Freshline Designs
Posted by Keith on Saturday Apr 26, 2008 Under Reviews / CritiquesQuick Note: I apologize to those who have tried to comment but have not wanted to register. I had not realised that the need to register had been re-enabled after my last upgrade. I have corrected it and you no longer need to register to post a comment. My apologies for the inconvenience and hope you’ll try again!
Today begins a new and hopefully regular feature for my blog: reviewing other craft and art shops and products that are not mass-produced. To start with, I am going to review an easy target: Freshline Illustration and Design. Why do I say easy? Because for my first review, I’m choosing a seller and artisan that I really enjoy. Thus, it’s a pleasant review for me to write and I’ll admit up front that it is positive. I can’t promise that all reviews in the future will be positive but hopefully they will all be constructive, and artisans will need to request a review before they are featured. But for now, let’s discuss Freshline!
I first encountered Freshline (real name Colleen) in the forums on Etsy. Her personality in posts and the clean artwork of her avatar caught my eye and I proceeded to take a look at her shop. Her shop instantly drew me in with it’s clean design, bright colors and obvious personality. Her descriptions are engaging and her personality shines through in those as well. Her shop is neatly organised into section, and her items are well-tagged. Finally, her profile contains shipping and policy information that buyers will want to understand. The only item that I feel she could add to her shop is some additional information on her paper types (weights, brightness, etc). I say this because the card that I ended up ordering came on a lovely linen that would have been an additional selling point for me had I not already chosen to buy it!
Interaction with Freshline was pleasant and easy as well. She communicated well, thanking me in an Etsy conversation for my purchase and verifying my correct address when she noticed that my Etsy and Paypal addresses were different (thankfully for me, as I had forgotten to update Paypal).
The item arrived 3 days later in a rigid cardboard mailer. The packaging inside the card was excellent and also spoke to her polished and professional nature:
As you can see, the packaging is very nice. Her logo is displayed well and the plastic is acid-free. Included as well were a handwritten receipt, a coupon and a handwritten note thanking me for my purchase.
Ultimately, it was a very positive and rewarding transaction and I would highly recommend Freshline to anyone looking for a quality, vibrant and engaging greeting card or design. For those who would like to learn more about Freshline, check out Colleen’s blog! I think you’ll enjoy it!
My final rating for Freshline: 5 of 5 Cherry Blossoms!
If you would like to be reviewed, please leave a comment on this post requesting a review AND providing one constructive comment on either my blog or on Freshline (the shop featured today). Reviews are chosen at my discretion and will only be occurring weekly so if you are not chosen, please try again later. Thank you!
April 26th, 2008 at 11:23 am
I like her banner and indeed, everything seems very well organised.
Fun designs too and I love the packaging - looks very professional!
What a great review!
April 26th, 2008 at 11:37 am
What a nice review! I’d love for you to do one on my shop.
http://www.lieblingartcrafts.etsy.com
For Freshline, I enjoyed how you showed the packaging and little extras included inside. I never thought about sending a personal note, but will definately change that now! I do write “Thanks!” on the receipt and sign my name, but this is a much lovelier personal touch. I would also like to see more details on paper types, buying online is tough and often my experiences have been the opposite of yours, where I expected a higher quality than I actually received. Also, a smidge more information in the profile would add something for me. I’d like to be told on the shipping portion of the profile whether or not gift wrapping or third party mailing for gifts is available.
Jess
April 26th, 2008 at 11:39 am
What a lovely review!!
I just started a blog where Etsians can submit links to their own reviews posts. If you’re interested stop by and leave a comment.
Gina
http://anything.typepad.com/indielinkup
April 26th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
really impressive review! I enjoyed the honesty in your post and Freshline is definitly a store I’ll check out. I’d definitly enjoy having you review me, too. I’ve always found the perspectives of others to be most helpful in what I produce. Which, admitidly, right now is a bit ‘under construction’ with nothing new added for a while. I’m in the process of moving. Whether you chose me or not, is ok. I am glad to have found you in the forums of Etsy and will mark you to read further reviews. Thank you for that post.
April 26th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
Keith,
What do I say after such a wonderful review of my shop? I’m flattered! It was well written and I really enjoyed seeing my packaging up on your site! Thank you so much for taking the time to review me. I appreciate all of your kind words about my work. I enjoy creating illustrations & paper goods and it’s always a nice feeling to get positive feedback on my work.
Thank you to all who also commented on my shop. I appreciate your constructive feedback too! I will be taking several of your ideas into consideration!
All the best!
Colleen
April 26th, 2008 at 9:37 pm
Well done. That is a great etsy shop and a great review. I think that what you said about the pape weight being listed is a great idea. I also like the framed prints and would love to see more prints matched with frames. That’s about the only thing I would change. I love how coherant Colleen shop is. That is something that I dream of. I’d love a review if you are still looking.
Thanks Kieth,
Brielle, ponyup.etsy.com
April 26th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
I have bever seen her shop before so thanks for the review. I love her name and logo, so catchy and the packaging and professionalism is very nice.
