How fosterillustrations 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 an illustrator based in Québec City. I started my shop in 2012, and I first sold products like bags, handmade key rings, and greeting cards. At the beginning, I didn’t sell a lot, and buyers were mostly relatives. I think it was because I had too many different products and had yet to define my personal style. A few years later, I knew better what I wanted to do, so I started to take better pictures of my art and add more details in the description. My specialties are cute animal portraits with some flowers or plants. My art is loved by nature lovers and families with children. It’s perfect for a kid’s room or any kind of decoration. When you propose a good-quality product and make it with love, people notice it, and they leave you good reviews. So, slowly, I had more orders in my Etsy Shop.

Favorite items

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

I’m very proud of my wall stickers. There are few illustrators selling this kind of product, and I think I stand out for this reason. The quality is also amazing, and it’s made in Quebec City. They aren't the best sellers because they are more expensive products. I want to find a better way to show the material. I’ve done a lot of tests and research to find good materials, and the colours printed are amazing.

Little mice and mushroom houses / Wall sticker / Boho wallmural / Mice illustrations / Wall tights made in Quebec / Adhesive
Red fox wall tights / Fox illustration / Fox autumn collection / Art print fox / Fox wall adhesive / Children's wall decoration
Plums and bird / Wall sticker set / Wall mural art / Bird illustration / wall tights / Watercolor illustrations

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?

If I remember well, it took a month before I earned my first order. I regularly post content on Facebook and Instagram to talk about my art. I added links on these pages to redirect people to my Etsy shop. It’s also important to create some new stuff and collections to keep the interest of customers. You can also give a discount for your next order.

Managing fosterillustrations

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?

I’m alone in my business, but I can count on the help of my husband for all kinds of advice. For the preparation of the orders, I proceed as a production line. I double-check everything to be sure there’s no error. I usually do this part in the morning so I can go to the post office in the afternoon.

The future of fosterillustrations

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

I want to create new collections a few times a year. I’m currently working on children’s books, so it will take a lot of my time. I don’t know where this will take me, but I want to make art for the rest of my life, for sure!

Advice for new sellers

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

It’s very important to keep trying, even if sales are slow to arrive. You can also learn a lot by looking at successful shops for things to include in the item description, layout, pricing, and hashtags to use to reach potential customers. Finally, Etsy gives good advice on how to manage your shop. Also, there are many communities that can help you. Of course, it takes a lot of time, but you’ll be happy to see the results after all.

Alura Team
Alura Team

Alura is your all-in-one platform for selling on Etsy. With more $500.000+ gross sales over four years selling on Etsy, Alura is built by experienced sellers for sellers. Start with a free account and explore all the features you need to start, run, and grow your Etsy shop.