Ebay vs Etsy...is it really even a competition?

I've been seeing lately where Ebay has lowered their fees and that potentially a slew of Etsians are going to selling over at Ebay. I, myself am not sure what exactly sure what I want to do. I know Ebay is lowering their fees, but the duration of Ebay's listing period maxes out at 10 days where as Etsy let's you list an item for maximum of 4 months. Listing on Ebay will definitely get a seller more views and recognition, but you gamble with the idea of your listing expiring before you sell in a shorter time frame. Etsy has spurts from what I've come to realize, where sales peak. Over a 4 month period you could potentially sell a good bit depending on these spurts. On Etsy there's a lot of promoting and self advertising to do, on Ebay not as much.

Which one do you prefer or has had the most success on?

Promote less, craft more...

That's what I've been seeing throughout the forums on Etsy. It seems as if everyone is getting a tad bit, or maybe more frustrated with their lackluster sales. There are so many good products out there for sale and no one is buying. Its January and tax returns will be coming up in Feb, but how do we stay encouraged until then? Do we just keep crafting or do we take this downtime to promote. If we craft we're using supplies and materials, however if we promote we're using time.

How much do you promote versus crafting and vice versa?

Card of the Day

I think that these are just the cutest:



Available Now in my Etsy Shop: Sweetz Shoppe

So I haven't blogged in a while...

Last week was a crazy busy week..sorry guys! I was doing so good, and then I got super busy. I think i only blogged like once last week...yesh! Between school, work, and having to drive 3 hrs home and back down to school again in 2 days really took a toll on me this weekend. I didn't have much time for any card-making or Etsying. I did however make a set of 2 cards that I will be featuring in my Card of the Day post later today. Just wanted to drop a line and say hey!

Card of the Day

This card comes from a V-day set, it is one of 4 cards themed with pinwheels and polka dots. It is embellished with proxy stickers with pink and red rub-ons. It is one of my fave card sets that I've made.

Available for sale in my Etsy shop, please visit it if you are interested in this card or any of my other cards. Sweetz Shoppe on Etsy

What will you be crafting next?

I know since classes have started back for me, that my crafting will probably come to a slight halt. I enjoyed making cards over the holidays, but I'm graduating in May and I'll have to focus on my studies for the rest of the semester.

I will continue to make cards and other crafts, but I will most likely spend my free time stocking up on supplies and organizing them. This will be the best use of my time, because when I get back into the full swing of card making later in the Spring I will have an array of supplies and will be able to make even more impressive cards. Hopefully, these cards will be more sell-worthy than my current cards(still waiting on that first sale).

Don't get me wrong, I will still be making cards, just not as consistently as I'm making them now. I actually plan on extending my crafting to tag-making and other paper crafts also, but I need the time and money to do so.

So I pose the question, what will you be doing now that the holidays are over? Work, school, crafting, saving up for that summer vacation?

Card of the Day

It's been a lonnngggg....day!

Here's another one:



If you are interested in purchasing this card please contact via e-mail at sweetzshoppe@gmail.com or visit Sweetz Shoppe on Etsy and convo me.

Card of the Day

This is one of my very first cards, I think it might have literally been the second card I ever made.



If you are interested in purchasing this card please contact via e-mail at sweetzshoppe@gmail.com or visit Sweetz Shoppe on Etsy and convo me.

So Many to Choose From

That's what I've been hearing about dwindling card sales. I figured that this would be a time of the year in which people would be buying a good bit f cards, b/c of Valentine's Day coming and Spring and whatnot. I have a few Valentine cards up, but I didn't want to make a million V-day cards and have them leftover from not selling them. I can always give them to friends if they don't. That's the thing, everyone being worried about making a sale, when in actuality you always have a card for a friend's b-day, special occasion, shower, etc... I know many of us card makers do not make cards to give them away, but if they never sell, what would you do with them? Just a thought I figured I'd put out there.

What a Sweet Card

I just finished this one and I have to say I'm pretty proud of myself. Just wanted to share with everyone!

