Seven Ways to Get Creative With Your Marketing

by Natalie 6 Comments

You’re creative, but is your marketing? Are you just doing what you see others do or are you infusing your message with a flair of its own — one that fits you, your style and your product?

Reaching outside the proverbial box is a great way to connect on a deeper level with your fans. It will draw the people who really get your products.

Take a look at your Facebook posts, your emails, your blog posts. Are they dry? Where could you spice it up and add some life and some of you? Because after all, that’s why people buy from crafters and artisans – they want a piece of you. Here are seven ways you can give it to them.

1. Product Listings

Yes, describe, but also inspire the sale with your enthusiasm for your product. My sister-in-law briefly opened a shop selling fabric-covered earrings. She listed a gingham pair that she described as a picnic for your ears. Probably my all-time favorite listing.

2. Twitter

Are you an auto-tweeting machine, or do you let your hair down a bit? Don’t be one of those listing-only Twitters. If you are going to be on Twitter, be sure to hop on there and link to others and share more of you than your shop.

3. Facebook

Most people are pretty good about being themselves on Facebook. Once you have your first 25 likes don’t delay in getting your own URL. It makes it so much easier for linking because it is simply www.facebook.com/your-user-name. Here’s a tutorial on how to do it.

4. Pinterest

I’m so in love with Pinterest. I’ve never been able to keep track of all the cute ideas I see on blogs and Pinterest is the answer! There’s not a lot of marketing pics to pin out there (thank goodness!) so anyone who follows me is going to see more of my personality and style than my marketing credentials.

5. Your Shop Banner

I saw the best, most effective shop banner the other day from featured seller Rich Neeley Designs. It’s simple, it’s effective and invites you to take action. You better bet that Moxie Tonic’s shop banner is going to take on some of those qualities…email me if you want one for yourself.

6. Communications with Customers

Do you go into auto-pilot when answering emails and convos? Yes, you’ve answered the same question 32 times that week, but it’s the first time your customer or prospect is getting the answer. Whenever a seller gives me a personal response, with a thank you for my interest in their product, it immediately warms me to them and makes me more willing to open my pocketbook too.

7. A Little Note

Speaking of thanks – do you include a little thank you or a hand-signed note with your shipped products? It’s such an simple touch, but again, it’s those little things that help people feel like they are buying from a person instead of a big business.

Filed Under: Blogging, Etsy, Marketing Plan, Uncategorized

The Secret to Becoming a Craft Fair Diva

by Natalie 1 Comment

Craft fairs are perfect for so many things! If you are an online seller adding holiday craft fairs to your business plan can

Build a local clientele
Develop loyal relationships with customers
Show you how people react to your merchandise
Help you get a sense of what sells and what doesn’t
Move a lot of product in a short amount of time

But…

If you’ve ever tried selling at a craft fair, you know there’s always that possibility that you’ll sit there all day long and never even make your booth fee.

I’ve had booths where I’ve sold tons. I’ve had booths where I’ve sat there all day. I’ve also worked closely with craft-show promoters and organizers and seen what goes into making a truly great show.

Having seen both sides of the coin, here’s what I think:

Half of your success depends on you and your product.
The other half depends on you picking the right show for your product.

Making Yourself Into Top Seller Material.

Unless you sell food (soup mixes and veggie dips) you’ll never be the top seller at a show. Those vendors do big, big business since their product has universal appeal. But these few easy (and one not so easy) steps will go a long way to boosting your sales.

Have an amazing display:

Just like you slave over your product photos on Etsy, you should put extra care and attention into your booth display.

Skirt your table to the floor (it looks pretty and it’s functional since it covers up your boxes of extra product)
Fill in empty spaces with seasonal decor (but don’t get so carried away that it distracts from what you are selling)
Bring in extra light, lots and lots of light! (strands of Christmas lights are perfect for illuminating dark corners)
Create a variety of levels to display your merchandise with shelving or boxes draped with tablecloths

Wrapped up pretty:

Attractive packaging goes along way to attract the sale. Little touches like cellophane bags and professionally printed labels are indications that you sell a quality item, made with care and attention to the smallest detail.

Dress to impress:

Avoid the desperate salesman look. No one likes to buy from someone with even a hint of desperation. It’s way more fun to buy from someone who looks successful. There’s something reassuring about it. So dress up – even if the show is in a VFW hall that hasn’t been updated since the Great Depression – and look like you could be selling at Tiffany & Co.

