Thursday, April 12, 2012

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Jenny B's Bottlecaps... Farmer's Markets

I know I've only done 2 farmers markets now and maybe that isn't enough to gauge whether selling my bottlecaps there will work or not. But the 2 markets i have done have been complete flops, both Ugley and Newport. Although at both markets other stall holders have told me that it has been extremely unusually quiet, i still feel that even if it were busier then it would make much a difference to my sales.

Frustratingly this time, as nice as it was to be in the main hall, i was right slap bang in the middle of the hall!


But as i was able to see the whole market this time, i made sure i watched what was going on around me. so here are my observations;

General age group: 50+ There were a couple of younger coupler, and a couple of pregnant women but all the regulars were over 50.

Many came with their own recycled bags and their shopping lists. they knew what they wanted. they had their regular items that they bought from the market.

Other stalls who sold a lot more were

  • The Eggs
  • The Fish
  • Clavering Pigs (pork)
  • The Lamb and Beef
  • The Mushroooms
  • Mel's Cakes
  • The Pate and terrine stall
  • The Bread stall

There were only 3 other stall who didn't sell hugely but i think they still sold more than me (yes! i did actually sell something, but the customers were other stall holders)

  • Jams, Chutneys and Sauces
  • Pies and Quiches
  • Handmade soaps

I made 2 sales. one was a mushroom magnet to the mushroom stall holder and my other sale was to the lady selling beef and lamb. she liked a cow magnet that was part of a set of 2 and a chicken that was part of a set of three. she asked me if I'd split them up - well if its going to get them sold then you do what you have to do!

Anyway I'm going to forget about farmers markets for now. people keep saying "you need to go to a craft market and try there" but what they don't realise if the cost of a stand at those places - the cheapest i found was a market in Ilford for £45 - for my products and prices that just isn't practical.

So all my farmers market stock will now slowly be added to my Dawanda Shop.

Written by Jenny of Jenny B's Bottlecaps

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I'm sorry to hear that these markets weren't right for you Jenny... and I understand the cost fraustration of craft markets. Maybe DaWanda sellers should consider the idea of stall sharing?

DaWanda Blog Carnivals are now closed.

Due to my current workload and the lack of entries for this feature over the last few months I will be closing the DaWanda Blog Carnivals to concentrate on other promotional work and keeping up with DaWanda news.

If you do have DaWanda related news you would like to share with us, please check out how you can add your article... http://dawandashopdirectory.blogspot.com/2007/10/want-to-be-guest-writer.html

Sara x

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Introducing... Knitty Dirty Girl!


1. DaWanda Shop Name: knittydirtygirl
2. DaWanda Shop URL: http://en.dawanda.com/shop/knittydirtygirl
3. When did you open your shop? 31.12.2007
4. Are you in the DaWanda Shop Directory here? Yes.
5. What Category are you under? Accessories, bags and purses.
6. What do you sell? handspun yarn, hand dyed yarn, fiber art, wearables
7. Describe 2 of your current products.

"Swamp Thing" 124 yards Handspun Yarn, Spun with Rachel-Marie hand dyed, carded, fiber!
Wool, merino, alpaca, bling. Thick Thin


Precious Primitive Rag Dolls Handmade by my KnittyDirtyGirl Self!
Hand Felted Bead Eyes and Noses
Painted Lips and Cheeks
Handspun Octavia Hair Mixed with Some Commercial Acrylic
Bodies Stuffed with Organic Cotton Heads Stuffed with Polyfill
All Vintage Fabrics

8. Tell me a bit about you...

Have been running my own indie craft business for a few years. http://www.knittydirtygirl.com/ It's my full time gig now after a hideous 3 years working for a newspaper.

I'm a hipster knitster from Lancaster, PA, USA. Just gave birth to a baby boy, Octavian. Am engaged to Jerome Tucker (Romey), boyfriend of 5 years. Am stepmommy to my babygirl Zoey.

Currently am stoked about in no particular order: My new baby, Martha Stewart, Freecycle.org, My knitting machine, Ravelry.com (super awesome site for knitters/crocheters), Gregpa (my dad), Baking.

9. Do you have a website, or blog? http://www.knittydirtygirl.com/

Friday, April 6, 2012

Creating Internet Shortcuts - Firefox

You know those sites that you visit over and over again? You may already have bookmarked those sites, or listed them under favourites.But, an even faster option is to have a link on your browser bar so all you have to do is one click to get to the page you want. The only catch is that this nifty trick only works with Firefox. Most people still use Internet Explorer as their internet browser, but I highly recommend Firefox. It's free, it's faster, and it attracts less viruses. To get Firefox, simply go to http://www.mozilla-europe.org/en/products/firefox and follow the instructions. It won't take more than a minute to download and install.


Here's how to create those easy shortcuts:
1. Go to the site that you want and highlight the URL:


2. Put your mouse on the URL or the little icon on the left of the URL, if there is one - in this case the little orange "E" icon:


3. Hold down your left mouse button and drag the URL down to the bar right under it. You can see in the picture below that it now has a button that says "Etsy::magpienest::" and if I click on that, it will bring me straight to that page.

Written by Machi de Waard of http://en.dawanda.com/shop/magpienest

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Our Amazon Book Store!

Yesterday I launched our Amazon Book Store here at DaWanda Shop Directory Book Store. Do pop in for great new titles and to take advantage of Amazon's excellent prices! You can also find a permanent link to the store on the right-hand panel.

Right now the choice of books covers a small selection of craft and business books to help you in your work and developing your small business venture. Over the next few months the categories will grow, so for example the choice of craft books will be split by discipline and the business category with include more specific topics.

This store is an affiliate link only, so all product and sales go through Amazon... the DaWanda Shop Directory acts purely as an agent for Amazon and provides their books as an active resource for directory visitors (you!)

Sunday, April 1, 2012

How do I make a Purchase on DaWanda?

It couldn't be more simple...
  • View your desired product.
  • Make sure you have read and understood payment and shipping terms before you buy, along with the product description.
  • Click the "Buy Now" button.
  • Go to your shopping basket.
  • Follow the instructions to confirm the purchase.
  • DaWanda will send a confirmation email to your private email address attached to your DaWanda account.
  • You should then wait for a second email at this address, which will be your official order confirmation from the seller. This email will tell you the exact amount you need to pay. Please read this carefully, especially if you are buying more than item.
  • You then have 7 days to make your payment... You do this by logging on to DaWanda and pressing the 'Purchases and Orders' tab across the top of your screen and then selecting the relevant order. Then following the instructions to pay.
  • Once payment is complete the seller will send your item.
  • If you have any queries please use the messaging options available under the order details. The seller will be notified by email from DaWanda if any new comments are added here... you as a buyer will also be notified of any return comments.
  • Once you receive the item please leave feedback for the seller. You can do this by viewing your order in the usual way and pressing rate this seller. Please remember to contact the seller if you have any problems before you rate them... This gives the seller an opportunity to follow their after care procedure.
Happy Purchasing!!

Written by Sara of Sara's Texture Crafts

Directory Links our Sister Blog is getting some Guest Editors too!

That's right... there's two of us already, but we could do with some more help. If you are interested and could use the free advertising, please read... http://dawandashopdirectorylinks.blogspot.com/2008/11/become-guest-editor-on-dawanda-shop.html and get in touch!

Thank you, Sara x

Written by Sara of http://en.dawanda.com/shop/sarastexturecrafts