TEST at the 2013 Christmas One of a Kind Show

At this years Christmas One of a Kind show (November 28th to December 8th) you'll be able to find more than a handful of TEST members so be sure to check them out when you head down to the show!

1. Avril Loreti

2. Candiware

3. Carolyn Draws

4. Crywolf Clothing

5. Domistyle Aprons

6. Inspired Art Prints

7. Kempton Jones

8. Kid Icarus

9. Handmades by Rovena

10. Simple Smiles

11. MagPrint

12. Westlake Designs
13. thunderpeep designs

TEST Etsy Page

Earlier this year, Etsy introduced Pages as a way to allow people to "Explore the marketplace through your favorite tastemakers". Think of Pages as curated collections by some of your favorite brands, magazines and blogs, full of their favorite Etsy finds.

Our friends at Etsy Canada were kind enough to invite us to take part in a little beta testing of new Pages for Etsy Teams! Some of you may even have noticed how we've been gathering your fabulous listings into a variety of collections for our very own TEST Etsy Page. Check it out!

Toronto Etsy Street Team on Etsy

We've been carefully curating collections to highlight our sellers for the TEST 1st Annual Christmas Marketplace -which will be here before you know it on December 14. You can see some of the fabulous wares which will be on offer, or shop the collection even if you cannot make it in person! We, of course, had to make a TEST ♥ Newbies collection for our talent newest members. The best things about winter are celebrated in our Winter Wonderland collection. Looking to prepare for the holidays? We've got you covered with TEST Gifts for Him, TEST Holiday Fashion, TEST Gifts for Babies, TEST Gifts for Kids, TEST Gifts for Her, TEST Gifts for the Crafty, TEST Gifts for the Home, TEST for the Pet Lover, TEST Stocking Stuffers, Santa's Nice List, and Santa's Naughty List (for your more naughty and adult gift buying needs). We also love our hometown and put together a TEST ♥ Toronto collection. Plus, if you're planning your winter wedding, check out our TEST Weddings collection!

T.E.S.T. Interview: Pepin D'Or

We hope to introduce you to all the great Etsy sellers to be found right here in Toronto. Here at the T.E.S.T. blog, we plan to interview them all. This is the 61^st in our series with Katharina of PepinD'Or.

Tell us about how you started creating jewellery.

I remember making dresses and accessories out of leftover fabric pieces and whatever else I could find for my dolls when I was about 10 years old. They didn’t really look like much but I always had fun playing dress up. My first wearable jewelry, I made about 10 years ago, after one of my dear girlfriends taught me the wire wrapping technique. I had seen some of the rings and earrings she had made and loved their uniqueness. I wanted to learn how to make jewelry like that right away. I fell in love with it. Then throughout my extensive travels to Colombia and Ecuador I learned more techniques such as beading, knitting with beads, macrame, the process of sanding, dyeing and polishing natural materials. Even some welding by some very talented artisans.

Describe your style.


Bold eco chic jewellery with a tribal yet urban touch.

What are your sources of inspiration?

I get my inspiration mainly from nature, places I have travelled to, their cultures and people. I am half German, half Ecuadorian. Two very contrasting countries in every way possible. I try to combine these two opposing cultures also in my jewellery. The urban modern western world and the tribal, ethnic more naive cultures of third world countries. One thing both have in common is the ecological awareness. Indigenous and tribal cultures that I have had the privilege to get to know, use natural fibers, seeds, shells, animal skins and other natural materials. I love the raw beauty of those materials. In Germany on the other hand, recycling, up cycling, repurposing of all sorts of materials are methods we are taught from a very young age. I try to express myself through my jewelry. By naming each piece I try to tell a story, even share what inspired me to make that particular jewellery piece.

What tools and techniques do you use to create jewellery?


I love experimenting with paint, resin and natural materials such as horn, seeds and nuts. I try to not use too many complicated tools... I guess the most complicated ones would be my drill. :) For the sanding I prefer to use sanding paper rather than an electrical attachment on my drill.

Did you receive any professional training?

My teachers have been artisans from all sorts of backgrounds but I never attended a school to become a jewellery designer.

How do you promote your products?


Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. I also try to be a guest blogger and sponsor giveaways.

Other than Etsy, where do you sell your products?


Etsy is the only site I sell my jewellery at but I try to participate in as many shows as possible. I find it is important for potential buyers to be able to see, touch and try on my pieces, especially since a lot of people can't envision themselves wearing such bold pieces when looking at them online.

What advice would you give to someone who is new to Etsy?

Photography speaks 1000 words! Make sure you have some eyecandy. Quality control and customer care are very important components of being successful in this business. However the best advice I have ever gotten from a fellow artisan is to be patient, to create with care and love and to believe in yourself no matter what people might say.

