Etsy shop review - Inogitna of The Pixel Files

Every other week I like to introduce to you a creative artist from Etsy and his/her shop. Today I'm pleased to introduce to you Inogitna of The Pixel Files:

My name is Antigoni Chryssanthopoulou, aka Inogitna. I was born in Athens and graduated from VAKALO School of Art and Design. I collaborate with various Advertising and Publishing firms, and at the same time, I undertake a great amount of personal projects as a Freelance Graphic Designer - Visual Artist. 

Alice in Wonderland 

I love to create innovative and crucial concepts, I have a passion with photography and illustration, especially digital collages.

Summer is Gone

In my etsy store, you can find photography and illustration prints, digital collage sheets, graphic design (I can design your personal etsy logo and banner), and many more in the future!

Space Invaders

Inspiration is everywhere! Life is full of surprises and images. I am very much inspired by nature, but also the city fascinates – even its decadence!

Lost Mirror

I love traveling, music, books, vintage stuff, and people. I like making new acquaintances and having friends. Finally, my greatest inspiration is humor, but at the same time I’m very attracted to the “dark” and mysterious!

Liquid Sky

For my favorites, I would like to refer to some digital images I created recently. They are inspired by the "financial" crisis and its impact on the Greek "reality." Primarily on labor relations - contracts, and the "fall" of the Greek public services myth. Things change fast in Greece, it is difficult to overcome the feeling of misery sometimes, creativity is a great medicine!

Neither Scared nor Blessed

Outside of etsy, I love to Design, take photographs, listen to music, watch films, read, walk, think, dream, learn new things, taste new recipes, see my friends, travel - whenever I can.

You can contact me through my facebook page:
www.facebook.com/inogitna

and my portfolio:
www.behance.net/inogitna

my etsy shop
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ThePixelFiles


Thank you very much for featuring my shop!  :)

New Fragrances for 2013

Last week I introduced you to Vanilla Tobacco, the January fragrance of the month and the first of my new fragrances for 2013. In addition to this lovely custom blend, I have four new fragrances to introduce to you this year:

Earthy amber is predicted to be a leading fragrance for 2013, and I've created Amber Sandalwood as a custom blend to bring depth to my oriental sandalwood candles.

Before I began making candles, I enjoyed Indian Healing created by a local store. With top notes of eucalyptus, this delicate fragrance is another custom blend ending with bottom notes of sage & lemongrass. 

Rosemary Mint is another custom blend bringing fragrances from our herb gardens. Invigorating and fresh, Rosemary Mint is a unisex fragrance all will enjoy!

Sophisticated tea fragrances are also predicted to trend this year, so I've add White Tea & Ginger to join my Yoga Collection. White Tea & Ginger is similar to a fragrance sold by Bath & Body Works and is a fresh new scent for year-round!

All fragrances will be listed on my Etsy site soon and are available through custom order anytime.

Unfortunately, to make room for the new we need to move out some of the old. For a list of discontinued fragrances, please shop my clearance section. All discontinued fragrances are 33% off until they are gone!

Treasury Sunday, January 13th

Every other  Sunday I like to give thanks to some of the curators who have included my products in their beautiful shopping collections, known as treasuries on Etsy. Please take some time to view these gorgeous treasuries and to shop the stores!

January Fragrance of the Month - VANILLA TOBACCO!

I have to admit - Vanilla Tobacco is not a fragrance I could have concocted on my own. A coworker came to me one day saying that she fell in love with the cologne a family member of hers was wearing, and could I please replicate it? The fragrance was Tobacco Vanille, a unisex scent from Tom Ford.

Really? Tobacco? I'm sure this is what you're thinking.  I did too at first, but then I began thinking about the tobacco plant, not the burnt cigarette. I prefer to think of the houseplant Nicotiana, a cousin to the southern crop. Thinking of tobacco as a plant was easier to think of it as a fragrance, slightly floral and slightly herbal. 

My first attempts at the fragrance were too vanilla.  It took a few attempts to find the musky nuance. While the Tom Ford version speaks of notes of honey, it was the touch of Sandalwood my blend needed to find the undertones. Top notes begin with Tobacco, which is actually an herbal, slightly floral scent. Don't think of Grandpa's pipe here!!! Middle notes bring out my rich Gourmet Vanilla, and the candle lands with bottom notes of Asian Sandalwood. Now, this is my favorite fragrance, and I'm so glad to offer this custom blend to you as the January fragrance of the month! 

