One Shop or Two?
by contributing columnist Ashley Pahl aka AshleyPahl

Having an Etsy, Artfire or Folksy shop can sometimes be a very time-consuming activity. Why would a person want to open a second shop? There are many good reasons for making the decision to have two stores, and sometimes it is the right choice. Some good reasons for opening a second shop include:

1. Introducing a new line of items or a different style.

2. Selling handmade if you own a supply shop, or vintage if you own a handmade shop, etc.

3. A shop appears cluttered and is overwhelming to shop browsers.

4. Separating the popular money-makers from the more serious art forms.

5. Dividing a wide range of prices into two so that shoppers can focus and better compare products.

Buyers may have an easier time focusing on the items they are looking for if they are separated from the additional miscellanea that you sell. For example, if you mostly make knit hats, but also have your handmade earrings peppered in your shop, it may be too distracting for shoppers who came to your shop looking for hats. Alternatively, if you have a shop that specializes in sterling silver jewelry, it may help a shopper to focus on what they really want if the more expensive pieces are separated from less expensive “silver-toned” pieces.

Having a second shop may even get you more exposure. You can be listed in directories twice, in Etsy’s search engine twice (when searching for sellers), and could be stumbled upon twice.

The downside, of course, is that a second shop is twice the work. Two shops to stock; two shops to market and promote; two shops to make listings for; two shops to answer messages for and complete feedback for. Additionally, if you decide to move items that you already have listed in one shop to a new shop, you will need to do so manually: copy and paste the titles, descriptions, and materials, re-type the tags, make new shipping profiles, and upload the photos all over again. Not only that, but you will lose all of the hearts and views you have accumulated for such items. Your shop’s feedback will be back at zero and you’ll have to find a way to bring shoppers to your second store.

For many, it may be worth adding a new product line to the original shop and see how it fairs. Additionally, it may help to organize the “clutter” of the first shop into something more manageable for browsers. The shop sections feature and Rearrange Shop feature are both great for accomplishing such a task.

If the pros outweigh the cons and you decide to go for it, here are some things to remember when opening a second store:

1. You will need a second email address. Each email address can only be linked to one account on Etsy.

2. You will need to disclose your additional shops. You must link from your first shop to your second shop and vice versa either in your shop announcement, profile, or shop policies page.

3. All listings must be manually re-listed. There is no way to just switch them to a new account, and you will have to pay listing fees again.

4. The same PayPal account can be used for multiple Etsy accounts – there is no limit.

5. If you are not using the same banner, avatar, packaging materials and business cards that you use for your first shop, you may need to get new ones, which will add additional costs.

All in all, the decision to open a second online shop is really an individual one. What works for one business may not pan out for another. It may be worth the financial risk to open a new store, or it may be more practical to better manage your first shop. Many Etsy businesses do quite well with multiple shops, and as the old adage goes, “you never know until you try”.

Poster image courtesy of   The LoveShop

“Open” image courtesy of   The Back Porch Shoppe

By contributing columnist Elle aka: EllesDesigns

It’s Not Art…

As I browsed the newest items on Folksy this week, I came across a really beautiful necklace that caught my eye. The ‘scimitar’ shaped pendant featured gorgeous shades of purple, with just enough silver to reflect the light, and eye catching layers, too. I was mesmerised, and the shop just gets better! Not only does it feature really beautiful, contemporary jewellery, they are all made with recycled materials too!

I decided to talk to the shop owner about their new business, and how it was going! Annie started making jewellery to wear herself, and eventually began giving it to friends and family. They were really impressed with her talents, and suggested she start selling online…it’s a big first step, though! I really struggled with gaining the confidence to list my items, but Annie didn’t have the same problem. Within a week she has created a shop on both Folksy and Misi, and started making sales!
Her inspiration for pieces often comes from what she has in the house to craft with. As well as unwanted CDs, which created the gorgeous necklace that attracted my attention, she has made pieces with dominoes, chess pieces, mah jong tiles, draughts pieces, and bottle tops. Things that would usually be thrown away are transformed into really gorgeous, unique pieces.

