How to Earn Extra Cash Selling Your Homemade Items on Etsy

Most crafters have thought of selling their items, and either didn't know where to start, or only found ways that were too expensive to start small (either financially or time). Etsy is the perfect web site to sell your homemade items. They have reletavely small fees for posting and selling items, and provide you a free web store.

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• Homemade craft items
• Desire to make some extra cash

Instructions

1. Review the Etsy web site (link 1 below in the additional resources section). See what is for sell and what is selling, in your craft category. You can get a feel of other Esty stores by searching for an item you like then clicking on "shop" under the seller info on the right side. By doing this you will know what is currently selling, and be able to decide on a look and feel for your new shop.

2. Create your initial items you want to sell. While you are making your creations, think of the colors you want to use for your site and the name you want to use. This initial planning is important and will make you more comfortable if done now rather than when you are selling your products. You will be able to change your look and feel in the future, but won't be able to change your user name (which your Etsy store URL is based on).

3. Open your Etsy store. At the Etsy web site, click on "sell" at the top of the page and sign up to sell your items. You will be provided a URL for your store that looks like ( http://yourname.etsy.com ). You will be able to add your profile, create a banner for your store, and complete any initial set up that you will be happy with.

4. Take photos of your items and list your crafts to sell. It costs .20 to list each item for 4 months. You will also be charged a 3.5% transaction charge when your item sells, so you will need to figure this into your selling price.

5. Once your item sells, the buyer will pay you directly and you will mail the item(s) directly to the buyer.

Tips & Warnings

• Since your main site will show the date your Etsy store opens, it's better to have your items to sell and be ready to post the items the day (or shortly after) you sign up.

• Etsy provides a great deal of additional support. Initially, you will want to read the FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) for sellers [see link 2 under additional resources]. You will also want to frequently glance through the Etsy blog for additional tips and ideas.

Resources

• Etsy
• Etsy - FAQ for Sellers
• Frugal Patti - Frugal Living Tips