Share your highlights from 2013!

[#1]

Hi team,

As 2013 comes to a close and we look forward to the year ahead, it's also nice to reminisce on this year's highlights. Was there a moment (big or small) from 2013 that stands out as important in the life of your shop?

Was there an event or one thing that inspired you, made you change direction, or took your shop to a new level?

Can't wait to hear your highlights of the year!
Shannon

[WoodlandTale]

I think the brightest moment was when my first OOAK doll appeared.

What I thought would be my creative outlet, turned to be successful and brought me to a fact that my shop can become even more appealing if I make more unique products.

I hope to set up a line of one of a kind cloth dolls shortly - let's see how it work!

[amysfunkyfibers]

This year has been great. I reached one of my sales goals. I have had lots of fun creating new designs, and working with customers on custom orders. Very enjoyable to step outside of the box and create something that is in someone else's imagination. I wish the best to all this year to try something new.

[WildTruthDesignCo]

Gosh, as a noob to running a business (and even to design itself!), what's been utterly helpful for my shop are all the articles Etsy has posted. So THANKS!

But there are three major highlights of my 2013 with Etsy:

1. Listing Variations that allowed me to offer PDFs AND varying print quantities for my items= Less listings to keep up with and less confusing for my clients.

2. Spending oodles of time testing out item photo layouts and branding. And finally settling on what I truly love!

3. I also bought a fantastic printer that has allowed me to produce higher quality products AND expand product lines. Yippee!

(Honorable Mention goes to the Saved Snippets for Convos development team. I LOVE this time-saver.)

[ZiBagz]

fabulous and inspiring posts! Bravo to all! and all the best in 2014!!

This year we moved into a house with an extra room just for me and my sewing!!! Yippeeee … no longer sharing …. I am all to myself and can spread out .. and I do not have to clean up every evening from the dining room table!!! It is truly liberating and I think it is allowing me to be more creative!!! I'm outside the box now!!!

[Former_Member]

I was accepted into Etsy Wholesale a few months ago and today I received
my 1st official order in EW, New Year's Eve...this is a great sign for what lies ahead :)

My goals for 2014 are taking better pictures and learning more about SEO!

HAPPY SALES IN 2014 EVERYONE!!!

[TheFamilyJewelsWI]

This order rocked my world! My customer entrusted me with a very specific design and loved the end product.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/159807020/exquisite-black-swarovski-stretch

[nutsaboutknitting]

I think that this year was a learning experience for me. After having this pretty consistant for a while, this summer went a bit slow for my shop .But as the warmer weather winded down things really picked up quickly in September and things were back to normal .After a few years of regularity, it was a learning experience that things can be unpredictable. The highlight of this year was introducing a New Ultraplush Version of my popular Nordic Hooded Scarf. It was a hit : )
https://www.etsy.com/transaction/146866727

[MamaLoveOrganics]

I added a new product to my shop and found myself a wholesale buyer in Hong Kong as a result! My intention is to add more new products and see if diversifying my product line will lead to a better business model this year. Hope so!

[ZietlowsCustomSigns]

I am still in shock over the success I've had on Etsy. The sales were outstanding throughout the year, a bit overwhelming for for November and December....BUT I'M NOT COMPLAINING!!!! Thanks to the success I've had here, I've been much more financially stable, and am learning everyday to make the most of my "creating" time, and juggle all aspects from creating to shipping.

[Former_Member]

I love my customers. Here's my 2013 highlight where their understanding, kindness, and general awesomeness stood out to me this year:

Our house burned down from an unknown cause in April 2013. It was a total loss. At the time, I had 6 open dog collar orders, and a few days after the fire, I contacted them all, offering two options. One being a full refund, the other option being to wait a couple of extra weeks for their order to be completed as I rebuilt my basic tools and supplies (and crafted from a coffee table my in-law's basement).

ALL of my customers opted to wait for their orders. Crafting their dog collars gave me something positive to focus on during a very difficult time, and made the whole ordeal much more bearable.

I'm thankful for the wonderful people who shop (and sell!) on Etsy.

I've now been a seller for over a year and a half, and December has been my best month yet.

[HapaGirls]

Hapa Girls exceeded their goals...! Thank you Etsy for making it possible to share my passion with the World.......

Happy New Year.... bring on 2014

[LadyDylana]

I made my 100th sale and sold 112 items which was surprising to me as I am in Canada and I find that Canadians are not online shoppers like Americans and Europeans. My best moment was when this nice lady ordered these slippers from me and gave me the best feedback

https://www.etsy.com/ca/transaction/152037598

Then she ordered a pair like the ones below in full black for her husband and gave me amazing reviews.

https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/170893223/crochet-bootie-slipper-socks-adult-men?ref=shop_home_activ...

[LittleAcornToronto]

My shop was shut down over an accidental trademark infringement for a week during the key Christmas sales period.

It taught me a lot about the internet "community" (and sometimes the lack thereof) and the kinds of people you'll find on the internet, including right here on Etsy... and that the very people whom you will turn to for advice will spit right into your face - so it's best never to ask for advice of a "general community", but instead to ask the "trusted few".

It taught me how to persevere and fight for what you believe is right, even though there are dozens of people who will call you an idiot (right to your face) instead of championing for you and cheering you on.

It taught me that no matter how busy I am, I am never too busy to help someone else who is going through the same thing that I went through.

It taught me that nobody has your back - nobody. And that you will have to fight for what you want and need in your life.

