Review it!!!!!!!!!

~ Feature Friday VIIII~

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Every Friday I will be reviewing a different shop. When inquiring about this type of post, my fellow Etsian's have surprised me with a positive and abundant response to my blog request I sent out.

To better understand the review read this:

*The category I reviewed is the Largest word before or in the bold text.

*The bold text tells what I am looking for in the category for a positive score.

*The red or blue text that follows is what I thought of how the store does in the category, red meaning needing improvement, blue meaning no improvement needed.

Without further ado let's get this review going.

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TobisiasLilThing

What we have up today is the wonderful little shop, with 62 items, TobisiasLilThing.
Opened on May 8, 2014 and is at 34 sales, the total sales thus far are great for such a new shop. (NOTE: I only review new shops if they have a minimum of 20 items).

Banner: Is there a professional looking banner that depicts what the shop is about, or sells?

Yes. 10/10 points

When it comes to the photos it is important that they are very clean and use white light. Which is the best type of lighting to show the items true color. Make sure there are a variety, and shows off all the important parts of the item. The photos are the most important part of your shop.

While browsing the shops photos, I found that the listings were crisp, but not as bright as the should be. 

Most of the listings, have their slots all filled, and a few have bright images. With that said, many images are dark, and don't stand out. They also cut the shop, making it seem inconsistent. Consistency is key to a great shop. 30/50 points. Find instructions how to make your very own Light Box, on Google or Pinterest. It's cheap to make, and will make a huge difference in your images.

Tags: When listing your items it is very important to put what you would in the search bar. Views = Sales.

While looking at the tags, I was happy to see that all spots were used, which is vital when it comes to searches. Making sure to use what you would when searching for your own items. All the tag used were that a potential buyer may type in.
(Example: Title: Modern Jewellery + The tag: Jewellery Set = A more viewed, favorited item.) 10/10 points Also, many people don't know, but pluralization does NOT matter when adding tags. Which means you can add even more tags. So be creative!

Descriptions should tell you even more information about the item you're looking at. If you are looking at a purse, it should have the size, or size options listed. You also should also verify what the potential buyer is looking at. Mentioning your packaging and where to find your policies is always an added bonus.

I do think you've got your descriptions down, linking to other listings, talking about your packaging (though you don't need to tell them you're shipping in a padded envelope), and even using different forms of measurement for the people all over the world.
20/20 points Personal opinion: I do not like the way you phrase your thank you for viewing. "Thank you for viewing my Offer!" Try using "Thank you for viewing my item/listing/(insert items name here)"

Featured items: What are featured items, and what items should I feature? You should feature any 4 items that are your personal favorites, and you should pick your favorite from different sections of your shop. Having a variety of different items that all grab your eye will help your shoppers know what they may find while browsing.

You MUST use all 4 featured spots, never letting a slot go unfilled for a long period of time. This makes your shop look unkempt, or inactive.

There is no featured listings. 0/5 points

Shop Sections: I want a necklace, a bracelet, and a bookmark to give as a gift. Can I find that easily?

With the shop sections I can. Use all 10 sections on your shop, and make sure you use one for sales, clearance, or destashing items. Even if it's not used very often, this will help for the bargain hunters that pop into your shop from time to time.

Using most of the sections, and even having a "Sale" section. My only suggestions is putting the "Sale" section at the very bottom, and putting the sections with the most items at the top.  20/20 points

Pricing is something that is tough for many people, I wouldn't bat an eye dropping $200 on a watch at a retail setting. With the knowledge that others have successfully purchased prior and been satisfied with the quality that was advertised, I wouldn't bat an eye elsewhere.

Tobisia has prices varying from $5.25 - $27.46. Art works take time, and patience. The skill and love that goes into each art work makes it priceless to the artist, with this said when it comes to art pieces the monetary value is strictly up to them. 10/10 points. Note: The weird pricing scale is for the simple fact that the prices are using UK currency, and when changed over to USD the prices become more specific.

About the seller: As long as this newly added feature is filled out, with no spelling mistakes I'm happy with it. This is another MUST DO, you want your buyers to know whom they are supporting with each purchase.

This is true for Tobisia. 20/20 points Super simple fix, please take the time to add one.

When it comes to reviews they speak for themselves:

The reviews are abundant, and many of them rave about the product, and shipping. 5/5 points
How to help get your customers to leave reviews? 

Make sure to send a handwritten thank you note with each purchase, and leave a reminder somewhere on the card, about leaving feedback. Most buyers will return to let you know how you did.

So, with all of that said, I give Tobisia's Lil Thing, a 125/150 ☆☆☆☆☆

1- 30 ☆ Not worth my time

31-60 ☆☆ Not worth my money

61-90 ☆☆☆ Would heart

91-120 ☆☆☆☆ Would buy from

121-150 ☆☆☆☆☆ Would buy from loyally

About the seller: I asked Monika, the face behind Tobisia's Lil Thing, 6 questions here is what she had to say:

1.) Tell us a bit about yourself.

I'm living in county of Northumberland, UK since 10 years - I'm originally from Poland:) I have 2 years old son who is artistic soul(loves music, dance and drawing with pencils:)

Seed Bead Earrings

2.) What first made you want to become an artist?

Hmmm, hard to call me an artist:) My first card I made for my Dad namesday (I didn't like it tho), and he loved it:), first jewelry piece was for my Mum - bracelet and necklace with tiger-eye beads:)


3.) Please describe you creative process how, when, materials, ect.

My creative process is rather hectic, if I can say that, depend how much time I have (with 2 years old running wild I don't have lots of time, I'm stealing minutes from my partner - read: when our son playing with him) - and disappearing in bedroom and trying make as much as possible before little one decided he wants his Mummy). is time when making bracelets and earrings matching beads and chips I have in my box, when little one is sleeping I'm making bigger things like necklaces or sets, cards I'm making when visiting my friend- she's brilliant card-maker and I learned a lot from her.

Butterfly Birthday Card

4.) WEBSITES.

Don't have websites:) Only boards on Pinterest, my business page on FB is not used since months and private one is not public - posting there photos of my jewelry and cards from time to time to show my friends my new creations:)


5.) What advice would you give to artists who are new to Etsy?

My advice for newbies on Etsy (I'm still newbie myself:)) - lots of patience, bit of luck and creativity.

Art Deco Necklace

6.) How do you promote your work? 

I'm talking with friends, craft fairs are good too, posting photos on Pinterest, I'm active on Etsy forums which helping with being seen:) My friends talking about my shop, sharing photos of my little pieces, so I hope that will give results one day:)

What do you think of this shop? Was my review fair and accurate? Tell me below in the comments.

*All participating parties have consented to the review above, along with opinions, and permission has been granted to use likenesses, photos, and links from the shops owner and operator.
*Opinions stated by shops reviewed do not reflect or represent the opinions of AshleysHomeSpun.