The Big 2 !!

This month we are celebrating the second anniversary of Hanji Naty! Yay!

On February 24, 2013 I was opening my own online boutique, on the website Etsy.com, specialized in handmade and vintage items. It's been a great adventure so far, and I am so thrilled when I think of the future of my business!


Last year, when my online shop turned one, I made a recap of some amazing moments that happened in my first year. It is fantastic to see that my progression has continued, and that new doors keep on opening! 2015 is going to be an exciting year for Hanji Naty !


Developing my online business

• I sold 60 items in my second year (compared to 24 items in the first one), for a total of 84 sales!;

• My items have been sold in eleven different countries, including the USA, Canada, South Korea, Ireland, Sweden, Australia, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Israel;

• My shop offers now a wider range of products, including hair accessories, key chains, brooches, pen holders, coasters, magnets, earrings, trays, boxes, etc. More than 175 items are currently for sale in my online boutique;

Creating New Products

• In the fall of 2014 I created a series of unique and colorful patchwork coasters. They have been very popular items in my shop this year, as well as in my booth in the Wonju Hanji Festival;

My Hanji patchwork coasters are among
the most popular items in my Etsy shop.

• I have expended my offer of hair accessories, adding mini barrettes and long thin hair pins to please different types of hair;

   

• You can now find Hanji brooches in my online shop :

   

• I am constantly creating new styles of Hanji paper earrings, to please all tastes and styles. Recently I added new round and oval earrings; the earrings are made of wood, and are covered with hand-cut Hanji paper :

     

Participating in my very first Festival

• In September 2014 I took part in the Wonju Hanji Festival, in the city of Wonju (Gangwon province, north-east of the South Korean peninsula). What an experience! 

• I had the chance to present and sell my creations in a complete different setting, but most importantly, it was a golden opportunity for me to be in direct contact with my customers;

• It was also a beautiful occasion to meet and connect with my fellow Hanji craftsmen and craftswomen; 

• After a wonderful encounter with a couple of Japanese art gallery owners, some of my patchworks coasters are now for sale in an art gallery in Seoul, Capital city of South Korea!

Being a part of the Etsy Community

• In the second year I continued to be more involved in the Etsy community, participating regularly in the promotional activities and games of different Etsy teams;

• Since January 2015, I am the proud Captain of the Strategic Promotion for Success Team (SPS Team). I am extremely happy and grateful to have the opportunity to work with a great group of Leaders, who are dedicated artisans and artists who spare no effort to help our teammates thrive and succeed;

Being more visible on social media platforms 

• In the last few months I have deployed more energy to increase my presence on different social media platforms :

• I am now more active on more social media platforms, such as Facebook, Pinterest, Keep, Wanelo, and Polyvore;

• I regularly participate in the Crafty Saturday Show and Sell on The Chilly Dog's awesome blog www.thechillydog.com;

• I write blog articles for the SPSTeam Blog;

• I am a sponsor for the February Giveaway, hosted on the Serendipitini blog (www.serendipitini.com) and on the Hanji Naty blog !

A special discount to celebrate the second anniversary of HanjiNaty!

• I am thrilled to offer you 20% OFF on all the items in the online shop to celebrate the second anniversary of HanjiNaty!

• Use the coupon code "THEBIG2" at check-out to enjoy a nice 20% discount!

• The coupon is valid until March 31, 2015;

• Check the online shop now :

Feeling Lucky?... Enter this Giveaway to Win Gorgeous Handmade Items!

We have several handmade gifts we are giving away this month! Entering the Giveaway takes only a few seconds, and you will have a chance to win some pretty awesome handmade items!!

The rules are simple :

• Enter the Giveaway, by following the simple instructions in the box below. Your inscription will be completed within minutes, I promise!

• The drawing ends on February 28, 2015. 

• One winner will be announced, and this person will win ALL the items offered in this month's giveaway! Woot!

• Remember : Entrants must live in the United States. (sorry for the others... but nothing is stopping you from sharing with your American friends!)

