Hello, all you crafty people from Sew, Mama, Sew. It is a bright and sunny morning, I have a hot cup of coffee beside me, and it is Giveaway Day. What could be better?
Now, I took this picture and then realized that this box is much too small. In reality you will get a flat-rate box jammed with as much as I can get in it. I can't promise it won't be wrinkled, though.
So, to win this lovely box of scraps:
Since I just opened my Etsy store, Made By Little Crickets. It is proving to be more challenging than I had imagined, and I would love to have some advice. If you have your own shop: how do you decide on prices? how do you organize? how do you promote yourself? If you don't have your own store: what makes a store one of your favorites? what makes you really just 'have to have' something you see on Etsy? What is the best incentive for buying - low postage, price, customization?
My shop sells kids clothes and doll accessories. Please go over and take a look. You don't have to. It's not a requirement for the giveaway, and I know if you don't have kids, or know some kids, you couldn't care less about my shop. But if you do have kids, or know kids, or see kids on the street occasionally, please go on over and take a peek. All constructive commentary is welcomed.
To win, you must comment on my shop, Etsy shops, or any other thing loosely related to shopping for handmade goods online or kids or something. Any comment not containing something of that nature will be deleted. I am super serious this time. Your comment won't even make it online.
I will randomly choose a winner with the generator and send your package out by the designated time. Likely Saturday morning. I will ship overseas, but your package might be a wee bit smaller if I do. I will randomly generate a name and post the winner Saturday morning after my girls jiu jitsu class - about 11am EST. I will then proceed posthaste to the post office. Or maybe I'll do that in reverse. I'll figure out the details eventually.
Good luck and Happy Giveaway Day!
Oh, and I have another giveaway - a gift certificate to my shop. Go check it out if you like what you see over there!
Posts
wow, that dress / doll dress is gorgeous!! i think having another pattern or two to pick from would really help bring more attention to your shop - i know if i am searching for something on etsy, and notice that a lot of results are from the same shop, i have a tendency to buy from them.
ReplyDeleteVery cute shop! I love the boys pants, but unfortunately my boys are too big...
ReplyDeleteOne thing that is huge for me, is the shipping to Canada. If the shipping is way more than the US shipping, I'll just keep looking unless there is a discount or promotion. Good luck with your shop! :)
For me, it is hard to sell handmade, but it has helped me to use popular fabrics. It tends to pull in more lookers :)
ReplyDeleteyour baby doll wipes are too cute!
ReplyDeleteI like well organised Esty shops with clear photos properly listed shipping rates. As an international buyer it drives me crazy when the shipping listed has no relation to the weight of the item you're buying, 1 FQ does not require a flat rate envelope and an international FRE doesn't cost $20! Thanks for the give away!
ReplyDeleteOMG, the ummm, accessories for the doll diapers in your shop crack me up!! :)
ReplyDeleteI like it when the shipping is really low or free. Helps me determine my real cost of shipping! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteMy shop is Milo and Molly. I think pricing is the hardest thing. You are supposed to take your materials cost and time (whatever you decide to make your hourly wage) and double it for a wholesale price, and then double it again for your retail price. That doesn't always work though because I know people aren't going to pay that much for some items. Search Etsy for the same products you make and see what other people charge. That helps give you an idea of market value.
ReplyDeleteYour shop is cute! The best thing to do is make sure you have clear photos, they say a plain white background is best, but I don't always do that because I like to have some weight in my photos.
I promote myself on my blog, twitter, instagram, etc. by sending out occasional links to what I'm listing but not being too forward. Join teams, join blogging teams, and reach out and connect with people. Ask questions and comment on other people's blogs. They will check out you!
Good luck!!
As someone in Canada I find that the shipping is a huge deal for me... I can tell when people don't bother to look into it and charge like $20 for an FQ. Immediate turn-off.
ReplyDeleteWow! That dress on your etsy account is beautiful! I think your site will be doing good as soon as you get some more itmes listed! Good luck
ReplyDeleteI just opened up my shop and I am having many of the same challenges as you. I made a facebook page for my shop and i think it's been useful for at least making people aware of my brand. i'm not sure if my advice will really be useful because i haven't made a sale yet either but it's only been a couple of weeks. good luck with your new endeavor!
ReplyDeleteI have only been shopping online for a few months, but I like it. I can get super cute handmade goodies from across the world.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter would love the baby doll wipes you have in your shop! She's all about her dolly right now.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway.
Very cute items in your shop. You need to jazz up the backgrounds in the item pictures and add a cool Banner to the top. I'm a visual person so I look for a well presented shop to tell me about the seller. Thanks for the chance to win your scraps & good luck with your shop!!!
ReplyDeleteI usually choose by a combination of price & whether something is unique or not. If I could buy it at target, I"m not going to pay 2x as much on Etsy. KWIM?
ReplyDeleteThanks!
sshuttrbugg at aol dot com
I don't have a shop. There are two types of etsy shops I frequent: ones that offer a unique handmade item not usually found elsewhere (handmade jewelry and wind chimes from silverware come to mind), and fabric shops that offer bundles of hard to find fabrics.
ReplyDeleteI like your shop! My advice is to have lots of inventory. I have noticed that whenever I list more items, traffic picks up and I seem to sell more (new and old items). I like how you have different price points.
ReplyDeleteI don`t own a store, but I do shop a lot. I enjoy promotions, esp when free shipping is involved. I like things that are practical, unique and reasonably priced. Good luck with your store! :)
ReplyDeleteHave you ever thought about selling your scraps? That could be a way of adding more inventory with minimal effort. (I hear from lots of shop owners that having a lot of inventory helps).
ReplyDeletePersonally you don't sell things I want/need (I don't have kids) but I would check out scrap bags if you sold them. I love a good scrap bag well priced.
