goal three: open an etsy shop

So, I’m going to do this.

I’m going to open an etsy shop and I’m going to do it soon.

I thought for about two seconds that I would first get the shop up and running before giving the details. You know, instead just tweet out that “I have exciting news coming!”, and build it up like “BIG SECRET REVEALED ON THE BLOG SOON!!”. But first off, I always think those suspense building tweets are annoying (JUST TELL ME ALREADY IT CAN’T BE THAT BIG A DEAL) and second, I just don’t work like that.

So I am here to tell you that I am about to open an etsy shop and I’m all kinds of excited/scared/hopeful/stressed/happy about it.

Get your browsers ready, people:

www.dearfriendshop.etsy.com

(Not open yet, but soon!)

Right now the shop is under construction. I’m still working out project designs and selling costs and all that exciting stuff, but when I do open I will be selling handmade greeting cards featuring the photography of… wait for it…. YOURS TRULY.

I will also be selling prints, if interested.

I’ve been really pleased with my photography captures this past year and enough people were encouraging me to think about selling my prints, and so I thought about it, and I’m taking the plunge.

I’m absolutely scared that nothing will sell. Or that people won’t love my stuff or they’ll think it’s unoriginal. But whatever. I’m working really hard right now to make good quality cards, with a little twist of personality and originality, using photos taken with love. And that’s really all I can do.

Pour my heart into it and make something people will {hopefully} want to buy.

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For the record, I would TOTALLY want to buy my cards if I saw them in a shop.

So I guess that’s got to mean something.

Right?

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Projected opening date: February 15, 2013

OMG.

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{background image artwork via here}

{read more about my 2013 goals here}

Comments

  1. Anna, this is SO exciting! I’m sure they will be completely awesome, and that I’ll want to buy them all. I thought that probably your shop would have something to do with your photography {which is amazing}, and the idea of greeting cards sounds so interesting. I can’t wait! And good luck. :)

  2. Jennifer Davis says:

    This is FABULOUS! I can’t wait for it to be opened!

  3. So exciting! I’m a sucker for a good greeting card, I’m sure I’ll love yours!

    • I’m hoping people are still on the greeting card train. It’s becoming obsolete, but I’m still a fan of them, so I’m glad to hear you are too!

  4. This is exciting!! I have no doubt that all your merchandise will be gorgeous and fly off the internet shelves immediately!

    It’s also great that your resolution to hone your photography skills can only help the shop and vice versa. I can’t wait to see the results! Good luck!

  5. Yes!!! Congratulations on taking the third step! (Because the first was the idea and the second was getting the shop and well, you know…) this is going to be so perfect!!!

  6. This is the most exciting! I CANNOT WAIT.

  7. YAY FOR YOU! I have had an etsy shop *almost* ready for too long. Perhaps you are inspiring me to just open it already!

    I can’t wait to see your cards! You can do it! It will be amazing! Hallmark’s Maxine has got nothin’ on you!

    • I hope you do!

      You know, telling the world about it (or at least my readers) really got me going faster on it than I ever would have if I didn’t say it out loud/make it a resolution. And just as I was finishing this post I typed in the projected opening date. Just looked at the calendar and set the date… now it’s ready set GO whether I like it or not!

  8. OMG OMG OMG I’m so excited I’m going to piddle my pants.

    YAAAY!

  9. That’s wonderful! Congrats on just making the leap. By the way, are any of the prints going to be of Beacon Hill? Because I was browsing through your site this morning and seeing the snowy shots of the place I just left made me SO homesick. I’d love to buy one :)

  10. Oh my gosh I’m so excited about this!! I was hoping this Etsy shop would be for your photography – because you’re the best and coolest. :) I’ve been working towards opening an Etsy shop of my own but I’m just so consumed with nerves. Gah! It’s exciting to see you taking the plunge! Nothing but mad love for you, pretty girl. xoxo, eliza

  11. You let me know if you need any help, okay?

  12. Oh, this is so exciting Anna! Your photography is gorgeous and I’m sure your cards will be too. I can’t wait to see your shop!

