Put Your Geek Stuff Here - Artfire Collection

Poppy put me in a collection. Isn't she sweet. Love the geekery.

Put your geek stuff here!

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Artfire Collection - Christmases Long Long Ago

Christmases Long Long Ago

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Craft Supplies

Biz Buzz - Holding On or When to Close Shop

early photography with flash

I see a lot of twitter and blog posts lately from sellers debating whether or not to give up their shops. I can tell you from several years of experience, that July is a very bad month and not one to really judge the validity of your marketing and design skill from.

There are several factors that should go into your decision making. First look at your annual profit. July and early August are slow. It's a great time to relax and organize. Look at your sales figures and do your monthly sales for the first half of the year. That way, in January, you won't have so much to do. I do monthly profit sheets so I can see how I compared to the previous years. You may think this will upset you to see your sales figures, but you might just be surprised at what trends you find. For instance, although this was a lousy July, it was still better than last year for me.

natural light photo

If your sales are a bit lower, don't be discouraged. this was a particularly bad July. the only reason my sales were up at all, is because I opened a new venue since last July.

Look at your product. Are there too many similar items on your venue? Are you unique enough to hold on? If not, think of what you can do to make yours different. It can even be customer service or packaging. How about making your tags out of seed embedded papers, or packaging in a little reusable satin bag? Your product may be pretty, but what makes you special. This is a perfect time to take a good hard look at what you're selling.

How about Photography? Do your photos outshine your competition? Handmadeology has some great photography tips HERE.

professional photography

Maybe you're just tired of trying to climb to the top. Maybe it's just hot, and you're too busy with the kids, and your sales are so low this month, that you just don't want to try anymore. It's OK. We are not all cut out for this thing. Some people are better at selling in person at shops or craft/art shows too. Internet sales is a lot of extra work with photography and marketing and listing descriptions. The reason I like it, is that I can make a sample and, then make the product when it sells. I don't have to have an inventory. Very nice for my very small house.

Let's take a close look at your bottom line.

PHOTOGRAPHY - Is it good enough? Look at my early photos compared to my pro photos and improved home photography. Can yours improve too?

PRODUCT - Is your product unique? When I started selling beach glass jewelry, I was the only Etsy seller with it. Then there came all the others, so I decided to try something unique. My flame shaped flowers are different that others on the market. Are they unique enough? Maybe not, because I'm considering dropping this line and moving on to something else.

PROFIT - This is the biggest deciding factor. Are you making a profit? If you haven't made even the tiniest profit in 3 years, you are doing this because you love it.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with loving your craft and not making a profit,but if it has become a chore, and you don't love what you're doing anymore, then your decision to quit is valid. It's OK to so something you don't love if you are getting something out of it, but if your heart doesn't sing, and your wallet is empty, you just might be right. There is a place for you and your art  in the world somewhere. maybe just not online sales.

Running With Scissors - Buyer Requests

I'm going to tell you a little secret. I'm going to risk the chance that my buyer will see this and find out I was having fun at her expense. I have had some real odd requests in my days as an online seller, but this one tops them all. Sorry buyer, but this was... well... not really thought out.

 Request went something like this: "I work in a bakery and we have to wear red Aprons. I love this Apron a would really like it, but could you make it with a red background instead of white?"

But seriously, how do you respond to something like that? I mean this is rare vintage, 20+ year old fabric, and stated on the listing. Did she think I printed the fabric myself? Did she think at all? OK, so not to turn down any request, because that's not good for business, and laughing in the face of the buyer is not good either, I made a suggestion.

I explained that I did not make the fabric and that the fabric was vintage and already printed with a white background. I suggested that I could color in the background with a red fabric marker, but for labor, it would be around $100 extra, or she could get a red fabric marker (or two or four) and color in all the white on the apron in herself.

She didn't even have the courtesy to reply back with at thank you for your time. I guess she decided to find an all red Star Wars apron somewhere else.

It wasn't the first time I've had requests to change prints on fabric, it was just the silliest of the requests.

So here is my question? What is the oddest request you've gotten from a buyer? I'd love to hear your response to this one. And if you're worried about your buyers, just leave me an anonymous comment.

What Evah - Support is not Enough

I've been encouraging Etsy sellers to joint this protest.  http://www.protesty.com because I think that you should be able to stand up for what you believe is right. But I've recently read a blog post that I think you all should read. I guess with honor, there comes sacrifice and I feel that I should warn you.

