I have hardly read a book or blogged in several days, and this is why. I've begun a new project. My husband has started bugging me lately about spending a few hours daily blogging when it doesn't bring any income. But I hate putting ads on my sidebar, so I've decided to try something else. I'm making bookmarks out of magazine clippings from my scrap file, and hope to sell them for few dollars each, to support my blog. Maybe make custom book covers, too. Only I don't know if anyone will be interested in purchasing such items. Do any of you sell handmade items on Etsy? I've set up a simple shop but could really use some feedback or pointers. Thanks!
Here's a sample of what I've made:
What a great idea! Too cool. You should check out fellow book blogger Books.Lists.Life. She has an etsy shop as well and might have some pointers.
ReplyDeletehttp://bookslistslife.blogspot.com/
I think they look great, Jeane! And I bet lots of people will be interested in getting them. Etsy is becoming more and more popular these days. I love handmade and unique items, and I know that a lot of others do too.
ReplyDeleteI think I'm going to open my own Etsy store soon too, so I'll be interesting in seeing what advice you get!
Those are beautiful! I guess I'm really lucky. My husband likes that I blog, because it gives me an outlet for my love of books. And it saves me money when I get review copies. :-)
ReplyDeleteLezlie
I know nothing about Etsy so no help there but I know what you mean about having a husband who keeps saying the blog needs to bring in money. And to tell you the truth, I do spend so much time doing it I agree with him. I do Amazon which makes just enough to support the shipping on giveaways. I'm looking for a new template and am sad to say that I will be monetizing it when I do. 85% of my traffic comes from Google, which I think helps in that respect.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! I'm not much help because I haven't ever used Etsy (actually just found out what it was!), but I love your book covers. I might be interested for some of my "undressed" books! Unfortunately I've been having to downsize my blogging time also. :(
ReplyDeleteBeautiful bookmarks. Good Luck on the new venture
ReplyDeleteWell, I have just learned that I can't sell these things on Etsy, or anywhere else. Because the images are from someone else's photography. I still like the idea of making bookmarks, so am digging through my old sketchbooks from school to come up with some drawings to use. I'll work on them a few days and then show you the results!
ReplyDeleteNatasha- I've tried that. All my book-title links go to Amazon or Powells, where I get a percent if someone buys thru my link. But in an entire year I've only made six dollars. It's pathetic. I'm not very savvy about using it better, and don't like the look when my blog gets cluttered with sidebar ads (I had a few up and took them down after months of not even any clicks.) Any suggestions...? Maybe I should make this another post...
ReplyDeleteI think they are very pretty and you should go for it. I hear about Etsy everywhere and need to go there and start support everyone! :)
ReplyDeleteYour bookmarks are awesome, the hummingbirds are very pretty.
ReplyDeleteUsing your own sketches is a terrific idea, I look forward to taking a peek :)
Yes, these bookmarks are beautiful! They remind me of Audubon's (hope I spelled that right) art :)
ReplyDeleteI don't earn much from blogging either (other than a few frenzied months of paid posts, which isn't fulfilling in the long run).
I think selling stuff you make is a great idea esp as you are artistic! Can't wait to see your works too.
OMG, I just noticed "Alex: The Life of a Child" on your library! I read the brief version on Reader's Digest years ago and I've kept the clippings ever since!
Gosh, I wish I live in the US where books are in abundance and cheap...we're suffering here in Asia :-(
Sorry, I wanted to tag you for the ABC list of favourite books
Thanks, Kittycat. I'll do that meme this weekend, when my husb hogs the computer and I don't have time to write reviews!
ReplyDeleteYou should see if you can get ahold of the Alex book. It's not very long, but really emotional. I ought to write about that one soon, too...
I checked out your art site back when we emailed regarding my Tolkien giveaway, and I was really impressed. Bookmarks seem like a great start at combining your artistic talent with our literary interests. I also thought your custom book covers were completely awesome when you posted some a few months back...
ReplyDeleteI don't like ads in the sidebar either. And I think being an Amazon associate benefits Amazon, but not the rest of us, much.
I don't earn a penny from blogging, in part because I hate ads on blogs, but I've been making bookmarks from my own photos for eons and thinking about selling them. I'm printing and laminating, when I have an extra afternoon, toward that end. Etsy seems to be a popular venue.
ReplyDeleteI just noticed your update. You should definitely sell your own drawings. I think that would be more unique, anyway, than using someone else's pictures from magazines (even if that didn't happen to be verboten).