I need an advice: How to succeed if...

[Former_Member]

... you are mother of 2 toddlers, have husband and if you have day job?
Here is how my day is running:
If I go to work in morning I have to stand up at 5:30.
I get home at 15:30 and I pick up my kids from kindergarden. Then I play with them,...
my plan is to work at night, but I have to give some of my free time to my hubby. And then I have to go to sleep, because I have to get up in morning.
If I have to go to work in afternoon I have to take kids to kindergarden and take the dog out,...
When i come back I take cup of cofee and I spend some time for etsy (promo,...), do some house work. After that I have 1 hour or some times 2 hours for my creations,....
When I come back is to late to do anything at all.

So here is my question: How to do alot of promo? How to make creations if there is no time?

I tried to work with kids but working with two boys is like nightmare. And I have to work at my day job almost every sutarday. And my hubby needs me too...
I'm sooo happy that he cooks, so I can get a little bit of rest,...

[CrochetBabyBoutique]

Hi Tina! This is a tough one to crack! As the number of roles we play increases, all we women have a time crunch like never before. I would say make your items in your own time and start marketing your shop only when you are ready. I sold from my site for 6 months, slowly adding items till I finally launched my Etsy shop. I wrote most of my patterns during my kid's holidays.

[CrochetBabyBoutique]

I just checked out your shop. There is a tip I would like to give you, you can copy your listings and make it look like a whole new listing by changing the order of pictures. If you check out my shop, I have basically 18 items, but I display them as 30 items with different pictures. You never know which color combination who will like.

[Former_Member]

Thanks for your advice :) I will think about it
But I'm not sure that would work for me (duble listings) because it is hard to reproduce the same sizes or patterens. Maybe I could offer in each individual listing, that I can do similar buttons with diferent sizes and colours. And I have allread told in my Shop Announcement that I do custom request.
And what do you think about my photography?

[Former_Member]

Hi Tina! You've got your priorities right with your family - just keep on making when you can and develop your craft then your time to be be successful will come.
One thing about your photos, with the dangle earrings (gorgeous colours) make sure to crop them so that in the small pics on your shop page the whole bead shows.

[Former_Member]

thank you for those words. Last few days was hell for me. I wanted to quit to "play" with clay and everything else. Not for non sales but because it seems I don't have enough time for all this. This is why I have allready stop painting when I gave birth to my firstborn. I will try not to give up.

[CrochetBabyBoutique]

Your earrings seem under priced. You can charge more. Do check out your competition.

[LUSCIOUSLEATHERNYC]

I have one very active boy so I can imagine what two must feel like, press on is my motto, keep on keeping on. When I am tired, working on my art gives me more energy, not at first. But when you get that moment of inspiration is like 5 cups of coffee with the energy it brings. I do think also that your things are underpriced, you should charge more.

[Former_Member]

As a mom of 2 kids under 5 years old I am fully understanding your crazy life! Neither of my kids are in school and I am an at-home mom. So, I do have more time at home but, like you said, working with the kids around is very difficult. If not impossible.

Things are slow going with my shop. I'm certainly not relying on the money I make to pay any bills. For me, it's a hobby... something to keep my creative & artistic abilities sharp. :) And it's fun having a shop.

My advice to you is: go at your own pace. Once you start pressuring yourself to do too much all the fun will go out of it and it will not be worth it. Like someone else said, you have your priorities right! :) Take baby steps.

I also think your prices are low. I can't buy 2 mass-produced un-original buttons at Jo-Ann Fabrics right down the street for less than $3.00 US. Your 2 polka dot handmade buttons are only $2.81!! Don't charge what you would pay. Charge what they are worth. :) And remember, that includes your precious time.

Best of luck!!! You have a lovely shop.

[Former_Member]

Under priced? wow, I thoughat that price is to high. I will reconceder that. Thanks to all of you.
Now I know I have to go on and on just like duracel rabbit.

[Former_Member]

I agree about the pricing - you are not selling mass-produced items, but a piece of yourself through your creativity - make sure you value this and others will x

[Former_Member]

Take a deep breath. Do whatever you can.

Next year they will be in first grade- full day, correct?

[Former_Member]

Next year my firstborn will go to 1. grade and it will be the same. I will pick them up when I finished my day job. Plus I will hve to work with him for his school.

I have changed my pricing.

[Former_Member]

I too am a mother of two kids, 6months and 3yrs. I too struggle with time, and I'm always thinking about my etsy shop. Some days that is all I can do, just think about it. But other days there is an hour or two to get creative. For a while I was exhauting myself because I was so full of energy and excitment about etsy and my goodies.

Now I just really step back and just enjoy the any time i get to 'play' even if its 10min or 2hrs. Take your time and slowly slowly it will all begin to happen for you.

[Former_Member]

Thank you for those words.

[Former_Member]

Hi Tina,
I just wanted to say that I love your clay buttons.

Like you I have similar crazy life - work during the day, take care of family (hubby + 15mth old son), attend uni on weekends. My house is sorely neglected and we always have a major clean up operation whenever we are expecting visitors. I am also trying to find time to do my crafts, promote and hopefully get sales along the way. I am busy, tired but still love what I do
:)

[Former_Member]

Thank you rainbow. Now I know I'm not alone outhere.
Your shop is so colorfull with allot of life happiness.
I love to do my craft work, but sometimes I just wanna quit everything.

[Former_Member]

I love to here other people struggle with there young children too. I am a lucky stay at home mom but I have two toddler girls. Time can be hard to come by for me, I can only imagine how you do it. You must be a saint.

My best advice as a Mom-Business is to multi-task as much as you can. So when you are out with the family at the park or where ever, you can also talk about your Etsy store. Always have some of your own work on your body. Let people comment on it and you have a foot in the door.

When your husband has the kids on sat. and you have to go shopping stop at a shop that might sell your items and show them what you have. They may not buy but that is one more person who knows you exist.

Good luck, supper mom.

[Former_Member]

I'm a working mom too and it is hard. But your priorities are in the right place. You can only do the best you can.

[ChloeandOlivePillows]

I'm a working mom with three children and a husband who travels frequently. What has helped me is to set a small goal for that day. Anything over my goal is icing on the cake for our Etsy shop.

You're doing the right thing. Family always comes first.

[UnicornHill]

I think all of us Moms are struggling with the same things :) I can only paint while the baby naps. Sometimes when I'm on the computer instead of the floor with the kids I feel guilty. But we are being good role models, showing that if you care about something you have to work hard. And it will get easier as they grow (although I also want them to stay little!) My kindergartener likes to hang out with me in my "studio" (laundry room) and hopefully the baby will too someday. Hang in there, everyone :)

[Former_Member]

Thank you all. I will listen to your advices. It means allot to me, that I'm not alone it this crazy life.