My Monday...New Creations!

Hello Readers,

This week's My Monday post is an update on Four Elements Design.  What we have been up to?  Where we are heading?  F.E.D.'s future plans?  2010 has been a whirlwind personally and professionally.  Saying that we like the challenge!

Last week I had the pleasure of making some new lampwork beads just because I wanted to.  I love that.  No deadline.  No custom order demands.  Making beads with absolutely no requirements allows me a freedom to just create.  I can enjoy the way they turn out, good or bad, and learn from the experience.  It is very freeing.  We made five new bracelets.  I will include a few pictures with this post!

Four Elements Design or F.E.D. for short has really taken off.  Etsy may be slow, but I have had numerous requests for custom work.  So rather than getting discouraged that my Etsy sales aren't growing I am looking at it as a way of advertizing.  People are seeing my designs, liking them, and requesting custom work which equals business.  I'll take a purchase any way I can get it!

At F.E.D. we are continually looking at fresh ways to encourage our business to grow.  Having said that, integrity and originality are always a must.  We have had requests to design jewelry for weddings.  We have had requests to carry our designs in stores.  I am so honoured by the support and appreciation for what I create. 

2010 really has started out with a bang!  We look forward to keeping that momentum for the rest of the year!!!

As always, thanks for reading,

F.E.D.

Tip of the Week...Etsy Canada

I am not shy about promoting other Canadian Etsy Seller's.  I love to put them in the spotlight with Feature Friday and my Favourite Things posts.  That being said, I also support all artists across the world that promote handmade. 

I came across Etsy Canada on the creator's blog and was immediately intrigued.  What is Etsy Canada?

"Created on November 2, 2009, the motivation behind this site was to have it serve as a meeting space for Canadian crafters seeking advice, and inspiration. Although this is not a formal team, Etsy artists can easily find other Etsians locally and nationwide to band together and promote their work. You don't have to be Canadian to join this site as we welcome buyers and friends of Etsy Canada! Promotions will mainly focus on Canadian sellers only, but the blog is for anyone who is a member:)"


If you are looking for a new way to network, are seeking advice, or just want to see who else is out there check out Etsy Canada today!

http://www.etsycanada.ning.com/

The Week in Review...January 31 - February 5

Another week has passed.  Where does time go?  Four Element's Design has had a busy week.  We have been ran off our feet in our personal life, but also had some firsts with our small business.

This week we had a huge request on facebook for custom work.  We were asked to design jewelry for a wedding party.  What an honour that was.  We are looking forward to the challange.

Even though life other than jewelry making has been crazy busy we found time to make some new lampwork beads.  It was a major success.  The beads turned out amazing.  I can't wait to post the pictures of the bracelets I made!

Our scheduled Feature Seller was unable to submit her entry for personal reasons.   My life is best described as an organized gong show, so I completely understand.  I look forward to the feature in the weeks to come.  Sorry to the readers for not having a prepared feature.

We put January and our Internet experiment behind us.  February is all about our fans.  Reaching out to see what the consumer wants from F.E.D.  We are looking forward to a productive month, with many more firsts!

Hope you all had a great week as well,

F.E.D.

Supply & Demand...Stones & Findings

Stones & Findings offer premium wholesale jewelry components.  To find out more visit their website at:

http://www.stonesandfindings.com/

Or if you are in the Toronto area stop by their Showroom located at:

55 Queen St. East

Suite 705A

Toronto, Ontario

M5C1R6

Favourite Things...I Heart You!

Yippee, it is Favourite Things time again!  I look forward to every Wednesday.  Too bad it only comes once a week.  With Valentine's Day just around the corner, we are focusing on hearts this week.  This collection is not your typical Valentine's merchandise and that is why I love it.  Enough about that, here they are...my I heart you favourite things!

Garden House Boutique's Valentine's Day Travel Mug is the perfect way to start your day with style!  The description says, "Wake yourself up in the morning with fresh coffee in a fun mug." What a great surprise for your special someone.  Include a gift card from their favourite coffee shop and earn extra brownie points!  To get your very own mug go to http://www.gardenhouseboutique.etsy.com/.

How cute is this Personalized Valentine's Baby Hat!!!  It doesn't hurt that the baby is absolutely adorable!  The Cotton Cupcake Shoppe has everything you need for your baby's 1st Valentine's.  It really is the perfect way to celebrate love.  To visit their shop on Etsy go to http://www.cottoncupcakeshoppe.etsy.com/.

