Finding your Target Market

Good Morning,

This morning I wanted to share some wonderful tips from another blog post on finding your Target and Niche Markets.  I have left out the personal story that accompanied the original post and have tried to leave it at just the tips.  Links are also included.  Originally posted by Brenda Lavell in August 2013, it has just been re-posted or circulated on Etsy as of last week. I hope you will find the information useful.

The Difference Between Target and Niche Markets

Target market is a group of potential customers who share characteristics related to your product. For instance, “knitters” could be my target market.

Niche market further defines a target market. For instance, “beginning female knitters who love Etsy, ages 20 to 35, living in New England” is more defined.

When you define and understand your niche market, you can target your marketing efforts to that group of people.

Narrowing Your Niche Market

Further defining your niche market is crucial to finding your actual ideal customers — those who will become true fans for your business and products. A true fan wants to hear everything about your business, including sales, tutorials, and new product launches.
Posting product links 24/7 to thousands of non-targeted social media followers is unfocused and not likely to attract very many buyers. However, offering Coupon Codes for your mailing list of ideal customers is targeted and very likely to result in many sales.
I don’t need to tell you that promoting your business all day long is exhausting — it’s a lot of work for little return. Promoting is about me me me — your products. Marketing is about you — your customers’ needs and problems. When you know who those customers are, you know or can more accurately guess their needs.

How to Find Your Ideal Customer(s)

A target market is a group of characteristics, not a person. You can personalize your target market by creating your very own ideal customer, a fictional character with individual, human characteristics — a true fan that  you make up on paper or just in your head.

Then, instead of marketing to a group of people, you market to just one person, your true fan.

Get the Ideal Customer Worksheet

To create this ideal person, you need to dive deep into this persona’s psyche. There really is no right answer to who this person is, as long as your creation makes sense (for example, “a super modern fashionista who doesn’t knit” does not make sense for my yarn shop). Use this target market worksheet template to help you create your own ideal customer.

Once you’ve created your ideal person to market to, make sure you truly understand your customer’s needs and problems. How do your products fulfill and solve both? Your marketing should successfully connect your ideal customer’s problems with your products.

Engaging With Your Ideal Customer(s)

Write everything specifically to your ideal customer, from product descriptions to blog posts to emails. Use your customer’s perspective and address his/her needs and problems in your own voice.

Let’s work through an example:

Jewelry is a huge category on Etsy. Jewelry lovers have different needs (for example, metal sensitivities) and problems (for example, the perfect earrings for a special date).

How do you connect with your ideal customer who is a true fan of your particular style and construction of earrings, while addressing both her needs and problems?

1. First, make sure your photos are truly stunning, and that your text and keywords are specifically written to your customer from his/her perspective, using your authentic voice. Success Tips: Read these photography pointers and How to Write Enticing Item Descriptions.
   
   
2. How do your policies and About page measure up? Make sure both are also primed for your ideal customer. Success Tips: Read Creating Policies That Work and Tips for Your Shop’s About Page.
   
   
3. Write blog or other social media posts that engage (about how you problem-solve, behind-the-scenes glimpses, etc.), with keywords specific to your customer and links to your products. Success Tip: Read these social media tips.
   
   
4. Use your mailing list to draw people back to those blog posts as well as to your products directly.
   
   
5. Balance links to your products with valuable content.

When your potential customer turns into a real customer, start building actual relationships. Learn about their interests and needs by talking with them via your Facebook business page or at craft shows. You’ll be able to further refine your niche market while turning one-off customers into repeat buyers.

I thought there was a “trick” to finding your target market, then learned that finding my target market is just a process. Defining my ideal customer was key, as well as effectively engaging via social media.

You can find your own target market by creating and engaging with your ideal customer — I’d love to hear your insights and questions in comments.

Thank you for stopping in and having a look.

The Alchemists Vessel would like to wish you a pleasant day.

Backyard Foundry Recycled Aluminum Cans

Good Morning,

Today's share is a video I found on line via Facebook.  Although the written language may look daunting the video is in English.

I would like to make two suggestions.

One:  Please do not try this at home unless you know what you are doing.  Have proper ventilation, fire extinguishers and a large open area that isn't next to anything flammable, like your house.

Two:  I have done a little research on this and it has come to my attention that melting soda cans and other aluminum objects can create or release a toxic gas during the melting process.  I would very much like to stress that if you wish to try something like this at home or studio to please research, study, or ask a local artisan if they have experience with this project and ask for assistance.

