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I've known for a while that I'd be writing this post, but that doesn't make it an easy task. There are a lot of mixed emotions running through me today and it's hard to get all of that in writing. I feel like a broken record because I keep telling you how hard it is to run an Etsy shop full-time while going to school again, but it's true. It's draining, nothing ever gets my full attention, and if you add in a house project things start falling through the cracks all over the place. No bueno.
My solution is to say goodbye to the wedding shop. Maybe not forever, but at least for the foreseeable future.
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See, the wedding shop just isn't gelling with school the way I wanted it to. If you have a shop, you know how much time goes into networking, listing, photographing, blah, blah, blah. While the shop does pull in good money for me, it also eats up a ton of time. Now that I have more to do for school, I can't spend hours everyday in front of my computer. I've been spending the last couple of months finding wholesale clients for my other shop (which is staying open, by the way!), and that's what I'll be focusing on. It's easier to email a handful of people than to do the 900 things an Etsy shop needs.
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It might not sound great that I'm consciously choosing the "easy" route, but jewelry was never the end goal for me. Even before I quit my day job, I always thought about expanding the shop into something all-inclusive for weddings. Work out some decor and favor ideas, maybe branch off onto my own website and work with a stationery designer... Obviously that didn't happen because I decided to go back to school for interior design, but I think you get where I'm going. As one of my friends told me, "Jewelry is your stepping stone to other creative things." She was exactly right, too, because if I never started making jewelry, I doubt I would've had the guts to jump ship and go back to school. I get nervous when things change, and I probably would've been too afraid to go for it. So even though jewelry wasn't my forever job, it got me where I needed to be.
You know what this is like? Breaking up with a really nice guy who just isn't the one. It sucks and you feel bad, but ultimately you know you're doing the right thing.
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There is one final bit of exciting news. I have some leftover wedding inventory in my studio, and it needs to skedaddle. That means: BIG SALE! A lot of items are between 40% and 50% off. In fact, all of the pictures in this post are of items that have been reduced, so if you dig any of them, I'd hop on over before they're gone. You can check out the rest of the collection right here. No coupon code necessary, the prices have already been changed. Once everything is gone, the shop is going in vacation mode.
I'm a little sad to put my baby aside for now. This was the shop that allowed me to quit my day job, so today is bittersweet. Onward and upward, but... sniffle.
What's new with your shop, if you have one?
This post is sad, but happy at the same time! Like I told you the other day, you have to do what makes you happiest. It's been really neat watching your interior design stuff happen, and I can tell that it is something that you're really passionate about. New beginnings are definitely scary-- I know that feeling, heck, YOU know that feeling from before when you quit your day job. However, I truly believe that things happen the way they do for a reason and that if you know it's time to move on, then it's time. I'm really excited to see how things continue for you in the coming year! :)
ReplyDeletehahaha.. I like your analogy of breaking up with a guy that's nice but not the one.
ReplyDeleteI think it's a great idea that you are putting the shop on hiatus. You can always open the shop again if you really want to but putting more focus towards school and interior design. It seems like that is more of your passion.
Good Luck and hopefully everything will sell quickly!
You already know what's new with my shop, NADA! Because I'm in a similar boat too. I feel for you and know this wasn't an easy decision to make. Honestly I don't know any ANYONE can juggle two Etsy shops in the first place, it does require so much work that you don't even realize when first get started.
ReplyDeleteHowever I know you are very passionate about Interior Design and reading posts about your school and building your portfolio shows that, it's exciting! I know you're going to do well. :)
I'm so sorry about it, but I totally understand your point. I was running an Etsy shop, just one, and it was totally stressing me. I put myself high goals for it, I wanted to keep listing more and more things, and at some point I realized that it wasn't really being fun anymore. If you don't have fun, then it doesn't really worth it. And as you say you can always go back to it in case you miss it a lot.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with it!
Hope it all works out well -- sometimes you just have to let go a little. That beaded clutch is beautiful, btw!
ReplyDeleteIt's a little sad to close your baby, but you're focusing on your new passion and that's wonderful!!
ReplyDeleteI'm happy for you that you're doing what you want and that you're not going to have to wrestle with this decision any longer. I know it's so tough, but you have to do what's best for yourself, and going in a million different directions just isn't good.
ReplyDeleteAs for my shop, it's slightly stalled at a measly 25 items, but I'm hoping to fill it up soon. :) We'll see how that goes.
Good for you for having the courage to close it! Sometimes you have to accept that things aren't working out at the time and find a solution. I remember closing mine down for a while to focus on my son & school and it was really hard but I couldn't balance everything and knew it was the right decision.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you should try adding a wedding jewelry section to your other shop. I like your style, and don't see why you couldn't put it together. :) I know plenty of the rest of us are offering everyday items, along side wedding items, and it works. Maybe you'll even get more traffic with the saturation of items coming from the same place too. I dunno. Just a thought off the top of my head.
ReplyDeleteI know exactly how you feel about jewelry being where you started, and it took you other places... life is that way. :)
If it feels right in your heart to let it go though, then let it go. The blessing about running our own businesses is that we have the right to change our minds whenever we want to... or not. ;)
xo.
I'm sure it was a tough choice! School takes so much effort, though. I totally understand!
ReplyDeleteYay for onward and upward!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean! I work full-time and like to do artwork, read, and write for my blog. That leaves hardly any time for my family, let alone an Etsy shop. It's there - that's about it! Good luck with your sale. {:-D
ReplyDeleteVacation mode is a great solution -- you haven't completely closed the door. But I think being able to focus on school and other creative endeavors makes a lot of sense. And boy, do we all know what a time suck a shop can be -- let alone 2 shops!
ReplyDeletegood for you for making the choice to do what you need to do.
ReplyDeletei shut my shop down a few months ago & while i miss it ; i just couldnt handle 2 blogs, 3 jobs, a naughty puppy AND running my shop!
cheers!
Sometimes we have to make choices and isn't easy. All the best for you :)
ReplyDeleteI heard a story yesterday of a woman that started a job as a janitor knowing that would not be her forever job. She worked hard and slowly moved up to laundry, snack girl, aide, teacher, and now a director of a large school. She speaks at conferences and her story of using those steps is inspiring.
ReplyDeleteYours is too.
"Jewelry is your stepping stone to other creative things." What an insightful friend! maybe the end of an era for you, maybe just a temporary letting go. There are many seasons in life. I wish you all the best with the line of work you choose to follow.
ReplyDeleteYou do have talent in interior design, and this work may bring you more satisfaction.
Onward and upward, indeed!
ReplyDeleteWishing you all the best!
Paige, a decision like this is always tough, especially since so much hard work went into building it in the first place, but as you said it could be just temporary, while you focus on school, and remember it is not a bad thing to change directions. I did it often enough ;-)
ReplyDelete