Introduce yourself & say Hello!

[#1]

The Made in Devon team is a little over a year old and is still evolving...

So whether you are brand new or have been a team member a while, do pop in, say hello and tell us what it is that you do. What is it about being creative in Devon that is important to you? What would you like from this team?

This team can evolve into whatever matters to you! If you don’t see a discussion you would like to engage in – why not start one yourself! Ask questions, offer advice, get something off your chest – get involved and see what happens....

To get the ball rolling – I am Lynn, a printmaker in Exeter and part of Double Elephant Print Workshop. Mt Etsy shop is coming up to 3 years old in July. I’m pretty pleased with how it’s going – but I had v modest aims of selling one print a month, & v happy to have exceeded that. It was partly the colour of Devon soil that encouraged me to move into the area – but that’s a longer story.....

I’ve noticed this comment in the origin “welcome” thread from Ren from Fairysteps and think it would be a good idea to reiterate it here -

“For all members...

If you click on the 'Subscribe to digest' link on the left hand side menu of this page, you will receive all updates that happen within the Made in Devon team!

A great way to make sure you don't miss anything!”

BIG FAT DEVON WELCOME TO ALL.

[YellowT4Studio]

Welcome aboard the team Nicky, Chip in and see what happens.

Janners

[DoraCountryLady]

Hello there! Just wanted to tell the group that we have set up a temporary shop for 4 weeks in 89 Union Street in Torquay.
Everyone can book a space in the Pop up shop for up to 6 weeks. For only 30 pound a week. Perhaps this is interesting for some of you who want to try how their business works on the Highstreet.

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10201702155471073&id=1695727499&pnref=story

If you like, contact @PopUpTheHighstreet on Twitter or over Facebook https://www.facebook.com/popupthehighst

[KarenMurrellDesigns]

Hi,
I'm Karen, and live in the lovely village of Lustleigh. I make small enamelled copper bowls - metal spinning then kiln firing. I was pleased to find a local group and will spend some time looking at your work when I have some time. I have a rather limited Etsy shop at the moment but am keen to expand it if it seems worthwhile. I am just trying to address my lack of presence on Social Media and have just created a facebook page https://www.facebook.com/KarenMurrellDesigns. It does all eat up a lot of time!

[BeespokeofDevon]

Hi Karen and welcome, love your enamelled bowls they're beautiful!

[Lasercutz]

Hi Karen - as above, very nice! :-)

Best
Dave

[RedEarthStudios]

Hi everyone, I'm Sue, living in the heart of beautiful red earth country in Crediton for almost thirty years now. I've just set up my shop to sell beadwork jewellery and am planning to extend it in time to include the handspun woollens that are my current passion. Excited to be part of this amazing online community.

[Lasercutz]

Hi Sue - welcome ;) If you have a Facebook page pop over to https://www.facebook.com/madeindevon/ and say hello ;)

Best
Dave

[Former_Member]

Hello fellow Devon folk, this is the first Etsy team I have had the pleasure of joining so please be gentle!

I am the owner of Peggies Peg Dolls over at https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/PeggiesPegDolls . I create handpainted wooden characters for small world play and display.

Away from the business side of things, I'm a wife of one and mama of 6. We home-educate 5 of the children (the eldest has flown the nest) so I am kept very busy and in need of routine to fit everything in.

I am really looking forward to connecting with fellow crafters and getting to know you all.

Happiness and Blessings

Jules

[WholeCaboodleDesign]

Hi Jules, Welcome!
Wow I have no idea how you find the time to do all that! I love your little characters, so sweet x

[NotaJewelleryBoxLtd]

Hello

I am Emma, I run Not a Jewellery Box from Torquay and opened my etsy shop mid Feb. I have traded for 6 years else where.

The shop is all about jewellery storage which we can personalise to make great gifts.

