></a></textarea></td> </tr></tbody></table><br /><table border="2" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5"><tbody><tr> <th colspan="2" style="background-color: rgb(153, 0, 0); color: white;">WTF Stamp Rating of 3</th> </tr><tr> <td width="20%"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wtfetsy.com/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNAg5ETjwWtw4qRoNEn4WKeltMXW-uiT5QfNhWENk8HFzfGv2CoGRvaHbsnIZeQ2m0I2H25M15kNkKz8z3_tp5qoeEYOmukp663jS9iqfKxW8bkVUPejmAVIgoOdaI51RoMBJktKFLUh-/s320/stamprating3.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></td><td>To put this image on your website, copy the code below and paste it onto your page's HTML editor<br /><textarea><a href="http://www.wtfetsy.com" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9o0atM7kCMehj8PkJku2QHWF17HQX_qMAsu___trRSpDoTc4Wwdcgm5zhqPwvPMlY4AiUuq01eUeamjLNaTTR4axlaj8hjH1HWp0ufKBk2AS-JcU-P_WsNlK8gCsxo2fB6Pn27Z80aYl0/s320/stamprating3.jpg" /></a></textarea></td> </tr></tbody></table><br /><table border="2" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5"><tbody><tr> <th colspan="2" style="background-color: rgb(153, 0, 0); color: white;">WTF Stamp Rating of 2</th> </tr><tr> <td width="20%"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wtfetsy.com/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsjBkeVIJzqeP34-9_4jj6Gl1cmpgvsdTjNVSKVRd9bIvj_UfHhtafKOfVHCkT7ei06J-keqH6l1y-CHjbd4sznwqcBs7vgKLtdmuBY73EJzVWA9QdREn39ar05RvRRfwjnKP6e7uXTlvy/s320/stamprating2.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></td><td>To put this image on your website, copy the code below and paste it onto your page's HTML editor<br /><textarea><a href="http://www.wtfetsy.com" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9o0atM7kCMehj8PkJku2QHWF17HQX_qMAsu___trRSpDoTc4Wwdcgm5zhqPwvPMlY4AiUuq01eUeamjLNaTTR4axlaj8hjH1HWp0ufKBk2AS-JcU-P_WsNlK8gCsxo2fB6Pn27Z80aYl0/s320/stamprating2.jpg" /></a></textarea></td> </tr></tbody></table><br /><table border="2" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5"><tbody><tr> <th colspan="2" style="background-color: rgb(153, 0, 0); color: white;">WTF Stamp Rating of 1</th> </tr><tr> <td width="20%"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wtfetsy.com/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIbomx3ZkYJSsfEcV13srWiyWrgZf6N1RxJee5UahLyZfOAXX5BvdjMY0eX6CxySUv1UDnkEFXRezK5NJC4eq3gR4CyYDWzk8Sg5VZWEnSe6rj-BNyuhzG9dMCkE1NBBIwJQAl2DXdV2kp/s320/stamprating1.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></td><td>To put this image on your website, copy the code below and paste it onto your page's HTML editor<br /><textarea><a href="http://www.wtfetsy.com" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9o0atM7kCMehj8PkJku2QHWF17HQX_qMAsu___trRSpDoTc4Wwdcgm5zhqPwvPMlY4AiUuq01eUeamjLNaTTR4axlaj8hjH1HWp0ufKBk2AS-JcU-P_WsNlK8gCsxo2fB6Pn27Z80aYl0/s320/stamprating1.jpg" /></a></textarea></td> </tr></tbody></table><br /><table border="2" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5"><tbody><tr> <th colspan="2" style="background-color: rgb(153, 0, 0); color: white;">I <3 WTFetsy.com</th> </tr><tr> <td width="20%"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wtfetsy.com/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtHVo_1FtumuFG_qlZjIUDeT1CMJr4W632QfMB_wIfKcguyM5IQkA3rQ74ZpY6wvdfb-5-lAka8-wsSGE2KAazfjtDfkjpgAc96Tt2goMulMN8VnsVqCixk_uG_JjILrm7yojAPKTgIQ7L/s320/heartwtf.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></td><td>To stroke my ego and put this image on your website, copy the code below and paste it onto your page's HTML editor<br /><textarea><a href="http://www.wtfetsy.com" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtHVo_1FtumuFG_qlZjIUDeT1CMJr4W632QfMB_wIfKcguyM5IQkA3rQ74ZpY6wvdfb-5-lAka8-wsSGE2KAazfjtDfkjpgAc96Tt2goMulMN8VnsVqCixk_uG_JjILrm7yojAPKTgIQ7L/s320/heartwtf.jpg" /></a></textarea></td> </tr></tbody></table><br /><table border="2" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5"><tbody><tr> <th colspan="2" style="background-color: rgb(153, 0, 0); color: white;">WTF Seal of Insanity</th> </tr><tr> <td width="20%"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wtfetsy.com/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvdZrb62G4aZUE9ASSza1xherkXUPZmHcZQIuvgcgyDhkq9fRfe9A0x2oVsW8k2F01qOWCBA-f8yi4LvCFbZ2ZEG8aaYFsOjJVKdGuTZlnZRAJ8jPJ9bmK7s2PJmbv7ACjZ-nVzZ1iJ_Di/s320/wtf+logo+copy.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></td><td>If you obsessively craft, buy supplies, hoard, or surf Etsy, then you qualify as WTF Insane, and if you can laugh at your issues (or if you need a token of shame to somehow absolve yourself for your eccentric craft gluttony), then here is your seal.<br />To put this image on your website, copy the code below and paste it onto your page's HTML editor<br /><textarea><a href="http://www.wtfetsy.com" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvdZrb62G4aZUE9ASSza1xherkXUPZmHcZQIuvgcgyDhkq9fRfe9A0x2oVsW8k2F01qOWCBA-f8yi4LvCFbZ2ZEG8aaYFsOjJVKdGuTZlnZRAJ8jPJ9bmK7s2PJmbv7ACjZ-nVzZ1iJ_Di/s320/wtf+logo+copy.jpg" /></a></textarea></td> </tr></tbody></table><br />If you have an idea for an image/badge you would like, let me know.<br /><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.etsy.com/etsy_mini.js"></script><script type="text/javascript">new EtsyNameSpace.Mini(9052193, 'shop','thumbnail',3,5).renderIframe();</script>WTF Etsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06644767916649317067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8133414435239346828.post-61256181617904951882010-06-17T20:00:00.000-07:002010-08-04T23:19:29.679-07:00The WTFiest Gift I've Ever Received<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf8y-XW1ZcGzqiW-WKG6r3YeJUvd_KEhB1tmxv14binY3rSXyBFv9XyXzLFRQAdiqSp1luzWTOwjeUc0Y8_Gx4ub08jmSV1QbYG0-HuIJpHnyL-9ebug7qBddiTBPAyyUxXQqaS1lld2Gs/s1600/DSC00939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf8y-XW1ZcGzqiW-WKG6r3YeJUvd_KEhB1tmxv14binY3rSXyBFv9XyXzLFRQAdiqSp1luzWTOwjeUc0Y8_Gx4ub08jmSV1QbYG0-HuIJpHnyL-9ebug7qBddiTBPAyyUxXQqaS1lld2Gs/s200/DSC00939.jpg" border="0" height="134" width="200" /></a></div>Today, I got a bus pass in my mailbox, which made no sense to me since I obviously have cars sitting in my driveway. I dropped it trying to rush inside without indulging the escape artist that is my cat when I noticed there was a note on the back. It said, "Parcel by your back door." Getting packages is my selfish little addiction, and I'd go so far as to skip eating to order something online. So, I rushed down the basement stairs and opened the back door. There was a big box, and I knew that I hadn't ordered anything other than jewelry supplies and beads.