Product Photos..More More More!



4"x6" Cherry Blossom Scrap Box



I am always looking for ways to improve my Etsy shop.  Right now it's making everything cohesive.  I made these white washed wood backgrounds for my product photos.  I was inspired by Anthropologie and their wonderful catalog.  I have been trying to convey that my product is a box that folds out flat.  Once I think I have photographed it from every angle I stumble upon a new on my accident.  All I did was set the box down to move my cat, looked through the screen on my camera to reposition the box and saw it laying there with the flap open and into the box.  Well wouldn't you know it was the perfect angle I have been searching for.  I love those moments.  So when you read all of those "Featured Seller" and "Quit You Day Job" posts on Etsy and they say "take lots of product photos" boy they know what they're talking about.

I hope some day in the future Etsy will allow us to upload a video of our products in use, on a model...etc.  Like a commercial for ourselves.   My mom says "no one knows they need it until they have been shown why they need it."  She's such a smart cookie! Pssst Etsy!

So lesson learned......Once you think you've done it all there will always be something new.  I am looking forward to having my cohesive shop all set cause then I get to focus on new products :)

Making the Next Sale

I had recently had the luck of 2 custom orders in a span of 3 weeks.  One was for book cloth and the other was for an 8"x10" box for a birthday party.  I was thrilled!! But afterwards I wondered.........

How to Make the Next Sale!!!

So I started thinking "OK what haven't I done? and what do I need to do?"  

Answer to Question #1, I have never bought an ad outside of Etsy.  I use Craftopolis a lot but I thought the people who go to Craftopolis are other Etsy sellers, not the browsing buyer.  I sent in an ad to run for 1 week for my hand dyed book cloth and linen thread.  I'm hoping Etsy sellers that use those kinds of supplies will be interested to fine my Esy store.  Now I am not hoping for a million sale from this but I am curious to see if it brings me anymore views/visits.

Answer to Question #2, I had don't have any uniformity with my photos.  I created these create wood backgrounds but have only been using them for new products.  The older products are wondering why they'll being left out. (yes I just refer to my products as humans with emotions)  I have monday off from work and I am going to sit a re-photograph all my products that are not with the lovely wood background.  

These are the types of things I read about on Etsy.  I am implementing them and am excited to see if there are any changes in views.  While I am unsure of pros and cons, I think the pros way out number the cons.  

Come join me on this Etsy experience and check back with me in a few weeks to see my results.

Choosing the Right Background for Your Products

My eye is always drawn to Etsy products that not only have great product photos but wonderful backgrounds that accent and help sell the product. I recently saw a posting on the Etsy Success Team's discussion board where someone said something along the lines of "stop wishing you photos look like every else's and start becoming one." I love my photo boxes but i felt like something was missing, a great background. Yes white fabric is a good go-to but I am at the point where I want to branch out. I have found some advice that I hope will help you:

1. Look through your favorite catalogs and take note at how they display their products. I love Anthropology! They have not only the best clothes but the best photos. They use really natural and fun backgrounds.

2. Experiment! Shop your favorite Home Depot. They have a great selection of tiles, wood, flooring pieces...etc. I recently bought 2 pieces of 2'x2' Plywood boards. I look for unbelievable grain.

Right now I am in the process of sanding them down to make it super smooth. I am going to do a light white wash on one side and keep it natural on the other. That way I get 2 backgrounds!

I am looking forward to my new backgrounds. Stay turned to LeslieGallery and see these backgrounds in action. And if they don't work out I'll let you know and keep you informed of the next solution.

With Challenges comes Triumphs!

Happy Crafting :)

Starving Artist

I'm Starving......
Starving for patience
Starving for creativity
Starving for time
Starving for business
Starving for food (until lunch, then I have a slice of pie)
Starving for acceptence
Starving for sanity
Starving for clarity
Starving for chaos
Starving for freedom
Starving for innocence
Starving for maturity
Starving for grammar (sp?)
Starving for the beginning
Starving for the end
Starving for old wounds to heal
Starving for success
I'm Starving for my Craft

What are you starving for?

Blue For You

Today I made my first Etsy Treasury dedicated to the Color Blue. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did creating it.

Blue For You
http://http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4daef73b358e6d91870a2824/blues-for-you

The New Changes to LeslieGallery

Hooray! i just got done gluing the paper backing on the first set of Shibori book cloth. It feels great to get back in to fabric dying and book arts. Crazy how you take a couple of electives in college and they end up becoming something you want to do all the time.

