11.08.2010

Etsy or Regretsy?

Despite the blow that the internets hurled at me last week, I'm taking a leap, folks.  I've opened an Etsy shop (or shoppe, for the sophisticates).

This is something that friends and family have encouraged for some time now, but my response was always, "What would I sell, exactly?"  I've always felt that I'm pretty decent at making a whole lot of things, but I'm not amazing at making any one thing.  Making at least one thing really well and really creatively (and taking flattering pictures of it) is what spells success on Etsy.  Even though I've admittedly not formulated a definitive, long-term answer to my former question, I'm moving forward.  (Sidebar: This isn't my first foray into crafty entrepreneurship.  I made some pretty rudimentary purses in college that my boyfriend-at-the-time's mom sold for $10 a pop at the hospital she worked at.  Let's just say that I didn't get rich.)

My shop may evolve over time as I figure out what it is that I'm good at and what niche I can fill, or it may just disappear all together when I realize I don't have time for this or should I reach the realization that I have nothing unique to contribute to the crafting marketplace...which I believe is a completely fine and valid conclusion to potentially reach.  (This actually reminds me of a conclusion that I loudly reached in my sophomore English lit class in college much to the chagrin of my professor who was arguing otherwise: "I don't believe everyone should write a book!  Not everyone has 200+ pages of something interesting to say."  But I digress...)

So, with that said, I introduce you to my first products: Clutch Purses!  Yeah, yeah, I know, that's just what Etsy needs...more purses, but hey, I really liked these guys when I churned them out for my bridesmaids, and I thought others might enjoy them, too.

1 Primary
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I've already posted a couple in my Etsy shop (http://www.fabricpaperglue.etsy.com/), and will post the rest in the coming days.  Get excited.  Tell your friends.

What do you think about this new endeavor?  Do you have other ideas for items that others might like to buy for themselves or their friends and family?  Am I crazy?

7 comments:

  1. Congrats Mandy, very exciting!! I look forward to hearing how it goes... The clutches are super cute!

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  2. I coveted these clutches a little.
    Congrats on the shop!

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  3. I think I might get my mom to buy me a tree clutch for my bday...LOVE it!! You ain't crazy...and what prof were you arguing with???

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  4. Love love that you are doing this!! You are perfect for it! you should def start making Cute camera straps, refurb old things into cute house decor, and cute aprons. People love cute aprons.

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  5. I'm loving this feedback (mostly because it's positive). I like the idea of camera straps, and I've definitely thrown together more than one cute apron in my day. What's even better is that aprons involve bias tape, and you know I love that!

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  6. I am thrilled that I have one of the first!

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  7. love the purple birds. are the flowers removable? If not you could sew pins to the back of them so that they could be used on the clutch or as brooches. Also, what is the lining on these like? I've been known to buy a purse because I loved the lining (or the contrast of the lining with the outside) even though no one else sees it! If it is fun you should show it in the pics on Etsy.
    I think you should also sell the flag banners that you made for your wedding. I think I've seen some on Etsy, but not the rounded shape you did and not with such great fabric.
    Hope it goes well!

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