From the Forums: Tips for an Etsy Mompreneur

It's amazing that on any given day, I can find others just like me, going through the same things I am, right in the Etsy Forums. What a vast yet seemingly small Etsy world it is! I truly believe that the sense of community and friendship is Etsy's most endearing quality.

I was so relieved to see that Sarah of BlueBirdHandmadeBags asked this question; a question I (as well as presumable many other stay-at-home mamas) struggle with EVERY day...

She asked:

I have a toddler and we are adopting again, so I have about 3 hours at the most maybe a day to devote to business including all aspects of running a business and making things for my shop. Since I sew it takes a while to make items, and with everything going on with the adoption and raising a child, sewing has taken a back seat right now, thus not many items in my shop. :) I'm looking for specific tips on better marketing strategies and store promotions as well as any other nuggets of wisdom y'all can pass along specifically for a stay at home mom. Any other advice is really welcome.


They answered:

I work outside of the home, but we have a similar amount of time to work on our business...I suggest a facebook fanpage. I invited some friends and family to join, then between Etsy and people seeing it on other people's pages, I got more members. I've had a few sales from it so far. PhineasandLou

I'm not very good at time management, so I can't really help you out on that, but when mine were little, I worked at night.... justgivemepeace

My big tip is to have a dedicated space for your work so that your not spending half of your time setting up and tearing down. Then pop in and work at nap time, bedtime, when your partner is with the kids, whenever you get a second. I also leave the computer on (with sleep mode) so that I can quickly check and update things. Most of all, don't pressure yourself to much! Let the laundry pile up!! LuttrellStudio

I am a SAHM of a 3yo and 1.5yo. I sew as well. I have a little nook in our kids playroom, which is gated off from the kiddos. Most of the time they are very good about letting me work as long as they can see me. I try to take advantage of nap time, but a lot of times the housework consumes that time. The kids go down at 8pm. I spend a little time with DH, and from 10-1 (or 3am sometimes) I am sewing or promoting my business. It also helps to make several of the same items at once. My diaper clutches use to take 1hr to make, but that was because I did them all 1 by 1. I have an assembly line going now and it takes 30-45mins to make 1. modmomME

I've toyed with the idea of utilizing an iPhone or any other internet-browsing phone as a tool for promoting; if you're waiting in line somewhere you can tweet or answer convos, etc. and you're not tied to your computer. NoriaJewelry

And just look (above) what these busy mamas manage to do. AMAZING!
Visit the forum thread to read their full responses and many more not featured here.

Do YOU have any tips for a busy Etsy mompreneur?

New Blog Design Teaser by Dumplin Design Studio

Just a little taste of EXCITING CHANGES to come

with the help of the A-M-A-Z-I-N-G

Dumplin Design Studio on Etsy

The Daily Pincushion Giveaway Winner...

(Psst... don't forget to enter the giveaway from Koko Candles and the giveaway from Clayswan, too!)

And the WINNER of the

Choice of Pincushion & Emery Set from The Daily Pincushion

is...

Number 79 ~~~~~ M

(Congratulations, M! I will email you soon.)

Etsy Interview with Noica and her Craftomania Toolbar

(Psst... today is the last day to enter the giveaway from The Daily Pincushion!
And don't forget the giveaway from Koko Candles and the giveaway from Clayswan, too!)

Since I've gotten my Firefox browser (not that you NEED it), I am all about the fun add-ons and toolbars. So I was ecstatic when I came across Noa Brumberg's Craftomania toolbar especially for Etsy-lovers!! It puts everything (and I mean EVERYTHING) Etsy right at my fingertips. And it didn't hurt that it already listed EtsyInterviews under the blogs button when I first downloaded it. (Thanks, Noa!) Let's hear more about it and her cute little Etsy shop from Noa herself...

Etsy Shop: Noica
Blog: Craftomania Tools

Tell us a bit about yourself, Noa.
My name is Noa, but you can call me Noica. I'm 26 years old and on my 4Th year of visual communications design studies, live in Tel-Aviv, Israel. I love making plush, graphics and short animations. I created along with my boyfriend the Craftomania toolbar for Etsy users. A couple of months on Etsy were more than enough for us to assemble a very detailed and ever growing list of favorite Etsy related links, and we were baffled; Navigating through the endless list of blogs and magazines and tools. Every site or blog led to a new exciting one, and on it went... We were wondering to ourselves that there had to be a better way to manage our stores and our time on Etsy. And so we started to build Craftomania toolbar. We felt so excited starting Craftomania Toolbar; creating order from mayhem, neatness from Chaos! We categorized our lists of everything Etsy (Craftopolis, Craft cult, treasuries, blogs, sites that offer promotions, groups, and many more). And finally there was serenity: we were 1-click away from everything we need and even the morning coffee tasted better. We thought it's selfish to keep it all to ourselves and that others should benefit from the toolbar as well. That’s when we teamed up and created the Craftomania Tools Team. Here you can see the toolbar's map- all the menus and links on it. To download the toolbar click here.