And the name? It‘s Not Art  was inspired by a stamp, she recalls. “Lots of people get really precious about ‘art’ and so on, and I liked the self-deprecating tone of the stamp and adopted it as my name”. It’s certainly a name I think you’ll be seeing a lot of, the whole collection is utterly gorgeous!

I’m off to look for more new talent on Folksy, but let me know what you think of Annie’s work…I’m in love with it! It’s definitely on my wish list.

Photo courtesy of Gypsy Pottery

By Contributing Columnist  Amy McCarthy aka Amy Orange  Juice

Getting your work in Galleries in 10 easy steps

Hi, I am Amy and this is my first article for IndieSmiles, I hope you find it useful!

I am a stained glass and mixed media artist working in Devon, in the UK and I sell my wares on Folksy and in a range of galleries and shops around South West England. Lots of my Folksy friends ask me how I pluck the courage up to go and approach galleries and how to go about selling yourself and your products.

So in response, here is my guide to getting into shops and galleries……

1. Pros and cons, ask yourself is retail selling right for you? I tend to make a bit less profit when selling to shops and galleries as they double my price, so I tend to lower my profit margin a little. BUT I get lots of exposure (people can follow up your website/ask for a custom item or commission) the gallery will market and sell your work for you. I don’t have to pay for or set up a craft stall; essentially I can leave my items and walk away; which as a busy mum of 2 is invaluable to me.

2. Can you be organised? You need to keep a really good record of where you items are, what you are expecting to be paid and how much stock they have. I learned this the hard way when a shop lost several of my pieces and I did not have a record of exactly what, so I could not effectively challenge them.

3. Sale or return. I have only ever managed to sell my work out right to one shop; everything else is sale or return. You have to have to be able to trust that they will pay you; so only go with established shops or people you can trust. I am still waiting to be paid for an order I sent to a gallery before Christmas and I have to be realistic in assuming I am going to have to really push them to pay me! But most galleries will ask for your bank details and debit you on a monthly basis by BACS.  Smaller outlets may still wait for you to go in and pick up a cheque. Remember, sale or return allows galleries to take a chance on you, they can see if you sell and if so then they may reorder, it gives small artists big chances! Have an invoice book and always get a receipt.

4. Research where you want to sell and visit them, note what they are selling (do they have themes, special interests etc), pricing, how much is imported/local and think if you want to put your name with them. If you don’t like the look of somewhere or their ethos then don’t sell to them, there are plenty more shops on the high street!

5. Use your friends and contacts. My first doors opened by talking to friends who were selling in galleries and shops. My dear friend Hesta (aka GreenGlamour) is an established artist and she really gave me the confidence to start approaching galleries myself and put in a good word for me (so it seemed appropriate to use photos of her work available on Folksy for this article).

6. Pricing; remember that most galleries double the price you sell to them for, so be sure you can make a profit. It is important to remember that what might sound like a lot of money to you may not to someone else. You are not necessarily trying to sell to your own economic bracket!

7. Less is not more. Having a decent amount of stock in a shop always leads to better sales; it makes your stuff stand out from other artists and makes your work more of a feature in the shop. Prepare a good range of products (at least 6 of each kind of thing you want to sell in a range of prices) and work out what you want to tell the retailer about them.

8. Go say hello. I have tried lots of contact methods and this is the best. When you go check out the gallery say hello and explain yourself and your work, if possible leave a card. Go home and email them a short bio and some good quality pictures (do not be disheartened if they do not respond, a gallery I have a very established relationship with never reply to my emails). A few days later follow up with a phone call asking if they saw your email and if they would be happy for you to come in with your work, then make an appointment and take everything you want to sell not just a sample (remember my at least 6 things rule).

