Today's Silver Price: $19.93/t.oz.
This is the first time I've had a sale in my shop! Lets see how it goes!
An Entrepreneurial Adventure
Showing posts with label sale. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sale. Show all posts
Monday, December 2, 2013
Cyber Monday Sale!
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Etsy Postings for 6.2.13
Today's Silver Price: $22.26/t.oz. (WOW!)
I've had a tough time getting back into blogging. I'll do an easy one tonight... below are the latest additions to my Etsy shop. A lot of the silver-plated components used in these designs I purchased from Etsy sellers, so that's pretty neat. Also, I'm liking the solid black background in the newer pictures. I think the older pictures are using backgrounds that are too busy and they take away from the jewelry. I think I'm going to continue using solid black backgrounds, or white backgrounds with a very subtle design on them. I'd like to re-shoot the older listings eventually to create a uniform look in the shop, but who knows when I'll get to that!
Just posted these on Etsy tonight:
I've had a tough time getting back into blogging. I'll do an easy one tonight... below are the latest additions to my Etsy shop. A lot of the silver-plated components used in these designs I purchased from Etsy sellers, so that's pretty neat. Also, I'm liking the solid black background in the newer pictures. I think the older pictures are using backgrounds that are too busy and they take away from the jewelry. I think I'm going to continue using solid black backgrounds, or white backgrounds with a very subtle design on them. I'd like to re-shoot the older listings eventually to create a uniform look in the shop, but who knows when I'll get to that!
Just posted these on Etsy tonight:
Silver Leaves Necklace
Silver Leaves Earrings
Diamond Shaped Earrings
Hematite & Silver Earrings
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Etsy Direct Checkout
Today's Silver Price: $32.40/t.oz.
There's a new feature coming to Etsy. It's called Direct Checkout. Customers can use their credit card on Etsy without having to go through PayPal. The third party has been eliminated... 2's a party, 3's a crowd...
I am very interested in this new feature. I think that customers will be much more likely to buy from an Etsy page if it is a simpler process. Now they do not have to have a PayPal account or enter their credit card info into PayPal, they can simply enter everything right on Etsy.
It seems that this new feature is in a pilot state. It is not available to all Etsy users at this time but apparently it will be eventually. I have requested participation in the trial and hopefully in a couple of months it will become available.
I don't think it will make much of a financial difference in terms of fees taken out of each sale. In order to use Direct Checkout Etsy will charge the seller 3% of the transaction plus $.25 for every purchase (this is in addition to the 3.5% of the sale that Etsy takes and the $0.20 listing fee).
PayPal takes 2.9% of the sale plus $0.30. So it's just about the same percentage taken out, but Etsy would charge $0.05 less than PayPal.
Hmmm now that I'm seeing all these fees I'm starting to wonder if this is all worth it. It costs me $0.20 for every item that I list on Etsy. Then when I sell an item, Etsy takes 3.5% of the sale. Now for the actual transaction, either Etsy or PayPal will take 3% of the transaction AND $0.25 or $0.30. So I'm paying at least $0.45 plus 6% for every sale. Bummer.
I guess for now it's not too bad. I've only had a handful of sales so far. Perhaps in the future though it will be beneficial to start my own website. If I start now, I can learn to build a website by...
There's a new feature coming to Etsy. It's called Direct Checkout. Customers can use their credit card on Etsy without having to go through PayPal. The third party has been eliminated... 2's a party, 3's a crowd...
I am very interested in this new feature. I think that customers will be much more likely to buy from an Etsy page if it is a simpler process. Now they do not have to have a PayPal account or enter their credit card info into PayPal, they can simply enter everything right on Etsy.
It seems that this new feature is in a pilot state. It is not available to all Etsy users at this time but apparently it will be eventually. I have requested participation in the trial and hopefully in a couple of months it will become available.
I don't think it will make much of a financial difference in terms of fees taken out of each sale. In order to use Direct Checkout Etsy will charge the seller 3% of the transaction plus $.25 for every purchase (this is in addition to the 3.5% of the sale that Etsy takes and the $0.20 listing fee).
PayPal takes 2.9% of the sale plus $0.30. So it's just about the same percentage taken out, but Etsy would charge $0.05 less than PayPal.
Hmmm now that I'm seeing all these fees I'm starting to wonder if this is all worth it. It costs me $0.20 for every item that I list on Etsy. Then when I sell an item, Etsy takes 3.5% of the sale. Now for the actual transaction, either Etsy or PayPal will take 3% of the transaction AND $0.25 or $0.30. So I'm paying at least $0.45 plus 6% for every sale. Bummer.
I guess for now it's not too bad. I've only had a handful of sales so far. Perhaps in the future though it will be beneficial to start my own website. If I start now, I can learn to build a website by...
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Pricing Decoded?
Today's Silver Price: $35.05/t.oz.
I found a new resource this morning while I should have been getting ready for work but instead opted to log on to Facebook and see what was new. Well, this is what was new. A website called Home Jewelry Business Guide. I mean, if ever there was a website that I was supposed to find, THIS IS IT. A crafter had posted a FB link to an article on this website that discusses how to price your jewelry. So of course I immediately clicked on the link. It's like some ancient mystery- how to price your work. These folks seem to think they have found the magic formula.
