Keeping Track Of Etsy Expenses With Outright

For a few years I've been devoted to my many Excel spreadsheets to keep track of money coming in and going out of my business.  Without fail, I always miss SOMETHING and I'm scrambling come tax time.   I tried software programs like Quicken and I just couldn't get it right.  I thought I was stuck with my 15 spreadsheet system until I learned about Outright.com and wanted to share this treasure with everyone.

Outright is all about helping small businesses succeed. They know that a lot of us dread dealing with the books so they're here to help.  Outright is a super easy application to setup and nothing needs to be installed in to your computer.  You just plug in your info and you'll be linked to all of your business accounts.  You'll soon be keeping track of all your Etsy sales, shipping costs, fees, coupon deductions and more.

I got a head start on prepping my expense reports and was able to generate reports based on Etsy Transaction fees, Etsy Renew fees, Search Ads, supplies purchased, PayPal fees and much more.  I can't tell you how excited I was to see everything so neatly on paper!

The best part about all of this is that it's FREE! No kidding! They also offer Outright Plus at $9.95 per month and get additional features but so far I think I'm doing fine with what's available free but the additional perks may benefits those with a 'bigger' small business.  Outright is a godsend and definitely worth trying out.

If you can make it down to Brooklyn, an expert from Outright will be leading a workshop at Etsy headquarters on Tuesday January 29th: The Lowdown on Taxes for Etsy Sellers

Where To Find The Hudson Valley Etsy Team

Craft show season is still a little while away but we're hard at work on new creations. But no worries, you can still get all the special items you're looking for in person (Etsy is always here too!). I'm gonna introduce you to some wonderful shops in the area and beyond where you can purchase our goods. So go ahead shop local!

This week we're gonna start with a really special shop, owned by a member of our team, Karen Berelowitz. Drum roll please, here's Kingston's own Karmabee!

Karen opened the brick and mortar of Karmabee a little over a year ago in the lovely Rondout district of Kingston, NY.  Karmabee is located at 73A Broadway, Kingston, NY 12401, in the Rondout between Mezzanine & Madden’s. Winter hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 12-6PM.

At the shop she features her own line as well as the work of several of the Hudson Valley Etsy Team members.

Pulp Sushi

Pulp Sushi

Anjali Creations

Anjali Creations

Gemini River Rocks

Gemini River Rocks

Knot by Gran'ma

Knot by Gran'ma

H&J Star Creations

H&J Star Creations

Karmabee

Karmabee

 

Happy shopping!

Meet our new members: January

Every month, the Hudson Valley Etsy Team accepts new members into the group. They are all lovely artists and crafters from around the Hudson Valley. You may even have seen them around!

I hope everyone had a great holiday and a great New Year so far!  January tends to be slow for everyone, but I've got an awesome new member to share with you.  Hope you'll check out her shop and leave her some well-deserved love.

Dog Sweater Hand Knit Emma Cable Pink Medium by Jenya2

Dog Sweater Hand Knit Tri CableMerino Wool Large 14" by Jenya2

Jenya of Jenya2 is from Monroe, NY and has a lovely shop filled with these super warm and comfy looking knitted dog sweaters. Some even have leg warmers. Too cute!  I wish I had a dog to get one for.  Maybe my cat would let me put one on her? Probably not.  Anyway, welcome to the team, Jenya!

That's all I have for you this month. I hope you'll give her and her dog sweaters a warm welcome.  Don't forget that Valentine's Day is coming up soon and there's still plenty of time to get some local handmade gifts for your loved ones while making someone's day.

See you  next time!

Amber

Signposts and Guides for the Creative Life

"Every creator painfully experiences the chasm between his inner  vision and its ultimate expression."  Isaac Bashevis Singer

I've sure experienced this!  You start out with a great idea and the result is so disappointing.  When you examine what went wrong, it may be readily apparent - the materials were hard to work with, you didn't have the right tools, perhaps your skill level isn't there yet.

I suspect a more frequent problem is that the "idea" has not yet formed into a "vision".

