How 2x2 Stitch Art got started

Introduce your Etsy shop and tell us your story. How did you begin and decide on what to sell on Etsy, and how do you create your products?

Hello, my name is Ilana and I am the owner and designer of a shop of cross stitch patterns: 2x2 Stitch Art

I will not waste your time with details about how I learned different types of handicraft, I will just say that these are very useful skills in life!

With regards to Etsy, I got to this marketplace by a fluke. My good old friend literally (because at that time I was not 100% ready for such a decision) forced me to open a store.

And since then, I have not been sorry about that!

Since I am a big fan of cross stitching, creating patterns has become a totally new, amazing and rewarding hobby for me that has become my job. And this is the most wonderful job that a person can have - because you do not what you should, but what you like!

Favorite items

What are your favorite items? What makes these so special? Why do you think these items might be selling well?

It will not be very easy to answer this question, since I only do what I like. It will be difficult to choose "favorites" from the listings presented in the store, but I will try!

Apparently, I love all seasons, that's why at some point these patterns appeared. I plan to embroider them for myself as soon as I have at least a little free time.

This pattern is simple, but I like it. Probably because I have a wonderful little daughter and a cat, and looking at this pattern, I immediately see my girls. Therefore, I will embroider it too!

In general, I like what I do and so if I list everything that is in my "favorites", you will get bored and you will not read further! So you can just go into my store and look at everything there yourself.

Is what I do for sale? The answer is yes, something is a little better, something is a little worse, but, as they say, every product has its own buyer.

Getting sales on Etsy

How long did it take for you to earn your first sale and how do you currently attract customers to your Etsy shop?  

If I'm not mistaken, my first sale took place 23 days after the store opened.

How do I attract buyers? I don't even know what to say, as I am not engaged in advertising or promotion on social networks! 

I just create what I like and it is sold, probably because it was done with a soul.

Managing 2x2 Stitch Art

How do you manage your shop? Are you running solo or do you have any team members? What tools or services do you use to run your shop and how do you handle fulfillment?

I am the only one engaged in the shop. I do not use any special applications and tools. Apparently, I still need to work on organizing the management of the store.

Fortunately, I sell digital goods! Since these are instant downloads, I don't have any shipping issues.

The future of 2x2 Stitch Art

What goals do you have for your shop in the future?

Develop and create! There are many plans, but not enough time - I think this combination is familiar to everyone.

Advice for new sellers

What’s your advice for a new seller starting an Etsy shop?

You can start giving advice and try to teach how to do it right. But who knows exactly how to do it right?

I'll put it this way: Get started, keep going and don't give up! 

Even if it didn't work out right away, remember that the fall is followed by a rise.

If you do not lose inspiration and faith in yourself, everything will eventually work out.