Following YOUR Path...

                                                                                           

April 11th is a significant Day.

In 1970, on this day, Apollo 13 launched  and shortly after, some 200,000 miles from Earth, radioed the now famous update:

"Houston we have a problem".

Using ingenuity, courage and sheer guts, the crew was able to guide the hobbled spacecraft, against all odds, safely back to Earth.

In 2013, April 11, brings the 1st update from Sarah Trumpp, of Wonderstrumpet. Sarah launched into full-time status in October of 2012. Sarah has plenty of ingenuity, courage and guts, but, unlike Tom Hanks, she doesn't know how this will turn out. Neither do we. Let's check in now and see what's been happening over the last 3 weeks.

                                          You can read the original article here.

When we last talked you had mentioned applying to a number of juried craft shows. What has happened so far with that process?  I applied to six shows and am still waiting to hear about four of them - all of the BIG ones, of course. I did submit my plush and needle felted stuff for the first time to Plush You!, which is a big plush show at a shop in Seattle, sort of the who's who of plush designers, and happily I got in, so there is a bit of positive news. I should be hearing about Allentown HOPEFULLY today - Nicole got her letter on Friday, so I have been on pins and needles about it all weekend. The trials and tribulations of living in the middle of nowhere! 

I have been honestly terrified about this whole process. Last year I applied to two shows: To Mayday Underground (in Rochester) and to send my stuff to Craftland (a store in Rhode Island) for their annual holiday humongous sale. I got into Mayday and got denied for Craftland, and, even with the Mayday acceptance, that denial was all kinds of devastating. Getting a denial from the jury of one of these big shows will be a punch to the kidneys for sure. I was going to apply for more in case I got denied by the bigger ones, but what if I got into ALL OF THEM!?!?! That would be equally horrifying. I will know one way or another about three of the four within the next couple of weeks, though.

Update 4/10/13 - Did you hear from Allentown yet?  I did - denied! As kidney-punchingly devastating as I thought it would be...

One of your goals for the year is to focus on creating specific products that go together. Have any ideas started to come together? I've been working on more of the sculpted peg doll guys (pictured here) since they seem to be pretty popular.

 I think some of that particular goal just needs to be accepting that I CAN actually make a bunch of different kinds of stuff and that it all looks like 'me',
but that's probably a longer time coming. 

Do you have some "measuring sticks" to gauge success from week to week, or month to month(sales, contacts made, # of items produced etc...)? Do you feel you are succeeding by those standards?    Normally it would be measured by sales, but right now it's being measured by piles. I'm not listing anything new on Etsy right now since I'm freaking out about having enough stuff to sell at shows, but I'm still doing all the other marketing-type stuff too... Making it into Plush You! was a huge deal for me, so this week I feel like I'm succeeding. 

I am also trying to do 300 paintings this year - I don't think we talked about that last time. I've been catching up on a bunch of workshops for the last couple of weeks towards that end, too. The link to the 300 paintings page on my site is here:  www.wonderstrange.com/300-paintings-in-2013/ 

I'm actually up to 16, not 14, but still. I have a LONG way to go.                              

Check-up from the neck-up. How are you feeling overall right now? Right now I'm okay. I'm nervous about the show stuff, and it's kind of taking over my brain, but I'm excited about new techniques I'm learning and maybe knocking some more paintings out. My to-do list is 8 miles long and I'm stressed, but it's a good stress, I think. Better this than being stressed over your boss hating you or something, though, right? 

Is there anything you would like to say to your followers until your next update? If anyone wants to start texting me every 15 minutes saying "hey stop pacing and get to work", I'd appreciate it! ;)

          Next Week....




      Simple truths... 

                   Live by these and succeed. Guaranteed.


Written by Al Pilato of harvestwoods

Treasury Love, Part IV

May the Stats Be With You.

"My shop got 447 views, 114 faves. The necklace got 170 views, 80 faves!"
— Linda Richards, of L Richards Design, reporting on her stats after being featured in a front page treasury on Etsy.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/LRichardsDesign


Impressive numbers, yes? Enviable, too.

OK, so I know most of you aren't big on curating treasuries. You've always got your craft to do, or laundry, or the kids are well, being kids... but I'm a big fan of the talented Etsians out there, so I make treasuries. I am not ashamed to admit that I also like the exposure my treasuries generate for MY shop.