Katharina has an upcoming show at the Leslie Fleamarket on December 15th.

Check out the other items available from Katharina in her Etsy shop! You can find more of her work on her Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

Interviewed by Sophia of Affectionately Yours in November 2013 in Toronto.

Etsy News: Prototype team for Canada Post Shipping Labels!

Just in time for the holidays Etsy is announcing their plan to give Canadian sellers new shipping tools.  You can start testing out these tools and give your input into how they should work by joining a brand new Prototype Team for all sellers on Etsy who are based in Canada: Canada Post Shipping Labels! This Prototype will help Etsy test new shipping services for Canadian sellers, and has already been vetted by a small group of sellers in a closed Prototype.

If you join the team, you'll be able to purchase and print postage for your orders through Canada Post - right from your Etsy shop for domestic orders and methods for shipping to the US. On the domestic front, there are three shipping services to choose from: Priority, Xpresspost, and Expedited Parcel (similar to Regular Parcel but with added benefits!). When shipping to the US, you will also enjoy the following services: Xpresspost - USA, Expedited Parcel - USA, Tracked Packet - USA, Small Packet - USA Air, and Light Packet - USA. Most services are offered at a discount to sellers on Etsy compared to going to a Canada Post retail counter. Etsy are working hard to introduce more international options to the mix too, so stay tuned!


Any Canada-based seller can join the prototype here:
https://www.etsy.com/teams/19439/canada-post-shipping-labels-prototype.

Managing your postage needs on Etsy is one more way to help streamline your workflow, and Etsy are excited to hear your feedback on this new feature. Plus, if international shipping is on your mind, be sure to join now to take advantage of our international postage updates in the future. If you have questions, you can join the Protoype to get them addressed. Etsy is very keen to hear what you think!

Find out more on the FAQ on this Prototype Team

Looking for some advice on tackling shipping in general? Be sure to read our

TEST Etsy Newbie Bootcamp: Class 8 Shipping & Packaging

You can join our Etsy Newbie Bootcamp at any time, just drop us a line at TorontoEtsyST@gmail.com. Etsy itself published a great article called Canadian Shipping Demystified which is a good place to find a primer on shipping services available to Canadian Etsy sellers through Canada Post.

T.E.S.T. Interview: Keepsake

We hope to introduce you to all the great Etsy sellers to be found right here in Toronto. Here at the T.E.S.T. blog, we plan to interview them all. This is the 60^th in our series with Deborah of KeepsakeToronto.

What is your photography background?

I studied for a bachelor of Fine Arts where I majored in photography. This is where I discovered my passion for the traditional medium.

How much of your time is divided between Keepsake, and your fine art photography?

It's tough to not favour one over the other. Because of my background in photography, I already have quite an extensive body of work. Keepsake is only a year old, and there are more opportunities to sell Keepsake jewellery than there has been to sell art, so when I have free time I work on building the collection. I did promise myself that I would only create brand new Keepsakes once the photographic work has been printed and publicized; I only produce brand new subjects for Keepsake as fast as I create and publicize brand new subjects in my photographic art. Its a challenge, but it motivates me.

What is the biggest challenge you've faced in your career and how did you overcome it?

It's tough trying to pursue a career as a photographer. Particularly in the arts industry. I have been searching for ways to make my product more marketable to the general public; I always thought my photographic art would translate well to jewellery. It took me a little while to figure out how to accomplish this, but sure enough, after some years, I figured it out. Keepsake is what is helping me overcome my challenge in trying to 'make it' in the arts. In other words, Keepsake is what has attracted more awareness to my art and vice versa. Both art vehicles to building awareness for each other. Its something that will be a continuous challenge, but it keeps me on my toes, and from getting bored. It makes success taste that much sweeter.:)

Was there a moment you can pinpoint that led you to work with the idea of capturing memories?

When I think back to my childhood, totally pre-photography, I just remember my father letting me borrow his little point-and-shoot camera when we went out on a walk. I was 8, and I was snap happy. The element of chance excited me. I took these photos, had no idea what they would look like other than what I saw through the view finder, but I had these moments collected and stored in a bank.
I've also always been fascinated by historical documentation. How is it possible for something to capture a reality and then display that reality so perfectly, in a future setting? It still blows my mind. Here, you can actually make time stand still.


For Keepsake, do your subjects mostly hold personal significance?

All of my subjects hold personal significance. These subjects caught my attention, and I felt the need to capture them and show them to the world. I am my artworks and my artworks are extensions of me.

What would you say is the main selling point of your products and how have you marketed that to your customers?

