每次去郵局都是把包裹寄到不同國家,感覺很奇特! 剛剛完成之後看著這張地圖,也覺得很不可思議! 這真的是一年前的我們無法想像的成果!
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紙樣手創設計品銷售過的國家與城市 |
去年2011年2月我們才真正開始這個品牌- 紙樣。YANG 最初只有英文名是叫做 SIDONIEYANG | HANDMADE,去年2月在Etsy.com (總部在紐約的手作設計品販售平台) 申請了一個英文網路商店........
Going to the post office to mail a parcel internationally is a strange but wonderful feeling. Looking at this map of where in the world our products have been sent to, you can see why! It's pretty cool to step back and take a look...
February 2011 was when we "opened" our shop, at the time with only the English name of "SIDONIEYANG | HANDMADE" - we later came up with the name "紙樣。YANG" for the Taiwanese and Japanese markets (Pronounced Zhi Yang, meaning "paper style" when translated from Chinese. Pronounced Kamisama meaning "paper of the immortals" or something like that, in Japanese!). We originally started off on Etsy.com, a New York-based online purveyor of handmade goods...
申請成功之後才開始思考我們真正想做的是什麼,開始研究可以運用的材質、工具與材料,有點本末倒置,還沒有作品就先開店了,其實當時的想法很單純,只是希望可以把自己很有興趣的手作設計變成一份可以得到收入的"工作";就這樣過了三個月之後直到去年2011年5月,才真正做出了作品放上去我們開的這間網路商店,一開始只有三個作品。
網路商店當有了成品之後,就會遇到照片的問題,沒有辦法實際觸摸到實品,照片變成是最重要的關鍵,於是我們開始學習如何拍照;當時我們住在溫哥華時常下雨,沒有足夠的光線很難拍出理想的照片,最後慢慢摸索爬文找方法,才能拍出大致相同背景色與風格的照片。
After opening our Etsy shop, it was only then that we started to research materials, think about what we wanted to sell, etc. Things that we should've done before opening the shop! Putting of cart before horse was something we definitely did! Really, though, Sidonie just wanted to be able to turn something that she loved doing into something that she could do as her full time "job". It was a long three months later, in May 2011, that we finally had things to put in our Etsy shop. Three things.
The next issue we encountered was that of photography. Since it was purely online, visitors didn't have the chance to touch our items at all - the photos had to be relied upon to convey texture and touch. A pretty tall order for photos, indeed. We weren't so good at photography initially, but we had to try... and living in rainy Vancouver didn't make things easier, either. In the end, we did figure out how to take good photographs, thankfully.
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紙樣手創設計在Etsy 的網路商店 10筆成交截圖於2011/12/31 |
去年2011年8月我們決定搬回台灣,直到9月就在我們有點灰心的時候,收到了第一筆從陌生客人來的訂單,讓我們燃起了希望,也讓我們相信這是可以堅持下去的方向,於是,我們盡全力的投入,也更認真的學習。
從一點一滴的失誤中學習,國際包裹被退回、回覆留言的時差問題、包裝寄送過程碰撞損壞....等等,我們不斷在解決問題,然後龜速成長,當時我們每收到一筆訂單都是掛滿笑容歡呼,也有遇到瓶頸無法突破的一段低潮期。
In August of 2011, we decided to move back to Taiwan, but it wasn't until September that we actually received our first order from a stranger! When we got this order, it gave us hope that this could succeed - it gave us the spark to continue and to put all more effort into it. From that day onward, we put a ton of effort into running SIDONIEYANG | HANDMADE and learning how to make make it thrive.
Running our business has let us learn so much and experience even more; from getting back international packages with a slightly wrong address, to replying to enquiries at all hours of the day (time zone difference!), to having our packaging crushed! Our growth seemed pretty glacial, actually, but every time there was an order, a big smile would come across our faces. There were even times when we couldn't keep up with the orders, believe it or not!
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紙樣手創設計在Etsy 的網路商店 28筆成交截圖於2012/02/09 |
在一次次的歡呼聲中隨著訂單數量增加我們慢慢長大,我們開始熟悉國際包裹寄送程序、價格,客人急需的時候國際快捷包裹的寄送時間、價格,也慢慢抓到一點點拍照技巧,至少背景色相同、風格也一致,款式也慢慢變多樣。
這時候,我們的Etsy 網路商店已經摸索出一套簡單的運作方式,包括商品敘述、各國運送費用設定、商品包裝、拍照方式、品牌敘述、訊息回覆.....等等。
Each and every time we had an order, we grew. We became familiar with how to send packages, how much it would cost, what to do if a customer needed something quickly... step-by-step we figured out how to run our little business. We developed a better knowledge of photography and we learned many little tricks. The best part was, Sidonie still found the time to design new things (a critical thing), so that our shop soon had quite a collection of choices.
