♥ 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). 

Chocolate Cherry Cupcake Soap from Scratch - REAL Handcrafted Soap--Limited Flavor by LilyBaySoap.etsy.com

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!!!!

Newbie onesie by applecreek

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  

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

a) Caramel Rose Brooch by emeraldlily.   

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

b) Hello Sailor by Custard.etsy.com.  

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.

c) Size 0 - 3 mths - Short Sleeved White Onesies with Tie Applique by SamAndCoop. 

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!:)

d) Dreamy Magnet Set By buttonworks. 

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!

e) saffron, curry yellow sandals by LittleValley.  

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!

g) MUSICAL FIGURINES by NanaJB.etsy.com. 

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!

h) Airplane Wine Bottle Holder by WorldofWoodwork. 

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!

i) Nude Peacock Hiding in Duck Vintage 10k Gold or Silver by MishkaPiaf .  

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.

j) All Seasons Brown/Green Shoulder Bag by  muddleandflow. 

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.

k) F.CK LOVE Cotton Candy Soap Bar -- Glycerin -- Vegan Friendly by FireStarSoapCo.etsy.com .  

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!

l) IT'S NOTHING by HeatherMPhotography . 

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 !

♥ Busy Busy Busy !

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

cotton drawstring pouch bag -- busy as a bee -- idiom bag by chasinglightningbugs

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! :)

This cartoon is taken from http://www.shannonburns.com/cartooncatalogbusiness.htm

♥ 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 !

 

♥ Bella Spain !

Antennas in SevilleBy wearethree

I wanted to blog about a particular country sellers for the longest time! SPAIN! Oh,how I love their crafts and wonderful handiwork! There aren't much of them, I did a Local search and it came up only 9 pages of sellers. I feel they are one of the most colorful and vibrant culture around. I really want to go Spain one day but I always end up in France ( guilt trips...;P). Anyway, here are some of my favorites from various Spanish sellers. Let me take you on a trip to Spain wearing my old jersey tee shirt and cotton pants with my cat on my lap. Let me pretend I am from some fancy magazine and I am doing an Editor's Favorite Page. LOL!!!! This is one of the big perk of having my own blog! First we'll drink some sangria, stop for shoes, bags and accessories !


Strip Leather Baboush or Carpet SlippersBy MagiPrins .

Editor's Notes : Love the color combination and I always have this thing for soft looking leather. Good price too!

Lovely Little Red Riding Hood sneakersBy zampatillas.etsy.com

Editor's Notes : I am a fan of drawn on sneakers and but till now I can't seems to find a decent pair. These however looks really fun! I like the fact the cartoon are drawn and colored very neatly and nicely. I think I will seriously consider buying this pair.

Silk scarf natural hand painted with Oriental cat.By PalomaSiaDesigns

Editor's Notes : I am really excited to see this piece! It has got my favorite shade of pink and such pretty cat drawings! This store has a fine range of cats, dogs and nature theme items! Definitely one of my favorite piece for spring .

Silk scarf - Hand painted Red/Orange/Blue Abstract design

Silk brooch - Leaves

Both By gilbea 

Editor's Notes : I always felt Spanish designer emphasis a lot on bold colors and classic clean elegant cut on their work. These two items are simply lovely, they look like they could have came from an expensive boutique. Will think about getting the brooch for my sister-in-law who work as a lawyer, this should compliment her jackets nicely.

CAMEO VICTORIAN Fascinator MTuent By mtuent.

ELLE Czechoslovakia Antique Bracelet FREE SHIPPINGBy mtuent

Editor's Notes : This shop is like heaven! Stock full of beautiful Victorian and pretty feathered fascinators! I really like this quaint headpiece , this crafter is in tune with the latest trend and also her very feminine culture by adding lace trim on it. The bracelet is so pretty! I sure would feel flirty wearing one!

All three brooches are by madeofjacinta

Click on the picture to go to the listings.

