Wednesday, September 2, 2009

♥ Update On My Store AND SALE !!!





First love by jenzet.etsy.com

I had a wonderful time in Singapore and truly enjoy meeting my friends and family ! But I too miss my Beautiful Geek loads! I hate being away from him for so long. I would be back in Shanghai this Sunday and I am looking forward to see him and also my shops!

I am very well rested and thank you mum for all the bird nest!

An update of my stores! Time to CELEBRATE!!!!!


Celebrate Everyday PRINT By jennysbakeshop.etsy.com


I am so in love with this print!!! This shop has loads of beautiful pastry prints! Definitely on my Xmas list!



a) I had moved my fabric button shop to http://en.dawanda.com/shop/OldFashionButtons , I had always like DaWanda and decided to try it out. So far, I love it! Fabulous customers and good selling features!

You can see some of my buttons on the right hand side of the blog. I simply love making them and do look out for my new additions!

b) I had over 4000 sales on Etsy in less than a year and honestly, I am blown away. It is suppose to be a small venture but the support of my regulars and truly nice buyers ever encounter has made selling on Etsy such a joy! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

I am very excited to welcome my baby girl in January and I am preparing to make more room for my nursery ! It is time to clear my inventory as I will be on 2 to 3 months maternity leave.

c) Christmas is coming and I thought it would be nice to help you guys save some money when shopping for craft items or gifts.

Therefore I am throwing a huge sale!

*·.♥.·*´¨IT IS TIME TO CELEBRATE SALE!¨*·.♥.·*´¨

Buy 5 to 19 mix items and get 20% off!
Buy 20 mix items onward and get 25% off!


Do go to my store front page www.retronana.etsy.com and read the announcement or store policies for full details.

Lastly ... you know how I do love to blog but ... seems like China likes to block blogger sites , Facebook and sometimes also Twitter. I am really sad about this as this means I can't blog as much as I like to.

I am still going to keep trying though and hope one day I can blog as often as I want. Meanwhile, I thank you all who visited and shown your support. HUGS!





Saturday, August 22, 2009

♥ Blog, Block, Baby Rocks !



Can you imagine the last time I blog, it was approx 3 months ago??? I was still happily blogging in Melbourne on my birthday ( 18th May) then. I was so excited to be home on the 19th to upload all my find purchases to show you guys. Then... China blocked blogspot.

I just about to have it with the Chinese government sometimes, I mean, there was the Xinjiang situation up north and they told us they have to block Facebook, Twitter and all blogger sites as the "fighters " there seems to use these channel to organize meetings and riots! I do understand how it is vital to contain all the fighting and cut short all communication but seriously ... this is too harsh and too much! I almost cried in exasperation as I love my blog and I had so many fun plans for it!

Now I am in Singapore , resting because *cough* I AM PREGNANT ( YEAH!). I am 5 months and 1 week along now with my baby girl nesting nicely in my tummy. I love being pregnant, I love the process so far and she is such a dear, nary a problem! She is due on the 2nd Jan 2010!

Naturally I am busy resting and planning my nursery and birth plan.

This being said, one can foresee I would be quite away when precious is borne next year. I plan to rest for 2 to 3 months and hence would put my store on vacation mode ( though I bet it is anything but a vacation!).




Prior to that, I will be holding a sale when I am back in September! Look out for my store announcements at www.retronana.etsy.com

I will be back soon to tidy my blog and post some updates! Thanks to those who continue to follow me! I really hope I can continue to blog about my Etsy fabulous finds and more! HUGS!

P/S : Really sorry for any typo or grammar mistakes! Since I am pregnant, it is getting harder and harder to think clearly! LOL. All I want to do is sleep! UURGHS

Monday, May 18, 2009

♥ Bye Melbourne

What can I say. I am totally bliss out these 12 days in Melbourne. 12 days of gorgeous weather, beautiful people, fabulous food and awesome shopping!

I can't wait to leave, because it is all too good !!!!! I can feel myself looking at apartments and asking about migration procedures because it is just so easy to live here! Shanghai would bring me back to reality fast with the crazy traffic, loud talking and all the vehicles honking.

I am all packed, looks like 35 kg! For some reason, I got a student air ticket and I can have 40 kg!!!!! Betcha all I make sure I utilize every gram!

