Etsy Seller Interview with Lisa of PawfectlyCrafted1

How PawfectlyCrafted1 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 shop is called Pawfectly Crafted. I started selling on Etsy in 2019. I decided to sell on Etsy as they have a large customer base and I can sell my gifts internationally too. My previous role was as a secretary, working in an office and making gifts in the evenings and weekends until my dog became unwell. This forced me to leave my secretarial role and fulfill my dream of working for myself and looking after her. All my gifts are personalized; I create bespoke hand-stamped gifts for pets and all occasions. My work is created using various metals, including brass, copper, and aluminum. I use a hammer and steel stamps. No machine is involved, which makes my work unique in the market as no two items will ever be the same. All my work is done by eye; no machines are involved. All of my materials are sourced in the United Kingdom. 

Favourite items

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

This is one of my popular dog tags:

These items sell really well; I’m not really sure why. I think the dog tag is just funny with the wording. The keyring is a thoughtful gift; the couple keeps one piece each, making it a personal keepsake. The umbilical cord trinket box was a custom order made originally for a lady, and I decided to advertise it in my Etsy shop, where it's now one of my most popular items.

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 got my first sale in 2019, and I promote my items on various social network platforms like Facebook and Instagram.

Managing PawfectlyCrafted1

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 am the sole proprietor of the company; I work full time and enjoy what I do. All my mail is shipped via Royal Mail, our postal company. I always send the customer a photo of their gift before I post it, so they can trust that I have made it. All items are sent fully tracked, so the customer can locate the parcel themselves. I post internationally too, but I have removed some countries since Brexit, as this has caused a few issues with some countries.

The future of PawfectlyCrafted1

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

My goals are to give the best customer service to my customers and to be the best at what I do. I love to learn and develop new skills, so I will hopefully be booking a jewelry-making course for 2023 so I can introduce a new range of gifts to my shop.

Advice for new sellers

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

I would suggest a new seller should treat customers as they would expect to be treated. Being proactive, keeping your customers updated on their gifts, and always going the extra mile I would suggest they read the seller's handbook, as this is full of useful information that is required for running a successful business.