Thank you for thinking about using Folksy and making it the best place for quality handmade items and craft supplies.
Below, we’ve outlined the criteria for what is allowed to be listed on Folksy and also some specific examples of what is not allowed. Thank you for taking time to read the criteria (we know it’s a drag).
Handmade goods
At least one of the following criteria must be met to list an item on Folksy:
Majority Handmade: The item is handmade by you through a craft practice, for example knitting (either using a pattern you have created or one that you have permission to use) or woodturning or sewing.
Original Design: The item has an original design. For example we allow knitted garments made using mass produced wool, handbags made using mass produced fabric or jewellery designs using mass produced beads as long as these are based on an original design. Please see our note about 'assembled' jewellery. Also, the item may not be made by you (e.g. prints of illustrations or decals of original artwork) but must be your original design and not a copy of someone else’s.
For a full list of the crafts we support and examples of what we define as original design see the Folksy Policy on Handmade (PDF )
Craft supplies
You can sell craft supplies on Folksy, whether the items are handmade by you or mass produced. Supplies can be anything so long as they don't break any laws within the country of origin and the sales destination. They must be listed with 'Supplies' as the item type, not 'Handmade'.
Specific examples of things you can’t sell on Folksy
To make things a little easier, we’ve also compiled a list of things that cannot be sold on Folksy, below. Please do read through this list as we won’t be able to refund any items that are listed on Folksy that breach this list of prohibited items. Thanks for looking and helping us keep Folksy the best place for handmade work in the UK.
1. Items which infringe copyright
See our copyright page for information on copyright infringements including a list of known products and terms.
2. Assembled items
We don’t allow items on Folksy that have been 'assembled' from mass produced components with no original design involved, for example:
Nappy cakes, gift baskets etc.
Assembled jewellery, this when the defining characteristic of the item is the charm or mass produced piece on it, for example, a mass produced charm attached to a chain.
3. Vintage Items
Vintage items can only be sold on Folksy if the item is:
Upcycled (it's original function has been significantly altered)
Re-upholstered
Painted or printed with an original design or decorated using decoupage
Refurbishing and restoration of an item such as furniture is not classed as a significant change and therefore not suitable for sale on Folksy, this applies to decoupage, painting techniques, applique, glazing etc.
Please contact us to see if an item is suitable for sale on Folksy.
4. Cosmetics
We don't allow cosmetics to be sold through Folksy with the exception of handcrafted soap products. Soaps may be sold but must abide by The Cosmetics Products Safety Regulations. Regulations require that cosmetic products must undergo a safety assessment by a suitably qualified person before they can be sold. Please include the ingredients and state that your items have been tested in the item listing or we will ask you to delist your item. Please contact your local Trading Standards Office for advice.
5. Handmade items that have not been made by you
You must have had some part in the making or designing of the product you are selling (unless it is a craft supply). Folksy supports individual designers and makers and NOT re-sellers.
6. “Adult” and pornographic items
Items which are deemed to be pornographic or of an “adult nature” (interpretation of which is determined by Folksy) are prohibited. If unsure you are recommended to contact us before listing in order that your account is not suspended.
7. Illegal or hazardous or dangerous Items
Items which have been gained illegally or which are stolen or for which it would be illegal to trade [e.g. drugs, items sold as toys without the necessary license, copyrighted work or reproductions of copyrighted work without permissions]. Harzardous or dangerous such as weapons and knives or chemicals are not allowed.
8. Foodstuffs
As much as we like eating Folksy is not about food!
9. Found Items
Found items from nature such as driftwood, stones or fossils can be sold on Folksy but can only be sold as a supply, not a handmade item. Exceptions to this would be the use of techniques such as lapidary when a stone or mineral is formed by carving or polishing and made into a decorative item. These items can be listed as handmade.
10. Music & Film
We don't allow the sale of music, film, CDs, DVDs, other music-related or film-related items.
Sunday, 29 January 2012
How to Create a Cohesive Shop
Story by HeyMichelle
Published on Jan 25, 2012 in Seller Handbook
Creating a cohesive shop is the most important tool for branding yourself, and one of your biggest allies in your search for repeat customers. Customers who love your style will share your shop with others and come back again and again.
Further, cohesive shops are successful in search or wherever they are found. When you bring a shopper in from search, it’s so important that they be interested in not just that item, but in browsing through the rest of your shop — this is how a great deal of sales are made. Now, instead of each item working for itself, they become a team that helps captivate a customer and encourage her to make a purchase!
A cohesive shop will help promote itself- when you have a clearly defined style, bloggers and others who would like to feature your shop will be drawn to it! Sellers who are chosen as featured seller and who are contacted for media features all have cohesive shops.
So, how do you create a cohesive shop? Here are our tips below:
What’s your style?
