Etsy members check in!

[Maraya1969]

I wanted to start a thread about Etsy and get to know the DU Etsy's.

I have been overwhelmed by Etsy and the work you have to put into it. I have sold zero things since I signed up a few months ago.

Now I am promoting on DU,Face book and twitter and I don't want to wear out my welcome on any of the places.

Do any of you like Ebay better? I have paid $7.00 for a promotion on Jan 6th at Etsy so I hope that makes things turn around a bit.

Ideas, advise please share with me and each other. And your link!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/PenneeDesigns

[ClayZ]

1. We have shop there!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ClayZ

So far we have sold several things... Just signed up about a month ago!

Sure is easy to use!

[Manifestor_of_Light]

2. I'm not on etsy.

I used to have a standalone website (paintings, jewelry, silk paintings) but made ONE sale in twelve months, was paying for shopping cart software yada yada.

Now I have a blog and if you want to buy my stuff you go there: http://lavidacountry.wordpress.com

If you want to see the bad stuff at etsy, then go to:

www.regretsy.com

[pecwae]

3. Love Etsy!

I haven't signed up yet, but plan to move my inventory from a local antique mall booth.

[My Good Babushka]

4. My Good Babushka

I have had an etsy shop since 2008

http://www.etsy.com/shop/mygoodbabushka

It's been pretty good for me. I go to the "custom" section and make bids on jobs when I am having a slow time, like now, after Christmas. It's nice to be able to make some scratch and stay home with the kids. Also, I am going to add some prints of my work to my shop because my prices are skewing to the high side and I need to add more lower priced items.

It is hard to sell jewelry, though. There are a lot of jewelry sellers. You might try craft shows and take a lot of business cards along with you. It's a lot of promoting promoting promoting!

[la la]

5. I've been on etsy

for approx 2 years---i actually have 3 shops--one beadwoven jewelry, one vintage, supplies and handmade and one vintage clothing and accessories---

I've had sales on all three---the most on the vintage, supplies,handmade one---beadwoven jewelry is fun to create, but not everyone wants to spend the $ for the items---it's an expensive creation!

my suggestion would be- get involved with an etsy street team--i'm in 5--but my favorite is cccoe---calif. crafters club on etsy---teammates are a GREAT help with everything- from pats on the back, advice, 'hugs', critiques, help with advertising----everything!

Check the forum threads to find a street team that might fit you, check out the shops and then ask to join by posting in the threads.

Promotions bring you lots of looks, and 'hearts' but not always sales---and then- sometimes out of the blue--comes a sale, or 2 or 4~ I had quite a few sales between t-giving and xmas, because i promoted 24/7 about 'black friday' and 'cyber monday' ---funny thing was---the goodies i was pushing- didn't sell, but others goodies did! never can tell.

convo me and i'll help you more if i can---http://cigarboxbeads.etsy.com

i tweet, post in facebook, flickr etc--and the street teams help you with that.

[rivercat]

6. I have a shop.

I sell handspun yarn.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/midnightandlulu

[Maraya1969]

8. Welcome to DU rivercat!

[My Good Babushka]

10. Your yarn is really pretty!

I have a glut of yarn to get through, but I'd love to start working with different, natural fibers.

[lies and propaganda]

20. damn! how did we never meet!

I lived in Sonoma forever!

[ccinamon]

7. I signed up last year, but due to various

issues (health, jobs, etc) haven't put anything up....tho I have a stack of handmade items that I want to put out there....any free time I have I use for vegitating and sleeping.

One of my 2010 goals is to get at least 3 or 4 items posted by the end of January.

[la la]

9. i don't want to start

anything here so that this gets shut down--but please check this out---you don't need to comment/say anything about it!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=37794527

[HippieCowgirl]

11. LOVE the bracelet

You do fine work - it's so complex and detailed! I just added your shop to my favorites.

I've been on Etsy since October, and I love it. I've made a good percentage of sales compared to the items I had posted.

http://gnashchick.etsy.com/

[auntAgonist]

21. That is gorgeous!

RIP TLB. She'd have loved the bracelet.

aA
kesha

[Digilister]

12. Ebay and Etsy

I have been selling on eBay for a long period and must say that together with Etsy (registered for a month ago) it is actually possible to make good profits.

[Carni]

13. JMO Ebay has been lacking for about a year or more

I used to sell a lot on Ebay (art) but right around the time the market tanked last year, my Ebay final bid prices went to hell, so I stopped listing there in like Febuary of 09.

I have an Etsy store, but have not worked at selling anything there, so I haven't sold anything (I have only listed three items and didn't do any promotion, so maybe it's entirely my own lack of conviction in regards to my no sales status)

I think regardless of where you sell right now, online or off -- it's just a tough market and you have to work your butt off with promotion.

I honestly had more luck this year selling locally than I did online and I ended up making more because shipping costs weren't involved.

[rivercat]

14. spring clearance sale!

I'm having a sale! 50% off everything in my shop, or buy one get one free!

beautiful handspun yarn, spinning batts, and handmade hats.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/midnightandlulu

[barackinthebox]

15. Barack-in-the-Box

I have an Etsy Shop!!! popartcreations.etsy.com I sell jack-in-the-boxes, cocktail rings, and matchbox lockets.

I am also the creator behind Barack-in-the-Box, but can't sell it on Etsy because I had them mass-produced. :-( I am selling them through eBay at the moment (for $29) if you're interested!!
http://cgi.ebay.com/Barack-Obama-jack-in-the-box-toy-RARE-MINT-IN-BOX_W0QQitemZ180472896350QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item2a0505db5e#ht_720wt_1167

Cheers all!! Off to check out your Etsy shops!

-Heather

[Capitalocracy]

16. I haven't used it yet, but I'm thinking about it

but I'm not sure I can, I think you need a credit card, and after the banks f'ed me over with an ATM overdraft which they told me couldn't happen and which is now illegal, I can't really get one

any opinions on my work? some of these are just experiments, others are items that have sold

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25569669@N05/

[Maraya1969]

17. It is all paypal or check if you want. You definitely should sell!

Your stuff is gorgeous! Is it chain malle or needle work?

It is not that hard to start up a shop and what you want to do with is your decision. You can work really hard or you can just take it easy. It is up to you.

[Capitalocracy]

18. Thanks

It's mostly maille, obviously with a couple of wrapping exceptions there.

[lies and propaganda]

19. Just celebrated my 4th Year Etsyversary!

Off to heart and peruse all your shops!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/CombustionGlassworks

[Maraya1969]

22. Your shop is gorgeous! I am always amazed that the people

who can do dichoric glass. You have a couple with dark orange and black that I love.

Can I ask a few questions?

Where did you learn your craft?

How long do you spend making your art during the week