The first 6 months

So here it goes. An overview of my 2018 on Etsy (what is basically less than 1/2 year as I started it in August). 

About me: I am crafting since I can remember. I tried everything: jewelry, beaded animals, decoupage, embroidery, cross stitch, sewing... You name it, I definitely tried it - except knitting, I never was able to do that. So anyway, I am crafty. But I am also everything but persistent.

I came across soutache jewelries about 10 years ago. 

(For those, who never even heard of soutache: it is a narrow flat decorative braid,originally used in the trimming of drapery or clothing to conceal a seam. )

And I instantly fall in love. The lines and the whole looks were so new and pretty, I had to try to make them (obviously). But for years I just planned what I will make, bought tons of beads and braids and.. sigh.. but only made a few pieces for myself. 

For years I also was toying with the idea of making money with my hobby, and the time came last year. I started to think what I order, what will design I'll use it for and started making. 

I didn't really had a goal for 2018, other than have 10 sales - what I achieved. And I am very happy for it. Financially I am way off to even have a 0 balance (if my husband would know how much i spent on this, I would sleep on the couch for a month).  But the biggest thing I earned in 2018 was knowledge. I knew it will be though. I didn't think it will be this hard. Etsy is so saturated and the competition is huge, and being in Ireland limits my market as well - I mean understandably most people are looking for shops in their countries to avoid high shipping fees. And I top this with the fact that most people has no clue what soutache is. 

I know people who would consider my first 6 months as a disaster and a money-pit. I think it is just the start of a journey. Rome was not built in one day, neither my business will be. 

I have great goals for 2019. 

Keep in touch, 

Kinga from NabroDesign