I am quitting

United States
August 6, 2008 6:20pm CST
I am seriously considering quitting all my crafts. I have been told lately (not on here) that my pieces are common and should be in dollar stores. I can't get them to sell on ebay or etsy (etsy where the mean people live). I can't sell them at booths either. My self confidence has taken a brutal beating and I am not sure I want to put myself out to get hurt anymore. I love doing my crafts but what seems to be the point if it is all crap?
6 people like this
23 responses
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
6 Aug 08
i have tried to sell stuff on etsy as well without much success and i have been told that i should sell my stuff in a booth at a craft fair! so i wouldnt go by etsy at all. have you tried to sell your stuff locally? other auction websites?
4 people like this
• United States
6 Aug 08
Bethany bear - here she is.
I have been listing on ebay and only sold one bear on there a month ago. the two newest bears (that I was told were only suited for the dollar store) didn't sell at all. here is a pic of my "common dollar store bear".
2 people like this
@debny711 (264)
• United States
7 Aug 08
Don't stop doing your crafts. I have tried EBAY and all those other sites. You need to get a table at a fair or flea market. Thats what I do. Especially around the holidays. Thats when I get my table. Don't quit because of some idiots. My grandmother always use to tell me no one likes a quitter. Don't listen to others.
3 people like this
7 Aug 08
A friend of mine sells her crafts on a website. It does not cost a lot to set up and you can find out how to build a website on the search engines. There are a lot of free sites that will help you and provide templates. My friend as been doing really well with her crafts and she sends them all over the world and she only started a few months ago. What ever you do dont give up. Take no notice of the people who put you down they are just jealous.
@Vladilyich1 (1454)
• Canada
6 Aug 08
Don't even freaking LISTEN. I've seen your work. I've got you as a favorite seller on ebay. Your work is good and worthy of the prices you are requesting. I'm not particularly into your crafts, but you happen to be a really good artist. DON'T give up!
4 people like this
• United States
6 Aug 08
Thanks for the lift up. I am just having a bad day all the way around and then to have someone say those things to me didn't help at all. I think tomorrow has got to be better.
3 people like this
• Canada
7 Aug 08
Listen to my husband. He said a mouthful. I know what he's saying. The only reason why I haven' bought any of your stu is because we literally have no room (and no money) for crafts right now that the pets would probably destroy. I woudln' want anything to destroy that which you have worked so hard to create. If I listened to the kind of negative crap you mentioned today, I would not have survived last week! :) Cheer up. We're on your side.
3 people like this
• Canada
6 Aug 08
Don't let a couple of idiots get you down. I'e seen he pictures of your stuff that you hae posed, and I absolutely love what I have seen so far.
3 people like this
@irishidid (8688)
• United States
6 Aug 08
I only have a total of two customers. I make for them and if someone gets a wild hair I will make for them too. That was a mean thing to say, but don't let it discourage you. Nothing sells where I live. They want it for free. I've sold as far away as England, but can't sell a darn thing close to home. If people knew what a deal they were getting, they might buy. The amount of work that goes into a quilt, afghan or even a crocheted snowflake is far greater than the amount the maker charges.
3 people like this
@reckon21 (3479)
• Philippines
6 Aug 08
Hello friend, rejection is part of our daily lives. But we must not let it destroy our faith, hope and goals in life. If inventor Thomas Alba Edison failed a thousand times on his invention before he finally succeded then we still have hope. Don't give up, in the end you will be a successful person someday. Just keep the faith alive. Good luck.
@tlljones (36)
• United States
6 Aug 08
Don't give up! Not everybody is going to like what you do. Unfortunately, that comes with wanting to sell your crafts. Some people will rave about your work, others will offer negative feed back. Try to take the negative and turn it into a positive. Do these negative individuals offer those remarks because they do not have the talent that you have? Are they your competition? Keep making your crafts, I think they are adorable.
@venshida (4836)
• United States
7 Aug 08
The only thing I can say is don't give up. If you enjoy crafting continue doing it, some peope just like to be negative. I tried Etsy and Ebay and never sold anything. I close both down, and I plan to retry Etsy again soon. Who told your items were dollar store items, was it a family member or friend? Do you currently have a store on Etsy? I will be happy to take a look if you do.
• United States
7 Aug 08
Yes I am on etsy and it was on etsy that I was told that. I am going to be retaking pics tomorrow and revising that area of my etsy store even though what people like about pics changes every time I turn around. Just a few months ago it was "have a background, use props blah blah blah" now it is "plain white background with no props". One never knows what people want there. So good luck with that.
