Monday 31 December 2012

If 2012 taught me one thing ...

It showed me that I can find a way of getting a job - even if I have to make that job myself. Moving to America I had the wild dreams of actually being able to do something with my degrees - to get out of retail and start a "career". Yeah couple my lack of experience and not being able to sell myself and it wasn't looking good. While I was job hunting I'd been selling and playing on ebay on the side selling a mixture of things from Transformer Toys to Pokemon cards then I randomly started selling some crochet patterns and I've never looked back. I'm slowly building confidence in selling other pieces, vintage postcards, vintage recipe books to model train pieces and dolls house accessories.


Ebay rolled into Etsy which rolled into creating the Hook, Stitch, Treasure brand and we've additionally started selling on Amazon too. After building up ebay for a good couple of months I took the time in December to start working on my Etsy brand, I found some old letter stamps at an estate sale and started making my own postcard thank you come business cards. As Etsy has grown slowly bigger it's getting there - it certainly doesn't compare to ebay in the slightest when it comes to sales - but it does work better for older, quirkier items.

Non of this could of happened without having Joe to back and believe in me and drive me around to estate sales and post office whatever the weather and generally put up with me. Secondly without Detroit and the metro region being the second largest area for estate sales in the whole of the US this wouldn't be occurring either.

I've managed to prove to myself I can make my dreams a reality, and I do it all on a very low budget. Granted I don't make loads, certainly not enough to live off but it's growing and so are the profits and it's more then paying it's way and I'm going into 2013 with a whole new confidence and plans to really expand and work hard at it. But working it as a job it takes up a lot of hours, I often do 12 hour days taking pictures, writing up stock to parcelling up items but I don't mind, I love it, I love knowing old vintage patterns especially are finding new homes rather then being thrown away.

I think I got by and really got into it because of being a crafter myself, I knew a little about crocheting and knitting to be able to judge and resell items, I knew what I was talking about. If you have a passion or a hobby then turning and using it has part of your job is an amazing feeling and hopefully this post might encourage any of you to follow your own dreams.

How did 2012 fair for you? I'll be seeing you on the other side!

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To say thank you and to welcome everyone into 2013 I'm offering a 25% discount off all items (patterns, recipe books, postcards) on my Etsy store with the code NewYear until the end of the week.

13 comments:

  1. Good for you!! I remember reading your blog from my other blog, Melanie's Randomness, and how hard it was for you adjusting and finding a 9-5 job. I'm so glad you found a spot for yourself and that everything is really looking wonderful for you and your fiancee!! =)

    Best wishes dear in the New Year!

    Ergo - Blog

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  2. I love that this item is in near mint condition: http://www.etsy.com/listing/117243311/vintage-fremont-st-las-vegas-union
    It made me smile (I am amused by small things).
    Anyway, I'm being spending New Year's Eve being distracted from writing my letter to the Student Loan Company telling them how much I earn, so I'll just leave this comment at that.

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  3. You've done so well, moved to a completely different country and set up your own business. That's a massive achievement, you should be really proud! :)

    Happy New Year and all the best for 2013, emmerliejay x

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  4. Happy New Year and good to hear that you're feeling posiive and upbeat about the future. Wishing you all that's good in 2013! x

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  5. Wow I am so pleased for you! It sounds like all of your hard work is paying off Rachael. I love the idea of how your business has expanded.
    This is something I would love to do one day - who knows what the future holds for me.

    Wishing a magical New Year to both you, Joe and the cats ♥ xxx

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  6. I hope 2013 is an amazing year for you xx

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  7. This was such a lovely post, I am so pleased for you! :)
    x

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  8. Oh that is a wonderful review of the year sweet!!!!! Well done.
    May the year ahead be filled with lots of love and happiness.
    Love v

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  9. Fantastic to hear that your selling was a success this year and what an achievement after relocating and starting over in the US. Here's to a busy and crafty 2013 for you!

    Claire x

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  10. You should be so proud of yourself! This is awesome! Happy new year!

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  11. I m new to your blog, but im so pleased i stumbled across it. I wish you all the best for 2013.

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  12. Glad your doing something you enjoying it makes such a difference to how you feel about yourself & work. Love the old stamp cards so pretty!
    Off to checkout etsy!!

    Mrs Brown@Mrs Brown's Thoughts

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  13. Aww happy new year and good luck with all the new business ventures! :) x

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