This necklace from Pretty Little Me's shop is not your average cutesy Valentine's jewelry.  The pendant reads, "I carry your heart" and is accompanied by a heart locket with room for two pictures.  I must admit it melted my heart when I came across it!  To get this necklace for your special someone go to http://www.prettylittleme.etsy.com/.

How sweet are these little heart scrubbies?  Now not only can you give the gift, but you can make it yourself.  Laura's Left Hook shop offers the pattern to make these cute heart scrubbies.  Head over to http://www.lauraslefthook.etsy.com/ to get the pattern to make your Valentine's scrubbie!

Thanks for checking in for the latest collection of Favourite Things.  I'm already excited for next week!

How to...Branding

How to Tuesday is taking on a challenge.  For the next three Tuesday's we are going to discuss marketing.  The definition of marketing is "the total of activities involved in the transfer of goods from the producer or seller to the consumer or buyer, including advertising, shipping, storing, and selling."  We are going to tackle marketing in three parts.  Branding, advertising and shipping as they are all crucial to the success of your business.

This week's focus is branding.  What is a brand?  Wikipedia posts, “A brand often includes a logo, fonts, color schemes, symbols, and sound, which may be developed to represent implicit values, ideas, and even personality.”  How does this apply to your shop?  Take a look at you shop name, avatar (picture) and banner.  Do they represent you?  Are they promoting what your shop has to offer?  Buyers appreciate the time and effort we spend ensuring our Etsy shop is cohesive. 

Does your shop name reflect your business?  Is it you official business name?  Are buyers going to remember it?  These are all valid questions to answer.  Be original, as your shop name is a reflection of you.  Karen21 says nothing about your business.  Karen's Kites for Kids is catchy and also informs the buyer of your business.  I came up with that name in a matter of seconds, don't judge!!!

Now what about your avatar?  No, not the movie!  Your avatar is the thumbnail photo that appears beside your shop name.  Why is it important?  That picture shows whenever you comment, heart something, place a bid in alchemy, etc.  Choose your picture wisely.  Do you really want a picture of your child grinning ear to ear to be the picture everyone on Etsy recognizes your shop by.  We all love our children, but that photo is a way for buyer to know you.  Post a picture of yourself or at the very least a clear item that is available in your shop.  Remember your avatar is what reminds people of you and your shop.  Pick something and stick with it!

Your shop banner is the large title that displays at the top of your shop's page.  This is where we get to have fun.  Have pictures of your designs in the background.  Use the font that is on your business cards.  Change you banner to suit the time of year or show off new items.  Be creative and showcase your designs.  If you are unsure how to make a shop banner Etsy provides wonderful tutorials. 

http://community.etsy.com/resources/banner-generator

So what have we learned today?  Branding your business is one of the keys to marketing.  Buyers want to know who you are and what you sell.  So fellow shop owner's lets pull up our socks and show them what we've got!

My Monday...Goodbye January!

Well, its official January is gone.  No more New Year resolutions, fresh calendars, or holiday spirit.  Also, finished is our Internet experiment.  How did we fare, let's take a look...

Sadly, on Etsy we are still stuck at one sale.  I have done everything I can think of to try and boost my sales, but no such luck!  Even without an increase in purchases I am still proud of the many improvements in my shop.  I have completed a total "shopover".  How?  We have a new banner, better pictures, and more efficient shipping rates.  Hopefully, February will bring about a second sale!

I will shamelessly admit I have been tweeting up a storm.  Better yet, I love it!  Four Elements Design currently has 66 followers.  Only nine people short of our goal.  I have loved the knowledgeable advice and hilarious tweets I have been privileged to.  Our experiment may be over, but F.E.D. will keep on tweeting!!!

One of my favourite Internet outlets has been my facebook fan page.  As of February 1, 2010 we have 164 fans!  Wow, what an honour!!!  Our facebook fan page has allowed us to interact on a regular basis with people that are interested in what we do.  In January we held a New Year's promotion and just gave away a free bracelet.  February is fan appreciation month and there is a free necklace up for grabs.  All you have to do is become a fan!

Lastly, we have successfully posted a new blog post everyday in the month of January!  Our blog format is really helping to ensure a wide range of topics are addressed.  In addition, we are sharing the spotlight with other gifted Artisan's on Feature Friday.  We can't forget Wednesday's Favourite Things post where four Etsy shops are selected for their quality items.  Blogging has been incredibly rewarding and we are so thankful for every one of our twelve dedicated followers.

So was it a success?  I guess that is for you to decide.  Each site has provided rewards in its own way.  Our sales may still be the same as when we started, but look at what we have learned along the way!  Even though our Internet experiment has come to a close Four Elements Design is looking forward to continuing on our journey, internet included!