the Imperfectly Happy home

Tiffany Davis

How to Start Selling Your Crafts on Etsy

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Are you a crafter?  Whether you craft your art because you love it, or you do it to gift these crafts to friends and family, you have probably wondered whether or not you could start selling your crafts on a larger scale and making some real money.  Guess what? You can! You can sell on Etsy and believe it or not, learning how to start selling your crafts on Etsy is simple!

Start Selling Your Crafts on Etsy

What is Etsy?

Etsy is an online marketplace for independent creators, crafters, and artists to sell their handmade products. Etsy sellers can sell their handmade artwork, crafts, jewelry, clothing, collectibles, decor pieces, and vintage items.  It is a unique shopping space in an overcrowded online shopping world. This is because unlike the large shopping sites on the web, Etsy’s purpose is to help independent creators and micro-businesses flourish in selling their items.

Why sell on Etsy?

As if those reasons weren’t compelling enough, Etsy is an easy place to begin for those that are thinking about selling their crafts.  Better yet, unlike renting a space at a vendor fair, opening a brick and mortar store, or even starting your own online store, it doesn’t cost a thing to create a store on Etsy!  This doesn’t mean that it will always be the best option for selling your crafts though, so you need to be sure you are aware of the pros and cons before jumping in.

What sells on Etsy?

Many people enjoy selling and buying homemade crafts. Here are a few ideas to get you started

Pros and Cons to Selling on Etsy

To help you make this decision, I have decided to create a short Etsy pros and cons list for you to help you in trying to figure out how to start selling your crafts on Etsy:

PROS

  • Easy to start
  • Free to begin
  • Easy for those that don’t know how to build a website
  • Easy to get a feel for the sales success of your product

CONS

  • You want the customer interaction aspect of selling your product
  • You create large items that are cost prohibitive to ship
  • You want to create a brand (you CAN create a brand even with Etsy, but the strong branding isn’t the same when selling through Etsy)

If you are feeling good about this pros and cons list, then you are probably ready to find out how to start selling your crafts on Etsy. 

Steps to Selling on Etsy

First Step – Choose Your Product

Start Small and Build Slowly!

Now you may already know what you are good at creating; but first and foremost, you need to decide what you are going to sell.  Even if you are great at many things, I highly recommend starting with just one or two items so that you don’t become overwhelmed.

Second Step – Choose Your Shop Name

Memorable, but simple, is key!

Try to come up with a catchy name that will be easy for people to remember the next time they visit Etsy to shop for handmade items. Your shop name is different than your account name, and you can have several different shops under each account (reminder for later when you are ready to expand your creations list).

Third Step – Set up Your Shop

Now you’re ready to get your Etsy shop set up!

Setting up shop

Head to Etsy and click on “Sell on Etsy” and then “Shop Preferences” and from there you will enter your personal information, your shop name and info.  You will then be ready to input your items for sale!

Fourth Step – Listing Your Items

Now it is time to sell on Etsy!!!

Listing your Item on Etsy

  • It is free to create a shop, but it does cost $0.20 to list an item on Etsy, so be prepared for this expense. Additionally, there are more fees once an item sells, this is a percentage fee based on the sales amount.
  • Post great, high quality photos, using natural light (no flash photography). Etsy recommends uploading GIF, JPG, OR PNG files that are at least 570 pixels wide.
  • Create catchy, memorable product names and descriptions that will be easy for shoppers to read.
  • Put the item in the correct categories and use the correct tags.  This will help shoppers find your products.
  • Fill in all required fields and be as descriptive as possible.
  • Prepare your shipping preferences.  The postal office offers free postage scales for use by customers, but you may consider getting your own postage scale to help calculate postage costs.

Once you have gone through the sale process, posting the next item will be much easier!

Etsy has a great app available for sellers so that you can sell from anywhere.  There is also a thorough help section where you can find answers to many questions that you may have when creating your Etsy shop.   