TODAY A TREASURY I CURATED MADE THE FRONT PAGE OF ETSY! ...
and the theme was inspired by Linda's elegant seashell necklace.
Everything I treasured had to be equally elegant and beachy. (Think resorts. Think lounge chairs and beach-side cocktail service.)

https://www.etsy.com/listing/122268984/silver-seashell-necklace-silver-and?ref=shop_home_feat


I created the treasury on Monday morning, before work, with a giant mug of coffee at my side. Once published, I promoted it in various treasury threads on various team boards. I promoted it again after work. I didn't promote it at ALL on Tuesday.

Imagine my surprise, then, when I saw Etsy's home page at about 8 this morning (Wednesday). I was like "Holy beach towel! That's MY treasury!" Cheap thrill, perhaps, but it was the first time I'd created a front page-positioned treasury! (it took 53 tries in almost as many weeks).

I was so geeked that I, of course, made a screengrab of the front page — after I'd convo'd Linda to let her know she was a front-pager!

 

https://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTAwNjM2OTF8MjcyNDQwODU0OA/summery-neutrals?ref=pr_treasury

THE TREASURY WAS ON THE FRONT PAGE FOR AN HOUR OF POWER! 
In addition to Linda's massive views and faves, my shop got 66 views and 54 faves, all in that one hour! I got some super-sweet convos, too, from the shop owners I treasured — a nice lift on a gray, drizzly morning — AND I also ended up in 3 treasuries myself AND had a sale!

Props to Buffalo Etsians...
Mary from Charmed by Wine https://www.etsy.com/shop/CharmedByWine?ref=ss_profile  
and Fiona from JJKZ https://www.etsy.com/shop/JJKZ?ref=ss_profile 
for showing the treasury some love. You just got a free promo! :)

Now go find some pretty, cool, wacky, rustic, fancy or funky things for your next treasury. And may the stats be with you.


Carla 
https://www.etsy.com/shop/716Buffalos

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

 

Following YOUR Path

                                                                                          Following YOUR Path...

If the transition from crafting, making art or having a hobby to full time income could be broken up and defined in stages, I would do it this way (for this blog at least):

Stage 1 - Formulating a plan .Thinking with intent and creating a plan to become full-time, including preparing financially for the initial loss of income and benefits etc...

Stage 2 - Jumping off. Quitting a full time job to begin working the plan. Actual risk begins now!

Stage 3 - Working and re-working your plan once you are on your own for a while and learning what works and what doesn't. Tackling challenges you didn't expect and overcoming them. Bravely moving forward even when you want to look back...

Stage 4 - Stability. Earning enough through your craft/art to live life in a way that makes you happy.

Last time we met Sarah Trumpp of Wonderstrumpet. Sarah is in Stage 2; she jumped off this past October.

This week we meet someone in Stage 3 who has been full-time for a while now and is overcoming challenges making progress and keeping her eye on the prize.

If you are someone who is Stage 1 and want to share your journey, please let me know!

Introducing: Alison of SilentMyloStudio

Name: Alison E. Kurek

Craft: I have a pretty wide range of products, from large, one-of-a-kind original paintings, to prints, to gift type items such as magnets and ornaments. The subject matter of my work falls into 4 main categories: animals, alcohol (wine, martinis, etc,). yoga and 

                       Buffaloes.

Where do you sell your work: I've been on Etsy since July of 2007 but did very little business the first couple of years. Most of my sales come from shows and festivals, local and regional. The farthest I traveled last year was Syracuse and Ohio -- but I've done shows throughout the Northeast and in Michigan and Maryland in the past. I have a great working relationship with Debbie Steinbruckner, the owner of Village Artisans. She carries a wide selection of my work. Marcus Wise of 464 is also good person to work with. In addition to selling work in his gallery Marcus is constantly finding new ways to promote Buffalo artists.

