it's back!

My new Camo quilt! I am really pleased with this one and couldn't wait to get it finished and listing on Etsy.

It's a crib quilt again but has a different pattern from my first Camo creation. There is a cushion to match, which I love, and maybe a diaper holder? We'll see!

step two - list more items

If you read all the very helpful blurb that those in the know at Etsy write, then you will hear over and again how important it is to have well stocked shelves in your shop. For several reasons: your shop will appear more often in search results, people are are more likely to stop and browse and therefore you are more likely to make a sale, and of course, the more choice you can offer......

However, for those of us just starting out with items we make ourselves, the thought of listing many, many items is frankly scary. After all, the more items you list, the bigger the initial financial input and what if nobody buys anything? What are you going to do with all that stuff?

And of course, it takes time. Lots of time. I have small children,  a husband and a home to look after, a part time job, as well as training, so I tend to be on the busy side. Aren't we all? So just how much time am I prepared to put into this experiment? And how much money? Both difficult questions to answer.

As my Dad so eloquently put it, "Well, are you planning on making your living from this or just having a bit of fun?'

A perfect quilt for Spring! Available soon.

Can you tell what it is yet? Feeding the Camo obsession....

Decisions, decisions!

good news!

I made a sale! And not to someone related to me! A bona fide customer bought my Camo crib quilt and I mailed it off in its drawstring bag this morning. I hope it'll be very happy in its new home!

Things I have learned:

1. the Etsy app on my phone makes a sound like a cash register when a sale is made. Ker-ching!

2. the printing of postal labels using Etsy is delightfully easy and works like a charm. Plus the lady in the post office was super helpful explaining the system to a first time Etsy mailer.

3. I have pitifully few items in my shop. Time to get busy!

 

the first step - Facebook

I took advice from those in the know and I started up a MegAndMama Facebook page . I wasn't so very impressed with this right from the start. First, it wouldn't let me join the words in my shop title together because it was 'grammatically incorrect". Have these people never read Facebook? Now, I love FB along with the rest of today's mind-numbing, soul destroying complete wastes of time,  but being harassed and continuously reminded exactly how little effort you are putting into your site is taking it too far; "You haven't posted on your wall in three days!" "Make an effort to reach 100 'likes' by Christmas!" "Your page has had 12 views over the last month, loser!" Not really for me.

Also, being English, the blatant self-promotion required to start everything off is beyond me. "Invite your friends to 'like' your page" it repeats over and over again. What if I have already invited them and they chose not to? No-one is going to thank me for constant reminders - ask me, I know!

So, there it is. I have a FB page which I plan to fill with interesting anecdotes and fabulous pictures, just as soon as I can summon up any interest whatsoever in doing so.


Unfortunately there is no ' Baby Redneck Furnishings' category in Etsy. I think this crib quilt would fit right in! Camo crib quilt