People have responded really well to the fact that my Keepsakes are miniature artworks. Most, if not all that have seen my work, mention how they have never seen this done before and how it is such an original idea. To hear that is such a compliment. All of my artwork (Keepsake and photographic works) are created the traditional way: either with my Nikon F2 or my Pentax point-and-shoot, 35mm film and a dark room. My pieces are mostly limited edition if not one-of-a-kind as well. Also, I have recently created a Keepsake vintages collection where I sought and source vintage jewellery from different places and re-purpose them with my fine art work. There is only one of each kind of these pieces. People have expressed the appeal to all of these aspects to them.

I find your product shots full of story, incredible depth and texture. Could you tell us what you use for the background?

Moving from South Africa to Toronto and acquiring all sorts of vintage furniture from late grandparents, my apartment is dressed with some of these pieces. The background you see in my product shots is of a hand carved vintage wooden table, I think from China. I feel it compliments my pieces really well.


Deborah's upcoming shows:

• Midnight MRKT: Nov. 22, 9 pm - 1 am, 461 King St. W, Toronto, ON
• Let It Snow Market: Nov. 23, 10 am - 6 pm & Nov. 24, 11 am - 5 pm, Annex Art Center, 1075 Bathurst St., Toronto, ON

Check out the other items available from Deborah in her Etsy shop! You can find more of her work on her website, fine art photography website,Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook.

Interviewed by Christine of StoryFolk in November 2013 in Toronto.

Craft news: Vendor Queens

Vendor Queens, the new local weekend artist & collector market for handmade and vintage goods on Queen W, has its first market tomorrow. Vendors include T.E.S.T.'s own Sprouts Press Designs.

WHEN
REGULAR HOURS: 
Saturdays & Sundays, 10AM-7PM
(Nov. 16th to Dec. 29th)

THE VENDOR QUEENS INAUGURAL JUBILEE:
Thursday, November 21, 8PM-1AM

HOLIDAY NIGHT MARKET:
December 12, 8PM-1AM

QUEEN VICTORIA’S BOXING NIGHT:
December 26, 8PM-1AM

WHERE
1093 Queen Street West @ Dovercourt Road.

Craft News: Toronto East Rotary Club 4th Annual Arts and Crafts Sale

 

Check out the Toronto East Rotary Club 4th Annual Arts and Crafts Sale this Saturday at the Eastminster United Church, 310 Danforth Ave, 10 am to 5 pm!

Featuring T.E.S.T.'s own FabriArts, yourheartshaven, imwyred,

BaitedHook, BlissfulSew, CountyCupboard, Coydepot,

JacarandaDesigns, jackandwilladesigns, kemptonjones, lurearts, okkudesign, and magpiemo!

TEST Etsy Newbie Bootcamp: Class 15 Etsy Local & Selling Offline

Welcome to our Etsy Newbie Bootcamp! If you want to take part in Bootcamp and get one-on-one mentoring, or answers to any of your questions, please drop us a line at TorontoEtsyST@gmail.com.  

If you want to open an Etsy shop, just follow this link!



 
Then, be sure to check out:

TEST Etsy Newbie Bootcamp: Class 1 How to Open an Etsy Shop
TEST Etsy Newbie Bootcamp: Class 2 Branding & Shop Banners
TEST Etsy Newbie Bootcamp: Class 3 Shop Profiles Bios and Photos
TEST Etsy Newbie Bootcamp: Class 4 Make Listings Tempting
TEST Etsy Newbie Bootcamp: Class 5 About Pages
TEST Etsy Newbie Bootcamp: Class 6 Shop Policies
TEST Etsy Newbie Bootcamp: Class 7 Communication
TEST Etsy Newbie Bootcamp: Class 8 Shipping and Packaging
TEST Etsy Newbie Bootcamp: Class 9 Social Media
TEST Etsy Newbie Bootcamp: Class 10 The Dark Art of Pricing
TEST Etsy Newbie Bootcamp: Class 11 Shop Stats
TEST Etsy Newbie Bootcamp: Class 12 Holiday Prep in Bite-Sized Pieces
TEST Etsy Newbie Bootcamp: Class 13 Getting Press
TEST Etsy Newbie Bootcamp: Class 14 Sales and Coupon Codes

Put yourself & your events on the map with Etsy Local and
get Toronto Skyline License Plate Art from Route401
for the Toronto lover in your life

This Etsy Newbie Bootcamp Class is something for new and experienced Etsy sellers alike - because it's just been introduced!  Etsy Local is a new tool to let Etsy sellers promote their craft fairs, markets, pop-up shops, open houses and special time-limited events where people can buy their wares - just in time for the holiday craft show season. It connects local buyers and sellers and gives Etsy fans a chance to interact directly with their local artists, artisans and vintage purveyors. When you visit Etsy Local the first thing you see is a call for buyers to shop Etsy offline, and find out where and when their local sellers will be holding events. Users can set their location (it defaults to wherever your location is set ....which, by the way, it really should be as an Etsy seller!) and it allows user to select a time range: 'This Year', 'This Month' or 'This Week'. Below that is a 'Create an Event' button to allow event organizers or Etsy sellers to add a new craft show or market (if it isn't already listed). Etsy sellers need only to 'Join' any already listed event.

