Guest Blogger Annie - Etsy Resources

I met Annie on Etsy, she was kind enough to give us some tips on etsy! Be sure to also check out her blog, etsy, facebook and twitter. Thanks for dropping by Annie!

ETSY RESOURCES

I was browsing around Etsy the other day trying to find something about the site I didn’t already know. And you know what? I found it… Something so simple and useful that I had no idea about!

Have you ever clicked on the Resources tab under Etsy Community? No? Me neither… Yes? Don’t rub it in…

There are quite a few tools for you to use on and off Etsy. These two caught my eye ~ Banners & Avatars and Banner Generator.

Banners & Avatars is just what it sounds like ~ premade banners and avatars that are available to all Etsians announcing shop sales or vacations. I absolutely love it. I’m one of those sellers who created my own banner and avatar and I don’t want to create a gazillion of them for sales, vacations, and holidays. I can just go there, grab the one I want, and stick it on my shop. Same thing with the avatars, but they’re a little more customizable. You can choose between a “frame” to put over your current avatar (some photo editing knowledge required, but there are directions) or an all out new avatar. I love the frame ones, wish I would have thought of that…

The Banner Generator is so simple to use and has some colorful spring time options. All you have to do is enter your shop name and your shop’s tagline, select the image you want to use, and voila ~ you have yourself a new banner. You don’t even have to own Photoshop.

That’s not all there is to offer at Etsy Resources, you can also view the Seller Handbook, grab a badge or button for your blog, snag some great seller deals (from MOO Cards, FedEx, and others), as well as, find some VERY useful Etsy apps. Those I did already know about… surprisingly. You can also view all of this from “Your Etsy” way down at the bottom!


BLOG: http://anniedees.com
ETSY: http://www.anniedees.etsy.com
FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/anniedees
TWITTER: http://twitter.com/anniedee83

Guest Feature and Giveaway

winner is chosen with random.org

giveaway: worldwide

This week's giveaway is from Taralee from ilovestarryeyed.com. I found Taralee through twitter and when I checked out her lovely shop I realized that Raquel Reed was one of the girls who sported her cute bows! I've been a fan of Raquel Reed for quite some time, so I had to take a look at what else Taralee had in her shop. These hair bows were absolutely cute! When I got to talk to Taralee, she was kind enough to offer a hair bow for a giveaway for YourSweetTreat readers! Thank you Taralee!! Be sure to join this giveaway, you don't want to miss the chance to win one of her bows!

ilovestarryeyed, what is the meaning in your shop name and is this your full time job:
My shop name is actually Starry Eyed Bowtique. I chose to use the url www.ilovestarryeyed.com because I thought it sounded a bit more fun, and because there is also a company that uses a similar name and I didn't want people to get the two mixed up. This actually isn't my full time job. I run Starry Eyed Bowtique part time and am a full time student studying graphic and web design.


What inspired you to start your handmade shop:
Believe it or not, the whole idea behind my shop was actually completely unplanned. I had always loved hair bows but felt like it could sometimes be hard to find exactly the kind of styles I'd been looking for. Eventually I taught myself how to make bows and my friends started commenting on them, asking me where I'd got them and such. I also had a lot of people online asking me if I had had any thoughts of selling my bows any time soon. That was pretty much how the shop was born. It went from me just doing something for fun to doing it as a job. I still can't get over it.

You were on etsy once and broke away, do you have any advice for etsy sellers:
Etsy was actually a great stepping stone for me. For anyone who is looking to test the waters and get their feet wet, this is the place to start. I gained a loyal customer base because I started there, it got me a lot of exposure in a short amount of time. My advice for etsy sellers would be to make your brand stand out as much as possible and promote, promote, promote! I think that with etsy self-promo is so important. You're essentially a fish swimming among thousands of other fish. So make yourself noticed, don't just blend in.


What is your favorite item in your shop and why:
My favourite item is and always will be the HUGE Yellow and Black Polka Dot Hair Bow. I'm a total sucker when it comes to polka dots! I can't get enough of them. The bow is just so bright and fun, it'll definitely get a lot of attention and compliments. I know mine does when I wear it!

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how to enter the contest

here are 6 chances you can win!

(if you leave your email addy with the comment or have it entered,

it'll be easier for me to contact the winner)

follow and comment - 1 chance

1- follow this blogspot page

* leave 1 comment on this blog

with your 'favorite item' link from ilovestarryeyed.com

twitter it - 2 chances

1 - if you have twitter, follow @ilovestarryeyed and @YourSweetTreat

2 - twitter the example below after you have followed us.

example: Just joined a giveaway! @ilovestarryeyed is giving away a cute hair bow accessory at YourSweetTreat.com - @YourSweetTreat #giveaway

* leave 1 comment on this blog after you followed our twitter and leave your twitter name

* leave 1 comment if you tweeted the example sentance

facebook it - 2 chances

1 - if you have facebook, go to http://www.facebook.com/pages/Starry-Eyed-Clothing/198193825759

- become a fan and (post) let her know you joined her giveaway on YourSweetTreat.com

with your favorite item from Starry Eyed Bowtique's shop!

2 - if you have facebook, go to http://www.facebook.com/pages/YourSweetTreat/283420448491

- become a fan and (post) let me know you joined the giveaway on YourSweetTreat.com

with your favorite item from Your Sweet Treat's shop!

* leave 1 comment letting me know you "liked" StarryEyedClothing and left a post

* leave 1 comment letting me know you "liked" YourSweetTreat and left a post

blog it - 1 chance

1 - have a blog? blog about this contest

* leave 1 comment with your blog entry link!

giveaway ends friday february 18, 2011 8am pst

come back to see who the winner will be!

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Last Week's $30 Gift Certificate winner

from YourSweetTreat is #10 Va!

Congratulations! I'll be emailing you soon!