Friday, June 28, 2013

Where To Find The Hudson Valley Etsy Team

This weekend I'm inviting you to come and support your local brick and mortar stores that carry the work of members of the Hudson Valley Etsy Team.

Let's start with a stop in Saugerties. Stop by Kid Around and stop up on goodies by SO Handmade. The shop is located on 114 Partition Street and features the work of local artists and carries toys as well as children's clothes and everything else your kid could need or want.
SO Handmade
Arwen Designs' greeting cards and gifts are available in the town of Wurtsboro, at the Canal Towne Emporium. The emporium is and old timey general store. They sell pewter, china, linens, candles, hand crafted toys stained glass, and much more.
Arwen Designs
And how about a trip to lovely Pine Bush? Stop by the Gallery in the Gunks and stock up on New Prospect Pottery's gorgeous functional pieces! The gallery specializes in decorative and functional art from artists from around the Shawangunks.
New Prospect Pottery
 Happy shopping!

Monday, June 24, 2013

Ceating Success From the Inside Out: Selling Your Uniqueness

No two pop-tarts are alike and the same goes for people.  Yes, it’s true.  I was going to use the analogy of snowflakes, but that’s so overdone.



Seriously, though, as small business owners selling on Etsy and at craft fairs, we can often feel overwhelmed and lost in a sea of other artists and makers.  When we feel this way, it can help to take a step back and get introspective about who we are and what unique points of view, skills, and strengths we have to offer the world.  Then we can use that powerful information to present ourselves and our products in a way that no one else can.  Unlock your special pop-tartness right now, with these steps.

Know your greatest qualities.

We all have pre-conceived notions of what makes us special, but the people who know us, love us, and work with us can tell us what they consider to be our best qualities from a totally different perspective.  So ask them and don’t be shy about it.  Set up a free account with Survey Monkey and create a one-question online survey asking at least 20 people you know what they think your 3 best qualities are.  You can make it anonymous if you like so that people can respond freely. 

Once you have the data, rank the responses until you can see what your top 5 best qualities are according to those who know you best.  Consider these top qualities and reflect on whether these traits are reflected in your brand and the way your present yourself to your customers.  Write down at least one specific example of how you can better incorporate or represent your top 3 qualities into your brand.

For instance, one of your top qualities may be that you are detail-oriented.  That quality will surely be reflected in your work, so promote that unique selling point.  Make it obvious for your customers.  Mention it in your Etsy listing descriptions how every detail is carefully considered by you before being executed.



Tell your unique story.

Each one of us is a product of our experiences on this Earth.  We all have stories that make up who we are. What are the big stories that have shaped your life?  Write down at least 5 one-sentence story points that define you that you feel your ideal customer would relate to; things like family stories, overcoming adversity, why you do what you do, how you discovered your art, accidents, near misses, exhilarating moments, losses, life experiences, momentous occasions, fortuitous events, etc.  Then turn each of these story points into a full-fledged story (write it down!). 

Once you have these stories, you can use them in different ways as your present yourself and your business to the world – through your About page on Etsy or your website, blog articles, or biographies for shops or galleries where you sell your work.

Think about your goal – you want to establish connections with customers who appreciate what you have to offer and who return to see what else you are producing.  For instance, when potential customers read your About page, they don’t want to just learn about you.  They want to learn what it is about you that can help them get what they want.  So make sure that you tell a story in your About page that shows customers what they can expect from you that they can’t find anywhere else.

Remember, there’s only one of you in the history of this world and what you have to offer is of value to others.  What is your unique story that will connect you to your customers? 

Resources.

Want to learn more about yourself, your strengths, and your best qualities?  Here are some resources:

Strengths Finder 2.0 by Tom Rath

Take Action Now!  Follow the steps above then leave a comment below.

Friday, June 21, 2013

Where To Find The Hudson Valley Etsy Team This Weekend

We have two events for you this weekend.

Huzzah Handmade is taking part in Art in Bloom at the Newburgh Illuminated festival. Her gorgeous felted vase covers will be exhibited at the Karpeles Museum at 94 Broadway in Newburgh, NY, this Friday and Saturday, June 21 and 22, from 10AM-4PM and on Sunday, June 23, from 12-4PM.
Huzzah Handmade
Huzzah Handmade
Wishbone Letterpress will be rocking the Renegade Craft Fair at the East River State Park on the Williamsburg waterfront in Brooklyn, NY, this Saturday and Sunday, June 22 and 23, from 11AM-7PM.
Wishbone Letterpress
Wishbone Letterpress

Happy shopping!

