March team chat

[Former_Member]

YAY its march spring is almost here!

[Former_Member]

Good Morning all and top of the Month to each of you!

Heading out into the cold to sell cookies with EK, ick, but yesterday was so lovely and nice that should help me stay warm (not!!).

I do hope that March is filled with sales for each of you!

[COLDHAMCUDDLIES]

First official day of Spring according to the UK Meteorological Office! It's been one of the coldest we've had all winter!! However, at least it was dry and the sun was out and it LOOKED like Spring even if it didn't feel like it.

Have been doing some tag tweaking - especially with the Baby Bunnies, of whom there seem to have been an inordinate growth in numbers! However feel they could make great Easter Basket fillers, and with that festival only weeks away, decided to put the idea further up the tag list as it were.

Been sewing madly too - so hands and fingers hurt a bit, but that could also be down to too much fiddling on the computer too! The days do go by terribly quickly. I simply never seem to get EVERYTHING I intend to do done.

Bed time now - facing an early rise to get to Mass in the morning. Have a good week-end and hope I'll be back sometime tomorrow.

[LovedOnceMoreVintage]

Happy March everyone. It's my birth month so I have a fondness for March. In fact March 2nd is my b'day!!!! Good bye febu--wary and Hello my March! Hopefully March will be a lot more fruitful than Febuary was for my shop. I was a bit disappionted that I didn't wake up to a sale this morning. I know I haven't been working at it as much as I was in the past because of the new job and all. Adjustments had to be made. I did get the whole week end off so today and last night I did list some goodies!!! The kind that I love too. Cabbage Patch and a 1966 doll and a bunny. I went in and reaaraged it for Easter too. I didn't do much for valentines day. I hope you all will check it out.

Isobel I think those bunnies of yours are going to be selling like good tasting hot cakes! I will pray your fingers will keep up for you. I hope you enjoy your Mass and have a great sunday!

Vanessa I saw on face book you went for a nice drive today. I sure hope you will post pictures. Now when I see an old abandoned house I think of you and think Vanessa would like to see that one!!! I hope you and I have a great month of March in our shops. I am hoping for some March Madness. I am thinking hopeful. I would like a few funds myself because I found out one of my cousins son's is getting married this summer and my Aunt really wants me to come see the wedding. I know she has wanted me to come and visit for years and time is a ticking. My parents are going and I can hitch a ride with them but my fear of road trips comes into play. My Aunt and Cousins live in Bozeman Mont. and the thought of the drive scares the geewhizzes out of me!!! So I am thinking the train or the jet---either one would be fine. But the jet would be the best because I love to fly and from Seattle to where they live it is so fast!!! Heres to some funds coming in!!!!

I hope everyone has a wonderful day tomorrow. I plan on being spoiled on my b'day!!!;-)

[Former_Member]

Lisa-Ill post them :) I explored this area called penitentiary bend not sure why it was called that so I looked up things when I got home people said there was a bandit cave with stolen goods
But there were a ton of old summer house looking things and a cabin there...

I plan on exploring more out that way next weekend


Oh and everybody go check out shop of the month :)

[Former_Member]

Sale Sale Sale! 20% use coupon code RAINBOWTROUT just purchase 5.00 or more coupon code expires march 21st

[Former_Member]

Happy Birthday Lisa!!!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/127037831/green-octopus-greeting-card-blank-inside?ref=sr_gallery_17&ga_...

[Former_Member]

Gosh, I went to find a card for you and I had no idea there were so many Octopus birthday cards out there, Lisa!!

Tim and I are celebrating your birthday by having a late brunch with Bacon, Hashbrowns Eggs and some Starbucks coffee!!

I hope you got to shop today! I keep thinking of al lthe wonderful things I am missing by not going, but since things aren't selling here, I need to not go shopping, dang it!

Vanessa, thanks for the treasuries!! So neat!
Might be time for me to try again, but I have a ton of stuff telling me it has to be done before I do anything else.

Allison, how has the crafting and shows gone? March is here!

UGH! March is here ~ nothing against the month, only that we are already into the third month of the year!

Isobel, I love the baby bunnies! I hope a ton get bought up for baskets.

[Former_Member]

Happy Birthday Lisa!