If you would like to try your hand at casting, there is a three part tutorial here on the blog Cuttle Bone Casting.  It uses household items and rosin core solder that you may find at any local hardware store.   The tutorial will take you from the start with materials, to the finished project.  You may choose any form to make, the steps are the important part, not the item.  I made a Stone Set Cross in the tutorial.

Cuttle Bone Casting Tutorial Part 1
Cuttle Bone Casting Tutorial Part 2
Cuttle Bone Casting Tutorial Part 3

Post by M-A-H-İ-R-M-A-T-İ-K---- FUN- CLUP.

Thank you for stopping in and having a look.

The Alchemists Vessel would like to wish you a pleasant day.

Box, Inca Puno, Queen's Chain Tutorial

Good Morning,

Today we feature a How To for a simple chainmaille weave.  I have seen this weave in many different places and it is always called one of three names by the mailler: Box, Inca Puno or Queen's Chain.

The end result is a square or box-like chain.

Let's begin with materials.  I have used multicolored aluminum jump rings available at most craft stores.  I use them for practice and demonstration, I would not recommend them for a finished project.  They are about 16 gauge with a 10mm outer diameter by Darice. (Purchased at Jo-Ann's Fabric and Craft Stores)

NOTE:  Three different colors of rings have been used for demonstration purposes and in hopes of illustrating the written instruction.  Single color rings may also be used.
 
Open 54 jump rings  
18 Pink  
18 Blue  
18 Green
 
2. Close two rings. (Pink)
 
3. Place two closed on a twist tie or piece of scrap wire.  

Step 3

4. Slide an open ring (Blue) through the two closed rings, close the ring. 

Step 4

5. Add one more open ring (Blue) to the rings.

Step5

Your chain should now look like this.

6.  Add two more open rings (Green) to the Blue rings.

Your unit has six rings and looks like this.

Here comes the tricky part.

7.  Pick up the unit and fold the last two rings (green) down and back against the rings below them (pink), one on either side of the chain.  This will form a Triangle shape.

Step 7

8.  Gently push the folded rings forward. Until they touch the rings in front of them.  It will look like this.

Step 8

 9.  Separate the last pair of rings (blue) to create an "eye".  Turn the unit 1/4 turn.

Step 9, separate the rings

1/4 Turn - The space is the "eye"

10.  Slide an open ring (Pink) through the eye, capturing the inside pair of rings (Green) and close it.   

Step 10

 

Close the ring in Step 10

11. Repeat step 10.

Slide second ring through the eye next to the first ring

Step 11 close the second ring

Your unit should now look like this.

Pink rings "lock" the unit into place, creating the first "knot".

12.  Slide an open jump ring (Blue) through the last two rings (pink) added.

Step 12

13. Repeat step 12.

Step 12 complete

*Repeat steps 7 - 13 to complete the chain.

Fold blue rings back

Repeat step 7 - Blue Rings are folded OVER the pink rings and back against the blue rings.  One on either side of the chain.
 

Push blue rings forward and rotate 1/4 turn

 Add a Green ring.

Repeat step 10

and close the ring.

 One more time.

Continue adding pairs of rings until your chain reaches the desired length.  The ring count here should make for nice length of chain to get the hang of the weave.

Five "knots" completed

The last rings added (Green) will finish the chain's last knot, and lock the units into place.

This makes very pretty jewelry, or a key-chain or purse fob decoration.

We hope you enjoyed this brief tutorial.

Thank you for stopping and having a look.

The Alchemists Vessel would like to wish you a pleasant day.

**Instructions taken from In Chains, a forthcoming e-book authored by Alixandra Browning of The Alchemists Vessel.  Follow the link for the blog (Chainmailled) in progress.

Chainmaille Ring Tutorial

Good Morning,

Tuesdays are usually put aside for Five Gift Ideas from around the web.  I thought I'd change things up a bit today with a short and simple Chainmaille Ring Tutorial.

Materials listed are for the ring below.  Questions and comments are always welcome.

This makes a European 4-in-1 length of chain with "Speed Maille" instructions for 2-in-1 weaving.

Materials:

This super simple ring can be made in a variety of metals.
The tutorial project uses Sterling Silver plated over brass jump rings.
Materials make an average US size 7-1/2 to 8  ring.
AR = 2.94
66 + 1 Sterling Silver plated 18g (1.02mm) 3mm (ID) Jump rings
Open 23 jump rings Close 44 jump rings

 
 1. Place four closed rings on one open ring and close the ring.  
(Here you see two rings added, add two more for a total of four closed rings.)