Our shop was running quite smoothly at this point...
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紙樣手創設計在Etsy 的網路商店 57筆成交截圖於2012/04/05 |
然後,今年2012年1月,我們開始煩惱在台灣的販售方式的時候,發現一個台灣的優質設計品販售平台- Pinkoi.com,他們的設計品風格跟拍賣網站有很大的差異,感覺是非常有質感的設計品販售平台,也跟Etsy.com 一樣可以自己操作後台上架,自己管理商品、客戶問答與商品寄送,這就是我們心中理想的販售平台呀! 於是,趁著大家過年慶祝的時間,申請了這間中文網路商店,於是有了中文品牌名- 紙樣。YANG,為了這間中文網路商店,我們開始整理圖片、翻譯商品敘述、設定台幣價格、了解國內寄送方式與運費...等等,然後開了另一間網路商店。
In January 2012, we were wrapping our heads around the question of how to sell our things locally, in Taiwan. Fortunately for us, a friend introduced us to Pinkoi.com, a Taiwanese web startup that focused on selling handmade and designer products to the local market. It was a big difference from the local big online auction websites - a world of difference, in fact. You could say that Pinkoi.com was the equivalent of Etsy.com, but for the Taiwanese market.
It was then that we had to come up with a name in Chinese, which of course was, "紙樣。YANG". We again had to learn how to operate another store, a store on Pinkoi; how to carry out all the essential functions of this shop and how to get ourselves recognized locally. It proved not to be terribly difficult, and we feel that it was a blessing to have Pinkoi on this journey with us!
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紙樣手創設計在Pinkoi 的網路商店截圖於 2012/09/25
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從一開始只是希望把自己有興趣的手作設計變成一個可以得到收入的"工作",到現在我們希望可以成長為一個"品牌",雖然要學習的還很多,要前進的路還很長,但我們會堅持下去;一路跌跌撞撞走來到這裡,我個人認為比較重要的是品牌理念,在過程中怎麼去堅持自己希望堅持的設計立場,這點蠻重要的,如果沒有很明確的設定自己想要的方向,很容易迷失。
From the beginning, Sidonie only wished to turn an interest into something she could do full time... but as we've grown, we've come to see that our goals should be loftier, more ambitious. Our new goal is to turn SIDONIEYANG | HANDMADE into a well-known brand. Although we have learned so much already, we must continue to learn each and every day and continue putting effort into building our brand. If we didn't understand this goal of building a brand, then it would be easy to get lost on the way...
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紙樣手創設計在Etsy 的網路商店 100筆成交截圖於2012/09/04
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我們也會不斷修正我們的觀念與想法,現在除了希望可以找到回收再生的材質去做設計之外,我們也希望堅持手工製作,更希望我們的品牌不全然以營利為目的,創造出有意義的價值比較重要,我們還再努力,希望未來可以看到成果,達到我們期望的目標。
We're always participating in self-examination, to make sure that the way we think and the way we do things is what we really want. We want to make sure that we don't veer down the wrong path, or chase the wrong goals... we need to know that we are following what our hearts truly desire.
Importantly, we always remind ourselves that this is not purely about money; it is about designing great products (hopefully being able to one day use recycled materials), it is about keeping everything handmade, and it is about our brand having meaning and purpose. We'll always continue to work hard to reach our goals, to mature and to evolve.
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紙樣手創設計在Etsy 的網路商店截圖於 2012/09/25
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(2013/11/25 更新)
一年又兩個月後,回頭來看看這篇文章,真的很感動,這一年裡我們持續成長,參與了台灣各個市集、經歷了聖誕節打仗似的訂單製作與配送、也更換了主要材質;工作室從台北搬到了高雄(明年又要搬),可以帶著一個品牌,配合著自己的人生規劃,搬到想去的地方,還可以持續經營,真的是一件很棒的事!
