A weekend full of 5K training and yard work have left my feet and hands in serious need of some TLC! And my mind in serious need of some studio time. But until I get there, here are some questions I am hoping my lovely blog friends can help me with…..
Last week, I brought my jewelry into work for a few days (now that I have my awesome comic book store organization system). I was donating a few pieces to a friend who was involved in a silent auction AND I made several sales. This posed 2 questions:
1. Since many of the pieces I sold were on Etsy, how can I move them into my “sold” gallery for people to still see? Right now, they are deactivated. But would I sign on under my other store name and pretend to buy them or would this cause something negative down the road?
2. Since I work for a corporation, my husband warned me about possibly getting in trouble for soliciting something for my own personal gain on company time. I can certainly see his point here, but what about all the other people who sell for organizations their kids are in (like Girl Scouts/Boy Scouts) or people who are demonstrators for home parties like Silpada, Creative Memories, etc…? I’m certainly not going to make a habit of bringing it every day, but maybe every few months? I’ve advertised my Etsy sites, but I’ve found that when people see things in person they are more apt to buy.
I’m thinking about re-evaluating my Etsy shop – probably after my Art Fair on June 20th. There is just so much competition on Etsy that I am toying around with the idea of specializing my pieces more:
3. Do you think it would be a good idea for me to specialize in only bird related jewelry (owls, peacocks, other birds)? Or even narrow that down even more to only post peacock themed jewelry on Etsy? Any other pieces I make can be sold at the local stores I am involved with. As much as I love the aforementioned birds, I think I’d still have to make other designs. And of course, I am still planning on doing the wood components.
Lastly, I make a gazillion trips to the post office and notice that many sellers print their own postage/shipping labels:
4. Would this require me to simply get a scale so that I know the weight so that I can do this too? I mean, really, the only reason I go to the post office is because I don’t know how much postage to use.
Thanks everyone and I hope to have some new things to show you soon!
6 comments:
i can give advice about shipping. I bought a scale from the post office. I use paypal to print my labels. It makes it SOOO MUCH EASIER!
My small bit of advice... round up the number. If you weigh a package on the scale and it says 3 oz. round up to 4 because whenever i do this, I take it into the post office and they "double check" the weight, I'm always short!
Like Lorelei, I weigh my items here and use PayPal to print labels and because my items are light the postie picks them up from my door. That is a real time saver. I use my glaze scale that measures to 1/10 ounce but I round up. It only costs a few cents more to add on an ounce of postage.
Regarding, buying from your Etsy shop using your other store may be against Etsy rules. I'm sure there is a fact sheet somewhere but I seem to remember that from somewhere. So I'd check that first. And I could be wrong!
Maybe just run it past your supervisor about the work situation?
And I have no idea about specialization. But very best of luck at your show and in your Etsy shops.
I have a scale too, Heather. It's way easier. I'm sure my mailman hates me, but since I can't stand him, I guess we're even! Also, maybe you should have home parties, or a get-together every once in a while? Then no one can complain at work! Did you see the new peacock pendants at Michael's? I saw them today - cute - I thought of you right away!
Thanks everyone! My next purchase will be a scale!
I did check on Etsy, and yes, it is against the rules to purchase from yourself so I guess that option is out.
New peacock pendants?!?!?! I'll be on my way there after work!!!! :-)
Heather, I use a food scale. It measures ounces, so it's perfect for weighting packages. You can pick one up at any department store.
I like the Bird jewelry niche idea! I think focusing your jewelry line is a great idea!
I have some new Owl Medallion pendants. There are picture of them along with few new things from the kiln!
Opps! I can't talk today! LOL! I meant to say at the end there that I have a picture on my blog of the Owl Pendants along with some other stuff if you want to take a look.
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