All January, Vanilla Tobacco is offered to you in all home fragrance products and 10% off. For a current listing of products, please see the Fragrance of the Month section of my shop.

Happy New Year!

Dorene

Etsy shop review - The Beetle Wing/Kelsey Payton - Jan 6th

Today's Etsy shop review features Kelsey Payton of The Beetle Wing.  Please take a moment to view these unique crafts!

 I love animals, I always have ever since I was little. My parents let me own pretty much any animal I wanted, and I've always been fascinated by birds. Anything with feathers I just love.

Arrowhead and Braided Hemp Choker

So I have had the chance to own a variety of chickens, ducks, pigeons, geese, guinea, parakeets and peafowl throughout my life. At my shop, I sell feather earrings and other animal or nature inspired items. Shell, Bone, Wood, porcupine quills and more.

Iridescent Beetle Wing Earrings

And I'm constantly experimenting with new materials and new designs. I can't stay hooked on just one thing, I have to explore all of the possibilities! Nature inspires me in almost all of my projects, It is a major factor and all of my projects. Nature is so full of interesting things.

Brown Seashell Earrings

I'm proud of every item I make, but I have to say I'm most proud with the feather earrings I make. I take a lot of time making sure the feathers look just right and they are durable to wear.

Long Pigeon Feather Earrings

Outside of Etsy, I'm finishing school, taking care of my pets and just trying to enjoy life. My main hobby of course is Etsy, but I also collect salt and pepper shakers and do Photography. I don't have a full time job yet, but I'm hoping after school I can become and Art teacher or professional photographer.

Dried Sweet Gum Seeds

You can find us on facebook here: http://www.facebook.com/KelseysCreationsMore?ref=hl 

I'm also hoping I can get a YouTube account soon for videos of my birds and DIY crafts!

2012's Top Ten

I'm pleased to introduce to you today's Top Ten List (with a nod to Kennedy Center Honoree and fellow Ball State alum) of my best selling fragrances:

#11 - Orange Blossom and Pumpkin Chai Tea

There were quite a few ties in this year's list, so I chose to list my Top Eleven fragrances.

Orange Blossom is a custom blended fragrance I created early in 2012. I had read in Perfume & Flavorist that 2012 fragrance trends came from a perspective of "Wild Luxury Consumer"  Orange Flower was second on the list. Blending orange and jasmine fragrance oils, I found a fragrance that my Florida customers consider to be just like the local fruit trees. Personally, I love this scent in the body fragrances I've developed.

Pumpkin Chai Tea was another original creation from October 2011.  I'm not sure I can tell you where my creativity for this originated, but I remember I was looking for a more unique pumpkin fragrance than pumpkin pie. Pumpkin Chai Tea was the first of my custom blends and has been a top seller since that first fall introduction.

#9 - Apple Harvest

Apple Harvest is a true apple orchard fragrance, combining Red Delicious, Macintosh, and Granny Smith scents. If you love a trip to your local orchard, you will love this fall favorite!




#8 - Gourmet Vanilla

What can I say? Vanilla is the most popular candle fragrance across all candle companies, so the challenge is to find a vanilla that is special to you. Originally, I called this fragrance Very Vanilla, because that's what I thought it was. But as I was rebranding my product in the fall I realized this fragrance smells like a vanilla extract, so why not rebrand the scent as Gourmet Vanilla?

#6 - Orchid Rain and Rum Raisin

Usually, I am not a floral person, so it's a challenge to me to include floral scents in my collection. What I love about Orchid Rain is that is certainly a floral, yet the spa-like additions of bamboo and watercress bring a light and powdery finish to a scent that isn't overly sweet.

Rum Raisin has become a holiday classic, especially to my local customers. Combining rich caramel with butterscotch and vanilla cream, this luxurious fragrance reminds me of my favorite bread pudding!



