Sunday, March 29, 2009

Etsy Day at FSAM


Our team has been invited to the opening day of the Fulton Street Artisans Market (FSAM)!

Sunday, June 14
11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
$10.00 per artisan, for up to two market spaces

Market provides: permanently set up tables and structure.
What to bring:
• Shade: If you have an easy-up canopy, those work well. Most of the "regulars" at the market use a tarp and bungees. The tarp is attached to the market structure, and anchored to your vehicle. Vehicles can be backed right up to your space. The FSAM artisans are a friendly bunch, and will be more than happy to help you with this!
• Table covering: The market tables are used by the farmers market. They are a bit rough. You will want to bring a blanket or other covering. Please note that the tables are a bit sloped.
• Chair (many use a stool). The tables are a bit high.
• Money to make change

FSAM is an open air market at the site of the Fulton Street Farmers Market on Fulton and Fuller in Grand Rapids. It is a fun, laid-back venue and a great opportunity for people new to art/craft shows as well as experienced artisans. Many members of the etsywmi group participated throughout the season last year. FSAM is currently in a growth stage. We are busy making plans and putting organizational structure in place to really grow this market. I think it has a lot of potential, but we need lots of artisan participation to make this happen. It is our goal to make the market a West Michigan Sunday destination.

Please use the poll here on the blog to let us know if you plan to attend. You are also encouraged to leave comments on this post. As always, join us in the etsy forum for questions and discussion with members who attended last year.

Thanks!!

Thursday, March 12, 2009

One of our own has been featured!

Check out this article in the Muskegon Chronicle featuring Rhonda of Geneva Girls Designs: http://www.mlive.com/news/chronicle/index.ssf?/base/news-16/123288214917210.xml&coll=8

She also had a video - check that out here: http://videos.mlive.com/chronicle/2009/01/inventor_rhonda_w_geneva.html

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

The Grand Rapids Press featured one of our own!

Please check out this article featuring Mike (Lona's husband) of Shady Side Farm!

Oops, just click on the title to get there!

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Gift Guide

Buying handmade for the holidays is both fun and rewarding. You have the opportunity to find something unique, show your thoughtfulness, purchase quality, and support local artists and crafters...all while avoiding the crowded mall and the endless parking lot circle that accompanies it. When you don't have time to browse local craft shows, turn to the Etsy West Michigan team online and let the fun begin! We have put together gift guides for women, men, hostesses, babies, teenages, little kids, crafters , cold weather and secret Santas!
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From your best friend to your mom or wife, all of the women on your list can be treated to quality handmade gifts this season. Etsy West Michigan has gift ideas for the pet lover, jewelry addict, decorator, and more!
(upper left) Catherine Marissa’s stacking sterling rings are right on trend and the perfect gift for the woman who appreciates clean, modern styling
(upper right) Unique frosted glass jewelry from Yellow Lux will inspire “Where did you find this?” from any lucky lady on your list…
(lower left) Pitbulllady Designs can create a custom needle felted portrait of her pet. This makes a lovely and thoughtful gift for anyone who lost a dear pet this year…
(lower fight) Absolutely unique, these stunning Japanese temari balls from Julie and co. will delight the decorator on your list
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Cold Weather is upon us and the fiber artists of Etsy West Michigan have been busily creating quality accessories to keep everyone on your list comfortable until Spring arrives.
(upper left) Hand felted scarves in a variety of stunning colors will dress up the fashion conscious female on your list. Browse for the perfect color at Clawtree Design
(upper right) Shady Side Farm takes all the bland out of socks and creates luxurious wool pairs in a wide range of colors
(lower left) Ellafern’s cashmere lined mittens are an indulgence without the crazy high price tag. Whether the recipient’s style is embellished or simple, you will find the right pair in her shop
(lower right) Knitted mittens for children and adults (all at $12 or less!) are available through Mimi’s Mittens
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Handmade is fun, but can be tricky when someone on your list is a crafter. Treat the crafters in your life to some fun supplies and let them have fun creating with their new goodies.
(upper left) Just Jaynes is a jewelry maker’s paradise with sterling silver charms, pendants, and more
(upper right) Just For Fun Crafts offers a variety of chipboard products for the paper crafter on your list
(lower left) Fiber artists will appreciate a colorful gift of quality roving or yarn from Yarn 2 Spin
(lower right) If beads and baubles are her weakness, stop by Raid My Stash for a variety of stones, pearls, and more…
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Mix handmade into your children’s gifts this year and watch their excitement when they find unique goodies from Santa. With a variety of items for little girls and boys, Etsy West Michigan will save you the long lines at the toy store.


(upper left) Your little girl will be absolutely adorable outfitted in accessories from Lily-Pie Designs
(upper right) This little dog needs a happy home and a new best friend. Be sure to surprise your little one with a stuffed buddy from The Monkey Shop
(lower left) Put a knot in the strap of this bottle cozy and let your kiddo be grown up as he carries his own water bottle on your adventures. That Is So C.U.T.E. offers a variety of colors and cozy styles
(lower right) Have a budding artist at home? Stop by Baggavond’s shop for chalkboard bags, placemats, and more

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If your teenager is anything like I was, she is tricky to buy for. Thankfully, Etsy West Michigan artists have creative and fashionable ideas for all ages. From the environmentally conscious to the fashionistas in the group, we’ve got you covered.
(upper left) Ribbonrose’s beads and pendants are available in many of this year’s popular color combinations and your teenager won’t see her friend wearing the exact same thing she has on
(upper right) Is your teenager going green? Craftinator’s logo tote has been upcycled into a statement bag perfect for your environmentally conscious teen

(lower left) A Window Into Whimsy’s bags are available in a variety of sizes and current designer fabrics. This gathered tote can replace your teen’s backpack and leave her friends wondering where she found that bag

(lower right) Is your teenager a Blythe collector? Surprise her with a holiday ensemble from morganannie

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Babies are fun to buy for and even more so once you get started browsing the fabulous clothing, accessories, and nursery décor available through the Etsy West Michigan team. Go ahead and spoil your little ones – they’re worth it!


