Monday, March 29, 2010

To Open...or not to...

I have been here before. I am thinking of opening my shop on Etsy officially on the 1st of April, which is only a couple of days away now :S

I have more than 10 pieces to start off with. Is that a good enough number?

I have been struggling with the whole postage side of things though. I went to the Post Office this morning to get a rough idea of postage charges for international parcels and was pretty disgusted at how much they want. I told the lady it would be for smallish, very light parcels containing jewelry. I found it really hard to find any small boxes that I could use to post things in. I don't like the idea of posting my jewelry in satchels with a bit of bubble plastic. I did find some very small boxes at a craft store that I could use, but I would still probably have to put them into something else and therefore the price goes up and up and up......

Sigh...anywho...I am working on a few pieces at the moment, but I don't want to rush them as knowing my luck, I would bugger them right up and end up with nothing...

I am running out of supplies....

I am a bit nervous about opening a shop too....dunno why really....just am.

I will do a blog post to announce if/when I open my shop. Will have to do that on FB too.

A big THANK YOU to Kim for helping me get a whole bunch of fans to my FB fan page too!

And thanks to Amy and Kim for all of your positive & friendly support...much appreciated girls!

7 comments:

Amy Nicole said...

I say do it. Just be prepared for the roller coaster of emotions, esp if you don't sell something right away. I think it took something like 6 weeks for me to get my first "real" sale (read: not one of my friends!). I ship in a little jewelry box inside a bubble mailer. You can by the boxes in bulk on line. They aren't as much as you think. I do know what you mean about the postage though. Are you in Australia? or New Zealand? I just know both of those countries are more expensive to ship to for some reason, so I guess that makes sense that they would be expensive to ship from as well. I think as long as your customers understand you aren't trying to rip them off on the postage they'll be fine with paying the actual costs. Oh, and don't forget to figure in Etsy fees and paypal fees. Ok, now I'm not sure I'm much of a help anymore.......;)

Louise said...

Go for it Girl.....you have everything to gain and nothing to loose! Google 'Kraft' boxes. They are inexpensive and light and there should be a supplier local to you. Make them fancy with a ribbon or a rubber stamp with your shop name on it and you're away.......

Gemheaven said...

Just do it Emma ~ your work is sooo great and its easy to get lightweight boxes like Louise says. Some of my work I pack lighter ~ check out my blog ~ Thats with tissue paper and a organza bag :D

Narelle said...

Yep, I say go for it too!
I put off opening my shops too, but was so glad once I did. I think it's just the initial step of putting your work out there that tends to make us doubt doing it.
But, your work is fabulous & I think you'll do great.
As I mentioned in your last post, try Madeit too, a little less competitive than Etsy as it's only Australian sellers.
All the best.

littlecherryhill said...

Aww thank you ladies for your advice and support! It means a lot to me, spesh considering that you all are great Etsy sellers yourselves! I think I will bite the bullet and go for it! :)

Unknown said...

Oh, I hope you do Emma! I agree w/ everyone, your work is beautiful & should be out there!

I don't offer Worldwide Shipping yet, but I know I'm limiting myself & I guess you kind of have to being in Australia. :) I wrap my pieces in tissue paper, put in an organza bag, then cushion in a 3"x3" Kraft-type box w/ more tissue paper & new bubble wrap or foamy paper from recent supply orders. The box is heavy-duty, but it doesn't weigh a lot.

As for the nerves, perfectly normal! It's hard putting yourself out there for what's easy to perceive as judgement. But there are so many factors in people's decisions to buy or not to. And we're here for you on the hard days! <3

Dorinda said...

Hi Emma, I wish you the best of the best for when you open your shop. I don't have an Etsy shop myself but I have been plotting and planning to, though it's still going to be awhile. I, too, agree that your work is beautiful and I can't wait to see more of what you will do!