Sweetz Shoppe

Working on some new items

2008-06-06T10:48:00.004-04:00

Yes, finally for my shop I'm working on new items! These are just a couple of the one's I've been working on:

I really love the fact that I can offer electronic forms of these as well as printable versions! Sweetz Shoppe Paperie is doing its best to be GREEN and environmentally friendly! Don't forget to stop by and view more of my creations.

New Blog!

2008-05-30T01:25:00.003-04:00

I came across this really cute blog today and just thought to share. Its a young woman sharing her relationship ordeals and such, it really seems to be getting off to a good start!

http://moagf.blogspot.com/

New Items

2008-05-23T16:43:00.005-04:00

Floral Save the Date featured in my shop(I love those flowers!)

Daisy Save the Date featured in my shop

Cute Happy Birthday Card featured in my shop

What I call the Mod Flower b-day card...I think its a cute name(tee hee!)

Just a couple of new items in my Etsy shop ~> Sweetz Shoppe Paperie

Card of the Day

2008-05-19T12:01:00.001-04:00

So cute!

Long time no post...I'm back

2008-05-17T11:39:00.002-04:00

Yes, I'm back! I've been gone a while, but all is well and I'm so happy to be back on the scene. Things got really hectic for me in April, between my b-day and graduating from college, there just wasn't much time for too much of anything. Anyhow, I'm going to be doing cards and such full-time, well outside of work and other life priorities. I'm so excited and looking forward to posting, creating, and networking with everyone this summer. I really hope its a successful summer for all of us and that we also have tons of FUN!

Be sure to check back to new posts, fun pics, and so much more!!! :-)

New in Sweetz Shoppe Paperie

2008-03-29T19:57:00.006-04:00

Just added these today, just made them last night. I think they are just about the cutest cards I've made in a while.

Orange Ribbon Tie Congratulations Set

Hot Pink Floral Congratulations Card Set

Sherbet Orange & Kelly Green Thank Card Set

So its been a while...

2008-03-28T13:03:00.003-04:00

and I've been so so busy with classes. I'll be graduating in just 6 short weeks, which doesn't leave much time for any of my hobbies. That's okay though, because come the summertime I'll be full throttle cardmaking and crafting. I'm conjuring up new ideas everyday and when I finally get the time to sit down and make them real, I'll finally be able to show them to the world. The weather here is getting lovely and I'm just so excited! It's nothing like a beautiful Spring day to get your spirits up!

Happy Spring Friday to everyone!

Just thought to add another since it was pretty!

Happy Easter!

2008-03-21T23:37:00.001-04:00

Just wanted to wish everyone a:

Success!

2008-03-21T23:24:00.004-04:00

Its what I've been having lately. I will say that I have been selling on that "other site" and have been twice as successful in a shorter period of time. I love Etsy, but its still growing and in my opinion is starting to get over concentrated with a lot of the same thing. Now, don't get me wrong, I love the originality of the idea of Etsy and there are some absolutely wonderful original works and pieces listed on Etsy. However, I do think that it is a little too much of 'too many people selling too much of the same thing'. This goes back to my idea of over concentration of the Etsy marketplace. In due time I believe that Etsy will become even more popular and will continue to offer new and innovative services, but it needs to broaden its range soon, because there are other "Etsy-like" sites popping up all over the place. Honestly speaking, when it comes to that "other site" there's no other site that can compete with it. It has monopolized the Internet-auction based selling genre of e-commerce and right now it seems like the place to be.

I'm not the least bit bitter about my experience on Etsy. I've known of sellers that have been on it for a year and still haven't sold and item or had much success. I think anytime we dive into a new venture in life, that we are excited about it and want the absolute best overcome from it. I will remain on Etsy, buying & selling, because I believe in what it stands for- An appreciate of handmade goods, which is definitely something that "other site" doesn't focus on, then again it doesn't have to.

Just sounding off a bit...feel free to comment!

Environmentally Friendly...Whoo Hoo!