• Be sure to post and share this Giveaway opportunity with all your friends!

What can you win this month?



Sponsor 1.  Hanji Naty 
https://www.etsy.com/shop/HanjiNaty 


Giveaway Item :

A set of six (6) colourful round coasters, made of high-quality Korean Hanji paper. 100% handmade. Made of sturdy, solid core cardboard, covered with hand-cut Korean Hanji paper (mulberry paper), the coasters have been varnished twice with a water-based varnish for durability and a nice shiny finish.                   

Sponsor 2:  Serendipitini Jewelry https://www.etsy.com/shop/SerendipitiniJewelry

Giveaway Item :

Wire wrapped recycled glass necklace similar to beach glass with triple strand cord. 17" length.

a Rafflecopter giveaway



Wanna be a part of this great Giveaway?

We are looking for monthly giveaway sponsors and blog hosts for these giveaways which appear on several blogs. This is a great way for you to get more exposure for you! 
Here's the link to more info. 

Many thanks to Teena from Serendipitini Jewelry for taking the initiative of this monthly Giveaway! Check out her blog at : http://www.serendipitini.com/

Exclusive interview on the "Work Your Art" blog!

I am very proud to share here a link to an exclusive interview I gave to Debbie, the heart and head of the "Work Your Art" blog that specializes in marketing and promotion for selling crafts and arts online! It is a very well-done blog, filled with great information, tips, worksheets, etc.

You can read my interview here :
http://www.workyourart.com/interview/a-conversation-with-natalie-from-north-jeolla-province-south-korea/

Thank you very much, Debbie!

Great Savings for you~!

HanjiNaty is thrilled to participate in the SPSTeam Cyber Week Sales Event once again this year!

From November 28 to December 4 you can enjoy at 20% discount on everything in the HanjiNaty shop!!

You can also save a lot on shipping by buying two items or more! Save time and money by shopping at HanjiNaty!

20% OFF instant discount at check-out with the coupon code SPST4U  ~!

Cyber Week Sale~! by hanjinaty featuring paper coasters

* * * *

What does the discount and combined shipping look like?



                   A pair of handmade earrings       +          A handcrafted brooch

$12 + $3 shipping : $15            $15 + $3 shipping : $18    

= Total $33

With the Coupon Code and combined shipping 

$9.60 + $12 + combined shipping $3.50

= Total $25.10

(Savings of $7.90!)

How about with three items?

       A set of 4 coasters             +  Earrings with hand-cut designs     +   A unique keychain

$15 + $4 shipping : $19                        $14 + $3 shipping : $17                      $11 + $3 shipping : $14   

= Total $50

With the Coupon Code and combined shipping 

$12 + $11.20 + $8.80 + combined shipping $5.00

= Total $37.00

(Savings of $13!)

  

Come and take a look at the HanjiNaty online boutique and choose unique presents for your loved ones!

... and remember that all HanjiNaty items will arrive carefully gift-wrapped!

Happy shopping!

HanjiNaty Earrings : hypoallergenic, lightweight, and beautifully unique!

Did you know that all the HanjiNaty earrings are built with hypoallergenic hooks?

Were you aware that the HanjiNaty earrings are so unbelievably light, that you won't even feel that you are wearing them?

Did you know that every single pair of HanjiNaty earrings is completely unique? With hand-cut designs and carefully chosen colors and patterns?

Yes! They really are the perfect gift for the women of your life!

And at only $14 a pair... it's a steal!

Shop now and avoid the Holiday rush : www.hanjinaty.etsy.com

Handmade Paper Earrings by hanjinaty featuring diamond jewelry

Diamond jewelry
etsy.com

Hook jewelry
etsy.com

Hook jewelry
etsy.com

Diamond jewelry
etsy.com

Yellow jewelry
etsy.com

Fuchsia jewelry
etsy.com

Shop Unique for the Holidays!

