How much time do you spend making your 'craft'?

[Former_Member]

Hey guys!
Just wondering how much time you put into actually making items?
Do you have a 'day off'?
Do you make, photograph and list a small number of items (say..2-3) or do you wait until you have 10-20 items and then photograph/list/etc.?

Just trying to find a balance of sorts :)

Thanks

[Former_Member]

I work when the inspiration hits. One day I might work all day long and then take the entire next day off it just depends on how my day is going and what else I have going on in my life.

[Former_Member]

I have days where I will work all day. For example, I have been working on different shop related things since around noon and it's now 3:30 AM. I usually work when the mood strikes me and I just keep going until I wear myself out. There are times when I won't touch my business for weeks on end, then there are times when I won't even go to the bathroom because I'm so into what I'm working on. It varies a lot and you have to just make it a priority to work on it full time if you want full time results. I do wait until I have several items to list before posting. I hardly ever post one thing at a time.

[Coramantic]

I don't have a great balance I'm afraid, I'll work day after day, hour after hour and then I'll stop. I do have creative flurries but then they go again. Probably not the most methodical way to work. I tend to list items as I create them so usually just one or two at a time.

[ByTheBayBeads]

I also work when the inspiration strikes, but also try to balance that with efficiency. I am a single mom of three kids so time is in short supply. I am currently working on 12 baby dresses (same style, two sizes) and work on them step by step. I find I can get more accomplished that way. When they are all done, I can photograph them at once and list them at once. Then I will start on a new batch of items. I do keep a few quicker projects right next to my sewing machine so I can sit down and sew a few seams if I have a minute.

[Former_Member]

I'm pretty busy with my kids during the day so I make all my accessories in the evening after they have gone to bed. I work in steps. One night I'll do all the cutting and braiding, etc. and the next night I'll do all the sewing. I have to take my photographs during the day to get the best light, so photographing usually gets done when I can find quiet times during the day.
I list my items when they are done, usually at night as well. If I have 2 or 3 done they will get listed the same day.

[Former_Member]

i try to work on my items whenever i can which is basically when i´m not at my day job and most of the time in the evening when i watch TV. taking photos is right now in winter mostly a weekend work as there´s not enough light after a working day

[Former_Member]

I am taking day off from making. i have 114 items in the shop. The sales are not reflecting the number of items I have. So, concentrating more on editing the listings.

[Former_Member]

Tomorrow I am going to get supplies. So today I only made 2 things

[Former_Member]

I make Crochet blankets, most of my work is custom made so I work as I need to, but when I don't have orders I still work but at a slower pace.......I also list as I finish each piece

[Former_Member]

I work on the business part of my craft more than I actually craft.
I spend about 4 to 8 hours a day 6 days a week on social media, websites, etsy, being a team leader for our local team, doing the books, and all the other things that need to get done for the business aspect of my shops.
I work on my artist endevours at least 2 hours a day everyday, sometimes when the mood hits more like 10 to 12.
When I first started out with online selling and on etsy I spent more time on my art and crafts. But as my business and responsiblilties have grown I have less time for that.

[DragonStarCreations1]

I have a full time day job so I don't get much choice as to when I craft. Evenings and weekends as much as I can without falling down. Once and a while if I'm caught up on orders I will take a day off. But then I feel guilty that I should be creating something new, working on my existing listings or promoting. Silly day job gets in the way! lol Can't wait until the day I don't need it anymore. :)

[PrayerNotes]

I am retired, so I make sure that I behave, accordingly! Smiles.

On a serious tip, I work about 6 hours a day, Monday through Friday. On 1-2 of those days, I spend most of my time on the computer, advertising, re-tagging, listing new items(I wait until I have about 5 or 6 items), visiting forums/blogs and analyzing my business. So, that gives me about 3-4 days of finishing orders and picking-up any supplies I need. Some of my orders are huge, which means I may receive an order for 100 magnets and 100 coasters. I have to make sure I take a break and do not become "burned-out." NOPE! No way! I love what I do and want to make sure I'm still doing it, in the next 5 years.

If I were doing this full-time and wanted to put food on the table, I would have a set schedule and I would follow it! I would also stick to creating a few items and diversifying those particular items. Good luck and much joy!

[seemomster]

In a perfect world I would spend 2 hours/day crafting, 1 hour photographing, 1 hour listing, and then 2 more hours crafting. But...this is not a perfect world. I usually get at least 6 hours of crafting in most weeks...and play catch-up with the rest. I make a point of taking a day or two off...except for checking email and convos.

ETA--I mix it up because I've got tendonitis in my hands. If I spend too long doing any one thing I can be certain I'll be sleeping in my braces for a week. Nope.

[JesseBlauwhof]

Now setting up my own business I spend about 15 hours per week on it, but I expect it to become more in 2015 when I start giving workshops and will hopefully have more sales.

I now spend one day a week producing for etsy and custom orders and I spend the other hours advertising, promoting, chatting, looking for info etc.

[Former_Member]

Thank you all for your replies!