What 5 words would you use to describe yourself?
possum
fun
sunshine
optimistic
carebear

Tell us a bit about your Etsy shop.
I just love the idea that people from all over the world can have their own Noica plush or graphic. I Love kids, and it makes me happy knowing that they can hug my reindeer. :) As for the toolbar, it is fun to help others and find new friend. We are building a community here. Now we are dedicated to anything Etsy and handmade. Our goal is to create a Tool which is a synonym to managing your store on Etsy. The Craftomania toolbar is a lot more than a links index; it's a community of Etsians, where all are invited to join freely.

What 5 words would you use to describe your shop?
soft
funny
whimsical
unique
sweet


What are your favorite websites?

I have so many this one is hard, but you can see all websites I love on the toolbar. NOTCOT.org Poppytalk Handmade FFFFOUND! Amy Holton Designs doll stories

Give your favorite Etsy shops.
Baby To Go
Nurit Design
Opus Muse
Netamir's Designs
Amy Holton Designs

What advice would you give other Etsy sellers?
Just have fun with it, make yourself a fun workspace, find new friends from far away countries, try to help others, create during positive thinking and let the world do the rest.

Anything else you would like to share?
I offer my toolbar for free here!

And a free iron it patches for ordering from my store. Iron-it are my original handmade illustrations made into ironing patches! You can decorate shirts, hats, napkins and more! Just Place the patch, facing down on the fabric, at the desired location. Set the Iron to maximum and Place it on the patch, steam for about 5-15 seconds in small flattening motions.

YOU'LL GET A BAG WITH-
5 desired characters
1 "NOICA" try-out patch
Detailed instructions in English or Hebrew!

Etsy Interview & Giveaway with Clayswan

(Psst... only one more day to enter the giveaway from The Daily Pincushion! And don't forget the new giveaway from Koko Candles, too!)

I just LOVE the bold bright colors of the hand-built porcelain pottery at Clayswan. I was thrilled to be able to interview the creator, Lyn! Let's meet her...

Etsy Shop: Clayswan
Second Etsy Shop: Lynswan

Tell us a bit about yourself, Lyn.
I am a ceramic artist living and working in Sonoma, California. My current body of work is very much inspired by early California Pottery, Bauer Ware and Fiesta Ware. I love to hand build, I love color, and I always seem to imply function in my work. This does not necessitate daily use, but it is always nice to know that on that special occasion, you have that special piece to use .... you know, like that first cup of coffee in the morning!

What 5 words would you use to describe yourself?
happy
encouraging
inspired
creative
out-of-the-box

Tell us a bit about your Etsy shop.
My shop opened just over a year ago. Fellow potters in the bay area kept on prompting, nudging, compelling me .... just to try Etsy. Then, last year at the ACC Baltimore Show, an Etsy team gave a wonderful presentation about the Etsy world. All of a sudden the doors opened wide, and I never looked back. I continue to try to bring new pieces to my shop all the time and just LOVE to try out new ideas on a world wide audience.

What 5 words would you use to describe your shop?
happy
playful
whimsical
smile
useful

What are your favorite websites?
Apartment Therapy

Give your favorite Etsy shops.
Susan Eastman
raedunn
Whitney Smith Pottery
Village Clay Works

What advice would you give other Etsy sellers?
Stay with it, visit and "fluff" daily, check out what everyone is doing and let it inspire you.

Anything else you would like to share?
I have undying gratitude to the Etsy team for providing this wonderful venue in which we can present our work. Etsy is a simple and inexpensive format. There are so many talented artists that would not have had the opportunity to showcase their talent (and I am one that believes that every one has talent) on such a level, reaching far beyond their back door. Thank you, Etsy!

GIVEAWAY!
Lyn is so kind to offer one of her most popular pieces...
**A MEDIUM PORCELAIN TRAY OF CHOICE!!!**
Thanks so much, Lyn!

Here's how to enter:
Visit Clayswan and Lynswan and leave a comment on this post
mentioning your favorite item.

