Weekly Chat November 16 to November 23, 2016

[naturepoet]

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/
* Google+ information plus.google.com/communities/112658132414010568954
* Etsy team page: www.etsy.com/pages/aaasupport
* Check your keyword relevancy in search: www.tools4etsy.com/Wall-e/Relevancy/Keyword
* 50 Reasons you're not getting Etsy Sales: www.handmadeology.com/50-reasons-youre-not-getting-etsy-sales/
* Betsi Lite: www.blugrin.com/ (make sure you click on Lite at the bottom of the screen, as that is the free edition!)
* New Category List: www.etsy.com/help/categories/seller#node-id-1250
* Promoted listing guide m.youtube.com/watch?v=zXhsyqXBWPM

Also, don't forget our promotion thread on the forums! Here is the link:
www.etsy.com/teams/21915/promos/discuss/15267796/page/157

Hi everyone. Sorry I'm so late getting this up. I was under the weather today and slept most of it away. I'm feeling better tonight.

Let's talk as usual...about anything you'd like. Ask questions, inquire about a problem with your shop, or just tell us how things are going for you. We have some great threads since the chat has gone to weekly. I think it was a great idea, as it gives us more time to check in.

I hope some remembered that today is RAK (Random Act of Kindness) Day. If you didn't do a RAK for someone on the team today, please do one on Tuesday.

[lindafrenchgallery]

HI EVERYBODY!

happy RAK day!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/130060006/vase-wood-wooden-home-decor-decorative?ref=shop_home_active_7

Everyone getting ready to go skiing?

Beach?

I am going up north, to captain's territory for ski!

They had the best documentaries about native beliefs and sweat lodges , last night on Public tv. There are Europeans enjoying the life and spirituality of the Native Michigan and Dakota tribes.

xo, Linda

[naturepoet]

Hi everyone. I think some are posting on last week's thread. Maybe I should close it and add the link for this one.

[Former_Member]

Mary, I think you're right. Also this discussion should be private, not public.

[naturepoet]

I don't think I can change it now, Alanna.

[KrochetKingdom]

Hi Team,

Mary - no need to change. At the bottom is the link for this thread, so all would see and be able to get to this chat. I appreciate your help with the chat in spite of all that you have to do.

Alanna - wow you and Pam have a lot lined up. Who will be taking care of you both after surgery? How will you manage? My prayers are with you both.

Today I thought about Val with the clock shop. Wonder how she is doing.

Isobel - what a beautiful experience. It is said that babies are in direct contact with the spirits until they become worldly. I would say he knows Peter and was bonding so to speak. I would have been in tears myself. Children are really God's gifts. Congrats on your sale and the hedgehog being the chosen animal.

Will check back in later. Have a good day everyone.

[COLDHAMCUDDLIES]

There's a way to go for The Hedgehog to make it as the UK Official Animal, Marion.

The campaigner MP for that only announced the idea last week - and as I think I mentioned - either here or on another Team! - it will be up against the Fox, Red Squirrel, Badger and Rabbit (although I think maybe the last one might not get legs, because they do get a bit of a bad press!) If that happens, I'll be voting for the Red Squirrel for a second place, because they're being decimated by the Grey Squirrel - because the Greys are bigger, and carry the squrrel pox, while not be as susceptible to the disease as are the Reds. Both Foxes (in spite of the many I have in my Shop here!) are a pest, as are Badgers in my view (because they carry TB and infect the cows in the UK! - not to mention enjoying Hedghogs as a tasty treat!!). Nature can be cruel can't it?

Hope everyone is keeping as well as possible. Got to go cut out another set of the new Hogs.

[Former_Member]

saying hi to everyone :)

[lindafrenchgallery]

MORE RAK!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/183227777/penny-pink-rabbit-toy-pink-and-white?ref=shop_home_active_2

I am so busy, that I forgot that Cris, T, captain, is from Wisconsin, not Michigan. ILLLINOIS, we go up north and enjoy! Pick our trash up when we leave.

xo, Linda, the ski bunny!

