Must-Have Accessories from the Buffalo Etsy Team

Must Have Accessories curated by Buffalove on Etsy

Buffalove! Buffalo-centric Treasures

Buffalove: Buffalocentric Treasures curated by Buffalove on Etsy

Buffalo Etsy as teachers!

There's a saying out there that says,"Those that can't do... teach." It's not a statement that really holds up. Teachers are how we learn things, and that's certainly "doing" by any definition. We think that
it's time to amend that statement.

"Sometimes, those than can, ALSO teach."

Buffalo and the surrounding areas are a wonderful creative hub of talent, looking at the Buffalo Etsy Team alone shows an amazing diversity of products and creations in shops showcasing just about everything under the sun.

In addition to making beautiful items for you to purchase, running their shops and often with day jobs and families as well, several of our team members also teach regularly.
We wanted to take the time to tell you about some of these folks today.

Goldhawk Pottery is a shop that I'm sure you're already familiar with for beautiful, well made and purposeful pottery! Did you also know that Sara Goldhawk teaches through the Williamsville Community Education department and has classes on creative entrepreneurship as well as hands on clay classes for kids?  You can learn the ins and outs of both online and craft show selling from the Captain of our Etsy team herself!  Sign up for any of her classes or review her course listings here.
As classes change regularly through community education, if her classes don't populate, select courses, instructor and Goldhawk and you will have a nice selection to choose from.

Sarah Trumpp has a fun shop that I'm sure you've checked out, if you haven't, what are you waiting for? Wonderstrumpet on Etsy has a great selection of really unique and fun items. I never knew I wanted Dazed Dollies until I looked! Sarah also has an amazing array of online video tutorials that include mixed media, canvas and sculpting!

Heidi Zanelli has some beautiful paintings and cards in her shop ZanelliArts. She can also be found teaching at exhibiting at Enjoy the Journey Gallery in West Seneca.

Kelly Barone is a Certified Zentangle Teacher who also holds workshops at Enjoy the Journey gallery as well as many other local venues. If you've heard of Zentangle® and want to know more about this relaxing and meditative art form she has a full calendar of upcoming classes in the Western NY area. You can find some of her black and white work in her shop, Whimsy by Kelly along with custom sneakers and a variety of other things as well.

Zentangle is a meditative art form using repetitive patterns to create art, even by those who thought they couldn't draw. 

Suzanne O'Brien of ZanieCraftsFeltedArt teaches through the Williamsville Community Education department as well when she isn't making purses, pins and other amazing things for her shop. She also displays at Enjoy the Journey gallery and other locations in the area. She is currently offering introductory classes in Wet Felting.  If you have ever wanted to try your hand at felting yourself you can check out her current available classes and learn something fun.
As before if the listings won't populate, you can search for her under instructors!

As a lifelong learner I love to get my hands on new knowledge. I'm sure you do too. If you are looking for something to do on these drab winter days, what's better than digging in, rolling up your sleeves and tackling something new?

If you are a member of the Buffalo Etsy team and teach as well, please let us know! We'd love to share what you are doing as well!

Buffalocentric Gifts from Local Artisans

Buffalove: Buffalocentric Treasures curated by Buffalove on Etsy

Did I really just quit my job?

I’m now two months into my journey and the world hasn't ended.  The initial fear that used to pulse through me every now and then seems to have been more hype than anything else.

That’s how fear works though. It paralyzes the mind and body. 

In this installment I wanted to touch on some things I did prior to turning in my notice and walking away from a steady paycheck and benefits.  Doing these things have helped me overcome the fear and have, without a doubt, helped me focus on the work at hand instead of waiting for the end of the world.

About 2 years prior to turning in my notice I:

1.       Took a long hard look at my current position, the state of the field I worked in (Higher Ed) and what the future was starting to look like.  I saw more downside than upside. I began to think about changing careers.

2.       Tracked my spending for 6 months to get a better sense of where my money was actually going. I kept a daily journal and logged EVERY dollar I spent and what I spent it on. I broke it down into categories each month. This really opened my eyes to some careless spending.

