College life is an exciting and adventurous journey. With numerous challenges and opportunities to learn and grow, it's a time for self-discovery, making new friends, and building lifelong relatio​nships. But as much as it is fun and exciting, it can also be quite challenging, especially for students living in residence halls. As a college student living in a residence hall, it's important to have a sense of belonging and feel comfortable in your new environment. One way to achieve this is through the use of door name tags.


What are Door Name Tags?
Door name tags are small, customized signs that are placed on the exterior of your  residence hall door. They are designed to display your name, your room number, or even a personalized message. These tags can be made from a variety of materials, including paper, plastic, metal, or even wood, and made especially for you by your Resident or Community Assistant.


Why are Door Name Tags Important?
There are several reasons why door name tags are important, especially for college students living in residence halls:
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1. They Help You Make New Friends
When you first arrive on campus, it can be overwhelming to meet new people and make friends. Door name tags can make it easier for people to approach you and start a conversation. By displaying your name and room number, people can easily identify you and feel more comfortable approaching you. This can be especially helpful during the first few weeks of school when everyone is trying to make new friends.

2. They Create a Sense of Belonging
Living in a residence hall can be lonely, especially if you're far away from home. Door name tags can help create a sense of belonging and make your new environment feel more like home. When you display your name and room number, you're not just announcing your presence to the world, you're also saying "this is my space, and I belong here."

3. They Help with Security
Believe it or not, door name tags can also help with security. By displaying your name and room number, it makes it easier for campus security and residence hall staff to identify you and ensure that only authorized individuals enter your room. This can be especially important in case of an emergency, such as a fire or other disaster.

4. They Promote Respect and Courtesy
When you display a door name tag, you're essentially saying "I'm here, and I want to be respected." This can help promote respect and courtesy among your peers. By displaying your name and room number, people are more likely to knock before entering your room and ask for permission to borrow your belongings.

College life is full of exciting opportunities, but it can also be challenging, especially for students living in residence halls. Door name tags are a simple yet effective way to help students feel more comfortable, make new friends, and promote safety and respect. By displaying your name and room number, you're announcing your presence to the world and saying "I belong here." It's a small effort that can make a big difference in your college experience.

Etsy is a popular e-commerce platform for handmade and vintage items, craft supplies, and unique goods. To stand out from the competition and attract potential customers, having an effective product description is crucial. A well-written product listing can not only provide customers with valuable information about the product, but it can also improve visibility on the platform through SEO optimization. In this blog post, we'll cover tips for crafting persuasive Etsy product descriptions to help improve sales.

​Highlighting product features and benefits
When crafting your product description, it's important to highlight the unique features and benefits of your item. What makes it special and why should someone buy it? Be sure to include all relevant information such as size, materials, and any other important details.

Creating an engaging story
Telling a story about your product can be a great way to engage potential customers and provide them with an emotional connection to the item. Think about the inspiration behind your creation and share it in a way that's compelling and relatable.

Adding keywords for SEO optimization
Including relevant keywords in your product description can help improve visibility on the platform and attract potential customers. Use descriptive language that accurately describes your item and consider including long-tail keywords for more specific search terms.

Formatting and layout tips
A well-formatted product description can make all the difference in attracting potential customers. Use bullet points, headers, and subheaders to break up text and make it easy to read. Consider using bold or italicized text to emphasize important information.

Proofreading and editing
Before publishing your product listing, be sure to proofread and edit your description for any errors or inconsistencies. This will help ensure that your product listing is clear, concise, and professional.

Try out these tips. and check out our other Etsy related blog posts for more ways to level up your Etsy Shop.

First impressions matter, and the first thing that potential customers will see when browsing your Etsy shop are your photos. High-quality photos that showcase your products in the best possible light can make all the difference between a sale and a potential customer moving on to the next seller. In this post, we'll cover some tips for taking great photos that will help your listings stand out on Etsy.

Lighting
The first thing to consider when taking photos for your Etsy listings is lighting. Good lighting can make a huge difference in the quality of your photos. Natural light is the best choice for most products, as it's free and easy to find. Try taking your photos near a window or outside on a bright, overcast day. If you must take photos indoors, invest in some lighting equipment to ensure your photos are well-lit.

