Getting Rid of The Taste Test on Your Etsy Front Page

So Etsy has determined that they want to Personalize each person's front page. While this is good in theory, it only holds up if the items shown match that users taste.

For me the Taste Test has been, to using gaming terms, an EPIC FAIL. Many of the items do not match me, or my taste. A big part of that is probably because when searching through the choices, I could rarely find that item I really liked. Maybe I am just to choosy. But either way, I do not like ending up on the front page and being confronted by those images.

Admin happily announces that more shops are being "seen" with taste test. While that may be true, fewer sales will result IF the tastes do not match. So being seen by a customer who does not share your style is no good.

So any way, I know many of you want IT gone. And Admin is currently turning a deaf ear. So some forum users have taken matters into their own hand and have found a plug-in that will remove "Taste Test" from your page. I can not take credit for this, but I can attest to it working.

This will work for FireFox as it is a Firefox plugin. You will need to install the Add-on Remove-it-permanently. You can find it here: http://rip.mozdev.org/    Follow all directions during installation and restart.

Once installed,  go the the Etsy homepage and left click just under the TT results. You should see a popup menu that includes "Remove it permanently". When you hover over that button, a red border should appear around the TT.  If it is only around the Taste Test, go ahead and click the button.

If it is around more than the taste test, you will need to choose a different area and try again. Otherwise you may remove everything on the page. The image below will show you what it should look like.

Notice where the red X is on the picture. This was the best place for me to choose only the Taste Test to remove.

If you removed more than you wanted to, do the following.
Tools Menu --> Add-on
Add-on page: Go to the add-on Remove it permanently and choose the options button.

It will look like this:

Then clear out the Etsy Rip with "Remove Rip" and Everything associated with it using the "Remove Xpath" button. This will restore your front page.

I was also able to remove the "You might like" and "Featured Seller" portions on my front page. This did take a bit to find the right spot to click to remove JUST that function.

Hope this helps free your front page. Good luck.. Contact me if I can help you use this feature.

Twitter Tree 5-25-2011

This wonderful idea was started by ChristieCottage and has already brought in sales and promotional opportunities to those involved.  Remember “A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds. Francis Bacon. ”  I saw that quote posted on Twitter and it seems to fit the idea, so let us create more opportunities to be seen.

The Twitter Tree will be hosted by a different shop each business day.

Monday: http://christiecottage.blogspot.com/
Tuesday: http://linorstorecom.blogspot.com/
Wednesday: http://elunajewelry-nc.blogspot.com/
Thursday: http://aneedleinthehaystack-debbie.blogspot.com/
Friday: http://sweetybird09.blogspot.com/

3 Items today:

twitter account: @elunajewelry

 

 Sign up for Exclusive Savings on Handmade Jewelry!

http://eepurl.com/daGt-/ #etsy #handmade #blog #bluebird

 

The Original Reversi Backward Hoops in Copper! 

http://tinyurl.com/3bz2k5r

#bluebird #etsy #unique #funky

OMG It is HUGH!!! http://tinyurl.com/4gacmcg

#etsy #bluebird #big #giant

If you follow me on twitter - please let me know. I don't follow everyone back if I don't know who they are :)

The Twitter Tree Instructions:

You post the item(s) you tweeted for me along with your twitter account so I can follow you, and list 1-3 items (clickable links, Twitter Ready please) from any of your online shops that you would like for me to tweet for you. ( No "mature" items, please). Be sure the item is twitter ready. (Please include a description, not just the link and any #hashtags you would like to use.) 

You may list from multiple stores. However please respect other twitters and post no more than a total of three items. 

Some tweeters use applications like Tweetdeck. This application automatically shortens URLs, and has a difficult time distinguishing between hashtags and URLs when they are not properly spaced. Please place spaces between your URLs and hastags. Failure to do so may result in lower views as your tweets may get corrupted in the system.

Check back throughout the day to tweet the other items listed in the comments. To make life simpler for all those tweeting, please add the hashtag #bluebird to your links. This way it will be easier to re-tweet later in the day. Also if you add the #bluebird hashtag to your items, it will give you a random chance to be featured in the #bluebird daily twitter paper. 

By reaching out through our blog and twitter network, we hope to increase promotion for all our stores and hope to gain a new audience and possibly some sales. 

 
Hope you have a wonderful day and see you in tweetland.

Help me Choose

So I have decided to offer you the chance to choose the next stone I wrap. Each of the stones below are finished and ready to wrap into a new pendant. Help me choose which one, by leaving your comment below.

Amethyst

Amethyst Quartz Matrix

Blue and Gold Tiger Eye

Hematite Banded Red Jasper

Charcoal Gray Moonstone

Green Lined Labradorite

So you want to know how to package?

Etsy is known as a place for personal touches. That little extra done in thanks of your customer. And part of that starts with the packaging.

