How BeadEmporiumGB 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?
BeadEmporiumGB began soon after COVID lockdown. Previously, all the stock had sat in the extension, wrapped in trays, gathering dust and cobwebs. My husband purchased a bead Shop thinking he would see it as a little retirement hobby. Roll on 3years,s and I realized he will likely never retire, so that was not going to sell this stock I spent all of lockdown cataloguing 5+ tons of beads, jewellery findings and all manner of craft paraphernalia. At last, some order emerged from the masses of products. I sought over 100 mushroom trays off Facebook for pennies and set about arranging my stock. I already have a vintage handbag store on Etsy and enjoy the platform (Vintage BagFairy),)so Io set up BeadEmporiumGB to complement it. Slowly adding to the store as I got to grips with my offering, and the store found its first order pretty quickly.
Favorite items
What are your favorite items? What makes these so special? Why do you think these items might be selling well?
I love selling my own handcrafted jewellery and accessories, and I added Vintage items, which I love to sell as they are one-offs. I've recently added vintage perfumes and bottles from my previous life in the perfumery industry.
My best sellers are the ornate acrylic metalized beads, which look glam, are easy to create fabulous pieces from, and are especially lightweight. I have a very competitive price point and include shipping, so I believe I make my items accessible to professionals and hobbyists alike. I sell my products in the US and Europe and am delighted to say I have many loyal repeat customers. My quality is excellent, I ship fast, and I believe in clear communication with my customers. A current best seller is my range of Sunflower porcelain beads in various shapes and sizes.
The sunflower is the national flower of Ukraine, and many have purchased it for charity crafts to raise funds for the war effort. I recently took off all the children's acrylic beads and gave them away to nursery schools, adult education charities, and anyone with little crafters. It's a joy to see the little girls eyes light up when I give them a huge bag of multicoloured beads and threads to get creative. I have a plan to do the same with the surplus wooden beads I have next month. I like to think it encourages others to create something uniquely personal, which I believe jewellery making can be. It is also great for your mental health and well-being.
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 my first sale took a few weeks and was about £8. As my prices are low, I need a lot of orders to make it worthwhile, but I enjoy the buildup and so far have made a good number of return customers who keep an eye on new pieces and products. I'm soon to launch a huge range of Swarovski crystals, waiting to be listed when I get the time. I use social media; Twitter is good, and Pinterest is also a good platform for me to share items on. Facebook, not so much. Etsy does most of the work to drive traffic, and I am a Star Seller, so I believe that helps.
Managing BeadEmporiumGB
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, and I love it that way. I work part time, so I figure with Etsy I put in full-time hours in reality. I just invested in a thermal label printer, so I hope that will make a financial difference as well as save me time when picking and packing. Oddly, there is something therapeutic about counting beads and the tactile feel of them, so I do love this side hustle.
The future of BeadEmporiumGB
What goals do you have for your shop in the future?
Continue to grow and develop my customer base. Many buy in bulk and make purchases based on my generous sampling policy. I also plan to add new relevant products and already have an offering of upcycled Denim clothing and accessories. Much of which will be beaded and hand embellished. Watch this space.
Advice for new sellers
What’s your advice for a new seller starting an Etsy shop?
I would say to be patient. If you are competitive with your pricing and use good photos of the items, you will attract buyers. So don't expect millions, and competition is fierce. Do your research on and off Etsy to be confident in what you are selling. That first sale is a great feeling, but you have to keep on top of your keywords, and I'm thinking video is the new watchword. Be clear in your descriptions and be quick to answer customer queries.
