Tag Tag Tag Tag Tag Tag

I want to start this post off with reminding everyone again that I am in NO WAY an expert I am just simply sharing what I am learning and I would love any feedback or tips from anyone else with tagging and selling experience.

A few days ago I mentioned the importance of naming your etsy listings.  I made it through the entire Effleuraged Shop, ExoticsontheRocks and the Effleuraged Artfire studio.  I have definitely noticed an increase in views since changing the titles of all of my listings to make them more descriptive. I named them what I thought people would be typing into the search bars.

Now lets talk about tagging. Tagging is another aspect of listing and describing your item.  Tagging is simply describing your items in small one or two-word phrases.

This is the link for etsy’s tagging guidelines and DO’s and DONT’s. http://www.etsy.com/help/article/483#tagging

I think this does a great job explaining what you can’t do. DO NOT MISREPRESENT YOUR ITEMS. But I did not find it as helpful for what you can do.

You have 13 tag spaces on Etsy, and you need to remember to use them wisely

I will give you an example of how I choose to use mine.

1. What is it? Necklace, Bracelet, Scarf, Painting, Make-up…

2. What is it made out of? Gemstone, Glass, Wool, Minerals….

3. Color Specifics: Blue, Pink, Purple, Grey…. and use fun color words Deep Red Neon Blue etc.

4. More Specific on your materials: Chalcedony, Amethyst, Merino, Lampwork…

5. Your Name or Shop Name: Effleuraged, ExoticsontheRocks, D. Nyburg

6. Your Techniques: Wire Wrapped, Beaded, Metalwork

7. More materials: Sterling Silver, Silver, Copper, Argentium

8. Your Design:Hoop Earrings, Fish Wire Earrings, Dangle, Drop, Pendant, Focal etc

9. Who is it for? Women, Men, Children, Pets, Dad, Mom….

10. Style: Modern, Minimalist, Organic, Bohemian, Asian…

11. OOAK (One of a Kind) or Handcrafted or Handmade

12.  Size & Specifics: Adjustable, 7mm, Large, Medium, Small, 21 inch etc.

13. This one is up to you. Use your best judgement. When I use a stone that is a birthstone I usually tag that. February Birthstone, Bridal Jewelry, etc. Etsy promotes themes and holidays and popular trends. Look into what is currently being sought after and see if you have anything to fit that category. Here is the marketing link on etsy http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2012/from-etsys-merchandising-desk-february-2012/

Tagging is still slightly intimidating to me, but after all the reading and research I am much more comfortable with tagging my  own items.  I also read that resources like adwords could give you some really good insight into what the most popular words and search phrases are.  I have to say that the most effective tool I have found to date is just simply taking the time to think!  When I look at my creations, I take a moment and ask myself “What would you type if you wanted this exact piece of jewelry that is dangling from your fingers?”

I am continuing to rework me shops. Edit listings, re-tag, and re describe. I definitely have noticed a difference! Keep up the hard work and stay tuned for our next discussion. I am hoping to talk about Facebook, pinterest and twitter. I have had some neat experiences and built some great relationships through these social networking sites.

New Stuff!

I spent a wonderful Sunday afteroon playing in the new stones and pretty beads! Have a look, let me know what you think!

ExoticsontheRocks!

Finally its here!

If you are looking for a great place to find beautiful gemstone beads and jewelry supply, then here you go!

I created this shop because as a jewelry designer I struggled to find beautiful quality rare and affordable gemstone beads. This store specializes in smaller quantity orders. Perfect for a few pair of earrings and a pendant or two. Lets be honest after a while we get tired or recreating with the same stones. With ExoticsontheRocks I can literally create your order exactly how you want it. 5 moonstone, 3 labradorite, 10 aquamarine…..whatever your little creating heart desires! AND I LOVE IT

I plan on updating inventory very frequently and I am still currently working with overseas wholesalers to find the BEST quality I can. If you are looking for something specific let me know, I will add it to the next order.

Find ExoticsontheRocks on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/djgems

Browse our stones on Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/ExoticsontheRocks

Have questions? Email me exoticontherocks@yahoo.com

Lets Become FOUND!