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Tuesday Etsy Treasuries

Treasuries are a great way to check out many of our items at once. See more of this month's Etsy treasuries from Hudson Valley Etsy here: June Etsy Team Treasuries

'Delicious' by handjstarcreations


Gardener's Soap Kitchen Soap Exfoliating Soap Scrub Soap Vegan Soap Natural Soap - ComfortandJoySoapCo
Gardener's Soap Kit...
$6
Red Tulip Botanical Print Wall Decor, a Scanned Flower Photograph, Floral Art, Digital Print, Nature Photo, Still Life - JudyStalus
Red Tulip Botanical Pri...
$17
red seed vase - davistudio
red seed vase
$28
Red, Green, and Silver Pearl Necklace, Christmas Necklace, Holiday Necklace - Holiday Collage - merryalchemy
Red, Green, and Silver ...
$30
hand painted acorn ornament - large - solid color or your choice - great for holidays or all year round decoration - amberhlynn
hand painted acorn orna...
$18
Gourmet 100% Pure Garlic Powder, Garlic Flakes - 6 oz - RockerboxGarlic
Gourmet 100% Pure Garli...
$9
Red poppy hair pins Organza & Swarovski - Joliejye
Red poppy hair pins Org...
$25
Translucent Cabbage Rose LONG  Earrings - 4TasteofShabbyChic
Translucent Cabbage Ros...
$18
Vintage 1970's Lorrie Deb Dress, Designer Pink - Peach Floor Length Dress with Removable Sheer Jacket., MINT Condition, Size S - M - YesterdaysSilhouette
Vintage 1970's Lorr...
$68
hearts bouquet - red white gingham - home decor - lalunadianna
hearts bouquet - red wh...
$12
Pink Opal Bracelet, Rose Quartz, Antique Silver, Genuine Gemstones, Natural Stone Bracelet TAGT - KapKaDesign
Pink Opal Bracelet, Ros...
$63
CLEARANCE, Grace, Wine-Bordeau Flats, leather shoes - TamarShalem
CLEARANCE, Grace, Wine-...
$119
collage original paper turquoise abstract red composition contemporary fine art - eeliethel
collage original paper ...
$40
Sweater pin - unique handmade silver jewelry - contemporary jewelry - red and black silver pin. - notAjewelry
Sweater pin - unique ha...
$63
vintage lemonade, pink lemonade and limeade labels - printable editable file - idoityourself
vintage lemonade, pink ...
$9
How Do I Look - 8x10 Print Antique Half Doll Pin Cushion - Shabby Chic - Mother's Day - Pastel - Fine Art Photograph - BecaShoots
How Do I Look - 8x10 Pr...
$24

Treasury tool by StylishHome.

'Summer is Coming' by handjstarcreations


Geometric Turquoise - LaurenRoseJewlers
Geometric Turquoise
$28
summer rustic custom Turquoise teal American wild West Prairie Girl Texas Bride Shabby Crochet Shawl Shrug Vintage Laces roses - kateblossom
summer rustic custom Tu...
$90
Small Turquoise Porcelain Bell - LandMstudio
Small Turquoise Porcela...
$75
Turquoise linen napkins, set of 4 - imali
Turquoise linen napkins...
$16
Girl on the beach earrings from polymer clay - nautical earrings, gift idea for her, blue, turquoise earrings, hot summer - ready to ship - Rozibuz
Girl on the beach earri...
$22
Modern Robin's egg turquoise Minimalist Pomegranate Vase / Handmade Ceramics / IN STOCK - blueroompottery
Modern Robin's egg ...
$28
OOAK Clay and Crochet Art Doll Lady of the Sea - knotbygranma
OOAK Clay and Crochet A...
$200
Large Flower Cocktail Ring - Turquoise Rose Flower Ring - Ocean Teal Blue - pulpsushi
Large Flower Cocktail R...
$13
Aqua Dangle Earrings in Dichroic Fused Glass ER078 - GetGlassy
Aqua Dangle Earrings in...
$18
Original Watercolor Illustration Portrait Art Painting titled Some Mint For You - Mysoulfly
Original Watercolor Ill...
$190
Small Mosaic Birdhouse Decorative - ReclaimedDesigns
Small Mosaic Birdhouse ...
$20
Turquoise Long Dagger Earrings Tribal Modern Summer Fashion December Birthstone - CyclamenStudio
Turquoise Long Dagger E...
$34
Painted Wood Necklace Color Block Jewelry Abstract Painting - totemcolorblocks
Painted Wood Necklace C...
$28
Turquoise blue gold rust door  photograph cemetery door lock handle close up   LOCKED Southwest - elephantdreams
Turquoise blue gold rus...
$18
Set of two small aqua turquoise blue ceramic pottery plates, Made to order - juliapaulpottery
Set of two small aqua t...
$80
Turquoise Mint White Beaded Leather Wrap Bracelet Black Leather Jewelry Tropical Fish Beach Fashion Triple Wrap Blue Jade Green Ivory - AbacusBeadCreations
Turquoise Mint White Be...
$48

Treasury tool by StylishHome.

