POLYMER CLAY SMALL BUSINESS| Making clip on earrings, packing orders, honest chat about my business

[@BeadedSeedbyRonea]

Hi! Im a new subscriber and i love your content! Im also a polymer clay artist here in the US and i can definitely understand how you feel. My online sales are literally non existent after almost 4 years in business but Ive decided to start branching out putting my earrings in boutiques, doing wholesale, and hosting workshops 🥰

[@lazy_daisycreations]

Hi Ronea! Thank you so much for subscriber and welcome! Im sorry you're also feeling the same way 💔 that's definitely a good move tho, I believe im heading the same way, have you found more success down the wholesale and workshop route?

[@BeadedSeedbyRonea]

@@lazy_daisycreations Hi Victoria! Thanks so much for responding. I actually have found more success because I'm able to build more personal connections with my customers and potential customers who then turn into repeat customers! Plus doing workshops are basically a guaranteed money maker but they also are really fun seeing customers make their own cute little earrings. 🥰

[@NORDICbyB]

Even the big businesses push for sale! Every launch, every new product, every time things are slow, when things are not slow. It’s how it is. It is true what they say: don’t compare your inside (the hard work etc) with what someone Elses outside looks like. Every business work hard, the ones you see ship thousands, are few!!!

[@lazy_daisycreations]

You are so right! I guess these businesses have whole dedicated teams just for marketing and it feels overwhelming to have to take care of every single side of a business as a one person show, right? Thank you so much for your comment and reminder to not compare to others ❤️ all the best lovely x

[@oliviaaquilina5135]

Thank you so much for sharing my business Vitoria! I am SO glad you liked them - and THANK YOU for placing your order and always supporting me ♥♥ Love being your business bestie 🎀✨

[@lazy_daisycreations]

You are so welcome girl, just obsessed with your stuff 🥰✨ Business Besties ❤️

[@KneppwoodatHome]

I’ve had a few different businesses and right now it seems like start of year is always tough…at least here in the US…but it picks up after people start getting tax returns. The other issue seems to be the cost of living going up and less disposable income for many people. The other things I’ve noticed are people don’t have any comprehension of how much love and personal cost goes into handcrafted items. My husband makes these gorgeous exotic hardwood cutting boards and people can’t wrap their heads around what it takes to make a board when they’re only exposed to Walmart products and cheap labor imports. Your earrings are so lovely & cheerful though.😊

[@lazy_daisycreations]

Thank you so much for your comment lovely 🥰 yes absolutely agree with everything you said! Last year and this year so far have been the toughest since I started and every year has been different since 🦠 so its been hard to predict customer behaviour... my decision since middle last year was to focus on markets and in person events as those were bringing in the majority of my income but so far its been a bit of a hit and miss, depends on the event and the people who attend. I can definitely understand how hard it must be for your husband, I think everyone who makes products with their hands feels the same, its definitely not given the appreciation needed, and then people complain about the cost even though its already the cheapest we can sell it and we barely cover our materials most of the time...

[@jhpreemie]

Your necklace is lovely, I really love that neck line length it's great because you can always see it. Super cute you should add them to your products. Do you have any lily of the valley pieces? Also, most importantly, no you are not alone, in the US Small Businesses are hurting too. I opened in 11/23 and have had 0 sales, but I'm barely doing my 1st vendor market this month. I feel that Amazon and Temu have over saturated the market, making it difficult for us to be found. You are unique and will continue to drive sales organically, keep pushing forward!

[@lazy_daisycreations]

Thank you so much!! I definitely want to make more in the future, I really loved how it turned out! now just to find the time right 😂 I don't have any Lilly of the valley unfortunately! Aww I'm sorry your sales aren't good but all the best and sending good vibes for your first vendor market! let me know how it goes 🥰 Yes definitely hard to compete with all these other cheaper places! Thank you so much for your comment and kind words lovely, I hope you have an amazing day! ❤️😘

[@jhpreemie]

@@lazy_daisycreations Time is always hopping away lol. Have a lovely day!

[@Gracefulclayjewellery]

Really loving all your videos! ❤

[@lazy_daisycreations]

Aww Thank you Soph!! You're so sweet, what a lovely comment ❤️

[@michelenemechek7942]

Luv your products !!!! So darn cute !!!

[@lazy_daisycreations]

Awww Michele, thank you so much!! so glad you like them!!

