Sunday, April 26, 2015


Stella Erwin's™, LLC

May 1, the summer edition of GreenCraft Magazine featuring The Stella Erwin Feeder hits the stands at Barnes and Noble, Costco, Michaels, Lowes, JoAnn's and lots of other places.  Below are the first and last pages of the four page article found in the Vintage Repurposed section.  





Look for the cover with the cute apron on it.  And look for bird feeders at

GreenCraft Summer Edition Cover
 Justin Jansen, Stella's incredible photographer has his by-line in the article and the table of contents

Stella is on the move!

xo
Julie
StellaErwins.com
StellaErwins.etsy.com

Friday, April 24, 2015

Stella Erwin's™
Etsy Shop Policies - Part II

Payment and Seller Information are both important parts of an Etsy shop.  Completion of these sections with clear, informative data will set your shop apart.  I am so fortunate to have expert contributors to this blog.  Take some time to browse DaySpringCollectible.etsy.com, starting with a couple of  items that follow and then absorb Tony's insights into Payment and Seller Information. Listing links follow the photos.  
Night Before Christmas Hosta - $14.99
5 Abbey Hostas - $30 + shipping
"List clearly exactly what forms of payment you accept and I recommend you accept every form you can. The more comfortable customers are with how they can pay, the more money you will have in your pocket." Paypal, Direct Checkout and Etsy Gift cards are 3 easy payments to take. 

If you decide to accept personal checks and money orders, state they must clear before shipment (usually 15 business days – three weeks). You may not hold them that long, but the message is clear that you aren’t going to ship until the money has arrived. For those that choose this option, they will be willing to wait.  USPS money orders can be cashed at post offices and turned into immediate cash. 

Trades - Tony has made some amazing deals accepting trades, and made good money bartering. "Think of creative forms of payment you can accept that will help your customer. For example, I have long been a coin dealer, so I will accept silver or gold coins at a slight discount to spot price in lieu of cash."  Lay-a-ways are also a great way to get larger sales and it's easy to set up lay-a-way listings.  

Tony has an amazing and eclectic selection in his shop - DaySpringCollectible.etsy.com.  Since it's spring and gardening time, I'm featuring items form his Garlic, Garden, Hostas section.

Galic to transplant - $4.99 + shipping
https://www.etsy.com/listing/229047969/garlic-plants-x-20-transplants-lorz?ref=shop_home_active_20
SELLER INFO
The more you are comfortable giving out information, the more visible and human you will appear. Many people prefer the anonymity they have selling online. However, from a customer’s viewpoint, the more ways they can reach you the better - especially if an issue or a question arises.  

Tony highly recommends giving both an address and a phone number in this section. It gives customers a much higher trust in you if they can view you as a “real” seller. Links to other sites where you can be found and links to antique or craft shows where you set-up send a strong professional image. Some of you will decide against this due to your individual situation, and that can be a valid choice. 

5 Milkweed pods - $9.99 plus shipping
https://www.etsy.com/listing/109095313/milkweed-pods-x-5-monarch-butterfly-food?ref=shop_home_active_22
This is the 2nd article Tony has contributed to and I so appreciate his insight.  Remember to shop at DaySpringCollectible.etsy.com for these lovely garden plants and so much more


Best,
Julie Jansen
Stella Erwin's, LLC, All Right Reserved

Sunday, April 12, 2015

BRANDING

Frustrating, to say the least, are copycats.  Can't afford a patent?  Me neither.  Still, there are things that can be done to keep your work unique and to inform your customers they are getting your original product. 

Acrylic tags hang from each of my pieces, which brings me to the real subject of today's blog - Stacy Scissors of https://www.etsy.com/shop/runningwithscissorss.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/174346846/custom-mirrored-tags-rectangle-laser-cut?ref=shop_home_active_6
Beginning with the above listing, Stacy created 100 custom acrylic tags using my script and the ™ symbol. She also reviewed my work and recommended a color choice that beautifully accents each piece without being distracting.  
Once the artwork was settled Stacy sent me three sizes to choose from, with the dimensions clearly marked.  The photo left, is her mockup.  So much information in one photo makes it easy to choose.  



Somewhere along the way, I made the purchase - ONLY $42.90 INCLUDING SHIPPING for 100 tags.  Amazing!

Stacy cut and beautifully packaged the tags and got them to me within 3 days.  They came neatly nestled in a gift box, tied with a ribbon and one of the tags.  Working with Stacy was such a pleasure. She is professional, fast, accurate and made the process easy.  

Stacy sells all kinds of neat things in her shop - https://www.etsy.com/shop/runningwithscissorss
Silver Bullet Charm Necklace - $24.95
Acrylic Red Leopard Heels - $3.49

Check out this cool charm necklace and acrylic red heel cabs.  The listing links follow the photos








A bit from Stacy's Etsy About Page.

"I created Running With Scissors jewelry in 2006 with glitter running through my veins and a dream swirling in my head. Having just become a new mommy, I wanted to find a way to stay with my new lil princess always. Running With Scissors has not only allowed me that luxury, but, has also become a jewelry and accessory line that has taken the world of bling by storm! 

......Once the kids are napping or asleep at night I retire to my fantasy glitter factory and strap on my gas mask. There, in the solace of resin fumes, stickers, beads, and charms galore I can create whatever I want..."

4 finger rings - $24.95
https://www.etsy.com/listing/163547795/love-life-four-finger-knuckle-ring-in?ref=shop_home_active_1
I love the part about strapping on her gas mask.  Stacy's shop stats are impressive.  Since opening her Etsy shop in 2008 she has accumulated 7328 Sales; 7419 Admirers; 2488 5 star reviews. 

Bones and gears earrings - $11.95
Whether you want something fun or need classy acrylic work, shop with Stacy -https://www.etsy.com/shop/runningwithscissorss.









I love this shop.

xo
Julie