Ok, it’s almost 11:30 and I just poured the last of my amazing coffee into my most favorite green apple mug! Everyone is my house is sleeping and this is my most favorite time to do the “social networking” part of Effleuraged.  I have been researching and researching for days and days because frankly I am just not satisfied with my current sales. I have decided to blog about what I learn and share my findings with you. These posts will be focused more towards my fellow creators and etsians. These posts will simply be my opinions and suggestions for becoming FOUND on this remarkable web. I will begin with my current 30 day statistics for each page and then show you what I have changed and how this affects the numbers or looks. I hope to update again in about a month with terrific news of growth!

Here we go!

1. I opened my etsy shop on March 27th 2011. I have a total of 61 Sales to date. I have had a total of 823 TOTAl Views on Etsy over that last 30 Days. Today I have only had 8 views

I also have a supply page that I just opened on January 6th 2012. I have a total of 13 sales to date. I have had a total of 893 Total Views on Etsy over that last 30 Days. Today I have had 45 views

So you see, I had to wonder why a less than 30 day old shop is getting more views and sales than my established jewelry shop. I know that some of this has to do with supply and demand. I  know that there is still probably way more artisans than suppliers on etsy, but I also know that most likely there are tons more people looking for finished one of a kind amazing jewelry then a bunch of rocks. SO! I started to read forums and help topics and everything else I could find about becoming FOUND on Etsy.

Prior to tonight when I listed an item I tried to think of clever and cute names for the listing title. I am learning that this is very incorrect. Listing Titles and Tags are the VERY MOST important aspect to having your listing show up on the first few pages of etsy after a search phrase has been entered. In other words Summer Stunners, as cute as it might be, tells the searcher absolutely nothing about the item. They have no idea that these are Yellow Chalcedony Green Peridot Blue Mystic Quartz Sterling Silver Gemstone Earrings with handmade hook earwires. So tonight I made it through the very first page of my four page Effleuraged Jewelry Etsy Store and all of the ExoticsontheRocks Etsy Store and changed all the listing names. I wanted to keep my cute clever nicknames, so i just included them into the description.

I have already noticed a difference! Prior to the listing changes when I typed in blue silver hoop earrings, NONE of my listing were anywhere to be found. I think I got to page 60 and gave up. I changed the names and BAM page 3 with the same search phrase! That is instant gratification if I say so myself. It was the same with my supply store. I typed gemstone briolette(this is very very generic search) after scrolling through 100 different listing pages I still had not found 1 of my items. I changed my listing title and BAM again page 6! I will take it, that’s a huge improvement. Now I also know that tagging your items is very very important, and I have done lots of research on that as well. I will share those tips another night.

SO here are some guidelines for listing titles. Think of the most generic description of your item first. Type it. Describe the materials you used in your item. Type it. Add any other little detail that you can fit in to the allowable 140 characters and then finish by adding your shop name.

Here are a few examples:

Green Mystic Quartz Gemstone.Faceted Heart Briolette, Semi Precious Briolette Bead. 10mm. 10 Bead Strand

I have included color, material, size, shape, finish, cut and quantity

Blue Chalcedony Earrings. Sterling Silver Aqua Blue Earrings. Semi Precious Gemstone Earrings. Quartz Chalcedony Earrings by Effleuraged

Again, I have included all necessary descriptions to make my items easier to find. I will miss looking into my shop and seeing all of the cute nicknames, but like I mentioned I have decided to just move the name location into the description.

If there are any other fellow etsy or artfire or ebay or just online stores that want to come along on this journey I would love to hear your experiences and thoughts. Also if any seasoned Etsian are reading  and would like to add some input I would be forever grateful!

I plan on posting more in this section geared toward the social networking and marketing sides of artisan design. I invite you to come back and follow.  Here are a few topics to look for in later posts.

