Etsy Seller Interview with Charlène of MesPetitesLueursCie

How MesPetitesLueursCie 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, my name is Charlène and I am the founder of MesPetitesLueursCie, an online store selling entirely handmade candles and scented melts.

I've always loved adding fragrance to my home. My shelves were filled with all kinds of candles, incense, and scented melts. But when my daughter was born, something changed. I became more aware of the air quality in our home. So I started questioning the composition of the products I was using and wanted to find a healthier alternative, without compromising on pleasure. So, in December 2023, I founded Mes Petites Lueurs and began creating my own candles and scented melts, entirely handmade with quality ingredients that respect health and the environment, in my small workshop located in Auvergne (France).

Etsy was the obvious choice. As a buyer, I already loved this platform for its accessibility to artisanal products. It was the ideal place to launch my shop and share my creations with a community that values ​​authenticity and handmade products.

Favorite items

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

One of my favorite products is the personalized mini candles for events. I particularly enjoy creating these little touches for life's precious moments: weddings, baptisms, baby showers, etc. It truly means a lot to me to know that my creations bring a little touch of light and sweetness to such special days for my clients. These candles are highly appreciated for their delicate fragrance, but also for their practical, decorative, and personalized qualities.

I also have a crush on my scented bouquets. I find them simply magnificent. I love the idea that a beautiful object can also subtly scent a room. It's a real pleasure to create an object that is both an elegant decorative element and a source of delicate fragrance. Many customers love the fact that they are beautiful to look at and pleasant to smell—a true two-in-one for the home!

These two products sell very well, probably because they combine aesthetics and emotion. They're not just decorative or useful: they bring something unique, whether as a gift or as a treat for yourself.

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 was lucky enough to make my first sale fairly quickly after opening my shop (about a week), which really encouraged me. It's a moment I'll never forget, full of joy and gratitude. But I know that's not always the case for everyone. Sometimes you can go weeks without an order, and it's in times like these that you have to stay confident and continue to be consistent in your work.

Attracting customers to Etsy takes time and real commitment. It's not enough to just post products and wait for sales to come in on their own.

Today, I would say my visibility relies on several pillars:

- Social media: especially Instagram. This is where I share new products, great deals, and sometimes even behind-the-scenes looks at my creations. This network allows me to create a direct connection with customers, show the human side of the brand, and build a real relationship of trust.

- The care taken with my product descriptions: beautiful photos, clear and inspiring descriptions, words chosen to convey a sense of ambiance. I really try to make each product description clear so that customers can imagine themselves in the product's world.

- Word of mouth: Over time, some customers tell their friends and family about my products, and that ends up creating a small community for me. But it doesn't happen overnight; you have to accept that growth is gradual.

- I also include a thank-you card with a promo code in each order, along with small gifts, to build customer loyalty.

I've realized that visibility doesn't happen overnight and that you shouldn't hesitate to test different communication methods, adapt, and remain consistent. The important thing is to be consistent, sincere, and attentive. Trust comes with time.

Managing MesPetitesLueursCie

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 run the shop entirely on my own. From design to marketing, including packaging and shipping, I do everything myself. Fortunately, I can count on the support of my husband, who helps me whenever he can.

It's a real daily challenge, but also a source of great pride.

To stay organized, I use Canva to create visuals and my marketing materials, Etsy to manage orders, and La Poste (Colissimo) for shipping.

Each order is packaged with care and love. Every detail is important; from the delicately folded silk sheet to the confetti sprinkled throughout the package, to the little perfume sprayed inside each package, so that opening it is a moment of joy.

I also take the time to interact with my community and listen to feedback, which allows me to evolve and offer ever-more tailored products.

The future of MesPetitesLueursCie

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

I have many plans for MesPetitesLueursCie. In the short term, I hope to expand my range with seasonal collections, gift sets, and new scents.

My longer-term dream would be to open a small boutique workshop where I could welcome my clients, share my expertise, and perhaps organize creative workshops.

I'm also working on strengthening my online presence, growing my community, and developing a strong brand identity, always true to my values ​​of gentleness, naturalness, and emotion.

Advice for new sellers

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

I'd say first of all that you shouldn't idealize Etsy or expect immediate results. We often see success stories that seem simple and quick, but the reality is quite different: building a shop, attracting your first customers, and generating regular sales takes time, energy, and above all, a lot of patience.

When you're starting out, you do everything yourself: design, photos, product posting, order management, customer service, social media... You shouldn't underestimate this workload. It's a real job in its own right, even if you start small.

So my first piece of advice is to be well organized, plan your time, and don't get discouraged by slow beginnings.

I would also say: be yourself. Stay true to what drives you. Customers can sense when a creation is made with love and authenticity. Passion is felt in your creations, but also in your words and your packages. Etsy is a human platform where people come looking for handmade products, authenticity, and stories. If you put your heart into what you do, your customers will feel it.

In short, don't be afraid to start small or progress step by step. Work on your visual universe, tell your story, and pay attention to every detail. Patience and consistency are essential. And above all: enjoy creating and sharing!