Start-of-year panic

As the title suggests, this time of year is the worst for any anxious business owner (such as myself!)

There's all these messages of hope and looking ahead and "Wow! You have this amazing blank canvas of 2014!"

As grumpy cat would say ... "No."

For someone who lives and makes their money by a system of profit and loss, there is really no alternative than to begin the year in RED.

Like, really red.

There's estimated taxes that come due on the 15, Etsy bills, holiday bills ...

And your profit starts off (as it has to) with a big fat ZERO.

As my poor husband is aware, this panic happens for me every year.

No matter how well I did mere weeks ago in 2013, this new year is an untested, uncharted new territory.

.......

Side notes:

1.) I considered making it my resolution to start blogging regularly again, but I'm a realist about this and will most likely keep it pretty sporadic.

2.) I finally got AMAZING pink boots that I love. There's a new post right there!

3.) HAPPY NEW YEAR!! :) 

Etsy seller advice: Opening a shop

My very first sale - Feb. 28, 2008

When thinking about starting your own Etsy shop, there is a fairly large learning curve.

Etsy has lots of resources, mainly the SELLERS HANDBOOK. (http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2013/the-seller-handbook-archive/)

This pretty spells out everything you need to know. 

But just following the steps will rarely lead to anything long-lasting and rewarding.

The main point about an Etsy shop is that YOU are making everything. You are shipping it, you are photographing it, you are writing about it.

SO -- DO WHAT YOU LOVE. 

If there is something that you love to make, make it. 

If you love dogs, make dog treats.

If you love jane austen novels, make wall hangings with quotes.

If you decide to open a shop with an idea of "Oh yeah, this will definitely make money", and that is your only driving force, then it probably won't.

Having a passion for what you sell will come through in your shop, and buyers will respond.

Once you get past this main hurdle and have the WHAT of your shop all settled, there are few additional details to consider.

Here are my top three "elements of your shop" to consider. 

PHOTOS: Show, don't tell. 

Good, eye-catching photos are what drive buyers to click. They aren't going to read a long description to get the details of an item, they will quickly look at photos and decide if they are interested. 

If the photo passes the test, then they will read on and possibly get to the sale. 

SHIPPING/PACKAGING: Make it special. 

The relationship between the Etsy buyer and seller is a special one. It's not a factory  or shipping warehouse worker packing their purchase ... it is the person who made it .. just for them.

Try to show a bit more personal care when packing your items. This doesn't have to be over the top.

I generally wrap items in bubble wrap, tissue paper, and then tie up with ribbons -- business card tucked in the ribbon.

I know my sister (who has a vintage shop) includes a vintage scarf freebie in each order (because she has a bagillion of them!) 

I once got a package with a piece of candy in it. That made my day!!

It's all about making your customer feel special and making them want to buy from you again in the future.

SEO and TAGGING: Be seen.

Etsy has changed so much over the years when it comes to "being seen." 

Used to be, the most recent listings automatically showed up first in search. 

This was cool because you could simply "renew" your listings to get them to the top of the pack.

NOW ... it's all about relevancy. 

I really don't like it because I have to have ugly listing titles now .. packed with key words to be seen.

Here's a pretty good article about Search Engine Optimization (SEO) for Etsy shops:

http://outright.com/blog/the-ultimate-guide-to-seo-for-your-etsy-shop/

I hope this helps if you are thinking about opening a shop, or are just starting out!

Questions?? I'd love to answer in the comments!!! 

- Emily

Advice for Etsy sellers

The Sale.

Photo by Etsy seller SeasAndPeas

When you first open your Etsy shop, it's such a novelty.

Getting a sale is the stuff of magic!

You jump up and down and scream in a really high pitch. 

Before, when maybe it was a fun way to make some extra cash, not getting a sale in a day was no big deal. In fact, it was expected. 

But after a while, that magic wears off, and like an addict, you get to where you depend on that "Etsy Transaction" e-mail.  And you need MORE and MORE sales to make you happy!

And now that your life and your livelihood are both wrapped up in that delicate little spot on the internet, you may start to freak out when you don't get that fix one day, or one week!

I used to be that way.

I was that girl.

In some ways I still am, but I am getting better.

You have to look at the big picture. 

Minor, daily victories are great, but the larger success of your business relies on your ability to see beyond every single sale.

You have to constantly innovate ways to make your product better, your customer service better, your time management better.

