How TheSimpleSandpiper 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 Etsy shop, The Simple Sandpiper, began as a creative escape during a difficult chapter in my life. After losing a beloved pet of nearly two decades, I needed something that felt grounding and meaningful—something that could bring a bit of beauty and calm into the world. I’ve always been drawn to the peaceful rhythm of the coast and the simplicity of nature, so those themes became the heart of my shop.

I’ve loved watercolor for years—it’s such an expressive and timeless medium. The fluidity and texture allow me to capture a certain softness that I think people are naturally drawn to. What I sell grew from those quiet, creative sessions—just me, a brush, and a lot of trial and error.

I now work with a blend of traditional watercolor and digital tools to bring my ideas to life in a way that feels clean, versatile, and easy to use. Every piece I offer is something I genuinely enjoy creating and would be happy to display in my own space. I keep my process simple, but thoughtful—always with the goal of evoking a feeling more than just filling a frame.

Favorite items

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

It's hard to choose favorites, but a few pieces really stand out to me because they capture the heart of what I love to create—playful, nostalgic, and a little bit dreamy.

One of my favorites is the Striped Painted Swimsuits – Vintage Summer Wall Art. It’s simple but full of character, with vintage-inspired stripes that feel like a nod to sun-soaked summers at the lake or beach. I think people are drawn to it because it’s both charming and minimal—easy to style but still unique.

Striped Painted Swimsuits, Vintage Summer Painting, White and Navy Blue Wall Art, Lake House Decor Art, Digital Download Instant Print

Another piece I adore is the Vintage Mermaid Oil Painting – Muted Coastal Art. The muted colors and gentle brush textures give it an old-world, coastal elegance that feels timeless. It’s a more moody, sophisticated take on mermaid art, and that unexpected balance seems to resonate with shoppers.

Vintage Mermaid Oil Painting, Muted Sunset Watercolor Print for Coastal Home Decor, Nautical Gift

And for something whimsical, I absolutely love the Under the Sea Halloween Creatures – Watercolor Art Print Set. It’s a set of eight sea creatures dressed in Halloween costumes—completely playful and fun, but still softly illustrated with watercolor. I think it connects with people who want to decorate for Halloween in a more understated or coastal way.

Under the Sea Halloween Watercolor Prints, Set of 8 Coastal Art Nouveau Style, Cute Ocean Animals in Costumes, Digital Download

Each of these pieces has found its own little audience, and I think they do well because they’re specific without being limiting—versatile enough to suit different spaces, but with a strong personality that makes them memorable.

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?

It took about a month before I made my first sale, which felt like a big milestone. In the beginning, I focused on refining my listings—making sure they were thoughtfully presented and easy to find. I believe that first sale came once my shop started gaining a little traction in search results, likely due to small SEO tweaks and some consistency in how I was posting and updating items.

Now, I attract customers through a combination of clear photography, keyword optimization, and creating pieces that genuinely reflect a mood or feeling people are searching for. I try to strike a balance between designing for joy and designing with purpose—each listing is crafted with both aesthetics and visibility in mind. And over time, word of mouth and repeat buyers have played a meaningful role, too.

Managing TheSimpleSandpiper

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?
Yes, it's just me behind the scenes at The Simple Sandpiper, from designing to customer service. I wear all the hats, and while that can be a challenge at times, I love being part of every step of the process.

My workflow blends traditional and modern tools. I start with hand-painted watercolor elements and then refine each piece digitally to get it just right. I also use AI as a creative tool to help explore ideas or speed up certain parts of the design process—but every final product is carefully edited, cleaned up, and styled by me. I treat AI the same way I would a sketchbook or a brush—it’s a tool that helps me create, not the source of the creativity.

Since I offer digital downloads, there’s no physical shipping involved, which allows customers to get instant access and gives me more time to focus on designing new pieces and improving the shop experience. I also use a few trusted Etsy integrations to help manage orders, previews, and updates, which keeps things running smoothly.

The future of TheSimpleSandpiper

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

One of my biggest dreams is to eventually grow The Simple Sandpiper into a full-time creative business. I’d love to be able to step away from my day job and focus entirely on designing and curating art that brings joy to people’s homes. That said, I know it’s a journey—there’s still a lot to learn when it comes to increasing traffic and visibility, and I’m taking it one step at a time.

My short-term goals are to expand my product range thoughtfully, connect more with my audience, and continue improving the customer experience. I’m excited to keep learning and evolving—and hopefully turning this quiet little shop into something really meaningful and sustainable.

Advice for new sellers

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

Start simple, stay consistent, and be patient. It can take time for your shop to gain traction, so don’t get discouraged if things move slowly at first. Focus on creating clear, well-presented listings with strong photos and thoughtful descriptions. Pay attention to your keywords and try to think like your customer—what would they be searching for?

Also, don’t be afraid to keep learning. Whether it’s SEO, branding, or just understanding your audience better, every bit of knowledge adds up. And finally, make sure you’re creating something you genuinely love. That passion will come through in your work, and it makes the whole process so much more rewarding.

Some sellers really get inspired by hearing numbers. Feel free to share these if you like.

Question: What is your shop’s conversion rate?
Answer: 2.6%