Weekends Lockdown and Shop Updates

New Fabrics

I've been pretty busy last week sending out pending parcels and stuff. Lockdown is relaxed and some businesses and offices are allowed to operate with few guidelines. I guess they follow the world's trend because we cannot shut down the economy much longer. We have to learn to live with it, inculcate new habits, learn to be more disciplined and considerate. I'm happy to announce that for international shipping now we are delivering via DHL. I was busy with the paperwork for opening an account with DHL and finally able to send my pending orders last week. 

As for domestic shipping, in my previous post I wrote about Shiprocket which is good, but contacting their agent is really really frustrating. I wanted to downgrade my plan since last month but no callback or email from them even after I sent numerous emails and DM on Twitter, except some automated email and DM reply on Twitter. I could not use my balance to send my orders because my request for the downgrade is pending. I wonder if this Nupur, Divya, and Arushi is only an avatar to send us promotional emails:( A few days ago I finally signed up with Delhivery because I have to send out orders. This is a really disappointing service from Shiprocket. 

Handmade Face Mask

On the sewing front, yes I am still making masks. The 3D fitted mask is very popular and since I introduced the Trio 3D Face Mask, now my family and friends are asking for one. Both are very comfortable to wear especially during the summer months.

Here is the preview of my messy sewing room. Well, it's less messy actually because I just cleared the cutting area. Running a small business on your own from home is not easy but it keeps me happy. And with lockdown, sewing becomes my sanity. A much-needed distraction. Even cleaning messy table or folding fabrics after cutting fabric orders is therapeutic.

The boys are still having online classes and even piano classes are online. He's preparing for grade exams this few weeks. The student has to play three exam pieces, record it, and submit it online. We've been practicing to record the videos according to the guidelines given by Trinity College. 

Here's our new fave potion to boost our immunity. It's called golden milk. It's easy to make. Simply mix 1 tsp of turmeric powder, 1 tsp ginger powder, and 1 tsp of honey in a cup of milk. Have it warm before bed. Namrata told me about this potion and we've been having it for the last 2 weeks. If you're using fresh ginger and turmeric, you may want to boil them together with the milk. I read this article that turmeric can eliminate certain viruses. When we were small, our mother used to give us a mix of turmeric and honey whenever we have a fever and I even gave my sons when they were small. It always worked wonders. 

That's all this week's stories! I hope you keep your self creatively busy during this lockdown. Don't dwell on what we can't do, but explore what we can do.

Take care & stay safe!

- Elvira -

****LINKING UP TO THESE WONDERFUL BLOGS ***

How to Price Your Handmade Product & Free Calculator

Hello,

A few of my crafter friends often asked me how to price their handmade products when they just started out. It is difficult to determine what price is fair price. Especially with the booming e-commerce, the competition is fierce out there. 

trifold women's wallet

You want to make things that sell, but on the other side you also want to make a decent profit so that you can make the business going and growing without draining your personal resources. 

I'm no expert here, but I've learnt my lesson and I read a lot of blog post and books about pricing handmade. Especially when people around you (your social media followers, friends, etc) seems to think that handmade should be cheaper,because they tend to compare your product with ones in Amazon, Ebay etc. Well, send them to Amazon and Ebay! 

Ooak Handmade Wallet

But they won't get the same high quality product as yours, which everything is carefully chosen, it's unique, one of a kind  and the whole thing is carefully made without sacrificing a child or cheap labor somewhere in a dingy factory. 

But how to run a profitable handmade business without draining your personal resources? Price them correctly! Remember, your handmade is not only the material cost, but the time your spend making them, taking photos, marketing, your internet connection, not to mention your mental torture dealing with difficult customers :D. Well, You may want to read this post from Creative Hive on How to Pay Yourself in Creative Business and Pricing Handmade Guide. 

Bifold Wallet 

Now, I am not math genius here. My hubby dear made a handmade calculator for me, which I am still using it this date. You can download the  file HERE if you want. It's in Indian Rupees but you can use it for any other currency I suppose. 

The rows highlighted with light blue is adjustable. You can adjust your margin percentage for Wholesale and Retail Price too. You can even add a row or two. The labour cost/hour is included the overhead expenses . 

I also included Etsy Pricing formulae in case you want to start selling on Etsy too. The USD exchange rate is adjustable. If you're using Paypal, you may want to check paypal exchange rate, usually 4% lower than market rates). The Etsy  Fees paypal fees are  recently increased. So, do your homework before inputting the number. 

I hope this will help you a bit with your handmade business and when you want to start your business. 

You can download the HANDMADE CALCULATOR for free and start making profit :)

Happy Crafting!!

