Free Origami Paper from Everything in Paper Crafting

I stumbled upon this through random surfing to feed my origami addiction.  Everything In Paper Crafting is offering free origami paper!  This company is offering 50 sheets free to anyone in the US (Sorry my fellow Canadians)

I’d get some myself but I’m up to my ears in origami paper.  I should give some away, (no seriously, I really need to get rid of some…)  maybe I should offer a similar promotion one day!

Everything in Paper Crafting specializes in origami supplies and literature.  Click here to directly to the form for your request!

Feature Etsy Shop: Benagami

I saw this listing not too long ago and I cannot get over how beautiful this chess set is.  Benjamin Coleman, the artist of this beautiful piece of work is amazing.

Origami Bonsai Chess Set IV

Folding an origami chess set is advanced however, took it a step further with miniture bonsai flowers.  A level of skill and technique that very few can master.  I will definitely attempt to make one of my own one day, with a few more years of practice honing my own skills!

Feature Etsy Shop: Origami Kou

We watched the movie Megamind over the weekend.  It started off so cheesy it was hilarious!  I recommend watching this with your family.  Like all family movies, there’s the basic moral to the story type messages.

When I searched for Etsy stores to see if there were Megamind themed products, it was a wonderful surprise that an origami artist actually designed a mask based on the main character!  I’ve heard of Jaime Kou the last few months.  His work is based on the preliminary foundations of masks designed by the late Eric Joisel.  I know many of you will wonder about the price point but remember this, it takes many hours to design and then produce this type of origami.  The paper he said he used is elephant hide paper (not made from elephants, it’s a description of the thickness of the paper) and it’s preserved in layers of Carboxymethylcellulose

I hope you enjoy his work of art, and if you do buy it please let me know, I’d love your opinion of it when you see it in person!

Megamind Mask, designed and folded by Jaime Kou

Toy Story: Feature Shops

 

Finally took the time to watch Toy Story 3 this past weekend!  My favourite characters has always been the three aliens.  I remember the first movie when it first ran in 1995 and how it spurred the comeback of Mr. Potato Head.  I thought I’ll try to find Toy Story themed products that were not based on paper goods.  These two items were so cute! 

Buzz Lightyear Logo Keychain by boxhounds

Alien Clippie by PixiePretties

Sherlock Holmes: Feature Etsy Shops

We recently watched Sherlock Holmes.  I read all of Sir Arthur Doyle Sherlock Holmes series and many movies in my teen years. 

What I loved about this movie is that the director, Guy Ritchie portrayed Watson more accurately to the stories.  Not a heavy set sidekick, no.  Guy Ritchie’s Watson kicks some evil butt in this movie.  I really enjoyed this movie.

So to continue my theme of Etsy searches based on movies, here’s my favourite finds!  I love the doll pattern.  Who says Sherlock has to be male!

 SHERLOCK HOLMES Girly Doll PDF Email CROCHET PATTERN by HandMadeAwards

Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle ... mini wooden library book by elloh

SHERLOCK HOLMES Pendant - When you have eliminated the impossible by pretentiousjewelry

Mr. Potato Head – Feature Etsy Shops

We just returned from Disneyland and just wrote about my Mr. Potato Head Story.  I had to see if there were creative souls out there who loved the toy as much as my family did!

Feature Etsy Shops!

POTATO HEADS Lampwork Style Charm Bracelet Mustache by FyrestormCreations

 Cake Toppers. Needle Felted Personalized Custom Made by HeatherBays (Canadian Seller)

 Mr. Potatoe Head Ornies by BlueEyedPicapye

It’s Friday the 13th!

I thought it would be fun to see what the search “Friday the 13th” would show up on Etsy.  Most searches came up with Jason Voorhess, the psychotic serial killer from the Friday the 13th horror flick franchise!  I love the keychain :)

Jason Friday the 13th Leather Keychain by leatherprince

Hockey One Necklace by andreacorson

Killer Care Bear Jason V figure by UndeadEd

Quentin Tarantino: Inglourious Basterds

We just recently watched the Quentin’s Tarantino’s movie, Inglourious Basterds.  It’s focused on a American-Jewish aligned military group stationed in France during WWII.  Their mission: spread fear and terror among Nazi soldiers during their occupation in France in WWII.  There is an overlapping plot of a Jewish woman in hiding who wanted revenge for what the Nazi military has done to her family.   I really enjoyed this movie, how Tarantino scripts the dialogue in all his movies is so entertaining.

I thought it would be fun to see if I searched the movie title on Etsy.  I was delighted to see artwork that’s based on this movie! 