Below this is a list of shows, with titles, places, dates and links to participating shops (but only if members report themselves!) and pins on a map. As you can see, buyers can easily move through the map choosing sales in their neighbourhoods. You can click on the blue title of any show to learn more, see hours, read a description, read a blurb from every participating Etsy seller, find the show website and even automatically add the event to their Google calendar.

Adding an event: Nuts and Bolts

Everyone loves maps. Get a Central America Map Bracelet
from DandyTigerDesigns

Visit http://www.etsy.com/local and press the blue 'Create Event' button. Follow the prompts to: enter the name of your event; add a description (what type of event? what will be available? is there a theme? food? other pertinent details); and venue.

The venue is powered by FourSquare. Start typing the name of the place and options will appear. If your venue is in the database, just select it; otherwise,  learn how to add your venue to foursquare.

Follow the prompts to enter start and end dates, hours and event webpage (if there is one).

If you are selling at the event be sure to tick the I will be selling at this event checkbox! If not, you can still add the event (but untick the box). You can also leave a note to buyers about what you will be selling at the event or any other important information.

When you’ve completed the form, click Submit to add your event to the Etsy Local calendar.

Your event will be given a unique webpage URL, like this page for the Toronto Etsy Street Team 1st Annual Christmas Marketplace,  which you can share on all your social media.

Joining an event: Nuts and Bolts

If you wish to add your shop to those listed for an event which has already been entered, all you have to do is find the event and click the Join Event button. You can search events in time and space, using the map to find a pin on the event's location, and/or by selecting the appropriate time range. You can also go directly to the URL which may be linked from your fellow sellers' shops or the event organizers' Etsy profiles.

The details of the event will already have been entered, but you can still leave a note to buyers about what you will be selling at the event or any other important information.

Events you're attending are displayed on your shop’s homepage within the Shop Info box. This option can be turned on and off from your shop's Info & Appearance page. Anyone who follows the links to your upcoming markets will see all of your events and be able to visit the Etsy Local for each one.

Translating Those In-Person Events into Future On-line Sales

Pamper your customers like you would your feline overload favorite cat with this
Reclaimed Wine Crate Pet Bed from DomaineDeDoggie

Check out this Etsy Blog article about how to turn all your events of this busy holiday craft show season and throughout the year into follow-up sales in your shop! Like selling on-line, selling in person involves catching the buyer's eye and expressing yourself and your brand. Advice includes setting up a fabulous booth; you can find inspiration by searching for 'craft show' on sites like flickr or pinterest. Be sure to make a mock-up of your space ahead of time. If you don't have an appropriate table, mark out your area on the floor with masking tape and set up your display to make sure the viewer can see everything you'll have on offer. Use social media - both to promote your own shows, but to engage buyers and encourage them to tag their own photos of your display (with your shop name clearly displayed of course!) Business cards are great, but the digital equivalent can travel further. Note that using while 'Vacation Mode' can simplify any inventory concerns, it can also lower sales, so you'll want to avoid it unless it's really necessary. Get feedback - comments from buyers and visitors can be seen as free market research, worth noting. Consider things which will get buyers (or those almost-buyers) into your Etsy shop including promotional material (like business cards or postcards) and possible special coupon codes (see Class 14 Sales and Coupon Codes). Use what you learn from sales and comments to feature your most popular items, and use their descriptions to optimize your tags, titles, and listing descriptions. Last but not least: take the opportunity to meet and learn from your fellow sellers!

Sometimes shows can be very successful, and sometimes even well-attended shows do not lead to sales that day but you may still capture the imagination of future buyers and make that connection which keeps them coming back to your Etsy shop!



Remember: If you already have a shop, or you open one today, please let us know how to find it! We will be featuring some of our favorite newbie items right here. 

 The Toronto Etsy Street Team loves Newbie shops! You can find some of our favorite listings from talented Newbie sellers, including those featured in this class in our new TEST ♥ Newbies section. Be sure to stop by often to see what's new in this evolving, curated treasury of amazing Newbie finds!