2. Flip the rings so they lay flat on your work surface.  Like this. 







3. Place two closed rings on one open ring.  (See picture 1)


4.  Slide the open ring down (into) the ring on the bottom, and up (through) the ring on the top.  Close the ring.  

NOTE: It may be easier to weave the open ring through the unit and then add the two closed rings to the open ring, and then close the ring.

Repeat steps three (3) and four (4) until your ring is the required length.  About 2-1/2" long.




Closing the ring:

Slide one open ring down into the bottom ring and up through the top ring.  Form the ring shape around a finger or mandrel so you can hold it steady and bring the opposite side up and around to meet the jump ring.  Slide the jump ring up through the ring on the left and down through the ring on the right.  Close the ring.

Your ring is complete and ready to wear.  

 There is no beginning or end, the circle is continuous.  Amaze your friends with this fun puzzle.  

Makes a very pretty decoration.  Perfect for those that like the look of maille, but do not want to wear a large piece.

Project Note:  For a larger ring continue to follow steps three and four until the desired size is reached.  Check size by measuring around the finger it is to fit, or the correct size on a ring mandrel.  Close the ring as described in the final step of the project.


Material and Project Notes:

AR stands for Aspect Ratio.  This is the number of rings that may fit comfortably or leave enough "wiggle room" when added to another ring.

Wire Gauge:  18g or 1.02mm thick wire.

ID: Interior Diameter - The jump rings were wound on a 3mm mandrel.  The outer diameter of each jump ring is about 6mm. 

Thank you for stopping in and having a look.

The Alchemists Vessel would like to wish you a pleasant day.

 



 

Shop and Studio News

Good Morning,

Today we have a brief look at what's happening in the shop and in the studio.

As many of you know, or are aware, Shop Small Business Saturday is November 30th this year.  Our scheduled Saturday Jewelry Class will be held depending in attendees.   We have some terrific deals in the shop and we hope that you'll stop in and say Hello.

Little Shop of Artist is located:
6713 Fairview Avenue, Suite B
Boise, ID 83704  

*We are located on Google Maps if you would like exact directions to the store.

We are behind A-1 Video Game Exchange in the lot, between Bob's Bicycles and Jerry's State Court Cafe.  A sign sits outside our door when the whether permits and the gate is decorated with bright fabric flowers.  Just East of N. Cole Road, or just West of Liberty on Fairview.

Incentive to stop in and visit?

Captured Color Chainmaille Bracelets in Silver-Plate or Gunmetal and Anodized Aluminum

Now through November 30th and into December for the holidays, Little Shop of Artists is holding a sale.  20% off all in-store items, including, Sterling Silver, Chainmaille and much more.

Every Saturday - 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Basic Jewelry Class
Thursday, November 28, 2013, we will be closed for Thanksgiving.
Saturday November 30, 2013 - Shop Small Business Saturday.
Sunday December 01, 2013, we will be closed for scheduled maintenance.

Thank you for stopping by and having a look.

The Alchemists Vessel would like to wish you a pleasant day.

Harvest Market Reveiw

Good Morning,

Last Weekend was The First Annual Haunted Open House and Harvest Market.  A good time was had by all, an d for a first time out show, it wasn't too bad.

Little Shop of Artists would like to thank all those Vendors, Shoppers and Drive-By's for stopping in and having a look at the wonderful, unique and handmade items from:

Anvilkin Treasures
The Delphi Oracles
Blackbird Metalworks
The Alchemists Vessel
Wire Witchery
A-1 Video Game Exchange

We would like to invite you to Follow this blog, like the Facebook page or stop by and see us, Thursday - Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday 12:00 to 6:00 p.m.  Schedule a visit on November 02. 2013, foro Shop Small Business Saturday, there will be some great deals on in store and ready-to-wear pieces.

We Teach:
 Jewelry-Making
Chainmaille Weaving
Knitting
Guest Instructors: Crochet and Wire Wrapping 

Services Include:
Light In-Store Repair
Up-Cycling / Re-Design
Custom Design Work

 Thank you for stopping in and having a look,

The Alchemists Vessel would like to wish you a pleasant day.

KAL with Alix - Camouflage Scarf Finishing

Hello,

This morning it is raining here, what a great day to sit inside and knit.

