Etsy’s Activity Feed Serves up Some Sales

baby bib by SewnNatural

In this post, I questioned the power of social commerce to help artisans connect with our buyers. I wondered if this move was visionary or vastly stupid. Since then I've received several conversations from buyers that have moved me to take a stand. I now think that Etsy’s move towards social commerce is brilliant.

My first evidence was in my notes to seller from a buyer:

"Oh my, I nearly swooned! I came to Etsy looking a piece of sea glass when this delicious tidbit popped up on the opening page. I love it when I find exactly what I wasn't looking for. I have the perfect spot ready and waiting for this little beauty!"

photo by Raceytay

Exactly what I wasn’t looking for is precisely what most artists make! So this looked promising. Images that fit a person’s taste, but don’t exactly match what they are intentionally searching for, result in sales.

Next, I received a message from someone who added me to their Circle, so what I heart shows up in their Activity Feed. The message thanked me profusely for hearting something that she purchased instantly upon sight. It was a perfect gift for her husband.

Only a few days later, it happened to me. I saw something in my Activity Feed and had to have it! Sold. It was exactly what I wasn’t looking for. And I’ve been thinking that perhaps art is that which pulls us like a gravitational force, commanding our attention. How perfect that we find art in capricious and nonlinear ways.

Custom message fork by monkeysalwayslook

Have you bought or sold things online via treasuries, the Activity Feed, TumblR, Pinterest, etc? Are you encountering more buyers who discover your work without using a conventional search?

editorial by Lee Wolfe

saying i do... a handmade wedding!

Handcrafted details can make a beautiful wedding even more meaningful, special and memorable. Personalized touches, and one-of-a-kind pieces infused with the love of the person who made them are great ways to add style too!

There are so many handmade ideas to be found among the members of the Artisans Gallery team, and here are just a few.

(above, personalized just married wedding banner by Earmark) 

personalized wedding puzzle, with 90 pieces for signing (a great guest book alternative) by BellaPuzzlesToo

beautiful white decorative balls for table decor by ThreeBlueBee (perfect for a country or sea-inspired wedding)

diamond cut silver interlocked rings by onegarnetgirl (what a great bridesmaid gift!)

vanilla coconut soap by DeShawnMarie - a fabulous gift idea for guests or to tuck into guest rooms of family and friends staying nearby, if you have a wedding out of town

a set of 5 custom handpainted necklaces by HeatherKent, a gorgeous gift for bridesmaids that they can also wear on your special day!

another idea for table decor that you can use at home later on... a pearly porcelain bud vase with one elegant flower in it by SuiteOneStudio

...and a beautiful eco friendly gift idea for guests - a love languages tote bag by BucktoothedBunny

Peek. Bought. Handmade.

As part of our series Peek. Bought. Handmade, we'll take a look at some of the handmade pieces members of the Artisans Gallery Team added to their life.
Today, Yael from TheJoyofColor shares a lovely Etsy story with us.

"I met Kath from NaturalPetProducts in the Etsy treasuries some time ago. We became such good friends that I decided to call her Sis as I feel I found a sister over the ocean. We support each other not only on Etsy but in our personal life as well.

When I listed my first "Stack of Bowls" print, Kath loved it so much that I decided to send it to her as a present for Easter/Passover. Of course, I had to ask for her address and before I could even send it to her she bought it! So refunded her as I wanted it to be a present."

"Last week I got a notice from the Post office about a package. I was a bit worried as I didn't order anything

lately, so I thought "oh no! one of my deliveries was returned, I'm in trouble!"

What a wonderful surprise to discover at the Post office that it was not one of my envelopes! The mystery envelop had a sticker from the BucktoothedBunny. What could it be? I couldn't wait and opened it at the post office and discovered this lovely tote with a note - saying "Love from your Sister Kath :-)". I was so moved that I almost cried."

"The amazing thing is that I was thinking of buying one myself for the summer!"

"You can see me in the photo going to the library with my new Love Language tote."

Peek. Bought. Handmade.

As part of our series Peek. Bought. Handmade, we'll take a look at some of the handmade pieces members of the Artisans Gallery Team added to their life.
Today, Jen from SewnNatural shares some of her latest handmade acquisitions with us.