Attributed to Abe Lincoln
(but there is no actual proof he ever said this!)

3.       I began to pay more attention to saving money, in case I decided to leave.

About 18 months prior I:

1.  Started to cut back from the things I identified through my spending exercise

2.   Began paying my credit cards down aggressively.

3.   Adjusted the contribution I was making to my 401k plan by dropping to the minimum percentage that secured my employers contribution and directed the rest into my savings account. I did this to save as much “ready cash” as possible should  I decide to leave.

4.   I took what I learned from the spending exercise and figured out what I actually spent on necessities (home, food, bills etc…) in a year. 

      It’s a very interesting exercise. If you've never done it – do it. I found out that the number is much smaller than I thought. You may be surprised too. It made me feel more confident in taking the risk of working for myself.  It helped me zero in on the exact amount of money I needed to save to give myself a year (if I didn't earn another penny during that year) to go on living close to how I was currently living.

About 6 months prior I:

1.       Decided that unless something drastic changed at my current job, I would leave and start working for myself full-time.

2.       Started planning for my departure and putting things in order (to help my co-workers as well as visualizing what my life would look like how to best approach it).

I am not one to recommend just quitting a job without really thinking things through. I do think anyone can leave a job they are unhappy with though – I just recommend having a plan in place. Most people lock themselves into situations without even trying to take a long hard look at what’s actually possible.

You can read the 3 previous posts in this series here: 

#1              #2             #3

Next month,  I will update you on my progress since starting off on my own and some of the early hiccups, lessons and small victories.

ART SHOWS 101: Survival Tips for Show Artists and Crafters, Vol.16, Staying Flexible in Uncertain Financial Times

Making a living as an artist is never easy, but in uncertain financial times it can be a wild ride. Fellow show artists are reporting large swings in income this year. Shows they could pretty much count on in the past are down, and little sleeper shows surprise them with higher than expected sales. A ceramic artist I spoke with last week said: "Shows are either WAY up or way, way down this year. I just don't know what to plan for anymore." Add a little crazy weather into the mix, torrential rain or blazing heat, and the ride can get a little bumpier.

So what can you do at times like these? Stay flexible! Mix a few smaller shows and earning opportunities in with your "big" shows. Keep your online store stocked and ready for business. Keep your consignment and wholesale accounts up to date. In other words, don't neglect your smaller venue streams while preparing for big summer shows. 

I flexed my artistic muscles this weekend :-) After traveling to Ohio last weekend to set up at a higher end show, I dragged my scratched and dent work out into my driveway this morning to participate in my neighborhood's annual street sale. I'm happy to say that both events were a success, even if they drew very different crowds.

And speaking of scratch and dent work, here's a link to an Art Garage Sale I learned about last weekend. I had no idea that juried shows like this one existed:


The Garage Sale Art Fair in Kalamazoo Michigan



 Until next time -- keep creating!

Alison

https://www.etsy.com/shop/SilentMyloStudio

https://www.facebook.com/ArtistAlisonEKurek

ART SHOWS 101: Survival Tips for Show Artists and Crafters, Vol. 14: Summer Solstice Break

Most businesses have cycles -- busy times that require not only time but a good deal of focus. Summer is one of my busy times, so I’ll make this short and sweet. 

If you are participating in festivals this summer I wish you well. The team is doing a great job of promoting team member show, so be sure to list your event here: 

List Your July Shows Here!

If you haven’t made the jump yet but are thinking about doing shows in the future, this is a great time to get out and gather information from local shows. See what’s out there, visit fellow teammates, have a good time!

Happy Summer Solstice -- a day late!

Until next time -- keep creating!