Define Your Style: Can you describe the style of your shop in just a few words? This is a great indicator that you have a cohesive style. If you’re not there yet, try to describe in a few words what you would like your style to be.
I’d describe imyourpresent’s style as kitten-bling, and her charming vision has made her shop a favorite destination, and drawn tons of attention:
Product Assortment
Create Your Boutique: Do your products make sense being sold together? Could you imagine your Etsy shop translating to a brick-and-mortar store? There are always exceptions, so if you have a great idea, do it! The point is that your shop assortment should be an intentional choice.
Know Thy Customer: If you have multiple product lines in your shop, consider whether they all speak to the same customer. If a shopper comes in on one item, how likely is she to want to browse the rest of your shop?
Girlscantell sells a variety of gifty items — coasters, journals, bottle openers, lunch boxes, dish towels. But it all makes sense because the shop is a great gift destination, and they’re all adorned with her signature style line artwork.
Photos and Shop Appearance
The Big Picture: Photo backgrounds that complement each other can make your shop look cohesive. All the backgrounds don’t have to be exactly the same — in fact, a little variety can be nice, but they should play well together.
Set the Mood: Backgrounds and photography styles can help drive your look home. If your shop is rustic, what about rustic wood backgrounds? For a clean, modern look, how about simple, white backgrounds? Morning light can look soft and cheerful; early evening light can be more mysterious and romantic. There’s no need to go overboard here — clean backgrounds will look good with almost everything, and will highlight the items and let them shine. Just consider that if your backgrounds are saying something, you want them to be speaking to the style of your shop.
Banner Time: Do the colors of your banner go well with the colors of your photos? Does the font style echo your aesthetic? A good banner that will probably sit well with your shop is a detail slice of one of your item photos. No banner would be better than the wrong banner though, so feel free to go bannerless for now, or purchase a banner from a great graphic designer on Etsy.
ClothandPatina’s shop title describes her style and product assortment as “Rustic French Country Home Decor and Gifts,” and her photos and banner reinforce her look with weathered textures, woods and whites, and natural light.
Now Go Forth and Cohesify!
But won’t I get bored?: I think a lot of sellers have a variety of interests and styles they like and fear that having a cohesive shop will limit them. In fact, it can be wonderfully creatively freeing! Instead of crafting each item on its own, you will have fun creating and sharing your unique vision through your shop, which itself becomes a work of art.
Published on Jan 25, 2012 in Seller Handbook
Creating a cohesive shop is the most important tool for branding yourself, and one of your biggest allies in your search for repeat customers. Customers who love your style will share your shop with others and come back again and again.
Further, cohesive shops are successful in search or wherever they are found. When you bring a shopper in from search, it’s so important that they be interested in not just that item, but in browsing through the rest of your shop — this is how a great deal of sales are made. Now, instead of each item working for itself, they become a team that helps captivate a customer and encourage her to make a purchase!
A cohesive shop will help promote itself- when you have a clearly defined style, bloggers and others who would like to feature your shop will be drawn to it! Sellers who are chosen as featured seller and who are contacted for media features all have cohesive shops.
So, how do you create a cohesive shop? Here are our tips below:
What’s your style?
Define Your Style: Can you describe the style of your shop in just a few words? This is a great indicator that you have a cohesive style. If you’re not there yet, try to describe in a few words what you would like your style to be.
I’d describe imyourpresent’s style as kitten-bling, and her charming vision has made her shop a favorite destination, and drawn tons of attention:
Product Assortment
Create Your Boutique: Do your products make sense being sold together? Could you imagine your Etsy shop translating to a brick-and-mortar store? There are always exceptions, so if you have a great idea, do it! The point is that your shop assortment should be an intentional choice.
Know Thy Customer: If you have multiple product lines in your shop, consider whether they all speak to the same customer. If a shopper comes in on one item, how likely is she to want to browse the rest of your shop?
Girlscantell sells a variety of gifty items — coasters, journals, bottle openers, lunch boxes, dish towels. But it all makes sense because the shop is a great gift destination, and they’re all adorned with her signature style line artwork.
Photos and Shop Appearance
The Big Picture: Photo backgrounds that complement each other can make your shop look cohesive. All the backgrounds don’t have to be exactly the same — in fact, a little variety can be nice, but they should play well together.
Set the Mood: Backgrounds and photography styles can help drive your look home. If your shop is rustic, what about rustic wood backgrounds? For a clean, modern look, how about simple, white backgrounds? Morning light can look soft and cheerful; early evening light can be more mysterious and romantic. There’s no need to go overboard here — clean backgrounds will look good with almost everything, and will highlight the items and let them shine. Just consider that if your backgrounds are saying something, you want them to be speaking to the style of your shop.
Banner Time: Do the colors of your banner go well with the colors of your photos? Does the font style echo your aesthetic? A good banner that will probably sit well with your shop is a detail slice of one of your item photos. No banner would be better than the wrong banner though, so feel free to go bannerless for now, or purchase a banner from a great graphic designer on Etsy.
