So.
I have been visiting Etsy a lot lately.
Not only because I love to $hop but also because I am trying to decide whether I want to dive into the deep end of the pool that is Esty.
Over the past few weeks I have had around 4 people ask me whether I sell my designs.
When I tell them no they look at me like I am some kind of alien and say
''you are crazy...you'd do really well".
So.
It has got me thinking....and thinking...and thinking a wee bit more...until I asked myself this question...
Am I ready to set up an Etsy store and start selling my designs?
My main concern has been that once I start selling I will feel that I have to be making pieces rather than making pieces purely for the enjoyment of beading and creating.
But then one of my crafty friends told me that you can have your pieces listed for a few months and that I could slowly add to the store rather than feeling like I have to be creating new things all the time. Of course one assumes adding new stuff to the store all the time would get customers back but you get my point.
So.
I'd be interested to hear from anyone that has an Esty store.
* Did you find it easy to set up?
* Do you find it time consuming?
* Do you enjoy having a store?
* Can you make up my mind for me in regards to my question I keep asking myself above to prevent me from going over this in my head again.. and again... and again lol...
I'd love to hear from you so please add your 5 cents worth as this isn't something I just want to jump into and regret later on when I have had no sales and feel like a big silly goose!
Thanks.
♥
7 comments:
Hi Karyn,
I don't have an etsy shop, but I do have a DaWanda shop - which is quite similar to etsy.
I think you should really give it a try! What do you have to lose?
I haven't made a new item for my shop since november, because I had two bad flues and a lot of "real" work to do. So what! It's totally up to me how I do my business, there!
It is not very time consuming to have an etsy shop (blogging is more time consuming, I think), it is really easy and it is a fantastic feeling to sell your pieces!
Just do it. It's fun. Believe me.
And if you don't like it, etsy won't force you to stay ;)
I have 3 Etsy shops for now and second each word of Palimpa Lim.
But I'd highly suggest to concentrate at patterns/tutorials, as they sell way much better as finished creations and are better for business anyway: you make one and sell it as many times, as you like :)
Good luck!!!
Hey luv!
I think you should give it a try!
It's quite easy to set up Etsy store, but, yes, it does take your time. And keeping it in good shape also takes time. I bet you already knew that! ;) I can't wait to do the first happy sales dance with you! That's the best and most fun part of the process! :)
If you have any questions or need help, just let me know!
Good luck, dear!
xoxo,
Jana
An etsy site is definitely easy to set up and maintain- it's fun even! My only criticism of Etsy is that there is so competition, I feel like my shop is a little lost on there.
I second Amy, there is a lot of competition, and I'll be honest with you, jewelry does not sell well right now. Most of my sales are tutorials. While that is great and it allows me to feed my hobby, I really struggle sometimes with the feeling that my work isn't "good enough". In my experience, the people that tell you you should sell your work have no intention of actually buying it. Having said that, it is a little bit of work, but I just take it one piece at a time.
Good luck in whatever you decide to do, but remember first and foremost to ENJOY what you do, and yes, you'll reach a point where you'll have to check your motivation, but I think that's part of the journey. ;)
The Etsy ocean is wide and deep with plenty of room for all to splash around in. That being said, it is work. It takes time. You have to be realistic about your goals with it. If that is the only place that you sell your work, be prepared to work very hard at it. But if you are using it as just one of many streams of income, then it will be successful for you. Set up a system that works for you, when you will post, how you stage your photos, what you will write in your listings that you can copy and cut down on time. I don't use it as my only source of selling and have been pleasantly surprised by the results. Continue to make connections on your blog and elsewhere so that you can make the most of it. I say, go for it!
Enjoy the day!
Erin
I just wanted to say that I love your creations and you need to go with your heart on this. If it changes either your love or desire to create and why are the questions you should ask yourself.
Hugs
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