Here’s a quick look at some of what I’ve been working on here in the studio lately. Most all of it is available from my etsy shop: www.afainbooks.etsy.com
Category: etsy
Mini-Stocking Stuffers
Here’s a little taste of my new set of miniature journals. I made them for my first time exhibiting at the Craft Fair for the Southern Highland Craft Guild. I had stocking-stuffers in mind, though using walnut dye to stain the covers tones them down a bit. They don’t necessarily have a cheery holiday “look,” but hey, just like any gift, it just needs to be matched with the right person. Right? Right! They’ll be available one by one over the next week in my etsy shop.
Jenny Mendes
I’m not sure I ever met Jenny officially, but I saw her from afar during one of my stints at Penland School of Crafts. I remember loving her work and I just ran into her shop on etsy. The following are examples of what she has for sale in her shop; “limited edition archival giclee prints of the original terra sigillata painting on a clay tile.” To see more of her work go to: www.jennymendes.com
Mini-Address Books on Etsy
I’ve had a great time coming up with a design for these mini-address books that are now for sale from my Etsy shop. They are about the size of a cell phone and fit perfectly in your back pocket or the palm of your hand.
For you bookmakers out there; I took the already printed address book text blocks (from Paper Source), attached decorative paper end pages with a chain stitch along the spine, made mini-covers and assembled all the pieces. Then because it would be both cute and functional I added simple button and wrap around closures.
Check ’em out: www.afainbooks.etsy.com
Secrets of Savvy Etsy Sellers
I’m still new to cracking the Etsy Code: consistent, frequent sales and a solid customer following. Though I know to list my products often and have been making sales right along it sometimes feels that some “savvy” sellers are in on a big secret that I’m not. Is it good photographs? Networking within the Etsy community? Fancy packaging? A particular price point? Text block and cover kits for Coptic book structures are my best sellers thus far. However, just yesterday, I sold a $250 hand-embroidered book custom fit to an altered box. You never know!
My marketing mentor, fellow bookbinder and blogger Book Girl shared this lovely new e-book by Dot Creations with me a few days ago. It’s full of great advice collected fron 30 Etsy sellers. Aaaannnd IT’S FREE! All she asks is that you share it with others, so here you go: Download Secrets of Savvy Etsy Sellers Good Luck!
