Waving at trains ....the internet experiment so far....

Over the past two months I’ve flirted with four website selling venues.

The first one, Dawanda didn’t last a second date. I listed a few things but received virtually no views. Perhaps things seem more attractive if you’re in the Eurozone.....

So I thought I’d try something a little less European.

The next one Misi, seemed so cute and I loved the idea of decorating my shop with my own background.  I also got hundreds, and I mean hundreds of views. In reality admin issues meant the shop never seemed to be there when I called and the flirts giving my bags the eye weren’t willing to commit.......

         So I thought I thought I’d try something a little less unreliable.

The next one, Etsy, easy to sell yourself, seemed really smart. Perhaps too smart for me.  I hung around for a little bit but felt very uncomfortable about the changes to their privacy policy and once the forums migrated to wherever forums migrate to I felt totally mismatched.....

          So I thought I’d try something a little less corporate.

Meet Folksy. So far so good, seems really friendly, lots of relevant support from their admin. Think I’ll stick around for a while......

http://www.folksy.com/shops/FromtheSewingRoom

Misi missing in action.....

Finally back at my own computer and needed to check up on all my on-line experiments.....

Totally unable to access the Misi website. At first I thought it might be my computer or my new BT internet connection, (which I have to say so far has been pretty good). Nope, everything fine at my end.

So what’s the problem???

As I’ve now decided that you can find out anything on the internet I went off to lurk in some of those craft forums. Couldn’t see anything so even though it was after 10 at night I posted my own thread.  Within no time at all I got a reply.

Wow, there’s some well informed people out there. I now have a mental image of people chained to their computers at all hours of the day just waiting to respond to whatever question is thrown at them.

Apparently Misi’s  new server is having difficulties with internet explorer!!! (Know the feeling).

Managed to get onto Misi today but I can’t get into my shop. The forum has one or two postings asking when things will be sorted out but I’ve got a feeling that lots of people have just given up and found somewhere else to show off their latest goods.

Mmmm ..... Where are the life rafts?

Let down by a dongle!!!

I had intended to add an item a day to my latest shop until I reach the magic 22 but the best laid plans and all that ...

I've been away from my computer for the last few days as I've been on a fabric finding mission. I took my laptop and dongle with me so I could upload some picis of more of my bags but did it work ? No. Every time I tried to connect to the internet I got the screen with the blue writing. I was going to try an internet cafe but as I'd forgotten my memory stick to transfer my photos from my laptop it wasn't worth trying..... Grrr.. Very trying....

Back home now so I've listed two more bags. I'll start my one a day listings tomorrow.

Did find some fab pink fabric and the most amazing mulberry coloured tweed. Mmmm where's my sewing machine??

Have you ever made something you like so much you don't want to sell?

I've just finished this really sweet relaxed patchwork shoulder bag. Sort of reminds me of an old lady knitting bag.

I made a patchwork from upholstery fabric for the outer and lined it with the most fab vintage material. It's got a really practical inside zip. 

It's just the right size to carry round all my bits n' pieces ...... 
and it's so nice I don't want to sell it!
Usually when I fall in love with a bag I'm sewing I make myself something similar but this one took soooo long to make I think I'll just keep it.
 I'll never make a business woman. 

I've also set up onother on-line shop!
I've found a site that looks promising so I'll give it a go.
I've posted two photos at the end of the posts.

Washing lines, on-line, what’s on the washing line ...

Well, so far my on-line selling experience has been more about surfing forums in disbelief than selling anything!

It would appear that some selling venues don’t seem to work for most UK sellers, regardless of how fab their shops look  ...  

Some are more of a virtual coffee shop for crafters to admire other crafter’s handiwork  ....  

Others seem to be selling products so cheaply you have to wonder about the quality of the raw materials ....

And there’s one out there that makes me feel like I’ve just fallen down the rabbit hole....

Ever the optimist, I’ve decided to carry on regardless.

Going to spend the next few days taking more photos and loading more bags into a few of my on-line shops ......  Also need to do more 'making shops look nicer tweeking'.

And who knows, one day all of those hundreds of views and lots of hearts and favourites may turn into one sale!