Etsy Shop Home [ redesign ]

I'm sure every Etsy shop owner will have heard of the shop home redesign that Etsy is rolling out this month. The purpose of this is to give shop owners more creative control including branding. In addition everything will be on one page. Currently we have until April 5th to edit our shops before the new look will go live for all buyers to see. While I'm all for change if it helps me get more exposure, the timing is a bit unfortunate as the first quarter is typically my busiest of the year. Nevertheless, I made some preliminary changes. Here's an overview.

This is how my shop home page looks right now. Clicking the edit button at the top will lead you to the new shop from where you can fine-tune the new look.

There are now three banner options available.

1. small banner 760 px x 100 px 
2. cover photo minimum 1200 px x 300 px
3. none

I tried all three, but finally went with a large cover photo that shows some of my bestselling work. I made it a little taller to accomodate my larger pieces. The small banner is what I had originally, but it won't be visible on mobile devices and choosing none leaves too much white space for my taste.

Also, since I've received a lot of compliments on the new look of my blog, I'm considering having a custom logo to replace the current shop icon (the two hearts). In my opinion the shop owner picture could be a little larger. It looks kind of lost...

Featured listings are right below the header. They are a bit larger, and same as before you may choose up to four images. I didn't previously have any items featured, because the overall look was much more compact, but in the new shop I wanted to fill that gap between the header and the listings.  Also, the about and policies sections that were previously on the left sidebar are now above the featured listings. These are a bit difficult to spot at first. The shop announcement has moved to underneath the featured listings.

And finally...the actual listings. While editing my new shop I realized that buyers will need to do a lot of scrolling up and down. Not sure how they will feel about it. I know that some don't like scrolling prefering to click through the pages instead. But in the new shop there are no pages! Instead there is a button to click at the bottom of the home page to show more items, much like Google images. Reviews are now visible right beneath the listings. Now more than ever it's crucial that the latest review that most buyers will read when scrolling down that page has a high rating.

Have you finished editing your new shop look yet? Which banner type do you prefer and do you feel these changes will have a positive impact on your sales? Do share in the comments!

DIY Shabby Chic Christmas Stocking - Tutorial

I know, I know - we've only just celebrated the end of summer, so how can I be thinking of crafting for Christmas already? Suffice it to say that I make good use of any spare time I have plus I live in Europe and the daylight hours are getting noticeably shorter already. It's difficult to take good pictures mid-winter. And let's not forget Christmas is only 104 days away!

*

Ich weiß, ich weiß - wir haben gerade erst das Sommerende gefeiert und ich beschäftige mich schon mit der Weihnachtsbastelei?! Nun, ich nutze gerne jede freie Zeit, die ich habe :) Außerdem werden die Tage deutlich kürzer und wie jeder Blogger weiß, ist es schwierig mitten im Winter schön helle Fotos zu bekommen. Und Weihnachten kommt immer schneller als man denkt: und zwar in 104 Tagen schon!

This is a simple tutorial that beginners can try! Instead of traditional fabrics I decided to make a shabby chic stocking, but you can choose any fabrics you like!

*

Dies ist ein einfaches DIY auch für Nähanfänger geeignet! Anstelle von traditionellen Weihnachtsstoffen habe ich für dieses Projekt meine geliebten Rosen - und Pünktchenstoffe gewählt. Das kann jeder für sich entscheiden!

You'll need // Material

printed cotton fabrics for main & lining

medium weight iron-on interfacing

a piece of ribbon for hanging

some lace for embellishing

basic sewing kit

sewing machine & thread

//

Zwei verschiedene Baumwollstoffe für Außen & Futter

mittelschweres aufbügelbares Vlies

Bändchen zum Aufhängen

etwas Spitze zum Verzieren

Stecknadeln

Nähmaschine und Garn

As you can see from the above photos, I designed my stocking template myself using straight lines and a french curve for the foot part of the stocking. It's not difficult to draw this stocking shape yourself. If you would like to have the exact same measurements as mine feel free to drop me a line at duni.buesken[at]gmx.de. A similar stocking pattern can be downloaded for free here.

*

Für den Nikolausstiefel habe ich mein eigenes Schnittmuster entworfen. Wenn man außer einem normalen Lineal auch ein Kurvenlineal besitzt ist es wirklich nicht schwierig. Für die genauen Maße könnt Ihr mir gerne mailen: duni.buesken[at]gmx.de. Alternativ gibt es hier ein kostenloses Muster zum Download, welches so ähnlich ist.

Step One // Schritt Eins

Using the stocking template cut two pieces main fabric, lining and interfacing. Iron the interfacing onto the wrong side of the main fabric pieces.

Mit Hilfe des Schnittmusters je zwei Teile Oberstoff, Futter und Vlies schneiden. Vlies auf die linke Seite der Oberstoffteile bügeln.

Step Two // Schritt Zwei

Make a loop from the ribbon and attach it approx. 3.25 " down from top edge. Sew on a piece of lace approx. 2" down from top edge on both lining pieces. Layer the lining pieces on the main fabric pieces right sides together. Stitch the top edge (approx. 0,5 " seam allowance). Separate lining and main pieces and iron seam flat.

Das Bändchen zur Schlaufe legen und ca. 8 cm vom oberen Rand an ein Futterteil heften. Die Spitze an beide Futterteile ca. 5 cm vom oberen Rand annähen. Je ein Futterteil rechts auf rechts auf die Außenteile legen und oberen Rand 1 cm breit absteppen. Futter und Oberstoffteile auseinander ziehen und Naht flach bügeln.

Step Three // Schritt Drei

Lay the entire pieces (main and lining) right sides together, making sure seams meet. Pin all around leaving an approx. 4" gap in the lining piece for turning. Stitch along the entire circumference of lining and main piece (0,5" seam allowance). Turn stocking carefully through gap. Close gap with a few stitches. Notch the rounded curves as shown. Iron.

Die gesamten Teile (Außenteil und Futterteil) rechts auf rechts zusammenlegen, dabei darauf achten, dass die Nähte aufeinandertreffen. Rundherum mit Stecknadeln feststecken und 1 cm absteppen, dabei im Futterteil eine ca. 10 cm Öffnung frei lassen. Stiefel vorsichtig durch die Öffnung ziehen. Das Loch mit ein paar Handstichen schließen. Anschließend die Rundungen wie gezeigt kurz vor der Naht einschneiden. Bügeln.

Step Four // Schritt Vier

Push lining back into main stocking and iron again. Turn down top edge approx. 3 " to show the lining and lace embellishment. Now it's ready to hang up and enjoy!

Das Futter zurück in den Stiefel schieben und nochmal überbügeln. Ca. 7 cm umschlagen, so dass die Spitze sichtbar ist. Fertig zum Aufhängen!

Happy Sewing!