Hi everyone, I set up my Folksy shop almost a year ago but have hardly used the Folksy Talk bit because I feel a bit overwhelmed and can’t get to grips with all the different headings etc. Some appear to be years old so I don’t know if the topics are still active. I find it hard to know where and how to make a comment… ask a question… I’ve just started writing this but don’t know what will happen to it when I’ve finished !!!
I was really pleased by early sales and visits to my shop but it’s all gone pretty quiet. I’m doing regular insta and Facebook posts, I get wonderful comments at craft fairs but not many sales, is embroidery just too much of a niche market ?
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Hello Linda
If you have the time I’d recommend joining in on the daily listing challenge.
It will help you get to know other folksy sellers and their shops. You have to commit to showing a new item everyday for the month, and visiting everyone else’s shop. It does take time but will give you some exposure and everyone is really helpful if your struggling with the technicalities.
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Welcome Linda. It is hard when you start out but agree the daily challenge is worth it. I have made so many friends and been here I think almost 10 years now.
It takes time to build up a customer base Facebook is a must and Insta. Your work is unique and lovely.
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Hi Linda, I completely understand how you feel about being overwhelmed, I was exactly the same when I started out but feel much more comfortable here now. I agree with the previous comments, the daily challenge is such a great forum to be part of, so many lovely helpful people to engage with and get to know, I really recommend joining in.
If you look at the list of threads the activity column tells you when someone last posted on there. People do sometimes post on older threads and then they spring back to life! Just join in where you fancy and see how it goes.
Your shop is lovely and you are clearly talented, it’s the marketing bit that is the challenge and I know a lot of us feel the same way.
Good luck with your shop and I hope to see you in the daily challenge x
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I agree to start with it is hard to know where to add your comment to a thread. You need to scroll down ro the end of the thread and use the big blue arrow. If you use the little grey arrow next to someones post it acts as just a reply to that post and not on the thread generally. To get to the end of the thread click on the blue numbers , then slide down the blue slidey thing to the bottom. This is on a phone, not sure on a laptop. It gets easy with practice, honestly!!
I too recommend the daily listing thread, for
getting to know people. If that sounds too challenging to start with, then spend some time reading recent threads and commenting first to become more comfortable using the forum. Everyone is very friendly and helpful so dont be hesitant in asking.
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Thank you Christine, I think the time is the hardest part of things like this. I end up not having time to do the making, I’ll have to make a plan to manage my time more efficiently!!
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Thank you that’s really helpful, I’ve used the big blue arrow … and I think written a direct reply to Christine.it all sounds good advice, but very time consuming.
Ill take a look at the daily challenge xxx
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Looks like you are doing great!
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Hi, I feel you 
I have returned to Folksy from some years away and am still finding my feet. At the moment I am visiting shops in the forum and hearting things and viewing to get a feel for active shops here.
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Hi Linda,
Your embroidery is lovely, I completely understand about the amount of time they take as I hand sew and embroider as well and each piece takes days to make.
The daily listing thread would be a good one to join if time allows, I personally don’t use it as I couldn’t keep up but I did join for a couple of months when I first came to Folksy so if you could do it short term it might benefit you and the other sellers are there to help as well.
My shop has suddenly gone much quieter than usual and a few well established shops have said the same. It certainly isn’t your products or the fact they are embroidered. I hope it picks up soon, your work is lovely,
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Thank you that’s so encouraging xx
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So, we’ve been going for a couple of months now. Not sure if our shop stats are good or bad but it does seem visits/favourited are from Folksy sellers which is very much appreciated but not leading to any sales.
We engage in many categories and reply/create to questions/conversations, post on IG, FB and Threads but again no sales from there.
I’m always asking myself “us our shop the best it can be”? so i’d like to put this question to you all!
Thanks 
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You are not alone. I have been on here exactly a year today, but had just 2 sales, both to fellow Folksyites via the Daily listing challenge. I am very grateful to them. I feel I have “got to know” the people who regularly use the forum, but find it is mainly the same group of people who use the various facebook groups. I think they must be sick and tired of seeing my items. But until I get more sales I am holding back on the making, as the listing fees add up. Hard to reach others. I am not looking for much, maybe a couple of sales a month - congratulations as you have achieved that level!! Sorry, I am not helping you, just empathising!
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Oh thank you for taking the time to reply! I agree it seems to be the same shop owners on the daily challenge, which is good as I get to see theirs makes. There are a couple of things with that particular category that drives me insane but I dare not say as I’m sure it’ll upset someone so I’ll keep my mouth shut this time!
I’ve had 3 sales, 2 from family and 1 from FB on our page.
We have started craft fairs again, the 1st not good but the 2nd was much better. Onward & upwards as they say!
Hi
I feel your pain - I think I started Folksy 3 months ago and not had a sniff of a sale.
I have got enough time to do the Daily listing challenge unfortunately.
I do dip in and out of the forums - I have a little routine of checking my shop stats and then reading/posting on the forums each morning
I also partake in Folksy Friday (check out the blog of or info) and post regularly on Insta…
Everyone is very friendly and helpful.
It’s hard. I’m considering closing it all though as it’s just not working for me
Good luck though I hope it picks up for you - it does seem to be the same for a lot of people do we’re not alone
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Thank you everyone who’s commented on this thread.
I think I’ve decided that as long as I enjoy the making i will carry on with my folksy shop. I’m going to go back to thinking about it as a hobby and if it brings me a little cash aswell as pleasure in creating then that’s great.
But it has to be enjoyable, so I’m going to continue making what I love and stop worrying about what’s “on trend” and continue with my own unique way of creating.
I’ve had one sale this month and that’s ok by me.
Good luck everyone and keep it enjoyable..for you xxx
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@stitchedworks @samazama @jasmineme
Thanks for your replies
Ironically we had a sale yesterday! Not from Folksy but from a craft fair we attended a few weeks ago (sale went through Folksy) 
.
We keep going, like Linda says we do it as a hobby and enjoy it very much.
to everyone.
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I have never been en trend. Always different when younger and have continued into retirement, lol. It is good to be different.
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I don’t do trends either…as a Goth styled older woman or as a bear artist 
…I 100% agree it’s good to be different… I like products to be as niche as their maker (it’s often funny when I tell people I make cuddly fluffy bears )
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I was a Sloane then broke away and became a romantic. Love the goth look but as pale the black makes me look like a ghost. Love a designer in the US, she does country lace shabby. Also Gudrun Sodjen. Cannot remember the former atm will have a look for her website.
Found it Magnolia Pearl.
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