Hip Handmade
Showing posts with label Handmade Jewelry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Handmade Jewelry. Show all posts
Friday, January 14, 2011
The Latest BUZZzzzzz
Hip Handmade
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Some Secrets of My Success
Since I consider myself a successful Etsy seller, I'm taking the opportunity of my 2nd Etsyversary to share some thoughts. While I know everyone finds their own path and my experience won't reflect everyone's experiences, I hope you find this interesting or even helpful.
When I started making jewelry based on molecule shapes, I expected it to be a hobby. I was planning to work freelance writing jobs for a living and sell jewelry to produce some retirement savings. Yet within a year the jewelry became my full-time job that pays the bills. The freelance writing I do is extra.
I believe much of my success comes from having an unusual offering. At first, I thought my jewelry would appeal to a very small niche. I was uneasy about joining Etsy because I thought people interested in my stuff would not find me here. I was wrong. First, my work appeals to a wider audience than I suspected, and, second, people found my stuff through searches and - more importantly - through other people. Despite my expectations to the contrary, having such a narrow focus in my work has been a benefit.
I'm a generalist and I love making all sorts of things, like textiles, sculptures, and paper goods. But in my Etsy store, I've largely remained focused on just the jewelry. Every once in a while I'll throw something else in, but I think having a focused inventory looks professional.
Since this is my job, there are things I love to make that don't make money, so I can't offer them in my shop. I don't like that this is true, that I need to pay attention to profit margins. But it is necessary, especially since my extra time has been dwindling.
I love what I do. I have even found ways to enjoy the more business-sided aspects. It's important to have passion about your work when you work for yourself. I work long days [disclaimer: I still need to figure out work-life balance!], but often it doesn't feel like all I do is work when my hobby and my work are one and the same.
Every day I am thankful to have stumbled upon this way to make a living. I'm also very appreciative of Etsy and the Etsy community. Through Etsy forums I've learned the importance of great customer service and how to sell in person. I also appreciate the camaraderie in the Forums and in the street teams.
Thank you all, and good luck in all of your Etsy ventures!
My Etsy Shop:
http://www.molecularmuse.etsy.com
My Newsletter:
http://www.madewithmolecules.com/list.html
My Blog:
http://www.madewithmolecules.com/blog/
When I started making jewelry based on molecule shapes, I expected it to be a hobby. I was planning to work freelance writing jobs for a living and sell jewelry to produce some retirement savings. Yet within a year the jewelry became my full-time job that pays the bills. The freelance writing I do is extra.
I believe much of my success comes from having an unusual offering. At first, I thought my jewelry would appeal to a very small niche. I was uneasy about joining Etsy because I thought people interested in my stuff would not find me here. I was wrong. First, my work appeals to a wider audience than I suspected, and, second, people found my stuff through searches and - more importantly - through other people. Despite my expectations to the contrary, having such a narrow focus in my work has been a benefit.
I'm a generalist and I love making all sorts of things, like textiles, sculptures, and paper goods. But in my Etsy store, I've largely remained focused on just the jewelry. Every once in a while I'll throw something else in, but I think having a focused inventory looks professional.
Since this is my job, there are things I love to make that don't make money, so I can't offer them in my shop. I don't like that this is true, that I need to pay attention to profit margins. But it is necessary, especially since my extra time has been dwindling.
I love what I do. I have even found ways to enjoy the more business-sided aspects. It's important to have passion about your work when you work for yourself. I work long days [disclaimer: I still need to figure out work-life balance!], but often it doesn't feel like all I do is work when my hobby and my work are one and the same.
Every day I am thankful to have stumbled upon this way to make a living. I'm also very appreciative of Etsy and the Etsy community. Through Etsy forums I've learned the importance of great customer service and how to sell in person. I also appreciate the camaraderie in the Forums and in the street teams.
Thank you all, and good luck in all of your Etsy ventures!
My Etsy Shop:
http://www.molecularmuse.etsy.com
My Newsletter:
http://www.madewithmolecules.com/list.html
My Blog:
http://www.madewithmolecules.com/blog/
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Crafting Crash and Burn Files part 1
I want to hear about YOUR Crafting Bloopers! Post your one-liners AND/OR stories here...
Have Fun!
here's mine:
What are the odds...
Why is it everytime I have a craft project with glue on it...it just has to leap out of my hands, and make a break for the floor. Does it love to taunt me...screaming "Ohhh NOoo!" I lunge for the gaily fluttering glue boms. It was performing evasive maneuvers to keep away from my hand. Immelmams, hammerhead stalls, no-lift dives, its maneuvers in the time dilated state of panic would have made the Red Baron proud...it successfully evaded my suddenly clumsy paws and dove straight for the floor. DIVE DIVE DIVE...
Aaaa OooooGoh! Right onto the floor, where it lands with a sickening "splurp!" I tried to pry it up...and what do I see...big some big old HAIRBALL I swear materialized out of thin air...sitting there LAUGHING at me...
OHhhh HISSSSS!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Bird Lovers
Just Launched my NEW Art site which Showcases my Bird Art! YIPPEE!
Check it out: http://www.zazzle.com/SublimeHues
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