Splash-a-torium

 One of the reasons we chose the Welk Resort in Branson was for their Splash-a-torium which featured and indoor pool and water slide.

 The kids really enjoyed it, but they enjoyed the entire pool experience.  From the littlest non-swimmers to the bigger dare-devils!

 We had dinner two nights around the pools.  One night there was a barbeque buffet and the second night we ordered pizza and salad from the restaurant (Stage Door).  The tables were situated so we could see the kids if they were in the splash pool or in the big pool.

Ride the Duck Branson

While in Branson, we decided the kids would enjoy Ride the Ducks.

Our Captain Seamore was gracious despite the constant quacking of our crew of ducks!

 After a brief tour of Branson, we headed for Table Rock Lake. 

 First, we crossed the dam and wound up a road to an area that had been excavated with the stone being put on a conveyor belt to create the dam.  That area and the roads leading up there has many vintage military vehicles.

Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery

 While in Branson, we were just a little over a mile from the trout hatchery---surely on everyone's must see list while in Branson!  Well, it is FREE!

 There were some exhibits inside but the actually trout hatchery was outside.

 We learned the netting was to prevent birds from eating the fish (not keeping children out?)  We learned the water from the bottom of Table Rock Dam (in the back) was a chilly 48°

Father's Day, Here and There

 Father's Day in Kansas City began with Kyle fixing breakfast???

The beautiful center piece has hydrangea's from their yard, sunflowers from the store and roses from Libby's recital.

 We went outside where neighbor Roger came over to see how Libby's dance recital went the night before while her brothers rode bikes.

 Then, it was time to open presents---the grandkids got Grandpa a HUGE wine glass

And lots of wonderful cards.  But, then we had to hop in our car to go back home.

 Where Eli and Anna were to celebrate Father's Day again!

Grandpa reading from an airplane book was the perfect ending of the day. . . .Grandma taking pictures wasn't.  (Our celebration with Roman had to wait a couple of days)

Baseball and Ballet

 We made a quick trip to Kansas City last weekend to see Brett play baseball (photo above is Brett and his dad putting on catcher's equipment0

His little brother Davis was a spectator, then an hour later. . .

 . . .it was Davis's turn to play ball and . . . .

 For Brett to watch.

 After Davis's game we headed straight for the theater for Libby's recital.

We met up with the Twenters in this beautiful old theater--The Folley.

 Our ballerina is the second from the right.

During intermission, we took a few photos with our ballerina.  A fun-filled and a busy 7 hours!

Etsy Insight

Before listing something, I research it on Etsy and Ebay to see what similar items are selling for.  I don't want to under-cut someone else, but I want to sell it.  So, if I see an item for $10, I may try to sell it for $8.  If something is listed for less than $4, I set it aside and wait a few months before listing it.  It's not worth the time, effort and costs for me to list it.

Next, I photograph the item, trying to show it as many ways as possible and as artistic as possible. I always use all 5 photos, even if it is the same photo with just different backgrounds (see listing for doily below on  different colored back grounds.
 
This is a listing page where you identify everything about the item--its use, the title, its age, materials it is made from and "Tags".  We are allowed 13 tags which I always use.  So, for this doily, I might put "doily, doiley, doilys, doilies, round, 13 inches, 34 cm, pineapple, star, crochet, crocheted, white, cream".  Yes, I misspell some tags and use plurals for one item, because that may be how a potential customer searches it.  I also use synonyms so a "table scarf" may also be listed as a "panel", "placemat", "table runner".
 
This is how my page looks today:  Oma's Trunk.  The top 4 items are "featured":  I pre-selected items I wanted in that spot.  The items below are the ones I have most recently listed.  Although I have 5 patterns I wanted to list, I try not to list too many at the same time, but spread them out so they appear on the search pages in different places.  I have 10 draft items at this time---I just need to press a button to publish them.  But, I want to spread the publishing out during the course of a week, thus getting more exposure also.
It helps to have a good scale to weight items.  Shipping fees are based on weight of the item, the wrapping, the shipping container. I go to the post office web site to get rates.  There is a wonderful feature on Etsy called shipping profile.  For example 1-2 oz. items, I have priced at $2 for the United States $4.75 anywhere else.  I have pre-entered all of that, so anytime I have an item that weighs that, it will automatically appear.
Due to the nature of the items, I sell (antique, fabric, paper), I wrap everything in acid-free paper, and slap a sticker on from my vast sticker collection.

Then, I write a thank you note, slide the sold object in an envelope, write the name and address (from my iPad), use one of my kazillion free address labels and take it to the post office.  There is also an option which I use from time to time in which I can print a label from PayPal which includes postage. It costs .18 extra, but is a great option.  I don't have any sticker paper, so I have to tape it down.  But, then I can just put the package in the mailbox rather than sending it with Dave to the Post Office.

So, how have I done?  Pretty well, I think.  This page shows clearly when my shop was closed for several weeks of trips.  It looks like I am going down, but this isn't the middle of the month yet.  And, I have "made" almost $1000.  I do need to deduct the cost of listing the item, using pay pal to collect the money, the envelope and the cost of the item sold (which usually was in my closet, basement and bought years ago).  I do occasionally find items at thrift stores which I turn around and list (sewing patterns and scarves), but most things are really part of my cleaning out/down-sizing.  All in all it has been a profitable enterprise for this retired lady.

Etsy Set-Up

 This is my Etsy office/Dining Room.  Rachel tried to set me up in the basement, but the lighting and ambiance just wasn't right. Each container, represents a different section:  buttons, linens and scarves, books and magazines, mailing supplies.
This card table is what I photograph from.  It also can be moved into the corner to cover all of my containers.
The chairs in the Dining Room are draped with various, napkins, scarves and placemats which are the backgrounds for the items I am photographing to get ready to sell.  The Dining Room table is usually used for measuring and packaging.

Then, the buffet has items which are ready to be "listed" on my Etsy site, Oma's Trunk.  After they are listed, they go into the containers in photo #1.  It's a system that seems to work out well for me.  But in the 9 months that I have been selling, I've picked up a few tips, insights and inspirations that I will soon share.