Hurricane Irene. Earthquakes. Etsy Relevancy. The Turtle is Ready...

You know it's going to just be one of those weeks sometimes…

At least the sandbox turtle is prepared...

I was eating lunch on Tuesday when the earthquake happened.

Have to admit - eating a bowl of pumpkin mushroom soup was an ideal place to be.

For me - not scary - thank goodness.

Pretty cool actually…

So now we are under Hurricane Watch/Warning for this weekend…

Last night we took precautions to secure things outside that might take flight when the hurricane force winds hit us.

Inside, the kilns are unplugged and electrical parts up off the floor (just incase a bit of water makes its way in - if it is a lot, then we're in trouble regardless).

I'm getting anything paper related up off the ground if I can.

Books, magazines, etc…

Most of my stuff is stored in plastic bags within plastic bins anyway, so not much preparation is needed in the studio.

Over on Etsy, I've yet to really delve into the "relevancy search-ability" of my shop items.

I need to go by section by section to edit tags and titles…

And the whole thing is just unappealing to me right now.

Too many other things going on in life.

And any free time I have,

I want to be creative and not sucked into the computer.

Know the feeling?

Here is one quick section I managed to update:

Porcelain Halloween

MarshaNealStudio.Etsy Porcelain Halloween pre-update.

Above is what the old background & photographs looked like.

Of course, I had started the update when I remembered to take a screen shot…

MarshaNealStudio.Etsy Porcelain Halloween during update.

Above is what it looked like once I updated the background.

I wanted an old Transylvania eerie map feel to the images.

Like these are old pieces recently unearthed…

You know - Halloween style though.

MarshaNealStudio.Etsy Porcelain Halloween all cleaned up.

And above is the final update to the section.

New pieces photographed with the new background.

Tags and Titles updated.

Now will they be relevant enough to start to show up in searches?

What about Treasuries?

What about into shopping carts?

And then - into actual designs…

So how are you preparing for the hurricane?

Did you feel the earth move too?

Do you think the turtle in the first photo is over-reacting with 4 bungee cords?

(I think he takes after my side of the family if you ask me!)

Hurricane Irene. Earthquakes. Etsy Relevancy. The Turtle is Ready...

You know it's going to just be one of those weeks sometimes…

At least the sandbox turtle is prepared...

I was eating lunch on Tuesday when the earthquake happened.

Have to admit - eating a bowl of pumpkin mushroom soup was an ideal place to be.

For me - not scary - thank goodness.

Pretty cool actually…

So now we are under Hurricane Watch/Warning for this weekend…

Last night we took precautions to secure things outside that might take flight when the hurricane force winds hit us.

Inside, the kilns are unplugged and electrical parts up off the floor (just incase a bit of water makes its way in - if it is a lot, then we're in trouble regardless).

I'm getting anything paper related up off the ground if I can.

Books, magazines, etc…

Most of my stuff is stored in plastic bags within plastic bins anyway, so not much preparation is needed in the studio.

Over on Etsy, I've yet to really delve into the "relevancy search-ability" of my shop items.

I need to go by section by section to edit tags and titles…

And the whole thing is just unappealing to me right now.

Too many other things going on in life.

And any free time I have,

I want to be creative and not sucked into the computer.

Know the feeling?

Here is one quick section I managed to update:

Porcelain Halloween

MarshaNealStudio.Etsy Porcelain Halloween pre-update.

Above is what the old background & photographs looked like.

Of course, I had started the update when I remembered to take a screen shot…

MarshaNealStudio.Etsy Porcelain Halloween during update.

Above is what it looked like once I updated the background.

I wanted an old Transylvania eerie map feel to the images.

Like these are old pieces recently unearthed…

You know - Halloween style though.

MarshaNealStudio.Etsy Porcelain Halloween all cleaned up.

And above is the final update to the section.

New pieces photographed with the new background.

Tags and Titles updated.

Now will they be relevant enough to start to show up in searches?

What about Treasuries?

What about into shopping carts?

And then - into actual designs…

So how are you preparing for the hurricane?

Did you feel the earth move too?

Do you think the turtle in the first photo is over-reacting with 4 bungee cords?

(I think he takes after my side of the family if you ask me!)

