Spotlight on: Gladiola Creations

Let's take a look at some of the shops in CNY --

First up is Andi -- she is from Johnson City, and joined the team with in the last couple of months.

Gladiola Creations
 
I am currently a teacher's aide for 6-8 graders for my day job. I learn something new everyday (and usually it is new math haha!) I love anything flowers, owned a flower shop and greenhouses for 20+ years and loved it. Making everything from bows, wreaths, wedding flowers and then growing most of our plants from scratch in our greenhouses was my passion. Sewing has been a hobby for many years, and I was able to make things for the flower shop to sell. I dabble in all sorts of different crafty things. Crafting relaxes me!

Pink Floral Print Table Runner

Gladiola Creations is named after my Gramma, Gladys. She loved to sew, everything from outfits and dresses to curtains and tablecloths, and taught me to love it too. She gave me a love for cooking, canning, and creating. Her nickname was "Gladiola" and I think it is a perfect fit for my new business. I hope she does too!

Happy Hour Cocktail Print Table Runner

A friend introduced me to Etsy a few years ago with her shopping finds, and then a niece started a business here too. After closing my flower shop 6 years ago, I realized I needed to do something creative because I missed it so much. Finally my new business was ready to go. Etsy has been a perfect fit. I also sell locally at a non profit organization that helps local cancer patients with daily life struggles.

Pastel Floral Wine Bottle Bag

My shop features table runners and wine bottle bags right now, and I love to make them. They have always been a big seller for me over the years. I finally made myself a few this last year! I plan on expanding my product line soon, I have a whole bunch of new items in the works! Stay tuned! Eventually I will branch out and be able to offer handmade wreaths and different items as well. The florist in me lives on.

Follow Andi  --- 

Gladiola Creations on Etsy
Gladiola Creations on Facebook
Gladiola Creations on Pinterest
Email Gladiola Creations


Beautiful work Andi!  Welcome to the team -- and to Etsy!

Thanks for stopping by -- happy handcrafting!

 

getting some help -- and where to start

ok -- so the holidays are over, and it's time to start thinking about your shop for 2014.

let me be honest with you right up front - - i need a break.  lol.  i am hugely grateful for the growth in my shop this past year, but a little down time sounds nice too. ;) let me also say, early on in this new journey together -- i don't have all the answers -- i'm learning like everyone else.  my plan for this blog is to share some things with you that i have found helpful -- but it is a TEAM blog -- so the team should be involved in it.  i hope to have plenty of opportunities for you to share what works for you and others can give it a try.    please remember - on the team page on etsy there is always a monthly discussion thread for help with any questions or advice -- the light is always on, and a pot of coffee ready.

anyway -- lol, went off on a tangent ;)

so today i went in to my shop and looked around - deactivated a bunch of christmas items (do you leave them up all year???) switched my banner -- and decided to look around at my settings and such.

if you haven't done that in awhile you may want to start there -- is your shop taking advantage of the free google ad placement?  do you have your facebook and twitter accounts linked up?

then -- for the heck of it, i clicked on the etsy apps  i haven't looked around in there in some time -- there are lots of things to play with and look at -- some are free, some are paid services -- some may be helpful, some a waste of your time --- but there are lots of things to check out -- tools to help manage your shops - to help in promoting --emailing customers, you name it -- you can probably find it.

in the comment section below -- or on the team discussion thread -- what outside apps, programs, etc do you use to help with your shop, with promotion, etc?

one of the apps i like to use is buffer.  i see from looking at the etsy app page that there are other sites that do this too --- basically, you can go into this app and set up tweets, and facebook posts to post automatically.  this was helpful for me during the busy christmas and holiday season -- i could sit down and write the posts all at once - and set the time and day, and not have to worry about it.

so -- are there things that make life a little easier for you -- share them below! :)

until next time -- happy handcrafting :)

--d

happy 2014

welcome to 2014!

my name is diane - from serenity lane designs, and i will be the new blogger for the CNY Etsy Team!  i'm excited to take on this task -- i have some ideas, and new things to try here!  i hope you will stop back often.