Taking some time to step back and improve the overall function of your shop will lead to more sales in the long-run.

...

Any questions from Etsy sellers about running their shop?

Goals for 2013

(Photo by Girlhula via Flickr).

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

It's a bit of bad time of year for me, what with taxes and a whole year of being responsible for my income spreading out before me.

BUT, I try to remain positive and concentrate on the whole "fresh start" mentality.

Here is my shortlist of goals for Whichgoose in 2013.

1.) Blog more (obviously!)

2.) Be on top of social networking in general.

3.) Get a real photo studio set up with back drop (no more white sheet on door.)

4.) Set aside at least a few hours per week to DO NOTHING.

5.) Spend less.

6.) Save more.

7.) Be grateful everyday.

8.) Get some awesome photos.

9.) Keep innovating.

I wish I could think of one more for an even "10" but I can't!

xo -Emily 

Blooper reel!

This will probably become a running gag on my blog.... 

Picture-taking is such a large part of what I do for my business ... but it can be a messy job. 

Here is what you don't see --- the really bad photos that I usually promptly delete.

You see, to take a decent picture of yourself, you pretty much have to take about 300. One or two of these will be OK. 

Here's a sampling ... ENJOY!! :) 

The Zombie.

The distracted stare.

The half-blink.

The half-open.

The goofy grin.

DUCKS!!! (and a new shop.)

OMG!!! DUCKS!!!!

While I was at the park today, taking some photos for my NEW SHOP --- WHICHGOOSE&CO. --- I met this sweet little duck family!!

I think they thought I had food .. sorry little guys :(

CHECK OUT MY NEW SHOP!!!! :)

How (not) to take a good Etsy photo.

I've often felt like Etsy is more a photography site than anything else. It's so amazing the impact that a good photo vs. a bad photo can have on if an item sells or not.

And it's understandable!

Anytime you're buying something online that you can't physically touch ... feel ... turn over in your hand .... you definitely want to see it represented as truly and accurately as possible.

But dang, it can be frustrating!! (see photo above taken by Richard for details.)

Normally, I take photos in early daylight for the most natural lighting.

If I've got the boyfriend handy and willing to take some shots, we can be a little more open with the lighting. (He has a much nicer camera!)

Anyway, I think the key to a good Etsy photo is going back and editing the heck out of it. I always add a bit of sharpness ... plus lighten them some. But you have to be careful not to make the item look "too good" and different from what it really is!!

Sometimes I wish I could just sell items in a real shop so I wouldn't even have to deal with taking pictures ... but it is good to help tell a story and have the potential buyer picture themselves wearing the item.

Happy Halloweenie!

I thought this was sort of appropriate for Halloween ... since it's a bit on the freaky side!!! BUT, it's meant to represent a custom order because .......

The big day has finally come! I am once again open for custom order work! 

I felt so bad that I had to actually turn people away. How sad :( But I really needed to take the time to work out a new system and be sure I was ready to devote my full attention to making special creations!

I got my inventory pretty beefed up a bit so I won't have to worry about that too too much....

So, anyway, here is the new deal for custom work (as seen in my shop policies section on Etsy:

*****CUSTOM ORDERS***** I accept custom orders on a limited basis (only if my general shop announcement says so. I do this because I like to spend a lot of time and extra energy into making these creations just perfect!

If you would like to work on a piece with me, I need to know exactly what you're looking for...... what materials you like, don't like .... what style or pieces you like from my sold items .... really, any info you think would help!

I do charge extra for custom work as follows:

COMBS --- $40 each

WIRE CROWNS/TIARAS---$50 each

NATURAL VINE CROWNS --- $75 each

Payment is due when the piece is complete and listed in the shop. I am happy to do a COUPLE edits to get it just so.

Also, there is an added time element for turnaround ... usually about 2 weeks.

Ballet shoes

Rich and I went shoe shopping this weekend. He has (or had) this DISGUSTING pair of vans shoes from like, 1996, that were about to fall apart. After much complaining from me, he agreed it was time.

SO--- this is where is got a bit crazy. We went to just about every place to buy shoes in town. And at just about every place, I found a cute pair to buy, and he was much too picky to find anything he liked!

Finally, after much cajoling, he decided on a cute pair of beige pumas! yay!

Meanwhile, I came away with a nice new pair of red felt blowfish flats, and ... BALLET SLIPPERS!!!

