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Entrepreneurship:  Starting an Online Shop  |
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lilwing
True Blue Farmgirl
1403 Posts
Brooke
Fulshear
Texas
USA
1403 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 05 2008 : 7:57:08 PM
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My Mom and I have alot of linens, pretty little things, knick-knacks, vintagey things, and such (you wouldn't BELIEVE). Should I say ALOT? I would be posting linens and such at first. Do you think this would go over good? My mother, for one, went on a frenzy over time and bought tons of things - alot of it brand new or good quality. I think I did the same. LOL. Can I do this on an etsy shop? I would be incorporating hand-made things in time, probably sooner than later. Any suggestions, etc... encouragement... lol...is appreciated .....
http://www.myspace.com/brookealyson
(blog to come soon enough ..lol) |
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Brew Crew
True Blue Farmgirl
676 Posts
Molly
Arizona
676 Posts |
Posted - Jul 05 2008 : 9:02:42 PM
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Hi, Brooke! Your collection sounds wonderful! I would love to browse your store, when you have it up and running.
My understanding is that Etsy is set up as a handmade only site. There are, however, a ton of places you can set up a storefront with. I looked into those options when I was wanting to set up my storefront. One I have seen often is http://www.zen-cart.com/ . Could be a good way for you to go, because they have templates you can chose from and guides and helps as you set up.
My DH did my site and I love the way it came out, but it was (and continutes to be) very time consuming to update, tinker with, etc. Worth it by leaps and bounds, no doubt, but still tedious and involved.
Good luck setting up your shop! Post a link when you have it running....I would love to see all the treasures!
The Biz www.tvalahandmade.com
The Blog: http://blog.tvalahandmade.com/
The Bits www.happydalehobby.blogspot.com/
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melanie47601
True Blue Farmgirl
1949 Posts
Melanie
Boonville
IN
USA
1949 Posts |
Posted - Jul 05 2008 : 9:18:33 PM
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I think you have a wonderful idea. I just started an online rummage sale. I think whatever you can dream up, you can do. I checked into etsy too as I was getting ready to start my shop. Your stuff may not work there. It's mostly for homemade/handmade but you can also see vintage pieces there. If I remember right, their definition of vintage is your item has to be at least 30 years old. I'm using ecrater for my shop. It's free to join, free to sell, totally free and it's pretty easy to set up. The only part I don't like much is the shipping calculator.
Good Luck!!
Melanie
"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt within the heart." Helen Keller
http://wheelsarealwaysturning.blogspot.com/
My shop is finally up and running.. http://www.brokenin.ecrater.com/ |
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lilwing
True Blue Farmgirl
1403 Posts
Brooke
Fulshear
Texas
USA
1403 Posts |
Posted - Jul 05 2008 : 9:38:53 PM
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Hey, Molly! Thanks for the link to zen cart! I am downloading it and going to see if I can't mess around with that and come up with something pretty. :D I have seen ecrater before but it sort of frustrated me. I will definitely post again and give the link when I have it up and running.
I would love to link up with both your store sites, Melanie and Molly, when I am up and running, which I will do so, and also browse it because I ...just can't help but shop ...rotfl! Thanks so much for both of your info, it was very helpful!! |
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lilwing
True Blue Farmgirl
1403 Posts
Brooke
Fulshear
Texas
USA
1403 Posts |
Posted - Jul 05 2008 : 9:41:04 PM
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Actually, Melanie, I just visited your ecrater site, I got ecrater mixed up with another one. I may use ecrater first, actually! Depends if I can get this zen cart working ...LOL...it's a little intimidating to me ...
http://www.myspace.com/brookealyson
(blog to come soon enough ..lol) |
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Tina Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
6948 Posts
Tina
sunshine state
FL
USA
6948 Posts |
Posted - Jul 05 2008 : 9:56:31 PM
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hey Brooke,
as for etsy..if the items(fabric,hankies, linens,paper goods,buttons,etc.) can be used to create something with..they can be listed as "craft supplies", if they are 20 years or older they can go in the "vintage category". So etsy may still be an option for a few of the items.
~Seize the Day! Live, Love, Laugh~
visit me at:
http://gardengoose.blogspot.com/
and at www.stliving.net
you can also check out my etsy shops at:http://GardenGooseGifts.etsy.com |
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Tina Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
6948 Posts
Tina
sunshine state
FL
USA
6948 Posts |
Posted - Jul 05 2008 : 10:00:26 PM
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by the way..if you have linens and so forth with rose themes..those are right up my alley..I also love vintagey things...so please do show us gals a few of your treasures through either the barter section here or the marketplace section on here..we all enjoy looking at "pretties" and shopping through the site here as well.