I also run an instagram group called Love Uk Handmade which is a page to promote all things handmade

https://www.instagram.com/loveukhandmade/

Joining the group because i sometimes feel a little isolated being self employed and it is great to share things and have a board to ask questions to etc

Looking forward to reading some of the posts

Emma x

[Lasercutz]

Hi Emma - welcome :-)

Know the isolation feeling sometimes ;)

Best
Dave

[McFloofMakes]

Hello fellow makers. I've just joined this wonderful community. I'm based in Exeter and I've been selling on Etsy for a couple of years with some success, but am looking to try and grow my sales. I paint and have just branched out into monoprints too.
Looking forward to getting to know you all and share mutual appreciation for each other's wonderful creations. :-)

[Lasercutz]

Hi Sarah, welcome ;)

Best
Dave

[Former_Member]

I don't whether this belongs here or not, but i've moved.... :)
I'm still in South Devon, Am Plymouth now
And have a studio in Ocean Studios, Royal William Yard

Is anyone else Plymouth based? As I haven't managed to make any of the meet ups yet, but maybe now I'm more central/not stuck out in the sticks.

[YellowT4Studio]

Hi Rachel
I am also in Plymouth. I work from home, Royal William Yard is a very nice setting. I am around there sometimes so I'll stick my head around the door and say "Hello" next time I am there.

Janners

[Former_Member]

Ah yes, hello Janners! of course you're plymouth ;) If I need mugs, I know where to come!
Yeah that'd be great, although just lately I haven't been at my studio much, depends how my fibromyalgia is on any given week :/
Rach

[Former_Member]

Hi all, I'm based in Feniton. I'm struggling to get any joy from selling on etsy, so any help would be greatly appreciated!

[YellowT4Studio]

Hi Judy
Just had a quick look, I'll be blunt as it's quicker.
You need to read "https://www.etsy.com/uk/seller-handbook/?ref=ftr".

Your titles need work, your tags need work, your descriptions need work, you have no policies in place. In short everything that is in the sellers handbook has not been applied. Which implies you haven't read it.

Etsy can work but like any shop whether "Bricks and Mortar" or "On the web" needs a lot of work. Etsy works quite well for me, as do other internet outlets, but I spend more time tweaking these then I do on any other aspect of the business. This is true of a normal shop. The amount of time actually taking money is minimal, the rest of the time is trying to get it either through displays, cleaning, answering phones, talking to potential customers etc.

Sit down with many cups of tea or coffee, read the sellers handbook, then read it again and again. Sales will come.

Janners

[AnimalGlassDesigns]

Hi Judy
Janners gave good advice. I will add that you need more photos showing the inside of the bags, on someone's shoulder etc.
It also takes time and listing more items will give you more exposure but get your policies etc sorted first.
Good luck and don't despair yet.
Annabel

[Lasercutz]

Hi Judy, welcome ;)
As above - keep working on it, don't be put off with no sales - it does take a while .
Check your postal prices as well - Europe looks a bit high to be honest. High post puts people off very quick and I get more sales from outside UK on Etsy so the audience is more likely to be abroad ;)

If you are on Facebook - look us up there as well, if not it is worth setting a page up as it is free ;)
Best
Dave

[Former_Member]

Thanks all, the plan is to do some work on it this weekend. I'm grateful for any constructive criticism, it's not something I'm used to doing :)

[DevonPens]

Hello, just a quick intro. I am based in Ivybridge so not far from Plymouth.
I have been on Etsy now for a few months and it appears to be going ok so far. Could always use more sales but then couldn't everyone.
I make pens and a few other small turned wooden items.
If anyone wanted to have a look and give any pointers I would be grateful.

Thanks
Dave

[Lasercutz]

Hi Dave - welcome, I love turning pens too - not had much time the last few years though!

Best
Dave

[Former_Member]

Good mornign all. What a lovely(??) Devon day it is again!!! Where is British Summer time. I have not been on for a while, but I am back with an added boot up my backside to try and succeed at this selling thing we are all trying to do. I really am at a lose. Any one have the secret ingredient to success??? :)

[SammyLeasRetro]

Hi there! I'm Sammy from Sammy Lea Signs, I make custom tattoo style wooden signs for weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, gifts etc. I particularly love old school tattoo style design, day of the dead, Sailor Jerry etc.

Although tattoo style is my absolute favourite to paint, I can pretty much reproduce any style of artwork, so I tend to get a lot of orders from friends with quite bespoke requirements.

I've been selling via Facebook for a month or so (very successfully), and decided to give Etsy a try. No traffic to my page as yet, but I'm plodding through the users handbook making tweaks, so time will tell...

Any feedback very much appreciated - it's good to learn from others :)