I have an etsy shop, but it isn't super successful either. I find I do get a lot more views when I spread out adding stuff to my store. Take advantage of the "just added" screen. And if you are able to, pictures of items on kids or dolls. I think that helps sell the piece.
ReplyDeleteSo I noticed you are from Maine. That would make shipping super easy since I'm from South Portland! I like your shop...especially those awesome pants. I don't have a shop but things that I look for are price. Unfortunately etsy is expensive in general. The other thing I like is a well stocked store. I like a variety of items but also different materials and such to choose from. Hope that helps!
ReplyDeleteCute stuff. I don't own a shop but I do have a daughter who loves her dolls. I think having more of the mommy and me clothing for her and her doll would be a hit during the holiday season.
ReplyDeleteBeing unique and true to who you are I think helps. That and competitive pricing!
ReplyDeleteI just started shopping on etsy and other online fabric shops this last year. I love supporting the little guys and my kids always get the most unique, person handmade goodies! I love your diaper wipes box, it's so cute!
ReplyDeleteI look for international shipping charges and I absolutely love it when the fabric is nicely wrapped. And throw in a business card or two because I give them away to friends if I was pleased with my order. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteLove your shop! Advice would be to have invenorty on hand, detailed descriptions, clear photos, and a set time of day/week to work on your shop.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
I think good photos (clear, bright, neutral background) is a big thing...helps make your items stand out! I also like reasonable shipping rates! Good luck with your shop!
ReplyDeleteShopping online, I look for a good selection of modern designers and fair shipping prices. I like to make it worth my while to shop online instead of my LQS!
ReplyDeleteI'm dying over the poop and pee diapers! My daughter would love them :)
ReplyDeletejenna
callherhappy.com
High postage is a HUGE turn off. If I see high postage on an item I am interested in, I usually don't even finish looking through that shop. Still love the Euro dress. Thanks for the chance! (again!)
ReplyDeleteWhen I shop on Etsy, I like knowing if the store owner is willing to customise items - switch colours, or change items in a bundle, whatever's appropriate. Of course, that's not always practical, I understand that.
ReplyDeleteAnd I have to love any store that includes poop and wee :)
I love your kyoko dress. I've never seen anything like it, and the colors of the one pictured, are gorgeous. I also think that the fake poop/pee is hilarious.
ReplyDeletelimor477 at aol dot com
i try googling and searching etsy to price myself comparatively. i hate it ..
ReplyDeleteYour shop is so cute! I may be adding another item to my 6-yr-old's long list of gifts this year.
ReplyDeleteI shop online. I try to buy from small businesses and have loved almost all I've worked with. I'm not your target client, but would be if you included boxes of scraps in your store! And, thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI like your shop. I think what attracts me is an Etsy shop that has sales & specials such as free shipping or periodic coupon codes to use. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI look for good shipping prices and things I cannot make myself. Thanks for the chance!
ReplyDeleteYou have some cute things in you shop. I don't have an etsy store. I think high postage is a big deal. Also it helps if you can give a break in shipping if more than one item is purchased. If shipping seems unreasonable, then I don't even look through things. If you can come up with some cute quick items to offer more choices would help too. Also offer things in more than one color. I see where another poster mentioned selling boxes of scraps in your etsy shop. I think that is a wonderful idea. I imagine you would have lots of traffic and get rid of scraps at the same time. Good luck with your etsy store.
ReplyDeleteI've been told to stay true to a line of products.. for example, you have some cute doll accessories. Maybe stick with that line of thinking? They are cute! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI love etsy shops that are easy to navigate and show other items I might be interested in. I also like postage to be commiserate with the item and not inflated. I have yet to see anyone make postage calculatable (punch in your zipcode and it calculates for the item).
ReplyDeleteI've recently started an etsy shop as well. It may be different than yours though, in that I'm so far not purposes making things to sell - I'm just trying to sell things that I've already made that are just taking up space in my house and I don't have much use for. So I'm not putting a whole ton of effort into promotion. That said, I do mention on my blog whenever I make a new etsy listing, and I also use my pinterest account for that purpose.
ReplyDeletemy incentive to buying is always a sale on hard to find fabrics. Otherwise, I actually don't shop on etsy much.
ReplyDeleteI have an Etsy shop. My pricing is based on the cost of materials, the time it takes me to make the item, and a number I feel comfortable with. This is not a perfect system though. As for promoting, I have found it really helpful to take classes and join groups with other creative entrepreneurs - we are wonderful for sharing each other's work. Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest are all helpful too. Best of luck with your shop!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your shop. I took a look, but it was more of a girl shop than kids. I have two boys. :o). When I buy online I am usually looking for something specific. Good pictures and descriptions of a premade item are really important. It is also important to be able to get the scale of an item or fabric, so it doesn't arrive a different size than I expected. Hope that is helpful!
ReplyDeleteYour shop is lovely. My best advice as a shopper is to make your categories intriguing and attractive, i.e. more descriptive, i.e. not toys, but baby doll toys. I always want to click on things when they sound more interesting. Good luck!!
ReplyDeleteWhile in nursing school, I ran an Etsy shop, selling vintage items, but mostly vintage sheet fat quarters. I was lucky in that I was able to make friends with Jeni Baker of Ironsea on Etsy and she gave me lots of pointers. I hadn't met her in person, just convo'd a lot with her and she was gracious enough to give me pointers on listing, pricing and promos. So, my advice to you - find someone who is willing to give you support because they're where you're at business wise. And good luck - I'm off to check out your shop!
ReplyDeleteI don't have little kids or a shop so I am certainly not an expert, but as an online shopper I look for detailed descriptions, clear photos, and reasonable prices and shipping costs. Also, fast shipping makes it more fun to buy online, instant gratification and all. I have sold a few quilts and I know it is hard to find an audience that values the time that goes into making handmade things. For me that made pricing difficult. There is a fine line between working for a pittance and pricing yourself out of the market. Your products are lovely and I wish you much success!
