tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7556794318856646559.post300105350366790735..comments2024-03-29T04:21:43.298-05:00Comments on How About Orange: Bye bye, Etsy shopJessica Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10111703670084066670noreply@blogger.comBlogger77125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7556794318856646559.post-46574305662562854232010-04-06T06:59:20.142-05:002010-04-06T06:59:20.142-05:00Hi, I've been building an online business for ...Hi, I've been building an online business for the past few months and have done a lot of reading on the topic. Some things I've learnt from my reading, which are relevant here are:<br />- it should cost the customer $50 or more, anything less is not going to be worth the effort<br />- do not ship internationally, the customs forms are too time consuming<br />- do not guarantee next day shipping, batch your orders instead<br />- price high to create an image of quality (the customer will buy yours because it costs more and is therefore better quality than your competitor's)<br />- think about things you can create that will provide a passive income, i.e., you only make them once and then sell them over and over again, such as digital patterns, ebooks, etc<br /><br />There are tons of business resources out there but a good place to start is the book the "4 Hour Work Week" by Tim Ferriss. I could write a blog post on the resources I've found useful if enough people are interested - just comment on my blog. <br /><br />I hope this was helpful.Katherine Herrimanhttp://nelliewindmill.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7556794318856646559.post-7459924603984337812010-04-01T18:32:42.803-05:002010-04-01T18:32:42.803-05:00This just concreted my decision to leave. I have b...This just concreted my decision to leave. I have been faltering lately, wondering if closing my shop in January was a good idea, then I read that one of my favorite bloggers closed theirs for basically the same reason. I am satisfied with my decision and look forward to wholesaling locally. <br /><br />I am a graphic designer by trade as well, but haven't worked in 3 years. Kinda depressing. lol. At least I can still design my branding: tags, logo, marketing. Off to sew some more.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15525644802504635338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7556794318856646559.post-2645473110771436562010-03-29T16:09:30.102-05:002010-03-29T16:09:30.102-05:00If you make paper art like greeting cards, scrapbo...If you make paper art like greeting cards, scrapbooks, paper jewelry, home decor made from paper, etc., check out eWillow.com. You can pay one low fee and be done it for the year, then just concentrate on setting up your storefront and selling. There aren't any pesky little fees to keep track of, which make the accounting part easy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7556794318856646559.post-11902506166756746682010-03-29T13:54:04.998-05:002010-03-29T13:54:04.998-05:00You are hilarious. I was thinking of opening an Et...You are hilarious. I was thinking of opening an Etsy Shop. Silly me. I've already closed my eBay store. You saved me with your sage advice: "Bookkeeping, repetitive tasks, standing in line at the post office, and earning approximately 10 cents an hour will make you want to shoot yourself. Consider other work."<br />Thank you, RosemaryContent in a Cottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10075511188721176895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7556794318856646559.post-89224909032047285962010-03-25T09:58:04.661-05:002010-03-25T09:58:04.661-05:00Yes, it is tough. I completely understand. Love yo...Yes, it is tough. I completely understand. Love your stuff though!AJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09580865907228863772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7556794318856646559.post-6716812783512495962010-03-24T13:28:37.691-05:002010-03-24T13:28:37.691-05:00Funny how little this side of things are talked ab...Funny how little this side of things are talked about. Thanks for your honesty and straightforwardness. Do you think you'd do things differently next time? Maybe stick with a limited type of inventory? No international shipping? Stuff like that? Oh, and where do you think you'll sell your wears now? Best Wishes!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7556794318856646559.post-78711152975231524052010-03-20T14:03:12.339-05:002010-03-20T14:03:12.339-05:00I'm always a bit sad to hear when a great shop...I'm always a bit sad to hear when a great shop goes down! But I really truly understand- I converted my shop to selling of patterns only. Works great- NO time at the PO....ever! :)<br />I hope you and your Mom get to create something else fun together!<br />Best wishes.Meganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12643562430279021638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7556794318856646559.post-76881731238993481862010-03-20T04:39:13.491-05:002010-03-20T04:39:13.491-05:00Thanks for keeping it open as long as you did. I r...Thanks for keeping it open as long as you did. I really love my green sprig mousepad! :)Alliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13586114040204349348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7556794318856646559.post-22601259435263937972010-03-19T21:47:28.844-05:002010-03-19T21:47:28.844-05:00Shoot! I was hoping to snag a few more of your awe...Shoot! I was hoping to snag a few more of your awesome buckets. Maybe Grandma G will have to do a DIY for us?? It's really perfectly functional. Glad I got my hands on one!Jacindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13286987562461437147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7556794318856646559.post-3049396013149747392010-03-19T20:04:41.795-05:002010-03-19T20:04:41.795-05:00Congrats on a closed chapter. Being successful on ...Congrats on a closed chapter. Being successful on etsy is not easy, and you were! Always lessons learned, and I know we'll see something even more fabulous out of you!Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10844833099710303701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7556794318856646559.post-20078216972543881912010-03-17T19:50:57.750-05:002010-03-17T19:50:57.750-05:00No! You can't!