I have one project that has been in my mind for over eight years.  I feed the crows in winter.  When I have scraps that I know they can use I put them out in my driveway early in the morning.  They watch the neighborhood and swoop in immediately.  One blustery day I threw out a bag of fortune cookies that were sitting on the counter.  The crows came down and as they plucked the cookies apart the fortune cookies swirled in the wind amidst the circling birds.  It was such a great picture!
I've bought the canvas.  I know the size I want, I have an idea of colors to use.  But I can't quite get the image settled in my head.  The ideas are there, but not the vision for the painting.  I can feel myself reluctant to start, not wanting to facethat disappointment that I screwed it up.

So the canvas sits in the corner.  The chicken heart sits at the computer writing this.
Have you had these experiences?  Is there something calling to you for expression that you're reluctant to tackle?  Good luck and courage to us all!

Treasury Tuesday

Treasuries are a great way to check out many of our items at once. See our January treasuries thread on Etsy to view more.

'New Year Brights' by ThePudgyRabbit

Yellow Micro Mini Monst... knotbygranma $24.00	Scarf Knitting Pattern ... AtelierTPK $6.50	Hexagon Turquoise Neckl... LaurenRoseJew... $28.00	Yellow Flower Hair Pin ... merryalchemy $15.00
Letterpress Red Plaid P... WishboneLette... $5.00	Turquoise Heart Dangle ... pulpsushi $13.00	Little Lark 2013 wall d... alittlelark $16.50	Crochet Bright Blue Dou... GetTangled $34.00
SUNNY Floral Note Card ... DeweyHoward $24.00	Print of Original Art &... digiliodesign... $15.00	OPAL Hand Dyed Yarn MCN... spinningmulef... $27.00	burnt orange feather ye... MollysPurl $32.00
Business Card Holder, F... ChantelandMe $8.00	meerwiibli coral bamboo... meerwiibli $58.00	Adventure Awaits Pencil... Earmark $8.50	Retro fashion edible im... VintageConfec... $12.00

Treasury tool by StylishHome.

LOVE by GetGlassy

winter whites woodland ... mimiandlu $24.00	100 hearts in a matchbo... amberhlynn $18.00	Makeup Remover Cloths w... GetTangled $25.00	Set of Two (2) Soaps -... Mundus $18.90
Scarf Knitting Pattern ... AtelierTPK $6.50	SRA Lampwork Glass Vale... StoneDesignsb... $48.00	Pouch Set Gift Card Hol... handjstarcrea... $15.50	Pillow - Linen Pillow C... DeweyHoward $40.00
Floral Mixed Media Coll... RobinsArtAndD... $45.00	Sterling Silver and Red... CorkyWhites $30.00	Jewelry, Lampwork beads... Smokeylady54 $45.00	RHUBARB Hand Dyed Yarn ... spinningmulef... $18.00
Heart shaped Fused glas... Artdefleur $25.00	Elegant Red & White Hea... DoodileeBoop $3.00	FREE SHIPPING - Valenti... SunflowerGlas... $22.00	Cut Paper Valentine Ste... arwendesigns $10.00

Treasury tool by StylishHome.

'Items to Brighten Your Day' by Mundus

Cheerful selections from Hudson Valley, NY artisans.

2013 Neon Owl Calendar WishboneLette... $15.00	Dala horse - hand print... vital $14.00	Large Footed Bowl in Br... LandMstudio $95.00	Turquoise and Orange Co... wickedmint $24.00
100 hearts in a matchbo... amberhlynn $18.00	Hot Pink Flower Earring... merryalchemy $12.00	Lazy Daisy Cloth Doll -... Kokma $20.00	SINGLE Vessel for Sake LandMstudio $25.00
Yellow Micro Mini Monst... knotbygranma $24.00	Green and Brown Beaded ... pulpsushi $25.00	Christmas Tea Towel in ... wickedmint $18.00	Rose Pink feather and l... MollysPurl $30.00
Gift Tags - Silk Screen... DeweyHoward $8.00	merino wool orange lace... beaconknits $32.00	Coconut Lemongrass Loll... catskillcandy... $12.00	Cut Paper Valentine Red... arwendesigns $10.00

Treasury tool by StylishHome.