More Tips to Selling on Etsy

Clothing Swap Party

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What is a clothing swap party, and how do you plan one? Did you ever swap clothes with your friends when you were a teenager? Wasn’t it fun? Having something different to wear without even having to ask your parents! Well, your parents don’t buy your clothes anymore and now you’re the one footing the bill. That means that getting new clothes is even more painful than just asking mom and dad. Not to worry though, instead of heading out shopping and spending money, you can have a clothing swap party! All the fun of new clothes, plus you get to have a great time with your friends and you don’t even have to get your wallet out! A clothing swap party is an absolutely awesome way to switch up your wardrobe. 

What is a Clothing Swap Party?

A clothing swap party is just what it sounds like. A group of friends gather to swap out clothes worth one another,  visit and have a great time. With a clothing swap party, you can include whatever you want. Be it outerwear, clothing, shoes and accessories or, if you wish, you can specify what people bring if you want to stick to just clothes or just shoes, etc.  

Everyone will bring their clothing and place them on a table or shelf space dedicated for this party (hopefully you have dedicated spaces for each type of clothing).  One person at a time will go in and pick out the clothing that they take (taking the same number of pieces as they brought with them). By the end of the night everyone will have some new to them clothing that they can mix up their wardrobe with. 

The Benefits of a Clothing Swap – Swap Not Shop

You may be wondering why you should have or participate in a clothing swap. Clothing (this can include dress, business and casual wear, shoes, purses, jewelry and more) swaps can help you change up your wardrobe, get rid of clothing items that are no longer your size or style; but they are also great for saving your budget! No money is exchanged during the clothing swap parties.

How to Plan a Clothing Swap Party

If you are intrigued by the idea of a clothing swap party and you think you would like to host one, here are a few of my favorite tips on how to plan one.

First Pick a Date for Your Party

Let’s start by deciding what date you will be having your party.  Most people get the itch to buy new clothing at the start of a new season, so this is a great time frame to have a clothing swap party!  It’s a great way to keep the shopping bug away! Be sure not to plan it on a holiday or other busy date so you can have as many people arrive as possible. Be sure to consider the availability of your friends; would weekends, evenings or mornings work best?

Prepare an Invite with Party Rules Included

You can make a cute Clothing Swap Party invite and mail them out. But to keep costs down you can send an email, text, or use Facebook events to get the word out about your party!  Be sure to include your party rules in the invitation. Make sure to answer the following questions:

  • What kind of party it is.  If it doesn’t say Clothing Swap Party, you may have a guest show up without any clothes to swap!  
  • What kind of stuff you are swapping.  Are you cool with guests bringing clothes, shoes and accessories?  Let them know that!
  • Can they bring a friend?  The more the merrier, right?!  If you would like to boost your invite list, let your friends know that they can bring one of their friends to the party too!  
  • How many items to bring.  Make sure your guests know how many items they can bring.  I suggest allowing an unlimited amount of clothing to be brought, so that you have more stuff to choose from.  To make it fair though, be sure that each person can only take as many items as they brought with them.

Make Your Guest List Big!

The more people you invite, the more clothing you will have to choose from!  Additionally, it’s best to invite as many people as you can that are various sizes so that everyone is able to find clothing that fits them. Lastly, people are busy and will cancel so having a large list gives you a better opportunity for a good turn-out.

Plan to Play Some Games to Make the Clothing Swap More Fun

Have you ever played a game simply to see who gets to play the game first?  Do this as an icebreaker at your clothing swap party. Even if it is something as simple as drawing straws, picking out pins, putting everyone’s name in a hat, etc.  This is a fun and fair way to determine who will get to choose their clothing swap first.  

Make Your Clothing Swap a Potluck

A party needs food! If you want to keep your costs down, and save some time as well, you can ask guest to bring food to share. Have your guests bring a dish, or a side or a drink; I find having a theme or a sign up list will keep you from having a lot of the same items.

Other Swapping Parties to Consider

  • Decor Swap Party – bring pictures, collectibles, knick knacks and more! Check out Apartment Therapy’s post on throwing a Decor Swap Party.
  • Homeschool Curriculum Swap – if you are a homeschooler you know how expensive curriculum can be. Why not host a book and curriculum swap? See Family Fun Finds for more information.
  • Kids and Teens Clothing Swap
  • Video Game Swap
  • Games, puzzles and books swap
  • Coffee / Tea mugs swap (ok I just came up with that and NOW I MUST DO THIS)

The ideas for swap parties are really only limited to your imagination.

