Shop Buy My Etsy Shop - HGW Jewelry Designs

Not long ago I was an art museum curator. Now I am a jewelry designer. I began studying jewelry design soon after I left the museum to pursue my dream.

I decided to focus on metalwork and to specialize in creating unique pendants out of different kinds of metal. Yes, I make earrings, rings and bracelets, but what I like most are pendants.

After making one hundred pieces, I thought I absolutely cannot wear that many pendants. Although selling is not my forte, I thought I would give it a try. I like making jewelry much better than selling it, but I absolutely hate marketing my jewelry. What's a girl to do with a hundred pendants, along with several earrings, and a few bracelets?

Open an Etsy shop what else!

And No Play

There is no question that deciding to set up an Etsy shop is work. I had to read a great deal about setting up shops before I could even start. Then I had to read about relevancy, recency, SEO, marketing, pinterest, facebook, twitter, etc. as they applied to Etsy shop promotion.

I needed a banner, avatar and jewelry. The jewelry was the easy part, everything else was all work and no play. I don't like to make this sound unpleasant, but if you have anything else in your life, then setting up an Etsy shop is not a good idea.

Sure many Etsians work, have families, other responsibilities and still have shops. Some are successful many are not. It helps to have a thorough knowledge of how the internet works, social networking, blogging and of course marketing.

You Bet

See maybe I learned something. I am promoting my shop right here right now. Since I don't have to walk into a store and ask if anyone is interested in seeing my jewelry, which I do not like at all, I am doing it here.

I love making jewelry. It is now my passion. I wear every piece I make at least once just to see the reaction I will get. If it is lukewarm I try to work on the piece more to develop something eye catching. I pass it by my husband first and if he says it is "nice" or "cute" I take it back to my studio to rework it. I am aiming for the wow or unique factor. I'll take either one.

I sell really well at shows, which is a great ego booster. I try to remember that whenever I look at my stats on Etsy. I really feel strongly that you have to see jewelry, touch it, try it on to really appreciate the design and workmanship of any piece. You cannot do that when you buy on the web.

How many time do you order something and are disappointed when it arrives. It was not the color, style,design that you thought you saw in the picture. Sure you can return it, but postage is expensive and a waste of money if you did not like what arrived. I understand that which is why I try not to understand why selling on the internet can be difficult, especially with thousands of people selling in the same category.

I look on the bright side. After twenty-five years as a curator, I found something I love equally as much and if someone else likes it that is my reward.

Etsy is not the only way to sell on line, but for handmade it is without a doubt the best and most recognized site for handmade items.

Let me know what you think of selling online, jewelry in general, my shop, your shop, anything else.