2008-03-18T17:15:00.002-04:00

I've decided to take part in being a little more green, socially and environmentally responsible, so now Sweetz Shoppe Paperie is officially environmentally friendly. All Invites & Save The Date Cards are available in an electronic format, for e-mailing or sending electronically any other way. Please e-mail me at SweetzShoppe@gmail.com or convo me if interested, have questions, or want further details.

:-)

Sunday, Sundae, Sundayyyyy....

2008-03-16T12:21:00.005-04:00

It so nice to be able to wake to a nice sunshine today. I mean today is Sunday. Next Sunday is Easter and I'm really trying to decided whether to make a couple of Easter cards. I think I have enough materials to make a set or two, but I'm not really sure if its worth it. I'm really trying to see what's worth it to list and what's not. I have about 10 or so cards that I've yet to post just because. Last night I had what I think at first was "cardmakers block". I started making this set of cards and I don't know what I was doing, but they did not turn how to look how I thought they were going to. I ripped all the paper and embellishments over and stashed everything else away for the next time I decided to do some cardmaking. I did, however, end up with a really cute set of birthday cards.

I was actually browsing the web last night trying to figure out how to make handmade envelopes. Its not that I didn't know how to make them, but I really want to start making nice ones to go with my cards, instead of just offering the plain white envelopes. I figured out how to make the envelopes, but not I'm just thinking of the adhesive and how to make sure that if I layer white and colorful scrapbook paper, making sure they all edges are crisp and no air bubbles and that everything is secure. I realize that people are going to be mailing these cards, giving them a gifts, and what not and I'm a stickler for high quality products. I don't want anyone purchasing something of mines and getting it and it fall apart. I would feel so terrible if that happened. Anyhow, as I digress, I'm working on new cards for my shop, and hopefully I'll have sometime to make some more tags and mini cards. I really wanna offer more than just cards and want my shop to be very well-rounded, but not all over the place. I definitely wanna keep it centered around paper goods.

It was so funny last night when I took out all of my card making materials and realized why I hadn't made any cards in two weeks. Because I realized that again for the umpteenth time that its a pain to clean it all back up. I do laundry now and it sits in the dryer, clothes are everywhere in my room, and schoolwork, well let's not even talk about that. I will say however, that i have a system to cleaning up my card making mess. I bought clear storage containers last month and they have really helped me to keep things organized and clean up easier. However, its still a pain to rollover of paper shreds, ribbon, and buttons while sleeping. Anyhow, cleanup is never the fun part of anything. I bake probably more than I make cards and the clean-up for that is just as bad and takes a lot longer. It seems like the things that make us most happiest, are the things that either require the most maintenance or clean-up, even relationships, but that's another blog for another day!

If Only It Could Get Better

2008-03-16T01:30:00.003-04:00

Now that Spring Break is here I have some time to make some cards and conjure up new ideas for items for my shop. I'm constantly striving to improve my shop so that i am not only more satisfied with it, but so that shoppers are too! With Spring literally just 4 day away, I'm hoping my shop can do a turn around be be more successful with the new season. I was on Jo Ann's.com and found some really awesome supplies that I want to invest in, but I had to restrain myself. I was getting over excited again, like I did when I went on my Hobby Lobby rampage. I spent wayyy too much money! Now I feel like I really need to get on the cardmaking, because I have so many supplies. I went to Michael's about 2 weeks ago and stocked up on some of their $1 items, including some really nice ribbon. I plan on using a lot it on custom orders as well as on my cards. If only Spring Break were longer, but I'll be graduating soon and will have more time to dedicate to crafting. Well, at least I hope so with all the job interviews I hope to be going on! Wish me luck! :-)

Drop by Sweetz Shoppe sometime & visit, lot's of new items listed and more will be added throughout the week.

Card of the Day

2008-03-10T12:04:00.003-04:00

Yet another one... :-)

Visit Sweetz Shoppe on Etsy to see more!