I can't wait to see Beautiful Geek and Halley Boo. I did not think I would miss my kitten but I did very much! I want to hug him ( still the kitten) so badly! I really really am amaze by my husband who actually called me everyday to chat! This is not our style but I feel really nice to hear his voice every night before I sleep. Thanks baby.

Loads of work to do too. Let's see by 25th May..

1) Unpack, wash, clean
2) Pack orders and ship orders.
3) Loads of new inventory to list!
4) Make appt with my beautician for my facial
5) Do my French homework!
6) Prepare for my next English class
7) Pay bills!!!!
8) Buy groceries
9) Book appt for Halley's vaccination


Hmmm..... maybe.... I should take a longer vacation!




Thursday, May 14, 2009

♥ Good Things Comes To Those Who Wait 15% SALE!

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Hello all!!!! I am still in Melbourne and really having a fantastic time! This city is awesome awesome awesome!!!!  I shall blog my heart out about my finds next week with all the pictures!

Meanwhile since the shops close at 6 pm, it gives me some time to tidy up all  my stores inventory and do some work.  I would be holding a 15% off Good Thing Comes To Those Who Wait Sale!   from 15th May to 20st May.  

The catch is that I can only ship your items on the 21st May.

This is my third such sales and I am always glad to hold it! I mean, I have quite a few emails this time asking when my stores would be open. I always thought it was nice of buyers to remember me! This 15% is a way of thanks for waiting!

So do drop by my two stores on the 15th May !


If you are buying from my two stores reassures I will combined shipping. All the due discount and shipping would be refunded to you within 24 hours via Paypal!

So, hope to see you guys and thanks to all the lovely emails!!! *HUGS



Sunday, May 10, 2009

♥ HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

HUGS ALL! I am in Melbourne for the 4th day now and I must say  I am so busy shopping here ( loads of great buys!) that I almost forgotten about Mother's Day.

So to all of you guys, I wish you and your family a great day.:)

I am exhausted ! Just shopped straight for the last 6 hours! Don't worry, I will show you guys what I have bought when I get back! 

HUGS!!!!

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

♥ Down Under Down Under I Go Down Under !





Love this luggage bag! So quaint!!! She as loads of even prettier ones in her store!

Ok, flying off to Melbourne today. I am all packed and very excited! I feel young again. Yes, I know I am not that old but I felt like 20 years old again, with my trusty backpack! Ever wonder what does a Singaporean pack in her bag? *smirk* Tell you, Singaporeans have got to be the best packer ever! 

Consider the case of my mother dearest. This lady had never once flew on an airplane all her 55 years of her blessed  life. Her first trip was a grueling 14 hours flight to Paris on a a wintery January for my wedding. I was worried to death about her and keep nagging her to pack more warm clothes  and heat packs. Well, I should not , see my mum WITHOUT advice , WITHOUT A GUIDEBOOK, on her OWN , packed the usual and

a) rubber bands 

b) loads of safety pins which she use to pin her money packed in a small plastic bag to  the inside of her pant's pocket. 

Honestly, this bracelet is really way cool. I can look good and if I need a safety pin, voila !

c) 2kg of rice which honestly guaranteed the survival of my father, auntie too. I mean, they cannot eat bread everyday like the French! LOL! 


I love these pretty rice bags! Another good travel item! I can first use it to rest my neck or back. Then if I am homesick and miss rice, I can open it and cook the grains inside!

Moi, for my Australia trip, I always am very proud of my packing skills and this time I would be staying in a mix dorm hostel ( I told my God sister this is like a fabulous opportunity to observe various human behaviors and learn about one's own too).  I had

a) 3 different sizes of locks for locking my valuable in the lockers givens.

b) 3 universal plugs. Why 3 if it is already universal in the first place?Anyway  I am lazy to remove the other two from my backpack.

c) Loads of plastic bags and ziplock bags


Next time, I swear I would buy these reusable bags! I never though it can come in so many colors, prints and awesome prices!!!! 

d) a pair of flip flops for those shared bathroom. It is important to really air your feet and keep them dry at a shared bathroom!!!