Have you ever attended a clothing swap party?  How did you like it?


30 Cheap Meals to Make at Home

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Cheap meals don’t have to taste, well cheap. You can make delicious, budget-friendly, home cooked meals that you’ll love to eat. I’ve collected 30 of my favorite cheap meal ideas for you; that you can feel good about serving your family.

How can I save money on food?

I think this is a topic many people are wondering about. We want to eat healthy, but inexpensive meals. Check out my article on 15 Ways to Save on Your Grocery Bill to get started. You may also want to consider shopping sale cycles. Never forgetting you can GROW your own food too!

Does eating at home save money?

Absolutely! Preparing your own food and eating at home will save you money every time. This is especially true if you want HEALTHY food! Sure you can eat off a dollar menu but it will cost you in the long run (at the doctor’s office). I am a big believer in cooking from scratch!

Cooking can be a breeze when you find affordable, easy and mouth-watering recipes. These 30 delicious meals can be made without breaking the bank! But cheap meals don’t need to tastes cheap; these recipes are full of rich flavors and spices! I think you’ll find these ideas will have your family wanting seconds for sure!

30 Cheap Meals

One-Pot Creamy Beef Stroganoff– by Pillsbury With only seven ingredients and ready to serve within 30 minutes, this easy to make stroganoff is perfect for families!

Simple Turkey Chili – by All Recipes A classic dinner to start things off! Easy to make and a hit with kids!

Slow-Cooker Mac and Cheese – by Taste of Home Nothing is better than southern comfort food! Try this classic recipe in your slow-cooker as a side or as the main entree!

Spinach and Egg Sandwiches – by Food Network Magazine Filled with vitamins and protein, you are sure to enjoy this simple breakfast-for-dinner meal!

Southern Ham & Beans with Cornbread – by ImperfectlyHappy An old family recipe that will fill your bellies and leave you feeling satisfied. Full of flavor!

Biscuits and Gravy – by Love Grows Wild Another classic southern treat! Chow down on biscuits and gravy any time of the day!

The Best Ever Slow-Cooker Pot Roast– by Tasty This pot roast practically cooks itself! Put your six ingredients into your slow-cooker, walk away for just a few hours and you’ll have a dinner you can sink your teeth into! Serve over egg noodles or rice.

Black Bean Soup – by Something New for Dinner Perfect for fall, this soup recipe is easy, healthy and inexpensive!

Chicken Pot Pie – by Spicy Southern Cooking This pot-pie recipe makes a filling meal for friends and family and provides leftovers for days!

Homemade Pizza – by Bon Appetit Better than anything you’ll order for delivery! Your homemade pizza doesn’t have to look pretty, but it will sure taste amazing!

Cilantro-Lime Chicken– by DelishYou won’t be able to get enough of these grilled chicken thighs topped with the iconic combination of cilantro and lime.

Ground Beef Recipes – By ImperfectlyHappy How to make a ton of inexpensive ground beef recipes you’ll truly enjoy.

Giant Slow-Cooker Meatballs – by Budget Bytes These giant slow-cooker meatballs are a great way to switch up from your classic spaghetti recipe. Try it, you won’t be disappointed!

Inside-Out Lasagna – by Eating Well Take your basic lasagna ingredients, skip the layering and baking to make a quick and easy recipe your family will love!

Slow-Cooker Pork Carnitas – by My Recipes Simple and affordable way to feed a crowd! With a stack of warm corn tortillas and some simple toppings, everyone can indulge in this flavorful, rich pork recipe!

Burrito Bowl – by Forks Over Knives Enjoy warm or cold, this burrito bowl is a satisfying and delicious no-cook meal!

Taco Sloppy Joes – by Belle of the Kitchen A twist on two classic recipes! Load them up with toppings and you got yourself a crowd pleaser for parties or just for you and your family.

Coconut-Lime-Marinated Vegetable Noodles & Shrimp – by Woman’s Day These island-inspired flavors will make you feel like you are on an exotic getaway!

Chili Cheese Dog Casserole – by Tablespoon Your kids will love this casserole based off classic chili cheese dogs. Easy weeknight dinner that you will grownups will love too!