Etsy Shop - Almost Scrubbed Toothbrush-Clean...

I almost have not left my computer in 2 days - which I can't stand!

My back is killing me…

Thank You Dave for hitting up my lower back with some mineral ice tonight…

So romantic right? Hey - I'm ok with that...

I've been busily cleaning up my computer photos, my Etsy inventory, and my Etsy listings…

Wallpaper Flower Pendant in New Peacock Glaze

I've been updating the information in each listing…

Note to self - do not list anything new until your listings are updated.

Then copy and paste or you will have 70+ listings to check through vs 40…

I've been changing up categories, tags and titles hoping to get more hits through Etsy search terms and Google Analytics.

I'm hoping to actually get to looking into Google Analytics to see what it is all about and see how it can help promote my Etsy shop by what I'm already doing.

What kinds of stuff do you do to help improve the visibility of your Etsy Shop?

Do you participate in Etsy Circles and Favorites?
Here is a link to my Etsy profile if you want to add me to your circle or favorite.
I'm on there quite a bit these days...

How have sales been in your shop compared to this time last year?

What kinds of things are you getting ready for in your shop?

Here is one of my latest Etsy treasuries:
Bring On The Fall...

Thanks for taking the time to stop by and leave a comment…
See you over there on Etsy or FaceBook.

Etsy Shop - Almost Scrubbed Toothbrush-Clean...

I almost have not left my computer in 2 days - which I can't stand!

My back is killing me…

Thank You Dave for hitting up my lower back with some mineral ice tonight…

So romantic right? Hey - I'm ok with that...

I've been busily cleaning up my computer photos, my Etsy inventory, and my Etsy listings…

Wallpaper Flower Pendant in New Peacock Glaze

I've been updating the information in each listing…

Note to self - do not list anything new until your listings are updated.

Then copy and paste or you will have 70+ listings to check through vs 40…

I've been changing up categories, tags and titles hoping to get more hits through Etsy search terms and Google Analytics.

I'm hoping to actually get to looking into Google Analytics to see what it is all about and see how it can help promote my Etsy shop by what I'm already doing.

What kinds of stuff do you do to help improve the visibility of your Etsy Shop?

Do you participate in Etsy Circles and Favorites?
Here is a link to my Etsy profile if you want to add me to your circle or favorite.
I'm on there quite a bit these days...

How have sales been in your shop compared to this time last year?

What kinds of things are you getting ready for in your shop?

Here is one of my latest Etsy treasuries:
Bring On The Fall...

Thanks for taking the time to stop by and leave a comment…
See you over there on Etsy or FaceBook.

Twelve Colors For My Clay Twirl Shards

All of the pieces are out of the kiln…

Marsha Neal Studio Porcelain Twirls In Twelve Colors

In all the right colors...

So now customers that are looking at this earring listing below can pick their own color right on the spot.

Porcelain Clay Twirl Earring with Sterling Silver

And I've also created a listing for anyone that wants to pick out just a pair of these twirls and make their own earrings (or whatever you can think up to use them with).

Through creating this custom listing it dawned on me that I really should have an Etsy "shop section" for all of the listings I've got for the silk and clay "you pick the color" listings.

So that is now done too…

Now if only the sun would peek out from behind the clouds so I can photograph the other two main porcelain clay shard textures I've got in these 12 colors too…

Including two NEW glaze colors:

NEW Glazes: Blood Red and Peacock

Blood Red Glaze on Chocolate Clay

Glacier Glaze on Chocolate Clay

I think there will be an Etsy shop update happening soon…

Make sure you are on my email mailing list to get the heads up on the update and any special coupon codes I may decide to run for my newsletter customers…

Don't forget, if you like to make treasuries, I'm running a "contest" for anyone using the jewelry listings with the new modeled pieces (on Claudia and Becky) that is running until July 11, 2011.

Winner gets a $25 MNS Etsy Shop gift certificate.

See the bottom of my previous post for details and to add your qualified treasury to the list.

Good Luck!!!

***After I looked over this post again when it was live, I really didn't like the way that first color choice photo looked in the center. But I did like that circle photo…
What do you think?
Is this better???

***Ok - here is the final photo update - I promise:
I just changed the positions of the labeled colored shards to match the inner photo.
I like things a bit tidy...

