Hello Out There!

Hey everyone! Hope you’re all doing fantastically!

Just doing a few housekeeping-type things around the shop. I plan on updating all of the pictures and item descriptions within the next few weeks. It’s going to take a little while to print out the cards, arrange them for pictures, take them, edit them, and upload them – as well as change around the wording of the descriptions.

Also plan on adding new Glee cards, such as Blaine Anderson, Quinn Fabray, and Noah ‘Puck’ Puckerman, as well as adding more summer-themed cards for the warmer weather!

I’ll be in touch with more details and pictures when they come around!

Until then, stay safe and healthy!
– Therese

Special Promotion Announcement!

If you purchase an item in my shop between today and April 15, 75% of the money you pay will go straight towards the American Red Cross to benefit the victims of the terrible tsunami and earthquake in Japan. With every order, you will receive two free cards (if you buy cards) or a pack of free embellishments (if you buy paper supplies) as a token of my appreciation. It is so important to give back to others and help others in their desperate time of need. You don’t need a coupon code or need to leave any message in any box to participate in this promotion – the proceeds of any purchase made by anyone on Etsy will go to the American Red Cross.

Thank you!

Social Networking!

What are your tips and tricks for social networking? Facebook pages and accounts? Twitters? Blogging? Share your links, comments, and opinions!

Twitter: Start a Fire

Facebook account: Therese Marie/Start a Fire

Facebook fan page: Start a Fire ; An Etsy Shop

Mailing List!

I’m starting a mailing list!

These mailing lists will include…

* Special discount codes for sales that will not be available to anyone else
* New additions to my shop
* Special contests and giveaways
* Items from other shops that are special and interesting
* Any other notes or happenings in my shop that I would like to share with you!

If you want to be on the mailing list, reply below with your e-mail address, or send an e-mail to startafireshop@gmail.com!

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays, everyone! Hope everyone who celebrated Christmas had a great one, and I hope everyone has a safe, happy, and healthy New Year!

This has been an interesting past few days for me. I bought two showcases in the Paper Goods part of Etsy, but didn’t see any return in sales. I did notice that my items had a slight increase in views and I got a few more hearts, but no real purchases stemmed from the promotion. Totally admit that I was a little bummed. In my dreams, I expected to be cranking out cards like no tomorrow. Now, I’m just thankful to get a few views!

Because I sell Glee cards, I’m starting of thinking about posting on Glee forums to get my cards out there to a wider audience. I’m also thinking about promoting my David Cook and Ryan Star cards on their official websites as well. I only have about two weeks left of my winter vacation, so I want to promote and get my shop out there as much as I can right now. I know that once school starts, it’s going to get much busier.

Anyways, I need to get off of here, but I’ll be back with a new coupon code to ring in 2011! 🙂

Until next time…
– Therese

Dealing with the ups and the downs

Now playing: the sound of cars driving past my window 🙂

I’m back around again. Hope everyone had a great week!

Something’s been bugging me lately, and I touched upon it in the previous post. The ups and the downs of setting is getting under my skin! Sometimes, I’ll sell three orders in one day, and then I’ll have no sales for a week. This inconsistency is messing with my head! And I know that to get more recognition that you need to sell more to get your stuff on the front page, but I’m afraid if I make too many things, I’m going to just burn out like a candle in a hurricane. I just wish there was a way to keep a steady stream of people going to my shop.

I just opened up a Twitter (cheap plug alert): Start a Fire Shop @ Twitter. I’m just not sure if that’s going to bring in the amount of business that I want.

I also want to start my own Etsy team for Glee, but I have no idea if anyone will join! I figure that since I make Glee cards that I might as well be a part of a Glee team, and if that means making my own, I will.

Additionally, I’m starting to expand my shop a bit. I just purchased a Martha Stewart Stamp and Punch kit the other day and I’ve been stamping and punching butterflies like it’s my day job, and even though stamping and punching butterflies just sounds mean and cruel, they’re coming out so darn pretty. Here’s an example of a card I made with ribbon and my stamped and punched butterflies.

From my 'Spring is Here' Butterfly Card Set

And you better believe I was online last night trying to find more punches. I’m now starting of thinking about going into supplies and card stock punches. Like I need something else to do with my time at this point! 🙂

I’m also working on button cards. Yes, button cards. Cards covered with buttons. I made a pink and yellow one that came out cute, and then I worked on an all brown one, and the brown one looks like it’s ready to give way at any minute now. I don’t have pictures of those yet, but once I figure out how to stand the brown one up, I’ll get on it.

Finally, I made more Sue Sylvester cards (from Glee). She always says, “You think that’s hard?” followed by something hillarious. I found five of those quotes and typed it up using a varsity-type font, since she’s the cheerleading coach. I’ll get those posted tonight too, as soon as I take pictures of those bad boys.

I’m on winter break now from college, and I go back to teaching on January 10th, so I have some time to work with. Does anyone have any ideas on what I should try next? Maybe photo cards?

Thanks for reading!

Monday blues…

Now playing: the sound of the printer in a library in Brooklyn, NY

I had a successful weekend of sales. In two days, I managed to sell three sets of cards. I was pretty impressed with myself, since I usually don’t make $30 in two days. But, my new thought process is now how to keep this kind of business going.

I guess my problem is promotion. I advertise on Twitter, and I think that brings in some kind of business. I don’t advertise on Facebook, because if my friends knew that I sold cards on Etsy, I’d be given hell. I don’t know where else to share my links or my information.

I read articles that explain how to promote your Etsy shops, but let’s face it, I’m not going to start passing out business cards on busy New York City corners or taping flyers on telephone poles and light posts. I also don’t have the time to set up shop at a flea market for an entire Saturday afternoon. Right now, I’m an internet-only kinda girl.

What I’m trying to do at this point is build up the client list that I have. Maybe I’ll start sending out exclusive coupon codes and freebies in my orders, or sending them a personalized ‘Thank you’ note to show my gratitude. I just don’t want to seem pesty or overzealous. I don’t want to shove my shop in people’s faces – I want them to actually like me.

My question for you: How do you advertise your shop?

We’re gonna start a fire…

Now playing: “Start a Fire” by Ryan Star

I’ve always loved greeting cards. I’d spend hours in drugstore card aisles, just reading cards and laughing at some, nodding my head in pure agreement in others… I’d always buy a ton of them and save them, building quite a collection. Hallmark would be proud.

Now, I make my own. I’m starting out small, working on media quote cards, seasonal cards, and various other quote cards, but I plan on expanding into more intricate designs. Right now, my main supplies are Microsoft Word, Avery card stock, and my photo printer, but I’m anxious to start exploring the world of stamps, incorporating die cuts, using stencils, featuring embellishments, and making cards more three-dimensional. I have high hopes and expectations for my cards – I woudn’t post anything to my store that I wouldn’t buy.

I’m always improving my cards, even if its just changing the colors or rounding the edges of the paper. My cards have gone through multiple changes and improvements in the two weeks my shop has been open.

Additionally, I’m looking to expand my shop to feature a wide variety of bookmarks, die cut shapes, and maybe handmade jewelry. I’m keeping my options completely open, and I’m very welcoming to ideas and suggestions.

I’m looking forward to keeping this blog updated and going with all different types of posts, from tutorials to polls to secret coupon codes that you won’t find anywhere else! For other bloggers, if you’d like to exchange links, I’d love to feature you if you’d feature me! 🙂

Until next time…

Therese