Etsy Shop is Closing

www.etsy.com/shop/fizzyparty

In 2013 I started a new venture and opened an etsy shop.  It all started with tulle wreaths I was creating for party bloggers to use in their parties.  I expanded the shop to include tulle poms, felt banners and glittery items.

I opened the shop because I like to craft, it's fun to see my items at peoples parties, you know  I love parties and it would be a way to make some money for Fizzy Party.

I've been fortunate that all my customers have been happy with items they've ordered and have received 5 star ratings from them all.

So why have I been struggling with the decision of whether to keep the shop open or close it?

• I've been told by other bloggers that it doesn't really fit and it's confusing because it doesn't match my blog. 
• The shop has been open for almost 5 years and I've made 77 sales. That's 15 sales a year. 
• The shop is the only place I make money for Fizzy Party and with just 15 sales a year, I'm not bringing in much money.  It covers my etsy fees and blog domain fees and that's about it. 
• In order to really have a successful shop you need to really work at it.  Pushing the shop consistently, adding new items weekly and having professional photos taken. 

I've been waffling back and forth between really focusing on the shop and pushing it hard, adding new items and re-doing all the photos or just closing it so I can focus on something else. If I keep the shop open I have to seriously push the shop which will eat into the time I have to bring you party inspiration.  If I close the shop I feel like it would open up space for new opportunities.  Is keeping the shop open holding me back from pursuing something I was meant to do with Fizzy Party?

I've been thinking this over for a year, longer than I should have.  I kept it open because all those 5 star ratings meant happy customers throwing fun parties and weddings.  I've decided to close the shop January 1, 2019.  I'm hoping to sell all my remaining inventory by years end.  So fair warning ;) you'll be seeing a lot more of my shop across social media until the shop closes.

Some of you may be wondering if I feel like I've failed with my etsy shop.  I really don't.  I know I didn't put as much effort into it as I should have to really make it a success.  I had fun crafting items for peoples parties and knowing lots of fun and memories were had at those parties.  I got to create things I enjoyed creating but it's time to close this door so another one can open.   And I'm not ruling out the possibility of opening the shop again with different items to offer.

Thank you to all the customers over the years.  I truly enjoyed making your items and was so thankful for every purchase made.

5 out of 5 sta

Flamingo's for Halloween

Flamingo Party Dessert Table 

** Product was given to me by Oriental Trading in exchange for styling a party. I've been ordering from this company long before I was a blogger. Just so you know ;) **

Welcome back! Let's take a closer look at this dessert table shall we.  Oh, you missed the first post? Pop over here and get more tips on hosting your own flamingo/spider Halloween party.  

The weather was actually nice enough for me to host this outside. You just never know with October in Oregon.  You could have a beautiful day or it could be rain all day. Of course there's also those days that start out really nice so you set up everything outside and then the clouds come rolling in and it rains just as your friends arrive for the party so you have to move everything indoors. Yep, that was this party. I just finished photographing everything and the rains came. Had to tear it all down and rush it inside. 

When thinking of a topper for your cake try something different like I did with this spider.  Since the spider isn't made to be a cake topper I placed something under his body so he wouldn't get frosting all over his fur and be ruined. 

Little details can really tie a party theme together.  Flamingo's on the straws and the pink poms keep the flamingo theme no matter where your guests carry their drink to. While the black glasses and Halloween straw flags remind those flamingo's this is Halloween season, summers over.  

I like to keep my parties as stress free as I can. So if I don't have time to bake cupcakes I don't worry about it. I just pick some up from the store. These were s'more cupcakes from the bakery and I just took the marshmallow off the top and replaced it with a bright pink gumball.  Then I put the cupcakes in pink wrappers to keep the theme going. 

Being Halloween I wanted to display the cookies in something other than a tray like I usually do.  This year I went with coffins.  I picked up some plain wood coffins at the craft store, spray painted them black, added a little leftover fabric I had around the house and attached a sticker to the lid. 

Did you spot the little detail in this picture?  
Hint- it's crawling on the fork. 

Are you inspired to add flamingo's to your Halloween party this year? 

Now let's shop this party so you can throw a fun fabulous Halloween party:
Wood flamingo's, flamingo balloon, hot pink table fringe, pink plates, pink forks, Happy Halloween banner, black balloons  and black glasses- Oriental Trading 

Spider web cupcake stand, cake stand, black table linen- Joann's

Spooky sign- Target 

Coffin box, pumpkins- Michaels

Pink tulle poms- Fizzy Party 

Flamingo Cookies- Gingerhead cookies 

Cake- Confection Deception 

Related: Flamingo Halloween Party 

Cupcake Prop

What happens when you tell a creative friend of yours you're embarking on a new journey and opening an etsy shop?  You receive a surprise in the mail with creative wrapping. 

My fabulously talented friend TheMistressT of Bubble Off Plumb Productions Inc.  created this cupcake prop for me to use. 

 I love the touch of lace and jewels.

 Excuse the ripped paper. I was so excited to see what America's Next Top Model Cupcake Prop was I got a little carried away when I was opening it.
The poms fit perfect!

 Now I don't have to bake cupcakes every time I make a new pom colour for the shop.  I can use my wonderful cupcake prop.  Thank you TheMistressT!!