Realistic Expectations....

[JoArtyJo]

I have been on etsy for 4 months now, and I am loving it! I love the flexibility, the freedom to be creative, the people on here, everything really!

I started this business as I am a stay at home mummy (to one gorgeous 19 month old boy :-D). Now- I know how fast time flies, so I am getting to thinking about the 'big picture' for my shop. I do want more children, and am hoping that if I am lucky enough to have more, by the time the youngest goes to school, that my etsy shop will provide me an income, enough to let me stay home and work from home on my shop. (and do the school run, keep on top of the house etc) Obviously this is years away, but I am wondering if this is a realistic expectation, or just a dream....

It doesn't matter too much at the moment obviosly, as I am just enjoying the experience, and having an outlet for my art, and having something that is just "mine" IYKWIM. But I am, a very ambitious person, always have been, so I can't help but think of the future and where I want my shop to be. I know that is it is possible it will take a LOT of hard work, and I am up for that :-)

Anyway, there's a lot of ramble to ask the question: do you think my shop has got what it takes to become successful (as more than just a hobby I love!)

Any comments/ideas/opionions very gratefully received, as always :-)

[Former_Member]

Hi Joanne,
I love your shop! Your art is awesome, especially your abstract line drawings. And your elephant is adorable. :)

Keep up the great work.

~ amy

[Former_Member]

Hi. Your shop is so cute! I am in the same boat as you, but I have two little boys running around. I too have aspiration for the future of my shop and potential for more income down the road when the kids are in school.

For what it's worth- my kids are 2 and 3 and go to a morning program 3 mornings a week. The little Montessori school is a warm and friendly community and i just started sharing my Etsy shop with them. Do you have other moms you can share your work with? Also, how about sending a cute little card to stay-at-home mommy bloggers? Good luck!

[JoArtyJo]

Thanks so much Amy :-) It's always great to hear someone likes my work.

Jaime- great ideas! I am not too good at bringing up my shop and art in real life, something I guess I should work on! The problem I perceive here is that my art is not really the sort of thing people would buy in impulse, like jewellery, soaps, greeting cards (I have tried selling these and have a few listed, but I don't "love" making them so don't any more....), so I am not sure how I wiould go about this. The stay at home mommy bloggers is a great idea, will have to do some research for that one! Good luck to you and your shop too, and enjoy your boys :-)

[kidsstore]

Yes, with Etsy you can have it all. Since you have plenty of time before you start being a "room mother" type and active in your child's school life, start building up an inventory of ready to ship items. Focus on the things that seem the most popular and easy to reproduce. Also, you very well might go in other directions with your items as time goes by. Then, when life gets really busy with family and child type events you will have enough items to ship out as sales come in without having to spend a lot of time filling custom orders. You will still want to do some custom things as that lets you be even more creative, but you can limit them.

That is one of the best parts of Etsy. You can be very flexible with your shop and slow it down whithout shutting it down, if times come when you have too many other personal commitments that need to be dealt with. Later on you can again change how much time in involved with your Etsy shop and focus on more custom work. You make your shop what you want it to be. Just don't give it up, even though the sales might really slow down for a period of time. It is a place that is all your own, where you can let out those creative juices that are begging to be free. Good luck.

[livilouandco]

Look for local craft fairs and such. Getting out there and letting people know you are there is very important. Check with your local school and find out when they are having their Christmas fair, do you have "ladies nights" in your area? Another great avenue to get local exposure. A few hours on a Friday evening or Saturday afternoon and a few pounds for a table fee can be well worth it. Also if you can find other artist to get together and host a little open house or fair. I know a lot of moms that have decent side incomes from their creative outlets but they get out local and let people know what they do.

[Former_Member]

I share that dream, Joanne. Right now, I'm home with our children (4, 3, and 13 months), but I hope that my jewelry will become a 'real' part-time job by the time the youngest goes to school. So, I'm hoping that dream is realistic for both of us!

I think your art is wonderful! The coloring pages are fantastic!

[Former_Member]

Your artwork is beautiful and unique! I was a fifth grade teacher for many years before my husband and I got a VERY late start having our two children who are just about teenagers :( I have loved every minute of being able to stay home with them. I always say that time goes by fast AND slow when raising kids:)

I have just opened my shop (September) and I am looking at it as a creative outlet right now and maybe something to do when the kids go off to college (can't think about that now). I think having the long term goal in front of you is a very smart way to approach your shop. It takes time to build any type of business...and especially an online one! Takes this time to learn and grow and by the time your kids are in school you will be off and running.

I would definitely stick with what you truly enjoy... our best creative work comes from where our passion resides:)

Stick with it and have fun with your beautiful boy (mine turns 13 in 2 weeks!!)

Cindee

[prettypiecesjewelry]

Absolutely stunning artwork! Yeah you can be successful!!!!

[HeirloomsbyElisabeth]

Your shop is wonderful. I can see that your are a very talented artist. I can see your drawings on T-shirts, greeting cards, wall hangings.

The nice thing is that you can make the drawing once, and then put it on many things.

I am at the other end of what you are doing. I'm now "north of 50", so I am trying to get my shop going so that after I retire, I will have something to occupy my time, and bring in some extra money for travel, etc.

I wish you the best of luck. Work hard, and it will come!

[RoyGBivandCO]

Joanne, your shop is lovely! I think Etsy can be a great source of income for you and a great outlay for your creativity! I have been a single parent since my daughter was an infant, so I had to go out to corporate working world. I always thought I could have been a great second income using my sewing skills if I had the opportunity. I did sew childrens clothes part time when my daughter was young and I sold these both at my place of work and my daughters daycare. She is now 20 and in 3rd yr university in another city. I have finally left the corporate world and am trying to earn my living from my sewing. Etsy is good but most of my sales comes from outside Etsy. I still sew for my daughter and send the items to her at university. She is still a source for sales for me.....I do work for her friends at university. My daughter wearing clothing that I sew for her...from winter coats to dresses to sweaters to laptop cases and makeup purses....is my greatest advertisement! She is currently fundraising for a school trip to Guatemala, taking orders for peraonalized embroidered hoodies, hats, sweat pants etc ...the type of clothing the kids will be wearing on their stay in the hostel.

You definetly can have it all....great family life with your children and an income doing what you love!

Karen

[Former_Member]

I love your shop Joanne!

I think selling your art to make an income is definitly a reasonable dream! I am already impressed with the amount of listings you have. This will definitly increase your chances of making sales and generating repeat customers. A few thoughts I had before reading through everyones comments was to get involved in craft/art fairs and to turn your art into greeting cards.

I think art fairs would open your work to more impulse buyers. I dont impulse buy sketches...until I walk into an art fair haha. I love your little cupcakes and would have a hard time passing them up if I felt like I had a limited time to get them.

Greeting cards was my other initial thought but I have complete respect for you not doing something you dont love just to make money. However, I saw that you offer a few designs as files. Maybe you could push this in a more greeting card direction.

Overall I think you have huge potential in your shop!
Best of luck!

[RoyGBivandCO]

Hi Liz, I am in your postition! I like you shop. I attended some community street fairs last summer with kids items and had the most success with hats especially bucket hats. Heck, even my dog owners want hats for their dogs!


Take care
Karen

[JoArtyJo]

Wow so many lovely and helpful comments thank you all so much for taking the time to reply! I have lots to think about, bu mainly I am glad you can see this business being a success!

And it's also lovely to hear of so many of you being in the same position :-)

Is there anyone who is already making a decent part/full time living from etsy? Care to share any tips if you are? ;-)