Backgrounds
The background of your photos can make a big difference in the overall look of your listings. A cluttered or distracting background can take away from your product, while a simple, neutral background can make your product stand out. Consider using a white or neutral-colored backdrop for your photos.

Composition
The way you compose your photos can also make a big difference in their quality. Try experimenting with different angles, distances, and perspectives to find the best way to showcase your product. Make sure to focus on the most important features of your product and try to include multiple angles in your photos.

Editing
Editing your photos can also help improve their quality. There are many free and easy-to-use photo editing tools available online that can help you adjust the brightness, contrast, and colors of your photos. Be careful not to overdo it, though, as overly edited photos can look fake or unprofessional.

Size and Resolution
Finally, it's important to consider the size and resolution of your photos. Etsy recommends using photos that are at least 2000 pixels wide, as these will look good on both desktop and mobile devices. Make sure your photos are also high-resolution, as blurry or pixelated photos will not look professional and can turn potential customers away.

In conclusion, taking great photos is an important part of creating successful Etsy listings. By considering lighting, backgrounds, composition, editing, and size and resolution, you can create photos that showcase your products in the best possible light and attract potential customers. Remember, first impressions matter, so make sure your photos are of the highest quality possible.

If you're running an Etsy shop, you know how important it is to have the right keywords to get your products found by potential customers. Keywords play a crucial role in Etsy SEO, helping your shop show up in search results and driving traffic to your listings. In this article, we'll cover the best way to find keywords for Etsy, and how to use them to optimize your shop for search.

Understanding Keyword Research
Before we dive into finding the best keywords for your Etsy shop, let's first discuss what keyword research is and why it's important. Keyword research is the process of finding and analyzing the search terms people use to find products or services online. By understanding what people are searching for, you can optimize your website or online shop to target those specific search terms, and ultimately, drive more traffic and sales.

Start with Your Product
The first step in finding the right keywords for your Etsy shop is to start with your product. What are you selling? What words or phrases would someone use to search for your product? Make a list of potential keywords and phrases that come to mind, and keep them handy as we move through the next steps.

Use Etsy's Search Bar
Etsy's search bar is a great tool for finding keywords that are relevant to your shop. Simply start typing in a search term related to your product, and Etsy will auto-populate a list of suggested search terms. These suggestions are based on what people are actually searching for on Etsy, making them a valuable resource for finding relevant keywords.

Check Out the Competition
Another way to find relevant keywords for your Etsy shop is to check out the competition. Look at other shops that sell similar products to yours and take note of the keywords they're using in their titles, tags, and descriptions. This will give you an idea of what keywords are already working well for your competitors, and you can use this information to improve your own keyword strategy.

Use Keyword Research Tools
There are a variety of keyword research tools available that can help you find the best keywords for your Etsy shop. Google Keyword Planner is a popular choice, as it allows you to see how many people are searching for specific keywords, and how much competition there is for those keywords. Another tool to consider, one that I use, is Everbee.  Everbee has both a free and paid plan.

Optimize Your Listings
Once you've found the best keywords for your Etsy shop, it's important to optimize your listings to include those keywords in your titles, tags, and descriptions. Be sure to use your keywords in a natural way, and avoid keyword stuffing, as this can hurt your shop's SEO.

Finding the best keywords for your Etsy shop is essential to optimizing your shop for search and driving traffic to your listings. By starting with your product, using Etsy's search bar, checking out the competition, and using keyword research tools, you can find the right keywords to target for your shop. And, by optimizing your listings to include those keywords, you'll be well on your way to improving your shop's SEO and attracting more customers.

Etsy is a global online marketplace where millions of buyers and sellers come together to buy and sell unique handmade items, vintage goods, and craft supplies. Since its launch in 2005, Etsy has grown to become a household name, with over 4.4 million active sellers and 90 million active buyers worldwide. But why should you start an Etsy shop in 2023? Here are some reasons to consider:

Low Startup Costs  - One of the biggest advantages of starting an Etsy shop is the low startup costs. Unlike a traditional brick-and-mortar store, there's no need to rent a physical space or invest in expensive inventory. Instead, you can start small and grow your business over time, using only the resources you have available.