ReplyDeleteI don't do much etsy but the one or two times have been recommendations from another blogger. Have you thought of separating the dress and doll clothes with specials for combo's?
ReplyDeleteI like your shop! I notice that the shops I look at the longest on etsy are the ones that have beautiful pictures always in natural light!
ReplyDeleteGood Luck!
More inventory. Find ways to use your time creating inventory efficiently (cut out multiple items while you have your cutting tools out, sew all the first steps, then all the second steps, etc.). It might sound boring, but when you do the same thing repeatedly, you become more efficient at it - which improves your bottom line.
ReplyDeleteI find pricing my handmade things difficult, but what I usually do is have a look at similar items in other shops to see what prices they charge, and go from there.
ReplyDeleteYour items are adorable. I would also say that shipping costs are important. Too many times, I didn't order something I would have liked, because shipping to Canada made it not worthwhile.
ReplyDeleteI have a shop to sell my handmade goods online (Aussie based) and then a shop to sell my patterns (PDF - no postage, woohoo!). I found that it was easier if I included postage price in my product pricing.
ReplyDeleteAnd when I like to shop - I have to say if the price is $10 incl shipping rather than $8 + $2 shipping, there's some weird part of my brain that goes "ooh incl shipping! Bargain!". Yeah I don't know how that works either.
Best of luck with your shop! Oh and fab giveaway - who doesn't love scraps!!
congrats on your new shop! When I buy from Etsy stores, it is almost always because they have great prices (like, $9 or less a yard) and a deal on shipping(like free if over $50 spent, or whatever). I love supporting small business owners, and most people selling on Etsy have fast turnarounds and a passion for their products, which you obviously have, so that's good. And can I just say, that pic of the box of scraps literally makes my heart race. I love a good scrap!
ReplyDeleteI look for shops that are easy to navigate while searching as well as reasonalbe or free shipping (when a price point is met). Thanks for the chance at an awesome giveaway.
ReplyDeleteI think the thing that attracts me to a shop is their pictures. If they are really horrible I probably won't even really look at what they have. Yours would attract my attention though (if I had kids to shop for. hah). Shipping is also important. Good deals are always the best too.
ReplyDeleteScraps are my favorite thing too. I would LOOOOVEEE to win!!
sapurser(at)gmail(dot)com
Good luck with your shop. The Modkid hooded dress is super cute - I wish I had a girl :) Shipping is part of being online but it's good to combine.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your Etsy shop! Living in Australia - I rely entirely on online shopping for fabric and notions so I love to find new shops! And fabric scraps?! What more could you want?!
ReplyDeleteLove your shop. The dresses are sew cute. I've seen those diapers before but not with the poop, lol, clever.
ReplyDeleteThanks for chance to win. Nancy James
Eeeks, I love scraps..
ReplyDeleteNow seriously, when it comes to pricing my stuff.. I was trying to price it at a cheaper price so people would buy it.. but then I thought, no, I'm worth more. So I price the stuff that I would pay for them if was shopping.
pricing, availability of the shop owner.. it sucks having to wait a week or two for a response. But mainly the variety of fabric and the pricing.
ReplyDeleteLove the little snack bag in your shop- so cute! Now just have to have a kid...
ReplyDeleteI know when I shop on Etsy I'm looking for great prices but also specialty bundles. My most recent search was for Oh Deer! but I only want the deer fabrics, not easy to find a half yard bundle of just the deer! So, make custom bundles out of all the colors of one fabric in a line or all text fabrics or something like that! Good luck. PS, I'm itching for that scrap box, I am a scrap junkie!
ReplyDeleteI love your colorful doll diapers with the wipes!! Great idea.
ReplyDeleteOh, the doll diapers (and accessories) are clever and adorable! I've never seen anything like that before! You might host a giveaway for one of those sets on a doll-oriented site? Just to get the publicity? And the matching doll and Toddler dresses are TOO CUTE!
ReplyDeleteI have a shop. I just took it online because I was hoping to streamline the ordering.. anyways. The #1 thing that I can encourage is exactly this sort of thing with SMS - donate to a fundraiser. Keep your business cards on you. Have your kids wear your work. My little girl was wearing her Feliz dress in Sam's Club on Sunday and I handed out 5 business cards over that alone.
ReplyDeleteI commented on your other giveaway (although scraps would make me even happier than doll clothes!) but I think variations on a theme are good - a skirt in a few colors/prints, coordinating shirts, etc.
ReplyDeleteHi! I don't have kids but I do know what I like in an Etsy store! There must be clear categories for all items so I don't need to look through hundreds of items to find what I want. So for example patterns, fabrics, handmade etc. And if you have a lot (>30) in one category further subdivide it. Thanks for the chance to win! Nicola from South Africa
ReplyDeleteSince I am from Malaysia. The first thing I look at is shipping cost :D
ReplyDeleteI don't want to pay so much on the shipping cost. Good luck with the shop! I love the boys pants :D
I'll buy online because I need or want something, the price is reasonable, and most of all, I feel that I can trust the seller. It helps to know something about the seller and comments and reviews from customers about the seller and the fullfillment process.
ReplyDeleteI like having options rather than being restricted to the shop owners choice. For example when buying fabric I like shops that let you choose your own FQ bundles. Your shop seems to allow the option of selecting a colour or fabric for most products so that appeals to me.
ReplyDeleteMy son is 25yrs old now but I remember when he was a tiny tot the shops seemed to only carry clothing for girls, so it's great to see that you cater for the boys too.
ReplyDeleteI'm on Etsy, too (and have been for over 5 years). There's a learning curve and it does take awhile to find your niche and how to attract buyers.
