|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Why sell paper piecings on eBay?
eBay is a great way to make a steady part-time or full-time income from a hobby that you love! Selling paper piecings has its ups and downs, but overall it is a rewarding and lucrative venture.
Getting and Understanding An eBay Account
To get started selling paper piecings on eBay, you will need to set up an account. If you already have an account, you many want to consider changing your user ID to reflect your status as a Paper Piecer. Find something that can be easily abbreviated for your titles so that you can create a name for yourself that is easy for potential customers to find. You can also use your entire ID in your titles. Some examples are:
User ID is a*scrapfanatic and abbreviation in titles is A*
User ID is CherryRedSpyder and abbreviation is CHeRRYReD
User ID is Luvspaper and uses luvspaper in titles
If you don't yet have an account and want some information on starting to sell, visit http://pages.ebay.com/help/basics/n-selling.html
This will give you detailed step-by-step instructions to help you get started!
When you are ready to list, keep these things in mind:
Choose a Category
Paper Piecing = 11792 OR
Toys&Hobbies, Hobbies&Crafts, Arts&Crafts, Scrapbooking, PaperPiecing
Title
Make sure it contains the phrase "paper piecing" (without the quotation marks) since many people find these items by searching for "paper piecing" in the titles. Also try to include an abbreviation of your user ID to help create a recognizable name for your paper piecings. If there is room, try to list any extras you have in your auction such as shaker, beads, buttons, etc.
Description
Start your description by giving all of the basic information about the paper piecing that you made. List the dimensions and a brief description of each part of the set.
Also let people know if you used pens and chalks to add detail to your sets. If any part of your set is computer generated, it is a good idea to note this in the auction.
Let everyone know whether your background paper is included or not.
Make sure you let your potential customers know if you use all acid-free, lignin-free products when making your sets. A lot of people also list information such as "comes from a pet-free, smoke-free home."
At the end of the description list all payment and shipping information.
You want to make sure that customers know the following: what payment methods you accept/ prefer, your shipping rate, how the items will be packed, whether or not you offer insurance and how much you charge, and your email address for any questions.
Minimum Bid
Set the price at the absolute minimum you are willing to accept for this paper piecing. Most auctions start in the $3-10 range. Adjust your minimum bid price according to time, materials used, and the detail of the piece.
Auction Duration
You have a choice of 3, 5, 7, and 10 day auctions. Most paper piecers use either 5 or 7 day auctions. It is a good idea to have your auction extend over Sunday evenings because it is a very busy time.
Learning About Optional Photo Hosting Services for High Quality Photos eBay allows you to host one photo per auction free of charge. This is a great service, but unfortunately the photos are not very clear. To get the clearest photos possible, find a photo hosting service. Some free and easy to use options are http:// www.photobucket.com and http://www.webphoto.com There are also low cost, reliable options like http://www.villagephoto.com It is a good idea to use a photo hosting service along with the free eBay photo in case one of the services "goes down." This way people can still see some type of photo for the auction.
Studying The Paper Piecing Auction Market
To see which paper piecings are selling the best, go to http://www.eBay.com and type "paper piecing" in the search box. When the search results page comes up, click on "Highest Priced First." This will allow you to browse through the best-selling auctions. Take notes. Note which themes and styles are selling well and try to come up with original designs that fit into those themes/styles. You can also click on "Completed Items" to see what the end price was for recently listed auctions.
Copyright Issues
Did you know that each time you create an original paper piecing it automatically has copyright protection? You do not need to register a creation to have it protected.
It is a good idea to put a notice with your auctions when it is an original design. If you are using a pattern from a Tole/Pattern book, you should not use a copyright notice. A basic copyright notice looks like this:
Copyright 2002 Your Name Here
This also means that all of those other original paper piecings that are listed on eBay are protected. It is okay to browse around and get ideas and inspiration, but you should never make copies of paper piecing that you see.
For more information on basic copyright protection, visit http://www.nolo.com
Read Profitable Paper Piecing on eBay, Part 2
Copyright © 2002 Antuanette Wheeler
Miss Toni Gifts started out as a small pin sales site and blossomed over the last few years into a pin/bookmark combo design business.
We are three women who have known each other forever. We have all been involved in scouting, scrapbooking and general arts and crafts for a LONG time. This is really a family affair because Glenda is the Mom, Toni is the daughter, and Missy is a friend for over 20 years!





Janette Oke is a Christian writer whose books about life,... Read More
What kind of browser are you using for online surfing?... Read More
As a serious seller on eBay you're familiar with their... Read More
Like the human heart, drop shippers can keep the blood... Read More
OK, so you've been bitten by the eBay bug!You've ransacked... Read More
For many people, their first experience of working online involves... Read More
Drop Shipping Is Your Perfect Home Based Business SolutionDrop shipping... Read More
An untapped online business resource--outside of your basic Yahoo and... Read More
"Who's Suzie?"My wife Katrina had been acting strangely ever since... Read More
Q. I hear so much about people who started selling... Read More
Ebay is Perhaps the easiest and fastest way to start... Read More
The internet is packed with web businesses jockeying for the... Read More
eBay users are accustomed to only two "standard" formats for... Read More
You've heard about it many times in recent months. Being... Read More
An auction is basically a public sale wherein any object... Read More
Police Auctions Information:No, a police auction is not where you... Read More
An eBay purchase that turned sour.A story of fraud, deceit,... Read More
Since their introduction several years ago, online auctions, such as... Read More
Finding quality products to sell is the key to continuing... Read More
Have you ever dealt with a salesperson or a waiter... Read More
Everyone's talking about eBay these days. With the frequency of... Read More
Inexperienced auction sellers, or those lacking in confidence, often want... Read More
Have you thought of using the online auction site eBay... Read More
Are you planning to sell on eBay? Or have you... Read More
Basic Paper Piecing TipsHere are some tips that will help... Read More
When my column on paying income tax on eBay profits... Read More
If I can do it you can.Let me tell you... Read More
Some of these eBay hints will save you money, others... Read More
Do you know how many people in US are earning... Read More
If you owned a skateboard shop in your local mall... Read More
The old adage that says "one person's trash is another... Read More
The online auction site eBay is an excellent tool for... Read More
Still hunting for the car of your dreams? Public car... Read More
OK, so you've been bitten by the eBay bug!You've ransacked... Read More
Selling books on eBay can be a very lucrative business!... Read More
Many people who sell on Ebay completely neglect the follow-up... Read More
Have you ever wondered what it takes to be "the... Read More
There are thousands of used cars for sale on eBay... Read More
Have some vintage jewelry? There are several ways you can... Read More
If you sell in small niches as I recommend and... Read More
There is as a lot of buzz about shill bidders... Read More
The internet is packed with web businesses jockeying for the... Read More
Ya know, I sort of giggle when I look at... Read More
If you are selling online,here is the down side of... Read More
Selling on eBay can be very profitable, and is a... Read More
It should be simple - your favourite team/band/theatre play is... Read More
eBay's user feedback system is one of the site's most... Read More
As a small business person-slash-advice columnist I dread the first... Read More
Probably just like you, I had an overwhelming desire to... Read More
Q: I read your last column about paying income tax... Read More
|
|