Purple and Turquoise Treasure Trove!

These are my favourite colours. I hope you enjoy my latest treasury and I would love you to click through and comment! Wonderful Etsy sellers on here.

How to wire wrap a briolette - Jewelry Making

How to wire wrap a briolette. I just tried this video tutorial and love it. Simple yet effective. Have a look at some of my favourite sellers I have found on Etsy that make these.

Wire Wrapped Sapphire Earrings by Angelene on Etsy

Teardrop Necklace in Purple Berry Chalcedony by Sleepy Moon Design on Etsy

Is Your Craft a Full Time Job or Hobby?

I just opened a forum on Etsy asking fellow sellers if their craft was a full time job or hobby. The responses have been mixed so far as well as the sales that go with it!  I will be writing a full article on this when I get more responses online. I would love my blog followers to also contribute to the post if you sell on Etsy... Here is the link.

http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6526644

Juniper Muscle Soother by amanimoon on Etsy

Marbled Feather Earrings

I have just created my first set of earrings using hand marbled feathers. What are your thoughts? 
I sourced these from Quilln Aros and she is just delightful to work with.  Not only does she create unique marbled feathers, she also makes exquisite marbled paper stationery. She is also a great supplier for exotic feathers so have a look at her store if you are after some feather supplies! I will be adding more marbled feather creations to my store but here is my latest and the last image will be added tomorrow to Etsy!

With Lime...

Check out my latest treasury inspired by Lime! I would love any click throughs and comments. It is currently on the first page of treasury east listings and I'm hoping it gets to the Front Page!

Product Development - Pricing. Do You have a Formula?

Recently I have been told that I charge too much for my products and I wanted to find out your opinion on my designs... Have a look at my 'sold items' page and tell me what you would reasonably pay for an item on there... http://www.etsy.com/shop_sold.php?user_id=5229385

I would love to hear your thoughts and I will post another blog about my pricing formula next...

Hot Pink & Black... Bringing back bright stripes & dots!

Check out my latest treasury on Etsy. I just love hot pink and black and hope you do too!

What Blog Articles do You Read Most?

Just a quick opinion wanted from my followers... What blog articles do you most love reading about?  I want to find out what to write more blogs about but I want to make sure it is something YOU like hearing about.  Any thoughts?


I usually post about:
*New Products
*Interviews with Sellers and
*Marketing Tips for all businesses


Is there something else that you want me to cover in my posts or a particular question you are looking to get answered?


Looking forward to your comments...

Inspiration & Product Development... Just what we all need!

I recently took part in a Craft Swap with Ember from Emberatia. The idea was to swap an item of equal value between crafters and share the love!  This was part of the Etsy DUST Team that I am a part of. This event happens quite frequently and I had a bit of spare time so decided to give it a shot.


I would highly recommend getting behind a craft swap to all sellers. It is selfless and another way to get your product out there.  Now there is always the worry that one party won't contribute but hopefully honesty does prevail for craft swaps. I would love to hear everyone's feedback about craft swaps or something similar if you have taken part.


I asked Ember what she liked in my product range and she liked 'long' earrings. So I worked with this idea and created my Be Daring Purple Feather Earrings.  I had combined these colours before with my first 'Be Daring' concept but the texture of the Emu and Peacock feathers used in the new design have really lifted the product I think.  See the comparisons below.  


Ember really liked her feather earrings so sometimes it is good to ask what style others like.  I was always worried about 'long' feather earrings because of the 'tickle' factor but sometimes it just works! Inspired by her feedback I decided to create a set to sell in my shop as well...

Be Daring Purple Emu Feather Earrings

Be Daring (Original)

Getting Crafty! An Interview with Crafty Pagan Designs - Special offer for blog readers!

Thanks to Rowena from Crafty Pagan Designs for providing some wonderful insights into the life of a crafter and online seller! Have a read of what she has to say...


Rowena, What do you make?
I make luxury handmade greeting cards, vintage tag sets, bookmarks, and other stationary and altered art. Anything that I can stamp on!

How long have you been creating?
I've been creative all my life but I only got started stamping and papercrafting 3 years ago when I was pregnant with my now 2 year old boy. I think it was the first real chance I'd had to really get involved with a hobby after years of working long hours in beauty spa management.


How did you come across these materials/styles of crafting?
My style is developing all the time as I discover new techniques, or become inspired by something. When I began blogging over a year ago it opened up my eyes to the wonderful types of papercrafting and the cool stamps that were available. 

Who or What inspires your work?
Whenever I'm feeling uninspired I spend an hour or so looking through other stampers blogs-the talent out there couldn't fail to inspire and spark a new idea!


Is this your full time job or hobby?
I'm a stay at home mummy and any chance I get (my sons nap time and bedtime) I work on my etsy shop and create new projects. 

Where have you been most successful selling?
I'm really only starting to see good sales from etsy in the past couple of months when I've been really concentrating on promoting it etc, before then I sold items to local shops and word of mouth. 


