Happy Birthday April!

It's time to Celebrate April and SPS Team members with April Birthdays. WOW we have soo many April Birthdays! :<)

A Big Happy Birthday to:

Berkshire Collections : April 2nd             Party Bag Lady   :<)

Berkshire Collections is the creation of professional seamstress Nancy Swantek. Thank you for browsing my shop! Look here for one-of-a-kind bags, pillows and more. Each tote bag is one of a kind and hand-embroidered with a "bb" logo, which stands for Boochie Bags, named for my daughter's nickname as a child. Berkshire Collections

Antigos : April 3rd           Party Book for a Birthday Girl

RiVer in Motion started out as a wholesaler and retailer of new brand name clothing and accessories for the entire family. Our clothes and accessories are 30-80% off compared to department store and boutique prices. We are growing steadily but we find ourselves always looking out for vintage items. Mixing the new and the old has become a VERY favorite hobby of ours. So when we saw all the gorgeous vintage treasures here in Etsy, we decided to open shop and let others see, and hopefully buy, what we have found. This shop is for the collectors, memorabilia enthusiasts, fashion divas and anyone who loves vintage like us. Antigo's

North South Shabby: April 9th                Born on Easter Day :<)

Welcome to our mother-daughter owned Etsy shop.♥ North has been artistic as long as she can remember. She would always go to craft shows and see such lovely things. "I can make that" she would say! But as a busy elementary school teacher raising a family she never did quite find the time to "make that". She settled for styling her home and decorating her classroom. Now she is retired and finally has time to "make that" and so much more! Her style, so influenced by the three generational home she lived in, is cozy shabby chic. ♥ Like mother, like daughter, South has always had a penchant for expressing her artistic talents. Her decor style now is influenced by the turquoise Caribbean waters but remains grounded in the vintage treasures surrounding her childhood in that same three generational home. Her style is best described as beach shabby. Both of us enjoy creating, collecting and orchestrating shabby, vintage and nautical pieces and arrangements. We both have a penchant for "putting things together" and have an innate artistic eye. We hope that you will find something you'll love in our shop! North South Shabby

Bridget's Collection : April 13th             Meet Bridget!  :<)

I am a married mom of two teenagers, who now has more time to pursue some of my passions. Let's face it - what teenager wants their MOM hanging around?!? I enjoy crafting, but have never felt the need to limit myself to one type of craft. I prefer to work in the medium that brings me joy at that moment. And, why not? I love creating a comfortable home, both with things I have made, and things I have found. I love the thrill of the hunt in thrift store shopping, and really enjoy mid-century modern pieces. Interestingly enough, I have found that my oldest teenager loves to go "thrifting" with me as he appreciates things with history. So, in my attempt to re-find my passion, I found a new connection with my child. What a blessing! I hope you will enjoy your time browsing through… Bridget's Collection

Paper Love Prints: April 15th             Our Event Planning Guru   :<)

From "Yes" to "I do" there is a lot to do and we know the wedding planning process can be quite a stressful one. We are here to make things easier for you! PaperLovePrints

'Happy Birthday April!' by Amievoltaire

Celebrating April Birthdays

April Birthdays

Shopping for an April Birthday Gift? Click April

Have an April Birthday? Would you like to be included in next month's Birthday treasury? Play April!


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

Raluca's Fresh Finds for 3/23 - 3/29

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/14176131

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

Meet our Members! -- Barbara from BabywearbyBabs

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!

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Today we are pleased to introduce Barbara, a craftswoman and shop owner who spends her time and talent dressing up the little ones! Barbara opened her Etsy shop, called "BabywearbyBabs", in January 2011.

In Barbara's shop you will find a wonderful selection of children's hand knit sweaters, booties, mittens and irresistible accessories.

Let's meet Barbara and learn about her Etsy adventure, stuggles and joys!

Why do you sell on Etsy? As a hobby or full-time job, etc.

I’ve been knitting since I was around 12 years old but only really picked it up again about five years ago when I was looking for something to get me through some personal stressful times. I ended up with so many finished pieces and no one to give them to that I decided to try selling them on Etsy. It is currently just a side business as I continue to work full time but it still provides an opportunity to use my creative side and de-stress at the end of the day.

What inspires you for your designs?

My inspiration usually comes from that dream state right before I go to sleep at night or wake up in the morning. The baby booties are so small that they have only a small area in which to add color or pattern. I have a sketch pad in my studio and use it to block out an idea when it comes to mind. My sweater designs can be much more expansive and varied. I use a collection of books by the great knitter, Barbara Walker, to find a multi-colored pattern or collection of patterns I like and then work them into the structure of the sweater.

How did your Etsy adventure begin?

I really thought that “If I open it, they will come” but I soon realized that I was just a very small dot in a very big Internet ocean. So, I have learned that I have to promote, promote, promote! I didn’t even have a personal facebook page when I started this journey but now have a personal facebook page, a business fan page, a Twitter account, a Pinterest account, and a StumbleUpon account. I have learned so much about social media and promoting oneself – but certainly have much more to learn. 

It took me six months to get my first sale and I was soooo excited! It was a fisherman knit sweater going to someone in New York. Since it was my first sale I didn’t have any experience in the mailing and tracking process. The USPS scanned the package incorrectly at my home post office and said it was already delivered!! I was so panicked I had no idea when the sweater would arrive or if it would ever arrive. But there is a happy ending. They buyer acknowledged receipt a few days later and I was so relieved and happy. 


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

I like to buy on Etsy but I am a very cautious spender so I don’t buy much regardless of where it comes from. However, when I see something that is a perfect fit for me, I do not hesitate. Just recently, I saw a beautiful wreath in a treasury someone had been promoting and it was love at first site. I had been looking for a door wreath for quite some time and this one was just a perfect fit for me in size, color combination, and design. I bought it right away and the seller was so kind and had great communication with me. It will grace my front door all summer long and I am thrilled.

What is the biggest frustration since opening your Etsy Shop?

I have been open about three years now and my shop is starting to get noticed. Since I do all the knitting myself and I still work full time it is hard to keep my shop stocked with inventory. I think the biggest frustration is not being able to grow and produce all the designs I have swirling around in my head because I am constantly rebuilding my sold inventory. I would love to have more time to develop beautiful designs AND increase my sales.


How do you use Etsy Teams to help you promote?

The most important part of selling on Etsy is to title and tag your items properly so that others on Etsy find your shop. I belong to several teams that help hone those labeling skills so my items will get found in searches. I also belong to several promotion based teams such as Strategic Promotion for Success which has a wide variety of ways to support other members and well as my own shop. I particularly like to support other team members through Treasury making games.

Thank you Barbara for your generosity !

Visit Barbara's shop today at www.etsy.com/shop/babywearbybabs!

You can also follow Barbara on the different social media platforms :
www.facebook.com/babywearbybabs
twitter.com/babswool
www.pinterest.com/babswool/
www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/babswool

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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

Handmade Shops:

- 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

Selection of the Weekend Games

Dear Readers,

We had so many beautiful treasuries last week. Fresh spring colors make our life happier. Beautiful green collection, clear white and sparkling orange. It looks like healthy. Enjoy!

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. www.etsy.com/shop/ceraminic

Seller of the Day - March 24 - 29

'SOTD March 24 - 29' by Amievoltaire

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 3-31 - 4/5 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