Twelve Colors For My Clay Twirl Shards

All of the pieces are out of the kiln…

Marsha Neal Studio Porcelain Twirls In Twelve Colors

In all the right colors...

So now customers that are looking at this earring listing below can pick their own color right on the spot.

Porcelain Clay Twirl Earring with Sterling Silver

And I've also created a listing for anyone that wants to pick out just a pair of these twirls and make their own earrings (or whatever you can think up to use them with).

Through creating this custom listing it dawned on me that I really should have an Etsy "shop section" for all of the listings I've got for the silk and clay "you pick the color" listings.

So that is now done too…

Now if only the sun would peek out from behind the clouds so I can photograph the other two main porcelain clay shard textures I've got in these 12 colors too…

Including two NEW glaze colors:

NEW Glazes: Blood Red and Peacock

Blood Red Glaze on Chocolate Clay

Glacier Glaze on Chocolate Clay

I think there will be an Etsy shop update happening soon…

Make sure you are on my email mailing list to get the heads up on the update and any special coupon codes I may decide to run for my newsletter customers…

Don't forget, if you like to make treasuries, I'm running a "contest" for anyone using the jewelry listings with the new modeled pieces (on Claudia and Becky) that is running until July 11, 2011.

Winner gets a $25 MNS Etsy Shop gift certificate.

See the bottom of my previous post for details and to add your qualified treasury to the list.

Good Luck!!!

***After I looked over this post again when it was live, I really didn't like the way that first color choice photo looked in the center. But I did like that circle photo…
What do you think?
Is this better???

***Ok - here is the final photo update - I promise:
I just changed the positions of the labeled colored shards to match the inner photo.
I like things a bit tidy...

Narrowing Down A Color Palette For Etsy

There are ways to look at ones business…

For me it has always been:

I make beads & pendants.

I sell these beads & pendants to people that make jewelry.

I sell things through bead shows, bead shops, and online shops.

I have a website that allows people to pick out their exact porcelain pendant by:

Texture, Shape & Size, and Color...

12 selected glaze color choices.

But things are not the same for me anymore.

I am not personally traveling to bead shows.

I work from home and can't be away from my two little ones for long…

(I become a miserable grump)

My pieces are still at shows through D7Studio

Which is my friend Darlene's business.

I sold her my bead show stock right after I had Chloe, and she made it her own…

You should see the stuff she carries!

Really - click to her blog to see where she will be next…

There are bead shops that still carry my pieces - if they have not closed up shop yet and gone online…

And as far as online resellers, there are a few…

So in the last two years I have really focused on my Etsy shop:

Selection of items in my Etsy shop.

I have taken, and retaken, and then taken more photos of my items.

Worked with a professional photographer, Katy Timney for better images of what my pieces look like finished and worn:

And so now from an outsiders point of view…

I like these, but would like them in another color.

What do you have to offer?

Right now it stands as:

Take a look at my other listings.

You know, the ones under porcelain pendants, shards…

Or maybe go outside Etsy to my website.

Search and find the pendants, then hopefully your computer/phone can download the flash (outdated) glaze color chart.

Oh, and I have new glazes - but they aren't there…

See the point?

Or rather - get lost in the point?

Customers that are there to buy a pair of earrings or a pendant get lost and uninterested when they have to hunt (I know I do).

That first photo at the top of this post are 12 of my best selling glazes that I am going to offer to people buying finished jewelry as their palette to pick from.
The pieces are still working through the kiln, then to be photographed…
But soon - they will be up there.

Make things simple and impulse shopping friendly.

I am my ideal customer...

I may be your ideal customer too...

I love to shop for unique handmade items…

But don't make me work for it or I'll go buy something else.

You know - unless it is something I "have to have".

What kind of things are you doing to make your Etsy shop more desirable to shop?

Narrowing Down A Color Palette For Etsy

There are ways to look at ones business…

For me it has always been:

I make beads & pendants.

I sell these beads & pendants to people that make jewelry.

I sell things through bead shows, bead shops, and online shops.

I have a website that allows people to pick out their exact porcelain pendant by:

Texture, Shape & Size, and Color...

12 selected glaze color choices.

But things are not the same for me anymore.

