Etsy Seller Interview with Dawn of DawnColgan

How DawnColgan 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?

Hi! I’m Dawn from my Etsy shop, DawnColgan. I’m a maker and designer with a love and passion for Harris Tweed. I started sewing at an early age. It was something I was good at, but there was no one in my family who used a sewing machine or who could teach me. So I developed my own way of making the things I wanted. I learned to translate the images in my head into a 3D item. One day a friend gave me a piece of Harris Tweed, and I just fell in love with it. It sews beautifully, is hard-wearing, and comes in so many fabulous colors. It has a long history and is the only country in the world that is governed by its own act of parliament. To be called Harris Tweed, it has to be made in the outer Hebrides on looms powered by feet. No electricity is used when weaving.

I have around 50 different colors and designs; some I’m working on, designing new items; some I'm still experimenting with as I haven’t found what to make with them yet. I had been selling my wares to friends and family, but eventually I needed another outlet to sell all the stuff I was making. I looked at a number of selling options: craft shows, online, pop-up shops, etc. But I had limited storage, and I really liked the idea of selling in my own shop. Etsy popped up as an option, and having looked at other online shops, it seemed the easiest one to go with. My products come from my imagination. I don’t work from patterns, although I have made some of mine into patterns, so I have consistency with size. I like to make every order as it arrives. I really enjoy making a bespoke item where my customers and I work on a design together. Sometimes that design becomes a regular stock item.

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 are my guitar straps. They started as a ‘hint’ from my brother-in-law, how he wouldn’t mind one. For his 50th, I sent him what became the prototype for everyone I’ve made since. Etsy has made it easy for me to sell them all over the world, and I’m proud to say they have been bought by the famous as well as the budding guitarist. It is one of my best sellers, with customers returning to buy more or asking for custom-made designs. What my customers tell me is that they are incredibly comfortable as well as strong and hard-wearing.

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 was so surprised when my first order came in; my phone was on silent, so I missed the first ‘kerching’. I can’t really remember how soon it was after I set up my shop, but it was fairly soon after going live, maybe within the first month. I’ll be the first to admit I am pretty rubbish at self-promotion, but I let people know where they can buy my products, and I use social media.

Managing ArktosArt

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?

There is only me. It can get rather busy when you wear every hat from designer maker to postman, stockman, photographer, and shop manager. I don’t always manage to get everything I make photographed, write up its description, and list it in my shop as soon as it’s made; I still have things I made six months ago waiting to be listed.

The Etsy app is great for managing my listings. I can use it when I’m sitting down in the evening. But mostly, I use my computer to do most of my editing and listing.

I have two Etsy shops as well as a website. I link them to a shipping website so I can manage all my orders from one shipping platform. Because I make each order that comes in, I can adjust the shipping time quickly to ease the pressure when it gets really busy (Christmas).

The future of ArktosArt

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

I have several new designs coming up, and I’m going to be adding better photos and a few more videos.

Advice for new sellers

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

Just go for it. It doesn’t cost anything to set up, and you could be sending your items all over the world.

Make sure you set up everything. Your policies are important because they are your guarantee and promise to your customers, and they ensure you are protected.

Don’t lose heart when you don’t get the orders flooding in, as it takes time to build up your business. Believe in what you do, as you are your biggest fan.

Remember, your customers are important. Give them the best service you can, and they will return again and again.