Unemployed

[Former_Member]

I am officially unemployed which means the only money I have coming in is through Etsy and some craft fairs. Yikes! any advice? I need to increase my sales pronto

[potterybynoelle]

i been unemloy\ed too since the closing of aj wright stores last feburary 2011 and still trying to find a another job in retail clothing store

[Former_Member]

I am in the same situation as you and any pointers on how to increase sales would be greatly appreciated

[Former_Member]

Work the craft fairs like they are going out of style and make sure you are handing out your business card to everyone who even glances at your items.

Outside of that keep up with all the usual social media methods of advertising and hope for the best.

[Former_Member]

I've been unemployed for two years cuz I was in school. I took this semester of from school and thought I would find a job right away. Well summer has past and I was still pounding the pavement. So I wrote this as a rant/creative outlet:

The dream I live inside my head
While surfing etsy on my bed
A shop filled to the brim
Proper tags, no pictures dim
Relevency mastered like a pro
Boxes waiting, ready to go
Lots of orders and requests
No time to stop or sit or rest
But wait a minute, for this to work
I need a job, maybe as a clerk
Supplies aren't cheap, ain't nothin free
So everydays a search for me
To find a job that works just right
To work by day and craft by night
And in between the kids and chores
Soccer practice, highs and lows
There's still a glimmer of hope
even when I'm cranky, tired, and broke.
Interviews and elevator speach
Its time to practice what I preach
All I need is one yes
And I'll know I passed the test
don't give up, make it work
Dont' listen to the jerk
My art isn't just a hobby
For creative, bored, little, mommies
It is beautiful, made hand
It's my time to take a stand

[Former_Member]

I love your creative rant springmontes.

I have been unemployed for almost a year when the non profit agency I worked for lost three grants. It is sad to see so many with out work.

[Former_Member]

This may seem like an odd thing to say, but thanks, kaimedeiros, for starting this thread. I have been unemployed since March 2010. Before that I was a teacher and decided I wanted to pursue my jewelry design dreams. I quit my full-time job for full-time classes and part-time work. My part-time job was a bad decision, and I ended up getting fired. I've been job hunting ever since.

I have been on the fence about jewelry because there is so much competition. When I get down, springmontes, I will remember your rant :-)

[InspiredJewelryShop]

Promote.
Promote.
Change your shop around often.
Better pictures.
Better descriptions/titles/tags.

[Former_Member]

Thanks everyone! Though its sad, it is nice to know I'm not alone :)
I plan on posting more items and new pictures once this weekends craft fair is over (I want to see what I have left). I am also putting out an "emailing list" sheet at this fair and planning on sending out newsletters to remind people of my shop.

[Former_Member]

I will remember that rant forever :)

[Former_Member]

I know how it feels! I lost my job in February and have not even been able to find a part time job! I am lucky to have a husband that can pay the household bills but it's a struggle to pay my own and have been slowly, slowly getting there with my shop!

Good luck to all of you fellow unemployed!

[KthysKreations]

I've been unemployed for a year. Worked as our church's office administrator for over 20 years when it was decided to close us because we didn't have enough people in the congregation. After a 2 yr fight we finally had no choice. Luckily I don't have to work but needed to do something to keep me sane. I love what I'm doing now even though I've only made 1 sale - but it's early in this career. Also work craft shows. :) Feel bad for those who depended on their paycheck and hope they find work soon.

[CatherinePicone]

Kaimedeiros, I took a quick glance at your shop, and I noticed that you only have eight items currently for sale. Up those numbers if you can, and I would make some items with brighter colors--maybe some rich fall colors or holiday colors. I would also retake all of your photos with the same or similar background. It doesn't have to be stark white, but nothing that detracts from your item for sale. I would make another one of those headbands (looks really cute!) and make another with bolder colors to use as your sample for custom orders. Also, your tags need work. Etsy has information all over the place for those, and TangledMetal (Eric) has a blog that addresses this as well. I wish you much luck and hang in there!

[MoonlightDesigns2]

Not fun being unemployed especially these days when the price of everything from fuel to food keeps rising. That said just keep working on your shop, list more items as you can afford it, try not to get too stressed, the sales will pick up soon. Great photos are a must since buyers cannot actually see or pick up and feel the item.

Good luck and hope you find a job soon!

[Former_Member]

I'm unemployed too!
I got really tired of bad interviews that left me upset and discouraged and rejection letters from this place and that place so I opened up my shop.
I'm still not making enough to support myself, but at least it helps pay the bills and keeps me busy and happy!
I love what I do, I just need help getting out there.

[Former_Member]

I wish I can rant and ryme like that. :) But yah needless to say, same boat.

[marylandquilter]

I marked this thread so I can go back and read your rant, Springmontes. Very well done. Did you go to school for an Englsh degree?

[LunaEssence]

your not alone :)

[Former_Member]

Thanks Discobeach! I have more items that I have been saving for a craft fair but whatever I don't sell this weekend is going up. Tags have been tricky for me, I never quite know what to put. I'll check out that blog.
Thanks again for all the advice and support everyone!

[Former_Member]

love that springmontes - very awesome - same boat, unemployed since April of 2009 - doing everything I can to get those sales... I wish everyone the best success and continued success - always darkest before the dawn.

kat

[PorcelainJazz]

What I have done in the past to bring in monies is to teach my craft as well as go to as many craft fairs as I could manage. That is how I kept my brick and mortar craft shop alive for 15 years. But I've retired into just production work now because of having to take care of my Dad who has Alzheimer.

Most people who do this for a living seem to have several income streams including: craft fairs, recreational teaching, online sales, and wholesaling to gift shops and galleries. Hope things pick up soon and we all start selling more.

[CoLaFleeceBlanket]

Same goes for me, I moved to Washington from Alaska, I left a full time job at an arts and crafts store, I was intending on transferring colleges once I moved, but things turned out differently. I haven't been able to find employment, and since I don't have a steady income, I can no longer afford to go back to school. So with that, I am really trying to make this Etsy thing work. I was going to school for fine art so my initial dream was to work in an artsy field, but still struggling to make sales here. Hope it starts picking up soon! For everyone else here as well!

[Former_Member]

@ Springmontes, I love it!

I would like some pointers too.

Technically, I have been unemployed since 1998 , but unemployed is far from the picture... I have been raising my family and homeschooling them ever since. It has now come time that my dear sweet husband needs my help. The kids are old enough and I have spare moments from time to time while sitting @ music and karate lessons, to work on my trade of choice. Now all I need is someone, anyone to help me make my dream come true, to be my own boss, and work from home.

I like the idea of teaching a craft on the side... Knitting and crocheting seem to be in high demand right now.

How and where do you find craft fair sign ups?

[Former_Member]

I actually found some craft fairs in the arts + crafts section on craigslist.
I also like the idea of teaching, where do you find those opportunities?

[KthysKreations]

SimplyImaginative - I find craft show sign ups in our local paper that comes out once/week.