Alison

https://www.etsy.com/shop/SilentMyloStudio

https://www.facebook.com/ArtistAlisonEKurek

ART SHOWS 101,Vol.11: An Odd Ball List of items to Take to Your Next Outdoor Show

Outdoor show season has arrived! As you’re rushing to finish up and pack your items for sale, keep in mind that outdoor shows are a bit like camping. You will be outside for a long day or two -- or three. A quick stop at a hardware store and a discount variety store (think Big Lots) can help make those long days more comfortable. Here’s a list of odd ball items you might want to take with you:

Towels: bath towels, kitchen towels, or absorbent shop rags:

Like it or not, rain happens. Dry, absorbent towels can quickly dry off your product after a rain shower, clean up that beverage a would-be customer spilled on your table, and help to prevent mold and mildew growth on canopy walls if you dry them off before packing them at breakdown. 

Bungie cords, Electrical Zip Ties and/or clamps:

Good weights and stakes help hold your canopy in place, but even light breezes can topple signs and shelves if they are not anchored well.  Carrying a mixed bag of the above items can help you focus on sales rather than that wobbly rack or would-be airborne sign.

Clear Plastic sheeting and/or tarps: 

Not all shows will allow exhibitors to drive up to their allotted spaces. Having a tarp to throw over your work before your canopy is up will reduce your stress level on a misty morning. Tarps also come in handy as cover-ups if you plan on leaving your product in your tent overnight. 

Depending upon how watertight your tent is, clear plastic sheeting draped over your work will help you stay open through a rain shower.

Sun Umbrella and/or a sunhat:

Depending upon the location of your space, you may have morning, afternoon or early evening sun beating down on you - for hours and hours at a time

Rain coat, rain poncho, and/or umbrella:

For obvious reasons :-) Also, a change of clothes, or at least an extra pair of shoes and socks can make you more comfortable after a soggy set-up. Also keep in mind that the early morning cool temps you set up in may skyrocket during the day. Changing into lighter clothes as the  day heats up is so much better than stripping down to your underwear :-)

Tape Measure:

Some customers want to know the exact size of a framed larger work or sculpture. They may even walk into your display with written notes about their wall space. Don't lose a sale to a customers who LOVES a piece but thinks it might be an inch too big even if it's not.

Shims:

To even out wobbly tables, panels and shelves.

Camera and/or smart phone camera:

Don’t forget to take a few booth shoots to use for next year’s applications -- and snapping a photo with your smart phone is great for Facebook posts and tweets about the show.

Cart: 

http://rocknroller-multicart.myshopify.com/ - or a similar product. I use the smallest one offered by this company and don’t know how I did shows without it. It’s small and compact and makes a huge difference if you are unable to pull up to your display for set-up and break-down.

Best of luck to everyone doing shows this summer! Wishing you clear skies, comfortable temperatures, and many, many sales!

Until next time -- keep creating!

Alison

https://www.etsy.com/shop/SilentMyloStudio

https://www.facebook.com/ArtistAlisonEKurek

Monday Interview with Jessica from fastcrawl

 This week Jessica from fastcrawl joins us~

Please tell us a bit about yourself?

My name is Jessica Jewett, and I was born and raised in Lockport, NY.  My mother says she knew I was going to be an artist when I was 2 years old and turned the laundry baskets upside down so I had more room to draw.  I love reading, traveling, eating, and talking to anyone who will listen to me prattle on.  After going to college there, I consider Philadelphia to be my second home, but every time I leave the Buffalo area, I somehow find my way back.

What do you create? How long have you been working on your craft/art?

I make mostly women's hair accessories, and some jewelry.  I have plans to introduce some housewares-types of items, but never seem to have the time!  I opened my shop in October of 2011, so I've been doing this for a little over a year and a half.

The best advice that was ever given to me was to find the hole in what you do and fill that void.  Many of the clips I make are sculptural.  I use wooden vine spirals that give a beautiful three dimensional look to my hair pieces.  I've never seen anyone utilize and manipulate the materials in that way, and that makes me very unique.

How did you come up with your store name?

The name Fast|crawl symbolizes not only the swiftness of the underground community to band together as a part of the slow-life movement, but also the slowness of which the rest of the world and mainstream society have to catch up. Anyone can talk the talk, but it takes a lot of effort to walk the proverbial walk. We've made huge strides, but we still have so much further to go. We're really only moving at a fast crawl.

