The California Crafters Club of Etsy (CCCOE) is a group of independent artists, crafters, & artisans from California who sell their wares on Etsy.com.

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Rockin' the Black Friday/Cyber Monday Deals

Christmas is coming!

But before Christmas, we have Thanksgiving, and just after Thanksgiving, we have that interesting weekend that retailers love. Black Friday. With the online component: Cyber Monday.

If you're planning on doing some (or all) of your Christmas shopping this coming weekend, here are some of the deals from our CCCOEers. Because, of course you're shopping handmade. Aren't you?

Bella Beads Originals is offering free shipping. Make sure to check out beauties such as this...

Geode Stalactite Pendant Necklace, 14k Gold Filled Ball Chain, Light Blue, Modern, Dainty
Geode Stalactite Pendant Necklace

anniekdesigns is offering 10% off everything from Black Friday through Cyber Monday. She has a large selection of tree skirts (among other things)...

Beach Christmas Tree Skirt, Tropical Tree Skirt Hibiscus, Hawaiian Tree Skirt, Mele Kalikimaka Tree Skirt, Handmade by AnnieKDesigns
Beach Christmas Tree Skirt

Nans Glam will also be offering 10% off from Black Friday through Cyber Monday. She has lots of great pieces, such as this one...

Red Studs, Square Posts, Red Cube Earrings, Swarovski Earrings, Post Earrings
Red Cube Earrings

Remember to shop handmade this season. Check out the sales by searching "Black Friday" and/or "Cyber Monday" along with "CCCOE team".

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Customize It!

Shanna Michele from Shanna Michele Designs has joined us today to talk a little about something she knows very well (as she specializes in custom made travel and offbeat wedding paper goods). Take it away, Shanna...

Etsy shoppers love having options. A little (or a lot) of personalization and customization can help draw in more customers and get your shop cranking. This is especially true with the upcoming holidays….people love that personal touch for themselves and for gift-giving.

Think about your item assortment….how can you provide custom options? The easiest ways to do this include taking something you already sell and expanding the color or finishes you offer.

It can be as simple as offering a few choices for the pattern or colors…you can show a photo with all the options or you can use the dropdown menus to let people know what colors are available.

Island Luau Collection Pinwheel Cupcake Toppers Set of 12 Choose Your Pattern
Island Luau Collection Pinwheel Cupcake Toppers by Earth Cookie Creations

Lip Balm Holder with Clip for EOS Egg Lip Balm
EOS Lip Balm Holder by Zizi Rho Designs

Do you have the ability to offer a particular piece of jewelry in a few different metals?

Bunny Rabbit Wonderland Gold Charm Necklace Sterling Silver Chain Petite Woodland Handmade Jewelry San Diego California USA by Kila Rohner
Bunny Rabbit Wonderland Necklace by Go2Girl Designs

Coiled wire jewelry ,copper, silver plated, gold and antiqued silver wire necklace with rainbow beads, rainbow necklace
Coiled Wire Jewelry by Poppy Johal Jewelry

Maybe you could even allow people to select the stone….

Birthstone Stacking Rings - Sterling Silver & 5mm stones - Four Rings
Birthstone Stacking Rings by Nina Gibson Designs

You could also get more into the personalization….add the option to do a monogram or a personal name or just about anything!

Personalized Luggage Tag Latitude and Longitude There's no Place Like Home
Latitude and Longitude Personalized Luggage Tag by Tresijas

Personalized Hip Flasks for Weddings, Porcelain Hip Flask with a Strap , Gift for Weddings and More
Personalized Hip Flasks by tjCervantes Art

Of course, if you are a one-of-a-kind, ready-to-ship seller…you can still offer custom gift wrapping options for easy gift giving. You can offer to include a lovely note, written out with the gift-givers message and included the package. Be sure to take a photo of how your gift wrap and note look so that they buyer can see what they’ll get.

NansGlam, Packaging
Nans Glam
Ocean Avenue Silks, Packaging
Ocean Avenue Silks

Set yourself apart, offer some custom options!