NEW: Gift wrapping

I've been doing free gift wrapping for customers when they request it. I had a customer yesterday who asked for gift wrapping and a note. Being short on note paper but always having buttons handy, I decided to just make a button instead of a tag with the requested message.

It looked so darn good, I thought, that I decided to offer the wrapping as a listing.

So from now on if a customer wants gift wrapping they can purchase this listing. Not only do they get the buttons gift wrapped but they get another button that tops the package off nicely.

What do you think?

I think the listing needs more examples, because I use assorted scraps of recycled tissue and wrapping paper, and whatever I have on hand: raffia, fabric ribbon, maybe velvet, possibly brown cord, a piece of leather. Sometimes I recycle the nice ribbons and paper that come in items that I buy on Etsy from others.

So basically the wrapping is a surprise.

How to convey that to the customer.

They do get their choice of words on the button. But the background might be different than the one pictured so it goes well with whatever wrapping paper or tissue I use.

Any thoughts? Critiques greatly appreciated.

Learning to use Photoshop

I am learning to use Photoshop to create buttons without actually making the buttons, until after they have sold.

Much trial and error. I know I could watch the instructional videos, but I find them so boring. They put me to sleep just like television does, well just like TV would if I had a TV.

So instead, I try this, click that, experiment, until something that somewhat resembles what I wanted it to look like appears on the screen. When I just can't get it, and my mind is totally blown, I email Donna and ask her my how-to question.

These altered My Little Pony photo buttons were a joint project. My daughter's friend painted and altered the ponies, My daughter photographed them, and I worked them in Photoshop.

Her friend has many more altered My Little Ponies. Punk, Goth, Magickal, Emo...I bet she even has a Vegan Pony. So there will be more pony buttons to come.

You can buy this set of Upcycled, Recycled, My Little Pony Altered Art Buttons at Portable Graffiti on Etsy.

Featured Artist: Chandler

My friend Summer who sells her homemade candy on Etsy just told me that her daughter has opened an Etsy shop. SweetTeeHamBone. I just love these glass bottle magnets her young daughter made from recycled items.