Interesting Times

I am a member of Team Sassy.  This is a team of Etsy Sellers who offer assistance to each other and members of Etsy Sellers.  It has occurred to me that in these interesting times, there may be other people starting fresh due to job loss, altered retirement plans and just plain wanting to do something fresh with their lives.

Recently I have had an increase in those who want advice on getting more sales and I thought I might share some of the things I've told them based on my experience.  This will be the extended version.

When I was a newbie in a job as a lifelong learning consultant for a small liberal arts college in the midwest, it was my job to drive 90 miles, in the evening to Madison, Wisconsin once a week to recruit new nontraditional (read older) students to our evening B. A. Program.

As the single mother of a 4 and 5 year old, recent graduate at age 32, recently divorced recovering from atypical primary pneumonia (in July), I thought to myself, how am I going to make this trip in the middle of winter in a blizzard.  And then a wise voice entered my head and replied, you will know the road by then, you will be stronger by then, just drive.  That was in 1979.  

Skip ahead to the end of the day spent solely in creating my very first Sandra's Satchel.  As I lay in my bed I thought, "what makes me think I can make enough of these to make a living".  The response came "you just have to make the next one".  That was in 2000.

This reminds me of the question:  "How do you eat an elephant?" -- Answer:  "One bite at a time."

Here I am in 2010 and basically that simple lesson, has carried me, one step at a time through almost 10 years in business.  Believe me it wasn't and still isn't a straight line, but the gift of doing what I love has been so worth the bumps and bruises along the way.  I can honestly say that it is becoming more and more the journey, not the destination that matters.  In fact, I can put that another way:  The journey IS the destination.

I share this with the thought that it might be helpful to someone somewhere along the path of new discoveries and challenges.

As I told one of my Etsy friends who is going through some big challenges, "Do what you must to feed your body and do that about which you are passionate to feed your soul."

Many good wishes go with you along the way.

Sincerely,

Sandra

Labor Day Update

Busy, busy summer!!! Thank you each and every one who has visited us at Pike Place Market and those who have shopped on our website, http://sandrassatchels.etsy.com.

Did you know that you can subscribe to my E-Newsletter?  Just scroll down and fill out the subscribe form and you will be sent updates (no more than 2 per month).  You will then receive any specials, new products and fabrics --

Pike Place Market, Seattle, Washington

We sure had a lot of fun last Saturday -- our weather has been balmy -- although today, much rain:  I think we are in Seattle Todo...The nice thing is that my garden thinks it's spring -- shoots coming up.  Aren't my customers fabulous -- We had so much fun and the sunshine made everyone so happy!!! 

I still feel like a right hander trying to write with my left hand. So much to learn so that I can more effectively communicate with my customers.  Email me at kevin.sandra@gmail.com if you have any great suggestions or comments you would like to share.

Sandra

Last Saturday Client Photos

   

   

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January, at Sandra's Satchels

Meet Abbey!  Abbey represents Sandra's Satchels at the Pike Place Market in Seattle.  If you visit the market on Friday, you will probably see Abbey. 

It is "chilly" here in Seattle in January, so we are there to meet you on fewer days.  Unless it drops below 30 degrees, you will see one of us there on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, most Sundays and Tuesdays.  We will be off on Mondays and Wednesdays.

If you would like to subscribe to our online Newsletter, you may email me your email address, and first and last name.  That way you won't miss specials, special events, coupon offerings, new products.  Visit http://sandrassatchels.etsy.com often, because there is always something new you won't want to miss!

Sandra

Sandra's Satchels

Hi and Happy Holidays!!  Hope you were on my mailing list! 

What a blunder I made....I have a mailing list of those who want to keep up with what's new with Sandra's Satchels.  It is very new, and I want to Update with Product Specials, Coupons, Contests, I'll be in your city etc.,.....So I sent an email -- the ONLY  link available was my Unsubscribe link -- Because I did not put http... the link I thought I had in the text was not available.....sooo, you might have guessed, ....you got it, I got a ridiculous number of unsubscribes..... a number of patient customers let me know they wanted to resubscribe, that they pushed the only link, thinking it would take them to my website --thank you so much to you who did.  One wonderful customer, sent me an email, saying I really want to stay subscribed!  And suggested I have a link to my website....

You really have to like Sandra's Satchels to put up with this and I'm sorry.  Because it is clear that many of you thought you were going to my website when you accidentally unsubscribed, I am going to send you an email allowing offering a way to Subscribe.  Thank you for your patience. 

Next I am going to attempt a death defying trick (folks don't try this at home).  I am going to try to put up a subscribe form that will put you on my mailing list if you so desire!!  Thank you muchly.

Sandra

A Slice of Sandra's Satchels

Padded Laptop Sleeves (Unisex)

Happy Fall

The Laptop Sleeve has been on my radar for a year, and finally, due to an unscheduled forced rest (gallbladder problems and surgery), I had the headspace and inspiration to get it done. I am so excited to finally introduce this product. The ones at sandrassatchels.etsy.com are made in the MacBook Pro 13" and fit like a charm. I now have the formula and therefore you can custom order for your laptop measurements!

Also available and not yet shown on Etsy is a great zipper bag which will hold your cord, charger, mouse or whatever will fit in a 6" high, 10 1/4" wide zipper bag to match.

The fall weather feels so great and I'm back in action. Thanks to my great team at the market -- Ramona, Brigid, Abbey, Angelica and Wendy as well as Luci and Willeke (and the luxury of working from home in small spurts), we didn't miss a beat. Now catching up on some administrative backlog.

New Padded Laptop Sleeves (Unisex)

March 10, 2009

A Day at the Market

Friday, February 27th, 2009

Hi Everyone,

It was a lovely day at the market today -- the sun was shining and the atmosphere was lively.

Many of you who have my satchels were there today to fill in your collection or buy gifts for friends.

Be sure to watch for some new fabrics I have ordered and should show up on line in a few weeks.

Also remember, if you don't see what you want, whether it is a matching coin for that new handbag or something you saw at the market, you can email me at kevin.sandra@gmail.com, or order any bag in the size and price you want and simply attach a note "From the Buyer as to what you want -- It's as easy as that.

Sandra

Hi, Thank you for stopping by!!

Hi Everyone!

I'm not sure what to do with this Blog so stick with me while I stumble my way through. First, I want to thank all of my Sandra's Satchels followers!! If you haven't checked out my website, please do at http://www.sandrassatchels.etsy.com

You can also find me at http://www.pikeplacemarket/craft.org

My little business has been at the Pike Place Market for over 8 years and in August, I began building my site on "etsy". What I love about Etsy is that it allows me to have direct contact with my customer -- no web host, no photographer, no programmer necessary. My service on the website is done in real time, just like it is across the table at the Market. You see, I'm a very "hands on" kinda person. One of my favorite things is building a relationship with the women and men who are my patrons. And since I sell my handcrafted handbag designs at the world famous "Pike Place Market" my customers come from all over the globe -- My etsy has given me a way to reunite with those who love my handbags and it sets up a communication link with pictures to maintain that relationship!!! I post the product, answer the emails, take the orders, fill the orders and ship them out. I love it.

You might see me, Brigid or Ramona when you visit the market.

I have over 26 different fabrics right now and you'll find 8 satchel sizes from the coin purse to the large with double outside pockets. I have some ideas for new pieces coming -- like a cell phone case and computer sleeves.

Well, that's it for this first post. I will learn as I go, as that has served me quite well in growing my business and I have found that I have many friends who are willing to support me in my efforts along the way! Thank you for that!! Just remember this, "You can never have too many purses".

Love you all,
Sandra