Etsy Schmetsy
I’ve been working on sprucing up my Etsy shop a wee bit. Over the last few weeks, I’ve made changes to my shop description, my profile, and my avatar. Today, I’m working on the banner.
A version of my regular Polka Dot Creations website banner is what I am using at the moment:
But since I’ve decided that my Etsy shop is to have a different focus than my main store, I think it needs a more specific banner to reflect that focus. Thing is, I’ve made up a couple of mock-ups, and I am not sure which one is the best. So…. how about I poll the audience?
Here are the four choices:
#1:
#2:
#3:
#4:
What do you like? Do any of these say “come buy buttons for your next apron project here!” ? Do any say “keep out – this shop sux!” ?
Leave a comment telling me which is/are your favorite(s), and on Friday I will pick a comment at random to win a little goodie. I don’t know what it will be yet, but whatever it is, it will be handmade 
Just a small token to thank you for visiting my blog and for participating.
Oh, lookie. Bedtime! I’ve got some boys to go tuck in…
[edited 01/24/08: I've made up my mind what I'm going to do, and I've actually already uploaded the new banner to etsy. Thanks for your input! If you haven't weighed in, and you want to, you may still comment, since I promised to name a winner on Friday and it's only Thursday.]
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I was torn between number 1 and 3 but I decided on number 3. Numbers 2 and 4 seem to draw my eye more to the fabric than the buttons while 1 and 3 don’t. I like the color scheme of 3 and I really focused on number 3, given a choice between them.
Interesting. I hadn’t really thought about it that way. On the one hand, I want people to see fabric they recognize and say “oh! I love that fabric, let’s see what buttons she has to match!” But, on the other hand, how likely is that? The buttons (and such) really need to speak for themselves. And to do that they need to be seen. Thanks for weighing in!
I like #3.
Me, too. It’s in my top two. Did you see I made the buttons for the mittens you made me? I think they look great together, and your mittens got several complements at the clayathon.
I really like #3. it calls to me. When I did my first scan of the banners my eyes were drawn to both #3 and #4. I looked a bit longer at each of them but my silly eyes kept popping back to #3 so poor #4 only got a second glance. I like how the focus is on what you are selling in your etsy shop.
See what Kathi has been blogging about: Busy, Busy, Busy
I like #4, but I think it may be too close color-wise to my blog banner. I want it to be distinct from the other banners in my little empire. So, yeah, of the two #3 appeals to me more, too.
Hey Lisa,
I for one really like #2… but, that’s just little ole’ me…. They all look great and none say “Stay away!!”
I like #2, too, and if it wasn’t for the fact that I’d like there to be more than just one fabric design represented in the backgrounds of the four images, I would have just used #2 and not even bothered asking opinions, LOL!
#3 draws my eye in and shows off the buttons the most. In the others, it’s hard to tell that the buttons are buttons. The colors are just right in #3, but I can’t explain why…
That’s good to know – I want the eye drawn in. Thanks!
I think #3 is the most pleasing aesthetically. The first button catches the eye, because the button design and the card that it is on go together so well, and it is the brightest one. Then the eye moves to the others in a smooth flow. The four buttons and cards go together beautifully and go well with the background pattern.
See what Artsy Clay has been blogging about: Quoted in The Storque!
Thank you for your opinion, and eloquent explanation. And congrats o the Storque fame
They all look so great how is this for a different thought . . . I know that you can create some code that will pull a different picture in every time someone visits the site.
Seeing as the layouts are all basically identical which creates strong continuity, why not have your etsy shop banner “showcase” different creations all the time? You could even create themes of pictures for different seasons of the year.
Anyhow, like I said, they are all so lovely and different that it would be nice NOT to have to choose which one to show all year long.
My 2 cents worth. Love the look whatever you choose.
I’d love to be able to do that! I know it’s possible on sites where you have some control over the HTML, but is it actually possible on Etsy? They’re awfully limited in the amount of customization you can do. I searched their site to see if there was any mention of a rotating banner, but I didn’t find any. Do you know of some way to do it?