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/38466095/handmade-art-original-mixed-media" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMWuCCMUrmavU_RTiqqzDNoFcmcsQL1jU-crN9ap4Hxi0RGYZuYkJqc7_-lFmlZOe9jHATCz_vmh_vVyPheyMMUhD6rV2h-xJJGFt2hmUJgXLtX95jKJ9HTXxyKVMhplZTefqn6UHnYBu_/s320/il_fullxfull.115804332.jpg" border="0" /></a></div>To tell this story, I have to mention that I've been doing <a href="http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6540373&page=1">critiques</a> on the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6540373&page=1">Etsy forums</a>, and I've gotten an in-depth look at some of the coolest shopkeepers on Etsy. They have been good sports (or masochists) while I brutalized their shops. A common thread was that many were teachers. There was one very special shop that had this amazing carveboard art. It really struck me because it reminded me of the richness of Harlem. That's the beauty about a piece of art. It's like a story about a personality, and without words it has a theme and without words it conveys an emotion. Without a plot, the colors, lines, harmony or discord, the textures, the order and chaos, it has it's own conflict and plot. I loved the art on <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/SOiNTOiT">SOiNTOiT</a>'s page. It reflected someone who-- to be cliche-- was so full of life. The vibrant contrasts and bold statements were the work of someone who was bawdy [ I say that with reverence ;-) ], not afraid to take risks, embraces love, and celebrates what is positive in life.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/38446097/art-mixed-media-original-acrylic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHB6awm4Jw6r59ZwOPD1mNoR7JwonfyP_9cAb06qrsFq-hCEQUSWlL9jPK4ndXAS4ua4M7O4qMUB3gFgS9Lb0UrUYkG8_i0z6H-NGe1NfZ1u1NAUjTyAhIlfDZPRYRY8KgcfIkeOzAPyTX/s320/il_430xN.115736299.jpg" border="0" /></a></div>Someone like me might seem like a morose pessimist, but seeing a shop like this makes me feel good about myself because at least I can see something so life-affirming, creative, prolific, and effervescent and smile. The items in Pamela's shop, a cacophony of media resonant of the free-spirited, ADHD overachiever, remind me of one of the greatest experiences of my life... visiting NYC. The simplicity of statements like "be mine" or a cut-out of the alphabet can be so profound when they're genuine. It reminded me of the cultural revolution of the late 80s/early 90s when a big faction of society stopped just tolerating diversity and really started to celebrate and embrace and advocate for it. Harlem had that effect on me: the street vendors, the subway musicians, the elaborate graffiti murals, the Kosher hotdog stands, and the "melting pot" culture that is completely missing in a place like where I was born and raised.<br /><br />I wasn't shocked at all to see that <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/SOiNTOiT">SOiNTOiT</a> was a music teacher. I'd be willing to bet she was one of those rare teachers who really inspired and made a difference in the lives of her students... one of those crazy, eccentric, WTF-type teachers. The same kind I aspire to be. Seeing that she was Orff certified even further cemented my impression of her, that she is one of those transformational (as opposed to traditional) lofty idealist educators who take learning beyond the books and embrace this paradigm that learning takes place when the needs and learning style of the "whole child" is addressed.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEaM0AnL0_j9YyF73Jd6o9kih2sGizH0YBHfx-5NMCncI8eY9b1Nyzi-XgfRUswN9HDa03oAZlwFaNol-8hWk4cTeE1SPh_MBRpA0VRnAnoMGKStMtd_rUvuS8-XFxG2i7qjtFrP2OvEDu/s1600/DSC00936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEaM0AnL0_j9YyF73Jd6o9kih2sGizH0YBHfx-5NMCncI8eY9b1Nyzi-XgfRUswN9HDa03oAZlwFaNol-8hWk4cTeE1SPh_MBRpA0VRnAnoMGKStMtd_rUvuS8-XFxG2i7qjtFrP2OvEDu/s320/DSC00936.JPG" border="0" /></a><i>AYE, suck it up now readers. Don't think this glimmer of humanity is going to be typical!</i><br /><br />So... onto my package. I open it up, and being the stoic that I am... I felt my eyes sting. It was certainly one of those epiphanous moments in life like when the Grinch who stole Christmas looked down at Who-ville and realized that Christmas wasn't about the gifts but about the relationships and all that junk... [ <i>disclaimer: yes, I realize that my childhood analogies and deference via vagaries makes me very transparent</i> ]. I almost didn't know what was happening to me. I received a personalized piece of art from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/SOiNTOiT">SOiNTOiT</a> (see picture >> ), and I LOVE it. This is sheer conjecture, but I believe the reason she has the "i" lowercase in her username is a symbolic expression of unselfishness in that that she doesn't want to elevate the "I." <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnz6KCnIEO-T3L7xvs11Typii_ntargr1Ipu5ihPZTbgLYXYNLou7ciPE78gdVAegaKKRFm6yIiCUL7ILd8k24DnAkR2BGiTtbWdxIamVis5UQew-lwEFtG5Sbs0b8Hb6NM7UmIAmgm2PZ/s1600/DSC00933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnz6KCnIEO-T3L7xvs11Typii_ntargr1Ipu5ihPZTbgLYXYNLou7ciPE78gdVAegaKKRFm6yIiCUL7ILd8k24DnAkR2BGiTtbWdxIamVis5UQew-lwEFtG5Sbs0b8Hb6NM7UmIAmgm2PZ/s320/DSC00933.JPG" border="0" /></a>Have you ever just been rendered speechless and simply stunned by someone's kindness? Pamela made this amazing piece of art specifically for me with no intention of getting something in return. So, possessed by Pamela's giving spirit, I would like to issue a challenge to everyone. Join me in the WTF PIF (Pay It Forward) campaign. Instead of paying someone back, do a favor for someone and tell them that all you want is for them to do something WTF-rendering-kind for someone else, and instead of allowing them to pay you back, tell them to "Pay it Forward." BUT... it can't just be any act of kindness... it must be WTF-worthy. Make sure you include a little hand-written note about what PIF means, otherwise the "cycle of kindness" stops. Of course you are a creative person, but here are some ideas:<br /><br />1. Take your best (or one of your best) craft items and put a note inside it explaining the "Pay it Forward" principal. Wrap it with your prettiest paper, tie a ribbon around it, and stick it in your purse. Go somewhere tonight or tomorrow and give it to a complete stranger.