Lovely Recommendation

My main beef with Etsy is that they continue to ramp up their charges, making my profit margin minute. I know they are in business too but sometimes I wonder why I bother. I honestly believe that were I to increase my prices I would get no customers at all and would be left with lots of unsold items.

Such is the dilemma.

I’ve had 4 operations since October 2022, 3 on my leg and 1 parathyroid removed. So all in all it’s been a tough period.

However, I’m more moble than I’ve been for years. I feel so much better in myself and no pain!!!

Sewing is beginning again – I’ve got my mojo back and Etsy remains my selling platform. Let’s be positive and make the most of things as they are now.

I also had to take Brexit into account when deciding where to sell my items. Delivery prices rocketed and delivery itself became very unstable to Europe. I had a couple of close shaves with items going awol or taking forever to arrive. I decided to halt deliveries overseas ( something I hated doing) to hopefully reinstate one day.

As it stands today (29 Jul 2022) delivery to the USA is out of the question. The price is greater than the item!! Europe is also so expensive that it makes sales improbable. Thankfully sales within the UK continue. I shall continue to monitor the situation in the hope that I can send overseas again soon.

I have not had to altar the way I sell my goods too much since collections were not impacted – but that was before we left the EU and the USA increased their postal charges significantly.

I decided that chancing deliveries to Europe after Brexit was too big a risk so changed to within the UK only last December. I am happy to say that I have had some good sales from the UK but as soon as I think post to Europe is safe I shall offer that on my Etsy shop again.

The USA is another challenge however as they increased the internal charges to imports making delivery far too much on my inexpensive items. Such a shame as I sold many bags to America.

I am able to continue sewing while self-isolating. I am so lucky to be in this position and can even get fabric delivered as usual.

I have suspended my Etsy shop for the time being, but will have lots of new bags to add later.

Take care everyone, stay well and pray for this to be over soon.

I am always delighted when a customer contacts me with a request for a custom order. I may be naive and too trusting but I usually undertake the job without asking for a deposit. I assume that if the order backfires I will always be able to sell it anyway through my shop.

However, when I make something to match a previous order and that person fails to communicate, I think I have every right to be annoyed.

I am trying not to let this affect how I choose to accept any custom orders because the vast majority of craft buyers realise the effort and indeed the cost involved.

I would love to hear your stories, thoughts and advice on this.

I have learnt a lot since then and my Etsy store is very successful. I am going to give Folksy another go and have decided to put a mixture of items on for sale to review what might be popular.

I am going to offer free postage for all UK  purchases.

If you would like to comment or have any suggestions, I would be delighted to receive them.