Spring’s Coming: Passover the Team EtsyChai Way

Ah spring, when a young man’s fancy turns to romance, or something like that. What about us crafters? Our fancy turns to what we are planning to create to make our homes look wonderful after our winter cave-like existence. As soon as the temperature approaches 60 my windows and doors open and the fresh air and sunlight come pouring in. In my Jewish home Passover it means I thinking and planning the Seder, the new tablecloth, what napkins to put out, what pillows to set out. I would think the home getting ready for Easter isn’t much different, except maybe for the pillows. What outfit will look good for church, what to bring to Easter dinner, and so on.

When I hold a Seder I invite friends who always ask what they can bring to the Seder. Since many are not Jewish they often are not familiar with Jewish traditions. Because the foods of the Seder are traditional, I make sure to prepare them. A loaf of bread, artisan or other, is out, and I got the wine. Cheese? Not after meat at the Seder.  What to bring? I bet quite a few people go through the same thing. You don’t want to go empty handed but want a gift that is appropriate, useful, and beautiful.

Well, that line of thought got me to sewing patterns (yeah, I know, it usually does. I am surrounded by them). I found this pattern from 1996, Simplicity 9877, for book carriers, covers, pillows, and wine bottle covers. What a wonderful gift for Passover a bible cover or Haggadah cover would be! A basket cover with maybe some fresh fruit or Passover candy? A cute pillow for the Seder?  GoofingOff even has the Judaic fabrics to make the wine bottle cover or pillow look totally appropriate.

 

Simplicity 9877

Don’t have the time to sew for Passover  but still want to bring a gift? No problem. Team EtsyChai has talented artists creating the most beautiful artwork and gifts at price points meets everyone’s needs.  Jewelry, glassware, ceramics, cards, everything!

Mezuzah by TraceyLipman

 

Passover Round Israeli Platter by YafitGlass

Pewter Judaic Wine Charms by anjalicreations

Creation Greeting card by AnotherCreation

You can following Team EtsyChai and GoofingOff on Facebook and get the latest on all the happenings. Click here to get to our Facebook pages:            GoofingOff                                      Team EtsyChai

Don’t worry, I got your back. Or, rather, EtsyChai’s got your back. Your host or hostess will be amazed by your insight and knowledge of Jewish tradition.  All it takes is a little help from Team EtsyChai, and a little time for Goofing Off.

Post by GoofingOff of GoofingOff.etsy and GoofingOff.artfire.

Tips to Improve Your Online Sales

I am not one of the top sellers on Etsy or Artfire but after a couple of years at it I have sold a few things and learned a lot.  Selling online is a much different experience than in a B & M (brick & mortar) store. Just because you could sell in a shop doesn’t mean you can sell online.

Use your best photos

Take lots of pictures and be ruthless about what looks good and what doesn’t. Your pictures will be the most important thing you do to make a sale. The photos need to pull the customer into the store, interest the customer, and make him or her interested in the item.  Take a look at magazines and see how the pros advertise. Look at the pictures they use. That’s the effect you’re looking for. You don’t need a million dollar camera to take a good picture. Just do a little bit of homework. Delete the junky, out-of-focus, not well-lit photos. They won’t help your sales. If anything, they are liable to be a turn-off to a potential customer. Don’t have time to retake the picture? Save the listing for later and activate it when you do. Try different backgrounds that show off your product.

Here’s an example of lighting and background. Bones look best against a dark background. Here’s a coyote skull from the MetalWoodsnWater shop on a white background:

Now that same skull on black:

The skull is positioned the same and the lighting is the same. The only difference is the black cloth it is on. The black makes it pop, makes the white whiter, and gives it more contrast.

Make sure the background isn’t too busy. You are showing off your product, not the leaves on the trees or flowers in the yards.

Your product is wonderful. Tell the world about it

Make an interesting story about the product. You want me, the potential customer, to think I will look fabulous and feel sexy when I wear your creation. If it’s a stuffie, use a story line that makes the little guy come to life. Not only will I be interested in his story, I will be interested in his friends’ stories, too. Tell me about the stones in the jewelry, how they glisten and shine in the moonlight, the fantastic fragrance from your candles, how cuddly soft the scarf is that you made. I am relying on you to tell me about your product.

Use social media to get the word out

Facebook and Twitter are great ways to tell about your products but be gracious and do more than just advertise. There are a few people on Twitter who do nothing but put ads up. There are others who engage their followers by telling them about the football games, asking what colors look better, and other, more personal things. You don’t need to tell everything but you do need to be more than a spammer.

Provide good customer service

Get back to me as soon as possible when I write. I might not buy something right now but I will be impressed that you were quick to respond. Make sure the product is wrapped well to travel without breaking. Get the order out in a timely fashion. That means on your next free day or when the object is completed. If it is a special order, drop the customer a line and keep him or her posted.

Use your downtime to your advantage

Every business has a slow time, use yours to your favor. Now is the time to organize, explore new techniques, restock for your next sale, or take a breather. If you did try something that didn’t work, let go, and try something else. Remember, not every car produced sold, not every fashion was a success. Don’t fall so in love with your product that you back a loser. Save one and reuse the supplies or give the items to charity. You’ll still get your name out and regain needed space.

Well, there’s a few things to get you started. Online selling is more than just taking a picture, putting it online, and raking in cash. It is work. It is a continuous learning process. Be open to advice from others, what makes things work for them. You might not be selling the same thing but some of their advice might be applicable in your world, too.

Good luck, may you have lots of success.

Post by Eileen Patterson of GoofingOff.etsy, GoofingOff.Artfire and MetalWoodsnWater.etsy.