Humbled by your support.

Apr 20

I noticed the other day that I am sitting at 798 sales in my Etsy shop.

798 orders completed. 798 things I’ve made, whether it was a sticker or a piece of art. It's all handmade and I can't believe I've gotten this far. I quite enjoy running my little side business.

IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE WHERE YOU ARE.

Five years ago I didn't have a business. I was still struggling between being a hobby artist or a serious illustrator. I had no idea how people made and sold merch, I just knew back then I wanted to try it sometime.

I would open my shop a year later, but I wouldn't take Etsy seriously for a couple more years. The delay was partially due to personal insecurities. I didn't think I made stuff that had mass appeal at the time.

The road to this point has been bumpy and full of u-turns and delays but

I MADE IT THIS FAR. Let's see where I go next. But also I’m going to enjoy sitting here a bit longer. I've beaten a large amount of personal barriers. I deserve some rest before I hit the path again.

I used to take photos of the piles of packages because I never wanted to forget how it looked or felt. Each of those enveloped holds my art inside it! People buy this! How bloody cool is that??

But then when I started bringing piles of packages on a weekly basis to the post office, I no longer felt I needed to document the occasion. The frequency it happens, I continue to feel blessed with each sale.

More than thrilled when I sell original zines and original content too. I understand why people buy fan art, we all already love that existing character/franchise.

So when people take a chance on my original stuff, it brings the tears to my eyes. This art journey of mine has been quite the uphill battle. But I'm starting to see the bonus outcomes of all the previous struggle. Forever grateful. 💜

I love when people tag me on social media to show off their stuff I’ve sent them. This was my first order from Japan. I am so thrilled everything arrived safely and in great time. Took close to 3 weeks to get there from Canada. Not bad!

art careerbusinessness the artist

vanessa netzel

Dec 12, 2024

Hobbies and varied interests of sorts.

I have TOO MANY INTERESTS. Everything is interesting. I can be surprised by the things that suddenly intrigue me. Currently I’m debating attempting to turn my poinsettia into a bonsai after the holidays. I learned that poinsettia originate from Mexico, and that climate enables them to grow into trees. Poinsettia trees are BEAUTIFUL. But I live in a cold climate. And I don't have a greenhouse. I thought about stunting the plant into a bush. Some say it's hard to do, some say it's easy. I’m debating if I need another project right now.

Nov 18, 2024

Postal strike, goodbye Etsy, hello Ko-fi

There has been so many surprises over the last year, I’m weary of them now. Another surprise is just how much Etsy makes off each sale.

Before the move, I was selling things so rapidly it wasn't easy to keep track of the hidden fees. I’d had my shop for years. I ignored the fees, figured they balanced out in the end. I was selling and paying bills after all, and that was the goal.

I moved locations, eventually reopened my Etsy shop, and had my first sale. One sale meant it was very easy to see how much Etsy took in fees. Every deduction from Etsy was just on that one solitary sale.

Humbled by your support.

Getting Renovicted.

Coping with Emotions cheat sheet