Meet Maria

Maria from MsBittyKnacks is hosting our sneak attack today at 11am. A hostess who loves Saturday morning sneak attacks, Maria always finds unique new etsy shops to surprise.

And she makes the cutest creations - Maria says:

I've always looked for ways to animate any mode of creativity, as far back as I can remember. I was always making a little something either for a loved one or as a decoration. This behavior was always reinforced, encouraged and shared by my mother. 

I love her creativity and her use of mixed media in her designs. My favorite? I love Maria's tote bags - I love to collect tote bags and try to figure out who should be the owner. My latest one from Maria's shop, has my name all over it!

Whether you like tote bags too, or whimsical and adorable figures - you will enjoy browsing thru Maria's shop.

And come join us in our sneak attack thread - try to figure out who the 'victims' will be today.

Meet Virginia

Virginia from MadeByHand is hosting our sneak attack today at 2pm.

A frequent hostess, Virginia finds the most delightful new shops to surprise.

When she first started hosting our sneak attacks back in 2012 - I asked her why she joined the team.

My shop was Sneak Attacked last October (2011) and I'll never forget the feeling -- it was a mix of gratitude and disbelief! I decided to pay it forward and immediately joined the team! It's the best team on Etsy!

Although Virginia's shop is on vacation right now, I always love to look at the crocheted things she has made in the past. Aren't these just too adorable?

Come join us in our sneak attack thread - see what intriguing clues Virginia has provided.

Meet Sandi

Sandi from HandmadeBySandi is hosting our sneak attack today at 3pm Etsy time.

A frequent hostess, Sandi loves to surprise lots of new shops!

Sandi is revamping her handmade shop to include supplies that she has available as well as making new crocheted creations. For example - she recently had a customer ask about creating one of her cute cupcake pin cushions with particular colors in mind. And here is the result!

Watch for other new creations in Sandi's shop! And come join us in our sneak attack thread - can you guess who the 'victims' will be?

Meet Mark

Mark from xEsFunThings is hosting our sneak attack today at 3pm Etsy time. A frequent sponsor and an international member, Mark loves to find new Etsy shops to introduce to the community!

Mark loves to make things out of beads, and has expanded into making little cards as well - thank you cards to be exact and we all love using them for our customers! Aren't these cute?

As you browse through Mark's store, be sure to remember those friends and family you like to buy things for. You will find something for everyone there.

And come join us in the sneak attack thread - can you figure out who the 'victims' will be?

Meet Theresa

Theresa from KraftyGrannysHome is hosting our sneak attack today at 2pm. A frequent sponsor, we love how Theresa keeps us guessing about her 'victims' with her intriguing clues!

Did you know that Theresa's shop was sneak attacked in November of 2011?

When I got Sneaked it just thrilled me so much, after joining the Handmade Movement group it was great sneaking and trying to figure out what shops it might be (like a game) and I love games. These are just the best group of people I feel like I've known them my entire life.

I LOVE to browse Theresa's shop. She always has something new to see. Don't know how I missed this darling hat! Want one?

Come join us in our sneak attack thread - lots of fun and surprises!

Meet Summer

Summer from SKWOriginalsbySummer is hosting our sneak attack today at 7pm. A frequent hostess, and member who loves to help others, she really enjoys sneaking up on unsuspecting new Etsy shops!!

Summer works full time and still has time to make the cutest earrings (my favorite), beautiful wreaths for anytime and any season, as well as gift tags and more. And Summer has a wonderful helper - her son.

Be sure to check out Summer's shop - lots to see and to buy.

Come join us in our sneak attack thread today - can you guess who the 'victims' will be?

Blast from the Sneak Attack Past June 2015

Hello friends, we are back to revisit a few Sneak Attack victims from the past! Each month we will give a quick update about a couple shops, this time I have one shop to revisit.

I recently had the pleasure of chatting with KaKyung Cho from BarSoapBrooklynLLC. BarSoapBrooklynnLLC opened on September 5, 2011 and was Sneak Attack by the Handmade Movement on January 5, 2012.

When I asked KaKyung Cho how the Sneak Attacked affected her shop, here's what she shared;

First of all, thank you for you and your team's great work!

Thank you for reaching out and I would be glad to answer your questions:

How did the sneak attack affect your shop?

We all know how hard even get noticed when you start out Etsy shop. You look forward that 1 view of product or shop, then 10, then the first sales. Likely you don't have great product picture, you don't have SEO lined up right, you don't have keywords set up right-all that frustration, and moreover, you might not even know necessity of those. Sneak attack was a break-through moment for my shop and got me courage and strength to go on this journey as maker. 

What was your reaction to the sneak attack?

I was not sure what was going on! I could not believe the sales boost and community support! I still see traffic from sneak attack after three years. It is just amazing.

Are you selling on other venues?

Yes, wholesale is my main business and I do sell to retailers around country. 

Comments you would like us to pass on to the team?

My moto for the business is, that everything has a small beginning. Etsy provides ground for your business to start and possibly sustain your life as a maker. Nothing can rise to the sky in a second. You only can grow when you put your mind to nurture it. Improve, improve, improve everyday and look around what's going on. Do not copy other's idea-there is clear line in between doing market research versus copying other's ideas. Oh, most important thing-DO NOT QUIT your day job unless you have your business plan set up and you already make enough from Etsy (or from other sources) to sustain your life!

Wow, it's wonderful to hear from you and see how your shop is doing today. Thanks so much for taking the time to answer our questions. Wish you the best with your shop!