The Shops @ Funky Finds

2011-03-23T07:23:00.001-07:00

Double April 2011 means that for every month a seller purchases during the month of April with The Shops @ Funky Finds, we'll double it. If you choose to make an advance payment for 3, 6, or 9 months, we'll also double it!

Users will find the advance payment options in the back office on the My Shop(s) and Invoices page. As a special bonus, we started this promo early with the release of the Funky Finds newsletter issue #36 to include the remainder of March.

As always, Sellers pay no fee per upload or per sale. Many shop owners have already taken advantage of this special offer. Don’t miss out! Log in or open a Shop today!

2011-03-23T05:00:00.000-07:00

Funky Finds has remained dedicated to promoting independent artists, crafters & designers worldwide since 2005.

Over the years, we’ve added more resources that are beneficial to artisans with little to no marketing & advertising budget. Our far-reaching network provides you with the tools to promote your work to those interested in handmade.

Funky Finds Blog - The blog features the work of various artists, crafters, and designers worldwide, as well as events & giveaways. Want to be featured? Simply contact us with information about your business & we’ll be happy to spread the word about your work. Offer readers a discount or special offer & we’ll include that with the feature, as well as in our monthly newsletter.

The Shops @ Funky Finds - Our online marketplace is an affordable and easy-to-use venue that allows artisans to sell their handmade & vintage goods. We want you to be able to spend less time behind the computer and more time creating and doing what you love. We offer four Shop levels to suit all needs.

Right On Graphics - Web and print graphics that are Right On! We offer custom design services, as well as high-quality, affordable promotional materials, such as business cards & magnets. If you participate in events at which you sell your work, our high quality digitally printed vinyl banners will draw attention to your booth space. Find us on Facebook, too!

Giveaways - Every two weeks we host a new giveaway on the blog that is sponsored by an independent business owner. This is a great way to promote your work & drive traffic to your site without spending much money. If you're interested in sponsoring a giveaway, please contact us noting the item(s) you'd like to donate. We will add your info to the giveaway page providing you with additional exposure prior to the actual giveaway. We ask that giveaway items be valued at a minimum of $20 USD to elicit a stronger response from readers. All giveaways are open to international readers.

Funky News - Subscribers to Funky Finds’ monthly newsletter receive useful information regarding designer calls, upcoming events, and special offers & discounts from various independent business owners. If you'd like to offer subscribers a discount or special offer, we are happy to include this in the Funky Finds news. You can also subscribe to the Shops Insider and events newsletter that are periodically published.

Funky Found - Have you been featured on Funky Finds before? Add the "I'm a Funky Find" graphic to your blog or website & we will add a link to your site on this page. By linking to one another’s sites, we will both increase our ratings in various web search results.

Funky Ad Space - Want to advertise on Funky Finds? Sign-up is easy! Once you create an account & make payment, you will be able to log in to your account, upload your graphic, and view stats at anytime. You can also change your image anytime during your advertising campaign. This is a cost-effective way to target shoppers interested in handcrafted items.

Funky Finds Events - Learn about previous & upcoming Funky Finds events. Currently, Funky Finds has only hosted events in Fort Worth, Texas. Want Funky Finds to host an event in your city? Let us know here!

Facebook - The Funky Finds Facebook page is often updated with real-time information, including designer calls, application deadlines, links to helpful articles, and much more. "Like" Funky Finds today!

2011-03-22T06:00:00.000-07:00

Shop owners may make their shop payments in advance with three-month increments. When Advance Payments are made, Shop owners receive ONE FREE MONTH for every three months purchased as seen below.

Find the Advance Payment scale when you log in to your Shop on the My Shop(s) and Invoices page.

As you can see, you can open a Power Shop for one year for just $17.91. All prices are in US Dollars.

2011-03-21T05:00:00.000-07:00

The Shops @ Funky Finds has a referral program. Shop owners receive one free month for each new shop they refer. Plus, the new shop gets a free month as well.

Simply have your new shop referral enter Funky Reference - Your Shop Name in the "Notes to Seller" at PayPal during sign-up. Both Shops will then receive the free month of shop time. This offer is valid for multiple referrals.

