Sunday, August 29, 2010

Front Page v. Etsy Finds :: A Senioritis Experiment

Morning everyone! The idea for today's post stems from a conversation that was had in an Etsy Virtual Labs session about places to be featured. We figured why not pay tribute to some of science's greatest minds and conduct an experiment. Don't worry, you won't need a lab coat or goggles ;)



Question
Which place would it be more beneficial* to be featured: Etsy's front page or in an Etsy Finds email?

*Level of benefit will be determined by the following measures:

-Visits
-Pages/Visit
-Time on Site
-Bounce Rate
-Favorites/Hearts

Background Research
At the time of the Virtual Lab session the question seemed pretty valid but we didn't really give it much thought so let's take a closer look. While a Front Page feature travels with a certain level of prestige, it even gets its own badge, it's only active for a limited amount of time and can therefore only be seen by so many eyes. An Etsy Finds email on the other hand gets sent out to bajillions of people (we have no emperical evidence to back this exact number) who subscribe and the topic is then placed on Etsy's blog, The Storque, for more people to view.

Hypothesis
If a shop is featured in an Etsy Finds email it will be more beneficial for the shop than if featured on an Etsy front page.

Test With An Experiment
The Famous Seniors have smiled upon us. In the past few weeks senioritis has been featured on Etsy's front page and in an awesome Etsy Finds email (thanks Amy!). Let the experiment commence!

During the experiment we held other variables constant: no paid advertising, no contests, no special features or sales. There was no significant difference in the content of our shop or the number of items in it. We did mention both features on facebook and twitter.

The only variable that changed was the location of the feature.



Analyze Results
To analyze the results of our experiment we enlisted the help of our good friends the Google and Craftopolis. Here's what we observed:

Etsy Front Page Feature:
280 Visits
2 Pages/Visit
1:12 Spent on Site
71% Bounce Rate
4 Favorites

Etsy Finds Email Feature:
652 Visits
10 Pages/Visit
3:56 Spent on Site
46% Bounce Rate
66 Favorites

Conclusion
If a shop is featured in an Etsy Finds email it is indeed more beneficial to that shop than being featured on Etsy's front page.

While we are pleased with the outcome of the experiment we feel that the experiment should be re-run several times before we can publish our results ;)

Hopefully you enjoyed our experiment, had a little fun, and got something out of it. We would love to hear about your experiences being featured so don't hesitate to leave us a comment. Have a senioritis day!


Garrick @ Senioritis

Friday, August 27, 2010

Friday Finds 8.27.10

Happy Friday! After a few Friday Finds workspace features we figured it was time to share a few photos of senioritis headquarters ;) Our workspace features are designed to show people that while a high-end, top of the line work studio is really nice, it's not always necessary and that all it takes is a little imagination to turn any place into a sweet workspace and create some really cool stuff.

senioritis

As you may (or may not) already know, we create uniquely designed artwork and apparel. Our colorful designs pay tribute to inspirational and motivational famous seniors throughout history.



Much of our time is spent in front of a computer with a legal pad close by; and yes, I'm a PC but Beth and Jillian are Macs. Fun fact: I only write in black pen and nobody can read my writing.



When we're having trouble coming up with colors or textures for new designs we flip through our current designs. We have most of our designs printed out in postcard size (like those above) which means that they can go everywhere we go.

We're often reading something, usually business related, so having a broad selection of bookmarks readily accessible is always a plus ;)



Here's a quick shot of our secret underground lair ;) As they say, this is where the magic happens; measuring, cutting, printing and a bunch of other fun stuff!



We hope you enjoyed a quick peek into our workspace!



With September approaching and playoff baseball right around the corner, this week we would like to share our brand spankin' new Senioritis Remembers Sports Legends postcard prints. These travel sized tributes would make a great gift for any sports fan. To see more of our designs please visit our Etsy shop.

sports legends


Garrick @ Senioritis

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Featured Artist :: Supah

supah

This week's featured artist is Supah!

Supah 2000 - What's up with what's going down?
Supah 2005 - Four out of Five Dentists Recommend Supah.
Supah 2009 - Now fortified with 90% more Highly Professional Business Cats
Supah 2010 - It's Not Just Super, it's SUPAH!

Senioritis: Name and location please.
Supah: Amy Beth Geerling Payne, Southwestern Mitten, Michigan, USA
Senioritis: Hey Amy Beth, thanks for sitting down with us!

