January is usually the hardest month to survive in my shop. Not too many customers wondering around town, cold as hell and dark days. This year I've been attempting to tackle Etsy , the craft/vintage/art/all things creative website for artisans and collectors all overyt he world. You've probably heard of it, but if you haven't take a peak.
My site address on Etsy is, Lampshadelady or you can also hit the box on the top left of this post.
I have no idea what to expect for Etsy, but I am happy so far. It seems to be a nice community of creative souls. Not too chatty, but interested artisans. Although at times it does involve a few emails.... but that might be partially my product... selling lampshades are never as easy as selling a pretty necklace or earrings, but on the other had it is a very small, but growing niche.
This is one of the last posts today. Sweetest ever lampshade. But then I say, isn't the last one you make always your favorite... hopefully, right?
I enjoy meeting other lampshade makers, we all get ideas from one another. I laugh at my "collection" of shades. Some lampshade makers specialize in DRUM shades, say... or whatever. My shop is a mismash of all varieties of shades. When one has a lampshade shop many varieties are needed to fill the order to fit a clients lamp, color or style.
I have figured out much this past month. And that might be an understatement. Etsy uses " key words" to help product placement.... yes, Judy was a little lasy at first... but has found it does matter. Esty uses "Relevancy" as a search for say, lampshades that are the most relevant to the search...still a tad confused/clueless on how they determine this... must reseach more...
Etsy has "teams". Tried figuring out what the heck they were today, but looks like one needs to hang in for a while before joining on of the thousands of teams. Humm, wonder if they invite you??
They say you should have at least 100 items up on your store. I'm making my way there; @ 63 so far. Sold 3 things since the beginning of the month. Considering the dreadful economy I'm thrilled.
Pricing... there's a huge range of prices and I pretty impressed with the quality and price ranges. The customer is not stupid; they do their homework and compare products. I always try to describe my product to help understand it's pricing... not easy. I must admit there are times where the profits might be more than others.... ha, ha... and sometimes slim margins. But I figure, you win some and lose some. For example, I might buy a needlepoint for 35 dollars- in this case I usually would need to make a larger shade that I could charge a larger price, ie customer will spend more on a large lampshade than a tiny one... does this make sense.
oh lordy, thank goodness I've had so many years to have the confidence... to make cool stuff! I do suggest to my students that Etsy would be a good place to get your feet wet.... and get your product out there. I think the media checks out Etsy for easy research for their publications and you never know when you come up with a cool product that you might get beginners luck and strike gold.
A fun mix of funky drum and vintage lamp. This is up on Etsy. I think this will be a good way for shoppers to find and purchase my work. I am still working on the photography piece. Lampshade are so darn hard to photograph. They are always crooked or when they are lit they are even harder to shoot. I now understand when I was working on my book, I had to battle with the photographer to have the light on when we shot the photo.... so much easy to have the light bulb off!!! Guess it's time to break down and get a real camera and maybe a few lights... maybe after a few more Etsy sales...
I put sweet cottage garden shade up a few days ago. One of my favorites ever! And FUN to make.
Little chandelier shades in vintage grainsack.
Isn't it fun to learn new things? a great break from routine. No, we aren't perfect at first, but keep going and sooner or later you find YOUR own style and your own customers. And remember the Malcolm Gladwell's words that it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert... oh how I still have to laugh we a new lampshade maker emails me and wonders WHY their first shade wasn't so great. Keep going if you like it and you will get better, become braver and eventually a great designer.
So... parting words.... photos will get better, please add me to your "circle"and I'll add you and whatever it is about teams... hope you will invite me or ???
happy day,
xo
judy