How CraftyStaci 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 started a craft and sewing blog in 2010, and selling on Etsy was a natural addition to that. I opened with a sling bag I had designed. Those were slow movers, so I added a lens cap holder that had been popular on my blog. Those did very well, and I progressed to camera straps, memory card holders, and other handmade photography gear. I eventually added vendor aprons and coffee cozies, which I ended up sewing in at least the hundreds. I offered customers the option of choosing from dozens of fabrics, and that really pushed sales. I made the decision to switch to selling patterns instead of handmade items a few years ago, and that’s been a great move for me. I focus on patterns that a beginner could sew, and especially in the last two years, there are many people out there learning.
Favorite items
What are your favorite items? What makes these so special? Why do you think these items might be selling well?
My current best seller is a sewing pattern for the same coffee cozy I used to sew! I also have a pie carrier pattern that does very well. During the holiday season, my ribbon candy ornament pattern went a little crazy. A personal favorite is my new Collecting Fabric panel and pattern.
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?
My first sale happened about a month after I opened my shop, and it was to a friend. Shortly after that sale, actual strangers started buying. Things really picked up when I added the lens cap holders to my shop. That was back when Etsy was newer, so there was less competition and it was easier to stand out. Currently, I make sure I’m using all the tags, having clear titles, and having good photos. Because I sell patterns, I’ve also found that having them available as a download is a smart move.
Managing CraftyStaci
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 have been a one-woman operation up until recently. I just hired a VA (virtual assistant) to handle some of my social media and back-end work. I’ll continue to manage fulfillment myself. Because I offer all of my patterns as PDFs, there’s very little for me to do after a sale. When I do need to ship, I use Shippo to print postage. I used to use an outside app to run sales, but Etsy has gotten easier to use in recent years when it comes to that.
The future of CraftyStaci
What goals do you have for your shop in the future?
Next year, I’d like to add more quilt patterns and focus more attention on that aspect of my business.
Advice for new sellers
What’s your advice for a new seller starting an Etsy shop?
Give it a little time, and don’t get discouraged when you’re new. Etsy is vast, and it takes a while to establish yourself. Also, while Etsy is a great place to list your items, consider selling on your own website as well.
CraftyStaci
Patterns and gifts for people who sew
