Volume 124 Issue 88
kansan.com
Thursday, February 2, 2012
STUDENTS PROFIT ON ETSY
KELSEY CIPOLLA
kcipolla@kansan.com
Handmade products get a worldwide audience with Etsy, a website that allows people and small businesses to buy and sell homemade, vintage and hard-to-find items.
Channing Taylor, a senior from Wichita, has been selling her jewelry in galleries since high school, but Etsy was a new option that allowed her to sell the re-purposed, vintage jewelry she works with independently.
"I heard it would be a really great way to get my stuff out there and reach a large audience," Taylor said. "You have to invest a little bit of time in learning how it works, who to
market to, how to list your stuff."
Since she opened her Etsy "store", what the site calls the seller's page, about six months ago, Taylor sold nine pieces.
Using Etsy comes at a cost. Setting up an account is free, but it costs 20 cents for each item listed on the site. The site also takes five percent of the money made from sells, said Taylor, who had no problems paying the small amount since the gallery she sells her work at takes 40 percent.
Being able to have that independence and widening her market has been a high point of using Etsy for Taylor.
"I sold something to someone in British Columbia and someone in New York," Taylor said. "Those
things are just really exciting to me."
Etsy also has a networking component, which allows users to offer thoughts on others' works, favorite stores and discuss techniques for marketing products on the site. Although Lawrence's Etsy community is sizeable, Taylor said that it is mainly comprised of older artists rather than students, something she hopes starts to change.
Tessa Califano, a senior from Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif., had a different experience with the site. Last December, she started an Etsy account to help her ucle sell t-shirts he made featuring the slogan "That's right..." They took pictures of the shirts, created a profile and paid to be on the Etsy homepage, which
increased their page views.
The plan to make money off the shirts quickly shifted after her uncle was involved in an accident last week.
"He actually just passed away, so all the money that we're getting now from the shirts is being donated," Califano said.
Josie McCoy, a 2011 graduate who recently moved to New York, used the site for a more simple reason. She needed a quick and easy way to get rid of some clothing before she moved.
"I sold quite a bit of clothing on my Etsy shop for extra cash," McCoy said.
Edited by Pat Strathman
CRIME
Girl testifies in court, defends sexual acts
Consensual choking leads to endangerment charges
VIKAAS SHANKER
vshanker@kansan.com
In a preliminary court hearing Wednesday morning, it was revealed that University student Trevor Benedict, 18, choked his former girlfriend several times, even once leading to loss of consciousness.
Benedict is charged with aggravated endangerment of a child, juvenile endangerment of a child and attempted violation of a protective order stemming from an Aug. 23 incident where the victim lost consciousness, according to testimonny.
The victim said that the choking was just one of 30 to 40 instances during their relationship, but that each incident was consensual.
Douglas County Sherrif's Detective Jay Armbrister and the victim, his former girlfriend, testified at the hearing.
"We both enjoyed the sort of adrenaline rush," she said. "But of
course I didn't want to endanger myself so I did not allow it to get to the point where I lose consciousness."
The victim said that when Benedict would choke her, she would signal him to stop by tapping him four times on the arm.
SALLY POKORNY District Two Judge
"For the grace of God, she could have died."
But the one time he didn't, she fainted. She also said she doesn't want Benedict to be found criminally responsible.
Benedict and the victim also bought items for the purpose of choking such as an u-bolt, a horse shoe shaped metal pipe. They also consensually engaged in cutting the victim's legs with a razor blade, according to testimony.
Armbrister testified that during his interviews, both Benedict and the victim said the choking and cutting were mutual acts. He also presented new evidence, including hand-written documents between Benedict and the victim found in Benedict's backpack, in which he claimed the victim said there were times she wanted Benedict to stop choking her but he didn't.
After the testimony, Benedict's attorney asked District Two Judge Sally Pokorny to remove a charge from a previous case, but she denied the request, saying the charge was relevant because the choking endangered the victim's life.
The next court date is scheduled for Friday at 9 a.m. at the Douglas County Courthouse.
"For the grace of God, she could have died," Pokorny said.
Edited by Tanvi Nimkar
Before committing to a lease, renters should research property
HOUSING
RACHEL SALYER rsalyer@kansan.com
Sewage backups, dirty carpets and cabinets and water leaks are just a few of the things University student Bryan Morgan has learned to call home for.
Morgan, senior from Austin, Texas, expected more when he signed his lease at Regency Apartments, operated by First Management Inc.
"It's tough to pay for a place I don't like living in." Morgan said. "You have to be careful. If you don't do your homework, you might end up stuck."
Like many University students, Morgan is unsure of how to approach the problems he has with his apartment.
"I don't even know what to say to them half the time," Morgan said. "You can't get mad at them because then they won't help you at all. You just kind of get stuck in it."
Steve Allton, attorney at University Legal Services for Students, suggests doing some research before renewing leases and finding places to live next year.
"If you don't know what you're signing, you don't know what you're accountable for," Allton said. Allton advises students bring their leases to student legal services where it can be explained and whether or not verified terms are reasonable or standard.
Another option for students is living in the residence halls where staff is readily available and students are in an area designed for academic success, said Jennifer Wamelink, associate director of residence life.
Though students are subject to more rules in the residence halls, Wamelink said it is important to consider the differences in punishment.
"In an apartment complex if your neighbors think you get too loud, then they are probably just going to call the police, and you may be fined," Wamelink said. "In the residence halls, it will be a staff member with the intention to educate you on the policy, not punish you."
Wherever students decide to live, Allton said it is important to do your homework.
"The best way to be happy in you living situation is to be proactive from the start," Allton said. "If you do your research, there won't be surprises, and if there are, we can help you through that process."
Edited by Bre Roach
KNOW YOUR LANDLORD
UNDERSTAND THE LEASE
KNOW YOUR LANDLORD
See if your landlord has been to court by visiting the Douglas County Courthouse. Computers are available to access public records.
TIPS FOR HASSLE-FREE LIVING
WALK THROUGH
UNDERSTAND THE LEASE
Your lease may renew itself automatically at the end of the term so know what to expect and what is expected of you.
WALK THROUGH
Detail the current state of the property in writing or through pictures and video.
IF IT'S NOT IN WRITING,
IT DIDN'T HAPPEN
If something is supposed to be done before moving in, get it in the lease.
MAINTENANCE REQUESTS
MAINTENANCE REQUESTS
Call and submit requests in writing.
Creating a paper trail helps when things go wrong.
For additional tips, maintenance and 30 day notice forms, visit the student legal services website.
http://udkne.ws/wGX6Ys
CLASSIFIEDS 11 CRYPTOQUIPS 4 SPORTS 12
CROSSWORD 4 OPINION 5 SUDCKU 4
All contents, unless stated otherwise, © 2012 The University Daily Kansan
Don't forget
Today is Groundhog Day! Make sure to find out if he saw his shadow.
Today's Weather
Increasing clouds. Southeast winds between 5 to 10 mph.
HI: 60
LO: 42
Getting shady.
B.
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