Arts & Crafts Shows Directory
I NEED your opinions
Call me Alfred Einstein, call me Alfred E. Newman...but help me out on this. Please email me at jyatesnewyork@aol.com, or just write right here in the comments section on this entry as to whether or not I should open an ETSY store, starring far less expensive but just as lovely and original adornments for yourself, your loved ones, and those relatives you need to give a little something to on their birthdays, wrapped prettily (as above--person who used to have this picture, I will take it down if you like!) and fancifully by me, the one and only. I have around two weeks to decide, as I have a pal, Tammara, who will make my banner for me. She is great at things like that and I love her for it! She is willing to do it!
You need paper and stuff like the example above from a blog no longer in existence. UM, THAT BODES WELL. eek!
Maybe I can get my other friend to tell me how to wrap and scrap (June, you know I mean you--I only HAVE about two friends...)
and I need wholesale materials. That will be the hardest. I am a retail girl from waaaaaaay back. You cannot make money charging what you paid for said materials. After all these years, I have finally learned that, even if Vicki Lareau's book never arrived after I ordered it from Amazon.
I buzz around like a little busy bee and then I charge 5 bucks for a necklace I invested 175 in and spent 4 days working on. I... need... a... money... manager !!! Help! I do NOT ned a monkey manager! One little letter of the alphabet and look what happened.
Even so, I want to try this idea of mine. I want to put up pretty things which no one has thought of before.
The idea seems really fun to me right now, in the middle of winter! I can always pull back and start it up again later if I am not ready after all! Please let me know what you all think--and let me know if Paypal is sufficient as a method of payment for this grand idea of mine!
Remember--pretty boxes...
Remember--I am terrible at charging correctly!
Remember--well, remember to write me your opinion!
THANKS!
jean!!! XOX :)
I don't want to diss my own website, but it has been around a long time and websites are great for some people but not for me at the moment. I think Etsy, which I am at every day anyway might be just the ticket.
Labels: I NEED your opinions
19 Comments:
Yes you should Jean! Ive seen your jewellery on your site here and its very wonderful. Your a fresh with ideas. So many many ppl surf and buy from Etsy and many ppl get some pretty good $$$. I say GO for it!
Janet ox
Janet--you rock! Thanks for the positive response. that makes me feel great!
xox jean!
Yes, yes, and yes! I know from experience that you can over-think yourself right out of a good thing.
I love paypal and use it primarily on my site because it's easy and safe for both buyer and seller.
Just a comment about pricing--I keep a small pad of paper out on my table and write down each componet and it's cost as I use it so I can easily tell how much I have into each piece I make (of course that means also knowing how much you've paid for each component). Then it's up to you to figure out your own formula from there.
You've got the talent and drive to do this. My only question is....why haven't you done this sooner?
Absolutely! It's a low-invest, not very time consuming thing to try, so why not? I've had my shop open for a month, and I've only made 2 sales, but I really enjoy the visibility and possibilities of it:) And yeah, I'd just stick with PayPal unless someone asks otherwise;) Good luck!
Alice--thank you! I think that is a very astute comment! I appeciate it!
xox jean
ps, Alice--you are very sweet!
neat, Summer--I will go check you out!
I like having my favorite season giving me the OK!
:)
I think two things when you have just barely been open is very very good. I took ages on my website before I sold a THING!
xox jean!
It couldn't hurt! I'm sure you'll do great.
Make sure to check out Etsy's newsletters and helpful hints on how to run a successful shop. It may not be a money manager, but the experiences of others shared freely in the forums is a helpful tool that should be utilized.
I agree with Andrew and the others! it costs very little to try out an Etsy store, you've already got a following...I see no downside to the idea :-)
xoxo Cyndi
Thanks Andrew-- I Never would have though of that on my own-- I consider myself a girl lone ranger!
Now i have some more useful advice!
:)
I hope you are right Cyndi...you are sweet to say what you just said! xox jean!
Definitely give it a whirl. I just opened an Etsy shop about two months ago and had one sale so far (ok, from my husband) but it's a fun place to hang out and I'm sure you'll get many sales.
Love your "Links" book. I refer to it all the time.
Lee
Dear Lee:
What a super supportive and NICE thing to say! You are my kind of person!
xox jean
The jewelry section in Etsy is a tough marketplace to break into; having said that, you've already established a reputation as a jewelry designer, so I think that you'd probably do fairly well with it. It's a cheap experiment, so I say go for it!
Making the banner for your Etsy store is the hardest part. You've got it made sister! I just started my store and it was easier than I let myself think. I worried and worried but now I have some items up and I get back to beading or surfing the Internet until I have something to deal with on Etsy. No sales yet, but it's inexpensive to list and you get quite a few months out of the deal. Are you on Etsy yet? This is a long commment, you probably do have your store open by now. =P
Thanks Winchell for being very frank! I am beginning to feel as if I have a lot of friends and it really helps my confidence!
jean !!!
Rebecca--nope--I don't have my store up yet but I am headng that way, and mainly thanks to you all helping me decide! Yes, I am leaning toward opening an Etsy store!!! This blog will stay open but I and not sure I will keep the site--I love it for sentimental reasons but it is EXPENSIVE--WHOO HOO!:::::::dropping in a flat faint on thr floor!--jeepers!
love,
jean
Hi Jean! Can't wait to see your new shop. :)
Jean, You could combine etsy and Facebook; on Facebook you show photo and make a link to etsy so people can find you and the item for sale directly; then they can purchase and get familiar with your site.
Use your web for interviews, reviews etc and occasionally promote your own jewelry. You are a brand already so etsy should work for you but you do need to keep it current and list things like every day or at least once a week.Your whole b log commun ity would need to give you lots oif support and mention you to get it going. Best of luck; your work is beautiful. Joan Tucker
Post a Comment
<< Home