9. Take a deep breath, be prepared to go home with your stuff again and go and talk to them. Be yourself, they have already said yes to a meeting so they are interested. Be positive and smile! Give them a chance to look through your work and if they say no, ask why. One shop really liked my stuff but I didn’t fit with her French theme, so I just had to move on to the next one on my list!

10. Tell the world. When your work is in a shop tell your friends and family about the great shop your work is for sale in, put it on your blog, facebook etc, what is good for the shop is good for you!

Good Luck!

Hair Band Pic courtesy of Green Glamour

Lion pic courtesy of It belongs to Turtle

By Contributing Columnist Ashley Pahl aka AshleyPahl

Every day, countless new shops full of beautiful art and handmade items open on Etsy.com. Among those shops are artists who think outside the box and fill their online store with amazingly creative and unique ideas. Shops to Watch, a monthly article, highlights these artists and the works that fill their shops.

This month features the art of Melissa Wagner-Lawler, shop owner of Red Thread Letter. Wagner-Lawler, a printmaker, sculptor, and book artist, has trained at both the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design and the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, where she earned her Master of Fine Arts in Visual Studies. Her portfolio of prints, sculpture, and books are available for viewing at her website, www.RedThreadLetterPress.com. Currently located in Milwaukee, Melissa Wagner-Lawler exhibits locally, nationally, and internationally.

Melissa’s Etsy shop, however, focuses on handcrafted jewelry inspired by natural and organic forms. In particular, her series of cellular-inspired necklaces stands out. The necklaces are inspired by irregular and organic patterns found in nature. They come in many different colors and no two are alike. Wagner-Lawler shared with me her thoughts on running a shop an Etsy shop and creating a focused collection, receiving an education in art, and her biggest inspirations.

What led you to your decision to get an education in art?

For me, there was never any decision that had to be made; it was really the only thing
that I ever wanted to do. It was the natural progression. The real decision was what
did I want to do after receiving my master’s. I debated about whether or not I wanted
to teach, and in the end, I just kind of fell into it. Currently, I’m teaching art at two
institutions and I couldn’t be happier.

Where did your love for organic forms come from?

It’s hard to pinpoint. Overall, I’d have to say that I like mimicking or attempting to
mimic natural forms. I’m more attracted to other people’s representation of organic
forms than the actual forms themselves.

What else inspires you?

Most of my inspiration comes from subtleties in texture and pattern and slight shifts in
color; this is why the majority of the pieces in my shop are somewhat monochromatic.
Keeping the colors very similar or the same allows for the focus to be put on the design,
pattern, or texture and maintains simplicity, in that respect.

Also, contrasts in materials and forms, such as organic versus industrial, continually
interest me as well.

What is your favorite piece, current or sold, in your Etsy shop?

The larger asymmetrical pieces with the chain are definitely my favorite. They embody
the contrast of the materials – the beauty of the beaded form versus the industrial, rock
‘n roll side of the chain.

http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=21955640

This piece was definitely hard to part with as well:

http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=22341273

What work of art from your portfolio means the most to you?

On some level, I am attached to all of them. It would be difficult for me to pinpoint one
over another, but typically my sculpture items I can never part with simply for the
amount of time that it takes to create them.

Is there an art technique you not yet tried, but would like to?

I’ve always wanted to try blown glass, but have not yet found the resources to do so.
I’ve tried nearly everything that is art and crafty, especially when it comes to my
professional artwork.

What piece of advice would you give to another artist wanting to open an Etsy
shop?

Producing high quality items that you can stand behind is of the utmost importance. It
can be a daunting task to decide what you want to focus on in your shop, but having
one type of item that you excel at producing will get you further than trying to dabble in
multiple areas. Overall, I believe that buyers want to see an Etsy seller that is
committed to their product(s) and have taken the time to refine them. The old adage
practice makes perfect definitely applies!

What are your long term plans for your artwork?