ClothandPatina’s shop title describes her style and product assortment as “Rustic French Country Home Decor and Gifts,” and her photos and banner reinforce her look with weathered textures, woods and whites, and natural light.
Now Go Forth and Cohesify!
But won’t I get bored?: I think a lot of sellers have a variety of interests and styles they like and fear that having a cohesive shop will limit them. In fact, it can be wonderfully creatively freeing! Instead of crafting each item on its own, you will have fun creating and sharing your unique vision through your shop, which itself becomes a work of art.
Etsy's UK and Ireland Seller Support Team
Just stumbled across this group on Etsy.They may have some more answers for all us new to business.
http://www.etsy.com/teams/7332/etsys-uk-ireland-seller-support-team?utm_source=bronto&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Get+Answers&utm_content=etsy_uk_01262012&utm_campaign=etsy_uk_01262012
http://www.etsy.com/teams/7332/etsys-uk-ireland-seller-support-team?utm_source=bronto&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Get+Answers&utm_content=etsy_uk_01262012&utm_campaign=etsy_uk_01262012
Thursday, 26 January 2012
Etsy Success: Critique Your Shop
Etsy Success: Critique Your Shop
daniellexo
Story by daniellexo
Published on Jan 19, 2012 in Seller Handbook
The Seller Education team has collectively been critiquing your Etsy Shops for over 9 years! We’ve watched many of you grow after our critiques and we’ve also seen you successfully critiquing each other on the Forums and in your Etsy Teams. I’ve created this list of the most important questions you should ask when critiquing your own shop (or a friends!). You can also download and print this list! Am I missing an important question? Let me know in the comments below.
Will your Shop Name help promote you?
Is your shop name easy to remember, spell, and say?
Does your Public Profile need a little help?
Is your avatar recognizable and does it reflect your style and personality?
Have you filled out your location?
Does your profile tell your story?
Are your Shop Settings working for you?
Do your Shop Title and Announcement contain good search keywords?
Does your banner reflect your style? Does it look good with your item photos?
Have you enabled buyers to follow your Facebook Fan Page and Twitter accounts?
Are your Shop Policies filled out? Do they instill trust in a buyer?
McKinney Inspirations by thatsaplanonline
Let’s check out what’s in your shop!
Do you have enough items in your shop? The more items you have the more a buyer has to choose from, and the more likely you’ll be found in a search query.
Are your item titles easy to read?
Is there variety in the titles throughout your shop?
Have you made your titles, tags, and descriptions relevant for search?
Do you use all spots for tags in each item listing with relevant search terms?
Do you use style, color, size and texture tags including word phrases as tags that a your buyer would search (eg. steampunk cufflinks)?
Do your descriptions reflect your unique voice – making it easy for the buyer to connect with you as the artist or collector?
Do you answer all the questions a buyer might be asking about this item?
Re-evaluate your prices. Do your prices reflect the quality of your work and your time?
Do you ship internationally? Ask your local Etsy Team for advice if you need it. (Did you know that roughly 1 in 4 sales on Etsy involves a buyer or seller outside of the U.S.?)
Search for what you sell, and look at your photos in search results. Do your photos make you want to click?
Are you using all 5 spots for images including at least one close-up and one photo that shows the whole piece?
Do you have unnecessary graphics, borders or logos on your photos?
Is your shop cohesive? If not, try to tie it together with your photography style. Cut back on listing items that aren’t selling.
Finis by DMSStudioWorks
How did you do? Think you’ve mastered all these points? Don’t worry, there are still a few things you can work on that I didn’t cover here (like promoting, branding, product development, etc.). Never stop evolving your shop, that’s what makes running your own creative business fun, not only for you but also for your buyers.
daniellexo
Story by daniellexo
Published on Jan 19, 2012 in Seller Handbook
The Seller Education team has collectively been critiquing your Etsy Shops for over 9 years! We’ve watched many of you grow after our critiques and we’ve also seen you successfully critiquing each other on the Forums and in your Etsy Teams. I’ve created this list of the most important questions you should ask when critiquing your own shop (or a friends!). You can also download and print this list! Am I missing an important question? Let me know in the comments below.
Will your Shop Name help promote you?
Is your shop name easy to remember, spell, and say?
Does your Public Profile need a little help?
Is your avatar recognizable and does it reflect your style and personality?
Have you filled out your location?
Does your profile tell your story?
Are your Shop Settings working for you?
Do your Shop Title and Announcement contain good search keywords?
Does your banner reflect your style? Does it look good with your item photos?
Have you enabled buyers to follow your Facebook Fan Page and Twitter accounts?
Are your Shop Policies filled out? Do they instill trust in a buyer?
McKinney Inspirations by thatsaplanonline
Let’s check out what’s in your shop!
