Top 10 Most Useful Articles for Your Etsy Shop and Website

As an Etsy shop owner and founder of a new non-profit online boutique I’ve done hours upon hours of online research on just about every aspect of my businesses. Now I want to pass on this valuable information to you! Below is a list of my top ten most useful articles to help grow and develop your Etsy business. Above all though, the #1 best way to success is experience and A LOT of hard work!

Be sure to check out my blog for more useful articles and tips: http://uncoveredartistry.blogspot.com

Good luck!

Sarah

La SuaVoce Designs

Uncovered Artistry Boutique

www.uncoveredartistry.com

1. How to Make an Inexpensive Light Tent- Absolutely the best advice I can give anyone struggling with photos! I used to wait for the right light, the right day, and the right location to take my pictures. Now I just flip on the desk lamp over my light box and get going! And the pictures hardly need any editing. Did I mention I have a tiny, inexpensive digital camera too? See it to believe it! Look below for photographs I took with the new light box.

http://digital-photography-school.com/how-to-make-a-inexpensive-light-tent

2. Selling Your Work Wholesale: Tips, Resources, and Links- This is a forum post I wrote a few months back that features a compilation of useful tips and articles for the crafter who is ready to go wholesale. http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6249261

3. Why Your Story is Everything- In the handmade sector, your story really is everything. You aren’t just selling your products, you are selling yourself! This podcast is a good reminder of this and gives its listeners some sound advice on creating and communicating your own unique story. To see an example of Uncovered Artistry’s story follow this link: http://www.uncoveredartistry.com/About_Us.html

http://www.craftypod.com/2010/07/02/craftypod-118-why-your-story-is-everything-with-tara-gentile/

4. 100 Blog Followers in One Month: Tips for Getting new Blog Followers- Written by a fellow Etsy seller, this forum post has great advice for getting followers to your blog. Plus you gotta love this author! Her blog is one of the most interesting I’ve ran across.

http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6461436

5. Maintain Confidence in a Competitive Market- An inspiring article that helped me get out of a rut.

http://www.designspongeonline.com/2010/06/biz-ladies-maintain-confidence-in-a-competitive-market.html

To view the rest of this article, please visit our new blog at:

http://uncoveredartistry.blogspot.com/2010/07/top-10-most-useful-articles-for-your.html

Tips for Social Networking- Small Businesses

The first thing a start-up business can do is establish its social networking sites online. Social networking sites, like Facebook, Twitter, and Blogspot, provide small (and even large) business with effective free marketing tools. The first thing we did—before we received our grant—was create this blog. We’ve had blog experience with our previous business (La SuaVoce Designs suavoce.etsy.com). We found that by writing a helpful or interesting blog post once a week or so brought traffic to our blog and consequently to our online shop.


• We suggest using blogspot.com because they allow people to “follow” your blog. This means that when your followers sign into their blogspot.com accounts, the title and first few lines of your more recent blog post will appear on their home page...

Want to read on for more advice about social networking? Check out the rest of this article at our newest blog: http://uncoveredartistry.blogspot.com

Sarah
La SuaVoce Designs
Uncovered Artistry Boutique

Are you ready for this?

Welcome to the new and improved SuaVoce blog! My sister and I are happy to announce that we are giving this blog a serious makeover. The blog will now focus more on providing valuable resources to crafter-entrepreneurs like us. Below are some articles you can be on the look out for...

Marketing Toward College-Aged Women
The Perfect Banner...Simple and Direct
Think Like a Business...Think BIG
Are You a Socially Conscious Business?
Who Said You Can't be an Entrepreneur?

We are also happy to take suggestions about new articles.

Also, I wanted to mention a couple great sites that featured La SuaVoce's blog or products.

Gracie's Eggies' blog:
http://www.gracies-eggies.blogspot.com/

Visit her gorgeous Etsy site at:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/gracieseggies

Also, makingjewelrysupplies.com featured our blog. Check them out too!
Jewelry Making Beads

As usual, Happy Creating! And don't forget to check back for some great new articles and a new look!

Sarah
La SuaVoce Designs

In Need of an Update!

Hi all,

SuaVoce's blog is need for an update! Since you've last heard from us college-student-business-owners-sisters (yikes!) we were just heading back home for our winter vacation. Well, we are back at school now and, as usual, life is crazy.

Some things we've been preoccupied with...
-Creating new Jane Austen greeting cards (in time for Valentine's Day). Check them out here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/SuaVoce?section_id=6276613

-Planning a possible new business (non-profit this time) that supports artisan work of domestic violence survivors. Updates coming!

-Learning some invaluable information in our accounting and financing classes. I seriously recommend that all Etsy-sellers learn a bit (or a lot!) about accounting. You'd be surprised how organized the information will make you.

Till next time... Happy Creating!

Sarah
La SuaVoce Designs
http://suavoce.etsy.com

$5 Shop Credit!

We are offering $5 of La SuaVoce shop credit to the first 100 people to take the following quick and simple survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PYP2WQK

Thanks!

Sarah

La SuaVoce Designs

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!

