Etsy Seller Interview with Oksana of AmigurumiJoys

How AmigurumiJoys 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?

I’m Oksana Davydchuk, the owner and founder of AmigurumiJoys on Etsy.  I started my adventure with amigurumi in 2017. The first toy I made was a little crocheted mouse.  What I liked most was not the toy, but the process of creation and the delight of my son. It was unforgettable!!!! And I wanted more… After improving my crochet skills with many guides, books, and videos in 2019 I started creating my own amigurumi designs and selling them on Etsy. Making and designing toys is my way of making people happy and bringing joy to the world!

Favorite items

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

I love all my designs! But dinosaurs will always be my beloved! It's just one of those things that will also be a fan favorite among children and adults alike. There’s just something so alluring about their inherent mystery.

Also, I love to create toys for little ones. A rattle has been one of the first toys for babies to play with for centuries, and it still is! Babies love the sound, color, and crochet texture of my rattles! And crocheted security blankets are the most adorable gifts for babies.

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?

It took about a month before I had my first sale. and about a year to get regular sales. I use different ways to drive traffic. Most visits to my shop are from the Etsy app, so I work hard to use tags and keywords that shoppers are searching for. I also use social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram to share updates, promotions, and my work process. I do not use ads. It did not give me the expected result. Customers also keep coming back because of the good customer service.

Managing AmigurumiJoys

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?

From the start, I’ve run my Etsy shop by myself. For my work, I use "ERank" to keep track of my shop's statistics and analyze tags; Canva for pattern and image creation; Snapseed, InShot, and Capture One for photo and video editing. Due to the digital nature of my products, I do not have any shipping.

The future of AmigurumiJoys

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

My goals for my shop include growing in product and revenue each year. Also, I want to expand by selling physical products (crochet kits).

Advice for new sellers

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

Increase your knowledge, be patient and never give up!