#4 - Home for the Holidays and Stormy Weather

Both fragrances are similar to the national Y***** C*****, but hand poured for a personal touch! Home for the Holidays combines cinnamon and baking spices with a touch of pine and smell just like cookie baking day during the holidays!

Stormy Weather became an instant best seller once I entered the wholesale market. Similar to Stormwatch, this unique fragrance combines lavender and ocean scents with a slight hint of spice and musk. It was a favorite of mine before I began making candles, and I was so glad to find a similar fragrance to offer to you!


#2 - Cinnamon & Balsam and Cranberry Pomegrante

Cinnamon & Balsam is a custom fragrance I created last year.  True story - I was attempting to create a Cinnaberry fragrance, and used Balsam rather than Bayberry.  Well, sometimes best sellers are inspiration and sometimes perspiration! After much sweating and stewing, I decided to offer the fragrance as the mistake it was, and I'm so glad I did! It is a strong fragrance and not for the faint of heart, but absolutely wonderful for the holidays!

Cranberry Pomegranate is an unusual fruity fragrance for the holiday season. With top notes of the citrus fragrances it's named for, Cranberry Pomegranate has a secondary top note of bubbly champagne. For those looking for a fruity alternative to holiday fragrances, Cranberry Pomegranate is a perfect choice and can freshen your home year round!

And now Number One on Today's Top Ten.....

LAVENDER

Of course. What else could it be? My Lavender is admittedly more floral than grassy, yet conveys the same sense of clean you'd expect from this eternal favorite. I wish I could invent a scratch & sniff application for your computer, your phone, or your tablet so you could smell on your own, but for now I'll have to rely on selling a few to you!




So what's your favorite? What are your predictions for the 2013 Top Ten list? My offer to you, my loyal followers, is 15% off any of the fragrances listed above next time you shop D'Lites by Dorene. Just use coupon code BlogLover at checkout!

Happy New Year!

Treasury Sunday - December 30th

Every other Sunday I give thanks to the curators who have featured my products in their gorgeous collections, also known as treasuries, on Etsy. Please take some time to view these creative products!

Etsy Shop review - Illusion Creations

Today I'm pleased to introduce to you Rosi with Illusion  Creations. Please take some time to meet her and view her beautiful creations!

Well, I'll start by saying that I'm a retired senior who has always enjoyed making things. I retired from the corporate world 3 years ago. I have 3 wonderful children and 3 even more wonderful grandchildren and expecting another in the Spring.

Fall Silk Floral Arrangement

While visiting with my sister-in-law at Christmas 2 years ago, she showed me these beautiful ornaments she had made and I thought, "ooh, I can make those and give them as gifts", which I did.  

Gold Christmas Ball Ornament

Everyone was amazed by them and kept telling me you should sell them. I had come across Etsy while doing some Christmas shopping.  By the time I decided to opened a shop it was after the holidays, too late for the ornaments, so I opened listing floral arrangements. By August, I was ready for my ornaments.  My shop has a variety of items. Besides my floral arrangements & Christmas ornaments, I also sell frames, mirrors, boxes, dressy hats for women, etc.  I also have inspirational poems which I've written myself.  My creativity has no rhyme or reason.  I could be sitting watching TV and something pops into my head, this also happens when I'm reading before I go to sleep.

Wide Brim Hat

My shops are my hobby (although I love to read) and also part of my income. Social Security is not 
enough to live on.

Keepsake/Trinket Box

The item I'm most proud of is my inspirational poem because I wrote it myself.

Inspirational Art Frame

Selling Wholesale - Little Problems and Lessons Learned

One of the lessons I've learned from selling wholesale is that little problems become big problems, and big problems become bigger problems.

When I started selling candles, I did so because 1.) I found I was making too many to burn and to give away; and 2.) my son had graduated, my child support went away, and I needed the additional income. When I started selling wholesale, I did so because I thought the additional revenue generated from larger sales would bring in additional income.

What I learned firsthand from starting my business was that it takes money to make money. Oh, I knew that, I thought to myself. But I didn't realize at the time that little of the sales generated actually made it back to my personal cash flow. Revenue generated simply went to purchasing more supplies to generate more sales. So, it should stand to reason that it would take more cash flow to begin selling wholesale and that it would take time for everything to balance. Bigger orders simply means more revenue being spent for supply inventory.

