Etsy Seller Interview with Ivy of LowyLuxuryJewels

How LowyLuxuryJewels 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 Ivy, and I am the owner of Lowy Luxury Jewels. I have this jewelry shop that specializes in almost all kinds of jewelry at affordable prices. In addition to my Etsy store, I have a standalone e-commerce website. Before I started selling online, I sold to brides and friends, and my house was my studio. I was finishing up my university degree at the time, and I had to make a lot of decisions regarding my career and future. And one day, I found myself making jewelry from broken, old jewels in order to give them a more modern look. When I finished some pieces, I showed them to my friends, and they encouraged me to maybe see it as a part-time job. That is how I entered this beautiful world of handmade jewelry. At first as a hobby, then as a part-time job, and now as my 24/7 occupation At the beginning, my items were bridesmaids' gifts and, of course, necklaces for friends. But I soon realized that, like all of us, my buyers wanted beautiful things at affordable prices. So, my search began, and I found suppliers that provided me with quality material, and I started making jewelry that everybody could afford. I use quality chains made of sterling silver and gold vermeil, real gemstones and synthetic gemstones like opalite, and real freshwater pearls. Now, I still work at home, but I offer my items to a wider international public, and I am so happy! Oh, and I love making small, cute adornments for bags like the one shown in my profile picture, made with leather and stones, or even elegant luxury key accessories, etc. I hope to be able to publish some of these creations in the future.

Favorite items

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

It is difficult for me to choose one or even two favorites. All of my items have a personal story behind them, and I consider them my children. But if I had to choose, I'd choose the single pearl necklace, the initial necklace, all kinds of necklaces with moonstones, the sun and moon earrings, and the ruby necklace. I simply love the ruby necklace and the moonstone necklace. These gems are my favorites, along with the pearls. To me, they are the purest, lovely, most elegant gems that a woman can wear. I made my first sale with a single pearl necklace, and that is why it keeps a special place in my heart. Some of my best sellers (including the single pearl necklace and the ruby necklace) are the sun and moon earrings and the initial necklace. The sun and moon earrings have had many variations, all of them with a lot of success. The initial necklace, on the other hand, is a safe, dainty gift for everyone. I trust my items because of their quality and beauty!

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 came very quickly. I did not believe it. At the time, I invested a lot in Etsy ads, so my listings had a lot of views. But at the same time, I worked hard and was focused on optimizing my Etsy listings for search. Now, I still try to continue to work on the right keywords, and I try to show my work through various channels like Instagram and YouTube to drive traffic to my Etsy store and website. I try to post regularly on Instagram to stay engaged with the community and my buyers. It is a lot of work for one person, and many times, you don’t have the income you deserve as you put a lot of work into this process. But here I am making a living out of it.

Managing LowyLuxuryJewels

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 own the shop, and I run it primarily on my own. I upload the listing, take pictures of the items, optimize the listings, run the social media, make, prepare, and ship the orders, make new designs, get in contact with, and meet with, providers, etc. It is a lot of work for one person, but I try to have a schedule each day and prioritize tasks. Every day is a crazy day, and let me tell you this: even if you have the best planner in your mobile phone or on paper, many times you'll feel lost, but it's pretty normal. Take a breath and go on! Many times my partner and I brainstorm, and this helps me get or reject ideas and strategies. It can be relaxing and stressful at the same time. In terms of tools and apps, I use OneDrive, where I store all of my files in case anything happens to my laptop. Sometimes I use Photoshop when I want to take more artistic pictures. The truth is, I prefer real light without any "interventions" like Photoshop, etc. I love paper planners and journals. It is a great tool for scheduling my day.

The future of LowyLuxuryJewels

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

As an entrepreneur, I love to see my business grow, i.e., have more sales. A very important goal is to learn how to automate most of the day-to-day processes involved in running my Etsy shop. It could be through the use of tools or apps, as well as having someone delegate duties and tasks to me so that I have more time for myself and my family. 

Advice for new sellers

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

Make a business plan before you begin starting an Etsy shop. A basic business plan will help you see if you can afford costs like advertising, buying material for your shop, etc. Then try to purchase basic things for your shop without spending a lot. This is important because it will tell you if your product is something that people are willing to pay for. Try several products, and remember that it does not matter if you love the items. The final decider is your buyer, not you. He or she must love your product. So, even if you think that an item won’t work, give it a chance. It might work.