Sell It With Cartfly

Featured Cartfly Merchant: KaysKrafts

Kay Renfro, owner and operator of KaysKrafts, is a full-time retail store manager, a parent, a grand-parent and a wife to a husband that supports anything she gets involved in. Kay has always been "crafty" making things like quilts and baby items, but her true love is fabrics and buttons. That is exactly why she statrted a memory board business. She puts a lot of time and love into each board she make and still gets excited about each board she designs, even if she has built it many times.

What prompted you to get your official website(s) or blogs started? As I started making boards for family friends, they began telling their coworkers, who told their family and friends and I had to have a way for people to find me.  I decided I should set up shop on line and have a better way for all these people to see my boards.

Who are you going after in terms of customers? My customers are all ages, male and female. Memory boards can be enjoyed from the nursery to the nursing home, and there are endless combination of possible customizations. My memory boards fit to any and all walks of life...all you need is a wall and nail ; )

What advice can you give people who want to start an online business? Go for it!! Just don't expect immediate results. To be successful online, takes lots of time and promoting.  Make something unique and offer something that others in your market do not. Unlike many of my competitors, I offer customization options, choice of sizes and the most durable memory board around.

How many different products do you sell? My main offering is my memory boards, but I have recently added a couple of jewelry display boards to mix things up.
 
What are some of your best sellers? My best sellers are my Amy Butler fabric boards. Check them out!
 
What can you tell me that people might want to know about you/your company? KaysKrafts memory boards are the toughest, most durable memory boards being made.  Many of my competitors use cardboard, foam board, styrofoam and other flimsy materials. I use Uvjr wood frame and canvas systems to increase the durability to last for years to come. My customers have had boards for 10 years or more now and they are still in great shape.
 
Why should people do business with your company? I offer exactly what people are looking for in a memory board, customization and durability. What my customers ask for they get.
 
How did you find out about Cartfly? My daughter-in-law, Lacy Renfro owner of CupKake Artillery, showed me her Cartfly store on her blog and I was immediately sold. She showed me that potential customers see an item on my blog or social networks, and can buy it immediately. That is what I needed and exactly what Cartfly delivers.
 
How has Cartfly helped you? By being able to add my Cartfly store to my blog, customers can see what I offer the minute they find my site. They see my memory boards options, the prices, and can easily shop easily, all while reading my blog.
 
Kay's Network: Kay has done a great job getting her boards out there for all to see. Check out her blog, follow her on Twitter, and check out her wares on Flickr and Etsy. Good luck Kay and great job making an easy and beautiful way for people to display thier treasures!

Featured Cartfly Merchant: HappiNest

HappiNest is an online home furnishings and accessories store offering fine furnishings for your nest and was the brain child of Charisse Marie Colbert. The initial concept of the store was to be a place with six different lifestyle vignettes all if which can be seen on the banner of her Cartfly store.

Charisse is a passionate interior designer that is delirious about all aspects of design. Her official business name is CMC Design Studio and clients flock to her as she considers herself a problem solver; she finds solutions you cannot solve or do not want to solve yourself. It is up to Charisse to create the kind of interior that best meets her clients needs and enhances their environment. Her mission is to serve her clients by enhancing their surroundings with beauty.

What prompted you to get your official website and blog started?
Two years ago I was going to open HappiNest, a lifestyle home furnishings and accessories store at a retail center in North Scottsdale. I did a lot of research, hired retail consultants, had a business plan, drafted the space plan and knew where everything was going to be placed in the store according to vignettes, and I even knew how much I had to sell per hour to pay the bills. When I finally got the lease from the leasing company, I just could not sign it. One of the things in the lease specifically said they could move me anywhere in the center. The only place I wanted to be was in between the busy women’s hair salon and the busy women’s clothing boutique. They would not take that verbiage out of the lease. In 2008 six stores closed in the center I was going to lease in, however, the two women’s shops were still there. I am relieved I did not open the store but I still had the dream and the desire to start a site online. I am still receptive to having a physical store someday but think the online store will always be a viable and smart way to present and offer products.