Well, one can never show their work in too many exhibitions! Being a cross‐disciplinary
artist (printmaking and sculpture), I find myself often being pulled in one direction over
the other and then a few months later that direction flips back again. Currently, I am
focusing on printmaking and making some small‐scale etchings and larger collagraph
pieces. However, in a few months, I’ll be interested in sculpture again and then I’ll be
working on expanding a piece from my MFA Thesis that I’ve been continuously putting
on hold.

Thanks so much to Melissa for taking the time to talk to us at Indie Smiles, and may your success continue!

Tracy Smith of Cinnamon Jewellery

What inspires you to create and how did you choose the medium you work in? Every artist/designer has a story to tell ~ I compared notes with four Jewellery Designers on Folksy to find out what stories lie behind their creations.

A love of jewellery, going to a beading class, a horse~riding accident and beads themselves are what started these Folksy sellers making their own jewellery.

Becky of Folksy shop Red Bird Jewellery tried every craft from mosaics to knitting but it was after taking a beading class that she started making jewellery. “It’s like a bit of an obsession. I find myself talking to people’s necklaces instead of them, as I try to figure out how it was put together. I just can’t get enough of it. I’ve got lots and lots to learn, and I’ve just bought a soldering kit, so I’m going to try a bit more metalwork. I’m very excited!” I asked Becky what inspires her designs ~ “It’s a bit of an old cliche, but I do love nature, the colours and shapes of leaves and flowers, rivers flowing – there’s so much to inspire. I also look to other craft types to figure out what colours would go together, and would love to try to incorporate more fabric into my jewellery – look out for some pieces later in the spring”

Lorraine of Folksy shop FairlyGirly also took a jewellery making course at a local Arts Centre. “I have always loved wearing jewellery and this was my chance to make some for myself. After making items for myself and friends, they were so delighted with them that they persuaded me to start selling them and that was how FairlyGirly was created”. Lorraine’s inspiration comes from the beads themselves. “I love the shapes and colours of them and the ability to design something that is unique. I offer a custom made service to my customers and it is lovely to be able to make something to go perfectly with an outfit or bag. It is very pleasing to see others wearing your creations.”

A crafting weekend in 2001 where she learned to bead using seed beads, a needle and thread is how Jean of Folksy shop Talking Beads first started making jewellery. “I taught my friend and together we increased our range of stitches and eventually started to teach bead weaving and took our work to craft fairs and opened up a web site. We no longer teach but still sell online and supply a local shop with our jewellery.”

Jean’s inspiration comes from colour. “Having a box of beads in front of me, peace and quiet and a few hours to spend…… bliss. I spread out my beading mats and do a ‘pick and mix’ of my beads and they seem to come together of their own accord. When I buy beads I just top up colours and shapes with no particular project in mind. I then have the beads when I am ready and feeling arty! I enjoy commissions, being asked to create a special piece can be daunting but I love to take the finished item to my customer. In fact, my customers inspire me to do better and better designs.”

Amanda of Folksy shop Gimme That Thing wanted to make jewellery from the age of 14 but it was only after an accident that she actually started. “It was only last August, when I had a riding accident and broke a vertebra, that I was unable to pick up heavy bags of clay to work on my ceramic designs, and started making glass beaded jewellery, as it was something that I could do sitting down. I have now discovered the versatility of precious metal clay and am moving forward with more adventurous and creative designs”.
Amanda is inspired by “Nature’s amazing and sometimes surprising colour combinations, fireworks and the sea. I like to put colours together that shouldn’t really work, such as pink and red.”

Finding your inspiration to create a piece of beautiful jewellery is only part of the process. Finding the right beads and findings is also important. The internet has opened up a huge world of beads and jewellery making supplies at our fingertips. I asked Becky, Lorraine, Amanda and Jean where they source their materials…………………

Becky: “I would love to buy locally as it would be nice to see what I’m actually buying when it comes to gems, etc, but I usually end up buying online. I can also spend a fortune at bead shows. I wish there was somewhere around here that I could pop along to, but I’m figuring out now which are the best online suppliers”.

