Relax Selection of Weekend Game

Dear Readers,

May starts tomorrow with a Labour Day. We can relax a little bit or continue our hard working. If you have a minute, you can check our fresh collections:

PRESENTED TO YOU BY OUR CAPTAIN: 

Hi, my name is Ildi. I really enjoy the process of making pottery: I sit down at a table with clay and try to make something that I have an imagination of. I want something and the clay wants something but in the end I can work until I am most satisfied with the outcome.

April's Cross Promo Train

Members of the Strategic Promotion for Success Team were busy April 23-26 promoting each other for The Cross Promo Train.  Let's take a look at each of the 8 shops who participated in this event.   


BridgetsCollection

Here you'll find a collection of Vintage Items, Handmade Jewelry, Crochet & More. 

Umbrellafant

Umbrellafant's shop is full of wonderful Vintage and Upcycled  Items.  You'll find beautiful Affirmation Stones, Jewelry, Glassware, and many other items.

Thresholdpaperart

Handmade Paper Art, featuring Paper Banners, Paper Scrolls, Paper Florals, Cards, and Paper Supplies are found in this shop.

Artzest

Here you'll find a great collection of Unique  Handmade Jewelry.  

WithTheseHandsCreate

If you're looking for some statement jewelry you'll find them here.  This shop has a lot of Pendants, Necklaces, Earrings, and Bracelets.  

PaperLovePrints

Gorgeous Wedding Stationery, Wedding Invitations, Table Numbers, Favor Tags, Thank You Cards & More is what you'll find in PaperLovePrints shop.

Bylala

Here you'll find knitted Baby Sweaters, Purses, Teddy Bears, and Scarfs.  

Amydscrochet

In this shop you'll find crocheted Hats, Baby Items, Afghans, Animals, Doilies, and More.

I hope you'll all join me next month for May's Cross Promo Train!  And be sure to check out the many wonderful items at the shops featured above.  

PRESENTED TO YOU BY OUR LEADER :

Hi I'm Amy. In my shop I offer a variety of crocheted items and occasionally I list vintage crochet & knitting pattern books. I enjoy working on custom orders. My customers often come up with the best creative ideas; and sometimes offer me the challenge of creating something I've never done before. It’s always satisfying to take a piece of yarn and create something new from it. 

   

https://www.etsy.com/shop/amydscrochet

Raluca's Fresh Finds for 4/13 - 4/19

I bring you again my picks for last week's Fresh Finds! 

Every week I will post a selection of my favorite items recently listed by our lovely team members to give you some suggestions for your  shopping!

Make sure you check back every week to see what's new! Enjoy! :)

See you all next week!

For a chance to be featured in the Fresh Finds post please join me here :

www.etsy.com/teams/12274/strategic-promotion-for-success-team/discuss/14373690

PRESENTED TO YOU BY OUR LEADER : 

My name is Raluca and, together with my husband, I design cute stationery items that we sell in our Etsy shop. Stop by any time and take a look! :)

 

www.etsy.com/shop/paperloveprints

Items Of The Hour 4/13 -4/19

Items Of The Hour is a weekly thread on the Strategic Promotion For Success Team. Each day 4 items are chosen to be promoted by the other team members.  The purpose of the thread is to bring in new views and hopefully some sales.

Shops can promote the 4 items any way they choose.  Team members can promote by adding the 4 items to their favorites, making a treasury,  sharing on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, other social media, and any other way they can think of.  Team members who have promoted the other shops have an increased chance of their shop being chosen for the next round.

Please Join Me Here Items Of The Hour PRESENTED TO YOU BY OUR LEADER :

Hi I'm Amy. In my shop I offer a variety of crocheted items and occasionally I list vintage crochet & knitting pattern books. I enjoy working on custom orders. My customers often come up with the best creative ideas; and sometimes offer me the challenge of creating something I've never done before. It’s always satisfying to take a piece of yarn and create something new from it.

   

https://www.etsy.com/shop/amydscrochet

Meet our Members! -- Karen from CatchingWaves

The SPS Team is an international team of artists, artisans and creators working together to promote their finest work!

Every week we are happy and proud to introduce a member of our outstanding team! They come from different backgrounds, countries, cultures and artistic horizons, but they all have one thing in common : they are driven, creative, dynamic, and dedicated to their Etsy business and to their team, SPST!

******************************************

Today we are pleased to introduce Karen, an artisan jeweller and experienced shop owner who has a passion for gemstones and African ethnic jewelry! Karen opened her Etsy shop, called "Catching Waves", in November 2009.

In Karen's shop you will find a very wide and beautiful collection of handmade jewelry, such as necklaces, bracelets and earrings, as well as some inspiring art pieces. 

Let's meet Karen and learn about her Etsy journey, her challenges and joys and her role as a member of the Leadership Team of SPS Team!

Why do you sell on Etsy?

Selling on Etsy is still more of a self-supporting hobby than a job at this point, partly because I don’t generate that much profit from my Etsy shop. I have other work I do that pays the bills but making jewelry and sharing it with others is a passion. Of course, I would love it if my shop could be a more significant source of income.

