Comments on: Share Your Exciting Hopes & Goals for 2013

By: April

April — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 21:28:19 +0000

In 2013 I am hoping to bring more exposure to my store. I have setup a calender to remind me of small tasks I need to do everyday for promoting my store. These include things like photographing new items, listing new items, writing blog posts, tweeting, ect.

I am also working on increasing my Facebook fanpage following as well as my twitter following! I really want to get out there more this year!

By: Rose

Rose — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 16:22:22 +0000

My goals this year are to develop my skills more, unite my brands & online presences, get a rhythm to my promotions, and develop my site more (more updates, and move a lot of merchandise there from Etsy). And get a regular listing schedule for Etsy. Ambitious?

By: Lisa

Lisa — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 05:59:55 +0000

HI EVERYONE !!! Happy New Year to you all. I have many hopes for this year that it will be different than all our last. My one dream has always been to own my own business. I enjoying working for myself, and take pride in my work. My talent is Hand Creating my own ideas of Throw Quilts for babies to adults, Beaded bracelets/anklets, C.R.A.F.T.Y. scented hot/cold rice pax, Dream catchers, or how about a few scented/unscented designer soaps. Making this business work is my dream. Thank you for letting me share my dream with you.

By: Tascha

Tascha — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 05:11:40 +0000

Great post! I’m setting some mini goals as I go along – personal and Etsy shop wise. So far – personal mini goals are watching more new movies, updating my wardrobe, and taking a step back more often for the little things in life. As a new Etsy seller (10 months now) I want to be more organized, make new things more often to be able to add new listings more frequent, and get even more involved with the Etsy community. I do what I can and am also a mother and wife so it can get tough to make time! I’ve realized that these things (big or small) are important to me and I need to more aware of them.

Thanks again for this great post!

-tascha.

By: Amber

Amber — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 16:07:14 +0000

You have given me food for thought, thank you for your post! I was considering diversifying into 2 shops, but now I think I will keep it all together after reading your experience. I didn’t consider how much work keeping up 2 shops would be

By: Sue

Sue — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 22:29:19 +0000

My shop, http:/www.etsy.com/shop/mycreativesewingshop, is brand new so I’m still testing the waters. I’ve been doing alterations, tailoring and theater costuming for well over 30 years as well as doing various crafts and making slip covers and curtains for 3 rental cottages we own. And now that I’m a Gramma, I’ve been making doll clothes for my grand daughters who love them. Since I love making them and had bought a wonderful bag for their AG dolls on Etsy I thought a shop of my own would be fun. Yet, there are thousand of doll clothes!!! I’m struggling to find my “niche”.

So far I have some doll clothes up and realize my camera is a little below par. And I should really have a real AG doll instead of an Our Generation doll. OY! Then there were all those Attic Window Quilted wall hangings I had in my closet that I couldn’t find a place for in our house or the cottages. Most of them found homes. But again, I’m not happy with the photography. They look uneven and they really aren’t.

Then there’s the toys. Several years ago I had a business going with a boxed toy called Color Me Creations and a line of 40 different animals and toys that I had professionally cut but I stitched, stuffed, and packaged with markers. They did very well in certain shops and craft shows around New England but for a variety of reasons the whole thing folded. Plus we were downsizing to a much smaller house on our property in NH and there was no way I could bring everything with me even to just keep it going as a craft show item. (I had many sleepless nights over that.) So leaving thousands of boxes, cut animals and magic markers behind (contributed most of it) I moved with just 20 something each of the 5 most popular animals and some spare material. I hope I can perk up some interest in Etsy customers through selling them as a kit. I have them stitched up only and am leaving the stuffing to the customer. I’m not sure if this is going to work but stuffing them now kills my shoulders. (I’m almost 70 old after all!!!) I have a feeling I should include the fiberfill and markers too but any washable markers work and many crafters have fiberfill. I’m trying to keep shipping as low and as easy as possible.

Like I said, I’m floundering and would really love any tips anyone can give me!!!

Thank you and have a happy and profitable year to all of you!

By: Kristin

Kristin — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 17:05:22 +0000

Hi Kim Happy New year! I think you have some wodnerful goals for this year. I’m also on Etsy http://www.etsy.com/people/IDelightinyou?ref=si_pr
and I’ve added a few of your items to my favorites. This year I really hope to have better sales too. I will add more things to my products line and promote alot more. The hardest part is just getting people to take a look. Wishing you much sucess and happiness this year!

By: Elizabeth McDonald

Elizabeth McDonald — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 05:31:09 +0000

” I recently combined all my Etsy shops into one shop and decided to name it Handmade & Craft too. I’m hoping that the name helps make sense of the varied assortment of items in the shop and helps build a brand.” I read these words above, Kim, and had an idea! Maybe you could turn the tables, and make it an advantage that you make many different items in different media. It could be part of your identity as a person (and thus part of your shop identity, and part of your story). Best of luck and Happy New Year!

By: Lindsay

Lindsay — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 04:20:14 +0000

I hope to write more sewing patterns this year, travel more (good idea!), and get out of my “cave” and meet more people.

By: Tayla Naden

Tayla Naden — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 04:19:19 +0000

Your list is quite a bit longer than mine! However, I also set goals keeping in mind that things may change.

I’m going full time for 2013! I’ve been flirting with the idea of working full time for myself for… well, forever now and I’ve finally taken the plunge!

Good luck with your resolutions! I’ll be following your new blog and shop!