100th sale!

So today at 1:09pm, I made my 100th sale! **Yay me!**

So, as promised, I did a drawing for a $15 graphic giveaway for sales 76-100!

The winner? beccahacom on etsy! woot! woot! gotta let us know what you want beccah!

another great big thanks for being my 100th sale to heartstringdesigns1!

thanks for supporting my shop! the next giveaway will probably be at 150 sales!

Featured Seller! LathersbyLinds

For Father's Day, I ordered Lindsay's manly beer soap. I decided that I just had to get some for myself too! It is sooooo great! All of her soaps are cold process and smell fantastic!
Some questions by me and answers by lindsay

How did you hear about Etsy and when did you join?
I actually just stumbled upon etsy one day a year, 2 years ago maybe, while surfing Livejournal communities like Craftgrrl and seeing the stuff people were making (and where they sold it.) I then joined to buy items, and it was only until 5 months ago that I decided I needed to make soap and sell it! What is your inspiration?
My inspiration comes from my favorite foods, scents, flowers, and objects in nature. My boyfriend, friends, and customers help me out a LOT with scent or color combo suggestions all the time. But to be honest? I crank the local dance radio station and bounce around the kitchen while I'm making soaps!

Do you have another job? How do you balance your "real job" and your Etsy shop?
I actually do have another job! I'm the drive-thru girl at the local Taco Time! (Not taco bell!!) I work a combonation of early mornings (8-4) where I open and make taco shells, fresh salsas, and other yummy stuff! Or, I close the store in the evening (5-11pm) My job is actually really fun, and we're owned by a great guy instead of a big corporation.

When did you start to craft?
I started crafting in Girl Scouts! :D I'm a proud member, and started when I was a wee Daisy! We made candles, soaps, and tons of other crafts. It really opened my creative doors, and i started crafting in my time at home. My mother taught me how to crochet when I was 10, and I got my first sewing maching for my 14th birthday. I also learned how to knit at the age of 15, but soap making always stood out as my personal favorite. I had a melt & pour soap "company" when i was 12, but stopped making soaps until after i turned 18 and could deal with the "dangerous stuff" without my mom's permission ;)

What market is your shop geared towards?
My etsy shop is geared to anyone who wants to be clean! ;) Of course, but i do make a lot of very feminine scents. I find that usually mothers who could use a nice soothing bath love using my soaps, as well as younger women who love the yummy smelling scents, and kids as well. My boyfriend is definately my biggest fan though.. I have to tell him not to lick them!

Words of Wisdom or advice?
Always offer a helping hand! NEVER bring your internal business issues to the public, especially transaction info. Karma is always coming around, so be aware of how you behave! Don't lick the soap!

We love your shop, where else can we find you?
I can be found in a few places!
Twitter: http://twitter.com/lathersbylinds
blogspot: http://lathersbylinds.blogspot.com
facebook: http://tinyurl.com/or2ogj

LathersbyLinds is offering a promotion where you can enter the code "JULYBLOGG" in the notes to seller section during checkout and receive a free gift with purchase! (This might be a bar of soap, lotion, bath fizzies. It's a surprise!)

Cupcake Finds

Here is a selection of cute cupcake finds. This morning I really, really (REALLY) felt like a cupcake, so I figured a picture one might have to do.

just the tops (of the the cupcakes) by tinetemptations
set of 3 cupcake clippies by charity5
polka dot cupcake cozzie can koozie by partypoofers
berrylicious cupcake purse-let by arkitekonika



XXXXXXXXX,
Nicole

Panda Finds

I was staring at my screen. haha. and i was trying to think of what to look for, so I came across my random decision: pandas. here are the makers of these fine items :D :

Panda Bear Hand carved Stamp-cupcaketree
Me and My Panda Original Painting- danitashop
Panda Bottle Cap- rubymtnbeads
Adjustable Scrabble Tile Panda Face Ring- steppie



XXXXXXXXX,
Nicole

MMMMMMmmmmmm....Vegan candies by SweetFritsy on Etsy!

I was browsing Etsy for some sweet treats, and came across some Vegan Cheesecake Chocolates. I am not a fan of cheesecake, but my sister is hooked, so these caught my eye. Everything in this shop is VEGAN! So everyone can enjoy these goodies! SweetFritsy has chocolates, cookies, fondant toppers, cupcakes, muffins, brownies, nuts, and more! I may just have to order something! ;D http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7143500

Purple Sentiments Treasury

Another treasury! I really like this one! My favorites? First up is the Purple Polka Dot Hello greeting card made by lavendergreetings. In my opinion, the fact that it simply says "Hello", is sorta funny. (maybe a little bit? :?) Check out lavendergreetings; they have 25% off during the month of July! **Nicole cheers in the background**

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6370517
Next are the Violet Elephant Postcards by krearivekelors. As some may know, the elephant is pretty high up there on my "favorite animals list". Check out "Notes and Sorts" on Etsy- http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5478785
My final pick is the Violet Wedding Cake- Handmade Greeting Card by matdi123. I just love the adorable cake embelishment! Be sure to take a peek at "Not Your Everyday Cards" by matdi123- http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5596958

A final thanks to EnchantedQuilting for making this fabulous treasury!


Be sure to click and comment on this treasury!
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=69458



Hugs,
Nicole

Elephunk's Trunk Guide to Beginner's Product Photography

The great Elephunk's Trunk has written a tutorial on how to take great pictures of your products! Here it is:
Step One: Find the Macro setting on your digital camera. This is essential if you sell jewelry or any other small items, and very useful for taking close-ups of details on larger items. Using the Macro setting on the camera will put your item in focus and the background out of focus. Depending on the size of the item and the angle you shoot, you can get part of the item in focus and part out of focus. The icon for macro looks like a little flower.

Step Two: Find good lighting. Most people recommend indirect sunlight. I take all my photos outside on my porch which is always shaded. Early morning or late evening light works really well. Whatever you do, do not use a flash. It will wash out your colors and reflect oddly off your product. If natural light is not an option for you, you can make a light box. I haven't actually tried that yet, but lots of people swear by it.

Step Three: Find an uncluttered background. Interesting backgrounds are great, but only if they don't draw away from the item. If you take a picture of your earrings hanging off a sunflower that stands tall in a field full of crows, it might make an interesting picture. But if I glance at the photo and can't figure out what you are selling, or can't see the earrings clearly, I won't buy them. This is the part I struggle with the most, and the focus of most of the photo critiques I get. For my hats, I usually let the wooden planks form the background. For my purses and haircombs that I don't want to put on the ground to photograph, I keep a large white piece of plastic handy. Also, think about how your photos will look in list view--the thumbnails are tiny! You want to make sure your item stands out.

Now, take the picture! Good luck all and a HUGE thanks to Elephunk's Trunk! You are so awesome (and so are your pictures!).
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http://elephunkstrunk.blogspot.com/
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6936170

XXXXXXXXXX,
Nicole