Archive for the ‘Etsy’ Category

A little vintage Friendly Plastic design by “Same as it ever was”

Friday, March 19th, 2010
The vintage style is a very hot trend right now....in fact even thought the vintage trend fades a little...it never goes out of style.  

I stumbled up on this design searching thru Etsy and thought you would enjoy.

 The artists describes:

 How many of you remember Friendly Plastic? You know those little plastic bars from the craft store that you warmed in water and then turned them in some funky designs and attached findings and made them into jewelry pieces. This was a medium that I (MaLinda) took to all new heights. Starting with winning local competitions in design to national attention and pattern design for the same.

These earrings are an example of the work that I did with this medium, incorporating Friendly Plastic with small silver beads to make an earring that is approximately 2 1/2" long, very lightweight, with surgical steel post. They are fun and attention getting!

Add these to your handmade and I suppose at this point vintage (made in the late 80's)jewelry collection for a fun upbeat difference.

Visit her etsy store by clicking here. 






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Posted in Art Jewelry, Etsy, Friendly Plastic, Plastic Industry News, same as it ever was, vintage friendly plastic jewelry | No Comments »

Advanced Photography Tips in Friendly Plastic

Wednesday, March 17th, 2010
Yesterday, I gave some basic photography tips to get you started.  If you simply want to share photos with family and friends, then the basics are all you will need.    However, if you want sell your work, such as on etsy, consider implicating these more advanced tips.

Why?  Because a picture is worth a thousand words.  Pictures can express feeling and emotion and they can create an impulse to buy...or a emotion of "I just gotta have that!"

So, with that thought in mind here is some more advanced tips.

Use diffusers to create soft light.  You can do this by placing a white shower curtain over a brightly lit window.  Or you can purchase a photography studio box for about $40 to $50.  These boxes have fabric on each side for you to diffuse light through.  This lessens harsh and undesirable shadows.

Avoid using a flash as this creates harsh shadows.

Play with the more advanced exposure settings on your camera.  If you find yourself in a low lit area, instead of turning on lights, which can effect the white balance, try increasing the "exposure" setting on your camera by a notch or two.  Take a test photo to see if the lighting is adequate.

Use a mirror to bounce light underneath objects to highlight the bottom or take away harsh shadows.  For a softer look, use white card stock to bounce light around and add a little highlight to certain areas.

Styling your jewelry or projects can really upscale their value.  For ideas on how to style your jewelry, look at jewelry or fashion magazines for ideas.  You don't need to spend a fortune on props.  Have a look around the house and get a little creative with your imagination.  Perhaps you have a vase that you can dangle some earrings from?  Or a nice simple wine glass?  Sand?  Rocks? and believe it or not, rice and black beans are great options too!.

Of course, this tip list is NOT exhaustive...there's so much more I could share.  But these are a little more advanced to get you started.  

Let's put those tips into practice.


Here Shari Wallace of WolfCreek Designs on etsy uses sand to stylize her photograph.  She's displayed the bracelet on a rock, which adds a nice effect without being overpowering.


 Jana Ewy of Just Bananas always does a great job of stylizing her artwork in her photos.  Here's she's used some inexpensive pebbles to add an organic touch. 

Notice that neither of these photos have harsh shadows and both are in clear focus.

I believe if you put these few tips into practice, you'll really make your artwork shine!!!



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Posted in Beginner Friendly Plastic, Etsy, Friendly Plastic colourizing tips, Jana Ewy, Just Bananas, photography tips, Plastic Industry News, Shari Wallace, wolf creek designs | No Comments »

Art Deco and Friendly Plastic by WolfCreek Designs

Monday, March 15th, 2010

Simple yet sophisticated! These are the words I would use to describe this lovely pendant by Shari Wallace of  WolfCreek Designs.  I don't know what it is....but I am soooooo drawn to the color orange recently!  Orange is a very trendy color now! As Sheri says "it has an art deco feel".  I agree!

Check out more of Shari's designs on Etsy by clicking here.

Also, do a search for "friendly plastic" on etsy and see all the other amazing artwork!

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Posted in alcohol inks, Art Jewelry, Etsy, filagree, friendly plastic pendants, Handmade jewelry, Plastic Industry News, Shari Wallace, Wolfcreek Designs | No Comments »

dance! DANCE! DANCE! DANCE!!! – Whimsical Artwork in Friendly Plastic by Pinderella

Sunday, March 14th, 2010
Im in a whimsical mood today....dunno why - It's dreary and rainy outside...but Im determined to make it a fun fun day!

Im in the middle of taking dance lessons....Dancing with the Stars kind of dance lessons.  It doesnt matter what is happening that day....Dancing instantly uplifts my mood - without drugs!!!  Im learning Salsa, West Coast Swing and the TANGO...ooohh la la....

