How Create Your Bliss 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! I’m Kim, also known as the bead addict. With the assistance of my husband, Mike, we run our shop, Create Your Bliss.
I’ve always loved beads, whether made by me or someone else. I originally opened our shop to sell my handmade glass Lampwork beads and artisan jewelry components. As my inventory expanded to include commercially produced supplies, Mike came aboard to assist me. What began as a hobby in 2011 has now become a full-time job for me
Favorite items
What are your favorite items? What makes these so special? Why do you think these items might be selling well?
I love this 6mm Boho Square Bead. It has so much visual interest for a small bead. It looks great in the pewter finish:
Leather is a perfect match for the many rustic beads in our shop. This 1.5mm Natural Antique Brown Leather Cord is a versatile color and never goes out of style.
The Green Patina on these Mini Tube beads is beautiful. One can never have too many little beads:
I love the look of this 4mm Cotton Bolo Cord. It’s an excellent alternative to a leather bolo cord:
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?
Within the first week, I had my first sale. It was very exciting! That excitement never wears off and we give thanks every time that sale bell rings on the Etsy App.
We currently use Etsy Ads to promote our shop and have been happy with the results.
Managing Create Your Bliss
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?
One of the more time consuming tasks is packing and shipping orders. Because Mike helps me with these tasks, I’m able to attend to all the other responsibilities. Some tools I use every day are Photoshop, Avery Label Design and Stamps.com. The Sell on Etsy app on my mobile phone allows me to communicate with my customers quickly and from any location.
The future of Create Your Bliss
What goals do you have for your shop in the future?
I am currently introducing a line of leather cord that has been manufactured exclusively for Create Your Bliss. It has been rewarding to work directly with the manufacturer to create custom colors and I look forward to increasing this line of leather products.
A second goal is to get back to creating Lampwork beads in my glass studio. Running an Etsy shop can be all consuming, so it’s important to have balance. Creating artisan glass beads for my shop speaks to the heart of what Etsy is about, as well as bringing me back full circle to the reason this wonderful journey all began.
Advice for new sellers
What’s your advice for a new seller starting an Etsy shop?
When I opened my shop in 2011, I did not have access to resources like Alura. A new seller will have an immediate advantage by utilizing tools like this. My advice is to learn and prepare to the best of your ability, and then take that leap and open your shop. It can be easy to become overwhelmed and think you’re not ready, but do it anyway. Some things can only be learned along the way.
Create Your Bliss
Beautiful Beads and Jewelry Supplies