Friday, June 14, 2013

Where To Find The Hudson Valley Etsy Team This Weekend

Beyond The Picket Fence will be rocking the farmers markets this weekend! She'll be at the Middletown BID Farmer's Market on Saturday, June 15, from 8AM-1PM and at the Beacon Farmer's Market this Sunday, June 16, from 11AM-3PM. So go and pick up some of her beauty goodies!
Beyond The Picket Fence
Can't make it there? Beyond The Picket Fence products are also available at Bliss Co-op in Sugar Loaf, Clay Wood & Cotton in Beacon and her laundry soap is for sale at The Tailored Mermaid in Beacon.
Karmabee
We've featured some locations where Karmabee's creations are available before but I wanted to share a complete list:

Art Riot – Kingston, NY
Byrdcliffe Shop – Woodstock, NY
Crafts People – West Hurley, NY
Edelweiss Soap Company – Kingston, NY
Empty Spaces – Woodstock, NY
Evolve Design Gallery - Woodstock, NY
Hudson River Maritime Museum - Kingston, NY (May-Oct)
Illuminated Baby – Woodstock, NY
Omega Institute for Holistic Studies - Rhinebeck, NY (May-Oct)
Woodstock Jewish Congregation – Woodstock, NY

Happy shopping!

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Tuesday Treasuries

Treasuries are a great way to check out many of our items at once. 

'THE MOUNTAINS ARE CALLING AND I MUST GO.....' by CharmsofFaith

The mountains stand waiting. Firm, frosty, forgiving. They call to me. Fervently, familiar, fondly. They sing to me. Serene, soothing, sacred songs. They call to me.

The Mountains are Calling 8x10 Print - BelovedAndCo
The Mountains are Calli...
$18
Faux Bois Porcelain Basket - LandMstudio
Faux Bois Porcelain Bas...
$65
Mountain Landscape Whiskey Flask Traveler Camping Hiking Gift Stainless Steel 6 oz Liquor Hip Flask LC-1041 - LiquidCourage
Mountain Landscape Whis...
$20
Flamenco Triangle Shawl wrap Green Purple fringe and multi texture - MollysPurl
Flamenco Triangle Shawl...
$260
Antique Smith Bug Sprayer with Atomizer Amber Glass Jar, Vintage Garden Decor, Shabby Chic, Rustic Country Cottage Home Decor - YesterdaysSilhouette
Antique Smith Bug Spray...
$32
3 three upcycled denim bracelets - repurposed jean bangles - made to order in your size and thread colors - amberhlynn
3 three upcycled denim ...
$10
Wooden Mountain Stud Earrings - laylaamber
Wooden Mountain Stud Ea...
$8
fishy fish square bowl  - "mr. machoire" - MilestoneDecalArt
fishy fish square bowl ...
$38
Mountain Notebook - LittleAlexander
Mountain Notebook
$12
Wolf Art - Mexican Gray Wolf - 11x14 Fine Art Print Dog Art Wolf Desert Art Southwest - DustyShamrockStudio
Wolf Art - Mexican Gray...
$30
Bald Mountain Moccasins Buffalo Leather Half Penny Renaissance Costume Reenactment RARE - yokovintage
Bald Mountain Moccasins...
$579.99
Rough Azurite Stone Specimen, Blue Rock, Druzy Formation, From Democratic Republic of the Cong (Zaire) - DumbBunnyDesigns
Rough Azurite Stone Spe...
$11
Thror's Map of The Lonely Mountain - wizardsandmuggles
Thror's Map of The ...
$45
teal green triangle mountain wooden brooch - outsideeverywhere
teal green triangle mou...
$10
Powder Days - Mountain Necklace - Laser Cut and Etched - uglybunnybysarahjane
Powder Days - Mountain ...
$40
Moonrise Mountains- Brass/Aquamarine Necklace. Hand cut and Hammered. - CastinDust
Moonrise Mountains- Bra...
$42

Treasury tool by StylishHome.


