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, SPS Team!
How did your Etsy adventure begin?
Having my own store on Etsy had been a long dream of mine, one I first didn’t dare to realize. I wanted to “go out” with my photography and my handmade items and first started to write a blog (carolabartz.blogspot.com/). This quite naturally led me to open my Etsy shop a year later.
My first sale was one of my mini journals. One of my blog readers bought it three weeks after I had opened my store.
One day I hope my Etsy shop will be my full-time job. However, I still have a long way to go to achieve that goal! My next goal is to get more consistent sales. Although it is a licensed business, it feels more like a hobby at times.
What inspires you for your creations?
Inspiration can come from everywhere – often it is a certain color combination. Most of my inspiration comes from nature. The desert, the American Southwest are deeply moving for me. So are animals, especially coyotes, birds and owls. Witnessing the upbringing of two baby Great Horned owls in the wild fueled me to several paintings and a photo book.
Describe your workshop and your creation habits : where do you work? when is your favorite time to create? Are you messy or tidy? organized or organic?
In 2012 we bought our home and since then I have had my own studio. I painted it in bright happy colors – warm yellow and orange – and it looks out into my garden and the bird feeding station.
My favorite time to work here is the morning when I’m alone in the house and all is quiet. Usually my space is pretty messy, and in between I have big clean up days. Every time I vow to never let it get that messy again. It never works though… I often listen to music while I create, mainly to Native American music or the soundtrack of the “Lord of the Rings” movie trilogy.
Are you a buyer on Etsy as well? What do you usually look to buy?
Yes, I love to buy on Etsy. I bought jewelry, home decor, paintings and little things for my teenage daughter that goes into her advent calendar.
What is your biggest difficulty/challenge as an Etsy shop owner?
My biggest challenge is self-promoting, promoting my shop and items. I’m simply not good at it and feel awkward about it. I often seem to lack the right language as well. At times it can be difficult as a non-native speaker.
Which is your favorite social media to use and recommend to other sellers for cross-promoting and why?
I have a Facebook business page where I mainly post my photos and receive reasonable response. I also promote new listings or sales here, but not as often as I post photos and try to connect with my readers and/or customers.
Pinterest is very addictive, but I’m not sure whether I use it in the “right” way. I pin my new listings to it and see that people are re-pinning them, so that is good. I also get quite some traffic from Pinterest.
How does a team such as SPSTeam help you develop your Etsy business?
The SPS Team helps me with all the different events it offers. I don’t participate in all of them, but some – like making several treasuries for each other on a weekend, the CIJ sale event etc. I see that there is more traffic to my shop when I’m active in one or more of these events.
Thank you so much Carola for your insight and generosity !
Visit Carola's shop today : www.etsy.com/shop/CarolaBartz
You can also connect with Carola on her blog, and on different social media platforms :
Blog : carolabartz.blogspot.com
Facebook : www.facebook.com/CarolaBartzPhotoArt
Pinterest : www.pinterest.com/carolabartz
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!
Shops offering vintage and handmade items :
- Vicky from Fabric Muse, VLL Designs and SoulFILLedExpression
PRESENTED TO YOU BY OUR LEADER:
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, SPS Team!
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Today we are thrilled to introduce Carola, a German artist and shop owner who now lives in Northern California, USA! She opened her eponymous Etsy shop CarolaBartz in August 2011.
In Carola's shop you will find a fantastic selection of handcrafted greeting cards and tags, handmade journals, art and photography.
Let's meet Carola and learn about her creative process and inspiration, and how blogging let us to her dream of opening an Etsy shop!
In Carola's shop you will find a fantastic selection of handcrafted greeting cards and tags, handmade journals, art and photography.
Let's meet Carola and learn about her creative process and inspiration, and how blogging let us to her dream of opening an Etsy shop!
How did your Etsy adventure begin?
Having my own store on Etsy had been a long dream of mine, one I first didn’t dare to realize. I wanted to “go out” with my photography and my handmade items and first started to write a blog (carolabartz.blogspot.com/). This quite naturally led me to open my Etsy shop a year later.
