ETSY

I listed quite a few new things on my etsy site.  I have been sitting on some photo cards for a while that I didn't post yet.  So I got down to business and did that last night.  I also posted a few 8x10 photos that are matted.  I am quite pleased with how everything turned out.  Now if only I could get my FIRST SALE!!!!

I know people want my products but I haven't made an etsy sale yet.  Is it something about my displays?  My price points?  My descriptions? 
If you visit my shop and have some advice for me leave a comment so I know how to improve.

http://www.nbradleystationary.etsy.com/

ETSY TREASURY

Find one of my photos featured in this lovely Etsy Treasury!  HOORAY!


YOU SWEPT ME AWAY TREASURY
Remember to look for NBradleyStationary

Day Two

Got a few hits on my new blog last night.  That is exciting.  It is hard to get your products out there into the wide world so that people know you.  Here are a few things that I have been reading about to help with this.

1. Keep all your brand names the same. 
                   Blog Name
                   Etsy Name
                   Email Name
                   Business Card name
This makes it much easier for people when they google you and you are likely to get hits in at least one place

2. Advertise anywhere you can
                    This new blog for example
                    For the old ladies at the local craft fair (make sure they all leave with your website and email.  Most of them will likely never venture there because the internet is too difficult to navigate.  But if they pass your card on to their daughters and nieces that might work!)
                    At local businesses.  I am working on getting a few of my kitty cards in veterinary centers around town.
                    Facebook works too but only if your friends check out the links you give them! ;)
                    Comment on other people's blogs and shops.  This may lead them to check yours out too.
                   
3. Do what you love to do and don't worry about the money.  Hopefully if you love your product enough to put it out there eventually someone else will love it too!

First Post

I have been making cards for a while but have recently started to sell my products.  I have attended some local craft fairs.  They are time consuming and often not very profitable.  But I have found that they are a great way to meet fellow crafters and other interesting people.  Craft fairs are also an undercover way to establish pricing.  Craft goers are on a budget and they want to get the most for their buck.  They have come to the fair with maybe a few $20 bills in their pocket and they want to spend it at as many booths as they can.  If you are competing with someone for a product cheaper is always better.  But not so cheap that they think that your product is cheaply made or that you don't make any money.  If you can establish a fair price at a craft fair you know that you can get slightly more than that on-line.  I say slightly more because you need to keep in mind that not only are there more people viewing and considering your product there are also WAY more people who have something similar to offer.

Even if you find yourself at a craft fair that is not very profitable there are always things to be learned.
      1. Meet crafters, scope out their booths and presentation of their products
      2. Check out pricing of similar products, but be sure to keep quality and profit in perspective
      3. Learn how to negotiate and initiate with customers
      4. Keep track of traffic, how many customers were there, how many stopped at your booth, how many were fellow crafters and not looking to buy
      5. Don't get discouraged there are always other ways to sell your product

Here is a recent card that I made.  I like to make cards that are white as a base because I feel like that is the best for writing on.  I also like to leave all of my cards blank on the inside.  If I customize it as a "Thank You" or "Birthday" "Holiday" etc it is usually on the front to leave the inside for personal customization.
This particular card uses a little girl stamp with black ink and a quote also in black ink.  I then watercolored the image of the little girl using water colored pencils and a blending water brush.  I liked the quote in the upper corner because it offset the negative space of that blank area and it allowed me to center my little girl.  I made corresponding cards like this in all different colors.  The background paper always matches the watercolor.

Let me know what you think of the card.
Check out some of my items on Etsy.com
etsy.com/shop/nbradleystationary