...supporting artists and crafters worldwide
Next Sneak Attack: Thursday, September 9, 2010:
Date: Thursday Sep 9th; 2:00pm EDT
Shop Name: to be announced at above time
Sponsor: StockAnnette
Click here to see the discussion about last Thursday's Sneak Attack
What's all this? Read below to find out!
Sneak Attack Schedule:
Date |
Time (EDT) |
Sponsor |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Th | Sep 9 |
2:00pm |
|
| M | Sep 13 |
7:00pm |
|
| Th | Sep 16 |
4:00pm |
|
| M | Sep 20 |
12:00am |
|
| Th | Sep 23 |
6:00pm |
What is a Sneak Attack?
It's a way to support independant artisans who are trying to sell their wares online. Two days a week at an appointed time, an Etsy shop with few or no sales is announced on this site. As many people as possible then buy items from that shop, resulting in a frenzy of surprise business to the unsuspecting shop! To the upper right is the current Sneak Attack schedule. To participate, show up on this site at or soon after the time of the next attack and you'll see the chosen shop name in the box above. Then go to that shop and purchase an item, making sure to include the words "Sneak Attack" in the "message to seller". It's also fun to tune into the current thread on Etsy to talk about it with other "attackers".
The Handmade Movement Blog
November 16th: Sneak Attack Report–BlissClips, AFabulousFete, and MarrsElite
FromMarz and verveinteriors co-sponsored the October 15, 2009 Sneak Attack on BlissClips, AFabulousFete, and MarrsElite. BlissClips makes handmade clips for “all the princesses in your life.” She got 4 sales from the attack. AFabulousFete sells fun party supplies and got 4 sales from the attack. MarrsElite sells “a wide array of handmade and recycled crafts ranging from hair accessories, extentions, jewelry, to patches, postcards, toys/dolls, and more!” She also got4 sales from the attack.
Celeste: What was your reaction when you first realized you’d been sneak attacked?
BlissClips: I really didn’t understand it at all, I was reading the email sent and while reading it an order came through and before continuing to read to find out more, I rushed to tell Hubby that a really weired thing just happened, and I was telling him about the email and then how an order came through and I said I think it has something to do with this Sneak Attack email I received. To say the least I was very excited.
Eve-One for Mommy, One for me from BlissClips
AFabulousFete: My reaction? Since I had already read about sneak attacks, I was SUPER excited to see those words in my inbox. Then after that I think I sat at my computer screen and updated it every few seconds to see if I received any more sneak attack orders.
Candy Buffet sign from AFabulousFete
MarrsElite: I was freaked out actually! LOL. I listed my first batch of items not even a few days before! I wasn’t sure what the heck a ’sneak attatch’ was in relation to Etsy, but once I figured it out I was pretty stoked and impressed that there’s a group here on Etsy that is that kind! Thanks again for my first 4 sales!
Ribcage guitar pillow from MarrsElite
Celeste: Anything else you would like our blog readers to know?
BlissClips: I have only started my business this year and now have such an appreciation for handmade items, you are basically receiving items that are lovingly made & not mass produced and it’s the nicest feeling knowing that you are dealing directly with the people that are producing the items.
I have also learned as a seller, there are so many choices through ETSY and other means, so when some-one is choosing to buy your product, they are believing in what you do and that is a real honor.
I was really touched that my store was chosen for a sneak attack & the warmth from the buyers was really special and humbling.
My Pretty Christmas Headband/Hair Clip from BlissClips
AFabulousFete: want to say THANK YOU to the people that participate in sneak attacks! Sneak attacks are such a boost in conifidence for new sellers, or sellers that haven’t had that many sales yet. I guess you can say I’m an impatient person that likes instant gratification, so when I started my shop and didn’t receive any sales, I kept asking myself what I was doing wrong. The sneak attack changed that! Even if you don’t receive a ton of sales you are getting a lot of exposure and feedback. I had a few convo’s from people telling me that they couldn’t buy anything, but wanted to let me know they loved my product. My advice? Be patient… it doesn’t happen overnight:)
If you have the choice, choose to buy handmade. I believe that so much more thought, effort, and care go into making a handmade product. You are going to get a unique product that isn’t mass produced, and also know that you are supporting someone in doing what they truly love to do.
That is why I started my shop. I work an 8-5 with limited creative responsibilites. So I needed someway to get out my creativity and keep me motivated… otherwise it would be the same old thing… work, eat, sleep, wake up, work. Blah! I love planning parties and entertaining, I love Etsy, so making party supplies and decor was the way to go for me. It’s been a slow process getting my items listed, as I do have a full time job, but I’ve been working on new products that I will be listing soon… just in time for holiday entertaining! (check back often please!)
Support sneak attacks, they are an amazing idea and I can’t wait to sneak attack someone myself soon!
Yellow Stripe Painted Serving Tray from AFabulousFete
MarrsElite: I’m just a young stay at home mom who takes on too many projects! I tend to cater more towards people who like art with a scense of humour, grit, and glamour. Stay tuned for more from MarrsElite! I currently have just added a sister Shop, Drunkbynoon, to Etsy featuring similar styles of work made by myself & bestfriend/business partner that’ll be in need of a sneak attack!
Deathly Magnet gift set from MarrsElite
October 27th: Sneak Attack Report-decorateyourfridge and CureForCancer
Catchastarcreations sponsored the October 8, 2009 Sneak Attack on decorateyourfridge and CureForCancer. Decorateyourfridge sells food themed magnet sets and got 8 sales from the attack. CureForCancer sells fabric and quilted items to raise money for cancer research. She got 15 sales from the attack.