ReplyDeleteHow do you decide on prices?
I price where I'd be comfortable with the profit. We don't need my business to pay our necessities, so it's more for the extras. I don't follow a pricing formula, but you should if you ever want to wholesale.
How do you organize?
I organize my shop by type of jewelry.
I have a room in my house dedicated to my work to help stay organized.
I offer a lot of made to order, customized pieces so that I don't have to track as much inventory.
How do you promote yourself?
I am AWFUL at this. I pin something from my shop once every few weeks and have a terribly unloved Facebook page with a handful of followers.
What makes a store one of your favorites?
Great photos, interesting/pretty materials, my style, clear descriptions
What makes you really just 'have to have' something you see on Etsy?
It fills some kind of void or would be a great gift for someone else. I also buy some supplies there.
What is the best incentive for buying - low postage, price, customization?
I do like lower postage. Right now, I charge $2.50 to ship my jewelry. I need to bump that up a dollar or so. A friend of mine sells jewelry, too, and she charges $6 to ship. That seems high to me and would be a turnoff as a buyer, but I might be the odd duck since she has a ton of sales. ;)
The best incentive for me is having a product I truly love or need. After that, I'm already half sold. Now, I just want clear pictures and a fair price.
Best wishes! Feel free to convo me any questions. I'm CatherineMarissa on Etsy.
I love the fun fabrics you use for your doll accessories. Very eye catching.
ReplyDeleteI love your diaper. Very nice design
ReplyDeleteWhat I look for when shopping is the cost of shipping. I could really use all those scraps for my hexie quilt
ReplyDeleteI like your Kyoko doll dress and the way you actually show it on the doll in an extra image. I love the closeup picture of the velveteen pants, but I think I prefer a picture that tells me what I'm looking at and then having the closeup images as extras... I could be wrong, just a thought. You have beautiful work! Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeletethe biggest thing i look for in etsy shops is sales!! even 10% off would encourage me to buy something that i would otherwise skip.
ReplyDeleteMy etsy shop has really been a bust, havent sold a thing. Blah. But, I wish you the best of luck!
ReplyDeleteI love the baby wipes case, my daughter is getting out of playing dolls, I miss it.
ReplyDeleteI sell at a farmer's market and craft fairs. I find pricing very hard, usually I figure out my cost plus a bit for my time and also figure in what I would pay if I was buying the item.
Until I started reading blogs, I had never shopped on Etsy. Blogland seems to be the best way to get the word out. Since I don't have time to go to craft fairs, Etsy is the best way for me to shop for hand made items.
ReplyDeleteI consider the shipping cost, but I also like to see cute things that I don't know how to make. Thanks for the great giveaway!
ReplyDeleteShipping costs need to be fair (everyone knows how much it costs to ship things in general) and I think that I'm more apt to buy handmade things from others at a fair price because otherwise I look at it and think I can make it myself.
ReplyDeleteI'm always drawn into Etsy shops that have beautiful pictures. Make sure that your lighting is good so that your colours are as close to true as can be.
ReplyDeleteClear descriptions and measurements are also a big help when I'm trying to decide whether or not to buy something.
Thanks for the giveaway! I'd love a box of scraps picked by someone else. I tend to lean towards similar colours and not ever realise until I'm home putting the fabric away.
I make kids clothes {don't sell them} so I can appreciate everything that goes into them :)
ReplyDeleteWhen shopping, I look for vibrant, crisp and clear pictures. I prefer to see things from multiple angles.
and-- the kyoko set is ADORABLE.
Desi
weeshareblog@gmail.com
I love shops that have a good variety, which yours seems to! It's such a cute shop! I love the baby doll wipes!
ReplyDeleteI definitely take cost of shipping into consideration, because especially with small purchases online it can really add up to a big percentage of the total price!
ReplyDeleteI think an important thing to emphasize is the quality of your clothes-my first instinct looking at the kids' clothes was that they are much more expensive than what I usually buy for my son. They are probably much higher quality too, but hearing that specifically, like what type of fabric you used and things like that would make me more likely to buy. And maybe different prices for different sizes? I just noticed on the doll & girl dress pack it's the same size for toddler dresses and dresses for middle school girls! If I saw that and was buying a 2T I'd feel like I was getting ripped off since it would use so much less fabric than a size 14!
Your stuff is really cute though :)
I think you have to aim where the money (and heart) is... Aim at the GRANDMA's! You have Cute designs. Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI just left you some etsy shop advice on your other giveaway, but I want to enter this one too. :) When I shop on etsy I am usually looking for something specific, and honestly most of the time it's fabric to make my own items to sell. I look at price a lot, since I can make most of what I want myself. Also, when I am looking at price I will add the shipping cost and look at the total price that it would cost for me to get the item...so make shipping costs reasonable or make the item a little cheaper to compensate for high shipping.
ReplyDeleteI love your shop! I'm in the middle of a baby boom in my circle of friends and this is all so cute!
ReplyDeleteI look for a good selection within a fabric line (so that I can buy at least a few yards since I'm paying shipping). I also like pre-cuts and fat quarter bundles so I can have a little bit of each fabric within the line.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter is way too old for dolls but she would have loved the gorgeous nappies/diapers in your shop when she was young - what a great idea, I wish you luck!
ReplyDeleteI'd never been to your site or shop before today. Really like your choice of fabrics in the shop and those doll's pants/diapers are so sweet!
ReplyDeleteI can not figure out how to sell on Etsy, either. I have had very few sales. I like your shop. I think great pictures are the key for people to buy on Etsy.
ReplyDeleteBecause I'm international the shipping is a big consideration. I would also look for something I couldn't make myself! Originality and really nice patterned fabrics would also attract me to buy :)
ReplyDeleteHaving clear photos really helps. Helpful product information is also really great. Reasonable postage prices are always a decider too.