Who are you going after in terms of customers?
I don’t have a particular customer in mind and think it would be anyone looking for something unique and affordable. Some of the items are recycled from interior design projects. Right now I have some lovely fabrics on there that are about 75% off of retail. I typically always have extra fabrics since beautiful fabrics are a personal addiction of mine!

What advice can you give people who want to start an online business?
If you are passionate about something and there is a continual yearning within you to see your dream come true, then it is what you are suppose to do. Listen to your heart; it will always guide you to your highest self. The online Happinest store on Cartfly was a very easy business to set up in comparison to opening a physical store.

How many different products do you sell?
I probably have 20 different types of items on my site right now and will continue to add inventory. My sister makes and sells jewelry on a popular and successful site for crafters. I would like to put some of her pieces on my site.

Why should people do business with your company?
I am an inherently conscientious person and will always strive to exceed other’s expectations of me.

How did you find out about Cartfly?
I read about a business in Arizona Women Magazine a few months ago called Bunky Boutique. I typically will visit businesses that I am interested in especially if they sell darling clothing and furnishings. After visiting the physical store, I went on the store’s website and saw the Cartfly store there. I called the owner, Rachel, and inquired about it. She was quite helpful and encouraged me to open a store for my business. I have to say, it was so easy. I am grateful I found out about it. 

How has Cartfly helped you?
Opening HappiNest online enabled me to finally see my dream come true and has given me a tremendous sense of accomplishment.

Charisse's Network: Charisse started blogging six months ago and needless to say is enjoying it. She has her On the Porch blog where she talks about anything including inspirations, design, color, pets, and personal stories. Her CMC Design Studio blog is strictly interior design business information where she writes about colors, design styles, fabrics, furnishings and entertaining. Charisse is also on Vox, LinkedIn, and you can also follow her on Twitter. The HappiNest Cartfly store is accessible on all of her blogs, her website and on Facebook.

Home
You may live in a box, a tee-pee, a cabin, a shanty or a shelter.
You may live in an abbey, a convent, a monastery or a cloister.
You may live in order, utter chaos, austerity or lavish luxury.
You may live in vogue, outdated surroundings, fashion or stylishly.
You may live on the beach, on a cliff, on a stream or the 18th tee.
You may live in the desert, the mountains, the city or the rural country.
You may live with your family, your servants, your butler or your cook.
You may live in seclusion, isolation, or with your head in a book.
You may live with canaries, snakes, turtles, horses, cats or dogs.
You may live where the sun shines, in the rain, or a blanket of fog.
You may live in an apartment, a mansion or a geodesic dome.
You may live in Chicago, Santa Fe, Manhattan, or Rome.
Wherever it is, anywhere that you go, you make it your own.
Throughout your travels, there always will be no place like home.
By Charisse Marie Colbert

Featured Cartfly Merchant: Red Hot Kitten

Biography: Michelle Tichota started creating jewelry and hair flowers a couple summers ago but it was strictly for her and her closest friends. She would give a flower as a gift or maybe even a necklace. After a while, she was convinced she needed to set up a store online but only had a few items to share with the world.  Jennifer Attaway, a good friend of Michelle's, is in the popular New Orleans rockabilly, surf band The Unnaturals. She took a sneak peek at Michelle's wares, loved what she saw and asked for a few custom pieces for shows & photo shoots. In return, Jennifer would make sure that she promoted Michelle and also gave her the opportunity to set up tables at all of their shows across the city. Thanks to Jennifer, Michelle has a great following in the New Orleans area and Jennifer was forced to started making more pieces. Today she now operates Red Hot Kitten's Rockin' Boutique and has three different online stores on Cartfly, Ebay, & Etsy—all offering different merchandise.

 
What prompted you to get your official site started? I really wanted to make beautiful yet affordable offerings for others who are also into the rockabilly lifestyle. I strive to make people happy. I love getting a thank you email or picture from a customer showing off my goods. I’ve always wanted my own business in which I could show my creativity and passion and now I finally do.
 
Who is your target customer? My jewelry and hair flowers have a definite niche with the rockabilly/psychobilly, retro horror, and pinup influences but I think that anyone can appreciate and enjoy it. It’s really fun!
 