[@stacd1429]

Im not very tech savvy, and im a real introvert so Find pretty much everything to do with small business hard lol. Reels and tiktoks and putting myself out there are all so far out ofmy comfort zone that I struggle with them so much (to the point they feel so unnatural to me I dont do them) But I love making my products, it means however I am getting by on pretty much a sale a month

[@lazy_daisycreations]

I totally feel you!! When reels first came out I definitely pushed back on doing them, I was co comfortable with just posting product photos and that's how I got most of my insta followers anyway so it was a big change! But like anything I think it's just practice! the more you do it the more natural it feels 🥰 but also don't feel pressured to do anything you don't want to! it just sucks that our sales are based on social media these days! Have you considered doing markets? maybe you would have better luck selling in person (at least you won't have to deal with the social media side of it!!) All the best xx

[@pureanodyne]

Beginning of the year is always a bit stressful, after christmas a lot of people just don't have the money to spend on things that are not a necessity. Honestly I'm always feeling pressure to release new things and try to keep people interested. I have a shop on Etsy and that really helps bring people to my shop, since there is already such a large customer base. I've been at it for years and I still wonder if there will ever be a time where I don't have to worry about getting sales.

[@lazy_daisycreations]

Its good to know im not alone 🥹 I don't know if I was maybe naive to think that it would get better as the years went by but yeah, definitely need to keep on top of everything otherwise sales are non existent... the most annoying part is that so much time goes into social media and marketing that I wish I could use that time just creating new products! then maybe I would get more sales? 😂 who knows I definitely have considered opening an Etsy shop just to cover that base as well, but im hesitant because of the fees, what has been your experience with it? would love to know more 😘

[@andrewjt6361]

Another really good vlog!

[@lazy_daisycreations]

Thank you so much for watching and for the support!! So glad you liked it 🥰

[@heybubbaau]

All my years in retail, you are constantly pushing for sales.. Even my 9 years at spotlight, its push push push. Always pushing marketing, catalogues, sales, window displays posters and spruiking over the PA. Always push push push. You definitely are not alone. I think a lot of people that are boasting these sold outs and such are either having really low stock quantity to start with or just are plain lying to make themselves seem more successful and exclusive. I myself cant bring myself to lie about those things so i find it really hard to understand how others can, but they do. My sales have definitely picked up this month and I have already done double my regular monthly sales in 23. That being said I am only in my second year of business so its always been a struggle for me and im just used to low sales. We will get there! You have an amazing following and the glory will come. I also feel the time of year doesnt help either.. Its always slow even up until EOFY. Hang in there girl your stuff is amazing! oxoxo

[@lazy_daisycreations]

Thank you so much for the lovely comment girl! Definitely makes me feel better, I guess the difference is these places have teams if marketing people dedicated to push the sales and as a small business were stuck wearing every single hat... its exhausting sometimes as I wish I could just focus on the making side! Im SO happy for you that your month has been good so far!! YAY well done! Let's all hang in there together and we can do it!! ❤️❤️

[@michelenemechek7942]

Your cat and dog are sooo cute !!!

[@lazy_daisycreations]

Riiiiiight 🥹🥹🥹 hehe my little babies ❤️

[@misoandtofustudio]

soooo cuuute i always wanted to try clay creations but im scared XD

[@lazy_daisycreations]

Omg you should totally do it!! You already have the creativity for sure! Then after that it's just practice and finding your style! I could see you getting into clay sculpting! imagine making your characters in 3d!! so cute 😍

[@devernel2356]

I think it's the economy and people need to come and buy not just looking

[@lazy_daisycreations]

Yes absolutely the economy right now is stacked against us! I guess what I was really trying to say is that I DO get sales, but only when I PUSH them, so for me its not that people can't buy, its that im not pushing it as hard? does that make sense? because if people really weren't buying anything, I wouldn't see a correlation between advertising my products and sales of those exact products... I don't think I expressed myself super well in the video 😂 but that's kind of what I wanted to say lol

[@devernel2356]

Yes I understand I do events and all they do is look

[@flossysarts]

I totally get how you feel. 7 years on in my business and I’m still pushing to get even 1 sale a week. I’m still waiting for my sold out product launches 🫤

[@lazy_daisycreations]

Thank you so much for sharing Laura and making me feel less alone ❤️ its so hard not to compare yourself to those that appear to be doing better, I honestly haven't figured out how to do that yet... its so easy to lose motivation when you're not seeing results for all the hard work you put in! Let's hang in there together ❤️