Running out of steam :(

[Former_Member]

I really love Etsy (still). I love sifting through my beads & things coming up with new ideas. I love creating jewelry. On the other hand, I'm not crazy about the photo-editing/description-writing phase of getting my stuff up on Etsy...I'm not gonna lie. But it's part of the process, I understand that. I completed my photo shoot and editing today & managed to get three new items up into my shop. But in my haste to do so...I think I did a sub-par job with my photos (certainly on two of those items). I could have done so much better. The lighting wasn't quite right...and although I tried like crazy to fix it...it just didn't work. So, yeah--I know I can replace the photos with better ones...but I'm SO tired. I'm just brow-beating myself for rushing to get it done and not putting my items in their best light, literally and figuratively. I guess I'm here for some encouraging words from my team.

[MurrayBolesta]

Buddy what's the rush - folks who do other things should take their time building up their shops on Etsy, and folks who are, say, not employed, shouldn't depend on Etsy for income at all, just a 'nice to have'. So I say take a breath and pace yourself. Best wishes

[Former_Member]

I'm the same way. I've taken a bit of a break. I'm still working, just not at full steam like before. It's okay to take a break once in a while.

[PatsysPatchwork]

I so understand how you feel Judy. Sometimes I get so involved in my shop tweaking here and tweaking there. I don't like my pictures so I change them. Then I think they were better before I changed them. Then back and forth until I get a headache. Ever so often I have to remind myself why I wanted an Etsy shop in the first place. I love designing and creating quilted pieces and that is where I need to focus my attention the most. So I'm trying to figure out how to divide my time wisely so that the majority of it is on creating. I think the rest of it will fall into place naturally if I concentrate on what makes my heart smile.

Thanks for starting this thread it has given me a lot to think about and like Scarlett O'hara once said " Tomorrow is another day" ;0)

[LamplighterJewelry]

It's definitely a lot of work selling on Etsy but if you get it right and eventually you will if you keep trying, I bet the rewards will be sweet. I've been on a year and have only sold 11 items, but I know I need to work harder at adding items to my store and advertising off Etsy.

I've had the hardest time getting my photo's to look good, I even paid a professional photographer $460 for 11 images that were worse than mine...chalked that up to experience. I added live model shots and the items with the live model as primary images are getting a lot more views.

Today, I used the art of pricing profit for pricing worksheet to redo all my prices, some dropped, some increased.

Keep your focus, you've invested so much already and your items are great.

Good luck,
Emma

[SouthernTrend]

When I feel like that I put that item in draft and come back to it with fresh eyes. I still got pics to get uploaded too and things to make! At least I'm not bored!!

[AuntBsAttic]

Tomorrow is a NEW Day !! (thank heavens!)
I too struggle with the photography end of it all . . . I've tried for three days to get some decent pics - either too dark & raining, with NO natural light coming in - or too bright and way too much glare . . . .So you've accomplished WAY more than I have !!
Hang in and Try, Try, again !

[Former_Member]

I think your pictures are great. Much better than mine. I know what you mean though. I LOVE creating new items, but I hate the photography, editing, and posting process. Sometimes I wish I was able to afford an assistant to do that for me! I've only been open 2 months, so I feel guilty about feeling like that. Honestly, when I feel overworked, I walk away. I get out of my studio and do something else. Sometimes you just have to take your mind off of your work and decompress.

[HopscotchCouture]

The way I see it, I'm an artist not a photographer. I still have no idea why some photos come out great and others just don't. It gets very frustrating when all you want to do is create. I have had great success in my first year and am grateful for every bit of help and encouragement I have gotten from the wonderful people on here. When I started my income was cut in half, I am disabled and still had a charity I worked so hard to start. I turned to Etsy to keep food on the table and to keep the work I do for the blind going. When things are slow or let's face it, dead, I start to panic. It is only faith and the constant reminder that things are always changing that keeps me going. So I will keep working at my photos, tags, and all the other things that have to be done. For me, I am very fortunate to be here at all. So when I mess up I have to say at least I was here to mess it up and God willing I will continue to be here to make more mistakes and relish in the successes.

Thank you for starting this post....it is time for a much needed break from taking things way too seriously.

[Former_Member]

:::Sigh::: Just what I needed. Thank you for the kind words & encouragement. I think I will **step away** for a bit ... take a breather ... and most importantly, take my time. THANK YOU!! ♥

[HopscotchCouture]

Thank you Judy. Your work is beautiful.

[Former_Member]

I was going to say the same thing to YOU, Marelle!! Beautiful!!

[Former_Member]

Great thread, Judy. Sometimes getting yourself a breather really pays off.

My favorite quote comes from a fish...(yes, Dora in Finding Nemo)...I repeat it like a mantra sometimes!

Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming...

[HopscotchCouture]

Great one Christina...love that movie.

Judy I hearted some of your items and pined your tiny purses to my Pinterest.

I really love your gift certificate idea, very clever.

[Former_Member]

"Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming..."

I love it. Thank you so much, Christina!! And Marelle, I pinned your beautiful wedding necklace. What a gorgeous creation!!

Thanks VERY much!!

[Former_Member]

Judy,

Etsy takes a lot of my time, photos are a lot of work too, market is over saturated with jewelry and I am glad I have my job to support my expansive hobby. I like when something sells, of course I do! I consider my Etsy income as a bit of pocket money to go out to eat and such. On the other hand, I want to enjoy making jewelry and to become "got to make it" thing.

[Former_Member]

Hmph. I was hoping to re-shoot some of my photos today...but all I see are clouds. I guess I'll just have to sit tight until the sun appears & gives me that beautiful, natural light. In the meantime, it's back to the studio to create more jewelry!

[Former_Member]

Judy, your items are beautiful and most of your photos are very well done. When I get into a funk and start feeling like some part of my process is subpar, I head over to Pinterest and look up some inspirational quotes. It gives me the motivation to keep going.

Reading photography and photoshop tutorials also helps!

[Former_Member]

Thank you, Ashley. I just think I need to 'step away' at least for a day or so. (I'll head over to Pinterest to play for a bit!)

[BundleOfJoyShop]

You have a wonderful shop!!! :)

[Former_Member]

Judy,

Have you thought about hiring someone to help out with the things you don't like to do yourself?

I'm personally not in a position to do that myself, but I'm sure wanting to work towards that goal! Is your time best spent on listing, photographing, and writing? Or do you feel that you could be more successful if you had more time to create?

I know some jewelers who like to do the "business-y" stuff and have hired an extra pair of hands to help create their designs. It just depends on what you want to do and where you see your business heading.

[Former_Member]

I understand.

Etsy is a lot of work. I'll admit it - when my mom and I first opened up here, we thought, "If you list it, they will come."

Yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, not so much. hahahaha I'm still guilty of rushing through things and not taking my time. Don't beat yourself up - just know that some days aren't going to be as great as others. I still struggle with shooting items in this shop - large expanses of fabric are harder to shoot than one might think. They absorb a HUGE amount of light.

[Former_Member]

Elizabeth, I've never really thought about that! I'm not in a position do hire someone either...but it's a great thought. Maybe somewhere down the line?

Erin, I can imagine how difficult it must be to shoot fabric! Now that's a challenge. From what I can see, you've done a good job so far!

[Former_Member]

Do you have a friend who has the skills in areas you dislike that would be willing to help you out a bit? or trade services?

[beatroad]

Hi Judy,

I tend to do this, and I understand how you feel. I get so focused on finishing tasks (photographing, editing, listing) that I do a marathon job and by the end, I'm ready to gouge my eyes out.

Take a breather, for sure, as even if this is your main income stream it should not be a source of pain & frustration. :)