If you are interested in purchasing this card or would like to see my other work, feel free to visit My Shop on Etsy. Or you can contact me via e-mail at sweetzshoppe@gmail.com

Card of the Day

Here's one of my newest creations:

I think its by far one of my cutest cards I've made since I started card making.

If you are interested in purchasing this card please contact me via e-mail @ sweetzshoppe@gmail.com or if you are on Etsy visit My Shop(sweetz.etsy.com)

Waiting on a Sale(s)

I don't know how everyone's luck has been lately with making sales, but I've yet to make one. I'm not frustrated or discouraged, as I said in my post yesterday. I was featured in some one's Treasury and that really made me feel really good. I know that in time I will gain more exposure like many of my counterparts. I have a passion for card making and I will continue to make cards no matter what. The key to making a sale is recognition. Many of the top sellers on Etsy and on others sites, makes many of their sales b/c people know who they are and are interested in what they sell. Anyhow, the thought ran across my mind and I just wanted to chat about it for a sec.

Have a wonderful day!

~Tennsley

Card of the Day

Here's yet another one of my creations:

This sweet set of invitation cards has pastel floral background, embellished with cute baby blue ribbon. I made these cards as demos when I first started card making, but they are by far one of my fave sets.

Slow Business?!?

I was reading a post of Etsy forums and the poster asked if anyone thought that sales had been slows for card makers. Honestly, I can't really say b/c my shop is still pretty much brand new and so I didn't expect a tremendous amount of sales the first week. I really do hope that I start making sales soon, but through the forum I've found out that some sellers have been trying to make a sale for months now and still haven't. I also have quite a small inventory, in which I'm still deciding on which ones to list. I've a lot of cards that I just haven't posted, but I figured why post all of my cards at one time, instead of posting them gradually, like Etsy suggests that you do. Anyhow, this was on my mind, so I decided to drop a line about it.

Feel free to share you comments.

~Tennsley

Upcoming Craft Shows

I was surfing around on the net and found some sites that have upcoming craft shows. I thought they'd be interesting to check out.

• http://www.craftsitedirectory.com/craftshows/index.html
• http://www.craftsfaironline.com/
• http://www.artandcraftshows.net/
• http://www.craftshowsusa.com/

~Tennsley

Random Acts of Cardmaking

Here are just some of my other card creations. Some of them are just demos and others are one of a kind(or two of a kind and such). I figured I post them in my blog, because not all of my cards are listed for sale on Etsy. However, if you are interested in purchasing any of the cards posted in my blog please contact via e-mail(sweetzshoppe@gmail.com) or convo me on Etsy.
Although this card is blank, it has a lovely yellow paisley design on the front of it and is embellished with a sweet purple ribbon. This card can easy themed as a thank you card, invitation, or birthday.

This set of card is a "Pretty in Pink" & "Two peas in a Pod."

Cute for a Spring notecard!

Sweetheart Set Valentine Cards

Sweetheart Set



Set of 6 handmade Feb/Valentine themed cards. Embellished with heart-themed proxy stickers, ribbon, polka dots and pinwheels bright paper. Inside of card, has a blank white message area for you to add your personal touch. Comes with 6 crisp white envelopes.

Cards measurements are 4 1/4 X 5 1/2.
To purchase or view other items I sell visit: Sweetz Shoppe

New Items

Cutesy Green Garden Notecards










Set of 3 handmade gardening notecards. Embellished with with rustic green paper, green and yellow ribbon, and a yellow and white layered messages.Inside of card has a blank, white area for your personal message.These are a must have for the up coming Spring, especially if you have a friend who loves to garden! All of my cards are 4 1/4 X 5 1/2. Comes with 3 crisp white envelopes.

To purchase or view other items I sell visit: Sweetz Shoppe

Welcome to Sweetz Shoppe

Hi everyone!

I make handmade crafts, particularly paper crafts, such as cards. They are currently my specialty. Please feel free to check out My Shop on Etsy.com. I will be posting some of my works on this blog as well as keeping you updated with the most current craft news.

Thanx so much for visiting.
Sweetz Shoppe

Stay tuned!

Tennsley