Etsy Seller Interview with Venetia of eeksiepeeksie

How eeksiepeeksie 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 selling over 10 years ago at local fairs and farmers markets and dipped my toe among the other online platforms. I had signed up for Etsy right at the beginning but had always assumed it was an American site only. I decided a few years into trading to try Etsy, and I never looked back.

I was looking to create products with a country, vintage, and retro theme, and Etsy was the perfect platform. I look for designs that are colorful and fun and that appeal to me. I source my plain china from the U.K. and hand decorate all the designs. I invested in a ceramic printer some years ago, which enables me to personalize all my gifts.

Favorite items

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

My favorite products are undoubtedly my personalized tea cups and saucers. I love personalizing them, as each order is completely unique. I love the cheeky inscriptions some of my customers come up with and I never cease to be amazed at how creative these inscriptions can be. I do a wide range of styles and colors, and there is just about every color of flower to suit every occasion. Modern inscriptions bring these vintage-style products into the here and now.

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 me a few weeks to get my first sale, and the number of viewings and sales has steadily increased through the years. I currently use Etsy's advertising and also use Facebook and Instagram.

Managing eeksiepeeksie

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?

Currently, it is just myself that manages everything, although I do get help at Christmas, which can be chaotic. I need ceramic printers and kilns, which are the tools of my trade, and I use the Etsy app every day. Most of the time, I use my smartphone to engage with customers and process orders. I decorate, fire, and pack everything myself and use Royal Mail or couriers for international customers if customers need a quick turn around.

The future of eeksiepeeksie

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

My goals are the same as they’ve always been, which is to increase sales, get a wider organic reach, and produce new designs on a regular basis.

Advice for new sellers

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

Don’t expect everything to be instant; bide your time. See who else is doing similar things and try to learn from that. Don’t get strung out by competitors; do your own thing. If you like the product, then it’s the best gift someone can buy.

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

Question: How much is your monthly revenue?
Answer: £5000

Question: What is your average profit margin?
Answer: 20-30%

Question: What is your shop’s conversion rate?
Answer: Currently 4.6