Access to a Large Audience - With millions of buyers from all over the world, Etsy provides an incredible opportunity to reach a large audience with your unique products. By creating high-quality listings and using relevant keywords, you can improve your chances of ranking higher in Etsy's search results and attracting more buyers to your shop.

Creative Freedom - Another advantage of starting an Etsy shop is the creative freedom it provides. As a seller, you have the freedom to create and sell whatever you want, without having to worry about meeting the demands of a boss or supervisor. This can be incredibly liberating for those with a passion for crafting and creating.

Flexibility - Running an Etsy shop also provides a high degree of flexibility. You can work from anywhere, set your own schedule, and make your own decisions about which products to sell and how to market them. This makes it an ideal choice for those looking to work from home, supplement their income, or pursue a creative passion on the side.

Community Support - Finally, starting an Etsy shop means becoming part of a supportive community of sellers and buyers who share your passion for handmade goods and unique creations. This can provide valuable networking opportunities, as well as a sense of belonging and support as you navigate the world of online selling.

In conclusion, starting an Etsy shop in 2023 is a great choice for anyone looking to turn their creativity into a profitable business. With low startup costs, access to a large audience, and the freedom to create and sell whatever you want, Etsy provides a unique opportunity to build a successful online business on your own terms.

I got my first Silhouette Cameo in 2013.  I had a working cricut at that time, but i felt limited in what I could do because I had to use cartridges to make things.  When I heard about the Silhouette and the ability to create your own designs, I was sold.  Or I should say my cricut was sold, used that money and some of my own to invest in her.   My new shiny Silhouette.

Now, this was back in my Residence Life days so my first few projects with her, were cups for my staff of 32, water bottles for the student organization I advised,  apparel for my family and friends, paint pallate plaques for a student leadership conference and then It happened, I cut cardstock.  

I started making doortags for Hall Directors at other schools.  This led to me revitalizing an Etsy shop that I had opened years earlier, and to my surprise the demand was there.   I sold my first door tags in 2014 and like clock work every year, from June - August, and January I am inundated with door tag orders.   

I started selling door tags for Residence Life because I saw firsthand how stressful it was for my RA's to go through full days of training and then come home to try to make door tags and bulletin boards.  I felt if I could provide them with a reasonably priced alternative it could reduce their stress and provide them with beautiful doortags.  I hope I have helped someone, because these door tags have certainly helped me.  

Now, I sell way more than paper, and honestly, the door tags are not a huge income producer but I keep them in my shop because they are a legacy product.  They built the foundation of my Etsy shop, Handmade University and they also built my confidence as an Etsy Seller. #ResLife ​

People that know me, are aware that I am a multipassionate crafter. I love exploring all different types of crafts and learning new techniques. However, I always end up falling in love with certain crafts more than others. If someone were to ask me what I am in to currently, it would have to be sublimation. I love taking images and quotes and transferring them onto cool products. I think the science behind sublimation fascinates me as well. As someone who studied chemical engineering in college (which is a story for another day lol), I can't get enough of sublimation!

If you have ever been to a haunted house, you have probably seen dry ice. Dry ice is a solid, but it goes straight to a gas. This is called sublimation. Sublimation is a process that occurs when something goes from the solid to gas state without passing through the liquid phase.  So what does this have to do with crafting.

If you have the right tools, you can print an image, apply heat and pressure, and the sublimation ink turns into a gas and embeds your image into a substrate like a mug, tumbler or tshirt. The result is a high-quality, long-lasting image that is washing machine, dishwasher and microwave safe. So cool!

Here is a list of some of the tools, you need to get started with sublimation.  ​

HandmadeU does offer sublimation classes and opportunities to use sublimation equipment in our Philadelphia studio.  Feel free to reach out if you have questions or need more information.  

Stay Crafty!
​Cheri
cheri@phillyhandmadeu.com

In the September 2022 HU Crafty Club Box, my favorite project by far, was the LED lamp that we made.  I was so excited by the end result that I wanted to share it with everyone :).

Here are the supplies that we used to make this lamp happen.

