Etsy Seller Interview with Nicky of KreativGifts1

How KreativGifts1 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?

Hello – I’m Nicky, the founder and heart of KreativGifts1 on Etsy. I handcraft various personalised gifts to accommodate multiple occasions, from weddings and birthdays to holidays. This shop was sparked by the desire to create unique gifts by adding a personal touch to each product. KreativGifts1 began in 2016 to turn passion projects and hobbies into a fully-fledged business. I have always loved to craft and make things by hand. After working for other companies for several years, I decided it was time to branch out independently. Etsy was the perfect platform to transition to, allowing me to continue doing what I loved.

My product line has blossomed over the last few years, from selling a few birthday and wedding cards and crocheting at market stalls to embracing the world of vinyl and my beloved cutting machine to designing mugs, frames, and glasses. This stemmed from embracing feedback and responding to ideas trending on Pinterest. I am always excited to learn a new skill, so generating a new product using different techniques has allowed my business to grow.

Favorite items

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

My top-selling product fluctuates based on the time of year and holidays. At Easter, it is my personalised Easter bunny; this is often purchased as a gift for little ones. For summer, it is my wedding and honeymoon fund. For Christmas, my gingerbread gift tags, which I make with the help of my daughter, I am fortunate to offer such a variety of products on Etsy making work not feel like work. Regarding my favourite product, I think it has to be my crochet baby blankets. Crochet has always been incredibly therapeutic for me, so selling them on Etsy is just an added bonus. Plus, I love the endless opportunities you can have with crochet.

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?

My first sale happened after a couple of weeks. It was a slow start, but it’s a learning curve, and it takes time to learn what your customers want. My product line was relatively small, but it quickly expanded as I understood current trends and areas to focus on. Initially, I didn’t grasp social media and advertising that way; I naively thought people would stumble onto my page. I primarily promote using Facebook, posting links to my page and items in various pages and groups.

My growth has come from the business establishing itself, learning how the Etsy algorithm works, and gaining glowing reviews. When customers trust your products, you build up a strong reputation.

Managing KreativGifts1 

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, I am the sole proprietor of my business, with occasional help from my daughter. I create all the designs, photograph and edit all the product images myself, and handle packaging and shipping. I use Royal Mail click and drop for most of my postage and eventually purchased a label printer, which has been an absolute godsend at busy times of year.

The future of KreativGifts1 

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

My growth has fluctuated over the years as demand for personalised gifts and trends have shifted. I hope to continue trying to grow my business by learning new platforms to promote sales, which would help solidify holidays as ideal opportunities for products. I’d love  for the company to grow to a point where I could take on family members part-time or even full-time, but for now, I’m happy in my little space, crafting away.

Advice for new sellers

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

Do not expect sales immediately; it takes time. It is vital to learn how the Etsy algorithm works and how to use terms that make it easy for people to search for your products. I think it is essential to take time to refine your products and offer a variety of price points to compete with other sellers and improve repeat business.