Do you have enough items in your shop? The more items you have the more a buyer has to choose from, and the more likely you’ll be found in a search query.
Are your item titles easy to read?
Is there variety in the titles throughout your shop?
Have you made your titles, tags, and descriptions relevant for search?
Do you use all spots for tags in each item listing with relevant search terms?
Do you use style, color, size and texture tags including word phrases as tags that a your buyer would search (eg. steampunk cufflinks)?
Do your descriptions reflect your unique voice – making it easy for the buyer to connect with you as the artist or collector?
Do you answer all the questions a buyer might be asking about this item?
Re-evaluate your prices. Do your prices reflect the quality of your work and your time?
Do you ship internationally? Ask your local Etsy Team for advice if you need it. (Did you know that roughly 1 in 4 sales on Etsy involves a buyer or seller outside of the U.S.?)
Search for what you sell, and look at your photos in search results. Do your photos make you want to click?
Are you using all 5 spots for images including at least one close-up and one photo that shows the whole piece?
Do you have unnecessary graphics, borders or logos on your photos?
Is your shop cohesive? If not, try to tie it together with your photography style. Cut back on listing items that aren’t selling.
Finis by DMSStudioWorks
How did you do? Think you’ve mastered all these points? Don’t worry, there are still a few things you can work on that I didn’t cover here (like promoting, branding, product development, etc.). Never stop evolving your shop, that’s what makes running your own creative business fun, not only for you but also for your buyers.
Wednesday, 25 January 2012
Quit Your Day Job: Freshline
Quit Your Day Job: Freshline
Story by Freshline
Published on Jan 24, 2012 in Seller Handbook
Photo by Freshline
Tell us about your shop and the idea behind it.
I own an art shop on Etsy called Freshline where my art prints, ring-bearer pillows and everything else can all be customized! I enjoy creating unique one-of-a-kind art prints, stationery sets, recipe books, and custom ring-bearer pillows for my amazing customers. I envisioned a shop where I could work on my illustration designs and turn them into personalized art and home decor for clients.
The name Freshline was created during my senior year in college. I wanted a business that would reflect my illustration style of being fresh and fun and at the same time filling a desire to offer my clients something custom made that they could not find in department stores.
Tell us about your previous working situations and how you discovered Etsy.
In 2004 I graduated from Auburn University with a BFA in graphic design and with the hopes of one day starting my own illustration business. Upon graduation I worked as a graphic designer for several years at a magazine in Orlando. During my time at this publication, I felt like I wasn’t living up to my own artistic potential. I soon met another graphic designer who felt the same way about working for someone else, and who eventually inspired me to work on my own business in my free time (thank you, Laura!). I will be forever grateful for her creative push and confidence in my artistic abilities. In my free time after work, I started up Freshline Illustration based upon designs I had started in college.
In early 2008 a friend introduced me to Etsy and I knew I had to sign up. I worked hard in my spare time to build up my shop with art prints, stationery and wedding ring-bearer pillows. Shortly after starting up my Etsy shop, my husband and I relocated to Huntsville, Alabama. Once in our new city, I worked as an art teacher for a few years. Still determined to work for myself one day, I poured all of my creative energy into my Etsy shop. All of this hard work allowed me to quit my day job last summer! I feel so fortunate to have found Etsy. It’s been such an amazing experience.
What steps did you take to prepare for transitioning into full time Etsy selling?
I stocked up on art supplies, stationery supplies, and shipping supplies. I also started marketing my business through postcard mailers showcasing my work to freelance customers and magazine companies. It’s important to be set up and ready to make the transition once your business takes off.
What is your favorite part of the process in illustration/design?
My favorite part of the process is working on custom illustrations for clients! I enjoy the challenge of creating something new. I love seeing photos of my art in customers’ homes! I also enjoy seeing photos of the ring-bearer pillows in action from a bride’s wedding! It’s exciting to be able to create something for someone that will be a lasting keepsake.
What are your best marketing tips?
Have outstanding customer service and be friendly! I reply to my customers quickly and have a fast turn around time on all of my products. I also include a thank you note and bookmark (I change the design often) inside each package. Sometimes I throw in something extra like a postcard or greeting card.
Have a cohesive line of unique products that best represent your shop!
Photograph your products well and show photos of your products in action! I have photos of ring bearers (that wonderful brides have emailed me) holding their Freshline pillows.
For my custom art prints, I like to show them in a few different color schemes to give customers an idea of what is possible. I also try to list products in different sizes.
Keep up with a blog, Facebook fan page or other social media outlet. I often have sales or fun freebies on my blog.
Be your own best advocate and be willing to market your shop whenever you go out in public or see a business where your products might do well. I always carry business cards with me. You never know who you will meet!
Sign up for Etsy search ads!
What’s been your most popular item or line to date?