Please take a few minutes of your time to read The Hands of Handcrafted and How I was Expelled From Etsy
You will be shocked and amazed because this honest seller had her shop shut down because Etsy accused her of using her "public areas" of her account "to demonstrate or discuss disputes with others or with Etsy". In other words, that she might have protested something. Decide for yourself if her words were inappropriate.

My fear is that if you join the protest that Etsy might retaliate. If you join the protest and put your shop on vacation on May 10, please do not leave a message on your shop as to why you are closed unless you are willing to loose your business there. I realize that many of you are so angry that you don't care today, but realize that Etsy is the best venue for vintage and handmade. It' has taken my daughter and myself a solid year to get back on our feet again after our Etsy disaster.

I'd say be brave and stand up to them. But be cautious about it. Don't take unnecessary risk unless you are willing to start from scratch. Good luck to you all.

Shops I Like - World Vintage - Jen's Closet - Callooh Callay

Today we're going into the past. I finally figured out how to post shops I love in a quick and easy way. These are shops and people I love. Today I'm focusing on Vintage, because I really love old things, being one myself. And I think these shops are so often overlooked. Each shop has it's own distinct tone.


World Vintage on Etsy is an awesome shop full of bright, fun, eclectic finds. There is a lot of kitsch going on in this shop, and I for one, could shop here all day.

Jen's Closet on Etsy has a more subdued elegant tone. She has so much lovely China and jewelry. You have to stop by and take a look at her wonderful selection.

Callooh Callay on Etsy has an Earthy feel to her selection. She also has a fantastic selection of vintage buttons and she assembles some of them and other vintage finds into lovely jewelry.

Please take a moment to click on the links and visit them. You won't be sorry you did.

Sharing - Keeping Busy Crafts

I've recently become obsessed with crochet. I made the cutest cupcake hat for Luna and learned a new stitch. I have loads of yarn sitting around an loads of time, so as long as I don't get distracted trying to watch videos and crochet, Luna will have lots of sweaters/booties this winter.

How about you? Have some time on your hands and want to try something new?

Try these cute DIY Rope Bracelets from honestlywtf.com - cute.

Ever want to try those Rolled Fabric Flowers? jonesdesigncompany.com has a tutorial for you. Gonna have to try these myself.

How about sprucing your house up a little. I love these Vintage Wall Art Shelves found at Better Homes and Gardens, sooo much. I think I'm hunting in the room next door for some.

Hope you have a wonderful New Year and I'll bring you more ideas to spruce up your home next week.

Posted on Artfire - Etsy Fees Vs Artfire at $9.95

Posted in the Artfire Forums I didn't think this was a controversial or negative post. It was just a little bit of brain boggling math that I thought I would like to point out to the sellers that think Etsy fees are cheaper than the proposed $9.95 minimum fee that Artfire will begin charging.

For those of you who aren't involved or have the time to wade through forums here is my post

"Sorry, haven't the time to read through all of these to see if it's been mentioned. $10 a month for Artfire VS Etsy "reasonable" fees. If you want to have your items seen on Etsy, most people list/relist one item a day @ $.20 so that's $6. Many list/relist at least 2 a day $12 then if you sell there are fees as well. How in the World do any of you think that it is cheaper to sell on Etsy? My fees were $50 to $100 a month there. If you are paying less than $10 a month at Etsy, you are not selling anything, I can guarantee it. If you are making an average of $6 minimum wage (give or take in your state) for a 40 hour week $240 X 3.5%, you would be paying $8.40 in fees above your listing a WEEK. So if you are working Etsy as a business, the minimum you should be paying is $45 a month. That is just making minimum wages.

Brain hurting yet. I know mine is. Again, if you are actually paying less than $10 a month at Etsy you are wasting your time selling there, because it's not working for you."

I'm not even saying which is the better deal, because I sell a lot on eBay and the fees are even higher and the buyer expects to pay less. I had an offer of $8 for a $39 apron, when my materials alone are more than that, let alone fees. Etsy fees are higher, but so is the traffic right now.

I guess the wasting time thing wasn't too nice. But at $10 a month, with Etsy fees, you are not selling anything. I never had a month at Etsy where I payed less that $10, even in a slow month at a slow shop. However, most of us don't make above minimum wages at any of our venues. I know I don't. Just Saying...