Separating Shops?

[iLikeiLikeDesigns]

Hi there!

I have a problem. My problem is that I have so many interests! I opened my shop first concentrating on jewelry - earrings and bracelets - that I loved making. In the past couple years I've also picked up and found a love for making hair bows.

As my shop will show, I still continue to make jewelry, but as I'm doing more research about what makes good sales and successful shops, I'm realizing that it's important to find your special niche and play that up.

I still love making jewelry so much, but I'm noticing that my hair bows are taking the profits (however small they may be). I spend all my free time outside of my full-time job on my ONE shop, but I'm wondering if it would be beneficial to split my two interests into TWO shops. Thoughts? Am I getting ahead of myself, or is it possible to have a shop concentrating on two interests (in my case: bows AND jewelry)?

Thanks in advance for your input!

[RainnRoseArt]

I have two shops, however my second shop has no items yet because I have only been selling the items for my second shop outside etsy and I am working on making the items and I wanna build up inventory first . My second shop is going to be pagan related items and natural bath and body items. Now please understand that two shops equals twice as much work. Jewelry and bow ties can work together, as you can make your shop a woman's accessories shop, rather than two shops. But it is up to you :) Good luck

[LettersAndPine]

I recently opened a second shop and I can say that Devon couldn't be more correct: having two shops is twice as much work. My two interests have absolutely nothing in common: rustic wooden signs and shabby chic accessories. But I think that since they're both accessories of some kind, bows and jewelry have enough in common that they could live in the same shop without looking like it's all over the place.

Trust me, I know how hard it is to deal with all these ideas! If I had the time, I'd have 6 or 7 shops! :)

[Former_Member]

I was just thinking the same thing, two shops, twice as much work :o/

I actually opened a new shop and then realised I can't handle the amount of work required for one lol.

[iLikeiLikeDesigns]

Thank you, these suggestions are great - keep them coming!

You all are reaffirming what I was thinking all along - that it would be too difficult to manage two at the same time - especially when I'm trying my best to concentrate on one.

Are there any Etsy-ers out there that have had success with two very different shops?

[PaperDotCo]

I opened my second shop 2 weeks back and have had some sales already. Initially, it took some extra time for the 2nd shop and I was regretting opening it. But after the 1st week, I am ok with my decision. It is 1.5 times to 2 times extra work depending on how much you want to promote each shop.