Thursday, June 3, 2010

One Trick Pony

So with the unusual slowness of my Etsy shop this past month it has left me to ponder my tactics and strategies as far as my shop goes.   So many questions are running through my mind, and I thought, "hey maybe you can help me answer some of them" :)
I have never been a planner, always a "Fly by the seat of my pants kinda girl".  I love learning new techniques and making new products, and have found that reproducing tons of the exact same product tends to bore me.  So it brought up the question...Am I a One Trick Pony?  And if so, is it a bad thing?
For me its the thrill and excitement of creating something new and finding ways to make it different or unique to my shop that really gets my creative juices flowing!  Like creating some fun fabric or crocheted flowers and finding a way to incorporate them into a headband...and then making the flower removable so that it can be placed on a hair clip:) Viola!
The funny thing is, I have been taught all the right ways to create a "successful line"on and off of Etsy; create several variations on one theme, have a signature product/image that is recognizable to the customer, stick with one product and offer a lot of variety within that product,  all things that seem to contradict my strategy of making for the LOVE of making!  Do I compromise the way I want to create to make more money?

My Button Earrings (like the ones below) have always been my best seller.  Are they my best seller simply because there are so many to choose from in my shop?

 


Second on the best seller list would be my Hand Knit Cup Cozys, although I have slowed on these since its getting warmer and I am not sure there is much demand for Knit Cup Cozys. (but I could be totally wrong:)



 And then there is one of my favorites, my Hand Knit Mobius Cowls  in a 100% Merino Wool that is hand dyed by a womans Co-Op in Uruguay!
These seem to do well at shows but I have only sold one from my shop....hmmmmm? 



And then there are my other Hand Knit or Crocheted jewelry pieces.  Like the Bow Tie Necklaces and Button Bracelets and Cuffs I have a few of these in my shop that seem to just be hanging out.




Do I need to create more Hand Knit Button Bracelets and Necklaces for them to do well?


This leads me to my last question. 
What would you like to see more of in my shop?
-Button Earrings
-Hand Knit Cup Cozys
-Headbands
-Unique hand knit jewelry like the Bow Tie Necklace and Button Bracelets/Cuffs
-Or would you like to continually see more new items like Fiber Flower Headbands, and maybe some Aprons..?

And please do not take this as a 'feel sorry for me post' that is not my intention and am not looking for pitty:)
I am simply looking for advice from others that view my shop from a different pair of eyes...a customers eyes.
So go ahead check out my shop AmyMayDesign and leave your feedback in the comments, or feel free to email me with your thoughts, either way I would love to hear your opinions!

Oh and if anyone can tell me what Movie the quote from above is ("Fly by the seat of my pants kinda girl"), wins Free Shipping on their next purchase!
Hint: its an oldie but a goooooodie:)

And be sure to stay tuned next week as I will be revealing a brand spankin' new Etsy Artist who is just amazing!

4 comments:

  1. I think your button earrings are so popular because of the juxtaposition of metals with bright colors. Very striking. I love your 3 hr apron too...I think the button accent ties in well with your shop :)

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  2. I totally know what you mean! I always want to paint new/different scarves.. but then have people that want the same one or in different colors.

    Building a brand is like you say, all about consistency and teaching people what to come to you for (awesome button earrings, great cozys, etc..). Why don't you create a more detailed survey sheet and add it to your paypal checkout? Survey Monkey offers free surveys.

    I love your mobius scarf and would love to see more... longer, larger, in every color under the rainbow.. and taking your buttons to all sorts of heights.. making them into necklaces, bracelets, barretts, appliques??

    xoxo
    Angel

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  3. Wow thanks Shanna!
    Great idea Angel, I will have to talk to you more about the survey:)

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  4. I definitely think the knit stuff is moving slower because it's spring and summer... once the colder months come, it's ALL about cowls, cozys, etc. I *love* the mobius scarf! I'd love to see a few more of these too, for the fall and winter.

    I think it'd be great to have a few more accessories, like the headbands and your more unique knit/button ones. They're still keeping in line with the feel and look of your shop but different, you know?

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