It’s been a while, but I’m going to work on reviving my neglected Etsy shop & online presence. It's time I got back into the swing of things, so am going to start off this week with a thanks to a member seller for featuring me in one of his Treasuries.
Mark Kaplan is a super-talented jeweler and as soon as I saw this ring (and read his description), I had to pick it as my current favorite piece:
Mark Kaplan has featured one of my wall-art pieces & a recycled wool handbag - it’s always an honor to be included in a Treasury! This collection is full of items from the EtsyChai group:
Lately, I’ve thought a lot about giving up my Etsy shop & quitting the teams that I’m on, but I know if I do, I’ll regret it. The year 2012 hasn’t been very productive for me and I’ve had some health set-backs that I’m determined to rise above. So, I’m back. Thinking positive thoughts, and as long as I want to keep making things I’ll stick around. Do you ever want to give up? What do you do to overcome doubts & frustrations?
Because I feel like I'm always working, I think about quitting all the time. Then I think about all the fabric I have bought. So, no. I can't quit. Unless I use up all my fabric and stop buying more!
ReplyDeleteJane, what will you do when you get to 1000 bags? Have you gotten there yet?
DeleteCongrats on the treasury!
ReplyDeleteI enjoy the process of creating too much to give it up :)
That's a big reason I'm sticking around, online shop or not, I'm still creating!
Delete"Quitting" is not in your vocabulary! Taking a much needed break can only give you more resolve to do the things you do. And usually better! I can't wait to see your revamped shop.
ReplyDeleteI've thought about quitting, too. Crafter's block?? So I'll attempt a different type of "making" and then my world opens up.
Oh no, the pressure! I don't see "revamped" happening too soon, but I'm going to keep creating when I can and putting things up for sale. It was the group angle that is really keeping me going - without the expectations of an outside group keeping me on my toes, I may not be putting things up for sale in a timely way.
DeleteCongrats on the feature! The ring is beautiful. I want to throw in the towel on Etsy pretty frequently. It's the awesome people there that keep me going. Best of luck with your shop.
ReplyDeleteRose, yes! It's most definitely the cheerleaders that keep me going.
DeleteI never make decisions while feeling doubts and frustration. I let them be. They either pass and you know you are on the right path, or they hang around to let you know that you may need to investigate why the path you are taking is causing you frustration. And sometimes we just need to step back and take a break and see what surfaces.
ReplyDeletePam, every few years I re-evaluate whether what I'm doing is getting me towards my goals... Since my goals have been fuzzy lately, it's been a tough one. But - usually once I make a decision I have a visceral sense of relief if it was the right way to go & then my mind can be clear to move forward. Making the decision to stick with the Etsy groups is a commitment to marketing & networking - putting it all on my schedule. If I had dropped that, I don't think I'd bother putting things in my shop for sale anymore - so they're driving me to keep it up. The next few months are going to be interesting!
DeleteI think we all have times we want to give up. That's OK. Take a break if needed.
ReplyDeleteThe BBA team spurred me on the last time I felt like quitting. Now my sales are picking up. I'm happy about that, but perhaps even more, I've enjoyed interacting with people who inspire me.