Thanksgiving has come and gone and now we're rapidly heading towards December. Less than 30 shopping days until Christmas and I'm about 35% finished shopping for everyone. Okay enough dreary news... on to the good stuff.
Etsy has remained slow, though I did make a sale since my last blog update. It was to a member of the Yuwie site I blogged about a month ago. (it's like myspace, but you can make money by viewing pages...lol, I'm on a 5 year plan before I extract my 1st check) A new online friend bought a pair of earrings, so the extra work I put in at the site has started to pay off and since I'll be shipping her earrings tomorrow, hopefully she'll love them (don't you always keep your fingers crossed that the buyer loves your item when they have it in their hands?) and post about the great earrings she bought from ETSY. Hopefully, we'll get even more customers shopping at the site!
Speaking of ETSY... my sweetie and I invested in a camera...finally! I'm still in the process of photgraphing the entire shop and editing the pictures, but take a look at the difference! It was well worth the money.
Craft Shows-
Nov 30- Eagleswood, NJ Firehouse 6pm -10pm Free admission.
Dec 7- Little Egg Harbor, NJ- Middle school (directions to follow this week) 4:30pm- 8:30pm
Dec 8- LEH Middle School 10am- 2pm- The 2 shows are sponsered by the PTA and are very well attended.
til next time!
R
Monday, November 26, 2007
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Thanksgiving is right around the corner! Etsy and craft show catchup
Wow, I can't believe there's only 4 more days to Thanksgiving! It seems like it was only a couple of weeks ago that I was walking on the beach looking for beach glass on Labor Day weekend. But here we are, already in the middle of November, celebrating my now 11 yo's birthday and the realization that Christmas is almost a month a way is becoming reality (thankfully I have a lot of possible Xmas gifts hearted in my faves on ETSY or I'd really be sweating.
Okay an Etsy update, still stuck on 2 sales for the month on the ETSY site and unfortunately, the items that were getting the most views and hearts from the Etsy community sold in this weekend's craft show.
The craft show from this weekend was okay for me, I sold a few items, mostly inexpensive earrings and cell-phone charms and a couple of new items that hadn't made it into my ETSY shop. A couple of my most viewed pendants have found new homes, including my snowflake pendant (which had become a favorite item used in other member's treasuries) and the Black & White Paisley.
Many of the vendors/crafters complained about the lack of customers and some were packing up as early as 1:00 despite the show running until 3:00. I did okay considering and I handed out a lot of business cards and answered lots of questions about buying online, so I hope to possibly see a couple more sales from this show. There were a few other shows this weekend, both within 20-30 minutes of the show and this may have been part of the reason the show was slow (honestly, I didn't think it was that bad...I've done slower shows) but it might be because my tables were busy quite often.
The show was in Manahawkin and it's not their biggest show of the holiday season, but I'd consider doing the show again. It wasn't a waste of time for me and it may bring repeat customers and some new ones to my Etsy shop. Hopefully after buying from me, they'll also find some of your shops too (notice how I say "after buying from me"...lol )
So, I have a lot of listing to do this week, building my shop back up to the usual level since it was down to only 23 items after sales and items that I dropped from my listings.
til next time...
R
Okay an Etsy update, still stuck on 2 sales for the month on the ETSY site and unfortunately, the items that were getting the most views and hearts from the Etsy community sold in this weekend's craft show.
The craft show from this weekend was okay for me, I sold a few items, mostly inexpensive earrings and cell-phone charms and a couple of new items that hadn't made it into my ETSY shop. A couple of my most viewed pendants have found new homes, including my snowflake pendant (which had become a favorite item used in other member's treasuries) and the Black & White Paisley.
Many of the vendors/crafters complained about the lack of customers and some were packing up as early as 1:00 despite the show running until 3:00. I did okay considering and I handed out a lot of business cards and answered lots of questions about buying online, so I hope to possibly see a couple more sales from this show. There were a few other shows this weekend, both within 20-30 minutes of the show and this may have been part of the reason the show was slow (honestly, I didn't think it was that bad...I've done slower shows) but it might be because my tables were busy quite often.
