stop for a moment!

[littleglamour]

Once in a while I get in a little funk about "doing Etsy for a living"....let's face it, some days my hands are cramping from wirewrapping, or the sun is out and I would rather go to the beach than fulfill orders, or I hammer my finger while stamping (or like just now - I almost drilled a hole in my thumb - ack!)....but then I think....

WOW! I get to do what I love every day - and get paid for it! I make beautiful items that people are buying all over the world - all from the comfort of my own home studio. I get to play whatever music I want, wear whatever I want, take a break whenever I want. I am happy :)

So...my point is - if you are new to Etsy/old to Etsy - keep at it if this is your passion. I am a very grateful girl for my success and sometimes you just need to stop and smell the roses once in a while and remember what you really want and why you started this in the first place!

xo

[Former_Member]

I agree and it's okay to take a break when you can get it. I've been under the weather the last couple days and I've given myself permission to take a much needed rest.

[MaryPowDesigns]

Fantastic reminder, Elizabeth! I couldn't agree more!

[Former_Member]

I fully admit that if it is nice outside, I just go outside! Of course, because my work is portable, I often just bring it with me. :)

For me, that is the joy of Etsy! I can be present in my daughter's life and still have the shop. My daughter will only be 2 once (thank God! lol) and I want to be able to enjoy that. I go be a mom and a crafter and a shop owner and have that type of flexibility in my life to be able to do all three. :)

Always a good reminder. Thanks Elizabeth!

[WilliamsGiftshop]

My passion is designing and creating (unique products).
Selling comes in second place.

I run a shop to share my products with the world and to have my passion pay for itself (we all know that crafting materials are expensive).

So the drive, the passion, the motivation is always there.

Luckily I don't need my shop to pay the bills, so I know I'm in a luxury position.
I can design/create without having to be part of the rat race ever again.
(I have several disabling chronic health issues, so I could never turn my shop into a day job, even if I wanted to.)

[Former_Member]

I love making things and as a result I have become a fabric addict. Occasionally when the other half goes into the craft room and sees the stash of fabric I kind of get a telling off. which then spurs me on to make new things. and then obviously i have to list them. which means they sell and so i get to buy more fabric ( vicious cycle i know)

but up until recently when anyone asked what i do i always said i was a mum or a house wife. It is only now that I say I am self employed and run my own small business from home. which then prompts the question what is it that you do...this is when I can passionately explain what it is that I do and show them my business card which always results in can I keep this and do you post things. I dont know whether this results in sales but it sure as hell makes me damn proud of myself and my business. So proud that I want to continue.

[Former_Member]

I love creating things. I have a full-time day job that I absolutely adore, but at night I love to unwind and release some stress by tapping into my brain and designing. It's so awesome to see a finished product. I'm brand new to Etsy (not even a week old!), so I can't wait to see what my efforts will reap. I'm hoping people will begin to appreciate my work as much as I do.

[StuckOnSilver]

I love working with silver--this week I made several jewelry items using lavender sprigs given to me by a customer.

Each sale is exciting!

[Former_Member]

Very beautiful and positive message! Thank you!

[AdlerandLennon]

I so appreciate you posting this! I'm fairly new to the Etsy game and sometimes, when I'm spending hours and hours on a weekend looking for new products I get a little burned out and think, "I could be making more at a 'normal' job." But then I remember that I'd be out hunting vintage anyway and I'd much rather be doing that and making money than anything else. It brings me joy!

I'm a mom and this is really allowing me to have a better quality of life!

[Former_Member]

Well said. I'd love to get to the point where I could do it for a living. I do it for extra income, and because it's my passion. But I also work a full time job... Which is love to quit one day, when I have the success you have had, in order to create for a living.
That's what I aspire to do

[KnottyCovers]

Just what I needed, thanks.

I work so hard some days, running my home business takes more hours then I put in at a full time job. And sometimes I too forget I get to climb out of bed and my studio is right here, I don't have to get dressed, put on makeup, none of it.

I also do a lot of shows, and when I get to go do those its so much fun, I live for getting out and meeting people. Getting to share my love for art with others in person is the reward at the end of the day for me.

[JudysLittleShop]

Thank you Elizabeth! It's good to be reminded why we have become a part of etsy and the freedom it gives us to be ourselves and to share what makes us happy with others.