Senioritis: Can you tell us a little about yourself Amy Beth?
Supah: I was born and raised in Jackson, Michigan (SOUTH CENTRAL MICHIGAN - REPRESENT!!) I left at age 18 to "Go West!" but only made it two states away to Illinois where I studied digital and traditional 2-D art at The School of The Art Institute of Chicago. Then the wind blew east to Baltimore where I received a MA in Digital Art at the Maryland Institute, College of Art. I've exhibited in group and solo shows in Baltimore, Chicago, Indiana and Michigan.

I spend my days crafting, painting, and working in my home studio with too many cats and a dog in southwestern Michigan near Lake Michigan. I'm looking forward to my first year participating in the Ann Arbor Art Fair later this summer as an emerging artist.
Senioritis: Wow, very cool! I remember driving through Michigan once when I was real little (I wasn't driving) and we stopped in a town called Frankenmuth, it was a little Bavarian town and I thought it was the coolest place.

Congrats on all the exhibitions, that's awesome! How did you enjoy your time on the East coast?


Senioritis: Marlon Brando: Streetcar Named Desire or the Godfather?
Supah: Godfather. Orange slice smile monster fun. RAHR!
Senioritis: Classic scene! Who doesn't enjoy a good orange slice monster?

5 kids who cut their own hair

Senioritis: How would you describe your style Amy Beth?
Supah: Nifty, Off Beat, Colorful, Fun.
Senioritis: We like fun!

Senioritis: Amy Beth, what would you say is the best business tip you have ever received and who gave it to you?
Supah: "Don't think. Just do." My husband said it. He was prompted to say this in a book store when I was considering buying a craft business book. I began to concern myself with far more business issues than I ever needed to be concerned with, which depleted my energy - giving me less creative energy. It has definitely helped me center on doing what has always been the most important part of my business, and something only I can do. The business minutia takes care of itself as it comes.
Senioritis: That's a great tip! It's always good to invest our time where we get the greatest return ;)

egg terrarium watercolor painting

Senioritis: What would you say is your favorite sport to either watch or play?
Supah: To watch - hockey. (Self-tooth extraction on the sidelines comes to mind). To play - soccer, though it's been a while. The last team I was on was sponsored by a great Chicago band called "The Wes Hollywood Show".
Senioritis: Gotta love playoff hockey, he may have a future in dentistry when his career is over ;)

Senioritis: Chevy Chase: Fletch or Three Amigos
Supah: Three Amigos. It taught me the meaning of the word "infamous," featured neat costumes, and contained a great theme song.
Senioritis: Ahh yes, the infamous El Guapo ;)

Senioritis: Do you have a favorite quote Amy Beth?
Supah: "Everyone has a plan 'til they get punched in the mouth." —Mike Tyson
Senioritis: Iron Mike knows the deal.

kitty postcards set of 4

Senioritis: If you could jump in the DeLorean and go back in time; what’s one thing you would do differently in your business?
Supah: Preventing myself from training my cats to work the hot glue gun. As it turned out, it was an enormous waste of time. Their fur would get stuck in with the glue EVERY DAMN TIME, total fiasco.
Senioritis: But they're highly professional business cats, surely they can handle a glue gun! Maybe if they wore rubber gloves they would have proven more helpful with the task ;)

Senioritis: If the $100 bill needed a redesign, who would you put on it?
Supah: John Waters. He would have the greatest appreciation of where his face would be, at strip clubs and having a part in many back-alley financial transactions. Money is tacky, especially $100 bills. I would also redesign them to be turquoise and glittery. American currency should more closely resemble Monopoly money.
Senioritis: We think Mr. Waters would feel right at home on a glittery turquoise c note! Perhaps a glow in the dark mustache?

Senioritis: Where can we find Supah on the web?
Supah: I've been running supah.com for 10+ years; crazy, huh?! Current paintings are stowed in the gallery and I also run supah.etsy.com. I thoroughly enjoy the comradeship found through facebook and I welcome any of your readers to become new friends on facebook or twitter. Supah can also be found at flickr.com/supah.
Senioritis: Wow, Supah is all over the web; and having your own site for over a decade is no joke, nice work!

fritz - a business cat

Senioritis: James Bond: Sean Connery, Roger Moore, Pierce Brosnan, or Daniel Craig?
Supah: Sean Connery. Not only because of his Scotchman goodness, but also because I named my cat Pussy Galore.
Senioritis: That is phenomenal!

Senioritis: Any shoutouts Amy Beth?
Supah: The many, many people who have more faith in me than I do; you are what keeps me at it.


Thanks so much for giving us and our readers a glimpse into the world of Supah; and remember folks it's not just super, it's SUPAH!

