January TnS Start List!

without further ado... our start list for tomorrow's TnS!

Amysonpie.etsy.com
Angiehandmade.etsy.com or kellyfun.etsy.com
Boogerandtash.etsy.com
Karolstreasures.etsy.com or karolsvintageart.etsy.com or karolsvintageattic.etsy.com
Maplestreetcreations.etsy.com
Prettyhairclippies.etsy.com
Teaman.etsy.com
The3maries.etsy.com or createdbythe3maries.etsy.com
Theardencandleco.etsy.com
Uneek4U.etsy.com

thanks to everyone who threw their hat in the ring! see you all in the morning!

xoxoxo muffin and raevyn

October's Trade and Stay Start List!

you guys are very very fast. lol! the minute i sent out the email asking for starter shops, i had my 10!
so.... without further ado, here they are:

2sleepyheads.etsy.com
CozInk.etsy.com
divinecanine.etsy.com
magymai711.etsy.com
Nativebeads.etsy.com
OopsIKnitItAgain.etsy.com
sparklegarden.etsy.com
SpartaSoap.etsy.com
thisisit.etsy.com
Wheezies.etsy.com

and, this time around, we have PRIZES!!!! (as if you guys need any incentive to trade!)

The newly crowned Trade-Ho takes home the Official Title http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=31916521

A Trade-Ho bracelet from ReadingBunky! http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5224298

A $10.00 gift certificate to Divine Creations for your four legged Love

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5854013

A $10.00 gift certificate to KarolsTreasures http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=8079015

A $10.00 gift certificate to NativeBeads http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6133611

A Wand for the Queen Ho-Ho courtesy of TheGirlyPlace http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7474312

And gets to be featured on the Tradeaholics Official Blog!

******************************************************************************

1st runner up (2nd prize) will receive a $20.00 gift Certificate from Simply Raevyn http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5710650 Which can be used at any of her three shops!A $10.00 gift Certificate from Kim Creative http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7396557

And a Hand crocheted Beanie with a clip from PiggytailsBoutique http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6358703

******************************************************************************

And 2nd runner up (3rd prize) will receive, Ta!Dah!

A $10.00 Gift Certificate from MuffinTopDesigns!http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5231963

A Pocket mirror, your choice from JustGiveMePeace http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=31278712

And a hair clippie from PiggytailsBoutique http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6358703

thanks to EVERYONE who convoed me - it is so fantastic to see such eager traders! so get ready for Saturday!!! i will post the link to the thread here, on the chat thread, on ning and via the email list.

xoxox muffin and raevyn

Trade FRENZY!!!!!

i admit it. you admit it. but thegirlyplace admitted it in public, out on the chat thread, in the forums, of all places!!!! we all can't get enough of trading! so, as thegirlyplace suggested, we're going to have a Trade Frenzy - a one day, trading extravaganza! what is a Frenzy, you ask? it's the same as a trade and stay, except it's only limited to a short, limited time!!!! hence... the trading will be even faster and more frenzied!

here are the details:

where: in the Promotions forum
when: thursday, august 20th, 2009
time: 6 am to midnight EST

how can you get on the start list?

CONVO - and only convo - muffintopdesigns with "frenzy" in the subject line. indicate your shop(s) url and what you sell. (i.e. http://muffintopdesigns.etsy.com - jewelry ) that way it will be easier to keep us organized! i'll be taking the first TEN shops only!!!!

are you ready? you only have 10 days to stock up your shop!!!! :) if you have any questions, let me or raevyn77 know!!!

xo muffin & raeyvn77

http://muffintopdesigns.etsy.com
http://raevyn77.etsy.com

Save the Date(s)...

everyone's having Trade and Stay hangovers. and they don't seem to be going away. so raevyn and i have decided to put you all out of your misery and now want you all to grab your calendars and pencil in the next two TnS dates!!!! because they will be relatively close together, they will both be three day events and have the same format as all the other TnS's!

got your pens ready? :)

the first one will start Saturday, October 3rd and run till Monday, October 5th - to stave off all those trade jitters and get you back in trading form!
the second one will start Saturday, December 5th and run till Monday, December 7th - just in time to get those last minute holiday gifts!

so start getting your shops - and your wish lists! - ready! any questions? let me or raevyn77 know, or better yet, post on our chat thread here: http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6226825

i will also be posting a refresher "Trading 101" both here and on the ning site - just so we all stay current - and our newbies don't feel so lost!!!!

xoxoxoox muffin & raevyn77

And the Trade Princess/Ho Is...