You have written the review very clearly, which is awesome as a lot of people tend to ramble!
if you would ver like to review me, go on ahead
http://www.JeweledAmbrosia.etsy.com
http://www.LittleLovables.etsy.com
April 26th, 2008 at 10:05 pm
I would love to see some of the prints in different photo situations. Perhaps in a frame or room setting. It might help me picture how it would look in my home. Nice vivid colors though, and I do like the close up framing of your lead picture.
Would love to get some feedback on my shop or blog. I think if you have the tech ability it would be nice to add a “Review Me” button on the top of the Mindless Pursuits Blog. Had I not come from the Etsy forums it might be confusing figuring out how to request a review.
Thanks for doing this!!
momomatic.etsy.com
http://www.mom-o-matic.blogspot.com/
April 26th, 2008 at 10:07 pm
Very nice! I love the clean look and cohesiveness of Freshline’s shop. What a lovely thank you card — that’s a great touch and one that I’m sure leaves a great impression on all of her customers.
If you’re still looking for shops to review, I’d love for you to consider mine. Thanks!
Jaimee
http://moxiedesigns.etsy.com
April 26th, 2008 at 10:18 pm
She has an absolutely lovely shop! The only the she might consider is shipping outside of the united states. I think the style of her art would be very popular in Europe especially in places like Germany and the Netherlands. It would be a shame for her to miss out on such a large market. I would also love a review if you get a chance.
April 26th, 2008 at 10:19 pm
Great review! I wasn’t familiar with Freshline, and I’m glad I am now! I checked out her lovely shop, and my only criticism would be that I saw of couple of typos.
I’d love for you to review my shop! (montagyoo.etsy.com)
April 26th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
I really like her shop! It was hard to come up with something to add.
As a card buyer, I would say that it would be nice if you put how many cards are in your packs as well as if they come with envelopes or not in the title!
And I’d welcome a review at any time!
April 26th, 2008 at 10:55 pm
Wow, what a fantastic shop! Thanks for pointing her out to us. She is super talented.
I love how bold and colorful her designs are. Her shop has great photos…the colors really stand out!
The only thing I would change is the shop announcement. It’s good to be concise, but if she would put a few more lines in about herself, her work, or her inspiration, it may draw more people in to take a closer look.
I’m always open for a review!
Good luck, Colleen!
April 27th, 2008 at 4:46 am
Wow - what an amazing shop Freshline! I’ve hearted you! I love the design of your cards. Nice colours, lovely pictures. My favourite is http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9450640.
Perhaps my only critism is that some of the thumbnails seem to crop the pictures in weird ways, the just look a bit askew. Perhaps if they were square to begin with, you could get around this.
But full marks from me!
I’d also welcome a review, I’ve only had two sales! http://www.bugsinrugs.etsy.com
Thanks, great idea.
April 27th, 2008 at 5:41 am
Oh what a wonderful store and review!
I love your blog!
Freshline is a store i’d not been to before and had a great time browsing around! What a ‘fresh’ looking shop!
SHould you care to review me, that would be wonderful!
Jen
Bearly Time To Scrap
http://www.bearlytimetoscrap.etsy.com
April 27th, 2008 at 5:48 am
Thanks for introducing yourself, your shop, your blog, and freshline to me! It is hard by this point to come up with a new suggestion, but I wondered why you chose just a single line up for your etsymini on the blog. Did you want fewer, but larger photos? I find I like the double line up because we get to see more items…and they are beautiful, by the way. My favorite is your asters! Would love to be considered for a critique!
http:/peacoxcreations.etsy.com
http://patti-peacox.blogspot.com
April 27th, 2008 at 7:13 am
It’s always fun to discover a new blog and reviewing other people’s shops gives you a nice focus. I’ve been to your Etsy shop before and love your work. If I could make a suggestion about your blog page I would say it is a bit confusing and cluttered with everything at the top sort of the same size and typeface. Your review was nice and I would love to see an interview or at least a comment from the artist. Looks like you’re off to a great start!
April 27th, 2008 at 10:00 am
Thank you everyone for your many wonderful suggestions! I have added international shipping, updated my profile to include gift wrapping & third party shipping and other changes! I appreciate all of your help! =)
Thanks everyone for checking out my shop & work!
~Colleen (Freshline.etsy.com)
April 27th, 2008 at 10:05 am
ooh, i like this card of your Colleen:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=10692478
April 27th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
I loved the note cards! I am not much of a card sender (I call or email), but I love great paper to make lists!
Great illustrations!
April 27th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Me again! It cut me off and posted before I was done typing! Anyway, enjoyed your site!
April 28th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Great comments and to the point. That is refreshing.
I have never visited Mindless Persuits. She does wonderful work.
I like the personal note to the buyer. Not much of that around anymore.
April 30th, 2008 at 11:31 pm
Wow! After I read all the comment, I pick up so many things I need to do! I really like Keith’s honesty and Colleen’s note. I still have so much to learn!
I wrote a note on the packing slip but I think the hand written note does add special touch!