It’s a tie between my bird art prints and kitchen prints. These kitchen mixer monogram art prints go fast. You can customize them to match your kitchen color scheme and add your own monogram. My love bird ring bearer pillow has also been very popular! I love birds and you can probably tell that by just browsing through my shop!
Made any business mistakes you regret?
I have tried several venues for online advertising and I don’t think any of them have been mistakes. I look at them as an opportunity to reach new customers. The best promotion I have tried so far are the Etsy search ads — they helped me reach new customers!
What is the biggest challenge you face during your daily schedule?
The biggest challenge I face is not having enough time in the day! I try to do a little of everything throughout — either sketching new ideas, customer service, or packing up orders. I think the newest challenge I face is coming up with a weekly schedule and actually following it!
What’s the hardest part about running your own business?
Honestly I enjoy everything about running my own business, but the hardest part for me is turning off the computer at the end of the day. When you have your own business you are constantly working on it. My husband Chris and my dog Emmy remind me to balance my life between family and business.
What do you enjoy most about not having a day job?
I enjoy the freedom and fulfillment that working for yourself provides! I enjoy working on my illustrations throughout the day, and it’s wonderful to meet people from all over the world through Etsy.
What is the most exciting thing that has come out of selling your designs through Etsy?
My custom wedding ring bearer pillows were featured in last year’s Weddings Unveiled Magazine and that was very exciting! The art director had found Freshline doing a search on Etsy!
What advice would you give someone considering a similar path?
I would tell someone who has the same aspirations to become a full-time artist to be patient, determined, and follow your heart. Believe in yourself and be confident. Always do your research. Do others have something similar? Is your line different? Will it stand out? The sky’s the limit with Etsy!
Anything else you would like to share?
I’d like to thank all of my wonderful customers who have supported my shop! I wouldn’t be where I am today without you all!
As a special thank you for reading this article, I’d like to pass along a 15% off coupon for any purchase in my shop. Use coupon code FRESHLINE15 during checkout. I will also be forever grateful to my parents (and siblings Kyle and Heather) who have been so supportive of my artistic ambitions throughout my life. I’d also like to thank my husband who believed in me (when he saw my early illustrations!) when we first met at Auburn University! Thank you Etsy for this opportunity!
Story by Freshline
Published on Jan 24, 2012 in Seller Handbook
Photo by Freshline
Tell us about your shop and the idea behind it.
I own an art shop on Etsy called Freshline where my art prints, ring-bearer pillows and everything else can all be customized! I enjoy creating unique one-of-a-kind art prints, stationery sets, recipe books, and custom ring-bearer pillows for my amazing customers. I envisioned a shop where I could work on my illustration designs and turn them into personalized art and home decor for clients.
The name Freshline was created during my senior year in college. I wanted a business that would reflect my illustration style of being fresh and fun and at the same time filling a desire to offer my clients something custom made that they could not find in department stores.
Tell us about your previous working situations and how you discovered Etsy.
In 2004 I graduated from Auburn University with a BFA in graphic design and with the hopes of one day starting my own illustration business. Upon graduation I worked as a graphic designer for several years at a magazine in Orlando. During my time at this publication, I felt like I wasn’t living up to my own artistic potential. I soon met another graphic designer who felt the same way about working for someone else, and who eventually inspired me to work on my own business in my free time (thank you, Laura!). I will be forever grateful for her creative push and confidence in my artistic abilities. In my free time after work, I started up Freshline Illustration based upon designs I had started in college.
In early 2008 a friend introduced me to Etsy and I knew I had to sign up. I worked hard in my spare time to build up my shop with art prints, stationery and wedding ring-bearer pillows. Shortly after starting up my Etsy shop, my husband and I relocated to Huntsville, Alabama. Once in our new city, I worked as an art teacher for a few years. Still determined to work for myself one day, I poured all of my creative energy into my Etsy shop. All of this hard work allowed me to quit my day job last summer! I feel so fortunate to have found Etsy. It’s been such an amazing experience.
What steps did you take to prepare for transitioning into full time Etsy selling?
I stocked up on art supplies, stationery supplies, and shipping supplies. I also started marketing my business through postcard mailers showcasing my work to freelance customers and magazine companies. It’s important to be set up and ready to make the transition once your business takes off.
What is your favorite part of the process in illustration/design?
My favorite part of the process is working on custom illustrations for clients! I enjoy the challenge of creating something new. I love seeing photos of my art in customers’ homes! I also enjoy seeing photos of the ring-bearer pillows in action from a bride’s wedding! It’s exciting to be able to create something for someone that will be a lasting keepsake.
What are your best marketing tips?
Have outstanding customer service and be friendly! I reply to my customers quickly and have a fast turn around time on all of my products. I also include a thank you note and bookmark (I change the design often) inside each package. Sometimes I throw in something extra like a postcard or greeting card.
Have a cohesive line of unique products that best represent your shop!
