How CountedQuilts 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 Lisa Muilenburg, and my shop is called Counted Quilts. The first quilt I ever designed was a team effort with my mom. She has made a quilt for all of her grandchildren and couldn't find the perfect one. Inspired by my love of counted cross stitch, we made a bunny quilt in a mosaic style using all 2-inch squares. As more grandchildren came, I designed more quilts for them. After a few of these, my husband, an engineer, asked why we cut all the colors apart just to sew them back together. It made me take another look at how the picture might come together. So, my style evolved to a unique "stripped and pieced" method. To sew an easy picture quilt together, use all straight cutting and all straight seams. I kept designing for family and close friends.
My sister-in-law introduced me to Etsy and said I should consider opening a shop so other grandmas, aunts, and new moms could also enjoy my quilt designs. I started with common children’s themes. Now a lot of my ideas come from customers. I create the pattern in a computer program where I can easily make changes until it is just the way I like it. Sometimes I post works in progress on social media for feedback. Then I use another program to help me accurately do the math for piece size and fabric yardage. Then I draft the actual pattern. I always like to make the test so I know it is accurate, and I have a sample to show. I sent it for testing and editing. Then I post both a digital and physical copy of the pattern for customers. With kids still at home, I only do the occasional quilt show.
Favorite items
What are your favorite items? What makes these so special? Why do you think these items might be selling well?
My current top two favorite listings are Dino Friends and Construction Vehicles. Besides being pretty pleased with how they came out, I think these are my favorites because they remind me of my boys. I had one who, at a very young age, knew the name of every type of dinosaur. His little brother could do the same with construction vehicles. As I talk to customers, I hear a lot of similar stories about kids who do the same. That is why I believe these are two of my best-selling items.
Another new favorite of mine is called Start to Finish. I have been trying something new by making sports quilts from silhouette blocks. I was a runner, so this is my favorite. And in the Pacific Northwest, I remember my mom watching me run late-season cross-country races wrapped in a blanket. The silhouette quilts have not done as well as my other patterns. Maybe because I am known for my fun, bright kids' quilts, and these are aimed more at teens and are black and white.
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 5 months to make my first sale. I opened my Etsy store in December with a small number of quilt patterns. After waiting months for a sale, my husband said no one wants to be the first to order from an unknown person, so he bought a pattern, and then that weekend I sold two more. Since then, my sales have increased year after year. I use all the social media connections Etsy has available to share listings. I have used them to post new patterns on Pinterest and Facebook. I also find it helpful to run the occasional Etsy ad campaign.
Managing CountedQuilts
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 manage my shop on my own. It is a part-time job for me. Currently, raising my kids is job number 1, and counting quilts is job number 2. I am able to do this easily because I sell my patterns as digital downloads, so except for the occasional request for a paper copy, I have very little shipping to fulfill. This allows me to spend most of my time creating new designs as well as spending time with my family. I use Etsy stats and other tools to keep the shop cleaned up. removing old, unpopular listings, featuring seasonal items, updating tags, and such. I am also a big fan of Excel for organizing things.
The future of CountedQuilts
What goals do you have for your shop in the future?
The goal for my shop has simply been to grow each year, since this is a side business for me, I have let it grow very organically at its own pace. Now that my kids are getting older I hope to put more time into helping it grow. Connecting with some new audiences. Reaching out to blogs or magazines to feature some of my patterns, so I am excited to share my story here. I have also been able to start going to more quilt shows and talking with quilt guilds which is a great way to not only reach a new audience but get new ideas directly from potential customers. I am also looking forward to hitting my 200th design, which I should do this year.
Advice for new sellers
What’s your advice for a new seller starting an Etsy shop?
My advice to a new Etsy shop is: don’t give up. The odds are that if you love your stuff and your friends and family love it, then others out there will too. You just need to find the right way to get in front of them. Tell your unique story, show off your work with good pictures, and share it on whatever social media platform you are most comfortable with. Read the newsletters and advice emails provided by Etsy. I started consignment sales, which became wholesale sales because of an Etsy newsletter. Even if you don’t quite feel like your product is perfect, get it out there and get some feedback.
