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How MalBeckDesigns 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?
What started as a creative outlet with my daughter quickly turned into a magical little shop where books, imagination, and a love of crafting collide. We began designing bookmarks together—just for fun—and before long, friends and family were asking for their own. That spark grew into Malbeck Designs.
I decided to open an Etsy shop to share our creations with fellow book lovers, fantasy fans, and stationery enthusiasts. Many of our pieces are inspired by the stories we adore—like ACOTAR, The Office, and even the Detroit Red Wings (yes, we're a little obsessed)—and every product is infused with that same love and whimsy.
Our bookmarks are handcrafted using premium paper, laminates, and a Cricut to add all the fine details. Each design is carefully illustrated, cut, and assembled in our home studio—sometimes with a little help from our dog supervisor, Douglas.
Favorite items
What are your favorite items? What makes these so special? Why do you think these items might be selling well?
Some of my absolute favorite items in the shop capture the heart of what Malbeck Designs is all about: personality, creativity, and a little bit of magic on every page.
This dreamy little piece is inspired by the City of Starlight from the ACOTAR series. It blends a love of fantasy with a minimalist, celestial aesthetic—perfect for fans who want a subtle nod to their favorite world. It’s been a hit with readers looking for something beautiful and functional.
This one is a playful tribute to Michael Scott’s favorite phrase—with a bookish twist. “That’s what she read” hits just the right note of sass and humor, making it a bestseller with Office fans and readers who don’t take themselves too seriously. It’s compact, magnetic, and guaranteed to make you smile every time you open your book.
This one has my heart. I started making these after designing one of my own dogs, and now it’s become a customer favorite. You send a photo, I turn your pup into a tiny magnetic sidekick. Each one is hand-illustrated and personalized, making them the perfect gift for dog lovers, pet memorials, or just because your furry bestie deserves bookmark fame.
Each of these products sells well because they’re fun, thoughtful, and totally unique to the reader. Whether you're curled up with a fantasy novel, laughing through your favorite sitcom, or honoring your doggo, Malbeck Designs has something special just for you.
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?
It took a little over a week to get my first sale—which felt both fast and nerve-wracking at the same time! I remember refreshing my Etsy app constantly and doing a happy dance when that first order came through (it was one of my Office bookmarks, of course).
Right now, I attract customers by leaning into what makes Malbeck Designs special: personality-packed, giftable items that spark a smile. I share new designs and behind-the-scenes peeks on social media, use relevant Etsy tags and keywords to help people find my shop, and try to keep listings fresh and fun with seasonal or fandom-specific drops.
I’ve also found that offering custom options (like the dog bookmarks!) helps bring in a more personal audience—people love having something unique and made just for them. I’m still growing, learning, and experimenting with what works.
Managing MalBeckDesigns
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?
Malbeck Designs is a one-woman (plus one 9-year-old assistant) operation! I manage everything myself—from designing and crafting to listing, customer service, and shipping. My daughter Mallory often joins me in the creative process (and serves as an enthusiastic product tester), which makes it even more special. We started this as a fun bonding project, and it's grown into something really meaningful.
To keep things running smoothly, I use a mix of tools:
📌 Cricut Design Space – for cutting and prepping all of my handmade bookmarks
📌 Photoshop– for illustration and design work
📌 Canva – for mockups and promotional graphics
📌 Etsy’s seller app – to manage orders, messages, and listings on the go
Shipping and fulfillment all happen from my home studio (aka a cozy corner of my house that's now overrun with washi tape, foil, and cardstock). I pack every order by hand, usually with a handwritten note or a little surprise tucked in. My goal is to make each package feel like happy mail for the reader receiving it.
The future of MalBeckDesigns
What goals do you have for your shop in the future?
My biggest goal for Malbeck Designs is to keep growing with my creativity. I’d love to expand beyond bookmarks into other bookish accessories—maybe stickers, prints, or even planner kits that blend fandom and function. I’m also exploring adding seasonal drops and limited-edition collections based on favorite books, holidays, and yes, my dog Douglas.
Eventually, I’d love to grow Malbeck into a recognizable brand in the bookish community. I’m dreaming of collaborations with authors, book boxes, or even having my designs featured at local bookstores and pop-ups. I’d also love to involve my daughter Mallory more as she gets older, keeping this our fun, creative project together.
For now, my focus is on connecting with readers, keeping the shop personal and joyful, and making sure every item feels like something I’d love to receive myself.
Advice for new sellers
What’s your advice for a new seller starting an Etsy shop?
Start small, stay scrappy, and make things you genuinely love. It’s easy to get overwhelmed in the beginning—there’s SEO, branding, photography, packaging, shipping… but don’t let that stop you. Focus on just getting your first few listings up. You can polish and adjust as you go.
Also, don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle. Your shop is yours. Let it reflect your personality, your creativity, and your voice. That authenticity is what draws customers in.
A few practical tips that helped me:
Take clear, well-lit photos (mockups or natural lighting work wonders).
Use all the Etsy tags and make them specific. Think like a customer when you’re writing them.
Treat every sale like it matters—because it does. Thoughtful packaging and kind messages go a long way.
And most importantly: celebrate every milestone, even the small ones. First sale? Celebrate. First review? Screenshot it and smile forever.
You don’t need a huge budget or a perfect plan to start. You just need a little courage, a lot of heart, and a product that brings people joy.
