tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8188078120365131355.post6881343420407942277..comments2024-01-16T04:04:41.045-05:00Comments on Someday I'll Sleep Autism Blogs: Things I've Learned as a Etsy Small Business OwnerCammie Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07137080807945525006noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8188078120365131355.post-41940424670583867772012-07-25T22:23:23.726-04:002012-07-25T22:23:23.726-04:00Thanks, for sharing your experience and thoughts. ...Thanks, for sharing your experience and thoughts. It helps those who are still struggling out there.<br />I opened my shop earlier this year. I am yet to have any sale though. Still, it has been very interesting. You learn a lot about business, online business, social media, attracting customers etc. while doing so.<br /><br /> My first issue was to draw traffic to the shop. <br /> Then after listing few items, I started having trouble making good stuff. They were just not good enough (at least to my eyes). So I decided not to list them.<br /> I do have a regular job (which takes most of my time actually) so listing new items is my #1 problem these days. Hopefully I will be out of that phase soon. Once I start producing new good items again my listing count will go up and maybe some sales will pop up.<br /> Feel free to take a look (click on my name) at my budding shop and give comments on how to improve it.Glaudiushttp://www.etsy.com/shop/gestofcreationnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8188078120365131355.post-36084793244992880812012-07-13T23:02:33.742-04:002012-07-13T23:02:33.742-04:00Hi Heather-
Each shop has it's own email addr...Hi Heather-<br /><br />Each shop has it's own email address through gmail. It can get a bit hectic that way, but it's still the only way to do it! <br /><br />I hope that helps!Cammie Dianehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07137080807945525006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8188078120365131355.post-9192761591008841172012-07-13T22:42:12.121-04:002012-07-13T22:42:12.121-04:00I am so glad you posted this. I actually have an e...I am so glad you posted this. I actually have an etsy store (Mamacre8s), but it doesn't have anything in it. I've made a few things, but I've been nervous about getting started. I have made things that are totally different from each other and feel like they should be in different shops. When I signed up for etsy, I thought that you were only allowed one shop per email address. Is that still true? I was wondering how you had multiple shops and I really wanted to do that too.<br /><br />My life has been changed drastically recently (you can see my blog for details) and I am going to need to find a way to start earning some money. I think this is a way to do it. I plan to get the shop stocked as soon as things settle down a bit.<br /><br />I know a couple of people have suggested JoAnn's VIP card; but depending on your interest rate (for the interest-free shopping), you may want to apply for their teacher's card. As a homeschool teacher, you are eligible for 15% your entire purchase, every time you shop. They will be having renewals next month and usually offer a small gift or a 20% off day when you sign up.Heatherhttp://tgmagazine.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8188078120365131355.post-2679791436122212932012-07-10T01:51:52.224-04:002012-07-10T01:51:52.224-04:00I think Allison is talking about the VIP card at J...I think Allison is talking about the VIP card at JoAnns. It really does come in handy. Also, you can purchase your items tax free with your tax-exempt status, which really makes a big difference in the long run. <br /><br />I just posted a listing for the apron. I ran out of the polka dot fabric, so I'm making it made-to-order. Also, I made another listing for children's pinafores too, at a pretty good price.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00074130083673975640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8188078120365131355.post-44095678303162835872012-07-09T23:55:21.423-04:002012-07-09T23:55:21.423-04:00I more than slightly envy those of you who are &qu...I more than slightly envy those of you who are "crafty". That has never been one of my talents, sadly. <br /><br />I think it would be just wonderful to have a skill whereby you could bring in money by working at home, making lovely things! My mother had me take sewing lessons when I was young... it didn't take. :(<br /><br />Mariedixieaglehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12923834034976250382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8188078120365131355.post-31589787076394425372012-07-09T20:32:28.437-04:002012-07-09T20:32:28.437-04:00Hi Sophie-
