Soapsicle Smoothie Giveaway Winners!

Using one of my favorite number randomizers , I now have the three winners from the Soapsicle Smoothie Giveaway. Comments number 12, 4 and 16. Congratulations SoBella Creations, Sassy Pink Boutique, and jinxi~ aka angi!

A huge THANK YOU to everyone for entering! ♥♥♥

ArtFire vs Etsy. Etsy vs. ArtFire.

After my last post and after reading this article, I have had many conversations and even some debates, with fellow shop owners over which is "better", Etsy or Artfire.

Personally, I love both! Yes, this IS possible. Both of these lively online markets places have what I feel is most important: A supportive and friendly community.

Another thing it comes down really, is what YOU feel is most important. While Etsy has listing fees and a much larger community, ArtFire has no listing fees, but a smaller community. While ArtFire gives you the option to customize your shop to your website, Etsy has a feeling of unity within the shops. Etsy has been around longer and has many "kinks" worked out, while Artfire is relatively new and is still under development. I could go on and on...

Both of these marketplaces have something in common. One very vital aspect that I think is most times over looked, YOU are in charge. Both Artfire AND Etsy embrace your ability to create, grow and communicate with society through your creations. After all, isn't that what it's all about anyway?

I think I simply feel torn about The Etsy Wars article. I owe a huge chunk of my success to Etsy. My sales continue to grow there and I continue to meet such wonderful people, even though I now link my website to ArtFire. And even though my site links to ArtFire, my ArtFire links back to my Etsy. With the rise in shipping and supply costs, my Etsy fees are a bigger blow to pay, but I just don't make the sales I need, yet, on ArtFire. Does this mean when (and if) ArtFire becomes huge I will leave Etsy? Absolutely not.

We just need to remember, it's all about supporting EACH OTHER, and not losing ourselves in argueing about the marketplace. ♥ Without US there would be no Etsy OR ArtFire.

♥♥♥

Monday Mini Feature: ArtFire.com

If you visited LuxuryLaneSoap.com this weekend, you may have noticed a big change. A new ArtFire online shop!

Why did I make the switch from Etsy to ArtFire?

Firstly, my Etsy Shop is still up and running! I love Etsy and I have met some of the most wonderful people there. Etsy will always have a special place in my heart. ♥ ArtFire respects this and they encourage you link to your Etsy shop if you'd like! (And your website, blog, twitter, flickr, etc...)

I opened an ArtFire shop because I instantly fell in love with the customizations available. You can add your own html coding to your shop, adjust shop colors and banner size! The customizations alone are so worth it, to me, because my ArtFire shop now matches my website so well.

Another great feature is Rapid Cart. Your customers no longer have to register for an account to purchase from you! I have been able to beautifully link my ArtFire shop within my website for seamless transactions. I had my first sale this weekend (yay!) and was actually told the checkout system is " Wonderfully uncomplicated ".

Could it get any better? Yup! No listing OR selling fee! Yeah, seriously! So you can re list items daily for more exposure without racking up a daily fee. *swoon*

Give ArtFire.com a little look. A basic account is totally free with a verified account being only $12.00 a month! Since my Etsy listing/selling fees have been well over $12.00, I thought why not give it a try? That's how the love affair began...
Give ArtFire.com a look

As a way to say "Thanks!" for giving my new ArtFire shop a try, I am offering 15% off ALL items for the entire month. It's time for a Christmas in July Sale, don't you think? Combine that with newly reduced shipping rates, and I'd say it's time to shop!
♥♥♥