Now I'm going to pick myself up again...after yet another failure

[Former_Member]

I have loved art for as long as I can remember and have dreamed of being an artist full time all my life. But people kept telling me, "You can't be an artist , artists don't make enogh money. " and "You can always do that on the side." First, after much persuation, I agreed to take secretarial and then nursing for the money. I flopped at both of them. Lacking direction and discouraged by everyone, I decided to join the Navy and become a medic (or hospital corepsman). I flopped again. Now I am going through school to become a cosmetologist, never one of my dreams or ambitions. I'm flopping all over the place now. Teacher has thrown away almost all of my assignment sheets so I don't know if I have the clinicals enough to graduate because I can't produce the proof I did anything all year except for a few bits and pieces here and there. I will probably get dropped at the end of the year, her telling me after she lost my paperwork that I don't have the clinicals I need to graduate or the hours because they are dropping me if I don't finish by the end of the semester. I'm so tired of struggling with this. And I totaly dread the day I have to go get a job at a salon. I mean I really DREAD this tremendously. So now I'm going to pick myself up again....after yet another failure at something else that led to nothing! I have about $200/mo to spend on supplies etc... to spend on getting started on Etsy. Is this a fair amount or do I need more?

Rhonda

Rhonda

[Former_Member]

I think you should do it, if you love art and want to create then just start, do what you can in the beginning and your shop will grow with you.

[Winterwomandesigns]

+ 1 to what Sarah said.
And, you must have learned, or gained, or absorbed something positive from each of those other jobs. So focus on those positive things, not on what you think are your failures.
"Failure is only the opportunity to begin again, only this time more wisely." Henry Ford.

[Former_Member]

I am not sure I even had $200 when I started on Etsy:) Go for it!

[Former_Member]

Go for it, Rhonda! And you don't have to comletely quit working a "real" job. A lot of Etsy folks have a day job and their art/craft job. Maybe you can get work making enough money to keep bread on the table and spend all your free time building your Etsy business. The big thing is, don't go into debt to do it. I started with only what I had available and have built from there. I don't make enough money to contribute to the household expenses yet (someday!), but if you keep at it, your creating can at least pay for itself. Reinvest what you make so that you can keep growing...and dont give up!

[studionubbo]

Rhonda - do it! Definitely do it!

I have been in a very similar situation to yourself. I will spare you my life story but, like you, I went through a string of career options because they were the 'sensible' thing to do and ignored my true love of being creative. My heart was never in any of those jobs, and in the end I realised I had to do something that I loved to really succeed. That's what I'm doing now and I haven't felt happier in my work.

Although my other experiences weren't 'successful' I learnt a lot that has been really useful and I can use it in what I'm doing now.

Just get started on here, work hard and most importantly enjoy yourself! The rewards will come. Let us all know how you get on and we're here to support you :).

Good luck!

[Former_Member]

Go for it. Even if you think you don't have enough supplies, money, etc. Plenty of successful businesses, not just on Etsy or crafts, have started from nothing. I'm not saying you do or don't need a job to pay bills. But it looks like the key factor in all your attempts was that you didn't love what you were doing, which is very important to succeed in anything.

[Former_Member]

I accidently posted the same post twice. Sorry. Thanks for all the encouragement ya'll. I'm going to wait until I get through w/school then I will start it. Right now I'm too busy either going to school, doing homework, or studying for a test.

[PorcelainJazz]

Everyone here is right! Life is too short to be doing anything but what you love to do. But if you love art that much Etsy isn't the only option you should be exploring. Look at other selling venues like stores where you could consign your work or craft fairs or home sales or any other way you can think of to move your art work (even bartering).

Also do you have any skills that are tangential to your love of art like for example do you enjoy teaching art? I taught recreational pottery out of my own studio for years and managed to stay alive that way.

Best of success in your new endeavor. Hope all goes well for you!