For more chances to win, leave a separate post for each of the following:

*Become a Follower of EtsyInterviews.
*Subscribe to EtsyInterviews via RSS.
*Tweet about this giveaway (please leave link to tweet).
*Follow B.Inspired Mama on Twitter.
*Become a fan of B.Inspired Vintage on Facebook.
*Share the giveaway on Facebook.
*Blog about the giveaway (please leave the link)
*Add EtsyInterviews to your blogroll.
*Submit to be Featured on EtsyInterviews!

The winner will be chosen via Random.org on Sunday, February 22th at 9PM EST. The winner will be emailed within 24 hours. Please make sure your email is in your profile or in the comment. GOOD LUCK!

Yalipaz Giveaway Winners

(Psst... only a couple more days to enter the giveaway from The Daily Pincushion!  And don't forget the new giveaway from Koko Candles, too!)

And the WINNERS

of the
Custom Brooches
from Yalipaz are...

Number 54 ~~~~~ ANNA from Perfect Blue Moon 

&

Number 54 ~~~~~ CINDY from Hellcat Vintage

(Congratulations, Anna & Cindy! I will email you soon.)

Etsy Interview & Giveaway with Koko Candles

(Psst... you only have a couple more days to enter the giveaway from The Daily Pincushion!)

So, you'll probably learn that yummy foods tend to catch my eye. That's what first drew me into Paoling's candle shop. Some of the candles at Koko Candles look good enough to eat! I can just imagine how wonderful they smell. Why can't Etsy add that as a feature: scents through your computer screen?! I guess we'll just have to take Paoling's word for it...

Etsy Shop: Koko Candles
Website: Koko Candles

Tell us a bit about yourself, Paoling.
I am a single gal in the LA world trying to make art & change theworld. I'm a full time web/graphics designer, partner in a designcompany, wannabe artist, social butterfly and lastly a candle-maker.Wax is my #1 medium of choice for creative expression. I have beendoing my craft for about 10 years on & off now, starting with myhigh school years. My inspiration mostly comes from daydreaming andlying on my bed on lazy Sunday mornings, which unfortunately nowadaysis becoming a rare luxury. Usually my best ideas come to me when I'mdoing absolutely nothing.

What 5 words would you use to describe yourself?
fun
artistic
social
witty
LA

Tell us a bit about your Etsy shop.
I've had my Etsy shop for about a year now. The power of internet andthe beauty of Etsy has really motivated me to work harder on my items& my shop. Its a place where I open myself up to the world, where Iexpress my creativity & personality, and what I'm passionate about.

What 5 words would you use to describe your shop?
conceptual
pink
dessert
indulgence
vibrant

Give your 5 favorite websites.
Regretsy
Smashing Magazine
Toxel
Dustin Curtis
Paoling Che

Give your 5 favorite Etsy shops.
sunbasilgarden
Neon Canvas
Karen's Soap Co.
Dirty Ass SoapsLoveLeeSoaps

What advice would you give other Etsy sellers?

I would say the number 1 thing is to have unique items that reflect theabsolute essence of yourself. Having unique items really paid off forme, getting me into magazines, books and sites. Don't ever stopcreating, and don't ever stop solving problems. Take care with thelittle things, like packaging and how you present your business. Fromthe way you word your confirmation email to the box your packagearrives in to your business card design, every touch point is anopportunity to stand apart and be memorable.

Anything else you would like to share?
Stay tuned with www.candle101.com, soon to be home of candlemakingtutorials on various original projects, articles and useful resourcesfor starting your own candlemaking adventure!

Follow kokocandles on twitter.

GIVEAWAY!
Paoling is so kind to offer a...
**LOVE CANDLE GIFT SET**
Gift Set Includes:

(1) LOVE Chocolate Scented Soy Jar Candle

(1) Bite Sized Cupcake Candle with Pink Frosting & Real Sprinkles

(4) Exclusive Mini Heart Candles

Thanks so much, Paoling!

Here's how to enter:

Visit Koko Candles and leave a comment on this post
mentioning your favorite item.

For more chances to win, leave a separate post for each of the following:

*Become a Follower of EtsyInterviews.
*Subscribe to EtsyInterviews via RSS.
*Tweet about this giveaway (please leave link to tweet).
*Follow B.Inspired Mama on Twitter.
*Become a fan of B.Inspired Vintage on Facebook.
*Share the giveaway on Facebook.
*Blog about the giveaway (please leave the link)
*Add EtsyInterviews to your blogroll.
*Submit to be Featured on EtsyInterviews, too!

The winner will be chosen via Random.orgon Sunday, February 21th at 9PM EST. The winner will be emailedwithin 24 hours. Please make sure your email is in your profile or inthe comment. GOOD LUCK!