I made a squeal when we entered the Payless and went right to them!! How fun!! I think I will dance around my apartment when the mood strikes. Wouldn't they be cute for an occasion outfit?

Any who. Check out my new MISTLETOE COMB in the shop! :) hehehee YAY for holiday kisses!! Oh, and yay for me and Rich's 1-year anniversary!!!

P.S.S.

Last night there was a frost scare, so I brought my plants inside and I THINK with them, a praying mantis!!!

I am naming him Manny....but I don't know what to do with him!! I think If I put him outside, he'd definitely freeze. He's really cute though! I'll get some pictures up later :)

GIVEAWAY!! WOOT WOOT!!!

Hey all! Leave a comment on my blog for

a chance to win this very comb!

I will announce the winner at the end of the week,

and that person will need to send their address to my e-mail.

International peeps included, too!

I will get an impartial judge (probably the fella) to pick

a name from a hat. (we are high-tech like that)

Good luck! :) --Emily

p.s. Here's the shop.... WHICHGOOSE.

Coming full circle

Super secret for you::::

Sometimes, custom orders stress me out. 

I mean, really! It's such a huge pressure to create something that someone will wear for an important day (most especially if that day is their wedding day!)

Usually, the customer has an image in their mind of what they're after, and my job is to get as close to that image as possible! I admit, I do love the challenge, but sometimes it is quite a difficult undertaking! This is why I am taking a break from custom work right now. 

I think it was starting to drain my creative "mojo," you know?

But, rest assured, I plan on getting back on the 'ole custom order wagon later this fall. 

(Like a month or so I think.)

======

Here is the upside of custom work though!! This was a great experience with Etsian, tschuess. Here she is with her FABULOUS hair and my bright little comb :) How cheery!

This is the best when an order can come FULL CIRCLE. From that initial contact, to a shared idea, to a product, then a photo of it in action!!

It makes me smile :)

Dumping it out

I've been to quite a few appointments in the last week. The car dealership, couple doctors, blood work, etc. I find, when in that "waiting patiently" situation, I go straight for my purse.

I think a lot of women have a sort of "3rd arm" attachment with their purses. I carry my life around in it! I saw one women dig through her sack and produce a spoon --- like a real-life silvery spoon. She poured out a dose of cough syrup and took it. Kind of sticky and gross, but hey, whatever you gotta do.

I thought it would be fun to dump it out and show what I carry, because I always wonder what other women are toting.

Let's see, well, first off there's the water bottle. Gift from Lauren because we had some joke about water bottles. I forget it now. Useful though!

Got the cell phone and a variety of pens (I think I see an Ikea pencil, too!)

Business cards, big wallet with check book, Kleenex and a granola bar (you never know...)

New change purse from Rich (from Hawaii!) Shell pill-holder.

And the "which goose laid the golden egg?" smaller zip container with all the secret stuff! :)

=====

In other news:

I bought this print from another dealer in my mom's antique shop. Isn't it great!

I decided to try to replicate the crown:

It's definitely still a work in progress. But look for it on Etsy in the next week or two!!! I'm also going to be listing these little gems:

I'm branching out with the butterfly coloring and styling! :)

Here's the week's worth of production.....drying and ready for photos and descriptions! It's quite a process from idea to listing to shipping. Rewarding though.

Oh! And meet my new Mac book :) Isn't he cute!! He is already getting covered in glue though. It was inevitable....

My sister has an Etsy shop!!

Check it out!

My big sis, Amanda,  (who lives in Seattle) has finally opened an Etsy shop! She is the queen of thrift-shopping and has a great eye for styling duds :)

This is her with my little niece Ella!! ( a while ago!)

But her friend is the model (I forget her name ... ?... I know I met her once though)

Here is her shop: ROGUERETRO. 

I think I might buy this sweater, but it would be lame if her first sale was from me I think :)

Time keeps on slipping into the future ...

This is a little creepy, I admit it. But kind of neat!

Here is whichgoose circa August 2008 and then again in August 2009. Look how I've grown :)

I definitely figured out how to lighten my photos better. sheesh! That old one looks like I'm under a shady tree!

I guess the mood kind of describes how I was feeling at the time. But I've also done some growing on the inside, too! That old picture was taken at my parent's house (where I lived after I broke up with a live-in boyfriend.)

This was such an upheaval in my life, and really tested my ability to overcome "stuff." I think focusing on Etsy really helped, and here I am now, living in my own apartment!