2011-03-20T05:00:00.000-07:00

Bonus Ad Space is free advertising that appears on all Funky Finds pages. Currently all Shop owners are receiving a complimentary 120x120 ad that links to their Shop @ Funky Finds.

Once you sign up with The Shops, you will be able to create an account on Funky Ad Space. We will notify you once we have uploaded your banner graphic to the system. You will then be able to log into Funky Ad Space and view your stats anytime.

If you need assistance in creating a 120x120 image, we will be happy to help you out. You can preview our graphics portfolio at Right On Graphics.

2011-03-19T05:00:00.000-07:00

Shop Visitors:

Do I need a Funky Finds log-in to purchase from a Shop?
No. To make a purchase, simply click the "Add to Cart" button next to an item. You may add as many items to your cart before checking out. When you "View Cart" you will proceed to PayPal to complete the transaction. You are not required to have a PayPal account, as you can pay with any major credit card. Simply enter your payment information when prompted.

Are The Shops a safe place to Buy and Sell?
Absolutely. All transactions are made on secured servers through PayPal. Funky Finds will never ask for your credit card information. You will receive payment confirmation from PayPal via email.

What does "Ships Global yes / no" mean?
If a product is marked Yes under Ships Global, this means that the seller will ship the product from their location to a global buyer. Sellers that stock perishable items may not ship globally. This will be notated as No under Ships Global.

What web browser is best to view The Shops?
The Shops @ Funky Finds is best viewed with Firefox or Internet Explorer with a screen resolution of 1024 x 768, 1152 x 864, or 1280 x 1024.

As a Shops Visitor, what can I see or do?
Learn more about a Funky Shop Owner in their Shop Description & Bio, Discover & Purchase Funky Shop Items, Get Coupons/Specials from Funky Shops, Visit alternate website of Shop, Leave a Funky Review, Read other Funky Reviews, Bookmark the Shop, Email the Shop to a Friend, Print Shop Information, Get Location and Categories.

How can I view all the products offered by The Shops @ Funky Finds?
You can do a "wild card" search by clicking in the "Search The Shops" box in the upper left hand corner of the homepage and deleting the text. Then click "Funky Find!"

Potential Shop Owners:

How are monthly Shop payments handled?
Each month a reminder is sent five days in advance informing that your Shop @ Funky Finds invoice is available. You have these five days to make your payment. If you pay early, it is pro-rated to be less than full price. Simply log in to your account and click the "Make Payment" button to make your monthly payment. If we do not receive a response within reasonable time, we will assume you do not intend to maintain your Shop and it will be deleted from our system.
During the five-day period you'll have these four options available:
(1) Make payment and keep everything as is
(2) Upgrade your Shop type on the Manage Shop page
(3) Downgrade your Shop type when you contact us
(4) Delete your Shop on the My Shops page upon login

Advanced Payments:
You may make your shop payments in advance with three-month increments. When you make Advanced Payments you will receive a FREE month for each three months you purchase. For example, purchase three months get one month free, purchase six months get two months free, or purchase nine months and get three months free. Find the Advance Payment scale when you log in to your Shop on the My Shop(s) and Invoices page.

Can I have a Shop if I am not in the United States?
Yes. If you do not see your Country with the State or Province listed please send us a message and we will accommodate you immediately.

How do I Upgrade or Downgrade my Shop?
To upgrade, simply login and click your Shop Name below Manage Shop. The Upgrade menu is at the very bottom of this page. To Downgrade your Shop, please contact us and we will make the changes for you on day 31, then you will make the new lower payment.

How do I spread the word about my Shop?
To help you promote your Shop @ Funky Finds, we provide banners and text links in the form of HTML code for use on your personal web space. You may copy and paste this HTML code that links directly to your shop items when clicked upon.

Where do I edit or add my Shop Details, Categories, Coupons/Specials, and Shop Items?
Once you are logged in, click your Shop Title under Manage Shop. All four of these links are located at the top of the page. You may edit your banner after you click the Edit Shop Details link. Locate the image loader at the bottom of the screen under the shop details.

