Introduce yourself!

[#1]

Hello and welcome to everyone who has joined so far! Use this thread to tell us a bit about yourself, if you feel so inclined.

About me: I am a single mom to one fab daughter, an OCD dog, a very old cat and a fish. I have been making things since I was young and really enjoy the creative process. Having my own craft/art business has been a dream of mine since my teens - it just took me awhile to get my ducks in a row and actually do it!

OK, your turn!

[RainbowLuvCreations]

hello! my name is lyzah :) I am moving to Roanoke from maine on Saturday :) im so excited to be back in the south!!! ( I moved from nc to maine almost 7 years ago ) I make a little bit of everything but I really love crocheting and making earrings :)

[NaturelMistik]

Hey Lyzah! Welcome to the team and welcome to Roanoke! The valley is full of creative people, festivals and more. You're going to like it here. :-) Safe moving!

[WildeByDesign]

Hi I'm Debbie. I opened my shop on Etsy in April, after being a member since 2012. I make handbags, totes and accessories.
Still trying to figure out the marketing aspect of all this - facebook, pinterest, etc. I have participated in the Pop-Up Art Market downtown several times. That was fun. Looking to do some other venues too. Glad to see so many local people on Etsy!

[NaturelMistik]

Welcome to the team, Debbie!

Here are some great resources for marketing and social media:

Handmadeology: (http://www.handmadeology.com)

Etsy-preneurship: (http://etsy-preneurship.com)

Renae Christine (https://www.youtube.com/user/RichMomBusiness)

And the ever growing Etsy Seller Handbook: www.etsy.com/seller-handbook

[Former_Member]

Hi I'm Tami, I design and make forged copper and silver jewelry. Switched to Etsy a few weeks ago after my website Shopping cart kept disappearing.
I'm a definite newbie in search of Etsy mentors.. Would also love to find people that get together.

Thanks,, Tami

[NaturelMistik]

Welcome to the team, Tami!

Your jewelry is beautiful! :-) Feel free to post any questions on the 'newbie' thread, or in our chat thread. There are lots of helpful folks on our team, even though we can be quiet at times. I posted a few links above to sites with lots of information, plus there are the forums.

One of my goals is regular Roanoke Street Team meetings/meetups/get togethers/cupcake socials/etc. We will get there one day, by the grace of the Crafting Gods.

The Etsy Craft Party is coming up on June 17-19 of this year. We usually get together and do something, but this year I have an event on the 18th. Fear not! Sew Biz in Radford is hosting a craft party!! Check it out: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/etsy-craft-party-sew-biz-tickets-25331248446?aff=es2

[TinkerCreekHandknits]

HI, I'm Lisa and I live in Daleville. My shop is Tinker Creek Handknits, where I sell handknit wool, alpaca and organic cotton accessories and knitting patterns. I just opened the shop in April and I"m excited to add more products this fall. I am married to Karl and we have three daughters, two of whom attend Community School and one at Read Mountain Middle School. My girls are involved with Roanoke Children's Theatre, Roanoke Valley Childrens Choir and Roanoke Star Soccer. We're busy! I've been knitting since I was 21. I began designing handknits about 5 years ago, and my kids actually liked them and wore them. Their opinions matter on what goes into the shop, and most of the time they're right about what looks good and what people would wear. Glad to be a part of Etsy!

[NaturelMistik]

Welcome to the team, Lisa!! :-) My daughter attended Community School for several years - it's a great learning environment.

[GroovyPinCo]

My name is Katherine, and I'm a high school student at Salem (don't worry, my mom helps me manage my Etsy since I'm a minor)! I just started my shop (delphinajewelry.etsy.com) a few weeks ago. I've been loving it so far! I sell my handmade jewelry, including beaded gemstone and glass bracelets and not-yet-listed wire wrapped gemstone necklaces. I hope to sell at the Pop-Up Market in the near future as well as some other craft fairs. I'd love to attend Olde Salem Days, but right now it's just too large a venue. I'll keep it in mind for upcoming years!
I'm always open to friendly advice or critiques of my shop. I've been trying my best to improve anything that seems unsatisfactory, but it helps to have another set of eyes look my shop over!

