All Things Littleput

Headed home....

It's been a good trip, I even learned a new artistic skill (more on that later) and family is great fun in small doses. Miles had a wonderful time with both my parents and I've really enjoyed the absolute rest of not being anywhere near my to-do list. It's a two day trip back to Portland from here which is both dreadful and nice, depending on where we spend the night.

Getting home means getting back to work and that is very exciting. It is time, I miss making stuff.

Running away from home.

Forget cleaning, I'm going to California!

Really, its just time for my semi-annual pilgrimage to visit my family. I meant to get everything clean and shiny before leaving but life interrupted and I will have some work to do when I get back. Oh well, a vacation within a vacation is nothing to complain about. :)

We'll be gone somewhere between 7 and 10 days and I am in no hurry to leave here or to get back (weird no?) but I am looking forward to spending some time with my family and sitting on the California coast. I'll be updating with photos and such when I can, my internet access is sporadic when traveling so if you need me know I'll be in touch as soon as possible.

Have a great week and enjoy the summer!

Yay! I am so excited and so proud to present....

Littleputland.etsy.com!!!

Casie Metcalf is the proud new owner of my old scrabble tile business and she is already doing an amazing job!! She been piling on the wholesale orders and building up her Etsy inventory and now she is ready to roll. We spent a lot of time talking about business, pendants and her fabulous life as a work at home mom in Portland Maine and I am fully confident in her abilities to produce littleput quality goodness. Her pendants are all $11 (for now) and come in the signature slide top tin and on ribbon necklace and Casie was even amazing enough to agree to keep my friend Lea on as necklace ribbon maker so yay for everyone!!!!

Should you ever need another scrabble tile pendant and tin look no further, the best of the best is up and running.I will be adding a mini of her shop to my blog in a day or so so you can keep tabs on her latest and greatest, in addition I gave her all my secret sources for papers so she is will stocked with my best prints. Have a peek around and take some home while you're there.

Welcome to this amazing ride Casie, I wish you all the success in the world!

Returning to the disaster zone...

There is more than one good reason for me not wanting to make anything right now, but the biggest one is the absolute chaos I call a studio.    At the end of my scrabble tile career I was flooded with orders and overwhelmed with a strong urge to run away.  :)  I stayed put, got my items shipped and then shut the door to my studio and haven't really been back since.

The creative itch is coming back again but nothing can be done until I tackle this mess and although I don't like to clean I am excited about re-organizing my studio for new projects and ideas.

Summer has been great so far, Miles and I are getting a lot of play time together and not repeating "mommy has to work" over and over again has been good for both of us.  But it is time for a little more creative balance in my life so my to-do list for this week is to make a pretty space in which I can make pretty stuff.    I have some new product ideas and will be recycling some old ones, but first, I must clean!

I hope you all are enjoying your summer. 

Peace~

Advertising on CL and how it's done.

 

I recently got myself in trouble again by asking the Etsy forums if I should sell or write an article that teaches sellers how to "spam Craigslist" While my intentions were explorative more than anything else apparently they didn't come off that way.  However it does seem there is a keen interest in learning how to use the site for spreading the word so here is my "how too".

To stay within CL terms of use post only in relevant categories within your own city.  Some people post around the globe but keeping it local is what CL is all about and it can work.  (If you live in a tiny town I do think finding larger towns nearby are okay, really there is no point in talking about your work if no one is there to read it).

So I don't get into trouble again (sheesh) I am going to keep this simple.  If you wan to show people in your hometown what you make,  you can and should list an ad, it is okay to sell on CL, just not to be spammy and post the same ad over and over again in different cities.

Your ad should be relevant to the category (jewelry does not belong under cars, people) and it should be clear, accurate and somewhat lighthearted (desperate posts get flagged for removal).  My very good friend Lea Leakarts.etsy.com said I could "be her" for a few moments and write and list an ad for her shop.  This is me being her:

"Hi! My name is Lea and I am a local S.E. artist.

I've come up with a few variations on your standard print art including magnet sets (all the images are mine) Art Cards (editions and originals), pendants and one if my favorite new creations, miniature paper dolls in slide top tins. In addition I have originals and prints available as well.

If you're not in the mood for driving around town to see my work you can visit me online at

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=53709

or send me an email to email@aol.com to see more of what I make. Thanks for taking the time to visit my ad, I hope you're enjoying the weekend!"

I also added 4 of my favorites from her shop (do use your best photos)

and gave the option for the CL shoppers to either find her on Etsy or via email. 

 Craigs List users want to buy what they are looking for and don't want to be sent to a website, however giving them the option to view your work immediately can generate sales.  They may not buy from you on Etsy but you could very well make a sale to a neighbor through your front door.

Have good photos, an easy way for users to reach you and talk about your lower priced items;  CL shoppers are usually looking for a bargain.  Some posts will be flagged and removed,  (not necessarily justifiably) but  you can always repost. If you want more assurance they won't be deleted, skip the shop link and just offer your email address, if someone contacts you you can direct them to Etsy (should you choose).

Craigslist is a good tool for art and the artist. 

For site specifics you can visit Ehow.com it goes into greater depth on how to use the site itself.this link 

Ps. I have just been informed that it is against CL terms of use to post any url linked to items for sale.  To stay within CL terms of use do not post a shop link but do use great photos and have a valid email connected to the ad.  You can always follow up a direct inquiry with something like: 

 "Thank you so much for your interest in my work. If you like we can talk about meeting in person, for now you welcome to view my current portfolio on Etsy.com.  I look forward to hearing what you think about what I make...."  and then offer them a few dollars off shipping for being local.

BIG PS!  Please do not give out an personal information to people on CL and DO NOT meet any strangers ever, ever, ever in a non public non highly safe place!!  My recommendation if they don't want to pay for shipping,  meet them in front of your local police station :)