Etsy Treasuries

When I started my shop on Etsy in 2011, I was not impressed with it. I felt lost in the huge variety of shops and artful handmade products. I was frustrated with the struggle to stand out! Recently I discovered I was looking at it all wrong!

Etsy is a wonderful place to shop, of course!!! But the community aspect adds a great deal of depth to the Etsy experience. There are so many people willing to help you with anything you need. It took me reading about this community in books for me to discover it!! Yep, I was CLUELESS!!

Got a question? Need clarification? Just post it or send a shop owner a message, and someone will answer you. Some forums, threads, and teams are a little less active than others, so if you don't get your answer in a few days try another one. I would actually be surprise if you did not get an answer within minutes!!  Don't get frustrated (like I did) because there are plenty of people actively helping newbies. I even see veterans posting questions on various subjects. We can't know it all when we first jump in. It takes time to learn the ins and outs of this vast community. So take your time and check out all the great things Etsy has to offer.

One of my favorite community aspects of Etsy are the Treasuries. This is a place where you can gather up to 16 of your favorite items (per treasury) from your favorite shops and display them proudly. You can share the link with friends and family. Think of it... your husband is usually clueless about what to get you for your birthday or anniversary... Email him your own treasury filled with ideas!!! He will have 16 items to choose from and you can still be surprised!!!

Another one of the best parts of these lists is that the more clicks your treasury gets the greater chance it has of being displayed on Etsy's front page! So if you share it enough, all the things you love will be there for others to love.

Something to remember about creating treasuries is to make it beautiful. You might also like to create specific themes like, Summer, the Sea, use your favorite color as a theme, etc.

Below are a few great treasuries you should check out. Some I made and some have been made by my team members.

Green is Keen!

Twilight Before the Storm 

Summer Fun

Just Because

For Dad...

These are only a few of the great treasuries you can explore. I hope you take some time to explore the other treasuries out there, and create your own.

Please remember the shops and owners who bring you these wonderful treasures. They work hard to create items for your enjoyment. Show your appreciation by keeping them in business. I know many of these items are one-of-a-kind and will not be available again. So when you find items you really like, act quickly in making them YOURS!!!

It's a Win-Win!!! You support the economy while shopping for and sharing the beautiful hand crafted items!

ENJOY!!

Sustainable Solutions

XL Black and White Trees

My problem solved through creativity and imagination

By Brandy Boswell, Artist & Owner of Elegantly Haunted

www.ElegantlyHaunted.com   - Hand painted Glassware for ALL Occasions!!!

Today there are many ways your make your home, gift giving, and entertaining greener. One of the best methods is through purchasing products that are repurposed. However, it can be difficult to find repurposed items that are artful, tasteful, and usable, all in one. If the piece doesn’t have value or give pleasure, your effort is wasted!

I found myself facing this dilemma when I was looking for a sensible and sustainable way to “WOW” my guests at my annual Halloween party. There were several points I wanted to address with my parties;

1. I wanted to limit the amount of waste my party produced,

2. I wanted to give my guests something they would value and appreciate,

3. I wanted something to match my theme and decor, &

4. I wanted to create!!!

My solution? Hand painted glassware!

Over the course of about a month, I visited my local community stores and purchased the best quality wine glasses possible. Next, I hand painted each glass with a one of a kind design using the best quality glass paint I could find. As my guests arrived at my party, I handed them their own unique piece of art. My guests where more than WOW’d, they were FLOORED!

My guests used their wine glasses all evening and then took them home as a truly memorable and pleasurable gift. This was the perfect solution for me!! I reduced my level of waste, and clean up all in one. Above all, my guests received a gift filled with value, beauty, and personal attention!

From this spark of imagination, I now have a thriving business. I create hand painted glassware for anyone looking for a unique gift and/or a sustainable option when entertaining! As it turns out my original design is my best seller. It is a simple black and white tree, proving less is more!

This custom glass was created for Steve Buckley, author of Blackbear the Pirate.

My hand painted glassware makes AMAZING gifts for all occasions! I hand paint party & wedding favors, wine glasses, beer steins, candle holders and so much more! The possibilities seem endless.

Buying repurposed hand painted glassware not only supports a sustainable lifestyle, it also supports an American business, and artist creating American made products. No need to buy cheap print press ‘Made in China’ glasses disguised as hand painted.  Truly a sensible solution!!!!

Artful, Personal & Durable! Just the way my clients and I like it!

hand painted party favors are a MUST for your next event and gathering

Article featured on http://craftmarketer.com/sustainable-solutions/