Hey Everyone... This post doesn't really have much of a point to it. Maybe you could file this post under "Random Therapy Blogging." Therapy for me, that is. Obviously.
Lately, I've honestly just been in a cranky mood. I think I'm in a funk with selling my items and making them, and it's hard to snap out of it. I'm almost positive that most of my "blah-ness" is due to the fact that I make everything at home, sell everything from home, and ship everything from home. So where does that leave me? Always at home, constantly. A LOT.
Don't get me wrong: I LOVE being at my house more than anything. But occasionally a Sunday night will roll around where I wish time would stop for just a little while so my normal weekly routine could wait just a tiny bit longer to come again.
Well on a different note:
I'm kind of stuck in a rut with my shop. I've struggled over the past few months, mainly from March until now, trying to find my style, my niche, and myself all at the same time. I LOVE making new things and hearing compliments and comments about my work! So, I'm trying to decide exactly where to go from here.
Right now, I'm about to start focusing on the upcoming Christmas Holidays, and making gifts and items during the busy season! I need to have a MAJOR plan to put into place after Christmas when everyone is sick of shopping and broke as a joke from buying gifts. I'm looking into several different options, and I'm trying to see which ones fit nicely into my tiny budget area. Here are a few of my options.
I can continue to sell solely online and to friends. Besides my Etsy Shop sales, this is mainly that I'm doing right now. As I've said in earlier posts, Etsy and Facebook are two completely different selling atmospheres, and do better in different areas in both shops. Jewelry is better on Facebook and paintings and housewares sell better on Etsy.
I can start traveling and selling wholesale items to different shops and boutiques. I have had three offers to purchase and then sell my jewelry from three local shops, but I still haven't traveled down that road as of right now. The offers are still available, and I have a little time to decide.
I know that I'm still struggling to make an organized inventory system, and I still have a few kinks to work out. When I first started making jewelry, I would make a few items here and there, but nothing major. Now, I have a HUGE collection of supplies, tooks, and teeny tiny pieces, which I have neatly organized in plastic containers and a HUGE Tiered Tackle Box with a million slots full of beads. That's not where the problem was/is.
The hard part is filing and organizing the finished pieces. I had to develop a system to keep track of each piece, the date, where it is listed, etc. I've finally started consistently naming each completed piece of jewelry, and I'm currently working to create a manageable paper trail with all of my information and create "Collections." Before I can even think about selling to actual shops, I have to finish my inventory count, organize and name all of my pieces, know how many pieces I have the capabilities to make, etc.
I have to say, though, it would be nice to have like... say ten shops that purchased wholesale from my collections. Ten consistent shops to start out with. And I would have all of their contact info ORGANIZED neatly in my business files. When they place an order, I make the pieces and deliver the finished inventory to them, which they then purchase from me. Then I have a set date that I make contact, preferably in person, with the owner again to see if they are interested in making any more purchases, and to let them see any new pieces and accessories. Ten Shops doesn't seem too outrageous, if I already have three interested. I just don't want to jump into something before I think it out, or before I'm completely organized.
Kind of like how I first started out with no inventory system in mind? Now any of the pieces I made in the beginning that did not sell yet are not inventoried or saved in my computer according to the system I created. Once those pieces are sold, I will be able to have everything finalized.
Item # 0911E0001 is one example:
09= September
11= Year (2011)
E= Earrings
0001= 1st pair created that month
This still doesn't sort each piece according to color, so I'm working on that area as well. Every single finished piece or pair has (or will have) an index card. On the top of the index card is the Item # just like the above number. Also on the card, in the lined space, is a list of every material or piece used to create the piece/pair, my cost, the time it took to make each piece/pair, IF it is a piece to a set and if so I'll list the other Item #'s for those pieces as well, the selling price, the date of creation, the date listed online, and the date sold (IF Sold already), and anything else I want to list. Each index card is filed in numerical order with like pieces.
It may sounds tedious and confusing, but remember what I have to remind myself of all the time when I Start to feel overwhelmed: I created the system. I decide what goes on the card and where. I can manipulate the card to meet my needs, because I'm the only person who will read the card!
So all in all, I'm trying to decide if I want to broaden my business a bit or if I want to stay solely online. I think selling wholesale will give me an even bigger reason to explore metal stamping more and learn creative techniques for creating items no one else has made around the area. I would also have an opportunity to travel more and get out of the house.
I think this one is a decision for me to speak with God about... Let's just see what He has to say about this... :)
Showing posts with label Accessories. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Accessories. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Adding Items, Updating Prices and :WE NEED YOU!
Today I've been one busy girl! I've taken pictures of the items I made this weekend, uploaded them to albums on Facebook, answered messages, created new Facebook albums and the list goes on.. To too much further, but I could add a couple of more tasks to the list!
I'm dealing with a little problem. A fairly popular problem, but a problem to me nonetheless.
