Greetings fellow Cardmakers!

[ForeversMemories]

Hello!

My name is Jennifer and I have been a member of Etsy since September. I hadn't had much time to devote early in my Etsy shop, but now im pursuing it with more ambition!

I am hoping to get to know some fellow Etsy members and expand my network. Im also eager to learn more about marketing and promotion to encourage more sales. I know I have few items listed right now. I've been making more, but haven't had a chance to photo them yet! :-)

Thank you for allowing me to join this team and I hope to get to know you all soon!

Jen

[CutenCraftyDesigns]

Hello everyone!

I've been on etsy since last March. I make greeting cards among other items. I hope to learn a lot here and to contribute as much as I can.

Thank you for having me.

[AmandasHomemadeGifts]

Jackie I started around that time too Have had 9 sales in the year but hoping things will take off at any time. I just invested in business cards to hand out around the area hoping that will draw people to come check out Etsy and hopefully get some sales Good Luck

[ForeversMemories]

I've heard the craft shows and trade fairs are the best places to sell cards. However, I'm more of a behind-the-scenes kinda person rather than a sales person, so it's hard for me to find the courage to buy a table and try and sell in a large group of people. Does anyone have any advice for selling at craft shows or trade fairs?

[LilacCottageJournals]

Hi everyone - I'm Sharon of Lilac Cottage Cards. I've been on Etsy for a year.
Doing pretty good, but I sell more at the market I do every weekend. I find it hard to capture in photos the detail of my work. From May-October I do a local Farmer's Market. I have a card display I purchased online - made all the difference!!

[ForeversMemories]

Hi Sharon!

I completely agree that it's hard to capture details and even textures in photos. I wish my area had a Farmer's Market, but most growers just by a license and stake out in a business parking lot. lol

There are a couple craft shows here, but for $40-$100 for a table, I get nervous about investing so much when I don't know what the return will be. I suppose one of these days, I'm just going to have to take the chance!

Btw, where did you find your card displayer? I've been considering getting one, but the cheapest I've found is $60-$70! Eek! Any help would be much appreciated!

Have a great day!

[Former_Member]

Hello everyone! I'm new to Etsy - about a month now. Some of my crafty friends had an open house and I did quite well with my holiday cards. After some persuading by my friends I joined Etsy and put some of my work up. I'd love to learn any tips for promoting my items, and hopefully this team can help to at least encourage each other and our shops. One of the other threads shows posts of recent cards you've done. How do you include a picture or image of your work in a post like this? I don't see any additional features to add a pic or anything.

Thanks and looking forward to learning and sharing with everyone on the team!

[Former_Member]

Hi, I'm also quite new to Etsy. I started this shop in the summer of last year. I've had some sales but not a ton. This is a hobby for me so I'm not sad about that. I always wondered if Farmer's Markets, craft Fairs etc are a good way to sell. It sounds like it is. I think that would be a lot of fun but I think I'd have to quit my day job to have the time to make the cards. I love looking at everyone's stores. Beautiful work!!!

[CardsbyJeweleighaB]

Hello all! I love to make cards and make them just about every day. I started off making cards as a way to save money, but recently my card making has gathered steam. I've been able to sell a bit locally to friends and family, and had a moderate amount of success with Etsy. The sales seem to go in waves.
I started on Etsy in July 2010.
Glad to be part of this team!

[LilacCottageJournals]

Hi all! I wanted to let Jennifer know I got a card display wire rack from displays2go.com. I paid $36.00 and the shipping was about $18, but I found it be worth while if you do craft shows. I also make checkbook covers and picture frames. I love paper and stamping, so I'm always trying new things. At the market I do, I sell a lot of magnets and small embellished books too.

Michelle - you can just copy and paste your item url and the image will be shown.

I try to promote a lot in the teams I'm in and I do lots of treasuries. Helps to get some exposure. I'm also on FB, pinterest and stumbleupon. Good luck and lots of sales to everyone!!

[Former_Member]

I got a bit disheartened about doing craft fairs because there are so many card makers these days, its not a difficult craft so everybody is doing it. I approached the organiser of a local one to me and she said she was fully booked for months for card makers and the same with Jewellery makers.. :-( I think from that it would be hard to sell stuff online as well. anyone else had problems?

