20% Off with Coupon

January 15, 2009 :: Posted by - Sue :: Category - Headline

20 percent off from January 16 - 31 at select stores!

Most of the stores are offering 20% off with coupon code 20SMILES so test them out (please read the exact discount of each store. This information is place directly underneath their listing)! All art or handmade work direct from the maker.

Smiles Coupon Categories
accessories: textiles | jewelry | knitting | photography | supplies
Accessories: Textiles

Kreated by Kelly: Where buttons, fabric and paper come to play!!

Celebrating life, love and happiness is top priority for my shop and, therefore, you will find all sorts of whimsical accessories and pretties.
Save 20% from January 16-31 with code “20SMILES”!

Jewelry

Lost in the Forest: Enchanting jewelery & gifts

Unique hand made jewellery & gifts made from recycled & vintage finds. Inspired by love stories, fairy tales & faded glamour.

Check out Lost in the Forest’s Showboat feature!

Save 20% from January 16-31 with code “20SMILES”!

Drag’n Rags by Jennifer Lynn Productions: Arty accessories that favor nature

I sell simple beaded jewelry and hand-sewn purses/handbags. (Bags coming soon!)
Save 20% from January 16-31 with code “20SMILES”!

Sea Star Dreams Designs: Beach Relics from faraway seas for your jewelry collection!

Each shell (or other beach relic) has been handpicked off a beach that I have traveled to or visited!
Save 20% from January 16-31 with code “20SMILES”!

Check out Sea Star Dream Design’s Showboat feature!

Earrings by JuliaA: Handmade Earrings by JuliaA–lovely, feminine, classic.

My earrings combine classic elegance with modern flourishes to create style that goes with anything. The quality materials make them both beautiful and affordable. Available in your choice of colors and metals.

Save 20% from January 16-31 with code “20SMILES”!

Knitting

Andrea Designs: Handmade Knit Designs
Do you want to be pamper, to look great and to be the center of attention? Wear a scarf or shawl from Andrea Designs!

Save 10%, get Free Shipping and a Free Pearl Bracelet from January 16-31 with code “20SMILES”!

Photography

McGuinness Photography: Photography for your naked- and not so naked – walls

Your one-stop for photography. Browse our vast collection of nature and everyday images.

Save 20% from January 16-31 with code “20SMILES”!

Look: McGuinness Photography featured!
Supplies

Tantalizing Stitches: DIY Supplies for Bags

Get your supply fix at Tantalizing Stitches! You can find large lobster clips, magnetic snaps, poly bags, knitting needles, and more.

Save 20% from January 16-31 with code “20SMILES”!

Comments (0) :: Add Comment

evilpotpourri

January 14, 2009 :: Posted by - Sue :: Category - showboat features
indiebutton

Hi, I’m Jaimie and I’m the owner, operator, and craft maker of my little Evilpotpourri shop at Etsy. I got my start on ebay back in 2004 under the same “evilpotpourri” name. I still sell occasionally on that site.

Wondering where I got my name? That’s what happens when you strike up a deal with your teenage daughter and let her choose your fabulous new name in exchange for nightly dish washing! Sometimes I regret it. But then again, I’ve never had to worry about someone else using it.

I make and sell whatever strikes my fancy. Right now I’m into sewing which is great because I’m using up all the fabric Ive collected due to an out of control fabric addiction.

I think my arts and crafts reflect my personality. I love bright colors and tend to stay away from geometrical designs. I also have that “other” side of my personality that really digs skulls and crossbones and Goth type fabrics and art. I love the whimsical, cute, and mystical and fairys are a favorite.

I am married to the most wonderful and ever patient man! He never complains about how my crafts have completely taken over the living and dining room and as long as I sew him a quilt for his birthday he’s happy!

We have 4 children, 2 of whom are grown. We have 2 grand-babies. We love animals and are owned by 6 dogs, one cat, and an African Grey bird. I have a very special dog named Chloe who is deaf. She is the inspiration behind my other etsy store “chloesbowwowboutique“.

Mention that you saw me on Indiesmiles and get 10% off your order and Free Shipping!

Jaimie
my blog
Twitter
Myspace
Etsy shops: evilpotpourri and chloesbowwowboutique

Comments (2) :: Add Comment

Free Shipping!!! December 16-31

December 16, 2008 :: Posted by - Sue :: Category - Headline

You will find wonderful handmade items from these indie shops which for a limited time offer free shipping from December 16-31 with COUPON CODE FREESMILES2!

