Prohibition Tear ‘n’ Send
One of my customers recently contacted me wondering if I could change the Dock Street invite to better reflect her ’20s Prohibition style wedding. A few Etsy convos later, and voila!
It really is amazing how much a few tweaks can change a invitation to an ENTIRELY new one. For this customer, we added in a custom JPG from her save-the-dates, changed the fonts, deleted a few items and enlarged a few others. The piece de resistance? The fully spelled out RSVP (did you know what that really stood for? You do now!).
It’s not perfect yet–the colors need to be readjusted and some of the spacing is a little funky–but it’s well on its way to being something really great.
Love.
Back in the Saddle Again…
Hi, all!
After many months, Crescent Moon Papers and the CMP blog is back! (Well, the Etsy site has been back up for over a month…this site, on the other had, has been severely neglected until approximately 5 minutes ago.) I got so busy with my new teaching job that I needed focus on that: but now, I’m confident in my professor-self, so CMP has made a comeback!
The CMP Etsy shop is back with all of your old favorites–including the Dock Street Tear ‘n’ Send and the Boulevard pocketfold–as well as a few new items. My favorite new invite? The Forsyth Park:
Things are already rockin’ and rollin’ after at the new and improved Crescent Moon Papers: I’ve sent out five samples within the last week, and I’ve got several more samples in the pipeline and that will be sent out over the next few days. It’s so exciting to work with all these new brides and grooms! Stay tuned to see what they’re ordering!
And what else have I been up to in this time? I started two new blogs (I know you’re thinking: this woman can’t keep up with her CMP blog, so why in the WORLD does she have two new ones??): The Adventures of the Vereen-Davises and Envied Designs. Feel free to stop by either or both to learn more about me and my creative impulses! Crescent Moon Papers, though, will still be your one-stop-shop for unique invitations, and all the behind-the-scenes stuff I’ve always discussed.
I’m so glad to be back, and I can’t wait to see how CMP expands over the next year!
New Homes Needed for My Old Wedding Stuff!
I’m beginning to process of finding new homes for all of the things that really made my wedding so wonderful. The first things I’m parting with are the gorgeous kelly green table runners we used at our reception. I was all about the DIY for our wedding, and the reception was no exception! These table runners really made the colors in the art gallery pop, and I am looking for a home for them–they are in fantastic shape (and dry cleaned!), and ready to make someone else’s wedding day perfect.
Purchase them through the newest listing on my etsy site: http://www.etsy.com/listing/55758519/seventeen-kelly-green-table-runners.
And keep an eye out for my other wedding projects that need a new home!
New venture!
I wanted to let my CMP readers know that I am currently expanding my Etsy empire–I started (and will remain) in stationery, but I’ve just started a photography site through Etsy as well! Check out http://www.brickyardphotography.etsy.com to see what I do in my spare time away from my beloved paper goods. You’ll most likely hear about what’s going on with that site as I continue to add and develop things to that site. 
Saturday Meet and Greet: Krisybird
My featured Etsian for this week is another multi-talented seller: Krista, through her shop Krisybird, offers photography, necklaces, rings, bookmarks and stamps, just to name a few!
one of Krista’s photographic prints
Pink earrings ARE, arguably, bliss. For my sister, they definitely are!
Ooh–fun ribbon for your own projects!
1) How long have you been on etsy?
Since January 2008.
2) What inspired you to create an Etsy shop?
I had been selling in a Crafter’s Mall near my hometown, but sadly, it closed. So I had all this inventory and no venue to sell from. I tried an auction site for awhile, but found that it was too big and I felt so small…
3) Describe your shop. How is it different from other shops in the same category?
My shop is a wonderful mix of expensive handmade jewelry, photo notecards, and jewelry and paper supplies. As my interests change, new things are added. At first I just made jewelry, then I tried photography, working with polymer clay, and now fused glass. I love every new thing I try. I’m not sure my shop is any different from shops in the same category, but I hope that some of the things I have are different.
4) What are your Etsy goals for this year?
