If they're something that many people are looking for it can be very successful. It's definitely a crowded marketplace at this point. I know several people that sell a lot on there. Just looking at it from an overall business standpoint, make sure that whatever you are making can be sold for a reasonable value for the amount of time that it takes to make it. This is something that is often overlooked when you're selling something that's a hobby or spare time craft. A friend was selling homecoming mums that were amazingly detailed and large, but they were effectively making about $1 - $2 per hour when they finally calculated it all out after expenses. If it's just a few things you make in your spare time, this probably isn't an issue. You can always just list a few items to test the market for them and adjust your pricing as needed.
anything is possible with imagination... I heard some-time back on the news that just girl turn bottle caps into some type of pin or button, now she is a millionaire.... and I think she was between 12-15... It is not something I would be interested in, but domains are avail: BottleCapPins.com BottleCapButtons.com
That is very interesting. You never know when something will start trending. I honestly don't plan on making a lot of money but some extra would be nice while I am studying in college.
Well, I sell on etsy and I do well. Although my products are time consuming. The good point with having your goods on similar marketplaces is that you can concentrate on making your items. Etsy and similar marketplaces have an inside traffic, which means people are searching inside of etsy so you don't need to rely on google traffic that much, although if you have a good SEO that is a bonus I think etsy is a good starting point, especially if you want to sell occasionally or make just some extra money like you do. If at later point you want to make a business out of it, you can always make your own personal website
Those are some great points thanks for sharing. How do you decide on your prices? What method of marketing do you use?
This is how I determined my prices: I searched other sellers on Etsy, the similar products that they make. Then I included the price of my supplies and how long does it take for me to make my product. And I made my prices accordingly. As for marketing, that is a very tough for me to answer. I mostly just list my products and post a few links on my Facebook page, which has about 400 something likes. Although I think that people often Pin, Tweet and Like my products, because on Etsy you have those 3 buttons under each of your product. I live in Europe and I sell pretty well, especially before Christmas. I am a one woman show, lol, so I do everything myself, and I mean everything: SEO, writing descriptions, taking pictures, remaking pictures. That is why I don't have much time to research marketing. And the free advice I read about on the net all say the same, so that is of no help at least to me. I opened my shop at the beginning of 2011 and I am currently thinking of making my own website. That is harder than etsy, but I plan to blog a lot and offer free DIY hints and tips. But I don't plan to leave Etsy. Building your own website and driving traffic to it takes time
I have another part time job which is way too part time now, which means I am currently waiting for it for more than 6 months. So you can say I live from etsy. I do ok, but it can be better of course. I am also selling DIY patterns, so that covers me during slow periods. And I don't have to invest any work into that, because those are digital goods.
wow that is amazing. I am in school in Hawaii and I am trying to find some simple ways to make some extra money other then my campus job. I barely make enough Ford focus my family right now but we are going into debt for me to be in school.
Then by all means try Etsy. I only recommend 2 things to know: 1. great photographs (because you sell online and photos need to capture your potential customer) and 2. SEO knowledge (which is not that hard since you can find it free online and Etsy has a knowledge database with lots of free helpful hints).