Celeste: What was your reaction when you first realized you’d been the victim of a sneak attack?
decorateyourfridge: I was scratching my head at first over why I had so many sales all of a sudden, but when I read the message about the Sneak Attack, it all made sense! I was surprised and really excited that my little shop was chosen out of the thousands of sellers on Etsy. Really, I’m so appreciative and happy that I got the chance to share my magnets with other people!
Basket of apples magnet from decorateyourfridge
CureForCancer: Thanks again for the sneak attack…I only noticed a couples sales at first and thought,cool I sold something. then as I looked down my emails, I thought OMG! and started counting them….15 sales! It was crazy. I was amazed.
When I realized what had really happened, I thought, how nice to be chosen.
40x40 Quilt Top from CureForCancer
Celeste: Is there anything else you would like our blog readers to know?
decorateyourfridge: I do this 100% for fun, and am stoked so many people like them. I seriously have a whole fridge + magnetic chalkboard covered with them at home, and most of my magnets aren’t even up in my shop. So if you’re looking for something in particular, just ask – chances are I have it!
Coffee magnet from decorateyourfridge
CureForCancer: Everyone who purchased something is now scrolling on my 3-day page: www.the3day.org (Stephanie Faust walking in Michigan 2010) or www.1of8.org Thanks again!
Pretty Floral Fabric coasters from CureForCancer
September 15th: Sneak Attack Report–pozartshop, venedaum123, and sweetgalaxy
Stilettogirl and BathtubBling co-sponsored the September 14, 2009 sneak attack on pozartshop, venedaum123, and sweetgalaxy. Pozartshop sells tile mini magnets and coloring pages. She got 14 sales from the attack. Venedaum123 sells button rings and got 6 sales from the attack. Sweetgalaxy makes polymer clay jewelry and got 8 sales from the attack.
Celeste: What was your reaction when you first realized you’d been sneak attacked?
pozartshop: I didn’t expect it. When I opened the email late that night before going to bed, it took a moment for me to register the amount of orders that were placed. Once I realized what was happening I was shocked and thrilled. I immediately called my sister and started to pack everything that same night. We were too excited to wait until the next morning. We were also excited to ship the TIMI (Tile Mini Magnets) all the way to Australia! Yay!
Shine Tile Mini Magnet from pozartshop
venedaum123:I did not really understand at first what it was or what it all meant but I was very pleased with the result of the sneak-attack since there had been very little activity on my site prior to it.
Hair Comb button ring from venedaum123
sweetgalaxy: Just when you think life can’t get any crazier, you get Sneak attacked. Imagine one fine day your boss tells you that you don’t have to come to work for the following 4 weeks – PAID VACATIONS. Then you come home and see your husband cooking for you and your dog washing the dishes. Well, that wasn’t exaaaactly what happened to me, but I was having a crazy time preparing for 3 exams, getting offered a research work, and overwhelmed by the usual abnormalities of life. When I had a glance at my Etsy page, I wondered why the count for my earring section had dropped remarkably and when I accessed my account I found a message telling me that I’d been Sneak attacked. Sneak aWHAT? It was just absolutely amazing and breathtaking. I felt so honored and happy that I was going completely insane. I started everything at the same time. Sneak Attack Thread, Hotmail, Etsy, Paypal… Let me just tell you one thing. All the Sneak Attack Members make Etsy a better place. I am very grateful for being chosen as one of your “victims” and will forever remember the day I got attacked! 
Black and Pink Thorny Heart Pendant from sweetgalaxy
Celeste: Is there anything else you would like our blog readers to know?
pozartshop: This was so much fun and it definitely gave us the boost to do more. The reaction and feeling of being attacked is priceless and we would love to sneak attack other shops in the future. We Loved and enjoyed all the positive feedback. I would like your readers to know we are working to launch our new and exciting designs. We recently launched our second series and are working on our third. Please extend a warm thank you for all of their support. What a Wonderful and Fantastic concept!
Cupcake 8 Tile Mini Magnet from Pozartship
venedaum123:
2. My name is Claude Venezia. I was born in Montreal, Canada and I’m french speaking. My shop Bouton on Etsy is a very small portion of the work in progress involving my daughter and I. My daughter Yanique is the founder of Confection Jewels, a handmade, one of a kind, limited edition line of fashion rings. Confection Jewels is currently in the process of launching and will be officially launched before the end of the year. We hope to have our rings sold in boutiques and specialty department stores across the country and hopefully the world!. For a preview of what’s to come you can visit: http://www.confectionjewels.com and http://confectionjewels.bigcartel.com/.
Bouton, my shop, was created to utilize all of the smaller vintage pieces we’ve acquired over the past few years. Bouton, on Etsy, will eventually offer a much wider variety of rings, brooches, pins and pendants.
Working with my daughter on this project has been the highlight of my life. Even if we don’t live in the same state, we still get together at least once a month to work on our project. My daughter is an accomplished graphic designer who fell into the fashion industry upon moving in Los Angeles. As far as myself, I’m an interior designer who thrives on esthetics and enjoys creating beautiful environments and beautiful things.
I love Etsy, I love artisans and I’m so grateful to the sneak attack team for their interest in our product and giving young companies and artisans the hope and recognition needed for promoting their craft.
Purple wave button ring from venedaum123
sweetgalaxy: I joined Etsy almost 3 months ago and I am very happy to be part of such an amazing commuity now. I have met many wonderful sellers and buyers and hope that every single day some more people join it and see how Etsy sellers can be a great alternative to buying from big companies.
Devil Cupcake Pendant from sweet galaxy