What advice can you give people who want to start an online business? Never give up, persistence pays off…learn to be patient…remember that you are only human…be smart when it comes to stocking inventory...oh, and a biggie—don’t take feedback personally because you can’t please everyone!
 
How many different products do you sell? Throughout my 3 stores…I carry about 130 different types of items.
 
What are some of  your best sellers? I’d say some of my best sellers are my beaded knuckle duster necklaces and my red hair flowers with skulls. I make the knuckle duster necklaces with all different kinds of glass beads or faux pearls…so cute. The skull hair flowers feature a realistic mini skull in the center.
 
What can you tell me that people might want to know about you? That I’m extremely passionate about what I do…a lot of love goes into each piece that I make.  I’m a perfectionist. I can’t send something to a customer that is not my best work.

Why should people do business with Red Hot Kitten? I never take shortcuts! There are no shortcuts to excellence.
 
How did you find out about Cartfly? I randomly found Cartfly on another Myspace profile. I thought it was a really cool idea and was ready to give it a-go. I’ve only had my store for about a week but I am super excited about it.

Thanks for your help Michelle and good luck stylin' all the Bettie's out there!! If you would like to check out Michelle's network, feel free to visit her official MySpace page and follow her on Twitter.
 

Featured Cartfly Merchant: Rolfe Art

Biography: Rolfe Bautista launched Rolfe Art in March of 2009. He has been an artist for many years and finally decided to take it to the web. He creates all his artwork at his studio in a little place called The Gallery Underground in Fort Collins Colorado. He is currently in the process of transitioning from working a full time job to becoming a full time artist. Bautista is always focused on his artwork and making sure that it is very accessible to the public.

What prompted you to get your official blogs started? I started my blog, Rolfe Art, in order to reach more people across the world. I live in a relatively small town so I do not get much exposure around here. It would be a shame to be confined to such a small space so naturally going electronic was the way for me.

Who is your target customer? I am going for absolutely anyone who is interested in my art. It seems that the people who like my art the best are the ones not constrained by the classical notions of what art is and should be. I attract a younger more urban crowd but I find that there is also some people who are a bit older who are fascinated by my work.

What advice can you give people who want to start an online business? Be extremely patient and determined. You will get beaten down to the lowest of the low before you can see any success. Just keep doing what you do and really that is what it takes.

How many different products do you sell? I sell many different things in order to make the artwork as accessible to the customer. I sell really cheap prints and drawings of my original work. I do this so that anyone can afford artwork.

What are some of  your best sellers? Well I haven't experienced much activity online yet but in my studio I find that the prints are extremely popular. It is a great way to have a piece of the artwork on a limited budget. The original drawings are also very popular and are priced low.

What can you tell me that people might want to know about you? I am a classically trained artist that is breaking free and exploring fun new ideas. I make art that people can enjoy simply for its aesthetic values but it is also infused with symbolism and metaphors. If one cares to look past the surface they will be pleased to find a whole other world waiting for them.

Why should people do business with Rolfe Art? People should do business with me because I make art that is unlike any out there. I am always trying new techniques and styles out so there will always be a surprise when you step into my store.

How did you find out about Cartfly? A world re-known artist by the name of Bryan Collins referred me to this site. See Bryan's Cartfly store and "Featured Merchant" blog post here.

How has Cartfly helped you? Cartfly has helped me greatly by allowing my business to take off  from the ground up. Since I am doing all the artwork and also the business side, I do not have the time to set up everything. Cartfly has made it easy and convenient for me to sell my art and to reach many people.

Thanks for taking the time Rolfe and good luck out there on the web!! If you would like to checkout more of Rolfe's work, feel free to visit his official MySpace page and follow him on Twitter.

New Twitter Friends

There are so many new shops popping up and people following us on Twitter, so why not show them some love?? If you are on Twitter, feel free to follow @Cartfly and some of our new friends...

@OrganiDog
Purveyor of organic dog treats and hip handmade collars for dogs, plus eco friendly gifts from re-purposed fabric. Check out their Cartfly store here.

@NoisyPlanet
An online music community helping artists in every corner of the world to connect with fans and colleagues. Check out their Cartfly store here.

@yardese
A caribbean based clothing company providing alternative apparel and design to the international community and the caribbean isles. Check out their Cartfly store here.