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV4fLAg7TcfCqzoIvrc1zJbff8wStFLKH-drqTncEc7cd8h6PVtHbgiye4vnrvNyyKgk39GViqdqywcodybhKTuEvN4fsEF2u4o9wspSI3wXMBnSIy3XglQVHU7-poBHQRIA1YypMoSugk/s1600/DSC00935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV4fLAg7TcfCqzoIvrc1zJbff8wStFLKH-drqTncEc7cd8h6PVtHbgiye4vnrvNyyKgk39GViqdqywcodybhKTuEvN4fsEF2u4o9wspSI3wXMBnSIy3XglQVHU7-poBHQRIA1YypMoSugk/s200/DSC00935.JPG" border="0" height="200" width="167" /></a><br />2. Buy some ice-cold bottled water/drinks and give them to the first person you see on the street (walker, jogger, construction worker) who looks like he/she is burning up. <br /><br />3. Go to a local deli, buy a drink, and leave a tip for your waiter/waitress for five times the cost of your drink. Eat ramen noodles for dinner. ;-)<br /><br />These are just a few ideas. If Pamela's kindness has inspired you to commit a WTF PIF act, please email me your story at <a href="mailto:WTFetsy@gmail.com">WTFetsy@gmail.com</a> [ pictures would be nice, even if it's a picture of yourself ] so I can feature it on this blog.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifqA4R9y55blxkCELG4SKFhQzdnZko8jAqRJThQ_lPY4rAXquwMyWt2RPhuMaH1T_CLUarGmd8ZG_bleuwmWUHeg8y5znjuN1MiPRDEiV1BvgjqhDiEzO_mnkiz_arDRngxNiFqvh-LN57/s1600/pamela.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifqA4R9y55blxkCELG4SKFhQzdnZko8jAqRJThQ_lPY4rAXquwMyWt2RPhuMaH1T_CLUarGmd8ZG_bleuwmWUHeg8y5znjuN1MiPRDEiV1BvgjqhDiEzO_mnkiz_arDRngxNiFqvh-LN57/s400/pamela.jpg" border="0" width="550" /></a></div><br />Below are some sample PIF cards if you wanted to print some. Click the images for full-size. They are standard business-card size. Let me know if you want a photoshop (.psd) version, and I'll email it to you.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMUhaY_FuPmNWSDBz6J8B74-mNXTylBMjqmqLf5stEONCRGWC7RMbZz47Y2H3KaG-FeZCLXh4BEj8M5mD8x7UkZdH1DqmqvVzzaDUwlAdOMc138KLzzPtOJEszAqwOnlZCDJX2r6a0IvVh/s1600/pif+campaign+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMUhaY_FuPmNWSDBz6J8B74-mNXTylBMjqmqLf5stEONCRGWC7RMbZz47Y2H3KaG-FeZCLXh4BEj8M5mD8x7UkZdH1DqmqvVzzaDUwlAdOMc138KLzzPtOJEszAqwOnlZCDJX2r6a0IvVh/s320/pif+campaign+copy.jpg" border="0" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRpRooToIPjpcaPn8kBOjA31jZ1Rg5d4fyknJeyQVWT9p4U7N8cuXdJIi6wJdqn55Al-oKtqgNkPlxsVaHjL9BLK8n5hN1uJRb-Kl-arlfS_cHD_D8b4IXf6gx6ph6_OumoDG27A6-4jKG/s1600/pif+campaign2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRpRooToIPjpcaPn8kBOjA31jZ1Rg5d4fyknJeyQVWT9p4U7N8cuXdJIi6wJdqn55Al-oKtqgNkPlxsVaHjL9BLK8n5hN1uJRb-Kl-arlfS_cHD_D8b4IXf6gx6ph6_OumoDG27A6-4jKG/s320/pif+campaign2.jpg" border="0" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEbNQ5fcWcQyUGfmN-NohZ0XVc6OPnmMJXpFCX2gGqHyVte2wT_rhLRsBW1ImAyaXX2Jt-SaEogsUDad5QwFNl7vHsCQRheTzz73ot_zYHhtHTPZ7wHElbIAXyH4MGYT3bN9w1g358_8mW/s1600/pif+campaign3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEbNQ5fcWcQyUGfmN-NohZ0XVc6OPnmMJXpFCX2gGqHyVte2wT_rhLRsBW1ImAyaXX2Jt-SaEogsUDad5QwFNl7vHsCQRheTzz73ot_zYHhtHTPZ7wHElbIAXyH4MGYT3bN9w1g358_8mW/s320/pif+campaign3.jpg" border="0" width="400" /></a></div>WTF Etsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06644767916649317067noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8133414435239346828.post-27783725732639464482010-05-30T18:39:00.000-07:002010-08-04T23:19:41.682-07:00Etsy Shop Critique - NeatBeadingCritique of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/NeatBeading">Neatbeading</a>'s Etsy Shop:<br /><br />Well, from your avatar and even with a cursory glance of your store, I didn’t realize that your items were bracelets. Maybe your hand displays will make it more evident that that is what your shop has to offer once you get all of your item images updated. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/NeatBeading" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_430xN.154280302.jpg" border="0" height="239" width="320" /></a>I didn’t think it was possible, but your seed beads look elegant. I never liked seed beads, and I really can’t fathom that they would be worth the effort it takes to put something so intricate together. However, I have to say that your bracelets are quite lovely. I think that someone would need to have an eye for how they would look to really appreciate them fully because your pictures don’t really capture the way they hang and look on a wrist. Even the items you’ve updated with the model hands aren’t giving a clear representation of how your bracelets would look live. You should photograph them either on live models or on a mannequin wearing an evening gown. They need to be viewed in action to see how they would be worn. <br /><br />You get one WTF point for having as your sole prop what appears to be a Chinese take-out box. While it does make for some great photos, I started to get a little curious about it after seeing it with all of your items. Take-out doesn’t really go with the theme of your bracelets so much. Perhaps some half-filled champagne glasses with a lipstick print on them? <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/NeatBeading" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_430xN.154739878.jpg" border="0" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>If you really want to start making sales, you’re going to have to add a lot more products to your page. [ see my philosophy about the <a href="http://www.wtfetsy.com/2010/04/almighty-law-of-odds-and-averages.html">law of odds and averages</a> by clicking <a href="http://www.wtfetsy.com/2010/04/almighty-law-of-odds-and-averages.html">here</a>. I’m not saying you should be discouraged and feel like you need to set up a beading sweat-shop in your house to be successful, but don’t expect sales to happen until you have more time invested and more products to display. Your bracelets would be great holiday gifts, so start thinking of ways to promote your items as great Christmas/holiday purchases for bridal parties, wives, girlfriends, fiancés, etc. on various blogs, treasuries, shopping sites, social networking sites, and any other media you can fathom.