'For Dad' by ThePudgyRabbit


Natural Beard Conditioner / Beard Oil - 1.0 oz (30 ml) - Mundus
Natural Beard Condition...
$10.95
Men's Fox Shirt, Fox / Wolf running through winter trees, Heather Grey short sleeve, unisex, all sizes available - alittlelark
Men's Fox Shirt, Fo...
$28
Gourmet 100% Pure Garlic Powder, Garlic Dust - 6 oz - RockerboxGarlic
Gourmet 100% Pure Garli...
$9
Choose your initial...Keychain made with  wood and cable steel wire with your monogramme hand painted.. - naneHandmade
Choose your initial...K...
$16
What Cake side plate - jimbobart
What Cake side plate
$35
Baseball Player/Coach Keychain - CharmsofFaith
Baseball Player/Coach K...
$24
Fathers Day Card // You're The Bomb Pop // Funny Card - MeowKapowShop
Fathers Day Card // You...
$4.5
1960's 8mm Movie Camera, Mansfield Holiday Zoom, Motor Works, Vintage Film Making, Cinematography - YesterdaysSilhouette
1960's 8mm Movie Ca...
$19
You're the best Dad ever, Father's Day, Dad appreciation - WishboneLetterpress
You're the best Dad...
$4
iPhone Leather Case with back pocket  - Camera - bRainbowshop
iPhone Leather Case wit...
$75
Pearl mug - davistudio
Pearl mug
$32
Chocolate Covered Strawberry Licorice 1 Dozen - NicolesTreats
Chocolate Covered Straw...
$11
Silkscreen Tie - Regal Beagle Men's Necktie - Men's Dog Tie - ScatterbrainTies
Silkscreen Tie - Regal ...
$28
FATHERS DAY SPECIAL - Beer Brewing Apron - Home Brewing - Beer - Men - Dude - NestaHome
FATHERS DAY SPECIAL - B...
$30
Super Mario Brothers Mario Inspired Cat Pincushion cute felt kitty cat collectable or gift for animal lover...MADE-TO-ORDER - FatCatCrafts
Super Mario Brothers Ma...
$23
Fathers Day Gift // Coffee of the Month. FOUR MONTHS. Ready to ship. Gift for Him. - AproposRoasters
Fathers Day Gift // Cof...
$69

Treasury tool by StylishHome.


'A Day at the Beach' by ThePudgyRabbit


Eucalyptus Mint Bath Salts Bath Soak - ComfortandJoySoapCo
Eucalyptus Mint Bath Sa...
$10
Summer Beachscape Original Oil Painting - aStudiobytheSea
Summer Beachscape Origi...
$225
Fine Art Photograph, Blue and White Beach Umbrella, Summertime, Virginia Beach, Ocean, Sand, Waves, Teal Tones, Square 12x12 Print - PrettyPetalStudio
Fine Art Photograph, Bl...
$45
Large Fabric Zipper Pouch Cosmetic Pouch Penci Case Blue Ikat - handjstarcreations
Large Fabric Zipper Pou...
$14.5
Handcrafted Wooden Sunglasses - Riley - woodsiesWoodEyewear
Handcrafted Wooden Sung...
$59
Head,Hand,Face Towel Peshkir,Organic,Soft Baby Towel,Anti Bacterial,Natural Cotton,Eco Friendly Turlish Cotton head and kitchen towel - loovee
Head,Hand,Face Towel Pe...
$9.9
Ombre Faux Bois 4 Footed Vase - LandMstudio
Ombre Faux Bois 4 Foote...
$45
Retro swimsuit custom fit vintage inspired eco cotton one piece bathing suit GREEN GIRL - PierogiPicnic
Retro swimsuit custom f...
$58
Hexagon Turquoise Necklace 14k Gold Filled Chain Everyday and Layering   Christmas Holiday 2012 - LaurenRoseJewlers
Hexagon Turquoise Neckl...
$30
Vintage Nassau Woven Palm Leaf Beach Tote - kibster
Vintage Nassau Woven Pa...
$30
OPAL Hand Dyed Yarn MCN Sock Weight Green and Blue - spinningmulefibers
OPAL Hand Dyed Yarn MCN...
$25
Tea Tree Eucalyptus lavender hand cream - Fresh and Clean - BeyondThePicketFence
Tea Tree Eucalyptus lav...
$11.5
SunScreen// Natural SunBlock// Raw // Organic // Vegan // Sensitive Skin // Baby Skin // 4oz. - RexOrganics
SunScreen// Natural Sun...
$16
Hair Therapy Dead Sea Salt Spray for Dry, Dandruff, or Itchy Scalp 8 oz - plunksoap
Hair Therapy Dead Sea S...
$12
Happy Whale Decorated Sugar Cookies - Option 2 - SugarLaneBakeShop
Happy Whale Decorated S...
$32.2
The Sailor Letterpress Print - 1canoe2
The Sailor Letterpress ...
$24

Treasury tool by StylishHome.