Picking the Right Show for You

Not every show – even really big, highly attended shows – are right for you and your product. You will greatly increase your chances of doing well if you hunt down shows that attract the right clientele.

Assuming you make hand-crafted items and don’t resell anything, these are some things to look for in a show:

A jury process
An absence of resellers and direct marketers
Longevity
Strong advertising presence
Recommendations from other crafters

Shows that jury their vendors and adhere to a strict policy of hand-crafted items only are the best shows for you. They have built their reputation on being curators of excellent merchandise and have a loyal following among buyers willing to pay for quality workmanship.

If they’ve been around a while (I like to see 10 years or more), if you’ve seen their advertising around town (on street corners, in the newspaper, etc.) and they come recommended by other crafters, chances are this is a solid show.

Ultimately, paying a booth fee and potentially a commission is a gamble – a bigger gamble than listing online. But if you do your research, you’ll reduce your risk and increase your opportunities for selling lots and lots of your stock.

Your challenge this year as you shop at craft fairs is to scout out which shows meet the criteria. Find out who organizes and promotes the show and be ready to contact them after the New Year. Some of the best shows fill their shows in the springtime. Happy craft-fair hunting!

Filed Under: Creative Process, Etsy, Marketing Plan, Uncategorized

Etsy Shop with Moxie: FlyTrap – Making Smart People Laugh

by Natalie

Sometimes (against my better judgment) I spend a lot of time in the Etsy forums. I like to look around and see if anyone has questions I can help with, because, hey! I really like helping people. Plus after a day of breaking up fights and kissing boo-boos, I like feeling smart.

One of my favorite people to stalk is NeatThings. When I first read her thread on pricing I was blown out of the water. It was articulate and right on the money. Then I learned that she and I share a passion for the same amazing state and it’s unbeatable summer weather.

I knew right then and there I had to have her on the blog.

Her name is Jen and she runs a shop with the best tag line ever – “We make smart people laugh.” I admit to having had many a good chuckle while browsing in her shop. I guess that points back to my previous statement.

But enough about me. Gag! Let’s move on to the very awesome interview with Jen.

Tell a little about your shop and what you do.

Based in Denver, Colorado, USA,I run a small press greeting card, stationery, and paper goods company. We combine beautiful design with edgy copy to create the kind of products that make smart people laugh. As for me, I mostly annoy or amuse people, depending on their disposition, and look for ways to turn my ideas into marketable goods.

What have been your most successful marketing efforts to get the word out about your shop?

I don’t market much. The loudest part of me hates traditional marketing tactics. But we do have a Facebook page we update sporadically and a Twitter accountthat just pulls info from Facebook. My best efforts involve really understanding my market and being where they are.

You’re pretty savvy about marketing and business and Internet stuff – do you have a background in that?

Are you kidding? I’m a moron in those things! But I do have a BA in marketing, half of an MBA, and nearly 20 years in marketing, advertising, design, writing, branding, customer service, employee communications, web development, and account management. This does not make me savvy. This means I’m able to write and speak just well enough to make people think I know what I’m talking about.

What do you like about the Etsy forums, how are they helpful?

I think the forums offer countless viewpoints, ingenious ideas, and support for anyone struggling to get their business up and running. The structure of the forums is a problem, though. It’s very difficult to browse or search for information. They’re also a great way to get people talking about you all over the Internet, if you’re annoying enough.

What advise would you give a new Etsy shop owner?

Make something magnificently unique (or market/position it magnificently uniquely). Not “beaded jewelry” but “beaded jewelry that uses farm animals and muted colors for the sophisticated kid in you”.
Understand your target markets. And make them narrow. Think, “Women between 25 and 35 who prefer Indians over Harleys, wear hats, watch ‘Modern Family’, and make over $75k annually. And, women between 40 and 55 who are educated, have self-sufficient children (no babies), wear hats, watch ‘Modern Family’, and enjoy reading and travel.” Not, “Women between 25 and 55.”
Figure out where these people hang out. And be right there with them. Be what they’re looking for in your segment.

What advise would you give someone ready to take their shop to the next level?

Stay off the forums. If you want to take your shop to the next level, you’ll need to start thinking bigger than Etsy. And most people on the Etsy forums focus on Etsy. So, make use of them however you need to, but don’t get lost in chatting or spouting opinions. Nobody cares what you think anyhow. If you’re going to hang around anyhow, do it with cognizance.
Learn. About SEO (and whether or not it can work for you – because it’s not always important). About PR. About marketing. About innovation. About technology. About your art or craft. Focus on learning and applying that knowledge.
Invent. Constantly.
Focus on what you do well. Outsource what you don’t do well or hate.

