Etsy Seller Interview with Liga of GoldenLeafPaperie

How GoldenLeafPaperie 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’m Liga, the owner of Golden Leaf Paperie on Etsy. I design editable templates for events — like invitations, signs, table numbers, menus, games and other printables.. When a customer purchases a template, they instantly receive a link to edit their design on Templett.com, download it, and print it themselves.

I started in 2017 with just an idea and no experience — only a strong desire to explore passive income. I wanted to create a design once and sell it over and over again — even while sleeping or relaxing on a beach. I’ve always been fascinated by passive income — the idea of putting in all the work upfront and then earning limitless amounts over time. I wanted to build a business where my earnings weren’t tied to hours worked, but instead, to the value I created. My goal also was to build an income stream that required less time while allowing me to spend more quality moments with my family. That’s why I no longer offer custom designs — I value my time and energy. In the beginning, I experimented with different designs, and for a while, nothing sold. Then, I got my first order. That moment changed everything. I realized: if I could sell once, I could sell again. And that motivated me to keep going.

I dedicated time and money to learning how Etsy works, studying success strategies, taking courses, and treating my shop as a real business. After two years of hard work, my shop became my full-time income. I live in Latvia, where the cost of living is lower compared to places like the USA or UK. But the best part of passive income? I can take a month off and still earn the same. It truly feels like living a dream. Of course, success didn’t come overnight — it required a lot of effort and patience. But I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunities the modern world offers. Twenty years ago, this wouldn’t have even seemed possible.

Favorite items

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

My favorite product collections are:

Most of my bestsellers come from these three collections. Over the years, I’ve noticed how trends have evolved since I started in 2017. Back then, people preferred detailed designs with floral elements, calligraphic fonts, and a feminine touch. Bestsellers from five years ago barely sell anymore. It’s fascinating to see how customer preferences evolve over time! Today, the style has shifted towards modern, minimalistic, and bold aesthetics.

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 think my first sale came within a month, and the next one about a month later. I still remember the thrill of getting two sales in one day—it felt like a huge milestone! And honestly, even now, hearing Etsy’s cha-ching notification when a sale comes in is still just as exciting.

Currently, 30% of my traffic comes from Pinterest, while Instagram hasn’t brought in many customers since I’m not very active there. It’s tough to do everything, so I’ve learned that focusing on what truly matters is the key to growing a business.

Managing GoldenLeafPaperie

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 manage my Etsy shop entirely on my own. Since I sell digital products with no need for shipping, it’s fairly easy to handle. But sometimes, I miss the feeling of co-working, co-creating, and celebrating milestones with someone else.

That’s one of the reasons I decided to start a new shop — this time, with my lovely friend and neighbor as my business partner. It’s still brand new, and we’ve had just three sales so far, but the process itself brings me so much joy. Our new store is a print-on-demand shop featuring spiritual clothing, and we’re especially excited about incorporating unique hand-drawn designs and light language. Starting something fresh together makes the journey even more exciting!

Here are the essential tools I use to run both of my shops:

Adobe Photoshop

Photoshop is an absolute must-have for my business. Since I create most of my designs by hand, I rely on Photoshop for editing, refining, and enhancing them before they’re ready for sale. It gives me the creative freedom to perfect every detail.

Templett

This is where I create and manage all my editable templates. When a customer places an order, they automatically receive a link to access and personalize their design. Templett is a paid platform, and while it comes at a cost, it’s 100% worth it for the customer experience it provides.

Dream Studio

Sometimes, I use Dream Studio to create custom mock-ups or generate watercolor-style illustrations for new designs. 

ZMO.AI

For my print-on-demand clothing shop, ZMO.AI helps me generate realistic scenes and models to showcase our designs. It’s a great tool for creating high-quality, professional-looking mock-ups without the need for expensive photoshoots.

ChatGPT

Since English is not my first language, I use ChatGPT as a huge help for refining my writing, improving grammar, and making my product descriptions and business communications clearer. 

The future of GoldenLeafPaperie

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

Across both businesses, I want to increase traffic and sales by refining my strategies and testing new ideas. I see a lot of potential in Pinterest marketing, and I plan to make the most of it. I also want to experiment more with paid ads and special offers to see what works best.

But beyond the numbers, my biggest goal is to create a work-life balance that allows me to enjoy the journey. I want to free up more time for creativity, my family, and the things that truly matter. By automating where I can and focusing only on what truly moves my business forward, I know I can build something sustainable — something that supports both my dreams and my everyday life.

Advice for new sellers

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

I’ve helped others start their Etsy shops, and the biggest mistake I see is not putting in the work. Many people open a shop, upload three listings, and when nothing sells, they simply give up. But that’s not how it works. What many don’t realize is that success takes time. In the beginning, you put in a lot of effort for what feels like very little return. Growth is usually slow and steady—with some rare exceptions and overnight success stories. For most of us, success comes from motivation, research, and consistency. The key is to keep learning, keep improving, and keep showing up. That’s what leads to stable, long-term results.