Good reviews are always wonderful to r...Hi Sophie-<br /><br />Good reviews are always wonderful to receive! And I'm so glad you like it!Cammie Dianehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07137080807945525006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8188078120365131355.post-3580788770977339772012-07-09T19:49:19.160-04:002012-07-09T19:49:19.160-04:00And to those of you who are thinking of starting u...And to those of you who are thinking of starting up businesses, if you do let me know and I'll link to it! I love looking at new etsy shops! And shopping at them!<br /><br />(And Maria, I'm hoping your sewing machine is fixed really soon! I love the apron you made. It is my absolute favorite. I think it's going to fit for the whole pregnancy. I'm going to write a post about it as soon as I wash it. Right now it's covered in pink minky. It was a lifesaver when I made Mae's blanket!).Cammie Dianehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07137080807945525006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8188078120365131355.post-82687374636617657622012-07-09T19:42:54.857-04:002012-07-09T19:42:54.857-04:00That's awesome about the 10% off Allison! I n...That's awesome about the 10% off Allison! I need to find mine. <br /><br />I would definitely second the sales tax advice. My business is registered in California, which is where I pay sales tax, although not much since 99% of my business is outside the state and about 30% is outside the US. <br /><br />With our family size we have yet to pay from my business for income tax, although we do file every year. I imagine that will change when Paul has a job in a couple years and our combined income is more.<br /><br />Doing those two things really does give you peace of mind, because you know you're doing everything legally!Cammie Dianehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07137080807945525006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8188078120365131355.post-82442889631618809072012-07-09T19:40:33.547-04:002012-07-09T19:40:33.547-04:00Would it help you out if some of your customers wr...Would it help you out if some of your customers wrote reviews? I bought a sewing pattern from you and am nearly finished my first head scarf and would be happy to write you a review/testimonial. (And yes, it would be positive!)<br />SophieSophie Miriamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14984573258370585557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8188078120365131355.post-49924709874329468322012-07-09T19:28:59.855-04:002012-07-09T19:28:59.855-04:00Cam,
Thank you so much for writing this out. I r...Cam,<br /> Thank you so much for writing this out. I remember reading a lot about pricing and getting a lot of bad advice about it too. Looking forward to revising my shop some more in the down time while I am waiting for my machine to get fixed...Oh, I sent in the icon print in the mail today for you. Hope you enjoy it!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00074130083673975640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8188078120365131355.post-51196158375993907532012-07-09T19:17:14.973-04:002012-07-09T19:17:14.973-04:00One thing I don't see a lot of people posting ...One thing I don't see a lot of people posting on, but that I feel is important, is if you're going to take yourself seriously, you need to look into what is required for your state's and federal taxes. Many states require sales tax, and even if you net a loss for the year, the IRS wants you to claim what you've made for the year in sales. Most Etsy sellers don't pay taxes. It's just a fact I've come to realize. <br /><br />Since I do my etsy and personal sites as my business I pay the appropriate state sales tax, and I also pay income taxes to the US government. Since I'm self employed this includes what you need to pay for medicare etc.<br /><br />I think most people don't want to bother with this, but it kind of bugs me. I pay my taxes, you should too. Once you get going it's not that hard, and really, it helps you get an idea if your business is actually worth it, with how much you make out of it per year.<br /><br />(JoAnns also has a program where you can get 10% off your purchases that aren't already discounted if you show your tax id)Allisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18037863893536646602noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8188078120365131355.post-84942202352054737002012-07-09T19:03:32.514-04:002012-07-09T19:03:32.514-04:00Thank you so much for the information. I have been...Thank you so much for the information. I have been going back and forth about whether or not I should open up an Etsy store. We could really use the added income, but I am worried it wouldn't be worth it.Monique G.https://www.blogger.com/profile/04098070604153085200noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8188078120365131355.post-79289575904041345562012-07-09T18:02:20.716-04:002012-07-09T18:02:20.716-04:00Thanks so much for posting this. I have been thin...Thanks so much for posting this. I have been thinking about starting a Etsy business but really had no idea where to start. This has been very helpful. Hopefully by the time my daughter starts school this fall I will have something to started.mianmomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06990973950951062097noreply@blogger.com