Jewelry Wholesale Pricing
Pricing Handmade Jewelry for Retail Sales
The two links above will bring you to the articles which contain the afore mentioned secret formulas. Let's discuss the first formula (I'm not going to post the formula, you'll have to go to their page to check it out- the differences between the two are explained).
At first the formula seems a bit silly. The hourly rate looks a bit steep, and the genius pay is stretching it. They actually factor in an emotional distress fee. Really?? If you're under emotional distress while making jewelry, maybe you shouldn't make jewelry!
This did however bring up a very important factor that I had not before considered. This individual calculates profit AFTER they have totaled up cost of materials and COST OF LABOR. I've always just figured that if I'm making a piece using $10 worth of materials, and I sell it for $20, then I'm making profit! I generally don't consider time and labor as part of my price calculation. So in a sense, I've been working for free. Yes, I have made some money by selling the piece, but I have not been paid for my labor.
These formulas are great for pricing your work. They cover all bases and give any crafter or artisan at least an idea of how to price a piece. However I think there is one very big factor that has been left out. Quite often I base my pricing on what I think I would pay for it in a store or at a fair. In our struggling economy shoppers are not looking at expensive items, they are looking for deals and bargains. While there is the niche of consumers that are willing to pay high prices for unique handmade pieces, I feel that most people these days are on too tight of a budget.
If you look at the formula for retail sales pricing, this blows the word 'bargain' or 'affordable' right out of the water. Apparently I should be charging much more for my jewelry than I currently am.
So is this a magic formula for me? No, but it's a good place to start. I have yet to explore this new website in depth but I am excited to have stumbled upon it!
I found a new resource this morning while I should have been getting ready for work but instead opted to log on to Facebook and see what was new. Well, this is what was new. A website called Home Jewelry Business Guide. I mean, if ever there was a website that I was supposed to find, THIS IS IT. A crafter had posted a FB link to an article on this website that discusses how to price your jewelry. So of course I immediately clicked on the link. It's like some ancient mystery- how to price your work. These folks seem to think they have found the magic formula.
Jewelry Wholesale Pricing
Pricing Handmade Jewelry for Retail Sales
The two links above will bring you to the articles which contain the afore mentioned secret formulas. Let's discuss the first formula (I'm not going to post the formula, you'll have to go to their page to check it out- the differences between the two are explained).
At first the formula seems a bit silly. The hourly rate looks a bit steep, and the genius pay is stretching it. They actually factor in an emotional distress fee. Really?? If you're under emotional distress while making jewelry, maybe you shouldn't make jewelry!
This did however bring up a very important factor that I had not before considered. This individual calculates profit AFTER they have totaled up cost of materials and COST OF LABOR. I've always just figured that if I'm making a piece using $10 worth of materials, and I sell it for $20, then I'm making profit! I generally don't consider time and labor as part of my price calculation. So in a sense, I've been working for free. Yes, I have made some money by selling the piece, but I have not been paid for my labor.
These formulas are great for pricing your work. They cover all bases and give any crafter or artisan at least an idea of how to price a piece. However I think there is one very big factor that has been left out. Quite often I base my pricing on what I think I would pay for it in a store or at a fair. In our struggling economy shoppers are not looking at expensive items, they are looking for deals and bargains. While there is the niche of consumers that are willing to pay high prices for unique handmade pieces, I feel that most people these days are on too tight of a budget.
If you look at the formula for retail sales pricing, this blows the word 'bargain' or 'affordable' right out of the water. Apparently I should be charging much more for my jewelry than I currently am.
So is this a magic formula for me? No, but it's a good place to start. I have yet to explore this new website in depth but I am excited to have stumbled upon it!
Thursday, February 23, 2012
The Next Level
Today's Silver Price: $35.24/t.oz.
Silver is up $1.09 today... UGH!
I sold a necklace at my office today! It was a nickel wire heart link necklace. All I had to do was wear mine to work and someone wanted to buy one! Easy peasy.
I realized today that my day job is NOT making ends meet. After an expensive car repair this week I've decided that something has to change. I've already cut back on a lot of things. I don't buy new clothes, I bring my lunch to work, I don't go out much on weekends. The problem is I'm not binging in enough money to pay for Life in General. So it's time to kick the jewelry biz thing into high gear. I really need to designate time each week for making jewelry and getting it posted to Facebook and my Etsy page.
These wire necklaces could be a big money maker. At $25 a pop, or $29 through the Etsy page (includes shipping), they have the potential for creating greater income than the smaller jewelry items (obviously!).
I do have two events on the horizon... but actually only one of them would be for jewelry. Last year I did a craft fair at a local bar that was having an Earth Day celebration featuring female musicians, dancers, crafters and artists. It was a really cool event! There was no table fee for this event so every sale was profit, and I made several sales that night. I've heard from the organizer that the bar will be holding this event again on April 21st. Sweet! I think I may have mentioned before- people buy more when they've been drinking!
