Hello followers !
Here I am again bringing new changes to Austenland , but their all very good changes and very important changes too. For those of you the have been followers on Austenland fb page know that this shop is not just another online etsy shop. I have been fortunate to have found a few local shops in Southern California that carry Austenland creations ( I am working on posting all shops on the right side) . 2 are by consignment and 1 by wholesale . For a few months I been testing out my creations on etsy and at the stores and well its come to me that my sales on etsy are more from custom orders and made to match pieces. My ooak were sold more and not only that I was earning more at the stores than by etsy each month. The items that took longer to sell were the simple pieces ( less than $10 items) . And even though things are better than when I started in 2010. I still need something better.
Reading blogs of other shops and the more I read about how to manage a small business , their experience I notice that I am going in the wrong direction.
Then this was posted on fb one day by a fellow crafter (left side) .Many don't know the cost and time it takes to make a piece . also I am the only one making and running Austenland . my items supplies are not bought wholesale or purchase premade outside USA .Every bloom and rosette is handmade . When some followers ask can the prices be less or if they buy more can you give it cheaper ,99% of the time I give in. But I been selling my self short, Maybe because I don't want upset customers , loss # followers I would give in. But talking to fellow crafters friends one sent me this Andy Warhol quote : along with "Whatever you make let it represent you not your followers" . And to be honest I have so much ideas for Austenland
( This will not be just another handmade crafty shop their is so much I have plan ) and pleasing everyone hasn't help me it actually has hold me back . So its time I make a change and decided that I will make changes and keep creating (my own unique designs) and while you decide if its good or bad I will continue . If I only have few followers well let it be at least I will be appreciated by those few.
So being said here are the first few changes to Austenland :
1: A small price increase will be notice on new items, but still at affordable price .I found suppliers that carry more supplies I want and higher quality . The price is a bit more but this will allow me to stock up and have items in hand ( reducing the custom order turn around) and also create better items.
2: I will no longer have choose your own hardware because it is hard to post a finish product without hardware any future items will be sold as description listed this will also allow me to ship items faster. Choose your hardware will only be done by custom order pieces.
3: Etsy monthly charge is sometimes a pain in the butt and listing to many items adds up . What I liked about the pop sales we had during my birthday celebration was that they sold out in a hour. Many of you followers kept asking me more. A local shop I go to has a thing that only on Saturday she has sales. ( I know many of you have heard of "Small Business Saturday" to support small business ) So taking those two ideas I will be making " Saturday's at Austenland " I will make a few listing on etsy of packages similar to the pop sale ones I had during birthday celebration starting at $10 . But they will only be available Saturday's . This items will be ooak , simple piece and every Saturday will be diff once their gone their will not be a custom order for these Saturday packages. The first "Saturday at Austenland" will be tomorrow !!! July 14th !!! check etsy shop.
And so far that is the first changes to the shop . Much more exciting news to be posted but that is another post. till then your truly Paulina.
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