I have been reading and studying how to sell on etsy and nothing was clicking. All of the sources I was reading or listening to kept repeating to find your niche, find mentors, and copy what they did. It's a great theory but one that is hard to follow through when your head gets in the way spewing negative self-confidence and self-doubt.

I gave up on listening to what etsy sellers are or were doing. No offense to them but their advice did not help with my vision. I also gave up on finding mentors. I thought I had found one briefly and the advice she gave did boost sales temporarily. The advice however did not fit my vision or showcase my product at its best. That left copy, I have looked for two years fumbling through a rabbit hole of selling, marketing, investing and I have to this day not found a single individual or store to copy. Not to metion the whole niche thing was still giving me a headache.

Then, very randomly, I found my niche. The really sad thing is in two years of trying to figure it out on my own, it was right in front of my face. I was talking to a co-worker about The Stitching Elk and explaining what I was selling, mentioning hand made items and patterns. Her response to the patterns was oh so like evey other craft store. Which made me pause and think before I responded. I explained that yes I have some current and trendy patterns but my focus was on the rare and hard to find patterns. Without missing a beat she said "Well then you have found your niche."

I was flabbergasted! I had a niche all along and just did not even realize it. 

*Pictured above The Minstrel by Teresa Wentzler. She is no longger designing due to arthirtis and her designs are highly sought after; especially her dragons.