How does Buffalo influence your work?

Buffalo is a really laid back area, and that vibe makes it very easy to be yourself.  We embrace a lot of different cultures and sub-cultures.  The art scene around this area is one of the best I've ever seen, but it's not presumptive - it's all encompassing.  

One of my favorite things has been the monthly creative challenges this blog has set up.  The first one had a theme of "Spring in Buffalo," and I had a wonderful time thinking about what spring really meant to us here.  It was quite the honor to have won the challenge!  If anyone is interested, this is the piece I submitted, with the text of my interpretation of the theme:  https://www.etsy.com/listing/130340627/bright-yellow-spring-flower-hair-clip

What is the best thing about having a etsy shop? 

The best thing for me is also the worst:  It's easy to put aside when the rest of life catches up with you.  I have a full time job, and try to make Etsy a priority as often as possible.  

How do you promote your work to the world? 

Promotion is one of the hardest things for me.  Luckily, I have friends and family all over the world, so my word of mouth extends a little further than most.  Pinterest and facebook help, as well.

What is the hardest part about selling online?

It's the same gripe I'm sure many, many others have:  You can't touch it.  You sort of forget how important tactile qualities are when you sell online.  Finding creative ways to describe my items is a challenge!

Where can your work be found locally?

Right now, I'm only found on Etsy.  I would love to sell wholesale or on consignment, but until I get a better grip on managing my time, I think I would be stretched a bit too thin.  I'm hoping to get some things together before the end of the summer.

Do you have any up and coming art shows/craft shows that you would like us to know about?

None this year!  I may do some shows around the holidays, though!  Finding ways to juggle my work schedule with craft shows is tricky, so I mostly stay away from shows.

Do you have any advise or suggestions for new sellers to etsy?

Stick with it!  Etsy can be very fickle.  Find your niche and stick with it.  Find something that no one else is doing and exploit the need.  Be different than everyone else while still being yourself!  Selling on Etsy is more than just making things and putting it online - you have to be your biggest fan.  Don't undervalue your work.  You can't compete with factory made items, so don't price yourself like you can.  You are not your target market!

Where can you be found online?

To my Etsy shop:  www.etsy.com/shop/fastcrawl

[and please use coupon code BuffaLOVE for 15% off!]

and to my facebook page:  www.facebook.com/fastcrawl

Thanks Jessica for sharing your experience with us!

If you are from Buffalo and would like to be featured on the blog please contact me for more information!!

ART SHOWS 101: Survival Tips for Show Artists and Crafters, Vol.10, Some Advice about...Advice :-)

ART SHOWS 101: Survival Tips for Show Artists and Crafters

             

     Volume 10: Some Advice about......Advice :-)

“Artists should appear mysterious. Don’t wear that hippie dress of yours and “chat” with your customers! Dress in black and act superior.......”

“Your work is SO expensive! If you cut your prices in half you’d probably sell twice as much....”

“Your prices are too low! Triple them and NEVER offer a discount! It devalues your work......”

“You should put up a big sign that says “Super Blowout Sale”. That’ll bring in more quality customers......”

“Wholesale? Don’t give someone a 50% wholesale discount?! Why GIVE your work away when you can SO EASILY sell it at shows?”

“If I were you I’d.....(fill in the blank).......”

Ughh!! Advice! So, so, so much unsolicited advice! Sometimes it seems that everyone and their brother knows how to run your business better than you do; and they just can’t keep themselves from sharing their fabulous ideas.

Listen to their advice, throw in a few educational seminars and workshops on marketing, attend a few networking events, read a few articles online (especially this one :-), and you’ll know everything you need to know to increase your business threefold -- right?!?

Well -- maybe not :-) 

In an attempt to increase sales and free myself from the need of side jobs, not to mention financial worry, I’ve been seeking “professional” advice. I overbooked myself this week; three seminars within a day and a half; the quality of which ranged from very good, to forgettable, to really pretty bad.

And maybe because I’ve made no secret of my current seminar attending spree, I’ve been treated to more than the average amount of unsolicited advice from friends and acquaintances.

