What do you sell on Etsy and if I may ask, are you successful there?

I've known about Etsy for a while, but never attempted to jump into the bandwagon. I see the different shops people set up there, but I have no idea how successful one can be there. Some of the prices are justified for what people created, but I just don't see how buyers would afford (or want to pay) that amount for a handcrafted item (in this economy anyway). I do graphics too!! Happy crafting if you make it to Etsy!

Wow - thank you so much for your info! Since originally posting this, I have been looking into the Etsy website even more . . . but it's great hearing the personal side of it - and you sound quite happy with it! Yes, things don't sell by themselves . . . marketing is essential, but as much time as it takes, you see the rewards you reap in. Kudos to you! I have picked up some tips from you too - whenever I decide to jump into the Etsy band wagon - so thank you for that too!! I sure hope the economy is turning around . . . well, at least the holiday buying
season is here so sales will pick up for everyone. Best wishes for your creations on Etsy - maybe I'll see you there!

Etsy can be very addictive! I sell hats & scarves there. I had a different shop name in the past couple of years and I did moderately well. I even got a few items on the front page, which is a huge deal! The fees when compared to Ebay are so much better. For numerous reasons, I closed that shop, even though I had really good feedback. I decided to try again...needed to make a fresh start. This time I'm determined to not get too obsessed with it! Lots of people have done very well; it's interesting to read the "Quit Your Day Job" articles. In general I found that the customers purchasing on Etsy are much kinder than those on Ebay, and they are more willing to pay a fair price for handmade items. I agree with the promoting aspect. You definitely have to list & relist your items often, so that customers will see your shop.

Thank you, noellevandiver!
I've only looked through Etsy, and haven't yet jumped in (though I've been meaning too). That's great you did so well with hats and scarves - did you make them? I guess Etsy does well specifically as a crafters place . . . Ebay is just too big and with all the categories, I'll be the crafty stuff gets lost in the shuffle. It's ok to have an Etsy obsession . . . it seems people like that will do well on selling sites because they are so determined! I'll have to read up on the article you mentioned - that seems to be a good tip - as well as self promoting. It's so nice to hear from experienced Etsy users - thank you for your input!

It is quite easy to have an Etsy obsession. Whe I first started my shop, I used to be obsessed with how many views my shop was receiving, and promoting constantly. I've come to realize that, while promoting is a necessary evil on Etsy and needs to be done on an almost daily basis, there other ways to drive traffic to my shop.
I usually don't re-list items often...only when they "fall off" after going 4 months w/o selling or maybe, if I try taking new pictures of an item. I do list something new a couple times each week and I try to do shows during the fall and holiday seasons (and throw in a couple summer shows since my items are summer-oriented)

As far as eBay goes... I don't really think eBay is the place to make a lot of quality sales with handmade items. I don't believe I would ever sell some of my more expensive pieces on eBay, but on Etsy or at shows, they seem to do okay. The people who shop on Etsy, appreciate handmade items and know that the quality is better than mass-produced items and that the item they buy from Etsy is often something they won't see 10 other people wearing. I personally love that the items I buy on Etsy are almost always eco-friendly and the quality is almost always superior to the "stuff" sitting on the shelves of many stores...and it's that "stuff" that is easily found on eBay.
That's not to say people don't do okay selling handmade on eBay, I just don't think they are really getting what the item is truly worth.

Thanks again, creationsbyrobin!
I hope I can jump into the Etsy obsession as you both have. I think I've learned a lot from your posts already, so hopefully I have a bit of a head start! Ebay is just too far and wide . . . I would think the crafted stuff would get lost there. People on ebay are searching for the deals. Etsy, I think, is already known for handcrated items, so you'll find that type of target audience on that site. I already enjoy strolling through the stuff people like you are selling on Etsy. Hope you're having a good holiday selling season!