I have my shop back, I am vigilant, I am working hard, I am expanding my inventory from the hundreds and hundreds of pieces of not-yet-created bits of supplies and this is the year I will bring something new to my faithful customer base - who didn't give up on me while I was at my lowest.

2014 will be better than 2013 in SO MANY ways and I can't wait for her to arrive.

[Former_Member]

Each year keeps getting better since opening in 2008!
The highlight of 2013 was when I sold an Africain Wedding Necklace I design. I sold to a lady in Canada who was getting married in South Africa. She wanted for a gift for her maid of honor! Just too ironic how beads will travel!

[tjCervantesArt]

It was my moon moment, and I went for it, I am now creating my moon cups, and the minute I put them out they sold.

It's all about the customers, I had an email and I just emailed them back, my moon mugs are out.

It started with me contacting Etsy and saying I wanted to do Wholesale, although I wasn't qualified, they loved my moon bowls and plates. I was on the front page a couple of times, thanks to the advice of Eureka Guides.

Photographs were everything, being on the front page of Etsy has helped bring in my business. The moon bowls made the front page and my face drawings have been noticed by everyone. I have just introduced some moon cups too!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/174168699/moon-cups-two-white-porcelain-mugs-hand?ref=listing-shop-head...


I believe Etsy is a wonderful way to sell your stuff, just follow their advice and then off you sell!!!

[CardNotions]

It has been an exciting year! My sales on etsy from the beginning of 2013 doubled last years sales every month, so I anticipated a very busy holiday season. It did not disappoint!

My wish for 2013 was to keep my manufacturing equipment running everyday, because I knew that would result in the sales I needed to stay profitable. I received enough orders from etsy and wholesale to make that possible. I somehow avoided going into vacation mode to catch up, but practically worked around the clock from Sept to Dec. In my mind I kept hearing the words "Be careful what you wish for, because you just might get it..."

Shop highlights included expanding my price range and doubling my revenue per purchase, reaching 100+ shop items, and reaching 1000 sales by my 2 year anniversary on etsy.

I've more than doubled my wholesale business but really wish etsy wholesale would accept my shop.

I wish everyone great success in 2014!!!

[Former_Member]

So many things happened this year including our 10,000th sale! How amazing! We've been trying to buy a farm all year and it's working but it's going to happen in early 2014 instead.

[babbleon]

I wanted to have 300 sales by the end of the year. Today I am at 311.

Thank you Etsy

[BecksWares]

The highlight of my first year is being able to have the means to help out others. Thanks to my amazing customers, we were able to use my profits to help out several charities and families, however the most memorable experience was being able to sell enough to buy a little paralyzed dog named Cricket a wheelchair so that he was able to run again. I met this sweet women after my dog became paralyzed. Sadly my dog did not survive but I was able to work with my customers and buy sweet Cricket a wheelchair in my dogs memory. http://www.democrattribune.com/story/2010168.html Here is the newspaper story in Cricket's hometown. I can't thank etsy enough because it has helped so many people. I look forward to 2014 because we already have a list of charities and families to help and also to help get me a service dog to help me with everyday life.

[Former_Member]

I had my baby in January. Then closed for 6 months. Once I reopened. I have made almost 100 sales. Which to me is great considering my shop is my "night" job in between calming a baby.

[GirlpowerKnits]

I reached 250 sales, didn't quite get to my goal of 300.
I also reached over 100 items in stock - it was hard, but I made it! I'm heading on 150 now.
I'm satisfied, because I moved this Summer, and I didn't have as much time to devote to my shop.
I moved to a quiet city, and have organized my supplies, and completed pieces, so I'm much more efficient.

[TreasureGrotto]

Just TONIGHT I reached my goal of 350 sales for 2013 !!!! Thank you ETSY!

I must say the turning point for me was when I revamped my shop header, theme, and packaging to bring it all together. Now I'm planning farther ahead with my marketing strategies and I'm working smarter thanks to the tips and support from ETSY. No other marketplace can provide the seller support I've found at ETSY.

I am grateful for a wonderful and growing 2013 and looking forward to a wildly successful 2014!

[NakedEggs]

My biggest highlight this year was getting a call from Martha Stewart Living magazine and having my blown and clean egg shells featured on the cover, and inside, of her Easter edition! They also included my shop in a craft blog online for MLS, which brought in a lot of business! An even bigger highlight was a callback last week from the magazine to supply them with more eggshells for the 2014 Easter edition! Whoo-hoo!

[Former_Member]

For me 2013 was the year my shop hit critical mass. I'm not what you would call a volume producer - I just can't crank out my wood carvings or painted chalkware. Luckily, buyers and fans are starting to find me and tell their friends about me. I've been tracking the key word searches people are using to find my stuff and have began to tweak word phrases I'm using. I'm still not as focused as I want to be (too many things I want to work on and explore). I have created some production goals for 2014 which should translate into sales goals. And am working on a meaningful mission statement that I hope will inspire me to continue to improve. Best wishes to all for the coming New Year.

[ElsieStyle]

When one door closes, another one opens.

This year I had the gift of a couple of customer requests that shifted my focus, just as interest in my premier product was tapering off a bit. Thank you!

However, my greatest moment was just the other day when I let my boss know of my decision to be leaving my position. I plan to give myself the time I deserve to explore more of my creative side, practice my photography, learn more about marketing and in turn, grow my shop.