As a refresher, I recommend you take care of some basic admin/shop preparation line items first and foremost: Design your logo and store banner, come up with creative packaging, develop your customer service strategy, have an inventory photo shoot, write those compelling product descriptions, and set-up your Facebook page.

Now, if you are pretty comfortable with where you are at on the above list, then now is the time to start generating some buzz. Get people talking by giving them something to talk about. We live in a social world, so reach out to your immediate network of peeps (no not the yellow marshmallow duckies that are surprisingly irresistible), but your friends, family and co-workers.

Here are a few great ways to start spreading the word:

• Ask your Facebook friends to “Like” your store page and then ask them to share with their friends, who share with their friends, who share with their friends, and you see how your network can grow and grow with only one little seed!
• Send an email to your friends and family with product pictures and descriptions getting them interested and telling them to stay tuned for your shop launch.
• Bring in a product sample or better yet wear one of your products to work and be sure to tell people where they can find your store.
• Develop a product sell sheet with a sampling of your products and their prices with your contact information to hand out to all your play date friends, coffee clutches, co-workers and family members. Be sure to give them extra in case they want to share with their friends. I have put together a quick example of what that might look like.
  

  Simply Sassy Sell Sheet Example

• Get your potential customers involved in color selection (or some other product attribute) by giving them a chance to weigh in on what colors they would want to see in a particular product. This way they already feel some ownership in your products and are that much more likely to buy.
• Sell (or give if you are feeling generous) your friends some of your products to try out or model. Be sure they credit your store and tell others where to find you!

Be sure to emphasize – coming soon! You don’t want potential customers to try and find you with no luck! Let them know that you will be notifying them as soon as Goodsmiths launches.

Another thing to think about is maybe you want to offer some type of promotion to get people interested and through the virtual door more quickly. On Goodsmiths you will not only be able to do group buys, but special discounts for your customers as well! For example, maybe offer free shipping for the first 10 customers or $5.00 off your first purchase. Start telling people about these offers now to get them excited about your upcoming launch!

These are all great ways to generate some buzz and excitement for your upcoming Goodsmiths shop launch! If you have other great ideas you’d like to share, please feel free!

Kelli- Kelli@Goodsmiths.com

PS-Haven’t had a chance to reserve your shop yet? Visit Goodsmiths to get signed up and take advantage of our limited time offer of a reduced transaction fee of only 2% on all completed sales for 2012!

For a limited time, when you sign up your shop you can sign up to receive a FREE Goodsmiths goodie bag.  Already signed up? Email Goodies@Goodsmiths.com your t-shirt size and mailing address.

First, pick up some Sculptey.  Roll it out on wax paper, or aluminum foil will work – just don’t do it directly on the counter, or you’ll never be able to peel it up.  Cut a circle shape out – for this you can use a cookie cutter or a glass will work to.  I used a martini glass to get the size I was looking for. Then, you can add any design you’d like…I tried a couple different things.

And eventually ended up using a straw to create an original design on my bowl.   But you could use lace or a doily or just draw your own design.

After that, place your circle at the bottom of a shallow, ovenproof bowl and bake for the recommended amount of time on the Scupltey directions.  I decided to make a tiny little whale for the lip of my bowl while I was at it – I just molded it by hand and then set it on the edge of the bowl to cook.

Let the bowl and the whale cool completely before removing from the real bowl.

I painted both the whale and the bowl gold and perched the whale on the corner of my new bowl with a dab of super glue.  I love this little project because it’s quick and sweet…and you can keep all your little knick knacks in it.

Stay tuned for more Sculptey projects…once you start it’s hard to stop!

Brooke- Brooke@Goodsmiths.com

The Central Iowa portion of the ISF (Iowa Startup Fair) will take place on “Silicon Six Avenue” in downtown Des Moines in the Midland, Bank of America, and Liberty buildings.  There will also be events held in three other regions of the state: Cedar Rapids/Iowa City (Vault Coworking & Collaboration Space); Pella (Central College Graham Conference Center); and Cedar Falls (Far Reach Technologies).