It’s hard for me to really make out that those are buttons featured on the squares because of the designs that are going on behind them … I think the second one works best for me because I can make out the earrings clearly.
I’m glad to hear from somebody who’s not a polymer clay artist. What I mean by that is that you are not conditioned to automatically spot clay items in a pile of things, whereas many of the rest of us are. We might easily make out the buttons, where non clay people would have a harder time. Since my target audience is not necessarily someone with a polymer background, that’s a valuable perspective. Thanks!
I’m lovin’ #3 !!!! they are all great though
Cool. Thanks!
The first button on #3 instantly caught my eye. And since buttons are a focus of your shop, that’s GOOD. But I like the colors of #4 better, I think.
It’s a cool banner design. But some of the clay items get lost in the fabric patterns. You make awesome buttons…they should pop right off the banner!
See what Christie has been blogging about: Good doctor
Thanks for your input! Short of re-photographing everything, I’m not sure how to fix that problem. Maybe I *should* just re-shoot. It may be worth it, if we’re talking about something that is going to represent my shop to the world. I wouldn’t want to give off the impression that I don’t care about presentation. Or that I’m too lazy to take a decent picture. Which I may be. But who needs to know that?
The backgrounds of the buttons are really too busy to see your adorable buttons. Are you working in photoshop or something? you could “select” the background on each button square and change the background to solid color, that would make your buttons pop more. Just a thought.
Good luck!!
tejae
See what tejae has been blogging about: Tejae’s Heart Flower
Thanks for the feedback – I actually don’t want a solid background. I’m trying to attract people who want buttons to match their particular fabrics, so I want the fabric backgrounds to be recognizable. Still, I think your point is valid, and I’m going to see if I can re-take a few of the pictures so that the fabric is still evident, but not overpowering.
I like the colors on #3 best, though the fabric patterns on #4 make it a close 2nd. I can definitely see Christie’s point though: I did notice the fabric patterns before I noticed the buttons.
Good luck with the Etsy sales!
Yeah, I’m starting to get that vibe from everyone, LOL! Thanks for your feedback!
Well, as I had decided it was between 1 and 3, because the colors had higher contrast, I looked at all again. 3 won hands down. (I really do like #2 but the buttons are more obscured that some of the others. And 2 does have that awesome retro button.)
The concept is great in all. I just miss the jewelry part from your older one, and when I see “accessories” I seem to picture sewing (notions?) or something and not jewelry. Is it me because I don’t sew?
Love your work; good luck!
Hmm, I hadn’t thought of that. I’m not married to that slogan, anyway. I’m having a hard time coming up with something that says what I want, but given your comment, I’m going to drop the word “accessories” and replace it with “jewelry” in whatever phrase I do come up with. Thanks!
I like number 2, green is my favourite!
That green is particularly yummy
I like #3 the best – first I was going for #2 as I love those colors, but then I noticed that the buttons/earrings were dissapearing into the background… Good luck!
Good point – thanks!
I like #3, because the color scheme and the buttons are matching perfectly with the fabric. It showes that the buttons are going with a wide range of fabric-patterns.
Actually, they are *all* supposed to show that, but it’s good to know that #3 is more successful in that particular goal. I am too close to it to see. I am getting such great feedback here from everyone. Thanks for your contribution!
#3 is the best.. the items pop out and aren’t lost in the backgrounds.
Excellent. Thanks!
I think, with Spring right around the corner that number 2 would be perfect. I’m so in love with the colours, but they are ALL amazing!
Yeah, I love those colors, too. And Spring right around the corner? You’re such an optimist, LOL!
I’m commenting before I read the other comments so I don’t get swayed by others. I don’t like the red (#1) as the red makes me think only of Christmas. I think as far as showing off your stuff – I like the pink best because you have different backgrounds for each of the items. However, I like the green coloring best because it shows that you don’t have to be a pink loving lady to buy from you. Just my thoughts.
