AAA Cafe' Daily Chat 08/08/2014

[NaturalClocks]

Welcome to new members, welcome back to returning teammates! If this is your first time here - this is a place to ask questions, share your most embarrassing secrets, or just chat about the slow and boring bits of your day…we want to hear from you!!

Be sure to check out the discussion board. There are games to be played and threads to explore. The more you promote your fellow team mates, the more you get promoted, so be sure to participate on a daily basis. Check out our blog and our Facebook page, as well as the other links provided below.

IMPORTANT LINKS:
* Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/301427606658253/
* Etsy Calculator: salecalc.com/etsy
* Etsyology: www.etsyology.net/
♥ Online Photo Programs: fotoflexer.com/ or www.picmonkey.com/
treasurypin.com./ and editor.pho.to/
arwmedia.net/tools/pixlr_express.php
* Etsy Craft Tools: www.mycrafttools.com/
* Etsy Gadget: www.estygadget.com
* Craftopolis -Edit multiple listings: www.craftopolis.com/#com=ee
* Etsy Banner Maker: bannerfans.com/banner_maker.php?bnew=1&pses=1a256d05
* Craftcount - craftcount.com/teritory.php
* Google+ tutorials blog.kissmetrics.com/personal-google-plus-account/ and moz.com/blog/tips-to-use-google-for-s
* Chrome Treasury Box: brittanysbest.com/treasurybox-chrome-extension/

Good morning team!

It looks like I may have an early finish at work today, some heavy thunderstorms should arrive mid afternoon if BBC Weather proves to be correct. Uhm, hopefully I'll be able to park as close as possible to the shop, Blake does not like getting wet lol!

Talking of weather, Dona posted this link last night on yesterday's chat: http://blogs.marketwatch.com/themargin/2014/08/07/brace-for-a-september-polar-vortex/ . Dona, I took the liberty to repost it in case you forget. I hope for you guys, and for our Canadian friends too, that this won't be right, nothing looks good on that map!

Isobel, nothing ever goes smoothly with a move, I feel for you. The positive thing is that it'll soon be over and in a couple of months you can look back and smile.

Sara suggested we discuss organising our shops "how you decide what will be on page 1, 2,etc? Do you put like items together, organize by color, season, theme? Of course this is dependent on what test you are currently in if you can rearrange your items"

Good question, as I've never made my mind up completely on what's the best way of doing it. I've settled on this method personally: the first page shows a selection of my clocks, i.e. a row or 2 of driftwood, one of wool clocks, one of leaves clocks, etc... And it repeats on page 2 and 3, but in larger quantities for each kind of clock, if that makes sense.. The last pages are dedicated to all the watches together and all the pendants and necklaces together.

Saying this, I've been in test mode on and off for the last couple of months and even though we can now rearrange our shops, I very rarely feel incentivated enough to go and rearrange whenever I list or sell something. I did so a few days ago when I had a break from the test, but it's hard to keep on top when it's not staring at you! It's just extra work when you have to access a different page to see what your shop actually looks like.

One thing I find very appealing to the eye is when pages are colour co-ordinated, and that works best with jewellery makers, but of course one rule doesn't fit all, it all depends on what we sell.

Have a great day everybody!

[NisesNostalgia]

Good morning and it definitely is early morning for me!

When my shop was smaller and more manageable, I used to organize it quite regularly. Now I never do. I just try to list new items that will fit in color wise with the items I am renewing. My items usually only stay on the first page for a day or two at the most. I did notice that there is no rhyme or reason to what sells though. I'm just as likely to sell from page 37 as I am from page 1!

With vintage, most customers are looking for a very specific item though and are more likely to browse a section than view my entire shop.

Heading back to bed!

[Former_Member]

Good morning everyone -

I usually organize my shop with the wood listings first and try to group them together. So, mantels and then my clock and then coat and hat racks. Then on the other pages would be my jewelry, paracord and crochet items. I do not group colors together but I do group items together that go together. Then if something is renewed, sometimes I leave that or those items on the front page for a little while just so people know it is available and then rearrange the shop to put them back in with the coordinating items.

Stay safe in the weather today Val and anyone else that is under bad weather as well!

[Former_Member]

Good morning, everyone!