Vendor Call: Annex Flea

As you may have already begun to hear through the grapevine of markets, and vendors, and people who like handmade and vintage things, there is a new neighbourhood market just on the horizon.  That neighbourhood (cue imaginary drumroll) is the Annexǃ

That’s right, the Annex Flea is kicking off December 8th, 2013 at the Centre for Social Innovation.  If you’ve never been there, it’s a big meeting space with a delicious coffee place, high ceilings, dark wood décor, and a generally good vibe.  It’s a 2 minute walk south of Bloor on Bathurst.

The detailsː 10’x10’ spaces (with one table) are going for $80.   You are welcome to split your booth with another vendor, but we would request that one vendor acts as the liaison for the full space to keep our administration manageable. The market’s hours will be 10am-5pm, so set up will start at 8:15am or so, and we hope to be out of there by 6pm, free to go pop the champagne to celebrate all our collective successes.


Deadline to apply is November 20th and vendors will be chosen and informed by November 22nd.

For more information or to contact the organizers about participation please see http://annexflea.com/

T.E.S.T. Interview: Kostimusha

We hope to introduce you to all the great Etsy sellers to be found right here in Toronto. Here at the T.E.S.T. blog, we plan to interview them all. This is the 59^th in our series with Snezana of Kostimusha.

Does the name of your shop have a particular significance?

I would say that it probably does not have a particular significance on some larger, human or philosophical level, but it does have a particular significance for my personal development and me. I established the shop in order to explore my own style, both as a designer and a consumer, and to discover what I am drawn to in terms of fashion design. All this was important to me as I do have education in fashion, as well as interest and love for it, but so far I did not have an opportunity to dedicate to that aspect of design. In a way, my Etsy shop is my baby step towards more independence and individuality in my work.

What kind of person/people do you envision wearing your pieces, and for what type of events?

I always imagined that woman who would wear my pieces will have a strong personality, with good sense of fashion and courage to express her individuality through her clothing. Events in this case would be less relevant.

How would you describe the "Kostimusha" style?

That is hard question… I am doing it, so I do not have to describe it ☺
I would say that my jewelry is eclectic, inspired by primitive ways of jewelry making but with modern twist to it.

Who or what are your main influences as an artist?

As a jewelry designer, my main influences are coming from African tribes, antique jewelry making, and fashion designers such as Haider Ackerman, Rick Owens and Damir Doma.

Where do you source your materials from?

There are a few stores in Toronto where I often go to check out their leather stock. I usually do not purchase big quantities and I need to touch and feel every single piece of material that I am going to use. For metal bits, I keep my eyes open wherever I go – from hardware and bead stores to old metal shops. Some of the metal that I use is custom made for me in those shops.

Check out the other items available from Snezana in her Etsy shop! You can find more of her work on Facebook and Pinterest.

Interviewed by Christa of ChristaRowley in November 2013 in Toronto.

Vendor Call: Beadle consignment opportunity!

Consignment opportunities available at Beadle (you may remember we interviewed Cherie a while back - read all about the shop here) 

Here's what she's looking for: I'm looking to add to our "GUYS SELECTION" of gifts in my little shop located in Toronto. Very interested in finding traditional styled leather wallets for men, cool belt buckles. Not looking for jewellery or cards at this time. Please contact me via email with all of the following: pictures, links to your website/etsy shop/current stores you sell to/Artists BIO and anything else you think I might like to find out about you and your creative journey.

cherie@beadlestore.com

Thank you! 

Vendor Call: Maker & Collector market, VENDOR QUEENS

Maker & Collector market, VENDOR QUEENS, has found its inaugural home and is currently seeking passionate vendors and artistic collaborators to join us in creating a vibrant new marketplace in the heart of Toronto’s art district, at 1093 Queen Street West @ Dovercourt Road.

Open to the public every Saturday & Sunday from 10AM to 7PM, and for two special holiday night markets (Th. DEC. 12^th/BOXING DAY), VENDOR QUEENS provides artists, vintage collectors, upcyclers and artisanal food & drink vendors a space to nest and expand through a supportive network of daring Toronto (and area) entrepreneurs.  

Vendors renting space for consecutive weekends have the opportunity to leave their displays up during the week at no extra charge. With this structure, vendors can to creatively invest in their displays, improving them each week during weekday re-stocking & display hours.

We are looking for members who are talented at what they do, and who convey a sense of pride and ownership for their space and for the artistic exchanges with customers they encourage. All vendors (regular or rotating) are encouraged to participate in the preparation of the market’s grand opening day and launch party Dec. 16^th. 

We welcome vendors, artists & performers who are interested in blurring the lines that have been drawn between craft and art, performance & experience.