Lesson learned from big problem #1.

Along the way I've learned lessons from problem #2 - your product has to be immaculate. Not that mine has ever been substandard, but sometimes I'm too close to it to see the minor imperfections a shop owner would see. (Which is also why I always have someone proofread any truly important piece of written word at work!) So, I've quickly learned to improve the packaging of my product and how it's shipped. People want hand crafted items, as long as the items don't look hand crafted.

This weekend I lost over $375, and I learned hard lesson #3.

There were are few imperfections and an item was broken; the buyer was completely unsatisfied and would not accept replacement products. She only wanted a total refund. And I had no policies to protect me.

No policies about refunds. No policies about returns. I called the buyer to try to correct the situation, because from my perspective every argument I was given could be fixed. But it didn't matter.  From her perspective, I needed to play with the big boys.  And if Yank** Cand** could give a total refund, so could I.

I'm not here to cry (although I've done a lot of it), and I'm not here to encourage negative conversation about how (COMPLETELY) unreasonable she was. But I am here to share the lessons I've learned. I know the moans and groans we all experience when the individual buyer complains, wants a lower price or refund, or leaves negative feedback.  But until you are able to deal with (and afford) the "small" problems the individual buyer brings, it's going to be challenging to deal with (and afford) the "small" problems the wholesale buyer brings.

So, now I have my policy on refunds. I have my policy on returns. Without trying to be unreasonable, I don't offer them, but will offer replacement product in its place. The policy will be written on all order, invoice, and shipping documentation. At least until I can afford to lose another $375.

What lessons have you learned?

Treasury Sunday - December 16th

Every other Sunday I give thanks to curators who have included my products in their treasuries, shopping collections on Etsy. Please take some time to view these creations and visit the other stores and their wonderful items! Which is your favorite?

Decorating with Candles - Holiday Style!

Most of you probably have your homes decorated to the hilt this holiday season, but there may be a mantle or tablescape that needs just a touch of warmth.  That's where candles can come to save the day! While boutique, fragrant candles are meant to stand on their own, inexpensive candles from your local low cost department store can be decorated with a few simple items from your craft store to create a unique look for your home!

Cranberries are an inexpensive and colorful decoration this holiday season. Find a shapely vase, fill with cranberries and water, and top with a tea light.

For a more sophisticated look, fill a bread tray or other piece of your coordinating dinnerware with cranberries and set a few small pillar candles evenly spaced.

To create this even more elegant look, place roses at the bottom of a straight hurricane vase, fill two thirds with water, and place a handful of cranberries, which will float to the top. Set your tea light atop and voila!

Even though this concept is not a holiday decoration, it could be easily converted by using colored sand to coordinate with your festive decor!

If your look includes a lot of greenery, wrap leaves around pillar candles and tie with a colorful bow! I think this would be lovely in Hanukkah blues!

For a fun look, use a hot glue gun to adhere candies to a pillar candle. I love the look of the peppermints, but  I think the look in ribbon candies (my favorite) would be uniquely elegant!

And for the simplest look of all, use a simple white plate with simple white votives and candies sprinkled around. Less than 60 seconds, and you've created a festive centerpiece for your home!

For more ideas, please see my Pinterest board. 

Happy holidays!

Dorene

Etsy shop review - Janet Davis of JD's Bow Creations

Today I'm pleased to introduce to you Janet Davis of JD's Bow Creation. Please take some time to learn more about her and her wonderful creations!

I am retired from a local hospital where I worked for 32 years as an Administrative Assistant.  I started my business quite by accident and for something to do with my free time.  A friend and I decided to start up a baking business so we signed up for 6 local craft shows.  We made a variety of candies and brownies, cookies, coffee cakes, etc.  and decided to sell gift trays filled with truffles, assorted chocolates and fudge.  The trays weren’t selling very well so I learned how to make bows to put on the trays hoping to market our business a little better.  The bows were such a hit that we started selling gift trays by the bow that was on them instead of what chocolates were on the tray.  At the end of our craft show run, my friend decided that we weren’t making enough to cover our expenses so we abandoned the baking business.

