| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Dusky Beauty |
Posted - May 29 2011 : 4:51:18 PM
I have some really nice jewelry my mother makes, and stuff like quilt books, dmc floss and fat quarters I can sell. I'm thinking of opening an etsy shop and I was interested in it because I heard they charge you if an item sells, but looking at it I see they also charge a listing fee.
I've had an ebay store and it was a bust. The pool was just too big and I was out 50 bucks a month for nothing. I honestly can't even afford 10$ out of pocket if I don't make it back, and I wouldn't even want to do it to just break even with all the hours it takes to do up listings.
So, do you do well well enough on etsy to make it pay? and if it doesn't does anyone know of a site that actually doesn't charge you at all until an item sells?
"After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good he started roaring. He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him. The moral: When you're full of bull, keep your mouth shut.” ~Will Rogers |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| marjean |
Posted - Feb 11 2012 : 09:37:35 AM
See the exciting news about my website under this thread.
http://www.maryjanesfarm.com/snitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=55514
Farmgirl sister #308
handmade cards, vintage organizer bags and more at www.jeanpatchbymk.etsy.com
http://jeanpatch.blogspot.com
www.fullerdirect.com
id#0920150
www.watkinsonline.com/rjaramillo
www.sunshinefarmgirlcoop.com |
| AlyssaMarie |
Posted - Feb 03 2012 : 09:15:23 AM
Thanks so much for posting this topic! It has been really helpful to read through. I am gearing up to launch an etsy site of my own to sell things that I've sewn and my Romney fleeces from our sheep for handspinners. A friend of mine said that a successful launch will start with 40 to 50 items but to never go over 80. I've also heard that you should list new stuff everyday or everyother day and to advertise to everyone you know. Do these numbers sound right to anyone else? I recently left one of my part time jobs so I would like to do this successfully enough to replace this missing income. Thanks again for everyone sharing here! It is greatly appreciated!
AlyssaMarie @ Link'd Hearts Ranch
|
| marjean |
Posted - Jan 03 2012 : 08:15:23 AM
Want to do group advertising and marketing with the Farm Girl Etsy team?
Join the co-op as a buying member or vendor and you can join us for a wonderful and fun way to do both!
You'll be able to reach a market otherwise impossible for just one person by joining the group.
Here is where you can join:
http://www.sunshinefarmgirlcoop.com/JoinUs.html
Farmgirl sister #308
handmade cards, vintage organizer bags and more at www.jeanpatchbymk.etsy.com
http://jeanpatch.blogspot.com
www.fullerdirect.com
id#0920150
www.watkinsonline.com/rjaramillo
www.sunshinefarmgirlcoop.com |
| IdahoShamrock |
Posted - Dec 31 2011 : 8:17:43 PM
Oh wow,Prudy, your bracelets are amazing! How lovely!
As far as sales tax goes, it is my understanding you only have to collect sales tax from customers who live in states that tax internet sales. So, you may have to charge sales tax on items sold to customers in your home state. But to be sure, check with a local tax preparer. They (usually) know the correct answers.
Farmgirl #2125
www.dustbincards.etsy.com |
| prudy |
Posted - Dec 14 2011 : 08:47:20 AM
I love having an etsy shop.... but I am unsure about sales tax, now that I moved to a state with sales tax, I'm not sure how to handle that.
farmgirl sister #1528
www.avintagemom.blogspot.com
www.lollipookiesoap.etsy.com |
| marjean |
Posted - Dec 01 2011 : 3:04:04 PM
The Etsy Farm Girl Team is a success thanks to all of you wonderful women!
I have some really wonderful happenings coming in 2012 so join the team and get ready to grow your business like never before!
Farmgirl sister #308
handmade cards, vintage organizer bags and more at www.jeanpatchbymk.etsy.com
http://jeanpatch.blogspot.com
www.fullerdirect.com
id#0920150
www.watkinsonline.com/rjaramillo
www.sunshinefarmgirlcoop.com |
| ladedacreations |
Posted - Nov 23 2011 : 08:42:43 AM
Well good luck to you! I still do a little ebay on select items, but now they are charging fees on the shipping! just blows me away! getting a little too greedy for me. Thats why I like etsy. In the 2+ years I have been on here, no raise in listing fees!!! Yea!!!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ladedacreations Filled to the brim with my handmade paper, vintage treasures & clothing, photography, naturally grown seeds and unique jewelry and hair pieces created from cast off vintage pieces and old silverware. Be sure to check out my comical Woo Hoo Sister pins for all of you mid lifers!
.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/againstthegrain13 is my other shop dedicated to my extreme rustic switch plate covers. If you are a lover of natural wood, you are sure to enjoy these!
Everything I create is done so with solar power using mainly salvaged, recycled and up cycled items.
“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also”. Mathew 6:21
|
| Missus Miranda |
Posted - Nov 22 2011 : 1:28:59 PM
I'm glad I stumbled on this topic because I have been very unsure of Etsy. I tried eBay back when it was a boom, and Mom and I made a good run of it. But, it started dying down in 07 and we just never got back to it.
