Strung Out and Wired..or how to open a small business and sell online without going crazy
Check back often as I will be adding tips and links on the "business" side of selling soon.
Those who work only when the Muse strikes them make little progress.
~William V. Dunning
My Strung Out & Wired Etsy Goodies!!
Tip: List DAILY to keep your items at the top of Etsy's lists
Add Your Etsy Shop or Handmade Shop Here!
you know you wanna
Add your Etsy Shop or webstore here! Handmade products only, please.
http://savor.etsy.com
Savor -- handcrafted, luxurious bath treats. Delic more...1 point
Reed Diffusers under $7.99
Fun, expressive decorative twist to modern Reed Di more...1 point
http://alpenglowglass.etsy.com
Lampworked beads and sculpture with a nature theme1 point
http://artjewelrycollective.etsy.com
Etsy street team promoting handmade upscale jewelr more...1 point
Alexandra's Jewelry
Handmade artisan wire wrapped and sculptural jewel more...1 point
Etsy Alexandra's Jewelry
Here's my Etsy version of my wire jewelry.1 point
Etsy Alexandra's Closet
Alexandra's Jewelry needs a place to get rid of so more...1 point
http://thecraftywino.etsy.com
corky creations and more...1 point
I Am What I Am
The I Am What I Am shop is all about love and acce more...1 point
Mandala Design Studio
My name is Jessi Gisburne and I create unique, exp more...1 point
http://aquariann.etsy.com
the fantasy art of kristin cornell1 point
Goose Hill Designs
Handcrafted gifts for Moms, Babies & Toddlers!1 point
Etsy :: noadi :: Noadi's Art on Etsy
Noadi's Art is the creation of fantasy artist Sher more...1 point
Etsy :: YouniquelyChic :: Youniquely Chic
Handcrafted Original Jewelry featuring Swarovski a more...1 point
http://chalicehillherbals.etsy.com
Handcrafted herbal therapy1 point
http://jellybgreen.etsy.com
1 point
The Bohemian Scientist
Functional. Economical. Handmade by a real scienti more...1 point
http://www.jellybgreen.etsy.com
1 point
http://www.southcitystudio.etsy.com
Photography, handmade jewelry, pet and people acce more...1 point
Etsy :: Willheit Shoppes
One-of-a-kind jewelry and decorative boxes.1 point
Custom Feather Flags
The Feather Flag Kit includes: 10 Ft. Flag 120 x more...1 point
Wedding Rings
Huge selection of wedding rings, diamond wedding r more...1 point
Feather Flags
Best outdoor advertising banner solution available more...1 point
http://strungoutandwired.etsy.com
My eclectic beaded, wire and resin jewelry with a more...0 points
http://ravyncrow.etsy.com
Handmade jewelry, art, crafts and collectibles0 points
http://sticktoyourknittin.etsy.com
Unique, high-quality hand knits and handspun yarns more...0 points
PurrPrints: Fine art & whimsy
Unusual pen&ink and digital art and crafts.0 points
Strung Out & Wired
My new website! Look for listings to be added next more...0 points
Etsy :: Plumbeadacious :: Original Jewelry Handcrafted by LeAllyson
Plumbeadacious - Visit my little boutique of handc more...0 points
Etsy :: LeAllyson :: Original handcrafted jewelry!
LeAllyson's Creations - Unique jewelry crafted by more...0 points
Plum Beadacious!
