Fantastic Father's Day Gifts

Father's Day Gifts curated by Buffalove on Etsy

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! 

Monday interview with Carla from 716 Buffalos

Carla, one of our fearless leaders, from 716 Buffalos took a little time out of her schedule to share a little more about herself.

Please tell us a bit about yourself?
-Proud mama of a May 2013 masters degree-holder!
-Professional graphic designer for over 30 (yikes!) years. I'm especially proud of the candy and popcorn labels I designed for the Hard Rock in Vegas.
-Collector of vintage stuff (Beatles memorabilia, art deco, '50s kitsch, mid-century modern and everything in between) for over 40 (yikes!) years.
I left Buffalo in 1982, lived in Washington, DC and Florida before coming home in 2001. My Etsy shop was 4 days old when I made my first sale.

What do you create? How long have you been working on your craft/art?
I make Buffalo-centric jewelry with vintage found objects and broken jewelry bits'n'bobs, all bought locally. Each piece is One of a kind and is inspired by the people, culture, architecture and events in Buffalo's history. I started making found-objects jewelry one year ago, but it was Beatles songs-inspired (and then I worried about copyright infringement, so those items are just for me).

How does Buffalo influence your work?
I didn't love this city until I moved back, and now I'm obsessed with it! I read and research constantly, and bug one of my BFFs for info (she's a docent for the walking tours). I love the people, events, history, architecture and rebirth. I love how many Buffalonians are as geeked as I am about our city ... I'm talkin' proud!

How did you come up with your store name?
I actually changed the name and then got freaked out when they said it could be changed only once --- so 716 Buffalos was a last-minute decision. And it's seven hundred and sixteen, not seven-one-six. Have you noticed my prices end in 716? It's marketing, baby :)

What is the best thing about having an Etsy shop?
I love the creative outlet and everything I learn while I'm researching Buffalo. I love meeting other Etsians and customers. I love making a few extra bucks.

How do you promote your work to the world?
I talk a lot! :) And I spend an obscene amount of time online posting on Etsy, Facebook and Pinterest. It helps to have friends and family who talk me up.

What is the hardest part about selling online?
Making it real! Virtual shopping has its drawbacks --- a customer can't hold your whatever in their hands to inspect it, so descriptions have to be thorough AND interesting, and the pictures have to be crisp and clear. I shoot at least 40 pictures of each item to get five that I think are usable.

Where can your work be found locally?
Only in my studio (OK, it's a corner of my bedroom!)

Do you have any up and coming art shows/craft shows that you would like us to know about?
I do not, but I will happily attend the shows my fellow Etsians are participating in. I've been known to buy from y'all.

Do you have any advice or suggestions for new sellers to etsy?
I'm still a new seller (my anniversary is May 28), but I know you can't just hang the "open" sign and expect your shop to be found. At a minimum, join teams, participate on the boards and curate treasuries.
Open a Facebook shop page, but don't simply post your shop items---make it interesting! I got the most views and comments when I posted a pic of Johnny Depp in all his layered-necklaces glory!
Don't be selfish: Promote other Etsians and they'll do the same for you!
We can't be experts on everything, so do your homework: research Etsy like crazy (help topics, forum searches, etc.). I lean on our own team geniuses for tips on social media and the icky taxes and business details.
Where can you be found online?
www.etsy.com/shop/716buffalos
www.facebook.com/pages/716-buffalos
www.pinterest.com/carlalucia
www.buffaloetsyteam.blogspot.com/

*next week we will learn a little bit about Alison Kurek from Silent Mylo Studios

Fresh Start

The Buffalo Etsy Team is undergoing some changes. 

With two team meetings under our belt, a new team captain, and new leaders, the team is ready to revamp, restart, and take off in a new and exciting direction.  

The blog will be starting up with regular weekly and biweekly posts very soon.

So please STAY TUNED or TUNE in! 

We also can look forward to some team challenges, giveaways, and learning a little more about our members.