A celebration of firsts—my Etsy shop

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Over the last few days I experienced a few “firsts”.

My Etsy shop is up and running!

my Etsy shop
YESSSS! It’s alive! Go check out this cheery newborn at Girl in Therapy on Etsy!

Today, I celebrate it being one-week old. It was “live” on 24 Nov.

Setting up shop—any kind of shop—has a multitude of baby steps required. What to do, how to do, when to do, etc etc etc… (I talked more about this in my previous post.)

And being one who’s stubborn (sometimes otherwise known as persevering or determined), I could not stop until my shop was up. Literally. I worked non-stop and grabbed only bits of shut-eye here and there. If you know I have a sleep disorder, you’d know I’m capable of no-sleep.

Like starting anything for the first time, the birthing pains are so real… and inevitable.

I’m also so glad I chose Etsy. It has a very tedious but very solid set-up. There was a lot of nitty gritty to get out of the way, but because it’s such a well-oiled machine, they’ve thought of everything. The framework they’ve provided for sellers is amazing! We just have to “fill in the blanks” they’ve prepared.

Etsy also has a really wide reach. I may not have been this easily found if I started e-commerce on here instead.

My first “favourite”

My heart skipped a beat when I saw that first “heart” (that’s how you “favourite” either a shop or an item/listing—just like on Instagram).

He’s some random guy, not anyone I know (I think!) so that’s super cool. I hadn’t started spreading the word yet and I didn’t think anyone would chance upon my shop.

Maybe my keyword research and usage worked? Yes, I researched keywords to optimise for visibility! And also not discounting the vastness of the Etsy network.

My first order!!!

……And yes, I received my first order within ONE DAY of my shop’s opening!

Though Etsy took a few days to process it, and it wasn’t confirmed until a few days later.

I have so many emotions—joy, excitement, victory, relief. Feeling really touched and gratitude. It’s as if my days of struggle have been worth it.

The buyer is someone I know from a Facebook Group for bloggers (never thought I’d call myself that; I don’t think I’m a “blogger”, I just blog—that’s all).

I’m preparing the order, and I hope she will like it!

THANK YOU, SARAH! 🙂 🙂 🙂

The celebration goes on

my etsy shop pin
So, thank you so much, for your WONDERFUL support!

Thank you…

  • if you placed your Likes on your favourite designs (I reached out and invited people to Like their favoured designs on my FB album)
  • if you said an encouraging word
  • if you helped me spread the word
  • if you visited my shop
  • if you bought something…

 

My shop existing with actual items being sold is extra special to me because:

  1. I’ve proven to myself that I can achieve anything I want if I put my head and heart to it. (This coming from someone with mental health issues… is huge.)
  2. My financial struggle may have a chance of being alleviated.

 

Everyday, we experience “firsts” of all sorts, and all firsts are worth celebrating.

So LIFE is worth celebrating.

May you find time to enjoy this celebration that is Life! Celebrate Life everyday!

 

PS. If there is anyone wanting to start an Etsy shop and is facing difficulty in any way, please feel free to get in touch. I’d be happy to help! Again, do feel free to visit my Etsy shop here 🙂

 

Shop my Etsy right here



Due to my mental health struggles, I have problems earning a stable income. In order to help myself financially, this post may contain affiliate links. This means that I may earn a small fee at no extra cost to you, based on your activity on this page. (See my disclaimer page for more information.) If you wish to show your support, you may take a look at my Etsy shop and see if anything tickles your fancy 🙂 Sending you warmth & gratitude in advance! Once again, thank you for reading my blog.

64 comments

    • Girl says:

      Thanks Nina. My first order is all thanks to ladies like yourself, who have been following my life/struggles and are compassionate and giving. And maybe they also like magnets either for themselves or as gifts ☺️

      Reply
    • Girl says:

      There is definitely a learning curve to starting an Etsy shop. Feel free to keep me in mind if you ever need any pointers in the future 🙂

      Reply
    • Girl says:

      Thank you, Ritika! In terms of my magnets, I’ve not thought of it this way before – that I’m a #girlboss. But yeah, I guess I am!

      And thanks for the reminder that there are entrepreneur communities where I can seek help and build rapport 🙂

      Maybe I’ll see you in one of these groups?

      Reply
    • Girl says:

      Thanks Sassy! Indeed, I feel like they’re my babies!

      I hope you’ll visit my shop and maybe you’ll see something you like ^_^

      Reply
  17. Lulle says:

    Congrats, this is so amazing! I visited your shop, I really like the designs you have. Does Etsy charge a lot to sellers to be on the platform? I don’t really know how it works.

    Reply
    • Girl says:

      Hi Lulle, thanks for your kind words.

      Etsy doesn’t charge “a lot”, but there are listing fees, transaction fees, amongst other fees. They do add up of course.

      But there is a way to get 40 FREE listings! With my link http://etsy.me/2ic2kRU Hope this helps 🙂

      Reply
    • Girl says:

      Thank you so much, Gabbi! My Etsy shop is a lifeline I’m giving myself, hopefully it works out.
      I’ve seen your shop – it looks great! Love the new festive stuff you’re selling 🙂

      Reply
    • Girl says:

      Wow thank you for the compliment. I do have a bundle of all 10 designs – buy 9 get 1 free 🙂 Hope you will check it out!

      Reply
    • Girl says:

      Thanks Heather! Yes – it was a fantastic surprise.

      Of course the thing now is waiting for the second sale. Not sure when that will come… 🙂

      Reply
    • Girl says:

      Thank you! You don’t have to be “artistic” in order to open a shop. What do you want to sell? That’s more important.

      Reply
  31. Jan says:

    Congrats!!! Also, I checked your shop. Well done. I think Etsy wants to ensure that they have only serious crafters on their platform. Wishing you all the best with selling more of your magnets and other goodies.

    Reply
    • Girl says:

      Thank you very much!

      You are welcome to visit my shop; I hope you see something you like 🙂 They make good gifts for boss babes such as yourself!

      Reply
    • Girl says:

      Thanks Breyona!

      That’s interesting to hear, because Etsy didn’t let me complete the process of setting up the shop without placing at lease ONE listing.

      I thought the process would be easier — like setting up a Facebook Page (create an empty page then fill in the rest later). So I had to really push through to get my first listing out. I could’ve mashed something together for the sake of having the shop up, but I saw no purpose in that. I’m thankful the tedious stuff is all out of the way now.

      All the best with YOUR Etsy Shop! I’ll be sure to visit it, let me know the name or URL 🙂

      Reply
  34. Sane Mama says:

    That is really exciting! It is a lot of work to get something like this set up so definitely give yourself a pat on the back. I have some designs I haven’t finished yet, I’ve got a goal to get to them in the new year.

    Reply
    • Girl says:

      Thank you 🙂

      That sounds great — new year, new goals, new achievements! Here’s to you achieving your goal in the new year 🙂

      Reply
    • Girl says:

      Thanks for your encouragement, Tina! I hope something catches your eye – either a pleasing visual, or an uplifting quote 🙂

      Reply

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