So, what has Etsy meant to me? It's meant a place to sell my art. It has meant being able to participate in a community of like-minded artists, and some not so like-minded. :) It's meant learning a LOT and then sharing that with others. It has meant growing to know some pretty spectacular people. Oh, and it has meant addiction.Yep, addiction. My personality type is a helper, a mediator. I'm an INFP/INFJ and a 9w1, Myers-Briggs and Enneagram respectively. Recently, for a new job, I tested quite high in customer service skills. In past jobs, I've been a techie, helping via phone and in person. And a software analyst. So along come the Etsy Forums. Lots of people have questions. I either know or have learned the answers. So I share. I gather information of oft asked questions and chart. I make note of answers not in the Help section and links touted but not on the site. I read and learn and write and teach. This is such a big part of what Etsy is about. It's a great part. Great.
Great. Yeah. At 10,000 topics posted in, I am generously asked to write a Storque article. Wow! Threads are posted asking how many topics people have posted in and I always "win".
Well, at 16,340 I decide I need to step away for a while. I tried to just step away from the forums, but going to my shop led me back in. So now I shut down my shop for a while to assist in breaking what feels like an addiction. If I got paid for it, I would feel differently, but it doesn't pay the bills and has become a black hole for my time. Oh, I LOVE it and it feels so rewarding to me, but I need to pay more attention to the rest of my life for a while.
So, I'm starting a new full-time job soon and will be focusing on craft and art fairs. Maybe now I'll take the time to get my work into more Brick and Mortar (B&M) stores. (Learned that on Etsy.) Maybe I'll check out some of the other sites more thoroughly, though I know they pale in comparison to Etsy. Maybe I'll build a stronger connection with more of my friends. Ah... saying this makes me realize I will miss the friends I've made on Etsy.
So, wish me luck. I wish you luck, prosperity and all the goodness life has to offer. We all deserve this.
Remember to keep Etsy kind and generous. Don't let the nay sayers take over! In one of my last posts, I said this and I fully believe it:
"I think it's more of a challenge to be truly compassionate in life than to go around ranting about the wrongs of the world.
Both can be effective, but the experience is wholly different."
(You know I'll be back...)
42 comments:
LooseWire: You will definitely be missed around the forums :) You have answered so many questions that I have had. I just wanted to say thank you and to let you know how much you are appreciated. I hope that you enjoy your time away! Good luck!
I'll miss you but wish you well. Come stop in and be non-responsive with me once in a blue moon, k? :D
I miss you already loose! Don't stay away for too long! Good luck in your new job, and I hope all the B&Ms take on your awesome jewellery!
Bye bye xxx :(
Sorry to see you go; you were such a positive influence in the Etsy community! Hope everything goes well for you, and that in time you can find a happy balance of which Etsy is just a small part. Keep creating! :)
Thank you for all the great advice and knowledge you've given to me and all the other lucky etsy sellers. I will miss seeing you but know exactly what you mean about the "addiction". :) I hope everything works out the best for you and your creations!!
You'll definitely be missed but I can understand needing to go. Take care and please post here in your blog once in a while so we know you're doing OK.
(ravenshold)
i hope you'll be back!
it will be odd for you to fade out of the forums, but i can relate to the time black hole and have really taken myself out of them as well.
I wish you all the best and hope that you will continue blogging. Keep us updated on your new job. I'm glad that you have the courage to see what you need in your life and are pursuing it. Hugs to you.
Best wishes and be happy.
Oh you will be missed! You're like a part of Etsy we have all come to expect. But I truly understand. Etsy is a black hole for time. But then, so are blogs! You won't leave your blog too I hope!!! You have it to stay connected and keep everyone informed of your new ventures. :)
Good luck to you! You'll do swell!
I hope you find the balance in your life that allows Etsy a place. We will miss your wit and wisdom. In everything moderation, and yes I am a "pollyanna" too, many more rewards than a nay~sayer!
Will be happy to see you when you come back. Have an enjoyable Etsy-holiday. :)
Oh I just found you .... and now you are leaving .
will this blog be here for us ?
I was just reading the Feb 26 2005 post .
Thank you for that
Best wishes to you
Here it is 4 a.m. and you popped into my head. I know we really didn't know each other but I remembered you when I saw my feedback. I remember starting a thread about feedback and why my feedback did not go to 100% when I hit 500 feedback with 4 negs. I waited for it at 600 and then again at 700 and then finally gave up. I remember you trying to figure out the percent for me and if I would ever hit that 100%. Well I thought of you bvecause at 800 I went to 100%...I just wanted to share that with you...I sure there will be hundreds of topics you have commented in and someday someone else will have you pop into their head when they remember something you said in their thread. Good luck in your future endeavours ......fickle
Aw... I heart you guys! I have been popping in once a day and posting now and again - but nothing like I used to. It feels good.