Judi-thank you I like looking at vintage kitchen stuff so it was fun to make :)


and a new blog post I could really use some honest opinions http://vintagetoyfun.blogspot.com/2014/03/toy-photography-give-me-your-opinion.html

[Former_Member]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LISA!!!!!!!! I hope you have had a fantastic day today!!! :)

I can't believe march is already here. Only 11 more days until my art show madness begins. EEEEK! I have been doing well keeping up with making new items. I know for sure I have more together now than I have ever brought to a show before so that is definitely a plus. I feel like I have a million more things to make though. Thankfully I still have a little time and already feel confident about what I have together. I am so glad I was able to keep to this schedule so I wasn't rushing at the last minute again. :)

Honestly I wouldn't be worried at all if I didn't also have to work, make 40 new items for the anime shop I'm consigning at, fill 3 custom orders AND make new stuff for shows this week. Seems a little overwhelming all at once like this but it has to be done. Hope I can do it!

As for sales... I do hope they pick up for all of us. Last month was pretty pathetic. I only made 2 small sales in the toy shop and only a few more than that in the jewelry shop. I know I haven't been listing new stuff though... so that's probably a factor too... but I just don't wanna list stuff knowing that I have to take all of it to the shows I'm attending, you know?

Anyways, off to start crafting! I got a long night ahead of me... sigh*

[Former_Member]

Allison, I am so glad that you are on level ground, what a better place to stand!

We have to list to get interest, I know, and I have really fallen through on that as well. That is my wish as well. Get my act together.

Been working on GS cookies all the time lately. It has been tough to organize GS cookies and Etsy, but cookies will be over in a couple of weeks. Then I can get my balance again, I hope!

[COLDHAMCUDDLIES]

Just two Treasuries I've managed to make this afternoon. Rest assured folks, this Team's turn is coming up - the trouble of having teams listed in alphabetical order! Everyone on ALL the teams I'm on have been so supportive over these last 4 years of my NOT making any, that it's taking me time get round to saying thanks to you all.

https://www.etsy.com/treasury/OTAyNDU3MnwyNzI1ODAyOTQy/green-gold-here-comes-springtime?index=1&atr_...

https://www.etsy.com/treasury/OTAyNDU3MnwyNzI1ODAzMTc0/springtime-just-bring-it-on-please?index=0&at...


Two slippers read for the heads to go on. Two more to make. So must away to get them done and then do another blog post. It's just never ending, isn't it!

Hope the GS cookies are going well Judi. Given all your effort, I sure hope it's all worth it and thoroughly appreciated. Remember when I was a GG commissioner in Canada the annual sale period was a nightmare! Seems like it has not improved any.

Be back soon.

[Former_Member]

Isobel, i think they are still locked~

Typed a long post and forgot to post it before I left the page... argh!

The girls are doing great in sales and I am hoping that we can give nearly the same amount of boxes to our charities that we have in the past, but not sure we will be able to pull it off.

Really tired, going to go curl up with a hubby and warm blanket!

[Former_Member]

Hello,
I'm new to your team and I am enjoying it Thanks for all of you who have been sharing those red hearts with me! I've been doing the same. I've been cranking away putting my collection here on Etsy and I've had some good success so far. I have hundreds of items yet to list and I just hit 400 listings tonight.
Thanks for the support!
Brian

[LovedOnceMoreVintage]

Welcome to our team Brian and best wishes to your shop--may you get a lot of great sales!!!!

Thank you for the B'day wishes everyone. I loved the card you posted for me Judi!!! I had a wonderful---my type of B'day!!!! A lot of happy b'day wishes from my friends on face book and tex messages. I got I call from my Mom--Aunt and my lovely daughter Shannon. Its in the works for me to go to Montana for my cousins son's wedding this summer. I haven't been there for close to 35 odd years or more!!! I haven't seen my cousins in ages. One of them found out she has colon cancer and is being treated for it now. I am so worried about her. Something in my heart tells me I need to get over there to see her no matter what. My Aunt asked my Mom to ask me if I would come and how could I say I couldn't make it there this summer. I will just have to take time off from work even though I don't think I will get vacation time yet. I figure I could fly and stay just a couple of days at least. My two cousins are the closest people I have to sisters since I don't have any. I got to outlet shop on my birthday---even though the sales in my shop are soooo slow. It makes me sad. February was more like Feb-u-wary!!! I am hoping March will pick up here. I will jump for joy if I get a sale. I guess it will make me appreciate them and not take it for granted right?

I was suppose to have to have tomorrow off but the store director asked me if I could fill in the deli tomorrow. I have a hard time saying no to her because she treats me so nicely and she works harder in that store than anyone!!! I have a lot of respect for that. Well I had better get to bed here soon. Up early in the morning.

Let March begin!!!!