And if there is any other wisdom you want to impart – go for it!

Buy low, sell high.
”Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” (Michael Pollan)
Travel outside your home country at every opportunity. Being insular constrains your world view.

Filed Under: Etsy, Etsy Shops with Moxie, Marketing Plan, Uncategorized

Get More Results: The Secret to Etsy’s Relevancy Search

by Natalie 16 Comments

Relevancy. In certain places this has become a very dirty word. With good reason, I might add. If you built your Etsy business on the listing and renewing model, the switch to a relevancy search has knocked the life right out of your business.

I don’t care who you are – a big shop, small shop, part-timer or the kind of shop owner that elicits jealously when mentioning monthly revenue and page views – it super stinks to have to revamp your modus operandi.

Robots v. People

The cool thing about the Etsy’s new relevancy search is that it’s beatable. Relevancy relies on a search engine algorithm and Etsy has told sellers what the robots look for when searching and cataloging listings. It’s like taking a math test where the teacher writes all the equations you need to solve the problems on the blackboard.

The key to unlocking relevancy is in the listing title and the tags. Titles with the search phrase at the front of the sentence are given the highest relevancy rank. Anything later in the title gets a lower rank. Tags are also important, although their order doesn’t matter.

Over the past two weeks I’ve researched all the information Etsy published about relevancy search results and brushed up on my SEO ninja skills.

I married the two into a 5-step plan, that after trying it in my shop for over a week, I’m landing on page one (often in the first or second row) of every keyword I want to rank for.

I want your shop to have the same results. Here’s how.

Step 1 – Determine your strongest keywords

Google AdWords’ Keyword Tool is a free resource that helps you figure out what people type into search engines when they are searching for the items you sell. Type in a phrase that you think describes one of your items and take a look at additional terms that Google comes up with. The results will show you how many searches per month are made for that key phrase – pick the most relevant terms with the highest search volume.

Another option is your Etsy Stats page. At the bottom of the page is a list of search terms people have used to find (and click) on items in your shop. Take those top 2-3 phrases and make those the focus for the next step.

Step 2 – Edit a listing

Take your keyword phrases and make them the first words in your product title. For example – I want to rank for the phrases blog button, blog design and blog buttons.

Google AdWords told me that “blog button” is the most highly searched phrase, so I’m going to give it top priority and put it at the front of the title.

Step 3 – Flesh out your title

By putting your top phrase at the front of your listing, you’ve satisfied the demands of the search engine. I find it helpful to place a colon (those two dots that are the eyes of a smiley face) after the keyword phrase. There’s nothing magical about the colon, it just helps me break from the key phrase and move on to the descriptions. You could just as easily use a dash, or leave punctuation out of the picture. It’s personal preference.

Dedicate the rest of your title to adding descriptive words – colors, materials, etc. You can also add secondary keyword phrases.

Going back to my listing example I throw in the other two key phrases and tell the buyer what they will get with their purchase.

Blog Buttons: Match Your Blog Design with 10 Social Media Buttons.

Step 4 – Edit your description

Using the same keyword phrases from your title, put it one or two times in the first paragraph of your description. Write the rest of the post how you would normally describe it to a potential buyer. This step doesn’t help for Etsy relevancy, but does help you rank on Google – and heck – who wouldn’t love to hit page 1 of a Google search??!!

Step 5 – Edit your tags

Make sure you repeat your exact key phrases in your tags. Don’t split up the words in individual tags. If you are trying to rank for “goat milk soap” then make that the whole phrase your tag. It’s hard to tell by looking at the page source how exactly tags fit into relevancy, but from what I read from Etsy Admin, keyword phrases in tags that match the titles boost relevancy.

That’s it! Easy-peasy (just a little time consuming).

Do this for each listing in your shop, coming up with unique key phrases for each of your unique products. To test it, type your key phrase into the search bar. I have had changes show up immediately, I’ve also had changes take a few days to take effect – just be patient with it and play with a variety of keywords.

Filed Under: Etsy, Marketing Plan, Uncategorized

Six Quick Things You Can Do To Make Your Blog Spiffy

by Natalie 2 Comments

Photo Credit: BoomChick - Click the Pic and Visit Her on Etsy

If you have an Etsy shop, you probably have a blog. How’s it looking right now? Spic and span? Or is a little housekeeping in order? Here are six quick things you can do to instantly improve the look and feel of your blog.

