top left: light blue and teal blue top right: dark heathered purple bottom: multi toned purple

Purls

I did it! I set up Google Base- RSS feed

For those that don't know what Google Base is, it's a free service from google, where you can tell google what products you sell (in this case) and if someone searches for it in google your products will come up on top- where there is a 'shopping link'. 

I don't really think people are searching for my type of products (key cozies mostly) on google, but it doesn't hurt to put it there, right? I mean, maybe someone is actually looking for a "Kayak Cozy" and they carelessly and accidentally type in "Key Cozy" and then they find my shop.

I used the excellent instructions found here: http://www.gotogreatpanes.com/blog/2009/01/31/etsy-rss-and-google-base/ and everything went smoothly, and it was pretty easy. The best part about it is that since it's updated through your shop's RSS feed, you don't have to go and manually enter the items every time you list something. You just set it up once and you're done.

good luck!

Cute Packaging for Small Items

Today I'd like to share how I package my key cozies in my etsy shop. It's easy and can work for other small items. 

First, a picture of the finished packaged item:

First, I used my photo editing program to create a label for the little package. I created a document width= 788 pixels length= 900 pixels, 300 DPI (because it will be printed)

Here's my tag image, smaller than actual size for blog

Divide the image in half using your software's ruler tool. In the bottom half, put your shop Logo, and on top, write whatever you'd like that's pertaining to your product. Flip the info on the top portion upside down using your software.

Next step, create a new blank document about 8 x 10 inches and copy your tag image onto it until the document is full of your tag. This is so that you can print a whole page of tags at once. Alternately, you may have printing software that will do this for you from the original tag document without you having to create the 8x10 page.

Here's all the supplies you'll need : Printed out tag page (I printed it on cardstock paper), clear cardsleeves (they're for trading cards and are sold in stores in the trading card section), a stapler, and a scissor.

Put your product into the clear sleeve.

Cut out your tags.

Fold your tag in half and place over the clear sleeve

Staple at the bottom of the tag, through the clear plastic sleeve at both ends.

Done!

teal yellow & pink key cozies on etsy

Newest set of Key Cozies on Etsy. I love this set, it's my current favorite. 

Here's the link to them on etsy: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26445708

Etsy: Setting up your shipping profiles / International Shipping

It's been one month since the USPS raised it's prices (a little), so I guess it's about time for me to re-calculate my shipping prices!

First of all, you should know how much your regular items weigh when they're in their packaging, ready to ship. All the items in my shop right now weigh the same thing when in their padded envelope. They are very small, light items and they weigh 1 ounce (less than an ounce actually, but you round up to be safe). So I have just one shipping profile on etsy right now called "cozies- 1 ounce".


Step One:

Domestic Prices- Shipping within the U.S.
http://www.usps.com/prices/first-class-mail-prices.htm

I use First Class Packages service because I ship in small padded envelopes that are always under 13 ounces. On this page, scroll all the way down to the chart for Packages.

1 Ounce and under= $1.22
this is the base hsipping price, without adding "handling" charges.


Step Two:

International Prices- Shipping to the rest of the world from the U.S.

http://www.usps.com/prices/first-class-mail-international-prices.htm

Scrolling down to the bottom to the list for International First class Packages, here are the prices for one ounce- which is what my packages weigh:

Country Price Group 1; $1.23
Country Price Group 2: $1.23
Country Price Group 3-5: $1.44
Country Price Group 6-9: $1.44

If you clicked on "view price groups by country" you can see that CANADA is the only country in group 1.

MEXICO is the only country in group 2

group 3-5 has a lot of countries including Australia, China, Great Britain & other European, Asian & Middle Eastern countries.

Group 6-9 also has a lot of countries including Columbia, Pakistan, New Zealand.

What does this mean for your etsy shipping profile?

It means that besides your price to ship to the US, you should have no more than 5 more shipping destinations. (unless you have some reason to single out other specific countries)
1. To Canada (group 1)
2. To Mexico (group 2)
3. Pick one country from groups 3-5, such as: To United Kingdom
4. Pick one from groups 6-9 such as: To Pakistan
5. "Everywhere Else"

Now,  this seems like a lot of destinations to include to some people. Some would group groups 2-9 together and just have To U.S, Canada, & United Kingdom, for example. It's up to you.

I've decided to Include Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom & Everywhere else. The price to ship to Groups 2-9 are the same in my case (packages one ounce and under). I can actually just use Canada, Mexico and Everywhere else, but I'd like to include United Kingdom in there just so that it is more obvious that I ship Overseas.

Now that I have the prices for my particular size package to ship anywhere, I just have to adjust the price to account for things like packaging costs, included insurance, delivery confirmation* or your travel to the post office. It's different for everybody. As long as there is reasoning for the shipping costs you use, your customers won't mind.

*If you use paypal to ship domestically, you will have to buy delivery confirmation for 0.18, so be sure to add that to your calculations.


Here are all the base shipping charges before I add my "handling charges".

To United States= $1.22 + 0.18 = $1.40
To Canada; $1.23
To Mexico: $1.23
To Great Britain: $1.44
To Everywhere Else: $1.44

The things I consider when adding the handling charges are packaging costs, and the fact that for international I have to drive to the post office, while for domestic I can ship from home. I don't add much because I like to keep my shipping prices low.

Thanks for reading all that! I hope it made sense.

First Post

Finally, a craft/knitting blog for me.