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Etsy Title and Listing Tips

Starting an Etsy shop or that you have one and having trouble driving traffic to your listings and your shop? This topic “Etsy title & listings” is a trending topic that is always coming up in Etsy discussion forums or Etsy group pages on Facebook. Many people struggle on what or how to word their listings to get get even noticed in the Etsy search. For myself, I also struggled with my shop, but after hard work and learning tips and listening to advise from well established Etsy shop owners I have tripled my sales from starting out to this year and hoping to reach higher on the following year. In this blog I will give helpful tips on strategies that you can implement within your shop to help improve your listing search and hopefully get more sales.

The first strategy that I will discuss is: Title

Your title for each listing needs to be short, clear, and descriptive. This will make it clear for shoppers to understand what you are selling by glancing at your title. You need to use one keyword( one of your tags) to start the beginning of your title. (For example: 3D Printed) starts most of my title listing items, because I create 3D printed planters for air plants or succulents. Since there are so many competitors on Etsy you want to make your title stand out and read clear for the shopper to click on your item rather than your competitor. Do not write long titles, this will cause your item to get lost in the search results, don’t stuff key words (tags) in the title either, this will confuse the shopper and cause her/him to scroll pass your listing.

Second strategy is: Categories

When you are adding an item to your shop you will see the tab category, make sure to add many relative options as possible in this area that relates to your item. This area will give you a better chance of being found in the search results by adding the right category that matches to your item. Also categories act like tags, so don’t use a category work as a tag, because it would be a duplicate. (For example: my category would be gardening, so I would not use gardening as a tag).

Third strategy is: Attributes

So attributes is within the categories section. This is where you can select material, color, size, or pattern for the item that you are listing. When filling out this section it helps your item bump up in the search. Try to use as many attributes to describe your item, but don’t repeat these words in your 13 tags, because it will just be a duplicate. (For example: I am tweaking this section in my shop, by adding the measurements for my listing item)

Fourth strategy is Listing Descriptions

For your listing description you want to provide value, and describe everything about the item for the shopper. The first 155 characters of the description is very important, this is what is viewed when searching on google or any search engine when looking for an item that you want to buy. You want to use your main key word in the beginning of your short description. Also you should add your tag words in a complete sentence to describe your item that you are selling, making sure it flows and make sense to the buyer as well. By doing this, it will help boost your item in the search results too. Another tip make sure you are detailed in the description by adding measurements, or if the customer can request another color, or this item is made to order. You can also add a back link to another item in your shop showing the customer that you have another similar item or an item that would work well with it. (For example: one of my listings I have a hanging planter that can work well with any small plants or could be a starter planter for indoors, so I have a back link for the customer to buy flowering seeds to plant inside the planter if they choose too.)

By following these helpful strategy tips in this blog, should give you a boost in your listing views and hopefully more sales! I will be adding more helpful Etsy strategy blogs soon to my page. If you haven’t read the Selling at Craft fairs blog, and thought about branching your shop out to craft fairs or vendor markets then that blog should give you a few tips on how to get started! You can find that certain blog as an older blog at the beginning of my blog post.

Also you can visit my Etsy shop by following the link to see how I have my listings and titles written out, plus to see the cool 3D printed planters that I create!

http://www.Flymeawaycreations.com

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6 Mosquito Repellent Plants for your Garden

Spring & summer is the time for those pesky mosquito’s to ruin your outdoor activities. Did you know there are several beautiful plants that can be beneficial in your container garden or flower garden to reduce the sight and presence of mosquito’s? I have listed six different plants that work great in your garden to help repel those insects.

A great mosquito repellent plant, Lemon grass has also been known to ward off other insects such as white flies which can be pesky in the vegetable garden. However, be careful if planting in the ground as their root system can take over your vegetable roots so either plant at a distance or plant in pots around your veggie garden. Lemongrass is more of a tropical plant. However, for locations that are colder during the winter, you can grow it in patio planters and bring it indoors during the colder months. Or just treat it like an annual plant and replant it each year.

Besides being an awesome mosquito repellent plant, Marigold plants are also great at repelling various insects and, because of that, are often used in vegetable gardens around tomatoes and peppers to help reduce insects that may destroy those plants. Marigolds also ward off deer, rabbits and other rodents.

Lavender, also known, in the mint family it’s also a perennial and loves full sun.Besides used as a great mosquito repellent around your yard, lavender has a beautiful scent when the flower spikes are dried. Use the dried flowers in a dried flower arrangement or as a potpourri.

Rosemary ,this plant is actually considered an evergreen shrub that will flower during the spring and summer months. This versatile plant is also drought resistant and does well in pots and in the garden especially repelling mosquito’s. On top of all that, one of the most popular uses of rosemary is right in the kitchen where you can use it fresh from the garden to season meats and vegetables or dry the rosemary leaves to store for extended use.

