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

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

Weekly Featured Seller: CreatedbyJulia

I first met Julia in the fs chat room. I was browsing through her shop, and really loved her work! So, I asked if she would like to be featured on my blog, and she accepted! Here is the interview

How did you hear about Etsy and when did you start?
My friends and family have always tried to convince me to start selling my jewelry online, but I always thought that it would not sell. Eventually, I found Etsy and I thought that it was the perfect place to sell my jewelry. I only started my store a few weeks ago, so everything is new to me. But I have sold two piece of jewelry- which is encouraging.
What is your inspiration?
My inspiration comes from the colors, textures, shapes and designs around me. Most of the time my jumping off point is the beads that I use. I try to find beads that are one of a kind. The coolest beads I have come from a bead store called the Bead House in Bristol, RI. I love their beads because they have unique colors and shapes and (I know this sounds weird) the beads have their own personality.
Do you have another job? How do you balance that and your Etsy shop?
I do not have a job, but I am still in school. So, once school starts I will have to learn how to balance between my Etsy life and my school life.
When did you start to craft?
I started making jewelry about 5 or 6 years ago. My parents gave me a jewelry kit and I remember loving it instantaneously.
What market is your shop geared towards?
Since I just started a few weeks ago, I am not exactly sure what market my jewelry is geared towards. However, I feel like that my market is for the everyday women.
Words of Wisdom from Julia:
My “words of wisdom” are to PROMOTE! I know that this advice is reiterated over and over again, but I feel that it is the most helpful piece of advice. Get yourself and your product out there- there is no harm in trying!
Love your shop! Where else can we find you?
Right now the only other place to follow me is on twitter, but I am hoping to start up a facebook account or my own blog. I will keep you informed :)

KatieOswaldOriginals=Awesome Artist!

So for my sister's birthday, I got her a mini canvas painting from KatieOswaldOriginals (on etsy). It is so super awesome that I just had to write about it! Katie took my totally jumbled ideas, and turned them out as a creative, beautiful, and fun gift for my sister! (YAY!) Isn't it amazing? Thank you so much Katie! You're awesome! Check out her shop- http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6178914

Picture Credit: KatieOswaldOriginals

VIOLET Treasury On Etsy

This morning I was browsing the treasuries, and came across a really nice one! I have been wanting to post a really nice treasury here, but haven't found one that I love- until now! My favorites from my favorite treasury? The All About a Violet BOW Clutch Bag is definitely in my top! (probably number one!) This bag is made by Davie and Chiyo. http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6822069 You have GOT to check this shop out! I also really like the Mother and Daughter Mosaic Eggs- mixed purples. I love the blend of different shades of purples. GORGEOUS! These eggs are made by Sigmosaics and I am looking at their shop now of their pieces have an awesome blend of the, a lot different shades of a color! Another one on my top! Check out this shop! http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6256840 My last fave. would have to be the Egplant Dot Ring! I love the simple elegance style of the ring! This ring is made by the amazing Tre Anelli. She has a really nice shop with very affordable jewelry! Take a look- http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5378226

Finally, a great big thanks to Etsy's yukabyguliz who created the VIOLET treasury! Yukaby also has a great shop with beautiful pieces! Hope you enjoyed reading my first treasury review!


XXXXXXX,
Nicole

The Shabby Shop On Etsy

Recently, I ordered some tea lights from "The Shabby Shop" on Etsy to put in with my orders! I have nothing but good things to say about these candles! They smell awesome, are packaged so nicely, and look great! Tina (The Shabby Shop) is super sweet, responsive, and makes an amazing candle! You have got to check this shop out! Many candles I have bought don't have the powerful scent they promise, but The Shabby Shop's candles are just the right balance of powerful and subtle! I burned one in my house today and my whole area smelt great! (and it looked really nice in my new yankee candle tea light contraption). Although I have never ordered one, Tina makes some really tasty looking faux cupcakes! So cute you could just it them up! ;D I would never hesitate to order from this shop!