Etsy Forums, The Easy Way to Promote

How long is too long to be spending on the computer learning about new ways to promote yourself? If you are like me, your soaking up all this FREE information that the Etsy forums has to offer. Thank you VieleraDesigns for starting this thread about promoting, advertising, and selling online, http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5797668 . I feel like some days I'm doing nothing but trying to promote my shop, and then thinking to myself was it worth it sitting around on the computer all day? You just need to find the right balance of promoting and crafting. I stick to one or two days on the computer and the others creating.
The time spent online is well worth it! After opening up http://www.malamoosephotography.etsy.com/ on June 18th, 2008 I was featured on the Front Page of Etsy June 30th. Although I'm not sure where or how I was found, I do know that most likely it was from the forums since that was the only place I new of at that time. Everyone who spends time in the forums knows that there is always more to learn. From promoting your shops, to how-to's for photographing like a pro, the Etsy forums is a great tool to use.
Now if you aren't familiar on how to find the forums, sign in to your shop, click on Community(middle top of page) and then click on the Forums. Once in there you will see lots of different topics, choose one and see what there is to offer!

Gift Ideas, One Of A Kind Watch

Looking for a unique and stylish
one of a kind watch?
Then I invite you to see my shop




http://www.malamoosebeadery.etsy.com/
for a wide selection of beaded and leather watches. Ranging in colors like this Maple and Plum Spice Beaded watch with purple and copper findings for $35 to the popular leather cuff and cotton fabric watches for $45. Since opening shop in April of 2008 I have sold to Australia, Norway, and many items to the US. I enjoy making watches but my shop has other goodies to look at as well. With the Holidays being close by my little gift pouches have been a hit. These re-usable pouches are great for small items like soaps, pendants, and earrings. Perfect for craft shows or just for handing out as a gift. Happy Holidays!

It's that time of year again that families get together and cards are needing to be sent out for the Holidays. Here are 5 blank note cards that have a picture that is inserted into the card to keep for later. A great gift and a great way of saying what you need to say during these cold winter months. Happy Holidays!
For more information on this card set and others go to www.MalamoosePhotography.etsy.com

Work Spaces

We've been moving into a house over Thanksgiving weekend and it's been a bit stressful. I'm still trying to find our cutting boards...not sure if they got left behind at the apartment or are just sitting in a box that is waiting to get unpacked. Here's a tip I've heard before, make sure your boxes are labeled! If I had done this maybe the cutting boards wouldn't be missing.
Having a house means more space. Everyone knows that you can never have enough space for all the projects yoru wanting to do. I was working from the corner of a living room on a small table in my old apartment. One night I was trying to download pictures from my digital camera to my laptop when my camera fell from the table onto the floor. I felt like crying! I thought it was broken when I saw the lens had popped off. After inspecting it, and making sure my baby was ok, I picked it up and said, "I need more space for all my stuff!" I now have my very own studio and no more being cramped in a corner. I have tons of storage, shelves, and even a closet to keep the mess hidden. I can't wait to unpack and get my studio set up. Now just if I could find...
I would love to hear about your craft area/studio. What is your favorite thing about your workspace? What color is your room? I will be posting a photograph of my new studio in the future. But here is where I was making all my purses and watches you can find on www.malamoosebeadery.etsy.com

Todays Sweet Thing

While working at the cafe today, I overheard complaints about the weather.

We're having severe wind conditions,

rain/sleet and possibly snow later this evening.

It isn't even winter yet! In hopes of lifting spirits I've chosen this photograph, Little Bird Sings Spring Song, 5x7 available for $10 from http://www.malamoosephotography.etsy.com/ . Other sizes are available upon request.

Flurries and Cold Weather

The flurries have arrived! We have been seeing cold weather here in VT and the other night it decided it was going to spit a few snow flakes. Here are some pics from my deck. Have you gotten snow yet? I live between a few of the ski resorts and have been fairly lucky that the snow stays on the mountains. It's strange how it could be nice and sunny here and 10 minutes from me there is a blizzard. I just hope that the real snow holds off until after the weekend. I'm moving into a house and would much prefer not having to move in snow or bitter cold weather. Now if only my birthday wasn't in the winter...

Making the Front Page on Etsy

I found out why the views of my watch were higher than most. Turns out I was featured on the Front Page of Etsy. I like to switch the sequence of photographs every once in a while and after doing so, this is what happened. Change can be a good thing! You see stores doing it all the time so why aren't we?

Here are some helpful tips:

1. Your first photograph that everyone sees should be a little mysterious, a little artistic to catch the eyes of the viewers. I see a lot of Front Page worthy pics when I look at some of the other photographs listed within the 5 photographs you get to use. Not only are they looking at discriptions, but they are wanting different angles of the product as well.