"One of my very favorite Etsy artisans is SparkyJones, from British Columbia, Canada.  Among other things, she sews the sweetest upcycled and organic caps and hats. I never knew I was a hat girl until I bought my first hat from her - I didn't take it off much last summer."

"I recently got another one from her, and have enjoyed wearing the green corduroy cap as the winter transitioned to spring. And I know it will come in quite handy in the months after the baby, when all mussed hair will be so stylishly covered."

"And I recently discovered the beautiful hand folded paper cranes of Osaka's origamiyyc. In preparation for our new baby, my daughter and I strung these intricately folded cranes in a rainbow of color from transparent string, and a wool-covered embroidery hoop we put together."

"They float and move in the breeze, and the colors and shapes are very magical."

Peek. Bought. Handmade.

As part of our little series Peek. Bought. Handmade, we are taking a look at some Artisans Gallery Team members' favorite handmade Etsy finds.
Today, jeweler Orna from anakim shares some of her Etsy treasures with us.

2 works from ceramist Stepanka.

 "I love her work and I hope to have some day a bigger collection of her exquisite art."

A pair of earrings from Tundradear who create magnificent jewelry made of PMC.

"If I weren't a jewelry designer myself, I would have bought most of her shop" :)

A beautiful bag from Mystudio

An etched metal picture from Copperleafstudios hunged along with a Workingwoman painting.

A picture from restlessthings

"I gave it my son as a present and he like it very much"

and a vintage green cup, a present from one of Etsy's vintage shops.

Peek. Bought. Handmade.

 

Today, as part of our series to peek into our own collections of handmade pieces from other artisans, I'm delighted to share some of our favorite pieces. Please take a moment to check out the other posts in our ongoing series here.

A beautiful handbuilt pottery bowl by Marci from MarciG has found a home in the center of our dining table - it calls out to be held and admired, and brings such lovely color to our table even when the gardens are frozen over.

Oh, and those handmade custom pink stone bracelets on those little hands are by Michele from steinschmuckdesign. In just the right shade ("hot pink of course", says my daughter) and on elastic string so she can put them on and off herself.

On our couch we have a pair of handprinted ABC pillow shams by London's HelenRawlinson, screenprinted with eco friendly inks on organic cotton. Not only beautiful to look at, but great for learning too.

And here is one of my first Etsy purchases - a sweet pear pair in mustard by pillowhappy I gifted to my husband one Valentine's Day some years ago. I love them sitting on the chair my the window in our play/family/relaxing space. Filled with beans, they are textural and fun to hold. And they remind us of our October wedding years ago - we chose pears as a theme and used them in the place of flowers.

Peek. Bought. Handmade.

Today, as part of our new series called Peek. Bought. Handmade, we take a look at one of the handmade pieces decorating the home of Al and Caroline of beyondtherockz.  Thank you so much, Caroline and Al, for letting us peek at the beautiful embroidery from Waterrose that's now part of your own collection.

"Before the very first day of school, my grandmother had already introduced me to the beauty of hand embroidered work. I love going through my grandmother's old steamer trunk of embroidered family heirlooms, and every now and then I find myself adding something special to the collection. Hand embroidery brings back fond memories of my grandmother patiently teaching me her favorite stitches. Memories of her and the time and care that goes into this work touches my heart, and I love how it actually ties to generations of woman in my own family."

"Well, one summer day last year I found myself visiting Waterrose's shop. I hadn't been by in a while, and I do love visiting and admiring Rose's work. She had added a new piece, and in this one she had transferred a page from an antique book onto linen, free embroidering Queen Annes Lace. I bought this treasure immediately, and you can see it on my living room mantle in the photo above."

Peek. Bought. Handmade. (a sweet little series)

As part of our little series called Peek. Bought. Handmade, we are taking a look at some Artisans Gallery Team members' favorite handmade finds. Pieces that they have added to their own homes and wardrobes. Today, Laura from BlueTerracotta shares one of her favorite accessories with us, a scarf made by Silvia from Silvia66 (another AG team member).  Please check out Laura's Lyon, France-based handmade shop full of beautiful fabric creations.