(upper left) Squeak! Squeak! Outfit your darling in this sweet little mouse onesie from Mom N Mia Quilts
(upper right) Avoid the typical holiday outfits and dress your sweetie in this festive crocheted cardigan from karen mary
(lower left) Perfect for nursery décor or playtime, Holy Craft! offers sets of darling wooden blocks
(lower right) Perennial Piecer’s quilted jackets are unique and can be custom made in your favorite colors or theme
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With so many holiday parties this time of year, it can become exhausting trying to find hostess gifts. Show your party organizer that her time and effort are appreciated with a handmade gift that lasts longer than that bottle of wine.


(upper left) With a variety of fabric styles available, you are sure to find something that fits your hostess’s home in Delainie’s quilted coaster selection
(upper right) The hostess can kick back and relax after the party, soothed by the smell of a soy candle from Bliss Candles
(lower left) Add a little competitive spirit to a dull holiday party with this African inspired game from Antiquity Gamecrafters
(lower right) MariaSoleil's selection of holiday gift tags reminds us that every package can be pretty this year. Help your hostess save time with her holiday wrapping with these tags

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Does your office or group play Secret Santa each year? Surprise your partner with a handmade gift and be sure to have everyone hoping you are their Santa next year. Etsy West Michigan team members offer a variety of products under $10 that make the perfect office gifts.



(upper left) With over 500 scents to choose from, Sweet Surrender Candle’s soy tarts make a great gift for candle lovers and are available in packages for as little as $4.50
(upper right) Would you believe that these Key Lime earrings from Elysium are only $6? I was surprised too!
(lower left) Island Girl Bags offers functional and pretty key fob wristlets in a variety of designer fabrics for only $5
(lower right) A lovely embellished satin ornament from LaShelle is a sure way to dress up someone’s tree this season – perfect for your friend with a new grandson or shabby chic style

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As much as I enjoy the handmade hunt, I freeze up as soon as it’s time to buy for the men in my life. Crafts are for girls, right? Wrong. Many crafters have expanded their lines to include products that appeal to men. You may have to hunt a little longer, but the rewards are well worth the time invested.



(upper left) For the nature lover, consider a print from newleafdesigns…
(upper right) If your man spends his day at the office, add a little personality to the 9 to 5 with vintage typewriter key cufflinks from The Empty Nest…
(lower left) Unicorn’s Garden offers a creative twist on office wear with a chainmaille tie, perfect for the “corporate raider”…
(lower right) Ease aches and pains from a long day with a hot/cold therapy pad from Mondry’s YKnot Shop where the unique corn filling stays hot longer than a typical rice heating pad…

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Tags: a primer for newbies and a refresher for others

submitted by Cathy of JustJaynes

When I opened my second shop on Etsy, JustJaynes, I was coming off a 6-month hiatus from selling. There were a few changes.

What are these things called treasuries? What are all these funky applications on the sidebar of the front page? What are TAGS?

Not the lovely tags made by our own Celene from MariaSoleil, but the tags used to describe our items.



Tags actually do much more than describe our items. Tags put our items into the Etsy search engine for buyers and treasury curators. We all have the same goal: Sell. But when our stuff’s not selling, the secondary goal: Be on the Front Page! Being on the front page will bring lots of views and new shoppers into your shop.

First tag: Your main category
All other tags: Subcategories and descriptions

You’ll see that the tag system will automatically make suggestions. If your items fit into those suggestions, use ‘em! If not, and it runs out of suggestions, don’t stop! Time to get creative. How will buyers and curators search for your item? Color, shape, theme.

COLOR: Treasury curators especially will not search for something “blue” because there will be too many results, so they search for a certain shade of blue, such as aqua blue, teal, baby blue. Think soft pink, cream, coffee.

SHAPE: Swirls, circles, squares, flowers, they’ll search ‘em ALL.

THEME: Smoky, mystical, gothic, romantic, ghostly, winter, shiny, use your imagination!

But there are only 14 tags! Plus I have team tags! Well, yes, but you can combine some tags. Such as “sterling silver,” “silver plated,” etc. They have to be words that go together.

But I still have a few tags left! Do you ship internationally? Do you accept RME? Will anyone search by your shop name? Your real name? These can also be tags.

Thanks to Kara from lhsblack for volunteering for a tag critique! I selected these earrings partly because they are my favorite, but also because these earrings should be selling or on the front page or in treasuries or all the above!


Here are the current tags:
jewelry, earrings, dangle, glass, wire wrapped, bead, green, river, sterling, silver, etsywmi team, wire wrapped

Tag makeover: jewelry, earrings, dangle, glass, wire wrapped, faceted, seafoam, green, sterling silver, etsywmi team, tear drop, briolette, opaque, international ship


So go check your tags. Are you using the search engine to your best advantage? Do you ever search for your items to make sure they are showing up? And if they are not showing up, why not?

Reference:
Storque articles:
http://www.etsy.com/storque/how-to/shop-makeover-series-tagging-for-success-877/