Dear Holiday Shopper,

We, the sellers of Etsy want to share one simple reminder . . .

Shop unique.

Shop Etsy for the holidays!

Etsy is a marketplace where people around the world connect to buy and sell unique goods. We know you have to go “big box retail” to buy the flat screen TV or iPhone that is on your sweetie’s list. Just remember, for all the other gifts on your list, you can shop on Etsy. We are the real sellers on Etsy – some of us are running our shop as a side-business, while others are selling full-time. We are moms, dads, sons, daughters. You see us selling at craft shows and boutiques. We are entrepreneurs, risk-takers, and passion-sharers. We want to share our creativity with the world and help connect you to real-life makers – not a robot or a disconnected manufacturer. On Etsy, you can shop by all of these categories: 

accessories, art, bags and purses, bath and beauty, books and zines, candles, ceramics and 

pottery, children, clothing, crochet, dolls and miniatures, everything else, furniture, Geekery, glass, holidays, housewares, jewelry, knitting, music,needlecraft, paper goods, patterns, pets, plants and edibles, quilts, supplies, toys, vintage, weddings, and woodworking!

Regards,

The Sellers of Etsy 

****************************************************************************************************

HanjiNaty is thrilled to join the SHOP UNIQUE promotional campaign, an inventive and dynamic social media

promotion wave,  initiated by Jason from Etsy-preneurship and Timothy from Handmadeology.

The idea is to work together to promote Holiday shopping on Etsy ! 

All the Etsy sellers are invited to take part in this massive movement!!

How can you participate?

Visit the Shop Unique page : http://www.handmadeology.com/shop-unique-shop-etsy-for-the-holidays/

Click on the banner "Click Here to Join the Shop Unique Promotion"

Follow the instructions : you must use Facebook to like and share the post, and to invite other Etsy sellers to join the movement! There are six (6) easy steps to add your Etsy shop to the list, and to participate in this massive effort to bring shoppers to our Etsy shops!

1. Submit your shop by filling out an online form
2. Like the original post on Facebook
3. Post your Etsy shop link in the comment section (on Facebook) along with a brief sentence about what you sell
4. Comment and like 3 other comments on the Facebook post
5. Share the post and tag at least 5 other Etsy sellers to invite them to join the movement! You can also tag some of your biggest fans to invite them to support the Shop Unique initiative.
6. Spread the word : Tweet, blog, talk about it in Team Forum, etc.!

Spread the word!

The sixth and last step is very important!! We have to beat our drum loud and clear to make sure people remember to visit Etsy when time comes to do their Holiday shopping!

Please please share this post on your personal blog or Facebook page! Leave a link to your blog in the comments below, so we can all stay connected!

Together we can make a difference!

   

A Visit to the Jeonju Hanji Museum

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure to meet Manuela, an energetic Brazilian gal who has a true passion for handmade paper. She is currently pursuing Graduate studies in a University in Japan, and her research focuses on traditional Japanese paper making.

Manuela had the brilliant idea to contact me via this blog before coming to Korea on a 2-week vacation, to ask me for some suggestions on how and where she could get familiarized with Hanji paper while visiting Korea. I was thrilled to hear from her!

It is always so exciting for me to meet and discuss with other paper lovers, who have a passion for traditional methods and crafts. (If it's your case, please do not hesitate to contact me!)

After exchanging a few emails, we decided to organize a little meet-up in Jeonju, where we could visit the Hanji Museum together, and pay a visit to my beloved Korean Hanji teacher.

Welcome to the Jeonju Hanji Museum

The Hanji History Hall
Jeonju Hanji Museum

The Jeonju Hanji Museum is located in the industrial complex, in the neighborhood Palbok-dong in Jeonju.

It isn't the type of museum that you can naturally stumble upon while exploring the Hanok village or downtown Jeonju; you will most likely need to take a taxi or a city bus to get there (a link with directions to the museum can be found at the bottom of this page).

