Etsy Seller Interview with Xander of Stickymcstickerface

How Stickymcstickerface 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?

Hi, I’m Xander and my store is Stickymcstickerface. I sell stickers and other planner-based stationery. I first started my store two years ago after seeing people being able to make their own stickers on YouTube. I had always loved stationery, but never dreamed of making it myself.

Up until that point, I didn’t think it was possible for small creators and artists to do so. As I researched more about how to make stickers, I was introduced more and more to the planning world and something about it  just brought joy to me. I was in love with the idea of making my own stationery from that point forward. 

I started off drawing my stickers myself using an iPad but quickly moved on to making them in Photoshop. I spent months looking for sticker paper that I thought was good quality.

I ordered in small lots of 10 sheets, and printed on them, as well as left them to see if they would turn yellow. I think it was about 3 months before I found a manufacturer that I was really happy with. 

Favorite items

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

My favorite products that I have in my shop are: Clear Month Stickers, Days Of The Week Stickers, and Transparent Dot Planner Stickers.

The first sticker sheet was my very first clear sticker sheet. I had been working with normal sticker paper only up to that point and this was the start of being able to offer more than one type of product in my shop. 

The second is because it’s so simple and yet so effective. A splash of color to days of the week and it allows you to have a page in your diary or planner personalized to your tastes without affecting its function. 

The third is more or less for the same reason but also allowed me to see that clear stickers could be functional just as much as normal stickers.

All of these stickers always seem to be in my top 10 sellers. I think people are attracted to their bright designs and versatility.

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 think I got my first sale only a few days after setting my shop up. I was so surprised and happy I actually ran to tell my Mum. A lot of the time, Etsy brings in customers naturally but I also have an Instagram account where I announce sales and new releases.

Managing Stickymcstickerface

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?

It’s just me in my little spare room or studio running my shop. I actually think I’m really disorganized, so I usually use a spreadsheet to write down what needs to be printed or made for orders that day and work my way through making them.

Through the afternoon, usually I am packing up those orders. I print the labels myself and use a drop and go service provided by Royal Mail.

The future of Stickymcstickerface

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

This is a hard one because I tend to dream a little too big sometimes! I would love to see my products on store shelves. My dream since the beginning has always been to walk into a hobby shop and be able to see my items there.

Advice for new sellers

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

Do your market research. Find out what is popular with your target audience, stay up on trends.

Is rose gold or holographic in now? Is it a busy birthday season? Are you pricing your items at what you would pay for them? Are you sure you have worked out all the fees and are still going to make a profit? Are you really prepared to stay up to 1-2am as you have no one to fall back on because it is YOUR business? 

These are all things to take into consideration, but the most important part I find with long running shops is the people behind it have passion for the work they are doing. 

Mental and physical health should also be a factor, and no matter how much research or passion you do have, you still have to look after yourself in the middle of it all, so take a day off when needed.