The show was in Manahawkin and it's not their biggest show of the holiday season, but I'd consider doing the show again. It wasn't a waste of time for me and it may bring repeat customers and some new ones to my Etsy shop. Hopefully after buying from me, they'll also find some of your shops too (notice how I say "after buying from me"...lol )
So, I have a lot of listing to do this week, building my shop back up to the usual level since it was down to only 23 items after sales and items that I dropped from my listings.
til next time...
R
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Craft Show this weekend!!
I'm getting everything prepared for this weekend's craft show. It'll be in Manahawkin , NJ just off Rt9 at the middle school. The show has been well attended in the past and the weather is supposed to clear up in time for the show. If anyone reading is in the Manahawkin area and may be attending the show, stop by and say HI!
It's a rainy, raw day in Central NJ today and I'm dreading a trip to AC Moore's , Michael's and Home Depot. I need to pick up a 2nd table for my spot at the show this week. I have 8 ft tables, but I can't use two 8 ft tables and need to pick up a 6 footer. Home depot has one that seems sturdy enough to display my scarves and the table folds in half making it easy for me to bring to shows using a luggage carrier. Maybe I'll ask my sweetie to run up there to HD tonight after dinner and pick it up for me ; ). That would allow m to go to the craft stores on my lunch hour to pick up the items I need to complete my in-progress projects... sounds like a plan!!
I can't believe it's a week until Thanksgiving... Christmas is just around the corner and I've done almost zero Christmas shopping and I'm usually 75% done at this time! This weekend is shot, show on Saturday, followed by a B-Day party for the Nov birthdays in our families and on Sunday, my oldest turns 11 (wow, where did the years go) and we're taking a him and a few of his friends to the movies and out for pizza & having a couple more relatives over Sunday nite for dinner and cake.
Looks like I'll be battling the crowds next weekend (if I choose not to take a table at a craft show on Saturday) and head off to the stores to get my boys a few gifts for Xmas. I have a Friday night show on the 11/30, a possible show on 12/1 and I'm in a 2-day show on 12/7 & 8.
I guess I could get all the shopping done in the last 2 weeks, right?
til next time...
R
It's a rainy, raw day in Central NJ today and I'm dreading a trip to AC Moore's , Michael's and Home Depot. I need to pick up a 2nd table for my spot at the show this week. I have 8 ft tables, but I can't use two 8 ft tables and need to pick up a 6 footer. Home depot has one that seems sturdy enough to display my scarves and the table folds in half making it easy for me to bring to shows using a luggage carrier. Maybe I'll ask my sweetie to run up there to HD tonight after dinner and pick it up for me ; ). That would allow m to go to the craft stores on my lunch hour to pick up the items I need to complete my in-progress projects... sounds like a plan!!
I can't believe it's a week until Thanksgiving... Christmas is just around the corner and I've done almost zero Christmas shopping and I'm usually 75% done at this time! This weekend is shot, show on Saturday, followed by a B-Day party for the Nov birthdays in our families and on Sunday, my oldest turns 11 (wow, where did the years go) and we're taking a him and a few of his friends to the movies and out for pizza & having a couple more relatives over Sunday nite for dinner and cake.
Looks like I'll be battling the crowds next weekend (if I choose not to take a table at a craft show on Saturday) and head off to the stores to get my boys a few gifts for Xmas. I have a Friday night show on the 11/30, a possible show on 12/1 and I'm in a 2-day show on 12/7 & 8.
I guess I could get all the shopping done in the last 2 weeks, right?
til next time...
R
Monday, November 12, 2007
Catching up on Etsy, Craft shows and a mid-November report
I hate when I don't a chance to blog more than once a week, but my boys had 2 days off from school last week and we had bunk-beds delivered for them, so there was a big clean-up project in their bedroom. Yesterday, we had a baby-shower for my sister-in-law and this week I have to prepare for the upcoming craft show on Saturday 11/17 in Manahawkin. Hopefully this won't be my only chance to blog this week.