Garrick @ Senioritis

Friday, August 20, 2010

Friday Finds 8.20.10

Happy Friday everyone! We're excited to bring you another installment of our Friday Finds workspaces segments. These workspace features are designed to show people that while a high-end, top of the line work studio is really nice, it's not always necessary and that all it takes is a little imagination to turn any place into a sweet workspace and create some really cool stuff. This week we get a behind the scenes look at Jayne from J. Norvelle Design's workspace.

J. Norvelle Designs

What do you create?
I create jewelry from stones that I find walking along the edge of the ocean. Some of the stones are natural polished by the sand and sea, others I will give an extra bit of polish. I then set these stones in silver. I hand forge the silver from flat sheets. Cutting, pounding, heating, sanding, polishing, until the silver is transformed; much as the sea has transformed the stone.

The work in your shop looks awesome Jayne, we love the wave logo! The jewelry boxes made by your husband look great as well ;)

silver and copper disc wave logo ring

Tell us a little about your workspace please:
My workspace is a small room, about 9 x 10, one wall acts as miscellaneous storage. My husband built my workbench for me. The room is small, but everything is within reach - oddly I still manage to lose tools that are right in front of me.

We always lose things right in front of us ;)


















What inspires you?
I live on the Oregon Coast, my inspiration comes from the ocean. I have lived by the ocean all my life, my family has earned their living from the sea, and we have also lost to the sea. Even through the loss, the sea continues to call me, and I can not resist.


Very cool! Thanks for sharing your workspace as well as what inspires you Jayne! To see more of J. Norvelle Design's awesome work please visit her etsy shop.

senioritis

Well, it's back to school time so this week we pay tribute to orator and educator Robert G. Ingersoll who reminds us that common sense is more important than education ;) To see more of our designs please visit our Etsy shop.

robert ingersoll




Featured? Why not grab a banner?




Garrick @ Senioritis

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Featured Artist :: Katies Studio



This week's featured artist is Katies Studio!

Katies Studio - Cool Art.

Senioritis: Name and location please.
Katies Studio: Katie Bunschoten, currently Burlington, Kentucky.
Senioritis: Hi Katie, thanks for taking the time to share some info with us!

Senioritis: Katie, can you tell us a little about yourself please?
Katies Studio: I've been drawing since I was a kid. We moved a lot and friends changed just as often but drawing and sketching were constant. We had horses up until I hit high school so I spent a lot of time sketching them. I graduated high school, moved to Holland and Ireland (got married), came back and finally had space for a small studio so I started painting. Going from graphite black and whites to color opened a lot of ideas and I've been working on putting them to canvas ever since.
Senioritis: That's awesome! Do you get back to Holland and Ireland often? Your works are filled with vibrant colors, do you still do work in black and white?

Senioritis: Marlon Brando: Streetcar Named Desire or the Godfather?
Katies Studio: Streetcar Named Desire

streetview

Senioritis: How would you describe your style?
Katies Studio: Bright, Bold, Colorful, Vivid.
Senioritis: We couldn't agree more, all the colors just jump out at us!

Senioritis: Katie, what would you say is the best business tip you have ever received and who gave it to you?
Katies Studio: Never quit what you love. - Mom
Senioritis: Guess what they say is true, mother does know best ;)

hyde park

Senioritis: What would you say is your favorite sport to either watch or play?
Katies Studio: Soccer to play, baseball to watch. I live right outside Cincinnati so I have to say Go Reds!
Senioritis: Ahhh, a fan of the Big Red Machine :) I must admit, as a Yankees fan I have no clue what's going on in the National League until playoff time rolls around. What did you think of the World Cup?

Senioritis: Chevy Chase: Fletch or Three Amigos
Katies Studio: Three Amigos

Senioritis: Do you have a favorite quote Katie?
Katies Studio: Wisdom begins in wonder. – Socrates
Senioritis: Awesome quote, there may be a new Socrates tribute in the works ;)

arabian in gold metallic

Senioritis: If you could jump in the DeLorean and go back in time; what’s one thing you would do differently in your business?
Katies Studio: Better photos! Investing in a better camera was the best thing I've done. It is a completely different animal, selling online. I'd also research more on SEO and have used analytics immediately. When I first started I thought upload it and people will just buy. It's not quite that easy. In ways I think it's harder than having a brick and mortar gallery.
Senioritis: They say a picture is worth a thousand words and in an online marketplace where people can't hold or handle our work strong product photography is crucial. We agree that selling online is completely different than selling in a physical location. We were fortunate to find some great product photography and SEO tips on Etsy that have helped us get going in the right direction.