<br /><br />One thing I don’t normally comment on is item tags. You have to think of what shoppers are typing when they are searching for a bracelet. After being frustrated at the millions of shitty items on Etsy, they will undoubtedly refine their search to include adjectives which describe the items. I doubt many people will search for “blocks bracelet,” but they would be more likely to search for “formal bracelet,” or “elegant bracelet.” In that vein, I believe to optimize your search engine friendliness, you should change your tag line to be something very specific about what you sell (elegant bracelets for sophisticated women).<br /><br />Your item descriptions are great. I couldn’t do them better myself. <br /><br />Your profile is well-done, too. The conversational style of writing often makes people look a bit crazy (in the bad way), but you’ve pulled it off and managed to tell a “neat” little story with your profile. The main recommendation I have for your profile is that you change this line: “Wide cuffs that looked great and made me feel so cool.” << the word “cool” just is too vague and non-descript, and it conjures an image that doesn’t match your jewelry. Your designs are mature, sophisticated, and elegant. Describing the bracelets as designs which “behave like a fabric” was brilliant and created a clear picture of your items. I would suggest refining your profile or adding a few extra lines to include what makes your items so unique. I like the word “slinky” myself. ;-)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/NeatBeading" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_430xN.154740344.jpg" border="0" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>Overall, I would say that you are off to a marvelous start. Your products reflect serious creativity and patience, your descriptions are well-written, and your photos are aestetically pleasing. Just focus on photographing them in action.<br /><br />Oh, and I would recommend removing the line about treating the clasps with care. It detracts a little from the integrity of your items. If any of your customers are stupid enough to submerge their items for a prolonged period of time in liquid, they deserve to have them tarnished. Maybe put a line in your shop policies about that. <br /><br />And WTF is up with your shipping options? If it costs 3.50 no matter where you send it, just have one damn option instead of listing individual countries. You get another WTF point for that, ha ha.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiimblpnEHN1mMZ5yxxwTuXyyVnq5cL-xncMu3cG5yzI9zhn6m_Or0XBhd4h36aK0OruKhCBgyEph5lImWbuAZBf0fXLdLiuoCruLAjwYXpb_qGjsH7bhW5b2OuHUeeNKy4e6G1aB0ojy_E/s1600/stamprating2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiimblpnEHN1mMZ5yxxwTuXyyVnq5cL-xncMu3cG5yzI9zhn6m_Or0XBhd4h36aK0OruKhCBgyEph5lImWbuAZBf0fXLdLiuoCruLAjwYXpb_qGjsH7bhW5b2OuHUeeNKy4e6G1aB0ojy_E/s320/stamprating2.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.etsy.com/etsy_mini.js"></script><script type="text/javascript">new EtsyNameSpace.Mini(9052193, 'shop','thumbnail',3,5).renderIframe();</script>WTF Etsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06644767916649317067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8133414435239346828.post-44591354802347031722010-05-24T17:50:00.000-07:002010-08-04T23:21:42.577-07:00Etsy Buyer: Vocexseta -- Etsy's Greatest Buyer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/people/vocexseta" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbzuEqZJ8TrZjNBgmxMlZRTEw0BtHlZGO9AilbaM6FQEJINryzy1f8iZEFytXkAB5cQvtjMh-rFfcrN62O1X6jM5-ZlTVARRc6LR7GiTWT8cSQTB2s34ihhrAuDaxU7ZvwFHeeAfRv84Cs/s320/iusa_50x50.6555131.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCu0r1rDp4ZQQlW6BeiPjtNWTFf3-3xzm9TUSTJgTvUTSxJKi1K2qT7Hogtx5d-y7aQzabLiazEBBRGKi6NRV32_WLFzx0cE_JrdvPkZpSfNLG0BATmIHWKSTyHODEYxMtVlGiKIzsEnCc/s1600/get_convo_image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCu0r1rDp4ZQQlW6BeiPjtNWTFf3-3xzm9TUSTJgTvUTSxJKi1K2qT7Hogtx5d-y7aQzabLiazEBBRGKi6NRV32_WLFzx0cE_JrdvPkZpSfNLG0BATmIHWKSTyHODEYxMtVlGiKIzsEnCc/s400/get_convo_image.jpg" border="0" height="300" width="400" /></a><span style="color:black;">I've been wanting to make this post for a long time, but the universe wasn't ready to let me until after the finale of Lost. [ R.I.P. Sayid ] So now, the planets have aligned, and I can introduce to you one of the coolest buyers on Etsy. Having a profile like the one I have on Etsy often gets me some "unique" correspondence, but none as unique as this customized artwork I received as a reaction to my profile page. This was a very thoughtful gift from Etsy's self-proclaimed greatest buyer, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/people/vocexseta">Vocexseta</a>. Her epic profile made her a shoe-in candidate for the WTF empire's hall of fame: </span><b style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><br /></b><br /><blockquote><i>An 18 year old with money to spend and an addiction to Etsy. D=<br /><br />(Nope there is no store here! Just the greatest buyer you will ever come across! *GLORY* =D......../ego)<br /><br />Uses Paypal only and pays immediately unless details need to be sorted out with seller. I'll do my best to review my purchase fairly and thoroughly. I understand how important it is to your shop and how important it can be to potential buyers. You may even get an appreciation picture! =O (I don't know why others don't play with that more often.) Although, I am a bit busy and do order a lot so if my review seems a little late I apologize. I will always leave something! If I've bought from you then I thank you for making awesome unique stuff. (Also, I will undoubtedly stalk your store from now on.)