@inklinedfashion
Proud to offer super savings on authentic brand names on hard to find Tattoo clothing. Check out their Cartfly store here.

@elrolfo
Rolfe Bautista is an artist at the Gallery Underground. He is a painter, photographer and graphic designer. Check out his Cartfly store here.

Cartfly Featured Merchant: Via Massena

When your family is from Italy and loves jewelry, what else can you do, but bring the treasures to the states and start your own business. That is exactly what Via Massena owner Sacha did. She was always looking for that special something to stake her claim in the online jewelry business, but was unsuccessful until she enlisted a family friend to help her out and now she has made her dream a reality.

Each floating or firm necklace is handmade by an Italian artistan and is completely unique. The pieces are elegant, sophisticated and chic, just like the woman who wear them. The necklaces are classic pieces that can complement any wardrobe, from jeans and a tee-shirt, to business and even black tie and fit closely to the neck and gives the illusion of beads/stones floating.

You will see from her official website that Sacha uses her Cartfly store as her official shopping cart and has had great success bringing her gorgeous creations overseas.

Cartfly Featured Merchant: Hotrod Dolls

Lesley Slenning, from Las Vegas, is a photographer who gets her inspiration from a different time and place. "I love custom motorcycles, classic cars, heavily tattooed people, rock n roll, and eras that are long gone but not forgotten." She is inspired by pinup, glamour, and high fashion photography, and enjoys mixing it up with the world she lives in. Wanna know more...

What prompted you to get your site get started?
When I started to get more serious about my photography I decided to start a website to feature my work. At the time I just thought it would be something fun to do. I had no idea what I was doing and my first website was horrible. As time went on I started to learn more about how to build a website and created HotRodDolls.com. I also discovered MySpace which has been a wonderful way to promote my work as well.

Who are you going after in terms of customers?
I am a freelance photographer that is available for private session/commissioned work, commercial, portraits, editorial, promotional shoots for bands, and model portfolios.

Do you have things like referral programs in place? If so, how does this help your business?
I get most of my business from word of mouth, my website, past publications, and my MySpace page.

What advice can you give people who want to start an online business?
I don't know if I would consider what I do an "on line business." My website is mainly to showcase my work to potential clients that would be interested in hiring me for photo shoots. So I honestly don't have any advice for people trying to start that kind of business. I would say that starting any kind of business takes thick skin, a lot of dedication, hard work, and patience.

How many different products do you sell?
I sell signed prints of my work in my Cartfly store along with autographed magazines which my work was featured in.

What are some of  your best sellers?
My most popular print is the Pinup Dream Machine photo of Asia DeVinyl.

What can you tell me that people might want to know about you/your company?
There is nothing in the world that I would rather be doing then taking photographs. I am truly in love with photography and I put that passion into everything I shoot!

How did you find out about Cartfly?
I found out about Cartfly from my friend and model Amina Munster.

How has Cartfly helped you?
Cartfly has been a great way for me to sale prints of my photographs.  It's so easy to use and update.  It's also another great way for people to discover my work. I love Cartfly!

You can also find Lesley's on Deviant Art, Twitter and Model Mayhem. Look her up and send her some love!

Featured Cartfly Merchant: Spaceboy Johnny Osborne

Daryll Osborne is obsessed with "tits-n-bums and hotrods" and these themes permeate  throughout his artworks. His mediums of choice are oils, acrylics, watercolors, gouache, pencil, digital as well as sculpture and his subjects vary from zombies and pinups, to cartoons, mermaids and of course custom cars. If you happen to be in Australia, his work is available for viewing and sale at the Kustom Lane Gallery in Melbourne but is of course online for the rest of us.

With an introduction like that, what more could you possibly need to know about this artist?? Osborne's interests run the gamet and include  Kustom Kulture, Rockabilly, Psychobilly, Gothettes, visiting cemetaries, pin-up gals and dancing. He drives a hearse and also produces high quality clip art graphic images for MyPSPTubes.com.

