Lazy Summer Contemplations

So I'm almost recovered from my oral surgery. I think I have a pudding hangover, but that's not so bad in comparison to the problems I COULD have!

Anyway, I've been reflecting on my shops now that it's the peak of summer, and it's pretty much downtime for me. I've retaken some pictures, I'm in the process of listing new items. (Almost up to 300!!) I'm very happy with the branding in my AuntieDis shop, and I even have a new brochure that was made by the fabulous clemartdesign! That shop is ready to rock and roll for the holiday season. I just am unsure about my AuntiesCardShop. For the longest time I've wanted to combine both of these shops into one, I mean it sure would be easier to promote just one, but for some reason I just can't do it. I try to list paper products in my AuntieDis shop, but something always stops me at the last moment. Something makes me think it would be too crowded. I'm not necessarily unhappy with the branding in that shop. It fits my theme, both shops seem to go very well together, but something is "off". I've been trying very hard lately to equally promote both shops, I've even been scheduling which days to promote which shop, so I'm sure to be fair to each. I've been creating new products, not always daily, but a few times a week. I just don't know what it is! I can't put my finger on it, and it's making me nuts! If you have any suggestions for me, please clue me in!

What are you doing in the down time of summer? Are you prepping for fall sales? Or are you spending time with family and friends? What's your secret summer plans? Share!

To Merge or Not To Merge, That is the Question...

I spent tons of time separating my Etsy shops so that my main shop wouldn't look all cluttered. At one point I was up to three shops. This past January, I finally got my branding and a look that I'm happy with for my Auntie Di's shop, so I'm pleased as punch with it. Now I am contemplating my paper shop and trying to figure out what to do with it. Do I put all my paper goods back into my regular shop? When I had it set up like that, sales on paper goods were very sluggish, almost nil. Or do I keep it separate and try to find some kind of branding I like for it? I think that's it, I'm not in love with the branding. It's cute, but cute is so not me. Maybe I could brand them the same, or would that be too confusing? Back when I had a lot of time to log in, log out, log in, log out I didn't mind three stores, but for the sake of my sanity now, I'm wondering if I shouldn't go back to one. To top it off, I always find that one of my shops is falling by the wayside in my efforts. I'm not treating them fairly.

If I combine them all again, would people be more likely to purchase combined items?