Nice Day for a Fall Wedding Etsy Style

In my previous post, I uploaded a gallery created in Artfire of Fall Wedding inspired items.  I created a similar collection (treasury) in Etsy.    In the past, in order to post an Etsy treasury here I'd have to do a screen shot and the picture would not link to the respective items.  There is a new tool created by Whaleshark Websites that makes posting Etsy treasuries easier and more dynamic.

Orange and Black Gothic Wedd... weddingdressfa... $599.00	Sweet Romance - Hammered Cop... MintyFreshFusi... $35.00	Forest Wedding Invitation, B... vohandmade $100.00
Golden Brown Floral Tapestry... dashandbag $80.00	Cocktail Keyhole Dress in Ch... TheSparklingCo... $330.00	sky dancer - natural vine cr... whichgoose $65.00
White Widow Steampunk Spider... bionicunicorn $69.00	Autumn Floral Collage Statem... goodgirlsstudi... $146.00	13 x 14 Tree Slice Cake Stan... roxyheartvinta... $45.00
Silk Bridal Bouquet - Terra ... mairzydozy $100.00	BRIDAL PARTY (13 glasses) FizzyArtist $360.00	Wedding Guest Book (LARGE) B... PaperThickInk $250.00
Edible Sugar Fall Leaves 50 ... andiespecialty... $120.00	Stainless Steel Spiral Thumb... leftoniron $25.00	Pine Cone Boutonniere fruitsofthefor... $12.00

Generated using Treasury HTML code generator by Whale Shark Websites.

In the process of creating these collections, I discovered that searching within Etsy was much easier than Artfire in creating a themed collection.  This is perhaps due to the way shops tag their items and the Etsy community of shops may be more creative with their tags.  I also had much more quality items to choose from within Etsy.  However, Artfire has learned from Etsy's struggle with creating balanced front page collections.  Their collection tool is fully integrated (no research needed to find it) and it let's you know if your collection is eligible for the front page using a set of criteria to help ensure a variety of shops are featured.  I also liked the framing and layout of the Artfire collection, it has a rich professional look that really enhances a blog feature.

Do I like Artfire?  Overall, yes.  But it has a ways to go in improving it's look and generating views on the site.  I have reservations about maintaining two similar shops, so I have to give careful consideration to what I place in Artfire.   While I welcome the increased exposure, I don't want to confuse my customers.

Collections, Galleries, Treasuries why do I care?

As sellers, most collections are created to increase the shop's presence in google searches, to make connections with other sellers,  and for the opportunity for a front page feature on the site (leads to more views and potential sales).  As a blog writer and reader, I will admit to collection fatigue.  Seeing endless arrays of products on a daily basis in the forums, on facebook and on blogs has created a bit of picture overload for these weary eyes.

I don't typically blog about collections unless I'm telling the story behind their creation.  I use them to feature a medium I'm interested in (like my bottle cap series) and to discover artists to feature.  I'd like to encourage collection makers to tell the story behind their collections, why did those items call to you.  Make me want to click on the item to learn more.  Tell me what you know about the artists.   

My Fall Wedding collections were created to celebrate my own Fall Wedding 18 years ago.  A good friend is getting married next year.  As I help her with preparations, I'm swept away again with the joy of the ultimate party.  It makes me want to do it all over again, I had the greatest time at my wedding.  The greatest gift I could give my daughter when (if) she gets married, is a fun day that she wants to repeat over and over again.  I love the colors of a Fall Wedding and I can so see my future daughter in either of the dresses pictured in these collections.

Until, next time.....