Jul 2007
30

Shine Your Hiney Soap Co. on Etsy Mondays

by Desirai in Uncategorized

When I first joined Etsy back in Dec of 2006 I was so nervous. Excited, but nervous. I wasn’t sure I’d get any sales. Aside from that I was nervous about how well I’d be accepted within the Etsy community. I was really interested in meeting other crafters since none of my friends are crafters. The first thing I did to begin socializing was go into the Red chat room. It was days before I ever actually said anything. I knew that I was perceived as an outsider and didn’t want to accidentally tick anyone off.

Chat room frequenters slowly got used to seeing my user name. I clearly remember one discussion in particular about CP and MP soaps. Chat room members were talking about the differences between the two types and which one was better. Since I had no idea what CP or MP soap was it seemed like a perfect time to finally say something.

I had never really considered buying handmade soap, on Etsy none the less, but after hearing the difference between cold process and melt and pour processed soap I became curious. I started looking at the shops of the soap makers presently in the room. Who would I buy from? What scent? Fragrance posed the biggest problem. How could I possibly pick the right scent without smelling it first? I knew I was way too picky about perfume to blindly choose a fragrance.

A few sellers asked me what scents I was interested in and offered to send scent samples. There was one seller however who offered to send me an actual soap sample. When most of the scents arrived in the mail it was difficult to decide. Being in the same bag caused a melting of fragrances with an entirely new identity. Perhaps buying soap online just wasn’t for me. That’s how I felt, until I received my MP Bubble Gum soap sample from Shine Your Hiney Soap Co.

The soap was well packaged in a plastic baggie with ribbon to include a tag and tie the bag closed. It was hard not to set this shop apart from the rest. Shine Your Hiney Soap Co. was the only shop willing to send me a sample instead of just a scent soaked Q-tip. I felt valued as a customer before ever making a purchase and it’s for this reason I have not bought soap anywhere else.

Shine Your Hiney shop owner Diann Morris definitely strives to sell great products while providing excellent customer service. Full time mom and Etsy seller, she confesses that making soap is a new endeavor for her, something you’d never guess judging by the high quality of her products. “I love to make soap. It’s very therapeutic to me.” Diann shares.

In addition to maintaining two shops on Etsy, Diann also frequently sells at craft shows in the fall.

If I had to choose I’d say my current Shine Your Hiney favorites include the Bubblegum and Mulberry Pear scented soap. They smell so good my shower time has been extended by approximately 20 minutes; Extra time spent just smelling the soap. The majority of her soaps are also vegan friendly for those with allergies or sensitive skin.

When asked what kind of advice she would give other sellers she said “I’m still learning about the selling and business stuff myself (never stop learning!), but I find that since it’s something I absolutely LOVE doing, it’s FUN. I would have to say make sure it’s something you love, or it will soon become “work”, and you may lose interest. Take every opportunity handed to you, and you will soon be looking back saying ‘I can’t believe I’ve come this far!'”

To purchase some of Diann’s fantastic fanny tickling soap or scented candles, please visit:

Shine Your Hiney Soap Co. on Etsy
Auntie Di’s Delites on Etsy
Auntie Di’s Delites

 

Jul 2007
29

Last Fridays Trashion Trunk Show

by Desirai in Uncategorized

This past Friday I got the privilege of attending an Etsy Labs event. Finally!! Living in FL for the opening of Etsy Labs was so frustrating. It’s such an amazing place for crafters to network and learn. I was so jealous and hated that I was too far to be a part of it, graduating from school however has changed this. and being back in NY has allowed me to be a part of something I was much looking forward to.

A few months ago Etsy Labs started holding Last Fridays Trunk Show, which are :ta-da!: held on the last Friday of each month. Trunk Shows provide a great promotional outlet for both Etsy and the Street Team being showcased. The Street Team members set up little stations where they are able to sell their stuff. In addition, there are snacks, drinks, and relaxing music. All this provides for a great social, networking and shopping experience.

