Wahhhh!! (A Brief Rant)

So,I'll be posting a (kinda) brief rant before I post my goals for the new year.  Here goes.

Recently, in the etsy forums there was a forum thread that really got my attention: Etsy vs. Ebay.  The OP was a fine artist, Ebay veteran and having a b**** of a time selling there.  Most Etsy sellers already know what I'm talking about: endless tweeting, blogging, promoting etc. just to get views.  Usually when this sort of thread starts up people start bashing Ebay.  Not this time.  Now, a lot of people are actually considering going to that big auction site in the sky. Etsy requires a lot of WORK.  Not to say that we don't expect to work hard to make sales, but more time than what seems worth it.  After reading the first pages of the thread last week I decided to list some items on Ebay.   54 pages into the thread, and my first auction on ebay ended.

I sold my first item ever on ebay, and for the price I listed it for on Etsy.  Strange, no?

Here's what I like about it: no promotion.  I didn't have to harrass people on twitter, or get on facebook to do it.  Ebay has the buyers, plain and simple.

I have worked incredibly hard in my shop, and I have nothing to show for it.  Oh, I'm sorry, except the bills that I get from them for listing!  Listing fees keep mounting, but my shop is still so lonely.

For a while, I thought that it was my art.  So, just to test the waters I tried selling some of my art at a charity event on Saturday.  I was already expected to sell some of my jewelry.  The art was just a way for me to judge how people felt about the art.

I sold a photo, and an original drawing.  Both of these items had been listed in my shop, but no one was looking or hearting them.

 

So, I think that Etsy just may not be the venue for me.  I've had a shop on 1000 Markets since July, and I think that I need to work with that store more. 

I've made more money in the past three days without  Etsy than what I did last year from both of my Etsy stores.

That's one of my many goals for this year, including getting into some gallery shows.  There is a group exhibition coming up at the end of this month that I'm dying to get into!  Keep your fingers crossed for me.

And, I apologize for the rant.  I was just so frustrated.  I thought that I was creating all of this really terrible art that no one wanted to buy...I'm just glad that it's not me!

I'll be posting my goals later.  I have a lot to think about now.

Featured in another Treasury!

I was so surprised when Creeplings contacted me. The name of the treasury was "Pale and Pearly". I did manage to get a screen shot of it. Thanks so much!

Featured in my first treasury on Etsy!

Help me get this one on the front page!

Hooray! I'm featured in my first treasury from BlingbyChristine.

Here is the link.


This is the photo I was featured for:

Frustrations

First, let me start with a list of things that I'm grateful for.

1)My part-time job. (This is how I'm funding my business). Also, it helps me remember why I would rather work for myself, but I won't go into that ;)

2)A family that supports my dream of being a professional artist.

3)My best friend for giving me the idea to start my own business.

4)Etsy and my Etsy friends for constantly encouraging me to continue (even when times are rough).

That's all I can think of right now.

I've been really discouraged by this new painting that I'm working on. It looked so good earlier, but now I have to start all over again. I won't complain too much because painting helped me relieve my frustration. I also realized how much better I am at painting! I was looking over my old paintings recently, and I asked myself "Why did I stop?" So, I decided to start again. Conclusion: Art is GOOD! It's therapeutic for me. This is one of my old paintings. I'm still pretty proud of it.



Last night I found a really cool artist on Etsy. You should check out his stuff. I have my eyes set on his ACEO's.

I also like his "Place Title Here" series.

Also, there is a shop on Etsy called Sagittarius Gallery. She paints with her palette knife, and her paintings are incredible. The colors are bright and pure. Visit her shop! Be sure to look at her profile to view her resume.


She's an inspiration to me.

About a month ago there was a discussion on etsy about how many people are actually making a living. The former CEO of Etsy, Rob Kalin, says that

"There are 200,000 sellers making their livings from Etsy,"

in this article.. Who are these people? Where can I meet them!? Of course his figure caused a lot of controversy on etsy. Go here to read the heated discussion.

Last, but not least, there is the matter of how much money I've made from my business. I've made 2 sales for a total of 24 dollars. I've been in business for about 3 months. SOOOO, that means I'm only making about .26 cents/day. That's pathetic! Why do I even bother?

New in my Etsy Shop

This update is long overdue, but here it is!

I started creating ACEO's and ATC's last week. It's very fun, and addictive. These two are from a series of 25 that I call "The JrGoddess Series".

JrGoddess. #1 of 25



JrGoddess with Glasses. #2 of 25





I've got more on the way, so be sure to check in.

I made some jewelry, too.

Cupids' Arrow bracelet. Brass wire with rose quartz stones


Nova Earrings. Glass beads, freshwater pearls and sterling silver earwires



Super Nova Earrings. Glass beads, freshwater pearls and 14k gold filled earwires.



Also, I finally made my second sale! I sold the gypsy woman earring again. I'm really happy about that.

No new success but plenty of failures

I've been working on new designs like crazy, but none of them turn out well. I've been experimenting with different wire wrapping techniques, and I just can't do it! Everything that I make turns out crappy or stupid looking. You would think that after two weeks of experimenting I'd have figured something out. Nope. Just crap.

For example, here's a picture of a wire wrapped ring I made last Saturday. It looks OK, but not something that I would sale.
Keeping it for myself.
I think that I could try the design one more time, but make some improvements on the design. Next time, I'll plan the wrapping first, and then execute the design. I usually jump in without thinking about what I'm doing.

I made another ring as well. I'm still not sure how I feel about it. It has an earthy, and organic look to it. Me and my boyfriend call it the 'borg' ring. It just looks kind of sci-fi, cyberpunk/steampunk.
I just don't know how to feel about it.


Last, there are these pearl and jade hoop earrings I made. I love them, but no one else does. I think they're so cute. I'm just going to keep them for myself.
I like the gold, white and purple together.

Cute, on me!


So, here's my list of failures. Feel free to share your own stories about failure. How did you finally get over it? I would love to hear them and get your advice!

"Twilight" is finally coming out!

I feel like such a kid, but I love this series! I can't believe that it comes out on December 12th. I'm going to force my boyfriend to come with me to the movies. We'll probably be surrounded by a sea of teenage girls, but I don't care. The actor casted for the role of Edward is HOT!



If you are a fan of the series you will love the jewelry that's inspired by it.



I'm off to read "New Moon"! I'm so glad that the new book comes out on Saturday. I'll have week to read the whole series.

Journal Obsession

I am addicted to journals. I've been collecting journals of all types for the past 14 years. I don't like using spiral bound notebooks, but I have bought a few. My weak spot is bound journals. I would love to be able to buy just one from Kreativlink.

Dinner Rings To Turn Heads

Love this shop. Her designs are some of the more original creations that I've seen. Click the link to see all of her jewelry, and feel free to buy anything that you like. My favorite is the Sea Gypsy Dinner Ring.

BehaveLittles makes a Condom Holder for Ladies!

I stumbled across this shop on etsy. All I can say is "I wish I had thought of it." Now, a woman doesn't have to feel embarrased about carrying condoms around; they can be concealed in those little carrying cases! The prices are about 3.50 apiece, so get one while you can.