Has it been September since my last post? How dare I! I mean, gosh. Is it too much to ask to take FIVE FREAKING MINUTES out of my time to make a post?
Well, no. And yes. Truth is, I haven't had a lick of time to spend on this, since I've been spending said time on important things like video games and Facebook applications. And trying to figure out how I'm going to afford a sewing machine on my lousy, part-time hourly salary.
For starters, I put up an auction on eBay:
Selling My Give-A-Damn
Part of the proceeds will go towards Autism research, so get yourself over there and bid.
I have also, with the help of a fellow Etsyian, started a new Etsy Team:
GADS Team on Etsy
Feel free to sign up!
In the meantime, I'll try to find something cool to talk about. Yes, I'll try.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Crafter's Block - Staying Motivated
One of the biggest stumbling blocks for crafters is motivation. How many times have you looked at your work table and said something along the lines of, "Okay, I've made this thing a hundred times, and now I have to make another one!" Or how often does just the thought of making one more item dredge up nausea?
I have my own ways of staying motivated, but I wanted to get opinions from others in the field. So, I hopped onto Etsy's forums ( http://www.etsy.com ) and asked what motivates some of the crafters there.
The biggest response, obviously, is making money. Who isn't motivated after making even one hard-earned sale? Having someone "heart" your shop (make it a favorite), though less delectable than an actual sale, can be motivational as well.
But what do you do when you spend hour after hour, day after day, week after week, stocking until you're blue in the face, but no sales? How do you stay motivated?
Take some tips from a few bright Etsians:
1. Do what you love
Do you have an obsession with afghans? Love putting the finishing touches on sparkly home decor? Go with it, and stick with it! Doing what you love will always keep you motivated, because you do it anyway. And since you're doing it anyway, you can go ahead and stick it in the shop, sale or no sale.
"I simply love what I do, but I must admit that there are days when I'm just not feeling it. Thankfully, I quickly get over it." SK Creations
"What motivates me is...loving what I do." Tefillah Serenity Creative Creations
"Crochet is my therapy and my relaxation. If I'm not crocheting or designing, I'd be more crazy than I already am!" Crochetgal's
"Making soap is therapy for me so I can't stay away from the stuff for too long. I'll never stop making it." Morgan Street Patisserie
"I genuinely love to make my little treasures, and knowing that there's a woman somewhere who will eventually wear my creation just makes me so thrilled!" Wee Sparrow
"If I didn't enjoy what I was doing I would have probably said, Bye Bye." Stitch *n* Tyme
2. Try something new
If you find yourself in a rut, doing the same thing over and over again, in the same old way, spice things up by trying a new technique. Or heck, try making something different altogether. Getting your mind off the old and onto something new will help refresh your creative streak.
"I think being able to try out new designs/new colors is motivating." Ursula's Beaded Jewelry
"Reflecting on when I started...never used a lathe before, couldn't imagine making pens like I make now." Designer Pens by Randy
3. Turn up the Tunes
What better way to get in the mood than to turn on some inspirational music? I like up-beat styles when I'm making something funky, and smooth, rhythmic beats when I'm working on something classy or romantic. Find something that tickles your fancy and get to work!
"Singing...keeps me motivated." Tefillah Serenity Creative Creations
"A great new cd or my ipod loaded with tunes keeps me motivated to work and work harder." Raven Wren
4. Reflection
Groan, groan - you've been working so hard! Your store is filling up fast, and few or no sales has you down. But look at it this way - you just made all of that stuff with your own two hands! Now it's just a matter of time and perserverance (in the way of advertising and such) before those things will fly out of your shop. And if they never do, you will have some great gift items down the road. But bottom line - you worked your tail off, and it shows!
"I like to see what all I was able to accomplish after thinking it was too much at first." Mom and My Crafts
5. Relax
Whether it's continuing a project you absolutely love, or just sitting back with a nice cup o' joe, relaxation is key. Take your mind off everything once in a while. Watch tv, work in the garden, or do whatever it is you do to relax. Once your mind has gotten that breath of fresh air, you'll be ready to go in no time.
"After a day away, I was refreshed and ready to go again." Stitch *n* Tyme
Now, grab a pen and make a list of these five motivational tips. Or, bookmark this blog and come back often as a reminder.