thanks to EVERYONE for making the Midsummer's Trade and Stay such a rousing success! i think that this was the largest - and fastest - Trade and Stay in our little history!!! i know that for the next couple of weeks, it's going to be like Christmas in our mailboxes, LOL!

and now... our new official Trade Princess/HO is... the wonderful SPARTASOAPS (http://spartasoap.etsy.com/ ) with 40 (i suspect it was more!) trades! rumour has it that she's been saving up for this event and boy, did she clean up! (pun intended!) yay, sparta! we love you and your soaps!

i also want to give a special shout out to our fabulous listmasters - Raevyn77, jerseymaids, bagsbytracy, nativebeads, flamingolady, jetflair and everyone else who bumped the list! we would have been lost without you! it was fast and furious and i can't believe we were able to keep track as much as we did!!!

so...


when should our next one be? LOL! watch for the poll in a month or so... we'll also be having a trade game soon in the forums - i'll make sure to email everyone to let them know when it will be.


don't forget to sign up on the ning site (http://tradeaholics.ning.com/ ) and confirm your membership on Google so that you can stay up to date! i will be sending out a confirmation email to all of our new members in the next couple of days, so watch your inbox/spam folder!

if you have any questions, just let me or raevyn77 know - or better yet, join us on our chat thread here: http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6226825

ready, set, trade on!!!! and thank you again for making the TnS so amazing!!!

xoxox muffin

Will you Trade and Stay With Me? :)

yay! it looks like our trade and stay will commence on July 19th! i KNEW you guys couldn't wait till later in the summer! so watch your email for the call for "start listers"!!

speaking of emails, thank you to everyone who followed us over to the ning site (and to those who sadly revoked their membership too). it totally has helped Raevyn77 and i streamline and clean up all of the lists. if you signed up on the ning site, you should have received a Yahoo Groups email from me asking you to confirm your membership. this way, we can make sure that you really want to be part of the team! so now, officially, our team membership stands at about 75 - how WICKED is that? YAY for trading!

and while we're on the topic of trading, on the chat thread we've been bouncing around the idea of having a trade game one night soon. so stay tuned!

Gotta Love Spring Trade and Stay Event!

and we're off again! the May Trade and Stay Event is located here:
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6161127

come and join us!!!! YAY!!!!!!

xoxox muffin

Anyone Up for a May Trade and Stay?

you know what i'm talkin' about!

if you are, vote on the sidebar as to the best time for you, and i'll take the first 10 shops that CONVO me (yes, convo me only - i have baby brain still and can only concentrate on one thing at a time, LOL) to be our start list!

YAY!!!!!

xoxoxo muffin

And Our Starter List Shops Are...

alright guys and gals! here is the starter list for Monday's Trade and Stay Event! remember, you can only LOOK... no negotiations until we start on Monday!!!!!!

http://equivoque.etsy.com/
http://ribbonwonders.etsy.com/
http://modernlunacy.etsy.com/ or http://famoushair.etsy.com/
http://butterflydesign1.etsy.com/ or http://earringparadise.etsy.com/
http://sparklegarden.etsy.com/
http://raevyn77.etsy.com/ or http://simplyraevyn.etsy.com/ or http://peculiarparchment.etsy.com/
http://bloomingbeads.etsy.com/
http://adeenamade.etsy.com/
http://luckyrosiescreations.etsy.com/
http://joannjewelry.etsy.com/

and, in case you're needing a refresher on how the trade and stay works...

- it starts early next Monday, April 13th morning and will go for 4 days ONLY. the link to the thread will be posted here and sent to everyone on the mailing list.
- it is a Trade and Stay - if someone trades with you, we just add their shop to the list and yours stays! you cannot be added to the list unless you trade onto the list - meaning that you have to trade with someone who is currently on the list to get onto the list (hoo boy, that's a lot of repeating! sorry!)
- we will NOT be tracking the # of trades this time. the trading gets so fast and furious and this way some of the pressures are taken off the listmaster gals! so i hope that's okay.
- the lovely equivoque, flamingolady, raevyn77 and myself will be your listmasters! we will try to ensure that the list is accurate and updated, and that any fights are broken up without injury! LOL! we do ask for your patience with the updating - sometimes we get carried away with chatting, LOL!
- please refresh yourself with the rules on trading here on the blog. any disputes can be convoed to me and i'll try to help.
- feel free to label your trade items with the team tag "TEAM TRADE ON" and/or create a section in your shop with your trade items in it! you can also indicate what you are looking for in your shop announcement or profile - just make sure we know where to look!
- and please don't forget your manners - if someone convos you for a trade, please respond - even if they don't have anything you need or want. it's better to get a "no" instead of no response at all!

