January Team Challenge - Please Vote!

We have a winner!
Jennifer (#10) is the reader who wins our winning card (#2) from ErinNims. Jennifer, please contact Erin through Etsy (using the 'contact' link) or leave a comment here with more information about how we can get in touch with you. Congratulations to you both!!

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Below are the entries to our January Team Challenge! The overall theme was LOVE and the color theme was RED. Each photo below links directly to the shop where the item is listed for sale. By clicking on the photo, you can also see a larger image of the card. Please vote for your favorite card using the voting poll on the right side of our blog. Everyone (team members and non-members) are welcome to vote!

READERS (non-members) – You are eligible to win the winning card! After you vote, please leave a comment at the end of this post. We will randomly select a winning reader on Friday at 12 noon (EST) and you will receive the card that gets the most votes! Be sure to leave enough information for us to be able to contact you if you win!

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Friday Feature

This week's featured shop is GreenerMe .







1.Tell us about you and your shop.

My name is Renee and I sell wedding invitations and other stationery. I love technology, cats, my family, music and business.

2.How did you get started in your craft?

Growing up, I always dreamed of owning my own business. My father has his own business and I think it is great to be prosperous through your own doing and talents. Following the holidays in 2006, I mailed out thank you cards made by myself. Everything grew from there, and I’ve been cutting and gluing ever since!

3.What is your favorite material or tool?

I would have to say my paper cutter. Kind of boring to pick, but it’s so useful and a great time saver.

4.Where do you get your design inspiration?

Sometimes I’ll wake up in the morning with an idea in my head, ready to come to life. Other times, the trial-and-error of piecing different projects together is what develops a new product. This is why I think wedding invitations is a great market for me, as every order is different and unique in some way, there is nothing better than having a muse while creating!

Giveaway from Steliedesigns

Steliedesigns from EtsyGreetings offers this beautiful card set giveaway


Stelie Designs is all about bringing simple delights to everyone who receives a handmade card or invitation. Today, I am giving away a set of 6 Avery2 blank greeting cards made with recycled paper.

To enter just leave a comment noting what do you do to help the environment? For example, I use recycled papers to make my products and I use environmentally friendly cleaning products.

Be sure to include your Etsy shop address or an email where you can be contacted if you are the winner. One winner will be randomly selected from all comments posted on the morning of January 31, 2009. The winning number will be posted in the comments section and the winner contacted by the artist.

Look for more Giveaways from the EtsyGreetings team in February

Tuesday Treasury

Get Ready for Love, Save the Date created by bbesigns



Fall Leaf Save the Dates $3.95 socialcircles




Burgundy and Champagne Pocketfold Wedding Invitation $8.00 MielleDesigns



Big Date Foliage Save the Date $55.00 claireeyedesign



Marquee Save-the-date cards set of 25 $42.50 inkylivie



Bouquet of Bridal Wreath cards/invitations $15.00 PulpArt



Hip Circles Save the Date cards - Set of 50 $87.50 steliedesigns



The Botanical Collection Wedding Invitation - Sample Set $5.50 Galacards

Friday Feature

This week's featured seller is Devyn Larson Designs where you will find great illustrations featured on cards.




1. Tell us about you and your shop.

The beautiful & quirky Portland, Oregon is home. I am an obsessive painter who has decided to lay canvas aside until either: a) the kids stop knocking it over or b) I get the green paint out of my carpet. As a result, I have switched to creating with pen & ink.

As you cruise through my shop you’ll bump into whimsical, light hearted doodles direct from my sketchbook. There are also a few paintings prancing about.

I create because I need a moment of sanity & an illusion of control. I have a 2 year old.

I am Mom who loves to garden, build fairy houses with my two girls, lurk in the local art stores, doodle ideas for children’s’ books, drink coffee with friends and go fishing with my hubby of 10 years. I also teach computers and technology 1 ½ days a week, kindergarten-fifth grade.

2. How did you get started in your craft?

My 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Norman, said she loved the ship I drew for the cover of my Sea Explorers report. After that, I doodled on everything.

The doodles began to stack up . . . and up . . and up . . . my VERY patient hubby finally pleaded with me to find them a home. Artist Trading Cards were my first “formal” jumping off point. From that amazing community, I gained the confidence to sell my designs. Greeting cards have become my illustrating “boot camp.”

