This is the official blog site of B.E.E. (Beeswax & Encaustics on Etsy). We are an international group of artists, beekeepers and crafters who love all things related to bees and beeswax!  All of us have taken the plunge to market ourselves online on a site called Etsy  (www.etsy.com).  Want to know more?  Curious about all that we have to offer as a network?

See our FAQ’s below or our BEE team etsy page

 

What is Etsy?

Etsy is an international online marketplace for thousands and thousands of artisans and crafters.  You can find a WIDE variety of things on Etsy.  If you haven’t seen the site, go see it for yourself!  But be foreward, www.etsy.com can be very addicting! We, BEE team leaders recommend a healthy dose of 5 hours a week perusing all the wonderful handmade things on Etsy!  :)  

What is the BEE team?  Is it different than Etsy?

The BEE team started as an affinity group of Etsy sellers who have two things in common: they all use beeswax in their respective art and craft, and they sell their stuff on Etsy.com.  A few of us started talking in August, 2008 and the next thing we knew, we began a network of beekeepers, soap and candle makers, and encaustic artists!  It’s a growing team and we’ve been ecstatic to see how our network keeps expanding and growing stronger each week!

 

What does the BEE team do?  What are the benefits of joining?

We put on 4 major events a year where team members can participate:

* A February “For the Love of the Bee” fundraiser, supporting beekeepers and spreading awareness of CCD

* A Summer challenge (varies from year to year.  Example: Object Challenge, where you send an object to someone on the team and their challenge is to incorporate it into a piece of art, take a picture and report back to the team how it went!)

* A Fall Showcase event (varies from year to year.  Could be an exhibition at a gallery, or an online event such as a trunk show)

* Holiday Gift Exchange (coordinated well before Christmas, but gives us a chance to swap our art – for some fun new Christmas gifts!)

Other than these 4 events, we offer skill shares, podcasts, articles and artist spotlights through our site: www.beeswaxteam.com.  Also, we offer resources for supplies, books, and current calls for art – particularly to encaustic artists.  We do our best to keep you informed and to keep you networked!  Our website (www.beeswaxteam.com) is a highly trafficked website, so it’s well worth being a part of the team just so your art gets more exposure!  

 

How do I get set up with an Etsy site and begin selling?

Great question!  We did a podcast with Etsy admin, Danielle, to answer that very question!  Check it out by clicking here.  

 

Who leads the BEE team?

We are a leadership team consisting of 3 co-leaders, each with different roles.  Feel free to contact us directly if you have any questions or thoughts about how we’re doing!

Shannon Newby: (encaustic artist)  announcements, podcasts, Fall event

Kathryn Dart: (encaustic artist)  membership, articles, summer challenge + holiday gift exchange

Melissa Hronkin: (beekeeper and encaustic artist)  bee themed articles, February fundraiser

 

Can I join if I’m not selling on Etsy?

At this time, no.  Since we are an international internet-based team, we prefer that we all have 2 things in common: using beeswax in your art, and selling on Etsy.com.  This makes our team a strong network that helps each other out in marketing, sharing ideas particular to selling on Etsy, etc.  If you don’t sell on Etsy, but would still like to hear what we’re up to, you can sign up for our weekly newsletter by sending an email request to info@beeswaxteam.com.

 

Do I have to be an encaustic artist?

No!  As long as you work with beeswax, we’d like to welcome you to the team!  We have several beekeepers, soap and candle makers and even a few who are working with the batik process.

 

What’s required to join the BEE team?

Great question!  We have 4 team requirements (outside of the obvious 2 of working with beeswax, and selling on Etsy.com):

1) require the team tag “beeswaxteam” be on all items that have to do with wax

2) require a team blurb be posted in everyone’s shop announcements (example: I am a proud member of the BEE team.  For more information about our team, go to our site: www.beeswaxteam.com, or do a search for our team tag “beeswaxteam”)

3)  require a small annual member fee of $10

4)  require signing up and participating in group forum on our website (www.beeswaxteam.com)

 

How do I pay the annual fee and what does the money go towards anyway?

Good question!  The annual fee goes towards the upkeep and maintenance of this site.  We get a LOT of traffic to this site each day: it’s our biggest networking tool outside of etsy!  To pay the member fee, go to team website.  On the right side bar is a button to “subscribe” and pay the due.  You can unsubscribe to the team any time.  You’ll receive reminders when your subscription is due each year.  

 

How do I sign up for the forum?  Can I sign up if I’m not on the team?

Everyone has access to the team’s forum.  To sign up and to begin contributing, go to the forum section of this site.  There is a place to sign up and sign in directly on the forum page.

 

What is the ad space about?  How can I get one?

The ad space is a new campaign we’re doing to increase traffic to individual members’ sites, as well as to bring in some profit for us as a team – to increase our budget for team promotional materials.  The ads can be found on the right hand side of our team site.   At any given time, a cancellation of ad space is allowable per email request.  

Large Ad Space (180 x 180 pixels) $20 / a month      

Small Ad Space (90 x 90 pixels)  $10 / month

To find out more, or to begin setting up your ad space subscription, email us at info@beeswaxteam.com

 

 

How do I get interviewed for a podcast?

Be on the team!  We make the rounds to highlight (whether podcast, artist spotlight or written interviews) each of our team members.  We try hard not to play favorites.  Our motto: if you’re already on the team, you’re already a favorite!  :)

 

Are you on Twitter, Facebook, etc?

Yes!  Follow us on Twitter: BeesWaxTeam

Our Facebook Group: The Bee Team

 

How do I sign up to receive the BEE team weekly newsletter?

Send us an email request at info@beeswaxteam.com.  We’ll be happy to include you in on some of the fun events that we put on, sales and other team related info!

 

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If your questions didn’t get answered above, please use these guidelines below to email us:

General BEE team information:       info@beeswaxteam.com

Ideas for articles, team events, etc:       ideas@beeswaxteam.com

New members / membership q’s:      membership@beeswaxteam.com