It's supposed to be a gorgeous day today, with temps in the low 80s and low humidity. Dona and Val, that weather forecast map looks hideous! Snow in December and January? Bring it on! Maybe we'll have a white Christmas!

I got two Halloween bags done yesterday. I'll do another couple today, then finish them this weekend. Here are some of the other designs I just posted for Christmas:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/198981508/the-first-noel-tote-bag-christmas-gift
https://www.etsy.com/listing/198964796/poinsettias-tote-bag-christmas-gift
https://www.etsy.com/listing/198979170/joy-to-the-world-tote-bag-christmas-gift

I'm unable to rearrange my shop at the moment because of the test. But because I relist so often, rearranging sort of loses its purpose, so I don't do it that often. I wish we could rearrange within sections; that would make more sense to me.

Have a great day, everyone!

[homecraftframing]

Val, thanks for posting that Polar Vortex link for me. I am not looking forward to this coming winter. We have had a cooler Spring and Summer and I think the vortex has been around since the winter. Since most weather is cyclic, I think we are in for a rough winter. All the winter crochet and knit sellers might have a better season this year.

I accidently hit post.

[homecraftframing]

Alanna, Lovely Totes you made for Christmas. I could not agree with you more that it would be easier to rearrange our shop sections that the entire shop. You need to send the powers to be this lovely suggestion. It would make life easier on all of us.

As for rearranging my shop, I put my best seller first and for the featured area I put my newer items on the items I want to get more exposure. I had a busy day yesterday and it is going to be another day like yesterday. It is suppose to rain today and we could use it. It seems like it is all or nothing around the Northern Kentucky Greater Cincinnati area.

For the folks who do not like to be in the test, clear your browsing history/cookies. If you are using Google Chrome, go to Tools, the Click on Browsing Data, when the box pops up Click on All Time. Then all you need to do is refresh your page and you will be back to the old format. I do not have time to run my business and play games with Etsy's IT department. They need to do this on all the shops of Etsy employees who do not have the time to sell. By the way, I am not an Etsy employee. LOL!!! Once they get all the bug ironed out, I am sure the customers will be happy that they can use their phone to buy off of Etsy. I hope they are smart enough to have Norton, McAfee or whomever protecting their phones. The clowns are getting more savvy with their hacking expertise.

I have to get Bailey out of bed and get my day started. Have a Great Day Everyone!

[DerBayzVintage]

Hi everyone, I am sorry to be gone so long, I am adjusting to the medication and it seems to be a little overwhelming. Today marks the start of my MS Fundraiser. Here are the four items that I listed today. I am scared and nervous, I hope they do well:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/199207891/3d-printed-hamsa-internation-symbol-of?ref=shop_home_active_1

https://www.etsy.com/listing/199198516/3d-printed-key-chain-cure-ms-multiple?ref=shop_home_active_2

https://www.etsy.com/listing/199199382/3d-printed-key-chain-ms-support-ribbon?ref=shop_home_active_3

https://www.etsy.com/listing/199198784/3d-printed-christmas-ornament-ms-support?ref=shop_home_active...

[DCArtandPhotography]

Morning!!!

I like to change up the color theme on my main page, and I rotate groups of items every few months. I cannot rearrange anything in Chrome because that view gives me the test view. However when I pull up my shop in Internet Explorer, I have the standard view and can do everything normally.

Adele, good luck on your fundraiser!!

Heres a couple new ones:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/192262020/orange-para-cord-bracelet-orange?ref=shop_home_active_3
https://www.etsy.com/listing/199142533/white-pixie-dust-bottle-pendants-pixie?ref=shop_home_active_4
https://www.etsy.com/listing/199154097/pink-camo-paracord-bracelet-pink

[910woolgathering]

I tend to put the proper season of stuff on the front page, a mix of all type items I carry, but in the proper weight ( summer /winter) and coordinate by color some.

Supplies like yarn are pushed to the back page, I try to post all baby stuff on the same page, about in the middle . But I really only arrange the front page.

I do get behind when I am busy relisting.

two new items today
https://www.etsy.com/listing/199222441/wool-neckwarmer-autumn-scarf-cowl-black?ref=shop_home_active_...

https://www.etsy.com/listing/199215145/crochet-slouch-hat-black-white-tam?ref=shop_home_active_3

and a relist


https://www.etsy.com/listing/171672791/crochet-red-scarf-neckwarmer-cowl-collar?ref=shop_home_active...