I've got a new super-sweet boyfriend, and my very own washing machine!! :) :)

I do miss my parents though, and their little pup, Lucy :( Also the good leftovers that I could eat after work at 11 pm :)

So, here's to another year of growth and change, and maybe I will resist the urge to chop all my hair off again for 12 more months.

And I just want to give a THANK YOU shout out to everyone who has taken time to read this silly blog, or even leave a comment (they brighten my day!!)

Love from,

Emily

Deliver us from evil

I've been lusting after these plates from trixiedelicious for a while now. Aren't they so cheeky! She also has the "Seven Heavenly Virtues" set, but they are both sold out at the moment! sniff sniff!

Anyway, I've been on this kick of trying to better myself since I've moved into the new place. You know, a new start and all that. 

But, it's really hard! I guess the first step I've mastered is guilt. Now, when I think badly about someone who is making my life difficult,I get a little twinge---a pause-- of regret. Guilt is good.

It's so hard to be a good person, really. I guess I should rephrase that. I consider most people to be mostly good ... but to be void of any bad characteristics is nearly impossible, I suppose.

It's just human.

No matter though, I am trying my hardest to be better, and not talk badly about people, or give rude hand gestures when driving, or allow other people to make me feel bad. Because, after all, when you are happy, you make other people happy!

Does anyone watch "Intervention?" 

I don't think I've blogged about it before, but If you've never seen it, you should really check it out! It's on Monday night's at 9 p.m. on A&E. Really gripping stuff. Makes you think your life isn't so bad compared to all these recovering addicts. 

But I guess we all have a bit of that darkness inside.

OH!!

Almost forgot.

Here is a badly drawn example of my new logo, I think.

Any thoughts? Like it or no?

THANKS! :) --Emily

p.s. Sale coming soon I think!!! Gotta get some more goodies made up in the meantime though :) :) -

The gears are turning ...

Well, I've got my pile of craft store Memorial Day coupons in hand and I'm ready to run the gamut. 

Had another long conversation yesterday evening with Rich about the logistics of doing Etsy full-time. I think the only thing holding me back now is this idea I have of what a person is "supposed" to do. 

Like, you grow up, get a job, and go to it (everday) and get your paycheck with insurance and a 401 (k). 

I feel like I'd be doing something naughty by just crafting full-time. Like the universe would come back and bite me for not doing what the normal people do. I dunno. Maybe I'm just chicken :)

But, anyway, I feel like I need to do some things before I jump in, in any event.

Like, I need to get my own website up and running. This is a major expense (a start-up expense, if you will.) And I've been pussy-footing my way around with a lovely lady who has been extremely patient, but I'm just still tossing the idea around in my head. 

Also, I need a professional photographer. I've been thinking of things I could do, like set up a deal where I ship a few pieces off to someone who shoots them with a better camera/model/setting ... but that would significantly raise my prices. Ugh. 

What's a gal to do!?

Anyway, for now at least, I will worry about my forthcoming beach vacation and concentrate on getting a pedicure and buying travel-sized bottles of mouthwash, lotion and sunscreen :)

P.S. Here's a new HP feature for all you nerdy nerds out there!!

You go girl.

Look it!  Look it! I want to brag about some happy things to make myself feel better :) haha

-----I've been featured on the Artists of Etsy Exposed treasury series! FUN-O-LA! ARTISTS OF ETSY EXPOSED  It's by this gal, Vicki Diane, and she makes Etsy treasuries with pictures of the artists themselves. So, since just about every picture I have has my mug on it, I tried to make this one a bit more natural and interesting (hence, the glasses and note to Mom and Amanda!) 

P.S. Happy Birthday to Dad, too, on May 12!!!  :) hehe

----- I'm also featured in this Etsy blog about May Day! LINK.

----- I got the first place award in the MDDC Press Association annual awards conference for Front Page design. Woot. Here is the LINK.

You have to scroll down to about page 7...but it says " 33B Page 1 Design / 1st  Emily Zych – The Frederick News-Post  “Infestation” ----Comments: What a way to show your readers just how much of a nuisance stink bugs are. I liked how you had the bugs coming onto the right side of the page. Nice use of information on left side of page. Nice use of color. 

That's it for now. Hopefully, good things in my life happen in three's (just like the bad things do.) Fingers crossed!!!  --Emily