• Etching Cream
• Adhesive Stencils
• Glass Coaster​
• Paint Brush 
• Gloves
• Old Credit Card
• Masking Tape
• LED Light Base
• E-6000 Glue
• Alcohol 

Instructions:

1. We started by taking the glass coaster and removing the plastic feet from the coaster.  We really just want the glass.  We then wiped our glass coaster with alcohol  to remove any adhesive, lint, and debris from glass.
2. Next we laid the glass in front of us, in a diamond orientation.
3. We used our silhouette cameo to cut our a design out of permanent vinyl.  We then laid our stencil on the glass and burnished it down well using an old credit card. 
4. We wanted to make sure we didnt accidentally get etching cream on other areas of the glass so we added masking tape around the stencil to protect the glass.  We basically covered the whole glass coaster.
5. We applied our etching cream using a paint brush, brushing the etching cream up, down and diagonal for about 3 minutes.  We then let it sit on the glass an additional 2 minutes before rinsing it off. 
6. After it was rinsed off, we glued the glass coaster into the lamp base using E6000 glue.  We rigged it with some masking tape to hold it in place as the glue dried.  
7. Once dry, go ahead and plug your lamp into an USB port and enjoy.  We found some cool USB extension cords on amazon, if you need make the cord a little longer.

Unfortunately we didn't take pictures a long the way because we didn't intend for this to become a blog post.  However, we provided our HU Crafty Club Member with video tutorials to help them complete their projects.    For you, here is a video we made with a group of Crafty Divas where we did some glass etching. You can get a basic idea of the process from here.  Hope you got a little crafty inspiration today!

​When it comes to shipping, “Over the Counter” and “Retail” are phrases that I don’t want to describe my shipping.  When I first started out on Etsy in 2016, I had a really challenging time with shipping.  I was constantly coming out of my pocket to pay for shipping costs that exceeded what my client paid or I had to refund the client because Etsy calculated too much in shipping fees.  (Yeah, I blame Etsy lol, as if user error had nothing to do with it 😊 )  Anyhow, I would pack my package up, and take it to the post office to get a shipping label, pay for it, slap it on the box and release the package into the hands of the USPS.  I was paying retail prices for shipping.   

Fast forward to 2022, I have evolved.  I am still using Etsy, but I am also selling on other platforms.  I figured out how to use Etsy Shipping and for other sales, I use a third-party shipping company called Pirate Ship.  Both Etsy and Pirate Ship offer discounted shipping for business.  Both entities negotiated commercial shipping rates with USPS.  Etsy has also negotiated with Fed Ex and Pirate Ship with UPS. 

We have heard so many people say they are not crafty!  We have also seen those same people create something meaningful and thoughtful that surprised themselves and wowed their partner.   

This post contains 2 ideas for creating an amazing gift for someone you care about.    

Idea #1: Chocolate covered anything!
This idea may feel intimidating, but I promise you we are gonna keep this easy peasy!  We are going to grab a snack that you are pretty sure your signifiant other loves such as pretzels, potato chips, or popcorn. and turn it into a heavenly delight by adding chocolate. 

You are going to need the following supplies:

• Cookie sheet, baking pan or a large piece of cardboard
• Parchment Paper
• Chocolate Flavored Candy Melts 
• Snack of your choice
• Mug
• Spoon
•  Ziploc Bags
• Microwave

Okay, so if you have everything, let's get started.   The first thing you want to do is melt some chocolate, add some of your candy melts to your mug and pop it into the microwave for 30 seconds.  Take it out the microwave and stir with your spoon.  If its not melted, place it back in the microwave for 15 seconds.  Take it out and stir again.  Keep repeating this microwave and stir routine until the candy melts are fully melted.   Watch this video on how to melt the chocolate candy melts.

Once melted,  sit it to the side for a moment.    Place your parchment paper on top of your cookie sheet, pan or cardboard.  Spread your snack out over the parchment paper and prepare for the fun!

Take your spoon and pick up some of your melted candy melts.  Allow it to drip off the spoon  as you slowly move it back and forth over top of your snack.  If you get a couple globs, that's okay, it'll give your special treat some character.  Keep adding this drizzle until you feel good about it.  

Pop your snack in the fridge or freezer for 5-10 minutes so that candy melts cook down.  Place your snack into a ziploc bag and write a cute note to stick on the bag.    If you want to get fancy, add your snack into a mason jar and put a bow on top of the jar.  (And by bow, I mean the kind from the dollar store, where you peel the paper off the sticky part :) ).