The Best Black Bean Burger – by Tastes Better from Scratch Meatless burgers cut down the grocery cost! These delicious burgers are made simply with black beans, bell pepper, onion, egg, bread crumbs and spices!

Salami and Ham Stromboli – by Life with 4 Boys This recipe is filled with comforting spices and flavor. You no longer need to go to a restaurant to treat yourself to this combination of melted cheese and delicious Italian meats.

Pesto Zucchini Pasta – by Healing and Eating This amazing pesto sauce is perfect on top of zucchini noodles. Simple, but healthy and easy to make!

Easy Chicken Fried Rice – by Iowa Girl Eats Easy to make at home, healthier and way more filling than take out!

Root Beer Pulled-Pork Sandwiches – by Lauren’s Latest Simply the best! The mix of root beer and bbq sauce is one that you will forever love after trying these delicious pulled-pork sandwiches!

Fully Loaded Hasselback Potatoes – by Closet Cooking Bake your potatoes until their nice and crispy, then top with all of the classic baked potato toppings including melted cheese, bacon, chives, sour cream and butter.

Easy Parmesan-Crusted Fish Dinner – by My Food and Family This recipe will soon become a favorite in your household! Healthy, savory and simple fish pairs well with green beans and stuffing.

Chicken Taquitos – by Confessions of a Fit Foodie Healthy, quick and easy meal for the whole family. Use your crock pot or instant pot for the chicken and create taquitos using either your oven or air fryer. Delish!

One Dish Chicken and Rice Bake – by Campsbells This recipe only takes 5 minutes to put together! With three basic ingredients, this recipe is easy to customize and ready to be enjoyed in just one hour.

Pan-Fried Cottage Cheese Patties – by Springs Bargains It may sound odd, but these cottage cheese patties are crispy on the outside and filled with a velevety inside. You and your family are sure to love this $5 meal.

French Lentil Soup – by Simple Bites Perfect way to warm the kids up during fall or winter! This affordable soup is full of flavor and is a favorite for all ages.

I hope these cheap meal ideas show you that eating on a budget can still be delicious! These recipes are easy to make, delicious and most importantly, inexpensive! Next time you meal plan, make sure to include some of these recipes for an affordable trip to the grocery store! Enjoy!

More Cheap Meals – Check Out These Articles!

Air Fryer Apple Fries Recipe

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I love using my air fryer and I am always trying and tweaking new air fryer recipes. Today I have one for you that just screams, fall is coming! Air fryer apple fries!!!!

easy graham cracker crusted apple fries from your air fryer.

Crispy apples slices, dipped into a warm caramel sauce…you can’t get much more fall than that! But let me ask you; do you say car a mel or car mal? I am car-mal person!

Not only are these apple fries delicious, your whole house will smell like you’ve been baking all day! Be careful not to leave the windows open, or all your neighbors might just pop over for a visit!

What air fryer do you recommend?

I am on my 2nd air fryer and I use it 4 – 5 times a week. I HIGHLY recommend the Ninja Air Fryer. It isn’t the biggest but it has a great basket, works like a champ is is less than $100. It is MUCH better than the one I had prior to the Ninja.

What kind apple should I use for the fries?

I really like the Fuji apples or some tart Granny Smith but a Gala would be a great choice too. Just avoid the softer varieties like Red Delicious; they just won’t give you the best texture.

Do I really need a dip?

Well as far as I’m concerned, fries need dipping; even an apple fry! But you don’t have to make a caramel sauce (you could buy one) or try some chocolate sauce or jam if you prefer. Or just have them with a scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream.

air fryer apple pie slices

More Apple Recipes

Easy Homemade Dehydrated Apple Snacks

Apple Scotch Pie & More Vintage Pie Recipes

3 Classic Apple Recipes

How to Make Air Fryer Apple Fries with Caramel Dipping Sauce

Ingredients Air Fryer Apple Fries

Easy to make apple fries

Ingredients for Air Fryer Apple Fries

  • 4 apples, cored, peeled and cut into wedges
  • ½ cup cornstarch
  • 4 eggs, beaten
  • 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
  • 6 tablespoons brown sugar, packed
  • Non-stick cooking spray