Honestly, to try and hang on to more of the money I make here. It seems that, I’m a bead-a-holic! Who knew? I buy things with a use in mind, then 2 months later I can’t remember what I was gonna do with it, so there it sits, waiting for me to be inspired. And, if I sell one item, then I have to buy the stuff to make 10 of them… I need a 12 step program to stop me from buying every new thing in sight! Lol.
5) What would you like potential customers to know?
I would just like for people to take a peek into my shops. I have such a wide array, that I’m sure you will find something, if not for yourself, then as a gift!
Links:
http://facebook.com/krisybirds
http://bonanzle.com/booths/krisybird (more supplies, less jewelry)
http://bonanzle.com/booths/coolfusings (fused glass items)
http://magnetique.artfire.com (magnetic bracelets)
http://krisybird.silkfair.com (more of the same/just getting started there)
Saturday Meet and Greet: Glamazon08
I am a complete and utter sucker for anything that is cute, is cuddly, has googly eyes and/or has to do with smiling food (trust me on the last one). No wonder I was so happy to find Sabrina and her shop, Glamazon08, which features listings that pretty much all are the most adorable things you’ve ever laid your eyes on.
See? Smiling food! I TOLD you it would be cute.
1) How long have you been on etsy?
I started buying on Etsy since December 26, 2009, and started listing my items a few weeks after.
2) What inspired you to create an Etsy shop?
I started making kawaii inspired items originally for my little cousins and myself, namely plushies, because I couldn’t find any ones I liked or that they were really hard to find. I then started posting my work on Deviant Art, and got positive feedback, and saw others were selling their items, so then I created my Etsy shop!!
3) Describe your shop. How is it different from other shops in the same category?
I make kawaii-inspired (“cute” in Japanese) accessories of various desserts, animals, and objects. The accessories I make include phone charms, key chains, hair accessories, jewellery, magnets, and a lot more! I also sew kawaii plush of varying sizes from key chains to pillow sized items, and everything is based on my original patterns and ideas!
My shop is different from other shops in the same category as mine because I make items from different mediums such as clay, foam, felt, fleece, etc. Also, the “kawaii” items I make are interpretations of the traditional kawaii items most people are familiar with, and put my own twist on them!
4) What are your Etsy goals for this year?
Other than just sales, I would like have a brand in place for my shop, where so far it is known as Berry Sweet Treats. One of my other, and most important goals, is to donate partial proceeds to such charities as Children/Women’s Rights, Animals and Environmental, and some type of annual giveaways for them. I have something similar already for War Child Canada (my university’s chapter), where I made some musical charms and keychains for fundraising. So, in the meantime, just working on the next opportunities to do that again!
Links:
Etsy: www.glamazon08.etsy.com
Deviant Art: http://glamazon08.deviantart.com/
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/berrysweettreats/
Twitter: www.twitter.com/glamazon08
Squidoo: http://www.squidoo.com/berry-sweet-treats
Saturday Meet and Greet: Alisonsyer
Alisonsyer, today’s featured Etsian, has a wide variety of items in her shop, from paper crafts to jewelry to crafters’ bags.
1 ) How long have you been on Etsy?
I signed up in early April of this year, but it took me until late May before I began to actually use my account much, to put my work up and such.
2 ) What inspired you to create an Etsy shop?
I had been aware of Etsy for quite a while, having had it recommended to me by various friends, but didn’t quite have the guts to attempt selling my own work here. However, I just graduated from college and have the time and desire to get more serious about making a business out of my work.
3) Describe your shop. How is it different from other shops in the same category?
My shop is colourful and varied. I don’t work in just one medium, so there’s a real mix of items. I’m really into using colour and texture, and the result is often quite bold designs.
4 ) What are your Etsy goals for this year?
First and foremost, since my Etsy shop is so new, I’d like to get the word out! I’m also hoping to get my first Etsy sale soon. Of course, I’d like more than one sale in the next year! I would like to use the shop to refine my work, continue to learn what does well, and develop my product lines – a process which should always be worked on.
5) What else are you working on?
I’m working on paintings and textile art pieces which are not currently part of my Etsy shop – although I do have some featured on my website, I show them, etc. and may be introducing them to my Etsy in the future.