After a week of listening to “professional advice” and “You shoulds....” I was nearly catatonic! Not only did I fail to find “the answer” to all of my current questions, I started doubting everything that already works!

After taking a giant step back and smoothing down my very ruffled feathers, I realized there comes a time when we have to stop seeking the advice of others and just go with our guts. Because, when it comes right down to it, no one knows our businesses better than we do. Professional speakers are, well....professional speakers. They may have the education and work experience to speak wisely (or not) on topics that may affect our businesses, but they don’t know the day to day reality of what we do. Go to some of these events. Listen carefully to what the speakers have to say, and then separate the wheat from chaff. It is our job to find what works for us, not to conform to the model set forth by a speaker or advisor.

When seeking answers to pressing questions about our businesses we shouldn’t forget to look within. Deep down inside, we know our strengths and weaknesses. We know where we excel -- and we also know the boundary lines we are not willing to cross.

And for all that unsolicited advice offered by our friends, families and peers? Keep in mind that most, if not all of it, is offered in good faith. Listen to some of it, change the subject when it gets to be too much and, if all else fails, smile and nod as you drift off to your happy place.

Until next time -- keep creating!

Alison

https://www.etsy.com/shop/SilentMyloStudio

https://www.facebook.com/ArtistAlisonEKurek

ART SHOWS 101: Survival Tips for Show Artists and Crafters Vol. 9: How to handle discount seekers, clueless festival goers and artist wannabes

             

     Volume 9:

How to handle discount seekers, clueless festival goers and artist wannabes

“What do you want for that?” $50?! I’ll give you five bucks, take it or leave it!”

Artists and craftsmen who have done even a small number of shows are painfully familiar with those words -- or at least the sentiment behind them.

The clueless, sometimes rude, comments that are made to show artists and craftsmen never cease to amaze me. Right behind the low-ball discount seeking comments are phrases like:

“Look at this stuff. My kid can make that!”

“Do you know who makes all of this stuff?”

“How did you do that? Exactly?” Like, say I would want to make one.....”

And the list goes on and on........... because, when you are dealing with the public, you are bound to run across a jack-ass or two :-)

So, how do you respond to questions and comments of this sort? Do you give in to the discount seekers and sell your new, beautiful work for a fraction of your asking price? Do you angrily snap at the “would-be” customers and commenters and tell them to get out of your booth?

The answer to both questions is NO! But you should have a plan to deal with situations like these. While I can’t tell you how to set your pricing policies, or give you canned responses to all of the ridiculous comments and questions you may receive, I CAN tell you that it’s really not worth blowing your top at the festival goer who has asked you the 100th stupid question of the season. It may feel good for about a minute, but it’ll make you look bad to anyone within earshot -- and you really don’t want to lose a sale to a non-discount-seeking customer because you were a jerk to the person standing in front of them in line.

Think about and formulate a discount policy BEFORE you go to your show. While it’s absolutely fine to NOT offer discounts of any sort, there may be situations in which you do want to offer one. You may want to establish a “Friends and Family Discount Policy” -- something like a standard 10%- 20% off your asking price.You can also choose to extend that discount to repeat customers and people buying large amounts of work at one time if you’d like. Establishing a policy, (even if it’s just written in your head :-) will do two things. First, it will make you really think about your pricing and profit margin. Second, with a policy in place , you won’t be caught off guard when a complete stranger asks for a discount. Do you need to give a complete stranger the same discount you would give to Aunt Sally? Hell No! But you’ll at least have done the math and decided on the maximum discount you’re willing to give. 

As for the insulting low-ball “I’ll give you five bucks for that” comments, just grit your teeth and say “No” -- with a smile, albeit a fake one. I’ve found that it’s just not worth your breath to explain that all of the items in your booth are hand-made and they are not flea market items; or taking the time to remind the offending asker that he does not bargain for purchases at supermarkets or gas stations; or stating that your art work is a means of making a living, not a hobby. While that may all be true, it’s not going to change the mindset of Mr/Mrs. Five Bucks, but it will frustrate you and waste your time.