Plum Beadacious! ~ LeAllyson designs and handcraft more...0 points
CarriersCozyCottage.etsy.com
am a textile artist and my passion is for designi more...0 points
http://www.oceanhue.etsy.com
Beautiful Handcrafted Jewelry, great prices, one-o more...0 points
http://www.createhappiness.etsy.com
I want to make you SMILE with my fun JEWELRY0 points
http://www.glitzygrl.etsy.com
I take everyday useful items and crystallize them more...0 points
http://www.myspace.com/glitzy_grl
0 points
http://www.bonami.etsy.com
Melissa Lynn's Little Shop of Randomness0 points
http://sandtcreations.etsy.com
Handmade, OOAK jewelry designs, bold, original0 points
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=41531
Handmade vintage inspired costume jewelry0 points
http://www.threefatesdesign.etys.com
Handmade Beaded Jewelry and Lampwork beads!0 points
www.sknaturals.etsy.com
Luxurious Organic Infant & Children's Items0 points
www.organicallymade.etsy.com
Organic Toys, Clothing, Bedding and More!0 points
www.rokgear.etsy.com
Hand Printed Neckties, & more0 points
http://naturescharms.etsy.com
Affordable jewelry and accessories inspired by Nat more...0 points
http://punkiepies.etsy.com
Handmade Retro, Vintage and Fun items made from br more...0 points
Spool Design :: Jewelry, Art & All things Vintage-inspired
Handmade Art, Jewelry and Supplies, all inspired b more...0 points
http://kristinmc.etsy.com
Expensive looking but affordable handmade jewelry.0 points
http://www.ishyscreations.etsy.com
One of a kind hand made treasures.0 points
Etsy :: BrazilianEcoDesigns :: Eco-friendly vegetal fibers
Eco-friendly fibers and Amazon seeds jewelry0 points
http://www.nomadshop.etsy.com
Nature inspired jewelry with gemstones, leather, s more...0 points
http://lollipoppe.etsy.com
Bold mineral makeup for freaks and geeks.0 points
http://strungoutandwired.artfire.com
My handmade resin, wire and found object jewelry o more...0 points
http://bellissimaminerals.etsy.com
Natural Mineral Cosmetics & hancrafted soap, s more...0 points
www.boutiqueluckystars.etsy.com
Little things for your little star.0 points
"Believe in Karma! Promote artists who have integrity and a good product! It will come back to you!"
Ways to Promote Your Etsy Shop...
an on-going list from the talk bubble
1. Open a Flickr account and post photos of your items2. Post in the forums to get your avatar known
3. E-mail everyone you know with a link to your shop!
4. Take quality photos of your items!
5. Get professional business cards made
6. Join a Street Team!!!
7. Join a Social Networking Site like MySpace!
8. Make A Squidoo Lens!
9. Sell Your Goods to Your Friends at a Home Party!
10. Sell At Your Local Farmer's Market This Summer!
11. Give Freebies away with orders
12. Send Show Dates, Sales Info & Coupons to customers via mail or email.
13. Form a Street Team to promote Your Craft,Cause or Locale!
14. Curate a Treasury With A Unique Theme, Items, or Colors!
15. Donate an item to your school auction!
16. Make a Logo that is Unforgettable! Make it Fit the Style of Your Shop!
17. Include a Thank-You Card with Orders. Handwritten is Best!
18. Get buttons made with your logo and shop e-mail address. Hand them out with purchases and give them to your friends!
19. Join Stumble Upon,Delicious & Digg! Have friends rate you!
20. Get a Stamp Made With Your Logo/Dress Up Plain Bags!
21. Join Twitter!Tweet your shop, blog, sales, shows, venues!
22. Add Your Shop Address to the Signature Line For all Email!
23. Wear Your Own Items for Free Advertising!
24. Buy Some Inexpensive Ad Space on Project Wonderful!
25. Blog! Teach your craft, share your thoughts, promote!
26. Sign Up With Google Adwords!
27. Buy Ad Space in the Program for Your Child's School Play!
28. Contact Local Boutiques About Wholesaling Your Items!
29. Buy Inexpensive Ad Space on a Crafting Blog!
30. Make a YouTube Video! Show Us How You Make Your Craft!
31. Believe in Karma! Promote artists who have integrity and a good product! It will come back to you!
32. Buy a Custom Vinyl Decal or Bumper Sticker for Your Car with Your Shop Logo and Web Address!
33. Get a cool shirt made with you logo to wear at shows! Even better, make it handmade!
34. Sell at Craft Shows in Your Area! Start Small, Work Your Way Up!
35.Offer to teach a class at a home party or a shop specializing in your medium!
36. Hang Your Business Card on the Bulletin Board at Your Local Coffee Shop! Free Advertising!
37. Have contests on your blog and give away your items!
Great Stuff on eBay
Various Supplies for Making Your Goodies & Selling Them!
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
Business Resource Links
jewelry and crafts
These are some BUSINESS RESOURCE LINKS that I frequent for jewelry and crafts in particular. Feel free to add any business links that have helped you!!
Gemstones | Information on How To Buy Gemstones.
Unbiased information on gemstones and guide to buy more...2 points
Arts and Crafts Business Starting and Running a Successful Craft Business
Information for crafters who sell their crafts par more...1 point
SCORE | Counselors to America's Small Business | SCORE
Free online and face-to-face business counseling, more...1 point
Home Jewelry Business Success Tips
Free home jewelry business success tips and in-dep more...0 points
The Business Side of Craft Shows by Natalie Goyette Craft Show Success
The Business side of Craft Shows<br /><br more...0 points
The Business Side of Craft Shows - Craftbits.com Craft Article
The Business Side of Craft Shows, Starting a craft more...0 points
Get your e-store noticed online - Jan. 24, 2008
Dear FSB: I've tried about every method in the boo more...0 points
Associated Content - associatedcontent.com
How to Harness the Power of Niche Marketing for Yo more...0 points
National Association for the Self-Employed
The official Web site of the National Association more...0 points
Craft and Hobby Association (CHA) - representing the hobby and craft industry.
