Wind of change is blowing

There are big changes blowing in Black Daisy Designs' direction. Big. As in - possibly life changing big. That big. As of Feb. 1st, I am only working half time at my day job and will spend the rest of my time at home, creating. 

And I'm a nervous wreck. 

As you all know the sales on Etsy has plumethed and my sales are  now about a 1/10 of what they were last year. So I choose this time to quit my day job! Smart move, lady. *eyeroll* Oh well, why make it the easy way, when you can make it the tough way, right?

Anyway - this is a major change for me so I guess you wont' be too surprised if I tell you this has been occupying all my thoughts for weeks. I've been thinking and thinking and thinking... and even though I have been talking about it here earlier, I now feel like I've reached a definate conclusion. 

I need to change my inventory.

*letting the last sentence sink in a bit*

I read an article a couple of weeks ago from one of Etsy's most successful sellers. I can't remember who it was but she said something that stuck with me. (Probably because I've been thinking the exact same thing.) She said "personally I wouldn't list anything above $50 on Etsy today". She made this statement based on a lot of different parameters such as; the economic situation in the world, the search change Etsy made in August and the fact that high end pieces don't do as well on Etsy as on other venues any longer. I can't verify this, but I've had a hunch there's been a shift and that lower priced items are selling more than more expensive. Ok... this has always been true, but... I still feel that expensive jewellery don't do as well as before. 

So, new inventory. But don't worry, I will continue - to some degree - with my usual silversmithing type of jewellery, but my main focus will shift towards simpler, easier stuff. I will use some pre-made findings and elements so I will not be able to claim these pieces to be 100% handmade. By doing this I will be able to cut my prices - a lot - but I hope I still will be able to keep the Black Daisy Designs feel, to these new pieces.  By doing this I'm also hoping to gain some new supporters here at home. Swedes tend to like more modern, simple pieces over elaborate, extravagante stuff. And if they buy big elaborate pieces, they almost always buy costume jewellery insted of handmade, quality jewellery. I think this is because Swedes are generally very fashion forward and don't want to spend a lot on something that might be out of fashion next season. I think.....

So - with all this in mind - am I a moron for quitting my day job now? Probably. Could I've done it any other way? No. Which leads me to the change of inventory. For this to work, I need to sell stuff and if that means I have to change direction and inventory - so be it. Etsy is still too important for me as a venue to just drop it. I don't know if this is going to work, but I'm working with what I've got and I'm adjusting. 

So - bring on the changes. I'm ready. Sorta....

♥

/anna-karin