Today is my Etsy-versary! It's quite a thing to look back on. I opened my Etsy account in March of last year, planned all kinds of stuff (so many twists and turns) and finally, after meeting with my knitting group in November and having to report that I still hadn't yet opened my shop, went home, spent the wee hours of the morning getting things ready, and listed my first items! Sorry about the length of that sentence. :)
I got my very first sale the next day from a co-worker. A few of my friends promoted my shop like crazy, and thanks to that, some serious blog promotion and the Christmas shopping season, my cozies took off! I have now sold 111 cozies through my Etsy shop, and I want to say that as many as 90 sales were completed before December 15th.
I also sold a good number of cozies to co-workers and other acquaintances here and there . . . I was in one local craft show which didn't earn me much (just paid me back my entrance fee) but gave me some much-needed experience. Plus it helped me get over the fear of something new - now I know I can do it!
I have been inspired by friends who have successful shops, and I have inspired others. It's pretty amazing to say that. Some that I inspired have gone on to be incredibly successful - quitting your day job successful! They have turned right around and inspired me.
I joined a local "street team" made up of other Chicago crafters who sell on Etsy, we've shared expertise and ideas and frustrations. I'm sending some of my items to a consignment shop in another state and may (finally) begin approaching local businesses to see if they want to sell some of my items. I have ideas for other things I could make, but haven't been able to commit the time to test them out.
I've done all of this while being a wife, mom of 3, full-time employee and part-time college student. It hasn't been easy, and I certainly can't excel at all of those things at the same time, so something has always had to give. Often, it's my Etsy shop. I didn't do much with it at all over the Spring and Summer . . . but now I'm gearing up for what will hopefully be another busy, successful holiday shopping season.
I plan to feature other crafters between now and Christmas so you can think of some new places to buy great handmade items.
Right now, in honor of my Etsy-versary (and my birthday tomorrow), I've continued my recent sale (FREE SHIPPING and 25% off of orders of 3 or more cozies) and am also hosting a GIVEAWAY! To enter, you need to leave a comment on the One In The Hand Facebook page, telling me what your favorite cozy is, of my currently listed items. If you want your name entered into the contest two more times, leave a Facebook status update linking up my Etsy shop or Facebook page. If you haven't added the Facebook page yet, I hope you will!
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