My Etsy shop is doing pretty well, I am getting a lot of custom orders.
Which is great, and I love them.
Here are my issues though...
*I am getting a lot of orders from friends/family/word of mouth. These are local orders and they are typically not paid through Etsy. This is great because I don't have the processing fee, and they do not have delivery as I drop off or they pick up.
Downside--
I don't get the "numbers". Because they are placed this way, my Etsy sale total is a measly 2.
*I am thinking to start a Facebook page. This way, I could reach a wider audience, and I could list some of the items I have been making that are too large to ship or too complex to ship.
*How do fellow crafters/shop owners handle custom orders? Should I be adding more money to the total? I thought my prices were great-I am making about a 50% profit on each item. However, the last 3 deliveries have resulted in the person telling me I should charge more. Which would be awesome--if I could do it. I am cheap! Maybe adding a $5 up charge to any custom product?
*I am also getting tons of ideas thrown at me. "You should do this" "Do it this way" "Make something with this quote"
and as much as they might sell, it isn't my style. How should I handle this? For an order, I will ABSOLUTELY do it. But for the people that are just giving me suggestions, I cannot decide if compromising my "style" and what I envision for my shop is worth a sale.
Thoughts?
There are few things that I love as much as I love my sewing machine.
But, I somehow lack the capacity to follow a sewing pattern. I am more of a wing it kind of gal. It results in a lot of wasted supplies. But, it works for me.
I was just text a photo of something that I am pretty positive I cannot make. I really want the order, and I am impressed this person thought my skill level was that high. But there is no way.
Perhaps I need to practice.
Any great projects with simple directions? I get very overwhelmed with a bunch of steps and cuts of fabric. To date, I've stuck to scarves and makeup bags for the shop.
I've like to knock out a really big purse, and eventually move on to clothing.
I've been a bit MIA in the last week.
Updates:
*The craft show last weekend definitely exceeded expectations!! So many custom orders for .West 19th.!
*The Etsy shop is UP and selling! I have only had one "sale" on Etsy, but about 8 custom orders placed from people that are local and are avoiding ship charges.
*Last night was the Volunteer Waitress Night for Cystic Fibrosis. My cousin has CF so this is definitely a BIG cause for my family!
*Tonight, this handsome guy and I will be seeing Celtic Woman
Cannot. wait.
* This weekend we are celebrating my 28th birthday. So excited to go out!
This weekend, I officially opened my Etsy shop!
I only have two products listed right now. I was editing pictures to list, I decided to wait until next Sunday (4/14) to list everything else. I have a craft show on Saturday and I want to have plenty of inventory to take with me.
Next Sunday, you will see:
Picture frames!
Shadow Boxes!
Make Up Bags!
Tote Bags!
Infinity Scarves!
Water bottles/cups personalized!
Baby items!
Next weekend, April 13th, I have a craft fair. I've only been prepping for THREE months. I shouldn't be this far behind.
However, in Jess world "prepping":
Order sweet fabric
Picking out new business cards
Ordering a cool square reader (ok that one actually helped a lot---I LOVE it!!)
Planning my day of outfit
Not taking inventory. Not making sure I have enough of everything.
Thankfully, I have been a busy bee this week, and will probably finish up next Wednesday. That gives me two days to pack up and get organized.
Nothing like last minute ;)
Monday I will post pics and links!
