Wordless Wednesday Floral Style

Packaging & Branding on Etsy

One of the things we learned in our marketing classes in college was to create a brand relevant to our product and then consistently use that brand. They called this “integrated marketing” – where you have a consistent image with all forms of advertising. While this is more important when you are selling soft drinks and food products, it is also important when you are selling your art/craft related items.

Here are some images of the packaging materials I use in my jewelry sales. The starting point for me was my business card. I collect fleur de lis items and wanted to use that as an art element. I felt the purple and green colors were complementary. I communicated the design that I had in mind and the cards were laid out by a friend. The fleur de lis does not tie me to any particular design or style. It could suggest a European or French style or it could just give the appearance of style in general.

I use the same logo from my business card as my avatar when using online social marketing services such as twitter, blogger, etsy, etc. When I set up at craft shows, I also have a sign with the same logo and color scheme. To prove that this “integrated marketing” works, I had someone recognize my logo first, then look up to greet me! She commented that she recognized my logo from our online communications and made the connection.

Using similar styled packaging materials helps to convey my “brand” even more. I use green and purple tissue with simple kraft tote bags. I stamped a fleur de lis image on the bags in sepia colored ink and used the same design on my kraft boxes. I tie the ribbon with green or purple ribbon, attach a business card, and it’s complete! I printed out small stickers that match my business card in case I wrap something in tissue and want to put a sticker on it. I also use inexpensive organza bags in the same color scheme.

While I won’t go so far to say that it’s “all in the packaging” I do believe that first impressions are very important. As an example, when I first considered online art/craft sales, I made a couple purchases myself to see how the process worked. One item was a one of a kind polymer clay bracelet. I was very excited to get this piece in the mail. I opened the envelope to find it was inside a clear plastic bag that seemed “used” and the packaging materials were a little dirty. Surely this handcrafted piece deserved more than to be tossed in a bag and shipped! I liked the bracelet but was disappointed in the presentation. My expectations did not match my first impression.

From this, and similar experiences, I have learned that packaging and customer service are so important! Make the buyer feel like they made the right decision to buy from you. Thank them, confirm their order, let them know when you have shipped, etc. Then thank them again. All of this is part of the big picture and is so important. It could be the difference in a one-time sale, versus a repeat customer or a customer that provides referrals.

If you have similar experiences in packaging and conveying your brand, and would like to share, I would love to hear from you. The best way to learn is from each other and from experience!

Monte Carlo Night Donation

My father is involved in a boating safety organization and this is my donation to their Monte Carlo night auction. I had a matching pair of earrings with the bracelet.

Win These Swarovski Earrings!

Visit the Ky Bluegrass etsy team blog for our latest giveaway.

Each month an artist from Kentucky donates an item for the giveaway. This month I have offered these beautiful Swarovski crytal & sterling silver earrings, valued at $17. They are one of my most popular designs and are also available in my etsy shop.

Details about the giveaway are at our team blog, but it's really easy to enter. The deadline to enter is January 31 and the winner will be announced on February 1. Remember you can't win if you don't play! So visit our team blog and while you are there, check out our talented Kentucky artisans.

New Sparkly Creations!

Visit my etsy shop to see my new creations!

First Etsy Sale

Still reeling from the great turnout at the holiday show on Saturday, I opened my email on Sunday morning to find that I had my first sale at etsy. I did a happy dance down the hall and gave my husband a high five. I have been listing my inventory slowly and working hard on promoting my shop. I wondered when/if a sale would happen. I realize it takes time and considered that maybe people don't want to be your first. (For example, at ebay I would hestiate to buy from a new seller) I was so excited when I saw the email. A pair of my holiday Christmas tree earrings sold. Woohoo!

Not long ago I made some purchases from etsy to see how the process works when you are a buyer. What I noticed is there wasn't a lot of communication. I didn't get a confirmation from the seller when I placed the order, when I paid for the order, etc. This was a good exercise because I realized how important it is to communicate with buyers. My first buyer may get tired of hearing from me, but I certainly plan to keep the lines of communcation open.

I was curious about how she found my shop. I am in KY and she is in PA. I asked her about it and she told me that she likes shopping with etsy and she had purchased some holiday earrings last year from a particular shop. Her friend wanted a pair like them and she went to the original artist and found the shop was no longer on etsy. She then did a search for "Swarovski crystal" and "Christmas tree" and found a bunch to look through. She told me that mine were the "nicest and a good buy." And because they had a green bead at the top and all the others were red, her friend liked those the best as green is her favorite color. I thought that was a cool story!

Part II

The buyer received her earrings on Wednesday and emailed to say she wanted a pair for herself too. So Wednesday night I made another pair, posted them and sold them. Thursday I shipped the second pair to her.

It reminds me of my friend Lisa. When we see something that we love, we buy it for each other. And then we buy one for ourselves too. I know if I love it, Lisa will love it too!

Featured on Bluegrass Team Blog - How Cool!

On our team chat this week, we were on a roll and brainstormed on lots of great ideas to implement in the next few months. It's exciting to be on a team that is regional, as I have the opportunity to meet most of these ladies and gentlemen. Somehow there is more of a connection. Maybe it's that we all live in the great state of Kentucky!

Corinne, our team leader sent me a note today letting me know that I am featured on the Bluegrass etsy team blog this week. Click here to take a look!

Team Bluegrass Treasury & Holiday Earrings

I just joined a new etsy street team called B.E.S.T (Bluegrass etsy street team). This team features the work of artists throughout Kentucky. Our work was featured in a treasury today. My fleur de lis earrings are featured on the third row. How cool! To see artwork from Ky artisans, go to www.etsy.com and enter "teambluegrass" as your search term for tags.

I've had a productive morning and have posted four new items in my esty shop. I know it's early to be thinking about Christmas, but I have signed up for three holiday shows and I am making them now so I'll be ready! Visit my shop at www.creativeeyestudio.etsy.com.

My First Etsy Treasury!

Earlier this week I was included in a Etsy Treasury listing for our etsy team, eSMArts. This treasury represents the work of our very talented team. Take a look! My rhyolite earrings are in the third row to the right. Thanks to Diane of MyGemstoneBox (http://www.mygemstonebox.blogspot.com)for taking the time to create this and get it posted into the treasury listings. We appreciate all your time and effort to make this happen!




Here is a link to my etsy shop if you'd like to see more!
http://www.CreativeEyeStudio.etsy.com