Happy New Year!

Tomorrow is the start of 2011 - I wish you all health, wealth and happiness for the New Year!



This past year on Etsy has been a busy one. I've had almost 300 sales, have posted items to the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the Maldives, Brunei and of course the UK and Ireland :)

I'm not really going to set myself New Years Resolutions in terms of goals for my business this year, but I do plan to blog more regularly, start a newsletter and set up a Facebook page for AMIdesigns.

Whatever your plans for 2011, I hope you achieve them :)

Merry Christmas!

Here in our house excitement is running high as Santa comes tonight. So I'd like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas for tomorrow. May Santa bring you everything you wish for :)

Craftcult Treasury Widget

I might be a bit late to this, but I've just discovered the craftcult treasury widget
The widget can be used to post live, clickable versions of your Etsy Treasury lists on your blog or website.

You simply enter your etsy member name, decide if you want to post a list made by you or featuring you, decide on the size of the treasury and finally if you want it to be a snapshot or dynamic (changes as changes are made to the treasury)

You then click on the 'Get widget' button and simply add the code to your blog or website.


Thanks to CatherineAhern for featuring my Navy Pearl Cluster Bracelet in her stunning Navy Winters treasury.

Friday Round Up

Today is the last Christmas shipping day from the UK to USA, so in effect international Christmas shopping is over. Although my sales have been steady throughout November and December they haven't been as mad as last year. Maybe it's because there are so many new sellers on Etsy, maybe I just need to rethink my marketing. In fact, maybe I need to consider marketing LOL!

I've not been making many new things for my shop, as life has a habit of running away from me at this time of year. However I have some old things back in stock.

This Red, Silver and Grey Memory Wire Bracelet is back in my shop.


And making a return is this Burgundy and Silver Pearls Memory Wire Bracelet


And finally, a new thing! Purple and Pink Pearls Memory Wire Bracelet

AMIdesigns

Pantone Colour Selector

I came across a thread on the Etsy forums tonight which may be of interest to anyone who likes keep ahead of trending colours.

It was linking a couple of articles about the Pantone colour forecast for spring 2011. Just click on this link and you will be able to get a look at all the trending colours.

According to an article in The Independent 'Honeysuckle, a dynamic reddish pink, will be defining the mood of 2011 given its "uplifting" qualities.'


I think my Dark Pink Pearl Cluster Bracelet is pretty close in colour don't you?

Craft Fairs

Last year I got so fed up with poor fairs that had totally stressed me out beforehand, that I made a deciscion not to do any other than the one at my sons school this Christmas. But I actually found that I was missing them in a strange way, so ended up signing up for 2 others last minute.

And maybe I was just lucky, or maybe I've grown more experienced at what sells at these fairs, but I did my last one on Sunday and I've really enjoyed them and consider all 3 of them to have been successful.

For me, the nicest thing about them is that I get to make things that just don't sell well for me online, so I get to challenge myself to come up with new designs. The worst thing about them is when people take a quick glance at yet another jewellery stall and walk past without even taking the time to look at my work properly.

I think one of the things I've learned is to judge the fairs before agreeing to do them. In previous years I did all fairs that I found out about and on a couple of occasions just about scaped my table price. This time round I only did fairs with a small number of sellers and it has worked well.


Grey Pearl and Blue Crystal Necklace

Mondays Featured Seller

Today I'm featuring the work of fellow UK chat thread seller OneStopPamperShop Here you will find a yummy mix of candles, votives and gifts.

I love this idea of the 12 days of Christmas candles, with scents such as mincy pies, orange and clove and mulled wine.


And how cute are these Snowball candles?


And finally, how about this personalised Photo hurricane candle lamp?


