Live Online Open House (free)

BIG NEWS!
Sign up for CRAFTCAST’s first Live Online Open House,
and it’s FREE!

Yes, on August 5th, 8 - 9:00 PM EST Allison from Craft Cast will being hosting an online open house along with some of your favorite teachers.

We will be talking about upcoming classes, and new products, plus your turn to ask some questions.

So here is your opportunity to sign up for free!

Just email Allison, just click the banner on the left, and tell her you want to register. You will receive an email with all the how-to log on information needed.

click here to register via email



You can check out my interview with Allison on Craft Cast a few months ago... Listen as I chat about my Etsy business and using Social Media to market your handmade goods>> Click Here

Facebook 3rd Party Apps Are Still Using Your Pictures

Despite the announcement last week from Facebook about your pictures being used in ads, there are still 3rd party apps using your photos in their advertisements.



Over on the left you can see an ad that has my avatar and another members avatar advertising for a singles app

Help put a stop to this: Join the Facebook group "Stop Using My Pictures"

Don't forget to change your setting so Facebook it self can't use your pictures in ads.. HERE is a screen shot walk through of how to change your settings

Etsy Top 10 Monday (7.27.09)

Etsy Top 10 Monday From July 20

This past weeks Top 10 items received a total of 2054 + hits and 2 sale!!!!

1. Break out the fat pants!
2. Nap Time
3. Maryse (sold)
4. BummbleBee Heart
5. Walk This Way
6. An Apple A Day (sold)
   
7. Colorful Bracelet
8. Good morning Sunshine
9. Blackberry Sage(sold)
10. Navajo Lizard
    

Tune in to my Twitter channel this Monday at 12 pm for the Etsy top 10...

__________________________________________________________________
If you would like to have your Etsy shop considered for the Etsy Top 10 Leave a comment on this blog post telling me what item from last weeks Top ten you like best!

Also post your Etsy shop in the Forums >> Here

These 2 steps must be taken to be considered for the top 10!
_________________________________________________________________

Help Spread the word about the Etsy Top 10:
Tune in tomorrow and help retweet all 10 winners!!!
Add #etsytop10 to your tweets!!!

Also you can help spread the word with this easy Retweet link below:
Easy Retweet> http://bit.ly/3saJ7W

If you have been featured in the Etsy Top 10.. you can add this button to your blog. Just copy and paste the code below.... Make sure you grab the code from the week you were featured, and it will send your readers to that week and help increase your traffic to your Etsy shop!


<a href="http://timothyadamdesigns.blogspot.com/2009/07/etsy-top-10-monday-72709.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Etsy Top 10" src="http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww326/timothyadam/to10badge.png" title="Etsy Top 10" /></a>

__________________________________________________________________

Sign up for my INSIDER tips and tricks click HERE
Also check out Handmadeology
Etsy sales modern jewelry Twitter metal Etsy traffic tips

Third Party Ads using your pictures on Facebook must be stopped!!!!

Third Party Ads using your pictures on Facebook must be stopped!!!!

Here is what Faceebook Says: HERE

"Facebook occasionally pairs advertisements with relevant social actions from a user's friends to create Facebook Ads. Facebook Ads make advertisements more interesting and more tailored to you and your friends. These respect all privacy rules. You may opt out of appearing in your friends' Facebook Ads below."



Here are some examples of ads you will find on third party apps that can not be prevented:




These third party ads can not be prevented according to Allfacebook.com . In the recently published article by Nick O'Neill HERE :
He stats "Following Download Squad’s instructions will not solve the problem. That’s because ad networks do not check to see the setting that Download Squad explains how to modify. This misunderstanding is now creating a substantial amount of buzz and even Mashable has misinterpreted the policies set forth by Facebook. The result is that tons of people on Twitter are now talking about this questionable policy."




However you can prevent Facebook itself from using your pictures in ads.

To block Facebook from using your pics , click on "Settings" up at the top where you see the Logout link. Select "Privacy". Then select "Newsfeeds and Wall". Next select the tab that reads FACEBOOK ADS. There is a drop down box, select "No One". Then save your changes.

