Etsy

I also would like to start an etsy account I think it would be a fun way to get my creativity to work, I am a stay at home mom with 2 kids 5, 6, was working and now am at home again. Thanks for posting!! What are you selling?

My sister has an etsy account and she adds something almost every day. She sells about 1-3 items a month. She is currently making her own website and it paying the webhost about $20.00 a month. She is having such a fun time. She makes toddler pillowcase dresses and outfits. Re...furbishes? Rescues? Pre-owned? denim skirts and jeans and makes the most wonderful outfits.

Did one of you below say there is a place her on mamapedia to list your etsy accounts? I would like to know more about that. So when I go to etsy I can look up your accounts.

I buy off Etsy all the time. It looks like it is simple to use. Whatever you sell, I find that posting on Craigslist and then linking to your website (or Etsy acct) works fabulous, because craigslist is searched by google FOR FREE.

Good luck!

K.

What about listing your business here in Mamapedia when you have an site set up? It would be nice if there was a way to post pictures of what you have to sell right here on this site.

I have not ever done an Etsy account because of the fees. For now I have signed up for an Artfire account, at the completely free level(they also have a $12/month pro level). It says you can list as many items as you want for no extra cost. People link their Artfire and Etsy accounts, and at the paid level there's supposed to be a way to link it to your facebook page too. I haven't sold anything at all in the 4 months since I joined- but I'm not out any money either. I'd also like to hear from others who have been successful.

I have an Etsy store, and its been really great. I was super busy for a couple months before Christmas, and I get busy around April for summer kids clothes, and a few things I make (cloth dolls, jammies) sell well all year round.

It is very simple to use, but at first it can be confusing. Just go slow. Set up your account and get to know Etsy, how to list, pay your bill, etc. Keep your descriptions short but colorful so they will be noticed, take good pictures, and be patient. It can take a while to be 'found', but if you have friends, family, etc online, send them the link and have htem pass it out.

I have an etsy account- it is empty right now. I think it is a great place to browse and buy- I did not have any luck being "found" on there. Good things are that the setup is easy as a buyer and simple as a seller- very user friendly. The cost is very cheap $0.40 to list an item, I don't remember the cost when you sell, also low. There are many sources for sellers to use to get help, I think if you get really involved in it, joining groups and clubs, posting frequently, taking good pics- it may work for you. However, the listings expire after 4 months and you have to re-list and pay the listing fee again. The setup for each item seemed to take a bit too long for me- adding in all the details for each item- I just didn't have the time for that. So I ended up using a blogspot account for my website instead. The format isn't as pretty and there is no shopping cart but I can manage it at my leisure and still have a website to direct people to when they ask about my jewelry.

I sell on etsy (pumpkingirl.etsy.com) and I do okay. I think the two most critical things are taking good photos and listing frequently. Etsy is set up such that as soon as you list an item, it goes in a list for that category. Within a short timeframe it gets lost at the bottom of the LONG list of items. Frequent posting keeps your items at the top of the search or category.

If you go on to Etsy's forums, you'll find more information about being a seller than you could possibly ever need.

I have done etsy before, but I cancelled my account. I have found that having a blog and website has done more for my "brand" than etsy. When etsy first started, it was fabulous, but a lot of people in the "artsy" (and I'm not sure what you are selling) community have found that it has become very crowded and it's hard to be "found".