Success is elusive. I've been chasing it for years and I'm relentless. I think a lot of people would have given up by now, but I'm like the kid who just got a pile of horse-dung under the Christmas tree who, rather than complain, just starts shoveling, declaring: "there's gotta be a pony in there somewhere...." I keep on trying and I try everything I hear about, (everything that's within my abilities) that is supposed to promote my Etsy shops online - if I can figure out how - I do it..... the blog as a promotion tool comes highly rated...
The best thing I've ever done for myself may just be disabling my television. I can't afford cable and I can't figure out how to hook up the converter box (no, no, no! do not try to tell me how...) so I gave it up. Immediately, I began to get things done that I'd whined about for far too long. Most of my current baskets are listed now. I have maybe a dozen more to list. I'll pop in and blog my progress at least once a week and announce new productions and any shows I may be doing.
I also have added most of my crocheted fingerless gloves, hats, scarves and neck warmers in my 2nd Etsy shop (athenasbohotique.etsy.com) and I've managed to list over 80 books in my bookstore (creativebrainworks.etsy.com) where I sell primarily collectibles, art, craft and instructional books and patterns. I have lots more to list in the last 2 shops and do so almost daily.
One of the benefits of giving up TV is being able to listen to music or public radio while I work. I haven't missed Prairie Home Companion in months. I catch enough news between NPR and the Internet and I don't miss the gossipy sensationalized excuse we have for TV news - not at all. It's beginning to seem possible that I'll get my house cleaned up, my new sewing room painted and moved into...maybe a new reed rack and shelves in my new indoor basketry room. I love to dream about it ....that and the day my son finally moves out allll the boxes of things he can't part with but refuses to move to his new apartment. I love the boy more than life itself, but he just does not grasp the necessity of moving out of Mom's sewing room (because it used to be HIS room).
I'll be changing my focus at the Hillsboro and Orenco Farmer's Markets this year. No more assorted, miscellaneous lovely splint woven baskets (see Etsy shop!). Those will be available only in the Etsy shop and can be purchased online and picked up at the market (or shipped anywhere). My market booth will focus on just kitchen baskets - garlic, onion and fruit baskets, specifically. I'm not closing the door to other ideas (raffia hats, anyone?), but I want to focus on my bestsellers and will still use the market to test market new ideas - one at a time.
Okay - let's build a readership in my little blog - what should I give away first? How about a free garlic basket? I'll even pay for the shipping. Be the 15th NEW subscriber to this blog and win a garlic basket (regularly $15-16).I'll announce the winner... as soon as it happens....HURRRY
Coming soon - My favorite Etsy shops and my local Etsy friends...
The best thing I've ever done for myself may just be disabling my television. I can't afford cable and I can't figure out how to hook up the converter box (no, no, no! do not try to tell me how...) so I gave it up. Immediately, I began to get things done that I'd whined about for far too long. Most of my current baskets are listed now. I have maybe a dozen more to list. I'll pop in and blog my progress at least once a week and announce new productions and any shows I may be doing.
I also have added most of my crocheted fingerless gloves, hats, scarves and neck warmers in my 2nd Etsy shop (athenasbohotique.etsy.com) and I've managed to list over 80 books in my bookstore (creativebrainworks.etsy.com) where I sell primarily collectibles, art, craft and instructional books and patterns. I have lots more to list in the last 2 shops and do so almost daily.
One of the benefits of giving up TV is being able to listen to music or public radio while I work. I haven't missed Prairie Home Companion in months. I catch enough news between NPR and the Internet and I don't miss the gossipy sensationalized excuse we have for TV news - not at all. It's beginning to seem possible that I'll get my house cleaned up, my new sewing room painted and moved into...maybe a new reed rack and shelves in my new indoor basketry room. I love to dream about it ....that and the day my son finally moves out allll the boxes of things he can't part with but refuses to move to his new apartment. I love the boy more than life itself, but he just does not grasp the necessity of moving out of Mom's sewing room (because it used to be HIS room).
I'll be changing my focus at the Hillsboro and Orenco Farmer's Markets this year. No more assorted, miscellaneous lovely splint woven baskets (see Etsy shop!). Those will be available only in the Etsy shop and can be purchased online and picked up at the market (or shipped anywhere). My market booth will focus on just kitchen baskets - garlic, onion and fruit baskets, specifically. I'm not closing the door to other ideas (raffia hats, anyone?), but I want to focus on my bestsellers and will still use the market to test market new ideas - one at a time.
Okay - let's build a readership in my little blog - what should I give away first? How about a free garlic basket? I'll even pay for the shipping. Be the 15th NEW subscriber to this blog and win a garlic basket (regularly $15-16).I'll announce the winner... as soon as it happens....HURRRY
Coming soon - My favorite Etsy shops and my local Etsy friends...
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