Hey everyone! Thanks for sharing your cribbage board projects made on the LongMill/AltMill.
Last Week’s Winners
We’re excited to announce that Dave Olson, David Elderkin, Dave Mauger, Michel Bellerive, Jeffrey Maxwell, and Eric Woodruff are the cribbage board contest winners. A prize is on its way!
We also want to take a moment to thank everyone who has participated in our Weekly Themed Contests. We’ve loved seeing your creativity! As things get busier on our end, we’ll be putting the contest on pause, but we hope to bring it back in the future.
We appreciate your support and can’t wait to see what you make next!
Hey there! Disclaimer: This is a guest blog article, the views and opinions expressed in this guest post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official stance of Sienci Labs.
Guest Blog by Ryan Drapela from Cutting It Close
Introduction
There’s a lot of chatter about Etsy being “dead.” High fees, fierce competition, and constant platform changes have left many woodworkers questioning whether it’s worth it. The truth is, Etsy is still a fantastic platform—if you understand how to use it to your advantage.
Whether you’re looking to make a little extra cash or build a thriving business, Etsy can work for you. Here’s how to make it happen.
Common Etsy Concerns (And Why They’re Not Dealbreakers)
Fees Feel High At around 15%, Etsy’s fees can seem steep. However, when you compare it to alternatives like paid ads, trade shows, or launching your own website, Etsy provides a cost-effective way to get traffic to your products. Think of it as paying for customers you wouldn’t have found otherwise.
Too Much Competition It’s true that some niches on Etsy are highly saturated. But instead of fighting for scraps in crowded markets, consider “swimming where there are no sharks.” Look for underserved niches or create unique twists on popular products to stand out.
The Fear of Copycats Copycats are inevitable, but they can only replicate your designs—they can’t duplicate your expertise, customer service, or ability to stay ahead. By continuously improving your listings, offering stellar photos, and focusing on quality, you’ll always have the upper hand.
Strategies for Etsy Success
Find Your Focus Etsy favors shops that specialize in specific product lines. Instead of selling a mix of unrelated items, choose a niche that makes it easy for Etsy to categorize your shop and recommend it to the right buyers. A focused approach not only boosts visibility but also builds trust with customers.
Get Found To drive traffic, create multiple listings for the same product tailored to different occasions or audiences. For instance, a handcrafted walnut clipboard can be marketed as a teacher gift, spa accessory, or personalized office supply. Eye-catching photos are critical—spend time perfecting your product images to stand out in search results.
Convert Browsers into Buyers Once someone clicks, make it easy for them to say “yes.” Offer clear photos showing angles, sizes, and details. Use concise, descriptive text to remove doubts, and keep product options simple to avoid overwhelming potential customers.
Etsy as a Lead Funnel
Etsy isn’t just a marketplace—it’s a tool to build your brand. When businesses or organizations buy your products, reach out to explore future opportunities or referrals. By using Etsy as a stepping stone, you can grow your woodworking business beyond the platform.
Take the Guesswork Out of Etsy Success
Etsy is an incredible platform—if you know how to make it work for you. That’s where the Etsy Accelerator Program from CIC Academy comes in.
Get proven strategies to boost traffic, optimize your listings, and turn your shop into a lead generator for bigger opportunities—all in one place.
Start your free 7-day trial today and get the tools, guidance, and confidence to succeed on Etsy.
Etsy remains a powerful platform for woodworkers who know how to use it effectively. By niching down, optimizing your listings, and focusing on customer experience, you can create a successful shop and unlock new opportunities.
Don’t let Etsy’s challenges hold you back. With guidance from CIC Academy and the Etsy Accelerator Program, you can turn your shop into a thriving business in 2025 and beyond.
Happy Friday! Thanks for sharing your 2.5D/3D projects made on the LongMill/AltMill.
Last Week’s Winners
We are happy to announce that Kevin Mary Butt, Derek Scott, John Kinsman, Gerald Tooke, Carl Tierman, and Oz Oswald are the 2.5D/3D projects contest winners. Watch out for a prize!
