Our Featured Guest Star- Gracie’s Designs

Today we are welcoming Gracie from Made with Love and Gracie Designs. Gracie is a successful jewelry artist. I like to hang out with those that are successful on Etsy as I am hoping one day it will rub off on me. So while she is here, I’m hoping that she can give us all some great pointers on how to get your stuff out there and folks interested in buying it.
I sent my buddy Steadman to go pick her up from the airport. Ever since Oprah’s show ended, he has been virtually living in my Green Room. The guy seems kind of lost. He came in on the last shipment of furniture from Oprah’s set and made himself at home. While he is very quiet and all, my buddy Tom Selleck, his mustache and I are a little wary around him. We really aren’t sure why he is here.
It’s possible that Oprah sent him to keep an eye on my Green Room guests. Oprah was always one to keep her finger on the pulse of the entertainment industry and I can’t see her letting it go that easy. Just because she quit her show doesn’t mean she isn’t planning bigger and better things. Oprah is a woman of action. And since the studios of Suzy’s Artsy Craftsy Sitcom are always full of excitement, I’m thinking that maybe she wants in on the action.  
So when Tom pointed out that Steadman had a very keen interest in talking with his buddies William Shatner, David Hasselhoff and Eric Estrada when they showed up last night for poker, I thought I’d better start keeping an eye on him. You know, it’s possible that he just wants a little male bonding, but I did notice one of those clear earpieces in his ear with a little curly cord that goes down his shirt. And he never takes off his sunglasses.
And if I’m not mistaken, I believe I saw him talking into the plastic philodendron in the corner. (Real plants never survive in my Green Room- it’s that watering thing, you know). And was that a camera flash coming from his tie clip? We certainly have our eye on him.
And here he is with Gracie! So lets take a few moments and sit down for an interview while my buddy Tom, his mustache and Steadman straighten up the Green Room. Five guys playing poker can sure make a mess. When it came time to clean up, Bill said he needed to handle some important Priceline stuff and left, followed very shortly by David and Eric who both mumbled something about reality shows and potential fans and isn’t that an interesting thing behind you? And when we turned around, they were gone, leaving just me, Tom and the mustache to clean up. (Steadman was in the closet talking to his wrist watch).
Suzy: So, Gracie, tell me a little about yourself, your family, your other hobbies … 
Gracie:  Well, I’m part of a large family with 3 sisters and two brothers, but no kids of my own yet. I am generally a sunny person and I love helping and giving to others! Other than designing, I enjoy cooking, singing, crafting, and spending time with loved ones!
Suzy: As a promoter of Etsy, I am very excited to see your site.  You often feature Etsy artists and their art.  And your interviews are wonderful!  Can you tell me why you started blogging and where you might like it to lead?
Gracie: I started blogging as a way to promote my business when I was just starting out, but I realize that isn’t even part of the fun of blogging! Blogging is a chance to share things, to inspire others, and to create. I love blogging about others, and I hope it just leads to some committed readers and helps those I feature.

Suzy: Can you tell us a few things that most folks don’t know about you?
Gracie: I’ve never had a cavity, been skiing, or owned a pet! I would really LOVE having a dog though!


Suzy: Since I’m kinda a crafty blog, I have to ask. Are there any particular crafts that you enjoy the most? 
Gracie: obviously, jewelry! But other than that, I like crafts that don’t require a whole lot of complicated work or building….  This year I’ve made this REALLY cool quilt- I found it on Kojodesigns

Suzy: I know you have a very busy life.  I also know first hand how time-consuming a good blog is.  And you have an Etsy shop and you have to make time to craft your beautiful jewelry.  How do you schedule it all in? 
Gracie:  I bought this $1 calendar from Target and it’s a monthly with big, lined boxes for the days! I fill it in at the beginning of the new month and look at it each night before I go to bed.

Suzy: Can you give other Etsy sellers a few pointers that you have learned along the way in order to make your shop successful?
Gracie: Put a lot of time into taking AMAZING pictures! read the manual for your camera; if you lost it, the brand will have PDF’s online. this helped me so much I can’t even say!
-Market! get the word out. do a facebook page, twitter, business cards, newsletter, etc. no one can know about your business if you don’t tell them!
-List often! my item views increased by like 30% when I listed 20-30 more items!
-Do great descriptions and tags. people cannot see or feel your item through the computer, so they can’t possibly know exactly what the item is like.

Suzy: Since I’m also kinda a sitcom blog, my buddy Tom wants to know if you have a favorite television show.  Other than one starring him of course.  (He wants to give other actors a chance to get their names in print).  
Gracie: my guilty pleasure is Glee, but I also really enjoy crime shows. I loved Monk and am sad they cancelled it. 
Suzy: Tom says he knows of another show that you can replace it with…

Suzy: This blog community is full of wonderful folks.  Can you tell me what blogs inspire you? 

Gracie: As of now, i’m in LOVE with Kojodesigns, Heartmade, and A Well Dressed Home.  
 
Suzy: Can you tell us a little about what you are promoting right now? Anything coming up that you want us to know about?  
Gracie: As far as what’s coming up, I have a very interesting and fun fall collection developing. hint: it has a lot to do with nature and vintage.

Thank you so much for stopping by, Gracie! It has been a real pleasure to meet you! Please take a few moments to swing by Gracie’s site, Made with Love, or her Etsy shop Gracie’s Designs and see what she has going on.  I bet you will be inspired!
And now we best get back in the Green Room. Apparently, Tom caught Steadman digging through my National Enquirer collection and stashing some of my classics in his briefcase. Ya know, I get really tired of everyone making fun of me for buying that magazine. I haven’t had a cashier check me out yet that hasn’t stopped in the middle of ringing things up to see who has the hottest bikini body this season. And who doesn’t.
Everyone is a closet Enquirer reader. Admit it, I say!
Tom says you can’t not watch a train wreck.
Steadman mumbled something into his shoe phone.
I think I need a vacation.