Etsy Seller Interview with Alison of AlisonWhateleyDesign

How AlisonWhateleyDesign 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 Alison Whateley, and I am a textile artist who sells original artworks, prints, greeting cards, textile art kits, and materials in her shop, Alison Whateley Design. I set up my Etsy shop in 2016 when I was making and selling cushions, handmade cards, small simple textile pictures, and brooches. I wanted to be able to sell both online and at local shows, so I decided to give Etsy a try. I have since moved my focus to art, creating unique artworks with fabric and stitch and sometimes a bit of mixed media in the form of buttons, beads, nails, and beachcombing finds. I use a combination of free-motion machine embroidery and hand stitching to create my work and am known for my painterly style achieved by the layering of sheer fabrics.

Favorite items

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

I love creating my mini-original artworks. These pieces make great, unique gifts at an affordable price. As each one is unique, the range is constantly changing, but I think I would have to say that my coastal ones are the most popular. Maybe this is because we all love the beach and like to be reminded of our summer vacations.

Speaking of the coast, my abstract coastal textile art kit is a very good seller. Again, people seem to be drawn to all things coastal, and the kits that I sell mean that they can have a go at creating their own at home.

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?

Although it took me six months to get my first sale, I found that after that, sales started to become more regular. Now that I am more established online, I drive customers to my Etsy shop from my website, as well as from my Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube accounts. I also make sure that my listings themselves are optimized for Esty search.

Managing AlisonWhateleyDesign

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?

Originally, it was all down to me, but in April 2022, my husband joined me, and we now share the workload. I concentrate mainly on the creating while he concentrates mainly on the business side of things, although there is a degree of overlap at times. He is responsible for order fulfillment. We use Etsy’s integrated shipping labels and aim to get the majority of orders out the same day as they are placed. Customer service is very important to us, as we know that good customer service coupled with quality products increases the likelihood of repeat sales.

I am responsible for listings. Although my husband sometimes takes the photos, I use the Esty Seller App to create a quick draft of my listing before moving to my laptop to complete and publish it.

The future of AlisonWhateleyDesign

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

Like most sellers, I would like to increase my sales, and I’m constantly looking at how I can achieve that. I would like to expand my range of textile art kits, and I’m currently in the process of designing some more to be launched throughout this year.

Advice for new sellers

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

Be patient; it can take time for your shop to be seen. Make sure you promote it regularly on social media and your website, if you have one, as this will help. Good photos are really important as buyers can’t see your items in real life. Maybe consider having some professional product shots taken if you don’t have too many items to list. If not, make sure that your items are well-lit when photographing them. Quality is everything, so make sure you are offering the customer great products with a great customer service experience. That way, they are not just more likely to order from you again themselves, but they will also tell their friends and family about you too.