Give Aways

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Father's Day Gift Guide - WhimsyTees/LesleyHornbeck


today we are showcasing the talents of the lovely Lesley from WhimsyTees!  using vintage-inspired illustrations in addition to original artwork, Lesley has something for everyone - especially DAD!  check out her sale here on the Daily Dose - you won't be disappointed - use the exclusive code DAD25 for a 25% discount!  (and if you're looking for tote bags, head on over to her other shop, WhimsyBags!)

Don't forget about our other Gift Guide Shops!

TimberWoodsWares: Coupon code 25Timber for 25% off

WhimsyTees/Lesleyhornbeck: Coupon code DAD25 for 25% off

SamsCrochet: Coupon code DDHGift for 20% off

Sybillinart: Coupon code Special4Dad for 15% off

TheOrangeWindmill: Coupon code DailyDose for 15% off

TheWickedPotter: Coupon cod WickedDailyDose for 20% off

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Father's Day Gift Guide - TimberWoodsWares & TheWickedPotter


we love love love the shops we have featured on the Daily Dose for our Father's Day Gift Guide!  today we are featuring TimberWoodsWares & TheWickedPotter.  Timber has some amazing reclaimed wood creations that appeal to both moms and dads!  and with a store-wide discount, how can you refuse?


we absolutely adore the chalkboard mug by TheWickedPotter - unique and perfect for Father's Day gift giving!  Wicked also has some lovely ceramic jewelry that will knock your socks off!

CHECK OUT THE EXCLUSIVE DEALS HERE:

TimberWoodsWares: Coupon code 25Timber for 25% off

WhimsyTees/Lesleyhornbeck: Coupon code DAD25 for 25% off

SamsCrochet: Coupon code DDHGift for 20% off

Sybillinart: Coupon code Special4Dad for 15% off

TheOrangeWindmill: Coupon code DailyDose for 15% off

TheWickedPotter: Coupon cod WickedDailyDose for 20% off

Win it Wednesday - Team Giveaway #3

*************************** THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED *********************************


Here is another fabulous Daily Dose of Handmade Team Giveaway for our readers.  I am jealous of all the amazing items one lucky ready will win!!!!

Here are some item specifics:


1. SassyBelleWares – Ivory Peace Sign Bracelet with brown and ivory beads. Value $22




2. AutumnRoseBathBeauty Wake Up Aromatherapy Soap (one bar) - A delicious and sweet blen of white sage with essential oils of peppermint and lime; geared towards refreshing you, body and mind. Pthlate free, 98% natural, vegan, cruelty free. Value $6
 3. Overall Beauty Minerals available at PurelyNatural by KMMS - set of 6 mineral eye shadows  (Swiss Miss, Champagne, Ivory Lace, China Doll, Snow, Velvet ) and an extra surprise! Value $10









            4. BowwowWOWBoutique - Daisy Chic Pink & White Flowered Print Elastic Dog Collar ' 3 Looks in 1" with Removable Silk Daisy. Value $6

























5. SassyBelleButtons – Three adorable ponytail holders and daisy ring. Value $24


6. SusansTreasures – Pin Cushion. Value $5







Ways to Enter (please leave a SEPARATE comment for each entry):


1.  Sign up for the Daily Dose of Handmade Newsletter (MANDATORY)
2.  Follow DDH on Twitter
3.  Heart SassyBelleWares on Etsy
4.  Follow SassyBelleWares on Twitter
5.  Heart SassyBelleButtons on Etsy
6.   Heart AutumnRoseBathBeauty on Etsy
7.  Like AutumnRoseBathBeauty on FaceBook
8.  Heart Overall Beauty/KMMS on Etsy
9.  Follow Overall Beauty/KMMS on Twitter
10. Like Overall Beauty/KMMS on FaceBook
11. Follow Overall Beauty/KMMS on Pinterest
12. Heart BowwowWOWBoutique on Etsy
13. Heart SusansTreasures on Etsy
14. Follow our blog!!!!


DAILY ENTRY: Tweet about this Giveaway and add @DDofHandmade to the message

Winner will be selected June 5th by random.org

Good luck everyone and thanks for stopping by!!!

And the winner is....

The winner of the Second Daily Dose of Handmade Team Giveaway has been selected (via random.org)

Congratulations to.....  