#1 – 14 is the new 12

No, not dress sizes, sorry. Font size. More and more people are reading blogs on smaller and smaller devices. Boosting your font size up a couple of points will also boost your readability.

#2 – Go mobile

Speaking of small devices – adding a mobile theme to your blog is really easy. Your blog will automatically detect if someone is using their phone to view your blog and switch to a mobile friendly layout.

For WordPress I recommend the WPTouch plugin (it’s what I use). On Blogger, go to your dashboard and select the “email & mobile” tab. Then click “Yes, show mobile template.”

#3 – Spring clean your sidebar

Ads, badges, blog bling – it all has its place, but if it’s flashing and moving and spilling down your sidebar it’s distracting your readers from your main goals. Time to declutter!

Prioritize your sidebar and keep only the things that make you money or increase your readership and social proof. Highest priority should go to your email newsletter form, social media buttons, sites you’ve been featured on. Don’t forget to link to your Etsy shop.

Other people’s blog badges don’t make the grade in my book. But if you want to be a nice, other-people-promoting blogger – dedicate a whole page to blog badges and link to it in your sidebar or top navigation bar.

#4 -Don’t harsh the bloggy buzz.

In the blog world, there’s nothing worse than reading an awesome post and having to go through the bloggy version of airport security before leaving a comment. Gag! CAPTCHA and other spam catchers that make the reader do the work – these are total comment killers.

Spam comments are equally annoying for the blog owner, so the Askimet plugin for WordPress is totally worth the 5 bucks a month. Blogger has an automatic spam filtering system where they send suspicious comments to the spam box and your readers won’t see them. Google rolled this out last year, pretty much making CAPTCHA unnecessary.

#5 Get in the left lane

I don’t know how the center-justify craze got started, but I am on a one-woman mission to end it once and for all! For the love of Pete, please left-justify your blog post content. I know that centering everything is super fun and cutesy, but it is sooooooo much harder to read.

Because I didn’t want this point to just be a peevish rant, I asked my optometrist (ok, so he’s also my husband) why reading centered text is so hard. Here’s his professional take:

Centered text only works well for listed items, where they eye isn’t doing any back and forth motion. When you are reading sentences and paragraphs, your eye wants to go back to the same place on the page each time it starts a new line. Since centered text starts in different places the reader ends up losing their place and getting frustrated.

#6 Try some fun web fonts

Have you discovered Google Webfonts? It’s super easy in Blogger – they’re right there in the design tool. You can also download them and use them in Word or Photoshop.

WordPress is a bit trickier…but if you are dying to know how to install them, let me know and I’ll make a post. I use them for my headings and subheadings and I used them for a blog overhaul I did for Constant Chatter.

Filed Under: Blogging, Etsy, Social Media, Uncategorized, What Not to Do

Why 10-Cent Wing Night Rocks and Groupon Doesn’t

by Natalie 5 Comments

In my last newsletter I talked about having a 10-cent wing night. It’s an awesome way to get customers to try you out and the perfect opportunity for you to upsell.

(If you don’t get my weekly newsletter, you should sign up — over there on the right. It’s always fresh, new content, different from what you get on the blog and 100 percent focused on marketing your biz.)

It raised some good questions and it got me thinking why I recommend 10-cent wing night but I think Groupon is a total business killer.

Groupon hurts more than it helps

Groupon has a huge list, they get your company in front of tens of thousands of eyes. It can be pretty tempting.

You probably know how it works – you offer your services or product at half-off. Groupon takes half of your sales as their cut and leaves you with 25 percent of your regular asking price.

I’ve read horror stories of photographers running all over town to shoot their 200 Groupon sittings for less than the gas it takes them to drive to the location.

When Groupon works

Ironically I just saw a Groupon deal that worked for the business. A haunted mansion-turned-restaurant/hotel in Colorado Springs offered a $20 Groupon for $40 towards a four-course meal. A click to their website shows the meals regularly run $30 to $60 a plate.

The deal is perfectly structured in the restaurant’s favor. Since you will probably go to the haunted restaurant with your sweetie (either for the romance or protection), they are nearly guaranteed a second, full-price meal ticket. They’ll also make a killing on the wine. The upsell opportunities make it a win-win for them — more customers from the Groupon advertisement with the reassurance they won’t lose their shirts.

The difference is in the upsell

When you are planning your 10-cent offering, the key is to determine the upsell in advance.

If you offer new customers a screamin’ deal, what are they giving you in return?

This isn’t something you can afford to leave to chance. It’s got to be a part of the plan from the get-go.

