Etsy Seller Interview with Christine of chromalism

How chromalism 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 Christine, and I am the mind, the eyes, and the hands behind "chromalism" jewelry. Ever since I was a little kid, I had a natural attraction for colors. My grandfather was an artist, and, etc. I remember myself gazing fascinated by his palette and the various colors with all those magical names: cobalt blue, emerald green, cadmium red, burnt sienna... Later, during my studies in archaeology and art history, I focused even more on the use of color, not only in art but also in everyday life (in architecture, clothing, everyday-use objects, etc).

Jewelry making came up as a result of my "color addiction": I was always in search of the perfect color ring (rings are my all-time favorite jewelry), with an exact color shade I had in mind, but of course, I could never find it. So, I started experimenting with various jewelry-making techniques. Soon, I fell in love with resin, a transparent two-part liquid material that, when colored and cured, has the look and feel of colored glass. After a few courses and some self-taught tricks, I started making jewelry for myself and for my friends, and soon, in 2013, I opened "Chromalism" on Etsy.

"Chromalism" jewelry is minimal in design but has a great variety of vibrant and rich color shades. After mixing the resin with the catalyst, I add the color pigments in the appropriate proportions to create the desired shade. I make the colors myself by mixing the five primary colors: red, blue, yellow, black, and white. I pour the colored mix into handmade metal bases, and I use a heat gun to cure and harden the mixture. I always keep my workshop warm and free of humidity, and I watch each piece for several hours to ensure that the resin won’t attract dust or form bubbles. It takes about one or two days for each piece to become solid and hard, like natural glass, with a smooth and shiny surface.

Favorite items

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

My favorite creations are my colorful rings: big, bold, and beautiful, in every color possible, that match my clothes, my style, and my daily mood! When I get dressed every morning, I often think, "What color do I feel like today?" So, even if I wear a totally black outfit, I put on a big ruby red ring if I feel passionate and sexy, or a turquoise blue one if I feel cool and fresh, or a yellow one if I feel more fun. And I am really happy to see that these rings are also my customers’ favorites. I frequently receive messages from "chromalism" fans expressing their inability to choose just one color, and they frequently return for more. Like one of my best customers says in her feedback: "I think I have around 10 of Christine's beautiful rings now; they make me smile, invite compliments, are comfortable and stylish to wear, and above all... are colorful!"

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 a couple of months before I got my first sale. However, the first months on Etsy were a bit experimental. It took me almost a year to find my brand and settle on what I enjoy creating and what makes my creations stand out from the crowd on the Etsy market. I continuously try to optimize my Etsy listings for search and add new photographs. I also use social channels—mostly Instagram—to show both my creations and my personal aesthetic and drive traffic to my Etsy shop.

Managing chromalism

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?

"Chromalism" shop is just me: creating, taking pictures, uploading and optimizing listings, managing, contacting customers, preparing and shipping orders, running social media, being active in a local Etsy team, etc. Sometimes it gets a bit crazy, especially before holidays, but I try to stay focused and organized. In more quiet seasons, I make a stock of my best-selling pieces, and that really helps me during high-demand seasons.

The future of chromalism 

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

I have many new ideas I’d like to fulfill, mostly about new jewelry shapes and colors. I would also like to add more countries to my sales map. I’ve already sold in more than 25 countries, but I wish "chromalism" would conquer the world!

Advice for new sellers

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

My first advice would be to study the "Etsy Seller Handbook,"  especially "The Ultimate Guide to Etsy Search" and "The Ultimate Guide to Produce Photography." Also, I suggest remembering these steps:

The first step is search engine optimization (SEO): getting found in Etsy searches with the right keywords and tags. This is an ever-changing process of optimizing listings, following seasonal trends, and so on.

The second step is great photography: when a customer sees your product in the search results, the key to stopping scrolling and clicking on a certain listing is a great photo. Clear shots with natural lighting and the right cropping always make an impression.

The third step is creating a brand: shops that have a cohesive aesthetic always stand out and engage repeat customers.

The fourth step is promoting: social media (Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, TikTok) can be a game-changer in getting found outside of Etsy. Each platform has its own audience, so if you don’t have time to promote everywhere, choose wisely which platform fits you and your product best and focus on that one.

The fifth step is to love what you do and have fun creating!