Inglourious Basterds Poster by claudiavarosio

Quentin Tarantino - 18 x 24 poster by dhildreth36

James Cameron’s Avatar

My husband and I finally watched the movie Avatar.  We really liked it but I did find it a slow start because there was a lot of focus on character development.  I recommend watching it if you enjoy CGI but be prepared as it’s a three hour long movie!

I thought it would be fun to search for the tags “Avatar Movie” on Etsy, to see what creative minds out there has come up and I was pleasantly surprised!  What a great way to advertise to the world you are a fan of the movie with these creative keepsakes? 

Avatar Na'Vi Rubber Duck Ducky Parody by OnlyDucks

Yellow Glass Avatar Eye Silver Wire Wrap - kimsjewels

I've got my eye on you vinyl decal for MacBook - MadmanIncognito

Tweaks that Tripled my Takings! by Vintage Scraps

Browsing through the Etsy Forums, I keep seeing this post get bumped near the beginning even after I don’t check the forums for days.  It just got featured on a recent Etsy newsletter. 

Tweaks that Tripled my Takings!

I yet to follow her last advice to go local, it’s one of those things I want to do when I can afford more time to my business.

This is a simple copy and paste in green, directly off the Forums.

Tweaks that Tripled my Takings! by Vintage Scraps

I recently spent some time REALLY tweaking my business, and as the post is titled, have tripled my sales, I believe because of these actions:

PHOTOS

(of course!) look at my shop page, then look at my oldest "sold" page, and shudder with horror! Can you see the drastic difference? Buyers certainly have. I have the same cheap camera and amount of natural light as before, but simply discovered the go to my photos right click "EDIT" and "ADJUST EXPOSURE" options.
Good grief, how did I miss that for so long??

SEARCH WORDS

that short sentence you get to place under your shop title is pretty important, as it turns out. I searched Google for the most used search words to create mine, and now my items are often found on the first pages of Google, and Google Shopping. Who knew?

The STORQUE.

Pay attention to those articles, and when MaryMary tells you that Navy, Recipes, and Graduation are the buzz words for May, including them in your listings that pertain to them. These people know of what they speak.

CUSTOMERS

don't just sell to these people, PAMPER them. It's mainly women who shop here, and it doesn't take much to lift our spirits; sometimes just ribbon tied on a package will do the trick! Shipping out as fast as humanly possible is a nice gesture as well.

GO LOCO

(I mean LOCAL. You can go loco too if you want, but not in the forums please.) Local meaning, selling in your home town. Check threads about wholesale vs.consignment, how to approach a business owner, etc. and go for it!

I’m not a particular fan of vintage paper myself, I prefer art pieces like these.  Each of this photos are linked to her listings.  Enjoy!

Tips for New Sellers.. by Analiese

This Etsy forum post by Analiese Designs originated in 2007 but it’s still going strong.  It was recently mentioned in a Etsy newsletter.  I read this when I first started my shop and implemented a few of her advice points.  I do want to start a newsletter but I haven’t gotten there yet.  It’s really great advice, hasn’t generated a lot of sales for me, but my website and blog hits are up after following some of these tips.

Tips for New Sellers..

Copy and pasted directly from the forum in green:

Tips for New Sellers..

I have seen a lot of posts about newbies with no sales, etc… So I thought maybe I could offer a little advice.  I am by no means an expert, but I thought I would try to help a little by listing some things that I have either heard in the past or do on my own.

Promote yourself as much as possible

Friends, family, co-workers, whoever. Get business cards made up – and hand them out to whomever you can. I have also heard about people slipping their business cards in with their bills – who knows – it may work. 

Great place for low cost business cards and other promotional items: www.vistaprint.com

Add a new item every day or every other day.

This way the listings come up to a buyer is new listings first, unless they choose to browse a different way. So, in order to make your shop visible – you can add something every day – I have heard that a peak time to list is around 7:00 pm – but I think anytime is good.

Take good pictures

clear and crisp. Try to invest in a digital camera – if you can. Take several shots and pick the best – take advantage of the 5 slots in your listings – or I have seen other sellers use those for other products. Close ups are great.

This software is amazing and easy and works great and it is FREE – it is called Photofiltre – you can download it at www.photofiltre.com. Actually I just checked it out and they have upgraded it to Shareware – free for 30 days – http://photofiltre.free.fr/frames_en.htm - If you try this link – I think it is free.

Customer Service is KEY 

keep in touch with your customers once they make a purchase – let them know you rec’d their order – let them know when it has shipped and leave feedback as soon as possible. Packaging is also important – make it look professional. I use a printed invoice and some nice Thank you stickers – or you can slip in a business card with a little note – make it look nice.

