Monday, December 14, 2009

Etsy Free Feature II

My calculus final is over! I'm finally free to post another entry. Last week I posted the work of some talented Etsy-artists. The post was a success, so I've put together a second feature. Once again, the pieces below are under $50, making the selection a great list of affordable gifts.


Enjoy!
Sarah
La SuaVoce Designs

p.s. I think I need a better name for these posts than "Etsy Free Feature." If you have any ideas, feel free to comment!

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Selling Your Work Wholesale: Resources, Tips, Links, and Checklist

I'm reposting a post from a few months ago because I think the information is valuable and because my sister and I (after taking time to focus on school) decided to work on going wholesale again. Hope it is helpful!


Wholesale Resources


Are you ready to start selling wholesale? We are, so we did some research and we’d like to share! Here are some great blogs, forum posts, and articles that provide valuable information about selling wholesale.

If you’re shy and don’t think you’re up to visiting stores, check out this forum post: http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6201294


This great two part blog post provides information about pricing, quantity, and communicating with retailers:
Part I: http://qbranchltd.blogspot.com/2008/02/selling-wholesale-part-i.html
Part II: http://qbranchltd.blogspot.com/2008/02/selling-wholesale-part-ii.html


A thorough article about beginning to sell your artisan work wholesale. Includes a number of helpful links:
http://www.indiepublic.com/profiles/blogs/946391:BlogPost:510081


Our Checklist for Preparing to Sell Wholesale:
*Check out the links above and throughout this post for more information to supplement our checklist (some of the terms were unfamiliar to us until we read the information provided in all these links!)*


1. Prepare Etsy shop (and blog, etc.) for wholesale
-adjust prices to be RETAIL prices (double wholesale price for retail price)
*Tips on pricing wholesale:
http://www.helium.com/items/622909-tips-for-pricing-your-handmade-crafts
-make it known that we are interested in selling wholesale
-make it easy for retailers to contact us
-provide a “request form” in blog and Etsy store


2. Create a linesheet & other “things”
-Make a wholesale linesheet
-Make pamphlet to send to far-away boutiques
-Make email template for far-away boutiques
*Specific tips on creating a linesheet:
http://www.home-jewelry-business-success-tips.com/jewelry-line-sheets.html
http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/what_is_a_line_sheet/


3. Research for retailers
-check out local fashion magazines for label names
-explore local shops (check out the yellow pages!)
-browse online


4. Call to make appointment with boutique owner


5. Be ready with wholesale price sheet and large amount of display-ready merchandise

Saturday, December 5, 2009

A New Endeavor: Etsy Free Feature

This is a first post in hopefully a series of special feature posts. In an effort to create more free advertising opportunities for Etsy-sellers, I've created this first feature post! Below are items from talented Etsy artists. All items are under $50, providing viewers with affordable, handcrafted gift ideas.


I appreciate any feedback on this first post, so comment away!

Happy browsing!
Sarah
La SuaVoce Designs


Chinese Turquoise, Peridot Jasper, Wood Earrings, $18


Full Moon - Crocheted Earrings, $15




Friday, December 4, 2009

A Feminist Response to Edward Cullen

Okay, I know I posted on the whole "Twilight is anti-feminist" thing already, but I'm a college student with way too many resources available to me to go without sharing some more info I came across.

The following in an exererpt from Twilight and Philosophy, and this particular article is titled "EDWARD CULLEN AND BELLA SWAN: BYRONIC AND FEMINIST HEROES . . . OR NOT" by Abigail E. Myers.

"A feminist response to Edward Cullen might have been, “ Look, you
seem like a really nice vampire, but if being with you means
giving up my family, my friends, and my hopes for higher
education, I think I ’ m going to seek out a relationship that
allows me to have romantic and sexual love as well as all
that other stuff. ” And a nonabusive vampire would have really
meant it when he said that the beautiful mortal girl was better
off without him, and would have allowed that being mortal,
human, and young includes making your own mistakes
and not being insulated from every possible threat, real or
imagined.

But that doesn’t cross Bella and Edward ’s minds. The ending
they find is truly a fairy tale, not because it seems happily
ever after but because it lacks cause and effect, moral responsibility,
and real relationships.
And if that ’ s Stephenie Meyer ’ s
idea of a fairy - tale ending, maybe we ’ d all better make sure
that we take the Twilight saga for what it is: a fairy tale, no
more worthy of emulation than Sleeping Beauty. The test?
Ask yourself if Sleeping Beauty is a role model. I’m guessing
the answer is no. Well, then, is Bella a feminist hero? Maybe
we can answer that with another question: Will vampires ever
get over their taste for blood?"

Make me want to show all those teenage girls something with substance. Jane Eyre maybe?

Sarah
La SuaVoce Designs

"True Love" Isn't an Excuse

Below is a link to a remixed narrative of Edward Cullen meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer. To be serious, the video is a commentary on Edward's controlling, obsessive behavior in the Twilight books and movie, and indirectly is a commentary on Bella's reaction to Edward: submission and weakness. The post after the video reads, "Seen through Buffy’s eyes, some of the more sexist gender roles and patriarchal Hollywood themes embedded in the Twilight saga are exposed in hilarious ways."

There are plenty of anti-feminist works out in the world, but maybe none so love and cherished by American teens as Twilight. Girls, please remember you don't need a man to be successful and happy!

http://www.rebelliouspixels.com/2009/buffy-vs-edward-twilight-remixed


Sarah
La SuaVoce Designs