Rent is $115 each market day for regular (8x8 wall or 6x6 corner spaces), or $100 when four consecutive days are booked and paid for in advance. A six-foot table space (without storage) is $100 per day, or $90 for any four days confirmed in advance. Weekday workshop space for participitory vendors may also be available (with rent still only applying on selling days). 

Please email info@vendorqueens.com for all inquiries or if you are interested in creating a visual, musical, theatrical, poetic or dance-based performance-piece (ON THE THEME OF QUEENLINESS) for our launch party and night-market on November 16^th. (DJs interested in mixing baroque music with the band QUEEN, are also encouraged to apply).

Vendors can find the application form at http://www.vendorqueens.com/vendorapplication

T.E.S.T. Interview: Christa Rowley

We hope to introduce you to all the great Etsy sellers to be found right here in Toronto. Here at the T.E.S.T. blog, we plan to interview them all. This is the 58^th in our series with Christa of ChristaRowley.

Tell us about yourself and your motivation to start an Etsy shop?

I have a background in painting, print and sculpture from OCAD, and I've always had a love of textiles. I've done the gallery group show and craft show circuit historically, but I decided to open an Etsy shop so that my work could be available between shows, to a wider audience, and in order to make my smaller pieces accessible to the public.

What influences the choice of imagery for your works?

My work is influenced by media images geared towards women (mainly magazines and print advertising), children's book art, folk art and kitsch crafts. I'm drawn to art created by untrained artists and children because I love the purity of ideas and technique.

What does your creative process look like? What are your favorite media?

A two-dimensional art piece usually starts with a drawing and a painted sketch, and I like to make textured backgrounds using water, salt, sand and other inclusions, and collage. I paint in a layered way, building up layers of translucent colour. Details come in next with a tiny brush, which I can be obsessive about (I love repetitive tiny patterns and painting each individual hair) and I have been known to add mixed media details such as glitter or stickers.

If I am creating a textile-based piece, I first draw my image on grid paper, and use pencil crayons to "paint" by colouring in each individual square, which I then use as a legend for my textile. Embroidery, of course, is just drawing with thread. I use a disappearing pen to draw the image and then embroider over it.

Who is your favorite artist/ designer/ craftsperson?

Shary Boyle, Frida Kahlo, Paula Rego, Camille Rose Garcia, Lisa Yuskavage, Judy Chigago, Jenny Hart, Baz Luhrman (director of Moulin Rouge), Jean Pierre Juenet (director of Amelie), and Children :)

If you do have another job besides Etsy, what is it? How does your store fit into your everyday life?

I do have another job - I'm a teacher! I teach grade 5/6 currently, and my students constantly inspire my work with their own art. My store fits into my life in that I'm constantly on Etsy shopping and browsing! Through my store I get a few commissions or orders in a span of a month. A goal of mine is to create more product choices and generate more traffic.

See Christa's work at the upcoming Sassy Little Craft Show on December 1st, 2013, 2pm - 8pm at the Central, 603 Markham St.

Check out the other items available from Christa in her Etsy shop! You can find more of her work on her website, blog and Twitter.

Interviewed by Snezana of Kostimusha in November 2013 in Toronto.

Vendor Call: St. Michael's FunRaisers Holiday Bazaar

To apply to the St. Michael's Hospital FunRaisers Holiday Bazaar, Thursday December 12, 8 am to 4 pm, 30 Bond St, please contact their Special Events Manager Paola Petitti at 416-864-5611 or PetittiP@smh.ca

Each table is $225 and all proceeds go towards their new patient tower.

Applications are being accepted on a first come, first serve basis.  The deadline for submissions is November 26th.

TEST Etsy Newbie Bootcamp: Class 14 Sales and Coupon Codes

Welcome to our Etsy Newbie Bootcamp! If you want to take part in Bootcamp and get one-on-one mentoring, or answers to any of your questions, please drop us a line at TorontoEtsyST@gmail.com.  

If you want to open an Etsy shop, just follow this link!