( I was trained by the Swiss ski petrol and accepted to the USA juniors! Now I just terrorize and help people on the slopes. I am so old now, those Native sweat lodges . . .. . . . yipee!)

[naturepoet]

Just checking in. It's been a tough week. Feeling nasty Monday and Tuesday. Better today. Finally got some new items in my shop today.

[COLDHAMCUDDLIES]

Sorry to hear you've been under the weather, Mary - just called in to you Shop and faved the first page for you. Hope that will help to cheer you up.a tad.

We're having snow forecast for us this week-end - really not that unusual for the time of year, but with the odd, balmy weather persisting into mid-November as it has, it's going to be a bit of a shock to all our systems!! Fortunately, got a new padded coat for a bargain price last week, and picked it up from the shop this morning. So am feeling comfortably prepared for the worst! Think I'd prefer the weather you've got Melissa - what with all that talk of planting bananas etc. Definitely my sort of climes!!

Third set of Hogs cut out, and I'll begin sewing them tonight. Hope the photographer gets his clicking fingers going, and my graphic's chum can get them to me shortly. Otherwise, am going to have to go ahead without the professional shots - don't want to lose the momentum I've built up for the campaign to date. It's still all a bit airy-fairy: now need dates and proper invites to go out to all those who've expressed an interest. Meanwhile, I listed original Mommy and Daddy Hogs on Facebook in two or three groups last night: will see what comes of that.

Thanks Linda for that extra love for my Pink and White Fleece Bunny - very kind of you! The unexpected faves are always a lovely surprise. Trust you enjoy your ski-ing - I love watching it, but was always too scared to try it. Have enough trouble keeping upright on flat ground in snow, let alone going down hill at speed!

Off now to get my evening meal, and then a session sewing the Hogs.

[BedlamSoapery]

Morning (Just) all :)

Been pretty cold and rainy here in Georgia but today the sun has decided to show up and it looks lovely out. Lets hop it stays that way!

Today marks 6 months since my first proper listing, what a ride, close to 500 sales and a steep learning curve, I looked back at old labels and pics and cringed and it really hasn't been long. Many of you in this team have helped and guided me so want to thank everyone who has helped, advised :)

[KrochetKingdom]

You are welcome Kitty and congrats on your sales. I too am learning a lot about marketing, tags, etc. and still struggling with sales. Hopefully that will change soon.

Mary - Hope you feel better soon.

Isobel - going to fb to look for your Mommy and Daddy Hogs and give them some love.

[Former_Member]

I got a call this morning from the VA. They want me to come in tomorrow and do all my pre-op stuff -- blood work, chest x-ray, ECG, dental exam, then physical exam. Then I'm to call the case worker and hopefully get a date for my surgery. Boy, when they decide to move on things, they really move! The resident I spoke with today figured some time late in December/early in January.

I also get to see my new psychotherapist next Tuesday. How many more times I'll see her before and after surgery is anybody's guess. We might only have 2-3 sessions together before I become hors de combat. I'm figuring it's going to be at least 6 weeks before I can drive. It'll depend on how therapy goes, and whether PT will come to my apartment, rather than my going to the VA.

I hope I'll have time to finish embroidering some more Christmas stuff, but part of me figures I may not be able to fill orders much longer. So maybe I'll do 2 more, then take photos and list.

And so are the days of our lives...

[Former_Member]

Hey everyone! I've taken an absence but now am back! I opened a brick and mortar Comic Book/Vintage shop in Geneva, Ohio. Part of Ashtabula County in North East Ohio!!!

http://facebook.com/robotzero

[COLDHAMCUDDLIES]

Welcome back Tony - and good luck with your brick and mortar establishment. Hope it is a terrific success. Nice to have old chums back again.

