I mention it here because it is not released into mainstream ETSY, but you may find it a useful tool to help you with the 'titles and tags" phenomena that has everyone puzzled. Here is a link for you to try
I hope you find it useful.
Saturday, July 27, 2013
EtsyGadget
The other day while reading, I came across a reference to something called the EtsyGadget. It is apparently something that ETSY is still developing and it is still in the beta stage. While there is very little information about how it works, EtsyGadget is apparently designed to help you improve the tags you are using in your ETSY shop, and in turn improve your position in ETSY search results. I have played with it a little bit and plan to spend some more time trying it out, but it does seem to offer some very helpful suggestions for improving listing tags.
I mention it here because it is not released into mainstream ETSY, but you may find it a useful tool to help you with the 'titles and tags" phenomena that has everyone puzzled. Here is a link for you to try
I mention it here because it is not released into mainstream ETSY, but you may find it a useful tool to help you with the 'titles and tags" phenomena that has everyone puzzled. Here is a link for you to try
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Necklace lengths
I just added a couple of charts to my ETSY site showing different necklace lengths for use by those who maybe aren't sure which is the proper length.
Another method is to cut a piece of string to a certain length and then hold it around your neck to see how it will fall on you.
Hopefully these charts will prove helpful in selecting the proper length to order when purchasing a necklace.
Another method is to cut a piece of string to a certain length and then hold it around your neck to see how it will fall on you.
Hopefully these charts will prove helpful in selecting the proper length to order when purchasing a necklace.
Friday, July 19, 2013
Free shipping offer
Go to my Facebook page and 'Like' to get a Coupon Code for Free Shipping in the USA through July 31, 2013
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Buying supplies from ETSY sellers
When I first started making jewelry, I went online and found several videos about how to make this or how to make that. Two of the video websites were Aunties Beads and Artbeads, both of which are in the business of selling supplies and tools to make jewelry. So some wizard figured out that if they made some videos about how to make a beaded bracelet, or a twisted wire necklace, and then provided a list of the materials and supplies needed to make those items, someone like me would watch the video and then place an order for the beads and clasps. It worked. I ordered what they said I needed, and when everything arrived, I made the bracelet or necklace. They sure made it easy. And that system works just fine if you are planning to make just a few pieces for family and friends.
Then I decided to open an ETSY shop and start selling my handcrafted jewelry online. It is my expectation that I will sell a much larger total volume of various items, meaning that my need for component materials will increase significantly. There are companies that are willing to sell you one or two or three pieces at a time, but their pricing tends to be higher, often time significantly higher. When your volume requirements being to increase, that is the time you need to start looking for companies that deal in comparatively larger orders. You will have to order larger quantities of each item, but the unit pricing will normally be much better.
Over the last few weeks I have spent quite a bit of time looking for future suppliers of my needs, and developing a list of specific component part requirements. The plan is to identify sellers that offer several of the parts that I need, and then compare their prices at various minimum order quantities. Right now I can only afford to buy lets say 20 pieces of a 4mm open jump ring, 20 gauge, 925 Sterling Silver.
But as my sales volume increases, I will be able to order 50 pieces at a time, or later on even 100 pieces. So what I did was to compare the prices from several different companies at different quantity levels, insuring that all of the prices were for the same 4mm open jump ring, 20 gauge, 925 Sterling Silver. I want to be sure I am comparing apples and apples. What I determined was that there was one company that seemed to offer better prices for 50 and 100 piece quantities, and so I tentatively selected that company for this item. I then went through all of my other component parts, one by one, and made the same tentative determination. This took a lot of time, but hopefully it will be well worth the effort n the longer term.
Ideally I would like to be able to buy all of my different parts from the same company, to simplify ordering, combine purchases to possibly secure better pricing, and reduce shipping costs. It was not possible to find one company that had the best pricing on all my items, but I was able to select 3 companies that would be able to supply almost all of my requirements, at competitive prices. So I placed orders with these companies, for the smaller 10 and 20 piece orders that I can afford right now. This will give me the materials I need to be able to make items to ship to customers as orders are received in the coming weeks. But almost more importantly, it will allow me to evaluate the quality and customer service of these companies. If they seem to be companies that I would like to deal with in the long term, I will place larger orders with them as my needs dictate. If, however, their performance is less than expected, I will change to other suppliers.
This comparison initially included both Etsy sellers, classified under the category of Craft Supplies, and also other companies I located through various Internet searches. I wound up with all companies that sell on ETSY. There are different reasons why, but it was relatively easy to determine the credibility of each company I considered. I can tell how long they have been selling on ETSY, how many sales they have made during that period, and what type of feedback they have been receiving. Comparable performance information can be much more difficult to reliably determine for other non ETSY companies. I would also prefer dealing with a fellow Etsian, rather than someone out there in who knows what part of the universe.
This whole process of identifying and qualifying various companies to supply your materials requirements is definitely time consuming, but it is a necessary part of establishing your company on ETSY. Your pricing needs to be competitive, your profit margin must be acceptable, your quality must be obvious, and dealing with the proper supplier companies goes a long way towards meeting those objectives.
Then I decided to open an ETSY shop and start selling my handcrafted jewelry online. It is my expectation that I will sell a much larger total volume of various items, meaning that my need for component materials will increase significantly. There are companies that are willing to sell you one or two or three pieces at a time, but their pricing tends to be higher, often time significantly higher. When your volume requirements being to increase, that is the time you need to start looking for companies that deal in comparatively larger orders. You will have to order larger quantities of each item, but the unit pricing will normally be much better.