What pushed you to "jump off" on your own:  I can’t say there ever was a final push. Being an artist is just who and what I am, so it seemed natural to me that that’s the way I would make a living. That’s not to say that I haven’t beaten that belief down with a stick on many occasions. I tried to force myself to “like what I did 40 hrs/wk, dammit!” when I was “convinced” I couldn't make it on my own. I guess the final straw came about 4 years ago when I was employed full time, with benefits, in the printing business. My income was stable, if not great, and I had a normal M-F, 40 hr/wk schedule. I was beyond miserable and knew I couldn't continue on in a job like that without it really affecting who and what I was at the core.

What were the top 2 or 3 things you were most afraid of when you jumped:  Ha ha. That’s easy. 1.) Money, 2.) Money, 3.) Money :-) But I have found out that money really isn't the only concern. I’m a social person by nature and working alone is difficult. Also, time management can be a problem. I can get a HUGE amount of work done when deadlines are looming, but staying focused and motivated during slower times of the year is a struggle.

Do you feel the risks have paid off yet, if not what keeps you going:  Paid off? If you mean have they led to financial stability or great success I’d have to say no. But this is who and what I am, and I HAVE seen my sales triple since I left the 40 hr/wk printing job. That’s not too shabby considering our economic climate. Where it HAS paid off is in my work itself and in the way I present it . I can’t easily explain that in a few sentences, but I will say that there is a direct correlation between that and the increase in my sales. My work used to be all over the place in the past. Being “full-time” has forced me to focus and look at my work as a business in a ways that I didn't before.

What are 2 or 3 goals you have for 2103:
1.) I REALLY want to increase my online sales. I know that Etsy is part of that -- but I also need my own website.

2.) I’d like to grow my shop and gallery sales, preferably on a wholesale basis.

3.) Make this work well enough to shut down that little voice in my head that routinely asks: “Are you CRAZY?!? Don’t you know this will never work!?” Yeah, I’d like to shut that voice down for good!


You can read even more about Alison if you scroll down to the great interview that Nicole Johnson did with her 2 weeks ago. 

             Coming Soon...

 The hardest lesson learned so far...

The most pleasant surprise so far...

What are you doing to move the business forward right now...

Updates on Sarah and Alison will follow over the next several weeks. In between I will post some helpful info, authors and articles about finding success based on your definition. If you have thoughts, comments or suggestions please leave them below.

Written by Al Pilato of harvestwoods

Art Shows 101: Sales Tax and Credit Card Processing

                                                               Volume 3: Sales Tax and Credit Cards

So you’ve chosen your shows, submitted your images, gotten your acceptances and you’re completely ready to go -- right? 

Ha ha! This is when the real panic can set in. That summer show that seemed to be eons away when you applied in January is inching closer day by day. While I can’t give you any advice on what to make, how much to stock up, or what your perfect price point may be, I can point you in the right direction on some very basic necessities.

Sales Tax

As New York State Etsy sellers we are required to remit sales tax to New York State for all taxable in-state sales - so it’s likely you already have your Certificate of Authority a.k.a. Sales Tax ID number. If you don’t, here are a couple of links to get your started:

Online Permit Assistance and Licensing:

http://www.nys-permits.org/

New York State Department of Taxation (main website):

http://www.tax.ny.gov/

Be sure to display your Certificate of Authority at the shows you participate in. State Tax Examiners often visit large, outdoor shows to make sure that exhibitors are in compliance.

And while this goes without saying, I'm going to say it anyway. New York State Sales Tax permits are valid in New York State only! If you are traveling to a show in another state be sure to contact the tax department of that state and obtain the proper permits.

Credit Card Processing

As Etsy sellers, we have the convenience of PayPal or Direct Check out at our finger tips. But what about face to face sales? Should you accept credit cards? Here are a few things to consider:

• the price range of your products may determine whether or not you should accept credit cards. If your average sale is under $20 you may find that many of your customers are more than happy to cash -- so why bother paying extra fees if you don’t have to? If your average sale is above $20, or $50, or $100, accepting credit cards may increase your overall sales.

• If you have a smart phone or an iPad or Android tablet with mobile service AND a checking account, there is no good reason for you to not accept credit cards. Square, a credit card processing company, offers free processing equipment and fair rates for mobile credit card processing. Here’s a link to their site:

https://squareup.com/

While some people question the security offered by Square and dislike the fact that ALL of their customer service is handled via email, I personally have not heard of one actual complaint about their service. And as for the question of security, Starbucks has signed with Square and even sells their card readers in their stores. If Square is secure enough for Starbucks it’s probably secure enough for show vendors.