I still can't get over the speed at which you've accumulated so many sales, Kitty - and congratulate you once more. However, this week has been one in which after a complete drought, I've got two sales - and big ones at that. So, maybe, the log jam is beginning to move - and I cannot now complain! Just shows folks, especially those who aren't getting many bites at the moment, that one just has to hang in there - and something does happen - EVENTUALLY!

Thanks to a mate from another team, the first Hedgehog Family will shortly be leaving UK en route for Alabama. Now that's team mate support, if ever there was any!! Four pounds will thus be split between the Tiggywinkles Hospital in Buckinghamshire and West Midlands Hedgehog Rescue. Actually, the buyer is the person who actually introduced me to the latter establishment, because she picked up a BBC item via her computer, and sent me the link!!! She wants my Hogs for 11 year triplet cousins of hers, and we're currently discussing whether she'll take the original parents and a made up Baby - have still got some of the "prickly" faux fur, but cannot get an exact match for the underbelly. I'm sending her one of my snapshots of the family together, so she can decide. I'm hoping she'll go for the new-look family, but if she does decide to go with the Brown ones, She has admitted she's keen on the existing Mommy and Daddy versions. I proved last night that I can make a Baby in one evening sewing session (provided the musical background is suitably inspirational!!).

Heard from the Graphics guy last night that he's working "silly hours", and although the pics have been taken, he's not been able to do "anything with them". While that sound interesting, it's a tad frustrating have to admit, but when someone is doing one a favour, one cannot complain about delays in service!!! Doesn't stop one thinking about it though!

Colin the Koala has been wrapped up ready for his journey to Southend on Sea - which has been booked to begin Saturday, 21 November! I've printed off the blogs I did about his story to date, enclosed it with the parcel, and asked his new Forever Friend if - after Christmas - she could send some pictures and captions so that his saga can be written to a satisfactory end. But, ONLY if she's comfortable with the idea. So, fingers crossed that's the contents for another blog post almost "on the spike" - a journalistic term much favoured by Peter when we were doing PR articles for our clients, way back when.!

Alanna - so glad VA are moving fast for you. Depending on the amount of discomfort you're in, and how you can get Pam settled, I'd go for the early January option, because Christmas in hospitals are not what they used to be. At least, they aren't in the UK these days. Have recently heard some horror stories from folks who've suffered that fate. But it's good they're getting all the pre-op stuff done and dusted for you in plenty of time.

Marion - thanks for looking out for the Hedgehogs I posted on Facebook, but I cannot remember which page I did it on, or which group(s) I posted them on!!! Never mind, it's the thought that counts, and believe me I'm grateful that you even thought about it.

Hope everyone is ready for the week-end, or getting ready for Thanksgiving, Black Friday etc. etc. et al.

[KrochetKingdom]

Isobel - I did find the Hogs on facebook and gave them all love. It was my pleasure. Congrats on your sales and shipment to Alabama of all places. That is awesome.

Alanna - I agree with Isobel to have the surgery done in January after all the holiday celebrations and inebriation. You have a lot of prep work to get done and am glad you can get that out of the way before the holidays. Don't be too hard on yourself if you do or don't get some more bags done. Take care of yourself first.

[Former_Member]

Thanks, Isobel and Marion for the support. If I get any bags at all done, that will be wondrous. Everything at the VA went smoothly today. I called the case manager at the end of the day (around 4 pm); she probably won't call back until Monday. Personally, I would rather get it over with as soon as possible - before the holidays if possible. Pam and I have discussed celebrating Yule on Thanksgiving day. We may not have all the gifts ready to give, but it will be more interesting that way.

This weekend we're having a sale on Saturday, selling books, jewelry, knick knacks, etc. I left the announcement rather late, so I don't know how many things will actually sell. But we'll give it a try.