Pretty pretty pretty! It is always nice to have something pretty to wear on travel.

e) First Aid, I have enough to treat for insomnia to gonorrhea ( I do not ever have gonorrhea but someone else might) . LOL!

f) A cloth mouth mask to protect myself from , heard that whooping cough is doing it's round there. I know I know there is little chance of me catching it but I have a responsibility to make sure I am healthy. After all, there really isn't that much true blooded Singaporean on this planet you know.

g) I always believe when backpacking, one should allow oneself one luxury item. Once I pack my LV small handheld tote as my luxury item to Nepal.. yeah... not smart.. but because it can be frightening at night ( gunshots heard!) , I hug it for comfort.  

I also once packed my favorite diamond ring on a trip to Europe, did not wear it at all, everyone's seems to have bigger diamond ring than me. LOL. This time, I am bring my hair dryer!!! Honestly, to be able to have warm wind blowing around my head for 5 minutes after shower in winter is like the greatest treat of all!

So sweeties, thanks for checking in and for reading my blog. I would try to update in a few days with my fab finds on this trip.

Oh yes, look check it my store in 16th May , if all goes well, I should have my 3rd Good Thing Comes To Those Who Wait sale.  If I can't find very secure internet access in Australia, I might not hold the sale. We'll see but either way, check in and see the store announcements. Have a good day all!:)

Saturday, May 2, 2009

♥ FRONT PAGE WORTHY UNDISCOVERED SELLERS - Finder's Keepers

Today, the weather is typical of Shanghai, grey, rainy, cool and misty. This is the kind of weather I like to sit in at home , wearing my favorite mismatched tee shirts and pants , hang out with a cup of coffee, some cupcakes ( like the ones below!)  , a kitten sleeping on my lap, keeping me company.  I feel lazy and am already in a holiday mood ( yes, 4 more days to my Melbourne trip). 

Seriously.. this has got to stop! I want to eat them all!!!!


This might be the first photo which you have seen of me!  LOL! Yap, I am an internet slob and slop!  Halley Boo loves hanging around my lap while I worked. Too bad he can't spell check for me!


I also itch to browse through Etsy. Often, I worked so hard for all my stores, I barely have time to really have a look at all the fabulous sellers and their beautiful wares. 

Etsy has many tools to help  one decide how to look for items. I use Favorite Sellers most, I have over 500 favorite sellers and it is sheer joy looking at their stores.  Today, I thought I try one tool which I have not use for a long time. POUNCE , this a super fun tool on Etsy would randomly show a list of either Undiscovered Shops or  shops which had Just Sold something.   

Honestly..... I kind of am ambivalent about this Undiscovered Shops feature. I mean.. I feel it might make potential buyers wonderful why these shops have no sales and perhaps subconsciously avoid these stores. Well... they shouldn't. *Smile. Today I pounced and was really happy to undiscovered some gems!!!!


Yes, I do agree that most of these stores does not have the greatest pictures, the greatest range of items or many listings ( average 10 listing for these shops). I mean, come to think of it. If there are no sales, it is really hard to be motivated to list more. Some of them might just dipping their toes and see if the response is optima for them to continue listing. Some might not have that kind of capital to list a lot. Nonetheless, I feel all of us at Etsy has an obligation to help new sellers .

I try to buy from newbies as much as I can but one other common problem I see is that new sellers are always almost ship to USA only. I know I know, they just want to ship internally first to get a hang of the shipping process but they do kind of isolated a lot of international buyers  ( like moi). SHIP TO ME!!! I CRAVE YOUR LOVELY STUFF! I GOT 99.9% of my packages delivered safely to me!!!!!!  I AM RICH AND I LIKE EVERYTHING!!!!!! SHIP TO ME! LOL!  

So, this Finder's Keepers below is dedicated to new sellers who just started selling on Etsy. Let me tell you, looking at their items, photos and prices, they would soon be on Etsy top seller list. So grab them before they are all gone.:)

FRONT PAGE WORTHY! 
Finder's Keepers  

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From top, center, bottom, left to right ::


Lovely lovely polymer clay brooch set on umber leaves! I love how it sit so nicely on a coat!


I have seen many of these kind of boxed frames but this piece is really gorgeous. I felt it is really made with care with wonderful color combination. It is not too "artsy" or too "put together". You know, like some pieces looks beautiful but lack experience or personality.  This piece would be perfect for my mother-in-law's beach house.


