Friday, August 12, 2011

first Sale of August, plus my growing love of Etsy

After being listed for only 3 days, I sold the light blue skirt!!! And, this is my first international sale! It's going to Western Australia! My International Business degree is kinda paying off, huh? ha ha. I love that Etsy in multi-national.

I'm very impressed that it sold so quickly! A combination of Etsy's new searches (by relevancy instead of most recent), becoming more involved in several teams (Christian Artists, IN Crowd, Dressmakers, Midwest Treasury, Makers of Modest Clothes), and promoting my blog, I think. Parker (my husband) said I should get more involved as a way to grow the business, and it's working!

Another feat: I fit this dress into a small USPS priority mail box--size: 5.5"x8.5"x1.5". Small! But I did it! I folded it at home, with these specifications in mind. Then I put it in a gallon-sized ziploc bag and pressed all the air out so it stayed put! I'm so proud of my little accomplishment :D

If I hadn't before, I am really falling in love with Etsy! Through teams and treasuries, I am finding many wonderful items--some I wish I had money to buy and some give me great ideas.
I only wish I had time and resources to act on all my ideas. This is why I wanted to be a fashion designer or owner of a actual shop, so I could design everything, sew somethings, and have other people sew the rest. Ha ha. Someday, perhaps.
But I have an idea sketchbook, so I can turn to these ideas when I run out of projects--if that ever happens!

I finished 2 dresses this week, and I think I will list both on Etsy. They are both size 6, and I don't have any more of either fabric. I don't like to list something that limits my customer base, but I have no use for the dresses. I'll model them, and hopefully they'll be exactly what someone else is looking for!
Both patterns are great--and flattering to most figures--so I'll probably make more of these in different fabrics and sizes. Who knows? Maybe I'll just have lots of different dresses--like a boutique or vintage shop! I'm also adding adult and child aprons soon.

One more thing: My mom and I are seriously thinking about buying a booth at an Indiana-wide craft show. It's in Noblesville, on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. We haven't done a craft show in at least 5 years--probably more like 10. We LOVE them, and usually sell pretty well. Praying about it, for sure!

2 comments:

  1. I think it's a great idea to do the craft show and at least see what the selling climate is like out there.

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  2. Faith Caroline...
    I am with you in loving Etsy! The people here are warm and wonderful when you take the time to get to know them!
    Your sewing is charming and I know you are going to do well.
    Becky

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