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Etsy Success I thought this was interesting.
Jatman   Intermediate MI USA Member since 6/26/06 Posts: 1306	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 12/18/09 7:32 AM This is no doubt the minority but I thought it was interesting that the NYT did an article on it. For anyone who may have missed it: NYT Etsy Article JT
nancy2001   Advanced AL USA Member since 12/3/05 Posts: 6148	Login to reply to this post In reply to Jatman Like this post Date: 12/18/09 8:33 AM Julie, I read that article yesterday and thought it was interesting, too. I even spent most of the afternoon surfing through etsy while I fantasized about having my own line of handbags. Then I came back down to earth and realized I'd be spinning my wheels for the golden opportunity to earn $3.00 an hour. ------ The essence of life is statistical improbability on a colossal scale. Richard Dawkins
Jatman   Intermediate MI USA Member since 6/26/06 Posts: 1306	Login to reply to this post In reply to nancy2001 Like this post Date: 12/18/09 8:38 AM Yep! I think you have to prepare for it to be a thankless job that you do because you love doing it. Then if it takes off it can be a pleasant surprise! JT
racehorse   TX USA Member since 7/12/09 Posts: 1013	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 12/18/09 11:01 AM Basically that article is about a designer who uses Etsy as a sales and promotion channel. Nothing new here. ------ Erin in Dallas http://amateursewist.blogspot.com/
RJFoote Advanced Beginner OH USA Member since 8/22/06 Posts: 456	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 12/18/09 2:48 PM I think Etsy is a great way for someone to "test" the waters toward self-employment. Anyone who is self-employed, no matter the field, will tell you that it consumes you night and day, 7 days a week. I enjoy looking through Etsy at what people make and sell but personally have never purchased a thing off of it. My problem is I usually say "I can make that" and add it to my list of future projects some day, which of course I never seem to get to.
Jatman   Intermediate MI USA Member since 6/26/06 Posts: 1306	Login to reply to this post In reply to RJFoote Like this post Date: 12/18/09 3:40 PM I've made several purchases from Etsy. I'll go there if I'm looking for a unique gift or if I need some inspiration. I have a good time looking around but sometimes I see things that I can't imagine a use for and I wonder how the seller makes it worthwhile. However, more often then not I'll find things that are incredibly beautiful and appear to be well made and that makes me wonder, again, how well the seller is doing. I was surprised that anyone does as well on Etsy as were detailed in the article. Pleasantly surprised. JT
nancy2001   Advanced AL USA Member since 12/3/05 Posts: 6148	Login to reply to this post In reply to Jatman Like this post Date: 12/18/09 7:24 PM With all the thousands of sellers etsy has, at least a handful of them must be doing very well, but I suspect the vast majority barely break even. ------ The essence of life is statistical improbability on a colossal scale. Richard Dawkins
Jatman   Intermediate MI USA Member since 6/26/06 Posts: 1306	Login to reply to this post In reply to nancy2001 Like this post Date: 12/18/09 7:51 PM I'm sure you're right. Too bad there aren't more stats available on the sellers/what they sell/typical sale amount/etc. That would probably be rather interesting. Still, it's good to know that it's possible to make a living with a unique product. JT
blacksquirrel Member since 1/26/08 Posts: 50	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 12/21/09 8:57 PM During my divorce 2 years ago I found Etsy and opened a shop on there and sold some linoleum block prints. It was a nice self confidence boost during a dark time in my life to be creating things that people would pay money for! However, I realized that even by working with multiples of artwork as a printmaker (vs. someone who is knitting 1 scarf at a time), that my time would become completely full of JUST art. And I worried that I might start trying to figure out what subjects would sell better and corrupt my soul, blah blah blah... so I went back to school and got a normal job. I should get back on there just for a little pocket change and the fun of it, but I've been sewing, not doing my art! Wish I could do both! One of the great things about Etsy is their transparency. You can look at someone's shop and see a list of all the items they've sold (with photos), and what the sale price was. Pretty easy to get an idea of who might've quit their day job! Those who've done that have to do a lot of marketing, and I wasn't into that part of it.
blacksquirrel Member since 1/26/08 Posts: 50	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 12/21/09 8:58 PM Whoa, I don't like marketing but not by 3 sad emoticons worth!

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