How HumblePrideGlass 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 am Michael Sorenson, owner, designer, and producer at HumblePrideGlass. I hand blow original designs of fruit and sculpted borosilicate glass pipes, the most popular being the Peach, Banana, and Strawberry pipes. I first became intrigued by Etsy when my wife opened a shop to sell her collage art and jewelry, and she suggested posting a couple of my designs on there, and I was amazed by the response, so I opened my own shop in 2013. I began making sculpted fruit pipes back in 2003, with my Banana and Chili pipes, but my line of original designs has grown over the years to include designs inspired by my customers, or things in nature and in my environment that I see that would make a good pipe design. All of my materials are sourced from local raw glass distributors, with 90% of my materials being high-quality, made-in-America products. I take the raw clear glass tubing and add colored glass or precious metal fumes. Using a 5000 degree torch, I shape them using tools, breath, and gravity into the shapes.
Favorite items
What are your favorite items? What makes these so special? Why do you think these items might be selling well?
My favorite designs are probably my chili pepper and banana pipes, because they were the first in the line, and also because their creation story continues to inspire me because they were born from a particularly hard period in the glass pipe industry. The star of my line is my Peach Pipe; I love this flirty little pipe as much as my buyers do, partially because it’s such a cute shape and uses beautiful and unique rare glass colors, but also because it, in particular, brought me where I am today. People are mad for the Peach Pipe, and I love everything this craze has introduced me to, including lots of incredible people. All of these designs sell really well, partially because they’ve become classic designs at this point, but also because they are well-made and impress my buyers without fail.
My Rose Sherlock Pipes are also great sellers; I think people are surprised by how elegant they are and how comfortable they are to use.
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 my wife first posted my Banana and Chili Pepper pipes in her shop, we were blown away by the instant success—at least 10 orders that first day! Since these pipes are so cute and affordable, I don’t often go a day without sales, although the past year has been tough. Currently, I drive a lot of sales through my Instagram page ( @humbleprideglass), but word of mouth has always been my primary form of advertisement. When you are a good person that makes quality products and conducts your business with professionalism and integrity, things tend to sell themselves, because people take notice.
Managing HumblePrideGlass
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?
My wife, K, and I both manage the Etsy shop, and every day we work together to package and ship orders from the previous day’s work through the Etsy shipping program. It has come a long way, and we find it very easy and reliable to use. All items are custom made to order, which gives my buyers the opportunity to request modifications if they like. Since I am juggling orders from my Etsy shop, website, and wholesale orders, I typically process orders within 7 days of placement, but I also offer processing upgrades to accommodate people who are in a hurry, without compromising the orders of those already in line.
The future of HumblePrideGlass
What goals do you have for your shop in the future?
Times have been tough on Etsy over the past year, to be honest. Where I used to get 75–80% of my work through Etsy, I now get about 10%. Some of this is due to the expanded marketplace and the difficulty Etsy has had reigning in resellers, but also because the economy has been tough. I sell high-quality, individually handmade items using the highest grade materials available, but in this economy, I think people are opting for cheaper products. My goal in the next year is to update my photos, figure out what’s new with the current seo changes, and get back to a rate of sales on Etsy that kept me in business these last 10 years.
Advice for new sellers
What’s your advice for a new seller starting an Etsy shop?
My first bit of advice is to copyright your photos. I wasn’t as on top of this when I began, and it’s been tricky trying to maintain control of them around the web. My next piece of advice is to have honor and integrity and do right by your customers. I like to think that I’m the kind of shop owner I would like to buy from, so that keeps me motivated to offer excellent service. Also, buyers on Etsy can be so wonderful. I’ve met so many people that have been so kind and encouraging. Look at your buyers as patrons—those that support your art, not customers that you are trying to get a quick sale from. This will help you build the lasting relationships that lead to top-notch word-of-mouth collectors.
Some sellers really get inspired by hearing numbers. Feel free to share these if you like.
Question: How much is your monthly revenue?
Answer: It used to be about 1- 2k a week, but has been more like $300 a week this year.
Question: What is your average profit margin?
Answer: 50% on retail sales.
Question: What is your shop’s conversion rate?
Answer: about 2%; not where I would like, but hopefully that will change back to where it used to be, which was 10%
