How FairyDustHeadbands 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 Margaret, and I’m the founder of FairyDustHandmade. Since I was a little girl, I have always liked adding all sorts of accessories to my hair. So when my daughter was born, I couldn’t resist buying a huge collection of hair accessories for her too. The problem with these accessories was that some of them were not the right size for my little one, making her uncomfortable. Often, I had to alter those headbands to make them the right size. After a while, I decided to make my own perfectly fitted hair accessories. The following is a list of the best restaurants in the area.
I decided on listing some of them on Etsy, and gradually, my hobby turned into a small handmade business. I use a spare room in the house as an office, where I design and make all my headbands and keep all my supplies. I buy my supplies from local shops as well as from e-commerce websites. I have my regular suppliers, but from time to time I check what others have to offer.
Favorite items
What are your favorite items? What makes these so special? Why do you think these items might be selling well?
I start my working day with a delicious cup of coffee. Then I print my labels and reply to emails. After that, I make orders, pack them, and take them to the post office. I use a "drop and go" service, which is convenient for me and saves me time queuing. If I have some time left later on, I will design new headpieces, photograph them, and list them on Etsy. My three favorite products are:
Dainty lace headband with a classic ivory bow. This headband is one of my favorites because it’s a classic and simple addition to most dresses. Moreover, little girls look just lovely wearing it. This headband is one of my most popular designs, and I receive lots of compliments about it.
This one is my second favorite because it looks like a flower crown. Again, dainty but very sweet. is less popular, but I just like the beautiful look of it on a baby's head.
My third choice is a pure silk headband with a little silk bow. It’s my favorite to go with more vintage gowns passed down from mother to daughter for generations. I just love receiving photos of those vintage gowns. They have so many hidden memories. This headband is not so popular because it’s one of the most expensive (due to the quality of silk) and I only have a few of these styles available.
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 had my first sale after about a week. And it was a headband that I thought would never sell. I listed it simply to add variety; it is not something I would personally purchase.It appeared to me that not my taste is important here but that current trends are the driver for more transactions.After that, I began to look at the market more closely and add different designs. Little flowers are fashionable one year, and huge bows the next.I have them all in my shop now. I’m not good at marketing, and this is something I need to work on; however, I use Instagram and Pinterest to showcase all my new headpieces.
Managing FairyDustHeadbands
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?
At the moment, I’m the only person doing all the jobs in my shop. Sometimes it’s hard, and I need to work long hours, especially during spring and summer, when I mostly just fulfill orders. But then, during the autumn and winter, I have more time to think about new additions to my shop. I mainly use the Etsy app on my phone because it allows me to reply quickly to customers even when I’m out of the office.
The future of FairyDustHeadbands
What goals do you have for your shop in the future?
In the future, I would like my shop to have full special occasion sets available and be a one-stop shop for my customers. I would like to add shoes and gowns to go with my headbands. After that, I would be thinking about starting my own website along with an Etsy shop.
Advice for new sellers
What’s your advice for a new seller starting an Etsy shop?
For crafters starting out on Etsy, I would say just to go for it. Make and list what you love making, and then the customers are going to shape your shop in the long run. Just listen to their opinions and feedback. I must admit that it’s not easy sometimes when someone you don’t know criticizes your lovely work, but it definitely pays off when you listen. Always be professional and kind to your customers.