這一年來,我們依舊持續收到來自世界各地不同國家的訂單,很開心! 配合各種節日,我們也已經能預先準備不同風格的店內招牌與包裝,有了去年的經驗之後,今年的聖誕節,我們肯定不會再手忙腳亂了!
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紙樣手創設計在Etsy 的網路商店截圖於 2012/09/25 |
在台灣,我們的Pinkoi 設計館也很穩定的成長,今年2013年7月,我們很榮幸的跟Pinkoi 配合『好日推好物』活動,創下了很不錯的成績,因為活動內容我們選三天內寄出,於是,也經歷了瘋狂打包出貨的一個星期。
這期間我們開啟休假模式一個月,趁休假期間更換了主要材質,比起一年前,現在多了新款式,整體風格也很不一樣了。
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紙樣手創設計在Pinkoi 的網路商店截圖於 2013/11/25 |
這一年裡,我們也創立了自己的官方網站,目前有中、英文兩種語言,也有台幣、美金兩種幣值可以選擇,是一個有購物車的網站。(如下圖)
我們還會繼續努力往前走,分享我們的成長歷程,給大家做參考,可以做自己喜歡的事,真的很幸福,再累都值得;現在我的夢想不再只是夢想,慢慢的在實現中。
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紙樣手創設計官方網站 的截圖於 2013/11/25 |
(2014/06/13 更新)
2014年初我們的工作室搬遷到加拿大的卡加利,也做了一些品牌整合,商品照由 Hey!Cheese 全部重新拍攝,目前中文品牌名為 "紙樣手創設計",英文名為 "SIDONIEYANG"。
對於把重心放在網站行銷的品牌來說商品照是非常重要的,這次的新照片我們非常非常喜歡,商品的細節與質感都很完美的呈現,也為我們帶來了不少新的合作機會,如果有拍攝需求,我們很推薦 Hey!Cheese 喔!
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紙樣手創設計在Etsy 的網路商店截圖於 2014/06/13 |
另外,自從工作室搬到卡加利之後,我們也遇到了一些材料供應與郵寄的問題,現在問題已經迎刃而解,但對於各方面開銷增加這點,還是很頭痛,不管是郵資、物價各方面都比台灣高很多,這部分我們還需要慢慢想辦法去克服。
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紙樣手創設計在Pinkoi 的網路商店截圖於 2014/06/13 |
我們的官方網站部分也持續在更新中,過一陣子會開始有實體店面的合作;一路走到這裡三年多了,看著一點一滴的努力與記錄,我很開心當初開了這間Etsy shop,才會有今天這個品牌,過程中,真的學習到很多,我還會努力繼續往前進的,也會再持續更新與分享。
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紙樣手創設計官方網站的截圖於 2014/06/13 |
(2015/06/06 更新)
今年我們搬到多倫多,定居在尼加拉瓜瀑布(Niagara Falls)鎮上,終於有了固定的工作室。
從加拿大把包裹郵寄到台灣的問題已經解決,目前台灣依舊只有在Pinkoi.com 跟我們自己的官方網站販售,採接單訂製方式,所以,訂購的顧客需要等候製作時間與郵寄時間。
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紙樣|SIDONIEYANG 被選上Etsy 的首頁精選商店截圖於 2015/05/22 |
今年我們也非常幸運的接到Etsy Blog Featured Shop 的邀約,所以,在2015/5/22上了Etsy 首頁的精選商店,跟大家分享我們的品牌故事,也分享了我們的創作過程。
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紙樣|SIDONIEYANG 在Etsy 的網路商店截圖於 2015/06/06 |
自從上了首頁的精選商店之後,把我們加入最愛商店的人數變多了,認同我們創作理念會在訊息裡告訴我很喜歡我們的創作理念跟設計風格的顧客也增加不少。
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紙樣|SIDONIEYANG 官方網站的截圖於 2015/06/06 |
官方網站部分,我們換了新版型,首頁是以大圖瀏覽方式,選擇商品類別後就可以進到個別的商品頁,會更換這個版型,主要是因為手機上也可以輕鬆以大圖瀏覽跟訂購,對顧客來說更加方便。
今年,我們家有寶寶來報到,所以,工作室也會有兩個月的休假,接著預計會有新品上架,對於可以自己掌控與分配時間這樣的工作,我很喜歡,擁有一個自己的品牌才體會到,這樣的生活方式就是我想要的,再辛苦都很值得。
標籤: 品牌成長故事mybrand