The other event is an outdoor art festival. Artists are able to purchase booth space to sell their work in. This one is scheduled for Memorial Day weekend, though I have not yet found the registration form or pricing information.
Both of these events look promising. I just have to be ready with a LOT of inventory! It works out well though, in April I can focus on making jewelry, and in May I can focus on paintings. It's nice when The Universe lays out a path for you to follow!
Silver is up $1.09 today... UGH!
I sold a necklace at my office today! It was a nickel wire heart link necklace. All I had to do was wear mine to work and someone wanted to buy one! Easy peasy.
I realized today that my day job is NOT making ends meet. After an expensive car repair this week I've decided that something has to change. I've already cut back on a lot of things. I don't buy new clothes, I bring my lunch to work, I don't go out much on weekends. The problem is I'm not binging in enough money to pay for Life in General. So it's time to kick the jewelry biz thing into high gear. I really need to designate time each week for making jewelry and getting it posted to Facebook and my Etsy page.
These wire necklaces could be a big money maker. At $25 a pop, or $29 through the Etsy page (includes shipping), they have the potential for creating greater income than the smaller jewelry items (obviously!).
I do have two events on the horizon... but actually only one of them would be for jewelry. Last year I did a craft fair at a local bar that was having an Earth Day celebration featuring female musicians, dancers, crafters and artists. It was a really cool event! There was no table fee for this event so every sale was profit, and I made several sales that night. I've heard from the organizer that the bar will be holding this event again on April 21st. Sweet! I think I may have mentioned before- people buy more when they've been drinking!
The other event is an outdoor art festival. Artists are able to purchase booth space to sell their work in. This one is scheduled for Memorial Day weekend, though I have not yet found the registration form or pricing information.
Both of these events look promising. I just have to be ready with a LOT of inventory! It works out well though, in April I can focus on making jewelry, and in May I can focus on paintings. It's nice when The Universe lays out a path for you to follow!
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Silver, Copper, Brass, Nickle, Pewter... All of the Above?
Today's Silver Price: $26.89/t.oz.
Wow-za! Silver prices are pretty low right now! It would be a great time to by materials, but I just don't have the money right now. Christmas tapped me out. Hopefully these prices will remain low into the new year and I can get a good deal when I'm ready to stock up again.
I've been looking at silver-filled wire and components on Rio Grande's website lately. Silver-filled is a silver coating over a base metal such as brass. The coating is thicker and supposedly more durable than silver-plated. I'd like to get some wire and experiment with it. The only problem is an exposed edge would show the brass core, so I would have to be creative to hide that.
I think I will also start using metals such as aluminum, nickle and possibly pewter. Many jewelry suppliers have a large selection of lead-free pewter components. I have to get over the idea that I was only going to make sterling silver jewelry. It just isn't realistic given the price of silver these days. Also I have seen that people will buy costume jewelry, and they will buy it like it's going out of style. Women seem less concerned with high-priced accessories these days.
I've gotten a lot of positive feedback and several sales with copper items, so I will continue to include copper jewelry in my collection.
Another material I need to examine is glass from broken wine bottles. I think with the right tools, ie the right Dremel bits, I can shape and smooth the broken glass pieces into jewelry components.
2012 should be a very constructive and productive year. I plan to learn a lot of new jewelry making skills so that I can expand my product line and attract wider variety of customers... and to satisfy my own creative curiosities! I love learning new things and I love creating something new. I am looking forward to the challenges and triumphs that 2012 will bring!
Have a happy and safe new year, I'll be back in 2012 with more adventures in entrepreneurship!
Wow-za! Silver prices are pretty low right now! It would be a great time to by materials, but I just don't have the money right now. Christmas tapped me out. Hopefully these prices will remain low into the new year and I can get a good deal when I'm ready to stock up again.
I've been looking at silver-filled wire and components on Rio Grande's website lately. Silver-filled is a silver coating over a base metal such as brass. The coating is thicker and supposedly more durable than silver-plated. I'd like to get some wire and experiment with it. The only problem is an exposed edge would show the brass core, so I would have to be creative to hide that.
I think I will also start using metals such as aluminum, nickle and possibly pewter. Many jewelry suppliers have a large selection of lead-free pewter components. I have to get over the idea that I was only going to make sterling silver jewelry. It just isn't realistic given the price of silver these days. Also I have seen that people will buy costume jewelry, and they will buy it like it's going out of style. Women seem less concerned with high-priced accessories these days.
I've gotten a lot of positive feedback and several sales with copper items, so I will continue to include copper jewelry in my collection.
Another material I need to examine is glass from broken wine bottles. I think with the right tools, ie the right Dremel bits, I can shape and smooth the broken glass pieces into jewelry components.
2012 should be a very constructive and productive year. I plan to learn a lot of new jewelry making skills so that I can expand my product line and attract wider variety of customers... and to satisfy my own creative curiosities! I love learning new things and I love creating something new. I am looking forward to the challenges and triumphs that 2012 will bring!
Have a happy and safe new year, I'll be back in 2012 with more adventures in entrepreneurship!
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