I generally do not browse through kid's shops as there is no need for it yet *smile. I do know children's shops on Etsy offers one of the best selection of clothes and toys. This onesie makes me smile. I often imagined my perhaps future son to be a geek ( I love geeks!) . This onesie would be perfect for him! LOL! There is a nice selection for pretty baby girls too!:)


I am starting to develop a serious liking for magnets. I use to think they are pretty redundant until I had my own fridge ! I love sticking photos, postcards, letters, notes, scrapbook pages on my fridge, it is so enjoyable looking at friends and family when I make a cold sandwich.  My fridge is also my Hall Of Fame. Only people I like goes would be stuck on my fridge doors!  That is why I love this set of magnets, so zakka, so positive and lovely colors!
    
My "Hall Of Fame " !!! LOL! Yap, I need to replace those ugly green and yellow magnets with prettier ones soon!


I love this pair of sandals!  So cheerful and looks comfy! Good prices too!

f) THE OLIVIA - Rag Quilt by thetrunkshow . 

Simply beautiful quilt. Made of designer cotton fabric and I love the ragging look to it!  This store has more lovely quilt too! Check it out!


This set of figurines made me go WOW!!!! I love them all! Nice combination! It would make such a nice decoration for those who wants a frou frou touch! At only USD 5 each  or USD 40 for the whole set, it is such a wonderful deal!!! Quick grab it!


I love wood, I begin to seriously take notice of wood craft on Etsy these days. No longer boring wooden bowls or kitschy keychain holders, one can find really designer quality and designs these days on the ever growing wood craft category. This airplane wine holder is one case. Simple, classy and a touch of fun!


Feathers are in now and looks like it would be going strong until the end of this fall.  Why not? Look at this piece, elegant, bold and great colors. This shop has great great pieces which is not the usual ones you would see flooding Etsy now.


I love this bag! For some reasons, I always find Australian sellers has a very distinct style of their own. This bag kind of proved it for me. When I first see it, I know it is not made in USA or Europe. I love the little pleat details and the shape of the bag! I always love it when crafters make a point to add interesting details to their items. It really stands out.


Ok, the pink got to me first. I am totally addicted to pink. How can one not? Look at this bold, shocking pink soap! Perfect for my bathroom! Love the originality of the design too! LOL!


At first, I thought nothing ( pun intended ;p) of this shop .I thought "another photography shop" , don't get me wrong, I LOVE photography but sometimes after browsing through shops with loads of fruit, flowers , skies photo etc, I am kind of bored. Why would I buy a photo of an apple or a bunch of rose?   I do love this print though! I like the colors and the texture of it.  A good shop for those who wants something different !

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

♥ Busy Busy Busy !


Yes, that is how I felt often! Well there is always the honey. 

I bet you guys had forgotten about me! I don't blame you! I  am so freaking busy these days ( then again I am kind of always busy!).  Let's see what I had been up to ::

♥ I am spending a lot of time with Halley Boo (my 9 weeks old kitten), brought him to the vet and yes I know I told you guys it is a female but the vet felt his miniscule testicles and happy told me "It is a boy!!!!" ( after all, we are in China). I was shocked! GOODNESS!!!!! I had been raising  him like a girl all these weeks! I had been combing his hair 100 times before he sleeps, accessorizing him with little clips and ribbons ! His litter box is pink, his small cushion is pink , his food bowl is pink and his nail polish is pink ( just kidding but THERE IS nail polish for kittens!!!!). 

Duhz... well, at least that explains his super speedy growth, his pretty aggressive nature and his sloppy eating habit! LOL! I am not too bother really, he is such a fun and affectionate kitten, it is a really pleasure watching him grow! 

I love to watching him sleep. It is nice when I can see he felt safe with us and love sleeping near us!

My friend bought her cat over for a play date. Dimanche is a four year old handsome tom cat! You can see Halley is trying to steal the food! LOL!

♥ I am preparing my trip to Melbourne ( YAH!!!!!) , gosh  I need a break so badly! I am a little worried though because I am not sure if it is easy to get around there. I need to Google abit more. Anyway, the idea of chilling out with Lilien, my super fun God sister really makes me very happy! I know the both of us is going to hunt down the best bargain in town and make everyone back home super envious!