Neil said the same thing about the red. I don’t see it, but now that there are two of you saying that, I guess I need to apologize to Neil for calling him crazy, LOL! Thanks for your feedback!
Number 3 clearly show the your items as buttons, including the button holes. The other banners don’t display your products as well. As far as a color scheme, I think 2 and 4 are nice. I like the colors in 4 since they are not the usual scheme. Overall, the banners are a bit busy to showcase your work, but then you will have individual picture displaying the items.
To sum up, I like the colors of 4, but change the pictues to clearly display the buttons.
Thanks for your feedback! I like the colors in #4, too, although I’ve decided they’re too similar to the colors in my blog banner. I want all of my banners to be consistent in design, but distinct in color.
I like #4 a lot!
That was the first fabric-based color scheme I ever made, so I’m partial to it, as well. Thanks!
I like 1 and 3 – I feel like they do a better job of highlighting the variety in your creations. But I love the colors in 2! Does that help?
Sure does. Thanks!
I see that I’m the minority, but i really liked #4!! It’s not as vivid as the red ones, but the coor combination is beautiful.
I like those colors, too, although I do think they are a bit too similar to my blog banner colors. Thanks!
Absolutely number 4. The colors are more modern and fresh. In fact, I would brighten it up…more saturation.
I like #3 second but really think it needs to be brighter. Your buttons are so colorful and fun. They should show that way in your header as well.
To highlight your buttons even more, did you try photographing a collection right on a background and then overlaying the type on top of that for the banner? Then you can have bigger pieces showing without the boxes detracting. Maybe just have bits of the fabric coming into the picture to show how everything coordinates.
Sorry, I’m a web art director so I gotta have my opinion!!!
BTW, I’m really good in PhotoShop so let me know if you need any help.
Your opinion is very helpful – thank you! I am limited at this point, though, by the fact that I want all of my banners (book store, gift shop, blog & etsy) to be consistent with each other. Since the others have four images in boxes with a fading cane pattern in the background, that’s how I made the etsy one. Thanks for your tips – I will keep them in mind next time I plan an all-over redesign (which, knowing me, could be soon, LOL!)
I decided before I read the comments, so I wouldn’t be swayed by others,and am surprised at how much I’m in the minority. I liked #1 and #4, leaning towards #1. It didn’t feel Christmassy to me at all, and I liked the colors and fabrics a lot; I also felt like your own stuff (esp. the necklace) stood out well against the backgrounds.
Yeah, I do like that necklace on the red background. It helps that the fabric patterns on that one and #4 are relatively simple compared to the others.
I immediately eliminated 1 and 4 because I prefer the other color combinations. #2 has a Southwest color-combo feel to me (which I love but it’s not your focus), so I think #3 is the best choice.
Thanks! I appreciate your feedback.
I like number 3. I think it’s because the 4 tiles that you’ve chosen have a little more pizazz and just seem to “pop” more. Just my 2 cents…
I think 3 works the best…
I like them all, but the same thing ‘bugs’ me in all of them, and that’s the lack of contrast between the button and the card/paper they are set against. I think it would be more striking if the buttons were showcased better, with a less busy background card/images. I think the images of the buttons need to be larger, too.
Just my 2 shekels..YMMV.
Barb
Well, since you’re asking…
I didn’t know what those things were. It wasn’t until I read that your intent was to catch the eye of someone wanting unique buttons, that I could tell there were buttons on the header. I would make the background less busy and make the buttons larger, getting rid of the fabric swatches behind each button. Right now my eye sees those fabric squares before I see any buttons. If you’re working in Photoshop you could do a simple background and give the buttons a drop shadow, to really draw the eye to them.
They are beautiful buttons and the other stuff is competing too much with them.
I like #2 the best – definitely
All your banners look great! I like #2 and #3.