As for the myriad of other strange, weird, funny, insulting and unbelievable comments you may receive, take the high road and answer as politely as possible. Keep in mind that many people attending festivals and shows just don’t understand what we do. We want to believe that each and every person who walks into our booth knows the hours upon hours of time we spend creating out work, and the time and energy we spend getting ready for the show, and the jury processes we go through to be accepted into shows, but they don’t! Many of them are well meaning individuals who truly think we are selling someone else’s work and are given free spaces to do so; and some of them just don’t take the time to think about how their questions will be interpreted by us. Not that I'm saying we're over-sensitive, but are we? :-)

At the end of the day, get together with other show artists. Share and trade your stories. Laugh about them. If all else fails, blog about them. I do : http://alisonekurek.com/?p=617

Until next time -- keep creating!

Alison

https://www.etsy.com/shop/SilentMyloStudio

https://www.facebook.com/ArtistAlisonEKurek

Monday Interview with Charmed by Wine!

 This week I had a chance to talk shop with Mary from Charmed by Wine!

Please tell us a bit about yourself?
I’m an athlete at heart, having been a gymnast and track and field sprinter/hurdler.  I’m a hockey and football fan as well.  Most times, I’m in front of the TV as I create charms – either watching a sporting event, DVR’d shows, movies, etc.  I even get into books on tape every once in awhile!  As a newlywed and new home owner, there are also TONS of ‘house’ related projects that I’m enjoying as far as decorating, room planning, learning recipes, etc.  I like being active, making healthy choices, and learning/creating.

What do you create? How long have you been working on your craft/art?
I create wine charms for all sorts of events and occasions!

I recently got married in August 2012.  My husband and I had a beautiful wedding inspired by my Italian heritage, our love of clean and classy styles, Sinatra, food and wine.  As part of the planning process, I thought it would be a cute idea to give wine charms as favors.  The ‘wedding’ sets I was finding were so expensive, and they weren’t very personal.  I googled ‘how to make wine charms’ and found that it was really quite easy, and that if I used a certain kind of wire, they were actually more durable and less complicated to use!  So, I set to work…

My original ‘wedding’ set represented my husband and I with charms like ‘love’, ‘thank you’, a wine glass, a blue bead representing the college where we met, our initials, and a tag with our names and wedding date.  I made over 1300 wine charms (which took me the better part of 6 months to do!).  With about 400 charms to go, I realized that I enjoyed making them, but was getting so sick of the current design.  I started imagining other options and designs for wine charms.  I had a bunch of supplies left over at the end, and so I began researching online selling venues like Etsy and learning about how I could create and sell my wine charm designs to others – mainly because I knew that if I didn’t sell them, I’d end up with a houseful of wine charms!

I opened the shop in November 2011, however with the wedding plans, a house purchase and kitchen renovation, I didn’t really start creating items and putting time into the shop until about October 2012.

How did you come up with your store name?
I spent a good week agonizing over a ‘good’ shop name.  I wanted something that resembled wine charms (CharmedWine, WineCharmDesigns, etc) I tried every combination I could think of. The ones I liked were taken already, and the rest just sounded….bleh. To me “Charmed By Wine” is a bit more open ended.  It relates well to wine charms, but also allows me to create other wine-related items, or charm-related items.  I like that I have that freedom.

How does Buffalo influence your work?
For me, creating wine charms is about adding that little extra something to a party, dinner, evening alone with a movie, whatever.  It’s about gathering with family and friends.  It’s adding a little personality to someone’s life, or sparking a conversation between two people.

I think Buffalo plays a strong role in that.  We are the “City of Good Neighbors” for a reason.  Many of us have strong family ties, or close-knit friendships with the people in our communities.  I try to build off of that vibe and create a fun accessory that can be used to put a smile on someone’s face even when it’s 20 degrees and snowing.

What is the best thing about having a etsy shop?
Being able to sell outside the local community.  My first sale went to someone out west.  There was something so cool about knowing that an item I made was traveling and finding a new home with a new family in a state I’ve never visited.


