Featured Seller - SweetRoxs

What part of the world are you in?
California, USA

What does customer service mean to you?
It means treating the customer well. Delivering a great product at a great price as fast as possible - even that isn't enough. Good customer service involves acknowledging the sale, keeping the customer updated on the status, being available for questions and custom orders, and having your well packaged item delivered on time.

What is your most memorable experience with a customer?
My most memorable experience was the first custom order. It was wonderful to be asked to make a custom item. After some nervousness about having it meet their expectations, it was great to hear it that it fit well and they were happy.

What sets you apart from other sellers who are selling similar items?
Although it is hard to distinguish yourself from so many jewelry sellers, Roxy's designs are unique and mostly specialize in earrings. Of course, beside jewelry SweetRoxs also sells knitted items. Lully's knitted items are sweet with the wrist warmers being a popular item.

How did you learn the skills that make you successful today?
Lully has been knitting for most of her life. She can follow a pattern or follow her own ideas to create a new item. After being frustrated at not finding jewelry that fits her personality, Roxy began learning to make jewelry. She has read instructions, watched videos, and experimented on friends and family. Being willing to try something new or just play with a new idea leads to what will bring you success.

Do you have any formal training in your craft?
We do not. Learning the craft from friends and family has been very rewarding.

What is your goal for the next year?
SweetRoxs' goal for 2009 is to reach out to more people interested in handmade items, while still being able to keep it personal and fun.

What keeps you motivated when sales are slow?
Slow sales are a motivation in themselves to find ways to reach customers. The time can be used to find more outlets or create new items.

What do you do to attract new clients and encourage re-occurring business? SweetRoxs encourages re-occurring business by making items well and treating the customer even better. We've been fortunate to receive great feedback. Being a fairly new seller, it has been fun finding so many ways to reach new clients - online, charity auctions, word of mouth, even an ad on Roxy's car has gotten people asking about SweetRoxs.

If you could share one piece of advice with someone who is considering opening their own store of handmade items, what would it be?
My advice would be to make something that you really put your heart into. It will show in your work.

Thanks so much Susan for the interview, We love your cozy fingerless gloves!

Visit her store for more beautiful creations ranging from knitwear to jewelry to accessories, SweetRoxs.etsy.com

Featured Seller - Gastu

What part of the world are you in?
I'm in Iceland.

What does customer service mean to you?
Customer service is one of the most important thing if you want to be good seller. It's all about happy customer, and that's in priority for me to make them happy. Than you will also find out that more and more people are buying from you just because of what they heard from their friends ..

What is your most memorable experience with a customer?
I've just started Etsy business, but I've being running leather craft storein Reykjavík cityfor about year now and I have few memorable customers.
For example one that was sadly quite drunk (I'm in downtown) and he hadhis backpackwith him,all of a sudden he had emptied the bag and showedme purse that he had in the bottom. He told me to keep it because it wasso beautiful that I had to sew one like that my self! I told him that I wasn'ta "copycat" and than he mentioned that I shouldn't act like I was "inventingthe wheel" in the handbag business.....Luckily he haven't been at my storesince that day.

What sets you apart from other sellers who are selling similar items?
All or most of my items includes fish skin leather, that is very unique leatherthat is made here in Iceland.

How did you learn the skills that make you successful today?
It took few years until I was satisfied. I have been learning through theInternet and with books. Today I run courses sewing leather handbags.And in the last months about 130 women have already learned how to sewtheir very own bag.

Do you have any formal training in your craft?
No - not yet. I learned building engineering, but decided not to work asengineering when I finished. I think I have found what I like to day in myday job - and as my hobby...

What is your goal for the next year?
I am hoping that my design only (with great help from Etsy) can be my onlyday job. Now I have to put all my hours in showing the world how great thefish skin is.

What keeps you motivated when sales are slow?
That my hearts are racing.. My family and friends.Then I also use the time to make treasury or promoting in the Forums,and they motivate me by telling me what they feel about my products.

What do you do to attract new clients and encourage repeat business?
I send personal message(convo) to all my customers, i also sendhandwrittenthank you note sometimes with more than one business cardalong. I have decided to send gifts along with some of the orders. Whowill get it is just decided by what mood I'm in that minute..Giving doesalways makes me feel so good!
I spend all my hours talking about Gastu and Etsy, I show it off on my Facebook profile, and than I have sent letter to all the media here inIceland hoping that they are interested.

If you could share one piece of advice with someone who is considering opening their own store of handmade items,what would it be?

You have to do what you feel like, don't hesitate if you think that's the right thing to do.I would say jump for it and welcome aboard.
**We were looking through Gastu's store and we noticed a similarity in the items we clicked on,the shipping was $0! We love little perks like free shipping!
Thanks so much for taking the time to talk to us!
Visit GASTU at http://gastu.etsy.com/!

Featured Seller - Barretzz

What part of the world are you in?

Aventura, Florida

What does customer service mean to you?
The client always comes first, so with me they
can expect a lot of attention. I always try to give
them a smooth transaction and answer all of the
questions they have promptly.

What is your most memorable experience with a
customer?
I once got a sale that was shipping to tanzania,
I spoke with the custuner via email and we weren't
sure the postal service was a good choice.
The shipping arrived perfectly, and now she returned
for more products.

What sets you apart from other sellers who are
selling similar items?
Attention to detail and no there is no request or
consultation that isn't important for me.