How did your Etsy adventure begin? 

I think the impulse to open a shop came from my experience making a gift for my grand-niece—a treasure box hand painted with ocean waves and inside, a little fantasy world with miniature mermaids (purchased on Etsy) and miniature furniture I made made from driftwood and shells--and a "coral reef" made from dried seaweed I painted and attached little fish to. I got so caught up in the process of crafting this gift and enjoyed it so much that when it was done, I didn’t want to stop. I realized that making things gives me great joy and that I need the inspiration of making for others in order to create. I started selling on Etsy in order to have that outlet and inspiration. My first sale was to a good friend. The piece I was proudest of in that first order was an antique, very delicate carved bone stag for which I needle-felted a setting with soft green forest colors. 


What inspires you for your designs?

Every piece starts with something I love—beads with beautiful colors or a charming, hand-carved Balinese pendant—and the desire to integrate that component into a whole that will celebrate it. I love colors and textures and I want them to come together just right each time so that the whole piece “sings.” 

You are a member of the Leadership team on the SPS Team. How do you see your role as a Leader?

To be honest, I see my current role as that of a support for the “real leaders,” the ones who carry most of the work in organizing events and maintaining communication with team members. This team is one of the hardest working, most active and dedicated I’ve come across. It deserves support. I like to feel I’m contributing—and I especially love brainstorming and trying to come up with ideas—but I’ve been kind of off and on as a leader. I think I need to find a focus. I hope I can do more in the future.


What is the strangest or funniest thing you have ever created?

I’ve made quite a few needle-felted octopi and then felted them onto things—felted purses, felted cuffs, etc. I think the funniest might have been a rust-orange octopus perched on the top of a green wool beanie, with the long tentacles wrapped around the hat. It was pretty fun.

Are you a buyer on Etsy as well? What do you usually look to buy? 

Oh yes! I spend all my profits on Etsy—mostly on supplies (beads, chain, findings, etc.) for jewelry making but also on gifts for birthdays, Christmas, weddings, etc. This is undoubtedly a key reason I don’t make money from my shop! Everyone in my family has received hand crafted gifts from Etsy artisans—hand-knit scarves, soaps, jewelry, art, and a gorgeous set of hand-forged bells. Right now, I’m shopping for a mother of the bride dress as both my kids are getting married next year.


What is your biggest challenge or difficulty as an Etsy shop owner?

Being seen! In general, I have a high ratio of likes to views, at least for many pieces--but nowhere near as many views as I’d like and think you need to really be successful. I always feel like there’s so much more I should be doing to promote my shop, from buying a better camera to making more use of social media. Pricing is hard too but I think visibility for a jewelry shop is number one.


Which is your favorite social media to use and recommend to other sellers for cross-promoting and why?

I have a Facebook page for my shop but it hasn’t gotten many views and I don’t like how "pushy" Facebook is about advertising. I like Pinterest and should probably use it more. I don’t tweet—yet. Maybe when I stop working at my other job I’ll be able to do more promoting!

Thank you Karen for your insight and your generosity !

Visit Karen's shop today at www.etsy.com/shop/catchingwaves!

******************************************

If you are a member of the SPS Team and wish to be featured on our Team Blog in the series of articles 'Meet our Team Members' do not hesitate to contact our Leader, Natalie!

Read some other amazing stories from our Team Members :

Vintage Shops:

- Carol from BarnShopAntiques

- Stanislavs from Astra 9
- Paula from Bridget's Collection

Handmade Shops:

- Barbara from BabyWearbyBabs
- Denise from Golf Coast Laser Graphics

- Beth from Corky Crafts

- Diane from CharmedBaublesNBeads

- Ellen from The Chilly Dog



PRESENTED TO YOU BY OUR LEADER: 

My name is Natalie. I am a French-Canadian gal, but I live in South Korea. My passion is called "Hanji" : sumptuous Korean paper made of mulberry pulp. Hanji has been used for a thousand years in Korea to create decorative or ceremonial objects. For me, it is essential to offer useful and practical objects, that can enjoyed on a daily basis. Tissue cases, pen holders, jewelry, fridge magnets, hair accessories: let the beauty and unique character of Hanji paper make our everyday life objects irresistible!          www.etsy.com/shop/HanjiNaty Follow Natalie's Blog For The Latest Updates To Her Shop: www.hanjinaty.com

Pastel Selection of Weekend Treasury Game

Dear Readers,

 I was thinking how can I choose some of the many beautiful treasuries today and my choice is a PASTEL. "Pastels or pastel colors are the family of colors which have high value and low to intermediate saturation. The name comes from pastels, art media characteristic of this color family. The colors of this family are usually described as "soothing", "soft", "near neutral", "milky", "washed out", "desaturated", lacking strong chromatic content. Pink, mauve and baby blue are typical pastel colors" as Wikipedia said.