@villageanne (8553)
• United States
7 Aug 08
I am so sorry that people have been so cruel to you. There are some people who gets pleasure out of making other people feel bad. I have heard a lot of people say they have quit shopping at ebay because postage is so high. Have you tried selling at the fairs? people seem to do pretty good at the fairs around here.
2 people like this
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
7 Aug 08
maybe you need to go off the bigger online stores...try blujay it's a free store and a new market..
2 people like this
@uath13 (8192)
• United States
7 Aug 08
Ebay , Etsy & such sites are now over run with cheaply made knock off items. When all the buyer has to look at is a picture it's hard to tell the difference between what a true craftsman makes & a piece of junk. End result, they buy the cheap piece of junk & the more expensive well made item doesn't sell. I'd originally tried those sites for the stuff I make but also met with no success.
2 people like this
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
9 Aug 08
If it helps any I loved the first bear you had up (the one right before the elf baby if I remember the order right) when I started looking at your stuff. I thought about getting it for my daughter but we were just really broke at the time. I think right now is a slow time for things like that. Don't listen to others who put you down, they probably just aren't "craftsy" people. You're only a couple months away from the Christmas fairs and shows so just keep stockpiling your items so you can have a big display for then.
1 person likes this
• United States
9 Aug 08
I haven't quit. I was just having a really bad day in a really bad week. Check out my discussion on fairy wings and you will see what I am up to today.
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
7 Aug 08
If something isn't working maybe you need to adjust your design....Now I like what you make....have seen pictures of it...but maybe you need a gimick! LIke adoption papers...and make them into a series...something that will give it added interest. Something that will make them a collectable...start with one....do the adoption or maybe a theme....like fairy tales etc...your name is sweetdesign.....how about a collection named after candy....just something that will make them unique...and by the way. I haven't sold any of my stuff either online but do well at craft sales...give it a new angle!
2 people like this
• United States
7 Aug 08
Do not ever let people staeal your dreams. If this is something you want to do, then do not stop trying, especially just because of a few rude people. There has been quite a bit of frustration on Etsy recently. People are angry their "beautiful" creations aren't selling. They blame all of the other sellers for their lack of sales...never once thinking that it's summer in the US (where the largest % of buyers live) With temps in the 90s for most of the country, people are by the pool, the ocean, the lakes and rivers. August is a huge vacation month for much of the country and back-to-school is right around the corner... the economy isn't great, so people are spending their money elsewhere. I have seen MANY short fuses at etsy recently and quite a bit of desperation (and from what I hear, eBay is no better right now, even eBay itself is struggling) It's simple, the supply far exceeds the demand right now....but it will change. Once the kiddies are back in school, shoppers begin thinking of the the upcoming birthdays and the holidays. Soon, you'll hear the name etsy in the media and new people will go to the site, curiously looking for something cute, like one of your wonderful creations and if you're not there, they'll buying something from someone else. Common, your pieces are NOT and anyone who says your pieces belong in the dollar store should really take a long look at who they are...a very rude, sad excuse for a person. It doesn't happen overnight, but it will happen if you desire it to. Take a deep breathe, ignore the haters and look for the positives. You are not without talent and your creations will be in new homes (and you'll forget all about those that put you down... and for the haters-what goes around, comes around!) Read all the reponses you've received on this thread, take a breathe or short break if you need to, but don't stop doing what you love!!!
1 person likes this
• United States
7 Aug 08
thanks I am feeling better now. Yesterday was such a bad day. I was tired for one thing cause my daughter (18) had her eeg yesterday and that meant we had been awake for 24 hours prior to testing at 8:30 am. Then I get home and discover that Bethany had not sold on ebay and I had thought she would have done real well. Then I go and list my three creations that did not sell on ebay on etsy. I go to the forums just to see what was going on in etsy world since it had been awhile since I had been there. I stupidly ask what people thought of my new listings and WHAM I get surrounded by a pack of mean and angry wolverines attacking me and tearing me apart. There was one shinging person in a patch of darkness and even she said the attack was malicious and uncalled for. So add all that up and I was in a serious funk yesterday.
• United States
13 Aug 08
I wouldn't suggest you using ebay or etsy to decide whether or not you will continue your crafts. I found that neither site is a good place for most people to sell hand crafted items. Ebay everyone wants a deal and paying for something hand crafted just doesn't work. Etsy is so full of crafters now that it is hard to get your stuff noticed. I have tried both as well. Plus, selling online requires fantastic photos and that isn't always easy to do without a really good camera. If you want to sell your crafts I suggest you save up for a year and have lots of stuff made. Then do the craft market route. This way you can display your items, they can be handled, and sales are a lot easier then online.