Does The Shops @ Funky Finds use promo codes?
You can offer a discount through your Funky Finds Shop by listing a coupon code in your profile and/or the coupons/specials section (as a document or image). Simply instruct buyers to enter the code when making a purchase through PayPal. You may either send a revised invoice or refund the money via PayPal at no extra charge.

How large is my Shop Description & Bio?
The quick answer is 5,000 characters. The detailed answer is that within your Description you have plenty of space to state your Description & Bio as well as any Shop Policies, Special Shipping Policies, or Terms that you may have. Plus, you may customize the font type, color, size, etc.

How many Shops can I have?
You may set up as many shops as you desire under a single log-in. Each Shop that you open has a separate monthly Shop Payment.

Is PayPal my only option for selling?
No. If you have products in a shopping cart on either your website or other web space you may sell your items from there. You have the option to insert a URL in our Visit Website feature and you may insert as many URL's (links) in your Description & Bio as you desire. Basically, anywhere you have funky stuff on the internet we allow you to link out to them. We encourage you to sell your items without any fees through The Shops, but do not require it.

How do you spread the word about The Shops @ Funky Finds?
The Funky Finds blog has been promoting independent artists, crafters & designers since March 2006. During that time we have developed a large, loyal readership. Our advertisers and featured 'finds' have seen much success come from their time on Funky Finds. We know the same will be said about The Shops @ Funky Finds in no time.

What can my Shop visitors see or do?
- View your Shop Items
- Purchase your Shop Items using PayPal
- View Coupons/Specials
- Contact you through our on-site Contact Form
- Visit a Website link you have added
- Bookmark your Shop
- Email your Shop to a friend
- Add a Review
- Read your Reviews
- Rate your Shop
- Print your Shop Details
- Read your Shop Description & Bio
- Know your Location
- View all Categories to find your Shop

How are Reviews handled?
We release unedited reviews in batches. Your customers may leave their feedback for others to get to know you better.

Can I link to a specific item on my blog or website?
Yes. Simply search for your item and then click on it in the results. The link it takes you to is your specific product link.

Does The Shops have a referral program?
Yes. Receive a free month for each new shop you refer. Plus, the new shop gets a free month as well. Simply have your new shop referral enter FunkyReference-YourShopName in the "Notes to Seller" at PayPal during sign-up. Both of you will receive the free month of shop time. This offer is valid for multiple referrals.

What is Bonus Ad Space and how do I receive it?
Bonus Ad Space is free advertising that appears on Funky Finds. Currently all Shop owners are receiving a complimentary 120x120 ad. Once you sign up with The Shops, please create an account on Funky Ad Space. We will notify you once we have uploaded your banner graphic to the system.

What is the "Grab Code" that is in my Shop Items section?
You may log in to your Shop Items section and then Copy & Paste the Grab Code to your blog or website to display a mini-thumbnail that is linked to that item. The leftmost image displayed is the assigned "Primary" image. Once you have multiple images uploaded for an item you will see the option to "Make Primary". You may select Mini Thumbs (75X75 pixels) or Site Thumbs (150X150 pixels) with a desired Table Size of 1X5, 2X5, 4X4, or 5X5.

Where does my Shop header banner appear?
Your header banner will appear at the top of ALL pages related to your shop. Also, the side bar links are available on ALL pages related to your shop. This will provide your visitors with more ways to access your shop pages, plus they will know which shop they are in at all times.

What is my Product Gallery?
The product gallery displays an image of each product in your Shop. When visitor go to your shop home page they will see the link to browse your gallery. When an item is clicked, it will snap to that item on your products page giving the details to purchase that product.

What is "The Shops Insider"?
The Shops Insider is a newsletter that is periodically emailed out to all subscribers. A large part of each edition will be used to display Shop owners' 125x125 banner image linked to your shop items page. We will also inform subscribers of any discounts and specials Shop owners are running at the time of release.

2011-03-18T05:00:00.000-07:00

Once logged in, Shop owners are directed to their My Shop and Invoices page.

Clicking on your Shop name will take you to the Manage Shop page.
Here you will see your Shop overview.

