Packaging Orders - Some Useful Tips

Hello
I would like to thank the lovely Ruth from Nice Day Designs for allowing me to republish some of her articles/tutorials - they are full of useful information and advice

Enjoy!

Packaging Orders

As much as possible I try to make systems for all of my work so that things run smoother. I'm not naturally inclined towards being organised so I've spent years training myself to do this to try to make running a business less stressful. When I first started selling on Etsy getting orders was both very exciting and hugely time consuming. The first few orders I got, I had to walk down town to buy packaging, then spend ages rooting out the Sellotape. Thankfully things have changed, now I have what I like to call my 'postal station', which has:
Pens
Markers
Envelopes of multiple sizes
Thank you notes (see my how-to here)
Business Flyer
Return Address labels
Wide Tape that never leaves this basket so I always know where it is.
Craft freebie magnets(see here)
Bubble wrap
Velvet gift bags
Zip lock bags

Having all these things easily to hand makes life so much easier, especially when I get a few orders in the same day. Also I've kept the colour scheme consistent with my logo, the blue is carried through from the flyer, thank you note, the sticker on the envelope with my logo, the logo on the promo magnet and even the blue in the return address labels. This is to reinforce my brand and also to give a slick professional appearance. I make sure to keep these extra touches to a minimum though so that it doesn't hike up my costs. I've bought lots of stuff on Etsy over the years and it really makes a difference, the shopping experience becomes even more special. Bonzie and Magpie and Button are two people who pop into my mind who went the extra step and really personalised their packaging. If this is a selling point in your pieces it wouldn't be a bad idea to put a photo of your wrapping/parceling in your last listing image like Balanced does. 

Balanced Beautiful Packaging

Thanks again to Ruth for allowing us to re-use her article - very informative!
If anyone else would like to share their knowledge, experience or advice with us please contact me through my Etsy Shop Cari Design.
Thanks
Caroline

Nine Design at Showcase Ireland

Paul Coyne from Nine Design had his first ever trade show at Showcase Ireland - Ireland's Creative Expo, which was running from 23rd to 26th January 2011 at the RDS in Dublin. He tells Etsy Ireland all about it:

Showcase was something I had been aiming towards for some time, and after hearing from friends who had attended the trade fair regularly and hearing of the success they had, my mind was set. I paid for the stand in instalments - the organisers were very accommodating as I did not have the luxury of paying the cost in a lump sum.

The type of jewellery I make would be quite contemporary, so I realised that to make an impression on possible buyers I would have to create a sharp contemporary image in my displays. I purpose-made light box pedestals which held all my jewellery and illuminated them from underneath. These stands were quite easy to set up as they were just plugged in and the jewellery displayed on top, but it still took me two and a half hours to set up as I was playing with different ideas and also hanging posters on the walls showing work in progress. I was situated on the balcony with quite a few people who were also there for the first time. We all helped each other out and gave as much support as possible to one another. One of the great things about the event is the amount of contact you have with shop owners/buyers, you hear what is selling and what customers are doing - loads of great research, which can help to aim your sales pitch to better suit needs or it can help develop new products.

Well Showcase finished on Wednesday after a long few days but I would not swap any part of it. Every day got better and better with great feedback from buyers, orders on paper and journalists interviewing me; all were pretty new experiences, but so exciting! I am now back in the workshop, recovered from the endurance that is standing at your stand for so long every day, and now the test has changed to whether I can get everything produced for the orders I received. I got orders from around the country and even one from outside the country, but as I am shipping orders I will let you know where Nine Design Jewellery is available.

 

The new range of sterling silver and resin went down realy well with lots of interest. This range was launched at Showcase and the feedback received was amazing. I am already thinking of a few more items I can add to the range, and ways of further developing the range. The most popular item I believe I had at Showcase was in fact my cuff links, they got a great response and plenty of people wanting to order them.

While talking with the other exhibitors around me after the first day, we decided on things we were going to do for next year's Showcase in order to improve on this year's success.

I would recommend Showcase Ireland to everybody. It helps to focus the mind in the run up, and you never know who you will meet or end up doing business with. I am already planning for next year -
so here is to looking forward to Showcase Ireland 2012, from  22nd - 25th of January!

To find out more about Nine Design, check out Paul's website.