How did you learn the skills that make you successful today?
I am an architect, so basically I've been experimenting all my
life with different forms of craft. I do work with ceramics
and fabrics,so with Barr-etzz I've found my perfect balance.

Do you have any formal training in your craft?
My mom taught me how to use a sewing machine. That is
basically all of my training sewing, but my career gave me a
lot of proportion and color use.

What is your goal for the next year?
I would like to make Barr-etzz a well known brand, with
exceptional bootiesfor little girls and boys.


What keeps you motivated when sales are slow?
Confidence and creativity. I start creating more models,
and sketching with new materials.

What do you do to attract new clients and encourage
re-occurring business?
I try to find new clients by referral, so I send my products
with a great presentation.
And always try to maintain them up to date with the new
products by emails and postcards by mail.


If you could share one piece of advice with someone who
is considering opening their own store of handmade items,
what would it be?
Patience and organization are the keys!. It gets a lot of work
and patienceto keep a store running.


We obviously LOVE the little bee booties, but all of Barretzz's
booties are just darling and reasonably priced! So are the hair
accessories selling for only $4-6 each!
Spoil that darling daughter, granddaughter or niece of yours,
treat her to a treasure created by Barretzz!

Please visit their website, http://barretzz.etsy.com

Featured Seller - Wild Rose Jewels

What part of the world are you from?
I am living in Red Deer Alberta, originally from Halifax Nova Scotia.

What does customer service mean to you?
Customer service is seeing a need and meeting it, making sure people walk away feeling happy with their experience.

What is your most memorable experience with a customer?
My most memorable experience with a customer on Etsy would have to be getting my first sale! I've only had one so far, so not too much to draw from in this area. But it sure made me feel great to know that someone else liked my work enough to spend money on it.

What sets you apart from other sellers who are selling similar items?
I think what sets my jewelery apart is that it is not trendy, you could wear it next week, next year, or ten years from now and still feel good about it. I'm all about classic style.

How did you learn the skills that make you successful today?
Do you have any formal training in your craft?
I have no formal training in jewelery making whatsoever, it's just something I've been playing around with.

What is your goal for the next year?
My goals for next year are to continue to create, to improve my shop, promote, promote, promote, and increase sales.

What keeps you motivated when sales are slow?
I stay motivated when sales are slow because I truly enjoy what I'm doing. I didn't start making jewelery to make my fortune, it just makes me happy to use my hands to make something beautiful. I enjoy the process. However, sales would be nice . . .

What do you do to attract new clients and encourage re-occurring business?
To encourage sales, I'm just trying to get myself out there, be seen. Alot of posting in the Etsy forums, Facebook, not to mention telling everyone I know.

If you could share one piece of advice with someone who is considering opening their own store of handmade items, what would it be?
To anyone wanting to start selling their own handmade items, I would say, just go ahead and do it! Jump right in. You will learn alot on the way, I'm learning new things everyday. That's half the fun.


Check out Wild Rose Jewels on their website www.wildrosejewels.etsy.com

Beautiful pieces Krista! Thanks for being a part of our blog. We wish you many sales in 2009 :)

Featured Seller Carol Bright

Bright Creations - Ogham Inspired Silver Jewelry

What part of the world are you in?
I was born and raised in Tampa, Florida

What does customer service mean to you?
I believe customer service is key to a successful business. I want to know if my jewelry is well received. If the customer is not happy then I am not either.

What is your most memorable experience with a customer?
The most memorable customer experience so for is creating a custom Ogham pendant for a proud parent whose daughter is in the Police Academy.

What sets you apart from other sellers that are selling similar items? Their are alot of talented people out there doing metalsmithing and precious metal clay. What sets me apart from them is I bring my life experiences to each of my pieces. The places I travel to and the sites I see give me inspiration for my jewelry designs. I also do custom Ogham jewelry, which was the first form of the gaelic language.

How did you learn the skills that make you successful today? Do you have any formal training in your craft? Several years ago I went with my mother to a metalsmithing class at the recreation center in our city. I never did much with that instruction at the time. Then about two years ago a friend of my mothers dismantled her metalsmithing and precious metal studio. My mother called me and asked me to come over and see if I would like any of ther equipment. I was inspired by all the equipment I was given by my gracious benifactor. Up until then I had been making my own earring wires and earrings. Now I had a complete metalsmithing studio and precious metal clay studio. I took a class at the recreation center in pmc. I started my etsy shop with the pmc pieces. Since then I have taken a couple of metalsmithing classes from a local bead shop in the brandon area. Hopefully one day I will get to one of those wonderful schools that teach metalsmithing and also certify you in precious metal clay. Until then I will keep doing what I can.

What is your goal for the next year?
My goals for next year is to possibly get some formal training in my craft. To learn some new techniques and appy them to my style. What keeps you motivated when sales are slow?
My family, friends, and customers keep me motivated when sales are down. They praise my work ,they boost my ego....Bless them All

What do you do to attract new clients and encourage re-occurring business?
I encourage repeat business by giving a free gift with every purchase. I try to create new pieces every week so the customers do not get tired of seeing the same thing.

If you could share one piece of advice with someone who is considering opening their own store of handmade items, what would it be?
My advice to new shop owners is to take good pictures of your craft what ever it is.

To see more of Carol's lovely creations, please visit her website: Bright Creations

Thank you so much Carol for the interview and best of luck in 2009!