Thanks so much,
Katherine

[NaturelMistik]

Hey Katherine! Welcome to the team! Your shop looks great.

There is always room for improvement (it never ends, trust me, I know). Tags are more important than we would like. For example: https://www.etsy.com/listing/400003629/infinity-bracelet-set-beaded-bracelets?ref=listing-shop-heade... In this listing consider adding tags like: Ocean jewelry, Yoga jewelry, Infinity symbol, Blue summer, Hippie bracelet, boho bracelet, cord bracelet - try searching for your item and see what search terms are suggested.

Also, use all 5 photos - your last photo could be a call-to-action with your logo and text telling your customers to visit you on Instagram or other social media sites you have.

Lastly, here are some great resources:

Handmadeology: (http://www.handmadeology.com)

Etsy-preneurship: (http://etsy-preneurship.com)

Renae Christine (https://www.youtube.com/user/RichMomBusiness)

Etsy Relevancy SEO and Stats Team: https://www.etsy.com/teams/10713/etsy-relevancy-seo-and-stats

And the ever growing Etsy Seller Handbook: www.etsy.com/seller-handbook

[DistinctivelyDharlee]

Actually tags like blue summer will not work. Try it in a search and aee what i mean. You wont find people will be using it to search with firstly plus it will not yield results for jewelry

[NaturelMistik]

Good point, Dharlee. It was one of the suggested search terms from Etsy, at the bottom. It turns up mainly blue jewelry, which is a rather broad term! Oh ... TAGS!

[Former_Member]

Hi, I'm Rachel! I am a harpist and am getting my Master's degree in harp performance at the Cleveland Institute of Music. When I'm not there during the school year, though, I'm back in Roanoke, my beloved hometown.

Last year I started my Etsy shop, Tinker Creek Village, to help pay for college expenses and it has been so much fun! I do needle felted characters and animals, and I love doing custom/special orders. I'm excited to join the Roanoke Etsy community!

[NaturelMistik]

Welcome to the team, Rachel! :-)

[FrederickAvenue]

Welcome, Rachel!

[ShenandoahFolds]

Hi, My name is Anna! I'm a student who is getting a degree in linguistics. I have one sweet cat who likes to sit in my lap while I work. My shop concentrates on origami models and other paper crafts, which I have had great fun creating. I'm really new to selling on etsy, so I look forward to reading posts from other people and learning more!

Nice to meet you all :)

[NaturelMistik]

Welcome to the team, Anna! Love your shop name. :-)

[Former_Member]

Hi, I'm Ciara!

I'm so happy I came across this team! I just graduated from Virginia Tech back in May and recently moved to the Salem area.

I opened my Etsy shop, EunoiaMade, about three weeks ago. I produce fluid art (acrylic pour paintings) and am looking into accepting commissions. I am new to the process and looking forward to learning some tips and tricks from you all!

[Former_Member]

Update: my shop name is now AbstractByCiara!

[NaturelMistik]

Welcome to the team, Ciara! We are glad you are here. :-)

[StacieFlorerJewelry]

Hello, I'm Stacie. I am a part-time jewelry designer and also work part-time at Nature's Outlet in Roanoke. I've been making jewelry for about 15 years. I had a studio in both Chattanooga, TN and Asheville, NC that was open to the public, and have written jewelry fabrication articles in Step-by-Step Wire Magazine and Belle Armoire Jewelry Magazine. I've taught for a few years in both an art retreat setting as well as individual instruction. My husband and I moved to Roanoke almost two years ago, and I've taken a bit of a hiatus, but am actively re-engaging with my art again. I sell mostly to accounts...I've done the show thing, and if the show is right, I'll consider doing them. It's great to be here...I was invited by the Captain to join due to some conversations at my other part-time job and am excited to be here!

[NaturelMistik]

Woo hoo! Welcome to the team, Stacie!!

[FrederickAvenue]

Welcome, Stacie! Your work is beautiful!

[Former_Member]

Hi Christine- I currently have two shops on Etsy, a vintage shop "Good2Byou" and this "geek" fashion shop "LoveGeekChic". Etsy has allowed me to be a mostly stay at home Mom to my two children and homeschool my older child. I'm so happy to be part of a local community and to check out some of you all shops :)