Why do you sell?

[Tilas]

To those of you that have online shops, what do you sell, and why do you sell online? Do you really think you'll pulling a good profit, or is it to just get your name out, or just to have fun?  This goes for crafts (like Etsy) or even ebay.

I sell keychains and things, and my family bothers me about it sometimes, questioning why I do it if I don't make a lot of money. I know I don't rack in the cash, that's not the point. I pay for my costs, and make a little bit extra to keep going, and I enjoy crafting, so why shouldn't I sell a bit of it? I feel I'[m a crafter, and as such, you just can't make money of the "time" you put into something (then a keychain would be like $20 and no one's going to pay that!) I figure as long as I'm not going into debt doing  this, I should be able to have fun and sell what I want.

I saw a button making machine online today that totally caught my attention. Buttons look so much FUN to make! But when I showed my hubby and mom I got the 3rd degree over it, because the kit (machine, punch, +1000 buttons) was about $300 and they said that's insane. I don't see it that way. At $2 a button, I'd only need to sell 150 to break even, and that doesn't seem like an impossible task in my eyes. The rest after that is profit.  So I'm gonna wait until after my annual Xmas fair. If I sell enough this year I want to use the profits to buy that machine for next year. Does that sound "insane" to you? :\  I mean, gotta spend money to make it right?

That's why I want to hear about what others sell, and why they sell it.  Have you bought a lot of supplies? Did you break even? Or make profit? Do you think investing in supplies is a waste?

[Sarahlacewing]

I've often considered buying a button maker.  I love buttons and I have spend way too much on them on ebay when I could have made them myself.  I think selling crafts is fun because the fact that someone really wants what you have to offer is very satisfying.  To me it isn't really about the money.  I mean I wouldn't want to lose money since then the crafting couldn't pay for itself.  But I think it's great stress relief!

[Maniah]

I get the third degree about my custom ponies too from various people. For me, I sell to support my hobby. The money I make selling the ponies is enough to reinvest in new supplies. I have even managed to buy some big ticket items. Without selling, I would be forced to pay for it from my normal budget. If I had to do that, then I couldn't afford my hobby.

I sell online through various channels, mainly commissions. And I feel like I make enough money to profit, but it is a very small profit margin when you think about how much time I pour into each product.

[kaoskat]

I don't really sell online much.

[emery]

My selling online kind of just evolved from selling and trading ponies on here and on eBay.

http://www.emerys-emporium.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Emerys-Emporium/176077422438435

I "kinda" started my own sales site at the beginning of last year just to make things easier to update since I would have full control of it then and when I got downsized last April I just started doing more sales and things instead of getting into another job. Many of my collections at this point (ponies included) are to the point of only needing harder to find or expensive items so I don't find as much stuff for myself anymore but I still love treasure hunting and finding toys even if I don't keep them. So this way lots of ponies and toys get to pass through my hands even though they don't find their place in my collection. It's a lot of fun and I do make some money at it.... if I didn't I would have to go out and find a job outside the home so I feel lucky that I can do this right now.

[Eviecorn]

I do commissions and sell artwork online to fund my trips to conventions to work more ... lol.  Vicious cycle.  But I love what I do, and the fact that I can get a financial return from it is just an added bonus.

[HawaiianRain]

It's part of my income so one would be for money. The other would be that it relaxes me. I do custom plush so I do come out ahead most times. Same goes for digital artwork. It's also a great time killer.

[Enolaalone]

All I do is sell and trade a few extra ponies. If I sat and worked it out I doubt I really make much money at it, but I really don't mind. I like trading because you can get ponies you want from ponies you don't want, and I like buying things for people that they can't get and getting US stuff from them in return (or whatever country).

I did make some crafty stuff and sell it, and probably that made a profit on folksy (UK version of etsy) but I didn't sell a huge amount and I haven't felt like it for a while. I'd like to get into fixing ponies up properly, with rehairs etc to sell on. But I don't imagine it would make me big bucks.

It's just fun. I dunno. It's a way to make friends and kind of feel useful I suppose. I think you should get the badge maker if you can afford it.

[NovelNerd]

Hmmm I enjoy crafting, but I'm not much on the selling part. In the end there is a small bit of profit. To me it wasn't worth it taking time out when I had other things to do and then having someone after me to work faster ect. Now I mostly give my things away to family and friends.

[Kiwi]

I haven't actually sold anything, but I've thought about it. I've got tons of ideas for friendship bracelets, but I'm afraid of paying the listing fees (even on Etsy) if they don't sell. But I'll see, maybe in the future.

[Tilas]

It's just fun. I dunno. It's a way to make friends and kind of feel useful I suppose. I think you should get the badge maker if you can afford it.

I really do want it, I just keep coming up with more ideas for it, but my husband keeps giving me the run down about it. I'm hoping I can make enough at the craft fair this November to afford it.

[Katika]

I don't typically sell the things I make, but I do tend to make gifts for a lot of people!

As far as your family being reluctant to think you should get the button maker, what kind of hobbies do they have?  When I find a big ticket item that I need for either my hobby or my crafting, my parents usually don't say a thing, as my dad makes stained glass (expensive hobby) and my mom makes glass beads (also expensive hobby).  Besides custom ponies, my other hobby is horseback riding.  My husband is usually pretty good about "ignoring" the costs involved with it but every now and then when I need a new, nice bit or (like right now) and upgraded helmet, he balks at the prices for something that he's seen cheaper.  His hobbies include video games and computers, and I've finally helped him understand why the more expensive bits and helmets are worth it by comparing them to computer parts.  If you can compare your hobby to his in some way, it might help him understand.  You could also go and find etsy sellers that are successfully selling buttons to show him that there is, in fact, a market for them

[Tilas]

Yah, My brother and dad have their own collections and hobbies, but they think theirs are "real" ones that are "worth something". So that bothers me. My husband just doesn't want me spending money, and thinks I won't make it back that it'll be a waste.  He doesn't really get that selling things isn't an instant profit thing...