Etsy vs Artfire

My next post, I will discuss this.  It was very difficult for me to determine which one I was going to try.  I spent alot of time researching each.  Maybe it will be helpful to future sellers. 

The Sunhat

http://ww.artfire.com/users/yummiestuff
Check our my other hats, patterns and colors.

Aren't these adorable sunhats? I found this pattern and fell in love with the little girl on the front wearing the sunhat. After making several, my girlie girl realized they needed a little something extra. First I thought a silk flower, no, that could be over powering. Then the lightbulb went on, a fabric flower would be perfect. I knew I had seen them before on something, somewhere....but where? So, to Google I go, (I just love Google). After many woman hours of searching through various options I found this wonderful blog with detailed instructions on how to make fabric flower pins. They are the easiest flower to make and brighten everything they are attached to. The beauty of the detachable flower pin is it allows you to redesign the brim any way you want to wear it; up, down, sideways. Whatever your mood strikes you for your child!

I did make a couple boy hats for my grandson, Evan (of course, no flower). However, the girl fabrics, the addition of the flower overpowered my creative side.

Talented People

I just got through browsing Etsy and Artfire and find myself in awe over the many different things that are out there.....that are homemade (crafts). As a crafter myself, and I'm sure many feel the way I do, I greatly appreciate the time and effort that goes into creating anything. Most of the time there is a sentimental attachment to what you create, sometimes letting go is very hard to do. Then there is the aspect of pricing! Aye, don't even get me started on that! I don't believe we ever get the return for our time invested. Some very talented people in this world...that's for sure.

To continue forward

While, yes, it was great the products were in several boutiques, it was very difficult to make a profit for me. I guess, I should say, I was basically working for free. I had to cut my prices so the boutiques could enjoy the mark-up and make a profit. For those of you who don't know there is a huge mark-up for items in boutiques (at least there use to be). The line did well, several owners wanted more. All that work! It just didn't make sense to me. I decided to quit selling wholesale.

I continue to sell to family, friends and friends of friends. This is great and I stay pretty busy. People are always having babies, there are always baby showers. Mother's will definitely spend money on their children. With the economy, business has considerably slowed.

A cute little store opened in Jefferson, Georgia that carried new and homemade items. Kinda like a constant craft show. She, the owner, was great at marketing. By the time she was ready for business, her shop looked like a Hallmark Store. Every time I went in there I saw something new, it was amazing and so much fun. I did very well selling in her store, business increased every month. It seems dealing with different personalities can be somewhat challenging for some. The owner just couldn't handle the stress and ended up closing her store. I really miss her and wish her much success in her endeavor going forward.

So, that brings me to this day, new challenges, new adventures. Opening up a store in Etsy and Artfire. It has (and is) challenging getting all the aspects in place. My sister and I use to be power sellers on Ebay, so I do know the basics, which does help.

Next, let's explore Etsy and Artfire.

It's been an adventure (for sure)!

Well, here I go sailing into blogland, so to speak. I'm a crafter by nature, trying to find my way selling my wares. Hopefully on Etsy's and Artfire.

In 2006 Prickly Pear, my business, was created. Prickly Pear began as an image in Nicole, my daughter's mind. She wanted a unique baby gift for her dear friend, Chrissy, who was expecting her first child. She settled on burpcloths, but could not find any she liked, so her imagination created a design, it was to be made of super soft flannel. With the concept in mind, she decided her Mother (me) would help her implement the perfect burpcloth. We purchased the cutest flannels and created all weekend. The burpcloths were the talk of the shower, everyone loved the softness of the flannel, the wild and fun fabric designs, but most of all the uniqueness of the item itself!

Thus, began Prickly Pear. From there I designed matching bibs, coordinating blankets, girls sunhats, ruffly aprons, cuddle me tabs (cuddling comfort cloths), and wiz protectors. I love beads and occasionally make jewelry. Especially when I need a break from the sewing machine! Fabrics inspire me, all through high school I made my own clothes, it's a gift now to be able to do what I love.

I sewed and I sewed until I had quite a collection of different prints. Along with selling to individuals, the thought was to peddle my wares to childrens boutiques. And...that I did....with the help of my sister, Tina. Honestly, Tina could sell ice to eskimos. Ya, ya, I heard that before, but I swear to you she can. So very shortly thereafter, Prickly Pear was in 5 boutiques around the Atlanta area and 2 in St. Augustine, Florida (where my other sister, Janine, lives).