Check out her shop for more goodies :)

Friday Round Up

This week I've been working on a big custom order for pearl cluster bracelets, necklaces and earrings so haven't had a lot of time to make other things. However, I have added a couple of new pearl bracelets to my Etsy shop


Royal Purple Pearl Cluster Bracelet


Grape Pearl Cluster Bracelet

I'm also participating in the Black Friday sale, so everything in my shop is 15% off. Prices have already been adjusted :)

Mondays Featured Seller

Today I'm featuring the work of Italian crafter katrinshine In Katrins shop you will find a mix of leather and fabric jewellery, leather accessories, medieval dresses, corsets, patchwork bags and pillows.


Yellow-green leather Pendant


Cerise pink leather flowers bobby pins


Waist Reducing CORSET

Check out her shop for lots more gorgeous items, perfect for gifts.

Coupon Codes

Another great feature from Etsy! I think they are very slowly getting there with sellers tools and this one is in time for Christmas sales.

I've trying it out by offering 15% off to all my blog followers. Simply put in the code 'BLOG15' at checkout and Etsy should do the discount for you :)

Friday Round Up

I woke up this morning to find out that I'd been on the Front Page of Etsy last night! This doesn't happen very often so it was lovely to wake up to. Thanks to VintageDreamsShop for featuring my Turquoise and Lime Pearl Cluster Bracelet

Unfortunately as I was an alternate, I couldn't get a screen shot that included the bracelet on craft cult :)

I had my craft fair at Jamies school last night. I'd made lots of girls jewellery, necklaces and pearl bracelets and was really pleased at how well I did. To be honest, it was lovely to make things that are different from my usual online items and it's encouraged me to do another fair in the run up to Christmas.

Because I've been working on things for the craft fair, I've not listed much new in my shop, though I've listed this Grey Pearl and Blue Crystal Antiqued Silver Necklace


I've also got a few Christmas Baubles listed, including this Mistletoe Berries Christmas Bauble


I've also done one in teal


Check out my shop for other colours!

Craftopolis Edit Express

Last week when I wanted to save time by batch editing my shipping, someone on the forums linked to the 'edit express' tool on craftopolis. I found that although it was my shipping that I wanted to edit and the tool doesn't allow for that, you can edit item prices, descriptions, titles and quantities easily.

Simply add your shop name, allow the app to connect to your etsy shop and the rest is simple!

I do have to ask though, why is it the Etsy never seems to offer these simple tools that help sellers so much and it's up to other sites to introduce them???

Friday Round Up

This week I have been working on some simple, single strand bracelets that are all $15 I wanted to offer an affordable range for stocking fillers and if they don't sell online I shall bring them to a craft fair I'm doing next week!


Chocolate Brown, Mocha and Ivory Beaded Bracelet


Burgundy, Silver and Grey Bracelet


Pale Pink, Purple and Diamante Bracelet

I was at a bead fair this morning and got some yummy beads, so will post some pics later this weekend of the beads and some of my new creations.

Featured Seller

Today I'm gong to feature the work of MoaningMinnie where you will find contemporary fashion accessories. Minnies shop is full of hats, scarves, bags and headscarves.


Dark Grey Tweed Beret


Metropolitan Bag - Black Cashmere with Blue Flowers


Black/Pale Grey faux fur neckwarmer


Non reversible headscarf black and hot pink

Check out minnies shop for lots more goodies.

Weekly Round Up

This week I've been busy with making some bracelets and as always at this time of year, the big problem is getting them photographed! It's been a dull, wet week here and I'm noticing the quality of my pics is rapidly decreasing.

I've added a couple of bracelets to my shop, including this Coppery Gray Memory Wire Bracelet


and this Black and White Pearl Cluster Bracelet


Also back in time for Christmas, I've got some Christmas Baubles in a range of colours, including this Red Berries Christmas Bauble


and for the less traditional holiday colour scheme, one in teal


I'd appreciate some opinions too on whether or not you would buy a memory wire bracelet kit. I'd love to know if you think it would make a good gift, or if people would rather just buy the made up bracelet.

November Goals

Now that Halloween is over and all the shops are stocking up on Christmas items, I feel that festive shopping is about to begin. So I thought I'd try and set myself some goals for the next few weeks.