I am not personally traveling to bead shows.

I work from home and can't be away from my two little ones for long…

(I become a miserable grump)

My pieces are still at shows through D7Studio

Which is my friend Darlene's business.

I sold her my bead show stock right after I had Chloe, and she made it her own…

You should see the stuff she carries!

Really - click to her blog to see where she will be next…

There are bead shops that still carry my pieces - if they have not closed up shop yet and gone online…

And as far as online resellers, there are a few…

So in the last two years I have really focused on my Etsy shop:

Selection of items in my Etsy shop.

I have taken, and retaken, and then taken more photos of my items.

Worked with a professional photographer, Katy Timney for better images of what my pieces look like finished and worn:

And so now from an outsiders point of view…

I like these, but would like them in another color.

What do you have to offer?

Right now it stands as:

Take a look at my other listings.

You know, the ones under porcelain pendants, shards…

Or maybe go outside Etsy to my website.

Search and find the pendants, then hopefully your computer/phone can download the flash (outdated) glaze color chart.

Oh, and I have new glazes - but they aren't there…

See the point?

Or rather - get lost in the point?

Customers that are there to buy a pair of earrings or a pendant get lost and uninterested when they have to hunt (I know I do).

That first photo at the top of this post are 12 of my best selling glazes that I am going to offer to people buying finished jewelry as their palette to pick from.
The pieces are still working through the kiln, then to be photographed…
But soon - they will be up there.

Make things simple and impulse shopping friendly.

I am my ideal customer...

I may be your ideal customer too...

I love to shop for unique handmade items…

But don't make me work for it or I'll go buy something else.

You know - unless it is something I "have to have".

What kind of things are you doing to make your Etsy shop more desirable to shop?

Models, Photography, and Etsy Enhancements...

I've always wanted to convey a bit more scale of my pieces that are in my Etsy shop to people that have not seen them in person. And what better way to do that then with an actual person…

Photo By Katy Timney

This is Claudia Twardus. 

She is not just a fantastic model, she is the jewelry designer & artist of Antica Treasures with an eclectic outlook on life (it shows through her art and being) and she is a fellow Delaware Etsy Street Team member. She has a blog too.

Photo By Katy Timney

This is Becky Kolpak.

She is also a local Delaware area model & artist that has studied photography, so she is a natural when getting in front of the camera because she understands what the photographer is looking for.

We all met here, on an early June day, just a couple of weekends ago.

The photo shoot was arranged by Katy Timney of Katy Rose Photography.

Claudia and I brought the jewelry, Becky & Claudia brought various outfits and small props, and Katy brought her camera, expert eye, and artistic vision.

Becky, Katy and Claudia know exactly what to do.

I just stood back and watched the three of them move together in this kind of dance.

It was amazing…

Photo By Katy Timney

You can just see how much fun everyone was having…

Photo By Katy Timney

And amazingly natural (I would be so awkward)
Both Becky and Claudia were able to change expressions…

Photo By Katy Timney

I really like this shot that Katy took of Becky sitting atop the stone wall, looking down over the water cascading out of it onto the creek below…

Photo By Katy Timney

And Claudia is just so charming…

Photo By Katy Timney

She had us cracking up the entire time with her comments about her poses and things she was thinking as she noticed little nooks and crannies where faeries might be found in this eclectic park.

Photo By Katy Timney

Remarkable…

Thank you Katy.

Thank you Becky.

Thank you Claudia.

I can't wait to work with you all again on another photo shoot!

And here are a couple of screen shots of my Etsy shop:

My normal shop view - without models.

My updated shop view with models.

All still needing a bit more tweaking, but it's well on it's way to becoming more of a shop that I want it to be…

What do you think?

Have I reached my one goal to show scale?

How about the unmentioned goal of wanting to have these photos used in more treasuries?

I really think there is a balance to obtain for a happy Etsy shop.

Not just a successful one full of sales, but of something that helps to inspire you.

Oh - that gives me an idea for a giveaway…

Create a treasury and include one of my new shop photos featuring one of the models - which there will be a few more added as I get the time in the next couple of days, then link that treasury up below by July 10, 2011 and I'll pull a random winner for a $25 gift certificate to my Marsha Neal Studio Etsy shop.