I'm going to try my hand at Etsy after the new year. I really want to do things right and get my business going with the DBA and sales & use tax through the state.
Momma has vintage glassware for me to sell, and I will have my hand made thingy do-sers. We'll see how it goes!!
"I'm not trying to be mean or cantankerous. I just wish people would do the right thing, and use a little common sense." ~ Farmgirl 3535
Pflugerville, TX
http://www.tawnycow.blogspot.com/ |
| rubyleesmom |
Posted - Nov 22 2011 : 07:39:18 AM
I am thinking about looking into the whole Etsy thing too.. does it require you to have a business license to sell your items? Please help.. I am so clueless when it comes to this stuff!! :(
"Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway" - John Wayne |
| countrynmore |
Posted - Nov 18 2011 : 09:15:36 AM
Marsha, when you mentioned about hitting the 100 sale mark for countrynmore2. I decided to check out the number of sales for my Etsy shop. The last thing I remembered was 93 sales. Belonging to the sfgc and other BNS groups, has really helped with the sales, plus promoting the shop. For my new shop, I got an order not long after placing a vintage skirt pattern up. That was really amazing.
www.mycountryapron.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/countrynmore2
http://www.etsy.com/shop/familycollectibles4U
www.countrynmore.com
|
| countrynmore |
Posted - Nov 18 2011 : 08:56:21 AM
Sherry, please put a link to your Etsy store. You can also add it to your profile.
www.mycountryapron.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/countrynmore2
http://www.etsy.com/shop/familycollectibles4U
www.countrynmore.com
|
| marjean |
Posted - Nov 18 2011 : 08:16:56 AM
REad all our tips on the Farm Girl Etsy team. If you apply them you will grow your sales!!!
Once I hit 100 sales things took off!!! I have done almost 100 sales this year!!!
And, it took me two months of daily working on my shop and applying my tips that made the difference.
Build your inventory up to 100 items that is another important part of getting Etsy sales!
http://www.etsy.com/teams/10216/sfgcteam-sunshine-farmgirl-co-op
We have 72 members already!!! All welcome to join!!
Farmgirl sister #308
handmade cards, vintage organizer bags and more at www.jeanpatchbymk.etsy.com
http://jeanpatch.blogspot.com
www.fullerdirect.com
id#0920150
www.watkinsonline.com/rjaramillo
www.sunshinefarmgirlcoop.com |
| bishfam |
Posted - Nov 14 2011 : 1:33:58 PM
Hosanna! I like the way you do your pictures. Simple, a few backgrounds and easy on the eyes. Thanks for sharing. I have an Etsy shop. Gave up for a while but am back and would really like to make something of it. Thanks for your tips on your success.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/bishfam?ref=si_shop |
| knitnpickinatune |
Posted - Nov 08 2011 : 4:48:31 PM
It really depends on what you sell on Etsy & how reasonable your prices (incl shipping rates) are. I have two stores-one for fiddle accessories and one for ukulele gigbags and accessories. http://www.fiddlebelle.comand http://www.fleabagatelle.com My sales are slow because I specialize,I think.
http://www.mandolinbabe.net
http://www.fiddlebelle.com
http://www.celticcowgirl.me
@MandolinChick on Twitter
mando pickin,uke strummin,dulcimer playin & fiddle sawin' Farmgirl #702 |
| ladedacreations |
Posted - Nov 06 2011 : 12:10:07 PM
ebay is great to use as a research tool. I usually only sell on there if the item I am wanting to sell sells frequently on there and if the prices all all over the place. Better chance at a fast sell but it does cost more so i do like etsy for its price and I can put it on there and let things take their course and I dont have to think about it for 3 monthes!!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ladedacreations Filled to the brim with my handmade paper, vintage treasures & clothing, photography, naturally grown seeds and unique jewelry and hair pieces created from cast off vintage pieces and old silverware. Be sure to check out my comical Woo Hoo Sister pins for all of you mid lifers!
.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/againstthegrain13 is my other shop dedicated to my extreme rustic switch plate covers. If you are a lover of natural wood, you are sure to enjoy these!
Everything I create is done so with solar power using mainly salvaged, recycled and up cycled items.
“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also”. Mathew 6:21
|
| sherrye |
Posted - Nov 06 2011 : 08:57:19 AM
well this has been wonderful for me. just like taking a class. i learned so much. thanks to mjf and etsy and you farmgirls. i am selling things my kids will not keep when i am gone. so lots of stuff. just learning now how to do it. i also have dried roses etc. to market thank you girls happy days sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
|
| Amie C. |
Posted - Nov 06 2011 : 06:32:53 AM
Thanks for the advice, everyone. I've been researching the prices on both etsy and ebay, but I think I like the etsy selling system better.
What I meant by grouping items wasn't creating packages out of related items, but more selling things that belong together anyway in sets of two or three, rather than individuals. For instance, I have several pieces from Wedgwood's Countryside pattern...so I'd sell the two teacups together for $10 rather than individually for $5 each, because they will both fit in one medium size flat rate box.