Start a blog or another website

I still do not have a blog – but I am looking into it. I do have another website that does not do that much business – but it is my own URL and I list special events there, and other things – an About me page, etc..

Start a newsletter

I have done this for several months – and I guarantee that it has generated sales. There are several websites that allow you to create and send a newsletter for free – Bravenet is one of them – I use one that has a very low fee called MyNewsletterbuilder. You will of course have to get a mailing list started –I do this on my other website – since ETSY does not have that capability. I actually went through my e-mail address book and added friends and family – on top of those on my other website – I have over 60 recipients.

DO YOUR RESEARCH

see what is hot right now – I listed a previous post on Spring Color forecasts – You can go to Pantone.com and see what colors are hot for the spring or fall. See what is in style – see what sells – what the stars are wearing or buying. Look at pricing – there is so much on the internet – I can spend hours sometimes just doing research.

Stay calm, focused and upbeat

Don’t sweat it – you will get sales on ETSY – it is huge right now and growing – there are always people looking. Keep on track – stick to your guns and don’t give up.
I hope this helps in some way – I like to offer help when I can – I think that is the teacher in me. I have been home for a couple days with my little one who is sick – poor guy – so I thought I would use my time constructively :)

If anyone has any specific questions – please feel free to convo me and I will help as much as I can.

Analiese Designs makes these beautiful polymer clay and glass tile pendants

She also and even sells a tutorial if you want to make your own. 

Featured Etsy Seller: Fly Trap

I was riveted by an Etsy forum posting on evaluating your position if you feel that your handmade item or artwork has been copied.  I’ve even posted a copy on it on my main blog because I feel it’s valuable consideration for anyone who has an idea and it’s likeness has been copied:

Help! I've been copied!

I like to poke in shops who posts in the forums.  Fly Trap uses simple attractive graphic designs and sharpens their appeal with witty, snarky humour.  There are too many I like, but there are 4 of my favourites.

 

Build A Facebook Fan Page by Ryan AcAbery of littleputbooks

I was reading through Etsy's Forums tonight and stumbled upon a tutorial by fellow seller Ryan AcAbery of littleputbooks.   It's something that's it's great to pass it forward for everyone!

I simple copy and pasted her tutorial in green:

1. Log into your regular "your name" Account.
2. Go back to this thread and click this link: http://www.facebook.com/pages/create.php
3. Click brand/product- online store, do not register as a non profit.
4. Choose a name, preferably your Etsy business or website name.
5. Mark the "official page" check box and click "create official page." box.
6. Right below the "become a fan" button is the "wall" tab and the "info" tab. Click the info tab and then "edit information" - Under basic info put in the year your business started.
7. Click "detailed info" - Under website put the http:// URL for pointarenapintos or photographicart. Also list the email you want associated with the page, in the next line, under website.
8. Company overview- to make stuff and sell it.
9. Put in your mission. (to make more stuff and sell more of it!)
10. You can list products or leave it blank.
11. Hit "done editing."
12. Hit the little + sign next to the wall and info tabs. Add a photos tab. This is where you can upload "photo albums" and show off your products or fun photos (studio shots, favorite stores and so on).  As long as you upload pictures that are smaller than 500x500 people should not be able to reproduce them.   You should also upload single pictures to your wall to keep your fans engaged. I will cover that at the end of this post.
13. Hit "edit page" on the left under the question mark.
14. Under settings, Enter a country (US.)  Leave age restrictions 13+, Published (you can click for it to be unpublished until you feel ready) Click Save Changes
15. Wall Settings - If you put only posts by page, only what you post will be seen by your fans. If you put by page and fans any fan posts will be seen by all. It is best to let your fans post too. You can keep the default setting - "posts by wall" and people will have to click to see posts by fans and you- this is best if people put lots of spam posts on your wall.
16. Ignore everything else, it's fine the way it is
17. Go back to the question mark at top of Edit page and click it- this will take you back to the fan page.
18. Once you are on the page click the "?" and hit "change picture" this will allow you to upload your profile picture. Once you have done this you are ready to start posting and "publish" your page.
19. Under your new profile picture there is a link that will say "suggest to friends". Click this and then click on everyone in your "friends" folder and hit send invitations. You should also "follow" up with a personal message asking all your friends to share the page and help build support for your business.

Suggestions:

• Add 1-3 photos a week
• Ask fans about to share their opinions, similar works, input.
• Do share your new "product related" blog posts
• Do lets fans know if you are having a sale or new product launch.
• Do not always post links to your website, it is better to engage your fans and let them support you on their own.
• Do not "fan" other pages just to add your own page. (yech)

The end.
 
