Esty Tips!

I just recently started an Etsy team called "The Art of Whimsy". We are a collection of Etsy artisans that design their products with a touch of whimsy! We have over 100 members and are based all over the world. We are growing fast. We encourage one another to express themselves, create whimsy and celebrate their skills. Just recently I attended an online Etsy Symposium and picked up some great Etsy tips. If you are interested in learning some Etsy tips...read on!

Etsy Symposium

Hey gang! I spent all Friday watching the Etsy Online Symposium. They speakers ranged from informing about basic Etsy seller info to the more detailed regarding how to get your products seen. If you go to the Etsy online labs you may be able to watch some of the segments. Keep in mind there was 7 hours of info and I am just touching on the highlights, so if you are interested in a topic, post to the thread and I will elaborate. I have broken the topics down to 3 major items (Shopping Experience, Getting Found and Getting out There)  which in order to keep the topics separate, I will write as different posts.

Shopping Experience

Since Etsy is an online shop we have to go an extra step further to create a shopping “experience” for the customer. We do not have the luxury of them seeing the physical product so pictures are key for our success. Here are some tips I picked up from the symposium!

Try to photograph in good light. If you have a bad picture that is dark or not appealing, odds are it will make the shopper pass you buy. They recommend natural light on a consistent back ground. You want to avoid flash glare as much as possible and they same neutral background will give the feeling of continuity with your shop. Good cropping is essential. Etsy has some great info regarding this in the Seller’s Handbook.

Shop design is also important. Make sure your banner reflects what’s going on in the shop. Branding is so important. You want people to begin to recognize your logo, products and photography. Try photographing from the same angle if possible, so all your items look consistent. Make sure the thumbnail image isn’t cut off; if it is re-crop for better viewing. Put your best selling objects in the “highlight” area of your shop. Use your shop sections wisely. We only have 10 sections to work with so be creative!

To further help with the “online” shopping experience they recommend great story telling behind you and your product. Though you should never lie about the product’s provenance, they recommend some great writing to help the shopper connect with your work. Behind every project is a back story! Think of the show Pawn Stars…a good story sells! Also remember your biography is important to help the shopper get to know you. Let them know where you started out, your triumphs and set- backs, and what got you to the point you are today. Look at the J Peterman Catalog for some ideas on fun writing!

5 sources of a product story:

1.Origin- History. What research did you do to come up with this project? Where did your skills come from, etc.

2. Ingredients- What went into it?

3. Formulation- How it was made.

4. Experience- What does it “feel” like? When they open it? Is it specially wrapped or packaged? What will their experience be like if they bought your product?

5. Identify- How does this product tell about a lifestyle? How will it fit into their personality?

Remember “Who, What, Where, Why and How” from English class? Use those questions while creating your writing. Also, find out the meanings behind your products, materials or themes. EXAMPLE: I have painted a dahlia…what is the meaning of the dahlia flower? Maybe you create jewelry. What is the meaning behind the stones you use?  Do you define your stuff as whimsical? Explain why whimsy is so important to you and perhaps the customer.

I hope this info gets your wheels turning. It did mine! I realized that my writing was kind of basic. I was just describing the work; after all they have the picture of it, they either like it or not. Right?! Wrong! You are the cruise director of your Etsy Shop, it’s up to your to direct your shoppers’ experience. Please let us know of any tips, hints or responses you have to this info!

My next post will be about getting found and things you can do to get the shoppers in your store.  

Hand Painted Stool Art!

The creative process is definitely in full swing! I have added some new products to my store...stools! I have wanting to add stools for some time. They are time intensive but well worth it (I hope you will agree).

What goes into making a stool? I start with wood stools that I buy from one of my suppliers. Next, look for any imperfections in the wood and fix them. If there is a knot I make sure the wood is sealed and protected to make sure the knot sap doesn’t seep through and discolor the paint. Then I fill in any indentations with wool filler as well as any gaps along the seams. Then I sand the whole thing to prep it for the first coat of primer.

After applying the first coat of primer, I sand it and then prime it again. Then sand it again! Whew...I am already tired. The prep process is a lot of work, that's for sure.