WindAndRain

Stay tuned for our next giveaway to be announced today!

Don't forget to shop our wonderful sales for Father's Day!

Monday, May 28, 2012

Daily Dose of Handmade - Father's Day Gift Guide

It is here! Another fabulous gift guide from the Daily Dose of Handmade!  It is time to shop for dad!

Natural Wood- Lip Balm holde...
$12.00

Vintage Octopus Illustration...
$12.00

Peruvian Style Earflap Hat -...
$24.00

Mille Miglia Italian map Sta...
$18.00

Chunky Leather Journal, Brow...
$34.95

Stoneware Espresso Mug - Rus...
$12.50

Now for the great deals!

TimberWoodsWares: Coupon code 25Timber for 25% off
WhimsyTees/Lesleyhornbeck: Coupon code DAD25 for 25% off
SamsCrochet: Coupon code DDHGift for 20% off
Sybillinart: Coupon code Special4Dad for 15% off
TheOrangeWindmill: Coupon code DailyDose for 15% off
TheWickedPotter: Coupon cod WickedDailyDose for 20% off

Happy Shopping!!!!!!!!!!!!
Last day to enter our current giveaway.  CLICK HERE!!!

Happy Memorial Day

Honoring the men and women serving our country...past, present, and future.  Thank you for your courageous service!


Saturday, May 26, 2012

Guest Blogger - Creating a Shop Newsletter

If you have a small business (I am talking to you Etsy peeps) and are looking for ways to market your shop, have you considered creating a Newsletter for current/past customers?  I will admit, I was hesitant to do so...but I have had great success with my first three mailings!

Here are some tips for creating pertinent and successful newsletters.  I personally use MailChimp.com and it is wonderful!

1. Select a fun design that well represents your shop. I prefer something less busy that can showcase your logo or most popular designs. Try to make your newsletter unique to entice recipients to read it.

2. Be sure to add all of your important links: blog, twitter account, and shop url, and email so the customer knows how to reach you.


3. Focus on a single item or reason for sending out the newsletter...maybe you are introducing a new line or have a giveaway to announce. Give a little personal information too, help your customers connect to what you do and why you do it! The more informative your newsletter is the more subscribers you will gain and keep.

4. Be sure to give your newsletter an appropriate title.  Do not say "June Newletter", be more descriptive "Julie Ellyn Designs Giveaway Announcement." People are more apt to open the email if they know exactly what they will be looking at! The wonderful thing about MailChimp is that it gives you stats from your mailings including: # opened, clicks, new subscribers, and even unsubscribers :(

5. Now how do you get subscribers??? Pretty important part to having the newsletter in the first place. Add a subscriber button/link to your blog, post on sales groups or other blogs, offer free ad space to other shops if they add your newsletter to their blog or site.  People love free promotion and I think lots of Etsy shops are happy to share the love. (Pssst....you can get ad space on the Daily Dose of Handmade newsletter!!!)

Hope that helps!  Post any questions or suggestions below in the comments!  We LOVE comments!

Hugs,
Julie
www.JulieEllynDesigns.etsy.com

P.S. You can sign up for my newsletter on my blog www.JulieEllyndesigns.blogspot.com!

Daily Dose of Handmade - Weekly Sale Summary

Did you have time to shop our weekly sales??? Today is your last chance!  Check out the wonderful shops and gorgeous items!


Vintage white milk glass nec...
$20.00

Hipster Penguin 5x7 Print
$12.00

Light Purple Glass Nugget Br...
$24.99

coffee cup cozy fabric java...
$8.00

Tropical Beach Art Card - Pa...
$5.00

Pink Opal Necklace Beaded Ne...
$59.00


BeadsbyBev: Store-widecoupon DDH15 for 15 off
VeryPrettyThings: Store-wide coupon DailyDose20 for 20% off
TalulaChristian: Store-wide coupon Dailyhandmade for 20% off
Veronica Russek Joyas: Store-wide coupon DailyDose for 20% off
Delineategallery: Store-wide coupon 15Print for 15% off
ChocolateDogStudios: Coupon code Spring30 for 30% off any mug or cup cozy

Happy shopping! There is still time to enter our current giveaway worth $80!!!