Photograph your products well and show photos of your products in action! I have photos of ring bearers (that wonderful brides have emailed me) holding their Freshline pillows.
For my custom art prints, I like to show them in a few different color schemes to give customers an idea of what is possible. I also try to list products in different sizes.
Keep up with a blog, Facebook fan page or other social media outlet. I often have sales or fun freebies on my blog.
Be your own best advocate and be willing to market your shop whenever you go out in public or see a business where your products might do well. I always carry business cards with me. You never know who you will meet!
Sign up for Etsy search ads!
What’s been your most popular item or line to date?
It’s a tie between my bird art prints and kitchen prints. These kitchen mixer monogram art prints go fast. You can customize them to match your kitchen color scheme and add your own monogram. My love bird ring bearer pillow has also been very popular! I love birds and you can probably tell that by just browsing through my shop!
Made any business mistakes you regret?
I have tried several venues for online advertising and I don’t think any of them have been mistakes. I look at them as an opportunity to reach new customers. The best promotion I have tried so far are the Etsy search ads — they helped me reach new customers!
What is the biggest challenge you face during your daily schedule?
The biggest challenge I face is not having enough time in the day! I try to do a little of everything throughout — either sketching new ideas, customer service, or packing up orders. I think the newest challenge I face is coming up with a weekly schedule and actually following it!
What’s the hardest part about running your own business?
Honestly I enjoy everything about running my own business, but the hardest part for me is turning off the computer at the end of the day. When you have your own business you are constantly working on it. My husband Chris and my dog Emmy remind me to balance my life between family and business.
What do you enjoy most about not having a day job?
I enjoy the freedom and fulfillment that working for yourself provides! I enjoy working on my illustrations throughout the day, and it’s wonderful to meet people from all over the world through Etsy.
What is the most exciting thing that has come out of selling your designs through Etsy?
My custom wedding ring bearer pillows were featured in last year’s Weddings Unveiled Magazine and that was very exciting! The art director had found Freshline doing a search on Etsy!
What advice would you give someone considering a similar path?
I would tell someone who has the same aspirations to become a full-time artist to be patient, determined, and follow your heart. Believe in yourself and be confident. Always do your research. Do others have something similar? Is your line different? Will it stand out? The sky’s the limit with Etsy!
Anything else you would like to share?
I’d like to thank all of my wonderful customers who have supported my shop! I wouldn’t be where I am today without you all!
As a special thank you for reading this article, I’d like to pass along a 15% off coupon for any purchase in my shop. Use coupon code FRESHLINE15 during checkout. I will also be forever grateful to my parents (and siblings Kyle and Heather) who have been so supportive of my artistic ambitions throughout my life. I’d also like to thank my husband who believed in me (when he saw my early illustrations!) when we first met at Auburn University! Thank you Etsy for this opportunity!
Thursday, 12 January 2012
Starting a facebook page to help your business
http://www.beadbarmy.com/2012/01/hobby-to-business-whats-not-to-like/
If you already have a Facebook page to promote your jewellery or are considering starting one, Helen Bowen’s article on the pros and cons makes for essential reading.
Facebook can be a fantastic platform for testing the waters with a new business venture and maintaining a rapport with customers when running an established concern. This is what, regular Bead Barmy reader, Helen Bowen, told us about her experiences, both good and bad.
Selling for free on Facebook – what’s not to ‘like’?
Up until about a year ago, making jewellery had been nothing more than a hobby for me. I was a busy stay-at-home mum just snatching time whenever I could to make gifts (and the odd commission) for friends and family. I loved my hobby and feedback on my work had been fantastic so starting up my own small business seemed a logical step. I think it was at a local beading group that I first heard about selling on Facebook. I didn’t have the time or money to invest in building my own website or the knowledge to dive straight into setting up a shop on Etsy or Folksy, selling for free on Facebook seemed a great way to dip my toe in the water. With limited free time available, Facebook provided the ideal platform for me to create an online presence. I didn’t need any technical skills and building a page was so quick and easy. The third party applications available provided all the functionality I needed to upload photos of my jewellery and I could take payments via Paypal. I had a basic business page up and running within a matter of hours!
One step at a time
Those early days seem such a long time ago now. I remember the initial struggle to reach the first 25 fans needed to secure a user name for my page and the excitement of my very first sale. It was hard work and meant a lot of late nights working on new jewellery pieces and maintaining my page, but it was also extremely rewarding. I loved the real-time interaction with fans and the ability to get immediate feedback on my work as well as give and receive advice on all manner of things. My Facebook sales were financing my hobby but the best thing of all, was that I was growing my business at my own pace.