If you have been following along you should have your last ball of yarn knit up and stitches on the needle with about 2' long tail (end length of yarn).  Now what?  time to bind off those live stitches on the needle.

This is a simple Bind off that keeps your work from unraveling.

Knit the first two stitches, slide the tip of the left needle into the first stitch and pass / slip the first stitch up and over the second stitch. 

There is one stitch left of the needle.  Knit the next stitch.  Pass / slip the first stitch on the needle over the stitch you just knit.  Continue until you have reached the last stitch.

When the last stitch is on the needle, you may wrap the loose yarn around the needle, slip the last stitch over the loop and pull the remaining yarn through the last stitch tightening it.  When you are done, it should look something like the illustration below.  You may also thread the remaining yarn through the stitch with a tapestry needle as well.

 Whew!  Your done!  Almost.  At this point your scarf should have about 64 triangles and measure about 72" long.

Finishing:

There are ends that weren't long enough to complete a row hanging on one side of the scarf.  With a tapestry needle weave them into the scarf.  Or some people split the yarn and tie it is a knot along the edge of the scarf.  I don't recommended doing it that way, but choose the method that works for you.

Now that all the loose ends have been taken care of, it is time to wash and block your scarf if you desire.

I hand washed mine, and using household towels on a sunny day I spread and pinned my scarf at the edges to lie flat and allowed it dry on my back deck.

Once it is dry it is ready to wear.

 

I have put this one up for sale in the shop.  $30.00 Hand-Knit Acrylic Scarf, Machine Washable, Cozy and Comfortable.

Thank you for stopping in and having a look.

The Alchemists Vessel would like to wish you a pleasant day.

*Illustrations used were taken from random web search images.

KAL with Alix - Camouflage Scarf Session 2

Good Morning, 

Today we continue our Knit-A-Long Short Row Scarf with Alixandra Browning of The Alchemists Vessel and current Independent Contractor at Little Shop of Artists.

If you have been following along you should be finished with the first ball of yarn by now.  If you are just joining us, do not fear, you may find the Free Pattern instructions and materials and notions at KAL with Alix Camouflage Scarf from Wednesday, September 4, 2013, of this blog.

After completing the first ball, I have a total of 19 triangles, yours may vary.  My scarf measures 21-1/2" long, again yours may vary.

Today we have photo demonstrations of how to wrap and pick up a wrapped stitch.

Adding the second ball.  This is simple.  Drop the last of the yarn from the first ball when it finished.   Continue knitting the pattern with the new ball from the beginning of the row.  

To Pick Up a Wrapped Stitch


As before knit to the correct number of stitches noted in the pattern and slip the next stitch.

The horizontal bar beneath the stitch and even with the needle is what you want to "pick up" with your LEFT hand needle.

The bar has been picked up and you are ready to slide your needle into the stitch in the RIGHT hand needle.

Knit the stitch.

The completed stitch.

What happened:  When a row of knitting is incomplete and worked in other / opposite direction, it will leave a hole in the next row knit to the end or over the skipped stitches.  Wrapping and Picking Up the Wrapped stitch fills the hole in the work.

How To Wrap A Stitch

As before knit to correct number of stitches.

Slip the next stitch to the right hand needle without knitting it.

 

Bring the yarn from the back of the work to the front of the work.

Slip the stitch back to the Left hand needle

And bring the yarn to the back of the work

You have made a horizontal bar at the bottom of the stitch.  The stitch is now wrapped.

Turn your work around, so it faces the opposite direction.

Slip the first stitch on the left hand needle to the right hand needle.

Purl the next stitch and to the end of the row.

Here you can see the detail of the short row triangles, as you knit back and forth,  both sides will look the same, a stockinette stitch and a garter stitch triangle will appear alternately along the length of material.

Once you have finished your second ball of yarn you should have approximately 42 Triangles and your scarf should measure about 47" long.

My scarf (due to yarn shortage of the first ball) currently consists of 40 triangles and is 45-1/4" long and 6-1/2"wide.  Your measurements may vary.

NOTE:  I chose this particular pattern with this yarn due to Ombre Yarn's tendency to "pool" or to knit / work up with the color changes seeming to match.  This is apparent here, as I wanted it to do this very color pooling, you can see in the green and black heavier / concentrated areas of color throughout the scarf. 

Thank you for knitting along or just having a look

We are always happy and available to answer questions or assist knitters with the pattern

The Alchemists Vessel would like to wish you a pleasant day.

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