Busy as a Bee

2008-03-10T12:00:00.002-04:00

That's what I've been lately, from being preoccupied with school and graduating to dealing with lots of personal things going on it my life. I'll make this short and probably be back later to finish, b/c I have to be to work in a little bit. Anyway, its been a rough few months for me as far as business goes, but I've been able to learn and create so much during this time. I hope eventually that people will start to appreciate them and possibly take me up on a card or two. Blogging has become a once or twice a week type of activity, pretty much its fallen by the wayside. I'm trying to get back to updating my blog at least every other day, but we'll see. Anyhow, just a little low down on how I've been.~

So many ideas...

2008-03-05T13:44:00.005-05:00

I've been experimenting with a couple of new invitation designs and I just wanted to show them off. The invitation thing is a new venture for me, I'm trying to it out to see how it goes. Its so much fun creating them and although they've been my focus lately, I still love my handmade greeting cards. I actually have a couple of new one listed in my shop http://sweetz.etsy.com/, check 'em out and let me know what you think. I also have my invites list and am ready to get cranking on them. Anyhow, hadn't blogged in a while and just wanted to drop a line. Happy Wednesday! :-)

What Next...

2008-02-27T14:00:00.006-05:00

That seems to be the road I'm going down. In recent weeks I added invitations and save the date cards to my shop and my mind is constantly going and thinking of more items to add. I know that with the coming of spring and summer that weddings, bridal, and baby showers are all in season. I haven't made many handmade cards lately, however I know I'll be crafting some up this weekend. Honestly, I can crank a set of invites or save the dates in less time than it takes me to make my cards, and that's especially good with finishing up school and all. This weekend will be a pretty hectic one with visiting Mom and getting taxes done, to attending a friend's b-day, partying, and driving back down to school to go to work on Sunday night (we have a major floorset, we're launching a brand new fragrance). I'm really enjoying what I'm doing now and I just hope that people appreciate it in the same way if not more than I do.

Another one of my newest Save the Date creations:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9864474

Save the Dates

2008-02-25T14:08:00.008-05:00

Yes I've done it again, added something new to my shop. I've just been coming up with so many good ideas to display my range that I keep adding. I'm so excited to add yet another addition(Save the Date cards) to my shop, Save the Date cards. I've dived into Baby and Bridal Shower invites and now I'm upping the ante and giving Save the Dates a go. This new endeavor will add even more variety to my shop and show off my desktop and handmade skills as well. Check 'em out, this particular set comes in 3 different styles.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9815066

If interested in purchasing, please visit my Etsy shop Sweetz Shoppe Paperie or e-mail SweetsShoppe@gmail.com

Card of the Day

2008-02-23T15:59:00.003-05:00

Another one of my newest items!

Front-sides:

Backs:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9767525

For more details on purchasing please check out Sweetz Shoppe Paperie on Etsy or contact me at SweetzShoppe@gmail.com

New to my shop...

2008-02-22T14:28:00.010-05:00

Invitations! And I'm so excited to begin this new endeavor. I love the idea of being able to customize something to someones specifications. I can tell I will really enjoy it, because I'll be able to mix my handmade crafting skills with my printing and publishing skills. I've always enjoyed printing up fliers, invites, and other paper media, but this time I can use so much more of my card making and crafting skills. I'm very very excited about this new idea and I just hope that its a success. Check out my Etsy shop listing for details:http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9745418

Here's one of my samples:

It's a double sided invite and can be customized by color, typeface(font), picture/clipart, etc...

Card of the Day

2008-02-18T12:21:00.006-05:00

Here's another one!

I'm so proud of this card, its gotten a pretty good # of views in a short period of time compared to some of my other cards. I've also gotten a lot of great comments about it. It's one of a kind at the moment, but if anyone would be interested in a set, please don't hestitate to contact me at SweetzShoppe@gmail.com or convo me on Etsy (Sweetz)

Its that time of the year again...Wedding Season

2008-02-18T12:08:00.005-05:00

Are any of you guys creating any wedding themed crafts? Have any custom wedding orders? I've been seeing an increase in the # of items posted and conversations about wedding themed items. I've never crafted anything for any one's wedding, however it does seem like a cool thing to do. Although I love to make cards, I'm not quite sure I'm ready to take on someones invitations or other wedding dealings. I take my hat off to those of you who do.