My first sale was one of my mini journals. One of my blog readers bought it three weeks after I had opened my store.
One day I hope my Etsy shop will be my full-time job. However, I still have a long way to go to achieve that goal! My next goal is to get more consistent sales. Although it is a licensed business, it feels more like a hobby at times.
What inspires you for your creations?
Inspiration can come from everywhere – often it is a certain color combination. Most of my inspiration comes from nature. The desert, the American Southwest are deeply moving for me. So are animals, especially coyotes, birds and owls. Witnessing the upbringing of two baby Great Horned owls in the wild fueled me to several paintings and a photo book.
Describe your workshop and your creation habits : where do you work? when is your favorite time to create? Are you messy or tidy? organized or organic?
In 2012 we bought our home and since then I have had my own studio. I painted it in bright happy colors – warm yellow and orange – and it looks out into my garden and the bird feeding station.
My favorite time to work here is the morning when I’m alone in the house and all is quiet. Usually my space is pretty messy, and in between I have big clean up days. Every time I vow to never let it get that messy again. It never works though… I often listen to music while I create, mainly to Native American music or the soundtrack of the “Lord of the Rings” movie trilogy.
Are you a buyer on Etsy as well? What do you usually look to buy?
Yes, I love to buy on Etsy. I bought jewelry, home decor, paintings and little things for my teenage daughter that goes into her advent calendar.
What is your biggest difficulty/challenge as an Etsy shop owner?
My biggest challenge is self-promoting, promoting my shop and items. I’m simply not good at it and feel awkward about it. I often seem to lack the right language as well. At times it can be difficult as a non-native speaker.
Which is your favorite social media to use and recommend to other sellers for cross-promoting and why?
I have a Facebook business page where I mainly post my photos and receive reasonable response. I also promote new listings or sales here, but not as often as I post photos and try to connect with my readers and/or customers.
Pinterest is very addictive, but I’m not sure whether I use it in the “right” way. I pin my new listings to it and see that people are re-pinning them, so that is good. I also get quite some traffic from Pinterest.
How does a team such as SPSTeam help you develop your Etsy business?
The SPS Team helps me with all the different events it offers. I don’t participate in all of them, but some – like making several treasuries for each other on a weekend, the CIJ sale event etc. I see that there is more traffic to my shop when I’m active in one or more of these events.
Thank you so much Carola for your insight and generosity !
Visit Carola's shop today : www.etsy.com/shop/CarolaBartz
You can also connect with Carola on her blog, and on different social media platforms :
Blog : carolabartz.blogspot.com
Facebook : www.facebook.com/CarolaBartzPhotoArt
Pinterest : www.pinterest.com/carolabartz
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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 :
Handmade Shops:
- Valerie from The Valet Girl
- Beth from Pretty Byrd Design
- Anita from Echidna Art and Cards
- Diana from Jolie Femme
- Dorothy from Zzzonkowl
- Amy from Amy Ds Crochet
- Victoria from Twig And Petals
- Nancy from Berkshire Collections
- Valerie from The Valet Girl
- Beth from Pretty Byrd Design
- Anita from Echidna Art and Cards
- Diana from Jolie Femme
- Dorothy from Zzzonkowl
- Amy from Amy Ds Crochet
- Victoria from Twig And Petals
- Nancy from Berkshire Collections
- Karen from Catching Waves
- Barbara from Baby Wear by Babs
- Denise from Golf Coast Laser Graphics
- Ellen from The Chilly Dog- Barbara from Baby Wear by Babs
- Denise from Golf Coast Laser Graphics
Shops offering vintage and handmade items :
- Vicky from Fabric Muse, VLL Designs and SoulFILLedExpression
PRESENTED TO YOU BY OUR LEADER:
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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 |
Natalie, thank you so much for this feature! I'm so happy about it - and you made it so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteGreat feature for you Carola!!
DeleteThank you, Carola!! Your amazing work deserves to be known by many !!
DeleteCarola, it was so nice to read about you and your shop! Your work is so bright and wonderful!! Wishing you many sales!!
ReplyDelete