Featured Seller: Out On a Whim Studio

Kathi Robinaugh's shop Out On a Whim Studio is really inspiring to me. With over 70 items for sale, you instantly get the feeling Kathi *LOVES* what she does.
Kathi's BLOG is so much fun! It's just as full of wonderful things as her Etsy shop! I saw some really great ideas.
Kathi says,

"Welcome to Out on a Whim studio...where the past meets the present! I am an Altered Artist, Junker, Vice President of our private ambulance service, Mom of 4 boys and wife, not necessarily in that order! I began creating as a child, and have done Primitive painting, sewing, and stitchery, and my current obsession, altered art! I've done shows, consignment, mall booths, antique booths and a little wholesale. I am now primarily selling online! After several years of scrapbooking the kids' pictures, I began to do other papercraft type projects! I am currently focusing on primitive and whimsical altered art, such as handmade journals, prim tags, and anything else I can find to alter!"

I love Kathi's attention to detail. The use of small keys, die_cuts, ribbon, flower accents, gems & crystals...she's very good at creating a beautiful arrangement.
Stop by Out on a Whim Studio and welcome her to the team! She's new (and wonderful asset) to the Cottage Style Street Team on Etsy!

A Cottage Style Wedding: Coming Soon!

Chloe Rose made this GORGEOUS Cottage Style TREASURY! It's to tease potential buyers about our Cottage Style Bride gift baskets coming very soon! The baskets may not list exactly on the 1st--due to the holiday-but it will be close so keep watch!
Make sure to visit Chloe's treasury and click, click, click! All the visits and clicking get our lists noticed and MAYBE chose for the Front Page which is awesome exposure for everyone.
Enjoy!

Featured Seller: Raquel Castillo

I saw one of Raquel's necklaces in a treasury. I was hooked instantly! I clicked on the listing and then the shop and each creation was as delicious as the last.
When I look at this SHOP as a whole, each listing compliments the next one and they all have this very vintage-inspired feeling--like someone has gone through the estate of a classy lady, chosen her best pieces and revamped them for the 21st century.
The jewelry has a modern design but crafted with special attention to the vintage elements involved.
Just like many of us, Raquel is a stay at home Mom raising two young boys. Her profile states quite plainly,

"I spend most of my time raising my two boys, Mathew (5) and Luke (1). I love to sew, draw, and make anything possible with my hands...

I think you would agree that this shop ties in nicely with the Cottage Style we all love and cherish--Vintage, Romantic and sweetly composed with a delicate color palate-Raquel's creations are something to admire!
Take some time to welcome Raquel to the team! She doesn't have a blog yet but she aspires to do so in the future!
~Sadie Lou

Gorgeous Cottage Style Treasury!

Click Here to visit this gorgeous treasury. It expires in one day so make sure you 'click' 'click'!!
I don't think one of our Cottage Style treasuries has made the front page--but we'll get there soon enough!!
Here are some quick tips on how to score a treasury:

1) Click on Treasury from the home page
2) Notice the number of lists--count backwards from that number until 333 (that's when the new treasury opens)
3) When the lists tick down to 333-stay on that first page. DO NOT REFRESH!
4) Some lists will start to expire but the number of lists don't change--just be patient! Don't leave that first page. You can click back and forth between pages to watch the minutes tick down on that 333 Treasury
5) Have the title of your list ready to go! Copy and Paste it into the Title Box and hit "CREATE"
Yay! You got one! Make sure you don't put yourself in the treasury--that's considered taboo by Etsy admins and they won't choose your list for the Home Page

Good Luck!
This Treasury was created by Chloe Rose
Thanks Chloe!

Etsy's New Search Hurts!

In case you didn't know, Etsy changed their search.
Etsy Article

I quote...

Today, we launched some exciting changes to Etsy's search engine. These changes were requested by the community and we think they help improve the shopping experience on Etsy.

We've separated item search into three new searches: Handmade, Vintage, and Supplies. The default is Handmade, with Vintage and Supplies available in the drop-down. You can also select "All items" to search Handmade, Supplies, and Vintage all at once.

Hmmm...
I'm thinking buyers are not going to realize there is a drop down menu. In fact. my own supply shop Nickel Candy has already felt the after burn of the new search.
I recently took all my listings out and I will be listing supplies in my handmade shop. I have spoken to a few supply sellers and the feedback is the same--this new search hurts!
Popalicious Too
Caramelos

Here are some tips on tagging that might help:

Tag every, single item with your shop name. Buyers can sometimes remember the name of the shop they bought something but they can't always remember to use the drop down menu in the search to choose "username". If you tag all your listings with your shop name, people can put that name in any of Etsy's search functions and find you.

Tag all your handmade items with the word "handmade" so they are sure to show up in the default search.

Remember to use the "All Items" when searching for CSSTeam listings. This searches everything: Supplies, Handmade & Vintage.

I hope all of this helps! Buy handmade and support our fellow members by buying supplies on Etsy?!!
~Sadie Lou

Featured Shop: Little Things

Eunice runs a beautiful shop...



Her listings are always unique-always romantic-always an inspiration...
True to her shop's name, it's the Little Things that make Eunice's creations so magical.


You can also find Eunice on her blog. I love her profile...
"Seventeen years ago I started The Little Things , I was a single mom and it was the best way for me to work out of my home and be a mom ! I created many things , sold in stores all over the country and at shows! I have six grown children now ( six grandchildren also )! God is a very important part of my life , without His guidence, love , grace and mercy I dont know where I would be today ! I love exploring different mediums in art . I have always loved cast off's , junk ,paint, paper ,fabric ,beads the list goes on !"

One of *my* favorites...

Cottage Style Blogging

Well, it had to be done.
*smile*
I started a private, social network for members to join if they want to be a part of that. It's actually a lot of fun.
This group is by invite only so you if you meet these requirements:
1. You are the author of a Cottage Style Blog
2. You are a member of the CSST
Then you may contact me ( sadie ) about joining and I will provide you with the invite.
You can either contact me by leaving a comment on this post or sending me a conversation through Etsy:
Right Here

Thanks!
~Sadie