Shipping Rate Increase

Yesterday the USPS announced a rate increase on postage. Stamps aren't going up much, just 46 cents. But boy are packages getting hit hard. And international packages seem to be getting hit the hardest! While most domestic packages are just increasing by a dime or a dollar, international packages are practically doubling. And this includes Canada as well.

Etsy has put together a nice post on their blog covering several commonly used services with the old and new rates so you can see for comparison.

Here is an Excel file of all the shipping services and new rates at the USPS site as well.

I went over my shipping prices on Thursday and started changing the rates. With custom orders I need to be ahead of the game since I won't be shipping until after the rate increase has taken effect. I was afraid international customers would stop buying all together after seeing the rate increase, but I have good news. I've already sold two items to international locations since raising my rates. While some customers may be deterred, customers who want your product are still going to buy regardless of the shipping.

Take a moment today to look over your shipping rates and make the necessary changes so you don't take a big loss on those large rate increases. The good news is, it didn't take me long to update my prices using the bulk edit tool on Etsy. Click on "Your Shop" at the top of the page. Then click "Shipping & Payment" on the left hand side of the page. There is a link that says "Apply Shipping Profiles to multiple listings". From there you can use the drop down menus to change all of your listings at once. Once I got my new profiles set, it was a piece of cake :)

Treasury Thanks - Front Page Edition!

Welcome to another edition of my Treasury Thanks! Each week I like to thank my treasury curators from the past week by featuring their treasuries as well as an item from their shop. Please help me in thanking them by clicking on their treasuries and checking out their shops :)

Linda of lindab142 featured my Mustache Valentine's Day Card in her Valentines Day Gift Ideas Treasury! Linda is ready for Valentine's Day as well with this Big Heart Pendant!

Olga of farberovao featured my Mustache Cuff Links in her Gifts for husband on Valentine's Day Treasury! Olga's shop is currently on vacation, but I found this adorable Felt Kitty Brooch in her sold section!

Sarah of lafripe also featured my Mustache Cuff Links in her Comme les Garcons Treasury! Sarah's shop is full of beautiful vintage finds like this Ornate Cuff Bracelet!

Linda of PruittCreations featured my Letters for Custom Name Albums in her Nice Lime and Cool Turquoise Treasury! Linda is ready for Valentine's Day with this cute Soft Conversation Hearts!

Trina of trinasclaycreations featured my Mustache Cuff Links in her Awesome W O O D Treasury! Trina has the cutest clay shop and specializes in Custom Wedding Cake Toppers like the one above!

>>FRONT PAGE TREASURY<< 

Solvita of SoleDeVita featured my Drink Me Bottle Stopper in her >>MEN CAVE<< Treasury which made it to the FRONT PAGE!!! Solvita is from Latvia and creates one-of-a-kind pinback buttons like this Pinky the Fish listing above.

Friday Features - BBA Love

Earlier this week I blogged about some new Valentine's items I've added to my shop. I'm excited to say that my Mustache Card has done so well already! And we still have a couple weeks to go!

This got me in the mood to go searching for other awesome Valentine finds. I didn't have to look any further than my own Etsy team, the Blogging Business Artisans. This team is full of creativity and awesomeness! Check it out...

Heart Charms Set - Set of Two (2) - One (1) Glass Charm, (1) One Metal Charm

by randomcreative

Cupid's Arrow Necklace - Valentine's Day, heart, love, gold, brass, charm, vintage inspired

 by OhNostalgiaDesigns 

HEART T shirt, short sleeve, cotton, hand dyed, children, youth, tie dye, pink, hot pink, light pink

 by SplendidLittleStars

Shabby Chic Decorative Red Gingham, Polka Dot, Floral Hanging Hearts, Christmas Ornament, Satin Roses, Valentine, Trio

 by PeriDotbyDuni

Wordless Wednesday - Awesome Silhouette

♥Spread Some Love♥

Valentine's Day is just around the corner! Jesse and I don't celebrate much, but I'm still having tons of fun making cute and humorous items for my shop :)

I started out with a couple fun/pun cards:

For my Deer

Mustache Valentine

I also listed these cute Post Heart Earrings

and I'll be listing these soon as well

I couldn't help but make a pair of each of these earrings for myself :)

 Do you celebrate Valentine's Day? Are you getting your shop ready for the holiday?

Have a Dream

LINK

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday, I thought a post about dreams was appropriate for today. King inspires us to dream big and work hard for our dreams. They won't happen on their own and we need to speak out and follow our dreams.

LINK

Most of my life I've wanted to own my own business. The type of business has changed from time to time, but I've always wanted to work for myself and be completely responsible for my future and success. I had a dream and I knew it would come true with hard work and persistence. Don't get me wrong, it didn't happen over night. Finding the right fit for me and making it work took time. But in the end, it is worth every lost hour of sleep, every 16 hour day I have put in, every paper cut, every trip to the post office, every cold meal I've eaten...worth it all.

LINK

Today, I encourage you to take a look at your dreams. Write them down, ponder over them. DREAM BIG! I also want you to look at ways you can take a step toward your dream...today. Don't wait for the right timing...it won't come. Don't wait for someone else to make it happen....they won't. Don't just wish and hope, but really do something to make your dreams come true. Each small step you take will get you one step closer to your dream :)

 DREAM BIG, WORK HARD!

Treasury Thanks

Welcome to another edition of my Treasury Thanks! Each week I like to thank my treasury curators from the past week by featuring their treasuries as well as an item from their shop. Please help me in thanking them by clicking on their treasuries and checking out their shops :)

Cynthia of AntiquityTravelers featured my Star Burst Notebook in her South by Southwest Treasury! Cynthia's beautiful Turquoise Tailsman Earrings are also featured in this treasury and fit right in with the Southwest theme!

Cynthia also featured my Wooden Anniversary Card in her February is for Lovers Treasury! Cynthia's Queen of Hearts Necklace would be the perfect accessory for Valentine's Day this year!

Heather is a buyer only and featured my Personalized Valentine's Day Card in her Wood Carved Valentines - Hearts & Love in Wood Treasury!

LeAnn of pasqueflower featured my Pink Wooden Earrings in her Pretty, Please Treasury! I just love LeAnn's oven mitts and this Aqua Mitt would go perfectly in this treasury!

Nancy of NFallonDesignStudio also featured my Pink Wooden Earrings in her Pretty in Pink Treasury! Nancy has added lots of new items to her shop this year and I'm loving this Coin Purse, Keychain, Tissue Case Set!

Angela of OddComplex featured my Wooden Wine Charms in her GOT WOOD? Treasury! Angela makes unique heart pendants out of machine nuts! And I love This Listing where you can choose your own color!

Thanks again to my curators! You've made my week :)