I've been lurking for ages,...No! You can't!<br />I've been lurking for ages, and had finally decided on a gazillion things to buy, and now you are closed!<br />So sad, but glad you are trying to make more time for the things that make you happy.<br />KatyAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09641452132330917275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7556794318856646559.post-23076389669875971742010-03-17T19:19:33.907-05:002010-03-17T19:19:33.907-05:00All those things you mentioned are things that kee...All those things you mentioned are things that keep me from trying. Unless I decide to try to sell fine art for hundreds of dollars, but shipping that would be quite difficult. Small craft items take so long to create, I figure I could only make about $2.00/hr before I factor in the driving to the post office, standing in line and bookkeeping. Maybe someday?Pattihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15304481975396842711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7556794318856646559.post-82335990030729238202010-03-17T13:34:42.911-05:002010-03-17T13:34:42.911-05:00Oh no! I was never able to score any of your stora...Oh no! I was never able to score any of your storage bins! I do understand though; Etsy can be a time sucking endeavor.brainellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11067167871454642635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7556794318856646559.post-35869900615501603032010-03-17T13:26:56.307-05:002010-03-17T13:26:56.307-05:00I can understand why you decided it's not wort...I can understand why you decided it's not worth your time. Especially when you have other design work that is more appealing to you. Good for you for giving it a shot! Your products are beautiful!<br /><br />For me, Etsy has been a lifesaver! I stay at home with my kids and don't rely on my Etsy income to pay bills. I look at it as a hobby that supports itself. I create when I want to create and my family allows it. It's the perfect "out" for me!able mabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14819423041089598437noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7556794318856646559.post-37084557773265489722010-03-17T12:32:56.332-05:002010-03-17T12:32:56.332-05:00Aww. But I totally get it. Its such a time suck. J...Aww. But I totally get it. Its such a time suck. Just think of how you will have way more time for other things :)Sweeter Hourshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00958273095753393841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7556794318856646559.post-17407611640988854172010-03-17T11:53:18.139-05:002010-03-17T11:53:18.139-05:00I don't blame you! I've registered for Ets...I don't blame you! I've registered for Etsy shops before and never done anything with them because while I love making things, I'm too busy "designing for the man" to have the energy to do more later...<br /><br />Your stuff was awesome though!steph khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08883710710914822853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7556794318856646559.post-78053146689596989592010-03-17T10:47:13.783-05:002010-03-17T10:47:13.783-05:00Yep, fabric and blog will remain.
I talked with &...Yep, fabric and blog will remain.<br /><br />I talked with "Grandma G" about taking over the shop, but she has declined.<br /><br />I don't mean to dissuade anyone from starting their own shop; not my intention for this post. This was just my experience. Some people love their shops, and if you read Etsy's blog, apparently some people become quite successful. Perhaps that could be you, if you've got the time and enthusiasm to put into it. But it couldn't be me, because I love graphic design work and am married to it. Etsy was just my short fling on the side. Affair's over. :)Jessica Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10111703670084066670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7556794318856646559.post-38458979895710356902010-03-17T10:34:38.401-05:002010-03-17T10:34:38.401-05:00Now I will weep a small tear as I finally got my &...Now I will weep a small tear as I finally got my "birthday" money with which to buy one of your purses... But I am SO HAPPY that your blog will remain up and running!<br /><br />So I am correct that your fabric can still be purchased? Ah the angels rejoice!! I see some applique work on a plain jane shopping bag, in the somewhat near future. Okay once I find my sewing machine.. Ah the joys of moving into a smaller house and unpacking (but I wouldn't trade it for anything as it is a sweet, little house with lambs and chickens in the fields beyond!)<br /><br />Keep up the good work and know that your shop will be missed! But your sanity is far more important than anything so congratulations on the decision!!Peggyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00082661310058536555noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7556794318856646559.post-58027628162631539812010-03-17T10:18:57.251-05:002010-03-17T10:18:57.251-05:00Interesting to read this as I'm considering to...Interesting to read this as I'm considering to do exactly that starting an Etsy shop...Pascalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11190429359236459087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7556794318856646559.post-12564603631882807362010-03-17T08:53:42.138-05:002010-03-17T08:53:42.138-05:00Oh wow, you have such a beautiful etsy shop! But h...Oh wow, you have such a beautiful etsy shop! But hey, everything is for the best! But I completely understand how you feel about etsy, lol. P.S. great blog!Karyna @ PaperSquidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02013303783025477454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7556794318856646559.post-30521631144999236122010-03-17T00:52:54.415-05:002010-03-17T00:52:54.415-05:00you are soo real! i love you, your blog and your w...you are soo real! i love you, your blog and your work!!!terihttp://blog.giddygiddy.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7556794318856646559.post-64562665540353148052010-03-17T00:02:24.414-05:002010-03-17T00:02:24.414-05:00I love my book-cover. But now that I can't ge...I love my book-cover. But now that I can't get another, it makes mine that much more special. (Thanks, Grandma G!)<br /><br />And your blog, as always, is fantastic. Though my boss is now miffed at me for turning him on to your Time-wasters section.... He's hooked.CitricSugarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17580076318545974487noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7556794318856646559.post-26106580930410955122010-03-16T21:49:50.119-05:002010-03-16T21:49:50.119-05:00I was thinking of opening one but I have put it of...I was thinking of opening one but I have put it off for those reasons...any OTHER suggestions? what's a crafter to do? I love the making, not so much the finding a way to sell...love to hear suggestions!Sharon Stanleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15932054869101408424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7556794318856646559.post-74082911265513974682010-03-16T21:49:06.195-05:002010-03-16T21:49:06.195-05:00I am sorry to hear you are shutting down your Etsy...I am sorry to hear you are shutting down your Etsy shop, but I understand the reasons why. It really is quite a taxing endeavor.Cat Sitter in the Cityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03168939334808279234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7556794318856646559.post-87034306725898085172010-03-16T21:10:43.252-05:002010-03-16T21:10:43.252-05:00thanks - like others I was about to get into it an...thanks - like others I was about to get into it and was concerned about the time factor but I guess you don't often here honest feedback - thanks you saved me a loop journey!Umatjihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com