Step one:



Step 2:
Step 3:
Step 4:

How do you feel about Facebook allowing Third Party Apps using your pictures in their ads?


Join the Facebook Group!!! Here

Sign up for my INSIDER tips and tricks click HERE
Also check out Handmadeology

Dropping Etsy Tips

If you have been following my tips and tricks to to help your Handmade business.. then you have to check out this new site. TipDrop.com is a place where you can add your quick tips for any thing you can imagine. I have been compiling my tips about Etsy, blogging, Twitter,Facebook Google Analytics and much more. All these tips are in one place and are short and to the point. The best thing is these tips are specfically designed for the Handmade Niche...

If you have your own tips you can even add them to my Tip Sheet. A tip sheet is where you can find all the tips for a certain subject.. for example: How to blog in the Handmade Scene.
and: How to get more traffic to your Etsy Shop.
There is a voting system, so if you find the tip helpful and true... just give it a vote! You can create your very own tip sheet about any subject you like.

Check out all the tips that I have been putting together: HERE
If you have your own tips that may fit please feel free to add your own and if you found the tips helpful and true.. please give them a vote!

What is TipDrop?

TipDrop is a place where people come to give and receive tips on just about anything. When you see a tip sheet you know something about, simply answer the question:

» What do you know about that?

Why Use TipDrop?

Because unlike other microblogging platforms, TipDr

op creates focused sets of useful information on specific concepts. No wasting time reading what somebody had for breakfast here. (We also give you the option of keeping 75% of all ad-revenues generated from the tip sheets you create.)

What is Credibility?

TipDrop has a built-in credibility engine that helps k

eep the best tips on top and the junk out of the system. You build credibility by adding tips that other people like and vote for.

::Follow Handmade Tips on Twitter::

Etsy Top 10 Monday (7.20.09)

Etsy Top 10 Monday

This past weeks Top 10 items received a total of 1925 + hits and one sale!!!!

1. 75mm Brilliance Plus
2. Fuzzy Orange Earrings
   
3. Poppies Pink Handbag
4. Xylophone (SOLD)
   
5. Jenny's Deluxe
6. Double Circle Clutch
7. We are Wedges
8. Brown Chocolate
9. Silver Simplicity
10. California Poppy Cuff
    

Tune in to my Twitter channel this Monday at 12 pm for the Etsy top 10...

__________________________________________________________________
If you would like to have your Etsy shop considered for the Etsy Top 10 Leave a comment on this blog post telling me what item from last weeks Top ten you like best!

Also post your Etsy shop in the Forums >> HERE

These 2 steps must be taken to be considered for the top 10!
_________________________________________________________________

Help Spread the word about the Etsy Top 10:
Tune in tomorrow and help retweet all 10 winners!!!
Add #etsytop10 to your tweets!!!

Also you can help spread the word with this easy Retweet link below:
Easy Retweet> http://bit.ly/zFK4o

If you have been featured in the Etsy Top 10.. you can add this button to your blog. Just copy and paste the code below.... Make sure you grab the code from the week you were featured, and it will send your readers to that week and help increase your traffic to your Etsy shop!



<a href="http://timothyadamdesigns.blogspot.com/2009/07/etsy-top-10-monday-from-june-6-this.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Etsy Top 10" src="http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww326/timothyadam/to10badge.png" title="Etsy Top 10" /></a>
__________________________________________________________________

Sign up for my INSIDER tips and tricks click HERE
Also check out Handmadeology
Etsy sales modern jewelry Twitter metal Etsy traffic tips

Elgin - Modern Steampunk Necklace

Elgin - Modern Steampunk Necklace

This Modern Steampunk Necklace is a great example of taking the old and bringing it back to life! This one of a kind necklace is handmade, constructed from a Swiss Jeweled Watch Movement. There are two pieces of steel riveted to each other, one is polished to a high shine and the other is carefully heat treated to reveal a one of a kind color that can't be matched or repeated. This stunning one of a kind necklace is clear coated for protection and shine.







The Elgin Necklace is made from a 23 jewel, recycled watch movement from the Us Elgin watch company. Check out the detail on the watch movement... so small with so much detail!