2. Lighting. I like to try to take my pictures in the early morning or in the evening in natural lighting. This allows for not as harsh of a shadow on the product. Now that the winter is coming to VT, I won't be doing much of this and will be moving indoors. If you are indoors, I have seen great threads in the forums about light boxes, lighting techniques, and other ways of creating great indoor shots. Just be careful that you aren't using florecent lighting! This will make the colors of you products a yellowish/brown color that nobody want to see and it isn't the best way to show off your creations.

3. Macro Setting. If you have objects that are small, you can use what is called the Macro setting on your camera. It is that little flower you see on the dial in auto mode. Now the trick to using this is making sure you haven't drank a lot of caffine, and use a tripod. Shaking while in this mode will cause blurry or out of focus pics. Using this mode allows you to get closer to the subject and get rid of those distracting backgrounds. Those of you using a digital SLR you have two choices. You can either get a close-up filter kit, or a macro lens. If you're on a tight budget the filter will do the trick. This is a small glass piece that will screw onto the end of a lens you are currently using and allows you to get closer to your subject. Great for stamps, flowers, jewelry! The other is going out and buying a macro lens for your camera. These aren't cheap, but work very well with low light conditions. If you are using a macro setting you will see a big difference in your photography!

Filter set that sold on my Etsy shop.

If you use any of these tips you might just end up on the front page yourself! Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about the use of your camera or other techniques.

I recently have been playing on the sewing machine. This small teal and yellow tote is a result of a couple hours sitting on a stool ,cutting, ironing, and eventually sewing seems.

Small and efficient this is light in weight, and actually holds all the necessities

The inside is a golden yellow and has a fern pattern in cream.

This tote has an inside pocket to hold a cell phone, keys, or chap stick. It has a long strap to wear around the wrist. If you are interested in learning more about this tote visit http://www.malamoosebeadery.etsy.com/

I’m so excited! Within the time I ate dinner one of my watches was given 9 hearts. Now I know this isn’t a sale but at least it shows people are taking the time to look on Etsy. I was getting a little worried since I’ve been reading a lot of forums saying people aren’t getting sales. I’m in the middle of a move and haven’t been adding many items to Malamoose Beadery or Malamoose Photography. This will be my first Christmas on Etsy and I know that it’s an important time to make sure that your shops are full and have a large variety of items. Now maybe it was because I relisted the other day, or maybe it was because this watch is so gorgeous, but at least it shows that people are finally thinking about giving gifts.

If you're interested in finding out more about this watch please visit www.malamoosebeadery.etsy.com

Todays Sweet Things

While waiting for my photos, I was asked “Do you like mint chocolate?”
I said, “of course, who doesn’t.” Not knowing why they were asking me this, I was told they went overboard in getting mint chocolate, and to help myself to the bin. I happen to work in this lab, so when they say "look in the bin", they are talking about one of those clear gallon storage containers with the lids, that most people store seasonal clothes in. This one happens to be full of little treats! Today it was filled with mint chocolate kisses, in your pick of dark chocolate, milk chocolate, and white chocolate, along with some home baked chocolate chip cookies, chocolate bars of all sorts, plus hard candies. I picked the mint chocolate truffle and was in heaven! I highly recommend having some of these for your guest this holiday season.

Todays sweet little thing

small dangle earrings found at www.malamoosebeadery.etsy.com

Inspiration from photography

Every since I saw my first issue of National Geographic I knew that I wanted to be a photographer. I figured what better way to travel, see animals of all kinds, and get paid for a wonderful life experience. Although I’m not working for National Geographic, I have experienced going to Hawaii, swimming with sharks, hiking in the Adirondack Mountains, and seeing some amazing sights. In July 2008 I opened up http://www.malamoosephotography.etsy.com/ where you will find some of my inspirational photographs. I’m not making millions, or even thousands, but I do think I’ve made a dream come true.

Meet Malamoose and Godiva

Meet Malamoose. This is my first blog entry, and I’m hoping you aren’t skipping out just yet. In the future you will find inspirational photographs, art, handcrafted items, and a lot of sweet little things. I enjoy drinking coffee and know if you are a designer, crafter, and/or person like myself, then you too have your cup within arms reach.

Meet Godiva. She is a lab/border collie mix that I’ve adopted. I remember going into the shop and looking at all the puppies and then seeing her sweet little face. At that moment I knew she was the one! She fit in the palm of my hand the day I took her home. Now Godiva weighs about 45lbs and can’t get enough of playing fetch, snoring in her sleep, and keeping me company.

I hope you enjoy checking back each week to see what Malamoose and Godiva have been up too.