Etsy Artisan Interview - ptitebaloue

Say hi to a French Canadian etsy seller who spins and knits cute little creatures for the child in all of us. Isabelle opened her Etsy shop in October 2008. Her profile says she loves to "write and draw and knit and dream..." I see the makings of another etsyblogger in this shop! To all you readers out there, give Isabelle a warm welcome and tell her what you think of her adorable toys.

• What's the name of your Etsy shop?

A-knit-thing

• What types of products do you sell?

Cute soft toys!! :)

• What is your favorite item in your shop today?

Definitively Easton :) He's such a perfect creature!!

• How did you find out about Etsy? Where you a buyer before a seller?

I first saw the name in a newspaper article devoted to handmade... The minute I started surfing the site I KNEW I had to open a shop :) I even converted my boyfriend!

• Are you involved with any of the Etsy teams?
  

I'm currently a member of Etsy Treasury Team (although I admit it's been a few days since I visited our forum... but I promise I'll do better, team!! ;) and I'd love to be part of Etsy natural kids... Let's say it's my goal for 2009 :)

• Are there additional venues where you sell your work?

Not yet but in the next few months I'm planning to offer them to a few art and handcraft boutiques in old Quebec city! :)

• Over the years, what materials and mediums have you worked with? What's your favorite?

I started with acrylic (stuffed with polyfill) but more and more I'm spinning my own yarn (wool, alpaca, and even bamboo!!) and I just love it!! I'm also planning to try wool stuffing instead of polyfill :)

• Do you have an online photo storage site, where we can see more about you and your surroundings?

Not yet, but who knows... ;)

• Everyone knows images are important when selling on the internet. What's your procedure for taking photos of your products? Do you have any tips on taking better photographs?

Taking them in natural light was probably THE major tip I received... and use a tripod (or anything stable to put the camera on) so the details won't be all blurry...

• Are selling your products a full-time job, or do you have an additional occupation, outside the home?

I've been a freelance journalist, a sales clerk in art boutiques, a communication assistant for an art biennial... Now I'm just looking for something that will last :)

• We are all looking for good marketing advice. What's the best tip or trick you can share with us?

I'd say ANY step counts... Either you help someone on the forum and make friend with them, give away business cards in any particular occasion, thank a person for including you in his treasury... Marketing starts with one person at the time :)

• Where can people find out more about you - do you have a blog, website, instant messaging account?

Might end up with a blog eventually... for now everything is in my shop :)


My turn! What's the storybeader's favorite?


Well, they're all so cute, and I've shown you some of my favorites. Let's see, I love penguins... and alliteration. Pedro the Penguin is so handsome, and he's pure wool - yum!