 
Then, be sure to check out:

TEST Etsy Newbie Bootcamp: Class 1 How to Open an Etsy Shop
TEST Etsy Newbie Bootcamp: Class 2 Branding & Shop Banners
TEST Etsy Newbie Bootcamp: Class 3 Shop Profiles Bios and Photos
TEST Etsy Newbie Bootcamp: Class 4 Make Listings Tempting
TEST Etsy Newbie Bootcamp: Class 5 About Pages
TEST Etsy Newbie Bootcamp: Class 6 Shop Policies
TEST Etsy Newbie Bootcamp: Class 7 Communication
TEST Etsy Newbie Bootcamp: Class 8 Shipping and Packaging
TEST Etsy Newbie Bootcamp: Class 9 Social Media
TEST Etsy Newbie Bootcamp: Class 10 The Dark Art of Pricing
TEST Etsy Newbie Bootcamp: Class 11 Shop Stats
TEST Etsy Newbie Bootcamp: Class 12 Holiday Prep in Bite-Sized Pieces
TEST Etsy Newbie Bootcamp: Class 13 Getting Press

Dress up your shop for the holidays with a sale! Dress up yourself with the

OLEAJE -ocean- strings necklace by micheleguevara

So far, we've covered opening your shop, making it look its best, making it easy to find, easy to interact with and practical skills like pricing your items appropriately, how to get them to customers, how to monitor who visits your shop, preparing for the holidays and getting press. Today, we want to tell you about Etsy's built-in tools to let you host a sale in your shop: coupons.

As we mentioned in Class 12 Holiday Prep in Bite-Sized Pieces, the end of October, November and December are Etsy sellers' busiest months, so it can be especially useful to focus your promotional efforts on the pre-holiday rush. If you are planning to have a sale, this is a good time of year. Remember, it makes sense to time any planned sales and promotions to go with events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Boxing Day and to tag listings accordingly.  Also, don't forget to review Class 10 The Dark Art of Pricing  and make sure you are charging enough before you consider offering discounts! If you've built your profits into your prices, you will have the wiggle room within your prices to be able to offer your buyers some enticements to buy that listing.



Using Coupon Codes: nuts & bolts  

So, once you've decided to have a sale, you'll want to know about Etsy's three types of coupon codes: 

1. Percent Discount: A flat percentage off each listing in a shopper's entire order (not applied to shipping costs or tax rates). 
2. Free Shipping: Removes shipping costs on the shopper's order; this can be limited to orders shipped within your country.
3. Fixed Amount Discount: Subtracts a set amount, such as $5, from an order. (Note this obviously works in whatever currency you employ in your shop and requires you to set a minimum, for instance "Spend $50 or more and save $10").

To allow your buyers access to any of these three sorts of coupons, you create a 5-20 character alphanumeric code and select how you would like your coupon to work; then, you share the code with buyers.

In your open shop, navigate to Your Shop (top right corner of any page on Etsy, once you've logged in).  At the bottom of the pull-down menu you'll see Coupon Codes; alternatively, you can find Coupon Codes under Promote on the sidebar.

Even if you delete a coupon, you cannot reuse its unique alphanumeric code.

Like AndyPrints' illustration of the Wattled Crane,
each of your Coupon Codes must be unique!

Choose a 5 to 20 character alphanumeric code. Remember, each code you use must be unique and you cannot reuse a name - though you can reuse the exact same coupon. So, if you have say, a specific type of sale in mind, which you might want to hold more than once, you can give your coupon a generic name (for instance FREESHIPPING). If you have a special promotion in mind be specific (for instance, include the year within the code, like HOLIDAYSALE13). Once you've set up your alphanumeric code, you cannot change its name or percentage of a rebate, so be careful to set it up as you indented. (Though, if you make a typo, you can always delete the coupon and start from scratch).

Choose which of the three types of coupon you wish to create: percentage discount (which applies to the value of any and all listings themselves, not shipping or taxes), free shipping or a specific rebate (which requires you to enter a minimum order value, which, of course, must be larger than your discount so you don't pay people to shop in your Etsy store).  Note: there can be small variations in a fixed rebate because of the way Etsy calculates rebates and the multiple currencies available to buyers and sellers.

Set the status of the coupon to Active or Inactive. 'Active' means the coupon code is live immediate; 'Inactive' means you are setting up a code which you wish to use in the future, when you set it 'Active'. Click on Add Coupon Code and you're set!

If the buyer purchases more than one item from your shop, the coupon code, which they enter at checkout, will be applied to the value of listings in whole order. When a buyer selects their payment method, they will see a link to 'Apply shop coupon code'. At this point they can enter your alphanumeric code and see their total revised.

By navigating to Your Shop > Coupon Codes you can change a coupon's status at any time: you can activate, deactivate or delete codes as you wish. 

You can track how any give code is used.

Any code can be used until you either deactivate it or we reach its expiration date. 

You can also set up a 'Thank You Coupon' which will be automatically emailed to any customer (who opts in) to encourage repeat business. Simply tick the 'Thank You Coupon' box on the form.

Etsy fees will be charged on the value of the purchase after any coupon code is applied.

Now: share your codes! You can promote a Coupon Code in your Shop Announcement, Public Profile, and item descriptions as well as on any of your social media or promotional materials like business cards or post cards.

