Etsy Seller Interview with Milena of EditMeStudioShop

Milena is the owner and founder of EditMeStudioShop on Etsy. They design and sell Editable Digital Downloads. They have been successfully selling these products and more for 2 months and have generated more than 61 sales on Etsy!
An interview with
Milena
Owner of EditMeStudioShop

How EditMeStudioShop 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've always had an artistic soul—I danced for 15 years, and that was my first way of expressing myself creatively. Over time, I started exploring different hands-on hobbies: seasonal wreaths, candle making (which started as thoughtful gifts for friends and weddings), resin jewelry, and lately I've been really enjoying crocheting. I also love playing around with my Cricut—creating stickers and experimenting with t-shirt designs.

At school, I was always the one responsible for the creative side of group projects—posters, graphics, and presentations. That's probably where my love for design truly began. Recently, I moved abroad, which brought many life changes. Etsy has become my creative escape—a space where I can focus on something I truly enjoy. Designing gives me so much joy and motivation, so I see Etsy not just as a sales platform but as creative therapy.

Before Etsy, I briefly explored Amazon KDP but couldn't fully commit during a difficult personal time. Etsy felt like a natural choice because of how easy it is to set up a shop and list products—it gave me more creative freedom and instantly felt like the right space to grow.

Favorite items

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

One of my favorites is definitely my “editable Father's Day voucher”. The idea came from a very personal place - I wanted to create something special for my own dad, and it grew from there. I’m incredibly proud that it was marked as “Popular now” on Etsy for a while! Its success,  I think, comes from how simple and straightforward it is - customers can edit it in minutes, download it instantly, and use it as a last-minute gift. That practicality really resonates with people.

Editable Father's Day Gift Voucher – Printable Coupon for Dad – Digital Gift Certificate – Canva Template – Instant Download | VFT

My other favorite has huge sentimental value—the “mermaid-themed birthday invitation”. This was the very first design I created for my shop, the one that started it all. It might not be a bestseller, but it represents the beginning of this journey. Plus, I just adore its soft, pastel colors!

Editable Mermaid Birthday Invitation | Under the Sea Party | Girls Printable Invite | Ocean Birthday Canva Template | Digital Download

Right now, I'm focusing a lot on occasion-based products, but I'm also starting to branch out. I recently created my first “travel planner”, which was a fun new challenge!

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?

I'm incredibly happy to say I've made 59 sales in my first two months! I remember the pure excitement of that first “cha-ching” notification. Then, there was a quiet period, and I honestly wondered if that would be it. But I kept going, and the sales started to pick up again.

To attract customers, I use a mix of strategies:

  • Alura has been a game-changer for my SEO. I use it to find quality tags and craft strong titles that help customers find me organically. It’s also a great source of inspiration for my product descriptions.
  • I use Etsy Ads, but I keep it simple: I only advertise listings that are already getting some views (like my vouchers) to give them an extra boost - this works especially well when I host sales or promotions.
  • I also run occasional sales to keep things fresh and encourage purchases - these often do really well for my voucher listings, as they’re practical gifts people love to grab at a discount.

Managing EditMeStudioShop

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?

Yes, it’s a one-woman show! I handle everything from design to customer service. The beauty of selling digital products is that the fulfillment is completely automatic. Customers get their files instantly after purchase, which is a fantastic system.

For creating my products, my primary tools are Canva, which is perfect for designing both editable templates and ready-to-print items, and Topaz software, which I use to enhance and perfect the quality of my graphics, ensuring they are crisp and professional for my customers.

Since I'm still in the early stages and exploring what works best, I don’t follow a strict schedule yet. I usually work spontaneously - sometimes I sit down and create something completely new, and other times I revisit older drafts or unfinished designs that I haven’t published yet and try to bring them to life.

The future of EditMeStudioShop

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

My main goal is to keep growing my shop and expanding my product range - while staying true to what I enjoy creating most. Currently, my focus is on editable vouchers and birthday invitations, and I definitely want to continue expanding these popular categories with more diverse themes and styles for various occasions.

I'm also actively exploring new product types that spark my interest. For instance, I recently created my first travel planner, which was a really exciting new direction. I’d love to develop more organizational tools - like various planners or trackers - as I find them both useful for customers and personally fulfilling to design (plus, I'd use them myself!). I truly enjoy the variety that digital products offer, allowing me to constantly test new ideas.

Beyond the products themselves, I want to build a stronger brand presence. I’m exploring the idea of using Instagram and Pinterest more actively to share my designs, connect with potential customers, and show the creative process behind my work.

Long-term, I hope my shop becomes a reliable spot for people looking for easy-to-use, thoughtful digital gifts and event resources - while still feeling like a creative escape for me. It’s important that this shop stays something I enjoy working on, not just a “job” so balancing growth with that personal joy is a big priority for me.

Advice for new sellers

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

First, take the time to really understand how the Etsy platform works. Watch recent YouTube tutorials to stay current. I’d also highly recommend a tool like Alura from the get-go; it helped me understand tags and titles so much faster.

But my biggest piece of advice is to just start - even if your first products aren’t perfect. There will be moments of doubt, and that’s okay! Remember, it's normal to have slow periods, especially at the beginning. Be patient, stay consistent even when it's slow, and trust in your creative vision. The most important step is the first one.

Don't be afraid to experiment with different types of products and pricing strategies. Sometimes, what you think will sell the best might not, and that's okay. I often check what’s popular (like upcoming holidays or trends) for inspiration, but I also create things I personally have an idea or vision for - this balance keeps it fun. Use the data and feedback you get from your customers to guide your decisions.

Lastly, invest in your shop's appearance and branding. High-quality images and well-written descriptions can make a big difference in attracting customers. And don't forget to engage with your customers - respond to messages and reviews, and show appreciation for their support.

Some sellers really get inspired by hearing numbers. Feel free to share these if you like.

Question: How much is your monthly revenue?
Answer:
My monthly revenue is currently in the low double-digit euro range. I'm still investing heavily and operating at a loss from the beginning – my focus is on developing my product range and traffic, with profits expected to follow in the coming months.

Question: What is your average profit margin?
Answer:
Currently, my profit margin is currently negative - I’m still operating at a loss due to initial investments in ads and new projects. My products are often priced very competitively, especially during sales, which impacts my profit margin per sale. The fixed fees associated with digital sales on Etsy, such as payment processing fees, have a larger percentage impact on lower-priced items. As I continue to grow my shop and optimize my product mix and pricing, I anticipate that my overall average margin will improve.

Question: What is your shop’s conversion rate?
Answer:
10.5% - that's significantly above average for new shops, which shows I'm selecting keywords well and creating clickable thumbnails.