A sound investment
Before I knew it, my page was celebrating reaching 800 and then 1000 fans with lots of repeat customers, some great reviews and a new network of Facebook business friends to boot. You see, the real joy of running a business from Facebook (aside from it being free and easy to do!) is that you become part of a community. If you invest the time and effort to interact with your fans, posting useful and interesting content, gathering opinions, seeking advice as well as providing it, your time will be rewarded not only in increased sales and referrals but in new friendships. Use Facebook simply as a marketing tool, continually spamming fans with offers, posting your page links on other business’ walls and growing your fan base artificially through untargeted networking such as ‘marches’ or ‘silent tagging’ and it’s unlikely that you will see the same returns.
Blank faces
The trouble with Facebook is that, from a business point of view, nothing about it is actually ‘face’ to ‘face’ at all. In fact, it really is a very faceless market in which to try and trade. As a customer, you may not be able to easily identify an individual behind a business page or work out how to communicate with a trader aside from posting publicly on their wall. For the business user, balancing the professional business image that will win the trust of potential customers with the desire to interact informally with fans can prove problematic.
Beware of other costs to your business
At all times, a business page must abide by the Facebook terms of service, contravention of which could see it closed down without discussion. Your page exists also at the mercy of the Facebook developers who may add or remove functionality without warning so if you are a creature of habit, the ever-changing world of Facebook is probably not for you! A business on Facebook does not own the content or the data on its page and if Facebook disappeared tomorrow, so would your business and your customer base. And this is not the only risk to your revenues. Whilst the informal nature of the Facebook platform can make interacting with customers easy and fun, you can also find yourself the victim of some less friendly attention because of it. The copying of jewellery designs, content and marketing ideas from a Facebook page happens more than you might think. I’ve learned from my own tough experience. Some rival page-owners are happy to steal your hard work without a second thought and it is very difficult to protect a Facebook business particularly if you do not have measures in place from the outset. Strategies for dealing with such online copycats are varied and numerous but I’ll write about those another time.
Learning from the Facebook experience
I suspended my Facebook page in early December. It was a difficult decision but one that I don’t regret. I get a real buzz from creating new pieces but the stress of having my business ideas and designs stolen caused me to lose my creative spark for a while. My growing business was also starting to impact negatively on family life. The dining room had become a workshop, all but basic housework activity had ceased and dog walks had become necessary sprints around the common rather than the old rambles in the woods.
My page was still there, a link sitting on my profile page that led to bizarre place, frozen in time. Still 1064 fans and yet a weird eeriness about the page that came with being the only person interacting with it.
Over the following weeks, I came to some decisions about my business and its future ‘face’ on Facebook. It’s all too easy to convince yourself that boosting fan numbers and gaining feedback on every status update and new photo is the sign of a healthy business. Facebook is a wonderful environment for building brand awareness and networking, but it does not have the flexibility or functionality that will allow your business to truly differentiate itself. It will also never reach those potential customers who don’t like or trust Facebook as a social media let alone as an online shopping site.
A different outlook
Ring O’ Roses – Handmade Jewellery now has a very different Facebook presence. I still share my love of jewellery and creating with friends, fans and even my competitors and I have a beautiful gallery of some of my work on my page. But, I now preview my latest pieces on my blog and sell my items through other channels including a local craft centre and Etsy.
So, if you are thinking of starting a jewellery business, it definitely pays to use a Facebook business page, especially if you enjoy interacting with your customers. Just be aware of the potential pitfalls and don’t become consumed by it. And if you already run a business on Facebook, take some time out occasionally to reassess your page. You’ll be amazed what you can achieve in the time not spent chasing fans, comments and likes or waiting for the photo uploader to work. You might even find you ‘like’ it
About the author
Helen Bowen is a member of the Guild of Jewellery Designers and a Self-Representing Artist in Jewellery Designer (SRAJD). She is owner/creator of Ring O’ Roses – Handmade Jewellery and writer of the ‘A Pocketful of Posies‘ blog. From her home in Warwickshire, she designs and makes beautiful individual pieces with a strong reference to nature and a real eye for colour and detail. She works on commission but also creates for general sale.
If you already have a Facebook page to promote your jewellery or are considering starting one, Helen Bowen’s article on the pros and cons makes for essential reading.
Facebook can be a fantastic platform for testing the waters with a new business venture and maintaining a rapport with customers when running an established concern. This is what, regular Bead Barmy reader, Helen Bowen, told us about her experiences, both good and bad.
Selling for free on Facebook – what’s not to ‘like’?
Up until about a year ago, making jewellery had been nothing more than a hobby for me. I was a busy stay-at-home mum just snatching time whenever I could to make gifts (and the odd commission) for friends and family. I loved my hobby and feedback on my work had been fantastic so starting up my own small business seemed a logical step. I think it was at a local beading group that I first heard about selling on Facebook. I didn’t have the time or money to invest in building my own website or the knowledge to dive straight into setting up a shop on Etsy or Folksy, selling for free on Facebook seemed a great way to dip my toe in the water. With limited free time available, Facebook provided the ideal platform for me to create an online presence. I didn’t need any technical skills and building a page was so quick and easy. The third party applications available provided all the functionality I needed to upload photos of my jewellery and I could take payments via Paypal. I had a basic business page up and running within a matter of hours!
