Most Popular Posts of 2016, Reader Survey Results, and Future Plans

Whew, you guys!  The year isn’t even over yet but I feel like this has been one for the books.  I love love love the idea of a new year with new hopes and plans, don’t you?  When 2016 began, I had a three-month-old baby and was taking things one day at a time.  There was no specific plan for GITG because I knew that working on projects would take longer than usual and sometimes I’d be lucky to do a couple big projects each month.

Thankfully, I ended up accomplishing a few things. 😉  Lots of furniture makeovers, many thrifty upcycles, my first big reupholstery project, was a vendor at two vintage markets, and a feature in the October issue of Better Homes and Gardens.  Despite any challenges this year, I definitely feel happy and blessed.

Here’s a look back at the most popular blog posts of 2016, the reader survey results from a few weeks ago, and plans for an amazing 2017.

Most Popular Blog Posts of 2016

5.  DIY Folding display with chicken wire – Mr. GITG built this for one of my vintage markets.

4.  Upcycled Alphabet Blocks – an easy way to update old baby blocks.

3.  Doing your first vintage market or craft fair? {Vendor Tips and Resources}

2.  12 Yard Sale Furniture Makeovers – some of the most amazing makeovers come from humble yard sale beginnings!

1.  Garage Storage Organizer Makeover – this was a flashback from a popular post, and proved that people still love this trash to treasure makeover.

And my most popular furniture makeover this year was…

British Telephone Booth Cabinet (also a personal favorite!)

Reader Survey Results

A few weeks ago I sent out the first-ever GITG reader survey to my email subscribers, and I received about 220 responses!  I’m really happy that so many of my loyal readers (maybe you’re one of them) took the time and gave such helpful feedback and suggestions – and I just know that 2017 will be an amazing year because of your input.  I promise to only publish content that will teach or inspire you.

Here’s a summary of what I learned from the survey responses:

• About half of the respondents have been doing DIY projects for awhile – they don’t consider themselves a beginner or a pro.
• About 2/3 currently redo furniture mostly as a hobby, 20% redo and sell furniture for profit, and 13% don’t do furniture at all.
• When asked “Which situation would you most like to be in one year from now?” about half replied that they want to confidently do DIY projects for themselves and friends, and the other half would like to be selling furniture and handmade crafts for extra income.
• When asked “What’s your biggest challenge when it comes to redoing or selling furniture?” the most common replies were:
  • Too many ideas/choices for redoing furniture, don’t know which direction to go
  • Don’t have a large enough dedicated workspace for projects
  • Selling: Where to sell and how to price
  • Not enough time
  • Low confidence that the project won’t turn out or buyers won’t like it
• When asked what they’d like to learn more about on my site, the top answers were:
  • Running a business: Pricing, where and how to sell, staging a booth
  • Comparison of products, tools, and paints
  • Cleaning, prep, and repairs of furniture
  • Reupholstery

Survey Results Summary:

It was very clear that there’s a large group of readers who want guidance on redoing and selling furniture for profit.  I’ve actually been working on content already that will address your questions about selling, pricing, staging, marketing, and more.  I think you guys will love it!

There’s also a large group of you who want to learn and be inspired with painting techniques, thrifty makeovers, reupholstery, and home DIY projects (and have zero desire to sell anything right now).  I promise to keep sharing those too!

Quite a few of you said you like reading blog posts with detailed steps and lots of photos, and even find short videos helpful.  It’s my plan to figure out creating videos and start including some with my tutorials if it seems like it will provide extra benefit for you guys.  And finally, we’ll dive deeper into power tools and product comparisons to help you make better decisions about what items you might need for your own successful projects.

I learned so much especially these last few months about my readers and which direction to go with the blog.  I have big plans for GITG so that you all will be excited and confident to do more projects (and make extra income while you’re at it) – and hopefully you’re ready for an amazing 2017!

Leave me a comment below letting me know what you’re most looking forward to in the new year.  It can be business or personal.  🙂

Jen