Trading Basics 101
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.

so, you go and "purchase" the items from each other's shops, but don't complete the payment part! you can check "paypal" if that is the only option, but don't go to paypal!

once you receive your items, leave feedback please!!!!! :)

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 than others - plus karma will get you in the end, and there is the very real possibility that etsy will shut down our team.

For Prospective Members...
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, a tip from the wonderful flamingolady:

"when trading (in general), be on the look out for scammers, like shops that have items that are too good to be true (might be a reason for that), new shops (might be legit though), check ratings, etc. It can take a month or two for scammers to be found out, most people are leary of leaving bad feedback until someone else does. If you are wary of a shop, and you are an established shop/trader, and you want to help a new shop get established, tell them up front that you will ship out their order after receiving yours... I've done literally dozens of trades, no probs yet, it was on a BNR where I traded with someone and a bunch of us got scammed by one of the shops, they are gone now, though probably opened up a new shop. Trading is good and fun, but remember, there is nothing Etsy can do other than to send a convo, since no funds traded hands. (versus a purchase on PP where the recipient can get their money back). Trade on! "

sparklegarden suggests:

" If I see a new shop (to buy OR trade with) that has little or no feedback, I convo and ask if they have feedback anywhere else (ebay, diaperswappers, etc.)that I can review. This has served me very well. "

PHEW! what a long post! (and now my carpal tunnel has set my hands on fire, LOL!) if you have ANY questions, please don't hesitate to convo me or ask the gang on the chat thread!

see you all on monday!!!!

xoxoxox muffin

p.s. regarding the team list on etsy - yes, it is outdated. we're working on updating it - admin does it, not me, so i have to work with their timeline! but we'll get there eventually!

Google Analytics - Basics 101!

we've been chatting over on the traders's thread about Google Analytics. i have to admit that at first, i was quite befuddled (and frustrated) over the whole thing. i actually had to register TWICE before i could see my stats! hopefully, this little cheat sheet will help all traders sign up successfully with GA so that you can see where your traffic is coming from! i can't wait to try this at our next Trade and Stay... won't THAT be a hoot!


STEP 1:
visit www.google.com/analytics and sign in (if you have an existing igoogle account)/sign up for a new account.


STEP 2:
click on "Add Website Profile". in the URL area and enter your etsy shop address like this: http://www.yourshop.etsy.com/, set your location, time and hit "finish". If they ask for your shop name type in http://www.yourshop.etsy.com/ (Do NOT include the http:// in the URL)


STEP 3:
when you get to the tracking code page just scroll to the bottom and hit "finish". you don't need this code - it states here that you should copy the code and put on all your webpages, but, lucky for us, etsy already does this for us automatically. just hit "finish".


STEP 4:
on the next page you will see a grey table with your website URL. next to the URL should be a code that looks like UA-1234567-8. highlight and copy the code to your clipboard. (ctrl + C)


STEP 5:
open up a separate browser page (don't close your Google Analytics page) and go to http://www.etsy.com/shop_analytics.php. you can also access the page you need on etsy via "your etsy" - there is a link on the left hand side toolbar that says "web analytics". paste (Ctrl + V) the code in the designated area. save changes.


STEP 6:
now you're finished setting up Google Analytics for your etsy shop!! if you look at the overview page in Google Analytics you will see that there is a yellow symbol with an exclamation mark on it under the status column. this just means that your account isn't showing stats yet - not that you did anything wrong! when it turns into a green check mark then you can start viewing your stats. it can take up to 24 hours for the stats counter to update - but mine started showing before that.

i hope that it helps make things a little clearer for everyone. i know that the first time i registered, the little yellow symbol never went away and i was freaking out thinking that NO ONE was visiting my shop! however, i just deleted the website profile and added it again. i received a new code and i went to etsy and put the new code into the "web analytics" area. and it's worked fine ever since.


so, maybe we should have a Trade and Stay so that we can all watch our GA numbers climb? LOL! what do you think?


xoxoxo muffin

The Down and Dirty Details on the Trade and STAY... and a Little Update!

okay... we're all ready for the next trade and STAY event! i think that we all know how it works, but i'll cut and paste the rules from the last one here for reference sake! there are also some additions to (hopefully) organize the trading frenzy a little! :)


- the trade and stay will go for 4 days ONLY - Sunday, March 15th to Wednesday, March 18th at midnight.

- the link to the thread will be posted here, on the chat thread, and sent to everyone on the mailing list.

- it is a Trade and Stay - if someone trades with you, we just add their shop to the list and yours stays! you cannot be added to the list unless you trade onto the list - meaning that you have to trade with someone who is currently on the list to get onto the list (hoo boy, that's a lot of repeating! sorry!)