For example:

You’re a jeweler offering a free pair of earrings – with the purchase of a necklace.
You’re a photographer waiving your sitting fee – this comes with an 8×10 of one pose, and you know from experience that you can upsell the additional poses and multiple prints.
You’re a seamstress selling fabric headbands at cost – if your customer joins your mailing list.

Future contact is an upsell

Getting permission to market directly to a person is an upsell that will keep them in the loop for future purchases. But it’s one you have to closely monitor and you have to have the infrastructure in place for it. Facebook likes are okay – but you still have to wait for the customer to come to you and depending on their engagement, your posts may not make it to their page.

Email is best. It’s permission for you to go directly to the customer. You’ll know if they are getting the message and you can even monitor if they are opening it. Even cooler – you will know if someone clicks to buy from your email.

If you email at least twice a month for six months, but don’t see repeat sales from the 10-cent wings customers, then it’s time to switch tactics until you find something that does work.

It’s really tempting to give away services and products to get more eyes on your shop. If you have the upsell in place, it will be a win-win for you and your customers. If not, it could be a disaster with you working for free and resenting it. So if you’re going to do a 10-cent wing night – plan for success!

I’d love to know what 10-cent wings you have offered and how it has worked. Or if you have an idea you want to bounce off the group – leave it in the comments.

Filed Under: Etsy, Uncategorized, Why Email?

Where to Get Hard to Find Social Media Buttons

by Natalie 1 Comment

…Ummm…

You can find them in my Etsy shop.

If you are looking for everyday buttons, I have tons of those.

If you are looking for Pinterest, Klout or Google+ buttons…

…I can help you.

If you want them to match your blog and look all pretty (because after all you are a creative type and you like everything to match)…

…I can help you with that too.

And if you are on a budget and don’t want to spend a lot of dough because, well heck, you can get buttons for free (allbeit, not very cute ones)…

…I can even help with that.

For a limited time a set of 4 buttons made to match your blog is only $1. Why so cheap? It’s my version of 10 cent wing night. And it’s doing exactly what it should…introducing great crafters and bloggers to Moxie Tonic.

And while that’s awesome, some of you came by me through other routes so it’s a deal that I need to extend to you too.

The most important buttons on your site

Social media buttons are essential. Some people aren’t really blog readers. Or they find you once but don’t know how to come back to you. If you offer them ways to connect to you on Facebook and Twitter or subscribe to an RSS feed (sometimes it helps to let people know how this works)…

…Viola!

You will never be far from them.

Also, as a creative entrepreneur it’s vitally important to showcase your creative superpowers on Pinterest, Flickr, Tumblr and Etsy Treasuries. Taking the time to do this builds your brand in powerful ways.

Moxie Tonic buttons in the wild

If you want to get some of your very own matchy buttons, please head over to my Etsy shop. If you’d like to see some buttons in their natural habitat – here are some links to a few customers who not only have my buttons, they also have tremendous blogs.

Etincelle Creative Studios

Polka Daisies Boutique

Ally Lopez

Soapendipity

A Year With Mom and Dad

Filed Under: Etsy, Social Media, Uncategorized

A Fresh New Look

by Natalie 3 Comments

Yippie!

Finally – Moxie Tonic doesn’t look like some boring corporate blog.

When I originally designed the site I was planning to focus on a more corporate market. Hence the stark blue and orange with the boring font and the boring everything. Then I switched gears, decided to have fun and was having so much fun writing about creative ventures there was no time to whip things into shape.

But finally everything is matching

Well, almost everything. A few little tweaks are needed. They will come. Sooner or later. Here’s hoping it’s sooner!

In the meantime, I’d love your feedback. Do you like the new look? Is it readable? Anything you would have me change?

P.S. Don’t forget to enter Annie’s giveaway of a free glass pendant necklace kit! The giveaway ends on Thursday.

Filed Under: Etsy, Marketing Plan, Uncategorized

Etsy Shops With Moxie: Annie Howes

by Natalie 13 Comments

Be the expert in what you do. Be kind, be generous with your communications, be honest, be yourself and all the rest will follow. –Annie Howes of AnnieHowes on Etsy

Annie is offering a wonderful giveaway with this feature — this beautiful kit that makes six glass pendant necklaces. I’ve ordered from Annie before and can attest that your necklaces will turn out equally beautiful. To enter the giveaway, read the interview and leave your comment.