  13. woo!!! i am so excited for you anna (and so impressed!) i can’t wait to see all the wonderful things you make.

  14. go girl. fear of failure so often stops us but it’s liberating when it doesn’t. so get ‘er done!

  15. I am SO excited to see this and so proud of you and happy for you!!! You are absolutely talented, and whether or not you sell stuff will not be a reflection of that.

    I am letting you know in advance that I rarely buy stuff like this, because I am a poor grad student, but if ever I have the opportunity to support you, you know I will!

    So happy for you on so many levels. xoxoxo

    P.S. I was thinking of you with my post on Monday. Please do send Zan’s mom my way!

    • Thanks for the wishes, friend! I imagine the online selling world will have it’s ups and downs, but at least at the end of the day I can say I tried something new and challenging, right?

  16. ANNA! I’m SO excited about this! Your photography is amazing and I know your cards + prints will be BEAUTIFUL. I admire you for putting yourself out there and going for it! Can’t wait to see your shop and products!! :)

    • Thank you, Laura! I hope they’re amazing! My biggest worry now is photographing the products for the shop. Photographing my photographs. Ha, who would have thought?

  17. What great news! The anticipation had been killing me to know what you’d be selling. Good luck!

  18. I can’t wait! I DO love your photos and think the prints as well as greeting cards are the perfect thing. This year, I’ve really been thinking a lot about creative ventures like these…conclusion? If it makes you happy, fills you up creatively, it’s worth it. Yay Anna!

    • Yes! Absolutely!! My mom has always ALWAYS been creative ever since I was little– doing this project and that project, for as long as I can remember. I definitely got that creative zeal from her. I will need to thank her for that!

  19. Oh girl I CAN NOT WAIT to see what this lil ‘ol shop is all about – I have a feeling it’s going to be mighty perfect.

  20. Congrats, Anna! Your photography is stellar and I can’t wait to see your shop. How exciting for all of us (but mostly you!). :)

    • It’s becoming so real all of a sudden! I can hardly believe I actually got my act together, but I am! I am doing it!

  21. So exciting friend! Can’t wait! :-)

  22. How exciting! I look forward to checking out the shop when it’s up and running! xx

  23. I am very excited to see your shop. Congrats on taking the step and announcing!

  24. By the looks of these comments, you’ve already got QUITE the interested customer base!!! You go girl!! This is so awesome! I can’t wait to check it out :)

  25. Can’t wait to shop shop shop!! Love your photos and I’m already itching to send some adorbs cape themed cards!!

    :)

  26. Way toooo go, Anna!!! So excited for you!!!

  27. Yay Anna! So proud of you and I can’t wait to order your stuff!!!

  28. Stop stop stop this is so exciting!! I’m so proud of you and can’t wait to see all the treasure you fill it with! And I can 100% promise things will sell :)

  29. this is so exciting! your photography is amazing and i’m sure many things will sell! hope you can tie together all the loose ends these next couple of weeks!

  30. Congratulations, I hope the best for you once it opens!! It may take awhile to get going, but don’t get discouraged, I bet it will really kick off after a bit! :)

    • I think even one sale will make me giddy. Just one, maybe two.

      (and hopefully a few more after that.)

      Thanks for cheering me on!

  31. This makes me SO HAPPY! I can’t wait to see what you’re going to be offering up! I hope it’s really rewarding and fun for you. Yay for making goals/dreams come true :)

    • Thanks, Kristin! GOING FOR THE GOLD.

      also, I’m emailing you this comment as well. Because I know you’re needy like that. ;)

      HAPPY WEEKEND!

  32. Karyn Burns says:

    I don’t think you could be any more adoreable. This is a perfect idea. You are one of the classiest and most stylish gals I know, and that will certainly resonate with your cards and prints. I imagine this to be an awesome venture for you! xo K.

  33. YESYESYESYES! I was soooooooo pumped when we got lunch that one day and you brought this idea up, and LOOK! you’re doing it! :) buying all of the things. ALL the things.

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