How I Work Smarter in My Etsy Store

Many Etsy shop owners are busy mompreneurs.  We are busy taking care of young children, shuttling older children to and fro or working a job outside the home. Let's face it.  We have a lot on our plates.  We are busy in our families.  We are busy in our communities. Many are busy working outside the home.

I've struggled with the balance.  (I suspect I am not alone.) I've struggled with being overwhelmed with all the different roles I need to perform as the owner of Esther's Place.

But....

I love being creative.
  
I want to share my creativity with others.

I want Esther's Place to be a successful Etsy shop.

Do I have what it takes to be a successful Etsy shop owner?

Yes, I do have what it takes if I work smarter. It has taken me a while, but I'm learning to work smarter and be more productive.

Here are three things I do to work smarter in Esther's Place.

• I stay focused on my goals.  I keep my goals for the year, the month and the week in a place I can see them daily. If I start to feel scattered and a bit unfocused, the lists help me re-focus back to my current task.
• I do not multitask.  Despite what I think, invariably I end up spending more time on a task or needing to re-do a task.  
• I remember: I cannot do it all.  (Thanks, @VendRaleigh for reminding me!) 

I challenge you to work smarter this week. 

What are your tips for working smarter?

Just In Time For Fall!

I just love the vintage postcards and graphics!  The Halloween images used in the necklaces above are from vintage postcards.

Just how fun is that?!

So.....

My creative juices got to flowing and now you will find these fun necklaces and key chains at Esther's Place.  

Do you have a special vintage image you would like made into a necklace or key chain or even a Christmas ornament?  Contact me at EsthersPlace[at]yahoo.com.  I am happy to create a custom order for you!

5 Great Gifts For Mother's Day

Mother's Day is just around the corner on May 12th.

 Have you shopped yet?

No?   That's okay.

Here are 5 great Mother's Day gifts on Etsy.com.  (Mom, don't look!)

1. Unique Mother's Day Card by ApproposRoasters  Great card!
2. Bohemian Summer Scarf by Sewstacy  Perfect for summer!
3. Hand Stamped Vintage Knife Garden Markers by jessicaNdesigns For the Gardener!
4. Spa Gift Set by LittleFlowerSoapCo  Who doesn't love a spa treatment?
5. Decadent Chocolate Truffles by TwistedSisterTreats  For the Chocolate Lover!

Happy shopping!  Hope this list helps!

Where I Create

The space where I create the custom orders in my shop is nothing fancy.  But that's okay.  I don't need  a fancy space, just a functional space.

 

My creative space is most often my kitchen counter, but, as you can see, my space is portable. The tray is perfect for corralling any of the small findings I use when creating custom jewelry orders.  It's also perfect to transport out of my kitchen any items needing drying time. All in all, my system/workspace works quite well.

[In case you are wondering, I am not a big football fan. The football themed tray was used as a "cake plate" for my youngest for his football themed birthday party.]

Lessons Gleaned as an Etsy Shop Owner

Opening  Esther's Place on Etsy has been quite the adventure. The learning curve has been steep at times. I'm not what is considered a "business" person.  Despite my doubts, opening an Etsy store was what I wanted to do.

Etsy has great resources for someone wanting to open a shop, so I researched and researched. And researched some more.  (I'm a genealogist remember?  Research is what I do.)

And I learned....

• ...how much I didn't know.  Okay, that was a scary lesson!
• ...I can't be shy promoting myself or my shop. Etsy shop owners and shoppers alike are very supportive.
• ....what SEO is and how to use it.  This is most definitely an ongoing lesson.
• ....to ask for help.
• ...to take better photographs. This is an ongoing lesson as well.
• ...how to hold my breath and push the "publish" button despite my fears.

Know what?

I like running Esther's Place.  Combining genealogy, family history and crafting brings me a lot of joy. 


Are you an Etsy shop owner?  Thinking about becoming one? 

My best advice?  Take advantage of Etsy's many resources and just go for it.  (Let me know when you do. I'd be happy to stop by.)

My Etsy Story

If you have spent any time on this blog or my companion blogs Are You My Cousin? and Dearest Esther, you know I am passionate about sharing the stories of my ancestors - and yours, too!

So, just how did I come to open Esther's Place on Etsy?

 I have loved making crafts since I was a little girl. I much preferred the craft classes at camp to the more traditional activities of swimming, etc. I really don't remember a time when I did not have some craft project in progress.

Fast forward to the present.

Two things happened in recent years:

• I fell in love with genealogy.

• I became the recipient of many family photos, letters, postcards from the generations past. 

 I desperately wanted to share those family stories and photographs with my family and encourage others to get their ancestors "out of the box".

Making coasters with my ancestors' images just seemed logical (and fun!). Oh the conversations that were sparked when family saw what I was working on. From there the ideas just kept coming: necklaces, scrabble tile ornaments on mini Christmas trees, wine glass charms....

I wanted to help others discover and share their ancestors, too. That's how Esther's Place came to be on Etsy. [My shop is named for my paternal great grandmother Esther Richardson Talbott.]

Are you ready to get your ancestors out of that shoebox? Need a few ideas to get your started?  Leave a comment. I'd love to chat.

Vintage Etsy Treasury

It comes as no surprise to anyone that I love vintage photographs. 

I discovered  lots of stores on Etsy with a variety of vintage photographs.  Of course, that meant I had to (okay, wanted to) make an Treasury gallery of just a sample.  [An Etsy Treasury is a gallery of 16 items  favored by an individual and found in various Etsy shops.]

Check out my Vintage Photograph Treasury!

Etsy Treasury List

I posted my first Etsy Treasury List this week.

What is a Treasury List?  (I'm so glad you asked!)  A treasury list is a list of 16 items found on Etsy that inspire one, spark gift ideas, and just showcase other crafters' items.  (It's a great way to birthday shop.) 

 I chose the theme of Spring is in the Air.  The daffodils are blooming so, it seemed like a good choice. Of course, we're predicted to see snow flurries tomorrow! Still, a girl can dream.

Stop by and visit.  Spring IS on the way.