A New Year... Renewed Goals

When I first opened my Etsy store (http://www.jewelrybyjenn.etsy.com/) in October, I didn't really set any goals for myself. I had absolutely no idea what I was doing but decided that I wanted to have fun, maybe make a little extra spending money (for supplies of course!), and share my ideas and creations with other people. Little did I realize how much fun it would be to work so hard! On top of creating jewelry and learning new techniques I've had to learn photography, editing, copywriting, and marketing. I will admit, at first I was totally overwhelmed and almost threw in the towel but I kept plugging along, posting in the forums, asking for advice, and trying my hand at marketing on sites like twitter (www.twitter.com/jewelrybyjenn), plumdrop (www.plumdrop.com/jewelrybyjenn), and, of course, blogspot.

Then I made my first sale. The feeling of accomplishment and euphoria was indescribable! It was this bracelet:

(which is relisted by the way, http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17929681)

I haven't looked back since then.

I have to say, though, that I gained a whole lot more than a few dollars and some added web expertise (expertise is pushing it but you get the idea). I met some of the most amazing people, some of whom I now consider my friends. The community at Etsy is absolutely amazing. Not one person that I have asked advice from or "spoken" to has treated me badly or hesitated to answer my sometimes stupid questions. So, thank you, Etsy, for bringing me to these absolutely amazing and creative people!

In honor of all the fine craftspersons on Etsy, I want to highlight a list of shops today instead of just one. In the third round of WITB (http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5970252&page=1) we have already accumulated some awesome shops that are contributing to the final prize ($20 gift certificates for 50 people). Here is the most current list:

ROUND 3 Feature Sellers Include:

1. FromMyHandsToYours.etsy.com - DESTASH, jewelry, scarves, shredded t's

2. LizardQueenJewelry.etsy.com - ONE OF A KIND & Custom Jewelry

3. JewelryByJenn.etsy.com - CUSTOM jewelry at AFFORDABLE prices

4. LuckyRosiesCreations.etsy.com - one of a kind creations

5. JodayCraf.etsy.com - handmade and vintage jewelry

6. Desera21.etsy.com - handmade bows and clippies :)

7. HavenDawnDesigns.etsy.com - stunning handmade pendants

8. ClearLakeCreations.etsy.com - handmade quality bath and beauty

9. AnTeris.Etsy.com - Original fiction

10. LiviasJewelry.Etsy.com - Jewelry, rosaries & spiritual jewelry

11. greenfamilytree.etsy.com - eco friendly house, bath, & beauty

12. LincolnChristian.etsy.com - unique glass tile pendants

13. MacriPhotography.etsy.com - Fine art photography

14. AudreysCountryCrafts.etsy.com - decorative/tole painting

Please take some time to look thru these shops! It won't be a waste of your time, I promise.

Why is it that I always start out wanting to talk about one thing and then talking about another? Let me just say this about goals: My number one goal this year is to have fun. The minute this stops being fun, I will close up my shop. As far as sales numbers go, I really don't have a goal for that, other than I would like to make enough to pay for my supplies so that I can keep creating. That, for me, is the important part to all of this. Creating beautiful things that others can enjoy along with me is the whole reason I am here. I am lucky that I don' t need to rely upon this as a livelyhood. I know there are those of you that do rely on it that way and I commend you. I don't think I'd have the guts for that! Irregardless of the reason you are here, I hope that you will continue to also have fun in this new year. I know I will be.

Time to get busy

I wouldn't say I've had an UNproductive day but I certainly didn't do the things that I really wanted to. Last night, instead of sleeping I set up this blog and as a result, I ended up sleeping till 1pm or so. Not a stellar start to my day! Then, while I wanted to just sit and bead to my heart's content, I decided that I really needed to get the stuff done in my house before doing what I consider the fun stuff. This is the first time since then that I've had time to sit and catch my breath! What I ended up doing today was painting my living room (all but one wall that has to be patched up) and when that was done, cleaning and organizing it. Including my desk which was quite a feat! In between I made dinner. Now is the time for ME.

Before diving back into my beads, though, I decided that I really need to set some goals down in writing. I know there are some things I need to order and there is nothing worse than getting into a project just to find that I don't have enough materials. I tend to be a procrastinator and putting my goals into writing seems to help to prod me along when I don't want to do the more boring tasks involved in selling jewelry (or any product for that matter). If I had my way, I would sit and bead day in and day out and someone else would magically market my things and list them on etsy for me, including taking all the pictures and writing the copy. Not one of my favorite things to do =) Alas, there is only me to do it all *cue the sad music*

So here is the plan. I will list some of my goals here so that I have witnesses to what I want to get done. Harder to make excuses then!

1. Organize supply area to make it easier to find things.
2. Place one order every week or so as opposed to several separate orders when I've missed something that needs to be replaced. Shipping costs are eating me alive!
3. Take pictures and post pieces every other day.
4. Promote everyday: here, on twitter, on plumdrop, on etsy. But DON'T get sucked in to it so much that I don't get anything done!
5. Keep having fun. Enjoy the creating. Keep learning and improving my craft.

I think that's enough for now. I think I'll go play now. May even make something for me to wear to work tomorrow!