The Museum is very beautifully designed, and the majority of the signage is translated in English, which is a rarity in Korean museums! It makes the visit very pleasant and informative for foreign visitors.

The Museum also offers a comprehensive English brochure, and an English version of the "History of Paper" short video (projected on a Hanji screen in the Hanji History Hall) is also available.

The Different Sections of the Museum 

The Jeonju Hanji Museum is divided in five different sections :

• The Hanji History Hall
• The Hanji Future Hall
• The Millenium Hanji Hall
• The Planning Exhibition Hall
• The Hanji Reproduction Hall

The first part of the Museum, called "Hanji History Hall", is dedicated to the history and evolution of paper, and more specifically, of Hanji paper. Some beautiful artifacts can be seen in that section, including very old Hanji boxes and pieces of furniture, antique paper scrolls, and calligraphy documents.

Clothing made of Hanji paper and fibers are on display
in the Hanji Future Hall of the Museum.

The second section, named "Hanji Future Hall", is devoted to the multiple uses and usages of Hanji.

You will have a chance to see some outstanding products made of Korean Hanji paper paper, including clothing, artistic sculptures, hair accessories, scarves, vessels, dishes, decorative boxes, shoes, ties, handkerchiefs, etc.

The range of items made with Hanji is truly amazing! The section of the Museum illustrates beautifully the multiple strengths and characteristics of this unique material.



Here are a few pictures of the different items you can see in the Hanji Future Hall :

The third section of the Museum, called "Millenium Future Hall", contains a small auditorium (for video projection) and a space for workshops, and for welcoming groups of visitors.

The different types of Hanji paper are also on display, and the visitors are invited to touch the diverse kinds of Hanji, to feel and see the differences between them.

It is very instructive, but unfortunately the indications on the different types of Hanji paper are only available in Korean.

The fourth section of the Museum is an exhibition Hall that welcomes temporary exhibits. When I visited the Museum back in September 2014, an exhibition of drawings by local university art students was there for us to admire. The students drew portraits on Hanji paper, and the results were truly beautiful! A lovely selection of complimentary postcards was also available for the visitors for the duration of the exhibition.

To reach the fifth and last section of the Museum, called "Hanji Reproduction Hall", the visitors are invited to go down a "green house" staircase, under which different plants are happily growing. Visitors can see the beautiful green mulberry plants, the raw material at the very base of the fabrication of traditional Hanji paper! I felt that this brief walk in a very green and lively environment was a very nice touch in the Museum visit.

In the "Hanji Reproduction Hall", visitors have a chance to see and touch the raw material used to make Hanji paper. Every step of the paper making process is well explained and documented, and you can see the tools, raw materials and instruments used to make the paper.

At the end of the path, the visitors are invited to make their own sheet of Hanji paper, using traditional techniques. The Museum staff is very kind and helpful, and the hands-on experience is very pleasant! The visitors can keep their own sheet of Hanji paper as a souvenir.

When the visit of the Museum is over, you can also browse in the nice Hanji Museum gift shops, where you can find a good selection of Hanji paper (sheets), as well as Hanji paper products: socks, fans, dolls, decorative objects, etc. The products offered in the Museum are of high-quality, and are reasonably priced.


A great visit... and a new friend!

I had a great time at the Hanji Museum; the visit was interesting, instructive and fun. The whole visit took about an hour, and it was definitely worth it!

I was thrilled to share my passion for Hanji paper with my new "paper friend", Manuela! It was very interesting and resourcing to spend time with someone who shares my passion and interest for traditional paper, and I walked out of the Museum reinvigorated and full of new ideas!

Thank you so much, Manuela! I cannot wait for our next adventure... wherever that might be!

Manuela and Natalie at the Jeonju Hanji Museum

More information on the Jeonju Hanji Museum

➯ Official website (in Korean only) : hanjimuseum.co.kr
➯ Information and directions (in English): http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=268162
➯ Visiting Hours : 9am to 5pm, Tue-Sun (closed on Monday)
➯ Admission : Free