Every so often I see a new thread talking about how one "should" package their items, and of course there are differing views on what the best way is. But as long as it gets to your customer, with nothing damaged, and makes your customer happy, then it is the right way for you.

Today I thought I would share my way of packaging, and some of the reasons why I do it this way.

Here are the parts of my package.
1. Size 0 Padded Mailer
2. Invoice and Paypay Label
3. Bubble Wrap Sheet (1/2 if using large bubble)
4. Curling Ribbon
5. Business Card
6. Mini Thank You Card
7. Purchased Item

Since I usually send my earrings on earring cards, I will place both the earrings and my business card into the bubble wrap and roll them up as seen below. Once rolled I tape the edge down.

This process protects the earrings in bubble wrap, but it also provides the ability to make my mailer thicker without increasing the weight too much. This allows me to ship packages "First-Class" US mail rather than Priority Mail and saves on shipping cost.

Once the package is rolled up, I tie the curling ribbon around it.
This creates a pretty picture making it look like a gift. But it also secures the package in case the tape comes of during transport.

To finish off the personal touch, I attach a thank you card with a personal note included. I have also begun attaching a discount coupon code in the thank you card.

Once this is completed, I attach the mailing label to my mailer, place the invoice and package inside, and seal it up.

The final product:

Twitter Tree 5-18-2011

This wonderful idea was started by ChristieCottage and has already brought in sales and promotional opportunities to those involved.  Remember “A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds. Francis Bacon. ”  I saw that quote posted on Twitter and it seems to fit the idea, so let us create more opportunities to be seen.

The Twitter Tree will be hosted by a different shop each business day.

Monday: http://christiecottage.blogspot.com/
Tuesday: http://linorstorecom.blogspot.com/
Wednesday: http://elunajewelry-nc.blogspot.com/
Thursday: http://aneedleinthehaystack-debbie.blogspot.com/
Friday: http://sweetybird09.blogspot.com/

Only 1 Item today:

twitter account: @elunajewelry

Hand cut Dinosaur Bone Pendant by @elunajewelry

http://tinyurl.com/693bw9x #bluebird

#etsy #handmadebot

If you follow me on twitter - please let me know. I don't follow everyone back if I don't know who they are :)

The Twitter Tree Instructions:

You post the item(s) you tweeted for me along with your twitter account so I can follow you, and list 1-3 items (clickable links, Twitter Ready please) from any of your online shops that you would like for me to tweet for you. ( No "mature" items, please). Be sure the item is twitter ready. (Please include a description, not just the link and any #hashtags you would like to use.) 

You may list from multiple stores. However please respect other twitters and post no more than a total of three items. 

Some tweeters use applications like Tweetdeck. This application automatically shortens URLs, and has a difficult time distinguishing between hashtags and URLs when they are not properly spaced. Please place spaces between your URLs and hastags. Failure to do so may result in lower views as your tweets may get corrupted in the system.

Check back throughout the day to tweet the other items listed in the comments. To make life simpler for all those tweeting, please add the hashtag #bluebird to your links. This way it will be easier to re-tweet later in the day. Also if you add the #bluebird hashtag to your items, it will give you a random chance to be featured in the #bluebird daily twitter paper. 

By reaching out through our blog and twitter network, we hope to increase promotion for all our stores and hope to gain a new audience and possibly some sales. 

 
Hope you have a wonderful day and see you in tweetland.

Twitter Tree Wednesday 5-11-11

This wonderful idea was started by ChristieCottage and has already brought in sales and promotional opportunities to those involved.  Remember “A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds. Francis Bacon. ”  I saw that quote posted on Twitter and it seems to fit the idea, so let us create more opportunities to be seen.

The Twitter Tree will be hosted by a different shop each business day.

Monday: http://christiecottage.blogspot.com/
Tuesday: http://linorstorecom.blogspot.com/
Wednesday: http://elunajewelry-nc.blogspot.com/
Thursday: http://aneedleinthehaystack-debbie.blogspot.com/
Friday: http://sweetybird09.blogspot.com/

Here are the 3 items that I would like tweeted today:

twitter account: @elunajewelry

New Textured Amethyst Stained Glass by @elunajewelry

http://tinyurl.com/45yeq35 #bluebird

#etsy

New Cobalt Blue Recycled Glass Earrings by @elunajewelry
http://tinyurl.com/3orcfsd #etsy #bluebird

New Tropical Sunset Recycled Stained Glass by @elunajewelry
http://tinyurl.com/3pqhrk4 #etsy #bluebird
 

If you follow me on twitter - please let me know. I don't follow everyone back if I don't know who they are :)

The Twitter Tree Instructions:

You post the item(s) you tweeted for me along with your twitter account so I can follow you, and list 1-3 items (clickable links, Twitter Ready please) from any of your online shops that you would like for me to tweet for you. ( No "mature" items, please). Be sure the item is twitter ready. (Please include a description, not just the link and any #hashtags you would like to use.) 

