Some Etsy Advice

I asked my Facebook Friends for blog topics that they'd like me to cover and one of the first requests was about increasing sales on Etsy.

I do not claim to be an expert, but I'm happy to share what works for me.

There are a lot of hints and tips that to me seem important in having an Etsy shop, so the tips will be spread out over a few posts.

With that being said, here are the first three that I think are important.

• 1. Have a focus for your shop.
It seems like the shops that do very well, often have a specific focus. It's like they have postitioned themselves to try to be the "go-to" place for a specific item or area. I try to keep pretty much to "whimsical sculptural beads". When I try to sell some of my beads that are more "serious", they don't do as well, or sell as quickly. It seems like your customers will find you when you are "known" for a certain angle.

• 2. Your customers are more likely to want to look for you if you do three things...
a. have clear, uncluttered photos that show your product from different views.
Yes, I know photography is a pain and time consuming, but it also sells your work. Make sure you don't photo shop it too much, so it truly represents what you sell.
b. provide a product that is unique and somewhat different from others' work. Yes, it may be handmade, but if it doesn't look different from others, why would they want to buy from you?
c. If it is the same, or similar, you will want to be sure to price your items fairly, list often, (every day is what I recommend), and provide amazing customer service.

• 3. Amazing customer service - I define it by...communicate, communicate, communicate with your customers. Make sure that they know they are buying something that represents you. Package your items carefully, and send them out quickly. Perhaps your shop announcement says you mail on Tuesdays and Thursdays- that's cool, but be sure you stick to it.

So those are just a few of my hints for now. I'll be writing more about online selling. If you have tips too, please write them in the comment section and let everyone know. If you have specific questions that I might be able to answer, feel free to post them here or send them to me at ... studiomarcy@gmail.com. I'd be happy to answer them as best as I can.

See you back here tomorrow. Different topic, (gotta keep it diversified), but a fun one on jewelry trends. Hasta la vista, baby!

Fundraiser for Pancreatic Cancer

Just wanted to show you a group shot of our Team McClure at last Saturday's 5K for Pancreatic Cancer. There's our buddy, Mike in the middle who is a 10 month survivor (Go Mike!) and the number one individual fundraiser for the event. The team also was second place in overall fundraising. Some of you donated to this cause by sponsoring me. And I am so appreciative of it. If you are looking for this mug, I am way in the back barely peeking through- sixth from the right. My husband is wearing a hat and next to me.

It's good to remember what is really important in life, isn't it?

Blue Moon's Glass Camp- Woohoo!

I'm so excited, I can't sit still. Next Sunday I leave for Austin, TX to go to Glass Camp with Jim and Rose Berry at Blue Moon Glassworks.

You see, they offer a lot more than lampworking at their studio and although I am teaching sculptural glass class there in September 2010, this is to learn other types of glass from Jim and to work on possible collaborations that mix multi areas of glass. Woohoo!

So I've got a list of things I want to learn a mile long and I don't know how much of his time I can take, but here are some of the things I've been dreaming about.

Learn how to cut glass really well, and solder it. And to learn how to fuse and how to adjust my kiln and not be scared to death to try something that I am not sure about.

And he's got sandblasting, and cold working tools as well as one of those really cool things that you fill with glass chunks and then it melts it and you pull out the glass in swirls and then play with it. A pot melt?

And of course there's stained glass, mosaics, tons of other stuff too. I've looked at the photo gallery on his website and it looks like a playground any glass lover would enjoy.

If you haven't met Jim and Rose, here is a photo of them.

I'll be teaching a quickie evening sculptural Santa class on Tuesday night while I'm there as well. Jim reported that it filled in 2 days. I know that we will all have a lot of fun and laughs that evening too.

So where to start? I'm leaving that to Jim. I'll just be so happy to get the chance to learn a lot from him and his areas of expertise. And of course I'll be blogging about what I attempt and posting photos too, so you can learn along with me and see what I'm experiencing too.

