How BlackSheepStudiosMA 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?
My name is Melissa O'Neil, owner of Black Sheep Studios MA on Etsy. We are purveyors of high-quality buttons and embellishments. We offer products that are easily crafted into shoe charms, earrings, and other craft projects.
Black Sheep Studios was founded in 2021 out of frustration in the search for a reliable product source for my existing craft business. I had distributors, but most were unreliable at best, and their customer service was almost non-existent. Coupled with feeling ready for a new venture and wanting something fresh, I realized that I could source and distribute these products myself, all while offering reliability, accountability, and superb customer service, filling the void of something that was clearly lacking in the industry.
The company has grown over 200% since it started. Working directly with the manufacturers has allowed Black Sheep Studios to continue to evolve with the industry and offer our customers top-notch customer service, quality products, and the reliability they should expect. We have forged close relationships with manufacturers and work only with high quality manufacturers that have the same vision as us, including the only Licensed Disney Manufacturer in the industry. This allows us to accommodate orders of any size.
If the product is not in our shop, we are able to obtain the amount of product needed for our customers. Transparency is important to us. Manufacturing and distribution/retail do not need to be impersonal or unreachable to customers. Each crafter deserves to understand where their products are from, the process from start to finish, and the nuances that surround that process.
Our love for planet Earth also plays a role in our day-to-day operations. Purchasing in bulk allows us to consolidate items into minimal packaging, creating less waste and plastic in our environment. Less funding spent on packaging also allows us to extend our products at great prices. We are always looking for ways to streamline our processes in a more friendly and efficient manner.
Favorite items
What are your favorite items? What makes these so special? Why do you think these items might be selling well?
Our product sales are directly related to what crafters are currently making. That typically coincides with the seasons. We carry thousands of collections and are partial to our licensed Disney products because they are just so darn cute and realistic. They are hand painted and true to form. Although they sell year round, this time of year is when we see an increase in sales of our Christmas collections, along with Halloween and Autumn collections. Our best sellers in these categories:
Managing BlackSheepStudiosMA
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?
We are a small, woman-owned, family business. As a full-time proprietor, you will always find me at the helm. On shipment receiving days, my daughter steps in and helps process new items and inventory. She is also an amazing organizer and assists in creating systems that help keep us efficient. During busier times of the year, my daughter, husband, and even our grandson will contribute to helping out in the studio.
We do use the following tools to assist, but there are some things technology can’t replace. For example, if you call us, yours truly will answer your call. We answer all of our emails, messages, etc. as soon as possible and at all times of the day. We understand that our customers have customers depending on them and sometimes need answers to their questions in order to keep their commitment.
Grammerly: Because grammar is not a strong suit, and sometimes my fingers are a bit too fat for the keyboard keys, this app helps keep it all in check. It is a web-based proofreader that I could easily refer to as my BFF of apps.
IPhone Camera: Although an avid Mac user, I still use a professional camera to take any non-manufacturer photos I may need. The advancement in technology of the iPhone camera has allowed me to streamline and edit my photos simply. It also helps to answer any customer inquiries via the Etsy app.
ERank: This website is the mecca of keyword tools and SEO. We frequently use it to check our keywords as well as keywords that may be searched by customers and SEO optimization tools.
WaveApps: WaveApps is an online-based accounting software that we use for our daily accounting, expense tracking, reports, sales tax reports, and invoicing outside of Etsy and in person.
Shopify: We utilize our Shopify-powered website to keep track of inventory that is incoming and in stock. It has proven to be the best tool we have found for inventory, and we can easily cross reference it with our Etsy shop.
Shipping is all done by hand, one order at a time. We deal with small items and even micro-sized buttons. Keeping our orders processed one at a time avoids any mix-ups and keeps 100% of our attention on each customer's order. A customer's packing slip is printed, the order is filled, and the shipping label is purchased through Etsy’s integrated shipping via our Rollo label printer. The items are packaged and shipped via USPS.
We live in a very small New England town, which lends itself to a personal relationship with our postal carrier. She is amazing and always picks me up on time and daily. She keeps us stocked with mail bins and is just a text away! We know how lucky we are to have her and know that most folks don’t have the ability to just text their mail carrier at will. We guarantee that orders will be shipped within one business day, but most orders are shipped within hours.
The future of BlackSheepStudiosMA
What goals do you have for your shop in the future?
Our shop has grown over 200% in the last year on Etsy. We value this tremendously and have all intentions of keeping our Etsy shop open and equally as available as our stand alone website. However, we realize that with a stand-alone web presence comes more work and dedication. Originally, this site was to build a web presence and assist with inventory. But our focus this year will be to fine-tune and utilize the site to its utmost potential.
Advice for new sellers
What’s your advice for a new seller starting an Etsy shop?
My advice is to always, always remind yourself that this is not a sprint, it is a marathon! You will not see instant results and you will constantly be trying different strategies that work best for you and your shop. Don’t be afraid to try new things; keep your listings keyword-rich but simple; and do your research. not just at the startup of your shop, but throughout your shop's growth. Market research is knowledge that will be profoundly valuable. Most importantly, understand your product and customer base.Knowing your customers' needs can only improve your customer service.
BlackSheepStudiosMA
Purveyor of buttons and embellishments