Craft and Hobby Association (CHA) is a business-to more...0 points
U.S. Copyright Office
U.S. Copyright Office is an office of public recor more...0 points
Newbie To- Do List
Post new items daily
Post in Forums
Promote myself outside of Etsy
Join Flickr to post pics of my goodies
Read Etsy Wiki for faqs
Have Fun!
Displaying Your Goods at Shows!
how to show your wares
So you've been accepted to a craft show...How the heck are you going to display all the goodies you have been making for the past six months?First of all I recommend getting a six foot long table with folding legs to start out with. Wholesale clubs carry these at a reasonable price. Buy some bed risers,(little blocks you put under your bed),at a department store. You want your table to be waist high so customers don't have to bend over to see your stuff!!
Then pick out some fabric that highlights your goodies. Make sure the fabric isn't too "busy" to distract or clash with your products. Make sure the fabric is long enough to come down over the front and sides of your table. That way, you can stow tote boxes under the table without them being seen. Make sure the fabric you use doesn't show dirt or dust easily.
A banner with your logo on it on the front of the table really polishes off the look. Look for banner shops on Etsy for some good deals.
Make sure the display items you use on the table are different heights. Look around your house and garage, you will be amazed at what you can use for a display item! Check out the display in the photo! Bobbi, who is one the ShowMe Etsy Street Team with me, uses an old medicine cabinet to display her onesies and embroidered tea towels. It works perfectly with the "feel" of the tea towel and onesies. Scour the antique mall, dumpster dive, you never know what you will find!
You can use a cork board covered with fabric to display earrings. You can make your own t-bars for necklace and bracelet display also, if you are handy with a saw and wood.
There are many tutorials on-line for making your own jewelry displays. Use your imagination! Make it your own!
You can use trays and pretty china with rice or rocks to showcase jewelry. I've seen wooden trays with dowel rods to hand necklaces from. A mesh wastebasket works well to hang earrings from! Look for those clippy photo displays to attach earring cards.
If you are using necklace busts, make sure they are clean and lint free. I don't use the velvet version anymore, because they are dust bunny magnets and they don't photograph well. I prefer the leatherette busts in black. I had a white one that I used for a few shows, and it became dinged up and filthy! I have since spray painted it black! I like the clean look of black, and it shows off my resin and sterling jewelry. Put the busts at different levels for an eye pleasing display.
Mirrors are a must, also. People want to see how a piece of jewelry lays or how low earrings dangle.
Don't forget your business cards! I always place these in a holder that matches my display.
An artists statement in a photo frame always adds a nice touch, too.
Lastly, a credit card sign to let people know that you accept credit cards. I highly recommend that you take credit cards! I would have not made any sales at the last show I worked at if I didn't take credit. Check out Propay for info.
Have fun! Make or buy displays that compliment your product! You don't have to spend a lot to if you just use your creativity!
Craft Show Display Links
- Craft Show Display on a Budget
- Etsy Forums..tons of info in this thread!
Cool Books for Crafty, Artsy People
like us!