Moss Winds Necklace $42

Original Wood Block Print, $25

Rusty Bunny with Bow, $38

Indian Rangoli Colorful Wooden Bracelet, $16

Filigree Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings, $25

Bone and Turquoise Brass Watch, $50

Sapphire Pleated Woolen Purse, $22

Christmas Wire Wrapped Beaded Necklace, $30


Chocolate and Turquoise Bracelet, $45

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

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

Giant Indigo Dew Drop Ring, $12

Full Moon - Crocheted Earrings, $15

Handwoven Pillow with Monogram, $30

Fear's Uncloaking Fine Art Archival Print, $20

Four Ornaments or Pocket Dolls Fabric Panel, $8.50

Mini Yoda Pipe Cleaner Creation, $7.50

Goddette Earrings, $23

Poster -Two Wrongs Don't Make a Right, $14

Elegant Handmade Scarf, $48

Mod Pop Resin Ring, $44

Custom Made Christmas Ornaments, $23

Black Friday Sale! BOGO FREE

Hope you are having a wonderful holiday!

La SuaVoce is having a Black Friday Sale from Nov. 27- 29!

All Earrings Buy Get One FREE! Second pair of equal or lesser value will be refunded via Paypal.

FREE INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING on all products.
Contact us for FREE GIFT WRAP or GIFT TAGS.

Visit our shop: http://suavoce.etsy.com

Ask us about custom jewelry and hair accessories too!

Happy holidays (and shopping!),
Sarah and Angie
La SuaVoce Designs

Happy Thanksgiving!

Enjoy all that turkey and pie!

Sarah and Angie

La SuaVoce Designs

Introducing...

La SuaVoce's newest creation: Jane Ausen-inspired greeting cards.

You can share the beautiful words of this legendary artists with our delicate handmade cards. Plus. who doesn't love Mr.Darcy?

Any thoughts on the new cards? We are considering adding more designs and finding a way to make them less expensive, but these three cards are somewhat of a test. Any feedback is much appreciated!

Keep your eyes open for changes and new material from SuaVoce in the future. We are always growing. :)

Cheers!

Sarah

La SuaVoce Designs

"8 Ways to Jump Start Your Business" Is Worth a Read

We came across this helpful and inspiring article while browsing the web. "8 Ways to Jump Start Your Business" provides helpful tips for business owners, big and small. My favorite tip, which I feel we could have used when we started SuaVoce more than a year ago, reads "define your niche." La SuaVoce began with selling toward a very general target market, but we've come to realize that being specific is more profitable. This tip and others will certainly inspire and aid any business owner. Check out this article at:
http://pinpoint.microsoft.com/en-US/content.aspx?ctid=813

Angie
La SuaVoce Designs

Winter Wonderland: Holiday Gift Ideas from Etsy Artists

I know, I know it’s not even Thanksgiving yet, but by the time you’ve finished eating the turkey leftovers Christmas will be here, and there isn’t anything worse than scrambling to find gifts last minute!

So I’ve compiled a list to make shopping for Christmas a tad bit easier.
Below are some wonderful, holiday-inspired gift ideas from eight very talented Etsy artists. Be sure to check out the other items in their shops for other great holiday gift ideas.

Mukluks, woolen, knitted winter socks with leather sole, $25, by Bubamaradesign (http://bubamaradesign.etsy.com/)

Warm, knitted, woolen, comfortable…Need I say more?
Bubamaradesign’s mukluks are a wonderful gift idea because they fit men and women alike (not to mention boys and girls)!

Freezebaby Set- Handknit Neckwarmer and Mittens, $70, by EveldasNeverland
(http://eveldasneverland.etsy.com/)

Nothing seems more romantic or just plain cozy than curling up in these mittens and neckwarmer with a nice cup of tea! Classic yet bold, this set comes custom-made in 16 different colors. The set's variety and simplicity would make it a sure-to-please gift.

Vintage Shimmering Pearly Beads, $6, and Teal and Magenta Beads, $5.50 by SuaVoce
(http://suavoce.etsy.com/ )

These pearly beads reflect the light so well and are a beautiful silvery cream color, which reminds us of wintertime. These teal and magenta wooden beads are hand-painted in a splatter pain design. Both beads would make a great gift for a jewelry-maker!

White Paws, $65, by Saralagace
(http://saralagace.etsy.com/ )
These fingerless gloves look so soft and warm! We've never seen anything quite like them...they are stylish, fresh, and very fun. What's great is that white goes with any color coat, so they would make a wonderful gift.

Turquoise / Teal Gloves With Olive Edges, $26, by Afra

(http://afra.etsy.com/)

Adorable, cozy, and handmade these turquoise gloves are a sensible, stylish winter gift. Be sure to look at the rest of Afra’s shop for more beautiful handmade winter apparel

Small bowl, Pattern in Frost, $56, by Kiefferceramics

(http://kiefferceramics.etsy.com/)

After taking a semester of introductory ceramics this fall, I can really appreciate the care and talent it takes to make one of these bowls. Not only are Kiefferceramics’ bowls beautiful to look at, but they are functional pieces as well.

Holiday Hot Cocoa Candle, $15, and The Lollipop Guild Soap, $5.50, by GrumpyGirl (http://grumpygirl.etsy.com/)

GrumpyGirl’s hot cocoa candle and colorful lollipop soap look absolutely delicious (though I wouldn’t recommend taking a bite). As GrumpyGirl puts it “We dare anyone to even THINK about stealing your marshmallows…”

Longshoreman Stull Cap, $30, by Yarnstiffinknitter

(http://yarnstiffinknitter.etsy.com/)

This child sized (around 18M to 6yrs) knitted hat is suitable for both boys and girls, and is made with Merino wool for extra warmth and quality. Yarnstiffinknitter’s daughter, Hope, makes a beautiful model don’t you think?

Happy Shopping!

Sarah

La SuaVoce Designs