Lorraine buys all her supplies from UK online stores. “A lot of my purchases have to be online as I only have local access to one shop, and I like to use a wide variety of beads and findings. I also purchase handmade lampwork beads from other UK artists, as I like the opportunity to support them and use their wonderful beads in my designs. The disadvantage of buying online, is that sometimes the quality and size of the beads when they arrive aren’t as expected. When this happens I don’t use them, as I have set myself quality standards which I keep to! Once a year I do get the chance to visit a bead fair, there is nothing quite the same as handpicking the beads yourself. It usually ends up being an expensive day!!”

Amanda also buys her jewellery making goodies online. “I have worked my way through most of the good bead and findings suppliers and now have 4 favourites that always stock what I need at good prices.”

Jeans buys everywhere. “I am afraid that I do not buy everything from any particular shop. My first stop for toggles and clasps as well as crystals and swarovski pearls would be “Noseks Just Gems” and for pearls my first stop is “Sandstones“. Both online shops are very good and respond quickly to a request. In the beading world we always want the beads NOW PLEASE and we cannot wait for 3-5 days delivery. The shop I visit is Bijoux Beads in Bath. Dangerous, as there is no such thing as popping in to look.”

I’d like to say a big “Thank You” to Becky, Lorraine, Amanda and Jean from Folksy for taking the time to answer my questions and making this such an interesting article. I hope you’ve enjoyed reading it!
Now enjoy their slideshow!

Donut bracelet pic courtsy of Art and Candies

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ADD A C A P T I O N……

Read more…

By contributing columnist Megan Eckman aka Sudiomme

With the holiday season fast approaching, now is the time to get your packaging supplies in order.  And while you’re stocking up, why not consider a few new tricks to really impress your customers?  All it takes are a few simple items you already have around your house.

Ribbons:  You get them all the time on packages, so why not reuse them?  Tie up your multiple orders with a large scrap of ribbon or punch a hole in your Thank You card and make it a tag by stringing a colorful ribbon through it.

Magazines:  Magazine pages can be used for almost all of your packaging needs.  You can sew pages over used bubble mailers to make them new again.  You can use them as stuffing in lieu of packaging peanuts, which are not environmentally friendly.  Or, if your product is small enough, you could trace the shape of your favorite envelope onto a magazine page to construct your own, colorful mailing envelope.  Such envelopes can also be found on Etsy for a small price from sellers like Adnagam (www.adnagam.etsy.com) and Studio M.M.E. (www.studiomme.etsy.com)  If your product is larger, you can always make the envelopes for your included Thank You card.

Colorful Paper:  Like the magazine pages, colored paper can easily be turned into envelopes.  If your product is small, like a piece of jewelry, you can add a personal touch, and save a few dollars, by constructing an origami box.  A tutorial by Etsy labs can be found online at Youtube.  (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBf957XC-4k)

Address Labels:  To make your packing go faster, pre-print a page of labels with your business information.  Make sure to add your logo or avatar to increase your branding.  You can also use extra labels to make stickers.  Maybe a product picture, or your shop’s name in a creative font.  You can put the stickers on the outside of the package to decorate or on the inside to hold the ends of the tissue paper.

If you’re in need of more packaging supplies, skip the craft shops and head to thrift stores, estate sales, or your friend’s house.  You can also ask your local office supply store managers to use their bubble wrap if they’re not going to reuse it.  Doctor’s and dentist’s offices are great places to get magazines, and if you’re in need of cardboard boxes, I know of no better place to go than your local recycling center.

For more ideas, you can watch Etsy’s “Holiday How-To Series” on Youtube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ww2tvzmVXgY) or go to Flickr and check out the Etsy Packaging group (http://www.flickr.com/groups/etsypackaging/).  So, be creative, be eco-friendly, and above all, make your package a joy to receive.  

