Showing posts with label opinion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label opinion. Show all posts

Saturday, December 19, 2009

What would you do?

When I began this Internet business in leather crafting I swore to myself and my husband that everything that left our home would be my best. It is, and will remain, our slogan., "Where quality, craftsmanship and excellence meet."

The "For Your Eyes Only" leather wristbands series was designed exclusively by us. It was our brain child and we wanted every buyer to be part of the process in creating this unique and personalized keepsake that could be looked back on for many years to come.

The contents of each piece comes from the hearts of the person buying it. Only they and the recipient know the true value of the text. It is our honor to be part of something so special and we treat is as such.

Recently, I received a negative feedback to our Etsy shop. I was devastated to say the least. I make a point of reading and responding to all of our convo's and emails from general inquiries to buyers messages. Being a romantic at heart I put my heart into my work - moreover my passion.
To my dismay the buyer sent me an email telling how disappointed she was with her wristband that I made for her. She claimed that the text was slanted and the text went into the stitching. She believed it was "slopped" together. We asked her to send us a picture of it because I know what every item looks like when I send it out. If either John or I disapprove of any aspect of it, it doesn't leave the house. The buyer was very adamant and when we received the picture I could not see what it was that upset her so much. Below is a picture of a similar item that is listed in our Etsy shop.


The picture below is what the buyer sent to us. Both John and I examined the item carefully and couldn't see what she saw. If anything the accent, over the "o", which is above the text was in the stitching. The text appears even and centered.


Knowing how much this meant to the buyer we offered to make her a new one, against our store policy. Because time was an issue - the replacement wristband would not have been received by her in time for Christmas - we suggested that she give the one she had to her husband for Christmas and IF he didn't approve of it we would gladly replace it once she returned the one she had. The buyer was very upset with this proposal. She wanted us to replace the wristband immediately and she would cut up the one she had. We did not concede to this. I had numerous other buyers waiting on their purchases so I thought my suggestion was most feasible considering all factors involved.

As part of my standards I invite your opinion as to what you might think would work best for both parties involved.

I look forward to any suggestions you might have.

Anne

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Are They Our Future Trendsetters?

As a leather crafter I am always curious as to what makes people buy what they buy. What is it that compels them to gravitate to the off beat and unusual?

I have a certain style , as do most artists. Mine comes from many years of following the rules - the right way , if there is such a thing anymore. I have developed a technique that requires clean edges and sharp colors. I am a perfectionist and I become bothered by loose ends or askew lines. So I have to ask myself," Am I outdated, boring, mundane or plain?" I have made a pledge to myself to lighten up and loosen my grip on boundaries, that have limited my creativity.

My crafter friends and I have one quality in common. That is, if the item we make isn't perfect in our eyes, the item does not get posted. I have posted items and removed them within 10 minutes of it being listed because I didn't like the look of it. I'd put it in a box and close it tight.

I am always intrigued by artists that go outside of the box. The daring ones that have no perimeters. Some of the items that I have seen while browsing Etsy surprise me. So I ask you this...., What is it about these fashion no-no's that brings the sellers in?

I have pick some of the most risque and unique items from various artists and solicit your comments on what it is that you think makes them so desirable. And maybe with your responses I will be less anal retentive and venture out beyond the scope of reason.
I think I may already be one of these daring individuals, but am reticent to let go and release it to the world. My secret little treasury is buried in a corner of my work area waiting for the day I will release them.

So please, take a look and feel free to explore.

Triple Pocket Zipper Bilfold - $54.00
By Scabbyrobot



Handmade Leather Pouch Purple - $45
By StudioMu


Antique Brown Leather Shoulder Bag- $148.00
By delacyonline


If you would like to see more products handcrafted by these artist click on the item title to view their shops.

Thanks to these artists for daring to be different.

Anne ^i^

Friday, May 8, 2009

Decisions - decisions...,what to choose?.

I have been faced with a dilemma. I have to decided which item in our etsy shop to pick for the "treasure hunt" giveaway this month. I solicited some ideas from my family and this is what I came up with.
Renee, my youngest daughter, choose a very stylish pair of white deerskin earrings from our sister shop. Not surprised - she has acquired all of my jewelry and make-up that wasn't nailed down or hidden. *palm to cheek*



Amanda thought that the "ahhh-dorable baby moccasins" would be a nice choice for a new mom to win.

When I asked Chris his response was, "pick something for a guy." He choose the very masculine and rugged chap leather mystery braid wristband. Actually, the wristband is unisex and can be worn by both guys and ladies. But we won't tell him. *finger to lip*

Johns choice was a more practical one. He thought that since father's day was the 3rd Sunday in June - why not the magnetic money clip?
Hummm. All very good choices..., but I still wasn't sure.

Alligator Embossed Magnetic Money Clip

I thought a pair of my Spatz would make a nice prize for our winner - considering our etsy community is top heavy with female members.

But after a great deal of consideration I came up with this idea.

SPATZ - Boot Jewelry Royal Blue Water Mark Set


I will let the readers have the opportunity to submit their choice of prize via commenting to this blog.
If you have your eyes on one of our treasures drop a comment and I'll add it to the list of possible winners. Keeping checking though, you never know when I will list the free item in our shop. *raised eyebrows*

Have a great weekend! _\00/

Anne ^i^