This is where you find a friend who has zero zip artistic ability but loves the business side of it and then together you make a great team. Oh and she has kids too so the kids love to play together and happily play for 2 hours while the two of you build an Ellen Enterprise.
And I absolutely agree that it's sad that someone else has to paint for her. I think that's totally missing the point.
I think that God gave you the ability to create and create you should. I agree with Anna, you need to find a friend that enjoys the "business" side of things and let them handle it. Because that would take a huge load off of you and allow you to create. Who knows what might be unleashed if you were allowed to only focus on the creation part of things and not worry about how the other stuff falls into place. Great empires were created with one who had the vision and the other one who did the putting together. Good luck, and I think that you are one of the most creative, talented people that I have ever met. Plus, you crack me up!!!
Anna's Monday naptime is now Etsy business time. If that isn't enough time, then (huzzah! Your Etsy shop is growing!) Wednesday post-Anna's bedtime is also Etsy business time.
That being said, I'm currently trying to work up the courage to take some of my decorated clipboards in sorority and college mascot themes to a shop that I know sells stuff like that. I hear you on the courage front, but people already dig your Etsy shop! If you add things, they will sell.
That's when you hire an assistant to handle all the details. Pay via per sale commission, so the more things she gets listed, etc, the more money she makes. You could probably find a student willing to put in a few hours per week for a little extra money.
Stop blogging about it, for starters, and do it! HAHAHAHA! Meant purely in jest, my friend. I am the BIGGEST procrastinator around, and that's my Etsy nemesis. I'm hoping the interest in your wares will cause you to become addicted to listing, as it did for me. But never ever turn your production process over to someone else! Definitely get a student to help you with listings. Delegate your weaknesses, by all means! Here's to our Etsy success!!!! 
I was thinking along the same lines as Amy, find someone to pay to do this stuff, but she actually offered you concrete advice about how to go about doing this. I second her idea!
I'm similarly uninclined to waste non-kid time on things like listing stuff for sale ... but it needs to get done. First of all, only plan to list one or two things a day. That spreads the results out on the searches, so you have more chance of being found on the first page or two of results. Second, work in batches - set up the photo area and take shots of like 10 pieces, so you'll be ready when you do have the inclination to post them. And finally - portable DVD player. You'd be surprised how educational it is to let the kiddo watch a Sesame Street video for 45 minutes while you get a couple things posted. I figure, a little screen time is worth a happier, less stressed mommy.
Oh, and television? Not worth the time.
Everyone is right. You need to find someone to help you with the grunt work. If you could get your things listed, I KNOW they would sell like crazy!!!!
I agree (too) with the business partner, but I think that maybe you could pair up with another mom in a similar situation and do kind of a co-op --you watch my kids while I work and I do same-- so you can have more of a support system.
And you are a really inspired artist. Keep at it. I really like your stuff.
I'm totally getting what you say. I make jewelry and papercrafts and really want to open an etsy store, but somehow haven't found the time to get it done ( single mom, working full time, 2 kids, etc etc)
Personally, I want to buy a couple of your cute asian girl ornaments ( both my girls are from China) and have been stalking your store since you first posted them on the blog.
I wish you well in gettign it done.....one of these days!
Orrrr...if you can't find someone to help you, then just list one item at a time. Taking photos in batches is a good idea. But who says you have to list fifty things on your Etsy site all at once? Just list things as you get the time, and eventually you'll get 'em all up there. And you could be saving yourself hassle by having fewer items listed. (Just ask SAJ!) If you only have five items listed, that means the most items you'd have to package and ship on any given day is five. If you have 50 things listed...well, you get the idea.
Definitely find someone to do the tech side of it. When I lived in South Dakota I used to do ebay listing for people's artwork. I would do the photo, the write up, posting and everything and would often be paid in artwork. That was the best part, but the cash wasn't bad either. I was usually paid a percentage of the item's sale price which made it easier on them because money could be short sometimes and made me more motivated to do an excellent job so the items would sell.
Hi Ellen-
I totally get this (except I don't have the "mother of a toddler" thing going for me)....I, too have fallen in love with Etsy & have even gone so far as to create an account and take pictures of my stuff....but it has been over a month and I have yet to actually list anything...I think part of my fear is that the creating process will become less fun if I have to focus too much on the business side of it.
Thanks for sharing...
Hey hey wait just a minute! I think I know someone who can help you! ME! I have more time on my hands these days and could always use practice on my newfound marketing skills!
And get this Ellen...I won't cost you a thing. That's right totally free...and you can even boss me around! I KNOW! I'm thinking of hiring myself to paint the shed and fence soon so you'd better get me on the schedge before I get booked up! For real.
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