a great night

OK, I realize it's been a long time. Let's just forget about that and focus on what a great night I just had. This night will definitely go down in the list of memorable moments. Make a mental note: remember October 15th 2009.

I have talked about etsy here before, and it's about to get a little crazy with the love I am going to pour down on them. For months I have been researching and planning (no, not the ENTIRE time, but a reasonable portion) for setting up my shop on etsy. Then a week or two ago I found out that the CEO of etsy was going to be in Minneapolis and was planning a meet up with other etsy folk. Maybe this doesn't sound like a big deal to most of you, but just imagine your favorite author or band coming into town and you would get to see them in person! This woman is in control of the virtual world that I so wanted to be a part of. A community which is missing real human connection, finally became real.

I decided at that moment that I had to have my shop set up before Maria came to town. I was going to go to that meeting being able to say that I was a seller on etsy, not just a buyer with the admiration to one day become a seller. Well I did it. Yesterday I set up my shop. I am not going to tell you what the link is just yet, or give out my user name. Right now my shop is like a store front with half filled racks. It was something that had to be done, but not ready for full on visitors yet.

That brings us to today. I was very excited to go to the meet up, which was at Nye's Restaurant in Minneapolis. The night turned out to exceed my expectations. I only had one technical question I wanted an answer to, and I got it. Along the way I learned so much more, met other local etsians, and received some great tips that will help with my business. OMG! I HAVE A BUSINESS!

I have not had a single bad experience with etsy. Not even a disappointment. I love this site, and tonight just proved I am committing myself to the right company. Everyone was so welcoming, I walked away very happy.

That's not even the end of it. I came home and had to make muffins for tomorrow's pot luck breakfast at work. I checked my email, facebook, and etsy just to see if there were any updates and then got to work. Two hours later I log in to etsy and notice they are asking me to give feedback on an item. I had to do a double take - etsy has only asked me to leave feedback when I've made a purchase, and I don't remember doing that. Quickly I realized SOMEBODY BOUGHT SOMETHING FROM ME!!!

Again, I cannot begin to describe how shocked and happy this has made me. Not only did I just sell my first item within 24 hours of opening my shop, it was to a new etsy member, who lives in Australia. SOMEBODY IN AUSTRALIA BOUGHT SOMETHING FROM ME!!!!

Tonight, October 15th 2009, is a GREAT night!