Now that the stool is prepped and primed…the fun stuff begins! After deciding the design I want to do, I choose the base coat. The base coat is the base color of the design. In my sunflower stool, I choose a deep red. After the base coat dries I start adding the design element, such as the sunflower.

 Now that the sunflower on the top is done, I look at the stool and see what else it needs. That’s when the sunflowers on the sides appear. I take one more look and decide that the wood support underneath needs some color as well.

When I start the stool, I have a basic idea of what I want. However, as the process begins it changes and morphs according to what I “feel” it needs. To finish it off I seal the whole stool with sturdy polyurethane for durability.


One stool can take me from 4-10 hours. That is why the price varies on my stools. The longest time it took to paint a stool? 12 hours! That was the Noah’s Ark themed stool.  So far I have completed 6 different stool designs: Tuscan Sunflower Stool, Noah's Ark Stool, Rooster Stool, Pirate Stool, Cupcake Stool, Frog Stool.

The FaceBook Project!

So I have decided to try to get more "likes" on Facebook. I started the project at 681 likes and with in 24 hours I am up to 691. How I am doing it you may ask? I am doing a race of sorts. If I can get to 1200 "likes" by 11/24, I will do a 50% off promo on my site. I will also give away lots of FREE products.I am asking my fans to encourage their Facebook friends to "like" my FB page.

So if you haven't "liked" my Rusti Lee Arts Facebook page, please do so!

Zulily here I come!

This is exciting! I am in the works of setting up a www.zulily.com event on their site for three days on 9/23. We are working together to offer some incredible prices to our customers.  Woo hoo!

Rusti Lee Arts weighs in on American Art and why it’s more important now than ever.

Rusti Lee Arts weighs in on American Art and why it’s more important now than ever.

Artists are the pulse of their society. They often express the feelings of society through their art. Since the first cave painting discovered Le Chauvet , France  people have been talking about how artists are able depict their society while giving insight to a way of life that would be lost without art. After all, most of what we know about the Egyptian society was gleaned from hieroglyphics. The most influential artists through the ages are artists that lived during particularly difficult or pivotal times of society.

In today’s America it is safe to assume we are living is a very difficult and ground breaking time, from the historic housing and economic crisis to our first African American president. Generation after generation will be reading about our current situation and doing research on how we persevered. They will look for images and photographs regarding this, hoping to create a picture of our life today. They will research the important chain of events and most importantly how people coped. Through all this, the art of today will be an essential visual for the bigger picture of our society today.

What will be the turn of tides for America? What makes today’s art invaluable for the future? In 50 years will that “made in xyz country”, mass produced and bought at a large chain store, $20 print art be what future generations are talking about? Will they want to collect that and have pride in it? What will future American generations want to collect, invest in and hold dear? Most likely it will be art from struggling artists trying to survive a depleted American economy. What does America want to be known for? Massed produced, conglomerate store art or charming and socially aware art by brilliant artists?

Buying from American artists and art businesses not only helps the local economy but  it shows that as an American you have faith in what will come of our society, that you take pride in your American artists. Today’s American artists will stand the test of time because of what they represent. You will find an array of artistic styles such as dramatic and thought provoking to light, uplifting and whimsical found in the styling of Rusti Ferejian (owner of Rusti Lee Arts).

Rusti Lee shows an understanding for the need for uplifting art that lightens the heart, home and mood. Her whimsical style, as seen in her painted wood art, has a touch of humor and fun. She recently launched her own line of artistict-shirts because she wanted people to be able to wear the fun! She consistently provides high quality, unique art and products for all ages though she has strong tendencies to create for children. Because of this she was sought out by The Family Groove to be featured in their “Out of Sight Spotlight” for her children’s décor items. Rusti admits that she enjoys painting children’s products because she can let her imagination run wild. However she feels most accomplished when adults buy her whimsical art for themselves, “it shows that they haven’t forgotten to have fun and by putting my art in their surroundings proves it.”

