We now return to our regularily scheduled programming

During my vacation from my regularly scheduled blog posts, I spent some time thinking about what direction I want to take this blog, what my goals are for it over the next few months and how I can possibly reach those goals.

That lead to me thinking about what my mission statement should be for my scheduled blogs. Which got me thinking harder and took me down a few paths that I backed right out of before taking more than one or two steps more than I wanted to.

I started doing a weekly feature because

A) I wanted to drive more traffic to my blog and hopefully further on to my Etsy shops, TMCPhoto and PeanutButterPie.

B) I wanted to showcase some of the artists that really caught my eye while browsing through Etsy

and

C) I wanted to send out some positive Etsy Karma and hopefully help some of these incredibly talented artists and artisans make a sale here and there; the idea being what goes around comes around. If I can help a fellow Etsian add to their income the positive energy would make its way back towards me.

I can honestly say that A has been achieved. My weekly 5 question features garners the highest traffic to my blog each week, sometimes in record numbers. There are one or two features that still get heavy hits. B, it goes without saying is also a goal well met. All my features are of people who's work I adore, In some cases they have work that I have paid for and in others they have work that I would gladly fork over cash for if I had it to spend. C was a bit of a tricky goal, I mean how do you know if something you've posted online has directly resulted in a sale unless the buyer or the seller lets you know. Fortunately In the case of my feature on TubbyTabby this was the case. I can't tell you how tickled I was to have had a hand in making a sale.

My goals for the next few months are more of the same with a little more thought put into it. I'm putting a little bit more lead time ahead of each live posting, hoping to have posts written, linked and ready to go live well ahead of schedule so that I'm not scrambling (yes even working two weeks in advance I was scrambling at some points) and in the case of unexpected speed bumps I'll have some wriggle room and possible ready to go features to tide me over until I can get back up to speed.

Abiding by a feature mission statement meant I've had to create one:

5 questions is a fun look into the mind of an Etsy artist or artisan who's work is something that I personally love. the work has to be something that I would buy for myself or as a gift, have bought for myself or as a gift or have on my personal wish list. The 5 questions asked will range from a growing list of questions I keep on file, chosen at random based on what I want to know about my chosen artist.

Making sure that I remind my readers that they can connect to any item featured in the post by clicking on it's image is also on my list. When I write up my features I always, always always link back not only to the Etsy shop but also to any of the items I've used to illustrate the feature with. In the few cases where the feature artist has requested or provided images that are not for sale in their Etsy shop I link to an appropriate Flickr page or personal website. In any case you can always click on an image of something you like to get more information.

Also a to do is a re-write of my request to feature convo. This is just something for me to help keep me organized. Asking for images and links to websites, blogs and fan pages so I'm not forgetting anything when I start to write.

With this post I'm priming the pump for the return of 5 questions next week. Next weeks feature is an artist and designer that I'm pleased to say falls into the category of some one I have bought from. I came across her while browsing Totally Tutorials blog exchange program. I liked her work so much, felt so inspired what she was offering and immediately had a handful of good ideas for projects that I applied for her exchange. Those ideas for a tutorial really got me excited and I happened to be in a particularly productive stage, I couldn't wait to see who would be accepted for the exchange and I bought a few sheets before she could even post her picks.......

But more about that next week.

5 questions: Casual Blings and Things

Before we get started, help me celebrate one whole year on Etsy and enter my giveaway! The deadline to enter is rushing this way, you don't want to miss out.

Have you heard of Mixxmade? it's a social networking site for creative people.

I've recently joined with an eye towards meeting other creative types like me; that's where I came across Jodi of TubbyTabby and her eclectic mix of jewellery made from upcycled game pieces like scrabble tiles and backgammon pieces, not to mention the pendants she makes from American Brick; wooden blocks that were toys in the 1940's.


Tabby's jewelry really lives up to her tag line as casual bling, all her pendants would look fantastic on any day of the week and can even work well for a few not so casual events too.

TubbyTabby's works are unique, colourful and wonderfully designed, which isn't surprising, seeing as she also has a second Etsy shop; TopCatDesign where she sells her graphic design skills. You can follow Jodi on Twitter. As always; if you see something you like, make sure to click on an image for more details.


What got you started?

I really started selling on Etsy purely by accident. My step-daughter was making Scrabble tiles and I saw how cute they were. I happened upon some wooden dominoes one day at a second hand store and started experimenting with those, had fun with it, and realized how much I really missed doing crafts, it just snowballed from there!



Do you have any influences that guide your work?

My only influences are really my mood at the time and my laid back attitude, just whatever happens. I usually have something in mind when I start to create, but without fail, it always, pleasantly or not, goes in a different direction. I guess that's why I consider my jewelry creations very eclectic, ya just never know what I might dream up.



What is your ultimate creator’s block cure?

Usually the best thing is to walk away and come back to it later. I love to laugh, so usually if I'm not creating, I'm not happy about something. The best cure for me is to watch something or talk to someone that makes me laugh, usually takes care of it.


What has surprised you most about selling your creations online?

How much work it takes to get people to notice and purchase. I suppose I just originally thought that everyone would see my wonderful creations and would just HAVE to buy something! I work promoting my sites everyday now, it's hard work! On the design end of it, it's even harder because (no offense to anyone) but graphic design is what I do for a living and I find it hard to compete with the low ball pricing people expect for design work. I feel its the quality of my work that will bring customers in the end, just will take some time.



Rock, Paper or Scissors? Scissors–

I can do a lot with scissors, I even run with them sometimes!