Elvira

Introducing Weekly Newsletter

Hello,

Yes you heard it right! I will start delivering Newsletter this coming Wednesday. 

Newsletter has been in my bucket list for quite sometime. Even though I already have subscription via feedburner provided by google, I feel I need more platform to share. There are so many things that sometimes one blog post is not enough. Hence the Newsletter.

You can sign up RIGHT HERE 

I started doing some reading and research and came across Abby's Blog - While She Naps  where she wrote about how to create powerful newsletter.

I was waiting for my sons in their music classes when I came across the blog and decided to buy the e-book. It's fantastic book! If you're a mompreneur and have no idea how to start your first email list, this is the book you must have. Abby even replied to my questions promptly! Thank you so much, Abby!!

Last weekends I was writing notes from the book and started working on my mailchimp and sending out test message to my friends ( thank you Namrata, Agnes, Vonney!! - group hugs to you all - xo). And now it's ready for the First Issue on Wednesday. 

While I was writing the content, I realized how much I enjoyed it. It reminded me of the era before the internet. I always like writing diaries and letters to old and new friends. That habit continued after email was widely used and that was how I met my DH ! (ha, now that little secret is out! *blushing*) 

If you want to get all the handmade news sent weekly directly to your inbox and read it while you're having a cup of chai, you can sign up at the end of this post

I hope to see you on board! Thanks for dropping by and if you think there's someone who might love this newsletter, do forward to and share this blog post with them. TiA!

Subscribe to our mailing list

Until then,

P.S. For you who already signed up (thank you!!), I included a surprise gift inside the Newsletter! 

Fabulous fabrics

I've been busy revamping my shops. Running online shops is not as easy as one two three anymore. Most people are selling online, so we have to get more creative in presenting our products. Thousand of competitors are emerging everyday. And VISUAL presentation is VERY important. So during this break time I pull out my stocks and starts re-taking pictures and editing and update the shop. And believe me, it's tiring LOL it's so worth it!!

 

I started one morning, I decided to pull out my stocks from the cupboard and start sorting out by the sets. Cutting, folding and ironing was the next step. Stacked them neatly for photo shoot.

Winter sun was not so bright, the good thing is I can take photos until 1 pm in the afternoon. I set up my "photo booth" and start styling and start clicking. In between I took photos with my phone and posted them in Instagram. It took me almost 2 weeks to get most of the stock photographed.

I'm still editing few of them, but  most of the fabrics are updated in my website. Speaking about website, now I know why many handmade business coach always said about starting your own website or webstore? because it's SO MUCH FREEDOM, not to mention that you get to keep most of the the $$$, unless someone is paying thru paypal then you have to pay the paypal fees. 

I have added currency converter too so it's easier for shoppers from outside India to purchase. 

I've been working on the website  from scratch since October. It still need a lot of improvement. 

I am using Ecwid  which I find quite easy for me with limited knowledge. I found using Ecwid starter site is quite beneficial to me. 

So, please take a little time to visit my store at CHEZVIES and let me know what do you think about it. I'd love some feedbacks ;)

Thanks a lot for stopping by

 until then...

HAPPY HOLIDAYS !!

Learning about Etsy SEO

After the latest Etsy updates, seller outside USA like me really feel the effect of the new changes. I have been reading Etsy Teams post, blogs, and sign up for SEO tips newsletter. And well...it seems I have to really keep up with what's happening in the WORLD!

If you make good stuff, take  good photos, and many of you friends on social media admiring your work then you start selling online on a popular marketplace and realized after few weeks that NO ONE buying your stuff, you start losing your trust on yourself, right?? 

Pink Ballet Dancer Women's Wallet

Well, DON'T GIVE UP!! All you need to do is STUDY more...just like you little baby start learning ABC...even me after so many years I realized there is so many things that I need to improve and learn. There are so many blogs and youtube videos telling you how to do your SEO right. 

Cherry Blossom Family Passport Holder

Start from research your keywords. I use Google Trends and Etsy Rank. I keep a small notebook and noted down everything that related to my product. 

I've been studying for the past few weeks and slowly start editing and changing my shops. One thing I learned it's beneficial to hang out in Etsy Forum and Teams. Many member shares their tips and tricks and sometimes you will find a good link about how to do SEO. That's how I get to Renae's Blog.  

Rose Pink Couple Passport Wallet 

So, apparently, only making good products and taking awesome pictures do not guarantee your success. You need business plan and marketing strategy for that. 

Yellow Green Fat Quarter Bundle

So, now start searching and doing a little research for your business. 

Green Blue Fat Quarter Bundle

Work a little harder and All the best!!

Happy Learning