Peppermint, also known in the mint family it is very similar to Lemon Balm in that it grows and spreads very quickly so it’s best to grow this plant in a container. It also enjoys the shade and more moist soil. This plant can help reduce mosquito’s and it also can be enjoyed in tea, salads, and a garnish in meals.

Citronella, a citrus-scented geranium, this is a great patio plant, especially in containers. Be careful not to over-fertilize because too much nitrogen can reduce the fragrance of the leaves. Although the oil from crushed leaves may have some ability to discourage mosquitoes, the plants alone are grown more for their refreshing scent than as a mosquito repellent. Place citronella near a gate or path where you brush against the leaves as you walk by, or in a pot where children can rub the leaves to enjoy their fragrance. Plants are vigorous growers and drought tolerant. Be sure to move indoors before frost.

So the next time you visit a garden shop, keep these plants in mind to add to your patio or flower garden, so you can enjoy your spring and summer evenings outside. Flymeawaycreations Etsy shop has lavender seeds available to buy in single packets or in bulks for you to plant in your garden indoors or outdoors.

Follow the link to visit the shop to find the lavender seeds and more flowering seeds plus garden décor!

www.flymeawaycreations.com

DIY Air Plant Terrarium

Flymeawaycreations just hosted its first gardening workshop this past Saturday locally in Cedar Point, NC. The shop is expanding to host gardening workshops at least once a month to encourage others to learn all about different plants, while creating something fun. If you are not in the area, or missed the class that’s okay the shop will create a blog post giving you tips and steps on how to create the planter or terrarium that was created at the class.

Before I walk you through the steps on creating your very own Glass Air Plant Terrarium I wanted to share a little information about air plants!

Did you know that an air plant is a tropical American plant that grows on trees with long, narrow leaves that absorb water and nutrients from the atmosphere? There are roughly 500 different species of flowering perennial plants in the Tillandsia genus, a part of the Bromeliad family. These are plants that require no soil for their roots. Instead, they extract moisture from the air and can be found in tropical areas in trees. Not to mention countless hybrid varieties and no two air plant varieties are exactly the same!

How long do air plants last? It depends on how well you take care of the plant. It can live up to years if taken care properly, and some species can grow up to 3 feet long!

After walking through each step I will explain about taking care of your air plant as well. You can buy air plants at your local garden shop, Amazon, or Etsy. For this DIY project you will need these materials: Glass square vase (Terrarium), small rocks, sand, moss, seashells or pebbles, air plant. (cost for all materials $20-$25)

First step: Start with your glass terrarium and place sand inside to cover the bottom of your glass. You could add about 1 inch of sand. This material will give your terrarium a coastal look.

Second step: Add a layer of rocks to your terrarium placing them on top of the layer of sand. You can add about 1-2 inches of rocks. This material will help your plant stay in place and give weight to your glass terrarium.

Third step: Add moss by layering it in the middle of the glass and add seashells, pebbles along the side of the moss or on top of the moss. (This is where you can be creative by adding several shape shells and different color pebbles).

Fourth & last step: Add your air plant on top of your moss. By placing your air plant on top of the moss gives the plant roots anchorage when growing. ( you can see small roots on the bottom of your plant-these grow and attach to the moss of tree in the wild)

Now, that you have created this beautiful terrarium how do you take care of your plant?

We know air plants need sunlight, so place your terrarium in indirect sunlight: a sunny room, not directly in a window sill or doorway. By allowing your plant to have indirect sunlight will prevent it from drying out faster. Your air plant will definitely need water. You will need to water your plant every other week, by soaking it into collected rain water or bottle water for up to 10 minutes. (Keep an eye on the tip of your air plant, when you see the leaf tip curl or turn brown, this means your air plant needs water because it is dehydrated. After soaking your air plant turn the plant up-side down on a paper towel to let it dry. Shake any built up water between the leaves off, by doing this it prevents the bottom of your air plant rotting and turning brown. Lastly, keep your air plant in a well air vented area this will allow your air plant to get air circulation and nutrients for it to live.

After time, your air plant will bloom a small flower, but only once in its life time! Air plants (Tillandsia spp.) only flower once in their lives, but the flowers can last for several months, depending on the species. Throughout their lives they produce pups. If these are left in a clump the mother plant will die and its leaves can be pulled out leaving the pups. If the pups are removed when they are about a third to a half the size of the mother plant, the mother plant may live for several years and continue to produce pups.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about air plants, you can read the blog “taking care of air plants” by Flymeawaycreations. Also, you can follow the shop on Facebook and Instagram to see the next local workshop class!

www.instagram.com/flymeawaycreations

https://www.facebook.com/flymeawaycreations

Sunflower Garden

Sunflowers remind me of warmer weather and the season of summer like no other plant. Native to North America, sunflowers are heat-tolerant, resistant to pests, and simply beautiful. You can even harvest their edible seeds. Here’s how to grow them in your garden! Most sunflowers are remarkably tough and easy to grow as long as the soil is not waterlogged. Most are heat and drought-tolerant. They make excellent cut flowers and many are attractive to bees and birds. Below are a few tips on how to create your own little sunflower garden.

