The Handmade Movement: Home of the Sneak Attack

August 27th: August 24 Sneak Attack Report–CardCandyBoutique, PaperPetalCreations, and rainsontheplain

EsThings sponsored the August 24, 2009 Sneak Attack on CardCandyBoutique, PaperPetalCreations, and rainsontheplain. CardCandyBoutique sells cards, books, and notebooks. She got 10 sales from the attack. PaperPetalCreations sells handmade greeting cards and got 8 sales from the attack. Rainsontheplain sells photos and postcards. She got 6 sales from the attack. They all agreed to be interviewed for this blog.

Celeste: What was your reaction when your first realized you’d been sneak attacked?

CardCandyBoutique: Well I can say I was a little confused when I checked my email and saw all the notices from Etsy. Thought maybe something was wrong with my account or someone was playing a trick on me. But when I realized that I had been “attacked” I was excited to say the least. It was also very encouraging as I was beginning to feel disappointed by lack of sales.

Tootie Fruitie Blue Notebook/Journal from CardCandyBoutique

PaperPetalCreations: I was online at the moment of the attack and was just amazed at the sales flowing in. A smile came to my face each time another purchase was made a smile that hasn’t yet left my face. Here is the blog I wrote the evening after I was attacked providing more details about how I felt. Thank you so much!

From PaperPetalCreations’ blog:

Today was a typical Monday, busy day at work and about half way through the day I was dreaming of the weekend that was still so many days away. When I finally arrived home I sat down to work on my Etsy shop and brainstorm a few new promotional ideas…then all of the sudden….an email arrives stating I have made a sale (a small smile forms on my face). But wait, next came a second email and then a third. I am now grinning from ear to ear and curious where all these sales are coming from. After much thought and investigation and sales still popping in I still can’t figure it out. Thankfully all the questions are soon answered as a Convo arrives from a fellow Etsy seller Es Things informing me my shop was selected for a sneak attack. New smiles come to my face…someone picked me and it resulted in some great sales.

Bird ready to fly card from PaperPetalCreations

rainsontheplain: I was overwhelmed by the community effort and thoughtfulness that lead to it all and my first sales. I actually gripped my fiance for support, because I had been waiting so long for a sale, and to get sneak attacked with multiple sales was such an honor! It makes me more motivated with my shop as well, I’d been holding pictures back because I hadn’t sold any yet, and now I am happy to go forth and offer new items that weren’t seen before.

The Man in the Ground 5x7 Print from rainsontheplain

Celeste: Any thing else you would like our blog readers to know?

CardCandyBoutique: I want to say that I love the “sneak attack” concept. Thanks for choosing my shop to be a part of. Other than that, I love making cards and creating new things, and I just want to share them with everyone. So feel free to stop by anytime and check out what’s new.

5x4 Thank You Handmade Card from CardCandyBoutique

PaperPetalCreations: I create handmade cards as a way to brighten the day of those around me. To be selected as a “victim” of a sneak attack reminded me how a little support can really boost someone’s spirits. I would be more than happy to share my creative card making abilities with anyone else who is looking for that special creation to pass on to their loved ones.

Baby Giraffe card from PaperPetalCreations

rainsontheplain: I started this shop because it had been a dream to live a life more devoted to my inner artist and well-being. I love being a part of the handmade community and hope to be influence here for a very long time.

My shop was born of my dream to share art with the world. I started taking pictures on a whim, we got a new camera and I wanted to photograph my paintings and our trips. The pictures became a passion, almost to rival my painting and sewing. I love being able to offer little bits of my life and love in my shop. Learning new things about art has become a passion as well – I want to keep evolving and making more beautiful items both for myself and for others to purchase.

Buying and selling handmade is important to me. As I grow older and start a family of my own, I think about the thoughts and efforts behind products. When someone makes something with a sense of passion and thoughtfulness, with love and care, it resonates throughout the product. I try to bring that kind of care to everything in my life, from the food I cook to the pictures I make and take. I appreciate the handmade community and the many wonderful people that I have met through it.