The issue at hand is:
*How to Price My Boutique Items*
Owning a store or opening a boutique, especially a boutique with HANDMADE Inventory, is incredibly difficult due to low department store prices and the fact that most people in today's generation do not place a high value on Handmade Items. Society is mainly a "cheaper is better" and "the fastest way is best," and often handmade items cost more than and average department store items.
Why do Handmade Items cost more?
Mainly because there are a few more factors that must be included in the financial calculations. The supplies for any handmade market are not usually bought or sold by the thousands. As you already know, the more you buy, the less you pay. When you are a "handmaker," you usually aren't buying gobs and gobs of materials to use. No, you usually have to start small. Then, IF you even survive the start up costs, you gradually build your tool supplies and stock your necessary odds and ends.
Another reason is that you are paying for the work of an INDIVIDUAL, not a machine. I'm still learning new time-saving tricks everyday. If I were to actually figure in the cost of the supplies, the initial purchase of the item (IF I caught it on sale on my end), the cost of the embellishments and accessories, AND the cost of my own labor (say... minimum wage), I would have to charge $50 an earring. Now that is also due partly to my procrastination and mainly to my indecisiveness, but facts are facts.
People who design items are truly designers. People who create unique pieces are true artists as well. And everyone has heard about "struggling artists" before. That title isn't narrowed to only include shaggy haired guys with guitars playing on Bourbon Street. It also includes every struggling artist and designer in other areas too!
When we learn to design something special and decide to market your ideas and creations, we as humans, tend to undervalue our work. And often, friends and family undervalue our work as well. Take a photographer for example: Many photographers struggle to make ends meet, because friends and family, the people who help you get your business off the ground, are often the same people who expect a discount of some sort. And there are only so many discounts you can give before you realize that you're majorly in the HOLE... the place where artist fear being the most! By undervaluing our work, we also undervalue ourselves.
As a trend, most people who are just starting out tend to dwell on the opinions of others to guide their path. And sometimes, that is not the healthy choice, especially when you have to eat and live off of your salary. I am fortunate to be able to also have a husband that provides a steady income, because the fluctuation between each sale is painful. Many others are no so blessed.
I sell my items in a Facebook Boutique and on Etsy. I have made fewer sales on Etsy than I have on facebook, but my items are priced much higher on Etsy than in my Facebook Boutique: The SAME items. I listed one item on Facebook and listed the same item on Etsy for the same price. Nothing happened on both ends. So I decided to experiment, and I relisted the same item on Etsy and TRIPLED the price. Amazingly, I've had more than twenty inquiries about it so far, and although I haven't sold that particular item, I've been included in numerous treasuries and had that item "FAVORITED" by more than 45 people. It had also led to a few personalized orders as well.
I don't know my Etsy buyers, and they don't know me. To them, I'm not Chelsea from high school. I am an artist from Alabama who creates various personalized items and jewelry. I'm legit. And I have skill to them and they take me seriously! It's really "cool"... (I know that was a HIGH SCHOOL word I just used, but... it works!) It's really strange to get compliments from people I've never met, but it keeps my spirits up and keeps me going! I would like to thank EVERYONE, friends, family, random people included... THANK YOU for helping me get this far! I really appreciate it and I depend on you!
I'm working, slowly for sure, but really working to design my web page. I'm having to add each individual item, and create a place and description for it. In the future, I plan on using my website for all of my sales. I figure I'll find a happy price medium somewhere in between Etsy and Facebook. My customers will mingle between old friends and random gyspies from India (yes... I had conversations with one!) I can't wait to launch it!
I will always enjoy the feedback I get from friends and family, and I really hope to start to get more. Even in my current contest on facebook, the wonderful person in the lead, the ONLY person who participated, is from Missouri. I'm thankful for her, because it would have been hard to launch a contest and receive no feedback and not one single referral from any friends. That's the art of the business, I guess.
One of the biggest things I think would guide me to be able to offer items YOU would like to purchase would be to receive FEEDBACK: Good AND Bad. How else will I know what you like? If you see an item you kind of like, but you think you would like a different color, TELL ME. That doesn't obligate you to buy anything! It just lets me know another point of view and opens me up to another perspective!
Just in case you haven't liked my page yet, below is the link... I'd love to have you visit!
Make Up and Mud Facebook Boutique
Here is the link to another new Boutique! Please give them some support too!
Seek Unique
And one more link to an AMAZING photographer making her name around town! Please "LIKE" her page as well!
A Vintage Love Photography
Make sure you "LIKE" all three of these pages, because you don't want to miss getting the newest details for our upcoming sales, specials and contests! Sometimes we run contests alone, and sometimes we will pair up to run a few AWESOME Holiday Specials! Details to come!! We ALL need your support and word of mouth spreading the news!
Goodnight and God Bless!
