PLEASE HELP!!

[CrystalIcing]

Words can't describe how overwhelmed I am, and I NEED advice. I really need advice, because I can't think straight at all.

I've been making jewelry for over two years as a hobby. Over the past few years, I've accumulated thousands of findings, pendants, etc.

I have around 400 pieces that are made, and I'm trying to do more craft shows, because I haven't been doing great on Etsy...

Because I've been doing craft shows, I've collected taxes, which in order to do so, you need to have a business license.

So, I registered for one.

Since I'm now an LLC, I need to start keeping track of things, which is something that I've NEVER done...

My stepmom purchased Jewelry Design Manager for me, but I have HUNDREDS of invoices with THOUSANDS of items..! I just don't know where to begin..! It took me a week to enter in around 10 Riogrande invoices. That particular program seems to be VERY time consuming.

I was thinking of assigning "item numbers" to everything, but I feel like I'm WAY in over my head.

I really need advice, you guys. This has caused major depression for me lately, and I feel like I'm losing myself. =(

[KiltedWoman]

I find simply keeping a notebook and using pen and paper versus a computerized system works best for me. When I sell something at a craft show I record a quick description of the item, sold price and taxes. I then go home and remove the item from etsy and my Facebook. In the same notebook I write down what I spend on supplies, fees, meals etc for tax purposes and how much I make on etsy on a month by month basis.
I used to number everything and use a spreadsheet on Office but that took way too much time. Now I just call the sold item something like "cobalt blue sea glass necklace with star charm."
Sometimes computer programs make more work.

[VintageCarolina]

I agree with what Kilted says....start on paper, sometimes the entering of the stuff on a computer is very time consuming.
Don't let yourself get overwhelmed, have you ever heard the phrase:
Analysis leads to paralysis?
Don't let that happen, just start getting something onto paper.

[CrystalIcing]

Thank you so much for responding. I really appreciate it..!

So, do you keep track of inventory too? I haven't been, but I know kind of when to reorder and all. If you don't mind, I'd like to convo you with a few more questions. =)

[CrystalIcing]

I meant to mention, that I do keep track of how much I sell and all. I have a spreadsheet that's been super easy for me, which includes the date, amount that I charge, and a description of the item. I don't have item numbers though. I recently created another spreadsheet for my expenses.

Do you break down the material costs on the paper too? Or would that be covered by my invoices for my materials?

[KiltedWoman]

I don't keep track of my inventory exactly. I post almost everything I have on etsy so I know pretty much what I have.

I just keep track of the purchases on paper each month for tax purposes ie: sea glass $30, chains $20 etsy fee $60, paypal fee $10 etc. I can estimate approximately what each piece is worth so I can figure out a fair price. I was underestimating my rosaries though and recently had to increase prices.

This doesn't have to be hard if you write in your notebook anytime something happens related to your shop.

[KiltedWoman]

Yes you can convo me.

[Untwistedsister]

It may pay you to have a bookkeeper or accountant set you up with a simple system that will also help you at tax time. Then maybe you can get some help loading all the past data to get you caught up.

[Former_Member]

With this many finished pieces and that much inventory in supplies, it does sound like you need a software system to keep track of everything.

Setting up any new accounting system takes time but once it is ready to go, you will start to see how seamlessly everything works and how easy it is to maintain.

If you are having trouble organizing and categorizing and setting up an account structure that will work for your own inventory tracking as well as for periodic financial reports and taxes, an accountant should be able to help you organize and set the software system up in a way that will work for you.

[CrystalIcing]

Thank you so much, all of you. I really appreciate the advice.

I have gone to an accountant, who happens to be a friend of my mom's, but she's quite... eh hem.. Stern. I went to her in December of last year, and needless to say, I haven't had much help at all. In fact, I was registered for a name that was already taken, so I had to change my name. It was a big mess, too.

I kind of estimate my prices as well, and I had to bump them up, too, because I was way underestimating.

Here's what happened though...

When I first started buying supplies, I was VERY frivolous. I spent waaaay too much money. I've been much better the past year or so, but I still have quite a bit of inventory that I DON'T want and can't return.

Any suggestions? Are BNS/BNR the best way to go?

Thanks a bunch, you guys..!

[CloudHunterCo]

If you have excessive inventory, you could sell it at cost. That would at least bring in some income - maybe enough to higher someone to set up an accounting and inventory system to get organized. Take a deep breath - relax - do a little at a time. If you enter costs and inventory on paper, that would help when setting you up on the computer. It seems overwhelming - but it's not. Just get started and do as much as you can each day. I think it would be easier for you to start with everything on paper. Stay With It! Good Luck and Great Sales!
Your shop is lovely - great jewelry - nice pictures!
Megan

[CrystalIcing]

Thanks a bunch Megan!
That's only a teeny portion of what I have. I'd love to put up all my jewelry online, but seeing how sales have been for my pendants (online), I figure that that may be a waste of time and money.

I have a show coming up in early March, so I'm thinking that I need to set things down and not stress about getting organized for that.

I'm thinking that I can just worry about getting pictures of each piece for the show, and add a price to the back of it.

Is a inventory system REALLY necessary? I don't make many duplicates either.

[PrairiePrimitives]

This is a bit off-topic, but I'm pretty sure that Swarovski requests that artists use the phrase "Swarovski elements" rather than Swarovski crystals.

[Mzcarley]

there is an app for this on etsy and the iphone it is called craft manager. I think it would be right up your alley. It is for organizing yourself and keeping things in check. There is another app for the iphone called wunderlist which is for list making