Facebook/Twitter for Your Design/Supply Store

Store Blog

Tagging

Advertising and Media & Customer Contact

Promotions and Giveaways

Info Appearance and Photography for your shop

Like I said I am definitely not an expert, but I am learning. If nothing else this will be a way to keep all of my thoughts and ideas organized and available for easy use(sometimes I lose things in my head)

I am off for tonight, I plan on changing over my artfire listing names before I head to bed. But I will be back to update on progress and stats soon. Have a wonderful night! Happy Creating

 

UPDATE: 3/04/2012

I am a little late on my progess for the month of February, but I have some great news! Here are the shop statistics for the last 30 days!

Effleuraged:

Total Views : 1153  Total Favorites: 93 Total Sales: 8

ExoticsontheRocks

Total Views:4527 Total Favorites:547 Total Sales: 62

I am so pleased to see the progress, keep posted for next months stats!

Valentines Day Giveaway!

Sounds fun huh?

Well if you would like the chance to win a FREE pair of earrings for both you and a FRIEND, simply keep reading

On our Effleuraged Facebook Page we have an active Valentines Day Giveaway. You simply need to share the post to your wall and comment below the picture when your done! The Drawing will be held on February 5th. You must be a US resident and 18 to enter. You will also have to provide a mailing address for your friend.

 

Here is the Facebook link https://www.facebook.com/effleuraged.jewelry

Good Luck!!

Labradorite

When I first started designing jewelry I fell in love with labradorite. It is a sneaky little stone, and at first glance you wonder why anyone would like it.  It is hard to capture the beauty in labradorite with a photo. It needs to be held, and touched and turned in every direction possible. You see, Labradorite has pockets and streaks and angles filled with flash. This flash is also called Labradorescence. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labradorescence

Labradorite was first found in 1770 on the Labrador Peninsula in Canada. It is also found in Norway, and the former USSR. There is a blue semi-transparent variety called spectrolite that is only found in Finland.

I also believe that labradorite was the most appealing to me because of its said meaning and symbolism.

Labradorite Gemstone meaning

Labradorite is a power stone, allowing you to see through illusions and determine the actual form of your dreams and goals. It is excellent for strengthening intuitions.

Use labradorite to:

• Stimulate imagination
• Develop enthusiasm and thus, new ideas
• To see more clearly in meditation

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Although I have since been introduced to so many other beautiful stones, Labradorite will always remain high on my list. It is a stone that I choose to wear alot and one that I am always drawn to when creating.

Beautiful Detail

It’s Been A While…..

This was stressful!

Ahhhhh! Can you believe how long its been since I have blogged? I can, this is something that I am learning, not something that comes very naturally for me and something that I need to allow more time for.

Another year has passed an my little hobby of making jewelry is coming upon its one year anniversary! I never would have thought in a million years I could have found something outside of my beautiful family to become so passionate about. I have always been a bit on the crafty side, however not dedicated crafty I have done a little scrapbooking in the past, this was fun but oh so messy. I use to love to sew those silly fleece blankets with the funny ruffle side(I think we have all sewn at least one or two of those). I LOVE to knit, but soon realized that the constant repetition and arm movements could have possibly ended my career( I am a Massage Therapist. My hands are my livelihood) And then one crummy cold afternoon after a long talk with my husband, I headed over to the little bead shop in town to look for something to help pass my time. Something that I would feel good about, and enjoy doing. Something that I would be able to pick up and put down on a whim(remember I have 2 small kiddos), something that I would love to do for a few hours in the evening while my husband and kids were entertaining themselves. Three Divas Bead Store in Milton -Freewater Oregon is where I discovered my love for stones and wire. Here is there cute little facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Three-Divas-Beads/112600595442354  I mentioned before in my very first post about how quickly I realized I couldn’t continue crafting without recovering material funds. This is still true, and still the main reason why Effleuraged is Effleuraged. I could not be more pleased with how much support I have received in the few short months my jewelry has been available. I am in no way shape or form going to be able to retire from my practice and make jewelry all day, but I can continue to create! THANK YOU

