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Thursday, November 11, 2010

I did it: 1000 Etsy Sales and What it Means...

I did it! I reached my goal and made it to 1000 items sold in my Etsy shop yesterday! And it's not even Thanksgiving yet. But it's time to the say Thank You! Thank you so much, to Amanda from JustHatched, who purchased that 1000th item and took me to the finish line! Thank you also to Mary, Sheila, Jenny, Nancy, and all my other great customers whose names I can't recall at this very moment. I am so excited. Kind of like an actor that just won the academy awards.

But in the excitement lets not forget that it took me over 3 years - 3 years of hard work, countless hours of cutting, sewing, crocheting, embroidering, taking pictures, writing, listing, and calloused fingers to rack up that many sales.

I guess I really need to thank Etsy too, since having Etsy as a sales venue really helped me get my work out there! So, I thank you Etsy! Though I often gripe about you and your wonky ways of doing business, I love you dearly, and I wouldn't have sold a thing without you.


Am I rich and famous now? Let's not kid ourselves. I am barely making enough to help with some of the bills of our little household. Sometimes I wake up at night and fret thinking I should get a real job. Reality check: I don't make enough with my dolls to support the family. Will I ever? Is it even possible to make a living working in a cottage industry in this world?

Well, today I am going to celebrate. I got a good reason. Plus I got the sweetest letter from a customer who says her little boy is inseperable from his new baby. I may not be rich with money, but there are other more important riches in life! Don't you forget that a minute, you starving artists out there! Think of all the smiles we put on kids' faces with our toys and beautiful creations! Money is a necessary evil in this world. It pays the bills but it does not feed the soul...

12 comments:

woolies said...

no, it does not feed the soul, that is for sure. I'm stuck in my dayjob, for as long as I can forsee. I dream of the day when I'm not tied to my computer, and worrying about staying current in my career. It sucks the life out of me...
Congratulations on 1000 sales! Wish I could say the same! Time to raise your prices!!!!!! (seriously)

Laura Jeanne said...

Wonderful post, Ulla. I'm sure all we Etsy sellers can relate--none of us are getting rich doing this. But that's not why we do it, really.

Congratulations on your 1000th sale!

Banana Bottoms Cloth Diapers said...

Congrats, Ulla!

Eve's Little Earthlings said...

rJob well done! Don't forget when calculating your income that you didn't drive anywhere to get to work, didn't need a full wardrobe, a bought lunch or childcare.
You're worth more than you think!!

kat said...

how wonderful!!!

The Sitting Tree said...

Congratulations!!!

germandolls said...

Good point, Eve! I do enjoy hanging out in my PJs all day. =) And I never have to send a sick child to school for lack of daycare or beig afraid my boss would fire me if I take off another day to take care of my kid!

Kim van Waardenburg said...

congrats!!
I also think money ain't the most valuable thing to have, it just makes life easier. I preferr a unique handmade item made with care more then items made in a factory.

I hope you can go on doing the things you love to do!!

PurePixie said...

Not sure I'll be there in 2 years. :)
Great job!!!

Mare said...

Congratulations on all of those wonderful sales! I am going slow for now but imagine big things to come someday! Just have to figure out how to get out there....Anyway, i get such a thrill when someone finds me and actually spends their hard earned money on something i made with my own hands and heart. It's a wonderful feeling isn't it?

germandolls said...

Thanks for all your lovely comments! Being on the NaturalKids team has certainly helped me stay strong and commited to my work! So a special thanks, to all you Natty Kids out there!

Mike said...

Congrats. You sold 1000 things due to the beautiful art you create.