So..I know you're saying...what the heck does this have to do with Friendly Plastic......and the answer is...

NOTHING!  It's just a fun story I wanted to share....but I was reminded of how great dancing is when I saw this Ballet Pin made by Pinderella of Etsy!  You should really check out her artwork!  It's whimsical...happy and fun!!!




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Posted in Art Jewelry, ballet, dancing, Etsy, friendly plastic on etsy, pinderella, Plastic Industry News, themed pin | No Comments »

Jana Ewy’s designs inspire Wolf Creek Designs Friendly Plastic Bracelets

Thursday, March 4th, 2010
Shari Wallace of Wolf Creek Designs credits her inspiration to Jana Ewy's ID bracelets.  Read on as she shares some of her latest work.



This is a Friendly Plastic cuff, made using alcohol inks and antique brass pieces. I adore the art deco feel of this piece, the dragonfly is amazing! This is one of my favorite cuffs so far. I'm gonna hate to part with it but someone needs to give this one a home and love it as much as I do.


Been trying some different finishing techniques with the cuff. I love Jana Ewy's hint on using the resin while the piece is still flat (see her article in the latest Belle Armoire Jewelry issue) - it works great with the ID bracelet pieces. I keep getting the resin too thick on the cuffs (because I love the look of the thick resin) but it makes it hard to get a good smooth bend. And the thicker the resin, the stiffer the bracelet ends up and its hard to get on and off. I need to find a happy medium in there! Next batch I will try the flat resin technique again but not make the resin quite so thick!


Want to see my ID bracelets too? Here's a sneak peek at one..


Jana, thanks so much for the idea on these! I love them and everyone that I've showed them to loves them too! I 'assembly line' the work so it seems to take forever to make them, but once the process is done I have more than a dozen ready to go at once.
I promise I will be back here more often...now that I am excited about jewelry again. I have a few more pieces to upload to Artfire and then I'm be putting some up on Etsy as well, but I haven't finished creating my store there yet - but soon!




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Posted in Art Jewelry, bangles, bracelets, cuff bracelts, Etsy, Friendly Plastic, Friendly Plastic Jewelry, Handmade jewelry, Jana Ewy, Plastic Industry News, wolf creek designs | No Comments »

Patchwork People Pins as seen in People Magazine

Thursday, December 17th, 2009

Thanks to google alerts, I've "discovered" yet another Friendly Plastic artist creating some amazing Friendly Plastic artwork.


These are called Patchwork People Pins and as the artist states they can be created to represent your family. Particularly this time of year, brooches are popular items with which to accessorize your wearables.
She travels to art shows in the Cincinatti area...so if you're close, stop by and see them in person!
There's sooooo much more to see in her etsy store...so click here!

Great job!!!


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Posted in Etsy, Friendly Plastic, friendly plastic brooch, Patchwork People Pins, Plastic Industry News | No Comments »

“Gourd”-geous Friendly Plastic on Etsy

Sunday, November 1st, 2009
The open design challenge deadline is fast approaching! So hurry and get your entries in!!!!!

One of the categories for this challenge is mixed media. I thought this "gourd"eous, friendly plastic gourd was a perfect example of combining Friendly Plastic with other mediums.

This particular gourd is available for sale on etsy offered by Nancy Weidower Art:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/NancyWiedowerArt

Be sure to check out all of her unique and mixed media art!

And while your there, here are some additional etsy sites to check out:

Friendly Plastic Supply Store - for sticks

Linda Peterson Designs - Friendly Plastic Mixed Media Jewelry and Pellets

Just Bananas

Silvernglass

Livethechaos

PansiesPunctilios

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Posted in Art Jewelry, Etsy, Friendly Plastic, friendly plastic artists, Plastic Industry News | No Comments »

Promote your Friendly Plastic designs on Etsy

Friday, September 18th, 2009
Not only do I want to help promote Friendly Plastic, my other goal is to help YOU promote your designs and effective ways to sell them. In my 18+ years of experience in selling my work, I have explored nearly every possible way of selling from Art & Craft shows, galleries, online and more. While Art & Craft shows are probably your best bet for some quick cash in a weekend (and still my favorite), we can not overlook the potential of selling your work online. I mean...how cool is it that you can sell a piece of YOUR work to someone in a foreign country and never get out of your pajamas???

With that being said, I think some have a misconception that if you put up a website or set up an online store, the sales will just flood in..... sorry, that's just not realistic. I will say though that over time, with effort and some savvy shameless self promotion, this can be a very good avenue for you to sell your work - make some extra cash or even make a living.

