Stacey White is the creator of Snugnluv, really unique and GORGEOUS handmade accessories for kids. She is also in charge of a great Canadian social networking site I love called Canadian Collective. Here are some tips about selling your handmade items how to gain more than just money.
Since I started selling my wares online, many people have asked me about Etsy. Etsy is an online marketplace for artists, crafters, artisans, and vintage sellers. Vintage refers to any item that is over twenty years old and supplies encompass anything that is used to make handmade items. There are over 2.4 million users in 150 countries and the over 155 000 vendors make it a global marketplace. Over $58 million in goods were sold from January-May of 2009.
My Etsy shop, Snugnluv was started while I was on maternity leave with my second daughter. I started it in an attempt to make some extra money while staying home with my children. I had dreams of returning to teaching part time and making enough money from home to supplement, but have quickly realized that it’s nearly impossible to do this long term. Many of the other “Etsians” that I have met are in the same situation. Personally I found that it was something that I could do for myself, creatively, while home with my children. It is a very enjoyable past time, but is it enough to support a family? I certainly don’t think so for most people.
Although it is very therapeutic and rewarding making things by hand is very time consuming. In order to create enough products to make a large profit I would have to work twenty four hours a day. Don’t get me wrong, there are a handful of Etsians who make a good living on Etsy, but for most of us it isn’t something we do for the money. It’s more of a supportive place to sell creative things.
Although it is very therapeutic and rewarding making things by hand is very time consuming. In order to create enough products to make a large profit I would have to work twenty four hours a day. Don’t get me wrong, there are a handful of Etsians who make a good living on Etsy, but for most of us it isn’t something we do for the money. It’s more of a supportive place to sell creative things.
Artfire and Bonanzale and Dawanda are similar online venues.
One great thing about Etsy is that you can set up your own online shop, with little web site building experience. You have your own domain name for your business cards and you don’t have to pay monthly fees. Simply pay 20 cents per listing and 3.5 % of your sales are taken. In addition to that you will be responsible for shipping costs and paypal fees. But, it is a relatively easy way to sell your goods. There are forums to discuss things, treasuries that members can create, and showcase spots that you can pay for to advertise. They will even help you create a banner for your shop and offer tips from growing and managing your shop on their blog the Storque.
One great thing about Etsy is that you can set up your own online shop, with little web site building experience. You have your own domain name for your business cards and you don’t have to pay monthly fees. Simply pay 20 cents per listing and 3.5 % of your sales are taken. In addition to that you will be responsible for shipping costs and paypal fees. But, it is a relatively easy way to sell your goods. There are forums to discuss things, treasuries that members can create, and showcase spots that you can pay for to advertise. They will even help you create a banner for your shop and offer tips from growing and managing your shop on their blog the Storque.
Celebrities are even on Etsy. Rosie O’ Donnell has an Etsy shop and she gives the profits to charity. Many sellers have stories about selling their handcrafted items to A list celebrities. The site has been getting more press lately and has improved their search engine optimization (SEO) so that listings will be picked up by Google.
The idea of supporting handmade artisans, purchasing originals, and buying recycled vintage goods is fantastic. I try my best to buy supplies and gifts on Etsy and have found the prices pretty reasonable. I even bought myself a new Bernina sewing machine off of my profits. Through Etsy, I can continue to sell my handmade originals and patterns but I certainly won’t be expecting to quit my day job!
Stacey White
More from Stacey at:
Snugnluv
Blog
Twitter
Canadian Collective
The idea of supporting handmade artisans, purchasing originals, and buying recycled vintage goods is fantastic. I try my best to buy supplies and gifts on Etsy and have found the prices pretty reasonable. I even bought myself a new Bernina sewing machine off of my profits. Through Etsy, I can continue to sell my handmade originals and patterns but I certainly won’t be expecting to quit my day job!
Stacey White
More from Stacey at:
Snugnluv
Blog
Canadian Collective
RSS Feed