[COLDHAMCUDDLIES]

Judi - you're quite right: the Treasuries were locked, but they're not any longer. It's funny, but some folks managed to read them the way they were, and others, like you, didn't. Don't understand it. But no worries - I've still got my L plates on with these darn things.

Blogged today at www.ColdhamCuddliescalling.blogspot.com/An Old Friend returns - . All about the First ever Patient in the Stuffed Animal Restoration Clinic. Hope you enjoy it - those of you who have the time to visit and read.

Oh, I was featured in this two Treasuries today.

www.etsy.com/treasury/ODM0MTkxNHwyNzIzMjQ2MzYx/easter-picnic

www.etsy.com/treasury/MzYxNTk2MjR8MjcyMzI0ODI3NQ/lighthearted-pay-i...

Been a busy day - and there may be an order in the offing too.

Before I go, Happy birthday Lisa - know it's a couple of days out, but I forgot to mention it when I was on last. Still - if you're anything like my two daughters, they don't mind extending their birthdays, so hope these belated good wishes won't go amiss for you!

Must rush away. All four slippers just about finished - now it's getting the heads stuffed and sewn on. Depending on when the potential order is needed, there might be a slight delay in the Foxy slippers being re-listed. Orders come first. Lady enquiring about the Brown Koalas, but wonders what other colours they come in - so have sent pics of the Slipper versions. Hope she comes back with them, as the original Bears would look good in the silvery grey slipper fabric - I've got oodles of that - and it would be another Cuddly which would then make me up to 70 in the Shop.

Till the next time.

[Former_Member]

Welcome to the team Brian we are glad to have you :)

[Former_Member]

Brian, you have some great stuff. love love love your junk sculptures
https://www.etsy.com/listing/179650917/one-of-a-kind-originaljunk-droid-5?ref=related-2

And this reminds me of Mike Mulligan ! i loved reading that book!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/129927423/hold-for-bruce-vintage-structo-steam?ref=related-15

[COLDHAMCUDDLIES]

Welcome to the team Brian - it's a fun one to be on, I can tell you, and are members are always there to help you over any humps that may arise.

Lisa - it really does sound like you're the latest version of the "gal that cain't say no!" You really must learn to put the foot down sometime: otherwise everyone will take you for granted, and you're far too good for that!

Do hope sales pick up for all us. The one I thought might come up seems to have faded away. Was asked how quickly I could provide the Koala, then in the next sentence what other colours there were available. When I answered that the brown ones were in stock and therefore could be on their way by the end of week (provided her money was in my PayPal account before it left!) but the other one needed to be made, so wouldn't be ready until next Tuesday, nothing more has been heard from said "buyer". Oh well, she may get back : on the other hand, she might not!!

Still slipper making, but its going quite well. Then I've got a whole lot of gentleman foxes and rabbits to replace. Getting very thin on the ground with them. and who knows - they may take off once they get listed in the Shop.

Right - must away for the day and begin sewing. Had an unexpected guest for lunch today (only invited her yesterday, - which is unexpected for me: I like to plan things more in advance if possible). While fun, it has eaten into my usual daily activities, so have got some catching up to do.

See you all soon.

[Former_Member]

Isobel, you make me wish I sewed more, you get so much done!!

I have been trying to get Pinterest figured out, I avoided it forever, but people were pinning my things to their boards so I decided I had better get a board or two of my own.

The interesting thing is that all my pinterest views do not seem to feed off of what I have posted... well maybe when I get followers that aren't fellow Vintage sellers, eh?

Too much to do to chat much, but the rain stopped for a bit, got a bit of spring pruning done, and saw the crocus' are out, but nothing else yet.

I have to say, I am so thankful that the economy has recovered here. EK and her troopmates are at 400 each and some are heading past that and for EK, I haven't even bought any yet, and most of our family has decided to not buy this year as well, so I am amazed and relieved. EK should be done on Friday. I will be done probably next Thursday with everyone else. YAY!

Later all!