If I put anything on etsy, I'll definitely ask to join the farmgirl team. Thanks! |
| IdahoShamrock |
Posted - Nov 05 2011 : 7:54:21 PM
Great advice, Sandy! Researching prices is something I do, but you just made it easier!
I also have a separate bank (credit union,actually) account for my paypal transfers. It is at a different CU than the one I use for personal banking. I wasn't too concerned about identity theft,but about me 'thefting' from myself. I use my earnings to pay for satellite internet and a couple of other things and I want to make sure I don't spend it on anything else! Oh, the tricks we play,eh?
Farmgirl #2125
www.dustbincards.etsy.com |
| soapmommy60543 |
Posted - Nov 05 2011 : 5:28:47 PM
This is such great info - thanks!
Wife of terrific hubby and mom to 2 kiddos, 2 bunnies, 2 geriatric goldfish, and the best dog in the world!
Check out my blog:http://suburbanprairiehomemaker.blogspot.com/
Avoid soil depravation and get your dirt on! Start a garden in your own backyard...
|
| ladedacreations |
Posted - Nov 05 2011 : 5:26:17 PM
Amy, You might do an advanced search on ebay and check on what some of those estate items are going for on there such as the McCoy. You might sell them faster and make more that way. Go into the advanced search, type in your item then check the box down lower that says completed sales. This will bring up like items that have recently sold on ebay. If the price is in green, then is sold, red then it did not. I use this quiet often to give me a realistic idea of what I might sell something for. Hope this is useful!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ladedacreations Filled to the brim with my handmade paper, vintage treasures & clothing, photography, naturally grown seeds and unique jewelry and hair pieces created from cast off vintage pieces and old silverware. Be sure to check out my comical Woo Hoo Sister pins for all of you mid lifers!
.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/againstthegrain13 is my other shop dedicated to my extreme rustic switch plate covers. If you are a lover of natural wood, you are sure to enjoy these!
Everything I create is done so with solar power using mainly salvaged, recycled and up cycled items.
“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also”. Mathew 6:21
|
| Bensgrandma |
Posted - Nov 05 2011 : 10:31:13 AM
Amie,
I would not group things together if it makes the price too high. You might suggest that someone look around your shop after they purchase an item and tell them that shipping for the second item would be free (if it fits in the box with the other one). I think most collectors only collect one or two things. Like I love dishes, tea sets and things like that but I would probably not purchase a tea towels so if I saw a group listing, I might write and ask if you would just sell the tea cups. That is just me. Good luck on your store.
Don't forget to let us know what it is and join the SFGCTeam.
Alexis
http://www.etsy.com/shop/HugsandStitches
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ACharmingExperience |
| StrawHouseRanch |
Posted - Nov 05 2011 : 08:19:23 AM
Thanks, Sandy and Alexis!...That is very good advice about opening a separate account.
Paula
Farmgirl Sister #3090
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery, and Today is a Gift.
|
| Amie C. |
Posted - Nov 04 2011 : 6:27:26 PM
I'm thinking about starting an etsy shop to pare down vintage items from my own collecting habit, and also to help my parents sell some items from my grandparents' estate. I've got some nice stuff...a huge lace tablecloth, a McCoy vase, vintage slips and hats, neat china and glasswares .
I want to use flat rate boxes for convenient shipping, so I thought perhaps I should try to group 2 or 3 like items together to fill the box and make the higher shipping fee worthwhile. Does that sound like a good plan? Or do people find that irritating? |
| Bensgrandma |
Posted - Nov 04 2011 : 5:09:08 PM
I did the same thing with a separate bank account just for paypal. Wish I had thought of going to a different bank but I just went to my local branch. It was a free checking account and he did not even make me buy checks when I told him that it was for my paypal account.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/HugsandStitches
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ACharmingExperience |
| ladedacreations |
Posted - Nov 04 2011 : 2:07:46 PM
As I am always concerned about Identity theft, I went so far as to open
up a bank account just to transfer my paypal into. In use it for nothing else. It is even at a different bank then my other accounts, maybe this is a little over kill but better safe then sorry. When I get a balance in paypal of over, say $100 I transfer it to my bank. I cant remember the exact fee they charge but it seems when I sell something for $20 paypal takes under $1, I think .88 to be exact. So with an etsy listing fee of .20 and and etsy commission on $20 of .70 and paypal. My total fees for a $20 item is under $2.00! I am happy with that. Hope that helps!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ladedacreations Filled to the brim with my handmade paper, vintage treasures & clothing, photography, naturally grown seeds and unique jewelry and hair pieces created from cast off vintage pieces and old silverware. Be sure to check out my comical Woo Hoo Sister pins for all of you mid lifers!
.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/againstthegrain13 is my other shop dedicated to my extreme rustic switch plate covers. If you are a lover of natural wood, you are sure to enjoy these!
Everything I create is done so with solar power using mainly salvaged, recycled and up cycled items.
“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also”. Mathew 6:21
|
