Banner Refresher

I've been working on some designs for my business card, stickers, and other marketing materials, so I revamped my etsy shop banner.  What do you think?  Check it out on my store site too!  This was my old banner...

Improvment?  I think so, but I also like having the graphic image of one of my items on there too.  Which is better?

I got my 2" kraft boxes in the mail, so I'm debating on sizes for stickers.  2 inch or 1 inch?  square or round?  I'll be working on those ideas next!  In the meantime, I need some sunshine so I can get quality pictures of some new items!  Rain rain go away...

 

Packaging

This past week I had my first custom packaging opportunity!  A friend wanted a pair of championship puffin earrings for his girlfriend's birthday.  Since it was a custom order for a friend, I threw in gift wrapping for him.  Plus, guys can't wrap presents, so i figured he could use the help.

I also had an item break during shipping for the first time, and that was a wake-up call for packaging.  In addition to offering a variety of gift wrapping, I also need to perfect my general packaging - probably add more bubble wrap. 

Here is an idea of the levels of gift wrap that I will soon offer in my store.

Level 0:  no upcharge, small baggie for item,bubble wrap and padded envelope

Level 1:  $1.00 - small recycled kraft box (with a sticker label closure)

Level 2:  $2.00 - small recycled kraft box, gift wrapped with a ribbon

Level 3:  $2.50 - small recycled kraft box, gift wrapped with ribbon and embellishment

This is what i did for my friend and it would be indicative of a Level 3 gift wrap:

Apparently - it was a hit!  The gift and the wrapping!

I have been researching boxes forever trying to find what I wanted and get it for the best price.  Most places online you have to buy a case (of 100 pieces) to get a decent price, and then pay quite a bit of shipping.  I don't want to buy 100 of something unless I am SURE it is the exact thing that I want.  So the other day I found what i think is very close to what i want, and only had to buy 10 of them for a reasonable price.  Bonus, it was from another etsy shop. 

They are 2x2x2 recycled paper kraft boxes.  I like the recycled part, and I like the size.  I think it will fit most of the items i have.  This is also a very cute size to wrap as a gift.

I really need to work on my label designs now.  No matter what the packaging level, I want to slap a 1" round (or maybe square) itsybitsy label on everything.  I like doing graphic stuff, so this will be fun.  If i can get some ideas going - maybe i will do a poll and have people vote for their favorite design!  Keep an eye out!

Findings

I've been doing some thinking about how to make my itsybitsycutes a little more versatile and marketable.

When I started sculpting tiny things back in 2004, they were solely Christmas ornaments.  Seasonal gifts.  Now that I'm trying new things and making itsys all year round, I've got to get creative about how people will use them.  Why would you want an itsybitsycute?

Today I had to pick up some jump rings for my championship puffin, he's sold already!  My buyer wants to make him into a necklace, so he needed a jump ring and I was out.  While I was at the craft store, I perused for other interesting things in the jewelry aisle.  Here is what i found:

 

On top is a package of "cellphone straps"... These are the little straps that you can loop through a small hole if you want to add a charm to something.  I'm pretty sure this trend is on its way out by now.  I know my google phone doesn't allow for me to add a charm to it, nor would i want to. I think the trend started in started in Japan with Nokia cellphones way back in the day.  Maybe kids still think it's fashionable to bling  out your cellphone, if so, great!  However, I envisioned them holding little uker charms onto ukulele's like I made for my friend Dominic.  

Another thought - Charms for dog collars.  I've toyed with the idea of making some dog accessories (once i can get a sewing machine).  Custom or modern dog collars seem to sell well on etsy, and i love dogs, so it would be fun to find cute fabrics to make leashes and collars out of.  But for now, I could take a stab at selling some charms for pets.  Is it trendy to bling out your dog? Maybe just in LA...

I also got 6.5 ft of small figaro style chain.  I'm thinking charm bracelets, chains to hang from rearview mirrors, and necklaces.  Maybe more kid-friendly stuff is in order?  I think kid items would be marketable at a local shop here called Stuff.  They sell a lot from local etsy shop owners and other local artists.  I've never really been a sales person for my art, but it might be getting to be that time soon.

My final thought of the day is packaging.  I've been in search online and in person for practically a year to find the perfect packaging for itsybitsys... i want to offer gift wrap and custom packaging as an option, but i need to decide what it will be first, not to mention i need to design my logo still.

Gosh I have a lot to do... One thing at a time.

Sell Sell Sell!

Pudgy Penguin found an owner last night!  Hooray!  He will happily ship out tomorrow.

This sale has encouraged me to get my butt in gear tonight, and clean up the office.  Again.  My boyfriend is now officing from home full time, and he's not the tidiest of office users.  I've at least got the desks clean, and now there are just several stacks of stuff organized by who it belongs to.  That is the best I will manage for this evening.  I'm listing 3 items tonight, including my new "championship puffin."  

He is inspired by a college mascot that happens to be my alma mater.  You can put the rest together.

Here is how he started out... several simple shapes and pieces.

 

And he turned into this!  Well... almost.  This one has a yellow face, not white, but you get the idea.  

I may be trying other renditions of mascots for March Madness, got any good ideas for me?  Custom orders welcomed!