dealing with a sudden move

[TheAmethystDragonfly]

...and suddenly we have to move from our beloved cozy little home. D:

It'll all work out, somehow, but how do you keep your store running smoothly while trying to deal with all of that?

I'm not going to vacation it because, well, I need any money it might happen to bring in, even if it's only a few dollars. Most of my items are already made, I only have two listings that are made to order, so it's not as bad as it could be...

Any advice would be welcome, and maybe a few condolences :)

[JaneStaufferPaperCo]

Just extend your mailing time from 3 to 5 day to (what works for you)

If I were to order and it states very clearly that all orders are to be mailed after (date) I would understand or need to cancel my order.

Better a cancellation than a negative feedback on how the item did not arrive as promised.

[Former_Member]

I would deactivate the made to order, and keep the ready to ship items listed. also post on your announcement, on each listing, and everywhere you can think of- due to the fact that you're moving you will send items out within __days.
just my thought.

[HausofAriella]

I'm sorry you had to move like that. I'm sure it will all work out, but moving is difficult in the best of circumstances. My fiance and I moved in April, which was a really busy time for me with wedding cake toppers. I put in my shop announcement and descriptions that I was in the midst of a move (and later exams) and that there would be a delay in shipping items and making made to order items, but that everything would be back to normal by May 4th. When I got orders in, I just emailed the buyers to make sure they knew how long it would be until I could ship the item. One person cancelled the order because their wedding was too soon to wait. Everyone else was very understanding, though I made a list of which cake toppers to make first on based on wedding dates. The only really bad thing was that my future sister in law put on of my boxes of fragile items under a bunch of boxes of books and something I couldn't remake exactly broke and I didn't realize it until I unpacked it because someone had ordered it. The person was also understanding and was willing to take a reasonable substitute instead. Good luck with everything!

[TheAmethystDragonfly]

Thanks guys. Good advice!

[Former_Member]

Moving is always tough! I like a lot of the suggestions that others have made. One that I want to add is maybe trying to get your work space set up as soon as you can. Let's face it. A house is "moved in enough" when there is a bed to sleep on and at least a change of underwear close by. But with your work space you really can't get away with slowly unpacking. I would take care of getting my work area fixed up to how I like it (or at least enough that it functions) and start to get to work on anything that I need to do.

Take your time and try to enjoy the move, it may suck (and I'm sure that it does), but make the most of it. This could be your opportunity to make your work area into your dream space!

[RunkPockDesigns]

I'm moving to a new apartment in a month so I feel you on this, but at least I have more time to plan! I agree with Nicolette, figure out a space to set your Etsy stuff in right away, even if it's a corner of the living room for now until you have a more permanent spot. That way you can unpack what you need and get those items that might be purchased out where you'll know where they are! Stay organized when packing up if you can too that way it will be easier to find things fast! Good luck!

[Former_Member]

I feel your pain! I've been updating my announcement with new shipping times (not that anyone pays attention to the announcements). I would avoid vacation mode, just based on what others have said in various posts.

I'm moving, too, and it's really hard. I guess we can only hope to find a space even better to feature ourselves in the new 'About' section?

[TheAmethystDragonfly]

ah Nicollette, that was just what I needed to read! Thanks :)

We are moving to my bf's mom's horse farm, but unfortunately, into a guest room area that has two rooms (and bathroom, thank goodness) . One room will have to be work room, tv room and computer room all in one. :/
I'm pretty private, so it is a tad bit awkward...

Hopefully within a few months she will be moving to the big house on the property (which is rented right now) and we will have more space. This wasn't the plan, but I am certainly grateful we have this option.

Until then, I will take this advice and try and snazz up my corner to be an awesome work space. The front porch has an AMAZING view, so when I feel too cramped I can always go out and rock on the porch for a while or go feed the horsies!

So, I am going from a girl who grew up in Atlanta to a mountain farm girl, lol

[RazzleDazzleMe]

We just moved and I packed my shop up two days before the move, took everything in the car, set the shop up the night of the move and shipped two days later. I did not announce it and I don't usually ship 4 days after I get an order, but the customers didn't complain, thank goodness. I guess the question is how fast you can get your shop up and running at your new place. Are you staying in Maryville or moving to another town? I'm sorry you have to move when you don't want to. Hope you love where you're going once you get there.

[TheAmethystDragonfly]

We are staying in Maryville, it is only about 20 minutes away across town, so won't be super hard logistically.
Just trying to cram a house full of stuff from TWO artists with online businesses into two smallish rooms was not how I planned to spend my summer :D

It is also pretty emotional because we love where we are now. This house belongs to my bf's great aunt, who is 99 1/2... but she is running out of money to stay in her nursing home and the house (which she had totally paid for) has to go for that. It is all very sad and heart breaking... She wanted him to have the house and is frustrated that she just keeps going. It kills me when she talks about not being able to read anymore and how bored and ready to go she is :(

I do love the farm where we will be going... his mom is sickly though, and is always at home, so I hope she will understand that we are working, not just playing on the computer!

