Have I found my "niche"?

[Former_Member]

So as many of you are aware, jewelry is a category that is definately over-saturated on etsy. Even with over 100 items listed in my shop, I have been struggling to get views - and a good chunk of the views that I do get come from other sellers checking me out from teams, which is great but generally does not mean sales.

I recently start making elf ear cuffs after my friend saw something similar online and wanted a pair for herself. After I made her pair I posted a picture of them on her facebook and suddenly all of her and my friends want their own pair too!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/123384907/elf-ear-cuffs-for-pointy-ears-choice-of
(an example of an ear cuff I have made)

Needless to say, I started listing them on my etsy page, even though I wasn't sure they were cohesive with my shop. That was about a week ago, and my views have since skyrocketed.

This is a direct copy/paste of my etsy seach keywords this morning:
elf ear cuff
ear cuff
fairy ear cuffs
elven ear cuff
elven jewelry
ear cuffs
elven ear
elf
malachite ring
elf ear earrings

As you can see, only ONE search term in the entire list was for a different item in my shop. Only 4/117 listings in my shop are ear cuffs.

I guess I should be excited about all the traffic, but I'm a little sad because I have a feeling that this means I will be making a lot less of my other jewelry. I love making pendants and necklaces and other items with gemstones, but I also realize that I should probably focus on what is clearly getting attention.

Now for the question: Would you focus on making what's popular, or focus on making what you love the most?

[mimileather]

I would wait and see how well the ear cuffs sell before you decide what to focus on making. Those listings could be your gateway item...where people find your shop based on that listing, but then buy something else from you. Just a thought. They are cute!

[Former_Member]

Focus on adding more of what is popular first, but you can still make them something you love! If you do that, you'll build up your customer base, but still make the occasional piece YOU want to, or you'll lose interest. At the end of the day, if you make things that are popular, they may come and look at that, but could fall in love with another item too. If you have the traffic for certain items, it's still going to get your current stock more exposure :) xx

[WilliamsGiftshop]

So, your friend saw them online first.
That means they might not be YOUR niche.

[SanaGem]

I think you can make a little collection of elf ear cuffs and post them on etsy, write in description that you do custom orders...... and see how many people of those who view them actually BUY or order them.

Also make some other lines, gemstone series, pendant line etc.

Not to putt all eggs in one basket. Cuffs may be on top for a few seasons maximum, then people will know you and look at other items too!

Getting on the edge of the wave is great for the start in any business!
Good luck!

[Former_Member]

@Meg - I really like the idea of a "gateway" item, that the ear cuffs could lead customers to find my other jewelry.

@BeaG - My friend saw something similar online. My designs are completely original and certainly way more unique than any of the jewelry I am currently making. (Not saying my jewelry isn't unique, it's just that with so many different designs out there, it's hard to make something absolutely unlike anything else.

[WilliamsGiftshop]

That's fine then!
Wishing you many more sales!

[BethWold]

Celene - I think you could easily market some of your other work to the same people interested in your cuffs. For instance I could totally see these two items worn by an "elven princess":

http://www.etsy.com/listing/121005581/labradorite-pendant-wire-wrapped-with?

http://www.etsy.com/listing/117914232/opal-pendant-wrapped-with-argentium?

So definitely sell them, if you enjoy making them, and possibly even make "sets" where the ear cuff goes with the necklace, etc. Then you get people in with the cuffs, but possibly get them interested in the rest of the line. Maybe even a section of "elven jewelry" in your shop. Would take a little imagination, etc, but if you enjoy it go for it. Also, gives you a whole niche of buyers to market to.

[PIXELGRINphotography]

My Goodness Celene! For one, I do not wear any jewelry aside from my wedding ring and a few other rings purchased here on Etsy so I don't really ever look at it, know how to market it, etc. BUT your pieces are PHENOMENAL and totally something that I would wear!!!! It's completely out of my price range though, but you really do have a distinct eye and style.

Seriously, I'm just here to give you some props on the excellent work. I cannot believe that you have had such little sales, you need exposure because I know you have some winning designs there. I wish you all the success. Simply gorgeous. I'm actually entertaining the idea of coughing up the dough for a pair of your elf cuffs, I have elf ears that I wear to the renfest every year, and those would look amazing over them too!

[PiecesOfMePaperCraft]

You're doing something right! When I typed "elf ear cuff" in the search bar your item came up #1 in the results.

[Former_Member]

Thanks for the support and feedback! I am very grateful to you all for taking the time to read my post and respond.

Jennifer - I definately understand that my prices may not be in everyone's budget, however I am always up for bartering with other etsy sellers if you're interested. I especially love your coasters, but I have a feeling it might cost you a small fortune to ship them to Canada. Message me if you're interested.

[Former_Member]

Wow! Totally cute.
I like "elf ear cuff" and just a general "ear cuff" tag
I would tag "elf" on its own, maybe "woodland" too. That way you can try to bring in customers who might not even know they would like elf ear cuffs.
Good luck!
:)Sarah

[PIXELGRINphotography]

It costs me about the cost of my coasters to ship to just one set to Canada before the US increase on 27th January, so I recently just took off all international shipping until I can figure things out. I will keep that in mind though, because your stuff really is freaking gorgeous.

[Former_Member]

I love them you might want to add elf like tags to your other stuff and cross link on your ear cuffs like if your have set that is green and you have a necklace that would match i would cross link and use it as a gate way to get them to look at other things but i would deferentially add some of the elf like tags to some of your other things too to make them move with the ear cuffs

[Former_Member]

I love your rings they are so pretty!

[delisaboutique]

Your items are beautiful! I created my shop to feed my addiction and passion to making hats, but alas not everyone is a 'hattie' and the vast majority of my sales have been 'other' items.
I am first and foremost in business, so although my first passion is hats - I am happy (VERY) to make whatever sells!
Good luck x

[WaterStreetDesign]

Your store is beautiful and unique and stands out among all the jewelry I see on Etsy! I would focus on what's popular right now...the elf ear cuff and see if that brings in sales. I bet you'll have a chance again to make what you enjoy so much!

[AttentionGetting]

This is exactly what I always tell my clients. Have one trendy piece that brings people into your shop. You can now upsell your other products.

[Untwistedsister]

I make wire jewelry also and also cut stones. I started adding my hand cut stones in my shop and they've turned into the bread and butter for me. Your shop is pretty diversified anyway between wire wrapping... Pendants, rings, etc. plus the Viking knit why not just consider the elf ears another dimension of what you offer.