Handmade Promotional Ideas

I have been brainstorming different ideas for promotional items for a promo swap with one of my Etsy Teams. I have been really struggling with this since it's my first time doing something like this, and have been at a loss for something to create. I want it to be something handmade and that reflects what I create in my shop. After a Google search came up with very little, I sat down and began making a list of some ideas. So, I thought I would share with you all in case you may be going through the same struggle. You are not alone!!

If you have some more ideas, please feel free to leave them in the comments. Would love to hear your ideas!!

• Greeting cards with images of your work.


• Embelished bobby pins or hair clip.


• Brooch/pin back buttons.


• Business card with discount code.


• Drink coaster.


• Bookmark.


• Key chain or fob.


• Pair of earrings.


• Simple necklace or bracelet.


• Handmade envelopes and cards.


• Stickers.


• Free pattern.


• Sample lip balm, cream, or lotion.


• ACT - Artist Trading Card.


• Packet of seeds.


• Sample soaps.


• Hard candies/suckers.


• Mini ephemera packages.

I'll show you what I come up with for my promo items for the swap. Don't forget to leave more ideas!!

Resolutions Revisited 2

So another update on where I stand on my resolutions. The fact that I keep coming back to them and reporting to you is helping me stick to them and continue to push through when I don't quite feel like it. Here is my original list and my update back in February. So I wanted to update you again on my progress.

5. Create a new line of fashion accessories. Well, it's not a whole line, but I do have new items! See them here.

7. Write more blog posts. - As you all can see, my homework is paying off. ;)

11. Write my 100 List. - I completed my 100 List a few weeks back. You can read the whole list here.

Stay tuned next month for another update. Are you still keeping up on any of your resolutions? (I sure hope so!)

My 100 List (Finale - part 10!!)

photo via flickr

Over the past several weeks I have been taking stock of goals, ideals, projects - life. I have been creating my 100 List, or Bucket List. This is my final installment of 10!!

91. Learn French.
92. Climb a 14,000+ mountain peak.
93. Hike to Lake Katherine in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, NM.
94. Build/design my own home.
95. Live in a tropical area/town/climate.
96. Get rid of most of my possessions and live without clutter.
97. Be in a movie.
98. Travel around South America.
99. Have my own sustainable farm.
100. Renew my passport and begin collecting stamps!!

Phew!! I'd better get to work crossing some of these off! Keep an eye out for future posts on updates when I cross items off my list.

Do you have a Bucket List or 100 List? What would one thing be on your list?

My 100 List (part 8)

I am making my 100 List (Bucket List). These are my next 10. Stay tuned for the next installment... Until then, here are my next 10.

71. Visit Egypt, see the Pyramids and other stops along the way.
72. Travel to outer space.
73. Go skinning dipping.
74. Go bungee jumping.
75. Ride in a gondola in Venice, Italy.
76. See Niagra Falls.
77. Kiss in the rain.
78. Go to a drive-in theatre.
79. Sit in the hot springs in northern Honshu, Japan with the snow monkeys.
80. Take a scenic train ride.

Do you have a 100 List (Bucket List)? What is one thing from your list?

My 100 List (Part 7)

Ok, moving right along!! Here is my next installment of 10 items from my 100 List....

61. Save enough money to not have to work for one, or more, years before I retire.
62. Run a 5k. DONE! February 12th, 2011 Cupid's Chase, Santa Fe, NM.
63. Run a 1/2 marathon.
64. Become a billionaire.
65. See where my Grandmother grew up in France.
66. Meet my cousins/family that live in France.
67. Buy a 'fixer-upper' house and remodel everything.
68. Continue building my fine art collection.
69. Learn glass blowing.
70. Own a vintage/antiques shop. Online or otherwise.

Do you have a 100 List? What is one thing that would be on your list?

Before You Change Your Etsy Shop Name - A Few Things To Remember

Oh my! I forgot when I opened my original shop on Etsy almost 4 years ago, all the work that went into opening it in the first place. If you've done this on Etsy then you know what I'm talking about. But if you don't and you've been thinking that the spur-of-the-moment shop name you may have picked out just isn't working for you anymore, then read on.

I had began on Etsy in February of 2008 and entered my shop name as Marang97 since I was, and had been, using it in other aspects online. But over the last few years it's been wearing on me. So, with 2011 quickly approaching I began thinking about a complete shop make-over. New shop name, new images, new creations, new lines, new pretty much everything! It's quite the undertaking! So if you are thinking of opening a new shop, or even a second shop, read on to make sure you cover all your bases.

1. First things first - your shop name. Whether it be your actual name, a shop name, or handle of some sort, just make sure you like it. That it fits you and your brand.

2. You will also have to have a second email when changing your shop name. You will not be able to use the same one from the first shop.

3. You will need your banner and avatar, along with your About Info, Shop Title, Shop Announcement, Shop Policies and Message to Buyer letter. If you are using all the same information, then you will be all set. But it you want to revamp all these it's easiest to have it all ready.

4. You will need your PayPal account set up and verified with your bank account.

5. If you are involved in any Etsy Street Teams the admins. will need to be updated.

6. Don't forget your Flickr account. Update your profile name and website address.

7. If you have an Etsy Mini on your blog, you will need to recreate that and replace the code from your old shop. While you are there in your blog, make sure you update your shop anywhere you may have it listed in your profile.

8. Your Twitter account will need to be updated. I changed my username and anywhere that my link comes up in my profile.

9. If you have a Facebook Fan Page, don't forget those links too. Update and while you're there, let all your fans know about your changes.

10. If you are associated with other blogs or websites. For example - Lovely Clusters, Cosa Verde, Handmade Spark, Craftstylish, Youtube, Ebay or whatever, make sure these all get updated.

11. Google Analytics, if you have it, can accommodate several sites. I have my old site still receiving hits and now my new site. I am always interested where people are finding me.

12. Of course, one last thing I did on my old shop page was to put a link to my new shop page, and vise versa (click on the links to see examples on those pages). I wanted to make sure people knew I am an established shop with perfect feedback. Also all of your sold items still are up on your old page and this will let people know what you've done in the past and possibly what you are still creating.

You should be set to go now. After having my first shop open for three years, I had forgotten all the beginning steps and then realized all the places I had spread to. It was, at least for me, a huge hurdle but I am much happier in my new shop! Good luck if you are thinking about doing this or are in the process!

Of course, Etsy's Storque has tons of info. A helpful article is this one. If there are any other things that you think I may have missed, please post to the comments.

Resolutions

sommerwithano on Etsy

It's that time of year and everyone seems to be asking the same thing - "What's your New Year's Resolution(s)?" Resolutions seem to be ways to make yourself better, happier, more well-rounded. So why do we always put them off or ignore them completely? Or not make them at all? Why do we tend to wait til the first of the year to make them, or try to, into a realization?

Maybe because it's the new year, a new beginning, rebirth.

My 2010 was full of stress, grief, loss, unhappiness, drama and all around somewhat unproductive at its worst. At its best - thrilling, full of self realizations, growth, love, and warm pleasent days. So for 2011, an actual list. Written out. Published. Let's get to it....

1. Run a 5k in Feburary and a marathon with my brother.

2. Redo my Etsy store.

3. Take more photographs.

4. Cook more.

5. Create a new line of fashion accessories.

6. Be a vendor at a Art & Craft Fair.

7. Write more blog entries.

8. Take a class.

9. Smile more.

10. Create, create, create.

11. Create my 100 List.

12. Get another tattoo.

13. Make more art.

14. Call my family more.

15. Sew more clothes.

Do you make New Year Resolutions? What's one of your's?