1 person likes this
• United States
13 Aug 08
Well selling locally is totally out cause there are no crafting shows or anything in area that I know of. There is one craft show but you have to have a business liscence and $400 to participate in it. I live in a very non crafty city. It seems that nobody in this city does crafts so there is no place other than flea markets to sell in and the flea markets are flooded with cheap inports and that is all anybody who shops at them is interested in buying (I have tried several times and have not been successfull in the least I have sold $4 worth of items).
• United States
13 Aug 08
Flea markets are never a good option. Once again you have people looking for a deal and often cheap crap does the trick. I can understand your frustration since we lived in a state with a crappy economy. My jewelry got lots of comments and my husbands hand turned items were ooohhed and ahhed, but no one bought any thing! We tried sale after sale and worked hard at it with no success. It has been a couple of years now and we will be participating in our first craft sale ever in Texas (where we moved about a year ago). It should be interesting to see how it goes. Not sure what else to suggest. Sorry :( I would say don't give up if you like making things. At least you can give them as gifts and have the reward of making them.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
14 Aug 08
I sell stuffs to my friends. Someone not so close to me, told me the same thing. The things I sell are too common. But I did not mind them. I made this as an inspiration and make things with my own style. Dont be sad about this. Make this as a challenge and an inspiration. You can do it! Go! :)
• United States
20 Aug 08
I also sell my crafts I have an Etsy store (Creations By Susie) I make crochet blankets ranging from twin size to king size it's true it takes a lot of time to get some stuff to sell, you have take your time usually the holidays is a good time to sell your crafts I have been seeling my stuff for about 3-4 yrs now started at a place called AOK Corral its a good site the n I found E-Bay & Etsy so I get orders from all 3 sites it takes time thats all
@rosedust82 (2066)
• Philippines
7 Aug 08
Why give up because of what some people say? I've seen your works and I just love them. If it's even possible to get one, I would. I'm not pulling your leg or anything but I really love stuff like that. I have a lot of bears that are similar to the ones that you are making. Remember, if there are a few people who don't like what you're making, there are a lot more who do. Keep the creations going.
1 person likes this
• United States
13 Aug 08
don't listen to that.if you love doing crafts,keep doing it. a lot of times i just make things for me,and if people want to buy it,that's cool too.i'm on one of the other sites and everybody's noticed a dip in sales across the board.people just haven't been spending as much on art or crafts right now. as far as people saying it's common-if that's coming from other crafters,definetly don't listen.sounds like jealousy to me.
1 person likes this
• United States
7 Aug 08
I don't understand; crafts are a hobby you enjoy, right? As long as you enjoy it, keep doing it. Why does money have to come into the picture? Why care at all what other people think? If it makes you happy, continue it!
1 person likes this
@auntiedis (165)
• United States
14 Aug 08
Please don't let a bunch of bitter people get you down. Don't give up on doing something you love because others tell you their opinions, and they're not favorable. You know what they say? Selling on line is a lot of work. Lots of promotion, posting, listing, great pictures. Keep trying, you'll get there! :)
1 person likes this
• United States
7 Aug 08
Yes, I have had those same feelings as you. And I did stop making crafts for awhile. Then I went back, after I pushed back all of the harsh words said about my crafts, and took a different look at what I had made. Knowledge, I said , I needed to learn more about what I was interested in making, and how to make it look like it wasn't "home-made", "less than dollar store quality",etc. I discovered by this method of exactly what I was best at creating. I like to sew my own clothes, and so I decided to go back to the basics, and started actually using the "instructions" that come with the patterns, and using sewing books about techniques,etc, and wow, I started making clothes that look liked they were off of the rack in a Boutique ! I started creating my own one of a kind outfit, and they look wonderful on me, and I am always getting second looks, and comments from strangers, asking where I got my outfit, or where I found that pattern, or who do I use to make my clothes. And I have never stopped learning more about this craft. I learned how to use my sewing machine. Now I use notions, and attachments, that I never would use before. I am not afraid of a pattern, thinking it is too hard for me.
1 person likes this
• United States
7 Aug 08
Dont listen to what other people say if you like doing it keep doing it. For other places to sell your crafts at I dont know if churches where you are do this but the church i do has a crafts fair twice a year & its always a huge turnout. & you dont have to belong there to participate. HTH Kristin
1 person likes this