Etsy's Handmade Blog
Etsy Youth Sellers: Not Back to School
Story by sarahamanda
Published on August 31, 2007 in Spotlight 		Photo by Sarah Higgins
My name is Sarah Higgins and I am a thirteen year old homeschooler. I became interested in selling online about six months ago. My mom and I own a children’s book and curriculum store called Blue Thistle Books, where I work part-time with my family. I started saving the money I earned to start selling my own items.

I got started on Etsy a few months ago when I renewed my macramé skills. My sister taught me how to make necklaces and bracelets when I was eight. I also learned how to crochet a couple years ago, with help from my aunt.

Before opening my little store, I decided that I was going to sell my items online, but I had never heard of Etsy. So, I looked and looked and found a free place to host my site. I listed my items and made two sales, but after that nothing happened and my website was just sitting there. Finally, I started looking for another website and found Etsy!

Etsy is a great place to have a shop. People look at your items, you meet wonderful friends and you have fun! It took me a while to make my first sale, but when you have a shop, I learned, you have to be patient.

Some of my most popular products are my Pink Ice earrings, my striped earrings, my double blue sunshine earrings, and my crocheted scrunchies. I also just discovered how to make crocheted bags and I’m going to start listing them very soon!

On Etsy I learned about how to run a business and how to be patient. I also found my photography skills have improved and I am learning valuable skills in ecommerce. I never knew running an online shop would be so simple!
Tags crochet, entrepreneurship, homeschool, jewelry, youth
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13 comments     Login to add your own!

Sept. 5, 2007 at 12:47 p.m. msbelle

Etsy is a great place. I'm glad it can provide an opportunity for young creative minds to participate in the selling process and begin their journey toward life.

Sept. 5, 2007 at 1:19 p.m. VermontFairies

Neat! I loved looking at your store. I'm 15, and etsy has been great place for me as well.

Sept. 6, 2007 at 7:18 a.m. traceystreasures

How do you like being homeschooled? I pulled my kids out of public school and homeschooled them for a year, when they were in 8th and 9th-
My hat is off to all homeschool Moms- it's not an easy job.
Keep growing in your craft skills! You've already learned so much at a young age! I hope to see more items in your shop, soon :)

Sept. 6, 2007 at 7:35 p.m. blackfezstudios

as a homeschooling mom of 2 who just discovered etsy myself I was SO HAPPY to read this :) As a matter of fact, my 7 year old just posted her first two items in our store last night (ironically BEFORE I read this article) Good for you and keep up the great work in your life-school

Sept. 7, 2007 at 2:18 p.m. RunAliceRun

Yeah, homeschoolers! I homeschool my 3 and they all contribute to my shop when they want to earn a little extra money!

Sept. 8, 2007 at 10:57 p.m. RedCrowArts

Way to go Sarah hope to see more of your work on Etsy soon. You are right an Etsy shop is simple!

Best of luck

Sept. 19, 2007 at 7:09 p.m. bushytail3

You are one talented teenager!
In fact, you remind me of myself when I was your age (that was about 10 years ago). I was homeschooled my entire life and started college at age 14. Before I even hit my teenage years I could already do many crafts including embroidery, beading, knitting and crocheting! If you ever need some support or have questions about crafting, Etsy, or anything at all, just convo me :-)
Good luck! I hope you do well here!

Aug. 7, 2008 at 10:48 p.m. EmbroideryMommy

Good luck with your sales.

My 8 year old homeschooled daughter just opened her shop (FortheLoveofDrawing) and hopefully will have some wonderful drawings for sale soon - she has "drawing" block at the moment. We love homeschooling and wouldn't have it any other way.

Blessings,
Charlotte

Aug. 12, 2008 at 9:20 p.m. jodieflowers

very cool! I teach home schoolers in my area ceramics, creative sewing and journal making. Peace and Etsy love!

Sept. 14, 2009 at 8:15 a.m. SugarCake

Good luck! I am homeschooling mom of 2.My 5 years old daughter decorates cakes and cookies and won cake shows.We love homeschooling!

Sept. 14, 2009 at 10:21 p.m. KinderRead

It sounds like you are learning so much in addition to patience! Keep up your good work.
I am a teacher who developed a series of Learn-to-Read books for my own children. It was exciting when they learned to connect the printed word with meaning. I was happy that I was the one to bring to them the wonderful world of reading through KinderRead's Learn-to-Read Series now on Etsy. Yes, it is a wonderful website that lets each of us contribute in some creative way.

Oct. 29, 2009 at 12:37 p.m. kitkit96

Yes their are more of us out there! I am 13 and a homeschooler as well.

Oct. 31, 2009 at 1:28 p.m. Mephala

It's wonderful to see! :D I am planning to homeschool my 2 kids and am receiving lots of opposition. Still, I will persist. You have all been very encouraging. Maybe in a few years when the children are older, we'll all be selling on Etsy too. They are now 6 months old and 3 years old.

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