"Here are some photos of me wearing my luscious mini loop scarf by Silvia of Silvia66.  It's really soft and warm and I've worn it a lot this winter, indoors and out! I mostly wear black and the green is set off nicely, I think."

So beautiful! What handmade clothing + accessories do you love to wrap yourself in (and have people ask where in the world you found such a beautiful, original piece)?

Peek. Bought. Handmade.

As part of our ongoing series, we are taking  a peek into artists' homes to see what handmade pieces they have brought into their own living and working spaces.  A peek into personal handmade collections.

Today, jeweler Genevieve from jibby and juna invites us into her bedroom to see some of the art they were gifted (by their kids!) over the holidays.

"Here are two photos of the prints my kids bought my husband and I for Christmas. They thought our bedroom was too monochromatic (and they were right) and shopped from my favorites choosing these three from illustrator Yellena specifically to go over our bed.  Just three pieces of artwork add to much to the room! And I'm glad our kids already understand the value of buying handmade (hmmm...now if we could just get them to stop using our paypal account:-)"

Peek. Bought. Handmade.

Ever want to peek inside the homes of other artisans to see what they like to collect from other artists? See what pieces inspire them?

In today's part 4 of our new series all about peeking, other artisans + handmade (what a delightful combo!), textile artist Britta from Bribbe gives us a look at her kitchen, and some of her favorite bowls. Beautiful handmade pottery bowls by Lee from OneClayBead.

"Thew new bowls are great in my kitchen. I love the jagged edges and the relief pattern of the smaller one. It's indeed a piece of poetry that makes me happy every day! It goes along so well with some beautiful stones and all kinds of vegetables."

"The blue, bigger bowl is perfect for salad or some fruit. I'm in love with the blue glaze that suits lemons or oranges so well."

What's been your favorite handmade purchase?

Peek. Bought. Handmade.

Today is part 3 of our new series about some of the handmade pieces Artisans Gallery team members have in their own collections. Jen from Polestar shares one of her favorite pieces of jewelry with us - a ring made by AG team member Monica from moonovermaize.

Last week, Genevieve commented "It's cool to see items I have seen on Etsy in their natural environment, in a home, being loved, being used." So very true!

Jen said: "I really wanted a simple moonstone ring so I approached Monica of moonovermaize about making a custom ring for me almost exactly a year ago.  She offered to trade which was awesome, and she made this gorgeous ring for me.  I wear it quite often and just love the glow of the blue moonstone."

What are some of your favorite handmade Etsy pieces?

Peek. Bought. Handmade. (part 2 in our series)

Ever wonder what pieces other artisans love most? Today, in part 2 of our new series, we'll take a peek at some of the handmade pieces members of this team have brought home from other artisans & added to their personal collections.

Here are some photos from Judit of Vadjutka, her Hungarian-based shop full of handmade jewelry. Here are some of the wonderful handmade Etsy pieces she has welcomed into her home.

(Above, a tweeting bird piece of wall art from lapomme, and Jewish wall art from Artmind). 

"I have lots of ACEOs and prints from annarubyking, like these."

"Here is a tray fom birribe, and a felted doll from ingermaaike (both Artisan Gallery team members!) The cookies were made by my boyfriend's grandma."

(Below) "One of my favorite objects from Etsy, Creativity wall art from Artmind".

Peek. Bought. Handmade. (a new series!)

Ever wonder what pieces other artisans love most? Today we'll take a peek at some of the handmade pieces members of this team have brought home from other artisans & added to their personal collections.

Ira from iragrant, her Swiss-based shop full of handmade handbags, recently wrote about the beautiful scarf that arrived on her doorstep from Norway (from another Artisans Gallery team member, ingermaaike !)

"If you know ingermaaike's felts work, you will have realized how beautiful they are. I was always a big fan of hers, but you know what? I always have trouble photographing the real beauty of Inger's work.

So this afternoon, I tried it again.

I have this beautiful scarf that arrived today from Norway and I was speechless, it's so pretty and warm and soft and.....

oh well, here some shots for you! :)"