Well I finally did it yall! I finally made an Etsy Shop! Ok so some of you are probably not very impressed but if you knew me you so would be. See I have LOTS of ideas but well then I get to worrying about everything and I will talk myself out of them or with 3 little boys I get side tracked.
I have wanted to open an Etsy shop for about 4 years. I was sewing a lot and making the cutest little things and well someone needed to buy them, of course. But I was a chicken. I was scared to take the plunge and Etsy was new so I did not trust it yet and well I was just nervous. So instead I would go to one little craft fair each year and take my goodies there. Problem was, the event was always outside and it was cold and well I didn't know much to help make myself successful.
I was more concerned that no one felt pressured or that I was too expensive so I was a terrible sales man. I would speak to someone at my table and answer a few questions but end it with "but don't feel pressured to buy anything." (I actually still really do that way too much but gosh I want people to know I am trying to be helpful but not pushing, so don't want anyone to ever feel like I am being pushy.) And my prices were always way lower than everyone else that was selling the same thing and then I would still feel guilty if it was someone I knew and feel I should make it cheaper. I have learned that being polite with prices is not the best way either. People think something is wrong with your product. Example- I was making adorable little dresses and I only charged around $12-15 for each one. (didn't want to rip anyone off to make a profit so I only asked a little more than the material I had in each piece- never thought to consider my time and energy) Well I would have people come look at mine and ask the price and then go look somewhere else and pay double for the same item. It blew my mind. I mean really who does that!? I am all about a good deal. Well this happened several times and I had a friend tell me it was because they were too cheap. (Really can anything ever be too cheap! Not in my opinion) I also had the lady at the fabric counter tell me the same thing when I was buying material one day. She worked events and said low prices were not the best, people that your product was cheap then. Well it still baffled me. I mean look at my quality was always the same or sometimes better. But it is a lesson I have learned is true so I am trying to do better with my pricing and taking my time and effort into consideration.
Well my sewing days have kinda fallen to the side but I have been making cute wooden things and just got a Cricut to work with vinyl. (So excited!!) Well we are getting ready to finally build a house and I want to help out some with the bills so I decided to bite the bullet, pull the trigger, jump off the bridge, (sorry but it really was dramatic for me), take the plunge and open *gasp* my Etsy shop.
Ok after all that drama it should be this big wonderful thing right! With like 50+ items right! Well nope, try more like 5 items (hey I just started) and not a whole lot of frill and flare. I did however design me a little graphic to go with my shop name today and I am working on making a banner. But as little and insignificant as it is I am super excited about it. Not sure if it will get any traffic but hey going to give it a go.
So if you are inclined stop by and take a peek at my little shop. I am hoping to fill it up soon and I will be sharing all about it here. **Yay!** I know you are excited ;)
My Blessed Mess Gifts
And let me know what you think about it. Seriously I am sure I really need some good advice. Thanks and happy Thursday!!
Andrea