I plan on using this blog much for regularly and will try to provide cute “How To’s” and inspiration. I would also like to take a moment to introduce to you the next level of Effleuraged.  Last month I decided that I wasnt happy with the gemstones and beads that I was finding. I needed more! I have some amazing resources and online vendors that I have turned to for almost a year, but at this point I pretty much have everything from their stores that I need and want. I wanted more selection, more variety, more exotic and better priced beads. Welcome ExoticsontheRocks! (https://www.facebook.com/djgems  http://www.etsy.com/shop/ExoticsontheRocks ) I started this etsy store as simply a destash, a place to pass on beads that I have become tired of looking at or have no more inspiration for. I then started researching and checking into overseas suppliers and wholesale opportunities. I am still very very small, but I have received wonderful feedback and hope to keep expanding.

This is a benefit for everyone! I receive my beads at lower prices, this allows me to drop prices on my jewelry. I also can provide smaller lots of WONDERFUL beads for a really reasonable price. This is what I was looking for. When you  an earring freak like I am you don’t need 60 beads on the same cut and stone. You need 6, enough to do 3 pairs of earrings. 1 for you, 1 for sale and 1 for just in case. After you have used the stones 3 different times, you are usually about ready for something new. I currently start my bead lots in strands of 10 beads. I do offer custom packages and qualities but I am finding that 10 is just about perfect.

Stunning Stones

So here is the 2012 update! Thank you again for such amazing support, and I hope you will continue to follow me on this journey.

Pork Diane Skillet Supper! Its so delicious

When I am hungary and out of dinner ideas I almost always turn to this one! I found this recipe in a magazine a few years ago and I have memorized it by heart and my entire family loves it! Pork is a hard thing to pair with, and I am not a very big fan of just plain old pork chops. Give it a try and let me know what you think!

You will need:

2 tablespoons margarine or butter(I always use butter for this one)

1lb pork tenderloins, cut in 1/4 in slices(I usually use about 6)

1 carton(32 oz) Progresso Chicken Broth

2 teaspoons(or to taste) Worcestershire Sauce

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

8-10 small red potatoes

1 cup sliced green onions

1 cup or more sliced fresh mushrooms

2 tablespoons flour

Directions

The original recipe used a skillet but I cook the potatoes and broth in a large stew pot and only use the skillet for browning the pork.

1. Bring all but 1/4 cup chicken broth to a boil, add quartered red potatoes, the salt, pepper, garlic powder & worcestershire sauce. Cover and simmer for 13-17 minutes until the potatoes are tender. Meanwhile in a seperate pan melt butter and cook pork for 3-5 minutes on each side or until brown. Set pork and melted butter aside.

2. When potatoes are tender mix in pork, mushrooms and all but 1/4 cup green onions. Simmer for 5 minutes

3. With the remaining broth mix in the 2 tablespoons of flour in a mixing cup and slowly add to pot. Blend together until smooth and heat on high for an additonal 2-3 minutes stirring constantly. The mixture will form a sauce or thick gravy. Sprinkle with the remaining green onions and serve!

 

Steal of a Deal! 7/13/11-7/19/11

Here is the Steal of the Week from Effleuraged!!!

Our steal of the week is the new Knotted Irish Linen Adjustable Bracelet! You
get to choose from the current colors available or customize your own with your
favorite colors(colors and stones are limited to the ones I have in stock) This
beautiful bracelet can be yours for only 8.00(this includes shipping) That is
over a 50% savings!!

Deal ends 7/19/11

Supplies are limited so order yours today!

Place your order at effleuragedjewelry@yahoo.com

Supplies,Findings,Paper Products and Stones!

I am working on bringing supplies to Effleuraged! I will have a seperate album posted on the Facebook page that will allow other vendors and jewelry artists access to some of my favorite things to use! This album will contain sterling silver ear wires and head pins, silver plated findings, gemstones and beads and the newest addition to Effleuraged Customized tags and cards!

Most of the items will only be listed on the Facebook pagehttp://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Effleuraged/222401921107297   however some may be available on our etsy site http://www.etsy.com/people/Effleuraged .

If you have been pondering the idea of making your own jewelry, this will be a great place to start!!!! http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.251596194854536.84246.222401921107297