The Naughty Secretary Club: The Working Girl's Guide to Handmade Jewelry
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $11.55 (as of 07/11/2009) 
List Price: $16.99
Used Price: $3.74
Usually ships in 24 hours
The Craftster Guide to Nifty, Thrifty, and Kitschy Crafts: Fifty Fabulous Projects from the Fifties and Sixties
Release Date: 04/01/2006
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $13.46 (as of 07/11/2009)
List Price: $17.95
Used Price: $3.51
Usually ships in 24 hours
The Big-Ass Book of Crafts
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 07/11/2009)
List Price: $19.95
Used Price: $11.49
Usually ships in 24 hours
Rubbish!: Reuse Your Refuse
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $14.99 (as of 07/11/2009)
List Price: $19.99
Used Price: $8.00
Usually ships in 24 hours
The Crafty Diva's D.I.Y. Stylebook: A Grrrl's Guide to Cool Creations You Can Make, Show Off, and Share
Release Date: 05/01/2004
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $11.65 (as of 07/11/2009)
List Price: $12.95
Used Price: $0.01
Usually ships in 24 hours
Some Other Crafty Recommendations
for Business-Minded Etsians
Crafting for Dollars: Turn Your Hobby into Serious Cash
Release Date: 07/24/1996
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: (as of 07/11/2009)
List Price: $15.95
Used Price: $0.01
The Basic Guide to Selling Crafts on the Internet
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $11.53 (as of 07/11/2009)
List Price: $16.95
Used Price: $7.96
Usually ships in 24 hours
How to Market and Sell Your Art, Music, Photographs, & Handmade Crafts Online: Turn Your Hobby into a Cash Machine
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 07/11/2009)
List Price: $24.95
Used Price: $16.14
Usually ships in 24 hours
Marketing and Selling Your Handmade Jewelry: The Complete Guide to Turning Your Passion into Profit
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $14.93 (as of 07/11/2009)
List Price: $21.95
Used Price: $11.77
Usually ships in 24 hours
Start Your Own Arts and Crafts Business: Retail, Carts and Kiosks, Craft Shows, Street Fairs (Startup Series)
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $14.00 (as of 07/11/2009)
List Price: $17.95
Used Price: $2.99
Usually ships in 24 hours
Baubles, Bracelets & Earrings, Oh My! Show it off on Flickr!!!
Join groups on Flickr to get free advertising of your items!"
Learn to take great photos! Post them on Flickr to get your name known! Use natural light or a light box for clear, bright photos of your goodies!
Add A Profile Widget To Your Social Networking Sites!
If You Got It, Flaunt It!!!
It's About Promotion!
promotion,marketing, blogging,writing, customer service, love what you do, have fun, share your talents, network, be professional, be willing to help others, take great photos, make a great product, find your niche, don't give up!
Places for Shameless Self Promotion
or oh my gosh, I have so many passwords, I can't keep them straight
- Flickr
- Place cool photos of your stuff on this site, make cool contacts, join cool groups!
- My Space
- Network! Place links to your site or Etsy Shop! Put up cool photos of your stuff!
- Network! Place links to your site or Etsy Shop! Put up cool photos of your stuff!
- Live Journal
- Find people with your same interests, join groups, post pictures of your goodies!
- Indie Finds Directory
- Get yourself listed, baby!!
- Stumble Upon
- Install the toolbar, stumble yourself and give yourself a "thumbs up"! Stumble your friends! Brings more traffic to your site!
- Qassia-Beta
- You need a referral at this time to join. Type up paragraphs of "intel" which are rated by others. List your sites and get "back-links". To be honest, I haven't used it much, don't even know if it works, but what the hell...
If you want to join click the "sign up" button on my page. - Blogger
- Bloggity blog blog...Write about anything you feel like, post photos of your stuff, post links to your sites...
- Indie Collective
- Get yourself listed in this list of cool, hip places to buy awesome, unique stuff! Do it!
- Marmalade Pink
- A cool site for socially conscious shopping! Hang out on their networking site! Make friends, post photos of your goodies and links to your sites!
- Smidge
- Former Etsian makes it big!! A cool social networking site for those with the need for craft! Many Etsy sellers! Post photos, hang in the forums, even submit articles!!! Check it out!
- Bust Magazine The Girl Wide Web
- Add a link to your site free of charge on Bust's Girl Wide Web!
- Digg
- Join Digg! Submit your links and links that you like, make friends! Free advertising!
- IndieFixx
- Get your Indie Fix here!! Great pages with a guest blog, featured Etsy artist, and a place to submit your work for a chance to be featured!
- Project Wonderful
- Bid on advertising on this innovative site!
Sites You Gotta Check Out!!!
some of them may be mine!
- My Etsy Shop
- Strung Out & Wired Jewelry on Etsy
- Bloggedy Blog Blog
- Little blurbs about my journey on Etsy and selling my jewelry
- Flickr
- Cool images of my jewelry
- ShowMeEtsy Street Team Home Page
- The newest Etsy Street Team from Missouri and the Metro East area! Check us out!
- Color & Craftiness Made with My Fidgety Hands.
- Great Blog by fellow Etsian alwaysamy
Love Her!!! - mandaladesign
- This girl is talented! Check out her jewelry! I am inspired!!
- Unofficial Etsy News
- See it here first! Get the skinny on all of the latest Etsy info!
- Heart-o-tron3000 for Shop Hearts
- Wanna know how many hearts each of your items listed on Etsy has? This is your place!!! This cool little page is run by Etsian Julian Lievano.
- Craftster
- No tea cozies without irony.
