Anniversary Sale!

It's been one year since I started my Etsy store. To celebrate, I'm having an Anniversary Sale! Go to my Etsy store and read about the sale in the shop announcement. It's a great way to get your holiday shopping done :)

The Ups and Downs of Feedback

I put my heart and soul into my work. I'm constantly plagued by thoughts of doubt - "maybe I should have whipstitched that instead," "should I have used snaps instead of velcro?", "I measured the waist 5 times, it's gonna fit her". I know I should be confident about my work. I've been doing it for over 10 years and my daughter and I wear my creations constantly. I know they are well constructed and can stand the test of time. But I always wait with bated breath for that Feedback comment.

I suppose if I just mass produced things, it wouldn't matter so much to me. If I had a customer service department and maybe a hidden sweatshop in the back of the house, then lack of feedback wouldn't bother me. I'd just crack the whip and tell the slaves to keep on sewing!

A couple of days ago, I got feedback on a custom order for 4 work skirts that I did a few months ago. I was elated! She loved the work and was pleased :) Can you believe that at least once a week for the last 8-10 weeks I was openly wondering if she had found it acceptable or not? I was! I really really was. My kids were praying she would leave feedback so they wouldn't have to hear me mention it again - "Oh gosh! I haven't heard anything. Do you think she liked the skirts?" "Yes, Mom. If she didn't, she would have contacted you about a problem." I know, I know, but still! And not just that order, that was just an example. This happens with every order that goes out.

Maybe on Ebay it doesn't matter so much. You know everyone is a business - mass produced items. Things are defective, here's another. On Etsy though, everything is handmade. I have a modest business that I'm trying to grow and feedback is still very important to me. I leave feedback for all of my purchases so I don't cause someone else to pace their kitchen. Just a little reminder to show your favorite artisans that you love them with feedback. A little goes a long way and helps attract other customers.