And don't forget to visit all of the wonderful Etsy shops!
Cheers,
Jaela
Darling Gifts
I have my own ways of staying motivated, but I wanted to get opinions from others in the field. So, I hopped onto Etsy's forums ( http://www.etsy.com ) and asked what motivates some of the crafters there.
The biggest response, obviously, is making money. Who isn't motivated after making even one hard-earned sale? Having someone "heart" your shop (make it a favorite), though less delectable than an actual sale, can be motivational as well.
But what do you do when you spend hour after hour, day after day, week after week, stocking until you're blue in the face, but no sales? How do you stay motivated?
Take some tips from a few bright Etsians:
1. Do what you love
Do you have an obsession with afghans? Love putting the finishing touches on sparkly home decor? Go with it, and stick with it! Doing what you love will always keep you motivated, because you do it anyway. And since you're doing it anyway, you can go ahead and stick it in the shop, sale or no sale.
"I simply love what I do, but I must admit that there are days when I'm just not feeling it. Thankfully, I quickly get over it." SK Creations
"What motivates me is...loving what I do." Tefillah Serenity Creative Creations
"Crochet is my therapy and my relaxation. If I'm not crocheting or designing, I'd be more crazy than I already am!" Crochetgal's
"Making soap is therapy for me so I can't stay away from the stuff for too long. I'll never stop making it." Morgan Street Patisserie
"I genuinely love to make my little treasures, and knowing that there's a woman somewhere who will eventually wear my creation just makes me so thrilled!" Wee Sparrow
"If I didn't enjoy what I was doing I would have probably said, Bye Bye." Stitch *n* Tyme
2. Try something new
If you find yourself in a rut, doing the same thing over and over again, in the same old way, spice things up by trying a new technique. Or heck, try making something different altogether. Getting your mind off the old and onto something new will help refresh your creative streak.
"I think being able to try out new designs/new colors is motivating." Ursula's Beaded Jewelry
"Reflecting on when I started...never used a lathe before, couldn't imagine making pens like I make now." Designer Pens by Randy
3. Turn up the Tunes
What better way to get in the mood than to turn on some inspirational music? I like up-beat styles when I'm making something funky, and smooth, rhythmic beats when I'm working on something classy or romantic. Find something that tickles your fancy and get to work!
"Singing...keeps me motivated." Tefillah Serenity Creative Creations
"A great new cd or my ipod loaded with tunes keeps me motivated to work and work harder." Raven Wren
4. Reflection
Groan, groan - you've been working so hard! Your store is filling up fast, and few or no sales has you down. But look at it this way - you just made all of that stuff with your own two hands! Now it's just a matter of time and perserverance (in the way of advertising and such) before those things will fly out of your shop. And if they never do, you will have some great gift items down the road. But bottom line - you worked your tail off, and it shows!
"I like to see what all I was able to accomplish after thinking it was too much at first." Mom and My Crafts
5. Relax
Whether it's continuing a project you absolutely love, or just sitting back with a nice cup o' joe, relaxation is key. Take your mind off everything once in a while. Watch tv, work in the garden, or do whatever it is you do to relax. Once your mind has gotten that breath of fresh air, you'll be ready to go in no time.
"After a day away, I was refreshed and ready to go again." Stitch *n* Tyme
Now, grab a pen and make a list of these five motivational tips. Or, bookmark this blog and come back often as a reminder.
And don't forget to visit all of the wonderful Etsy shops!
Cheers,
Jaela
Darling Gifts
Sunday, August 30, 2009
"The Mail Carrier Stole My Package!"
I thought it prudent to provide this information on my blog, after posting it to the business section of Etsy (for sellers):
My dad has been a mail carrier for over 20 years, and I've heard stories upon stories about customers, complaints, and postal rules.
So what do you do when someone says, "Oh yeah, I've had problems with my mail carrier, and I'm sure he/she has stolen the package."
Okay, first of all, if you don't already, ALWAYS get a tracking number, whether shipping through USPS or another service. What is it, like less than a dollar to get a tracking number, but well worth it.
