How TerLingCreations 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?

As a fiber fanatic since my teens, I enjoy sewing, knitting, and making fiber artworks with yarns, fabrics, and twigs. Ten years ago, I came across the medium of wool batts and fleece; since then, I knew it was a kind of wool felting. I was immediately smitten by those abilities. I started learning wool felting from an artist in the UK and then had the chance to meet a botanical eco printer who inspired me to use foliage, weeds, and all sorts of leaves to print on fabrics by heating and pressure pressing. Enjoying nature and riding bicycles are my hobbies. I found the technique of printing plant shades and shapes with its pigments by using real leaves, flowers, and twigs on fabric, paper, and leather. It's amazing and wonderful. I collect plants while cycling and started to develop my printing skills on fabrics and wool felting through numerous experiments with tons of scrap samples in my stash. As an early retiree, I began selling my one-of-a-kind creations as a freelancer on Etsy in 2014. During that time, wool felt purses, brooches, nuno felt scarves, botanical eco-printed scarves, table runners, and mattresses were sold. Currently, I am primarily interested in eco-printing and sharing my techniques through printable digital e-books. It's an instant download of tutorials in PDF format with detailed instructions for printing on substrates. In the e-book, I also share ideas for making the prints into beautiful and practical items like wall hangings, art journals, handbags, and purses. I live in Hong Kong and source my materials from local shops.

Favorite items

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

My current offerings are mostly online PDF tutorials for botanical eco printing. This is my favorite item as it covers fabric, paper, and leather printing. Because eco-printing is a one-of-a-kind creation, it is one-of-a-kind and cannot be replicated. People like to design their own graphic patterns for garments, fashion accessories, art journals, paper cards, purses, and cases. This fun product enables more and more people to make it happen with their own creative ideas and have fun.

Latest eBook leather-linen-paper eco printing tutorial, purse, belt, artbook making ideas, gift of natural colorful flower printing

This one is basic and one of the hot sales:

Instant download e-Book, PDF enhanced prints tutorial, eco prints, contact prints, fabric & art journal, natural color fabric, textile art
PDF natural prints tutorial, eco print, botanical printing learning, fabric drawing tutorial, leaves prints learning, natural color fabric

PDF natural prints tutorial, eco print, botanical printing learning, fabric drawing tutorial, leaves prints learning, natural color fabric

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?

Just one month after I opened the shop, I got orders from the US and had repeat customers thereafter. By using social media like my Facebook page, Instagram, and Pinterest, I manage to generate more sales every now and then.

Managing TerLingCreations

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?

The shop is managed only by me. I make all items myself, as well as take and edit photos. Sometimes with my lovely and curious cat around to enhance the images, I use my iPhone for shooting photos. Apps like VideoShop, Meitu, and iMovie help a lot with editing. As I only sell PDF tutorials online, all PDF files were downloaded via the internet. I don’t have any logistic problems. Customers just pay and download the files in seconds. It’s a great benefit to both the clients and me.

The future of TerLingCreations

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

I plan to hone my botanical printing skills and launch a line of branded eco-printed clothing and accessories for the general public. 

Advice for new sellers

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

To sell successfully on Etsy, you should have a unique design and make it outstanding. Original and even one-of-a-kind would be good. Nice images and friendly follow-up are required. 

Alura Team
Alura Team

Alura is your all-in-one platform for selling on Etsy. With more $500.000+ gross sales over four years selling on Etsy, Alura is built by experienced sellers for sellers. Start with a free account and explore all the features you need to start, run, and grow your Etsy shop.