Wood Carvers of Etsy

[Jim Arnold]

A little early for the year end team report, but results are in.

In the last six months, team members on the Wood Carvers of Etsy have sold hundreds of carvings, I don't have the actual figures because I've only looked at about half the members so far. $$$ figures are in the tens of thousands. Team blog will get published sometime over the next few weeks and things will take off even more.

Its been a mixed bag, not every single member is having a great year enjoying huge success, some people are 'working' etsy really well. Sometimes its a matter of what you put into it, and sometimes its not.

The Woodcarvers of Etsy continues to grow, we are already the largest independent association of 'selling' wood carvers there is. Members come from all over the world. There are 'newbies' and there are old pros. All kinds of carving disciplines are represented. By the end of 2012, the team sales platform will be totally wired into all the major social media marketing outlets (facebook, twitter, flickr, linkedin, stumble, pinterest, google plus, and whatever else they come up with between now and then!) we will have radio air time and interviews for members, and the platform will be at or very near the top of every single carving sales related category there is on all the major search engines.

Membership is always open to wood carvers that have etsy shops that have wood carving items listed for sale. Membership doesn't cost anything, and other then adding 'tags' to shop listings when requested, you don't have to do anything. If anybody has any questions, please let me know.

Mele Kaliki Maka and Maka Hiki Ho everybody!
(Merry Christmas and happy New Year...thought if I said it in an ancient language, it might not be so politically incorrect, Ho Ho Ho)
Jim

[kdispoto]

Like Jim said - it's the effort you put into it. This year was my first year so I just put a few pieces up just to test the waters. I had reasonable success and hope to put more effort into it next year. Etsy is a great affordable opportunity for y'all.

[TexasSteve]

This is something I am going to try next year.Probably second half of the year, I need more practice first LOL

[Sharon of the Dell]

Thank you Jim!!!!
I agree with the guys, it is what you put into it- more carvings, more social networking, etc., etc.!!!!
I haven't sold much, but also haven't listed anything new in a while. But I have doubled over last year.
But I'm old enough to realize everyone starts at the bottom and works up, so that's the plan and I'm good with it. Not so over whelming that way.
Merry Christmas to all and Happy New Year!!!

[woodshed]

Thanks, Jim for all your work on this, I have had moderate success on Etsy, mainly due to the fact that I wasn't nearly prepared for the year I have had in all venues, thus not enough product to list. The economy may be in the tank, but if you can get the product out there, folks will buy. This will end up being the second best year I have ever had carving. Thanks again, Jim, for bringing us along with you.

Hope you and yours have a Merry Christmas. (and everyone else on the forum!)

[DADDIO]

jim thank you ,you have done a ton of work on the etsy site, i believe the networking through it and FB has really pushed my sales, i have had a etsy site for three years and had few sales, since pushing on FB and the addition of the team i believe these have been crucial in helping my sales pick up. i'm still not proficient at all things etsy but look forward to new things the team is doing. i now wonder when out of pocket a few days, if i have sales.i was gone to atlanta for long weekend this past week and returned to find three items sold. i have had pretty consistent sales lately that have added up to a nice little shopping fund for me. i am very pleased with the the woodcarving team and the effects i believe it's had on my sales thanks so much and i look forward to even more changes and tips that ya'll offer. gotta figure out that latest pintrest thang lol also the radio thing sounds like alot of fun!!!

[Jim Arnold]

Thanks you guys, but if your work is selling its because people like it and want to buy it! Much more in store for 2012 for the team. We'll get into more of the latest, in pinterest, google plus one for business, et al, as well. The blog will get published, and we'll get a 'SEO to do list for woodcarvers' up so you can tweak your profiles and listings to take full advantage of all the search engines in gaining worldwide exposure for your shops and sites.

Its me who should be thanking you guys! This idea has never been done before, and its a hit!, it wouldn't be possible if you didn't join up, and its only going to get better and better, hang on, read the discussions and try some of the suggestions out. If you get stuck, have questions, have something new to try...ask me, Wiz, or Sharon, we'll get everything worked out. If you're on the Wood Carvers of Etsy Team you should also join the Its a Madcap Life Team. Most everybody added the 'Wood Carvers of Etsy' tag to their listings, you should also add "team Madcap" as a tag to all of your listings (you'll get your listings featured in lots of treasuries, and you can get a full shop feature like Wiz did recently, with Madcap too).

Thanks to all of you who have joined up!!! We're at 122 members and growing...growing in numbers and growing in sales. 2012 will see us make it on the worldwide scene in our own right, with our own sales platform, we'll get the regular etsy lookers, but this year's focus will be in driving qualified traffic from outside the etsy circle to our shops (and your websites), and to continue to hook up with all the relevant social media marketing outlets available to us and wherever else we need to go to promote and sell online...

Lots of reasons for all of us to look forward to 2012, its gonna be a good one!

Thanks for the comments and feedback you guys, keep them coming, and thanks for being a part of this.

Jim

[grdeno]

Thanks Jim for all your work on the site I personnly haven't had much luck only selling one piece which was not on line but commisioned. But like you have said I haven't put much time in on it.hopefully this next year I can get more involved and do a little better. Sales locally have been pretty good though I am having trouble keeping up.Great problem to have. I feel that my work has gotten much better also so thanks again Jim for all your work.
Gary

[Pinokeeo]

Ok, you've got my attention. Do you have a link for your store? I'd like to take a look before I decide that it might be something that I'm interested in pursuing. It sounds like a great deal from here.

Good luck to anyone who has already joined the bandwagon. I hope your sales are over the top.

[Sharon of the Dell]

Hi Pinokeeo! Nice to meet you!
Just click on any of our ETSY store links and it will take you there. We each have our own individual shops on ETSY, but then a lot of us belong to the Woodcarvers Of ETSY team.
Jim Arnold our fearless leader and darn good guy started the team. We're about promoting and helping each other and have wood carvers from around the world on our team.
One of our requirements for membership is that at least 75% of your items for sale on ETSY must be wood carvings and made by you.
But on ETSY you can also sell vintage items, supplies and such. Plus you can have more than one shop. I have quite a bit of vintage stuff and plan on opening another shop soon. PLus I paint and sew art quilts, so that is going to happen soon.
Some of the carvers that have had shops for quite a while are doing quite well. Like anything else it takes time to get established and fine your way so to speak.
Anyway, I hope you check it out. Oh, to get to our team, go to our shops and most of us have what teams we belong to listed.
Sharon