How FluffandFuzz 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?
Welcome to my fluffy fuzzy corner of Etsy! My name is Amanda Berry, and I design knitting patterns and specialize in designing knitted toys I have been selling my knitting pattern designs here on Etsy since 2010, and my patterns are digital downloads so the customer can access the pattern instantly after they clear the checkout.
I have been knitting since I was a little girl, and have always loved making toys. I started designing my own toy patterns about 15 years ago. I wanted to start writing patterns that were easier for knitters of all abilities to follow, and that is what I set out to do with fluff and fuzz. I started selling my designs in 2010. I started with five designs and have grown with some amazing fans and customers ever since.
Some of my toy designs are from customer requests ,and usually an idea for a toy will pop into my head on a morning walk.
Favorite items
What are your favorite items? What makes these so special? Why do you think these items might be selling well?
My favorite toys are my sharks (Great White and Hammerhead) and Griff the Dragon is one of my best sellers. The sharks were the largest toys I had undertaken when I designed them, and took a long time to design and perfect each one (about 2 months each). Griff is just full of dragony personality and lots of fun.
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?
When I started with a portfolio of 5 patterns, I had no idea this would become a full-time career, but I sold all my designs on day one and have been very lucky to build a loyal customer base. Etsy’s advertising options are the main drivers of traffic to my store, so I monitor my advertising expenditure regularly.
Managing FluffandFuzz
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?
As my patterns are digital downloads, Etsy’s checkout sends the knitting pattern link to the customer with their receipt. But I also like to send a copy of the knitting pattern by email too so that the customer has a backup copy, and just in case they are unfamiliar with the download system. I send all emails within 24 hours, so I set aside a block of time each day to send those emails to customers. It is just me running the store, so it can be a little stressful and overwhelming in busy periods like Christmas, but I have found that booking in some “screen free” time each day is really helpful for managing mental health.
The future of FluffandFuzz
What goals do you have for your shop in the future?
I will continue to expand my portfolio of knitting patterns and I have lots of new ideas for future projects. A lot of people have asked if I can knit toys to sell, but as each toy can take several days to make it would be cost and time-prohibitive for me to do so, so sadly I won’t be able to knit toys to order.
Advice for new sellers
What’s your advice for a new seller starting an Etsy shop?
Get some really good photos of your products, and get some feedback from people you trust. Also take advantage of Etsy’s banner options and setting up sections in your store, so you can have distinct branding and make it easier for customers to find the product they are looking for.
