Where are you from and tell us a little about yourself?
I’m from Tonawanda, which is just outside of the city of Buffalo where I go to college. That being said, I’m a college kid, going into my senior year. Right now, I’m working towards a bachelor’s degree in English, and will go into my Master’s with a concentration in British Modernism which will then aid me in focusing on children’s literature. Then it’s on to my doctorate’s degree. Fun wow! đŸ˜€ I’m also a huge nerd,
Why did you start your Etsy shop?
I started my shop because I wanted to know what it could be like selling your own handmade goods and essentially being your own boss. I’m a fairly new seller who’s still finding a niche in the grand scheme of things, but like any endeavor, it’s an adventure.
How did you come up with your Etsy shop name?
A lot of people think it has to do with the Na’vi from Avatar, but it doesn’t! Navi stems from “navigate,” and “wing” is, well… wing. Wings used for navigation, for adventure. Also, for the gamers out there, Navi is the name of a very annoying but sometimes useful fairy in the Legend of Zelda series, of which I am a *huge* fan.
What is your favorite item in your shop and why?
My favorite item? Hm… I think it would have to be the Penguin Ring necklace. I had a lot of fun making it, and I hope that it goes to someone who likes it as much as I do. It also embodies the idea that just because something has changed or can no longer fulfill its original purpose doesn’t mean it’s useless. The sterling silver ring was squished on accident, but with a little thoughtful bending, it came out looking like a pretty penguin!
Do any of your pieces have a memorable story behind them?
My rolypoly panda took a good deal of time and effort to make. I remember holding this small blue angora/wool hat in my hands and going, I can’t wear this any more. But what if…? And then it all started. I was sewing up small holes, filling it with polyfill, and then cutting out little arms and legs from felt. Back in March, he went to an art show. Every limb and ear is meticulously hand stitched, but still has this quirky, hand-made nature to it. He’s one of a kind, and it’ll be bittersweet when someone decides to buy him. I think he has like, 13 hearts now? So it’s gotta happen soon.
What was your first piece you sold?
http://www.etsy.com/transaction/24172298
It was totally sold to a friend, too. It’s two angel wings wire wrapped together, with a small shield charm. Hung on a long chain, it was definitely a fashion necklace. I wanted the piece to have that Guardian Angel feel to it while retaining a bit of an edge. After all, if you’ve got to battle the forces of evil, I don’t think you’re going to look completely cute and fluffy.
Where do you get your inspiration for your pieces?
Oh, gosh. Right now, I have some cute things going on as I’m dipping into my bead and charm collection from ages ago. What I really want to focus more on, though, are those gunmetal patinas, and styles that strike me as aged, sophisticated, and ready for adventure. The Moon and Star Charm Bracelet is probably one of the best examples of the look I’m going for and love. There’s also the idea of a gypsy vagabond look, where things don’t quite go together in terms of material, but tie in together in an overall theme. SparrowSalvage and cade are probably my two favorite shops for incorporating those aesthetics in their work.
Why should people buy handmade?
Handmade goods *say* something. They aren’t pieced together in a factory, or hanging up in the local chain store. They’ve been designed and created by people who are, in their own way, artists. People should buy handmade because it connects you to the life of someone you’ve probably never met before, and helps them simply live. It’s a community.
Think about it: when you buy someone’s necklace, you could also be helping them pay their electric bill. You could be giving them the reassurance that what they’ve created is appreciated, and that they should keep doing what they love. Handmade has a soul, and in the case of one-of-a-kind creations, a story all its own.
Any advice on selling things handmade?
A lot of it is “easier said than done.” There will be times when you send out tweets all night only to get a headache and no sales. There will be lots of forum/treasury BNR events that leave you with an item you probably didn’t want and no sale to even out your purchase. It’s times like these that I think being honest with yourself is best.
For example: Etsy sellers love accumulating fans and followers for blogs/twitter/facebook, etc. They’ll set up the “Follow me and I’ll follow you!” threads, but how many of those numbers are people who are truly interested in what you have to offer? When selling handmade, try not to get sucked into the number game. You’re going to end up with tons of tweets about things you’re truly not interested in, and webpage analytics that say you have lots of fans, but few who are actually active.
Another tip: be a photographer. I’ve seen a lot of people say “I’m a knitter (or whatever), so why should I be expected to have amazing photos? I don’t have time for that” and so on. Fact is, you’re selling online. That photo is the closest people are gonna get to your item unless they actually buy it. Tell a story with that photo, and really do your work justice. Maybe not everything has to look magazine-quality, but just try to make it look good.
Also, despite the notes of cynicism in my advice, I’ve found it pays to be really accessible and happy with the people you come in contact with! If someone’s having trouble with sales, send out some tweets on their items. I’m a firm believer in karma, so if you try to help out your fellow sellers, someone is bound to do the same for you. Again, hand-made is a community, so be a part of it!
Do you have plans for expansion?
At the moment, I’m not exactly selling things left and right. Definitely getting hearts, views, and general attention, but until I can really make things consistent, there’s no expansion in sight. Maybe a shift in style, but that’ll have to wait.
Any other sites you can be found on?
Etsy is my only venue for my products. I tried ArtFire, but Etsy is a lot more appealing to me.
Anything else you would like us to know?
I’m still figuring out how the heck shipping works, so if there’s anyone outside the U.S. interested in buying, just send me a message and I’ll be glad to help you out! I’ve shipped out to Australia before, so don’t feel shy! đŸ˜€
**Please take a moment to visit NaviWing If you comeback here and leave a comment with your favorite item you can have a total of five extra entries to leave on any or a combination of my current giveaways. You MUST leave the comments for the extra entries on the giveaways you would like to be entered into. This offer ends on 11/19 at midnight.