Are there any current trends in the wedding/special occasion industry that are currently on the scene?

What's your take on crafting products for weddings?

I Finally got a Treasury!

2008-02-17T16:23:00.001-05:00

Check it out!
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=29237

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

2008-02-14T22:35:00.001-05:00

I hope everyone had a marvelous one. ♥

Card of the Day

2008-02-13T12:08:00.008-05:00

Just finished these last night, very proud of myself.

Available in my Etsy shop now: Sweetz Shoppe

When Do You Shop?

2008-02-13T12:02:00.006-05:00

I was just on the Etsy Community Forums in the Crafting & Business section and someone posted a thread that asked when majority of people did their shopping on Etsy. I saw in a thread yesterday that someone asked when majority of sellers list new items. From what I hear the best time to list new items on Etsy would be between 12-3 pm on a given day. ON the weekends, however, I hear that it is a good time to list any time throughout the weekend, because more people have to time to surf the net then and catch up my their Internet activities. This is crucial for anyone who is both a buyer and a seller, because as buyers we want to see the most recent, updated, and newest items, yet as a seller we want to know those peak times for selling. Anyhow, just thought that this was something to try to get to the bottom of. I hear that Etsytools.com is a valuable resource for all the stats that Etsy produces as far as buying, selling, peak time for both, and so on and so forth.

What do you guys think about this? Are you concerned about peak times? When your new items? When to shop for the most recently posted?

I will be following up on this post! I think we will all find some tips on when to buy and sell.

Happy Anniversary to Me!

2008-02-11T13:45:00.000-05:00

Today's my b/f's and I three year anniversary, whoo hoo, we made it!
***Tidbit from my personal life.***

Crafting in the 2008

2008-02-11T13:13:00.002-05:00

Do you think you will craft more this year than last year? I definitely I know I will. I got a late start to crafting last year, but it gave me the motivation to go into this year's crafting full swing. I know I'm busy with trying to graduate and whatnot, but I have a serious case of Senioritis. Crafting de-stresses me and calms my mind from all the studying, however its also time consuming. Anyhow, as I digress...getting back to the real topic, do you see yourself doing the majority of your crafting now? Or later, like around during the holidays?

Do you join a lot of websites and groups for your crafting?

2008-02-08T15:58:00.001-05:00

There are so many Yahoo! Groups and Google groups dedicated to crafting. I've join a couple as a part of my Street Teams, and a few others just for the heck of it and exposure. I didn't realize when I came back to the world of crafting that it would be so vast in outlets for it. Its amazing to see just how many people actually craft. Majority of the groups I've joined have been specifically for card making or scrapbooking. It crazy to see how many people do the same thing you do. Kinda keeps on on my toes, while getting ideas.

What do you think about websites like Squidoo, Flickr, Ning, Yahoo & Google groups?
Is it worth it to join one?
If you are apart of one, do you enjoy it?

Card of the Day

2008-02-08T15:56:00.000-05:00

Another one of my creations!

Available in my Etsy Shop: Sweetz Shoppe

Card of the Day

2008-02-04T12:27:00.001-05:00

This is a cute set of mini cards I created. They are multi-purpose, any occassion cards and are great for the upcoming Spring & Summer.

Available in my Etsy Shop: SweetzShoppe

Ebay vs Etsy...is it really even a competition?

2008-01-31T17:24:00.001-05:00

I've been seeing lately where Ebay has lowered their fees and that potentially a slew of Etsians are going to selling over at Ebay. I, myself am not sure what exactly sure what I want to do. I know Ebay is lowering their fees, but the duration of Ebay's listing period maxes out at 10 days where as Etsy let's you list an item for maximum of 4 months. Listing on Ebay will definitely get a seller more views and recognition, but you gamble with the idea of your listing expiring before you sell in a shorter time frame. Etsy has spurts from what I've come to realize, where sales peak. Over a 4 month period you could potentially sell a good bit depending on these spurts. On Etsy there's a lot of promoting and self advertising to do, on Ebay not as much.

