Etsy Seller Interview with Adalbert of CracowMagicDecor

How CracowMagicDecor 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?

Hello! My name is Wojciech Socharczenko, and I am the owner of a shop called "Cracow Magic Decor,", because my heart beats in rhythm with the old town of Kraków. My adventure with Etsy began when I was its loyal customer, sifting through its pages in search of unique items. 

I was born in Kraków, a city that is an endless source of inspiration for me. Every alley of the Old Town, every nook of Kazimierz, and every stone on Wawel Hill hold special meaning for me. Kraków is a city where history intertwines with the present and tradition blends with modernity.

Inspired by this magic, I decided to share with others the treasures I discovered while wandering the streets of my hometown and travelling across Europe. That's how my shop

"CracowMagicDecor" on Etsy was born. I specialise in vintage items, both those I find at Kraków's flea markets and those I bring back from my travels across the old continent. Germany, France, Italy, and the Netherlands—each of these places hides an endless number of treasures that I want to pass on.

In my shop, you will find a variety of items, from lamps to porcelain to bronze sculptures. Each of them has its own story, a soul waiting for you to discover. I invite you to uncover the mysteries hidden in my store. Let "Cracow Magic Decor become a part of your story.

Favorite items

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

My favourite items in the shop are those that not only look beautiful at home but also have a deep history and practical value.

Bronze-mounted porcelain is a unique and stylish addition to interiors. Combined with a bronze element, it creates a harmonious whole that catches the eye. Its usefulness ensures that it is not only beautiful but also functional. Such items sell very well because people value the combination of aesthetics and functionality.

Banker's lamps have an incredible, classic look. Their warm light brings a calm and relaxed atmosphere to the room. Because of this, they are incredibly popular among those who want to add a touch of elegance to their interiors.

These unique sculptures are true works of art. You can see the craftsman's artistry and meticulous work put into their creations. They symbolise luxury and prestige, which is why they sell so well. A key advantage of these products is their authenticity. They are made of natural materials that, with age, become even more valuable. This means they can be passed down from generation to generation, becoming a family treasure.

Additionally, introducing the option of personalised engraving makes them an ideal gift for various occasions. The ability to add a personal dedication makes them even more special. This offer is free of charge and is our gift to the buyer.

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?

My adventure with Etsy began five years ago. The first sale was a significant event for me, and I remember it vividly—it was a wonderful moment when someone appreciated my work and dedication. A nostalgic sculpture of a woman caught the attention of one of the customers, and he decided to purchase it. However, the delivery process did not go as smoothly as I had anticipated. I had chosen an inexperienced carrier at that time, causing many issues and delays. Despite this, I maintained regular communication with the customer, striving to assist in every possible way.

Fortunately, everything turned out well, and the customer was delighted with the service, despite the earlier mishaps. This situation taught me a lot, primarily about the importance of choosing the right business partner and paying attention to every detail of the sales process.

Currently, I only use trusted carriers like FedEx and DHL. We have also refined our packaging process to ensure the safety of each shipment. As a result, we can offer rapid deliveries even to the most remote corners of the world, which impresses our customers.

Attracting new customers to the shop primarily relies on high-quality service, excellent product presentation through professional photos, and quick delivery times.

Furthermore, the personalisation of items that we offer, added at no extra charge, makes shopping in our store a unique experience for the customer.

I believe that attention to detail, commitment, and passion for what we do make customers eager to return to us and recommend us to others. We are continually improving something. Building relationships with customers is an ongoing process.

Managing CracowMagicDecor

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?

Managing the "CracowMagicDecor" shop on Etsy is a team effort. While I initially ran the business on my own, I quickly realised that to achieve success and provide the highest quality of service to our customers, I needed support.

Matt is my right-hand man when it comes to logistics. He is knowledgeable about packaging and ensures that every item is carefully wrapped and safely delivered to the customer. His experience in this area is invaluable, especially considering the nature of our products, which are often delicate and require special attention.

Marta is our customer service specialist. Her role is to ensure that every customer feels valued and has confidence that any issue will be addressed. Her professionalism and experience in interacting with people make our customers feel appreciated.

Maya, on the other hand, is responsible for the visual aspect of the shop. Her artistic abilities, which she developed while studying at the Academy of Fine Arts, translate into beautiful product photos in our store. Her work captures the essence and soul of every item, attracting customers' attention.

To manage the shop and communicate within the team, we use various tools and applications. Tools integrated with the Etsy platform allow us to track orders, manage inventory, and communicate with customers. We also utilise various apps for time management, task planning, and team collaboration.

Thanks to such coordinated work, we can efficiently fulfil orders and ensure the highest quality of service. Our team is strong and understands each other well, which translates to the success of the shop and the satisfaction of our customers. Achieving the Star Seller status on Etsy is proof that our efforts are yielding the desired results.

The future of CracowMagicDecor

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

My dreams and visions for the "CracowMagicDecor" shop are quite ambitious, but I believe that with dedication and hard work, we can achieve them.

Even though we specialise in vintage products, we aim to continuously expand our range, introducing new product categories and developing our portfolio. This might mean seeking inspiration in different cultures or going back to our roots to offer customers more authentic items from Krakow and its surroundings.

Etsy provides the opportunity to sell globally. We want to strengthen our presence in international markets, delivering our unique products to customers from different corners of the world.

Embracing new technologies is key to the future of e-commerce. We aim to continuously learn and adapt to new tools and solutions that will help us serve our customers better.

Krakow is a city brimming with talent. We want to collaborate with local craftsmen and artists to introduce handcrafted, unique products to our store.

In an era of consumerism, we wish to emphasise the value of sustainability and environmental care. We're considering introducing a recycling or exchange programme to promote the idea of giving items a "second life."

Pursuing these goals will demand hard work, dedication, and continuous learning. But I'm confident that with the commitment of my team, our passion for what we do, and the support of our wonderful customers, "CracowMagicDecor" will continue to grow and thrive.

Advice for new sellers

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

Remember, communication is key. Customers can vary, and sometimes negative comments appear without any given reason or prior contact. In such situations, it's always worth reaching out to the client, asking about the reason for their dissatisfaction, and trying to solve the issue. Keep in mind that honesty and a willingness to assist always pay off in customer relations.

Also, remember to maintain a balance between work and rest and to take care of your well-being. Success in e-commerce demands not only hard work but also self-care. Much patience and perseverance to you from the Cracow Magic Decor Shop Team.