Friday, February 27, 2009

Feature Friday: Neat Things

Neatthings.etsy.com


Office Violations (I need these! I love the over decorated cubicle one!)

How long have you been making the craft/art that you sell? What started your interest in it? How did you learn?
Since I sprung from the womb. I had the fortunate circumstance of being born into a painfully smart assed family. Add a little style and you've got yourself some snarky paper goods.

What made you decide to turn your art/craft into a business? What support or inspiration have you had along the way?
Well, I was tired of living in a cardboard box behind the 7-11. I found a great deal of inspiration from the ants who swarmed every piece of candy that fell to the ground. Those little suckers really persevere.

Do you have any other hobbies / interests?

Yes. Collecting experience. And annoying people.

How long have you been selling on Etsy?
Actively, 6-8 months. Passively, 18 months.

Do you sell outside of Etsy? If so where?

Just my body. On the street corner.

What is your favorite way to promote your Etsy store?
Instigating.

Do you have a blog? If so what is your blog address, and what do you feature / write about?
Yes. freshneat.wordpress.com. I write about branding your business.

Where do you hope to see your business / Etsy store in the future?
Somehow, I can't manage to think past dinnertime.

What is something that you want to make SURE you do in 2009?
Continue to breathe.

What is the thing that you are most proud of?
Discovering that my annoying personality can generate revenue.

What do you wish you had more time for?

Travel.

What is your favorite part of the day?

I really like that window between 2:34 a.m. and 2:35 a.m. It's a magical minute.

Her store is located at: http://neatthings.etsy.com Please Check Her out today!

DONT FORGET!! Signup for my GIVEAWAY on the post below!

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Giveaway! $25 Gift Certificate to Renegades!



HEY Ya'll! February's Giveaway is here!
$25 gift certificate to spend in Renegades' Etsy store!
*New to Renegades Blog! We will be hosting a giveaway everymonth! *



Here's how to play!

  • Go To http://renegades.etsy.com and take a look around

  • Pick out your favorite shop item

  • Come back here and comment with the item name or link to your favorite item

  • To get extra entries: Post about this giveaway on your blog or twitter and leave a seperate comment with the link. OR Sign Up for the newsletter

  • Anyone with a valid email address can enter

  • The winners will be chosen using the integer generator on Random.org and notified by email

  • Get your entries in by Monday, March 2 @11:59pm and you are in!

Friday, February 20, 2009

Etsy Featured Seller: DanaLaymon

DanaLaymon got her first camera at 8 years old. The rest speaks for its self!





How long have you been making the craft/art that you sell? What started your interest in it? How did you learn?

I have been taking pictures for as long as I can remember. My mom was always into photography. I remember I got my first camera at Disney World when I was probably 8. I really became serious about it when I went to college and was able to take classes 6 years ago. I took classes where I live in Wilmington and I also went to summer school at Parsons School of Design in NY. But the best way to learn is practice practice.


What made you decide to turn your art/craft into a business? What support or inspiration have you had along the way?

I really started making money when I did an internship in college for a videography company and they decided to add me on as their photographer after my internship. I was doing weddings and realized I could really do this for a living. My husband always supported me from the beginning and I really love him for that because it's not always easy letting me spend money on the equipment i need :) And I just found photographers who had great work from all over the place and began to set a high bar for myself because I want to achieve the level they have. I definately have a long way to go though. I love one photographer from Wilmington who did our wedding and she will always be my favorite!


Do you have any other hobbies / interests?

hmmm hobbies, where do i begin? I love sports, esp. tennis and working out. I just got a little golden puppy so I enjoy taking her to the beach and playing around and doing some surf photography which I will have up hopefully this month. I love working on my house, updating it, decorating, and renovating. I'm also very involved in my church and love my family there. And I love traveling with my husband and family. I'm actually heading to Mexico this Saturday so I'm excited for a vacation!


How long have you been selling on Etsy?

I'm a newbie to Etsy. Hi, my name is Dana and I'm a newbie. I just opened my shop at the end of January this year. No sales yet so you could be the first! :)



Do you sell outside of Etsy? If so where?

I don't sell outside of Etsy. I do a couple of art shows a year but that's about it. I'm still recouping from the last one.


What is your favorite way to promote your Etsy store?

hmmm I've really searched on Etsy to see how people are making sales and so far I've set up a twitter account, my own website (hope to be done with it next month), my husband's facebook account ( i refuse to get my own, I'd be easily addicted) and i work for a large company so I rely a lot on word of mouth. oh i also have some work hanging in shops around Wilmington.


Do you have a blog? If so what is your blog address, and what do you feature / write about?

oh yeah and my blog- it's not a blog per se, i just use it for my website to keep a collection of pictures I like and think are interesting. The address is http://www.danalaymon.blogspot.com/.