Which one do you prefer or has had the most success on?

Promote less, craft more...

2008-01-30T16:36:00.000-05:00

That's what I've been seeing throughout the forums on Etsy. It seems as if everyone is getting a tad bit, or maybe more frustrated with their lackluster sales. There are so many good products out there for sale and no one is buying. Its January and tax returns will be coming up in Feb, but how do we stay encouraged until then? Do we just keep crafting or do we take this downtime to promote. If we craft we're using supplies and materials, however if we promote we're using time.

How much do you promote versus crafting and vice versa?

Card of the Day

2008-01-28T14:59:00.000-05:00

I think that these are just the cutest:

Available Now in my Etsy Shop: Sweetz Shoppe

So I haven't blogged in a while...

2008-01-28T12:30:00.000-05:00

Last week was a crazy busy week..sorry guys! I was doing so good, and then I got super busy. I think i only blogged like once last week...yesh! Between school, work, and having to drive 3 hrs home and back down to school again in 2 days really took a toll on me this weekend. I didn't have much time for any card-making or Etsying. I did however make a set of 2 cards that I will be featuring in my Card of the Day post later today. Just wanted to drop a line and say hey!

Card of the Day

2008-01-21T15:30:00.001-05:00

This card comes from a V-day set, it is one of 4 cards themed with pinwheels and polka dots. It is embellished with proxy stickers with pink and red rub-ons. It is one of my fave card sets that I've made.

Available for sale in my Etsy shop, please visit it if you are interested in this card or any of my other cards. Sweetz Shoppe on Etsy

What will you be crafting next?

2008-01-21T15:07:00.000-05:00

I know since classes have started back for me, that my crafting will probably come to a slight halt. I enjoyed making cards over the holidays, but I'm graduating in May and I'll have to focus on my studies for the rest of the semester.

I will continue to make cards and other crafts, but I will most likely spend my free time stocking up on supplies and organizing them. This will be the best use of my time, because when I get back into the full swing of card making later in the Spring I will have an array of supplies and will be able to make even more impressive cards. Hopefully, these cards will be more sell-worthy than my current cards(still waiting on that first sale).

Don't get me wrong, I will still be making cards, just not as consistently as I'm making them now. I actually plan on extending my crafting to tag-making and other paper crafts also, but I need the time and money to do so.

So I pose the question, what will you be doing now that the holidays are over? Work, school, crafting, saving up for that summer vacation?

Card of the Day

2008-01-17T22:20:00.000-05:00

It's been a lonnngggg....day!

Here's another one:

If you are interested in purchasing this card please contact via e-mail at sweetzshoppe@gmail.com or visit Sweetz Shoppe on Etsy and convo me.

Card of the Day

2008-01-16T14:12:00.001-05:00

This is one of my very first cards, I think it might have literally been the second card I ever made.

If you are interested in purchasing this card please contact via e-mail at sweetzshoppe@gmail.com or visit Sweetz Shoppe on Etsy and convo me.

So Many to Choose From

2008-01-15T10:09:00.000-05:00

That's what I've been hearing about dwindling card sales. I figured that this would be a time of the year in which people would be buying a good bit f cards, b/c of Valentine's Day coming and Spring and whatnot. I have a few Valentine cards up, but I didn't want to make a million V-day cards and have them leftover from not selling them. I can always give them to friends if they don't. That's the thing, everyone being worried about making a sale, when in actuality you always have a card for a friend's b-day, special occasion, shower, etc... I know many of us card makers do not make cards to give them away, but if they never sell, what would you do with them? Just a thought I figured I'd put out there.

What a Sweet Card

2008-01-14T22:45:00.000-05:00

I just finished this one and I have to say I'm pretty proud of myself. Just wanted to share with everyone!

If you are interested in purchasing this card or would like to see my other work, feel free to visit My Shop on Etsy. Or you can contact me via e-mail at sweetzshoppe@gmail.com

Card of the Day

2008-01-14T12:23:00.000-05:00

Here's one of my newest creations:

I think its by far one of my cutest cards I've made since I started card making.