You may list from multiple stores. However please respect other twitters and post no more than a total of three items. 

Some tweeters use applications like Tweetdeck. This application automatically shortens URLs, and has a difficult time distinguishing between hashtags and URLs when they are not properly spaced. Please place spaces between your URLs and hastags. Failure to do so may result in lower views as your tweets may get corrupted in the system.

Check back throughout the day to tweet the other items listed in the comments. To make life simpler for all those tweeting, please add the hashtag #bluebird to your links. This way it will be easier to re-tweet later in the day. Also if you add the #bluebird hashtag to your items, it will give you a random chance to be featured in the #bluebird daily twitter paper. 

By reaching out through our blog and twitter network, we hope to increase promotion for all our stores and hope to gain a new audience and possibly some sales. 

 
Hope you have a wonderful day and see you in tweetland.

Wanna see?

Last weekend I provided a demo at my craft show. The hostess of the craft show videoed me as I was cutting some stones. I thought I would share that video with you!

Beginning Monday I will begin offering an Exclusive Deal to a select group of customers. If you would like to be invited to view this exclusive deal, all you have to do is sign up to the right! No other action is needed, and you will be among the select few to receive information on this exclusive deal.

New Pendant

I have not introduced much of my new work lately. So today I thought I might introduce you guys to my latest listing: My Oolite Pendant.

I found a slab of this stone at a local gem and mineral show last year. Both my husband and I thought it looked really cool, so I bought it. A couple of months ago, I finally cut it. It looked so much cooler than I had imagined. I should mention that most of my awesome pendants look SOOOO much better once they are cut than they do in my imagination :)

 

When I cut the Oolite, I literally had no idea what to call this thing. I posted to several rock hound forums trying to get an answer as to what this stone was. After having several people tell me it looked like it was resin, I finally set it on fire. Yes I actually tried to set this stone on fire. I needed to prove to myself that is was really a stone and not a look a like.

Well other than a little smoke smut, there was no change. IE it was a real rock and not a resin.. (jumps up and down in happy cheers.) The very next day I found out what the stone was called: Oolite.

Oolite, also known as Egg Stone, is actually a sedimentary rock containing layers of spherical grains called ooids. Ooids are typically made up of calcium carbonate, although other ooids have been found. And interestingly enough, most oolites found seem to have been created around the Jurassic period.

I have been told not to tell you guys this, but beginning Monday I will have an Exclusive deal on my jewelry. If you would like to learn more about this AWESOME deal, use the form on the right to sign up!

Twitter Tree Wednesday 5-04-11

This wonderful idea was started by ChristieCottage and has already brought in sales and promotional opportunities to those involved.  Remember “A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds. Francis Bacon. ”  I saw that quote posted on Twitter and it seems to fit the idea, so let us create more opportunities to be seen.

The Twitter Tree will be hosted by a different shop each business day.

Monday: http://christiecottage.blogspot.com/
Tuesday: http://christiecottage.blogspot.com/
Wednesday: http://elunajewelry-nc.blogspot.com/
Thursday: http://aneedleinthehaystack-debbie.blogspot.com/
Friday: http://sweetybird09.blogspot.com/

Here are the 3 items that I would like tweeted today:

twitter account: @elunajewelry

Copper, Brass, and Silver Textured Pendant

http://tinyurl.com/42dxqmn #bluebird #etsy

@elunajewelry

Silver and Labradorite Earrings 
http://tinyurl.com/3sqbgoe #etsy #bluebird @elunajewelry

Silver Wrapped Labradorite Pendant with Designer Stone
http://tinyurl.com/3tn2q7x #etsy #blue #bluebird
  @elunajewelry

If you follow me on twitter - please let me know. I don't follow everyone back if I don't know who they are :)

The Twitter Tree Instructions:

You post the item(s) you tweeted for me along with your twitter account so I can follow you, and list 1-3 items (clickable links, Twitter Ready please) from any of your online shops that you would like for me to tweet for you. ( No "mature" items, please). Be sure the item is twitter ready. (Please include a description, not just the link and any #hashtags you would like to use.) 

You may list from multiple stores. However please respect other twitters and post no more than a total of three items. 

Some tweeters use applications like Tweetdeck. This application automatically shortens URLs, and has a difficult time distinguishing between hashtags and URLs when they are not properly spaced. Please place spaces between your URLs and hastags. Failure to do so may result in lower views as your tweets may get corrupted in the system.

Check back throughout the day to tweet the other items listed in the comments. To make life simpler for all those tweeting, please add the hashtag #bluebird to your links. This way it will be easier to re-tweet later in the day. Also if you add the #bluebird hashtag to your items, it will give you a random chance to be featured in the #bluebird daily twitter paper. 

By reaching out through our blog and twitter network, we hope to increase promotion for all our stores and hope to gain a new audience and possibly some sales. 

 
Hope you have a wonderful day and see you in tweetland.