When asked about her business, Rusti Lee is quick to answer. “I love to create amazing, unique and personally produced art products for people who want non-factory made art and gifts to cherish for years to come”.   She admits that it is hard to find 100% American made products as the global economy and trade dictate where some basic supplies are made. “When I call certain companies to seek out American made products, sometimes they laugh and say that it’s just not possible or it comes with a hefty price tag.” How does that make her feel?  “Well, it’s sad. The small businesses like my company have to compete with the mass produced, made in another country product. That is why my products are so reasonably priced, I want people to be able to afford quality American crafted items and feel good because of it. ”

Rusti Lee has many different items to suit your needs from address plaques, crayon holders, personalized name signs, picture frames, mirrors, photo cubes, trinket boxes, canvas art, tissue boxes, hand painted shelves and of course her amazing array of hand painted knobs. She is constantly adding to her selections and enjoys doing custom pieces. She often tells her customers, “If you can think it, I can paint it!”

However, don’t ask her what her favorite item in her shop is, “It’s like picking a favorite child….it’s impossible! Everything I create has a purpose. My dinosaur themed shelf was created because I was invited to a show at the local dinosaur research center, then you have my pirates themed collection which was created for my sons. There is my Day of the Dead theme which was hand crafted for a friend, my lady bug collection which was inspired by a client and, of course, my frog items were create for me. Do you see my dilemma?! How could I ever choose?” Her enthusiasm is contagious and it is evident she loves what she does.

She seeks out American made companies for her art supplies, manufactured wood and other items. She uses a local t-shirt company to aid in her endeavors to support the American economy, though she admits she has had to run to the local art store for various items and buys products that are not made in America from time to time. “I try not to stress too much about that, after all I support the global economy. We can’t be too exclusive in our purchases as we need to help everyone, but knowing where things are made can help you make an educated decision on how your money is spent.” Due to her conscientious determination she is proud to say that 100% of her company supports American companies or American made products. Most importantly 100% of her hand painted art is made by Rusti Lee! Rusti is confident that her products will stand the test of time and be a reflection of the true American spirit during a historically significant time in our modern society.

Rusti Lee Arts was started in 2009 during the beginning of America’s financial crisis. Rusti felt that society needed to be reminded of their sense of humor, love of life and zest for fun. “I hope people feel joy and light hearted when looking at my art products. Through the hardest times in life I have found that a smile goes a long way. If I can get one person to smile because of my art then in some way I feel I have done my part in healing society.”

Rusti Lee Hanlon Ferejian is a third generation artist. Her mother Debi Griesman Hanlon was a talented artist whose art work still graces the walls of art enthusiasts. Rusti Lee pursued a degree in Fine Arts and Art History at the University Of Santa Barbara, CA and the Art Institute where she focused in Graphic Design.

Rusti Lee Arts is owned and operated by Rusti Ferejian. Her products and art can be found on her website www.RustiLeeArts.com .

Written by Rusti Ferejian

Living life in Colorado

We have recently moved from CA to CO. Yesterday was our first art show in Colorado. It was exciting to meet new customers and traverse the ever changing weather. It went from sunny and beautiful to raining and windy and back again! It was a lovely day at the Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center who hosted our event. Next month we will be at the Critterfest. It is an event devoted to animals. The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo will be there with animals as well as the animal shelters with their animals to be adopted. We will be bringing all our animal related products with new ones to be revealed!

Thank you to Colorado Industrial Packaging for taking care of all my packaging and mailing supplies. These guys are great and can make any box you need! A great local resource for Rusti Lee Arts!

Art business in today's economy

I long for the days when I could just lazily paint fun artsy stuff. Everyone would gush over it and say, "You should go into business for yourself." After years of resistance...I listened. In the last year  I have learned to be bold and tenacious in ways I never thought I could. There was a time when I would meagerly mention that I do art, now I am always looking for opportunities to flash my products. Being a business owner has taught me that it's okay for someone to say "no", because the next person might say "yes". This economy has given me a tough skin that some artists might not be too well known for. However, I think every artist has more guts and moxie than they give themselves credit for. Go to one good art critique and you will know what I am talking about! So to all those who have thought about the impossible only to be met with your own fears of rejection. I will tell you this right now..."NO"...there you go. Not to bad, right?! There will be many that tell you that horrid little word...but perseverance will eventually payoff. After all we only get one shot on this big party ball don't leave early, don't under dress, don't forget to dance and laugh...but most of all show up in the first place!:) Rusti