I'm dealing with a little problem. A fairly popular problem, but a problem to me nonetheless.
The issue at hand is:
*How to Price My Boutique Items*
Owning a store or opening a boutique, especially a boutique with HANDMADE Inventory, is incredibly difficult due to low department store prices and the fact that most people in today's generation do not place a high value on Handmade Items. Society is mainly a "cheaper is better" and "the fastest way is best," and often handmade items cost more than and average department store items.
Why do Handmade Items cost more?
Mainly because there are a few more factors that must be included in the financial calculations. The supplies for any handmade market are not usually bought or sold by the thousands. As you already know, the more you buy, the less you pay. When you are a "handmaker," you usually aren't buying gobs and gobs of materials to use. No, you usually have to start small. Then, IF you even survive the start up costs, you gradually build your tool supplies and stock your necessary odds and ends.
Another reason is that you are paying for the work of an INDIVIDUAL, not a machine. I'm still learning new time-saving tricks everyday. If I were to actually figure in the cost of the supplies, the initial purchase of the item (IF I caught it on sale on my end), the cost of the embellishments and accessories, AND the cost of my own labor (say... minimum wage), I would have to charge $50 an earring. Now that is also due partly to my procrastination and mainly to my indecisiveness, but facts are facts.
People who design items are truly designers. People who create unique pieces are true artists as well. And everyone has heard about "struggling artists" before. That title isn't narrowed to only include shaggy haired guys with guitars playing on Bourbon Street. It also includes every struggling artist and designer in other areas too!
When we learn to design something special and decide to market your ideas and creations, we as humans, tend to undervalue our work. And often, friends and family undervalue our work as well. Take a photographer for example: Many photographers struggle to make ends meet, because friends and family, the people who help you get your business off the ground, are often the same people who expect a discount of some sort. And there are only so many discounts you can give before you realize that you're majorly in the HOLE... the place where artist fear being the most! By undervaluing our work, we also undervalue ourselves.
As a trend, most people who are just starting out tend to dwell on the opinions of others to guide their path. And sometimes, that is not the healthy choice, especially when you have to eat and live off of your salary. I am fortunate to be able to also have a husband that provides a steady income, because the fluctuation between each sale is painful. Many others are no so blessed.
I sell my items in a Facebook Boutique and on Etsy. I have made fewer sales on Etsy than I have on facebook, but my items are priced much higher on Etsy than in my Facebook Boutique: The SAME items. I listed one item on Facebook and listed the same item on Etsy for the same price. Nothing happened on both ends. So I decided to experiment, and I relisted the same item on Etsy and TRIPLED the price. Amazingly, I've had more than twenty inquiries about it so far, and although I haven't sold that particular item, I've been included in numerous treasuries and had that item "FAVORITED" by more than 45 people. It had also led to a few personalized orders as well.
I don't know my Etsy buyers, and they don't know me. To them, I'm not Chelsea from high school. I am an artist from Alabama who creates various personalized items and jewelry. I'm legit. And I have skill to them and they take me seriously! It's really "cool"... (I know that was a HIGH SCHOOL word I just used, but... it works!) It's really strange to get compliments from people I've never met, but it keeps my spirits up and keeps me going! I would like to thank EVERYONE, friends, family, random people included... THANK YOU for helping me get this far! I really appreciate it and I depend on you!
I'm working, slowly for sure, but really working to design my web page. I'm having to add each individual item, and create a place and description for it. In the future, I plan on using my website for all of my sales. I figure I'll find a happy price medium somewhere in between Etsy and Facebook. My customers will mingle between old friends and random gyspies from India (yes... I had conversations with one!) I can't wait to launch it!
I will always enjoy the feedback I get from friends and family, and I really hope to start to get more. Even in my current contest on facebook, the wonderful person in the lead, the ONLY person who participated, is from Missouri. I'm thankful for her, because it would have been hard to launch a contest and receive no feedback and not one single referral from any friends. That's the art of the business, I guess.
One of the biggest things I think would guide me to be able to offer items YOU would like to purchase would be to receive FEEDBACK: Good AND Bad. How else will I know what you like? If you see an item you kind of like, but you think you would like a different color, TELL ME. That doesn't obligate you to buy anything! It just lets me know another point of view and opens me up to another perspective!
Just in case you haven't liked my page yet, below is the link... I'd love to have you visit!
Make Up and Mud Facebook Boutique
Here is the link to another new Boutique! Please give them some support too!
Seek Unique
And one more link to an AMAZING photographer making her name around town! Please "LIKE" her page as well!
A Vintage Love Photography
Make sure you "LIKE" all three of these pages, because you don't want to miss getting the newest details for our upcoming sales, specials and contests! Sometimes we run contests alone, and sometimes we will pair up to run a few AWESOME Holiday Specials! Details to come!! We ALL need your support and word of mouth spreading the news!
Goodnight and God Bless!
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