Spend some time looking at different Etsy sellers, especially successful ones, to find your niche in the market. Think about how your artwork can stand out from the crowd. Consider how your work is different and how you can bring a unique perspective to what is already selling on Etsy. For example, you may use the Etsy search bar to look up sellers who are making artwork that is similar to yours. You may notice what types of artwork they sell as well as their price points and their type of clientele. Consider the age group and demographic you want to sell to. Are you trying to make artwork for a younger audience, such as children? Do you want to make artwork for an older audience, such as individuals looking for artwork for their homes or offices? Think about how you can appeal to a specific customer or niche on Etsy. For example, you may try doing animal portraits in cross stitch, rather than paint animal portraits, as these are already popular on Etsy. Or you may create custom abstract art for interiors in interesting materials like spray paint and fabric to stand out. For your artwork to be sold on Etsy, it must be handmade and/or designed by you. If you have a design partner, you must disclose this on your shop. You will also need to disclose every person involved in the making of the item. You cannot resell items that were not handmade or designed by you. You must be honest and forthcoming in your descriptions of items and in the information you provide about your shop. Appeal to a variety of shoppers by carrying artwork that ranges in price. Try to have artwork that is on the more affordable side and on the more expensive side. Giving variety can open up your shop to a wide range of buyers and encourage your customers return to buy more. Etsy finds that items $50 USD and under tend to be the most popular. You may use $50 USD as your base price and price your items up or down from there. For example, you may have several pieces that are in the $50-$100 USD range or in the $0-$50 USD range. You may then offer a few larger or more detailed pieces in the $100-$200 USD range. Do not be afraid to offer artwork that is more expensive, as some art buyers are drawn to more expensive work that is original and one of a kind.
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One-sentence summary -- Look at what your competitors are selling and making. Pick artwork that is unique and appealing to a specific customer. Make sure your artwork meets Etsy standards. Have artwork at different price points.

Life in a circus isn't all glamorous as it's made out to be. If you're working with a traveling circus, you might have to deal with moving around a lot, and you will probably have to do your own makeup and need to buy or make your own costumes. Working with circuses requires a lot of dedication just to stay optimistic for shows. If you're working for a legitimate, big business circus, most odds and ends (like costumes) will be handled for you. But if you're working on a smaller circuit, you may need to take certain expenses on yourself. Consider it the price to pay for doing something you love. You will, without a doubt, run across people that will say "No." You will be told to give up, people won't hire you, and you will get injured or run the risk of being injured if you are a performer. It's very important you be able to push through these walls or perhaps trapeze your way over them. If you are dedicated and love performing, you will find a job that works for you, and you will be able to continue performing. No one makes it on their first try. You have to hear a chorus of rejections before you finally "get your break." It could take months, it could take years, but you've got to trust that eventually it'll happen. If you don't believe in you, no one else will. Being a circus performer is almost like being an athlete your career will be over well before you feel like you're "old." And when you do near the end of your run, your body will have been rung through the wringer. You could be in tiptop shape or you could need two knee replacements. It won't be easy, but hopefully the physical stress is worth it. In fact, your body basically means your job. If you don't take care of it, you could be out of a gig in no time. It's important to sleep, eat right, stay healthy, and, above all, stay safe. The last thing you want to do is compromise your career because you made poor decisions. How does circus work pay? Although it differs from circus to circus, it mostly depends on the job, the show, and the length of which you're working. For example, a circus might pay their performers at the end of each week, or (although it's less common) after the show closes. If you're a performer that hires out to circuses, then you'll mostly be paid after the job ends, although they can choose to pay you weekly, sometimes even after each show (although that is highly uncommon, too). This aside, you should probably want to work in a circus for your love of the work first, the money second. What's more, every role gets paid differently, too. If you're at the bottom of the ladder, you may be getting $300 bucks a week; if you're a featured performer like an acrobat or a contortionist, you could be making between $40,000 to $70,000 a year. Don't forget you're getting free room and board, too. The perks just keep on coming.
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One-sentence summary -- Understand what you're getting yourself into. Be determined. Be ready for the physical demands. Don't do it for the money.

Ratchet hoists, also called "come alongs," can be found at your local home improvement store and online. You could secure the hoist to a strong tree trunk or a trailer hitch. Loop 1 the end of the hoist around the immovable object and secure the strap through the hook latch bolt to make sure it won't come off the object. Generally, a ratchet hoist has 4in (10cm) wide nylon straps attached to it. Loop the straps around the rock, securing them with a tight knot to make sure that they won't come loose under tension while you're moving the rock. Once both ends of the hoist are secure, crank the ratchet by moving it back and forth. Continue cranking the ratchet until the rock has moved to the desired location. At that point, remove the straps from the immovable object and the rock.
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One-sentence summary --
Secure 1 end of the ratchet hoist to an immovable object. Wrap the straps securely around the rock. Crank the ratchet to move the rock.