TradeAHolics' Valentine's Challenge!

february 14th is just around the corner! for some reason, valentine's day is my favorite holiday!!! seeing all the little pink and red hearts everywhere just lifts my spirits!!!! i am sure i'm not alone.... on the most recent Trade And Replace thread, we threw around the idea of having a Valentine's Day challenge/event for the team! so, without further ado, here are the ideas that have popped up! please place your vote ASAP for the challenge that you'd be most up to doing - the poll is on the sidebar!

1. Will You Be My Valentine? - each participating shop will design a "valentine" that will be posted here on the blog! it could be an actual valentine, or something valentine-themed. the deadline for photos to be sent to me (via email or convo, whichever is easier) and i will post them here. we will invite as many people to come and vote on their favorite! the winning designer will be featured in an interview here on the tradeaholics' blog and we will draw for three winners from all the voters! (this means that i will need three donated valentine prizes - you could donate your valentine if you wanted! your shop and the prize would also be featured here on the blog)

2. Secret Valentine Exchange - kind of like our Secret Santa/Hannukah Harry event, shops who want to participate will convo their mailing address to me and i will match them with a "valentine"! no presents required, just a sweet, HANDMADE valentine!!!! how nice would that be, to get an old-fashioned valentine wish in the mail?

3. Valentine's Day Scavenger Hunt - each participating shop must have at least ONE valentine's themed item in their shop. questions about each shop owner will be posted here on the blog and people have to visit the shops to get the answers. it's a great way to get traffic to our stores - and exposure to our valentine's items! people will post their answers here on the blog, and we will do a drawing from the people who have the correct answers!

4. I Heart Etsy Blog Feature - what better way to show another TradeAholic that you love them than by featuring them on your blog! all the shops that want to participate can convo me and i'll match everyone. then you go and "interview" the shop that you get... write a valentine blog post about them!

and last but not least...

5. Valentine's Day Trade and Replace - i don't think that i'd need to explain this, now do i? :) we can make it Valentine's Day only (it falls on a Saturday) or for the whole week following Valentine's Day!

so... what do you guys think? nothing too elaborate, but fun nonetheless!!!!!! and if you want to donate a prize, CONVO me as soon as possible!

GO VOTE!!!!!

The Trade and Replace is HOT HOT HOT!!!!!!

RibbonWonders (aka AndreaStamps) created this wonderful treasury in tribute to the tradeaholics! Thanks, Andrea!!!!!

The trading is already fast and furious! With too many transactions to list! HOLY COW!! We're ADDICTED!

Post Holiday Trade and Replace Thread Link

it's what we've all been waiting for!

http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6013217

xoxoox muffin

p.s. watch this space for details about our Valentine's Day Design Challenge! if you have ideas, or want to donate a prize, convo me via etsy and let me know!

And The Start List Is...

Okay, i really couldn't find an appropriate picture to go with this blog post, but i am sure that it doesn't really matter! here is the OFFICIAL start list for the Trade and Replace this Sunday!!!!

** NOTE: you cannot set up a trade ahead of time! LOL! you're going to have to waiiittttttt...

http://NativeBeads.etsy.com
http://MakingsByMary.etsy.com
http://AlternativeOrchids.etsy.com
http://SparkleGarden.etsy.com
http://SalsaGal.etsy.com
http://maplestreetcreations.etsy.com
http://PhotographyByNicole.etsy.com
http://recupefashion.etsy.com
http://themuddymoose.etsy.com
http://geckojewelry.etsy.com

scroll down for the post on Trade and Replace/Trading rules... and get ready for some FUN!

xoxoxo muffin

Membership Opening Soon!!!!!

Okay - so we all know that the TRADE and REPLACE is coming up really really soon! and i know that we're all so psyched!!!!

just wanted to write a quick note for people that want to become new members of the team, since i've gotten quite a few convos in the past few days about this!

this is what we need from you:

- your shop address/URL (i.e. http://youretsyshop.etsy.com )

- your current email address - we have a mailing list that we use to communicate about events and team stuff.

- you must also have no less than 99% positive feedback for your shop

- your shop has to have items in it!

this is what you get for being a member:

- listing on the super long, super awesome trade list - find it here: http://etsytraders.blogspot.com

- listing of your shop and your blog (if you have one) on the blog here

- inclusion in all of our team events

- being part of one of the most awesome teams on ETSY!

all we ask is that you participate in most of our events. the reason why membership is not open all the time is that we get convos from tons of stores and we update everything... and then never hear from those shops again. it's a lot of work and not fair to the rest of the team. we're also happy to hear ideas about events and challenges and other things we can do as a team - especially around trading!

so i hope this helps explain the membership "process" a little! and don't forget the trade and replace event coming up on the 25th!

xoxox muffin

Itty Bitty Trading Cheat Sheet!