The biggest thing I keep thinking about is how to let people know my book cloth is out there. There are so many solid colors. I am excited to offer patterns and alternatives to solid colors.

I was listening to the Etsy Success Symposium today. Today I started a daily list of things to-do to better my shop thanks to the helpful people of the symposium. The tasks for today were making fabric in to book cloth and post on my blog. I even squeezed school work in as well.

Keep checking in cause I'm obviously excited to bring you all the new adventures to LeslieGallery :)

Happy Crafting

New Product Line

Recently I have been disappointed in the selection of Book Cloth and Fabric at the arts and craft stores. One of the electives I took during my undergrad was a Surface Textiles class where you learned to dye and print of fabric using all sorts of techiniques. DING! Lightblub moment! Why not make my own fabric. So I have been busy collecting all the materials; dyes, squeeze bottles, soda ash...etc. I am thrilled to start. I have recently decided to make my own book cloth from printed fabric and sell it on Etsy. I think these business ventures are going to be great.

I'm going to start slow, a couple solid colors before I start mixing an experiementing....Oooooo. My creative juices get going just thinking about it. I am excited to share my creations as soon as possible.

Treasuries Galore

WOW! When I signed into my LeslieGallery email there are 3 messages telling me I was in 3 treasuries. I was so surprised. Click the links and show some love.....

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d3e43aa9b4d8eef66ea19fc/brought-to-you-by-the-letter-g

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d3dde062c866d91bfa3d575/waiting-for-spring

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d3dbe50ecd48eefa75e501b/think-spring

Crafty Wednesday

Welcome Back to Crafty Wednesday!

With Halloween right around the corner I thought it would be fitting to do a fun Zombie project. This project is brought to us by the wonderful people at Etsy. Grab your supplies and lets get craftin :)

Zombies!!! http://www.etsy.com/storque/how-to/how-tuesday-make-a-zombie-10882/

Google Analytics Experiment: Log 2

It has been 3 whole weeks and the winners so far are: tied for first is Tuesday and Friday and Sunday is in close second. I would have never thought tuesday or sunday would be good days. Since the school year has started I haven't had much time to make the quantity I usually do but I do have 3 boxes being posted soon. (keep an eye out for Geisha Girl Photo Box) All the days have different number of views. Some days I have 10 views and others I have 1. I really see a spike when I comment on Etsy Treasuries and Storque Blogs such as the Featured Sellers and How-Tuesdays. Since my business is still super small I am excited with each new discovery. I am taking online classes and one thing you do at the beginning of each new class is introduce yourself and let the teacher and classmates know a bit about who you area. Each time I always have new traffic to my business which is always good to see.

The goal is to get up between 10 to 15 boxes and then see about making photo albums. The google experiment will continue and I'll keep you posted on the results and if anything changes.

~Crafty Wednesday~

Hello and Welcome to another addition of Crafty Wednesday.

Today's craft comes to us from everyone's favorite handmade marketplace, Etsy. It was presented in one of the How-Tuesday's video through You Tube.

Parchment Flowers

Super Cute and Super Easy.
http://www.etsy.com/storque/article/4207/
Grab your supplies and get craftin!

SALE SALE SALE SALE SALE @ LeslieGallery.etsy.com

Christmas in July SALE!!!!!!!!!

Who doesn't like a sale? Well Etsy is having their Christmas in July SALE between July 15-25th.

I am offering Free Shipping and Handling!!!!!!
Type in CIJ to the message to seller and discount will be given via PayPal.