So let's start off with Etsy... The amount of stores opening seems to be growing by leaps and bounds, with over 93,000 shops open (I'm not sure if all shops have items listed) and it appears that many of the shops are listing and promoting their items in the forums. The promotion forum has been moving quickly and I've noticed that a promotion is lasting on the 1st page for only about 1 minute, not really much time for the buyers to see your items. Promoting is a necessary evil on Etsy and while it's more "miss" than "hit", it's something that every new shop (and semi-new) must do to attract buyers to their shops.
After a very good October, I was a bit nervous about November. I wasn't sure I could keep up with the sales on Etsy while doing a couple of big craft shows and continue to keep my inventory levels where I think I need them to be.
October sales on ETSY were very good and I reached and surpassed what I thought was a lofty goal for the month. My craft show at the end of the month was okay, but the items I did sell were those I had in my Etsy shop, creating more work for November. I didn't need to worry much however... I went the first 11 days of the month w/o a sale in my shop. It did give me the chance to build up my inventory and get my shop back up to my desired # of listings (between 35-40) and still have time for my family and the bunk-bed project (and it was a project... I can't believe the amount of junk my 10 yo was able to hide in his room...LOL)
I did make my 1st sale of the month earlier this morning, after doing some promoting before work. One of the 4 items I promoted sold and the buyer went to my shop and purchased a 2nd item. So we started out this week nicely... I just love having a some positive momentum going into a craft show!
Which brings me to this weekend's craft show... Manahawkin, NJ. The show is usually a big one, with very good vendors ( they only accept handmade vendors) and the turnout is usually good. It's a Saturday show running from 10-3 and easy to find. Route 9, minutes south of Toms River and just north of Rt 72 ( the highway that leads to Long Beach Island) Come on out , if you're in the area and stop by my table to say HI!!
So with 42 shopping days before Christmas, I have a couple shows this month and hopefully at least one in early December. I finally broke the zero for November sales today and here's hoping that trend continues!
I'm looking for an ETSY shop to feature in this spot next week, once I catch my breath. If any one's interested, leave me a comment and I'll pick out the shop in the next few days.
Back to promoting and then on to my crafting when I get home from the JOB...
til next time-
R
So let's start off with Etsy... The amount of stores opening seems to be growing by leaps and bounds, with over 93,000 shops open (I'm not sure if all shops have items listed) and it appears that many of the shops are listing and promoting their items in the forums. The promotion forum has been moving quickly and I've noticed that a promotion is lasting on the 1st page for only about 1 minute, not really much time for the buyers to see your items. Promoting is a necessary evil on Etsy and while it's more "miss" than "hit", it's something that every new shop (and semi-new) must do to attract buyers to their shops.
After a very good October, I was a bit nervous about November. I wasn't sure I could keep up with the sales on Etsy while doing a couple of big craft shows and continue to keep my inventory levels where I think I need them to be.
October sales on ETSY were very good and I reached and surpassed what I thought was a lofty goal for the month. My craft show at the end of the month was okay, but the items I did sell were those I had in my Etsy shop, creating more work for November. I didn't need to worry much however... I went the first 11 days of the month w/o a sale in my shop. It did give me the chance to build up my inventory and get my shop back up to my desired # of listings (between 35-40) and still have time for my family and the bunk-bed project (and it was a project... I can't believe the amount of junk my 10 yo was able to hide in his room...LOL)
I did make my 1st sale of the month earlier this morning, after doing some promoting before work. One of the 4 items I promoted sold and the buyer went to my shop and purchased a 2nd item. So we started out this week nicely... I just love having a some positive momentum going into a craft show!
Which brings me to this weekend's craft show... Manahawkin, NJ. The show is usually a big one, with very good vendors ( they only accept handmade vendors) and the turnout is usually good. It's a Saturday show running from 10-3 and easy to find. Route 9, minutes south of Toms River and just north of Rt 72 ( the highway that leads to Long Beach Island) Come on out , if you're in the area and stop by my table to say HI!!
So with 42 shopping days before Christmas, I have a couple shows this month and hopefully at least one in early December. I finally broke the zero for November sales today and here's hoping that trend continues!
I'm looking for an ETSY shop to feature in this spot next week, once I catch my breath. If any one's interested, leave me a comment and I'll pick out the shop in the next few days.
Back to promoting and then on to my crafting when I get home from the JOB...
til next time-
R
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