Annie Howes is settling in to her new surroundings – having gone from the woods to the desert and trading riding horses for riding bikes. She’s busy searching for new adventures in Arizona while trying to keep a balance between family and business – which is can’t be easy considering the huge success of her Etsy shop.

Annie is used to moving – having lived in Guam, Florida, Martha’s Vineyard and Kentucky in the space of 5 years. While in Kentucky the Howes lived in a rural area where she didn’t stand much of a chance to find work as an art director. So, she took her small online business to Etsy and from there…

…well, I’ll let her take over telling the story.

How did you develop your shop idea?

In late winter of 2008, I realized my first big idea: I could be a teacher. On Etsy, I would receive more questions about my technique and materials, and more requests from others on how I took my photographs. I paid attention to what I was hearing and took action by developing a unique product that would satisfy the desires of those who wanted to learn a new technique, or wanted to refine their technique.

After a few weeks of testing and procuring all the components, and designing the tutorial and taking the photos, and assembling the product, I launched the first DIY Pendant Kit. In addition to kits, I began a branding process of supplies which now include several supply items: Glamour Glaze, Glamour Glue, Luxe Jewelry Resin, and Bella Paint for Glass.

My focus is to provide the best quality products at a reasonable price with knowledgeable assistance because I know how frustrating and expensive it can be to learn a new process. My studio is part selling and part testing. I specialize in helping the customer get what they need and learn how to do it with minimal waste of their resources. If you want quality over quantity, I can help. If you want quantity over quality, I offer that, too.

Your blog seems to be a big part of your shop and marketing. How have you used it to push your business forward?

The best blog material has been offering advice on what products and processes have worked for me in what I do as an artist. I have a tutorial on there for making Scrabble tile pendants, a tutorial on how to adjust photographs for listings. I also like to give people a sense of who I am. If I have a few moments, and a photo to share, I get to the blog. I think if you run a blog, it’s really important to include at least one photo or image, mix that with tips, and ideas, as well as something personal and people will want to read it.

How did you find and decide on your suppliers for your kit items (like your bails, glue, glazes, etc.)?

I spent a lot of time researching companies. I’ve asked a myriad of questions and tested quite a few products under different conditions. I work with specific manufactures to develop formulas that will meet the needs of my customers, those who prefer to use safe, non-toxic products that will last a lifetime. If I find a product doesn’t fit the profile of a quality item, I discontinue it. I don’t want to do a disservice to anyone, neither the customer nor myself, by offering a product that will fail in 3-6 months.

What do you use for marketing? What do you think is the most effective? [Read more...]

Filed Under: Etsy, Etsy Shops with Moxie, Marketing Plan, Uncategorized

Etsy Shop Feature & Giveaway: Hand Knit Pet Clothing by Jenya2

by Natalie 7 Comments

In the dead of summer, in the middle of a huge heat wave, it’s hard to remember what it was like to be cold. But winter will come again, and when it does we’ll have to bundle up to keep warm. So will your furry little friends. That’s where Jenya comes in.

She hand knits doggy sweaters. They are amazingly cute with fabulous colors.

Jenya’s shop has been open since November and she is off to a great start. I imagine only good thing are coming for her as the weather cools down and people start thinking about keeping Fluffy warm through the winter.

If you don’t have a dog, no worries – Jenya offers several other hand-knit items. Like this beautiful, original design necklace that she is giving away as part of this blog feature. Please see the bottom of the post for details on entering the giveaway.

Tell us a little about you and about your shop.

I offer hand knit one of a kind original design pet sweaters, vests and jackets.

How did you start making your products?

It started as a hobby, knitting pet sweaters for my local shelter and family and friends.

What excites you about your craft/art?

What excites me is the creative process. The colors and textures of the yarn. I often start a project without an exact design in mind and let it evolve as I go along. Those projects are the most exciting for me.

Where do your draw your inspiration?

I live in the beautiful Hudson Valley where I find inspiration in the peace and tranquility of nature and wildlife.

What makes your shop unique?

What makes my shop unique, is that I feel that my work reflects my personality. I put a lot of myself into each design.

How do you advertise your shop?

I advertise on Twitter, FB and my blog, and also on the forums and teams.

What is your most effective marketing tool?

A positive attitude!

You can find Jenya on Etsy and at her blog.

To enter the giveaway – leave a comment below. Double entry if you also leave a comment on Jenya’s blog (just come back here and say that you did it – scout’s honor!) and one more entry if you pop over to the Moxie Tonic Facebook page and give us a like.

Good luck!

Filed Under: Etsy, Uncategorized