3 things I learned from Etsy Success Sydney

Vivid Sydney is best known for its celebration of lights and creativity and this year was no exception. The city was adorned with bursts of colours and Circular Quay looked liked a neon lit playground. Etsy (if you don't know already, it's an online marketplace for all things beautifully handmade) was also there for an all day conference. It was a fun filled day with many inspiring talks. Three things to take away:

Have courage: Chad Dickerson, CEO of Etsy.com talked about believing in your ideas and taking a leap of faith. It was good to be reminded that success only comes from action, that,  there are no mistakes because you learn something from each mistake you make. I was surprised by how easily I related to Chad's story. An English Major turned Software Developer, Chad packed up his bags ten years ago (I think it was ten...) amidst his career in journalism and moved to San Francisco to pursue a new career in the inter web. In listening about his struggles and triumphs, you can't help but realise he's just another normal guy and not some character in a suit.

Think outside the box: Now this one may be cliche, something many aspire to do, but the ladies at TMOD really put this concept into practice. Their jewellery collection On Fiddlesticks! is tactile and experiential, each piece of jewellery is a puzzle, so you have every excuse to fiddle with your necklaces. What I learned from them was to explore and go with it. Believe in your ideas, embrace change and evolve. What started out as a jewellery line has quickly evolved into interactive stationary (i.e. scratchie cards and masks) sold internationally. http://tmod.com.au 

In the Rough, Puzzle Necklace by TMOD

It's all about looks: The room was packed with many Etsy sellers, waiting in anticipation to get some trade secrets on styling and photography from stylist Lara Hutton and Heidi Adnum. What I learned:

• Natural light is most flattering to shoot in, best for beginners
• Basics of photography: depth of field, aperture and iso speeds, get those right and you're well on your way
• When it comes to styling, simple touches are best. Avoid clutter.
• Pieces of plywood and white A4 paper are your besties when it comes to styling your shoot. Play with texture if you're more advanced in styling
• Objects look better when shot in odd numbers

For those who missed it, I'm sure the folks at Etsy are already editing the videos of these talks, you'll see them in the Seller's Handbook soon I'm sure.

Thank you Etsy for an inspiring day.

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