Where do you hope to see your business / Etsy store in the future?

my dream? to be able to quit my day job and play on Etsy all day! I would love to make a full time business out of it. Really because that would mean people really enjoy my pictures as much as I do.


What is something that you want to make SURE you do in 2009?

like a resolution? I'm really bad at goals. I would say to stay in the profit margin ;) Because right now it's not lookin' so good. Like I said my husband is very understanding.


What is the thing that you are most proud of?

my marriage and my family- i love them so much!What do you wish you had more time for? prayer and time with the Lord


What is your favorite part of the day?

getting to go home to see my hubby and work towards my dream job

So go check out DanaLaymon on etsy today! http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6574301 and tell her Renegades sent you!

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Blog Feature!

Yesterday was a good day for Renegades!
I made it into a treasury! I very beautiful one.

And then I found out that I was the feature in a blog!
http://mrsfatface.blogspot.com/

It was so much fun answering all of the questions. I guess I dont talk much about myself and why I do what I do because that's all people know of me. They dont think about when I first started crafting and what inspires me because most people are of the firm belief that I came out with a pair of knitting needles...

My dad really is my biggest inspiration. He has always pushed me... Even when I didnt want to be pushed. Now I push myself. I'm so lucky to have him! and 7 months non-smoking (congrats Dad!) so now i get even more time with him.

CHECK OUT THE AWESOME FEATURES TODAY!! The Treasury and the Blog!

I made it into a treasury!!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=40717

Thanks so much Designitsupplies!

Check it out everyone!

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Etsy Help (Lord Knows We Need It!)

Etsy is a huge wonderful world. There are many layers and lots to figure out.
So, instead of trying to do it on my own, I have decided to share the links I have found. These have made things so much easier on me. Hopefully it will help someone else too.

More Places To Market Your Etsy Shop
http://weloveetsy.com/shops
http://etsymini.blogspot.com

Tips on Marketing
http://www.ehow.com/how_2160502_sales-maximize-profits-etsy-shop.html
http://naturalamber.wordpress.com/2008/08/13/etsy-101-how-to-promote-your-etsy-shop/
http://www.bukisa.com/articles/10923_improve-your-etsy-store-in-10-easy-steps

Etsy Frequently Asked Questions
http://squidoo.com/Kathys-etsy-tutorials
http://www.handmadeology.biz/home/etsy101
http://www.etsywiki.com/index.php?title=Magickal_Realism's_Massive_Library_of_Tips:_part_1:_Etsy

Photo Controversy


I have been reading alot about making a style for yourself... letting your self shine through your photos and work. So, I took about a million pictures last night. Edited them this morning.
I decided to use an artsy photo for the first photo on a few listings...
Should I not do that?
I have had people tell me that I shouldnt...
But I like it...
What do you think?

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Weekly Round Up!

Weekely Round-Up!

Since Last week:

I added this Alligator style clutch. Hopefully some action shots will come soon. I made myself one with green corduroy outside and purple satin lining. I Freaking LOVE it. Hopefully someone will love this!

Items I sold since last week:



Calm Waters Earings! (I believe they will be One of A Kind)

I started a Flickr! acct. Check it out! http://www.flickr.com/photos/renegadesdesigns
Also, Follow my Tweets! http://twitter.com/renegadedesigns
The newsletter is in the works. So far participation is falling short... SIGN UP!!

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Baby Brother's Car Wreck!




http://pal-item.com/article/20090205/NEWS01/902050312/1008





Student injured in crash with bus
PALLADIUM-ITEM • February 5, 2009
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A seat belt was credited with saving Hagerstown High School student Benjamin Wysong from more serious injuries Wednesday.
He was knocked out briefly and taken to Reid Hospital after his car slid sideways into a school bus at Teetor Road and Indiana 38 at about 9 a.m., according to a report from the Indiana State Police post in Connersville.
He was treated and released, said David Hunt, a supervisor for the hospital.
No one was hurt on the bus that was carrying three students and an aide. Wysong's Chevrolet Malibu slid on ice as he was traveling east.
The 16-year-old from Greens Fork also had cuts to a hand. "(He) had his seat belt on, which prevented serious injuries," Senior Trooper David Whitinger said in his report.
The bus being driven by Mary McGrew, 57, slowed before being struck on the front. The car spun into a ditch.
The students were checked at the scene and then transported to school by another bus after parents were notified.
Damage estimates are $8,000 for the car and $4,000 for the bus. The road was blocked and traffic rerouted around the accident scene for more than an hour.

Favorite Etsy Finds!


http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19663917





These are just a few of my favorite items.

Tuesday, February 3, 2009




I thought I would share some pictures of my babies. I will have to get some new ones, but just look at thoes faces!!