Tina @DaisyWings …I have been through my shop and reduced all my paintings…I want to keep painting …that is my life now and I wouldn’t want to give it up.
A lot of people would say that this is crazy but it is more important to me to keep active and sell, no matter what the price. …and if someone can also get some pleasure from my work then that would be wonderful as well.xx
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So right Brenda, do what’s best for you and keep painting 
x
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Tina @DaisyWings …it works out at no more £83 a month in sales to keep under the £1k.Obviously some months you might take more but as long as it balances out with lower takings on other months, we should be OK…and breathe…
Oh and I emailed admin because on their page it says that the limit for keeping below tax ( and filling in the self employment forms ) is 2000 euros which is approximately £1700..which is a lot higher, so I have asked for clarification. I also read somewhere that the government is trying to raise the level to 3000 ( not sure if that is £’s or euros ) that would be even better.
I filled in the forms for years ( well my accountant friend did it for me) but I really don’t think I could cope with them as that friend is no longer around…so it is important to me not to have to do them. (I even got HMRC to put it in writing for me just to cover my back…lol)
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Thanks for the info Brenda, so much to think about 
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That’s a good idea
I am new to Folksy and really don’t know where to go from here
Shop is set up but that’s about it
Looking at Theme of the Day and Folksy Friday
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Debbie @thecrimsonrabbit - thank you so much for your lovely comments. Sorry for not picking up at the time - I decided to take a complete break for most of January, so haven’t been on here (cold turkey was good for me).
You are spot on - I have often thought I’d love to pass on more of the things I have learned. My crafting kits are already mini tutorials, and I used to write “how-to” articles for my blog (as well as some online craft magazines). The flexibility probably suits me more than doing fixed workshops, as I can do them at my own pace 
- so maybe i’ll concentrate on those. But I may offer to be a “buddy” for new quilters at our local Linus group.
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How is everyone getting on with their plans?
I’ve had some unexpected loss of studio time due to some other responsibilities (2 full days down a week) but I have actually been experimenting more this year!
I’m going to carry on with throwing and decorating in a much more free and spontaneous way.
I’m trying to be less hard on myself not having the time to produce in high volume and try to use this time as a growing phase.
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It’s hard when time is taken up with other things but enjoy the time you can to make, I plan continuously so when an unexpected day happens it really messes up my week and plans. I like your new designs, the bowls, mugs etc, have they been popular?
Last year I planned to go back to high end bears for 2026 with lots of embroidery and detail and it was definitely the right decision. Sales have been really good, I’ve just listed some small bears today but prior to those all but one of my new 2026 stock has sold and I’m definitely enjoying creating again. I’ve got some custom orders to start on and admit I don’t really enjoy doing them, I prefer to make, list and see if they find new homes but it is lovely that customers trust I will make what they want. I can’t see me going back to my smaller items in the foreseeable future but who knows, maybe when they have all sold I might bring something new to the table, they do sell but last year I spent too much time on them at the expense of the bears.
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That’s brilliant Debby. I’m so glad you’ve gone back to the format that works for you.
Sometimes, instinctively we know what is right for the business.
For me, in quiet times I do get filled with self-doubt and then compare myself to the success of others. That’s when I go off piste and end up not really being true to myself.
I feel like you too, I prefer to make whatever comes to mind and hope that it will sell although that does sometimes mean I end up with something that never sells at all 
I’m not really sure of the reception on my new items. I have sold a few of them and I have had quite a few compliments but I feel like there should probably be a more cohesive set and more items to choose from before I decide whether it’s worth carrying on in that style.
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It’s a difficult one isn’t it, if there’s a wider range of perhaps 2 designs then people may buy one piece then return for another and keep returning for other items that match. Sometimes you just have to take the chance, it might be the best decision you have made. Perhaps try one or two designs in a few pieces and see how it goes, I think people will start to recognise your pieces and style of work.
I think most of us start to self doubt in quieter times, last year I spent too much time on smaller items and my bear customers were quieter than usual, the bears I made didn’t have the same detail and are still on the shelf. I started to feel I was losing my identity as a bear artist and was just making to sell, I never felt accomplished so it was either move on or call it a day. I was still selling plenty but it wasn’t enough as I had lost that wow feeling when I made something new. I decided there isn’t time to do everything well so concentrale on what I do best. I found the smaller items sell and often bring new customers but my high end items are what my followers and bear customers want.
Do what you enjoy, you obviously have a good following and customers that keep returning and whatever you make sells, if it’s time for you to move on to new things you may lose a few customers but you will gain new ones as well. I lost quite a lot of my local customers when i started selling online and as my prices have risen I lost a few more but I also gained new customers that prefer high end. One said to me recently that she can buy bears anywhere, a bear is just a bear but she can’t buy bears like mine anywhere else and it has stuck with me.
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My plan for this year is to do a lot more promotion of my products and to try some new ideas which have been bubbling around in the back of my mind. I make decorative boxes but since I restarted on Folksy after a long gap, I really haven’t been doing any online promotion, whether website or social media, and I am also exploring the potential for sales to other crafters.
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I think I’m sticking to my ‘plan’ and I use that term lightly! I’m still winging it. I’ve spent quiet time updating listings everywhere. Hopefully this will pay off soon.
I’m rubbish at been consistent on social media and I’ve stopped stressing over it. I do what I can.
This month has been unusual as partner had surgery - it was done where we used to live so a lot of travelling around the country.
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That’s good idea
I find social media quite hard work
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I just go from day to day. Promoting my items etc etc is a full time job ! I know I need to do it to get noticed and potential sales but it’s hard work.
I am working on a few items at the minute then as soon as finished I will have a social media and promotion blast for a few weeks tuen go back to creating again
I don’t know if this is right but it’s my plan
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Plans you have plans ! I’m not sure this is the right place having sold nothing ( yes I know it takes time ) but frankly I could do a arts fair at least have more people looking !.
On other things I have sold my art in a gallery so not sure why not on here !. But for now I’ll stick with it.
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Hi, It’s probably a predictable answer but my plan is to try and actually make a few sales on at least one of the websites I’m part of.
It’s fairly early days on here, I’m on a couple of other sites too but I’m just getting nowhere. I’ve been trying for a long time on one of the other sites, I’ve had sales which I’m always happy and thankful for but it is hard to keep motivated and I can’t help but feel what’s wrong with my stuff on those days. Anyway, I just keep plodding on….
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I was feeling rather downhearted a couple of months ago, but as the saying goes, sunshine follows a storm! I’ve managed to book myself into 4 craft shows this year (3 summer ones and 1 Christmas one), so I’d say I’ve achieved this years’ goal! Of course there’s still a lot of work to do but I’ve done the first step so I’m hoping the rest will fall into step nicely 
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I realise it is now June but my 2026 Sales Goal for my Folksy shop is to get 15 more orders to beat my 2025 total, or 19 more to beat 2024.
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