~Seize the Day! Live, Love, Laugh~
visit me at:
http://gardengoose.blogspot.com/
and at www.stliving.net
you can also check out my etsy shops at:http://GardenGooseGifts.etsy.com |
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lilwing
True Blue Farmgirl
1403 Posts
Brooke
Fulshear
Texas
USA
1403 Posts |
Posted - Jul 05 2008 : 10:48:09 PM
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LOL. Tina Michelle, just you wait..I (or we, I should say) have tons of things and of that nature.... I can't wait to get this going..you girls have got me inspired and excited! lol. Thanks for your encouragement!!!!!!!
http://www.myspace.com/brookealyson
(blog to come soon enough ..lol) |
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lilwing
True Blue Farmgirl
1403 Posts
Brooke
Fulshear
Texas
USA
1403 Posts |
Posted - Jul 06 2008 : 3:54:42 PM
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Well, here's the link (below) so far. I am still working on it - give me a week or two (or maybe a little more) before most things are in the store. What I have now is not necessarily and totally representive of the store which will be! 
http://maggie.ecrater.com
http://www.myspace.com/brookealyson |
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queenofdreamsz4u
True Blue Farmgirl
3845 Posts
Stephanie Suzanne
Smoky Mountains Tennessee
USA
3845 Posts |
Posted - Jul 06 2008 : 10:24:48 PM
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Hey Brooke,
The eCrater is new to me but there are sooo many venues for selling these days..It looks very professional and inviting. 
You should also setup a Blog (I know you mentioned it)and try to post something (anything) of relevance each day...this will pull you into the search engines and help people find you and learn about your goods. Blogs in combination with your website really work.
Blogspot blogs are very simple to set up and you can also change the code on the template once you have some experience but it's not necessary to have a very nice looking blog..You can set the background colors, add a custom header and of course post pictures of your goods with links to your shopping cart.
www.blogger.com
And I cannot emphasize enough to open a Flickr account if you don't already have one... (you need to sign up for at yahoo for an email id www.yahoo.com (you use that email id to sign in to the Flickr.. Upload EVERY picture of your product into your album..It's also very easy to use. The basic flickr album is free or you can upgrade to the Pro that gives unlimited usage for $24.99 per year which is a real bargain. www.flickr.com
Once you've done that then go join some flickr groups that specialize in some of what you have and then you can send those particular pictures to those groups..Anyhow, as you can see this creates a network between you and the oodles of flickr users. I've had many customers find my fabrics through my flickr album. So I can speak first hand about how it can work for you.
Good luck and let me know if you need any help..I'll always try!
Hugs,
Stephanie
www.queenofdreamsz.blogspot.com ~~~Personal Musings
www.dreamkingdomdesigns.blogspot.com Fabric Blog
www.dreamkingdomdesigns.com ~~~~~My Website |
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lilwing
True Blue Farmgirl
1403 Posts
Brooke
Fulshear
Texas
USA
1403 Posts |
Posted - Jul 06 2008 : 10:59:43 PM
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Hi, Stephanie! I just set up a blog earlier and I have added it to my signature. :D But thank you. Gives me more confidence, and I didn't realize I could make it more personalized on the template. Thank goodness! I wondered how everyone else was getting those pretty looking templates. lol. I actually have a photobucket site for my picts. Is flickr better or are they the same? I may use flickr instead then, as you have given some good suggestions.
Thanks! You've given great help! I'll add the link to your site to my store links as well. :D
http://maggie.ecrater.com
http://maggiemerch.blogspot.com |
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queenofdreamsz4u
True Blue Farmgirl
3845 Posts
Stephanie Suzanne
Smoky Mountains Tennessee
USA
3845 Posts |
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Brew Crew
True Blue Farmgirl
676 Posts
Molly
Arizona
676 Posts |
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lilwing
True Blue Farmgirl
1403 Posts
Brooke
Fulshear
Texas
USA
1403 Posts |
Posted - Jul 07 2008 : 1:16:15 PM
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Thanks everyone! I'm not sure if I will get an etsy store right now, since I have settled on ecrater. I have started up things before and then got so overwhelmed that I couldn;t do it anymore. So I am keeping things simple this time. Just this ecrater store with simple ways to do it, and then the blog. I may add etsy once everything gets going. Thanks so much for your wonderful help, encouragement, tips and compliments! You've been wonderful to me!
Now I am trying to decide if I should post the vintage matellaise bedspread I have.... it's tempting to keep it ..... lol
http://maggie.ecrater.com
http://maggiemerch.blogspot.com |
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lilwing
True Blue Farmgirl
1403 Posts
Brooke
Fulshear
Texas
USA
1403 Posts |
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lilwing
True Blue Farmgirl
1403 Posts
Brooke
Fulshear
Texas
USA
1403 Posts |
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Entrepreneurship: Starting an Online Shop |
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Starting an Online Shop
