Etsy

So I’ve got this Etsy shop. I’ve got almost 20 things on it. It’s got all sorts of fun Alison-ish things. I’ve got some scarves, a bit of beaded jewelry, some scrapbooking layouts, even a couple of super-cute baby onesies! There are so many things I want to make for it… I have so many ideas, and the supplies to make them all! But… very little time. And, I am slightly discouraged (though NOT giving up of course!) about the fact that I have not yet sold anything. I’ve checked out a bunch of different shops, some rock… but some, really kinda suck. And yet, they are all selling stuff! Some of the layouts that I have seen are super-duper pricey and super-duper ugly. And yet, they’ve sold like a hundred spreads. This seems to happen to me and my family a lot. We make some fantabulous items (if I do say so myself), yet the stuff doesn’t go to a new happy home. It makes me sad. I think our prices are always reasonable, and comparative to similar items. And our quality is always wonderful. I don’t know… it’s very frustrating. With my store being on the verge of possibly closing, and neither my or my family’s Etsy shops generating no money, I get discouraged.

What to do??? Do I jump on the Twilight bandwagon and try to compete with the thousands of other products out there? Do I just plug along making what I can in the little time I have, keeping my mix eclectic in hopes that I will entice someone with one of my products? Grrr… I really believe in myself, and all of the things that I make. But I just have such a hard time seeing some of the crap that gets sold yet my things just sit there. Am I whining? Maybe a little… But, I need something to happen. I need to feel as though my crafts rally are worth what other people tell me they are. I am always getting complimented on my jewelry (I am my own best advertisement), on my scrapbook pages, whatever. So go and freakin’ buy something!!!

I am hopeful, no matter how irritated I sound right now. I just put up 4 new layouts, and I think they’re really cute. Maybe someone will find it in their search and say “Hey! Now that’s a layout I can see putting my kids’ smiling faces on.” And then, maybe they’ll buy it. And I would be one very happy little crafter.

Here’s to hoping! Here’s to hoping for my first sale! Here’s to hoping for my first sale and more sales after that dreaded “first”…

And just in case you want to visit my etsy shop… www.skyprincess.etsy.com