ReplyDeleteI have an etsy shop but I am too busy to stock it. Great photos (use a lightbox - Michelle Patterns blog has a great tutorial) are a must. for pricing, I never could charge enough to make a living at it so I charged enough to make it worth my time but not too much to price people out of buying. I settled on what felt right after I included my expenses.
ReplyDeleteI don't have a shop but what I look for is sales or a little something with an order. A facebook page would be nice too.
ReplyDeleteHello, well done on your shop. I guess being in the UK that somwhere what acutally lists uk shipping rates rather than having to wait for a custom listing to be put up. That's what I like and a good range of different items and prices. I've found most etsy sellers lovely and very helpful. it's a great place to shop!
ReplyDeleteI find it very difficult to advertise about my etsy shop, and to make my fans talk to me :) But it is so satisfying when you get good reviews :) Thanks!
ReplyDeletePrices for my store are always hard. I want to be fair to myself, but not price myself out of business. So I go with about 50% above my cost and work from there....I promote on Etsy using the advertising keyword sorter thingy...every three months or so. I am still fairly small so I am doing things little by little....good luck.
ReplyDeleteI love the Kyoko dress and matching doll dress. Too bad my daughter won't wear a dress!!
ReplyDeleteI am making doll diapers, but never though to add poop and pee. Brilliant. My preschooler would love it!!! I made it an etsy fav.
ReplyDeleteI dont have a shope but I look for low postage. as well as a wide variety of item and things that are ready to sell. Thanks for the chance. i LOVE SCRAPS
ReplyDeleteI always look for one of a kind items or items I am afraid to make myself.
ReplyDeletemframe00@gmail.com
The little girl dresses in your shop are so cute. I think if you had a couple of other choices and maybe made the same dresses in different color combos so that the customers can get an idea of exactly what it would look like. You might add some jumpers or ruffle pant outfits for some more variety. Thanks for the giveaway. I love scraps.
ReplyDeleteI thought your shop was wonderful. If I had a little girl I would shop there. I do not have a shop of any kind but maybe there is something about using certain words or phrases when you post that are more likely to get hit on in a search.
ReplyDeleteI think having your own scale for shipping. Their not too expensive. Also order the flatrate bubble envelopes. They are easier to fill. Its so easy to print shipping when you take the time to set it up correctly in etsy. Good luck! Be willing to refund extra shipping. Its easy to do and looks good. Also communication and how you pack your goods. Make it special
ReplyDeleteWow -- that looks like a super fun box of scraps. I haven't been sewing long, so I don't have the big box of scraps everyone else talks about, so this would be instant cred for me. :-) I have three boys, so I do not buy clothes on Etsy. It's Old Navy all the way over here. The third child has never even worn anything new. So I am not your target market here. But what I look for when I am shopping Etsy (mostly for quilting fabric) is price and low shipping. Thank you so much for this giveaway. I would totally squeal if I won!
ReplyDeleteI look for a well organized shop with clear pricing both for an item and the shipping charges. I look for unique, well made items to give as gifts. Thanks for the chance to win.
ReplyDeleteDoll diaper sets with poop and pee? Really? I'm creeped out and amused at the same time. Wow.
ReplyDeleteCool giveaway! I love shops that over a well made product for a fair price. I know what goes into handmade, so I don't mind paying a little extra for a well made product. As far as shipping, I just want it to be fair. I don't like to pay "handling" charges.
ReplyDeleteWhen I shop for something that is handcrafted, I look for attention to detail and fine finishing. On etsy, I love to see a couple of photos of the item I am interested in, and I especially appreciate a closeup!
ReplyDeleteI have an Etsy shop of my own and I love it. I don't get a lot of orders but enjoy sewing the ones I do get.
ReplyDeleteThanks for such a great giveaway.
Erin
emstone28@gmail.com
I'm in the UK, so postage is very important. As an example, a lot of places charge $17 for 2-9 yards of fabric, there's no way shipping has to be that expensive for only 2 yards of fabric! Customs charge is also a consideration, I tend to buy from places that mark items low value so they don't get stopped, otherwise it would make the items unaffordable!
ReplyDeleteI also look for cost of shipping. I also like flexible options. The ability to order fabric seperately instead of in a set is very helpful.
ReplyDeleteohhhh you sell such lovely things!!!
ReplyDeletefor Etsy shops I like originality, customizable items, with some good photographs so I can see if I'm interested or not in it.
Price really matters to me when shopping around. I look at the overall cost, not just the stores that ship free. I mainly shop for fabric, so I can't help you on handmade things. I usually just say I can make that myself. I know some other stores sponsor bloggers too to get the word out on their store.
ReplyDeleteBTW I do love the poo and pee, hilarious!!
I don't have a shop and probably never will. I'm not a marketing type person and don't like making the same thing over and over.
ReplyDeleteI tend to buy something from someone else that I don't think I could make myself with the same quality as the seller or at the same price. I also don't like high shipping costs and always add that in when looking at items to see if I think they are reasonably priced.
I think you have a nice start on a shop but would suggest more variety - doll quilts? stuffed animals?, doll clothes?
Selling on Etsy can be tough if you don't devote yourself to it full time. I have a shop (nixohandmade) that has gone through changes in appearance and items based on what sells. I think you just have to see what sells online and adjust. Tag your items well. You are also supposed to promote yourself online (FB, twitter, etc). I found I just don't have the time to do it. For me, selling on Etsy is a hobby, not a money maker. People can do really well though. Stick with it and give yourself a chance. Good luck! kristie_keely(at)yahoo(d0t)com
ReplyDeleteI've thought about opening an Etsy shop but don't know if I can make enough things to keep it stocked. Also, as somebody else mentioned, pricing is an issue.