This modern necklace is sold hung on a very sleek and simple 1mm, 18" or 16" stainless steel magnet necklace. the stainless steel cable is nylon coated. the magnets are very strong and have been tested too.

Size: 2 inches tall by 1.5 inches wide

You may also like these other Modern Steampunk Necklaces:
Modern Steampunk: By Timothy Adam

Etsy Top 10 Monday (7.13.09)

The Top 10 is being extended until Tuesday at NOON!!! Enter your Etsy shop to get in the running!!

Etsy Top 10 Monday

This past weeks Top 10 items received a total of 1850 + hits!!!!

1. Coffee Shop T
2. Bazni Ring
3. Blacked Capped Chickadee
4. iPod Bot
5. Button Tree
6. Ring With a Twist
7. Silly Mustache
8. Small Space Ring
9. Anatomy of a Dandelion
10. Modern Swirls
    

Tune in to my Twitter channel this Monday at 9 pm for the top 10...
I will be traveling to DC during the day!

__________________________________________________________________
If you would like to have your Etsy shop considered for the Etsy Top 10 Leave a comment on this blog post telling me what item from last weeks Top ten you like best!

Also post your Etsy shop in the Forums >> HERE

These 2 steps must be taken to be considered for the top 10!
_________________________________________________________________

Help Spread the word about the Etsy Top 10:
Tune in tomorrow and help retweet all 10 winners!!!
Add #etsytop10 to your tweets!!!

Also you can help spread the word with this easy Retweet link below:
Easy Retweet> http://bit.ly/18J2e5

If you have been featured in the Etsy Top 10.. you can add this button to your blog. Just copy and paste the code below.... Make sure you grab the code from the week you were featured, and it will send your readers to that week and help increase your traffic to your Etsy shop!


<a href="http://timothyadamdesigns.blogspot.com/2009/07/etsy-top-10-monday-71309.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Etsy Top 10" src="http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww326/timothyadam/to10badge.png" title="Etsy Top 10" /></a>
__________________________________________________________________

Sign up for my INSIDER tips and tricks click HERE
Also check out Handmadeology
Etsy sales modern jewelry Twitter metal Etsy traffic tips

Understanding Google Analytics: Etsy Traffic

If you are like me you love to look at numbers. But seeing traffic stats and numbers is more than fun, it is a vital part to running a online business. Google Analytics is a powerful tool that we as shop owners can use to track traffic trends and much more.

Before you can start seeing all this valuable info you have to install Google Analytics in your Etsy Shop. Here is a short video walk through that explains the install process step by step...

http://www.handmadeology.biz/home/archives/190


Google Analytics is full of info that you could be using to grow your business. Here are two indepth videos that are geared toward our Etsy shops.

http://www.handmadeology.biz/home/archives/540

http://www.handmadeology.biz/home/archives/187


If you are wondering how to track what time of day you should be renewing and relisting....well you can track your traffic time trends with Google Analytics for your Etsy Shop.... Here is a super short how to on how you can track time trends in your shop:

http://www.handmadeology.biz/home/archives/210


More Google Analytics resources!


Google Analytics – Compare Your Etsy Shop (Parts 1-3)

http://etsymarketing.org/etsy-shop-google-analytics/
http://etsymarketing.org/average-sales-etsy-shop/
http://etsymarketing.org/average-sales-on-etsycom-google-analytics/

Etsy & Google Analytics - But What Does It Mean???

http://www.craftevolution.com/?p=911


Etsy Storque Articles:

Etsy Web Analytics: Get It Straight from Google

http://www.etsy.com/storque/how-to/etsy-web-analytics-get-it-straight-from-google-3705/

Web Analytics Recap: Seller Chat in the Virtual Labs

http://www.etsy.com/storque/how-to/web-analytics-recap-seller-chat-in-the-virtual-labs-3596/

Tech Update: Etsy Web Analytics Enhancements

http://www.etsy.com/storque/etsy-news/tech-update-etsy-web-analytics-enhancements-3350/



Etsy Forum threads about Google Analytics:

How to excle your own visits in Google analytics

http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5989513

Video Tutorials: Google Analytics

http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6208147


GA Q&A - Making Google Jump Through Hoops

http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6027509&page=1



If you have found a site/blog that has helped you understand Google Analytics better please post it HERE in the Etsy Forums.

thanks,

timothy

Etsy Worthy Photo Contest #2

Check out the results from the last Etsy Worthy Photo Contest! 458 photo entries were submitted, 6,511 total votes cast, 710 comments submitted.