Also Check out my fellow D-List Team Members by typing Dteam in the search field.
2VirgosDesigns, aDesperateCreative, ashleyjoyphotography, AudreyGardenLady, bluecalla, CarolinaKudzu/VintageCarolina, ChickaDeesigns/FoxglovePhoto, ClassicSparklers, CookiesForSale, craftrimony, DeborahJulian, DiffusiveDesign, DoBatsEatCats, DorothyAndMrLee, DoubleLOriginals, EireDynamics, EncoreGems, FantasyBijoux, fiberpuppy, FictitiousFauxPas, fishbonesilver, frillsandfluff, gemandicollection, graceparks, HandmadeByAnnabelle, healingmadesimple, hezzabeth, HippieChickBoutique, Hotdogsandpoodles, IlluminaJewelry, InitiallyYou, jewelrybybird, JoanHunterHandmade, jrosenberry1, Jtrescott, JudysDesigns, JulieEllynDesigns/JEDStudio/SweetPB, Juanitas, kittycatmm10, KVJewelry, LakeTyeDye, Linzertart, lizbethsgarden, lizmmoran, lmturnedart, LoveAndPenguins, lsndesigns, magsamillion, mayicarles, Melindotty, mimisbabies, mycrochetgarden, NatalieKelseyFineArt, NerdJerk, obachansflowers, OneTimesTwo, OriginalMischief, photogirlie, pinky98, PinkyCrafts, PinkMoustache, PoppyLuxeDesigns, RoseofLinden, rosymom, SaRa10, sassybellewares/SassyBelleButtons, satrngrl, smileypomegranate, soulstone321, Stemjewelry, starseedjewelry, StichesInTime, StrayPathDesigns, Sweetjasminedesigns, TheBodyParlour, TheFeistyRedhead, thesolitario, TheWhirlwind, UrbanHandiwork, usafwife08, VikingJones, WhimseyWabbit, yourethatgirldesigns, ZiasCottageIndustry

Crafty Wednesday!

Welcome Back! It's Crafty Wednesday.

Todays Lesson: Handmade (kinda) Wrapping Paper

Materials:
Paper; this can be brown craft paper, a roll of colored paper, a pad of blank newsprint paper or recycle and use the newspaper from this morning.
Stamps
Ink pads

My mom and I were walking around Ikea and saw they were selling rolls of solid color paper. We bought a roll of brown and a roll of red. Craft stores usually have stamps for sale. Michael's has a bin of $1 stamps. If it's a Christmas theme pick out some trees, snowflakes, snowmen and of course Santa. I personnally like maing these for all occasions because you can make it personal for the person who's present you're wrapping.

1. Find a large work surface. a table or island in your kitchen works great. Roll out enough paper to cover the work surface.
2. Pick out your stamps and stamp pads
3. Have FUN!!!!!!!! Do a Design, go free flow, have a color pattern. You name it and it can be done.
For extra embellishment use glitter glue, stickers, paint...etc. I prefer stamps because they come in so many great designs.

This project is good for the Etsy sellers out there. Wrap your items in these great papers to make your customers feel that you went the extra mile to make their purchase that more special.

Happy Crafting and see you next week :)

Sold 2 Boxes!!

Hello Everyone

GREAT NEWS!!! I sold 2 boxes today. The Black and White Flora box and the Tropical orange box. Also what might turn into being a custom order :)

Today was a Good Day,
Thank you for being supportive
Leslie

time to contemplate life

So i'm sitting here at work training the 15th person since march (YIKES). I sit here and contemplate what i'm going to do when i get home. I've been working on a 4th of July themed photo box. It's coming out almost perfect. One of those days where all the angles and cuts just lay into each other easily without any touch-ups. With getting my MA in museum studies, work and etsy, I've created quite a work load for myself. It's fun thought. I always have something to do. Recently I have been watching all the seasons of Arrested Development. Probably one of the best shows ever. It's so funny. It reminds you that everyone has a crazy family and it's not just yours. So when I go home I'm going to be eating dinner, finishing up my box and read for school.

Crafty Wednesday!

Hello :)

Today's Crafty Wednesday comes from Etsy.com How-To Tuesday. Simple instructions for a wonderful Fabric Flower. It can be created as a pin, an embellishment for a garment or a cute hair pin. So grab your favorite fabric and let's get crafty :)

Follow the Link:
http://www.etsy.com/storque/how-to/how-tuesday-fabric-flower-pin-8462/

Etsy D List Team

I have recently joined the Etsy D List Team. The Etsy Teams are for promoting, helping, advertising and just a general community of people that help each other out. This one in particular are for the newbies to etsy. (Like me!) We have a large group of great crafters and handmade goods.

To find them:
Go to Etsy and in the search field type, DTeam. This will narrow down the search to find only this group. There are many more teams out there, visit them and help out the handmade world!!

New Item! Flower Photo Box

Hey Everyone!
A new photo box has been added to LeslieGallery.etsy.com
It is a spring inspired box. Come check it out :)

Great Find for Plant Lovers

Today I stumbled on an etsy shop called The Succulent Garden. I am a big fan of succulents! They are easy to grow and take care of. Plus they add a lot of personality and color. I find mine grow well at home indoors and yes on my desk at work! Go and check it out. I just added them to my etsy "Favorites."

http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheSucculentGarden