Best Bets Daily

The Storque linked to this article in the New York Magazine about Etsy. I was especially intrigued by the line that said, "Basically, Etsy gives you god-like powers to will awesome handmade stuff into existence." Seriously, Etsy is a great place but I have been in the dark about the god-like power thing until now. You'd think they might have mentioned this in their FAQ's. :)

100 SALES

My goal for March was to make 100 sales and today is the day! I'm thrilled. Thrilled about reaching the goal with days to spare, and thrilled about doing what I do...I feel fulfilled.

I've started preparing for my April theme at Ribbon Wands: Freshly Made. Watch for some fun dozen and half dozen packs, not to mentions some brand new hot and tasty designs.

Unique Skillset

Rhythmic Gymnasts are in high demand with Cirque De Soleil. Cool. The things you discover on google...

I'm busy working on the final Ribbon Wand packages for the March promotion at my Etsy store. So keep dropping in to see the new packages throughout the week!

Happy Easter

Lots of Ribbon Wands have been ordered for Easter and await their spots in the Easter basket. Thanks again for all the continued support of Ribbon Wands and I hope you enjoy the holiday weekend with those you love!

For all those interested in enjoying the March special of Ribbon Wand Packages...be sure to check the Etsy site for new Packages after the Easter long weekend.

Ribbon Bookmarks

FYI: Sales 82 through 99 at my Etsy Shop will include a sweet ribbon bookmark!

This is the primary way I re purpose my ribbon scraps. It's a simple satin base with either a grosgrain ribbon or patterned paper sewn on and then cut with pinking shears on either end. It makes a superb bookmark, and might even inspire you to make some more of your own!

Play is the thing

I am passionate about simple, battery free, creative, play and I'm not alone! Here are a few of my favorite online haunts that support this same principle:

• Right To Play is one amazing organization! Here's a description of what they do from their very own website: Right To Play uses specially-designed sport and play programmes to improve health, build life skills, and foster peace for children and communities affected by war, poverty, disease. Working in both the humanitarian and development contexts, Right To Play has projects in more than 20 countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. A truly amazing organization!
  
• Romp is a fabulous online store:ROMP’s toys don't simply look beautiful, they engage kids' (and grown-ups') natural curiosity and wonder at the world. we don’t believe in toys that tell kids how to play, instead we like to see kids be kids and learn through open-ended play. Oh, how I agree with every line!
• A fantastic article by a Vanessa Ong who is an Occupational Therapist. The article is entitled, The Importance of Play for Children.
  
• With the attention we all seem to finally be giving to our planet, there is a huge movement in the natural and organic toy market. NaturalPlay is a wonderful online store that even sorts toys from ages of birth to 88 years old. So, there's something for everyone here.
  

This is a great start! Please feel free to share any links you may have that promote self defined imaginative play and interaction.

Store Identity : Etsy 411

For anyone thinking about starting an Etsy shop, having a strong image and store identity is extremely important. Imagine your online shop as you would a bricks and mortar store, the signs outside, the way the product is displayed the colors and feeling of your shop, are all things that can and must be translated into your online identity. People need to know who you are, without this, they will not trust you enough to support your product by making a purchase.

Some people manage to be successful at Etsy by branding themselves. They are popular in a certain genre and capitalize on that reputation with their Etsy shop. Some great examples of this are Donna Downey, Emily Falconbridge and Betz White.

Most of us, though won't find a huge following of ready made customers this way. Our stores must be more product based. Here are a few key points to consider, before you even upload your first listing:

NAME:
At Etsy, the name of your shop is something to carefully consider. Your user name doesn't necessarily have to be the same as your Banner, but continuity is something that can simplify and make you more easily remembered.

BANNERS AND AVATARS:
Constant discussions take place in the forums of Etsy on this very topic. Is your avatar click worthy? Does your banner represent the spirit of your shop? Does it make you want to find out more? Personally I've had at least 7 other banners before finding my current one and I'm sure to continue tweaking, altering and trying to improve these elements of my shop. Green and growing or ripe and rotting...I'm always trying to learn and improve.

PHOTOGRAPHY:
A huge huge part of your business. In fact, some Etsians have done so well photographing their product, that the very photographs have spurned into a side business. Sunsetgirl is an amazing example of this. Her sock monkey's are truly the best in the world and her idea to start making the images of these handcrafted monkey's into greeting cards, to me is genius.

