Evolution of an Etsy Shop: Part II

I joined Etsy on September 30, 2005, just a few months after the site first launched. I had been searching desperately for an alternative to eBay, which had always felt like such a vast and impersonal place to sell my artwork. I remember how excited I was when I came across a website specifically focused on handmade arts and crafts, because it felt like for the first time, I finally had a warm and cozy spot on the internet to call home. I had no expectations and no business plans, but I knew that this was the place I wanted to be . . . but what was I going to sell? I ended up going through several phases before landing on the whole "rubber stamp" idea, and waaaay back in the beginning I actually had a shop full of paintings and prints.

This was my very first sale on Etsy. A print of my "Secret Garden" painting.

A "Little Deer" painting on wood. Look familiar?

Stamp Storage System

My current stamp storage system situation is in need of some upgrading. I have too many stamps made and not enough drawers to hold them all. I'd really like to improve my efficiency through better organization in some way. I just have no idea how!

Crazy Llama

A Love Story

This is a video I made many, many years ago, back when I was still in art school and had an obsessive fascination with stop motion animation. I just had to try it out for myself. I must warn you that I am in no way an expert in film or animation so I admit that the result is a bit rough/clumsy (example: the scene with the macaroni pieces is supposed to say "NO", but from the audience p.o.v. it looks like "ON"! bahaha!), but I still remember having so much fun making it. I am currently going back to school to become an RN, and I really miss those days when I had the free time to experiment and do things, you know, just because! :-)



It was inspired by/an homage to one of my childhood favorites . . . Johnny Fedora and Alice Bluebonnet. The Andrews Sisters! Hats with eyelashes! How could anyone resist?



xoxo,
Nicole

For all the book lovers out there . . .

Now in my etsy shop. :-)

Lions and Tigers and . . . Bison?

Oh, My! ;-)

New Stamp Preview! Shop Update!

Shop Update...Finally! :)

Yes. I know it's been a while, ages in fact, since I last updated my etsy shop. But it's finally here! I have a few new designs to add to the shop and will be posting them throughout the week. I just posted my first new stamp. It's a Koala.

You can find it here. :)

Shana Logic

I was so excited when Shana of ShanaLogic.com contacted me about carrying some of my rubber stamps in her online store. She sells like only the cutest stuff...ever! ;)

Evolution

The evolution of an Etsy shop . . .

2007

2008

2009

2010

The River Child

My kappa painting has finally found a home...it's off to Florida! =)

Paper*Cakes Finds

My unicorn stamp was featured on Paper*Cakes Finds today along with a bunch of other cute unicorn themed items. Yay! :o)

Breast Cancer Awareness Month + Blog Giveaway

Did you know that October is breast cancer awareness month? Fellow etsy member Tina recently brought this to my attention and she also let me know that for the entire month she has been "blogging for boobs" and trying to generate a bit of attention to the cause. At the end of the month the money from the traffic generated to her blog will be donated to the Susan G. Komen and Keep-A-Breast charities. Please check out her site, "Talkin' with Teenie", for more info and to view personal stories contributed by those whose lives have been affected by breast cancer. She's also having a bunch of giveaways for a lot of great stuff! I donated two of my halloween themed rubber stamps so stop by her blog for a chance to win! :o)

Hapa Hale shout out!

Oooh, my spooky stamps got a mention in Hapa Hale! I love Hapa Hale! Leigh's design conscious website is devoted to showcasing "everything modern and fresh" from Hawaii's local artists, designers and businesses. She lives on the mainland now but she keeps up with the latest local trends better than most of us still living in the islands! Cheers Leigh!

So Many Prizes It's SCARY!

This adorable couple, Leo and Mary, manage their very own store filled with super cute paper goods and scrapbooking products and they also run a popular magazine based blog called SVGcuts that educates Cricut and Sure Cuts A Lot users on various topics. This month they're having a raffle for a bunch of Halloween themed grab bags filled with awesome Etsy finds. Watch the video for a breakdown of the insane amount of prizes they're giving away! I admit I'm a little jealous of whoever gets to take home all that loot. P.S. Keep an eye out for a mention of my black cat rubber stamp! Heehee. ;o)
http://svgcuts.com/

Introducing the Grab Bag Surprise!

I just added a Mystery Box/Grab Bag style listing to the shop due to special request. For those who would like to buy a few stamps (but not enough for wholesale) here's your chance to get a bit of a price break. You get 10 randomly chosen stamps for $35 (worth $50). This is $15 less than if you purchased them individually! I think that's a pretty nice deal. :o) And don't worry, these are exactly the same quality as all the stamps I sell in my shop. No reject stamps here. The only catch is that I will not take special requests, they will just be randomly chosen from the stock I already have made. That way I don't have to spend extra time cutting out and assembling ones I don't have around at the moment. In the end that makes things easier for me and that's why it will be cheaper for you. Yay!

Something Wicked This Way Comes...

A former customer contacted me to let me know that my raven stamp was featured on September 8th's Halloween themed Etsy Finds. Thanks so much! Halloween is my favorite holiday after all. :o)

Mini Magnets

Maybe something new for the shop? I don't know yet, but it was fun designing the magnets and getting to add some color to my drawings. I only got a few of these made but I have been sneaking them in RANDOMLY with some of the orders that have gone out, as freebies! I hope they like the surprise. :o)

Craft Addict

The wonderful Mendy from Craft Addict was nice enough to feature me on her blog. I was so honored to be chosen because she tends to find the most incredible things on etsy, plus she hosts a giveaway every single week!

http://rainbowswirlz.blogspot.com/2009/06/nikoart-giveaway-june-4th-10th.html

She also has her own etsy shop where she sells tons of screenprinted items. Her giraffe tote bag is the cutest. See her shop here ---->

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=9941