Julie and Cylene

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Daily Dose of Handmade - 24 May

It is a rainy day here...but that makes it a perfect day to shop online! Check out our new sales from these great shops!
Veronica Russek Joyas - store-wide coupon DailyDose for 20% off

delineategallery - store-wide coupon 15Print for 15% off

Chocolate Dog Studios - coupon code spring30 for 30% off any mug or cup cozy

Do not forget these other weekly sales:
BeadsbyBev - store-wide coupon DDH15 for 15% off
VeryPrettyThings - Store-wide coupon DailyDose20 for 20% off
TalulaChristian - store-wide coupon DailyHandmade for 20% off


Enter our current giveaway HERE!!!!!!!!!!

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Win it Wednesday - Team Giveaway # 2

************************** THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED *************************************


Wahoo!!!!!!!!!!!! Our next team giveaway is here!!!!  This giveaway is centered around Baby/Kid items, so let's take a look at the wonderful items YOU may win...



One lucky winner will receive the following items (Open to U.S. and Canada):

1. Lucky Day Fortune Cookies from Duncan Creative ($12)
2. Colorful bib by Daisy Lane Design ($6)
3. Three large hairbows from Berg's Beautiful Bows ($24)
4. Bohemian Style Headband by Squeezables Boutique ($14.95)
5. Handmade crayons (lego and assorted shapes) by Visualized by Christy ($20)
6. Minibabytaggie by Knit Craft Sew ($5)

That is over $80 worth of Etsy goodies!!!!!!!!!


Here is how to enter (Open to U.S. and Canada):

1. Subscribe to the Daily Dose of Handmade Newsletter (MANDATORY)
2. Heart  Duncan Creative Etsy Shop
3. Heart  Daisy Lane Design  Etsy Shop
4. Heart   Berg's Beautiful Bows  Etsy Shop
5. Heart Squeezables Boutique  Etsy Shop
6. Heart Visualized by Christy Etsy Shop
7. Heart  Knit Craft Sew Etsy Shop
8. Follow Duncan Creative on Facebook
9.Like KnitCraftSew on Facebook
10.  Follow the Daily Dose of Handmade on Twitter

DAILY ENTRY:TWEET about this giveaway

Good luck! Winner will be selected next Tuesday at 10pm EST

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

And the winner is...

The winner of the ChapletsNSuch giveaway has been selected (via random.org)


Congratulations to....

The Zoo

Stay tuned, our next giveaway will be announced tomorrow.

Do not forget to shop our wonderful features this week!  

Monday, May 21, 2012

Daily Dose of Handmade - 21 May

I hope everyone had a fabulous weekend...and is now ready for some great deals!!  Check out our feature shops BeadsbyBev, VeryPrettyThings, and TalulaChristian.

BeadsbyBev - store-wide coupon DDH15 for 15% off

VeryPrettyThings - Store-wide coupon DailyDose20 for 20% off
TalulaChristian - store-wide coupon DailyHandmade for 20% off

Last day to enter our current giveaway is this Tuesday!

Happy shopping!
Julie and Cylene

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Guest Blogger - Taking Great Product Photos with The Lovely Smith


courtesy of gingermadesoap
One of the first things I learned on my etsy journey was the importance of great photos.  While having an online business is so awesomely convenient, it also poses a huge disadvantage to us small time retailers in that we have to sell our wares to people by pictures and words alone.  You want to draw your customers in, have them fall in love with your creations, and then purchase them.  It's not just about a great description, but also a fantastic photograph.  Truly, a picture is worth a thousand words.
courtesy of the lovely smith
Now I'm not saying that I'm the queen of taking super-duper fantastic product photos, but I'm hoping some of my tips will help you.  Taking great pictures does not necessarily mean investing in a fancy camera or a high-tech lightbox.  (although if I had the means, I would definitely do that).  All you really need are four easy ingredients - a bright window, a white or interesting background, basic editing photo editing software, and a digital camera with a macro setting on it. 

courtest of K5art
Natural Light
Seriously the number one - and the cheapest - necessity.  And unless you live in a windowless basement (sorry if you do) you have a window with great light.  I prefer northern or southern exposure, but really, any window that gets good, indirect light will work. In my opinion, direct sunlight tends to bleach out details and adds a sometimes unnecessary yellowish cast on your items.