One site that I highly recommend is ETSY...It is very easy to set up your own store. Not only does Etsy provide this service at a very reasonable cost, they constantly send out newsletters filled with tips on how to promote and increase sales.

Here is a reprint of one of their articles that I thought was worth passing along. To set up an Etsy store - visit: http://www.etsy.com/ and make sure while you are their to sign up for their newsletter.

TheHouseOfMouse says:


Not getting any sales? Not getting any publicity? Want to be on the front page? Don’t moan about it. Do some research!

Improve your shop and learn to promote it. Every bit of information you need is already here on Etsy! (new addition with a couple of non-etsy links too)

IMPROVE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS: This is - I think - the most important part (which is why it is at the top and has the most links).
www.etsy.com/storque/section/howTos/article/staying-sharp-achieving-clarity-and-crispness-in-your-photos/1173/

www.etsy.com/storque/section/howTos/article/give-props-how-to-style-your-photos/1079/

www.etsy.com/storque/section/howTos/article/shop-makeover-series-photographing-for-success/913/

www.etsy.com/storque/section/events/article/your-shop-101-photograph-your-way-to-the-top/770/
www.etsy.com/storque/section/howTos/article/on-the-level-make-your-photos-pop-with-histograms-and-levels/547/

www.etsy.com/storque/section/howTos/article/bright-light-big-color-using-ev-and-white-balance-to-make-yo/477/


FIND A BUDDY - a buddy/mentor can help you with the personal disputes you cannot ask about in the forums because of the "calling out" rules. They can also give you great advice from experience on ways to improve your shop and get more out of Etsy. Team Sellers Assisting Sellers list is stuffed full of sellers who can help you with almost anything Etsy related:
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6236215


LEARN TO PRICE YOUR WORK CORRECTLY! If you under-price your work viewers will undervalue your creations and be put off just as much as they will be by an over-inflated price.
www.etsy.com/storque/search/tags/art-of-pricing/


WRITE GOOD DESCRIPTIONS! Help the buyer connect with your work

http://www.etsy.com/storque/section/howTos/article/making-the-most-of-your-descriptions/635/


WRITE CLEAR CONCISE POLICIES for your shop that make the customer clear on what they can expect from you.

www.etsy.com/storque/section/etsyNews/article/tech-update-plus-customer-care-tip-hello-policy/1681/

http://lifecraftinessandeverythingelse.blogspot.com/2009/05/etsy-sellers-tips-shop-policies.html


WRITE A PROFILE that sparks interest in your store! Help your customers get to know you.
www.etsy.com/storque/section/howTos/article/shop-makeover-series-crafting-a-profile-page/1056/


LEARN TO TAG EFFECTIVELY! Tagging is how your buyers (and treasury curators) find you! Remember to tag for colors too as those are the most common tags curators use when looking for treasury listings.
www.etsy.com/storque/section/howTos/article/guidelines-tips-tagging-on-etsy/281/
http://www.etsy.com/storque/search/title/international/

http://lifecraftinessandeverythingelse.blogspot.com/2009/01/etsy-sellers-tip-3-tagging.html


PROMOTE YOUR SHOP! If no one knows you are there then they can’t see your beautiful creations. Learn to shout about what you do.
www.etsy.com/storque/section/howTos/article/shop-makeover-series-pimp-your-shop-for-2008/876/

http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6120752

http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5797668

http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5453881&page=2


TAKE SOME FREE LESSONS IN MARKETING!
This 5 day course is the BEST I have found yet:
Day 1: http://handmadeologyuniversity.com/members/?p=240

Day 2: http://handmadeologyuniversity.com/members/?p=31

Day 3: http://handmadeologyuniversity.com/members/?p=38

Day 4: http://handmadeologyuniversity.com/members/?p=43

Day 5: http://handmadeologyuniversity.com/members/?p=53


STAY POSITIVE! Maintain a positive, friendly & helpful attitude in the forums -- a cheerful face is more likely to be remembered and added to treasuries than a grumpy one! Negative attitude in the forums affects the way people view you and your shop. Branding is not just about a logo, it is about everything you do in connection with your store. Many visitors to the forums actively avoid aggressive, whiny or rude members and their stores.