How do you promote your work to the world?
I stay involved in Social Media.  I post on forums within Etsy, have my own website, blog and facebook page…among other sites.  I still have a long way to go to really get ‘seen’, but hopefully each baby step gets me closer!  I’m also part of a kick-butt Etsy team that does a great job of ‘talking proud’ about Buffalo Etsy shop owners!

What is the hardest part about selling online?
Getting “seen” and making sure my items are portrayed accurately.  The hardest part about buying online is not being able to touch the item.  This is where good photography comes in.  I try to photograph several angles of my items and give people a good idea about the item’s size/materials.

Where can your work be found locally?
I actually have not yet sold offline.  Once I am a bit more settled, I have plans to research some local craft fairs and possibly talk to a few local businesses. I want to make sure my online presence is strong enough so that I can refer in-person sales to my online shops to encourage repeat business!

Do you have any up and coming art shows/craft shows that you would like us to know about?
Nope!  Just me working away at creating new designs…

Do you have any advise or suggestions for new sellers to etsy?
Do a LOT of research and planning ahead. A LOT. Learn about all the tasks you’ll have to manage (financial tracking, taxes, inventory management, marketing, website design, creative /crafting time, packaging, shipping, tracking, pricing and listing, etc). Consult with other small business owners to learn about tools or tips that might help you.  Be patient and realize you won’t be great at everything right away.  Have a backup plan or an “if I fail” plan.

Also, really think about your items and how they apply to everyday use.  I had someone tell me pretty early that nobody will ever buy my items because not everyone likes to drink wine.  I spent an afternoon making a list of every possible thing you could do with a wine charm…and I came up with an awesome list.  So now, I can market my charms as being perfect for so many different events or décor!  I even started to photograph my items differently to showcase some of the alternative uses.
- coffee mug/teacup charms (on the handle!)
- water goblets or any other stemmed glassware
- christmas tree ornaments, or other holiday décor
- plant décor (add a little sparkle to your house plants/tree branches)
- gift tags or part of gift wrapping
- tapered candle charms
- charms on any stemmed candle holders
- GIFTS! (hostess gifts, holiday gifts, party favors, wedding shower or wedding favors, etc)

Where can you be found online?
You can find Charmed By Wine in several spots!

Homepage: www.charmedbywine.weebly.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/charmedbywine
Blog: www.charmedbywine.wordpress.com
Shop: www.etsy.com/shop/charmedbywine

 

Monday Interview with Erica from P&E Collectibles

This week Erica from P&E Collectibles joins us!

Please tell us a bit about yourself?

My name is Erica Manson and my shop is P&E Collectibles (PECollectibles).  I sell vintage items from many different time periods with a focus on jewelry.The items in my shop are found at garage sales, estate sales, flea markets and rummage sales.  I live in the suburbs and taught special education for seven years.  Right now I am looking forward to becoming a full time stay at home mom. I've always enjoyed collecting vintage items with a focus on Lucille Ball and Grace Kelly memorabilia.  My other hobbies include card making, seeing musicals and writing.

    

How did you come up with your store name?

The P of PECollectibles is in reference to my husband Paul who always lends a hand with my shop when needed.  Of course, the E is for Erica!

What is the best thing about having an etsy shop? 

 There are so many things I love about having an etsy shop.  I love the flexibility of working from home.   I really enjoy finding new items to put in my shop.  Etsy is a community.  There are so many people to learn from and connect with. 

Do you have any advice or suggestions for new sellers to etsy?

As with most things in life, you get out of it what you put in.  There is always more to learn to continue to improve upon your shop.  

Connect with people and join teams. Don't give up if you don't get your first sale right away. Take advantage of advertising opportunities.  Above all, have confidence that your shop will do well and people will enjoy your items!

Where can you be found online?

Etsy Link- https://www.etsy.com/shop/PECollectibles

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/pages/P-E-Collectibles/181426195283913

Twitter-@elynn81

Blog-http://pevintage.blogspot.com/


*next week, Charmed by Wine!