- once again, we're also going to track the # of trades that everyone does next to their shop name... oh, the TRUE addicts are going to be revealed, LOL. our little raevyn77 was crowned "Trade Queen/Ho" last time... i wonder who it will be this time!

- the lovely flamingolady, equivoque, raevyn77, makingsbymary and myself will try to keep the lists as accurate as possible - so be patient with the updated list!!! sometimes we get carried away with chatting and trading, LOL! we're going to try to keep you happy traders in line, so please post your trades on the thread and one of us will update it!

- please refresh yourself with the rules on trading here on the blog. any disputes can be convoed to me and i'll try to help. and please don't forget your manners - if someone convos you for a trade, please respond - even if they don't have anything you need or want. it's better to get a "no" instead of no response at all!


and just in case you're interested, here is the list! it's made up of the first 15 shops that responded to my emails and posts on the chat thread!


http://bagsbytracy.etsy.com/
http://butterflydesign1.etsy.com/ or http://earringparadise.etsy.com/
http://equivoque.etsy.com/
http://jerseymaids.etsy.com/
http://joannjewelry.etsy.com/
http://kotibeth.etsy.com/
http://nativebeads.etsy.com/
http://playswithclay.etsy.com/
http://redrobinpretties.etsy.com/
http://salliebear.etsy.com/
http://sherwear.etsy.com/
http://sparklegarden.etsy.com/
http://stacirose.etsy.com/
http://starrclothing.etsy.com/
http://thepeachtree.etsy.com/


even if you're not trading - because you're all traded out - please drop in and chat with us! hope to see everyone there!

btw, the lovely jerseymaids has been perusing the larger etsy traders list here: http://etsytraders.blogspot.com/ and we've slowly been deleting empty and inactive shops. if you find one on your travels through the blogs, please let me know and i'll get it cleaned up ASAP. it's an ongoing process (right, indulgentcreations!) but one day we'll have everything current!

if you are closing shop, want off the lists and/or to cancel your membership with the tradeaholics, please also let me know!

READY, SET, TRADE ON!
xoxoxo muffin

So... You Guys Ready for Another Trade and STAY??????

so.... you guys ready for another Trade and STAY??????

i'm feeling like we're ready! lol! how does Sunday, March 15th - Wednesday, March 18th sound???? yes, it's coming up soon... but i know you guys would be up for the challenge!

so, if you've caught up with your trades from the last event, let's do this again! (of course, if you're all traded out, you totally don't have to trade - but feel free to join in on the thread! you KNOW you love to chat!)

i'll take the first 8 shops that convo me to be our "start list". so get listing, everyone!!!!!!!!

xoxoxo muffin

We HEART Trading!

oh my. what a fabulous event we had! thanks to the flamingolady's fabulous idea, we turned the trading world upside down with a Valentine's TRADE AND STAY!

here is the list at it stood at the conclusion of the event (thanks, muddymoose!)

AlicesAngelJewelry.etsy.com (3 trade)

almondworks.etsy.com (11 trades)

andreastamps.etsy.com/ or ribbonwonders.etsy.com(19 trades)

aPassionForFashion.etsy.com (1 trade)

audreyscountrycrafts.etsy.com (3 trades)

babymoon.etsy.com (1 trade)

bagsbytracy.etsy.com (17 trade)

beckynot.etsy.com (6 trades)

blingismything.etsy.com (10 trade)

bloomingbeads.etsy.com (4 trades)

butterflydesign1.etsy.com and earringparadise.etsy.com (15 trades)

chitowncheryl.etsy.com/

creationsbychristina.etsy.com (2 trades)

creativeborders.etsy.com (3 trades)

cutebabyboutique.etsy.com (2 trade)

decadencedesigns.etsy.com (2 trades)

divinecanine.etsy.com (13 trades)

echoesofstars.etsy.com (7 trades)

equivoque.etsy.com (10 trades)

Geckojewelry.etsy.com (14 trade)

GemsandDolls.etsy.com (4 trade)

girliemomma.etsy.com (1 trade)

gloplace.etsy.com (2 trades)

hattrickclothing.etsy.com (1 trade)

iamtheprincesshbf.etsy.com (2 trades)

indulgentcreations.etsy.com (12 trades)

jennadesigns.etsy.com (3 trades)

jerseymaids.etsy.com (8 trades)

jetflair.etsy.com (1 trade)

johnnyconflict.etsy.com/

jonikay52.etsy.com (2 trade)

kariana84.etsy.com (1 trade)

kellydnlvy.etsy.com (1 trade)

