I've had the page open for a month. I've thought of a million different topics to post on, but I just haven't sat down to the computer with the mindset to get things done.
I have the usual excuses. Busy at work, trying to build up the Etsy store and trying to get my crafty mojo back. But frankly I've been bored. Bored with the blog, bored with knitting, stamping, collage, paper, yarn, beads - it's all blurred into one big Meh.
I know it will all come back eventually. Perhaps I am going through a change. I did just before I really got into collage. I also think that part of it is trying to be creative, productive and make money at the same time doesn't jibe well with my aesthetic. I second guess myself a whole lot more - will this sell? Am I appealing to my customer?
It's been helpful in learning about the marketing side of selling handmade and it's presented in a way that does not make the process seem as overwhelming as other books have.
I've broken my tasks down to manageable ones. Currently I'm creating my Facebook page for Lazy Lima Bean. It's only driven home what hopelessly crap photos I take, but I did find proof that they're better than they have been when I first started. That's something. The book includes online marketing, selling in boutiques and building a viable press kit. All good things, even if I can't comprehend them right at the moment.
Ideally I will soon have figured out a kind of schedule that doesn't have me glued to the computer 24/7. Maybe I will be able to work out the promo portion to about 3 hours a week or something like that. I did really work on the promo part in December and January and I did see a increase in sales. But it just took too much time - the Etsy forums, Twitter, Facebook - it seemed like it was taking over my life.
Another decision I've made is to revamp the shop eventually. I want to sell off everything and start doing the stuff I'm excited about. I'm also paring down the items I will list. Giving some thought to having seasonal offerings and a sale to clear out the current stock. It's all rather disjointed and doesn't present me as an artist at all, but as kind of all over the place. I need to work on my "brand" and what that means, exactly.
If you're having trouble with your Etsy store or want to start selling your crafts online and elsewhere, I highly recommend The Handmade Marketplace: How to Sell Your Crafts Locally, Globally, and On-Line
. I think it's well written and offers great advice from several types of sellers who have made a success of the craft business.