Father's Day Preview

Mother's Day may have just been last weekend, but as business owners, it's never too early to start planning ahead for the next holiday. Father's Day will be here before we know it and I'm determined to be ahead of the game this year!

Last year I had this beer mug available and this year I'm expanding the selection to pint glasses and pilsner glasses as well.

I've also relisted these Dad's Kitchen & Grill Master cutting boards, which are perfect for Father's Day.

Last year I designed some wood cards, but never got around to making samples and getting them listed in the shop...ugh! This year I'm on top of my game and have 3 cards made and photographed! I'm working on getting everything listed this week/weekend.

Have you started prepping your shop for Father's Day?

Have any other ideas for my shop?

Father's Day...Just Around the Corner

Father's Day is this Sunday! And if you're still looking for the perfect gift for Dad, I just added this World's Greatest Dad Beer Mug to my shop.

I had big plans to add several wood cards to my shop as well for Father's Day, but it snuck up on me! I knew adding personalized items this late in the game wasn't a good idea, so I thought a premade item would be a better idea. I'm taking orders on these through Tuesday to guarantee a Father's Day delivery. They also make great birthday gifts, so they'll remain in the shop even after this weekend :)

Do you have all your shopping done? I'd love to hear what you got your dad this year :)

New Glassware

I'm always looking for new ways to expand on my existing lines. I feel that you don't have the recreate the wheel when adding new items to your shop. Looking at your existing lines can be just as beneficial. I recently added 3 new glassware items to my Wedding Section.

These Vegas Shot Glasses were a special request and I just love how they turned out! What a fun way to make your Vegas wedding, vacation or other celebration even more special!

These Personalized Mason Jars were also a special request. The bride had ordered wine glasses for the bridal party and wanted something special (and appropriate) for the flower girls and ring bearers. The mason jars are perfect!

 

My Personalized Beer Mugs have done really well for groomsman gifts. I recently had a groom with a special request for a more formal design. This fun design and monogram came together nicely and the groom couldn't have been happier.

I still have a couple new designs for flutes and more shot glasses that I hope to have listed soon as well. Keep your eyes open for more new designs!

Variety...The Spice of Life

Variety...the spice of life! And one of the key components of my business!

I've been offering Bridesmaid Champagne Flutes and Groomsmen Beer Mugs in my shop for a while now and having great success with them! Personalized gifts are so great! I've also been offering Personalized Wine Glasses and Pilsner Glasses...but never thought to add them as a wedding option.

I was recently asked to make some wine glasses for bridesmaids and pilsners for groomsmen. What a great idea...variety! I've now added these to my shop for other couple's to get for their wedding party. Sometimes the flutes can be too dainty and the mugs can be too bulky...so having more options allows the couple to choose the glasses that are right for their friends and family!

Have I mentioned how much I love my customers and custom requests!

2, 4, 6, 8? Listing Sets

Something I see asked a lot in the forums on Etsy, and that I have trouble with from time to time as well, is listing items in sets.

*Will this item sell as a set?

*How many should I list in each set?

*Should I offer multiple sets?

When I first started listing my wine glass sets, I had them listed as sets of four. To me this just seemed like a common glass set number. I sold a few, but my other glass items seemed to do better than the wine glasses.

I recently had a request for a set of two wine glasses. After the custom listing sold, I went ahead and relisted it as an option for my shop. I tend to do this a lot with my shot glass, beer mug and flute sets too. It gives buyers more options. Just since listing the newly made set, I've sold three more sets of the two glass listing!

Sometimes it's just trial and error that leads to the right answer. After I got to thinking about it, a set of two does make more sense for gift-giving. If you're going to put a couples' names or monogram on a glass, they probably don't need their name on more than one glass :) It's always a good idea to revisit our listings and see what changes we can make.

Something for Everyone

My Personalized Beer Mugs have done really well as groomsman gifts and I love seeing all the different teams that the guys choose. There are football teams, basketball teams, hockey teams, college teams, pro teams...and the list goes on.

But what if the guys in the wedding party aren't into sports? I can relate to this, because Jesse isn't into sports at all. What do you choose to put on their mug? You make a custom request of course :)

I've done a few unique mugs lately that I thought were a great idea for the non-sports nut. I love the custom requests because I know that these mugs will be even more special since the bride and groom took the time to choose a special graphic for their groomsman :)

Above are The Hulk, Nissan and Superman logos. And I also have a Firefighter logo and Rock Climbing Club logo on order right now as well. How cool!

I love knowing that I'm helping the bride and groom choose a special gift they can't get anywhere else :)

Sales in Unexpected Places

Many times if we're not at a craft show or checking our Etsy shops, we're not thinking of making sales. Our brains aren't in "crafty mode" and we're not on top of our game.

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In the past couple of weeks, I've made sales in some unexpected places! So I encourage you to always have a line or two ready and ALWAYS carry business cards!

I was at a local glass supplier recently and bought A LOT of beer mugs. The lady behind the checkout counter asked if I was going to use these at a bar. I told her that I actually etch on them and told her a few things I had done. She said her son would love something like that. I said Would You Like a Business Card! I pulled one out of my purse right there and she called last week to buy two mugs :)

And just this past weekend I had a package delivered from FedEx. Usually they just leave our packages in our cars or at the front door because they know we sleep strange hours. This time the guy knocked on the door really loud. I went to see who it was and thanked him for my package. I was about to shut the door when he said...I was wanting to ask you about placing an order! Over the summer he had asked what type of business I run (since he delivers here quite regularly!). I told him all about my laser and he seemed pretty interested. He placed an order for a custom picture frame with both the wood and the glass engraved...how cool! And I was sure to send a couple of business cards with him in case he wants to spread the word :)

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Have you sold any items in unexpected places before? Do you always carry business cards with you so you're prepared when the occasion arises?