New Champagne Flute Designs

As I've mentioned in several posts lately, I'm working on growing my business by focusing on some of my best selling items and expanding these lines. My etched glass has continued to do well since I first began selling it and one item in particular has done really well. My Anchor Champagne Flutes have done really well this this year and I saw an opportunity for growth in this area.

I recently listed two new designs for toasting flutes. The tandem bike design remains to be popular for wedding items.

And the double heart design is great for any wedding whether there is a theme or not.

I've also had several custom requests for flutes, so this has my brain going on other new designs I can add to the shop. I'm seeing lots of graphic/linear designs for weddings lately that I'd like to tap into. Stay tuned!

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.

Photography - A Work In Progress

Photography is one thing I've struggled with since opening my Etsy shop over 4 years ago. My photos have definitely gotten better since the first ones I uploaded! But with each new product comes new struggles it seems.

Photo courtesy of Wake Photography

Since I started selling glass items, I've run into a whole new territory for photography. My friend Melanie at Wake Photography was nice enough to come take photos for me to upload my first glass items to Etsy. She did an awesome job and I wish I had her here all the time to take more pictures! But I like to take photos as I make items and sometimes I'll take photos of custom orders before I ship them, so I don't have the option to wait for the photos to be taken. So it's time I started learning on my own!

My backdrop was the first thing that had to change. I usually take my photos on a white background, but that's just not an option with glass. I found that black worked about the best and all I had on hand at the time was a black table cloth. It worked, but it wasn't the greatest. (Of course Melanie made it look awesome!) So the other day I purchased sheets of black poster paper to lay inside my light box. After I finally got it cut to size, it worked pretty well!

I had tons of glasses that needed photographed, so away I went. Lighting and reflections are still something I'm working on, but I'm really happy with the way these new photos turned out. I know I'll never be as good as Mel, but I'm hoping to get photos good enough to put in my shop.

What do you think of my new glass photos? Please be honest and tell me if you think these are good enough to go in my shop and what your reaction would be if you saw them on Etsy. I've already added a few and I hope they'll get some views :)

Bridal Fair

Over the weekend, I attended a Bridal Fair. No, I'm not getting married...LOL :) I went to scout out the show and see if I felt my items would fit in well. My "marketing manager" aka Mom had mentioned that I should check some out and see if I could get a space for next year.

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I was pleasantly surprised to walk in the door and see a very long line of people waiting to get into the show...and this was 45 minutes after the show had started! The place was packed...a great start!

The show was very well laid out also. I knew as a new vendor that I could possibly get one of the booths with less traffic. But I really didn't see a bad booth in the place! There was a nice flow to the whole show and even the booths in the back had prime space because they were by the fashion show part of the event.

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Here is an example of one of the booths. I was afraid that my craft show set up wouldn't be compatible with a higher end show, but they provide all of the things I was afraid I'd need. The curtained backing and the table with skirt are all provided. And the spaces are very comparable in size to a craft show booth at 10'x10'.

One thing I noticed is that most booths had people standing in the aisle ways handing out postcards/business cards as people walked by. That way, even if they didn't get a chance to stop, they still had the vendor's info. So I may have to recruit some help to run my booth. And being a people person is a must. The vendors were talking to you as you walked by and drew you into their booths.

One thing that I really liked is that no one had anything even close to what I do. There was only one booth that offered personalized services and they mostly did screen printing like coozies and mint wrappers. I didn't see any champagne flutes, guest books, table numbers, etc. And no one offered personalized services like I do.

The only downfall is the price tag that comes along with this awesome show. The cost of a booth is more than 10 times what I normally pay for a craft show booth!!! So I will definitely have to be prepared and have all of my ducks in a row if I plan to attend next year! I have so many more wedding ideas I want to get done!

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Have you done any fancy shows like this? I'd love to hear your experiences!!!

New Glassware

I've finally started adding my new glassware to my shop!!! A good friend of mine was so kind to take photos for me and they turned out great!!! She did a much better job than I ever could have! I've made wine glasses, champagne flutes and beer mugs in both premade and custom options. Here are some of my items: Green Champagne Flutes - Peacock Design Bride and Groom Champagne Flutes

Custom Monogram Wine Glasses I am always looking for new ideas (especially premade options). So if you have any ideas that you'd like to see engraved, please let me know :)

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This is my favorite post from last week, so I'm linking it up at Arful Rising! Come join the Party!!!

Newest Rotary Engraving

I've been having more fun with my rotary this week! I LOVE colored glass as it really makes the engraving/etching stand out. This blue glass looks amazing! (I'm still working on my photography skills!) I can't wait to find more colors and glass styles!

I've also been trying to focus on items that I want to add to my shop so my photographer friend can come help me with pictures :) I'll definitely be adding these Bride and Groom champagne flutes. And I'll add Mr and Mrs flutes as well. (Do you think the words should be closer to the top of the glass...please let me know your thoughts.)

Wine glasses will also come in several custom choices as well as premade options as well. This monogram glass turned out well. I think I'll make the engraving a tad smaller so you can see the whole thing. These will come in different font options as well as first names/last names.

I tried engraving a larger candle votive, but didn't have much luck. I'll be trying again soon. I've had a lot of interest in these, so I'd like to have several options :)

Here is one of the premade options I'm thinking of offering. I'll be making the feather larger and maybe put it on both sides? Or all the way around? Still thinking of other premade options as well.

What do you think? Let me know how I'm doing and add any suggestions you have too!

Expanding My Business Again!

Back in February I purchased a laser engraver and I've been having so much fun with it ever since! By far the best investment I've made for my business. Since purchasing the laser, I've been wanting to get a rotary attachment for it as well. The rotary is an add-on for the laser that allows me to engrave round objects like wine glasses, champagne flutes, candle votives and vases!

Well...IT'S HERE!!!!

I got my rotary last week and finally got to play with it yesterday! All I can say is WOW!!!

It was so easy to set up (once I figured out how to get the crumb tray out...blonde moment)! I was lasering in no time!

I tried a pint glass first and it came out awesome! But I quickly found out how hard it is to photo glass! So I apologize for the terrible photos. I promise they're awesome in person :)

Next I did a candle votive and again...awesome! I love that I can etch all the way around things!

The blue champagne flute is by far my favorite! I have to get my hands on some more of these glasses! The peacock just belongs on this flute!

Next I tried a large wine glass and goblet...not so awesome :( These are heavier on one end and aren't as level as the other items I tried. Sometimes the wheels wouldn't turn, other times they would turn too fast. I will have to look for better glasses and do some more practicing.

This rotary is going to be so awesome! Everyone I tell about it wants custom glasses! And I think I already have about 10 orders for Christmas presents :) I better hurry up and get this thing figured out...LOL!

You can be sure this won't be my last rotary update! And hopefully next time I'll have better photos!!!