Editor' Notes : I went crazy in this store, just adding all these wonderful brooches in my cart! LOL! I super heart brooches! They are an inexpensive way to spice up and outfit. These are such head turners! I am totally in love now and yes, I think I will spurge on these this month! Maybe I would just eat cream cake for the rest of the week! LOL!

Now let's head to see fun craft, supplies, household items from Spain!


Original hand-painted fan.By PalomaSiaDesigns

Editor's Notes : Other than beautiful animal printed scarf, this seller also has really pretty hand paint fabric fan! This piece has Ode to the cat" Spanish written on the fan!

Sleeping cute Witch - sleep mask Pattern EyesBy lovelyart.etsy.com

Editor's Notes : This seller is known for her pretty eye masks! Check out her fun and sweet range of pop eye masks! Beauty sleep has never been taken so literally! I love this sweet soothing piece too! Sweet sweet colors, so soft and lovely eye drawings!

Herbal JournalBy susanholland

Editor's Notes : Many of my peers doesn't know this but I love cooking with herbs, any herbs! I have a whole collection of them , all sitting prettily on my shelf. I love how they smell, how they make me feel good, how when I add a few sprigs of them in my soup or sauce, instance sense of well being surfaces. This journal makes me want to jolt down all my herbs and all the cooking note I have been storing in my head for years. Perhaps it is time to record it down, I am not getting younger!

Handmade Artcards by Mariann Johansen-EllisBy mariannjohansenellis

Editor's Notes : I enjoy nice soft watercolors paintings and recently am becoming a serious collector. I find it makes me smile and my mind calmer. I am delighted by this sellers wonderful prints. There are a wide range of sweet animal cartoon prints to choose from. These cards are so nicely done! I want to buy it to write to myself!LOL!

A to Z, Hand Bound Journal in Red and BlueBy paperfection

Editor's Notes : Ain't this just preppy! I love how simple yet sweet this journal looks! Inside, it has sweet sweet colored pages too! I appreciate that cute little "Made With Love " bronze pendant at the spine of the journal. Awww...lovely !

Seaweeds for ACEOs, digital collage sheet by alganet
By AlgaNet

Editor's Notes : I don't use digital sheet but I wish I do!!! These scanned dry seaweed pressing sheet is so pretty! I love the colors and the details. This seller has wonderful range of seaweed theme art too! Really unique!

Little Teabag HouseBy Phizzychick

Editor's Notes : Ahhhhhh I shall leave you guys with this cup of tea and of course the sweet little Alice In Wonderland inspired tea tag! Add it as a decoration on the saucer when you next serve tea and I am sure your guest would be delighted!

Isn't life bella ! I really think I should make a trip to Spain in summer, sorry dearest Mother-In-Law, I love you and Paris but Spain is my soul sister too!

♥ Oh Spring Spring You Make My Heart Sing And My Purse Sting!

MADAME - Very Vain Buttons Series - Maya

Yippee! Looks like spring is here! I don't know about the rest of the world but here in Shanghai, the winter is freaking harsh and bone cold! I am so sick of wearing sweaters and jeans! I crave short skirts and little tees and singlets!

I was trying to explain to Beautiful Geek women needs new clothes, accessories , pretty things to look at every 3 months, this is the way I support the economy and help keeps jobs! HAHA! I am excited! What theme would I be this spring? I love colors and I see myself going really quirky and old school . I mean, I love love love clothes , items and accessories that has that extra OOMMPH! I am very critical and it really must be AWESOME before I purchase it. I mean.. I had my fair share of poorly design, badly made, mediocre / safe design items in the past. I done my part, now I want AWESOME!

Heheee.. see what I had found on Etsy and really want to buy ( still waiting for my new credit card to come, hurry hurry please!!). I always try to find things in my favorite seller list before I do an open search. Ok, now go see my selection, drool, buy and yes I welcome comments on my good taste *wink*.



