Etsy Seller Interview with Gill of WahooDesigns

How WahooDesigns 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 Gill, and I'm the designer and owner of WahooDesigns.Etsy.Com. I began making jewelry alongside a friend many years ago. She introduced me to my craft. I love the creative side of sitting with boxes of beads and producing fun designs. When I "retired" from my job working with students with dyslexia, I found that I had more time to create jewelry, so I needed to find a new outlet. That’s when I discovered Etsy and made the leap in 2013.

I source many of my materials at the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show in Arizona, U.S.A., each February, buying from vendors from all over the world. There is something wonderful about going to the shows there, hunting for unique and interesting stones, and being able to find the quality of natural stones that I desire. I buy my sterling silver wire from a renowned source in the U.S. I want to make sure that I have the best quality materials to produce good-quality products.

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 to make are earrings. I love the diversity of designs that I can create, although there is one that has more meaning to me than the others. My friend, who first introduced me to beading, was diagnosed with breast cancer and had a double mastectomy. As a way to show my support for her in her wellness journey, I designed my breast cancer awareness ribbon earrings. They are a sterling silver "ribbon" with a small pink pearl attached. I think people appreciate that they are a subtle way to wear the ribbon every day. I have now added a pendant necklace with the same design.

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 listed my first items in October 2013 and was incredibly lucky to sell something that same day. My shop has grown from strength to strength and I am very lucky to have many, amazing, repeat customers. I hope my items appeal to a great number of women as I try to have a wide range of colors and sizes of earrings etc. I have to admit, although I do try to use instagram and facebook, I'm pretty pitiful at it. 

Managing WahooDesigns

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?

Wahoo Designs is a one-woman show! I do the designing, making, photography, listing, and shipping. I try to reply to messages in a timely manner and ship the same day or the next. I believe I provide quality items; however, if there is ever a problem, I also have a no-questions-asked return policy. I think this helps give buyers the confidence they need to buy online. I send my items in high-quality, "gift-ready" packaging and have received positive feedback on the presentation of my jewelry. 

The future of WahooDesigns 

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

My goal for Wahoo Designs is to continue to produce fun, quality designs. I love working in my studio and hope to continue for many years. Etsy has provided me with an outlet through which to sell my designs. I hope to keep selling steadily and continue to grow.

Advice for new sellers

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

When I started on Etsy, I had absolutely no idea about SEO (search engine optimization) or how to list items that would catch the buyer’s eye. I have learned so much along the way, but much of it has come from fellow sellers in the Etsy forum. My advice to new sellers would be to first make sure your product is eligible for sale on Etsy (handmade or designed by you, vintage (at least 20 years old), or a supply). Set up your shop properly with your location and policies, as this will help customers trust you.

It’s of the utmost importance to have great quality photos that showcase your product, ensuring that the colors are as accurate as possible and showing relevant size details, etc., and giving all the relevant details of your product. The more accurate you can be, the more willing buyers will be to purchase from you. It’s also critical that you optimize your SEO to direct potential customers to your products. But most importantly, love what you do!