[Former_Member]

Hi everyone. :)
I design and create usable decoration: patchwork pillow covers, embroidered pillowcase, napkin rings, decorative banners, cup pads, gift bags, Christmas ornaments and felted jewellery.
I am beginer on Etsy and I have lots to learn about promotion on Etsy and in internet, marketing and other - if You have any advice please let me know. :)

[naturepoet]

Hi Radoslaw, welcome to the team. I will check out your shop. Nice to have you here.

Alanna, hope your pre-op went well.

Feeling better. Just was not feeling myself. Slept most of Monday and quite a bit Tuesday. Sometimes our bodies just need rest.

Wasted a lot of time at the Drs. yesterday. She never told me anything and I might as well have stayed home.

Isobel, thanks for stopping by my shop. That was so thoughtful.

Marion, thank you for your well wishes.

[BedlamSoapery]

I am loosing my mind, I was convinced today was Friday, I guess that answers why the offices I called for my other job today didn't answer.

Alanna, hope your appointment went ok!

Radoslaw - Hi and welcome, you items are really cute. One thing I would say is perhaps not photograph red items against a red top as it is hard to make out any detail.

Well I hit 500 sales in 6 months 3 days and today I am making up some gift baskets as easy gifts for people. I see a lot of people doing this so have no idea if they will sell, they are a real pain to photograph so fingers crossed.

[TerraGypsy]

Checking in because I sort of let my etsy shop go a while back ago and now I am back. Hope all goes well for everyone here.

[naturepoet]

Terra, glad you are back. I will check out your shop.

Congratulations, Kitty.

[COLDHAMCUDDLIES]

So good to see old and not so old friends returning. Looking forward to catching up with you all over the coming days. Am already late for another Team date, so this will be a short post doay (do I detect a "Hurrah" - well so be it!).

Just published for this week: not new news, but new-ish pics.

http://coldhamcuddliescalling.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/third-time-lucky-for-colin-koala.html

See you all tomorrow - keep going Alanna, but not too fast. Look after yourself Mary - and thanks Marion for Hedgehog boost!

As for you Kitty - what with all those sales, the medication you are presumably on - you've got plenty of excuse for forgetting which day it is. It's a constant bother for me!!!

[Former_Member]

Good afternoon, everyone.

Well, the sale was a major bust. So now we have to get get everything packed up to be taken the Goodwill -- books and knick knacks and other minor stuff. One person stopped by and got some nice jewelry and a good number of books. But now comes the hard part. I have to get a bunch of empty boxes for particular knick knacks and take them (empty) to the to the storage area, while still empty. They're for very specific knick knacks called the painted ponies series, and they contain the styrofoam mold of each pony that holds it very secure.

Well, any way, I've got a lot of such boxes to put in storage by Wednesday, because Best Buy will stop by then to pick up Pam's old TV. Once THAT'S done, we can begin to shuffle to futniture around, put knick knacks back. Then we can work on getting Pam''s bedroom bedroom back together, and the bathroom configured for me to come back from surgery -- whenever THAT'S going to be. That will be the real trick!!

All in all I don't think I'll be able to deal with my shop right now. By next week I should know the date of my surgery, and then I should know whether I can do ahead with closing my shop.

I'll wait until those few days have passed before deciding whether or not to go on "vacation" or not. I'm afraid it's going to comd to comr right down to the wire!

I'm afraid I havn't been keeping up with the changes in everyone's lives, and for that I ask for your forgiveness. Things have been just so incredibly hectic, especially within the last weekend! We hope to soon get news on the neurochemical disease that's been bothering Pam. She's to see YET ANOTHER neurosurgeon tomorrow, and we hope that he will be able to put his finger on what the the blazes has been going on with her system.

All you are feeling out of sorts, please feel better! Isobel, go get 'em with those hedgehogs! Kitty, you are just amazing -- 500 sales! That's incredible! I hope to be able to use the bath products I bought from you while I'm in physical therapy!

Have a great Sunday, I'm having a good day, but now the Ravens football team is on, and we'll see how that goes.