My Etsy page: http://alisonsyer.etsy.com
My website: http://www.alisonsyer.com
My Blog: http://alisonsyer.blogspot.com
My Facebook fan page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/artbyalisonsyer
Saturday Meet and Greet: TheCrochetBarn
Today’s featured seller makes a hat that I am seriously obsessed with–only I think my head is a TINY bit big for it! (Check out that awesome watermelon baby hat below!!) TheCrochetBarn is a brand new shop with lots of potential, so stock up on your baby shower gifts now.
1) How long have you been on etsy?
I have been on Etsy for approximtely 2 weeks! Yup, a brand BRAND new newbie here. I’m very excited (and a bit nervous) about this new venture, but it is sure to be interesting!
2) What inspired you to create an Etsy shop?
I’ve always been crafty in one form or another, and previously had a fairly successful business on Ebay (can I say that here??) selling premade scrapbook albums. My grandmother had taught me how to crochet years ago, and I recently made a sweater, hat and blanket set as a gift for somebody. I was then encouraged to make MORE for a local craft store, and the idea for The Crochet Barn was born from there. It’s a GREAT way to be able to stay at home for the most part with my little one and still (hopefully) bring a bit of income into our household. I LOVE to crochet and come up with new designs and patterns!
3) Describe your shop. How is it different from other shops in the same category?
Honestly, my shop right now is fairly empty compared to how I want it to be! And I want to be careful here since I do NOT want in any way to knock somebody else’s efforts. However, I do believe that it is different than others in the same category due to the high quality of workmanship, and offering of truly unique designs. My aim is to stay away now from the trend of ordering wholesale, premade caps and simply adding a hair clip to them. Not that I don’t have a few in the store, and not that they are not cute (they ARE), but I do not want that to be what my shop is about.
4) What are your Etsy goals for this year?
Hmm…. this is a good question. My Etsy goals for this year I guess are pretty simple. I want to get more of the ideas and designs in my head actually MADE. I want to get more items listed in the store. I want to begin offering patterns (that people are allowed to make AND resell if they want) for many of my items, and also begin taking custom requests. Maybe not so simple after all! I’m busy already over the summer with some custom orders, and I’m anticipating more time to be available to me once my daughter begins school in the fall.
Definitely note that TheCrochetBarn is currently offering some low “Introductory” pricing on all of her items at this time, along with Free Shipping in the Continental US. Definitely a good deal!
Now, off to find a baby in need of a cute hat.
Hungry
Hubby’s on the way home, and I’m starving! He promised that we could go to our local Publix to pick up some dinner and (da da daaaa) some petit fours, which are one of my great weaknesses in this life (along with Suddenly Pasta Salad Creamy Italian).
The ones at Publix aren’t, of course, this cute, but I bet they ARE just as yummy. I’ll have to work on tracking down one of these Tiffany petit fours since I love love love that place. I once owned Elsa Peretti earrings and the matching necklace, but since they were a gift from an old boyfriend, I sold them and put the money in mine and hubby’s future-house-fund.
Still, I drop hints that I would like another necklace, like this one, perhaps?
Treasure(y) Island
Etsy, as you may or may not be aware, has a super neat feature that allows sellers to create treasuries of their favorite etsy items. This feature is a chance to share some etsy love, so to speak. I am constantly in awe of all of the talent featured on etsy, so I love to showcase other sellers whom I’ve worked with or admired.
Today, I made my first treasury, centered around one of my favorite things: Britain. Check out my “British Invasion” treasury! http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c519b2dbb2d6d917df18a6b/british-invasion
Making that was so fun, I tried my hand at another, this time nature-themed: http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c52327bc59c6d91f7a61505/daisy-daisy-give-me-your-answer-do
AND! An owl themed one: http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c5235bac59c6d915f681605/what-a-hoot
Finally, to end the evening, I made a treasury entitled “Summer Storm” (wholly inspired by the horrible storm that just came through my area!): http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c5238e0c59c6d9154071705/summer-storms