One step at a time
Those early days seem such a long time ago now. I remember the initial struggle to reach the first 25 fans needed to secure a user name for my page and the excitement of my very first sale. It was hard work and meant a lot of late nights working on new jewellery pieces and maintaining my page, but it was also extremely rewarding. I loved the real-time interaction with fans and the ability to get immediate feedback on my work as well as give and receive advice on all manner of things. My Facebook sales were financing my hobby but the best thing of all, was that I was growing my business at my own pace.
A sound investment
Before I knew it, my page was celebrating reaching 800 and then 1000 fans with lots of repeat customers, some great reviews and a new network of Facebook business friends to boot. You see, the real joy of running a business from Facebook (aside from it being free and easy to do!) is that you become part of a community. If you invest the time and effort to interact with your fans, posting useful and interesting content, gathering opinions, seeking advice as well as providing it, your time will be rewarded not only in increased sales and referrals but in new friendships. Use Facebook simply as a marketing tool, continually spamming fans with offers, posting your page links on other business’ walls and growing your fan base artificially through untargeted networking such as ‘marches’ or ‘silent tagging’ and it’s unlikely that you will see the same returns.
Blank faces
The trouble with Facebook is that, from a business point of view, nothing about it is actually ‘face’ to ‘face’ at all. In fact, it really is a very faceless market in which to try and trade. As a customer, you may not be able to easily identify an individual behind a business page or work out how to communicate with a trader aside from posting publicly on their wall. For the business user, balancing the professional business image that will win the trust of potential customers with the desire to interact informally with fans can prove problematic.
Beware of other costs to your business
At all times, a business page must abide by the Facebook terms of service, contravention of which could see it closed down without discussion. Your page exists also at the mercy of the Facebook developers who may add or remove functionality without warning so if you are a creature of habit, the ever-changing world of Facebook is probably not for you! A business on Facebook does not own the content or the data on its page and if Facebook disappeared tomorrow, so would your business and your customer base. And this is not the only risk to your revenues. Whilst the informal nature of the Facebook platform can make interacting with customers easy and fun, you can also find yourself the victim of some less friendly attention because of it. The copying of jewellery designs, content and marketing ideas from a Facebook page happens more than you might think. I’ve learned from my own tough experience. Some rival page-owners are happy to steal your hard work without a second thought and it is very difficult to protect a Facebook business particularly if you do not have measures in place from the outset. Strategies for dealing with such online copycats are varied and numerous but I’ll write about those another time.
Learning from the Facebook experience
I suspended my Facebook page in early December. It was a difficult decision but one that I don’t regret. I get a real buzz from creating new pieces but the stress of having my business ideas and designs stolen caused me to lose my creative spark for a while. My growing business was also starting to impact negatively on family life. The dining room had become a workshop, all but basic housework activity had ceased and dog walks had become necessary sprints around the common rather than the old rambles in the woods.
My page was still there, a link sitting on my profile page that led to bizarre place, frozen in time. Still 1064 fans and yet a weird eeriness about the page that came with being the only person interacting with it.
Over the following weeks, I came to some decisions about my business and its future ‘face’ on Facebook. It’s all too easy to convince yourself that boosting fan numbers and gaining feedback on every status update and new photo is the sign of a healthy business. Facebook is a wonderful environment for building brand awareness and networking, but it does not have the flexibility or functionality that will allow your business to truly differentiate itself. It will also never reach those potential customers who don’t like or trust Facebook as a social media let alone as an online shopping site.
A different outlook
Ring O’ Roses – Handmade Jewellery now has a very different Facebook presence. I still share my love of jewellery and creating with friends, fans and even my competitors and I have a beautiful gallery of some of my work on my page. But, I now preview my latest pieces on my blog and sell my items through other channels including a local craft centre and Etsy.
So, if you are thinking of starting a jewellery business, it definitely pays to use a Facebook business page, especially if you enjoy interacting with your customers. Just be aware of the potential pitfalls and don’t become consumed by it. And if you already run a business on Facebook, take some time out occasionally to reassess your page. You’ll be amazed what you can achieve in the time not spent chasing fans, comments and likes or waiting for the photo uploader to work. You might even find you ‘like’ it
About the author
Helen Bowen is a member of the Guild of Jewellery Designers and a Self-Representing Artist in Jewellery Designer (SRAJD). She is owner/creator of Ring O’ Roses – Handmade Jewellery and writer of the ‘A Pocketful of Posies‘ blog. From her home in Warwickshire, she designs and makes beautiful individual pieces with a strong reference to nature and a real eye for colour and detail. She works on commission but also creates for general sale.
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