Holly Red Pearl Cluster Bracelet

Looking back at my Etsy shop over the past couple of years,my sales in November stand at -
Nov 08 - 17 sales
Nov 09 - 44 sales

So this year, if I'm completely honest I would like to aim for 2 sales a day, or around 60 sales. But part of me is erring on the side of caution and just hoping to reach the same as last year.

I've stocked up on packaging supplies after running out of organza bags, bubble wrap and business cards last november (no wonder I totally stressed myself out) already made multiplies of my most popular items and have plenty of findings to make more.

Now all I need are the buyers :)

Care to share your November goals and what you'll be doing differently this year?

Autumn in Scotland

We have just returned from Aberdeenshire in the Highlands of Scotland. We rented a cottage for a week with my in laws, the kids, 2 dogs and hubbie and me. And we had an amazing week, full of sun, walks, whisky distilleries, too much food, coffee shops and more food. A definite recommendation for the autumn half term :)

Friday Round Up

I'm heading off to Aberdeenshire in Scotland for half term tomorrow. I'm taking my beads and pliers with me, but will have limited access to the internet. Hopefully any buyers will be happy to wait a few extra days for their purchases!

This week I've been working on some new designs and replacing some items that have sold.

This Old Gold and Champagne Pearl and Crystal Bridal Cluster Bracelet is back in stock.


I've been working on some memory wire bracelets which resemble 3 strands of pearls, including this Burgundy, Raspberry and Pale Pink Pearl Memory Wire Bracelet


and this Rhinestone, Silver, Grey and Black Pearl Memory Wire Bracelet

Catchup

I've been especially poor at blogging this past couple of weeks. It seems that when things start to get busy at home blogging falls by the wayside, so note to self - must try harder!

I've decided to have another week long sale, in an effort to clear out old stock and generally offer customers a bargain. I've 2 different sales sections, a $5 Dollar Sale section for memory wire bracelets and a Half Price Section for Pearl Cluster Bracelets.

Chocolate Brown and Pink Pearl Cluster Bracelet now $13(~£8.35)


Lavender Pink Freshwater Pearl Bracelet which is now $16 (~£10.27)


Moss Agate Chips Memory Wire Bracelet which is now only $5($3.21)


So if you are doing some early Christmas shopping or just want to treat yourself, please have a look :)

UK Silly Sale!

UK sellers have decided to have a massive pre-christmas sale to clear way for new stock.

Check out this thread on Etsy which has a list of all the amazing shops taking part -http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6637729

I am having a sale of lots of memory wire bracelets, bubbles bracelets and the occassional necklace.

All my items can be found in this section and includes these bracelets -

Dark Pink Pearl Cluster Bracelet


Turquoise Memory Wire Bracelet


Reddish Purple Freshwater Pearls Cluster Necklace


So why not do some early Christmas shopping and grab a bargain at the same time?

Front Page!

YAY! My treasury made the front page on Etsy today -



For those who wonder does curating a FP bring increased views/sales the answer is a resounding no. I got about 20 shop views for the hour that the treasury was on the FP LOL.

Statsy Clockbot

How many threads are there and have there been in the Etsy forums asking what is the best time to list? when is the best day? etc.

I don't know the answer to that one but I do know looking at my stats, that I get my best views late evening (remember I'm in the UK) So I've taken to listing or renewing just before I go to bed. This has resulted in a couple of sales, especially in items I've listed in the Weddings category.

But I do wonder what would happen to views etc if I was in a position to list even later or overnight. And thanks to this nifty little tool, the statsy clockbot I can now renew an item whenever I want!

Simply log into the site, add the listing # of the item you want to renew, the date you want to renew it and the time (EDT timezone) and ta da! The item is renewed for you - brilliant!!

Friday Round Up

I've been working on some autumn coloured bracelets this week and threading lots of bracelets that have been waiting on me for a while! My crafting table is now looking extra neat and tidy, though I'm sure it won't last long.

Harvest Pearl Cluster Bracelet


Old Gold Pearl Cluster Bracelet


Burnt Orange Pearl Cluster Bracelet