Thursday 25 February 2010

Bring Some Sunshine into Your Life!

Brand New Treasury... hope it brings joy (and of course the front page of Etsy!)

Tuesday 23 February 2010

How to Market Your Brand Online

Here are a few topics I will be outlining in my next few posts for everyone who is trying to sell their handmade items online...
  1. Know Your Market
  2. Product Development
  3. Networking
  4. Pictures say a Thousand Words
  5. Descriptions are Key
  6. Update your Listings
  7. Customer Communication and Feedback
  8. Competition
  9. Add Something Extra
(If there is something else you would like covered please comment and let me know)

Firstly, Knowing Your Market.
You may think you know who you are targeting, but sometimes it isn't that obvious.  Work out who your ideal customer would be and find out their interests! 

When I first started creating I sought feedback from local stores and family and friends. Sometimes family can be too positive about your creations and you can get stuck in a bubble. Be open to honest criticism and find out what you are doing right and wrong for your ideal market. It may be the case that you have to shift your focus as your market may actually be elsewhere. 

I found recently that I was trying to target like minded females, however I actually found that males were purchasing more often from me! They were buying my creations as presents for their girlfriends - something I completely overlooked.  Originally I was very hung up on price in order to make it in the market but soon realised that if 80% of my business is gift purchases, price isn't necessarily the first priority.  So this has shifted my focus, now I stay true to myself and create pieces that are unique to the market while also considering price.


My current market is continually changing as I develop my product and as my designs grow with me. Which is what will happen with most sellers as their tastes change and as trends change, so too will your market and product which brings me to the next topic... product development - how it comes about and what you can do to improve your creations!


Here are couple of great examples of knowing your market:



                                http://www.etsy.com/shop/audreyandgrace

            
                                  http://www.etsy.com/shop/sweetbriarstudio


Monday 22 February 2010

Gotta Love Origami!

I am really loving adding cranes, chain and jewels together as earrings! 


Do you have any suggestions for new designs or colours in my origami range?
I have blue, peach, white and red cranes waiting in the wings... if only there were more hours in a day!


Check out my "Sitting Cranes" on Etsy!






Wednesday 17 February 2010

New Hair Accessories

Here are a couple more designs in my feathery hair accessory range.
Feel free to have a look in my Etsy Shop for prices!

Monday 15 February 2010

A Feathery Flower Hair Clip!

I am excited to announce a brand new hair accessory has hit my shops...


Simple Stripes!


A traditional hair piece designed to suit any black or white outfit. I am in love with the flower as it is made from thickened ribbon so it holds it shape very nicely.


Check it out in my Etsy shop!

Friday 12 February 2010

Alice In Wonderland! What an Inspiration!

Hi Everyone - just a quick shout out to Del from Delicious Designz


I have fallen in love with her latest collection of spoon pendants! Get in quick to grab a unique piece in her Alice series!

Thursday 11 February 2010

Material Madness

I have a few favourite materials I like to work with when creating my earrings and other jewellery designs. What are your favourites?


Right now I love designing with Chain - Sterling Silver, Black and even dabbling with Gold. You will notice as I add more Noogal Creations they will be Chain inspired. 


I also love Cherries so there will be a few Feather and Cherry designs combined with chain added shortly.


I have always loved Swarovski Crystals but have also found a new love for Czech glass beads, so more of these will be incorporated into my designs.  


One popular feather design I created in 2008 combined local Lampwork beads with feathers. I got a few sales of this one particular design over the years which is exciting! I am looking to work more with lampwork beads in the future. Once again it's just a matter of adding to my jewellery materials! Can I have a bigger budget? Maybe I'll take more lotto tickets!



Wednesday 10 February 2010

Jewel Treasury!

Just another treasury... loving promoting fellow Etsians! Especially Aussie Etsians.



Wednesday 3 February 2010

Positive Thought

Just quick blog... I got another sale overnight. The power of positive thinking!

20 sales now remain for 2010. Thank You to the Buyers!

Tuesday 2 February 2010

Just another quick plug...

One of my favourite Aussie sellers - http://www.etsy.com/shop/prettypeonies

I love the vintage classic style of Pretty Peonies! Check out her Etsy site - and sale items!


Goal Getting!

Well after much deliberation and soul searching... I told myself 'think positive and just keep creating because you love it!'

Turns out it worked! I got 3 sales over the weekend. Thats a record for Noogal Creations! I'm excited to say that one was an Aussie and 2 from the US!

My Goal is looking reachable! Down to 22 more sales for the year and I would have made it!