Trends Emerging

I've noticed that certain kinds of scents are emerging as best-sellers in my shop. My number one best selling fragrance is Rifle Range, I've sold several soaps and colognes in that scent.
My more masculine scents seem to get more views, hearts, and sales than more traditionally feminine ones. Perhaps this is my niche? I've been working on more unisex scents that have those deep, complex qualities that my customers seem to enjoy. I just posted a soap called "Holmes" after my favorite literary sleuth- last week I posted a "Watson" which is a classic Bay Rum scent (but I've started wearing it, it's delicious).
I have made a few new feminine scents, however. Emma is a bright combination of Strawberry, Honeysuckle, and Orange. I made a Jane Eyre as well which has Ivy, Heather, Lavender, and Vetiver as the main notes.
I think that unique blends are what catch peoples' interest overall. Hopefully I can find a bigger market for my more lady-centric fragrances as well.

19th Century Literature Based Scents

I'm toying with new fragrances based on some of my favorite characters. So far I'm looking at doing two counterpoint fragrances: Elinor and Marianne as well as a Sherlock Holmes scent.
Elinor will be more earthy, Rosewood, Eucalyptus, Ivy, maybe a touch of Orange. Marianne will be sweeter, Vanilla, Lavender, Rose, Cinnamon. I'm still playing with blends currently.
For Holmes I'm looking at a masculine blend of Tobacco Flower and Cedarwood.
I'm also working on an Absinthe soap called "The Green Muse." That will be in honor of the romantic poets.

I have to make up anther batch of my Captain Wentworth soap, I've just sold the last bar.
I've also just listed a new soap, "Summer Stroll" to match my solid perfume by the same name.

Etsy Teams and Branding

With all the new forum changes, teams are springing up left and right to fill the gap. I didn't want to, but I have jumped on the bandwagon, so to speak. I joined the Shop of the Day Team (full of lovely people and enthusiastic promoters). I also joined the Wholligans (or Doctor Who fans) team, because sometimes it's nice to have someone to get excited with over the show. Very few of my friends watch it.
I also started a team. I am now the captain of English Geeks of Etsy. So many members I've seen on forums love reading and writing and many sell literature related items. I thought it would be fun to come together as a community and discuss that love.
With my other shop, I'm a member of the Etsy Bloggers, but I'm still unsure of what to do about my first shop. It's in vacation mode currently.
I'm not sure how to "brand" Crafting Birds, my first shop. I make jewelry, accessories, clothing, and many of my items are made from recycled materials. Do I want to go in the direction of recycled artsy pieces or historically inspired items? I don't know if my shop can support both. It's a lot to contemplate.
I'm planning on selling live at (at least) two different events this summer, I'll be mixing merchandise from both my shops at these events. The main event will be my soaps, but I'll lay out some bags and jewelry as well to draw more people into my tent.

Lip Balm Experiments

I have several recipes I've been toying with- an attempt I made the other day is close. A little too waxy, I need to increase the amount of the oils and tone down the beeswax.
I'm optimistic that I'll be able to have some in my shop by the new year! I'm having friends test my bath salts so they can join the inventory in January as well.
Now I'm trying to decide on packaging for both of these items. I like balms to be in tubes instead of tins because it doesn't get your hands messy, nor does it put your germy hands in your mouth. I really like the oval tubes, they are better shaped for the natural curve of the lip, but they also tend to be about twice as expensive, so I don't know if it's worth it.
The salts could either go in some sort of jar or bag- again, I'll see what is both classy and economical.
Recently I've also had the random idea to make a set of Sherlock Holmes dolls. I'm a big fan and have been working my way through the canon for a while now. I checked, there doesn't really seemed to be much in the way of Holmes/Watson dolls out there. Though, if I do make them it might not be for selling... I might not be able to part with them.