Maybe I'm just overwhelmed because I actually did something...

[valis2]

...but seriously, I'm a little freaked out right now. In a good way.

Yes, I finally have a few things on Etsy. After months of not having things on Etsy. And, unlike my ill-fated Cafépress endeavor, this seems exciting; some of my items have already had 26 views after only 24 hours. Now, clearly, a few of those views belong to me, but still--wow.

The pics are...serviceable, at best. The items are okay, nothing really amazing, just plain and simple, with good quality components. I've uploaded some of them to my Flickr account, and that's when it struck me--I looked at a whole page of stuff at once, and I felt giddy. Just utterly giddy. The thing is, I've been renewed in my passion for crafting recently, and this is such a warming moment--I feel like I could dance for joy, at seeing it all, so neat and tidy in rows, and wow.

Now I have to hope that something sells.

(PS: Please understand that I will not post links here in the journal, mmmkay? I need to keep these things separate--the last thing I want is a customer finding my slash fics. heh.)

Comments

[kakiphony.livejournal.com]

But will you e-mail the link?

knotestine at gmail dot com

;) (I'm still trying to convince J that etsy is doable, but I can't seem to get him to take me seriously. He hates the idea of having stock on hand and not just doing custom orders. I keep showing him etsy stores to try to persuade him that they don't need to be overly complex to make money.)

[ook.livejournal.com]

I want an etsy account but someone is squatting on the name that I want to use (which is illegal according to the etsy TOS). This other person opened an account 5 years ago and NEVER used it once. :P

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Oh, Etsy would really rock for you guys--except for the time you'd have to put aside for photographing, uploading, etc.

Seriously, though, it's really nice because it has that eBay store thing going--every item you put up is an Item For Sale. Period. It's very much geared toward handmade, one-of-a-kind things. Your price points were low, last time I looked (too low, it seemed to me, though I'm sorry to be critical!), and I doubt there are many other people doing the same thing on Etsy, so it seems like it would be a really great experiment, if nothing else.

[valis2.livejournal.com]

argh! That is so incredibly frustrating.

At least in my case, valis has a rather healthy journal, so I can't gripe too much. I know that someone--is it _lore?--here on LJ has much the same problem--the journal they wanted was created ages ago and never used for anything, as far as they can tell.

Have you contacted Etsy about it? I wonder how they deal with TOS violations, honestly.

[kakiphony.livejournal.com]

There are (or were, last time I checked) two other etsy vendors doing bubble wands. But they were really simple compared to what J does. One was bust bent wire with no soldering or adornments, and other was just very bare bones. Our price points ARE low, but that's mainly because of the shows we're done. Anything higher and parents simply won't people it for a "toy."

The only way to raise the price point is pick more affluent shows to somehow market them as pure "art" which would be tricky. (J has experimented with window hangings, etc, and would love to pursue that, but he doesn't have the time right now since he's also working a 40 hour per week job plus two part-time gigs.) We see similar designs, but with far less metal and stones in them all the time at galleries for twice what we charge. But then we ask ourselves if the market is oversaturated with that type of wire art and if investing the time to expand the design line is really worth it?...

It's a never-ending series of (very civil) arguments with neither of us sticking to one side for long. I'd like to use etsy as a kind of proving ground for new designs. J could make experimental pieces from his heart and then we could see if they sell. If they do, then we'd make more, etc.

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I totally understand the boat you're in. It's always a struggle to price things, and when you're dealing with something that's considered a toy, then it's much worse.

I definitely think that if you do Etsy, you could probably raise your prices, and, like you say, make some really funky pieces. I really think that it's a fantastic line, honestly, and I have always thought that there has to be a way to market it that would be profitable for you guys.

*fingers crossed*

[jaelle-n-gilla.livejournal.com]

Up until now I thought Etsy was just a nickname for Ebay :-) I googled and the things there are awwwwesome! I need to go shop now if you will excuse me....

[florence-craye.livejournal.com]

Hooray! :D

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Etsy totally rocks! I absolutely adore it so far--the talent is amazing. I can't believe how many artists are using it--this is such a great site, and I hope it becomes a good outlet for my stuff.

[valis2.livejournal.com]

How is Etsy doing for you? Is it still a good outlet for your work?

[juniperus.livejournal.com]

I've liked using etsy - I'm putting my store back up shortly.

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Etsy seems to be a very cool site, though that is based on using it for all of two days. lol.

;)

[kaiz.livejournal.com]

Congrats! I hope that it works out great for you. I'm just about to open up my Etsy shop, too :-)

[sylvadin.livejournal.com]

Glad to hear that your crafting passion is feeling re-energized. It's always a great feeling when that happens (and helps us long-time crafters to remember why we ditched the 9-5 job in the first place :-)

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Oh, no way!! That's awesome. Am emailing you right now!

(PS: When I received the email notification for this comment, Gmail generated a link about some crazy vampire story...wtf? lol)

[valis2.livejournal.com]

I haven't done anything in so long that I feel...a bit rusty, actually!

But it's coming back swiftly. The most recent line I made specifically for Etsy, and now I need to go back and take a look at putting some economical things up for sale as well.

Though that's making me squeamish--I have a show coming up in July, and I'd rather take everything with me. The higher priced things I have no worry about--they won't sell at the show, but they'll be nice window dressing. However, the cheaper things might, and then I'd end up with a bit of a problem on my hands.

[verdenia.livejournal.com]

Cool!

re: the cheaper things in July - how long do those take to craft? Too long? Or is it supposed to be one of a kind?

[valis2.livejournal.com]

The cheaper stuff does take time--not as much as the unique stuff--but the problem is that I have tremendously limited time for June and July, and I'm really worried about stretching myself too far. :(

[florence-craye.livejournal.com]

Hi, I'm back!

Etsy is doing alright for me. I've taken a crafty hiatus since I was working on library stuff, but I need to post some of the stock I have sitting here. I've made a couple sales outside of my flist, but am not really depending on things to sell. So... I think it is working out well so far, seeing as I haven't put much effort into it lately.

Not that it's at all comparable to your situation... XD I do like their open and easy resolution process (that I've had to use once as a buyer), and they seem pretty honest unlike eBay. What they're doing to sellers over there is horrendous! I hope etsy sees an upswing in listings.

Also, I *love* your listings. :D

[valis2.livejournal.com]

DUDE--DID YOU JUST BUY SOMETHING?!!

*jumps in delight*

What an honor--I'm so glad that you're my first sale! *giant hugs*

And if you don't mind--I will hold off for a day or two to ship it--I want to include something fun as well. *rubs hands together in glee*

[florence-craye.livejournal.com]

maybe. ;) heh heh

And *giant hugs* back! I have been trying to decide which to get from the moment I first saw them... you have beautiful pieces! You use the materials very well. I'm so glad to be your first sale there, too! It's all about supporting each other and getting something purty in the process, too.

No hurry on the shipping and thanks! :D

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Aw, thanks so much! You are so wonderful and sweet. I appreciate it so very much. *hugs*