StartupIowa is a statewide initiative, launched under the umbrella of the Startup America Partnership, focused on helping startups grow and create jobs and value within Iowa. Its mission includes providing resources and connections to help young companies grow; supporting regional startup ecosystems throughout the country; and recognizing startups as the drivers of the economy.

Goodsmiths will be located at Foundry Coworking in the Liberty building. This event is free to the public and we would love to see you there! For more information and a list of exhibitors please click here.

Jennifer- Jennifer@Goodsmiths.com

So I thought a nice way to celebrate it would be to draw or paint a picture of it…something we could keep forever and remember our first home together.  I wasn’t sure if I’d like the end result better if I used colored pencils or watercolors – so my husband suggested I try it both ways.

First off, I went out and took a couple photos of our house from a couple different angles.  I printed them out on a full sheet of paper and decided which angle looked best.  I then used a piece of carbon paper (that I had left over from this project) and some white card-stock I had on hand.  I placed the photo of the house on the white card-stock and put the carbon paper in between the papers.  Then I taped them together to assure there would be no slippage.

Next – the tracing began.  I traced every line I possibly could on the house – except for each individual brick.  The lines turned out much better if I just pressed firmly and followed the house lines, rather than going over each area multiple times.  After tracing everything I could, I pulled off the house photos and carbon paper and went over the rest of the house to fix any mistakes I made or draw in anything I missed.  At this point I got a ruler and drew all the bricks on the house.  This didn’t take as long as I had originally thought, I just drew straight horizontal lines across all the brick covered substances and then staggered the vertical lines differently so the bricks didn’t look too uniform.

Then it was time to start coloring.  Here’s the colored pencil version…

The bricks were tough both ways I tried this project – coloring them was tedious, but painting them was even more time intensive.  To make sure the colors of the brick stayed as true to real life as possible, I kept mixing up different shades of orange and red and yellow and brown…just to give them tons of variance.

So…I think that made the watercolor version of this project more true to life – and definitely my favorite.   I’ll admit it, I was a little nervous about the watercolor option, but it actually turned out to be a really fun way to paint.  I’m so enthused about this project in fact – that I’ve been planning more painting projects!  It’s such a nice change of pace when things go better than you planned…cause in my world, the opposite seems to be true more often.  Which I’m not complaining about!  Things not going the way I’ve planned is how some of my best projects have come about.

I also love that everyone who sees this is impressed because they think I drew it myself.  They don’t need to know all my secrets~

Have you painted any of your own original artwork?  What kind of paint do you have the best luck working with?

Brooke- Brooke@Goodsmiths.com

The same principals you utilized to find the perfect name for your business will help guide finding the right graphics to represent your online store. I also recommend doing some research. Find inspiration from other stores, blogs, greeting cards, interior design, anything really. Look for patterns, colors, fonts, textures, etc.

I recommend using a professional design software, such as Adobe Photoshop or InDesign or CorelDraw, however there are several free programs you can use. Read about your options here.  Adobe does offer 30-day trial periods for all of their products, visit the website for more information.

Ok, now it’s time to get your design on! I recommend taking these steps to help capture the character of your store.

Color Palette

Finding the right colors can often set the stage for creating your identity. When I was trying to find the perfect color combinations, I thought long and hard about what colors I like or wear for that matter. I used Pantone to help me find a color palette.  I knew I wanted rich colors that had a “sassy” vibrancy to them. The color palette I decided on is pictured below. Look at fashion trends, colors you love and colors from some of the stores (online or offline) that you really like to find inspiration for your own color palette.

Simply Sassy Color Palette

Remember that you want to work with RGB color values because you will be using your logo and banner online. The RGB color model is based on three colors (Red, Green, Blue) being added together in different intensities to create an array of colors and is primarily used on electronic systems (i.e. websites, television, etc.).

Here are two resources that can help you find your color palette: ColorLovers and Pantone.

