That is, I closed my jewelry shop on Etsy. My supply shop is still open.
Spending this holiday season reviewing the past year made me realize that I was spreading myself thin. With so many people on Etsy now (way more than when I started 3 years ago), it’s almost a requirement to post on a daily or multi-daily basis to maintain visibility, to-do lists for team eligibility, maintaining a presence in the forums…all these things are now the neccessity to be successful.
That’s all fine and good, because those who are successful adapt with the changes. However, this has really morphed my jewelry from something I truly enjoyed making and displaying to just another list of tasks to be done for the day. Not to mention the competitiveness of watching store sales/numbers and the jealousy it pulled out of me…especially towards people I would never wish to be that way with. It was all too much.
So with much sadness (and a little tinge of defeat), I’ve removed myself from all the Etsy Teams I belonged to (and have even passed up applying to join a team I admire a ton.) And as much as I hate to say good bye to all the team members who I’ve really come to know and love, I hope you understand my decision.
Thanks to Etsy’s vacation mode, though, I still have the opportunity to come back if I ever change my mind. (A girl’s gotta reserve her rights!) I will also still be selling through my site here…so don’t think I’m going to stop all together. ;)
Aquamarine Coins on Etsy
Labradorite Marquis on Etsy
Having said that, I did get the chance to post a few new items in the supply shop. I hope you’ll stop by and browse.
Don’t be a stranger, my friends. :)
Gutsy move, my dear, but I admire you for doing it.
Even though it hurts a little, I applaud your decision to do what’s right FOR YOU! Etsy has become an entity onto itself… it’s hard to keep up.
I took almost three weeks off for the holidays and I’m having a hard time getting back into the Etsy pool – probably because it’s not so much a pool but a tidal wave.
Anyway, good for you!
I think I’m doing the same thing without having made a conscious decision about it. I’m just slowly letting listings expire and not relisting them. For all the reasons you described. Maybe one day I’ll get a sudden burst of ambition and jump back into it, but for now I’d rather focus my efforts elsewhere. Good luck!
Thanks Kat. I’m sure in a few days I will bemoan my choice, but ultimately I do think it is for the best.
Brandi/Ann – Like both of you, that’s what I did after my first Christmas, I subconsciously took a break and I just lost all momentum. It was an uphill battle from there on out that I just wasn’t going to win. It is what it is. :)
great idea to keep the supply shop. there must be tons more people on Etsy than three years ago. I started my blog to direct people to my etsy shop, and now I’m enjoying my blog more than my jewelry making. I think I’m just going through a phase. We’ll see…
You’re on my favorite links, so if you keep blogging, I’ll keep commenting!
Totally understand. I, like you, have closed my Etsy jewelry shops. It’s just too much. Am focusing on my website and still have my jewelry findings store on Etsy, which is going very well. Also, I have another job designing with a jewelry company. Best of luck!! We need to have lunch sometime!!!
It’s tough to keep up with everyone on Etsy and list daily. Then you run up quite a little bill if you don’t make sales but keep listing anyway. I have been forced to take time off recently too with Barney down with his back and now I’m sick. Now I find it hard to get back into the swing of things. But I don’t have a website so I’m going to stick around on Etsy. I’ll keep visiting your store and blog though. And we’ll see you on Flickr!!
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