Senioritis: If the $100 bill needed a redesign, who would you put on it?
Katies Studio: This is a very difficult thing to think on, but at first thought I would say Henry David Thoreau. I think whoever it would be would be someone that personifies the American spirit, but not in an overly political fashion. I could go on and on, but I think in a nutshell that's who I would put on there!
Senioritis: We think Mr. Thoreau would be a wonderful fit for the $100 bill!

Senioritis: Where can we find you on the web Katie?
Katies Studio: katiesstudio.etsy.com and my site.

elegant giraffe

Senioritis: James Bond: Sean Connery, Roger Moore, Pierce Brosnan, or Daniel Craig?
Katies Studio: Sean Connery
Senioritis: Well, it seems that Mr. Connery is the preferred 007 for our featured artists. We'll see if he can extend his lead next week ;)

Senioritis: Any shoutouts Katie?
Katies Studio: I have to thank my parents and my husband Marco for the constant encouragement, and my daughter Abby for always providing inspiration.
Senioritis: We saw a picture of your studio assistant and can see how she provides plenty of inspiration. We're also glad to hear that she keeps her hands off the wet paint ;)

Katie, thanks so much for sharing some info about the wonderful artist behind Katies Studio!

Garrick @ Senioritis

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

A Tribute to Sports Legends

Take me out to the ball game,
Take me out with the crowd;
Buy me some senioritis sports legends packs,
I don't care if I never get back...

Afternoon everyone, we just wanted to share a sneak peek of our newest offering that's in the works: Senioritis Remembers Sports Legends.

Senioritis Remembers Sports Legends will be based on our late 1800s-early 1900s tobacco card inspired designs and will pay tribute to famous sports legends. The prints will measure roughly the size of a postcard and will have a great vintage look to them. Along with a distressed feel these prints will also sport rounded corners similar to trading cards of yesteryear. The postcard prints will be offered in sets of 4 and will come in packaging similar to our Famous Seniors magnets.

We're still working on tweaking the designs a bit but offerings should be available in the next couple of weeks, just in time for the holidays. Here's some of the designs and a preview of the packaging:













These postcard prints will be sure to bring a smile to any sports fan's face; trade them, collect them, but most importantly enjoy them!

To receive updates on our Senioritis Remembers Sports Legends offerings please feel free to join our monthly newsletter or check back here ;)

Garrick @ Senioritis

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Senioritis In Your Inbox

Extra, extra, read all about it: Senioritis is starting a newsletter! We just wanted to get the word out that senioritis will be starting a monthly newsletter.

Our newsletter will consist of senioritis related announcements, project updates, and special tributes, as well as discounts and promotions for newsletter subscribers.

If you like our style you can sign up by clicking below:


Thanks for your support and have an awesome weekend!

Garrick @ Senioritis

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Girl Power

Last weekend I jetted out to New Jersey to check out Lilith Fair. For those of you who don't know, Lilith Fair is a day-long music festival whose tagline is "A Celebration of Women in Music." The festival is touring the country, stopping in major cities along the way, and varying the lineup as they go. You can see female greats like Norah Jones, Mary J. Blige, Erykah Badu, Colbie Caillat, and Sheryl Crow. The artists tell stories about uniquely female experiences they've had, connecting with their audiences in a more intimate way than usual. It was a total girl power day, and it was great. Check out www.lilithfair.com for information on tickets, the artists, and the great cause part of all tickets proceeds goes to.


And while I'm on the subject of women, we're looking to expand the number of women in our Famous Seniors series. Leave us a message with any thoughts you have on women throughout history who have impacted you, your art, politics, or lifestyle. And be sure to check out our etsy shop for new additions to our growing collection.

Happy Sunday!

Friday, August 13, 2010

Friday Finds 8.13.10

Happy Friday the 13th! As we mentioned last Sunday, this week we bring you some Vermont inspired finds. This week's finds are either made in Vermont or inspired by the green mountain state. We hope you like what we found ;)

IMOTIME

vermont time

Vermont Maple

vermont breakfast

vsc83

vermont cuff

Native Vermont Studio

boy in the bear mask

senioritis

In honor of Friday the 13th, this week we are paying tribute to 4 movie monster legends: Karloff, Chaney, Lugosi, & Carlson. Beware of black cats and anyone with knives coming out of their hand ;) Have a great weekend!

movie monster magnets




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Garrick @ Senioritis