Valentines Day From The CupCakeMint!!

With so many choices of Valentines Day gifts on Etsy, we wanted to do a little something different this year, so we bought a 4 cupcake package from EtsyNJ member, thecupcakemint (www.thecupcakemint.etsy.com)

Shannon was very friendly and assured me that my cupcakes would be shipped to arrive on time for Valentine's Day and true to her word, the cupcakes arrived on Friday...well-packaged and totally secure!

Shannon included everything needed to finish decorating the cupcakes, along with instructions and I thought it was going to be a bit time-consuming, but it was simple! Shannon had everything ready to go and it was quick, easy and mess-free...my 5yo son helped with the decorating and helped finish off all of the excess icing...waste not, want not : )

So let's not mince words..... the cupcakes were very moist and were to die for...She calls them Triple Chocolate Heaven... well a chocolate cupcake, with chocolate icing,a dark chocolate ganache, and a large wedge of fair-trade dark chocolate, these cupcakes were Quadruple Chocolate Heaven!

Sinful doesn't quite describe the cupcakes. I never saw my boys tear through their dinner as fast as they did tonight. And the best part...these cupcakes are 100% dairy free/vegan and no one could tell!!

Just awesome! If you are ever looking for a new gift idea, or have a special day coming up and want to try a little something new, give thecupcakemint a try. I promise, you will not be disappointed...though I can't take any responsibility if you become addicted : )

Happy Valentine's Day!

R

Looking Forward During A Struggling Economy

During a struggling economy, it's quite easy to become discouraged by the lack of sales and even a drop-off in shop/item views. The web stats that Etsy has allowed the use of Google Analytics for shop owners and it's a most important tool for shops to see where and even more importantly, when viewers are visiting their shops.

It's been quite often that businesses that increase advertising, actually do better in a struggling economy and having daily stats from GA can help you follow your advertising campaigns, see which are working and which aren't and plan for future campaigns.

The sluggish economy has many people worried...worried about their jobs, their ability to pay their bills in the future, etc. For many families the amount of disposable income has been drastically reduced...but that doesn't mean that people aren't still looking to buy handmade gifts for others and themselves. The key is to use the stats tool to figure out when the buyers are on Etsy (or whatever site you sell your handmade creations on) and plan your promotions accordingly.

Keeping a positive attitude and a consistent effort will put your beautiful items in front of those looking to buy. I've heard often (and actually President OBama has yet made mention to it) that during times of economic struggle, the country often turns to simpler things, even when the economy turns itself around.

And what's any more simplistic than a handmade item. Well-constructed and made with environment in mind, I don't think anything could be more of what people will want as the economy progresses... and with tax returns just around the corner, getting your shop (and your frame of mind) positioned, will only help your shop survive, if not flourish, during these lean times.
Keep on, keepin' on!

til next time...
R

A Recent Purchase From the Shop of 2nd Life

Even though plastics bags are great for cleaning up after the dog, they really are just more garbage going into our landfills. We bring our canvas bags when we go food shopping, but the re-usable bags the stores sell are often so small, that after a half gallon of milk, and 2 or 3 small items the bag is pretty much full.

So when I saw the bag 2ndLife created, I knew I had to have one! The owner of the Etsy shop 2ndLife, Anna-Mari, creates bags in multiple colors. The bags are hand painted by her and the bag is HUGE!!

I just received it yesterday and took it with my to my local food store (which also happens to sell re-usable bags for $15 each) to pick up several items...and it all fit into the bag! What I bought yesterday would have filled my old bag and then some...I actually would have needed two of my older re-usable bags.

If you are looking to support the go-green movement, re-usable grocery bags are a great way to live the the Go-Green life. The bags Anna-Mari of 2ndLife are huge and at a terrific price! Anna-Mari ships to North America (she lives in Finland) and my bag was delivered in less than 5 business days (Finland to NJ in 4 days is pretty awesome!)

Take a look at 2ndLife shop for reusable bags and her other beautiful creations!


til next time....
R

Key To My Heart Necklace...on the Front Page

While dinner is cooking, I checked my shop stats for today... 8 new shop hearts for today & 12 for the last 24 hours...and 19 new item hearts in the last 24 hours...11 going to the Key To My Heart Bracelet, which also seems to have about 35 -45 more views than it did earlier this morning!

What a nice little surprise!


til next time...

R