<br /><br />Oh and if there is a delay in transaction for any reason just let me know so I don't have to be paranoid that my Paypal account has finally said EFF THIS and walked off. D=<br /><br />I cannot believe how much better it is to buy from individuals who love their craft than stores and corporations. I support you all as much as I can! :D<br /><br />Much appreciation to the artists who make such wonderful things. =D Your creations overflow in my room. Really. >.><br /><br />Yes, I do use smileys too much. Oh well.<br /><br />=O I just realized my User I.D. has 1337 in the middle!</i></blockquote><br /><b style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Below is the inevitable interview:</b><br /><br /><b style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">ME: </b>What makes you the greatest buyer on Etsy?<br /><br /><b style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/people/vocexseta" style="color: rgb(61, 133, 198);">Vocexseta</a><span style="color: rgb(61, 133, 198);">:</span> </b><i>The greatest buyer, you say? Well, seeing as I am behind on reviews (I have like 8 pages left to do! x_x) and have yet to come near finishing all of my appreciation photos I'll have to temporarily step down from such an honorable title. -_- But I'm not too modest to say I have been a good buyer on Etsy. To quickly and simply sum up why, I'd have to say because I want to make the seller happy as well. </i><br /><br /><br /><b style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">ME:</b> You're 18 and an e-stalker with lots of personality. What do you buy and what do you do with it?<br /><br /><b style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/people/vocexseta" style="color: rgb(61, 133, 198);">Vocexseta</a><span style="color: rgb(61, 133, 198);">:</span> </b><i>Geez, make it sound like I'm watching sellers with my e-binoculars in some e-bushes. xD I buy all sorts of things and parade around in them of course! Jewelry, paintings, amigurumi, facial products, soap, hair extensions, switch plate covers, crochet patterns, hair accessories, etc. Lately, it's been mostly jewelry supplies since I'll hopefully have my own shop soon. ^.^ I'm having a hard time deciding a name though...</i><br /><br /><br /><b style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">ME:</b> What the hell does LURVE mean?<br /><br /><b style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/people/vocexseta" style="color: rgb(61, 133, 198);">Vocexseta</a><span style="color: rgb(61, 133, 198);">:</span> </b><i>How does no one ever know? It's an obnoxiously sweet way of pronouncing LOVE. It's one of my favorite materials! ^.^</i><br /><br /><br /><b style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">ME:</b> Who are some of your favorite sellers on Etsy that you like to e-stalk?<br /><br /><b style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/people/vocexseta" style="color: rgb(61, 133, 198);">Vocexseta</a><span style="color: rgb(61, 133, 198);">:</span> </b><i>Good Lord, I'm not sure if you have the space for it. heh. Well, first off anyone I've ever bought from has a stalk stamp on them. I present this list in no particular order:</i><br /><br /><i><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/PixiEGlamouR">PixiEGlamouR</a> and <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Pegasusmaiden">Pegasusmaiden</a>- feather accessories<br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/voraciousbrain">voraciousbrain</a>- crazy awesome cross stitching<br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/aikoslove">aikoslove</a> and <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/shawnaerback">shawnaerback</a>- paintings<br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Vivka">Vivka</a> and <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/puppycatmeow">puppycatmeow</a>- hair extensions<br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Nevertoomuchglitter">Nevertoomuchglitter</a>- nail art<br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheEverydayDivaCo">TheEverydayDivaCo</a>- the BEST bath and body care<br />Believe me, I cut this list way down. </i><br /><br /><b style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">ME:</b> Why do you shop on Etsy as opposed to going to a store? Is it the thrill of getting mail that drives you, or do you have a more lofty reason?<br /><br /><b style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/people/vocexseta" style="color: rgb(61, 133, 198);">Vocexseta</a><span style="color: rgb(61, 133, 198);">:</span> </b><i>Have you ever heard the Blues Clues mail time song? It well sums up how I feel about getting mail. It's like Christmas all of the time! I buy from Etsy mainly for two reasons: unique items and more personal interaction. I mean where else can I get SNES controller shaped soap or a cross stitch diagram of the clap? Also, because most sellers care greatly about each individual buyer the customer service is usually far better than corporation service. Often times, the product is better made as well. I have the opportunity to support the original creators and since I have this innate desire to encourage others as much as I can I thoroughly enjoy Etsy as a shameless venue for that. ^.^</i><br /><br /><b style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">ME:</b> What does your username 'vocexseta' mean?<br /><br /><b style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/people/vocexseta" style="color: rgb(61, 133, 198);">Vocexseta</a><span style="color: rgb(61, 133, 198);">:</span> </b><i>It is the two Italian words "voce" and "seta" with the x serving as a space. It stems from a nickname I have with some friends from Italy meaning voice of silk. When first meeting me, I am a bit shy and soft spoken and they would tease me about it referring to me as voce di seta. They call me Seta now frequently, but I decided to use the whole phrase without di.