Yah, I'll be leaving the Etsy Help posts up in this blog. If you ever see anything that needs updating, please let me know and I'll change/add it.
p.s. That FAQ help post is back dated on purpose. Actual publish date was sometime this year. I should add a "last update" field to it.
I thought I wasn't seeing you that often in the Etsy forums when recently your name came up in a thread I was in. Well, to healing, and new experiences, and stepping back, and growth and rebirth. Yes, you will be back! Looking forward to it!
Thank you . Thank you for your kindness and help
Argh! I get pulled into the Bugs section most often. Eep!
*will try harder* :D
Take care of yourself, I've backed off the forums too. It is a black hole, too often.
Best of luck. Hope you list items again soon....
sara
Enjoy your Etsy break!
We will miss you, for sure!
Miss you, sweetie.
I still see you on the boards... :)
Addictions are hard to break and going cold turkey is even more of a challenge.
You've been so helpful to so many people and someone will take your place and that may be a good thing. When you come back to Etsy to sell your products, you can be sure that your time will be concentrated on that from then on.
Enjoy your break and life, in general.
Success in all you do!
You will be missed!
Good Luck and I hope you'll be back sometime. The forums are addicting! Good Luck! Lauren
Good luck in what you do! I feel the same exact way... I did walk away from my shop... only to go off and open another one!
Yes, serious forums addiction is not fun, or funny...
Hi Loose Wire,
You don't know me - I found you somehow on Etsy.
Just had to comment when I saw you talk about Midtown Global Market and MIA and MCAD. I'm from Minnesota too. I live in New Hope. My husband is a techie.
I'm just starting on Etsy - 7/2/08 first item posted, no sales yet.
Black Forest Boutique in Maple Grove will be featuring my items along with 80 other artisans from 9/11 - 11/9/08. You might want to look them up as a potential B & M store.
Best wishes to you. You can reach me at creationsbylea on etsy.
Peace Out,
Lea
Stinkers! I needed you for one of my hodge podge treasuries...and find you gone..keep the aspidistra flying, and perhaps we'll bump into each other at a convenience store....
I'm mainly a forum lurker and I learned more from your posts than any etsy help section. best of luck with your new job and craft fairs!
Michelle, best of luck to you and a big Thank You too! : )
LooseWire, you're a generous and gracious spirit, and your voice of helpful reason will be deeply missed. Thank you so much for the many selfless hours you've put into the Etsy community. I wish you all the best in your new ventures, and will look forward to seeing you around when you look in on us!
I completely understand and wish you all the best in what ever path you follow.
I don't even know you and I miss you already! I just looked in my "who hearts me" on etsy and you were there, so I thought I'd check you out. I looked at your blog and was touched by it. I'm fairly new to etsy but I can see how it could take over your life. It's so addictive. You sound like a very caring person. It sounds like it's time to care for yourself and take a break. Good luck and best wishes to you. :)
Michelle (yoopers.etsy)
Best to you! Thank you for all your past advice! Hope to see you again soon!
Hello, I just found the link to this from checking on a pair of earrings by you in my favorites. You're link list is so helpful, I just wanted to say thank you for it and for all your generosity at Etsy. Best wishes as you begin your new job.
I remember when I was newbie and posted a question in the forums. I think it was probably one of the first threads I ever started and I was happy that you came to my rescue to answer my question. I have always been fond of you and admired your willingness to help others out. I wish you all of the luck in the world. You deserve it!
Cori
Loose - just wanted to check in and say, "I hope all is going well" :) You're doing the right thing - for sure!! Keep in touch and I'll let you know when I go into some other shops and will give you the info, k?? :) ~ Bee (aka Myers-Briggs: IN T/F J - totally understand!!) LOL :)
You are missed and your quote about compassion is so true. It takes far less energy to be pleasant than to be angry and mean.
Wishing you pleasant days ahead.
Thank you for sharing that! You have been so helpful in the etsy forums and you are appreciated with your kind helpfulness and wisdom!
sorry to see you've left etsy. i wish you luck with the craft fairs. i believe i ran into you at the red hot arts festival while i was there chopping up paintings.
check out my blog sometime, maybe we can trade links:
http://www.beardedbunnyblog.blogspot.com
wow you said just what I feel. You know you and I often responded to the same posts. It is highly addicting and my weight gains shows that. I think in the New Year I will be less focused on online sales and more on my life.
Thanks for the inspiration
Linda
Good luck in your new endeavors! I do know what you mean about "stepping away".....you were so involved, and even at the level I am involved, I know that it takes up too much of my time. Thanks for the help in the past!
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