Mini Owl Friends Applique Iron-On PatchesBy LittleMamasDesigns

Do you know how hard it is to find really pretty iron on patches? I tried to make some but one of my friend thought I had puked on my skirt...( change friend or stop making patches?) . seriously, I should just buy them from this seller. SUPERB COLORS. SUPERB DESIGN and SUPERB PRICES!!!

Larissa - Textile Cuff NecklaceBy Shagpile

Cuff necklace in spring? Why not? I will wear this with one of my tube tops and wow, instant cool!

Rosie - Fabric and Felt Bird NecklaceBy Shagpile

Wonderful wonderful necklace! I love how she uses different texture cloth and the bead mix!

Original Collage ACEO--A Walk Through the FlowersBy catlover1

Beautiful ACEO , always love this shop, it has wonderful retro items!

Winter Walks everyday pleated handbag OOAKBy ThePeach

It is called a Winter Walk bag but the cheerful blue hues are too cute to not use it in spring too! Infact, this is one bag that is good for all seasons. Just looking at it, I am happy! Oh, yes, The Peach is really well known too in Etsy. I bought a clutch and good workmanship and *count fingers* I think over 15 people compliment on it!!!

Yellow Bird StudsBy TheTinyFig.etsy.com

This shop is super cute! The store name itself makes me smile!:) They sell really nice handmade kawaii style earrings.

Adult and Kids Lovebird SlippersBy piddies

Ok, if your heart is not melting now when you see these suuuuuppperrr cute slippers, you are not an ice cream ( Ha! Bad Joke I know). I mean, look at them, awwww... so cheerful, the details are awesome, useful too!!! Quick go buy a pair and make me jealous.

Sunny Sunshine -- Inspiration Kit By Haileysbobbins

This is a perfect example of good photography. I love the arrangement, the mix of different hues and texture. Just looking at it, I feel inspired. And the price *weep* .. I mean, for such wonderful mix of scrapbook material, the price is so so right!

Hey girlfriend you STINK -- But that is cool -- Fix it with Lady LitesBydippylulu

This store is really fun! Very original and has fun range of quirky items! This set of matches are the latest. I love how they put that little rhinestones on the box. Perfect for my guest bathroom!

Felt Ice cream BroochBy FeltCreations.etsy.com

Wow, I mean, WOW! Look at this! So Kawaii !!! Seriously how much more can one ask for in a brooch? Wonderful design, details, size is big enough to make an impact and yummy!

Queens Doorknocker earringsBy brookadelphia

When I was young, I love being called "Princess" as I grow older now, I like being called Her Majesty but I settle for Queen. I mean, if I do not refer myself as one, no one would and seriously once I started, I feel like one too! Yes, I am a Queen in my own world, I rule with love and justice and everything in my kingdom is pink. Heehee.

Sweet Geek - Resin Skull Candy NecklaceBy stoopidgerl

If you need some cheering up, go to this store. It is FABULOUS! Very very colorful and loads of fun Kawaii style resin necklaces and more! I love love love this store to death! This particular necklace stood out as you know, I am married to a Beautiful Geek and perhaps I should buy this for him but I will wear it because I think he would look funny in pink. LOL.

11th March update --> I BOUGHT IT!!! YAY!!! HAH! I will have the coolest necklace in town now!



cover pillow from vintage fabricBymicoucou

Ooohh... I love the vintage fabric used on this very comfortable cosy looking cushion!Simply outstanding!

Mon Petit Chien- Madras Plaid Vintage Fabric Small Dog DressBy monamivie.etsy.com

My God, I wish I am that cute little dog!!! I love it's dress!!! UURGGGHSS why can't there be dress like that for human beings!

Eco-Friendly and Fun tote - HandpaintedByCarryMeAway

Spring without a new bag? C'est impossible et tragic! This piece has all the right stuff ! Lovely material, eco friendly, HAND PAINTED (!!!), perfect size for busy woman who buys a lot ( aka moi) and oh so wonderful vibes!