PLANTING

Sunflowers grow best in locations with direct sunlight (6 to 8 hours per day); they require long, hot summers to flower well. Sunflowers have long tap roots that need to stretch out, so the plants prefer well-dug, loose, well-draining soil; in preparing a bed, dig down 2 feet in depth and about 3 feet across to ensure the soil isn’t too compact. Find a well-drained location, and prepare your soil by digging an area of about 2-3 feet in circumference to a depth of about 2 feet. If possible, put seeds in a spot that is sheltered from strong winds, perhaps along a fence or near a building.

It’s best to sow sunflower seeds directly into the soil after the danger of spring frost has passed. Ideally, the soil temperature has reached 55 to 60 degrees F (13–16°C).

Give plants plenty of room, especially for low-growing varieties that will branch out. Make rows about 30 inches apart. Plant the large seeds no more than 1 inch deep about 6 inches apart after the soil has thoroughly warmed, from mid-April to late May in northern regions—earlier in southern areas. You can plant multiple seeds and thin them to the strongest contenders when the plants are six inches tall.

CARE

While the plant is small, water around the root zone, about 3 to 4 in. from the plant. Once the plant is established, water deeply though infrequently to encourage deep rooting. Unless the weather is exceptionally wet or dry, water once a week with several gallons of water.

HARVEST & ADMIRE

For indoor bouquets, cut the main stem just before its flower bud has a chance to open to encourage side blooms. Cut stems early in the morning. Harvesting flowers during middle of the day may lead to flower wilting. Handle sunflowers gently. The flowers should last at least a week in water at room temperature. Arrange sunflowers in tall containers that provide good support for their heavy heads, and change the water every day to keep them fresh.

The towering ‘Mammoth’ Sunflower is the traditional giant sunflower, sometimes growing to more than 12 feet tall. Its seeds are excellent for snacks and natures own bird feeder, too! Sunflowers attract a variety of birds to your yard especially small finches! You can find these sunflower seed packets at Flymeawaycreations Etsy shop!

Follow the link below to find the seeds at the shop!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/687003601/grey-stripe-sunflower-seeds-non-gmo

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Bee house DIY gardening

What’s the secret to enjoying more blooms and greater harvests? Pollination! To increase the pollination of your garden plants, consider getting a backyard bee house for native solitary bees!

Bee houses are similar to bird houses, but instead of attracting birds, they attract native solitary bee species. Unlike honey bees, these solitary bees are extremely docile and up to three times more effective as pollinators. No, you won’t get any honey, but you will enjoy better flowers, thriving plants, and healthier vegetables in your garden!

Many of these native bees are already a part of the local ecosystem, but providing them with a perfect place to nest in your backyard can improve their lives and yours.

Bee houses consist of a wooden, birdhouse-like structure containing native bee nesting materials—typically hollow reeds or cardboard tubes. They are the perfect habitat for solitary, hole-nesting bees, who also happen to be some of the best pollinators around.

You can find these cute bee houses at your local garden shop or even find DIY instructions on social media to create your own!

Below are a few tips to help start you in the right direction after buying or making your little Bee House!

Make sure to choose a bee house size that matches what the surrounding area can provide. For example, a stand of flowering trees and bushes can provide more pollen than a meadow of flowers can, meaning a larger house would be appropriate for the former.
Protection, Hole-nesting bees need a place to live that’s dry and safe. The ideal bee house will have a solid outer structure that has a 2–3” overhang, which will protect nesting materials from bad weather. If birds are attacking the nesting holes, use a 1”-wide wire cloth and bubble it around the bee house. Do not install wire cloth flush against the nesting holes, as this will obstruct the bees from entering. Bees need some space for landing and taking off!
Location, Orient the bee house to face the morning sun, as hole-nesting bees need the sun’s warmth to give them energy to fly. Placing two bee houses—each facing a slightly different direction—can produce even better results.Most native bees prefer some afternoon shade, but too much shade could attract hole-nesting wasps. Solitary wasps are generally considered beneficial predators in a garden, as they attack pests like caterpillars, grubs, and aphids. However, they may also prey on the bee pupae in your bee house.
Planting flowers; make sure you have a variety selection of flowers and even garden veggies for the bees to enjoy close by to their house. Flymeawaycreations Etsy shop has several flowering seeds such as Wildflower, Sunflower, and Lavender seed packets for you to start your very own Bee Garden!

www.Flymeawaycreations.com

You can follow the link to find instructions on how to create your own Bee house!

https://www.nwf.org/Garden-for-Wildlife/Young/Build-a-Bee-House