Lovely necklace ! By Arete

♥ I am finally able to find a decent supplier for my deco tapes! Perhaps because I am an expat here and my Mandarin is not very good, I might been deem as not one of the local hence the suppliers are abit wary to deal a lot with me. 

After 6 months of spending a lot of money at their stores, I am so happy to say I had established a good relationship with many of them! The last batch of tapes, I manage to get it at wholesale prices! God, that means, approx 40% to 60% off!!!! Yeah!!!!!! It sure took awhile but perhaps I did not buy in bulk so that is why they are reluctant to give wholesale prices.  

I am in the mist of reducing my prices for my deco tapes and changing my listings. I hope to complete it by 30th April but changing 1800 listings can be a daunting task! Lucky for me, I have loads of coffee, cds and a warm kitten to keep me company!


*ROFL*

♥ I had been officially selling on Etsy for 4 months  and it is really an experience for me. I find this site to be really quite different from eBay in all ways pleasant.   Etsy buyers are much more polite, friendly and positive!  I truly enjoy selling on Etsy.

I do learnt a lot too. I mean, I had used various ways to give discount to buyers and it did worked but after doing some serious calculations and studying the buying trends in my store. It seems that 75% of my buyers typically buy less than 10 items.  They buy 6 to 8 items per order on average.  

I received approx 21 convos asking me to explain the old discount rates.  I do not blame them really, it is really quite confusing even to me. 21 convos in 6 months is not good, I know I need to do something about this.

So I was brainstorming and with the supplier's wholesale discount, I gathered I can merge these two events together. I can lower my prices and this would benefit 75% of my buyers who buys less than 10 items.

For those who buys 10 items, I can give them a 10% discount and if they buy 20 items, it would be 15% discount. Just giving two discount rates, I hope it would help to make it easier for buyers to calculate and more free ways to include any items, instead of specific categories.

I have approx 30 IHeart members now and I really appreciate them a lot!  They should not be to affected with the new rates. I hope this would make them happy too! :)


♥ As I had mentioned I would be on holiday soon and my stores would be closed from 4th May to 21st May.  I am using this time to recoup, regroup and re-troop ( I don't think there is this word but it kind of rhythms so I use it).   I have many many plans for May to July, read on ::

a) There would be a Featured Seller here every weekend till July. I am reviewing the sellers as we speak. I love doing Featured Seller posts and I hope it is a way I can help give back to the Etsy community.

b) The last Blog Giveaway was really a lot of fun! The next one would be in June.  Do look out for the details here late May.  

c)  This blog is about 3 months old I think and I also want to use my vacation time to see which direction I want this to go. The purpose is to promote Etsy and it's sellers , I want to see if I can do a store directory here .  Perhaps a weekly update about each store's special offer or new items. 

d) I am going to source for more stuff for my IHeart eCrater store. I love listing there! So easy and I am starting to come out of the Handmade/ Supplies mentality and see if I can list more categories like headbands, hair clips and more household items!

Indeed, I am blessed to be in this place, this time, this era and this body! Thank you all for being so nice and read my blog!

COMING UP THIS WEEK :: I am featuring  a vintage seller and look out for the next Finder's Keepers !

 

Saturday, April 25, 2009

♥ ETSY DAY 24th April 2009

T♥DAY IS  ETSY DAY!!! Finally someone took the brave initial and after a lot of hard work and positivity, thanks to schugirl!!  Etsy now has her own day! Etsy now has approx 200,000 and more sellers and is home to thousands of wonderful stores!

There are a whole lot of threads on the forum, everyone is busying twittering, blogging and doing their part to let more people know about our beloved site! I thought I would join in by Twittering and blogging about this day. 

I also decided to throw a 15% storewide sale at my IHeart store! Please kindly show your support for wonderful handmade crafts and supplies by visiting Etsy today!

Thursday, April 23, 2009

♥ Jacarandadesigns - Beautiful Hand Made Jewelries, Featured Seller Series


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As you all can see, I do love to feature Etsy sellers! I always have a lot of fun and I learnt many things from them! I get a lot of insights into their craft and life. I am always glad when they agreed to be interview by me!:)  I plan to have a featured seller every week now and I sincerely hope somehow this would let more people see not just the products but to understand and get to know the artist behind each piece too.

