Etsy Vs. Website

I've asked this question on one of the many ning forums I belong to: To Etsy or Not to Etsy?That is the question. I currently run a website and an Etsy shop, and to be perfectly honest, I love my Etsy shop much more. It's more user friendly in terms of adding and listing products, but more importantly, I have a built-in audience. The downside is the competition. There are hundreds upon hundreds of soap makers on Etsy who are far more successful than I in terms of sales. I have really put in a lot of effort in the last month trying to revamp and re-build my website. I want to establish a name for The Soap Seduction on its own, but I can't shake the Etsy attraction.

If you're in the same or similar predicament, how do your prioritize? Do you put all your energies in your own website and use Etsy as an enhancement or do you give both equal attention? Which do you promote? Which should you promote? So many questions......

The Soap Seduction Is Featured On Afrobella

Hey Ya'll,

Let me preface this post by saying that although I have a new blog, I'm having the damnedest time letting this one go. This is my baby, and I can't put her to rest yet. There, I've said it. Moving on.....

Waaaay back in February, I contacted one of my favorite bloggers named Patrice who created the fabulous Afrobella about possibly reviewing some of my stuff. She immediately got back with me, and said that I was just what she was looking for, and to send it on. Well, I did. I sent her a Cupcake Soap and an Iced Lemon Biscotti bar from my shop, The Soap Seduction. Well, days had passed and turned into weeks. Then weeks turned into months. Feeling slightly dejected, I gave up. I was afraid she hated the stuff and just trashed it, until I happened to read the headline on her blog yesterday. It said Wild, Wacky Body Washes. Could this be me? I clicked on the headline and started reading, and hot damn, there I was! How exciting! This is a major coupe for me because this blog is widely read and blog-adorned. She liked me! She really liked me! Thanks Ms. Bella for showin the love!

I'm In The Kitchen, But I Aint Bakin' Cookies!

What's going on? Well, a whole freakin lot with me! Since I can barely afford to fill my gas tank up and actually go somewhere other than work and the grocery store, I'm occupying my time with new projects. Where shall I begin? Let's see. My new blog is all finished, but I'm adding the finishing touches. I'm such a freakin perfectionist, it's sickening. I never get anything accomplished! I'm re-designing my website, The Soap Seduction. I have all new products in the works. I'm excited about that. I'm closing my Etsy shop, The Decadent Flame, and I'm opening a new one, The Soap Seduction. I'm losing my mind, and buying a new one. Just kidding. I'm looking forward to the nice, long Memorial Day weekend. I plan to get much of nothing done! How bout you?

Oh yeah. I forgot to mention my other blog that I started with my sister, and a few close friends. It's called Fat, Black, & Losin It. Check it out!