STEPHIE'S BEADS AND BAUBLES

I have been taking a bit of a break from my blog simply because I am trying to figure out where to go with my business.

I have been a bit frustrated and not sure what I should do. I make and list and see lots of views, but even after all t his time, working so hard, I am getting very few sales.

I get great response from my buyers, they love the quality and think I price well, but I think on Etsy, everyone looks at everyone elses stuff for ideas, so when you see a lot of views, it does not actuallymean interested buyers.

It is very hard to work as hard as I have been working, many weeks as many hours as a full time job and make only a hundred bucks or less a month. I am seriously frustrated and need to figure this out.

This is my studio currently, a big mess as I have been working on so many fun projects !! you can see my question  mark from above, lol, just made from beads on my table !! Usually my chair is by that table, but since I am at my computer desk accross the room  , it is out of view, also the basket of yarn is usually tucked way back in, but my lights plug got loosened and I had to pull the basket of yard out to plug it securly in.

Do I need to leave Etsy and try something new ? I Have done Artfire as well, it was expensive and no better luck.  I have been thinking about doing craft fairs but at this point, two major things stand in my way. No car, and no partner. I am not sure about anyone else, but it is impossible for me to man a table for an entire day without some potty breaks. You cannot leave your table unattended to do so.  You need another person to help you out.

I have tried and tried to find a craft buddy. No luck. Someone who makes a non competing item, that would love to share the cost of a booth and not have to work alone, but the problem is, most people seem to have that covered. I have given my card to dozens of people, no call backs.

At some point, you look at all the money spent, and all the time spent, and start to get a bit frustrated. I love my beads, I adore making jewelry and to not be able to make a dime at it is a bit heart breaking to be honest.

I am open to any ideas, I work hard and I am willing to work even harder to make my business grow. I am not giving up, but had to take a break. I have been participating in Ruthie Harts sponser give away for the first three months I have sponsered, I told her I am taking a break from the give away at least for this month . She is awesome, it is not a reflection on her blog, I get a lot of hits from her blog and for that I am so grateful. But the thought of mailing out another freeby with hardly any sales coming in, just was not something I could do this month.

So, I am feeling a bit kicked in the teeth right now. I see other jewelry designers selling well and cannot figure out why I cannot do the same. I Honestly believe in my jewelry and wine charms. I use quality materials, I am very particular in my construction, if it does not look good, I will redo it. Even if it means throwing away a head pin because the loop is just terrible or I am not happy with the combo of the beads. I try my best to give my customers the best jewelry or wine charms that I can.

So, this week I am just kind of taking a break,  thinking about my options and figuring out what direction to go. I have a custom order to keep me busy and I am working on a fun gift for Ruthie and her expected little baby boy !! I will be posting again in a few days, I just had to take a break , my house also needed a deep cleaning which I have been working on. Once I get back in my studio, I do have to figure out a balance of work and housework, lol !! I do not seem to balance those very well, so I have to work on that as well !!

I just wanted to explain why I am not really posting this week. I am still here, I am fine. I am just a bit deflated trying to figure this out.

If anyone else has been through this, I would sure appreciate any advice. I have been working on jewelry for around 23 years , but this is the  first time I have ever worked this hard to make it a true business.

Thanks for stopping by,

Stephie