If you are interested in purchasing this card please contact me via e-mail @ sweetzshoppe@gmail.com or if you are on Etsy visit My Shop(sweetz.etsy.com)

Waiting on a Sale(s)

2008-01-14T12:12:00.000-05:00

I don't know how everyone's luck has been lately with making sales, but I've yet to make one. I'm not frustrated or discouraged, as I said in my post yesterday. I was featured in some one's Treasury and that really made me feel really good. I know that in time I will gain more exposure like many of my counterparts. I have a passion for card making and I will continue to make cards no matter what. The key to making a sale is recognition. Many of the top sellers on Etsy and on others sites, makes many of their sales b/c people know who they are and are interested in what they sell. Anyhow, the thought ran across my mind and I just wanted to chat about it for a sec.

Have a wonderful day!

~Tennsley

Card of the Day

2008-01-13T14:25:00.000-05:00

Here's yet another one of my creations:

This sweet set of invitation cards has pastel floral background, embellished with cute baby blue ribbon. I made these cards as demos when I first started card making, but they are by far one of my fave sets.

Slow Business?!?

2008-01-13T14:18:00.000-05:00

I was reading a post of Etsy forums and the poster asked if anyone thought that sales had been slows for card makers. Honestly, I can't really say b/c my shop is still pretty much brand new and so I didn't expect a tremendous amount of sales the first week. I really do hope that I start making sales soon, but through the forum I've found out that some sellers have been trying to make a sale for months now and still haven't. I also have quite a small inventory, in which I'm still deciding on which ones to list. I've a lot of cards that I just haven't posted, but I figured why post all of my cards at one time, instead of posting them gradually, like Etsy suggests that you do. Anyhow, this was on my mind, so I decided to drop a line about it.

Feel free to share you comments.

~Tennsley

Upcoming Craft Shows

2008-01-13T00:33:00.000-05:00

I was surfing around on the net and found some sites that have upcoming craft shows. I thought they'd be interesting to check out.

~Tennsley

Random Acts of Cardmaking

2008-01-12T12:28:00.000-05:00

Here are just some of my other card creations. Some of them are just demos and others are one of a kind(or two of a kind and such). I figured I post them in my blog, because not all of my cards are listed for sale on Etsy. However, if you are interested in purchasing any of the cards posted in my blog please contact via e-mail(sweetzshoppe@gmail.com) or convo me on Etsy.
Although this card is blank, it has a lovely yellow paisley design on the front of it and is embellished with a sweet purple ribbon. This card can easy themed as a thank you card, invitation, or birthday.

This set of card is a "Pretty in Pink" & "Two peas in a Pod."

Cute for a Spring notecard!

Sweetheart Set Valentine Cards

2008-01-11T16:48:00.000-05:00

Sweetheart Set

Set of 6 handmade Feb/Valentine themed cards. Embellished with heart-themed proxy stickers, ribbon, polka dots and pinwheels bright paper. Inside of card, has a blank white message area for you to add your personal touch. Comes with 6 crisp white envelopes.

Cards measurements are 4 1/4 X 5 1/2.
To purchase or view other items I sell visit: Sweetz Shoppe

New Items

2008-01-11T15:53:00.001-05:00

Cutesy Green Garden Notecards

Set of 3 handmade gardening notecards. Embellished with with rustic green paper, green and yellow ribbon, and a yellow and white layered messages.Inside of card has a blank, white area for your personal message.These are a must have for the up coming Spring, especially if you have a friend who loves to garden! All of my cards are 4 1/4 X 5 1/2. Comes with 3 crisp white envelopes.

To purchase or view other items I sell visit: Sweetz Shoppe

Welcome to Sweetz Shoppe

2008-01-11T15:44:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone!

I make handmade crafts, particularly paper crafts, such as cards. They are currently my specialty. Please feel free to check out My Shop on Etsy.com. I will be posting some of my works on this blog as well as keeping you updated with the most current craft news.

Thanx so much for visiting.
Sweetz Shoppe

Stay tuned!

Tennsley