Another key element of photographing your product is to show it from as many angles as you can. The Storque at Etsy has some really great photography support that any new seller may find incredibly useful. I especially liked this article: Create a Story for your Product.

So there's some food for thought for anyone interested in improving, opening and enjoying a shop at Etsy.

March Promotion!

I've decided to put some wand packages together for the month of March. It's a promotion and as such will offer multiple wands at a great discount. The ribbon length of the wand packages will be slightly less than 2 yards per wand. So if you're interested in multiple wands for whatever reason: BFF matched gifts, weddings, holidays, March might be the month to get a pack of Ribbon Wands.

Ribbon Girl Commissions

Every little flower girl will adore getting a Ribbon Wand to use in the wedding or as a gift. They are a wonderful and creative prop for creative photographs as well as lots of fun to play with and a beautiful toy they can keep to remember the event.

Flower Girl Commissions begin at $20.00 and this commission will create the prototype for your distinct Ribbon Wand Collection. Each additional Wand is $10.00 and payable once the prototype is accepted, as well as the appropriate shipping value.

We work closely with your needs on each custom order to ensure the wand is unique and represents what you want for your one of a kind wedding. The wands are beautifully packaged, adorned with special charms and elements that will reflect your big day. I even save a special swiss made satin ribbon especially for these wands to ensure they are extra special.

Please allow a minimum of 5 weeks notice prior to the big day! We want to ensure their safe arrival!

Cheers,

Nikki @ Ribbon Wands

Beyond first base

Making lots of wand bases this week. I definately went past 1st base...

Custom Orders: length and wood finish

I welcome custom ribbon requests, they are truly the heart and soul of my business. Having said that, there are some guidelines that I must follow. I do not make wands specifically for children under the age of 5. My wands are meant for children and children at heart who are 5 years of age and over. I am bound by my own conscience as well as the laws of my country in this respect.

Regarding length of the wand: You can request a shorter length, should you desire, but longer is difficult to work with and extremely expensive to mail. I do not make wand bases in lengths over 12 inches. Wand base finishes can come in basic wood finish of blonde or brunette. I have been more specific in the past, but this is a business catering to children and what do they know about maple and mahogany, so this is the simplified terminology we embrace here at ribbon wands, with our deepest apologies to red heads and raven haired users.

Etsy Buyer 411

So you've found ETSY. You've fallen in love with a certain little something and decide it must be yours. Now what?

Sign up.
Think about your user name carefully. Should you want to become a seller in the future, this will be linked to your store identity. ETSY frowns upon multiple accounts for one individual and should you have more than one store or identity you are required to disclose that information in each store and in dealings with other sellers.

Why do I need to sign up? It is important for the seller to have accurate mailing information and contact information for you. By insuring this information is accurate, your ease of purchase in the future is clear and precise for the shopkeepers to access and ensure your product arrives safely to the correct address. Your mailing address and email are provided to the seller upon the sale of product and remain password protected in their individual account.

Add item to cart.
Once you've purchased the product, you are then given the options of payment. PayPal is the most universal online payment option. This allows you to keep your personal banking and credit information private, while still enjoying ease of online shopping at unique and diverse online stores. The fees for this service are paid entirely by the seller. You can also set your PayPal up to access funds directly from your bank account, all the while keeping your personal information as generic as an email address.

Some shops accept other forms of payment; such as money orders, personal cheques and may also accept Google Wallet. Most ETSY shops share this information in their profiles, so if you're not sure, or want more options be sure to check this area out, as it differs on a shop by shop basis.

Shipping.
Shipping really differs from store to store. Pricing is clearly marked on the main product page, but length of time for delivery differs greatly. Some shops make to order, so you may be waiting up to a month to receive your order. I have learned that this is a trait some buyers can handle and other's cannot. My best advice to any new buyer at ETSY is to read the shop's profile, ask questions, and order well in advance. Then give at least two weeks for the product to arrive.

I know I come from the Canadian school of thought on this topic but my advice is to relax; Etsians want to please you, they want a good reputation through positive feedback, so don't panic if you're order isn't there immediately. Should a parcel get lost or the timeline is extreme, contact the shop and together work for a positive solution.

ETSY is filled with artisans who excel at what they do, who have unique talents and abilities and have found a means to bring them to your door. This truly is one of the perks of our digital age. Embrace it and enjoy!