This Week’s Theme: Cribbage Board Projects
This week’s theme: “cribbage board projects”! Share your cribbage board creations made with your LongMill or AltMill for a chance to win free prizes!
Hey everyone! Thanks for sharing your inlay projects made on the LongMill/AltMill.
Last Week’s Winners
We are happy to announce that Andrew Kissling, Sasha Vojvodin, Corey Winter, Jim Powers, Sean Hagerty, and Mike O’Neal are the inlay projects contest winners. A prize is on its way!
This Week’s Theme: 2.5D/3D Projects
This week’s theme is “2.5D or 3D projects”! Post your nature reliefs, multi-sided carvings, guitars, flags, or any projects incorporating a 2.5D or 3D technique using the LongMill/AltMill to win some free stuff!
Happy Friday! Thanks for sharing your multi-part projects made on the LongMill/AltMill.
Last Week’s Winners
We are happy to announce that Keven Larouche, Dave Rao, Mike McNulty, Andrew Scott, Keith Eatwell, and Josh Mensah are the mult-part projects contest winners. Watch out for a prize!
This Week’s Theme: Inlay Projects
This week’s theme is inlay projects! Share your LongMill/AltMill inlays with us for a chance to win fantastic prizes!
Happy New Year! Thanks for sharing your projects made on the LongMill/AltMill.
Last Week’s Winners
We are happy to announce that Jack Colgrove, Chad Allen Ritchie, Erika Carter, Jonathan Haggard, Luis J Garza, and Ian Pilling are the anything projects contest winners. A prize is on its way!
This Week’s Theme: Multi-Part Projects
This week’s theme is “multi-part projects” on the LongMill/AltMill! Show us your creations made from multiple assembled pieces—whether it’s stackable trays, furniture, layered signs, or anything else that comes together in unique ways. Share your projects for a chance to win prizes!
Happy Friday! Thanks for sharing your Christmas projects made on the LongMill/AltMill.
Last Week’s Winners
We are happy to announce that Luis Sanchez, Edwin Spijker, Shannon Davis, Margaret Lockie-Binkley, Craig Pidsadowski, and Gary Guilliams are the Christmas projects part 3 contest winners. Watch out for a prize!
P.S. Sienci Labs will be closed during the holidays from Dec 25, 2024 to Jan 1, 2025. We will reopen on Jan 2, 2025. Shipping and customer support will be on pause during this time.
This Week’s Theme: Anything Projects
To wrap up the year, share any LongMill/AltMill projects over the next two weeks! We’ll pick our favourites and send cool prizes. Happy holidays and see you in the new year!
Happy Friday! Thanks for sharing your Christmas projects made on the LongMill/AltMill.
Last Week’s Winner
We are happy to announce that Lou LaRock, Chrystal Sabyan, Russell Crosby, Daniel Pilkey, Candace Toppings, and Gerald Tooke are the Christmas projects part 2 contest winners. Watch out for a prize!
This Week’s Theme: Christmas Projects Part 2
Week 2 of festive fun! Keep those Christmas LongMill/AltMill projects coming. We’ll be picking our favourites to send some cool prizes to!
Happy Friday! Thanks for sharing your Christmas projects made on the LongMill/AltMill.
Last Week’s Winners
We are happy to announce that Mark Martin, Glenn Striker, Casey Guin, RandyT, Steve Dills, and Steve Kryworuka are the Christmas projects part 1 contest winners. Watch out for a prize!
This Week’s Theme: Christmas Projects Part 2
Week 2 of festive fun! Keep those Christmas LongMill/AltMill projects coming. We’ll be picking our favourites to send some cool prizes to!
Hey everyone! Thanks for posting your sign projects made on the LongMill/AltMill.
Last Week’s Winners
We are happy to announce that Steven J. Arndt, Chris Posey, Marcus Stapleton, Michael Boorsma, Donald Rutan Jr., and Vincent Schad are the sign projects contest winners. A prize is on its way!
This Week’s Theme: Christmas Projects Part 1
Happy holidays! Kick off the season by sharing your best Christmas-themed LongMill/AltMill projects with us. We can’t wait to see your festive creations!