Smiles Coupon Categories
accessories | art | greeting cards | handbags | jewelry | pets | supplies
Accessories

Charm Boutique: unique handmade jewelry and gifts

A collection of jewelry artists and their designs from around the country. Perfect for gifts and presents!

FREE SHIPPING from December 16-31 with code “FREESMILES2″!

Perpetual Sunshine Creations: Hand Knotted Eco-friendly Jewelry

At Perpetual Sunshine Creations, all knotty creations are made with eco-friendly beads, such as natural stones, salvaged wood beads, vintage, & recycled. Time, patience & LOVE is dedicated to each piece.

FREE SHIPPING from December 16-31 with code “FREESMILES2″!

Blueberry Junkie: Crafting for babies and toddlers

Unique handmade gift items for babies and toddlers. Blueberry Junkie is a hit with moms and babies alike. Creating for stylish and modern kids.

FREE SHIPPING from December 16-31 with code “FREESMILES2″!

Art

Corn Husk Dolls: Unique Corn Husk Dolls

Unique, high quality, colorful corn husk dolls from traditional family Appalachian folk art styles to fantasy creations.

Check out the Corn Husk Dolls’ Feature!

FREE SHIPPING from December 16-31 with code “FREESMILES2″!

EFA Team Store: 100% to the animals

The EFA Team Store offers a variety of handmade items contributed by members of EFA Artists Helping Animals.

Check out the EFA Team Store’s Feature!

FREE SHIPPING from December 16-31 with code “FREESMILES2″!

Greeting Cards

Bitsy Creations: Graphic Design & Greeting Cards

BitsyCreations offers graphic design services for small businesses as well as beautiful handmade greeting cards & invitations.

Check out Bitsy Creation’s Showboat feature!

FREE SHIPPING from December 16-31 with code “FREESMILES2″!

Elephant Dance: crochet & greetings

Handmade and unique crochet and greeting cards where 15% of the proceeds go to PAWS-Saipan.org, an animal welfare organization in the Northern Mariana Islands.

Check out Elephant Dance’s Showboat feature!

FREE SHIPPING from December 16-31 with code “FREESMILES2″!

Handbags

Bizzie Lizzie Bags: Not Just a Bag – Your Bag

At Bizzie Lizzie, named after her sweet daughter, bags are inspired by Charlotte’s innate personal desire to sew and create for you.

FREE SHIPPING from December 16-31 with code “FREESMILES2″!

Jewelry

Charm Boutique: unique handmade jewelry and gifts

A collection of jewelry artists and their designs from around the country. Perfect for gifts and presents!

FREE SHIPPING from December 16-31 with code “FREESMILES2″!

MY Never Ender: Clothing, Accessories & Art by Emerging Artists

Never Ender features unique handmade clothing, jewelry, and accessories by emerging artists. Environmentally aware, these artists are dedicated to providing eco-friendly items and packaging.

FREE SHIPPING from December 16-31 with code “FREESMILES2″!

LoopsDesigns: Simple Modern Handmade Jewelry

LoopsDesigns offers jewelry that’s simple modern and handmade by artist Sarah Dible. She also designs an entire line of “one of a kind” EcoLoops jewelry made from recycled materials!

FREE SHIPPING from December 16-31 with code “FREESMILES2″!

Frenzy Studios: Beautiful Art Pendants

Frenzy Studios specializes in creating beautiful art pendants made of 2 inch x 2 inch glass squares. Each pendant is then given a protective high gloss resin coating. All pendants have a silver plated bail that will fit any chain or cord.

FREE SHIPPING from December 16-31 with code “FREESMILES2″!

Perpetual Sunshine Creations: Hand Knotted Eco-friendly Jewelry

At Perpetual Sunshine Creations, all knotty creations are made with eco-friendly beads, such as natural stones, salvaged wood beads, vintage, & recycled. Time, patience & LOVE is dedicated to each piece.

FREE SHIPPING from December 16-31 with code “FREESMILES2″!

Nyblaque: Designs created with light and love

Nyblaque offers affordable quality handmade hammered , wire wrapped, and eco-friendly jewelry inspired by many medians, cultures and styles. From my hands to your heart..

FREE SHIPPING from December 16-31 with code “FREESMILES2″!

Pets

Dog-On Wear: Dog Saddlepacks, Fashions and bedding

Dog-On Wear makes and offers handmade custom saddlepacks for all dogs, holiday collars, jester collars, bedding, and other doggie accessories.