JOIN A TEAM! Teams help to promote their members and are also a great resource for honest advice about your shop. Teams often make treasuries featuring their own members. Take the time to be part of a supportive community!
www.team.etsy.com/join.html

BE UNIQUE! Find a way to make your product different from your competitors. Even if you are selling the same thing as 1,000 other people, you can still find a way to stand out from the crowd.
www.amazon.com/Purple-Cow-Transform-Business-Remarkable/dp/159184021X

www.littleput.typepad.com/me/2008/01/tip-2-make-a-gr.html


CONTINUALLY RE-EVALUATE YOUR STORE! Even if things are going well, there is always something that can be improved.
www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5458880&page=17


SIT IN ON A WEEKLY CRITIQUE! Even if you don't get critiqued you can learn a lot just from sitting in, watching and listening. Check the virtual labs schedule to see when the next ones will be.

http://www.etsy.com/storque/section/events/article/virtual-labs-schedule-august-4th-to-august-8th-2008/2272/

http://etsymentors.blogspot.com/2009/04/so-you-want-shop-critique.html


READ THE NEWBIE GUIDES – even if you are not a newbie! They are full of useful links and tips.
www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5581122

www.etsy.com/storque/section/howTos/article/a-beginners-guide-to-starting-a-shop-on-etsy/1721/



OTHER GREAT RESOURCES:

Ultimate Craft Guide - tutorials, advice, suppliers....
www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5453881&page=1


Storque how tos
www.etsy.com/storque/section/howTos/


Handmadeology – A blog about everything handmade/etsy/business

http://www.handmadeology.biz/home/


How to make it to the front page
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5738232


Etsy Wiki
http://www.etsywiki.com/index.php?title=Main_Page


Now since you are filled with selling knowledge....get busy making some friendly plastic artwork to sell.....and don't forget to send me a picture - I'll help you promote it!
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Posted in Art of Selling 101, Etsy, House of Mouse etsy store, Plastic Industry News, selling your artwork | No Comments »

Take the Handmade Pledge and Sell your Friendly Plastic Designs on Etsy

Wednesday, August 19th, 2009
I often peruse Etsy. It's great to see the increase of Friendly Plastic items being offered for sale by different artists.

I just had to share this listing because it is so unique and contemporary. The artist is Marissa from the etsy store: Livethechaos.



An adorable rendition of a hedgehog! Great job Marissa!

Since we're on the topic of etsy.....I wanted to share a few quick tips that I received from an Etsy newsletter. If you are not receiving Etsy's newsletter you should...there are tons of selling tips!!! These are great tips for all different venues of selling, not just for etsy! Below is an excerpt from one of those newsletters.

Read on my crafty friends:

I was very fortunate early on in my shop's existence to have people trust me and purchase items from my little shop, despite my newbie status. Because of this, I try to buy from newly opened shops or shops with few or no sales. My experience with newer or less experienced sellers has taught me a few valuable lessons about my own shop and how I handle customer service and my shop’s appearance.

.1. No shop banner or even worse no avatar!


Would you walk into a store that didn’t have a sign out front? Unless you are going for the super exclusive VIP look, get on it! If you have trouble making one, Etsy provides free avatar templates and does the banner work for you with the Bannerator. (Or check out the graphic artists on Etsy who sell avatars and banners here.)


.2. Stay up to date.

Ever read a listing describing how an item would make a great Valentine's Day gift in the middle of July? Maybe you've come across a seller who was supposed to return from vacation a couple weeks ago. Make sure your announcements and listings are up to date and relevant. Need help with creative copy? Check out this article on Writing for an Online Audience.


.3. Fill in the blanks.

Nothing says "I'm not paying attention" more than a missing item from the featured items row. If a featured item is purchased, make sure to replace it as soon as possible. Leaving these spots empty makes your shop look somewhat deserted. If you tend to be forgetful, mark a number of featured items and when one sells, you'll have a backup to fill the empty position. Learn more about featured shop items here.


.4. Message in a bottle.

At checkout, customers can leave a message for you that you'll find at the bottom of your transaction page. Don't forget to look out for it!
If someone goes to the trouble to write a message to seller, it is usually important. Want more tips straight from the buyer's mouth? Check out this article, Service Tips for Sellers: The Buyers' Perspective.


.5. Sell local.

People want to know specifically where an item will ship from, especially last minute shoppers who are looking for short shipping times. If you are concerned about your privacy, you don’t need to get specific with your city, but be sure to list the state, region or provence where you are from. Buying local is hot right now, so take advantage of it! Learn how to set your location in this helpful blog post, How-To: Sell Local.


.6. Send a confirmation.

There isn't an online retailer out there that doesn't send a conformation email within minutes of making a purchase; shoppers expect it. Of course, not everyone can return an email within minutes, but try to do it as soon as possible. Thank them and include an estimated shipping lead time. Want more information on what happens after you sell an item? Check out this FAQ for answers to help you through your first sale.

I hope these little tips help and feel free to contact me if you want to gather around the water cooler and talk shop or gossip about the hot delivery driver!

Now go out and rock the party that rocks the party!

Super great!



Allison Cecil aka MonkeysAlwaysLook

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Posted in Art of Selling 101, Etsy, livingthechaos, making money from your art, Plastic Industry News, selling your artwork | No Comments »