What I have learned with Our Etsy Shop

Hi, Thanks for stopping by!

I have been working on our Etsy shop for two months now.

Bridgehill 5 and Dime

It has become a regular part of my everyday. I look forward to checking out the shop, and posting new items, and of course selling and sending out the sales. As of today we have had 21 sales, and 8 people have made our shop one of their favorites. A small start sure, but Small changes can lead to Big results!

I started out in the beginning posting items that we already had in storage, and I wasn’t using anymore. Items that I had collected and I loved, but was willing to let go. It was a good starting point, let go of what I already had. Within the first 6 days, we had our first sale! It was very encouraging, and still is!

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I started out taking photos on my dining room table. I have used this drop cloth and a burlap placemat in every photo. I have also use this awesome yard stick that I have had for years.

I like the photos. I like the texture of the burlap, and the color of the yardstick. They are simple and neutral and consistent. I have found other shops on Etsy that also sell vintage items. The photos that I am drawn to are also a little unique and are in home like settings. I have been thinking of making a false backdrop, but for now I am happy with the look.

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I have found that we have a consistent look and style to the items that we carry. I think by having items that I would put in my own home, it has helped build the look of our shop. And it is a great start to how our brand will look and be.

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I have loved Pinterest for a couple of years now. I can get lost in the searching of different home decor styles, or fashion, or vintage items. I just learned how to post my Etsy items on Pinterest and I hope that it helps with the traffic to my shop. I am learning to think of promoting myself and this was step one.

I also started an Instagram account for both this blog here, and for the Bridgehill 5 and Dime Etsy shop. I have learned lot about hashtags, comments, and following others. I am amazed how good an iPhone photo can look without any real editing. I don’t use any of the filters, I feel it changes how whatever I am photographing looks. I do find Instagram a little bit addicting, I look at it several times a day, its something I never thought would happen at 49 years old, be addicted to my iPhone! But here I am, I love my Instagram!

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I have also changed the way I find or hunt for our inventory. I used to try and hit the Estate sales early in the day to get the items I wanted for my home. And I still do if there is something that I really want for me, but for items to put on the shop- I wait until later in the afternoon. There is one company that puts on sales here in town, that towards the end of the sale, the last two hours- will put items up to 50% off. The less I pay for the items up front, the better price I can list it for, and still make a profit.

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I am really having a good time with our little shop. I am hoping with some more hard work it can become something bigger. Or maybe it will take me in a direction I don’t even know right now. The possibilities are what I am most excited about!

Check us out on Etsy!

Bridgehill 5 and Dime

-Jackie