ReplyDeleteI love Etsy shops because so many creative crafts of all sorts in one place.
ReplyDeleteYour items are gorgeous, but I think the pictures would really pop if the background was lighter. Best of luck!
ReplyDeleteI love shopping for handcrafted things online, but get frustrated when shipping costs as much/more than the item!
ReplyDeletestarsandsunshineblog at gmail dot com
I have an Etsy store, though my luck at selling has not been good. Some advice I have heard is to make sure you use up all your tag slots for keywords people search for. That way you have a better chance of people finding your shop. The other tip is to have at least 2-3 pages of items. That part I have trouble with, as I tend to have 2-5 items max up at one time.
ReplyDeleteThe baby doll wipes are super cute. When looking at a Etsy blog one of the things I look at is shipping. If the seller refunds any extra that is a plus for me and I am more likely to purchase. I also like listings that have several photographs.
ReplyDeleteWhat makes me buy an item is the uniqueness of the item and the craftsmanship of the item.
ReplyDeleteI think the items in your shop are adorable!!! I would definitely do more advertising, perhaps give away discounts and giveaways on Facebook? I tend to impulse shop and buy a lot just from sales on Facebook! Hope that helps! :) Thanks for the wonderful giveaway! I wouldn't mind if the scraps were wrinkled :)
ReplyDeleteI don't have comments on your shop in specific (I'm one of those no kids, no kids around me types), but I've been trying to think about what makes me like particular shops. I always like shops that have unusual items - not just the same fabric or tote bags or journal covers as everyone, but the hard to find or specially equipped or completely out of left field. I do always check shipping - I'm in Canada, so if someone charges me $13 to ship something I know will fit in a small sized envelope (~$5-8 shipping) that always turns me off (unless they also say they're refund shipping overages). I guess there's a lot that adds in what makes a shop worth shopping at.
ReplyDelete(clumsy.chord(at)gmail.com)
I have a shop and also buy a lot from handmade sellers. I think the first thing is a really nice photo. That is what catches the eye and holds it. Once there I look for what the item is and also how I can use it. Price is a consideration but so is customer service.
ReplyDeleteSales, and clear photos, and short, concise product explanations usually attract me! Best of luck!
ReplyDeleteI love to see pretty pictures - we're very visual! I think those dresses are beautiful. I find new shops when people comment on other blogs.
ReplyDeletePrice is what will get me to buy - but that said, if there is a really interesting collection of coordinated fabrics put together for me to purchase in undetermined quantities, then I'm done! Makes putting together fabric for quilts so much easier :-)
ReplyDeleteI don't have kids or a shop, so I can't comment on that - but I did take a quick peek and the one thing I noticed is that it's not always clear exactly what the product is - on the "yellow and grey modkid Sydney Euro Dress Hoodie" and the "Purple and plum velveteen...", from your general shop view I couldn't tell what the products are. The name was truncated and the photo you have shows lovely detail, but I had to actually click the photo to know what I was looking at. Maybe make the names a bit shorter and put the full-item photos in front with the details if someone clicks in? Sorry for the really long post and I hope this makes sense - otherwise I really thought things looked awesome!
ReplyDeleteI have a shop on etsy myself,and pricing is something I have a hard time with too. Generally I do searches to see what others are charging for the same or like items.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos are a very important factor,since your customers can not pick-up or touch your items like in a brick and mortar shop. Having worked in retail for nearly 18 years,I can not stress enough how important Great Customer Service is... Good luck in your new adventure!
I am embarrased to say...I've never shopped at an etsy shop...terrible I know...but I am Extremely tactile and kinesthetic...I have to touch everything. But I do think that both clear pictures and a nice written description with sizes would be a big help! Sometimes photos are misleading items do not look 'true' to scale or size.
ReplyDeletesowingstitches [at] gmail [dot] com
i am a sucker for low postage. i think i probably value it way too highly but i just get so annoyed at paying for shipping that i walk away from online retailers. really, the only shops i buy from have fast, cheap shipping.
ReplyDeleteI've never seen anything like your doll diaper accessories, I think you're onto something there!
ReplyDeleteI have all boys no daughters, lots of nephews and no nieces, so girly stuff is of very little interest to me - it is much harder to find things for boys. It is probably just a wierd quirk unique to me, but I pay attention to the location of the Etsy shops I buy from. It really bugs me if a shop won't say where they are located, and I won't buy from them. I also like buying from shops closer to me, since I usually get my package faster {patience is not a virtue I have in large amounts} Also, I *love* shops that refund shipping overcharges.
ReplyDeleteYour etsy shop items are so cute! I love your fabric choice.
ReplyDeletePostage prices are big for me. Living in Canada it always seems to cost so much more to get things shipped here.
ReplyDeleteLove the name of your shop.
ReplyDeleteI like originality and customization choices. Fast shipping is always a bonus.
ReplyDeleteThat Kyoko dress is just beautiful, and the diapers with poop and pee, what a great idea! In saying that though, I am a bit of a spelling nazi, and on that page's description, you have misspelled compensated and accommodate... I'm so sorry to be picky, but it really is something that will turn me off almost anything... as I said, spelling nazi! lol, good luck with your shop, I hope things pick up soon :)
ReplyDeleteOk, you are creative. The poop, pea and wipe accessories are a great idea. I think my little girl is always bummed that there isn't a real mess in her babies diaper. Great shop!
ReplyDeleteI haven't sold anything online, but I have done craft sales before. I find that if I can keep my own costs down, then I can price the items I make at more reasonable prices. As much as someone might like something, they like a good deal better! haha Thanks for the chance to win! jgemeroy(at)shaw(dot)ca
ReplyDeleteStores that get me coming back again and again have great customer service...they email back promptly, and always friendly in their emails. Fabric is sent out promptly within a couple of days of ordering and it's nice to have a personalised card or have it wrapped nicely. It's those little touches that say "I care about you".