Using Coupon Codes: things to consider

Consider how these codes might work. You have a listing valued, according to Class 10 The Dark Art of Pricing at  

2 x (Materials + Labour + Expenses + Profit)

If you set up a percentage discount, for instance 10% off, each and every listing (excluding shipping and any taxes you collect) will be purchased at:

0.9 x 2 x (Materials + Labour + Expenses + Profit) = 1.8 x
(Materials + Labour + Expenses + Profit)

or more generally for a n% discount, your listings will cost 

(1 - (n/100)) x 2 x (Materials + Labour + Expenses + Profit) = (2 - (n/50))  x
(Materials + Labour + Expenses + Profit)

so, you can offer anything up to 50% off and still be receiving a fair wholesale price, covering your materials, labour, expenses and profit. If you increase your discount beyond 50% you'll start to cut into your profit and you'll want to make sure you at least cover your materials, labour and expenses. These are generally easy to set-up and for customers to understand.

If, alternatively, you wish to set up a flat value discount, of say, $m (for purchases > $M), your customers' total sum of listings purchased will cost

2 x Sum(Materials + Labour + Expenses + Profit) - $m

So, you'll want to make sure that $m is no more than 2 x Profit (to sell items at retail price, without the padding of profit) for any sufficiently valuable listing. If you are willing to sell to buyers at your wholesale rate, you can offer a bigger rebate, but be sure to cover your materials, labour and expenses. These types of coupons do encourage buyers to purchase at least your minimum $M worth of goods. They have the advantage of costing the sellers no more money for very large orders than they do for the minimal size order.

Setting up free shipping is pretty straightforward for buyer and seller to understand. It is likely easiest to do if your shipping rates are fairly uniform. If you have listings which are very expensive to shipping, you'll want to make sure that the cost of shipping is no more than 2 x Profit (to sell items at retail price, without the padding of profit). If you are willing to sell to buyers at your wholesale rate, it is possible to offer free shipping which costs more (but that would be an unusually large price relative to the value of any listing).

Promoting Your Coupon Codes

Attract possible buyers to your shop with your sales and coupons -
win them over with your one of a kind listings like
this encaustic painting by Sari Zon

You can let buyers know about your coupon codes in different ways to have different types of sales. These include (but are not limited to):

• Thank You codes can be automatically emailed to any customer (who opts in to receive email messages from Etsy). You can also send these codes within any shipping notice or follow-up email you send directly to your customers. You can also include this with your packaging: for instance, on a hand-written note or any included promotional material like a business card or post card. This is a sale to encourage repeat business. 
  
  Tip: It's less time, effort and hence cost to sellers to retain buyers than to find brand new ones so it's worth your effort to do what you can to keep them coming back!

Targeted campaigns can help you measure the engagement of fans and potential customers. For instance, a specific coupon code can be something you share only with fans of your shop's Facebook fanpage. A second code can be used on your blog. A third code can be used on twitter - and so forth. You might consider handing out coupon codes to visitors at your table at a craft show... if they are undecided in person, you're giving them an opportunity to come back and buy that item later (or even find more items they like in your shop).

A widely shared, but time limited coupon code can be tied to an event, like Cyber Monday or Boxing Day. This can be a good way to gain new customers, move stock and take advantage of more general promotions going on. Sometimes teams of sellers organize a sale together and all involved can use their own networks to alert people to the sale in general. You can promote just about anywhere: in tags, in your shop announcement, in your listing descriptions, on your social media, promotional material and even in person.

Host an event or contest! Reward the winner with a special Coupon Code. You can for instance ask your blog or other social media readers to choose their favorite item from your shop and then use a random number generator to select a participant to reward.

If you receive some press, you can include a special discount Coupon Code - for instance an exclusive offer to readers of a blog which features you.

Tip: Coupon codes might be working even if no one ever applies the codes to their purchases! The reason that coupons have been so popular with vendors for decades is that their mere existence can encourage buyers to select one brand of item over another. So a buyer might be encouraged to shop in your shop just because they understand that you offer coupons.... but still neglect to bother to apply the code.

So, do you offer Coupon Codes in your shop? Do they get much use? To you have Thank You Coupons for buyers? What has your experience been? Do you have any questions or suggestions? Leave us a comment below or drop us a line TorontoEtsyST@gmail.com!


Remember: If you already have a shop, or you open one today, please let us know how to find it! We will be featuring some of our favorite newbie items right here. 

 The Toronto Etsy Street Team loves Newbie shops! You can find some of our favorite listings from talented Newbie sellers, including those featured in this class in our new TEST ♥ Newbies section. Be sure to stop by often to see what's new in this evolving, curated treasury of amazing Newbie finds!