FREE SHIPPING from December 16-31 with code “FREESMILES2″!

Supplies

Remember Wynn: custom laser engraved items and services

Professional quality clothing labels and jewelry markers that everyone can afford and a great selection of custom gifts for anyone!

FREE SHIPPING from December 16-31 with code “FREESMILES2″!

TackyBackinTime . . . the fun way to go vintage!

Check out TackyBackinTime’s Showboat feature!

Fun vintage and non-vintage craft supplies and gifts!

FREE SHIPPING from December 16-31 with code “FREESMILES2″!

Comments (0) :: Add Comment

Get Noticed by Using Descriptive Words!

November 18, 2008 :: Posted by - Sue :: Category - Biz Advice - Get Noticed!

Every indiepreneur asks, “How do I get me and my shop noticed?” Well, take it from my friend and fellow indiepreneur Lynn of LolaLynn who made it onto the New York Times Blog. Corey, the writer of the article, found Lynn with a simple Google search with the terms “East River” and “beach glass.” With that, Lynn’s Beach Glass and Wire Pendant that she kindly donated to the Street Team “Etsy For Charity” shows up third in the Google search listing (after the New York Times blog article and a post about Lynn’s pendant). And don’t tell me that its just coincidence that Lynn sold three of her East River Beach Glass pendants here, here, and here. (Don’t miss out on her other sea glass pendants!)

What does this mean for you? Choose your words wisely when listing your items. Here, Lynn used very specific words “East River” and “beach glass.” Had she just used the words “beach glass,” her item would have been lost in the ocean of over 179,000 other websites instead of 108.

Besides being specific with your words, I highly suggest that you use aka’s (also known as) – often termed synonyms. These are best used sparingly in the main description area of the item but should definitely be accentuated in the tag or meta data portion of your listings. After all, while you may use one word, a person desirous of your products may use another word that means the exact same thing. In Lynn’s case, useful meta tags would include “sea glass,” “mermaid’s tears,” and “lucky tears” as those words are often interchangeable for “beach glass.”

So, go take a look at your product descriptions and see what you can do to spruce up your shop!

Comments (4) :: Add Comment

Bitsy Creations

November 09, 2008 :: Posted by - Sue :: Category - showboat features

Bitsy Creations provides graphic design for your small business such as logo design, business cards, and promotional items. You’ll also find printed items such as fabric labels and hang tags!

When asked a little about herself, Joan told us:

I’ve been on Etsy for more than two years now and the strange thing is I don’t even remember how I originally found out about Etsy! I started out listing my hand-embroidered greeting cards, which turned into also listing my graphic design greetings. That snowballed into listing my graphic design services and supplies for other Etsy sellers. I’ve since opened a second Etsy shop called Bitsy Greetings and have tried to separate my custom designs from my greetings.

Many people comment how they enjoy my shops because my items are 100% customizable. I can create any graphic you need for your small business as well as provide you with supplies you’ll need, too. Hang tags, business cards, and fabric labels can all be found at BitsyCreations. But the fun thing is that I can do the same for your personal needs – Mommy Cards, photo greeting cards and announcements, and invitations can all be customized for you and are available at BitsysGreetings.

I’ve been crafting for as long as I can remember. I’m self taught in just about every aspect of my art–my degree is actually in Elementary Education. I grew up in Maryland, but am just now moving back here after 4 years of school in Idaho and four years of school for my husband in North Carolina so I’m excited to see what is available here for artists and crafters! I have a wonderful husband and two beautiful children, a daughter and a son.

Sue and El also asked Bitsy about some of her favorite movies and books and she responded with some great choices:

I have a hard time with favorites because I enjoy movies & reading so much just in general! . . . but movies: Stranger Than Fiction, Oceans 11, 12 or 13!, What Dreams May Come, Kate & Leopold. Books: Eats, Shoots & Leaves, The Kite Runner, Maya Angelou’s Poetry Collections.

You can find Joan on Etsy.com at http://bitsycreations.etsy.com/ and at her website. Also, take some time to read her interesting blog at http://bitsycreations.blogspot.com/.

Bitsy Creations accepts the Winter Wonderland Free Shipping Coupon from December 16 – 31!

Comments (3) :: Add Comment

Random Posts

Excuse our dusty smiles! Sugar Shox Crafts blackfriday Victoria Wilde Cut-up the tee Tweetips for Indie Shops 10% off fabulous artists Look at me! How to make your wrapping WOW! Kitty helper - Kitty greetings! AshleyPahl