ReplyDeletePrice is also a factor since I am in NZ. Low shipping will win, but good sale or fabric prices if I have to pay full shipping. I always spend about $100-200 when I order online so the cost of shipping just bumps the total price up too much if I am paying full price for fabric as well.
My biggest advice for a shop is to make sure your pictures are as good as can be. It is so important for ETSY to get featured. Your's are pretty good but could benefit from being brighter. That is something that I always struggle with but it is the most important thing for getting me to click through.
ReplyDeleteerikawithak.vintage at gmail.com
I look for things that are unique and well made. Low postage helps too since a lot of the shops I look at are based in the US.
ReplyDeleteI too will not buy from a shop with outrageous postage. I checked out your shop and it has some wonderful items. I would maybe advertise/ tag your clothes fitting american dolls and such, they are very popular.
ReplyDeleteI like seeing things that are unusual and unique. Especially things I can't get in Australia.
ReplyDeleteAnd low postage (esp combining shipping etc) internationally really helps!
I browse other shop prices to get an idea for my items. I promote new items on facebook and my blog, and of course, word of mouth! My shop is GritsandGiggles on Etsy. Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI think generally a shop has to have something unique i.e. for fabric shops a great selection of bundles i like or hard to find solid shades e.t.c and also great customer service, if you feel well treated then you are more likely to go back :)
ReplyDeleteBuying Handmade is the way to go! An Etsian myself, I'm always looking for ways to improve my own pics and engage in lots of cross-promo stuff. Finding good Facebook Etsy groups can be a big help!
ReplyDeleteI think your clothes are really beautiful! My girls are a little young for the American Doll scene, but it's a whole massive thing, right? I'm sure if you can get tapped into that somehow it will help.
ReplyDeleteI don't have a store of my own. What makes a store attractive to me are clearly organized categories where I can find quickly what I'm looking for.
ReplyDeleteI would love that box! Things that make me want to purchase online products would be quality of photo (show images at their best advantage), Price, S & H cost (love free shipping), and the word discount or so much off is also an eye catcher for me.
ReplyDeleteI made my prices based upon material cost and labor. It made my prices higher than I wanted, but it was only fair to not shortchange myself!
ReplyDeleteOk, I live in Spain and I can't start telling you what pain in the ass it is everytime I fall in love with any product in a internet shop and then I look at the shipping charges. I'm not complaining, I know they're very low most of the time, but nevertheless too high for me when I just want to buy low quantities of fabric. The real problem is the lack of supply in Spain.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to win!
lauramdd(at)terra(dot)es
I haven't bought handmade from online ever. Money is tight, and I can usually make the items I'm interested in myself. (so take anything else I say with a grain of salt) Looking at your shop, the items are nice and reasonably priced. My guess is that you just need more exposure to the right market.
ReplyDeleteI prefer to have cheaper shipping or even shipping incentives when looking at buying from a shop.
ReplyDeleteI have a handmade-goodie online shop, and I base my prices on time spent (at an hourly wage) + materials. For my patterns, I base it on what the "going rate" for that kind of pattern is.
ReplyDeleteSuch a cute selection of goodies. I know my granddaughter would just love the dolly diapers!
ReplyDeleteHello from Minnesota! I do not have a shop of my own but I really appreciate when I can see many versions of a product (different colors/prints) and also when the combined shipping is a really good deal.
ReplyDeleteI don't have a shop, but I like being able to see different versions of the same item (colors, patterns, etc) and items that are cute, but I wouldn't want to make for myself (are too complicated, need a pattern, or I wouldn't be able to find the fabric). And creative things always catch my eye (I know that's rather vague and useless, sorry). Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteVery cute shop. I love the details in what you sew! I don't have a shop but one critique I have is to make sure the main photo shows what the item is. The photo for the plum and purple pants shows the precious details but since the photo is cut off and the name is so long, I had to click through to even see what the item was.
ReplyDeleteI also have a Etsy store and sells are slow. I don't have advice other then to figure out what your trying to sell and be serious about it. Then promote you site though any way you can do it.
ReplyDeleteI love the doll dress and girl dress combo, my granddaughters want be 2 until spring.. so they are getting close to that age.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, those doll wipes! Adorable!! As someone not in the US, postage prices can put me off, but as an Etsy store owner, I know that postage costs what it costs. If something doesn't have to go in a flat-rate envelope, I hate it when shops charge for it anyway! As for your stor - fans of Montessori education would love your nappies/wipes/change pad! Try and get your products out into their world.
ReplyDeleteFor me, if shopping for kid's clothes, it would be good prices, reasonable shipping, and cute fabrics. I wouldn't be tempted to buy something that looked just like the stuff I see all the kids wearing. Make it something unique but not bizarre. :-)
ReplyDeleteI don't have an etsy shop, but when shopping on etsy I am really drawn by pictures, so good photography to me is a must. The prices have to be within reason as well. Other advice I would give is to advertise in different ways, especially through social media. Awareness of your shop and having a great product will definitely drive up sales! Hope that helps!
ReplyDeleteI think something I love when I'm using etsy is when the shop owner is really easy to talk to, so you feel happy to ask questions and you get quick responses that help you out. It makes me more likely to choose that shop and recommend them to friends :)
ReplyDeletethank you for the giveaway
I love your Made to order Kyoko girls dress with matching 15" or 18" doll dress. Such a beautiful pattern! I have to say I'm not very familiar with Etsy but I should spend more time checking it out. Thanks for a great giveaway (LOVE scraps!).
ReplyDeleteI don't have a shop, and honestly, esty is overwhelming to me sometimes! I love buying from there, but I usually rely on roundups or blog posts that pull out cute things. Perhaps try to advertise or do a giveaway on some mommy blogs? Good luck!!!