</i><br /><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.etsy.com/etsy_mini.js"></script><script type="text/javascript">new EtsyNameSpace.Mini(9052193, 'shop','thumbnail',3,5).renderIframe();</script>WTF Etsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06644767916649317067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8133414435239346828.post-84707362198934911562010-05-22T00:41:00.000-07:002010-08-04T23:20:01.879-07:00Etsy Shop Critiques - Sydney Alfano<div style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:";"><span style="font-size:large;">Etsy shop critique for <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/sydneyalfano">Sydney Alfano</a>:</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/40185026/tigerlily-glowing-freckled-orange-hair" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_430xN.151259893.jpg" border="0" height="213" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">You have a pretty big range of items on your page. It's like a little haven for ADHD people like myself. While it may be overstimulating to some people, the constant change of pace, variety, out-of-the-world descriptions, and busy backgrounds kept me clicking around your shop so much that I actually added a few items to my cart. For your creative chaos, you get one WTF point.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">You should rearrange your items to have the front page of your shop be a little more representative of what all you have to offer.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Your seed-beaded flowers are cute, but I don't know if they are worth the effort. I haven't ever seen adults wearing seed beads, and I don't know that they are worth the time and effort that goes into them. If you're selling them, though... don't listen to me.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Your descriptions are definitely WTF worthy. Here are some noteworthy quotes from your item descriptions:</div><blockquote><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">~Orchids are icons of beauty, and of love. Attract your soul mate without even trying.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">~Finished in the center with an Amethyst round, known to bring peace to whomever wears it.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">~Colorful like a late summer field.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">~Calla Lilies have proved to last with the changing of times and trends, and symbolize majestic beauty and purity.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">~Oh the memories of walking into a Candy Shop, fascinated by all the sweet smells and mouth watering colors and shapes..</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/49113842/kilauea-silver-wire-wrapped-lava-rock" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_430xN.150350765.jpg" border="0" height="254" width="320" /></a></div>And then reality strikes, and no, I don't need that sweet, I'm on a diet, sugar keeps me up at night, whatever I need to tell myself to think of something else..</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Satisfy your sweet tooth and your conscience with this adorable necklace, featuring fruity lampwork glass beads shaped just like our beloved memories.</div></blockquote><blockquote><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">A rainbow of glass sweets, these mouthwatering lampwork beauties will bring a smile to whoever wears it, and for all who admire it.</div></blockquote><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">You are personifying and even anthropomorphizing your jewelry, which is cool in my book. According to Greek mythology, even Zeus couldn't override the power of the Fates, but your orchid can! I like your profile and descriptions. You have a relationship with nature and your craft, which is evident in your nomenclature. The poem in your profile is nifty. I give you two WTF points for assigning human characteristics and supernatural properties to your items.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuTD0YCsAECgRpkwcHjkMAY0FYB_9xGYfNhAffYGTWTIm5l8byMmLQXoy6LXgMfHeaD-EJqjXOZdMZGF0bLk3LE7525eC03zy0BrLCVy9Icv-KNAT9HlgLXbbrf-ZEWYt7WAV7KAWnv_Wd/s1600/stamprating3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuTD0YCsAECgRpkwcHjkMAY0FYB_9xGYfNhAffYGTWTIm5l8byMmLQXoy6LXgMfHeaD-EJqjXOZdMZGF0bLk3LE7525eC03zy0BrLCVy9Icv-KNAT9HlgLXbbrf-ZEWYt7WAV7KAWnv_Wd/s320/stamprating3.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /></div>WTF Etsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06644767916649317067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8133414435239346828.post-33851402955171714222010-05-21T15:47:00.000-07:002010-08-04T23:20:11.657-07:00Etsy Shop Critique - NorthToAlaskaDesigns<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/NorthToAlaskaDesigns">NorthtoAlaskaDesigns</a> and <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/sillylittlegifts">SillyLittleGifts</a>:<br /><div class="MsoNormal">Okay, first impression is that you’ve got a great profile and shop announcement in both shops. You’re light-hearted, which complements the respective motifs of your shops. You also do a great job in explaining the intricacy of your craft without sounding arrogant.