Over the last few weeks I have spent quite a bit of time looking for future suppliers of my needs, and developing a list of specific component part requirements. The plan is to identify sellers that offer several of the parts that I need, and then compare their prices at various minimum order quantities. Right now I can only afford to buy lets say 20 pieces of a 4mm open jump ring, 20 gauge, 925 Sterling Silver.
But as my sales volume increases, I will be able to order 50 pieces at a time, or later on even 100 pieces. So what I did was to compare the prices from several different companies at different quantity levels, insuring that all of the prices were for the same 4mm open jump ring, 20 gauge, 925 Sterling Silver. I want to be sure I am comparing apples and apples. What I determined was that there was one company that seemed to offer better prices for 50 and 100 piece quantities, and so I tentatively selected that company for this item. I then went through all of my other component parts, one by one, and made the same tentative determination. This took a lot of time, but hopefully it will be well worth the effort n the longer term.
Ideally I would like to be able to buy all of my different parts from the same company, to simplify ordering, combine purchases to possibly secure better pricing, and reduce shipping costs. It was not possible to find one company that had the best pricing on all my items, but I was able to select 3 companies that would be able to supply almost all of my requirements, at competitive prices. So I placed orders with these companies, for the smaller 10 and 20 piece orders that I can afford right now. This will give me the materials I need to be able to make items to ship to customers as orders are received in the coming weeks. But almost more importantly, it will allow me to evaluate the quality and customer service of these companies. If they seem to be companies that I would like to deal with in the long term, I will place larger orders with them as my needs dictate. If, however, their performance is less than expected, I will change to other suppliers.
This comparison initially included both Etsy sellers, classified under the category of Craft Supplies, and also other companies I located through various Internet searches. I wound up with all companies that sell on ETSY. There are different reasons why, but it was relatively easy to determine the credibility of each company I considered. I can tell how long they have been selling on ETSY, how many sales they have made during that period, and what type of feedback they have been receiving. Comparable performance information can be much more difficult to reliably determine for other non ETSY companies. I would also prefer dealing with a fellow Etsian, rather than someone out there in who knows what part of the universe.
This whole process of identifying and qualifying various companies to supply your materials requirements is definitely time consuming, but it is a necessary part of establishing your company on ETSY. Your pricing needs to be competitive, your profit margin must be acceptable, your quality must be obvious, and dealing with the proper supplier companies goes a long way towards meeting those objectives.
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Silver and black necklace
I recently added this necklace to my shop
I think it will make a striking addition to any jewelry collection, and can be worn with pride wherever you go.
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Monday was a big day.
Last Monday was a significant day in the life of Jim Davis Designs - we got our first order !!! Even though I live in North Carolina, I'm sure they heard my shouts and cheers clear out in California. After waiting for about 7 weeks since I opened my ETSY shop (and not waiting very patiently I might add), I arose on Monday morning to find an order sitting in my Open Orders file. Somehow the world seemed a little brighter that day. And it has renewed my inner fire, knowing that more orders will follow.
Then on Tuesday I received a message from a lady who was interested in one of my bracelets, but wondered if I could make it into an anklet. Eureka, do I smell a second order in the works ?? We exchanged a few back and forths, and finally she indicated that she was ready to order, so I set up a "Special Order" listing so she could go ahead and place her order. After several hours of waiting for her to place her order, I got a message from her indicating that she was having difficulty paying with her charge card. The ETSY procedure for checking out, and the associated screens, can be a little confusing so I gave her instructions about the steps to follow, and at this moment I am still waiting to see that second order appear. It is frustrating when you get that close to a customer order and then run into an obstacle over which you have no control. But things do seem to be looking up with 1 1/2 orders under my belt in just the last 3 days.
I am working on some things that I am hoping will increase the traffic to my shop, because it is all a game of numbers. The more views you get per day, the greater the odds that one of them will turn into an order. You can have the greatest products in the world, at tremendous prices, but if no one ever sees them your sales will not happen. So one of my next posts will get into my marketing activities. I the meantime, I need to go ship an order :-)
Then on Tuesday I received a message from a lady who was interested in one of my bracelets, but wondered if I could make it into an anklet. Eureka, do I smell a second order in the works ?? We exchanged a few back and forths, and finally she indicated that she was ready to order, so I set up a "Special Order" listing so she could go ahead and place her order. After several hours of waiting for her to place her order, I got a message from her indicating that she was having difficulty paying with her charge card. The ETSY procedure for checking out, and the associated screens, can be a little confusing so I gave her instructions about the steps to follow, and at this moment I am still waiting to see that second order appear. It is frustrating when you get that close to a customer order and then run into an obstacle over which you have no control. But things do seem to be looking up with 1 1/2 orders under my belt in just the last 3 days.
I am working on some things that I am hoping will increase the traffic to my shop, because it is all a game of numbers. The more views you get per day, the greater the odds that one of them will turn into an order. You can have the greatest products in the world, at tremendous prices, but if no one ever sees them your sales will not happen. So one of my next posts will get into my marketing activities. I the meantime, I need to go ship an order :-)
Monday, July 8, 2013
New items listed
I have just added two new item listing to my ETSY shop.
Both of these are in keeping with my new direction of more silver chain necklaces and bracelets, with fewer beads. These both have a simple and clean look, with a simple understated elegance.
I would be interested in any comments about my pieces, both of these but also anything else in my shop. Feedbeck is very welcome. What would you like to see??
 |
| Fine chain necklace with single pearl |
 |
| Silver necklace with faceted Swarovski crystal |
I would be interested in any comments about my pieces, both of these but also anything else in my shop. Feedbeck is very welcome. What would you like to see??
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)