Do you have any advice for fellow sellers trying to get more sales that has worked for you?
The only recommendations I can make that have helped me is if you're selling on etsy or another similar environment read the business posts-take advice, begin an active member in the forums, promote as much as you can (business cards, fanpages etc, blogging) and keep creating and listing those new items. Also respond to what others say that would like to see in your shop where possible, and always take custom orders!

Are there other blogs or sellers that you love?

There are so many bloggers and etsy sellers that I love! Here are just a few:

I love Diane Duda's Folk Art

Queen of Nostalgia - She has been a long time favourite of mine-she evokes such nostalkgic emotion in both her writing and beautiful crafted pieces.

The LaLaLa Shop - Welsh artist Leanne Ellis has a style all of her own!

I love reading Crissy's Blog - Crissy is an artist for Whimsy stamps (the stamp company I design for) and I just find her blog so inspiring-she's such a talented artist!

Would you like to offer a giveaway/discount/promotion to blog readers?

I'd love to offer anyone reading this a 10% discount off any purchase (excludes shipping)-just quote Noogal Creations blog in the message to seller and I'll refund the amount through paypal after you've paid. Valid for one month.

Visit: craftypagan.etsy.com

You can also follow Crafty Pagan's Blog, Twitter and Facebook Pages...

Blog: http://craftypagan.blogspot.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/craftypagan

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CraftypaganDesigns

Would you like to be featured on Noogal Creations? Just email me to find out more noogal@gmail.com 

Release the Tiger Inside!

Thanks to the long weekend I was able to put my creative thoughts into action! Here is my latest feather earring addition. Feel free to comment! 
To all the sellers out there that are having trouble getting sales. My one major tip would be to 'think positive' it has really been working for me this year and I woke up to a sale in my Made It shop this morning!

Tiger Stripes

On another note... Lest We Forget. To all the remaining veterans, we wouldn't be the country we are without you.

White anemone poppy from Tamara Designs

New Black Peacock Feather Earrings... have a peek!

Just a little plug for my new black peacock feather earrings! I love the way the colours come through the black - flecks of gold and purple can be seen. You can have a look at them in my Etsy store.

I also created a black treasury on Etsy with this item and a few lovely other finds. Feel free to click and comment! 

Raven's Revenge

In Your Face Networking (#3 How to Market Your Brand Online)

What are you doing to get your brand out there locally? You never know… your neighbour might like your stuff!

I have sold locally with great success in the past.  If you are considering wholesaling your items to local shops try to find the balance between what you love and what will sell, remember don’t get offended if not everyone goes for your work! Stores have their own unique style that you need to fit in with as well. Here are some tips to improve your face-to-face networking:

Advertise Locally – I have a local newspaper but haven’t yet advertised which could be another option that I want to research and develop in the future.

Visit Stores Locally – Take a trip around your area if possible and visit some stores that you think may be interested in buying your items. I have made a few sales this way. Also, have a wholesale list of prices and product images that you can leave with them so they can decide and call you back when they want to order. Tangible material will emphasise a great deal and and stick in their mind. If it suits their store you may get an order!

Promote at Your Workplace - Yes it really is that simple, put up a flyer of your products on the notice board, send out an email to your work mates. As well as your colleagues liking your products, their family, children and friends might too!

Go To Markets - Find out what markets are in your area and even share a stall with a friend if it is too expensive for just you. Just make sure you have a lot of stock at great prices and try to coordinate a market before Christmas! I am currently looking into affordable markets in my local area to participate in this year.

Get Business Cards – It is that easy! Design some yourself or ask a local printer. Make sure it is simple, easy to read and keeps with your branding.  Make sure it has international contact details so that everyone can find you!  I have just designed some and will be getting them printed soon. They are essential for face-to-face networking! I am constantly getting asked by friends for my website so their friends can buy.

Make Gifts for Friends – that’s right, for all your friends even if it was just for a year, make their birthday and Christmas presents. Family and friends appreciate your talent so much that they will spread the word for you. Word of mouth is #1 for increasing your sales when networking!

Check out gorgeous prints from Jolinne

Free Shipping Until April 30

If you like my feather or origami earrings now is the time to buy. After April 30 I will no longer be offering Free Worldwide Shipping.  If you think any of your friends would like my craft please spread the word!

www.noogal.etsy.com (International Customers) www.madeit.com.au/Noogal (Aussie Customers)

Postage & Packaging

After deep thought, I don't think I will be offering free shipping anymore. After a nasty experience with the post office lady I don't see it financially viable anymore.  
How much is reasonable post that you would pay on my items? 


International Parcels are generally $9.30 but if I can send them as a letter (which is what is currently the issue... maybe it was just that one woman) they only cost about $3-4. This also depends on the item, my bulkier items have to be sent as parcels so they are a no brainer. Would you be happy to pay postage on my earrings etc? And what has worked for you? I am thinking to leave my free postage offer just for this month and change in May. Any thoughts?

Dog Tracks in your Pillow Box by Lauras Box