Etsy Artisan Interview - Mamas Little Monkeys

I think I first met Amy on Blockhead Radio. But you can find her all over the web! She started on Etsy in August 2008 with a fabric-based shop called Mama's Little Monkeys. I've been by MLM, and in doing this interview, became more acquainted with her second shop, Fleur De Ink. Now I have to tell you, she must be in good shape, running after two boys, keeping track of two shops and being an active member in five teams. And that's just on Etsy! Read more about this energetic lady, and her crafty presence on the web. Maybe she can teach us a thing or two!

• What's the name of your Etsy shop?

Mama's Little Monkeys


[AND]

Fleur De Ink

• What types of products do you sell?

MLM: a little bit of everything for mom, baby and more! Fun, gag gifts, clothing, cloth diapering, breastfeeding items, blankets, bibs, etc.

FDI: Flower Pens, custom ones available.

• What is your favorite item in your shop today?

MLM: Scrappy is my first ORIGINAL creation! I've not seen him anywhere! He's a way to store your fabric scraps and he's also a great way to be green and recycle by stuffing the bear with fabric scraps instead of fiberfill. Plus he's my original idea so I love him!

FDI: I just love the blue bucket with the orange/red flowers! :)

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

I honestly do not recall!!! That's so sad but I cannot remember! I THINK I found it off one of my mom websites, babycenter.com or cafemom.com! I did a lot of buying first, (and still do!) :)

• Are you involved with any of the Etsy teams?

Oh yes!
Pluggers United

SEUS, SouthEastern United States Team

Etsy Chatters

• Are there additional venues where you sell your work?

Well, I will try them all! :) I sell on www.crobbies.com

www.madeitmyself.com

www.artfire.com (which I neglect lately!) and I will be doing craft shows soon.

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

Well, I literally just started sewing in summer of 08! I love to work with minky chenille but it is difficult! I am a VERY beginning soaper and I am LOVING it! I only do Melt and Pour at this point because I have two small children and I do not want lye in the house, nor do I have the room to really do cold process soap. With the flower pens, I love to work with the realistic feel artificial flowers, they are very soft and feel SO real! (Hence the term realistic!) I love to create fun color combos and I LOVE using different colored floral wrap--especially since most other flower pens I see are only wrapped in green. :)

• 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?

I'll be honest. I hate taking pictures!! I have even gone so far as to ask for budding photographers on freeuse.org to help me! (And I got several volunteers!) I enjoy taking creative shots and shots of my children, but setting up the items, dealing with lighting, etc. Wow.. not fun! The best tips I have are use diffused lighting, put your camera on the macro setting, no flash and take LOTS of angles.. weird angles.

I also love to edit my pics in a program www.getpaint.net. I like to make the backgrounds black and white and then only have the item in question colored--makes it stand out more!

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

I use photobucket for things like graphics, family shots. I prefer flickr for tutorials and to showcase my items!

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

I suppose I'm working nearly full time! I have two small kids and technically am a stay at home mother! (I consider THAT a full time job although!) I do not sell enough yet to make a 'living'...plus I just turn around and spend the profit on my Etsy habit or my fabric addiction!! I also run public relations/promotions for Blockhead Radio!

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

BE VIGILENT! You may make a sale right away and then have nothing for weeks.. or be dead in the water for awhile. Keep persevering! How you sell is a combination of factors-- the quality of your items, pics and descriptions; how hard you market yourself and your shop; and other factors you CAN'T control like the economy, and the need for your work. These are hard times for EVERYONE! I feel if I get even one sale a week or so, I'm doing great (especially in my flower pens!) because a lot of what I sell are "wants", not necessarily "needs". You have to get your name out there. Pick ONE name and stick with it! When you google mamaslittlemonkeys.. you find me!

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

Where can't they find me is more like it!? Here we go:
[storybeader's note: I've linked the ones you haven't seem above]

www.mamaslittlemonkeys.com
www.fleurdeink.com
http://blog.mamaslittlemonkeys.com
http://etsypayitforward.blogspot.com
www.cafepress.com/momsmonkeys
www.twitter.com/fleurdeink
http://www.madeitmyself.com/user/fleurdeink.aspx
http://mamalittlemonleys.crobbies.com/
http://mamaslittlemonkeys.byhand.me
www.myspace.com/mamaslittlemonkeys
www.myspace.com/blockheadradiolive
Pretty much if you google mamaslittlemonkeys...you'll find me! :)
I frequent mom groups like www.cafemom.com and www.diaperswappers.com also!





OK, the storybeader's turn. Well, I really love the flower pens, that's something new and exciting for me. What a great idea for my desk, since I can't have flowers in the archives. And it would be a beautiful gift, for the other ladies at my museum.