Valentine's gift wrap bow

I had so much fun making bows and there was enough interest for my bows that I wanted to start a different business.  Another friend told me about Etsy so I checked it out.  I set up my policies and shop information on December 27^th but officially opened my “doors” (complete with inventory) on January 15, 2012.  I started with Christmas bows and expanded to Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Weddings, Baby showers, Memorial Day/Fourth of July, Birthdays, and Special Occasions such as house warming gifts, graduations, anniversaries, etc.

Wedding/Bridal Shower silver bow

My mom taught me how to knit, crochet and sew and I taught myself how to do many more crafts.  I helped my sister, who has her own floral business in her home, make corsages and boutonnieres for weddings.   I also taught myself how to frame pictures by picking out matting, glass and frames.  I discovered I had a good eye for color and with my knowledge of other crafts, my artistry started shining through.

Spring peach all occasion gift bow

My designs start with one item –it could be a flower, button or ribbon – and grows from there.  I never have a set plan of what my design will look like but it ends up in a bow.

Birthday bow with a tiger perspective

I am equally proud of all my bows but I thought this bow turned out very elegant for an ivory wedding:

Satin rose and pearl bow

You can find more of my fun creations on my Pinterest page:

http://pinterest.com/jdsdesigns/gift-bows-from-jd-s-bow-creations/

Holiday Shopping at D'Lites by Dorene

The holidays seem to come earlier and earlier every year. Our retail environment seems to believe that opening earlier every year is a way to satisfy consumer demand, when in reality, we continue to look for gifts that are more unique and personal than big business can deliver. Not everyone is situated to deliver hand made gifts of their own. That's where D'Lites by Dorene is here to help. In addition to the high quality candle and home fragrance products you've come to know, I'm pleased to introduce to you several gift ideas available to you now:

Pine Cone Firestarters

While not new, this is a concept I've been working on over the past year. As a gift that keeps on giving, my pine cone firestarters have been triple dipped in my most popular seasonal fragrances and are wicked the entire length of the cone. My pine cones have been locally harvested and dried over a year to light perfectly and to start your home fire with a fragrant burst!As with my candles, the wax of the pine cones is a custom blend of paraffin and soy waxes. Paraffin is used to hold the strong colors you see and scents you smell. Soy is used to create a product more eco-friendly to our environment. Together, a quality product is created and tested to be the best possible for you and your home.

To ensure your order can be filled and mailed to your recipient by Christmas, please place your order no later than December 10th.

Beyond Candles: Bath & Body Fragrances Looking for a personal, affordable gift for your neighbor or coworker? Look no further than the bath & body fragrances available at D'Lites by Dorene. While candles and home fragrance products are a large portion of my business, I also delight in creating body fragrance products that are unique  from the commercial market. This holiday season, I have new and afforable gift ideas ready for you: Gift set of lotion bars, rose petal soaps, and candles - New! These gift sets are the perfect accompaniment to your powder room or indulgence for a romantic bath. Create your ambiance by lighting this cute 2 oz candle, then place rose petal soaps in a pretty soap dish with these small lotion bars nearby. Rose petal soaps are made to be disposed after each individual use and provide a dainty look for your powder room. My lotion bars are made with locally harvested beeswax and emolient shea and cocoa butters. For a romantic evening, light the candle and float the rose petals in the bath tub for a relaxing soak. Let the lotion bar melt on your skin for a light and smooth protective barrier on your skin. All of this is yours or a unique gift for only $16. Check my website for color coordinated fragrances and gift ideas. All gifts can be mailed to your recipient and can include a gift tag.  Fragrances of the Month: Cinnamon & Balsam, Snickerdoodle! Throughout December, I'm offering my two most popular holiday fragrances at 10% off! Cinnamon & Balsam is a custom blend of two popular fragrances found this time of year.  If you like a strong, pine fragrance blended with cinnamon spice, these candles are for you! Cinnamon & Balsam is a good, modern fragrance for those who like to experiment and be on the cutting edge. Snickerdoodle is also a custom blend based upon the classic Christmas cookie (well, at least it is in my household!). Snickerdoodle is a good fragrance to create the cozy, comfort of home feeling we tend to gravitate toward this time of year. For information on product availability and prices, please see the Fragrance of the Month section in my Etsy shop!