Ingredients for Caramel Dipping Sauce

  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 stick (½ cup) butter
  • ¼ cup heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions For Making The Apple Fries in Your Air Fryer

  1. Prepare air fryer basket by spraying with non-stick cooking spray.
  2. Place apples in a zip-top storage bag. Add cornstarch and toss until evenly coated.
    In a bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs and brown sugar. Add eggs to another shallow bowl to create a dipping station.
  3. Remove apples from bag and dip in eggs, coating on all sides. Then, dip in graham cracker crumbs, coating on all sides.
  4. Pre-heat your air fryer at 380 degrees F for 3 – 4 minutes.
  5. Place apples in air fryer basket leaving space between and without stacking.
  6. Cook at 380 degrees for 7 to 8 minutes, using tongs to flip halfway. Remove from air fryer and keep warm.
  7. Repeat until all apples are cooked through. Serve warm.
air fryer apple fries prep 3

Instructions for Making Your Caramel Sauce

  1. Place butter and brown sugar in a medium saucepan.
  2. Cook over medium heat until it reaches a boil.
  3. Add whipping cream to boiling sugar mixture and stir constantly until the sauce begins to thicken. Remove from heat. The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.
  4. Stir in the vanilla (See my recipe for making your own vanilla extract)
  5. Serve warm
Air Fryer Apple Fries with Caramel Sauce Dip
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Apple Pie Fries in the Air Fryer with Caramel Dipping Sauce

Ingredients

  • 4 whole Apples, cored, peeled and cut into wedges
  • 1/2 cup Cornstarch
  • 4 Eggs, beaten
  • 2 cups Graham Cracker Crumbs
  • 6 Tbsp Brown Sugar

Instructions

  1. Prepare air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray.

    Place apples in a zip-top storage bag. Add cornstarch and toss until evenly coated.

    In a bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs and brown sugar. Add eggs to another shallow bowl to create a dipping station.

    Remove apples from bag and dip in eggs, coating on all sides. Then, dip in graham cracker crumbs, coating on all sides.

    Place apples in air fryer basket leaving space between and without stacking.

    Cook at 380 degrees for 7 to 8 minutes, using tongs to flip halfway. Remove from air fryer and keep warm.

    Repeat until all apples are cooked through. Serve warm.

Print

Caramel Dipping Sauce Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Brown Sugar packed
  • 1 stick Butter 1/2 cup
  • 1/4 cup Heavy Cream
  • 1 tsp Vanilla Extract

Instructions

  1. Place butter and brown sugar in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat until it reaches a boil.

    Add whipping cream to boiling sugar mixture and stir constantly until the sauce begins to thicken. Remove from heat. The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.

    Stir in vanilla.

    Serve Warm

What are you favorite apple recipes? Let me know in the comments!

Transitioning from Public School to Homeschool

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Are you trying to decide if homeschooling is the right educational journey for your children?  Are you feeling stressed about your children transitioning from public school to homeschool and making such a drastic change?  I don’t blame you.  This is a scary, uncertain time.  It is also a time full of excitement and hope in how your child’s educational life will begin to change. 

It may seem impossible to not stress about it,  but you can rest assured that many children have dealt with this transition and have come out stronger for it.  If you want to further prepare yourself and your child for transitioning from public school to homeschool, here are some of the tips that I have found to be most helpful:

Don’t Over Think It

I recently had a conversation with a friend who told me that her biggest problem when transitioning her children from public school to homeschool was that she was over-thinking it.  She spent almost an entire school year worried that she wouldn’t be able to teach them properly, or that the children would hate it, or they would suffer socially for it.  She put so much stress into thinking about the what-ifs that she almost changed her mind completely and because of this, her kids spent an extra year in public school.

Homeschooling FAQs Answered!

Allow for Homeschool Adjustment Period

I can tell you, going into my 23rd year of homeschooling, that you’ll need time to adjust to this new life. You are not going to be a homeschool pro right out of the gate, so don’t give up when things don’t go right instantly.  Just like with every other change in life, there is an adjustment period, just be sure to keep that in mind. 

Don’t Tackle Everything at Once

Do not start your first day of homeschooling with all of the subjects.  This is an adjustment period for a reason.  Start small and go from there.  You and your child have to learn how to work together in a teacher/student relationship in addition to a parent/child relationship so allow time for that without adding in an overwhelming amount of work.

