Etsy Seller Interview with Lesli of Macra YAY macrame

How Macra YAY macrame 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 bought a macramé piece from a few local ladies in 2017, and later took a workshop with them to learn how to make macramé! I loved it and started selling pieces right away so I could continue buying rope. 

I’m really happy I jumped right into Etsy as a way to establish my business. 

After slowly growing for about three years, I created the Original Macrame Fruit Hammock for personal use, and there was immediate interest from others. In late 2020, my product went viral, and then a few weeks later Etsy started advertising it! 

I was able to quit my full time job and pursue macramé full-time in 2021.

I aim to gather inspiration from others, but create fully original pieces. There are few worse feelings than seeing others copy your work, as I experienced with my fruit hammock. 

Favorite items

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

My favorite item is the Mini Macrame Plant Hanger. I have mine in my car, and after three years, it still brings me joy to look at it! It is small, cute, and grounding when sitting in traffic. They are probably my second best seller in my shop and make a perfect gift!

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’m sure someone in my family felt bad for me and placed my first Etsy order haha! I was never making substantial money until I created the Original Macrame Fruit Hammock. There was one month in 2019 when I only made $5 (pre fees!).

Now, I post on Instagram regularly and have an Etsy ad campaign at $5 a day. I often see my fruit hammock advertised on Pinterest which is fun! 

Managing Macra YAY macrame

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’m a one woman show! When I was slammed earlier this year, my boyfriend was a huge help, but now I can handle it on my own. I only use the Etsy app/website  and wish I would have set up the shipping feature with Etsy from the beginning. 

Buying a mail scale is worth every penny to not have to stand in the Post Office line- especially during the holiday season!

I aim to just sell items I have in stock so I can get them out ASAP. I typically send out orders within 1-3 business days. In my dream world, I would have about 200 units of my best seller ready to go so I don’t feel behind.

The future of Macra YAY macrame

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

I’m just now getting caught up/ahead after having a viral product earlier this year. I’d like to update my listings, add more products, and start an email list to gain return customers. 

Advice for new sellers

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

Get started! Several people I know have waited until they have all their ducks in a row to launch. 

Starting with what you have ready is a great way to learn if your prices are working, if you need to adjust for shipping, what shipping supplies you need, and what photos or styles attract the audience you want. 

You can always go back and improve your listings and your shop, but no one will buy from you if your shop isn’t open!