Just because we've had so many people inquire about trading, i'm posting this for quick reference - and everyone could use a refresher, right? :)

For our wonderful newbies, these are the rules for a "TnR" - and usually trading in general:
1. Make sure that items that you are willing to trade (and you don't have to trade your whole shop) are tagged with "TEAM TRADE ON". That way, people can search your shop for your tradeable items. If you are looking to trade for specific items, please put it in your shop announcement so that everyone can see. For people on the list, I will also put it next to your shop name so that people know what you're looking for, so please let me know. (i.e. I don't necessarily need jewelry or artwork, but I'd love to trade for baby stuff, bath and body, and clothing. So i'll put that in my announcement.)

2. The Trade and Replace thread will be posted in "PROMOTIONS" - to help promote the event and our team! Even if you're not trading, feel free to keep the thread bumped. you can also use it to showcase new items in your shop!

3. If there is someone on the list that you'd like to trade with, please convo them and approach them for the trade. Please negotiate fairly, and that includes making sure no one gets stiffed on shipping! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not be offended if the person you approach to trade says no. (I know that there are some things that I just can't use right now - it doesn't mean that your stuff isn't amazing!)

4. Once the trade is a done deal, then the both of you post what you got on the thread. If i'm not around, the person who gets bumped OFF the list can update the list on the thread.

5. If there is something you cannot live without, you CAN purchase from someone on the list - and you will bump them off. Trading for money is okay too, LOL!

6. If the both the trader and the tradee are on the current list, then you both stay on the list.

7. You don't have to be on the list to trade - but you won't be put on the list unless you trade with someone on the list. (does that even make sense? LOL)

8. It is expected that you check your convos and the thread at least once a day during the event. With a Trade and Replace, the pace is a little slower because of the negotiation process, but it's not fair if you are on the list and you go away for a few days. People will most likely be sending you trade requests that you will not be answering, which will hold up the whole process. If you can't check in once a day while you're on the list, then please let me know and I'll replace you with someone.

9. It is suggested that if you are convoed by two or more people for a trade, the first person who convoed you (and is successful trading with you) will be the one to bump you off the list. Feel free to trade with the other people who convoed you, but it's only fair that the first one bumps you off the list.

10. I hope that there aren't any trade disputes during our event! However, if any one has any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me to help you work it out. We haven't had any huge brawls here yet, because we all are trading in good faith.

11. Trades are EQUAL. That means that you are trading for an equal value from each other's shops, INCLUDING shipping. So, say I have a $20 necklace that you'd like, with $3 shipping - then I have $23 to spend in your store, including the shipping. If you're out $1 or so, you can agree to let it go - but usually if the difference is $5 or more, I'd send it via paypal.

12. This part is going to suck but I'll have to say it. If it comes to light that you haven't traded in good faith, then your participation in other events, and your membership, will be in jeopardy. Trading is a way to benefit us ALL, and one person can ruin it for everyone. SO PLEASE TRADE FAIR! Also, we do not condone fee avoidance - it is definitely up to you to decide whether or not to change your prices for this event, but we would encourage everyone to play by the etsy rules as well. Changing your prices to 20 cents IS fee avoidance. It is NOT fair if someone is paying more etsy fees - plus karma will get you in the end.

Does that all make sense? if not, let me know and i'll try to clarify... or post on the chat thread and we'll help you out!

i can't wait till the trade and replace!!!! YAY!!!!

xoxo muffin

POST HOLIDAY HANGOVER TRADE & REPLACE! are you game?

the holidays are finally over... but 2009's trading is just beginning! and to kick it off, we're having the post holiday hangover Trade and Replace event the last week of January! if you want to be on the start list, convo me via etsy and i'll set you up!

that means that we'll begin early on the morning of Sunday, January 25th, 2009, and end at midnight, Saturday, January 31st, 2009. it would break up the long winter, wouldn't it? hopefully everyone will pop in! membership also will open up again for the duration of the TnR... so if any lurkers want in, now is the time! we actually have a couple of newbies who will be making their debut on this TnR, so let's make them feel welcome!

so, don't forget to review the rules of the Trade and Replace here on the blog, and tag your tradeable items with the tag "Team Trade On".

by the way, if you also want off the trading list(s) or want to retire your membership - let me know and i can fix that up too. :)

i will post the location of the thread here on the blog and on the tradeaholics' chat thread so that everyone can find us easily!

READY, SET, TRADE ON!!!!!!!

xoxox muffin