I’ve always enjoyed the creative
process and using reclaimed wood for Folk Art satisfies my need to be creative.
All I required was an outlet to sell my product, so opening an Etsy shop seemed like the right solution!
Although I have enjoyed starting up my Etsy shop, the downside is that it is taking up a great chunk of my time and I am discovering that too many hours at the computer is not such a great thing for back and eyes which begin straining and complaining to move away, go outside, jump, walk anything but sit at a screen editing listings, interacting in the discussions, checking and rechecking tags and titles, looking over the stats, (why are my views so low?) and brainstorming marketing ideas.
A BIT ABOUT ME:
I live on Vancouver Island in a small
cottage by the sea called Black Crow Cottage. My
husband and I built our small cottage a few years back when our
daughters grew up and away. We embraced the idea of minimizing, sold the big
house and gave away or sold a lot of the items that are necessary to fill all
the rooms of a big house and then we built small, very small by most folks
standards, a mere 1000 square feet. Living on a smaller footprint has been
challenging in some ways and liberating in others. Less time spent cleaning and more time having
fun!
I knocked out the remaining glass, removed the old putty,
repainted the frame and added squares of mirror. I gave it back to my friend as
a memory of her old barn and she was delighted with it! From there the inspiration of creating other
Barn Window Mirrors began.
I’ve ACCOMPLISHED opening a shop, stocking it with Barn Window Mirrors, Driftwood Boats, Wall Hooks, Signs and Folk Art and I am actually making sales from people other than my friends and family. People unknown to me actually felt my product was worth purchasing. Go figure…
I’ve LEARNED that opening an Etsy shop is time-consuming and comes with an enormous learning curve. I am finding that I am spending way more time on my Etsy Shop than I had imagined I would. I don’t have an addictive personality, however I have to be careful that when I ‘power up my computer’ and sit down at my desk I don’t get sucked into the Etsy vacuum and lose myself in the reading, absorbing and applying of what I am learning.
I’ve LEARNED that if you want compliments, ask your friends and family but if you want an honest critique from your Commitment Team that is exactly what you will get! Gut wrenching honesty. I have learned many things from the team I have joined, such as my photos are horrible, dark and cluttered and my shop is not cohesive. In the future I hope you will see cleaner, brighter product photos and a more cohesive shop look.
I’ve LEARNED the INS and OUTS of social media and how to increase my shop’s reach. So ‘friend’ me on face book and ‘like’ me on my blog. Basically I am requesting all your hearts and attention…
In reviewing my successes this year the only thing I really know for sure is that I am exactly where I need to be...
I enjoy playing with wood, cutting, painting and repurposing it as something
whimsical, fun and playful.
All I required was an outlet to sell my product, so opening an Etsy shop seemed like the right solution!
Although I have enjoyed starting up my Etsy shop, the downside is that it is taking up a great chunk of my time and I am discovering that too many hours at the computer is not such a great thing for back and eyes which begin straining and complaining to move away, go outside, jump, walk anything but sit at a screen editing listings, interacting in the discussions, checking and rechecking tags and titles, looking over the stats, (why are my views so low?) and brainstorming marketing ideas.
Then ‘HELLO’ I receive my first Etsy Transaction Note for an order and a
following email from Paypal stating that an item has been paid for and can now
be shipped and all the pains and strains melt away in the happy delirium of a
sale!
Having an Etsy shop is so much
fun and also so addictive! To create something out of reclaimed wood or
repurposed items and have a Buyer like it enough to purchase it, is so
gratifying and motivates me to keep on creating!A BIT ABOUT ME:
I live on Vancouver Island in a small
cottage by the sea called Black Crow Cottage. My
husband and I built our small cottage a few years back when our
daughters grew up and away. We embraced the idea of minimizing, sold the big
house and gave away or sold a lot of the items that are necessary to fill all
the rooms of a big house and then we built small, very small by most folks
standards, a mere 1000 square feet. Living on a smaller footprint has been
challenging in some ways and liberating in others. Less time spent cleaning and more time having
fun! 
I knocked out the remaining glass, removed the old putty,
repainted the frame and added squares of mirror. I gave it back to my friend as
a memory of her old barn and she was delighted with it! From there the inspiration of creating other
Barn Window Mirrors began. 
I am constantly inspired by the beauty of our West Coast shores. Living by the sea not only affords me the luxury of kayaking, beachcombing and enjoying the West Coast lifestyle but also offers me a fresh 'crop' of driftwood daily to use in the making of driftwood boats, such fun to create, and of course it's very gratifying if others enjoy them as well!
My Etsy shop is still pretty new and while I am very focused on improvements I also have plenty to reflect on regarding my accomplishments, what I have learned and what I still need to learn.
My Etsy shop is still pretty new and while I am very focused on improvements I also have plenty to reflect on regarding my accomplishments, what I have learned and what I still need to learn.
AND I HAVE LEARNED AND ACCOMPLISHED PLENTY!
I’ve ACCOMPLISHED opening a shop, stocking it with Barn Window Mirrors, Driftwood Boats, Wall Hooks, Signs and Folk Art and I am actually making sales from people other than my friends and family. People unknown to me actually felt my product was worth purchasing. Go figure…
I’ve LEARNED that opening an Etsy shop is time-consuming and comes with an enormous learning curve. I am finding that I am spending way more time on my Etsy Shop than I had imagined I would. I don’t have an addictive personality, however I have to be careful that when I ‘power up my computer’ and sit down at my desk I don’t get sucked into the Etsy vacuum and lose myself in the reading, absorbing and applying of what I am learning.
I’ve LEARNED that if you want compliments, ask your friends and family but if you want an honest critique from your Commitment Team that is exactly what you will get! Gut wrenching honesty. I have learned many things from the team I have joined, such as my photos are horrible, dark and cluttered and my shop is not cohesive. In the future I hope you will see cleaner, brighter product photos and a more cohesive shop look.
I’ve LEARNED the INS and OUTS of social media and how to increase my shop’s reach. So ‘friend’ me on face book and ‘like’ me on my blog. Basically I am requesting all your hearts and attention…
In reviewing my successes this year the only thing I really know for sure is that I am exactly where I need to be...
BLACKCROWCURIOS believes in creative reuse
by reclaiming and transforming cast off items into useful and decorative home
accents. Beach combing and the inspiration of the outdoors are essential components
of the BLACKCROWCURIOS design process.
Personal Blog: http://blackcrowcurios.wordpress.com/2013/05/22/folk-art/
Author: Trish Repay
It's true! Etsy is addicting AND a lot of work. I, too, think it's worth it, though.
ReplyDeleteYou're living my dream! I want to live on the coast someday...I'll get there. I have to! It's my dream!! :)
Heather you too can make this dream a reality!
ReplyDeleteDreams do come true...
Trish