you may notice i've put a fresh coat of paint on the walls - and rearranged the furniture a bit ;)  please look around! i'm not quite finished yet -- and if there is something you think would be helpful or you would like to add, message me - -i'd love to hear your ideas!  there are some links and such on the tabs at the top of this page.  if you want to get an email when the blog is updated -- add your email to the box to the right.

be sure to check back soon -- and keep track of all the events, and the fellowship on the team page on etsy.  what are your plans for your shop/business for 2014?  have you made some goals?  how did 2013 go for you?  what worked?  what didn't?  join the discussion on our team page!

also in the discussion list you will see a thread that i have started -- if you would like your blog featured in our blog roll -- be sure to stop by and add it there.  be watching for opportunities for promoting your shop - your facebook, twitter and more - coming soon.  don't forget -- we are a team!   there will be lots of new opportunities to help promote others too!

check back soon! :)

The Interviews are Beginning

The Interviews are beginning...

Up first is Jaie Johnson and her shop - dirtygirldesigns Here are her answers...

1) How did you come up with the name to your shop?
Well, I'm a "dirty girl", so it seemed fitting. Some of my items can be pretty naughty, and I'm very counter culture. I do have lots of items for people who aren't into that sort of thing, but really I love being risque, and that is slowly expanding. I do keep the more "naughty" stuff in its own category so that if people don't want to see it, they don't have to.

2) What was the first thing that you created & sold that made you think- Wow- I CAN do this?

Well, my background is actually in historical sewing and I used to do commissions, but I decided that on Etsy, it was just too tough. One day, I started fooling with shrink plastic and decided it was a medium I really enjoyed. A few people I know are allergic to metal, but love rings, so I began making the plastic rings, my very first one was snatched up at a show and I've been evolving with them ever since.


3) Who or What started you on this path?
My grandfather was THE biggest auctioneer in the CNY area and he was in fact known all over the US and Canada. My step father was the only person who came second to him, so all I've ever known was auctions, antiques, but mostly how to hustle. It's a bit of a hard word, but to me it fits perfectly what I now do on Etsy. Granddad did antiques, I do stuff I make.

4)What is the Favorite tool of your trade and why?

My brain. Seriously. Sometimes the stuff I come up with just sitting here amuses me.

5) What is your best advice or tip to give another vendor?
Patience. None of this happens overnight. Not building stock, not getting orders. I had to revamp and restyle my Etsy store entirely this past May, and I'm still working on it.

6) Are you doing any craft shows this year? Where can others find you?

I don't do physical craft shows. I don't drive for one, and my old crafting partner retired last year. Plus, where I live, we just don't have a ton of craft shows. If I can find a new partner in crime, I'll start doing shows again.

7) What is your favorite item in your shop and why?
Right now, its my shrink plastic buttons. You wouldn't think shrink plastic lends itself to fancy buttons, but it does. I've seen adorable cut out buttons in the shapes of flowers and animals, and don't get me wrong, they're adorable, and I plan on doing them.
But I discovered a method for making some seriously color intense, super high gloss buttons that make a very high end custom button.
So far, I've made what I call "portrait buttons" featuring Marie Antoinette and Elizabeth Tudor and people love them. But for me, it is all about my Russian Inspired buttons. The colors are so intense, and I love nearly anything Russian.

www.etsy.com/listing/104588372/russian-inspired-shrink-plastic-buttons


** I also checked out her shop and here are some of my faves there:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/71934089/lovely-hand-cast-all-metal-fairy-fridge

And: 

 http://www.etsy.com/listing/100409541/mccalls-3686-1956-misses-dress-size-14

 8) Please tell us your links (ie facebook/twitter/web site etc).
www.dirtygirldesigns.net
facebook.com/dirtygirldesigns
dirtygirldesigns.wordpress.com/
twitter.com/Jaie_Johnson

Thanks Jaie for a great interview... Now everyone-- please go check out her shop and add it to your favorites and like her fb page-- etc.. We can all use followers!

later, Linda (TheHomespunLoft).