Understanding How I Started a Craft Blog

 I’ve read tons of articles on how to start a blog. I have my idea and have made progress towards my goals. I got my Etsy shop back up and PayPal back in working order. I started a store in 2012 and made one sale. I got a good review though! Gave up back then and moved on. My next idea was craft shows. Well, lots of work to not sell much.  Choose the wrong venue the first time. It was more of a big yard sale thing and people were looking for bargains. Couple more years pass and I decide to try again. This time it seems like the right kind of event to sell my crafts and others thought the same. It was the first time for the event and not many people came. So, now it’s time to understand how I started my blog.

Ok, that was last year. I want to start a blog. My final attempt to make money doing what I love is the idea. Follow along as I make things to put in my Etsy shop and also the things I make for myself. I have many interests and would love to share them all with you. My degree in IT that I never got use comes in handy while trying to figure out this blogging thing. My dream is a DIY crafting blog.

Sooo much information. Do people scan or do they want pillar, epic posts. I’m narrowing my teachers down to 2-3 so I don’t get so overwhelmed. There are a lot of good people out there willing to teach and share about their experiences blogging. I’m trying to do twice as much with setting up the Etsy shop. I have to keep thinking how far I have come actually and realize I am making progress with both the blog and shop. I definitely do not recommend doing these 2 things at the same time like I did!. One at a time in hind sight!

I see a lot of the things I’m learning about incorporated in the blogs I’m learning from! I swear some of their call to actions suck me right in! I hope I can come up with something that makes people feel the same way about my free offer when I come up with it!

Don’t copy other people, but study the way they design and present their blogs.

I’ve been collecting content everyday with all my projects. I have 28 topics started already! I’m working on products for the Etsy shop also which produces some of my content. I read everyday to learn more about the blog and the shop. Somewhere I read to recognize your fear and then move on.

Well, that fear was a constant companion, but I recolonized it and moved on. I was especially low when my fabric bowl project bummed up! It was my first attempt at writing a DIY post and when I got to the end of the project, it didn’t come together right. I felt all my hard work was for nothing. Looking back at the tears and crushed feelings, it was just a learning experience, not the end of the world.

---

So my self set deadline for deciding when to buy my web host was upon me. Even though I could use our check book to pay for my web hosting, I decided to save up the fee myself. I already had $75 put back for birthday gifts in September and had decided that I could use that now instead towards my blog. Then I gathered some old jewelry that I’ve never worn (gifts from old boy friends) and took them to the pawn shop to sell. I got $43. Less than I wanted, but ok. Mind you, my goal is $118. As I drove away, it dawned on me what 75+43 was=118! Is that a sign or what!

I planned to buy Bluehost within the next 2 weeks. I want to have my Etsy shop active before I do though. I’m working hard on finishing up my listings and I need to do the introduction page too. Seems far away but so much closer than I realize, I hope!

After starting my WordPress course with Grayson Bell, I’ve decided to go with Siteground. I’m finishing up my Etsy listings and will buy the hosting in 2 days. I’ll continue the WordPress course and a Pinterest course. Can’t wait!

Had to get a fancy theme from Genesis, another $99 invested. I feel comfortable with WordPress and am working on my menu. I wonder if I have too much, but I looked around just a little and decided it’s pretty good and am keeping it that way. I need to learn how to edit my photos and finish my about me hello page. I’m ready to try writing a post!

I have 8 drafts so far at my site. Excited to continue learning, but anxious to get a post out there. I’m learning to edit photos and sure hope I get it soon! Hate to be reduced to tears again over this!

So looking back I know I’ve come a long way with my blog. I also know I have a lot more to learn! I’m at my 1 year anniversary and am finally a little more relaxed with myself. The blog and Etsy shop bring me a lot of satisfaction and pleasure. I’ve found a way to keep my techie and crafty side totally stimulated.

So if you think you’d like to start a blog, Do it! It’s totally worth the time and effort! Don’t let fear paralyze you. I wish I would have started sooner!  Are you thinking about starting one? Please leave a comment below and tell us about your site plans and experiences. We would love to hear from you.