New on Ning - An introduction and How to for the "Sell or Trade" Section

Well, it's been a while since I posted and Ning has gone through a few updates and changes. One of the new sections/features that has been added is a "SELL OR TRADE" section. Unfortunately, the only option Ning had for me to add was a "groups" section. I would have preferred to do a forum style posting but we are only allowed one forum and we already have one. So, I thought I would explain here why I added the "Sell or Trade" section and how to use it.

I know many of us (probably most of us) have supplies that are ready for a new home. There are always things you might like to destash, never used or barely used tools, embellishments, etc., but they aren't the kind of things you want to list in your shop. The "SELL or TRADE" section on NING is exactly for that purpose. We currently have close to three hundred members on Ning and are ever growing. Surely with all those paper crafters out there someone would find your destash supplies useful. The Sell or Trade section is a great way for our members to list what they have, possibly how much they would like for the item(s), and any other info that might help find their destash supplies a new and loving home. There are currently two members with plenty of items to offer so be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom of the main page on Ning to see what's on the offering table.

SELL or TRADE - How to add your own destash items

Listing your items is easy to do. Click on the "Sell or Trade" tab at the top of any page on Ning or click on the EtsyPaper photo under the "groups" box on the main page. All you have to do is click "start discussion" and go to town with your items and info. PLEASE DO NOT ADD A GROUP or your listing will be removed. I am also asking everyone listing to not add photos. You can provide photos via convos, email or Ning messaging.

PLEASE NOTE: This section is ONLY for items you think other team members may be interested in (ex. stamps, craft equipment,destash supplies, etc.) and not for regular items you sell in your shop. Any items NOT fitting the criteria will be removed by admin.

I hope this new section will give members a fun way to clean out their crafting space and also find something to fill it back up with:)

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, suggestions or concerns. Now, go see what our members are offering and be sure to add your own!

Flickr Pool Friday

Time to feed the fish! I just love the tranquility of this - very soothing:)

PHOTO: Fubabee

EtsyPaper Team Weekly Featured Member - Emma Wilson

We missed a featured member post last week but we are back with our feature this week. Our next featured team member is Emma Wilson. Emma is the creative mind behind Pumpkin Sputnik. She creates notebooks and cards using images from her own beautiful photography. Emma has been a member of our team since January, 2008. We have 3 questions that tell us a little about Emma and her shop and she has chosen 6 out of all of the questions that were submitted by our team members on the forum post. Here are her answers to our questions - happy reading!

Tell us a little about yourself :

Hi! My name is Emma, I live in Glasgow, Scotland with my lovely husband and two gorgeous children. I have a degree in Design and Craft, so this is what I always wanted to do, however, the kids are my full-time job at the moment until they are a little older.



Tell us about your shop:

*When did you open it?

I opened my Etsy shop in August 2007.

*What items/type of items do you sell?

I make lots of notebooks, note cards and writing sets. I've also made wedding invitations and change of address cards.

Getting to know you - 5 Questions

1. Name top (3-5) items (for crafting purposes) that you cannot live without.

PC, bone folder, corner stamp, printers, guillotine.

2. When do you find time for crafting?

I try to do as much as I can while the kids are at school, 3pm comes around really quickly though!!

3. Do you remember the first item you made, and if so, do you still have it (or a picture of it)?

One of the first things I made at school which really inspired me to do what I did in Art School and after was an enamelled copper pendant - I was about 9. I remember the day so clearly, I was so excited when the art teacher showed us what to do and how it would come out. It's a butterfly shape and yes I still have it. When I was in Art School I specialised in enamelling and went on to make silver and enamel jewellery afterwards until I had the kids. I've also always made my own greetings cards for Christmas and birthdays, even when I was small!

4. Do you have a special space for your crafting, or does the kitchen table do double duty?

I'm very lucky to have use of the attic room - I do have to share it with lots of stuff which needs stored away though.

5.Why did you decide to become an Etsy seller?

Gosh, I remember being so excited when I found Etsy - I could actually sell my stuff online at a really low cost and be in complete control - fantastic! And it looks great!

6. What do you have on while you're creating, if anything, and is it tuned to something specific? (i.e. tv, radio)

I always have either the radio on or some music, I hate it when it's too quiet. Music helps me relax and focus and the radio keeps me company!



Find her here:

SHOP - Pumpkin Sputnik

BLOG - Pumpkin Sputnik

NING - Emma

Craftcult Ads - A Review from Member Michelle Neuendorf

Hello Etsy Paper Street Team Members! Sarah noticed that I recently ran an ad on Craftcult (a.k.a. "HEART-O-TRON) and asked me to write a post about my experience. Before I share anything, I want to let you know how I view advertising. We all love instant feedback and instant results, but I look at advertising, this type especially, as exposure and future sales. That being said, here's how it went...

The owners of the site are great to work with! Communication was wonderful and they are very helpful. I chose to run the 4 day carousel/7 day sidebar bundle. The carousel was scheduled to start first, and the great thing is, you can change the image you have on there every single day! I ended up getting more then 4 days. I'm not sure if it was because of the holiday weekend (Memorial Day) or what happened, but I'll always take a bonus! My views were the highest on Saturday and Memorial Day, but on average I received 9 views per day from the carousel.

The side bar add started 2 days after the carousel ended. I'm not sure why, but my views increased the longer the ad was up. On average, I received 8 views a day from this ad. I wouldn't say either ad brought me a ton of views, but it was 8 people who didn't know I existed before, 8 people who were interested in what I sell enough to take a look, 8 people who will hopefully remember me when they need a greeting card.

I was hearted by 28 people over the course of the ad run. Even though hearts don't equal sales, I look at them as possible future sales.

My shop has only been around for 3 months now, so I don't really have a feel for what is "normal," but it does seem that my sales have been slower in May. I do think they will be slower for the summer months in general. I know I spend less time on the computer during the summer months. I had 4 sales during the run of the ad, but 2 were to a repeat customer, so I don' t think that came from the ad.

Would I call it instant success? No. Would I say the results were huge? No. Did my ad pay for itself? Not immediately, but it did bring my shop more exposure. Don't forget, people won't automatically come to your shop, they need to know you are there. Would I advertise again? Absolutely. I especially like the carousel ad, since you can show your actual product, and change the image.

I hope this information helps. Feel free to convo me with any questions you might have. Have a great day!

Michelle Neuendorf

FIND HER HERE:

My Splitcoast Stampers Gallery: www.splitcoaststampers.com/go/michellenstamps

Quality, Handmade Cards For Sale: http://www.michellenstamps.etsy.com/

My Stamping Blog: http://www.michellenstamps.blogspot.com/

Business Card Swap Update

I have finally received every one's business cards for the May/June Team card swap and will be dividing them up and mailing them back out tomorrow. Keep a close eye on your mailboxes because they should be arriving this week. I have to say that I have really enjoyed looking at all of the different cards and the variety of styles just proves what a talented bunch we all are:)

REMEMBER:
Participating in this swap is easy. When you sell something from your shop, send along one of your business cards and one from a fellow member's shop. It may take a while for you to "clear out" all of the cards (especially if you have a slower shop), but hopefully your customers will be curious enough to check out your friend's shop as well as return to your shop. For those of you who missed this swap, no worries. We will host another one in the future. I hope this is a successful promo for you all! Happy card swapping.