full time etsy?

[Former_Member]

How many of you do etsy as your full time job? I mean how many of you rely on selling on etsy to make a living? I always wonder.........I would love to be one of them, wonder if I will ever get there.

[Former_Member]

I would love to do etsy FT one of these days.

[Former_Member]

Technically Etsy is my full-time job, but that's because I started my shop after I lost my job. :)

Thankfully we don't rely on Etsy for our bills, but it would be nice to be a contributing member!

[TinyTiptoesBoutique]

I am currently turning Etsy into my full time business between my two shops. It's a lot of hard work, but very rewarding.

[Former_Member]

My crochet business, Midwest Crochet is my full time job and Etsy is a VERY big part of it.

[CutenCraftyDesigns]

Since I don't have a job at the moment, I do count on my shop for income. So yeah, this is my full time job for the moment.

[PassionofLight]

I wish I could do etsy full time. I don't know why but my views have been 0 the last few days. When I first listed a few weeks ago I was at least getting 4-10 a day. I don't know what is going on. Feeling discouraged and sad.

[CarolaBartz]

Lisa, my views are low as well. I guess with the hot temperatures in the East and the fires in the mountains people - at least here in the States - have other things on their mind right now. And you can't really blame them.

Etsy pretty much is my full time job (and some teaching), but thankfully we don't rely on my "income". I call it "lunch money". I'm working hard on my store and I had some "down" moments, but I've alao learnt that sales come when I least expect them.

[PassionofLight]

Carola, Thank you for your comments. Makes me feel better that it's not me. Hopefully things will pick up and I will keep working on my shop.

[TAGSMITH]

Leatherwork is my full time job. Etsy, my own site, local sales, corporate sales and a little wholesale makes it work.

[Former_Member]

I work in the legal field as my full time job. Etsy is also my full time job, but doesn't (yet!) bring in enough income for me to have it as my only job. Working my way toward that dream, one cat toy at a time =^-^=

Good luck, starfishbaby!

[Pintody]

I am thinking of taking the plunge at the end of july. It will be a lot of work and I have put a huge amount of time into this shop for the last 2 months. Will I be making a great living? Not just yet but it will be paying bills and some food. I hope to be doing classes as well as home parties and shows to make it all work.

[ArtifactsEtCetera]

I would love it if that were the case! It's finally gotten to the point that it's a true part-time job, but I certainly can't live off of it (yet!) I'm looking into doing wholesale and other things to give it a boost, but this is the first year that sales have been steady enough to make me think that it *might* be possible. We'll see what happens after this dreadful summer slump!

[livjewellery]

My four shops provide my only income, with the exception of a few jewellery parties a year. We live a frugal life, but it's awesome being one's own boss. Hours suck, though. ;)

[Former_Member]

I'm testing the waters. Etsyvis a great place for that and I'm very thankful for the opportunity! There is no way that I could make a living selling locally so we'll see what happens when my husband and I are done having children and they're all in school full days. I'm home with our two boys and another little girl right now. Before that, I was struggling to find a teaching job in NY. Not sure what the future holds for me but I'm enjoying my shop right now! It's a great exercise in self-confidence, a new learning experience and I proved to myself I could start a business. Worth it!

[Former_Member]

I'm a full-time stay at home mom who also manages our apartment complex (which is great because I can do it from home while watching my toddler son).. I also used to work part-time evenings at a tattoo shop for the past 4 years. I got rid of that job (even though I loved it) to pursue running my Etsy shop in the evenings. So, for now it's more of a part-time job since I'm our primary child-care provider during the day, and sewing with a toddler running around is impossible. Maybe someday it will be full-time when my son is in school. :)

[Former_Member]

I currently have two retail jobs and two Etsy shops. Etsy certainly feels like full time work sometimes, but it's worth it for the extra income and provides a calming hobby! I would love to be successful enough with my craft that the income would support me, though!

[Former_Member]

Well, it's full-time work with part-time income for me! lol! I also do some local business (word of mouth) and have a website and other areas where I sell. It's a ton of work for a small income, but I have always found that to be the case when trying to do your own thing. I did daycare before this and it was the same thing... many hours, little pay in comparison to time worked :) It's worth it to me though because I truly LOVE it! I can stand to work all the time when it feels more like a hobby :)

[Former_Member]

My jewelry business is my full time job! :) I also waitress 3 nights a week at a local restaurant to help pay for marketing and supplies since this is still my first year being in business. Etsy is just a part of my income (I also sell on other sites, stores, salons, and at least a craft show a month) but it's my favorite venue!

[TheFernsCottage]

Working as part time because the income for the shop is unable to pay for my living expenses. However, it is a good experiences for me to know more on how to run a business. Work from home is not just as simple as what i tought before, a lot of hard work and efforts i need to put in. But, it really bring a lot of satisfaction to me, especially when someone like your item and buy from you.

[RelovedAttic]

The same thread of not enough income to sustain runs through many of the posts. I just finished watching pricing for etsy, and I saw that I was really under pricing my work (I knew this, but was a bit fearful to price highter). I loved the speakers comments...you are NOT a sweatshop and you need to charge more than $20.00 an hour.

I see so many shops with similiar items, and they are selling for $10.00 or $12.00...I don't see how they can ever become full time doing that? Anyway...my shop has been REALLY slow the past few weeks, but I went ahead and raised my prices. Still not making the $20.00 an hour on many things, but I am getting closer. Love to hear others thoughts on this! I enjoy this team and all the help and support we get from each other.

[Former_Member]

Amadi,
I'm so glad you posted about this! I just raised my prices as well (and also see ppl selling similar hats for $10!). It's really encouraging to hear that others are going through the same thing, facing the same fears and challenges.
Last fall I was without a job and used my Etsy shop to sustain myself while looking for another full time position. It worked! I was really broke but I wasn't underwater. The fact that it was the holiday season really helped too, there is no way I could survive on my sales now.

[Former_Member]

I am nowhere near there yet, but one day I hope to be. For now I am using profits to put back into my business. Once the holidays come around the profits will help buy gifts.

[Former_Member]

Thanks everyone for your posting. Wish the best of luck to all of you! I hope we will all get there someday soon.

[andwhatelseisthere]

The situation forced me to be a full-time Etsy seller. But I'm happy about it so far.