tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116910306520528915.post8968826984991009754..comments2024-02-27T02:34:17.909-05:00Comments on meesh's pottery: FocusMichèle Hastingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11346907762804197879noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116910306520528915.post-31533504118799128972014-01-23T12:33:12.358-05:002014-01-23T12:33:12.358-05:00Peter, we thought like you when we signed up for t...Peter, we thought like you when we signed up for the coop that splitting all the costs equally and no commission seemed very fair. If everyone sells well it is a good thing. but that rarely happens. If you only sell a $100 and another member sells $600, and costs are shared equally... you are losing money.<br />Michèle Hastingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11346907762804197879noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116910306520528915.post-10500300548768511502014-01-23T12:10:15.252-05:002014-01-23T12:10:15.252-05:00We have a room that gets piled up with small cardb...We have a room that gets piled up with small cardboard cartons that come from Laura's one day a week job at the local grocery shop. Quite fun to be sending pots away in something that once held bananas or baked beans! The Co-op thing is always in my mind. The one I belong to sounds like yours in that it was set up that all members pay an equal monthly fee to cover rent and other expenses. In our case there is no commission... It certainly favors those that sell well, but is very hard on those of us that don't. The equal share of costs thing sounds good in theory, like some other economic theory, but it is quite unfair in practice! I think it is probably fairer to have a more modest monthly fee, plus a commission on sales. What those that sell well don't like to admit is that their sales actually cost money, in bank fees and packing costs. It is very hard to find a system that suits everyone, and recognizes that all members are essential and contribute, even if they don't sell well.<br /><br />Glad that Etsy is working so well for you. I'm not sure that it would for me as I am so far from the rest of the world down here in NZ, and postage is very expensive, but I might also try some on line sales this year and see if I can make them work.<br /><br />Happy New Year, PxxPeterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03078608554226394069noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116910306520528915.post-64592827220844357282014-01-21T08:55:21.520-05:002014-01-21T08:55:21.520-05:00You've inspired me to spend more time in my Et...You've inspired me to spend more time in my Etsy store and it's already starting to show some improvement. It is a big time commitment.<br /><br />Like Gary, I get a good bit of my shipping materials from friends and neighbors. It's really helpful and great for the environment. Of course many of your neighbors are potters too so EVERYONE wants the free peanuts.Lori Buffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00233955188892423314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116910306520528915.post-27527989211935153472014-01-20T18:49:35.839-05:002014-01-20T18:49:35.839-05:00Suzie - go for it and best of luck!
Gary - Free p...Suzie - go for it and best of luck!<br /><br />Gary - Free packing stuff is always good! We occasionally get free pnuts but that's about it. <br />Our co-op works like this... 10 members each working 3 days in 30. Rent and utilities are divided equally. If you sell a ton you are doing well... if sales are low, well do the math. How does your co-op operate? Is it by commission on sales only? Michèle Hastingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11346907762804197879noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116910306520528915.post-59045041930502944792014-01-20T18:36:12.605-05:002014-01-20T18:36:12.605-05:00Bubble wrap and foamies: the word has gotten out ...Bubble wrap and foamies: the word has gotten out and EVERYBODY and their cousin has filled my studio, garage, EVERYWHERE with shipping materials. I have not had to buy any in a couple of years. I come home and there is a ton of once used stuff waiting for me on the front porch. The wife is on the bus coming home from work and some stranger gives her a bag. A sister-in-law in NYC hands her a bag of foamies in a restaurant (we asked that she not burden us, 200 miles from home, with a big bag of foamies to take home, whilst in a nice restaurant, but the sentiment is nice). The other day, a friend was loading me down and said "you could say no" and I said "its like FIELD OF DREAMS, 'build it and they will come'. I fill up the studio to bursting by October, then suddenly it is going out every day and then it is Christmas and IT IS ALL GONE. Happens every year :)". I like the coop I am in, although SHEESH, how it hangs in there finacially is a mystery...nice people and love, probably...but the terms are a zillion times easier than the ones you mentioned there :)Gary's third pottery bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13517401528128108791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3116910306520528915.post-76186362703948497152014-01-20T15:04:09.561-05:002014-01-20T15:04:09.561-05:00You are inspiring me, Michele! This year I will g...You are inspiring me, Michele! This year I <i>will</i> get my Etsy shop off the ground. Really just a matter of choosing stock and trying for some decent photos.smartcathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15430370214403895826noreply@blogger.com