</div><div class="MsoNormal">The major issue, which is big enough for 2 WTF points, is that neither of your shops have enough items in them. You shouldn’t think about opening a second shop unless you have two totally separate genres of items and have at least 75ish of each. You need to consolidate your shops and just make a “miscellaneous” or “potpourri” section. Just put a little explanation that you are sometimes inspired by non-Alaskan stimuli. Just because it comes from you it still has an Alaskan panache. </div><div class="MsoNormal">I’ve never been a fan of seed beads, but I do like the clam and flower and butterfly appliqués. I just think I can’t justify the amount of time it would take to make something like that for the small amount of money it would yield. I’m not too big on the purses you have them on, either. Maybe you could attach them to like an iron-on backing or a pin so people could put them on the product of their choice. </div><div class="MsoNormal">I see you have a disclaimer about your photo quality in your shop, but your pictures aren’t that bad. It’s your backgrounds which detract from the appeal of your items.. Wood – especially a light grain of wood—or anything brown or khaki usually doesn’t look good as a background. Also, there is a lot you can do with your cheap-ass camera and lack of equipment to make your pictures a lot better. I know sunshine is a commodity up there, but you have to take advantage of it. You can change the angles, background props, and lighting to improve your pics. Also, a little photo-editing will really neaten up your images. For instance, I literally timed myself and it took 12 seconds to make this change on your <span style="font-size:small;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/48732411/alaskan-forget-me-not-bookmark-in-peyote">Alaskan Forget Me Not Bookmark in peyote beadweaving stitch</a> item.</span></div><br />Before & After:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTeYeMnZ7rQPXifgckIqNoSiqdtUl4zvTz-Rrt9z2jSNtb5ZRKZJGG14ZmfDtFE00ip1YVJ9IW0O-HKL03eAy5tG9nizjZDGrKiPUpFVZ9a2jf66iAqe1rGSJzpJS9rNghsQZsYa9RkmO1/s1600/il_430xN.152963147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTeYeMnZ7rQPXifgckIqNoSiqdtUl4zvTz-Rrt9z2jSNtb5ZRKZJGG14ZmfDtFE00ip1YVJ9IW0O-HKL03eAy5tG9nizjZDGrKiPUpFVZ9a2jf66iAqe1rGSJzpJS9rNghsQZsYa9RkmO1/s200/il_430xN.152963147.jpg" border="0" height="200" width="200" /></a><br /><br />The after version isn't perfect, but it was such an easy change. And, NEVER USE FLASH!<br /><br />Although... looking at your second page, it looks like your photography in reference to lighting, angles, and props/backgrounds has greatly progressed. You have some really good photos. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK2bx_avVaoHlTv2Av4Z6yd1F0TKSYJJy7GHEE-BLRMS2_CL5Eh7Q7jptY20AgyEdnoYJGczsWTmCRvQU_yEzXC08jpx3cQDhRC4sPD5kEWMsdKvEecy_gUa0Q-xK-IhInp8yih1knZUNE/s1600/il_430xN2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK2bx_avVaoHlTv2Av4Z6yd1F0TKSYJJy7GHEE-BLRMS2_CL5Eh7Q7jptY20AgyEdnoYJGczsWTmCRvQU_yEzXC08jpx3cQDhRC4sPD5kEWMsdKvEecy_gUa0Q-xK-IhInp8yih1knZUNE/s200/il_430xN2.jpg" border="0" height="200" width="148" /></a>You certainly get a WTF point for the banner on your SillyLittleGifts store. The baby taking a nose-dive into a tub. I like your avatar on the Alaska shop, but the banner needs some work. The font is nice. I have that font... but the way it's integrated into the image doesn't meld into the design very well. Why the hell did you go with navy blue? Furthermore, when you have a busy banner, it's best to have some kind of border so that it isn't such a big, slapdash rectangle against the white page. <br /><br />I have been dying to use the word "perfunctory," but the opportunity hasn't yet presented itself; therefore, I am using it in this declarative statement to purge the urge.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5tQV4LLyrVaAaive6z7at2IQPTzOP8QQzp2pq4SiWy3YFOdRuUsG-KmAuuXzSYPJyKZP50HNvhscIelZKVMiU24Og0KjTmjDgVOJq-x2ABRDYO6E3y10oaDytfavkq2cjCcq2e65GUTuG/s1600/stamprating3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5tQV4LLyrVaAaive6z7at2IQPTzOP8QQzp2pq4SiWy3YFOdRuUsG-KmAuuXzSYPJyKZP50HNvhscIelZKVMiU24Og0KjTmjDgVOJq-x2ABRDYO6E3y10oaDytfavkq2cjCcq2e65GUTuG/s200/stamprating3.jpg" border="0" height="29" width="200" /></a>WTF Etsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06644767916649317067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8133414435239346828.post-19104569899352456072010-05-20T21:33:00.000-07:002010-08-04T23:20:19.363-07:00Etsy Shop Critique - FiringitupShop Critique for <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/firingitup">FiringItUp</a>:<br /><br /><br /><br />You're off to a good start, but there are a lot of aspects of having a shop upon which you can build and improve. Don't get overwhelmed by the suggestions. These are just ideas.<br /><br /><a href="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_430xN.149420212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_430xN.149420212.jpg" border="0" height="233" width="320" /></a>First, your photos are indicative of your status as a n00b. Unfortunately, to make it on Etsy you can't just be great at your craft. You have to also be good at image-editing software and photography. Instead of taking your photos at an approximately 60 degree angle from above to below, try some different and interesting angles. Your photos are much better in your other shop. I have some photo tips for fellow broke and unprofessional photographers <a href="http://www.wtfetsy.com/2010/05/toilet-humor-guide-to-taking-beautiful.html">here.</a><br /><br />Also, your banner earns you a WTF point. You don't have to be good at making banners to get a good banner on Etsy. I see people offering free help on the forums all the time, but you can get lots of starving artists to design you a beautiful banner for under ten bucks.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/47895644/aqua-and-brown-pendant" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.149420788.jpg" border="0" height="239" width="320" /></a>Your profile needs a little upping. You can do some witty wordplay with the high temperatures and glass. Handmade glass pendants are very cool, and most people don't have access to a kiln and wouldn't have a clue about how to cut glass. You should advertise yourself a little more. I like the fact that you added the personal bit about the 80s music. While a ghastly era for fashion, music, and pop culture, I still conjured the image of you with a sideways ponytail singing "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun," and choosing your color pallet from inspiration gleaned from a hair band's album cover. That gave you another WTF point. I still haven't written my "about me" for my blog, so I understand why you haven't gotten to the profile yet.