Eileen over at new shop Creations by Eileen recently answered some questions for the Etsy Business Blog. I found her answers to be very inspiring and practical, good tips in here!
How did you hear about Etsy?
I heard about Etsy from my daughter (Alissa – 25). She sent me an IM and said that she was on this site for hours and was “hooked”. That was about a year and a half ago. The next thing I knew, I was surfing Etsy for hours!
Why did you decide to sell?
I was the Firm Administrator for a law firm that decided to dissolve in June of 2008. I was looking for a new job and taking care of my parents (both in their 80’s). My dad went through a year of treatment for throat cancer and there are many many follow up appointments. So, I thought there must be something I could do from home so I could be accessible to my parents. Since I am an avid Etsy buyer, I decided to give selling a try.
What are some goals you want to meet on Etsy?
My immediate goal is to reach beyond the “friend layer”. So far my sales have been to family and friends of immediate family. I know that reaching past that layer will be a huge step in getting my shop “out there”. I just learned yesterday that people get sales on Etsy by joining in the “Chats”. Who knew? Although I do participate in the forums, I was always intimidated to enter a chat. I assumed the people in there knew each other and I would be intruding. Ha!
Do you want to craft full time or is this a fun hobby for you?
Right now this is a hobby. I am still looking for a full time job. I only work on the jewelry a few hours per week. Now that my unemployment benefits are about to run out and there is no job in sight, I may have to rethink the situation. In theory, I would love to craft full time, but so far I have so much money tied up in supplies that I don’t know if I can recoup that just by selling online.
Do you think Etsy features enough new sellers?
I do not think Etsy features enough new sellers. I try to read and follow all of the advice in the forums and the Storque, but I feel like I am jumping up and down with both hands in the air and Etsy doesn’t know I exist. There are so many sellers joining every day, I don’t blame Etsy, I just wish there were more avenues to get our shops noticed.
What do you think of features like Pounce that help new sellers get exposure?
I am a Pounceaholic. I pounce every chance I get. I was excited to see my shop in pounce when I listed my first items, but I quickly fell farther and farther down the list. Then I had my first sale! Yay me! There I was on the “Just Sold” . . . and that was it. How about a pounce for “Sellers with a few sales pulling out their hair waiting for something else to happen”. I try to list new items every day or every week. Again, so many people are listing that you are only on the first page of a search for a couple of minutes. It can be frustrating.
How long do you plan to sell on Etsy?
I realize that Etsy is a wonderful tool, but if I am going to make a go of selling online, I have to think of this like a job. It is up to me to promote my shop every chance I get and in a multitude of different media. As long as I am crafting, I will have a shop on Etsy! Like I said, I was a buyer to begin with. I love Etsy and enjoy giving handmade gifts to the people I love. Etsy charges me $ .20 to list an item, the rest is up to me 
Check out Eileen’s recent craft fair photos below for a quick view of how your next craft fair set up should look! Also be sure to check other new sellers from previous weeks.