Font

An easy way to add personality into your new logo is to find a font with voice. What does that mean right?! Well voice is best defined as a distinct, unique attribute that helps your audience identify you as well as the products/service you are selling. When I was determining the fontography I wanted to use, I knew I wanted to represent both sides of our name “simple” and “sassy”. After trying what seemed like hundreds of combinations, I found one that worked! The two fonts I selected were:

Simply Sassy Fonts

An important thing to keep in mind when selecting a font is readability. Make sure your font is legible and used at a large enough size to be read quickly and easily. The goal is for your customers to instantly be able to see your name and read it without squinting, having to re-read it or needing to call a translator (only joking – kind of)!

Here are some resources that you can use to find the perfect font for your store: Dafont,  1001 Free Fonts, and Font Squirrel.

Remember, each font has its own personality. Using too many fonts can be visually overwhelming. If you’re not sure about mixing different fonts, choose just one that is clean and easy to read. You want your customers to know who you are!

Imagery

This can be the most challenging part of the entire design process. Feel free to design your own graphics. For example, I used a combination of circles, ovals and curved lines to create the flowers in our logo as well as a whole mesh of shapes grouped together to create the yellow marquee. I have demonstrated the elements below to show how basic shapes can be grouped together to make images.

Simply Sassy Design Elements

However, there are fabulous options available using stock illustrations. I highly recommend purchasing these illustrations from iStockphoto or ShutterStock to ensure you get a high enough quality for a crisp appearance.

Browse the image libraries until you find something that strikes you. These images will cost you some money, however the cost is pretty minimal in most cases.

Logo and Banner Specifications

Your logo should be sized to 135 pixels by 135 pixels.

Simply Sassy Logo

Your banner should be sized to 887 pixels by 150 pixels.

Simply Sassy Store Banner

Use RGB color values and make sure your resolution is at least 72 dpi, although I recommend 96 dpi for a little more crispness.

Design is a trial and error process, so don’t get frustrated if it takes several (and I mean several) tries before you find the winner!

If you are thinking designing your own logo and banner seems like too much of an undertaking, there are plenty of vendors that will sell custom or premade design packages for online retailers.

Questions? Let me know and I’d be happy to help!

Kelli- Kelli@Goodsmiths.com

I started with some grey and white striped knit fabric that I found.  I bought this a while ago, not really knowing how I’d end up using it.  I just thought it was a sweet fabric…and very soft.

I found this tutorial on Prudent Baby, and decided to give it a try.  And let me say this – I decided to try it without following hardly any of the prudent advice they gave.  So, I’m sure this would have been much easier and turned out much better had I done that.

Things started out easy enough…I printed and cut the pattern out for the hat with two knots.  Then, I doubled up the fabric and put the right side of both pieces facing in.  I then traced the pattern onto the wrong side of the fabric and cut out two pieces.

I keep the wrong sides facing out and stitched around the sides and top of the hat – basically everything except the head hole.  I used the zig zag stitch on my machine…but this was where things got messy.  The instructions said to use a walking foot on my machine (which I don’t have) and a ball point needle (which I hadn’t bought yet).  They also said to make sure the fabric didn’t stretch.  I tried…I really tried.

I did end up getting the whole hat stitched around the edges…but I had to go really slow or the stitches started sticking or the needle came unthreaded.

Then, I tried to fold the bottom edge of the hat up underneath and do the larger zig zag stitch they recommended.  And it just wasn’t happening.  I probably had to pull it out and start over about 4 times before I gave up.  So – I ended up just hand stitching it.  I still think it looks pretty cute…and it definitely looks handmade now!

I also added a little M – which looks very similar to the McDonalds M…but actually stands for my friend’s last name.  But she also loves McDonald’s breakfast sandwiches…so it works.

Brooke- Brooke@Goodsmiths.com

Over the past several months Rachel has helped us form the design for our current site, as well as the design of the BETA site that is rolling out very soon. Her attention to detail, clean and crisp design skills and picking up on the direction for Goodsmiths on Day 1 – are all reasons why Rachel is a rockstar and our Lead Designer.

If you do not know Rachel, we invite you to introduce yourself through a host of outlets. You can find her on Twitter and read more on her website. She also will be at presenting at the Design+Tech event at BitMethod February 1st at noon. We invite you to attend!