3. What is your favorite material or tool?

My name is Devyn Larson . . . . and I’m a Prismacolor addict.
I collect pens like most women collect shoes. It is an illness.
I adore painting, but with a lack of square footage, and kids, dogs, husbands constantly bumping about – pens are a bit more practical at this point in my life. Microns and mechanical pencils are also on the list of favorites and always in my purse.

4. Where do you get your design inspiration from?

I am constantly inspired by the energy of my sparkly, pink, twirling “Tutu Divas” of 2 and 7. They are complete characters with irresistible imaginations. I also love to people watch, cook and garden. Thus, there are a lot of cakes, flowers and little twirling people in my shop. Music and Sunday sermons are also big sources of inspiration. I adore the old hymns.

CardsbyEmily Offers This Week's Giveaway

Handmade greeting cards are my favorite hobby! The goal of CardsbyEmily is to provide unique handmade greeting cards for the special people in your life. I am always searching for new techniques and embellishments to make each card beautiful.

Description of giveaway - Of all the cards I make, thank you's are the most frequent. There is always something to be thankful for! Thank you cards warm the heart of the person recieving them, and if the card is handmade, it is even more meaningful! This set of handstamped thank you's is made with a classic green and black theme. Materials include bazzill cardstock, silk ribbon, and 3D scalloped circles.

Enter to win this set by simply posting a comment of your favorite CardsbyEmily item or of an item that you would like to see added to CardsbyEmily. 

Be sure to include your Etsy shop address or an email where you can be contacted if you are the winner.  The winner will be picked on the evening of Saturday, January 24th.  Thanks for looking, and have a wonderful day!

Tuesday Treasury

Love in Black and White by MonAmiGreetings



He Loves Me $3.25 ascrappydesign



Now I know what love is $3.50 QuirkynBerkeley



Victorian Blossom Wedding Invite Sample Set $3.75 inkylivie



Love is the beauty of the soul $3.00 QuirkynBerkeley



HOT PINK AND BLACK DAMASK $5.25 socialcircles

Friday Feature

This week's featured seller is Inspiration Point.



1. Tell us about you and your shop.

My name is Chelsea, I am 18 years old and I live in a little city just north of Pasadena (you may have seen Pasadena's Rose Parade on New Year's Day), and about an hour away from dowtown Los Angeles. I live at home with my little sister (who is ten years younger than I am), my Mom and my Dad. My shop is kind of an experiment actually, as I am sure a lot of Etsy shops have started out as. I have been making hand made cards since I was about 10 years old, and when I was 12 I was invited by a kind neighbor to be in her twice-yearly craft show out of her house. I loved being part of her show as it gave me something to work towards and the extra money it gave me was nice as well. Then in early 2006, I started really enjoying taking photos with my Dad's point and shoot digital camera. That "enjoyment" soon became an obsession. I couldn't walk out the door or see a smiling face or a bunch of flowers without having to take photos of it! My Dad got so sick of me hogging the camera, he helped me buy my own! So in February of 2007, I got my own Canon Rebel XT (the newest model back then, now they have about 3 newer ones!), and have loved it ever since. In Fall of that same year, a friend from Church, who is a pottery teacher, told me about Etsy and how great it is. She started her own shop (Muddy Fingers), and told me I should do the same. I thought about it and decided to wait until after my graduation. So I started Inspiration Point in May of this year, and have really been enjoying it. I sell my photography, cards, gift tags, necklaces and anything else I create. It really is a great outlet for my creativity and a reason to learn something new!

2. How did you get started in your craft?

I got my first set of rubber stamps at a school book store and have never looked back since then! After that first set of stamps, I started scrapbooking and making cards that I sold to family and friends. Then I was invited to be in a neighbor's twice yearly craft show (you can read more about that in the previous question), and since then I have been in many different shows (4 this year) and love it more and more every time. I started photography when I was about 16, got my own camera when I was 17 and have contemplated doing it professionaly. The only formal "training" in photography I have ever recieved was a one day seminar put on by a friend of mine, so I got in free. Other than that, and reading some books on the subject, I am completely self taught. And frankly, I think that may be the best way to do it. When I read something photography related, I have to read it about 2 or 3 more times to remember it, but when I encounter a situation when I'm out with my camera, and I have to figure out what to do, I remember it a lot better than reading it in a book.

3.What is your favorite material or tool?

Wow, how can I answer that, I have so many favorites! My camera and my paper would have to be tops. But after those two, I would have to say, photoshop, my rubber stamps and 3-d stickers would be my next favorite things.

