Etsy Holiday Boot Camp

i thought i’d share with you a bit of week 5 – we’re already up to week 7 but i’m all over it, i swear!! anyway, week 5 FINALLY forced encouraged me to take a look at my camera settings in hopes of taking photos with at least some marginal improvement. guess what?? it worked! sorta. i can’t really show you since i was taking photos for the custom charm website but trust me, there was a whole lot less editing involved.

but here’s what i can show you……i was inspired by some before & after pics by some etsy veterans. since all of my pieces are made to order, i really don’t have much inventory hanging around waiting for photo retakes but i headed over to picnik to see if i’d really done all i could do. and then found out that i didn’t. here’s the before photo:

 

 

i just love this set. especially the way the light radiates through the dichroic glass stones – they almost twinkle! but this photo certainly doesn’t do a good job showing the radiance (and this was the best of the bunch!)

 

 

so here’s the same photo after some additional editing:

 

much better, right? no, it’s not perfect but at least you can tell what color the stones are! i plan to run the rest of my photos thru picnik – again, i realize that they still won’t be the best they can be but at least i won’t have to hang my head shamefully when admitting that i took the photos.

 

 

 

i was also very inspired with the write-up on staging your photos – i’m going to try to get back to that and i’m also considering using some live models…not sure who (or when, for that matter!!) but it’s definitely on my to-do list!

and in other news, today is the last day to enter my giveaway!! wanna win a custom, personalized “over the moon” charm? then head here to enter!

Etsy Holiday Bootcamp update & a surprise!!

it's been a while since i've posted on my bootcamp progress and for that i apologize.... rest assured, i haven't given up! so here's what's been goin' on:

first and foremost, i found a buddy!! NSPottery. she's an awesomely talented potter who creates beautiful, timeless pieces for your home AND jewelry (and you know i like that!!!)

you already know that i've been working on getting new items into my shop. with respect to the goals i'd set, i've secured one advertising opportunity and i think i may have another; the website has launched (yay!!! and that's part of the surprise!!); last week i was able to do 3 days at the bench - this week is looking good, too; and i still need to contact two brick & mortars but my bonhomie jewelry trunkt wholesale site is updated and ready to go! (didn't know i had one of those, did ya??)

so. one of our exercises was to determine 3 lists of keywords. words to describe our buyers, our style and our "key brand values" - our values as an artist and as a business owner. so here goes:

buyer: female, late teens to early 40s (yes, i know that's not one 'word'), individual, independant, strong, artistic, modern

style: bold, unique, comfortable, approachable, funky, modern, hip, wearable (is that a word??), well-made, durable

values: dependable, long-lasting, inventive, brave, reliable, worthy

what do you think? accurate? have i missed anything? (i'm sure i have!)

there are still items on the holiday bootcamp 'to do' list that i've yet to cross off - a bit of reading, especially on the bane of my existence photography tips so i'll keep you posted.

and now the surprise...........in honor of the launch of the new and improved bonhomie charms site (have you seen it yet? no?!?!? well, go look!!) i've decided to do a giveaway!! just in time for the holidays - though some of you have already finished your shopping. that's just not right! - i'll be giving away a bonhomie charm, newly designed and scheduled to debut friday. with it's debut, i'll officially announce the giveaway and all the particulars so be sure to check back!

Etsy Success Holiday Boot Camp - Week 2 Tasks

I didn't have a chance to post last week's Holiday Boot Camp progress so here it is today!

Last week's assignment:

• list my most popular items


• brainstorm new pieces to be offered this season


• find a Boot Camp buddy

and for extra credit: according to Google Analytics, note which items have the most page views and lowest bounce rates.

I'm still working on finding a Boot Camp buddy (anyone interested?) but I've got the request out there! And on to the numbers.............

According to Etsy Hearts (which are difficult to track because they disappear when the item sells - huge bummer), my most popular item is my Vessel Pendant from the Couleurs collection with 28 Hearts. I've got a three-way tie for second place with 16 Hearts each: Unbroken Enamel Ring and the Vessel Ring (same collection) and my Dichro Stacking Rings.

According to my sales, my rings are my most popular seller - earrings and necklaces don't even come close! The ring I've sold most often is my Wanting Rings (10 sales) and next in line is my Copper Double Spinner Ring (8 sales). Third place goes to three of my rings: the Vessel Ring, the Copper Single Spinner Ring, and the Twisted Monogram Ring, at 7 sales each.

And Google Analytics says: the Vessel Ring has had 841 page views with a bounce rate of 48.69%.

So what does all this mean?? Ummm..........I'm not really certain. No, actually - rings are my biggest attractors, especially the Spinner Rings and the Coleurs line.

Perhaps I should create a few new Spinner designs and I actually have in mind a new enamel design...........

What do you think? Am I on the right track? Fellow Boot Campers, did you learn anything unexpected by looking at your numbers?

Etsy Success Holiday Bootcamp - Mission Statement

Here's the promised Mission Statement for the Etsy Success Holiday Bootcamp! To be perfectly honest, I'm not certain that this is a "mission statement" but it reflects my overall goals so here-goes:

Bonhomie Jewelry is committed to providing high-quality, hand-crafted, unique, fun and funky jewelry to its customers. Bonhomie Jewelry will increase it's charitable activities, through the holiday season and beyond, and will strive to provide excellent customer service.

Hmmm............seems kind of bland. I've never been a fan of mission statements because I've never really understood them. My bad. So how 'bout some specific goals:

1. Regular, relevant blog posting

2. locate & participate in at least two high-visibility advertising opportunities no later than November 1

3. launch the new Bonhomie Charms line and new website no later than Oct 30

4. post no less than 10 new items to my Etsy shop between now and Oct 30

5. solicit at least 2 new brick & mortar locales for wholesale opportunities

6. spend no less then 3 mornings per week at the bench


Am I being too ambitious? What are your goals?


Tasks to focus on between now and the next posting:

Make a list of my most popular items
Brainstorm new work to offer this season
Find a "Boot Camp buddy"

Featured Items and Holiday Bootcamp

So here are Monday's new featured items from my Etsy shop! Some whimsical, warm copper! Include the code BJBLOG in the 'notes to seller' when you check out and your 10% discount will be refunded to you via PayPal.

And now on to the Etsy Success Holiday Bootcamp! (holiday?!?! oh, no - not yet! oh, YES!) Each holiday season I have is better than the last but last year, I wasn't ready. I plan to be prepared this year!! So I'll start off with the pledge.............

I, Kirstie - Bonhomie Jewelry, pledge to participate in the Etsy Success Holiday Boot Camp to the best of my abilities. I vow to check in every week, do my homework and support my fellow Holiday Boot Campers. I will read the weekly newsletters and blog posts, check in on the weekly forum thread, read the weekly blog post, check off the checklists and salute the mascot. I promise to share what I've learned with those who need it, support my fellow Etsy indiepreneurs and, most of all, have a positive and persistent attitude. I understand that together we can spread the word about our handmade and vintage goods, making this holiday season a more unique and meaningful one to gift givers and give-ees everywhere!

I'm hoping to document my bootcamp progress on the blog - the next step will be my mission statement!