Kerleyskreations.etsy.com (1 trade)

kimsmissprissy.etsy.com (1 trade)

knitsbywhitney.etsy.com/

kotibeth.etsy.com or kotibethphotography.etsy.com (9 trades)

KristysRedBarnBakery.etsy.com and KristysDestash.etsy.com (1 trade)

laurali.etsy.com (6 trades)

lolbaby.etsy.com or lorilong.etsy.com (6 trades)

luckyrosiescreations.etsy.com (1 trade)

MagicIsland.etsy.com (4 trade)

makingsbymary.etsy.com (4 trades)

MissElany.etsy.com (1 trade)

muffintopdesigns.etsy.com (3 trades)

myissag.etsy.com (4 trade)

nativebeads.etsy.com/ (14 trades)

passthelasso.etsy.com/

peachypendants.etsy.com (1 trade)

Peaches4me.etsy.com (8 trades)

pennyspug.etsy.com/ (7 trades)

raevyn77.etsy.com and simplyraevyn.etsy.com and peculiarparchment.etsy.com (23 trades)recupefashion.etsy.com (1 trade)

Redrobinpretties.etsy.com (6 trades)

rusticdivadesigns.etsy.com/ or gypsywynd.etsy.com/ (1 trade)

salsagal.etsy.com (5 trades)

sewcute7.etsy.com (1 trade)

shellrifficheirlooms.etsy.com/

sherwear.etsy.com (3 trade)

sparklegarden.etsy.com (14 trades)

starrclothing.etsy.com (5 trades)

supanerdstef.etsy.com (1 trade)

suzannedesigns.etsy.com (5 trades)

theatticshop.etsy.com OR heatheralexander.etsy.com (4 trade)

themuddymoose.etsy.com (12 trades)

thepeachtree.etsy.com (4 trades)

tothe9s.etsy.com (1 trade)

wheezies.etsy.com (5 trades)

WinterPanda.etsy.com (1 trade)

wispywilds.etsy.com (2 trades)

and the title of "Official Trade HO" goes to...

our fast and furious Raevyn77!!! you definitely are the Trade Queen!

now get working on getting those packages out, traders! i know that i am! and stay tuned for the details on the Spring Scavenger Hunt - i'll be doing the research and will post details ASAP!

thanks again for the wonderful turnout. LOVE YOU GUYS!!!!!!!

xoxox muffin

I Heart Trading Valentine's Day Trade and STAY!!!!!

okay folks, the starter list is finalized and the details are all ironed out! we're having a "I Heart Trading" trade and STAY event for Valentine's Day! thanks to the 31 members who voted on our poll and to the chatters on the thread for brainstorming ideas!

this is how it's going to go down:

- it starts early Valentine's Day morning and will go for 4 days ONLY. the link to the thread will be posted here and sent to everyone on the mailing list.
- it is a Trade and Stay - if someone trades with you, we just add their shop to the list and yours stays! you cannot be added to the list unless you trade onto the list - meaning that you have to trade with someone who is currently on the list to get onto the list (hoo boy, that's a lot of repeating! sorry!)
- we're also going to track the # of trades that everyone does next to their shop name... oh, the TRUE addicts are going to be revealed, LOL!
- there will be a focus on destashing, but if you don't have any destash, don't worry about it - i have lots to destash eventually, but probably won't have the time to take photos or list before we start. we will most likely have some sort of ongoing destash trade thread in the future, so stay tuned for that.
- the lovely flamingolady and myself will try to keep the lists as accurate as possible - but please feel free to update the list if you have successfully traded. sometimes we get carried away with chatting, LOL!
- please refresh yourself with the rules on trading here on the blog. any disputes can be convoed to me and i'll try to help. and please don't forget your manners - if someone convos you for a trade, please respond - even if they don't have anything you need or want. it's better to get a "no" instead of no response at all!

and just in case you're interested, here is the list! it's made up of the lovely shops that ended our last TnR! thanks, you guys, for agreeing to kick us off this time!!!

http://shellrifficheirlooms.etsy.com/
http://rusticdivadesigns.etsy.com/ or http://gypsywynd.etsy.com/
http://indulgentcreations.etsy.com/
http://makingsbymary.etsy.com/
http://knitsbywhitney.etsy.com/
http://pennyspug.etsy.com/
http://nativebeads.etsy.com/
http://passthelasso.etsy.com/
http://johnnyconflict.etsy.com/
http://chitowncheryl.etsy.com/
http://andreastamps.etsy.com/ or http://ribbonwonders.etsy.com
http://recupefashion.etsy.com

(and no trading with the people on the list before Valentine's Day! LOL!)

i can't wait! hope to see everyone there!

xoxoxo muffin