4. Where do you get your design inspiration from?

As many artists before me have said, and it is so true, really anything and everything is an inspiration to me. My sister's goofy smile, a pattern on a paper, a color swatch, a ribbon(I once created a whole series of cards based solely on one ribbon) or a song. Anything beautiful, anything that celebrates goodness and truth and simplicity is something I get inspiration from. And I hope that other people in turn, can draw inspiration from my creations. That's part of why I named it Inspiration Point. I hope that when people get to my store they can feel inspired by what they see.

Article: Art of the Press Kit

Started an online business? Check.

Have a blog to promote your business? Check.
Myspace, Facebook, Twitter etc. for additional promotion? Check.

Now what?

I ran into the same wall a couple of months ago. Having utilized all the online tools to grow a successful business, it was time to take another step forward and introduce myself to local stores. To do this, I needed a professional press kit that really showcased my business and myself- something that would catch my prospect's attention. This article will help you put together your own professional press kit.

To start, you'll need to gather your materials. I recommend enclosing the following items in your press kit:

A Presentation Folder. Rather than stuffing everything an envelope, I recommend purchasing some presentation folders. I purchased mine from Envelopperinc.com, a chocolate brown 9" x 12" presentation folder. It's definitely worth it to coordinate your folder with the color of your materials, as this is the first thing your prospect will see.

Letter to your prospect. Upon opening your folder, this is the first thing your prospect will go to. For a more personal touch, I suggest finding out the prospect store's person in charge so you can address the letter and press kit to them. People like to know you've done your research and aren't just there for the heck of it. In your letter you can thank them for their consideration, give a brief overview of what's in the packet, and maybe let the prospect know you'll be in contact with them to follow up.



Product Guide. This can come in many forms. I am pretty handy with Photoshop and was able to create a booklet. My booklet has an "About Me" section, many pictures of previous work completed, a section explaining my business and why I chose to open it, client feedback, consignment/wholesale information and perks, and my contact information. Not so handy with Photoshop? This information can easily be compiled in Microsoft Word or any other text-editing program. I do recommend having a majority of this information in your packet, so you prospects can easily identify you and your business.



Business Cards. This is vital. I put my business cards everywhere and always leave more than one. In my packet I have three business cards in the perforated slots, and also have a business card magnet. Your prospects need to know how to get in touch with you!

Product Samples. I highly recommend product samples! Samples are better than pictures because your prospect can actually see and feel your product. This allows them to check out its quality and construction. You'll want to make sure the samples included are the best you can possibly make. This is the first impression your prospect will get of your product.



Promotional Materials. In my press kit, I enclose a post card, a note pad and a pen- all with my business name on it. People like free stuff. In business, it's all about what you are going to do for me. This is on both sides, the buyer and the seller. I think the more you give, the more a store is willing to give back... By carrying your line.

"You must have spent so much money getting all this together."
Really, I didn't. I would say not more than $15 goes into each packet. Snagging a store will profit you much more than this in the long run, so I am all about investing my time and money. The folders were $10 for 10, my samples take up a few sheets of paper and the design work takes up my time. The rest of the goodies? Thank you VistaPrint. If you have not tried VistaPrint, I would highly recommend checking them out. Don't let the initial prices set you back though, I definitely do not pay full price for anything on VistaPrint. The trick is signing up for their e-mail list (to a junk mail account, cause you will receive spam after signing up). They send out promotions all-the-time for free business cards, free flyers, free pens, free stamps, free, free, and free. You still pay shipping and handling, and also may have a wait a few weeks to get the special you want, but it is definitely worth the wait. I have ran into only one problem in all the orders completed through VistaPrint, I called and their customer service was amazing, fixed the problem and I was on my way.

Creating all the documents needed is the most time consuming part, but I recommend investing the time. It took me about a month to design everything and make sure it was exactly how I wanted, then a couple weeks to receive everything the mail. Compiling it all together was the most easy, fun, and rewarding part of the job. To have all your time, effort, and money come together for a fabulous presentation is a great feeling! Your prospects will also notice this. Now that you have an awesome and crafty press kit you can promote to stores, blogs, magazines- anything and anyone who might be interested in selling your goods! Next step is to put your foot out there and do it. I'll be here wishing you good luck!
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Renee Nordholm of GreenerMe Invitations wrote this article. She has a blog and an Etsy store and is apart of the EtsyGreetings Team. Feel free to contact her if you have questions regarding the article!

