Coworking for Etsy

[Former_Member]

I was wondering where everyone here is getting all their work done!
I took a quick poll on the main Etsy forums to see where people like to get down and dirty with their crafts and it seems most people like to work from home.

Here's what confuses me. I'm a member of a Coworking group up in my town of Issaquah. I joined it specifically for my day-time job because, as an entrepreneur, I needed to avoid the house because it was way too distracting between the pets, internet, errands, etc. Additionally, the Coworking place also lets the clients host their own events and presentation after hours or during lunch - which makes it a LOT more appealing than a kitchen since I can showcase things or even get together a tutorial or something if the demand was there.

Where do you guys work, and how do you make it work?

[PrettyPictureGiftsCo]

I have worked at home for 2 years now (no outside part-time or full time jobs in that time).

I work at home in the home! My house has been dedicated to my business...shipping and computer in one room, products to make in a few other rooms, show displays in the dinning room...drove me bananas. I have a small studio off the home where i make my products, but we have a small house and each corner has something in it lol.

A few months ago we decided to build a large separate building that will be dedicated to work only. It should be finished at the end of the month. Yahhoo!!

I have always been able to ignore the housework etc, and schedule my day fine, but the "stuff" just gets all over the house.

Just set a schedule for yourself. You kept one when you where at work...right? Just keep to your tasks and don't get distracted by "home" things. The dog will still love you if you put him outside for the day and you are inside :O)

[Former_Member]

Absolutely put the dog outside!

I work from home testing software by day. I have a dedicated office. It means on days I need to work on my store I might be in here from 8am until midnight. I live in a pretty walkable neighborhood in Newcastle so I get out and walk a lot.

My 2 labrador retrievers work with me every day. My office has a futon for them to sleep on, but they get lots of breaks in the backyard to stay out of my way or to keep from being heard panting on my morning scrum.

Part of why I work from home is that I don't like interacting with people face to face though, so I can't offer advice on presenting things :)

[Former_Member]

Pretty jealous Sharon! - Not sure I'd have the self-control for that, and my two dogs wouldn't let me get a single thing done (One just had ACL surgery and he's constantly hurting for attention since he's penned up all day..)

Sounds like we have the same "sort" of work, Courtney. I spend most of my day on the computer or tablet doing graphic design work that, on the side, I also sell as smartphone/tablet/laptop covers. All computer work, and requires concentration. Again, not good with the pups!

One of the major reasons I brought this up, aside from brainstorming how people work, is to see if there was any interest in CoWorking. If either of you live by Issaquah, I go to The White Board, and I spoke with the owner about marketing towards Etsy sellers. Since the whole "CoWorking" thing is about collaboration and working with like-minded people, he ran with it and was talking about discounts and letting me/us use the place for tutorials or to showcase our products. I've had two sales pitches here showing off my cases and it went really well - but I'd really love if I could get some other Etsy people to join. It seems like we're a great online community, but don't have a lot of physical community!

It was great hearing about your experiences though. It seems a lot of people that have responded to my question have the same frustration/love for working with dogs, but, it was just eating my time and sanity. :P