Friday, August 29, 2014

Where To Find The Hudson Valley Etsy Team This Weekend

It's time for the Rosehaven Alpaca Festival, part of the 2014 Bethel Woods Harvest Festival.

There will be Alpacas, exhibits, spinners and weavers, scarves, shawls, gloves, hats, jackets, dresses, skirts, sweaters and much more featuring our very own Huzzah Handmade.

The festival takes places this Sunday, August 31, from 11AM-4PM at the at Harvest Festival Field in Bethel Woods, NY.
Huzzah Handmade
Huzzah Handmade
Huzzah Handmade
Happy shopping!


Thursday, August 28, 2014

Setting up a Commuter Office

Like many creative entrepreneurs, I have a full-time "real job" that helps support my family while I work on building my small business. I am grateful for my job, but the long commute is my least favorite part of the day. Spending over 3 hours every day on a train isn't that fun in general, but what's worse is that I can't stop thinking about how much I would love to be spending those 3 hours filling orders for my shop, designing new products, or just building my brand.

I recently decided to take control of my commuting hours and make them "office" hours.The bright side is that every commuting day I get about 3 uninterrupted hours to spend on my business. The working conditions may not be ideal and yes, I'm pretty exhausted by the time I get on my train home, but I'm actually getting things done.

Here are my Top 5 Tips for a Successful Commuting Office:


1. To Do List
Keep a notebook handy at all times where you can jot down things you need to do for your business. Every morning I use the first part of my commute to pick the tasks I think I can handle on my morning and evening commute. Then I make a list for the day.

2. Block all social media.
It's too easy to burn 45 minutes mindlessly scrolling through Facebook. I went as far as deleting Facebook and Twitter permanently from my phone (I kept Instagram). If you don't want to delete the apps then keep your phone in your bag and out of reach.

3. Reading for inspiration.
I'm a big believer in reading non-fiction and biographies. So much motivation can come from reading about other people with ambitious dreams. My recent favorite reads were Jim Henson by Brian Jay Jones, and The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg. If you're a car/driving commuter then pop in some audio books!

4. Tools of the trade.
I often tote my laptop and Wacom tablet on the train so I can get some design work done, or just sketch. If you're a knitter then the train is an ideal place to get knitting or crocheting done. If your craft isn't portable then just try bringing a journal to make lists, dream, or doodle new ideas.

5. Give your brain a break.
Let's be honest, it's exhausting working multiple jobs, worrying about time and money, caring for our families and pets, making dinner, getting enough sleep - the list is endless. It's important to allow yourself a break from the madness and just zone out. Take a 20 minute nap, listen to some relaxing music, or flip through a magazine. 

Ryan - WickedMint

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

ETSY Success Book Review

I am a sucker for a $2.99 Kindle self-help book.
I do have a bunch of them loaded in my kindle.

But this latest one:

 

has a ton of helpful content from sellers that 
have sales in excess of thousands of dollars.

One artist who I have admired and been inspired by had 
a few very simple sentences to offer as advice.

One that intrigued me was something like this:

'Re-list often, even 2 to 3 times a day, if I don't re-list
I don't have any sales.'

This artist, I thought, had a ETSY store that was magically
self sufficient. But now that my attention was drawn to it, I realize that 
she does re-list very often.

So I followed her advice this week and re-listed at least once
every day. I did have two orders this week, which for me
is  a lot. I do have better sales at craft fairs but am working to increase my ETSY 
sales. I will give this another week to see if it really can help.
The increase in business should off set the increase in fees...hopefully :)

There is a lot of helpful information here from some very successful sellers.
I know that with all the changes that have taken place on ETSY,
each and every sale is hard earned.

I did follow through with the second week of increased re-listing
but did not have the same results.
However traffic has increased and theoretically that should
result in increased sales.....

The ETSY mystery to be continued.......

Sunday, August 24, 2014

Vacation time!


I am getting ready for a trip to the cape.  I will enjoy strolling the towns, hanging on the beach, and leisure activities. Here's the packing list:

1. The bag, you have to have a great bag. The key is big enough for a towel but light enough that you can walk for miles with it. The Handmade Beach Tote with vintage fabric is perfect for this job.

2. Keys, I will have keys, room keys, car keys, locker keys, and I don't want to lose them.  I think shiny metal that clangs in the bag and shines on the ground is a security for not leaving them behind. The Trio of Metal Keychain will do this and I can personalized it to remember my vacation.

3. I hope to have my bathing suit on most of the time enjoying the water and the beach, however when I want to walk into town and eat or stroll the stores, I want to throw on a cute dress like the meerwiibli scalloped hearts dress.

4.Vanity, can't forget my vanity.  I need a lovely necklace to wear on vacation.  Anchors away with the Achor Charm Necklace.

5. When I have watched enough people on the shore and finished my romantic novel,  I can catch up on some knitting for my fall wardrobe. Check out Hand spun Merino worsted weight singles Yarn - Tears of a Clown


6. A big beach bag needs a pouch to separate the small things, or to carry around when I don't need the bag.  Zipper Pouch Medium- Marimekko Colorful Squares is great happy colors and easy to find in my bag.

7. I burn, the sun just cooks my skin. I like to have a soft t-shirt to cover my shoulders.  Hell Yes Ice Cream. Women's V-neck keeps me protected and also express my attitude on vacation.

8. Salty water, hot sun...don't forget the lip balm, Ultimate Healing or Orange Delight Lip Balm.

9. Peony Coin Purse keeps your change from gathering at the bottom of your bag.  It also keeps the change handy for parking meters, swim lockers, and vending machines.

10. I am hoping to stay outside through the sunsets and into the bonfires.  I don't want to let the bugs scare me away. Bug away spray will do the trick!

What are you bringing?


Thursday, August 21, 2014

Where To Find The Hudson Valley Etsy Team This Weekend

It's Warwick Makers Market time this Sunday! The market is located on the Railroad Green in beautiful Warwick, NY, August 24, from 9AM-3PM.

We have three talented members of the Hudson Valley Etsy Team who will be selling the amazing creations there, so go check it out!

Get Glassy
Get Glassy
Get Glassy
Huzzah Handmade
Huzzah Handmade
Huzzah Handmade
Stone and Fiber
Stone and Fiber
Stone and Fiber
Happy shopping!

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Gone to the Beach

It's time to go to the Beach
with the Hudson Valley Etsy Team

It's full on summer and one's thoughts turn toward the shore.  Here are some lovely handmade items from the team inspired by a love of the waters around us!

Charms of Faith
Unnamed Road

RG Clay Designs
Huzzah Handmade
a Studio by the Sea
Stone and Fiber


Jody
a Studio by the Sea



Thursday, August 14, 2014

Where To Find The Hudson Valley Etsy Team This Weekend

We got one big event for you this weekend. Yours truly, Meerwiibli by Sarah-Maria aka The Tailored Mermaid, will be participating in the Garrison Fine Crafts Fair for the 3rd year in a row (though I guess that's not anywhere near their anniversary - the fair has been an annual event for the last 45 years!
The Tailored Mermaid
We will be at the fair, which is located in Garrison, NY, right on the Landing by the Hudson, selling the Meerwiibli line as well as a selection of women's clothing and accessories by the wonderful group of designers we carry at our brick and mortar location in Beacon (which will be open all weekend as well). The fair is this Saturday and Sunday, August 16 and 17, from 10AM-5PM.
Meerwiibli by Sarah-Maria
Happy shopping and hope to see you there!