Second, if you get this tosh about a mail carrier stealing a package, send a polite message to the buyer, asking that he/she contact his/her post office immediately. He/she will want to ask for the carrier supervisor or, if one is not available, the post master. Then advise the buyer that you will do the same.
You can find any post office by zip code by calling 1-800-ASK-USPS (275-8777). Or by going here:
http://usps.whitepages.com/post_office
Be sure to have the tracking number on hand when you call. A package is scanned once it reaches the destination post office, and is scanned again as "delivered" when the carrier delivers the package. By providing a tracking number when you call, the post office can see which carrier was assigned to the buyer's route when the package was delivered.
If you have no tracking number, call anyway! The post office takes stealing VERY seriously, and they will set up what is called a "sting" to track down an inside thief. This may involve having another package sent, but, in my opinion, it is a great option for catching a thief and knowing you will be able to send more packages to that address and/or zip code without further issue.
Now, if you want to replace a package that a buyer reports was stolen by a mail carrier, then offer to send the package via Fed Ex, UPS, or whatever else. This will avoid having the suspected mail carrier try to steal another package, and will allow time for the post office to carry out their investigation. Depending on your policies or convictions, you may ask the buyer to cover the cost of shipping for the new service, or, if you want to really hook your buyer, cover it yourself.
Also please note that mail carriers will not steal packages. I say that with all confidence because all postal workers:
1.) Are part of a union. Okay, there may be a few places that don't support unions, but I'd say 95% or more do. Unions protect their workers, and theft would compromise their membership.
2.) Are vested in their jobs. This is the type of job that pays well (starting at $11 per hour or more, depending on the area and position) and can set you for life. Stealing would compromise this. No one in their right mind would compromise this kind of job!
3.) Have been at their jobs too long to even think about such a thing. A LOT of postal workers have been at their jobs for many, many years. They know the consequences of stealing and take it seriously. They could lose their job and retirement if they compromise their position!
So basically:
1. Always get a tracking number!
2. If someone claims their mail carrier is a thief, tell them to call their post office immediately, and then you do the same.
3. Once the calls have been made (or before - your choice), change services and send another package that way. Make sure it's tracked!
4. Thank the customer for their patience and understanding, and apologize for any inconvenience.
I hope this has been helpful, and I wish you all the best in your selling ventures.
Cheers,
Jaela
My dad has been a mail carrier for over 20 years, and I've heard stories upon stories about customers, complaints, and postal rules.
So what do you do when someone says, "Oh yeah, I've had problems with my mail carrier, and I'm sure he/she has stolen the package."
Okay, first of all, if you don't already, ALWAYS get a tracking number, whether shipping through USPS or another service. What is it, like less than a dollar to get a tracking number, but well worth it.
Second, if you get this tosh about a mail carrier stealing a package, send a polite message to the buyer, asking that he/she contact his/her post office immediately. He/she will want to ask for the carrier supervisor or, if one is not available, the post master. Then advise the buyer that you will do the same.
You can find any post office by zip code by calling 1-800-ASK-USPS (275-8777). Or by going here:
http://usps.whitepages.com/post_office
Be sure to have the tracking number on hand when you call. A package is scanned once it reaches the destination post office, and is scanned again as "delivered" when the carrier delivers the package. By providing a tracking number when you call, the post office can see which carrier was assigned to the buyer's route when the package was delivered.
If you have no tracking number, call anyway! The post office takes stealing VERY seriously, and they will set up what is called a "sting" to track down an inside thief. This may involve having another package sent, but, in my opinion, it is a great option for catching a thief and knowing you will be able to send more packages to that address and/or zip code without further issue.
Now, if you want to replace a package that a buyer reports was stolen by a mail carrier, then offer to send the package via Fed Ex, UPS, or whatever else. This will avoid having the suspected mail carrier try to steal another package, and will allow time for the post office to carry out their investigation. Depending on your policies or convictions, you may ask the buyer to cover the cost of shipping for the new service, or, if you want to really hook your buyer, cover it yourself.
Also please note that mail carriers will not steal packages. I say that with all confidence because all postal workers:
1.) Are part of a union. Okay, there may be a few places that don't support unions, but I'd say 95% or more do. Unions protect their workers, and theft would compromise their membership.
