I did it.

I've finally done it. After years of spending my free time painting and creating things, after many holidays of giving homemade gifts rather than store bought ones, after endless debates with myself about selling my paintings, I've finally done it. I've opened my own virtual "store" on the marketplace website etsy.com. For those of you that are not familiar with etsy, it's only the greatest little find for people looking for unique and individual items and gifts. I discovered this website while planning my wedding. I somehow stumbled across this website, featuring everything from handmade purses, to cake toppers, to furniture. I was amazed. How did I not discover this before?? I quickly got to work, ordering our monogrammed cake topper, 5 unique purses to fit each of my bridesmaid's personalities, my ringbearer pillows, our unity candle....the possibilities on this website were absolutely endless. After the craziness of our wedding was over, I had time to think about my own crafting hopes of selling my items. Could I do what all these sellers were doing? Could I open my own shop, manage orders, get them shipped, all while working a full-time job and trying to maintain a happy marriage? If all these people could, why can't I? I finally took action a few days ago. I started brainstorming possible store names. I started designing my store banner with my logo. Then I went home and took pictures of my items for sale. Granted, at this point, I only have two items for sale....but everyone has to start somewhere, right? I just hope people like my work. I never realized how vulnerable you would feel in putting your work out and waiting for someone to like it. But that's what I'm doing. So here's to celebrating the "grand opening" of Rustic Elegance crafts. Hope to see some of you as potential buyers soon :)

http://www.rusticelegancecrafts.etsy.com/