From A Buyer's Perspective

Although I sell on Etsy at http://sewupscale.etsy.com (have to get a plug in for my shop!), I am also a buyer of handmade.  If I can buy handmade, I will.  Here are some things I look for in a shop (or don't look for) when I am shopping handmade.

1.  I know you hear this over and over but pictures ARE important. To get me to buy, they don't have to look like the front page Etsy pictures but they do need to be clear.  Also, in most cases, you need to use all 5 spaces. Take a picture of all angles. Take a picture of  the front of the item and the back. I usually won't buy from someone that only has one picture. Makes me think they don't think enough of what they're selling to take the time to add these shots. 

2.  Give a good description.  You may know what it looks like but I don't. Can't talk to you about SEO or any of those things but if I don't see a good description, I won't buy. Look at your product and just talk it out and write down what you are saying. What is it? Make sure you add the dimensions and specific colors.

3.  How can your product be used?  Who needs it?  For example, I sell quilted fabric postcards. They can be sent to a friend as a greeting and when received, they can be framed.  The perfect card and gift all in one.

4.  Proofread. Make sure you have used correct grammar (or at least close), have no spelling errors, and no typing errors. This may not make a difference to some people but it may to others so cover yourself. 

5.  Your shop needs to look like it is in business. Maybe you haven't sold anything yet and have almost given up but if your shop is still open, it needs to look like you're still around to ship what I've bought. Keep adding products or renew occasionally.  Also keep your shop announcement up to date. For example, it's now September and you still have a notice about a spring sale, I'm going to wonder if I'm going to receive my purchase.

These may be simple things. Attention to detail is crucial. And yes, I know, as an artist, this is the part that is so hard to do.

Five Important Things To Keep 'em Coming Back.

As a buyer and seller on Etsy, I have gained a great deal of knowledge and experience about buying and selling handmade.  The following are some ideas on how to add a personal touch. This is the way I like to be treated when I purchase.

1.  As soon as you get an order, respond either by an email or convo.  I use convo if the cutomer has been on Etsy for awhile.  If the customer is brand new, I use their email address.  Example: "Thank you for your purchase.  Your package will be mailed on Tuesday."  This takes about 2 minutes and adds the personal touch.
2.  Leave feedback for your customer.  I do this after I have mailed the package. Example: "Great customer. Fast payment. Your purchase is in the mail."
3.  In your package, add either a business card or a card with an artist biography.  If the customer is  giving their purchase as a gift to somone, the card can be included with their gift.
4.  In the package you mail, add a card or note saying "Thank you for your purchase." You can recycle old greeting cards.  These notes do not have to be fancy but make sure they are neat.
5.  Some customers appreciate unique packaging.  I decorate the envelopes I use to mail the quilted fabric postcards using stamps. Sometimes I wrap the postcards with tissue paper and tie with a little piece of ribbon.  Use your imagination and reuse and recycle!

Remember that when customers buy handmade they usually want a more personal touch.

Visit my Etsy shop at http://sewupscale.etsy.com/   

Garden of the Gods

I love Colorado Springs. And Garden of the Gods Park is amazing. The 480 acres were given to the City of Colorado Springs in 1909 by the children of Charles Perkins. The park, made up of sandstone formations, was to forever be free to the public and it is.

Can't wait to get some time to make postcards from my pictures. But for now, just enjoy these photos.

And here is a link to the website for more information: http://www.gardenofthegods.com/

Table Rock, NC A Great Place To Hike

Table Rock, located in the Appalachian Mountains in Burke County, North Carolina, is a wonderful place to spend a day hiking, picnicking, or rock climbing. Located in the Pisgah National Forest and in the Linville Gorge area, the view from the top is spectacular. To get there, from Morganton, NC, drive north on Highway 181 and when you get to Gingercake Road, take a left. This will very quickly turn into a dirt/gravel road and you will travel 8 or 9 miles to the parking area. It gets very windy at the very top. The hike to the top is about one mile. To some, this hike might be a little challenging.

The picture on the left is a handmade 5" by 7" postcard I made. Two of the photographs are taken at the top and one is a view of Table Rock. The postcard can be purchased at http://sewupscale.etsy.com/. Makes a great gift.

Shop on 1000Markets

I have a new shop on 1000Markets.

Here is the link:

http://www.1000markets.com/users/sewupscale