Homeschool Advice From Veteran Moms

Do Not Try to Recreate School in Your Home

One of the biggest mistakes I made in the beginning was trying to make a school in my house. I set up a room to try to look like a school with desks, chalkboard, teacher’s desk, etc. This didn’t work for me or the kids. I found we all worked best sitting around the dining room table or scattered around the house as they got older and more independent. You might find your family homeschools best sitting in the grass outside. It is your school – make it work for you!

Make it Fit Your Family’s Schedule

Homeschooling is not a one-size-fits-all like traditional schools. I know families that are done with school be lunch and others than school in the late afternoon because mom works in the morning. One of the greatest things about homeschooling is that you can do it on your own schedule.  Your kids learn better in the afternoon?  Great!  Set up learning times in the afternoon!  You want afternoons free for family time?  Great!  Set up learning times in the morning!

Also you don’t have to do a Monday – Friday schedule either. We have almost exclusively schooled 4 day per week with one day for extra curricular activities and outings. I have also given the kids Saturday school from time to time. The point is you can make your week work for your schedule and family.

Let Your Child Help to Set Your Curriculum and Schedule

Give your kid/s some input into your curriculum and school time. Giving them some ownership may help the transition from public school to homeschool a bit easier; it won’t feel as forced.

In addition to making your homeschooling curriculum work with your family’s schedule, you might consider letting your child have a say in setting your schedule and curriculum will help them feel more in control of their learning environment, which for many kids is a huge motivator.

Look for Programs that Have Teachers Available

One thing that can make the public school to homeschool transition easier to getting some help! Don’t feel bad about using programs that do some or all of the teaching for you. For example, we’ve used Teaching Textbooks for years! I am not a great math teacher but this program does all the teaching for you! It is ok to get help with subjects you feel less confident in teaching.

There are also FREE programs you can employ. Homeschooling can get really expensive, but it doesn’t have to.  Don’t think that you have to buy every single program out there, instead, do a little bit of research into the free programs that may be offered.  You can make these free programs work just as well as the programs that you buy toward your homeschooling goals. There are even free home-based public schools like K12.

Check out Homeschooling for Free with YouTube

Take Breaks

Allow for school breaks. We school year round at our house and take shorter breaks throughout the year instead of a huge summer break.

You and your kids will need time to just be a family. Enjoy your time off of school. It is good to look at your year and have planned breaks but I always allow for some “flex” time just in case of illness or other unexpected time off.

Homeschooling year round has been a great fit for us and we spend a lot less time re-learning things because of long breaks. But if your family loves a long summer break, then take it! There is no magic to year round or traditional calendar schooling; just choose the best fit for your lifestyle.

Don’t Worry About Socialization

One of the craziest things people worry about when transitioning from public school to homeschool is “socialization”. Well unless you live in a very remote area, with little to no contact with the outside world, your child will get time to be social. But should it look like school? I say NO! Where in your life, after school, will you be only around people your age? I think homeschooling actually teachers BETTER social skills as children will learn to speak and interact with people of all ages.

Sure, extra curricular activities are great too. Things like PE, coops, drama, speech & debate, etc are great ways to meet other homeschoolers, make friends and get support; but you don’t need them for socialization alone.

Your kids will be fine.

Join a Homeschool Co-Op

We have done co-ops on and off through the years and they have been a huge blessing to our family. Now that I am only homeschooling the youngest (older 3 have graduated), we are starting a new co-op with a few families with youngest or only kiddos. I am the history and geography teacher, which is my passion!

If you feel like you need a little bit of extra help or support, you might consider joining a homeschool co-op.  A homeschool co-op is an organized group of homeschooling families.  These families meet up regularly and work together toward their homeschooling goals.  Co-ops often set up times for the kids to do school work together, field trips, activities and more. 

Take a Deep Breath

I know that this time of transitioning from public school to homeschool can feel a bit overwhelming; but I promise, it is going to be ok! Trust your gut, talk to veteran moms and allow time to make this new life work for you and your kids.

Have you ever dealt with transitioning your children from public school to homeschool?  What would you do differently if you had the chance?