[DontPanicDesign]

All life lessons are valuable, and failure more than most. I am sure there were some good times in there. The most important lessons i have learned so far is that you have to be true to yourself to be successful (that's a hard one), that you need to find what you value in life and pursue that (hint: it might not be money, and even though everyone is telling you differently, that's ok) and that ultimately, the only thing that matters is that you know who you are, what you believe, and at the end of the day you feel like yourself. I wish you great success, a little luck, and a lot of happiness ahead on this new journey of yours!

[Former_Member]

Do it!!! set your goals and let your creativity flow. You can keep your regular job and also your art work. I totally agree with Cecily look for other opportunities to expand your art work.
May all your dreams came true!

[Arthlin]

Rhonda, I think I can relate to you about this.

I had also always wanted to be an artisan. I ended up doing 2 sciences college degrees and when I was a couple months from graduating in a microbiology bachelor, I just couldn't go against my true will anymore. I realized I needed to do the one thing I liked the most as a job to be the happiest possible in life. I believe that when you truly love doing something, you will be successful in it. I wish you good luck! Please come back to give us your new shop url.

[OneUrbanTribe]

I think the most important thing you might ever do in your life, is start this now.

Your dream would no longer be somewhere in the future, it would be now. Stop putting it off. The first day you spend as an artist is already success.

I am an artist full time now. It is hard, I am living on the edge of financial trouble all the time, but I am slowly making more each month than the month before. It can be done. $200 can get you pretty far, depending on what you are doing. Ink is cheap, it's what I do (other shop opening soon) and I have a jewelry shop (this account) that is slowly making me some real money.

If you are dreading the day you enter you field, you are in the wrong field. Imagine feeling that way about someone you were going to marry!

Don't waste another day doing something you are "supposed" to be doing. Live the way you want to live, and take pride in your decision.

[jeminitreasures]

Rhonda pick yourself up and put on your big girl panties! Lots of things don't go the way we think they should and what you are doing is NOT FAILING! You are trying and spreading your wings! Do you know where we would be if Edison quit after his first try? Do you know how many times John Walsh filed bankruptcy before making it work with America's Most Wanted? The most successful people in this world are successful because they tried and tried and they didn't give up because something didn't work out! Take the cash you have and go for it! What's the worst that can happen? You will meet new people, learn something new, and maybe, just maybe, this will be your calling.... This could be your Devine plan, so go for it and don't listen to people who have the word can't in their vocabulary!!!!

[Former_Member]

Do it I started my Etsy account with less than $50 in my account. Take some great pics, open your site and use every free marketing tool you can to build your dream....you can't live the same life twice, so do what you love and what will make you happy. Good luck, post your Etsy page so we can help grow your business.
Best
-D

[BeMyBee]

Follow your heart, express your ART!

For now, create because it makes you happy and if you can, finish up your schooling. Let go of the pressure to redeem your art with income. It sounds like you need some time to reconnect to your passion and you don't need any pressure just the freedom to create and only you can give yourself permission to do that.

Good luck we are rooting for You!

[WhatCandySays]

........Try it.....then try harder.....

[Nbeads]

Get a job,and build your art dream at the same time.
I will provide a BIG discount to you if you need supplies from my shop.
I'm just moved,so much..Try,and Good luck!

[OneBlueDragonfly]

I believe in your dream to pursue your artist ambition, but I also want to be honest with you. I posted my first item on Etsy the end of Dec. 2011. My views have come very slowly, with only a few sales. I'm sure it is different
for everyone.

For whatever the reason, you have to know that success does not come
overnight! What type of art do you create?

Best wishes to you...

[BeMyBee]

Any updates to share? Hoping all is well as you pursue your dream!

[starlightwoods]

I had about an extra $20! Total! You should be just fine to get started. If you love what you do, you will do great at it, but remember that there are ebbs and flows as many very wise Etsians have reminded me over these last few months :) And don't give up! It is quite a challenge here on Etsy to get going and learn all there is to learn- the most valuable thing you really need to have is time, lots and lots of time! And ask for advice- there are so many people on here willing to help. Good luck!!

Oh and all those people that telly you you can't do it- ignore them!