cupcake_goth | No clever title

My brain decreed that today was Not A Good Day For Writing. I have learned through hard experience that trying to ignore such a decree from my hindbrain is not a good idea, so instead I am spending the day doing stuff that has needed doing. I just got done clearing out and organizing one of my sewing boxes so it will be actually, y'know, useful for taking small projects with me to social gatherings. And I cleared off the table in the library, so I will now be able to work on a skirt alteration project that I've been thinking about for a while.

Speaking of sewing projects: after much browsing around on Etsy, I'm kind of wondering if I should open a small Etsy shop. I would sell altered clothing; assorted things I find at thrift stores and work on to make more interesting. On the one hand, hey, it could be fun! And bring in some extra money! On the other hand, would I actually stick with it, or is this me being wildly impractical? I don't know. What do you folks think?

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Thank you to everyone who has been posting happy things and clicky-links of distraction in the previous entry. They are all very much appreciated!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I opened up an Etsy shop.

I haven't used it in a long time though, but it's still a good idea.

You should definitely try for it.

If it were in my size and style, and in black, I would definitely buy something. If it sounds like it would be fun, go ahead and do it! The only way you'll stick with it is if you enjoy it. Money isn't as big a motivator as fun.

I think it's an excellent idea! If nothing else, it will supplement your income while looking for a job. I look forward to your enterprise. *glee*

(open the shop, I mean.) It doesn't cost much, and if it gets to be a pain, you can always take it down.

BTW, found you through the spotlight and am enjoying your journal.

I think you should open the shop, for these reasons:

1) it gives you an excuse to shop the thrift stores without having to think "do I really NEED another jacket of this style?"

2) it gives you something to do while you are in between things, which you can do on the bus, in the car, at social gatherings, or in your bloomers in the living room.

3) you do marvelous alterations and it gives the rest of the world a chance to benefit from them.

I think an Etsy shop would be a fantastic idea! You have such an interesting style that it would be wonderful to see what kinds of things you could offer. It would also be an absolutely stellar way to promote the Gothic Charm School as well.

As far as being practical, I see no reason you couldn't set up shop and do well, so long as you have something of a collection of things to start with. The difficulty with running a shop, even casually, is making sure that you have the merchandise or the time to make it. That said, I don't see this as a hinderance to you so much as it would be something to think about in terms of what your future workload would be.

Whatever decision you come to, I wish you the best of luck!

If it's the sort of thing that makes you happy I say give it a go. Of course this is coming from an etsy procrastinator...

Speaking from experience, after having acquired piles and piles of "Oooh, vintage, I could sell that!" and "Ooooh, nifty, I could alter that and sell it!":

Clothing selling is a royal PITA. Pictures, listings, descriptions. In the time it took me to list one clothing item, I can usually list 3-4 pieces of jewelry. It's why I'm mainly sticking to the smaller stuff.

I think Etsy is a wonderful venue- easy to use, high traffic and not expensive. I have been very surprised by the results I have had with my shop. You have such a fantastic sense of style, share it with the world.

I love etsy. It wouldn't hurt to try. Extra money is nice!

I'd purchase items of clothing form you, for sure! I like your style. Hey, if it is clothing on the larger sizes of the clothing size spectrum, I'd be a happy cupcake.

I started my business that way (though not on Etsy), and now make a decent living at it, along with sewing my own designs. I sell clothes, books, jewelry, DVD's, shoes... whatever comes to hand that may interest the gothy, costume-y, and eclectic. *nods*

I say go for it... It's become my main source of income & I love it!

I've had the same thought, in times past, about making silly hats, altering stuff, jewelry, suchlike. I'm outfitted for it, with the craft parlor and all. I even enjoy the PMing it takes, with success at this kind of thing generally meaning lots of organization and discipline to get things done.

And yet the uncertainty and the PITA parts have prevented me.

Can you do it? Sure. Some parts would be fun. But if the PITA parts are going to outweigh the fun parts you generally do for yourself, then I'd say... give it a pass.

I think you should, there's no reason not to. I've been working on making pieces for my own etsy shop, little by little.

Give it a try. With the book publicity you will have folks looking. My only warning would be its easy to keep buying stuff thinking oh...I'll sell that.It piles up.

Oh believe me, the Stroppy One has already made warning noises about the danger of this idea paired with my packrat nature.

It's a good idea! You could always make it clear that you post things for sale, "as and when."

Oh, and with international posting too :)

I think some of the appeal comes from the opportunity to take accumulated items that are not quite oneself, add creative touches, and offer them to the right person who will love and treasure them

Oh deary, you know you're In The Spot Light this week on the front page? I'm sure you do, from the flood of comment you must be getting now.

I just opened an Etsy Shop too, in hopes to sell some of my crafty mini goth/kawaii bags, other crafty goodies and *maybe* my artwork as well. I'm still trying to figure things out at the moment but I've been told that it's better then dealing with eBay! Or should I say FeeBay! ;0p

Etsy is a great venue for selling online but because of the recent economic down turn we've been facing sales have been hard. I recently got my business license after selling on etsy for 3+ years and started over again on there and let's just say it hasn't been easy. Since you have such a large following though it shouldn't be nearly as difficult for you when you first open up.

I would love to buy your items-they would be absolutely adorable ^.^

Yay, do it! :D

I would LOVE to see you open an Etsy store. If it doesn't work, you could always shut it down. And remember, more money means more pretty things for you!

And if you open a store and sell things for reasonable prices, us poor goths who failed home ec can revel in it.

Good Luck and I hope you can make it. I am a graphic artist and designer and used to do craft fairs / markets until a few months ago. It's a good idea to try out your technique and see IF ( big if here) what you are doing and think is a good idea is what your customers want. I guess it is a niche thing, but a good grounding in starting a business, costing and meeting like minded people.
It also sounds like fun.

celtic_jackdaw..... an old undercover hippie

etsy-- do it!! even if you post crap, fans might buy just bc its ur crap :)

if you post things on Etsy, and tell me about it. I would buy!

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I would do it

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Clothing Goth Type Shop

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