El Beginning-o

It's official. My Vintage shop on Etsy is up and running! I have all of one item listed at this time, but hey it all starts with one step right. And I heard the first step is always the hardest yet I am finding that there are many first steps I have to take every day.

I'm quite proud of myself for getting that one item posted actually! It took a lot of work to get to the point of being ready to post that one item. And the last few days have been so much fun. I started out fast and strong in August, creating a name, designing a logo and diligently collecting more and more pieces to add to my collection. Since August most of my time has been consumed by the hunting and gathering part of this job, which thankfully is my favorite part and the whole reason I wanted to start my shop. Once the piles started growing and boxes overflowing I knew it was time to take some pictures and post some items. Easier said than done. Even though I've been practicing my photog skills I was not quite ready for this. Etsy has some crazy talented photogs and my pictures are all I have to get my products noticed. I decided to take some time out and do my homework, watching videos and reading blogs about photo tips and tricks for Etsy. Then I was ready! Or so I thought. I needed a mannequin or a dress form to show off my stuff because most of what I had looked ridiculously big on me and I don't exactly have cash to hire a model. Now where the hell am I going to get a mannequin? I can drop $300 and buy one online...or I can swallow my fear and face the fact that I work in a retail store and ASK. So I asked, and then I received it. A beautiful dress form. She and I are perfect for each other. What she fits, I don't. And what doesn't fit her I will be forced to model. OK, so photo advice, check. Mannequin, check. And just when I thought I had it all worked out I now have to search my 500 sq ft apartment for a backdrop. After a little rearranging I found my spot and I think its just perfect! (And yes, those are clothes pins, lol. Haven't gotten around to formal curtains yet)

I have spent the past two days laying all of my stuff on the carpet and selecting my items to showcase. Dressing and undressing the mannequin and the hardest part has been deciding what to keep and what to sell. Obviously my first round of determination comes from whether or not the item fits the mannequin. If it fits her its too big for me, if it doesn't fit her well then... It's like having the sister I never had. (I guess)  So after a couple hours of photographing comes editing...for another couple of hours. I'm tired. Oh yeah, did I mentioned I worked all day today and then ran 2 miles after work? I'm tired. All I can think about is how I want to make Etsy my full-time job. Soon enough, one step at a time.