courtesy of sweetPB
Background
A white piece of bristol board, the windowsill, a piece of scrapbooking paper, the bottom of a pot, anything with a flat, semi-matte finish will work.  Sometimes a shiny background will make a glare and also can "bleach" out details of your designs while a very "busy" background will take away from your item.  I find that for intricate jewelry, a simple background works best, while for more minimalist pieces, using a dish or even your own hand will work wonders.

courtesy of craftymothers
Digital Camera
Even the most economical of digital camera have a macro setting.  Usually the symbol for the macro setting is a little flower or tulip.  It allows you to take very tight shots and get in really close to your item.  MAKE SURE YOU FOCUS ON YOUR ITEM.  Two things that I think are definite DON'Ts are: do NOT use the flash.  That is what your good lighting source (your window) is for.  Seriously, your item can be the best thing in the world, but if you take the picture with your flash, it will make your design look washed out and cheap.  Secondly, do NOT forget to edit out the date and time stamp on your photo if you have that setting on your camera.  Enough said.  You can use photos from years ago but if they are excellent, no one will know the difference.  Using the flash and leaving in the time/date stamp will make your pictures look like photos from your parents' 70's inspired basement.  And who wants that.

courtesy of theorangewindmill
Editing Software
A long time ago, I was able to afford Adobe Photoshop and transferred it to every computer I had since.  However, with my newest desktop and laptop, it was too old.  So I went in search of free digital editing software and I found GIMP.  While it isn't Photoshop, it is truly amazing, easy to learn, and does everything I need to edit my etsy photos.  Honestly, all you need is to be able to crop closer to your item, maybe adjust the brightness and contrast a little, and resize so that it doesn't take ages to upload.  However, don't use your editing software to make your item look like something it isn't.  Buyers will be very disappointed if what they received does not look like what they saw on your site.

courtesy of 50splinterswoodworks

Finally, do some research!  Go through your "favorites" on etsy and the internet and really look at the photos to see what makes that item appeal to you.  Is it the lighting?  The details?  The background?  Don't be afraid to use all of the photos that they allow you to, and remember that seeing your item "in action" will help buyers see scale and how it might look on them.

Here are some more articles that you might find helpful:
How To from Etsy
A Simple Lightbox - from The Strobist
Photoplus - Editing Software
PAINT.net - Editing Software
(and a special thanks to my teammates for taking such gorgeous photos!)

Pet Gift Guide - CandieInk & K5Art

We are so pleased to share two more featured Gift Guide shops with you today!  First up is the lovely CandieInk!  Her shop is full of dynamic customizable graphics and prints.  She has an animal themed section in her shop, stuffed with cute one of a kind graphics featuring your favorite furry friends!
 
 
 
Next we have gorgeous K5Art - upcycled and recycled pet-inspired creations that will definitely intrigue and interest you!  Using scrabble tiles and mini glass bottles, her jewelry is sure to be a hit at your next pet soiree!


Pet Gift Guide Deals!

1. BaxCatandCo - store-wide coupon BaxCat30 for 30% off!
2. BowwowWOWBoutique - store-wide coupon Pets20 for 20% off
3. samscrochet - store-wide coupon DDHGift for 20% off
4. CandieInk - store-wide coupon BIG35 for 35% off
5. K5Art - store-wide coupon Pet20 for 20% off
6. TheWickedShop - store-wide coupon WICKEDSALE for 15% off

Have you entered our current giveaway from ChapletsNSuch? Enter HERE!

Friday, May 18, 2012

Pet Gift Guide - TheWickedShop


Pet adoption and animal rescue is near and dear to my heart...so I am LOVING these scrabble tile pendant necklaces.  Of course there are other cute designs as well :)




TheWickedShop - store-wide coupon WICKEDSALE for 15% off

All Pet Gift Guide Deals!

1. BaxCatandCo - store-wide coupon BaxCat30 for 30% off!
2. BowwowWOWBoutique - store-wide coupon Pets20 for 20% off
3. samscrochet - store-wide coupon DDHGift for 20% off
4. CandieInk - store-wide coupon BIG35 for 35% off
5. K5Art - store-wide coupon Pet20 for 20% off
6. TheWickedShop - store-wide coupon WICKEDSALE for 15% off

Have you entered our current giveaway from ChapletsNSuch? Enter HERE!