I'm sad

[Former_Member]

I was looking for some new patterns and found a shop with very similar items to mine. They've been open since January & already have sold over 400 items. :( Wow, I am not sure I could even keep up with that many handmade items to make but I'd like to try. They also have additional listings charging to rush your order, upgrade your shipping. I didn't even think that was allowed but their customers don't seem to mind. They sell several of those upgrades a week.

I have 4 orders I'm working on right now but that seems like nothing.

[MelsCreativeWishes]

Natasha, it can be disheartening when you see a seller in the same field as you doing so great. But this could be you too. Keep going, promoting on and off Etsy and make your shop the very best it can be. God luck.

[1AEON]

The last thing you should do is to compare yourself to others...especially in the negative way. You should compare to yourself to the yesterday's you. Or at least that is how I think...otherwise lovely shop, keep up the good work!

[LIMASCRAFTS]

Natasha, everyone is unique, I'm sure you can work and sell in your own way... don't compare yourself (only if you do it in a constructive way) to others; if we do that, we can lose our way...

[gypseejewelrydreams]

I feel you can look at like this, you are where you are meant to be. you are at the level you can handle. Building your customer base and reputation. You will arrive at the place you want to be only with drive and determination. You can't look at someone else and say why isn't that me? You don't know how they got there. You only can look at where you came from. Learn from yourself and see if you can push your own limits... Your shop looks great and you definitely have found the right track to be on! :)

[NancyBags4U]

Natasha, You have a beautiful shop!!

I feel your pain. I so often "think" I have great ideas only to find a bunch of them already made and for sale. It is so hard to come up with original patterns and ideas.

[Former_Member]

No one thinks it's odd that you can make and sell this many handmade items in 5 months?

[Former_Member]

Are they selling pattern instead of the finished product? and yes, that is a lot of items. Maybe they have lots of people working on the items.

[SnarkFactory]

Are they based in China?

[Former_Member]

No patterns, finished items. I am thinking they are fluffing their sales. Which I guess if they want to pay the listing fees/selling fees and are breaking other rules then they can play that way. I will work my business honestly.

[beatroad]

Definitely not good to compare your shop to others. That will get you in a lot of trouble. (I've been there! Haven't we all?) Focus on making your shop the best it can be - put energy toward that. :)

[Former_Member]

They could be fluffing - I found a shop similar to mine that had sold over 200 items in less than 3 weeks. It is possible, they could of had a following long before joining Etsy. They could of had 3 years worth of stock before opening. Who knows. Unfortunately it doesn't do you any good to compare because you don't HOW they are doing it. They could be entirely legit and just really good at marketing and creating!

[Former_Member]

Of course you all are right. I just need to mind my own business. (literally) :-)

[WaterStreetDesign]

You have a great and successful shop! Follow your heart :-)

[Former_Member]

Natasha Wiegand from Loopedwithlove4U says

No one thinks it's odd that you can make and sell this many handmade items in 5 months?
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No its not odd to be able to make that many pieces in 5 months at all.
You are selling primarily smaller items that can be made fairly quickly once you get into a rhythm. When I'm making hats for the local charity, its not unusual for me to make 10 - 12 each day which is about 300 per month.

And they may not have made all the items in the past 5 months either. Many people have a well run existing business before they open a shop on Etsy.

[MountainGoth]

I agree with crochetgal. I once crocheted 6 hats during a 5 hour layover at LAX.
Simple baby hats go pretty fast.

[OverTheMoonBridal]

Don't be discouraged. It's hard looking at others shops and wonder why they are more successful that you'd like to be. Keep at it. Spend your energy focusing on our shop. You items looks great! I wish you lots of success.

[Former_Member]

What exactly is "fluffing?"

[SnarkFactory]

I was wondering that too. I imagine it's creating sales through a skeleton account so it appears that your shop is successful. It's pretty clever.

[Former_Member]

Natasha, being in the jewelry field, I feel your pain. there are always other people and shops that I wish I was like. I really try to cut off any negative thinking and just be determined to take my art to where I want it to be. We love our art more than anything, I tell myself I have to keep striving and not think about others. (focus on your dream).
Hope that doesn't sound too cheesy.