Clicking on Shop Items will take you to the page that allows you to add new items, add multiple images to Shop items, edit an existing product, & get the grab code for a product. The grab code provides you with coding that you can put on your blog and/or website to promote your Shop items. You can also arrange your Shop items in the order you want them to appear.

Clicking on Shop Categories on the Manage Shop page allows you to determine the categories which your products will be listed in. You can also choose subcategories. The number of categories you are allowed depends on the Shop type you have purchased.

Clicking on Coupons/Specials on the Manage Shop page allows you to add a coupon or special offer to your Shop profile. You may attach a file, such as a PDF or JPG.

Clicking on Edit Shop Details on the Manage Shop page allows you to edit all details regarding your Shop, such as the title of your Shop & your description. This is also where you will input your PayPal email address in order to receive payments. You can also upload your Shop header image that appears on your profile page & Shop items page. The maximum size you can upload is 750x200 pixels. If you need help creating a banner, we are happy to help you out.

Clicking the 125x125 Advertisement Banner icon on the Manage Shop page allows you to upload a banner ad that will rotate on The Shops @ Funky Finds homepage. Also, all Shop owners receive FREE ad space on all Funky Finds pages.

You can also view Shop Statistics and Links for your Shop and your Products from the Manage Shop page.

Shop stats include your Banner Ad Exposures, Banner Ad Clicks, Banner Ad CTR (%), number of Visitors to Shop, number of Visitors to Shop Items, Clicks to Website Link, number of Messages Received, Funky Reviews, and your Shop Rating.

Links for your Shop and your Products is where we provide coding that you can paste onto your blog and/or main website.

Clicking on Promote Your Shop Products Using Funky Banners on the Manage Shop page allows you to copy coding for your Shop and past it on your blog and/or main website. This is just one more way we provide you with tools to promote your Shop. You can also upgrade your Shop type at any time.

2011-03-16T05:00:00.000-07:00

Have you visited The Shops @ Funky Finds lately? If not, then you are missing out on tons of great handmade products.

If you're looking to sell your handmade goods, there's no better
time to sign up! Open a Shop today!

2010-11-30T11:34:00.000-08:00

Buy handmade goods from a variety of indie artisans at
The Shops @ Funky Finds!

Special Offer - Shops 500

2010-02-02T17:14:00.001-08:00

*Update: This promotion has ended.

Our current promotion at http://funkyfinds.us/theshops/ is a BIG one! The next 500 new or current users to purchase one month (31 days) will receive an additional SIX FREE MONTHS. That means you could sell for seven months for as low as $1.99!

Simply mention "Shops 500" in the notes to seller at time of sign-up to redeem this offer. Don't forget about the other ways you can earn free Shop time with our referral program and advance payments.

Free Shop November

2009-11-01T18:13:00.000-08:00

*Update: This promotion has ended.

For the month of November 2009, Funky Finds is running a promotion giving a free month to our new & current shop owners.

Simply sign up and make a shop payment and we will add an additional free month to your shop time. Current shop owners who make their monthly payments also receive this fantastic offer.

Now everyone can get a taste of making sales without the additional fees charged by many other online marketplaces.

* A bonus to this offer is that if you make advanced payment for any amount of time, Funky Finds will match it!

For example: Purchase six months, get six months free. Purchase one year, get an additional year free.

Don't miss out on this funky opportunity to put your wares in The Shops @ Funky Finds.

And remember that we supply stats for your shop and HTML code you can copy to put on your blog or website to promote your products!

Featured Seller Freeforged Jewelry

2009-08-17T05:27:00.000-07:00

Kristin Freeman began Freeforged Jewelry after studying metalsmithing & jewelry design at University of Texas in Denton. I can tell you first-hand that her designs are high-quality, as I've purchased from her before. Her Shop @ Funky Finds is full of beautiful pieces, including oxidized post earrings & rings. Also listed are many unique designs, including the Float bracelet made up of hand-forged links to create the form of a kelp leaf. If you're looking to add a little color to your wardrobe, don't miss the beautiful Moss earrings featuring striped malachite stones.

The Shops @ Funky Finds

Special Offer - Shops 500

Free Shop November

*Featured Seller * Freeforged Jewelry

Featured Seller Freeforged Jewelry