So if you have suggestions of things I should request, please speak up. So much of this is totally new. I can melt glass, but there are so many other things to do with it too. I just hope I can sleep this week while waiting.

See you tomorrow right here on http://www.StudioMarcy.blogspot.com

Dragon Goblet by Catherine Miller

If you haven't recently browsed My Glass Art website, which is hosted by Hans Godo Frabel, you're missing another resource of a variety of styles of glass.

It includes all levels of glass artists, (don't forget to join and post your own work), so every once in a while, I like to see what's new on it.

This is a cold worked custom made wedding goblet by Catherine Miller. It's one of a pair- the other one is a pirate with equally fabulous details.

Here are more pieces of Catherine's work, and don't forget to look at her seahorse, which is another favorite.

I'll be periodically featuring other artists from this fun website, so stay tuned.

Happy Monday and wishing you a week filled with art and creativity.

Robert Mickelsen- Glass Artist & Cool Teacher

I just finished a 3 day Robert Mickelsen class at FlameTree Glass in Roswell, Georgia. And I have to say, it changed my entire personal perspective about glass.

I had taken it thinking that I would just want apply what I learn about boro sculpture, to my soft glass work, but I'm slightly dazed and amazed, because he changed my perspective and I now love boro too. I wouldn't have guessed that would happen in a million years.

You see, Robert is an amazing teacher and a super nice guy. He makes everyone feel comfortable, no matter what level they come in at. He is encouraging, helps us all out throughout the entire day and is so generous with his knowledge, extra demos and kind words. I don't say this about just
anyone, but this guy really has earned my respect.

He has a list of important concepts and then teaches
the sculptural pieces that explain what he is writing. We made trees at the beginning of class to illustrate how to properly connect the boro glass. I liked that. We learned to seal it and got a start at feeling what the glass feels like when molten.

The top photo shows him making a black widow spider. I am sad to say, mine died. She lost some of her legs and has come home with me never to see the light of day again. But, making all those tiny connections and feeling the pull of the glass, finding the right flame and the right spot in the flame made that exercise, and her demise all worthwhile.

The bottom photo was a request demo that he did late in the evening. Jessica Boggs and I were looking through a book and asked him to make one of the mermaids. He not only made her, but made her into a goblet as well. Holy cow, I think my mouth was open in amazement the entire time. One of the concepts with this piece was watching Robert achieve flow and movement with the body. It's what I've been trying to learn, but got to see in action for three days. I can't wait to practice more.

So I bet you've come to the correct conclusion that if I get an opportunity to take another class from Robert Mickelsen that I will jump. You bet I will! He rocks. And I strongly suggest that you jump at any chance too. He made a believer out of me. And once I finish here, I'm heading up to FlameTree to pick up my pieces and buy a little boro to get started.

Orbix Hot Glass - See The Rainbow

When I think about the term "fresh" and remember what attracted me to glass, I think of Orbix Hot Glass and Cal Breed's wonderful blown glass product line.

I always look for Cal's booth when he comes to Atlanta for the American Craft Council Show in the Spring. His combination of colors and use of transparents has me smiling as soon as I see his work.

You see, I used to paint watercolors and the transparent tints against white does something to me from the inside out. It is that feeling that someday I would like to translate through my work. But until I get to that point, I'm just going to visit Orbix Hot Glass's website and feel the rainbow vibe there. Please stop by and check it out.

And I'll see you tomorrow here, http://www.StudioMarcy.blogspot.com

The Artful Home Blown Glass Ornament Boutique

It's that time of the year when Artful Home offers up its annual ornament boutique. And each year, I try to get at least one. I love these glass treasures.

Here is a link to this year's line up. (Click Here!) I'd love to hear which ones are your favorites and feel free to post links in the comments section.

I have my eye on one in particular for this year, but we'll have to see if my wish comes to fruition. Feel free to guess if you would like.

Please cruise through the rest of the Artful Home's website. I always see such high quality artisan work, which always provides smiles and inspiration.

See you tomorrow here - http://www/studiomarcy.blogspot.com