EtsyGreetings Next Blog Giveaway

Offered by MacaroniandGlue

Just a Note -- Simple and Pretty Blank Notecards -- Boxed Set of 8 Set of eight 4 x 5.5 notecards on heavyweight, rich, textured, bright white, hand-cut and scored cardstock. Blank inside. Accompanied by matching white A2 envelopes.

Designer Kelly Drill uses vintage and vintage-inspired art to create uniquely nostalgic stationery. Her cards and invitations are crafted from textured and specialty card stocks, printed in small batches, and lovingly cut and scored by hand in her small Texas studio.

To enter just visit Macaroniandglue's shop and comment here about your favorite item from her shop.

Be sure to include your Etsy shop address or an email where you can be contacted if you are the winner. One winner will be randomly selected from all comments posted on the evening of January 16, 2009. The winning number will be posted in the comments section and the winner contacted by the artist.

Check EtsyGreetings often to see more giveaways throughout January!

Tuesday Treasury

Love Birds created by adorebynat



You're So Tweet Card $3.50 AJKArtistry


Love Birds $3.25 twohanddesign


Lovebirds Pop-Up Card $6.50 tracychong


Love Birds Note Cards - Set of 6 $10.00 fubabee


You and Me $3.25 ascrappydesign


Together In Love $3.50 reneeanne

Article: Envelope, Please!

I’ve been selling handcrafted cards for over 6 years now, first starting on eBay and later expanding to Etsy. I’ve loved giving and receiving cards all my life, so creating handmade cards has seemed like a natural progression for me. Even before I started making cards to sell, I had already been designing and creating handmade cards over the years to give friends and family on special occasions.

As I look back to when I first started making cards, I have to admit, I’ve come a long way! I think my fellow cardmakers can probably ALL say that about their work…..it’s an ever-evolving art and our techniques and styles change continually as we gain more skill, experience and knowledge, and as new materials become available.

When I first started buying handcrafted cards on eBay (before I was selling my own), it was not always a “given” that each card would come with an envelope. Those times are gone, as well they should be! As a card buyer (yes, I do still buy cards, both from Hallmark and from my fellow cardmakers!) AND as a card maker, I strongly believe that every handmade card should not only include an envelope, but one that fits the card. More than once in my handmade card buying experiences, I’ve noticed that the envelope included with the card is far too large, or (worse yet), too small to fit the card!

With the current trend among handmade cardmakers to embellish more and more, and to achieve a “dimensional” effect, it has become even MORE important to include an envelope that not only accommodates the increased thickness of the card, but one that will stand up under the (sometimes rough) handling of the postal service.

Like many of my fellow cardmakers, I’m making more dimensional cards myself these days. Thus far, I haven’t started making my own envelopes, but I HAVE learned to try out each completed card in the standard size acid-free envelopes that I provide with my cards, just to make sure it fits!

Another trend with cardmakers, especially those whose cards are very elaborate and highly embellished, is to make their own envelopes. That way, the handmade envelope can be custom sized to fit the card, AND it can be lined with matching paper or embellished to coordinate with the individual card design.

Since I have only made my own envelopes once or twice, I have very limited experience as to whether or not a handmade and embellished envelope is an important issue for buyers. From my own perspective (wearing my “card buyer” hat), I think what’s most important to me is that the envelope physically “fits” the handmade card, and that it is sturdy enough to hold up in the mail (should it need to be mailed)……Now, envelopes for hand-delivered cards may be a different story.

I’d LOVE to hear comments from my fellow cardmakers out there, and of course, from any card buyers who happen to read the Etsy Greeting Blog!


Article written by Jan, of Expressive Papers
Etsy Shop
Blog


NOTE: An original version of this article was originally posted in the THE CARD CHRONICLES Blog

EtsyGreetings Blog Giveaway

EtsyGreetings begins their 2009 Giveaway schedule with these owl notecards offered by NYPapercrafter.

Four owl notecards each have a different owl embellishment on the front along with the word hello. To enter just visit NYPapercrafter's shop and comment here about her shop.

Be sure to include your Etsy shop address or an email where you can be contacted if you are the winner. One winner will be randomly selected from all comments posted on the morning of January 10, 2009. The winning number will be posted in the comments section and the winner contacted by the artist.

Check EtsyGreetings often to see more giveaways throughout January!