I've already built my own fanpage, but never realized that others needed a tutorial.  In addition to her insight, her products are simply gorgeous!

Hand Folded Mini Accordian Books

Hello Pink and Black Branches Lucky Penny Pendant

Small Koi Journal

 

Blessings: An update from my most memorable customers!

Just over a month ago, I did a rush order for some cranes for a wonderful couple who needed them to wish their sick friend well:  http://westcoastorigami.blogspot.com/2010/02/good-health.html

They emailed me today to thank me and let me know that their friend is on his way to recovery.  I didn't feel right ask for the specific details at the time, but I realize now that their family friend's son was in a horrible accident that almost took his life.  Whether the cranes helped him on his recovery, I don't know, however, if they represented the thoughts, prayers and support this man has, then it's wonderful.   Again, I am happy If I had a tiny impact in his life and would do it again.   It has been a blessing to know this and meet that couple.


So, today, I searched the tag 'blessing' on etsy and found these beautiful items:

Jumbo Blessings Tray by MudHutt

"I am blessed" sterling silver necklace by einatf

Bless ewe gift bag by makingcents

Blessing for the Home Print Reproduction by lbolter

Professionalism - Your conduct will affect your business

I had creator's block for the past two weeks so I started to read Etsy's forums. I was in for a shock. It's full of threads of frustrated Etsy sellers. 80% of the threads are negative. It's not what they are complaining about it's HOW they are getting their point across to the masses. Many comments are unprofessional, blunt and rude. There is even cursing and political debates. It’s surprising as many of these posters don’t realize that once you post, that comment remains online for everyone to see. A forum post gives a glimmer of insight of who you are as a shop owner. One poster seems to feed off the negative energy to a point that the owner starts several threads in a course of a few days.

That seller I've made a personal note never to purchase from even though the products are beautiful. I feel offended to a point that this shop owner loses potential business from me. I know it’s not this seller’s intention and it's difficult to convey a message behind the wall of the internet. However, Etsy is an online marketplace and whether in person or online, professionalism is important in running any business.

There is a new term out there called E-Professionalism, I’d like to share an article with you:

E-Professionalism - Article by Joke Bradt

Also, I just ran across this post from a fellow Etsy seller, elunajewelry, of the consequences of a blog attack she recently experienced and how she managed to discredit the blogger:

Blog Attacks!  - How to Defend Your Business

In addition, here are three things that I've learned from my career in the workplace that also apply when online:

• Interpersonal skills are important for any job or business. Demonstrate respect with your peers and your customers at all times. 
• Your reputation is just as or more important then how well you do your job, or in this case, how well you produce high demand handmade products. Majority of buyers won't purchase from a business with a poor reputation unless there is no other choice.
• Once it’s in writing, you can NEVER take it back. You never know who is reading and researching on your business. You can turn off potential buyers or encourage competing sellers out to take that business away from you. If you must talk about them, always be professional if you can't be positive

It’s okay to show a little of your personality or quirks when you comment. It’s okay to have an opinion. Just be aware how you want to be perceived. It will affect your business.

Lastly, since this post is my opinion on professionalism, I thought to end it off by featuring some products on Etsy when I search the tag, “Professional.” Have a good evening everyone!


 

Beanie and Tie One-Z by WeChooseJoy

 Glass Tiled Badge Holder by jewel2jule

Customized Website by mymagicbutton

All in Good Health

Yesterday, I made a rush order of origami cranes for a couple who made a special trip to Vancouver so they can visit a sick friend.  They found out last night and furiously looked for a local person to buy cranes.  They found me and I contacted them this morning.  Years ago, a daughter of a close friend was very sick, near death.  A Japanese student they were hosting made that girl a few cranes as a gift.  That girl recovered and is now a 35 year old healthy woman.  Now they have a friend whose son is also very sick and another who has cancer.  They requested 2 sets of cranes for them to wish them to get well too. 

I made the cranes and packaged them in gift bags.  I wanted to make even nicer ones but given the time frame, I did the best I could, and they were grateful. 

Today, they called to personally thank me for them and the cranes are proudly displayed at their friend's bedside.  I'm honoured that that I had a small part in this boy's and his family's life.

It got me thinking, what other artisns out there produced products to wish others good health? 

Lucky Jade Bracelet (Health and Peace) by cherryhsia

Ceramic Wish Pendents by RockefellerJewelry

Calligraphy Charm Pendant - Good Health by Kay Seurat

Health and Wealth Charm Bracelet by ReduxJewelry