I am thrilled today to have Jane , Etsy store owner of Jacarandadesigns this week. I am not very much a jewelry lover and personally I am fussy as hell when it comes to them. I like my jewelries clean, fuss free and in the other words, I quite boring.  So Jane really amazed me with her range of lovely earrings, bracelets, necklace , rings and more! I mean, she uses such a wide range of beads, crystals and metals!  She does not seems to be confined to one style at all and I bet her mind run as free as horses on a wide plain. I felt caught up in her world and yes, indeed,  it was quite a journey as I shop through her store!

Let's chat with her and be prepared to be dazzled!

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♥ When I first enter your store, I was amazed by the wide range of jewelries you had created! I can see that you really make a lot of effort to makes these lovely items, can you tell us when you started making jewelries and what motivated you to open a store on Etsy?

I've always been creative, dabbling in all kinds of crafts and arts and I've always loved wearing jewelry. A few years ago, I went to a beading class with a friend and I was hooked. At the time I was battling an illness and I found jewelry making very therapeutic. I made so many items that I gave to family and friends but then I found many people asking me to sell them pieces of jewelry that I had made. It just took off from there. My sister was one of the first sellers on Etsy. She convinced me that Etsy would be a wonderful place to sell my jewelry.



♥ How does each creation comes about? For example, do you start with an idea, then source for the material or the other way around?

I wouldn't say I have a set process. Whenever I see beads and findings that I like and can imagine in a piece of jewelry, I snap them up. When I make jewelry, I usually start with a base color and then put tons of my beads on my table where I can see all the colors and then pick certain ones that complement each other. About twice a week, I take out all my photography equipment and take tons of shots of the new pieces. I like to list something new on my shop almost every day.



♥ I see you uses many different types of media for your craft, which is your favorite ? Can you recommend us something pretty to wear for a) a date b) a family outing c) an anniversary ?

I enjoy working with all forms of beads and beading materials but I think I'd have to say Japanese Miyuki and Toho beads. That is the type of bead I used for the Love Knot Bracelet. They come in so many different colors and they retain their color over the years.

For a date, make an impression with Tons and Tons of Gorgeous Pearls Necklace




For a family outing, maybe one of my posy bracelets. The Shades of Green Posy Bracelet



And for the anniversary, definitely the Love Is In The Air Silver Love Knot Bracelet


♥ And yes, we love to know more about you too! Tell us a little about your childhood, your career, your likes and dislikes.

I am 42 and married with two very energetic boys. We live just west of Toronto, Canada. I was in the IT industry for twenty years before packing it in and pursuing my passion, making jewelry. I’ve always been quite creative, dabbling in sewing, embroidery, painting, drawing etc. but for a long time, these hobbies were left on the backburner. Like most moms, my life is fairly hectic but very rewarding. I love cooking. I have a huge collection of cookbooks so I’m always experimenting with new recipes. I love gardening, photography, cross country skiing, cycling and traveling.




 I am sure, like a lot of us, you love Etsy too. Want to share a few of your favorite sellers with us?

I have mostly bought supplies on Etsy but the store that I keep going back to look at and hopefully will buy from is catherinereece.



 Lastly, please let us know what other fun sweet creation we can be expecting for Spring and Summer!

I'm inspired by the colors in the natural environment that surrounds us. I love gardening and take loads of photos of my flowers and others each spring, summer and fall.
When I'm creating jewelry, I often go back and look at many of these shots and draw inspiration from the hues, shades and shapes. So I will be continuing to create
jewelry that draws upon the colors and elements of my garden.



♥ Do you sell your wonderful accessories in any other site or places other than Etsy? Where else can we find you?

Not currently. But hopefully once I am more established on Etsy, I will be able to branch out to other sites.


Thanks again Jane for letting us have a peek into your life and enchanted world. I personally am in love with all the beautiful  Love Is In The Air Silver Love Knot Bracelet above!  Do spend sometimes in her store! You would come out soothed, calm and refreshed, I did.:)

♥ Jane's Etsy Store


♥ Her Sweet Blog!