You can see my romantic PINK selection:

I wish you a beautiful Spring day:

PRESENTED TO YOU BY OUR CAPTAIN: 

Hi, my name is Ildi. I really enjoy the process of making pottery: I sit down at a table with clay and try to make something that I have an imagination of. I want something and the clay wants something but in the end I can work until I am most satisfied with the outcome.

Seller Of The Day 4/7 - 4/19

Meet Strategic Promotions for Success Teamies Seller of the Day and those who promoted them! Stop by this weeks game and play for your chance to be featured next week :<)

The SPST Shop of the Day is a daily thread in which team members promote the Shops of the Day by faving, tweeting, pinning, or by using other social medias. 

Members may be added to the Master List by participating in the thread at least 4 times during the week and posting their Shop name and link along with a brief description of your Shop. This is a great way to have your shop promoted and keep the cross-promoting going with our teammies. At the end of the week, I will create a Treasury with a few of the promoted items for the week to give you extra exposure to your shops! 

Enjoy!

Be sure to stop by and promote today's Seller of the Day! You could be it next week!


SOTD April 21 - 26 GAME

PRESENTED TO YOU BY OUR LEADER:   

Hi, my name is Angela. I have a passion for fabric and clothing design. Its like making your own puzzles with vibrant colors, patterns and textiles :<)   www.etsy.com/shop/amievoltaire

Wonderful Easter items!

Many of our Team members at Strategic Promotion for Success team have many marvellous Easter items in their shops!

Here is a selection of some of the loveliest items you can find in our teammies' shops on Etsy :







We wish you all a wonderful Easter, filled with joy and beauty!



PRESENTED TO YOU BY OUR LEADER :

My name is Paula. My shop name comes from my middle name, Bridget, which I got from my grandmother and just love. My shop, BridgetsCollection, carries a collection of items (thus the title) that are all of interest to me. I enjoy going to estate sales and thrift shops to find that special vintage item. I love mid-century modern, I love Pyrex, and I LOVE the hunt! I enjoy finding a used item and up-cycling it to give it a new purpose and a new life. I enjoy crafting in many forms, and never feel the need to limit myself to a certain craft or media. I grab a morning tea, decide what interests me, and I go with my heart's desire of that day. I hope you enjoy my collection!

 

Follow Paula on the different social media platforms:
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/paulabrod
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BridgetsCollection

Treasury Pin : a great tool to promote your treasuries on Pinterest!

If you sell on Etsy, chances are you have either been featured in a treasury or made a treasury of your own. It's also quite likely that you have pinned a treasury on Pinterest to promote it.

One thing that has always frustrated me about using the "Pin It" button to share treasuries is that only the first item of the collection is pictured. That first item may be beautiful, but it doesn't seem fair that the other 15 spectacular items aren't shown.

That's why I was so excited to discover Treasury Pin on the web.This handy site helps you pin a treasury and show 4, 8, 12, or all 16 of the treasury items in the pinned image.

Step 1: 

Enter the URL of the treasury you want to pin. Just copy and paste.

Step 2:

If you want to pin an image of the first 8 treasury items, just click the "Pin It" button.

Otherwise, click the "New Treasury Pin Editor" link.

Step 3:

Select how you want the images displayed. You can rearrange them and choose how many items to display.

Step 4:

After you select the size, just click the "Click Here" link.

Finally, you'll get to see your finished image and be able to select the "Pin It" button.

Yes, it takes a couple extra steps to pin a treasury like from this site. However, people are more likely to find something they may be interested in and repin or click through to the treasury. For me, it is well worth the extra minute or two it takes to use this tool because I want my treasuries to get all the exposure possible.

Who is behind Treasury Pin? According to the "Who" section on the site, we can thank Heidi from DaisiesChain. You can also find Heidi on Pinterest.

Happy treasury pinning!



PRESENTED TO YOU BY OUR LEADER :

My name is Ellen and I LOVE to design and create things. I find it deeply satisfying to start with nothing more than an idea and finish with a tangible, beautiful, functional piece of work. I enjoy learning new techniques that I can incorporate into my creations. I practice a variety of different art forms, but find I always have at least one knit, crochet or sewing project in progress.

www.etsy.com/shop/thechillydog

Seller of the Day 4/7 - 4/12

Meet Strategic Promotion for Success Teammies Seller of the Day and those who promoted them! Stop by this weeks game and play for your chance to be featured next week :<)

 

The SPST Shop of the Day is a daily thread in which team members promote the Shops of the Day by faving, tweeting, pinning, or by using other social medias. 

Members may be added to the Master List by participating in the thread at least 4 times during the week and posting their Shop name and link along with a brief description of your Shop. This is a great way to have your shop promoted and keep the cross-promoting going with our teammies. At the end of the week, I will create a Treasury with a few of the promoted items for the week to give you extra exposure to your shops! 

Enjoy!

Be sure to stop by and promote today's Seller of the Day! You could be it next week!

SOTD April 7 - 12 GAME

PRESENTED TO YOU BY OUR LEADER:   

Hi, my name is Angela. I have a passion for fabric and clothing design. Its like making your own puzzles with vibrant colors, patterns and textiles :<)   www.etsy.com/shop/amievoltaire