[Former_Member]

Evening :)
I try and keep all my stuff in seasons, so at the moment the summery stuff should be on the front page with wintery stuff further back, although it has gone a bit out the window with all the tests, tbh I don't even know if I can rearrange atm and haven't got time to check on my flying visits in lol! Within the seasonal items I try and group things with adult together and baby together and then into hats scarves etc, finally I put the similar colours within each mini section together...fairly complicated but it makes sense to me lol!
Adele your new MS items look awesome!! I'm sure you'll sell plenty :)
That weather system looks awful! I'm really hoping it stays on the other side of the Atlantic, sorry guys :(
Talking of weather we had a horrendous thunder storm here early afternoon, but it's all cleared up now.
Well I'd better get back to knitting, I've nearly finished the custom bonnet, so next up is a set of booties and mitts that the customer wants baby's initials embroidered on...never done this before so will be interesting to say the least lol!

[ItsSewYouDear]

Hello all!

Faved all the new listings. Adele, best wishes with your fundraiser.

I try to have the front page to show examples of the variety of things I make to sell arranged by rows. One row has makeup bags, one key fobs, one owl purses etc. I don't know how effective that it, but I love the look!

Listed a new item today:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/199222856/personalized-polka-dots-lanyard-id-badge

Happy Friday all!

[RedRiverValley]

Good Afternoon

I have been busy at my day job. We discovered a leak in the ceiling yesterday that we thought was the roof but has now been discovered to be the siding on the building rotting away, so I have been dealing with contractors and construction companies and trying to keep everyone in the loop.

Thanks Val for discussing the arrangement of shops today. It is something I have been playing around with and can't find a look I like for my stuff. I like everyone's idea of doing a mixture on the front page but keeping rows of items similar. I might play around with that idea. I try and keep things seasonally organized too. I have all my Valentines Day and Easter stuff on the last page and all the patriotic items on the front page through Labor Day.

Adele your MS items look great. I wish your much success with your fundraiser. I still can't wrap my head around the idea that you made the fabulous items with printer! Very neat!

[Former_Member]

I swear those storms happen every year!

As for arranging my shop, it is quite small so I haven't started with it yet. When I am at a full page I will definitely start rearranging my items. Not sure how yet though!

I am delayed another day in posting my new items and normally the weekends are busy for me so I don't know if I'll have them up until Monday!

[COLDHAMCUDDLIES]

Hearted everyone listings before me today. Definitely a variety, but beautiful! Well done to you all!

As for arranging the Shop, did try at the beginning of the year to try and keep all the Rabbits together, then the Bears and so on. Then came the need to renew some of them, and they all went out of order! Then on came all the tests, so have given up for the time being! When I'm at the other end of the move, and have been able to attend to all the retagging etc. that got interrupted in May - when it was just getting going - maybe I'll look at rearranging things again.

Do like the suggestion about arranging them in sections. Make sense to me - but probably not complicated enough for the Etsy techies!

Had a less stressful day today, but didn't really get as much done as I wanted to. Tomorrow should be better and Sunday, when it's supposed to be raining all day, I'll be able to do the last of the stuff I'd targetted as being my responsibility! Must remember to turn off the fridge after lunch though to give it time to defrost before the move.

Just going to read up the weather forecast. I can imagine what it's going to say though!

[NaturalClocks]

Well, not a drop of rain at the end! It's the second time in a month that they are forecasting Armageddon for this corner of Britain and then nothing happens. Not that I'm complaining of course...!

Good luck with your MS items Adele! It's just amazing that they come out of a printer!

I've made myself a photo clock with an Herdwick sheep at the end lol. That photo has a sentimental value (and it sells well as desk clock and also mugs and postcards that we've had printed for the brick and mortar) as it was taken by Paul a few years ago. Paul spent about 15 minutes following that sheep around with his camera on the mountain side and when he turned to come back to the car that sheep started bleating and followed him to the side of the road and kept staring at us! She probably wanted to adopt us!

Off to finish some more clocks to take to the shop tomorrow and then off to bed.