Images courtesy of these Etsy shops:

Uncorked

Dog Dreams

Homegrown Gems

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There is one Etsy shop that has proved that Staying Power is where it’s at! ChristieCottage is a shop that has become a household name in the Etsy forums and to top it all off she has been able to keep her staying power going and show her promoting leadership with a unique Buy and Stay list! Funny, when I first joined Etsy my main objective was to sell Vintage and become very well known at Etsy . My staying power probably wilted because I changed my name and tried new things. Sometimes it’s best to keep things status quo and keep your name branded, ChristieCottage is perfect proof of that at Etsy.

I’ve written an article on Christie’s shop as one of my favs, and this is not about her work (although I always enjoy showcasing her items) this is about the Buy and Stay that she has had running in the Etsy Forums since November of last year with over 3,900 sales!! I don’t think I’ve seen staying power or this many sales from a forum list like this one before. Most buy and replaces fade away over time and may last from a week to a month…but Christie’s has lasted for an entire year. Awesome!

Buy and replace lists mean that you buy something off a shop on the list and your name replaces theirs. These are very popular and a good way to get a new shop off the ground or get some action going on a shop that needs some attention. The difference with Christie’s buy and stay is that you don’t replace the person you purchase from, their shop stays on the list. But the rule is that you check in each day and comment in the forums. If not, you will be removed from the list, I’m sure many a shop has come and gone because shops may not be in it for the long haul. But Christie and her admin. buy and stay team have watched over things and have given this list the staying power to beat all others.

If you want to get in on the list you need to go to the forums and search for “Christiecottage” in the Etsy forums. I would love to post the link here but it changes daily…yes…it gets that many comments!!

So, go ahead and get noticed, buy from one of the shops and get on the hottest list yet on Etsy!

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Do you spend endless amounts of time promoting your online shop? Are you tired of running a sale and hoping someone will stumble upon the bargain? Imagine hundreds of customers finding your products and your deals while you spend your precious time creating.

 At IndieSmiles, you can leave the marketing and advertising to us so that you can create and delve into the artistic side of your business. By creating a happy and informative atmosphere filled with great deals, IndieSmiles will provide your store with the exposure you desire.

How? By offering deals to potential clients at one central portal and advertising on key websites throughout the internet highway, IndieSmiles is your matchmaker to indie-minded clients looking for a great bargain! Once your new clients experience first hand the quality and artistic value of your product, they are sure to come back.

Check out our low cost advertising. Get in the coupon Directory.

As low as $7.95!!

Our services at Indiesmiles are both simple and economical. Starting at just $7.95 (see our promotional rate below) for a 1/2 month period, all levels of service offer exceptional advertising, attractive graphics for your promotion, and step by step instructions to provide you with a professionally advertised sale.

Furthermore, by allowing you to add onto our Smiles Program, you can find the perfect level of service for your business.

Quite simply, all of the programs below will enroll you in our coupon directory for the time span that you choose! The Big Smiles and the Showboat programs afford you more exposure. Review the features of our 3 smile programs:

Our Smiles Program ($7.95) provides directory submission, an attractive coupon, and graphics for your shop and blog to be used during the two-week duration. For $9.95, you receive a the Smiles Program for a four-week duration.

Our Big Smiles Ad ($8.00): Add-on our Big Smiles Ad Space to your sales campaign for $8.00 spotlights your indie store on a 125px x 125px advertisement, first come…first serve, on Indiesmiles.com in addition to the Smiles Program. Our Big Smiles Program can be extended to a four-week duration for $11.00 add-on. So for a very low price, you can accept the coupon for your shop and advertise your shop on our front page!

Our Showboat Smiles Program (reg $24.95), you will have your store featured in our feature stores section during the 1/2 month duration in addition to the Smiles Program and can be extended to a full month duration (reg $30.95) for a full month’s feature.

Get your shop noticed with the optimum exposure. We will publish your feature on the front page, with a rotating feature…sure to get you noticed!