[Former_Member]

I can't add anything to the moving part, but I looked at your shop, and your photos are great, the jewelry is nice and the prices are good.

It seems like you should have more sales, I guess jewelry is a tough sell.

Gary

[RazzleDazzleMe]

Lynn, when you get a minute (hah) look up some shops that sell victorian steampunk. I have noticed that some of them sell more items than just steampunk or victorian. You could easily combine the 2 for a different look and tag them accordingly. The story about why you have to move is sad, but I hope things turn out well in the end.

[Former_Member]

I completely understand! My husband and I got married, got our own apartment, but then financial situations changed and forced us to move into his father's house. It's really hard for me because I'm super private and it freaks me out living with other people other than my husband. We're working really hard to get out as soon as possible! lol

[TheAmethystDragonfly]

Gary, aww thanks! I was up at 3am from a burst toilet hose (yep, hits keep on coming) and I read your comment. It was such a nice thing to hear right when I needed it. Thanks :)

Roslyn, thank you. And good idea, I will do that when I can get back to creation.

Nicolette, so am I!!! I reeeeeeally don't want to be ungrateful towards his mom letting us be in her house, but I am the same way. I am social online but not in real life. I can go for a month without talking to anyone but my sweetie. I haven't shared a home with another adult besides him in AGES and I am so stressed about it. And since she has so many medical problems, she is pretty needy.

I know I will be hiding out in our rooms a lot and I don't want her to think I don't like her... I just have SUCH a hard time being very social.

My last bf was a huge social butterfly and he thought I was some kind of a freak. "Why don't you EVER want to go out?? I'll only go out 3 or 4 times a week if that is what you want..." lol, thanks.

[Former_Member]

I literally hide sometimes. If his dad comes home in the middle of the day for lunch I close my bedroom door before he gets in the house and stay really quiet. I'm a weirdo but I just don't know how to interact with him at all so I prefer to just pretend no one is home!

[heartofautumn]

I just wanted to say good luck, and to let you know I completely love your shop! :)

[NeedaCraftRoom]

moving is difficult so hope you'll be sorted asap! I am moving to a different country in October and not sure whether to shut my shop entirely or take it with me..which will result in much higher postage prices because I will need to send everything registered...decisions decisions..

[TheAmethystDragonfly]

We went over and I measured space today.

omg we have to get two work spaces, a computer area, a huge library and a tv watching area into a 19 by 11 room (luckily it is that big)
The bedroom is smaller, so no room for anything but a bed in there.

Have to clean the tack room, move saddles and furniture out of what will be our room, clean the floors, steam carpets (doggie accidents from when she was in hospital :/) move all our stuff and set up shop, all in less than two weeks. thud.

Nicollette, I will be doing some hiding too. Luckily, she told me today she is a hermit so not to be offended if she just had her door shut a lot. I laughed because I had been trying to figure out how to explain I might do the same thing.


Thank you Amy!!! :D


PH, your shop is cute, I hope you can keep going. Maybe just raise your item prices a dollar or two to compensate?

[NeedaCraftRoom]

yeah I might do that thanks :)

[AuntBsAttic]

Got all of you going through moves in my heart and prayers. I know how tough it can be. Hoping each of you discovers that out of each challenge you're facing - something wonderful came to light.

Best of luck !

[TheAmethystDragonfly]

Thanks Barbara :)

[Former_Member]

Hi Lynn,
If your items that are made to order can actually be made ahead of time, I'd do that. Otherwise, package your items so that all you'd have to do is throw them on an addressed envelope. Prewrite thank you notes and your returned address on the envelope if you know your new address. Anything that you can do now that will help to get an order out in under a minute will benefit you when you happen to get an order while moving.

Good luck, have a safe move!

[TheAmethystDragonfly]

Update:
We are mostly moved in with only some of the "junk" one accumulates over time left at the old place. Oh, and my garden (got an old fella coming by tomorrow to plow an area for the new one, and then I will transplant. Apparently he is the neighborhood garden guy. He couldn't come today because he is "Pickin' them beans" <3 )

Amusingly, I got 3 orders during the move, more in one short block of time than I have ever gotten :P It is like they knew! But thanks to this great advice, I was able to get them all out on time with no hitches!

I appreciate all of the advice and kind words. It helped me to not panic quite so much!
Good luck to everyone else who is still moving, about to move, or looking at the pile of moved boxes that need unpacking (me :P)