Just curious, my fellow crafty moms, do you own an Etsy shop? Is it worth your effort? How successful are you?
I am contemplating of opening one, and wondering what I could sell, or if it is worthy to do that (I can design, but I am not the craftiest person!)
I want to see your shop!
blogger / coconut / 8306 posts
I'm happy to share my shop if it isn't again hellobee policies!
I'm a graphic designer and sell through my website & etsy. I also get a lot of email orders. It's my full time job!
cantaloupe / 6800 posts
@Mrs. Jump Rope: Are you Confetti?
I asked MrBee if we could start a thread about everyones shops, maybe he'll let this be the one?? 
I'd love to be able to help support some Bee's!
pomelo / 5228 posts
I tried it out for a while I was able to sell several things, but it wasn't worth my effort, and what I was selling wasn't creative enough for my tastes. I did design a really awesome thing for the holiday season though, so I'm considering putting it up there to see if it sells at all.
From my little experience, it looks like the way to get sales on Etsy is to learn how to promote yourself so people will find you. I have a full-time graphic design business, so I just wasn't able/willing to put in the effort.
eggplant / 11824 posts
I have 2 Etsy shops, and I make enough money for my hobbies to pay for themselves/make "fun" money. It's definitely not something I can count on, or count as "real income", if that makes sense!
I wouldn't open one unless it's to sell something you love making and really care about.
watermelon / 14467 posts
I'm interested in opening one, but my hobbies take a lot of time (quilting and announcement design). I also don't have access to Adobe Creative Suite at home, so it would be hard for me to do any announcements. Maybe one day.
GOLD / grapefruit / 4555 posts
I would love to open one too but it seems a little daunting. I started the process but haven't posted anything because of the doubt I feel about my own work. I love what I do but I'm never sure if what I see as good is really good or if everyone's trying to just make me feel good about what I love. If that makes sense.
blogger / coconut / 8306 posts
@Mrs.Someone: I'm also a full time designer and I get a decent amount of sales on etsy. I've found that using the right keyword makes a difference. For me, most buyers find me through etsy search. I generally only promote my website or blog, by occasionally send out a newsletter when I'm having a sale on etsy.
pear / 1992 posts
I have (had?) an Etsy shop for a few years until I had to stop my work when I got pregnant. I maintained my shop in addition to my full time job, but made most of my money annually doing craft fairs and holiday shows. I could easily make a couple thousand at a single show which covered my expenses for the year and paid for christmas! Really, the etsy shop I used as a way to sell to friends and be 'legit'. I was never good at marketing myself, and rarely made sales to people I didn't know IRL who I directed to the Etsy shop so that it was easier to facilitate shipping/payment.
I am patiently waiting until LO is done nursing so that I can resume my craft and get back to it (I work with leaded enamels and didn't want to risk exposure to LO while pregnant or nursing, even though I take full precautions for my own safety). I also have a FB page for my shop, which links to my Etsy - it's in my profile 
bananas / 9118 posts
@NaturallyCathy: You really should do something like your Neverland map- that was fabulous! I love your stuff, stop doubting yourself
bananas / 9227 posts
Yes, but I plan to sell antiques. Although, it's not technically open yet.
nectarine / 2964 posts
@Mrs. Jump Rope: There is a hellobee policy about this? Oh... oops I didn't know that.... I dug through your blog site and I think I know who you are!
The reason why I contemplated doing this is because recently (well, for the past 2 years and it is getting worse) I've been very sad. I am a motion graphics designer (I animate for TV), but I no longer enjoy what I do (Maybe I should open another thread about it lol). So I just talked to a friend, and she gave me an idea which I think I will truly enjoy. I try to think of how this idea could be materialized, and an Etsy shop is a possibility. I always wanted to do an Etsy shop, but don't want to be another "lots of efforts but no return" kind of experience.... Which I did before (I built a website for my cafepress products, and I didn't make anything - the $ I made go into the monthly fee that is required for a premium shop. So I canceled the premium, and finally made only $100 in a few years. Not to mention all that effort to build a website went completely to waste. Sigh!)
@Mrs. Jump Rope: @yoursilverlining: @MrsTiz: @Mrs.Someone: If you open a shop on Etsy, do you pay a monthly fee? Do they cut a certain % out of your sale?
persimmon / 1026 posts
I have an Etsy shop but I don't make a lot of money with it...it's more of a fun hobby for me to do on the side. Etsy does charge certain fees, like when you post a new item for sale. Then when you sell the item, Etsy gets a certain % back, too. The fees are pretty minimal in my opinion, though. The hardest thing with Etsy is that there's SO much competition.
hostess / watermelon / 14932 posts
@MrsTiz: @Mrs. Jump Rope: i think you mean mrs sunglasses
I have a facebook page, but haven't pulled the trigger on etsy. I am intimidated by it
GOLD / grapefruit / 4555 posts
@irene: It's a present for a very special little boy I posted it on IG
blogger / coconut / 8306 posts
@irene: there is a $0.20 fee to list an item, and etsy takes a percentage of your sale. I accept payment through PayPal, which also takes a fee, and etsy direct checkout, which takes a fee too.
nectarine / 2964 posts
@NaturallyCathy: That is so cute!!! Thanks for sharing!
@Mrs. Jump Rope: Oh boy. that's a lot of fees.
Oh darn I am intimated by paypal. I could never calculate the fee right.
cantaloupe / 6800 posts
@sorrycharlie: yes! That's who I meant!
@NaturallyCathy: love the map! Did you paint it on playing cards or just cut it after? I am so confused haha
grape / 81 posts
I have an Etsy shop and sell hair pretties. I don't really make a lot of money doing it but it does pay for my crafting. I am currently selling my hair pretties in a few local stores and make more with that then Etsy.
coconut / 8472 posts
DH thinks I should set up a shop to sell the type of things I made for DS's nursery, but I don't think I have the time for it.
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