Since I opened my Etsy shop 3 years ago, I've been selling my work in a very careful way. Only posting pics of pieces I had made and that were ready to ship. After another crazed holiday season of trying to fill my shop, do craft shows, and supply Trinket; I am where I often am in January - out of jewelry. In the past, I've slowly rebuilt my inventory over the winter months and worked on big projects, pieces and problems and let my shop go. That really isn't good business, to build up so much momentum and then just let it go, let my shop barely run with a handful of pieces in it.
So, I simply re-filled my shop, activated all of my inactive pieces and renewed many sold pieces and now people can order from me and I can make their order in 1-2 weeks. I thought about doing this last year but I was scared of the pressure this may cause, I don't like pressure. I want Etsy to work for me, not me to work for my Etsy shop. But rather than shooting in the dark and making lots of jewelry that people might buy once I finally list the pieces, I can make what people definitely want.
I wasn't sure if people would be apprehensive to purchase pieces that they'd have to wait for, but after talking to folks in the Forums and in real life, the consensus is that "people will wait for good stuff". I have little patience and I recently ordered a hat and a planner from two different Etsy shops that I had to wait 3 weeks for and...it was totally worth it. I like knowing these things were made for ME and waiting for them actually made me that much more excited to get them. It seems a lot of sellers on Etsy work this way. I've already had some sales which is so rare for January and because my shop is full, I've been featured in Treasuries and maintaining my web presence. If the sales get too overwhelming (not a bad problem to have) I can always increase my 'making' time or decrease the amount of pieces in my shop. I am in control!
Why didn't I do this earlier?
Ever since I attended my first Phish show, I was taken with the community, the art and most of all, the music. As a maker of little things, I love the merit badge concept and it inspired me to create a token. Since I work in metal and I'm excited for the New Years Run in NYC, a token, reminiscent of subway tokens, was an appealing idea. It's made of pure silver and is the size of a quarter. Each one is hand made by me. A great gift for your favorite Phish head! It comes in an archival coin display holder for $25, HERE
It's also available as a pendant HERE and comes on black waxed cotton cord (16" or 18") with sterling ends and a sterling lobster clasp. Or on a sterling chain for $45 - just check my shop.
In addition to the commemorative fish and apple, and "NYE, NYC, MSG", all three show dates are inscribed among the lines on the edge. 
A limited edition of only 100 tokens will be made to order. Definitely a collector’s item, and maybe the start of a new token series?
I'm donating a portion of every sale to the Mockingbird Foundation because as important art is to me, I couldn't live without the music and I want that to be true for future generations.
Check it out, the token is featured on CashorTrade.org!
The Artist Market season has came to a close. Now I have just over a month to create lots of lovely pieces for my holiday shows, can't believe it's that time again! Below is my holiday show schedule. Doin' my usual, wonderful VT shows and this year, just to make things interesting, I'm throwin' in a weekend at the Artist and Fleas in Brooklyn. Woot Woot!
Women's Festival of Crafts - Friday, Nov 26th 5-9pm
Saturday, Nov 27th 10-6pm
Sunday, Nov 28th 10-5pm
City Hall, Burlington, VT
Artist and Fleas Sat Dec 4th and Sun Dec 5th
12-8pm both days
Brooklyn (Willaimsburg) NY
Sweet Lady Jane Trunk Show Sat Dec 11th 10-5pm
40 Church St, Burlington, VT
Holiday Artist Market Fri Dec 17th 12-8pm
Sat Dec 18th 10-6pm
City Hall, Burlington, VT
Find my work everyday at Trinket 32 1/2 Church St, Burlington, VT
And online in my Etsy shop.
I wasn't sure if people would be apprehensive to purchase pieces that they'd have to wait for, but after talking to folks in the Forums and in real life, the consensus is that "people will wait for good stuff". I have little patience and I recently ordered a hat and a planner from two different Etsy shops that I had to wait 3 weeks for and...it was totally worth it. I like knowing these things were made for ME and waiting for them actually made me that much more excited to get them. It seems a lot of sellers on Etsy work this way. I've already had some sales which is so rare for January and because my shop is full, I've been featured in Treasuries and maintaining my web presence. If the sales get too overwhelming (not a bad problem to have) I can always increase my 'making' time or decrease the amount of pieces in my shop. I am in control!
