Branching out from Etsy

The past few weeks, I've been busy setting up new platform for my shop. I've been selling in Etsy for a couple of years but with the ever changing Etsy policy it is getting tougher for sellers outside USA to get (even) a view unless we pay for Etsy Promoted Ads. 

Etsy promoted ads gives benefits, but I see that you should have a higher budget (which I can't afford) which bring your shop to the first search pages.

Well, there are SEO thingy and keywords, etc which turned out to be a little help (or no help at all) if you don't use promoted ads.

And also the "shop local" policy really have impact on Seller outside US.

Another reason was I've been waiting for Etsy to introduce INR in their default currency but don't see that coming. While I get many inquiries from India, the USD price tag deter them from Etsy. Indian shoppers feel more comfortable shopping in their own currency and using Bank Transfer as mode of payment. 

I really wish Etsy take a hint from Amazon. 

There are many Etsy-like platform coming up in India, the problem with these marketplace is they withhold the payment to seller. For big player, a couple of bucks won't hurt them, but for us who make one product at a time and getting the money weekly or three quarterly is too much. 

With that in mind, I decided to sign up with Ecwid  and have my shop everywhere. You can shop from Facebook or from  my new shop blog. What I like most is it's user friendly and it has a FREE plan. I started with free plan then decide to upgrade. 

I will still be selling in Etsy. Ecwid is easier for me to connect with local shoppers and also with Ecwid I can offer a less price since I don't have to pay for the fees that Etsy charges. 

Please come and visit my SHOP and wish me a lot of good luck ^^. 

Happy Sewing

photo credits : from various source in the internet

{ New in the Shop} 241 Batik Sling Bag

I have this orange batik for a long time. It's one of those modern batik depicting Jakarta's landmarks and cultures. I always wanted to make bag with it but could not find a perfect pattern for it, until last week!

Well, Noodlehead pattern is always my favorite and this 241 tote was on my wishlist. I am glad I finally made it. 

It's perfect to carry around while you're on the go

2 pockets on the sides is very handy to keep your sunglasses or those brochures you pick up on the road

the slanted exterior zipper pocket is so cute and perfect to keep your bus/train card or small changes or even your hotel card when you travel.

I will definitely take this sling bag on my next trip. 

So, when you're planning your next holiday, don't forget to grab one of this bag. 

Now this bag is available for custom order in my ETSY shop 

{psst.. you like a customized bag. I have more fabric options} 

or you can just click this button below to buy:

Almost Holiday

Summer holiday is almost here! It's time to pack my bags and make few handmade for my family and friends in Indonesia. 

I always prefer to give handmade stuff even if it's small.

two of my sisters already told me to make them passport wallets :D

Mickey Mouse Family Travel Wallet

 and I already order one Bag from my fave bag-maker bestie, BagStock . My mom loves her Saddle bag that I gave last year. 

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Black and white is always favorite. Last weekends, hubby's cousin came to visit me and she wanted  wallet and pouch set in black and white and Blue. I showed her my photos from my previous custom order and she wanted same combo. 

I really love this combo. I thought black, white and red is perfect but this linen blue and this chevron really look classic. 

If you notice that stone car, it's my current fave photo props. I collected that stone when we went to Umngot River in Meghalaya few months ago. Hubby was laughing when I collected stones to take as souvenirs.

What is your fave photo props? 

Personalized your Wallet with Hand Embroidered Names

Photo props is really important, I feel, esp when you are selling online. But not too much. You have to make props that visually appealing yet not crowding your product that it takes away the focus. 

I love my canvas board white background. And always try to take photos before noon in a room which does not have direct sunlight. 

Ethnic Traveling Vanity Pouch

I have screen door in my sewing room that facing the front porch. I recently put an off-white lace curtain to block the direct afternoon sunlight. And that's my fave photo spot now. Since I got my new 50 mm lens, I love taking photos here. 

Ballerina Small Pouch

As much as you can do not take photos with auto setting. Try to tweak the setting a bit and you will get  perfect photos. Do take a look at your camera setting and try to search for online tutorial. YouTube is a great source of information. 

Here, I give you sneak peek on how I did it. The photo below was  taken using my Sony Pocket Camera. I put my canvas board near the screen door and I put a white card stock paper (it was  bed sheet wrapper or whatever you call it). 

The paper is a bit shiny so it gives perfect reflection. The white paper will sort of block the light from the door/window and reflect it back. It reduces the shades that you normally get when you take photos without one. 

by the way, my handmade shop in Etsy will be closed from next week until end of July since I will be going for holiday. So until then do check my READY to SHOP section in my shop. 

Thank for dropping bye

Until then,

The City Tote Bags

I bought the fabrics without knowing what I'm going to do about it. All I know is that I MUST buy it. Don't you all fabric hoarders lovers do that sometimes? 

When in dilemma whether "to buy" or "not to buy" I always chose the first. Someday in the future it will come of use . Believe me! :D

Isn't this cute? Even at my age, I still love buying (and using) anything kawaii, just like this tote bag!!

CITY GIRL TOTEBAG

and who doesn't like to use tote bag? Simple one, stylish one, fancy one....you just need more than one TOTEBAG for one occasion. Right?

If you like navy blue, you can opt for this one below .

THE CITY TOTEBAG 

it's simply perfect to tote around the town. 

Let me know if you need one cos I only have enough fabric to make 2 more bags! 

Head to the SHOP to choose yours!

Until then,

Happy Sewing

The SEO learning continues....

After giving a really good thought about my Etsy, it's time I do some streamlining. I start to pull out stuff which do not sell well in the past. Instead of keep paying fees which does not lead to sales, I want to focus on stuff which sell. 

Black and White Musical Theme Travel Wallet

Please note, that I am not an expert here, so I just write down what works for me. To each his own. 

I started keeping  a small note book and researching what keywords that related to my product. Yes, that is very important. And from what I read, you must NOT use single world keyword such as #quilted #table #runner ...that's a definite NO NO

So, be clever with your keywords. Especially for etsy. Many websites I read said you should sort of scatter those keywords in your Product description. This is a difficult part for me, I wish I paid more attention during the English class. Ha!! Writing a catchy line is NOT EASY :( 

So, now I am still struggling with this keywords things..try to get the hang of it. And also trying to learn more about twitter! Oh yes, I know many of mompreuners out there feels like me. I used to use twitter to vent ! You know things that you cannot say or share on Facebook LOL.... Well, if you are selling online, apparently you have to be savvy enough to use twitter. I heard your sigh saying when is the time to use it. Well, there are a couple of apps that you can schedule your bulk tweets, or you can do it manually for free, like me :D . 

Your can READ THIS if you want to know more about how to tweet. It's pretty straight forward for us, mompreneurs, who wants to be twitter savvy. 

So, this week, I am all learning about how to tweet properly and I have a little time to start adding stuff to my shop. 

Now, you can order a multi purpose pouch matching your passport wallet. 

Matching Vanity Pouch 

Many of us, esp mommies with kids, need at least two pouches. One you need for your personal stuff and one for your kids, emergency medicine, gadgets cables, etc. 

Blue Paisley Wallet & Pouch Set

I will be adding more to the shop! Stay Tuned.

Until then,

Keep Learning