[CardsbyJeweleighaB]

It can be difficult, Beverly. I try to tag my items thoroughly and stay active in some of my teams. Many of my purchases come from one of the teams that I'm active in because if someone wants to buy a card, they might as well buy it from someone that they know. I purchase items from them as well.
Some friends and family buy from me locally as well and have passed my cards along to others who have also become customers. So that may be something to try.
Looking forward to seeing some of your creations!

[Former_Member]

Hi all,

My name is Marjan, and since a couple of months I am active on Etsy.

I know that making postcards is not the easiest product, because you have so much competition. But a couple of days ago I stumbled upon a website for Crafters that want to become a bit more serious in making a business out of their hobby: designinganmba.com.

I learned quite a lot from this. Especially the article about the way to find a niche, was opening my eyes: http://designinganmba.com/2011/03/22/niche-products/

Perhaps it can help you too!

Good luck to all :)

[Former_Member]

HI everyone! I'm Michele and I just opened my shop at the beginning of the month. I know it takes awhile to build up sales, but it's frustrating! I am always hoping that the next email I get is saying I made a sale. I've had business cards made and I try to post something a couple of times a week. A friend of mine who has her own Etsy shop has a good post in her blog about tips for Etsy sellers. http://www.zucchiniandco.com/blog/etsy-seller-helper if anyone wants to check it out. She's been very helpful to me when I opened my shop. Good luck to everyone!

[LisaVoergDesigns]

Congratulations, Michele. Your cards are lovely and your pictures are nice an vibrant. You also have a varied selection...something for everyone.

It sounds like you are moving in the right direction for sales. I have read that posting as often as possible (even daily) is helpful. I read mid-morning and early evening is a good, key time. Teams and favoriting shops and items are another way to gain sales (creating treasuries, too). I just feel that I have been putting time into teams and I gain views and favorites but that does not equate to sales. Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and any other social networking can also be helpful. I don't personally use the networking which could be part of why things are not picking up for me.

Thank you for the blog post. I did read it and I will certainly work on some of the ideas. Best of luck to you and if I come up with any magic I will be in touch.

[Former_Member]

Thanks Lisa! Still holding at one sale, but my views have increased dramatically since I've joined several groups. Your cards are beautiful as well. I love your banner. Did you have someone make it or did you buy it on here? I'm still looking for one and I just don't know what I want!
I'm trying to post something every day, but now that I am back to work and working on things for the craft fair, it's tough. Yes, please let me know if you find some magic way to increase sales! : )

[LookWhatMumsMade]

Hi everyone,

I have just joined the team and recently opened my shop after lot's of planning and should I shouldn't I. I am off work at the moment with a fractured wrist and it's driving me mad not being able to craft and so my husband suggested I finally opened my shop and type with my good hand.

I am really enjoying it looking at everyones creations is keeping me going. I have loolked at some of your shops and added them to my favourites. I have a lot of customers through word of mouth and I have sold a lot of my knitted items on Ebay but the trouble with that is people want a bargain on Ebay and not what they are worth.

I have joined some other teams and they have some good promo ideas of helping each other, so far it hasn't given me any sales but a lot of exposure.

Good luck everyone and I will help you all in anyway I can

Best wishes
Denise xx

[Former_Member]

Hello :)

New to the Team

I have been a card designer / maker for many years and have sold cards via FB, Folksy and now Etsy.

Looking forward to meeting fellow card makers and learning how you promote yourselves, and hopefully I can help too

Angela
:)

[overthefenceart]

https://www.etsy.com/listing/99218070/fine-art-photo-greeting-card-ready-santa

[Former_Member]

hmm some interesting blog helps there. A niche - I may have an idea.. possibly..

[Former_Member]

Hi everyone,
I just joined. I have been making cards for years for my personal use. I bought a Spellbinder so I can do all my daughter's wedding items. My son died in December and I have been making cards as a form of therapy. I have 3 shops on Etsy and just recently switched the names of 2 of my shop and I am moving my cards to this shop with my jewelry. I love the Victorian age with the lace, ribbon and flowers. I am having a lot of fun with the Spellbinder flower dies and I love to embossed cards. I am working on a custom order for 20 cards. I have a nice library of dies and embossing folders if anyone ever want to trade.die cuts.