[Former_Member]

Hello all!
Hope you are all doing well and selling? Am finding March a little slow, even my VW Camper hasn't sold and they've always gone in 1 to 2 days before! Still winter here, huge hail showers today and 60+ mph winds promised for tomorrow :-(

Brian - you are selling some lovely stuff there, and your Matchbox cars are in really good condition - are they 'doubles' or are you selling off your entire collection? These two are probably my all-time favourites :-)
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/179072463/vintage-matchbox-lesney-king-size-18?ref=related-23
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/179071913/vintage-matchbox-lesney-major-pack-no9?ref=related-1

[Former_Member]

Ewan,
Thanks! These are from my collection, Its a tough time of year and I'm trying to make ends meet. So, the first thing to go is the toys. Plus I have way too many. I still have about 200 to list, but I'm hesitant because not many are selling and I don't want to just "give" them away. I do have a lot of doubles though usually slight variations in color etc. I hope I get to keep some of them if I hit my "goal" I can, but I am a long way from that. I'm thinking of taking down the set of 75 cars I have and listing them individually, what do you think? should I? I don't think anyone will pay that much for some cars.
Thank you for all the fav's you've been handing out.
Ewan, I'll make you a deal on any that you like.
Thanks
Brian

[COLDHAMCUDDLIES]

Brian, the advice I get from Judi and others here (and on other teams I'm on too) is that it pays to list individually. It's time consuming, of course, but the quicker one gets to the magic 100 listed items, apparent, the faster come the sales. As I've yet to reach 70, I am not in a position to actually comment. But I pass the advice on - and am sure the others here will add to or tear it apart!

Sorry that the Spring hasn't reached you yet Ewan! We're supposed to be warmer than Greece down in this part of the UK this week-end. Can't wait. All the rain and winds we've been having really have wreaked havoc hereabouts, although in our village, we've escaped pretty well. The river flood plain did what it was supposed to, but a lot of ground water has seeped into basements in some of the older houses - because quite literally, the little river couldn't drain it away fast enough.

There is a funny story attached to this predicament actually. One of the house owners is apparently addicted to cardboard boxes - you know never throw them away, because "they could come in useful- sometime"! Alas, the water seeping in ruined a lot of them, and to the wife's relief, most of his collection had to be taken to the local dump! At least she now can store stuff on the shelves that previously had been blocked by said boxes!! There's always a silver lining, somewhere I suppose!

Also one of the magnificent pine trees in the churchyard was tilted at very dangerous angle after the last heavy gales, so alas, it had to be felled. A procedure undertaken by specialists without too much further damage to the gravestones. It's left a huge gap in the church yard though.

It's just lovely to see the sun again - and feel some actual warmth in it too.

Don't know what's exactly happening, but Cuddlies are featuring in a whole lot more Treasuries this week. 6 yesterday, and four today. Here are 3 of the 4 for today (I somehow lost one in the pasting process!). Perhaps some of you would like to do your stuff and promote them a bit too?

www.etsy.com/treasury/MTI0MDI1OTl8MjcyNTgyMDE5OA/cuteness-overload

www.etsy.com/treasury/NzAxMzAzN3wyNzIzMjYwMzM3/for-the-young-and-th...

www.etsy.com/treasury/MjE3Njc2MzJ8MjcyNTgyMzE2MA/a-little-spring-thing

Yesterday's 6 has got to be a record - at least for me it is! Wonder if it has something to do with my finally getting my head around making the Treasuries? If so, will do some more - definitely, beginning with a feature for those of you on this team.

Have a good week-end everyone.

[Former_Member]

Isobel, it is spring! your cute little forest animals are perfect for spring treasuries!

Ewan, it has been slow, but EAster is soon and there are baskets to stuff, then after that, we adults can go back to satisfying our inner desires for toys!

Brian, I have found that when I cluster things they don't sell, others have different experiences, so... take it for what it is worth. 75 is a lot though, you would have to want it, and if you are selling that many to someone they are probably thinking keep these 15 and resell the rest, so they would want the price done accordingly. Shipping is also an issue, both bad and good.

There does seem to be a correlation between sales and how many you have listed. I have been told by many reliable people that Etsy will put you higher in the search if you have more items in your shop. Also, Google will put you higher if you keep having recent activity, such as listing, renewing, or selling. It is best to try for daily actiivity to promote google search results. Some suggest just deactivating a page of listings on Listings Manager and then reactivating them. I have tried it and I don't see any change in traffic, but a friend says she will nearly always sell an item if she has deactivated and reactivated a page of listings... she has vintage jewelry though, that may make a difference.

Isobel, I think you are in a category to yourself, your items are so specific that they are easy to come up and you have enough sales that you stay current.

I think today is my last day of GS cookie sales, if not then I would only need to do next Thursday with my daughter, and I could handle that. Sure would like to be done, though.

heading out to do errands and make GS cookie deposits, that money adds up quickly but we have to pay for 1/2 of the cookies today! ACK!

Later all~ Have a great weekend!

[Former_Member]

Just thought you might all enjoy this ~ found it via another Etsy teamie

http://www.buzzfeed.com/clamster/10-stages-of-owning-a-shop-on-etsy-k5g6