Osborne had a "desire to get my art seen like everybody else on the net" and started his "very easy to set up" Cartfly store for just that reason. You can see his shops on the official Spaceboy Johnny website and MySpace page. Osborne knows "it's important to have many avenues that people can use to buy from you" and this was a no brainer. "Honestly, it's a big world and we cant all be selling all the time. It can take a long time to get noticed and build a fan base."

Be on the look out for more sites from this entertaining entrepreneur. "I am soon to start a new dot com and MySpace under the name 'Tittylatte' to market just my girly art." We can't wait!!!

Featured Merchant: Matthew Dunn

Matthew Dunn, a Melbourne, Australia based artist is working on his second book in a series of graphic novels all gathered under the title of Lonely Monsters. Lonely Monsters is set in a world 12 months after a Zombie outbreak has occurred in Australia and threatens to spread to the rest of the world. Dunn also produces a weekly webcomic Savage Bastard, sells art and t-shirts and works on various freelance illustration and storyboard projects.

Just like our other Featured Merchants, I had the chance to interview Matthew and he had lots to say.

CartFly: Who is your target audience?

Dunn: A lot of my work is geared towards people that are into comics and horror, but a lot of the work is open enough to grab the attention of others.  With each book I release the theme of my work will shift, so the possible audience will probably shift a little with it.

CartFly: What advice can you give people who want to start an online business?

Dunn: Be patient, be focused, don't give up, and make sure you have fun doing it.

Cartfly: What are some of  your best sellers?

Dunn: The graphic novel pack is popular, which includes the graphic novel, a signed print, and a fantastic soundtrack CD produced by a US-based band known as The Hope Symphony. Prints are also being received well.

Cartfly: How many different products do you sell?

Dunn: At the moment I sell my graphic novel Lonely Monsters along with original sketches and signed A3 prints. I'll be adding some t-shirts in the near-ish future.

CartFly: What can you tell me that people might want to know about you and your company?

Dunn: My company is basically me, at home, drawing comics, zombies, girls and other fun things. I occasionally leaving the house to try and sell stuff.  My second graphic novel is in the works and will be released in the latter half of 2009. In the mean time, I'm doing various freelance jobs here and there...so I can make more money to by more 3A toy robots.

Cartfly: Why should people do business with you?

Dunn: I'm upfront, efficient, honest, and definitely won't screw anyone around...as I myself hate being screwed around.

CartFly: How has Cartfly helped you?

Dunn: I have been selling my art locally but wanted to make it available to a larger audience. Print-on-demand services can be quite good, but they don't have the direct hands-on approach I was wanting to establish, so my journey led me to Cartfly. It's has provided me with a very user-friendly online home and helped get my art out to a wider audience.

You can find Dunn's Cartfly store on his blogs (above) and MySpace page. If zombie's are your thing, there is also a great review of the first Lonely Monsters book here. Good luck with the second one Matthew...we can't wait to read the stories of other survivors!!

Featured Merchant: KoiStudios

For an artist, Stephanie Amos has a pretty interesting story. At first, college was not her thing so for 5 years she became a commercial fisherman on the Bering Sea...possibly the toughest girl ever ; ) After a knee injury, she decided to give the school thing another try and went back to study art. She is now focused totally on her passion and operates KoiStudios as the channel for her painting, sculpture and a photography.

Stephanie started KoiStudios online in 2005 due to the lack of art enthusiasts where she was living. She joined sites like EBSQ, Hometown Art Gallery, and Boundless Gallery and has been leaving her mark ever since. "I'm a small business owner that likes to work one-on-one with my customers. My main goal is to touch people with my art, so if something I made speaks to you, then I've done my job." Apparently she is touching many people out there as she has built a great referral business through her friends, family and clients. "I'm loyal, honest and here to make you happy."

I asked Stephanie what advice she could give people who want to start an online business and she replied, "Make sure to have a website and an email address where you can be contacted. These are a must for doing business." She also has a MySpace page, a blog and her multiple Etsy shops where she sells her paintings, sculptures, photography and pottery.

Stephanie stumbled upon another artist featuring their work on MySpace through a Cartfly store so she "decided it was time for me to get one too. Cartfly draws a lot of attention with its simple design layout and easy checkout process." Just like many of you merchants out there, Stephanie did not want to feel left behind, so register for your free Cartfly store today!!