Etsy Seller Interview with Nelli of SteamFactoryDE

How SteamFactoryDE 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 work a lot with images and graphics, but I also like to tinker around with things with my own hands, not only digitally, whenever there's some pent-up creativity. I like accessories and miniature worlds, so I really enjoy creating little portable worlds made from natural materials. When I first started doing this, there weren't as many shops that offered a wide range of materials to work with, so it irritated me to spend so much time looking for the right pieces to use. And I wasn't the only one, which encouraged me to open up my own shop to collect unique tinkering materials from around the world that I could work with myself and also share with others. Since then, I've always tried, whenever I find something special, to offer it in my shop.

Favorite items

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

My favorite items are my preserved flowers. To this day, it fascinates me that it's possible to preserve nature so neatly and then shape it into beautiful, lively miniature worlds and other jewelry creations.

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 remember how nervous I'd been at that time, thinking "What if no one buys my things?" but then the first order came in on the second day. Then came second and third. just like that. One just has to go for it.)

Managing SteamFactoryDE

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 actually taking care of my shop on my own, but thankfully, my husband also helps. It's much easier together, and meanwhile, we're sort of a well-practiced team.

The future of SteamFactoryDE 

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

After all this time, my shop has become very dear to my heart, and now it's impossible to imagine otherwise. I'm planning to continue my search for DIY supplies that aren't easy to come by and make my customers happy.

Advice for new sellers

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

It sounds mundane, but the most important advice is to just start. The first step is the most important one, and it's fruitless to plan everything out to the last detail and delay the start. In my experience, the shop's success scales with the time invested. Make adjustments to your shop, your product descriptions, photos, and so on. Research what the customers are after, but do all of it on the fly. Begin and grow alongside your shop instead of pre-planning everything offline.

Furthermore, be considerate with your customers. They don't spend as much time with your products as you do, so they don't know as much about them. Try to view your own products through the eyes of a stranger. Then you'll start noticing details that you can add to the product explanations. Take pictures of your products during daylight, so they can be presented most authentically, and try to picture them as if you are the one doing the shopping. How should a product be displayed to prevent you from being afraid of making a purchasing mistake? This is how you should present them. Good luck! :D