gift certificate

I had someone request a gift certificate from me recently.  I had never put one together before, but it was easy enough to do.  At some point I would like to develop a logo to put on items like this, but for now I'm using my little stamps.  I'm also using the turquoise/red theme on a lot of my new business items, such as my free shipping cards.

While I was putting everything together, I figured I might as well put together several so I have some on hand now.  I'm not planning to list it in my Etsy shop, but I added it to my info as an option that people can request.  It could be a request option at craft shows, too.

I always like to consult some other resources before I put together something like this.  Carol Dean and Sharla both have gift certificates in their shops so I checked out theirs before I finalized my own design.  This was definitely helpful.  Thanks ladies!  The one thing that is frustrating on Etsy is that you can only give out coupon codes for a % discount or free shipping.  There is no option for giving a dollar amount off of a purchase.  Maybe there will be someday.

Here are a few things to consider when making up a shop gift certificate:

• Amount: If you are creating gift certificate listings online, they will have to be for specific amounts.  What amounts make sense for your customers and the price range of your shop?
• Refund/Payment Transaction: How will you honor the gift certificate amount?  Is there a coupon code or will people have to complete it some other way?
• Shipping: Can the certificate amount be applied to shipping cost or is it only good for items?
• Single vs. Multiple Purchases: Does the entire gift certificate have to be used at one time or can the recipient split the amount over multiple purchases?  Again, this may be dependent on what makes sense your customers and shop price range.
• Expiration Date: Does the gift certificate expire on a certain date or is it good forever?

Do you offer gift certificates for your business?  Why or why not?  Share your experiences and any other aspects of gift certificates that you've considered before offering them.

gift certificate, back in stock, more pictures

I picked up my beads from the Flame class today.  As I'd hoped, there were a couple that I really like and a small handful that will make neat irregular focal pieces.  I'll take pictures of them tomorrow.

I won a $25 gift certificate for artisanclay a couple weeks ago.  You probably already know that I'm a big fan of Kristie's work.  I won one of her ceramic clay donuts a while back, and I also have a set of her ceramic buttons (that I haven't used yet...a tragedy, I know).  I waited until Jake and I got back from the Dells to spend my gift certificate.  My goodies arrived today!  I got the Small Blue recycled glass pendant or charm and the Stoneware clay bead set in Vivid Blue.  I will most likely keep the pendant for myself and wear it on a simple ribbon or chain.  I have a couple ideas for the clay bead set.  More details on that as it comes together.  Thanks Kristie!

I updated the listing for my raspberry and gold right angle bracelet today.  It's officially back in stock!

For those who love my peyote triangle earrings, my purple pearl peyote triangle earrings are also back in stock.

It's interesting going back and taking pictures of older pieces.  Some pieces are really hard to photograph well either, typically because of their shape (my normal "poses" don't work very well) or color.  In those cases, my new photos don't always look that different from the old ones.  But some photos significantly improve.  I'm really happy with the new photos for my blue, turquoise, and white fringed peyote cuff.