We love Rachel’s Manifesto on her website. Especially ‘Status Quo has to go’. Goodsmiths is 1,000X better with Rachel at the lead and we are so excited that she has joined our team.

You can email Rachel at rachel@goodsmiths.com

Cheers!

The fabulous shower curtain I found!

When we moved to a new town-home a few months ago and acquired a second full bathroom, I was so excited that our house guests would no longer have to fight for shower time in the 1 full bath we had previously.

Of course, the interior designer in me was SO excited for the opportunity to decorate a brand new room! I immediately found a shower curtain I fell in love with and had so many ideas about what I wanted to go on the walls.

I wanted the curtain to be the focal point and just have accent pieces. I searched high and low for inspiration and ideas, until yet again Pinterest saved the day and I found the perfect DIY project to complete the bathroom.

Here is a tutorial on how I took this concept and gave it my own little twist.

What You Will Need:

Supplies!

• Canvas (Any size will work. I used 8 x 10.)
• Stencil or Pattern (I found mine just doing a Google image search for “decorative patterns”.)
• Modge Podge or Glue
• Paint  (Optional: Accenting paint color.)
• Puffy Paint (I used white, but you could probably use any color as long as your paint choice is dark enough that it won’t show through.)
• Clear Varnish or Finishing Paint
• Sponge Brush and Small Brush
• Scissors

What You Need To Do:

1. Cut out the design. Due to the intricacy and as a time saver, I just cut out around the parameter of the design, leaving the center in tact. If you are using a stencil, trace the design onto the canvas with a pencil or pen.
2. Modge Podge or glue the design onto the canvas. It might look like a crazy ugly mess as the printer ink will bleed slightly, but it will turn out OK in the end I promise! Be sure to not leave clumps of glue and get the coat pretty even. Those of you using a stencil, you can skip this step.
   

   Step 2: Glue design onto canvas.

3. After letting the glue dry. Take your puffy paint and start filling in the pattern. Your thumb will hate you when you are finished, but it will be worth it!
   

   Step 3: Puffy paint over pattern.

4. After letting the puffy paint dry, use your sponge brush and paint over the canvas. It took me 3 coats to get the coverage I wanted.  Now, you could stop after this step and just finish up with step #6, however I didn’t think it looked “dramatic” enough and wanted to take it one step further.
   

   Step 4: Paint over puffy paint with solid paint color.

5. Take an accenting color and paint over the puffy paint with a smaller paintbrush. I only applied one coat as I liked the translucency.
6. Once dried, apply a clear finishing coat and viola! Project completed!
   

   Step 6: Final Product!

Remember, don’t be afraid to take an idea and make it your own! That is the beauty of being a crafter and some of the best projects come from not following all the directions!

Have fun!

Kelli- Kelli@Goodsmiths.com

David Kurns – Director of Corporate Development with Meredith Corp.

Dave Kurns is the Director of Corporate Development with Meredith Corporation (NYSE: MDP). His expertise is in creating and assessing strategies and business partnerships to make digital enterprises successful and profitable.

Dave has worked across the consumer media spectrum. After careers as a newspaper and magazine editor, he co-founded Meredith New Media in 1994 and began work on Meredith’s first commercial Internet sites. He was also the founding Editor in Chief of Meredith Interactive Media. Today, he is building corporate strategic relationships that include investments and acquisitions of lifestyle digital properties and technologies for Meredith.

Dave is a 1982 graduate of Iowa State University in journalism and mass communications, with a minor in business.

Michael Ferrari – Founder & COO of SmartyPig.com

Mike Ferrari is the Founder and Chief Operating Officer of SmartyPig.com and is responsible for both internal and external design and innovation as well as managing and prioritizing web development projects and workload. Mike has more than 15 years of entrepreneurial experience in developing strategic marketing and technology initiatives on behalf of Fortune 500 companies. Previously, Mike served as the Director of Technology Services at The Integer Group, an Omnicon Group affiliate, which is one of the largest promotions agencies in the country. Mike earned a B.A. in psychology and business administration from DePauw University.