Any craft you can think of! Very cool site with forums, swaps, project lists, city guides to crafts, and places to post your crafts. I especially enjoy their craft competitions such as the "Dollar Store" competition! - Peggy Li
- She is the reason I make jewelry! I have loved her stuff for years!
- Cut Out + Keep
- Cool, hipster craft site with blogs, 1000 projects to make, and articles. Very cool! You must read Snippets, the on-line zine from Cut Out + Keep! You will get lost in this fun site!
- Villa Design on Etsy
- Awesome lampwork beads, jewelry and magnets by this talented St Louis artist!
- stOOpidgErl on Etsy
- Candy colored resin creations and art! Yummy! This
is how an Etsy shop should be run! Great customer service!! This gal rox my sox! Check out her flickr page, too! - EtsyBitch
- With the slogan "biting the hand that feeds us!" how can it be wrong? For those who are no longer wearing rose-colored Etsy glasses! Love the closed threads section!
- Candy Calamity
- Cool upcycled candy wrappers crafted into bracelets, necklaces and other curious creations!
Yummo!
Promotional Items
goodies to get your name out there!
Here are some websites that sell promotional items. Feel free to add sites that you feel offer a great product and great service!
http://gotprint.net/gotprint/welcome.do
Printing high quality, low price full color and gl more...0 points
http://www.promosinasnap.etsy.com
stickers, buttons with your logo. High number of s more...0 points
http://www.vistaprint.com/vp/ns/studio3.aspx?pf_id=064&combo_id=4298&gallery_id=64&category_id=11&referer=
Business cards at affordabale prices. Do a search more...0 points
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5102092
Minepress. This is where I got my promotional butt more...0 points
Vinyl Lettering, Custom Signs, Vinyl Banners and Vinyl Decals at SpeedySigns.com
Speedy Signs offers vinyl lettering, custom signs, more...0 points
EmpireBanners.com | Your single source for professional Banners, Signs, Printing
Heavy duty vinyl banners at great prices!0 points
Custom Vinyl Decals and Signs
We are a full service online sign company with uni more...0 points
Chrome Auto Emblems
We have a huge selection of chrome auto emblems.0 points
Do U YouTube?
party like a YouTube star!
Etsy Hints on YouTube
resources for Etsians
[8/26/08] -- Etsy Resources
http://www.notmoira.etsy.com a video by Amy * Please rate, comment, subscribe, and help spread the word about this channel! http://www.youtube.com/user/Indie5Collective INDIE 5 IS SPONSORED BY: http://www.buttonhead.org ^ buttons and stuff PARTNERING ARTISTS: http://www.jeezejulia.etsy.com ^ hand-stitched awesomeness http://www.notmoira.etsy.com ^ cool greeting cards! arts crafts craft crafter artist indie 5 indie5 etsy handmade homemade DIY video buttonhead resources
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3 Comments:
Talk To Me, Baby!!
blonndie1965 wrote...
Super Lens! Very comprehensive list of ways to promote you Etsy Shop! 5 stars & favorited by me! Thanks so much!
Posted May 03, 2009
Kitsune64 wrote...
Lots of very helpful tips and resources here. Thank you so much! 5* and lensrolled. ^_^
Posted April 13, 2009
strungoutandwired wrote...
in reply to Janusz Thanks so much for my blessing! I really want to help promote buying handmade from small business owners!
Thanks for the blessing!
Renee
Posted April 07, 2009
DoraArtDesignStudio wrote...
Just started an Etsy shop, getting ready to put up items so this is great info.
Posted November 29, 2008
FlowersByDottie wrote...
Great lens I love your avatar,I rated you 5 stars and added you to my favorites ,please stop by my lens thanks
Posted
Oct.6,2008
Posted October 06, 2008
lakeerieartists wrote...
This is great lens! Some of your tips are great for Squidoo lenses too! Welcome to Artists Selling Online!
Posted September 14, 2008
Twitter With Me!
What's a Happenin' Hot Stuff?
- strungoutwired
- aka strungoutwired
- 386 followers
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- Preparing to walk Grant's Trail with the hubby!
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- @LeasaInc Tracking and or signature confirmation proves they received it.
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- @EllenRulo The more the merrier!!
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- Just had my first PayPal charge back! Ugghhh! Out of country sale and I did not get tracking! Protect yourself sellers!
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- Strung Out & Wired
- Strung Out & Wired : - Strung Out Under Glass Wired Baked Resinated Upcycled Played Out Crowned Gift Certificates strungout, wired, handmade, jewelry, Renee Hoyle, etsy
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