Thursday, May 28, 2009

Why You Ask?

Well I must say that the sale I had on my Ebay shop went pretty well! It was kind of a bummer to see a lot of the listings end without selling but overall I really cannot complain! Here is a big thank you to everyone who helped me to promote it and get the word out there!

I've had a lot of people ask me why I closed my ebay shop, so here it is.. Giving up Ebay was not an easy thing for me to do, that is where it all started for me! I finally realized that there was really no way for me to compete with the commercial vendors out there who were willing to mass produce their items... Not to mention the fact that the listing fees were KILLING me! I was seriously paying upwards of $80 a month to keep my shop open! Sure I was making sales there but was I really making any money??? Not a heck of a lot!

I feel that my line of products is a lot more appreciated on Etsy! Etsy is a truly wonderful place to sell, the people there are so friendly and helpful, handmade doesn't really mean a lot on EBay but it does on Etsy! I've made lots of friends over there, and I can honestly say that I feel at home there! What is funny is when I started this whole thing i was SO resistant to selling on Etsy, I was terrified that someone would consider me an "artsy" person... to me that phrase was the exact opposite to who I am, well here it is 8 months later and I now consider being called "artsy" a compliment! Funny how your perception of something will change isn't it? I still have a hard time thinking of myself as an "artist" though.

So there you have it, why I closed my Ebay shop!

Over the next few days I'll be trying to be better about posting here! I have a bunch of new items that I am going to list in my Etsy and 1000markets shops so be sure to check back soon! 1000markets is still kind of a mystery to me! I'll be honest though, I really haven't devoted a lot of time into trying to figure out how it all works, I've been so busy trying to get Ebay shut down that I really haven't had time to really do anything over there, but that is about to change!

9 comments:

WillOaks Studio said...

Welcome to Etsy full time, then!! But I caution you, if you need to buy their "showcase" spots....you can also spend some serious money there getting attention for your shop. But I do like the site very much and yes, I agree that your work fits in there well...although there's a LOT of competition...among the "artsy types!" Good luck to you! Karen

Youniquely Chic said...

Thanks WillOaks! I'm not actually new to Etsy, I've been on there since September. I have done many showcases and find that they are good for exposure but not so good for sales... and yes I know there is a TON of competition for jewelry! lol I am a very very little fish in a VERY big pond :O)

Split Rock Ranch said...

I closed my ebay store a year ago July and never looked back. I spent far more on fees than I made on ebay and sales had dropped off to the point where it just wasn't worth keeping my store open there. I started selling on etsy two years ago and sold over $100 worth of yarns the first night! All the best on etsy, 1000Market and wherever else you decide to sell!

Unknown said...

You-niquely Chic has been included in this weeks Sites To See. I hope you like the image I featured, and I hope this helps to attract many new visitors (not to mention customers) here.

Youniquely Chic said...

Thank you so much FishHawk!

Jeans Addict said...

not really understand that ebay thing, in the first place anyway..
guess I'll take a look when I have decided my mind to go for a sell :)

anyway, thanks for adding a new thing for me today, Etsy huh.. I'll keep that in mind.

Unknown said...

I know exactly how you feel, I used to sell on E-Bay a couple of years ago, but the fees were just too high and handmade art was not appreciated so I totally understand why you made that decision!

Leah said...

Good luck! I've never sold on ebay, but you aren't the first person I've heard of who has closed shop in favor of a handmade site.

Dee said...

there are so many unique and wonderful items on etsy, and i think your jewelry fit right in and are in good company!