One thing is certain- Goodsmiths is just getting started and we are pretty pumped we’re working with the best of the best. We have a long road to travel and engaging Dave and Mike means our team is armed with a tremendous amount of creativity, experience in our market and product development background. We couldn’t be more excited about working with both of them.

It has been a long time coming, and soon the doors to the marketplace for makers will open.

Cheers,

James

I want to specifically focus on Facebook (let’s bite off one chunk at a time). I set up a Facebook account for my store {Simply Sassy}. Here is a quick tutorial on how to get your Facebook Page up and running using your personal Facebook account.

1. Log into Facebook using your personal account and navigate to the Create A Page link at the bottom of your screen.
   

   Step 1: "Create A Page" Link In Footer

2. Set-up your page as a “Brand/Product” or you could do “Local Business or Place” if you have a storefront or physical location your customers can find you. However, for most online only businesses the “Brand/Product” category makes most sense.
3. Next, follow the prompts to upload your Facebook Profile image. I suggest using your logo or product image to reinforce your brand and/or products.
4. Fill out the appropriate fields under the “Basic Information” tab. Remember to incorporate the voice of your shop – this is a chance for you customers to get to know you and your products.
   

   Step 4: Fill Out Your Basic Information

5. Start adding product images and filling your channel. Now you may be wondering what should I post!? Give me a second and I will talk about the basic types of posts businesses should use. (See “Types of Posts” section below.)
6. Now, here is the beautiful part – Invite your Facebook friends to “Like” your business’s Page and encourage them to find you on Goodsmiths!
   

   Step 6: Invite Your Friends to "Like" Your Page

Once you get your Goodsmiths store up and running, you will be able to share new products or featured products through the integrated social media buttons. This will make filling your channel that much easier. Below I have listed some basic “types” of posts that might work for your business:

News
New products, new color options, group buys, sales/discounts, etc. For example, let’s say I am launching a new product and want to build awareness for it, I would feature the product in a post and encourage subscribers to share the news, what a great way to get exposure for not only the product, but my store in the process.

Tips/Tools/Good-To-Know
People are on the quest to find information, so if you come across something interesting, share it with your customers. This doesn’t necessarily have to be product related, but that would just be a bonus if it was. For example, my online store will sell infinity scarves, so let’s say I am surfing the Internet and come across a celeb/model sporting and infinity scarf, I would share the article via Facebook and encourage subscribers to visit my store and buy theirs today!

Engage Your Audience
Ask questions or get subscriber feedback. For example, let’s say I had an idea for a new product, but wasn’t sure how well it would be received. You can use Facebook to ask your subscribers what they think and use that as a basis for going ahead with the product, modifying the idea or maybe squashing it completely.

Thank You’s and Testimonials
Show customer appreciation and get praise. For example, let’s say I want to thank my customers via Facebook for purchases they have made. I would tag them in my post and it would appear in their Facebook news feeds. Here is the beautiful part, you have just increased your reach, because now all your customer’s Friends will  see they made a purchase from your store! Also, ask customers how they are liking a certain product to get their feedback and potential product review. Keep in mind it could be a mediocre or “gasp” bad review at which point you want to react quickly and help find a remedy.

Pictures, Pictures and more Pictures
From product images to people using your products. A great example of this would be to have your customers submit photos of them wearing or using your product to feature on your page. They can do this by sending you the photos or simply tagging your business’s page when they upload their images to Facebook. Another under utilized avenue for marketing is the product caption. Tell people a little about the product and how it can be used. For examples, check out some of the captions I put together for our albums, although I’m sure you can be more creative!

Remember, it’s one thing to set-up a Facebook Page for your business, but it’s another to “have” a Facebook Page that is actively talking and engaging its audience. Be the voice of your business in real time and keep it interesting and fresh. There is nothing worse than going to a Page that hasn’t been updated in months or that has minimal information, so come up with a posting schedule that works for you. Typically a couple times a week makes for the best frequency.

If you want to see an example Page, please feel free to visit the {Simply Sassy} Facebook Page. Keep in mind we are in the process of filling the channel as well so check back often for updates!

Have questions? Contact me!

Kelli- Kelli@Goodsmiths.com