A day in my studio!

Here is a little look at a day in my studio. Watch as i build a modern metal tv cabinet in 4 mins!

Etsy Top 10 Monday (7.6.09)

Etsy Top 10 Monday From June 29

This past weeks Top 10 items received a total of 1700 + hits!!!!

1. Silver Sunset
2. Palm Tree Beach
3. Island Coconut
4. Scooped Up From the Sea
5. Ship on a Sea of Buttons
6. Cobblestone Necklace
7. Sea of Petunias
8. The Color of the Sea
9. Ice cream Bar
10. Salmon Pink
    

Tune in to my Twitter channel every Monday at NOON for the top 10...

__________________________________________________________________
If you would like to have your Etsy shop considered for the Etsy Top 10 Leave a comment on this blog post telling me what item from last weeks Top ten you like best!

Also post your Etsy shop in the Forums >> HERE

These 2 steps must be taken to be considered for the top 10!
_________________________________________________________________

Help Spread the word about the Etsy Top 10:
Tune in tomorrow and help retweet all 10 winners!!!
Add #etsytop10 to your tweets!!!

Also you can help spread the word with this easy Retweet link below:
Easy Retweet> http://bit.ly/xA7Z8

If you have been featured in the Etsy Top 10.. you can add this button to your blog. Just copy and paste the code below.... Make sure you grab the code from the week you were featured, and it will send your readers to that week and help increase your traffic to your Etsy shop!


<a href="http://timothyadamdesigns.blogspot.com/2009/07/etsy-top-10-monday-7609.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Etsy Top 10" src="http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww326/timothyadam/to10badge.png" title="Etsy Top 10" /></a>

__________________________________________________________________

Sign up for my INSIDER tips and tricks click HERE
Also check out Handmadeology
Etsy sales modern jewelry Twitter metal Etsy traffic tips

Boosting your Google Page Rank

With the recent SEO problems loads of Etsy sellers have lost the page rank that they have worked hard to gain. I have lost a page rank, falling from 4 to 3.

There are a bunch of ways you can start gaining your page rank back. One way is to list your Etsy shop in Link Directories. When you list your shop in a link directory it creates a permanent back link to your shop that Google loves! The more link backs you can create the better your Google Page Rank will can be. This is not a magic fix and will not change your rank over night. This is only one piece to the puzzle.


Here are a few of the link directories.. there are thousands out there.. and these are some FREE ones.

(Handmade Link Directories)

Handmade Link Directory

Handmade Feed
(Page Rank Check Tool and Directory)
____________________________________________

(Normal Link Directories)

http://www.dmoz.org/

http://www.netinsert.com/

http://www.clickey.com/ (must own your domain)

http://searchsight.com/

http://www.xtlinks.com/

http://search-o-rama.com/

http://www.somuch.com/

http://www.directory.ldmstudio.com/

http://www.itzalist.com/


Adding your links to directories is just one step you can take to gain Google Page rank...

What are you doing these days to boost your rank?

Recently I held a Handmade Town Hall meeting where I covered the topic of SEO for our Etsy shops.. You will find info about how to maximize your Etsy shop for the Google search>> http://budurl.com/HandmadeTownHall

Picture Perfect 2.0

Jen Kiaba and I are planning a chat all about photography - especially geared towards artisan who are selling their work online. The date is set for this Wednesday @ 9pm. So now we want to know - what is it you want to know!!! Leave your questions in the comments below! Don't forget to sign up for the reminder! For even more info on this chat.. check out Jens post on her blog HERE





Jen is a professional photographer feel free to check out her sites:
Etsy
Blog
Website
Facebook