April Customer Appreciation

As March comes to an end, most of us are thinking about what we can do to increase business in April; and what, if anything we can do to show appreciation to our customers.

I deeply discounted my store for the month of March because I wanted to attract new business and establish repeat customers. Obviously as a business person I can't do that every month. I've wracked my brain trying to decide what I want to do for the month of April. I think it's important for customers to feel like they are getting something along with a good price. Everyone likes a good sale, right? It's important to state that my inventory is not expensive, the highest priced item is less than $20 unlike some who have a much higher price point.



So this morning I thought I would put it to my readers...what, if anything do you intend to offer for the month of April, and your justification for doing so. I've only been a seller on Etsy for seven months and I'm still wading around discounts and coupons. I would love to hear from you dear reader. If you are not going to offer a sale/coupon for April I'd like to know about that also.

I had planned to pen another subject this morning but this quandary has been rattling around my brain for some days now. Have a wonderful selling day and blog on dear reader!

Don't forget to check out my CremeMagnolia Etsy store to take advantage of the final days (2) of my 25% complete store discount!

Surprise Supplies

One of the most overlooked items for Treasuries on Etsy are supplies. I've put together my favorites in hopes that you too will find a new craft supplier. Enjoy!

'Surprise Supplies' by crememagnolia

Handspun Shetland Wool 2 ply... jen6265 $17.40	Vintage Watch movements Ste... steampunkjunk $16.95	Souvenir of Paris 30mmX40mm ... blackNwhiteDes... $4.50
Copper Color Freshwater Pear... loveofjewelry $4.99	10 pcs of lampwork beads fla... yadanabeads $3.95	Laguna Agate bead JodiRaeRocks $35.00
Handmade Lampwork Beads - Bl... OnTheChain $3.00	Approx. 75g/3oz Hand Dyed Co... fiberaddicts $11.00	S085 Fruit - Dragon Fruit - ... candycanebar $1.20
WHITE Round Eye Glass Connec... lustrousthings $3.00	2 Dozen - Iridescent BLUE an... BearyBox $5.75	dream - Large Embossed Handm... funkydreamsmos... $3.49
DOMINO TILES for pendants, s... CacheStash $2.50	FUNKY Egyptian Rulers People... KimsCustomCaps $22.00

Treasury tool is sponsored by Lazzia.com A/B image testing.

Hoarding or Collecting?

Over the last several weeks I've had the opportunity to watch a television show called, "Hoarders." The show gave me pause to wonder if I am a collector or a hoarder? I look around my house and especially my office slash studio slash packing station; it frightens me to think that I may fall in the latter category! It also gave me pause that most artists and crafters may also wonder if they are hoarders!



I collect antique calendar plates, antique white ware, cut glass, black and white photography just to name a few. But the one thing I collect most are art and craft supplies. I simply can't help myself! A trip to Michaels, Hobby Lobby or JoAnn's is a dangerous outing. Regardless of my existing "stash" I can always find something that I absolutely have to have! Even the old Walmarts that have fabric departments and large craft supply isles will catch my attention and I can't leave without buying something!



When it comes to paints and painting supplies I become absolutely giddy when the Dick Blick Art Supply catalog arrives! I currently own boxes upon boxes of expensive oil paints and all kinds of brushes - and oil brushes are very expensive! Once a year Dick Blick has a huge sale on stretched canvas...I always think I need MORE resulting in a fair to huge stockpile of canvases.



Because one of my great loves is mosaic art I have enough antique and vintage plates to serve a small country. I cut these plates and make mosaic tiles from them. I can't pass a thrift store and because of my proclivity for hoarding plates my friends watch me closely when invited to dinner! I even sell the cut plates and some of my antique calendar plates in my CremeMagnolia Etsy Store!



A Rose by any other name!

So my question to all my fellow artisans are we collectors or hoarders?