ReplyDeleteI clicked over to your shop and the poop, pee and wipes set gave me a giggle. I don't have kids, but I would seriously buy that if I did. Thanks for the chance to win! akmajor (at) gmail (dot) com
ReplyDeleteI love your shop! It is very fun. I started my etsy shop last year and it has done very well (mygigidoll.etsy.com). I recommend taking advantage of the Etsy Labs, especially the Sop Critiques and joining the Etsy Success team. Just doing some of these things will help you learn what is important and how to price, list, tag and title. Hope that helps. :)
ReplyDeleteI don't have little girls so they are not interested in dolly stuff but I think your drawstring bags are fantastic.
ReplyDeleteI would try some new brighter photos and perhaps you can find a few friends who would sponsor you on their blogs and have a giveaway. Special deals on shipping are always good too. I would also do up packs of your scraps I bet they would go well. Good luck and thanks for the giveaway.
This book was a huge help to me. It answered all my questions. http://www.amazon.com/Sell-Crafts-Online-Step-Step/dp/0312541260
ReplyDeleteI don't have kids, so I wouldn't really buy anything in the shop.. BUT if I had a daughter (or a niece) I'd totally buy the Kyoto dress/doll dress set. It's really sweet and I love that it's made to order.
ReplyDeleteI look for good clear pictures and reasonable shipping rates when I shop at Etsy shops.
ReplyDeleteI love shopping at Etsy and have done so several times. Clear pictures are really important as well as a reasonable response time for questions. I don't know how to promote your store- no experience there. Thanks for participating in the Giveaway Day.
ReplyDeleteShipping costs are what I look at. I don't mind paying for a well made item, but I hate to waste money on shipping.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to win.
ktreve (at) hotmail (dot) com
I'd say that reasonable shipping costs is one of the things that figures highly for me. If I'm contemplating two or more different buying options, low shipping sometimes helps me make up my mind. winterwrens at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteYour items are very cute and clever. I would use brighter photos and maybe even bundle a few different things together like a starter kit. Good luck. I own my own business too, which is incredibly rewarding and stressful at the same time.
ReplyDeleteI love, love the Kyoko girl's dress with matching doll dress. I was instantly drawn to that. What I want to see in an Etsy shop: lots of choices, customization, reasonable shipping, shipping time estimates, lots of details in the description, easy to find what I want, etc. The key thing for a new shop is promotion. Doing the SMS giveaway is a good idea. Your blog is a good idea. Good luck with your shop!
ReplyDeleteReasonable shipping to Canada is a big deal for me. I don't expect vendors to ship for free, but when the shipping costs more then the item, I don't place the order. And, while I love to buy cute kid's clothing for my granddaughters, I want something that is modern and wearable. Patchwork and multiple fabrics are terrific for a quilt. Not so much for a kid's dress or pants.
ReplyDeleteI buy many things online. For me the incentive is seeing something very original- no problem there for your shop. Also I like that my money is going to real people. Best wishes for your new business
ReplyDeleteWhosewbusyatgmaildotcom
I'm in Australia, so reasonable shipping is a big plus for me, sometimes it's ridiculous what's charged! I also appreciate a mix of close-up and whole-product photos so I can get a really good idea of what the item looks like.
ReplyDeleteThe baby dolls wipe box is so cool! What a neat idea! Good luck with the shops. I wish I knew some kids that could enjoy something from their shop.
ReplyDeleteI am drawn to things I really like that I either can't make myself or would never take the time to make myself. I also agree with a few other people about shipping. I understand if you are paying what the post office charges and I understand even charging a little more for handling. But I have seen $5 charged to send a tiny necklace. Exactly how difficult is it to package something that tiny? There shouldn't be a goal of making a large profit off the shipping.
ReplyDeleteit is very important to reply promptly~ i have shopped online for a few times and it is very annoying when the seller didn't reply asap~
ReplyDeletep/s: the kyoko dress is really lovely!
audrey_jiajia@msn.com
You have so great products but I would work on better pictures to post. Love the little girl dress with a matching doll dress. eatkin85(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI sell on etsy and I have found that working on my tags and titles does more good than any promoting! Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeletefree shipping is always a winner for me. good and quick customer service helps loyalty
ReplyDeleteradiyas(at)gmail(dot)com
I have a shop too, and I'm finding it challenging as well. So I'll be reading through the comments to see if I can find some help as well! :) Good luck, and thanks for the chance!
ReplyDeletePostage is really important to me - especially when buying from abroad.
ReplyDeletewhat makes a store one of your favorites?
ReplyDelete- recommendation by friends, exact information on the shipping, replies to questions, ideas
what makes you really just 'have to have' something you see on Etsy?
well there is not really anything I need - my upbrining was very matter of fact - if you don't need something you don't buy it but save your money till you really need it. So it's really hard for me to buy things just because I see them...
What is the best incentive for buying - low postage, price, customization?
well I'm usually a "support-buyer" so tell me why I need to buy somehting from you and I'm likely to find somehting I can use
[now ust in case you are thinkong about doing that now - I'm in the EU so I pay a ton on shippign if I buy international and run into trouble with the custom tax if I buy a lot - so please don't tell my why I should buy somethign from you]
I feel like there are so many people making kid-related items that sell for cost of materials that it's hard, unless you've got something really unique, to price it for what it's worth.
ReplyDeletethe shops that have great pics and good prices are ones i shop at most often, and make sure shipping isnt too high,
ReplyDeletewell I have boys so I'm not up much on dolly stuff. But I did literally lol at the poop and pee! so cute!! :) (can you tell I have boys lol they are rubbing off on me!)
ReplyDeletexoxo melzie4boyz@aol.com