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/47894598/orange-and-white-striped-pendant" target="_blank">http://www.etsy.com/listing/47894598/orange-and-white-striped-pendant</a> << I would totally wear this pendant. It rocks.<br /><br />Total WTF rating: 2<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaeM-PJOkPMFNNPfVCwTZMzrumMDKtyPLGdwS8UzIqEqFMWeL46oDLDX7pOxjTSGBBnC3uhb_yAqpTkznwORSSVCaAHY9VzPSDvawJNU17Lza79VeW3egCRpLWxXlBbfZa-WUoNz8H-dkT/s1600/stamprating2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaeM-PJOkPMFNNPfVCwTZMzrumMDKtyPLGdwS8UzIqEqFMWeL46oDLDX7pOxjTSGBBnC3uhb_yAqpTkznwORSSVCaAHY9VzPSDvawJNU17Lza79VeW3egCRpLWxXlBbfZa-WUoNz8H-dkT/s320/stamprating2.jpg" border="0" /></a></div>WTF Etsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06644767916649317067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8133414435239346828.post-8107106007601409922010-05-20T21:08:00.000-07:002010-08-04T23:20:28.150-07:00Etsy Shop Critique - ToilandTrouble<div style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><b>Critique of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ToilandTrouble">ToilandTrouble's</a> Etsy:</b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_430xN.141394956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_430xN.141394956.jpg" border="0" height="320" width="262" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">First, let me say that your model (don't know if that's you) is very pretty. Your photos are brilliant, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading your profile. You gained some cool points with the martial arts instructor bit, and even more for your humble admission of not being ready to put your art "out there" yet. I thought you gave just enough of yourself in your profile to make you someone with whom I would like to do business because I identified with you and respected you. Congrats on the feature in the Boston Herald and thanks for offering vegan-friendly options.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I don't really have any suggestions for improvement other than you might want to change your line-up a little for the summer. I can't imagine that scarves and cowls get a lot of hits in the hot seasons, but the flower pin, bracelet, and other accessories would be much more marketable for June and July. I dig the flower pin. :-)</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">You had me at Shakespeare. One of my degrees is in literature.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">You also receive a WTF Rating of 1 as you have taken no neurotic or pathological risks on your site. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL07U7ydEbTCpqcbOmCK8_04E-jxsATBj4f6H1099-yayR9D2p8GZMBA_P8PgXSldP_HSlQqYKuAWNGAxn004Ko_LUoO2inko0cN84wXiNW3JWd8EXoev6tLhoIOp4iPcBQuXMLfCuzlQZ/s1600/stamprating1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL07U7ydEbTCpqcbOmCK8_04E-jxsATBj4f6H1099-yayR9D2p8GZMBA_P8PgXSldP_HSlQqYKuAWNGAxn004Ko_LUoO2inko0cN84wXiNW3JWd8EXoev6tLhoIOp4iPcBQuXMLfCuzlQZ/s320/stamprating1.jpg" border="0" /></a></div>WTF Etsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06644767916649317067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8133414435239346828.post-50062112726044925322010-05-20T20:51:00.000-07:002010-08-04T23:20:37.651-07:00Etsy Shop Critique - CrimsonPetalCoutureCritique of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/CrimsonPetalCouture">CrimsonPetalCouture's</a> Etsy:<br /><br />Because you have such an eclectic and panoptic repertoire of cultural influence, your shop should reflect that. Your profile and shop description sound more like the suburban girl with a subscription to Cosmopolitan than someone who is widely traveled and has first-hand experience with authentic cultural experiences.<br /><br />You should capitalize on your background and use more esoteric language to describe your shop and items. Words like "perfect" and "lovely" could describe anything, but you can use more culturally-rich vocabulary with authenticity. When I saw that you were in Turkey, my opinion of your shop automatically went up. My Americanized need to experience something a little more genuine than Claire's or American Eagle automatically gravitates to international sellers.<br /><br />Your item descriptions are great! Very thorough and detailed, with the esoteric vernacular I think would enrich your shop announcement and profile. This is an exemplarof what makes your item descriptions ideal:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/49270164/turkishteam-sale-blue-and-red-beaded" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_430xN.150874248.jpg" border="0" height="320" width="320" /></a>"Tambour embroidery is a french style embroidery used by Haute Couture fashion designers. It is a slowly dieng art, and only 2 Universities in the world are working on keeping this artform alive."<br /><br />Your items are beautiful and look expertly crafted. Your photos are exquisite and give a clear picture of your items from various angles.<br /><br />Your banner could be updated. Generally, centered text on a banner doesn't look professional. Also, photos are hard to incorporate into banners, especially if you use more than one.<br /><br />Your shop rates as a 1 on the WTF scale, which is probably good news to you. Nothing in your shop suggests any brand of mania or neuroticism.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm7S0S36G8UeYknt8iWa6KDbqqPJrGtai3fUHq9VIFitKBRnmqUqhFRemcWjV3xkk-V4GtegYFgvvTx5Ns-hOTQq-lt7gsQRLc2v77CU-wxn1mDs90E3S-5s0IZjcB2QQ0STKWHCHGSora/s1600/stamprating1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm7S0S36G8UeYknt8iWa6KDbqqPJrGtai3fUHq9VIFitKBRnmqUqhFRemcWjV3xkk-V4GtegYFgvvTx5Ns-hOTQq-lt7gsQRLc2v77CU-wxn1mDs90E3S-5s0IZjcB2QQ0STKWHCHGSora/s320/stamprating1.jpg" border="0" /></a></div>WTF Etsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06644767916649317067noreply@blogger.com0