Etsy

briannastahler

Any may mommies have tips on making an Etsy shop successful? I've been making headbands for my baby girl and decided to open an Etsy shop. Here is my princess with one of the headbands I have made.

bazingaa

Thinking this is on the wrong side of the TOU line....

danabsd

Everyone and thier mothers mother sells headbands on Etsy. Unless you have niche in the market you probably won't be super busy.
And yes the shop link is a TOS violation. If you're not going to edit it out @kitchencolors‌ will.

talkthewholetime

comicsans said:

I don't think most people actually make money on etsy. I make stuff all the time. Making stuff is my jam. But for the time it takes to make things, it would be hard to charge enough for what my time is worth. Unless it takes me a minute and materials are free, a 6.25 headband isn't making me any money.

This exactly. People always ask if I've considered selling stuff on etsy. No, because I would be paying myself about $1/hour. Or charging outlandish prices for things. I'd rather make it for myself or for gifts to friends. 

bazingaa

talkthewholetime said:

comicsans said:

I don't think most people actually make money on etsy. I make stuff all the time. Making stuff is my jam. But for the time it takes to make things, it would be hard to charge enough for what my time is worth. Unless it takes me a minute and materials are free, a 6.25 headband isn't making me any money.

This exactly. People always ask if I've considered selling stuff on etsy. No, because I would be paying myself about $1/hour. Or charging outlandish prices for things. I'd rather make it for myself or for gifts to friends. 

Totally agree....And this is why everything is made in China  >:P

briannastahler

Sorry. I'm not on here much. I don't think I've been on since the beginning of my pregnancy so I'm not really familiar with all of the rules. But I'll make sure not to post anymore links to it.

briannastahler

comicsans said:

I don't think most people actually make money on etsy. I make stuff all the time. Making stuff is my jam. But for the time it takes to make things, it would be hard to charge enough for what my time is worth. Unless it takes me a minute and materials are free, a 6.25 headband isn't making me any money.

I'm not looking to substitute an income with it but just make a little extra money. Most of the headbands I make take about 10-15 minutes at most to make and I really don't buy any supplies unless they're on sale. Also some of the ribbon and fabric I use is stuff that I bought a few years ago so I figured it's better than just letting it go to waste.
I'd love to make things for family and friends as baby gifts..but everyone in the family and my close friends recently either all had boys or are pregnant with boys. Lol so I don't think they'd appreciate it very much. Overall it's something I enjoy doing and if I can make a little bit of money doing it I'd be happy.

gypsymystic

I make jewelry and metaphysical goods, (chakra stone necklaces, pendulum necklaces, quartz stone jewelry etc.) and I do pretty well on there. I opened my shop in June of 2012 and I have close to 700 sales. I tend to do a lot of advertisement on different forums and boards, and I also pay for the etsy ads- well worth it. Offer lots of 'deals' too, like 3 package mix-and-match headbands, etc. Also try expanding your inventory if you can to bring in more diverse buyers. Feel free to PM me if you want to discuss.

deanna1313

@briannastahler‌ Some people can make a decent profit off of etsy. It really depends on what you make and what you sell it for. Headbands can be very cheap to make and it sounds like it would be worth it for you.
The way I look at it is I am willing to buy off of etsy as long as it's cheap because I am on there mostly for convenience. Can I make it myself? Yes! Do I feel like it or have time? No! If the item is priced too high I'll make it myself. I think that is something you should keep in mind. People get crazy with their prices sometimes.

Hope it works out and good luck!