How PoetryJewelry 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 Kavitha and I am the owner of Poetryjewelry. I am based in Sydney, Australia. I started Poetryjewelry in 2009 and was originally making beaded jewelry with gemstones. After about 6 months I also started another store where I sold daily wear jewelry. I had a lot of customers asking me to design bridal jewelry in both stores and that is when I shifted my focus to making bridal jewelry in 2011/12. I am self-taught and it took me a while to understand what the brides wanted and what styles worked. My biggest inspiration for my designs are my brides. It is long hours but I absolutely love what I do. It is such an honor knowing that they will be worn on such a special day.
Favorite items
What are your favorite items? What makes these so special? Why do you think these items might be selling well?
It is hard to select a favorite item, but some of the ones that are popular in my store are:
They do well in my store, and I feel it represents my style the best: simple and classic with a bit of bling.
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?
That was a long time ago when Etsy was so different, but I remember it so well. They always say you never forget your first sale, and that is so true. I had been running the store for about 3 months, and I had no sales. I went to the forums one day, completely disheartened about the situation, and I posted on there that I didn’t know what else I could do. After going back and forth for a bit, another shop owner posted saying to go look for my first sale. She had bought one of my earrings, and I was over the moon. When I messaged her to thank her, she told me good luck and to pay it forward. I did that to another store that was new a few months later. But it was thanks to her that the shop finally got up and running. Today, most of my sales come from word of mouth.
Managing PoetryJewelry
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 work alone, handling all aspects of the store on Etsy, from sourcing materials to creating, photographing, answering emails, packaging, and posting. I don’t use any apps or tools. Shipping is all manually input, and some of the fulfillment is done by packages getting picked up from home (international), and my domestic shipping is done through the local post office.
The future of PoetryJewelry
What goals do you have for your shop in the future?
I want to streamline my work because I am constantly pressed for time, which interferes with my ability to post new listings and maintain the general upkeep of the store.
Advice for new sellers
What’s your advice for a new seller starting an Etsy shop?
First and foremost, don’t give up. Do a lot of reading and researching before setting up; it reduces so much stress later. Fill up the policies and the about-me section. Good photos, SEO, and responding to queries as soon as possible.
poetryjewelry
Wedding and Bridal Jewelry