Here are a couple of links for further reading: 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/09/starbucks-square-mobile-payment_n_2101791.html

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/03/starbucks-square-mobile-credit-card-reader/

• if you’d prefer, PayPal, ProPay, Intuit, and many other companies offer mobile credit card processing services too

• if you have a PayPal or ProPay account, or a different merchant account,  you can manually process a credit card sale after a show. Be sure to collect all the information needed from your customer along with a contact phone number. 

• if you are dead-set against accepting credit cards, don’t want the extra hassle, or are just selling at a couple of small shows this season, fear not! Most buyers still bring cash to shows, and their check books as well. If you loose sales by not accepting credit credit cards your can always get yourself set up for your next show.

Here's wishing some warmer Spring like temperatures before we dive into the summer show season!

Until next time -- keep creating!

Alison

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

Everything Old is New Again...in Breweriana

It’s always fun to share a hobby with your partner.  My husband Paul and I love to go to flea markets, antique shops, estate sales, etc. and look for things to add to our home, collections and my Etsy shop.  While I’m busy looking for Lucille Ball or Grace Kelly items, Paul is scoping out anything considered to be breweriana. 

What is breweriana?

Any item that contains a brewery name or brand name and the collection of those items as a hobby.  It spans a wide range of items.  This includes beer cans, trays, coasters, signs, beer steins, taps, bottles, etc. 

Below is my interview with Paul about collecting Breweriana. 

What is your favorite brewery to collect?

Buffalo breweries of course!  Buffalo has such a rich brewing history going back to its immigrant roots.  Germans, Poles and the Irish all brought rich European style brewing to Buffalo and opened many local breweries.  International (Iroquois), Becks and Simon Pure top my list of local collectibles.

How did you get started?

I started by saving bottles from beer I was buying in the store.  They displayed well, and showed off my love of craft and local breweries.  From there I would find a vintage bottle here or there of something I had from my new collection.  I thought it looked cool to have a bottle from the '50's or '60's next to its modern counterpart.  Eventually the bottle collecting became more about the vintage bottles than the modern ones.  Then a few signs crept into the collection and I've gone from there.

Do you have a favorite piece?

My favorite piece is a back lit bar sign from Simon Pure.  It's got great graphics and colors.  It really pops when lit.

Is it hard to get started collecting?

No!  Like any other collection, start with what you like and grow from there.  Condition, as with most collectibles, can greatly alter the price of an item.  This can be your friend!  For example, mint beer trays can be very pricey depending on the brewery.  However, you can often those with scratches or small amounts of rust along the lip or inside edge.  These minor imperfections can bring the price down into a reasonable range, and adds character as far as I'm concerned!

Another tip is to look for items in unexpected places.  Specialized breweriana sales can be a wealth of information and great for those starting out in the hobby, but you're not likely to find many deals.  If you look in unexpected places like yard and rummage sales, you're likely to strike out and find nothing, but every so often you'll find that hidden gem at just the right price.

Continuing with unexpected places, if there's one thing breweries have always done a lot of is advertise.  How often have you seen stacks of old magazines at rummage and flea markets?  Usually they're kept because of who's on the cover, but open one up and look at the ads.  You'll find national brewery advertising in no time.  If you're looking for Buffalo breweries, find Buffalo specific printed materials.  Open a vintage Shea's playbook or a copy of the Courier Express or Buffalo Evening News.  You may just find a great Lang, Mohawk Special or Schreiber's ad.  Cut it out and put it in a frame, that will look great in your collection.

Buffalo Breweries from Past and Present (This is just the short list!)

Gerhard Lang Park Brewery

German American Beer Co.

Ziegle’s Brewery Co.’s Phoenix Brewery

Buffalo Brewing Co.

Flying Bison Brewery

Simon Pure Brewery

Christian Weyand Brewery

Lion Brewery

Iroquois Brewery

George Rochevot Brewery

Lion Brewery

Iroquois Brewery

International Brewery

Schreiber Brewing Co.

Lakeview Brewery Malt House

Buffalo Brew Pub

Pearl Street Grill and Brewery

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!