Invited to particpate in 7/27/07 Trunk Show was the Trashion Street Team. The Trashion Team describe themselves as ‘a group of over 80 artists from around the world who specialize in turning trash into treasure. The Etsy Trashion Street Team is about visualizing beauty in unconventional objects and materials. We fabricate art, jewelry, fashion and objects for the home from used, thrown-out & found elements. For us, trashion is a philosophy and an ethic. It encompasses environmentalism and innovation, and respects the human creative and healing potential.’

Trashion Team members unable to attend sent in some of their designs and creations. This gave everyone an equal opportunity to participate and promote their work. To help facilitate the acceptance of payment, Etsy set up a Paypal terminal. Not only was it great that guests could pay for items with either cash, credit, or Paypal, but team members who sent in their work could receive immediate payment after each item sold.

SIDE NOTE: Since my digital camera is unfortunately still in FL, I’ve had to take pictures using my Canon Rebel 2000 SLR. Yes, that means I’ve been using film. If you don’t know what that is I’m not telling you. I’ve already been made fun of enough with people refering to it as ‘archaic’. lol anyway, I hope you guys appreciate the fact that I’ve not only been buying film to shoot these pictures, but then having to pay to develop and get them on CD to share them with you.

In addition to being seen by all the participating guests, the Trunk Show was also web casted in an Etsy chat room. The chat room action was projected onto a wall at the labs allowing for interaction between guests and online Etsy members. I got to shove my face in front of the web cam a few times so that my etsy friends were finally able to see what I look like.

I took so many pictures one person actually asked if I was the official Etsy Photographer. :ponders the thought: Man that would be cool! However, I don’t think Etsy is interested in my lack of Photography skills. lol

I also had the pleasure of meeting several Etsy Admin while I was there, including by not limited to: Rob, Anda, Danielle, Michelle, Matt, and Sarah. Such a lively, social bunch! It was nice finally meeting them all in person.

The Trashion Trunk Show was a great success and I look forward to attending many more Trunk Shows in the future.

For more information on Etsy Lab events, the Trashion Street Team, and pictures of the event please visit:

Etsy Lab Events

Etsy Labs Blog
Trashion on Etsy
Trashion Blog
Trashion Trunk Show Pics

 

Jul 2007
29

Where You Can Find Me

by Desirai in Uncategorized

With school now finally out of the way, I have been able to focus a lot more on my business. It’s been exactly seven months since I opened up a shop on Etsy and in those seven months I have sold 89 items. I often find myself comparing that number to the amount of sales other Etsy vender’s have made. Where do I rank? Am I doing well for someone who has only been selling items for seven months? or is 89 a poor excuse of a number when calculating seven months worth of sales? I’m still having difficulty answering these questions which is why I’ve been making a far greater effort to get information about Lucid Dream Designs out there.

For the month of August I have decided to contribute a count of 200+ items to The Sampler. The package I sent out included a few different types of cards and Bend-N-Sends. In addition to distributing over 200 of my samples, they will also be including an ad for my shop on their website. The ad will remain on the site for 30 days. I’m thoroughly looking forward to this and hope that it brings a lot of visitors to my Etsy shop.

During the last few months, I’ve been presently surprised at the amount of people which have contacted me in reference to consigning with them. At the moment, you can find a few of my items on HeyPrettyCupcake.com and in the future I have hopes of working with MAU Studio.

While out and about I’ve been taking note of the various card shops in the area. I thought perhaps it might be a good idea to put together some kind of catalog to see if any of the stores would be willing to buy from me at wholesale price.

Lastly, I attended the New New meeting at Etsy Labs this afternoon. Jeff was sweet enough to accompany me. We got there 2 hours early. It seemed silly to go back home from President St and 7th ave (that’s where I got my pictures developed). I felt bad as he patiently waited for the meeting to be over. I think this street team in addition to the other avenues I’ve already described should really help boost visits and sales. I’ll let you know how it goes.

On a super happy end note, I sold my first Poultry shirt today. w00t!!!