2.) Are vested in their jobs. This is the type of job that pays well (starting at $11 per hour or more, depending on the area and position) and can set you for life. Stealing would compromise this. No one in their right mind would compromise this kind of job!
3.) Have been at their jobs too long to even think about such a thing. A LOT of postal workers have been at their jobs for many, many years. They know the consequences of stealing and take it seriously. They could lose their job and retirement if they compromise their position!
So basically:
1. Always get a tracking number!
2. If someone claims their mail carrier is a thief, tell them to call their post office immediately, and then you do the same.
3. Once the calls have been made (or before - your choice), change services and send another package that way. Make sure it's tracked!
4. Thank the customer for their patience and understanding, and apologize for any inconvenience.
I hope this has been helpful, and I wish you all the best in your selling ventures.
Cheers,
Jaela
Welcome to my Crafting Blog!
Well, I wish I could say this blog preceded my crafting business, but alas, I already have a shop up and running:
http://www.darlinggifts.etsy.com
The hardest part so far has been getting sales. It was exciting one day, when I posted some crocheted wreath and santa ornaments, and they sold a few short hours later. But talk about false hope! I posted more to replace the ones that sold, to no avail. There they still sit, along with everything else I have put up in my shop so far.
My shop has been up for several weeks, and this point, I'm starting to wonder if I'm doing something wrong, and if it's all really worth it. The selling fees will soon be due, and a couple of sales would sure help pay them! At first I thought perhaps I had my prices too high, so I hopped on the message boards and asked around. Everyone was in agreement that my prices are reasonable, and my items are "cute."
But is "cute" enough? Who really buys "cute"? I realize that compared to most shops, I don't have much stock yet. But when your budget is basically nil, it's hard to make things that people want. My biggest obstacle right now is to think outside the Christmas box. Yes, Christmas is coming, and yes, people will be looking for decorative items.
But they will also be looking for gifts.
What can I offer that people will want to buy for their Christmas giving? I have made treasure boxes, wall hangings, and a few other odds and ends. What am I missing? That ever-elusive snag is just out of reach.
Then there is advertising. Twitter, Facebook, Google...it's all mind-numbing. And that's just online! With no extra money, I can't do newspaper adverts, nor can I afford the ink or a trip to Kinko's to print fliers. What's a girl to do?
For now, I have a Twitter account, a Facebook fan page, and of course a blog, right here on Blogger. Today I have been incorporating myself into Google's massive database. I am open to other ideas.
And that is really all the news that is news today. I have more questions than answers at this point. But there's always tomorrow...
http://www.darlinggifts.etsy.com
The hardest part so far has been getting sales. It was exciting one day, when I posted some crocheted wreath and santa ornaments, and they sold a few short hours later. But talk about false hope! I posted more to replace the ones that sold, to no avail. There they still sit, along with everything else I have put up in my shop so far.
My shop has been up for several weeks, and this point, I'm starting to wonder if I'm doing something wrong, and if it's all really worth it. The selling fees will soon be due, and a couple of sales would sure help pay them! At first I thought perhaps I had my prices too high, so I hopped on the message boards and asked around. Everyone was in agreement that my prices are reasonable, and my items are "cute."
But is "cute" enough? Who really buys "cute"? I realize that compared to most shops, I don't have much stock yet. But when your budget is basically nil, it's hard to make things that people want. My biggest obstacle right now is to think outside the Christmas box. Yes, Christmas is coming, and yes, people will be looking for decorative items.
But they will also be looking for gifts.
What can I offer that people will want to buy for their Christmas giving? I have made treasure boxes, wall hangings, and a few other odds and ends. What am I missing? That ever-elusive snag is just out of reach.
Then there is advertising. Twitter, Facebook, Google...it's all mind-numbing. And that's just online! With no extra money, I can't do newspaper adverts, nor can I afford the ink or a trip to Kinko's to print fliers. What's a girl to do?
For now, I have a Twitter account, a Facebook fan page, and of course a blog, right here on Blogger. Today I have been incorporating myself into Google's massive database. I am open to other ideas.
And that is really all the news that is news today. I have more questions than answers at this point. But there's always tomorrow...
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